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>>42717635

It's a nice change, you've got to admit. The last angel you talked with had seemed intent on yelling at you, cursing you as a foolish insect and threatening eternal damnation. This one, by comparison, is gentle sounding – reasonable even. And beautiful... so painfully beautiful that you become acutely aware of every flaw you've even seen in your own face. Even the pair of gnarled horns that reach up from the angel's brow seem elegant and perfect, despite some dim voice in the back of your mind warning you of the danger they suggest.

Should an angel really have such bestial features, even if the grace and serenity of his face grants them a measure of purity by association alone?

“You are a most curious specimen,” the angel muses, “First you claim no cause but your own, but now Heaven boasts of your servitude. Yet you also leave a trail of bodies behind you, drawing blood from both sides of this ancient war. Is this a game for you, perhaps? Some grand slaughter of any who might offer a challenge?”

This angel... he speaks of Heaven like a foreign power. Does that mean he is not the divine figure he first appeared to be? It crosses your mind that he might even be the Outsider itself, taking some new form to regain control of you – didn't the priest claim that the Outsider came as a great light? Carefully, cautiously, you harden your heart against any temptation this creature might offer you and prepare to talk.

>I'm not telling you anything until I know who you are
>I'm still in this for myself
>You wanted to talk to me – why?
>Other

>>42717651
>I'm still in this for myself
"Certain circumstances led to a...change of plans."

>Other
"Now answer my question, who are you?"

>>42717651
>>I'm not telling you anything until I know who you are
I mean, we know it's Lucifer, but still

>>42717651
>I'm still in this for myself
I just don't have anything to gain from ending things as they are.

>Other
"Now answer my question, who are you?"

>>42717736
>>42717884
>>42717914

You're still in this for yourself, you retort, it's just that recent circumstances have forced a certain... change in plans. An adjustment, rather than a complete change in goal. The angel raises a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, as though intrigued by your deliberately vague answer, but before he can say anything you cut him off. You're not saying anything else until you know who you're talking to.

“Very well,” the angel sounds amused. Was he expecting you to be awestruck? Blinded by his glorious radiance? Tough luck – you've made up your mind not to fall for such tricks again. “I see no reason to deceive you. I am the fallen angel, Lucifer. Prince to all those who hold chaos in their hearts. Once, child, I would have counted you among that number but now, it seems, you hold higher aspirations.”

Lucifer. As in, THE Lucifer. Right – that changes things. You're not going to fall to your knees in rapt obedience, but you've got to admit, you're pretty impressed – or perhaps “terrified” would be the better term. You've fought Archangels and the Archdukes of Hell – and you've won – but the Prince of Hell himself is on a whole other order. All you can do is rather pathetically repeat yourself. You're still fighting for your own purposes.

“Indeed?” Lucifer asks, “Then I believe our goals are the same. I too serve no master, no code of laws save for those I decide for myself. Child... I sense a great and wounded pride within you. There are those, out there, who would seek to control you – you've seen this for yourself, no? Would you listen to my proposition, then?”

You glance around at the frozen pit you've found yourself in. There doesn't seem to be any exit – any entrance, even – save for magical means. You'll listen, you tell the fallen angel, because you don't seem to have much choice.

He is kind of right. His rebellion from God has parallels to our rebellion from this Outsider.

>>42717941

“I might have stacked the odds somewhat in my favour there,” Lucifer admits, “A little precaution, to ensure I have your attention. You see, what I want more than anything else is freedom. True freedom, child, can you imagine it? The freedom to live as you please, without the weakness of cowards and fools to drag you down!”

You can imagine that, definitely. A world where the strong rule only for themselves, with those beneath them surviving only as slaves or food. Not so different from the world you're currently living in.

“Well, is that such a bad thing? You've survived every trial that this world has thrown at you – no, you've thrived here!” Lucifer leans down a little closer to you, the light surrounding him dimming, “In your old world, what would you have achieved? Would you have lived with even the slightest shade of the passion you've experienced in this world?”

...You don't want to admit it, but the fallen angel might have a point there. Really, what kind of future had been awaiting you – a minimum wage job, maybe a life of petty crime? You would have been nothing but a faceless cog in a vast machine. Here, though, you might just hold the key to changing the world.

“All I wish,” Lucifer continues, “Is for all men to have the right to choose their own path. To guide themselves from servitude to nobility, as I have done. But to do that, child, we must tear down every relic of the old world! Break every last chain, and let mankind face the chaos of true freedom!”

>You make a good point, devil. Maybe we have something in common
>You might have chosen nobility, but few others would
>Every word you speak is blasphemy. Release me from this place
>Other

>>42717993
>In the old world, I might have just been a cog, but what about this new world? I've just changed places, there's still going to be some block getting the short end of the stick.
But let's be real here, we do want freedom for humans: freedom from angels, demons, and outsiders, a way for them to stand on their own.

>>42717993
>You make a good point, devil. Maybe we have something in common

>Other
"But I am not going to give up on weak side of mankind either. We've gotten as far as we have by working together. I refuse to make a world where I am constantly looking over my shoulder for the next opponent who wants to take my position. I am going to give Humanity true freedom, freedom from the influence of any of you bastards."

>>42718038
>block
*bloke

>>42717993
>>You might have chosen nobility, but few others would

>>42718038
>>42718062
>>42718136

He makes a good point, you say but before Lucifer's smile can widen any more than a degree, you plough on ahead. In the old world, you might have just been another cog in the machine, but you would have still been working towards something. In Lucifer's vision of a new world, you could achieve great things but you'd never stop looking over your shoulder, waiting for a knife wielded by those you once trusted. As long as someone stands to get the short end of the stick, you refuse to abandon the weak side of humanity!

You're going to give mankind freedom – true freedom, without the influence of any bastard who thinks they can manipulate us!

“Very good, very good!” Lucifer laughs, clapping in open delight, “Even amongst devils, I rarely have the pleasure of seeing such passion! You truly embody the nobility of my purpose – why, then, would you chose any other path?”

Why? You don't need long to think of an answer. In a world where the strong decide the fates of the weak, it wouldn't be the noble who survive. In a world of strength, it would be maniacs, warlords like Forneus – all too willing to mutilate their underlings and send dozens to the slaughter – who would rule. Lucifer himself might have chosen nobility, but few others would. They'd choose greed, paranoia and arrogance.

“But don't they have the right to make that choice?” Lucifer asks politely, “Are you refusing them their free will? The freedom to choose their own path – as you have done – because you don't like their destination? Perhaps you DO belong amongst the angels and their hypocrite king.”

>I'm nothing like those angels!
>That's totally different!
>Release me from this place. I'm finished here.
>Other

>>42718213
They have that freedom, but neither should they so easily curtail the freedom of others. A world of strength makes it impossible to play nice.

>>42718213
>>Other
"If that's what a world free from demons, devils, God, and you brings about than so fucking be it. For better or worse Mankind will decide its own fate, but not forced into a world of strength you would afflict on them. You underestimate us Lucifer. You underestimate our ability to band together when the going gets tough and what we are capable of when we do."

going to sleep, so I hope we're done with write-in intensive stuff. I don't doubt there are actually quite a few people lurking who don't want to fuck this up.

>>42718348
G'Night. I can hold the fort.

>>42718261
>>42718286

Fuck it, maybe you would be stepping on someone else's toes, but if that's what it takes to build a world free from the games Heaven and Hell insist on playing than so be it. If this world of strength of his would give everyone the chance to curtail the freedom of their lesser men, than nobody would be free – ever. You won't let that world become a reality.

“Really? You won't LET it become a reality?” Lucifer smirks, “Who are you to stop it? One human, even with a number of paltry demons under their control, can't stand in my way for long.”

He's underestimating you – and he's underestimating the whole of humanity. People gang together when the going gets tough, and when you get enough people together, they're unstoppable. That's why you will never let him have his way.

“Ah, the much vaunted power of humanity,” Lucifer sighs wistfully, “Tell me, child, how many humans do you see here? It's just you and me here – you're alone. Powerless. I have no doubt that you've planned for every eventuality – surely you're not some fool who just blunders into these situations – but let me put this to you.” A moment of silence, during which the fallen angel's smirk only deepens, “This place is an extension of my power. You are here by my will alone.”

So, you ask spitefully, so what?

“So what if I don't let you leave?” Lucifer suggests mildly. He doesn't even need to threaten you – as soon as the words leave his lips, you realise the situation you've found yourself in. Metatron was only too happy to banish you, but what if Lucifer never lets you leave? Even if he “only” keeps you here for a matter of days, can you really spare that much time?

“Perhaps time will soften your attitude,” Lucifer smiles coldly, “Time, you'll find, is the one thing we have plenty of.”

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>>42718453

This is bullshit. Was this what Nebiros had planned all along – some grand prank for making him wait so long – or is the information dealer kept in the dark as well? You'd like to think that you'd earned at least a warning from him, not this blind willingness to sell you out!

“Come, sit a while,” Lucifer offers, gesturing to the smooth ice, “We can talk for as long as I like, down here. I'm sure you'll see sense, even if it takes years for the, ah, truth to sink in.”

Years? Does he really expect you to survive that long?

“You'll survive as long as I wish,” the fallen angel sneers, “And when you finally learn where the balance of power lies, you'll be all too happy to-”

But he never gets the chance to finish that sentence. Another voice, a sly and intelligent one, cuts in with a simple declaration.

“This is not according to the Great Will,” the voice announces, and Lucifer's face twists with sudden hatred. “Lucifer,” the voice adds, “By what right do you wear that face? That form was stripped from you uncountable years ago. Show your true face... or are you afraid that no human would listen to anything that a monster like you has to say?”

“You have no power in this place,” Lucifer grumbles, but nonetheless his radiant form begins to fade away. As the light from his body vanishes, so too does the surrounding gloom, revealing the depths of the pit. Looming up over you is a vast statue, carved into the craggy rock of a primordial mountain.

No.. that's not a mountain. That's not a statue.

“Human,” the unknown voice whispers into your ear, “You stand before the true form of the Prince of Darkness. Would you remain here, or would you return to your own land – even if it means trusting one such as I?”

One such as... who? What the hell are you making a deal with?

>Get me out of here, whoever you are!
>Leave us. We have more to discuss
>Other

>>42718632
>Get me out of here, whoever you are!

Damnit the enemy of my enemy is probably still my enemy in this case, but we need to get out of here.

>>42718632
>Get me out of here, whoever you are!

Whatever this is it seems to have enough power to challenge Lucifer in his own domain. What options are there? This might be the Outsider.

That said it doesn't look like we've got much choice unless we want to go full Chaos or at least pretend to.

>>42718700
Maybe Michael. We did empower Heaven and Hell hasn't been empowered.

>>42718664
>>42718675

You're not exactly sure who might be willing to stick their neck out for you – the list of your potential allies seems to get shorter with each day – but you're all too aware that you might not have much choice. If the alternative is remaining here, with the towering brutality of Lucifer's true form ready to crush you into dust with a single blow, well, that's not really any alternative at all. Whoever the hell he is, if he can get you out of here – do it!

“There may come a day when you regret this choice,” the voice murmurs ruefully, “But so be it. I ask no price for this, only that you remember this moment. We'll meet again, Amelia Bishop, and I hope you won't forget what I've done for you.”

Whatever, you're not likely to forget, you shout, now stop wasting time and do whatever it is he's going to do!

“You can't run from me forever,” Lucifer growls, his breath coming out as a deathly cold wind, “All damned souls find their way to my domain eventuality... and I can wait. Think on my offer, human – your strength would be wasted anywhere else.”

Then, with a sudden rush of darkness, everything vanishes. A moment later, light assaults your eyes as the thick hood is lifted. You struggle against the thick leather straps holding you in the uncomfortable wooden chair for a moment until you realise that you're back. Back in reality.

“My,” Nebiros says mildly, “You're soaked in sweat. It must have been quite the meeting... Quite the client. Might I ask who?”

Huh, as if he didn't know.

>It was Lucifer himself.
>Lucifer – but you already knew that, didn't you?
>Cut the crap, you set me up!
>Other

>>42718871
>Lucifer – but you already knew that, didn't you?

>>42718871
>Lucifer – but you already knew that, didn't you?

>>42718871
Lucifer - But you already knew that, didn't you?

>>42718871
>>Lucifer – but you already knew that, didn't you?

>>42718890
>>42718905
>>42718974
>>42719121

It was Lucifer, you tell Nebiros as soon as he's finished undoing your bonds, but he already knew that, didn't he? He knew, and he sent you down there regardless, without a second thought towards the danger.

“I suspected,” Nebiros corrects you gently, “But when the King of Chaos approaches one in disguise, one tends not to ask too many questions. It's a little game of his, to adopt such paper-thin aliases on the assumption that nobody dares to look through them.”

Well that's fucking great, but it hardly addresses your point – he knew the dangers, and he let you wander right into them without a word of warning!

“I was assured that you would not be harmed,” the information dealer insists, “It is considered bad taste to attack during a meeting such as the one you just experienced. If meetings were not safe, who would ever attend them?”

So if attacking is out of order, what about kidnapping? Holding the “guest” prisoner until they bow to whatever demands their “host” presents them with?

“A grey area, in terms of etiquette,” Nebiros admits, “Rarely done, but who would argue if Lucifer chooses to do so? He is, how to say it, not someone to be caught disagreeing with.”

No shit. On the other hand, someone had enough power to disagree with Lucifer. Not just to disagree with him, but to snatch you out from under his nose. Maybe the “King of Chaos” isn't as all-powerful as he wants his underlings to believe...

>Just tell me what you learned about the Lunar Crown
>Someone else was there. They saved me
>How am I supposed to trust you from now on?
>Other

>>42719138
>>Just tell me what you learned about the Lunar Crown
>>Someone else was there. They saved me

>>42719138
>Someone else was there. They saved me
Then
>Tell me what you learned about the Lunar Crown

>>42719189
>>42719190

Someone was willing to be seen tangling with him, you tell Nebiros. Someone saved you, down there. Swooped in and forced Lucifer to drop his mask before pulling you out without even the slightest effort. Didn't even ask for anything in return – well, not yet at least. You have no idea what it was, although... it did mention something called the Great Will. An angel, maybe – but one of those would say “God” or “the Lord” wouldn't they?

“There are some references to the Great Will as an aspect of God, albeit an ancient and rarely discussed aspect. Perhaps it was an angel,” Nebiros touches a skeletal finger to his lips as he thinks, “A powerful one, true enough, or it would have had no power over Lucifer. Powerful and ancient... I'll think on this.”

So he doesn't have an answer for you? Fine – you don't have many ideas either. Could he at least tell you about the Lunar Crown? That was supposed to be your deal, and you're damned well not going to let him off the hook.

“There is plenty of information out there about the item in question,” Nebiros begins carefully, “But very little has any kind of authentication behind it. There is not a single reliable source, for example, that tells of who made it, or why. Everything out there seems to be folklore, myth or wishful thinking.”

There isn't a single reliable piece of information about it? You find that hard to believe. Is there really nothing helpful he can tell you?

“Well, there is one interesting story. Nearly all of the existing lore speaks of a rather vague purpose – to mark out the true king of the fairies and grant them divine right to rule. On the other hand, there is a single account that contradicts the, ah, narrative,” Nebiros steeples his fingers, apparently pleased with himself, “This account suggests that the Lunar Crown is a test, but not in the way the other stories claim.”

>>42719355
Calling it now - the guy who helped you is Mastema.

>>42719355
Let me guess, its a test to see who will stand up against the mad king?

>>42719355

Then what, you ask, what is it for, if it isn't for the rightful king?

“The crown itself is always associated with the power to dominate the fairy kingdom, yet this particular account suggests that this power is simply a story. A ruse. In truth, the crown has only the power to make the wearer mad. Why does it do this? Simple,” a cold smile graces Nebiros' face, “Because the Lunar Crown was never meant for the true king. In fact, if the true king attempts to wear it, the crown will not allow itself to be worn.”

So in truth the Lunar Crown is a trap? Something to draw in those who would pretend to be rulers with the promise of ultimate power, while the “true” king is left unharmed?

“So the story goes,” Nebiros shrugs, “It is said that the true king can unite the kingdom without need of magic or trickery, while frauds will always need to resort to underhand methods. Of course, this is only a story – one amongst many – so I cannot claim any authenticity.”

What happened, you ask, to the person who wrote this account? Are they still alive, and around for questioning?

“Ah, as it happens, they were put to death by a mad king,” Nebiros shrugs, “Which suggests, to me, that the account is a second-hand retelling of the original story. Even less reliable, in other words. It might even be a complete work of fiction – a cautionary tale against the promise of easy power.”

So, at the end of the day and after all that, all you've got to work with are fairy tales? You sigh, leaning back against the wall and covering your weary eyes. Was this all for nothing, then? Wasted time, wasted effort...

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>>42719593

“I only wish I could have been of more help,” Nebiros tells you ruefully as he shows you back through to the main room of the club. That's when you freeze in your tracks, stunned by the welcome sight of Cu Chulainn sitting awkwardly at the bar, nursing a glass of some dark spirit.

No no, you hastily tell Nebiros as you rub your eyes and take another look. The fairy hero is still there, still looking like he'd rather be anywhere else in the world. He's been a lot of help, you eagerly tell the information dealer, before hurrying off to meet with your inhuman friend.

“Amelia!” Cu Chulainn sounds relieved beyond words when you settle down on the barstool next to him, “I got your message, but I never thought I'd run into you here.”

Neither did you – how did he know to come here of all places?

“Cassandra mentioned it once, on the night of the full moon. She said this was a safe place, a gathering place for all kinds of demons. I thought I might get some information here,” he shrugs, a wide grin on his face, “But I never suspected things would work out this well. Fate must truly be on our side today.”

Well, if fate was REALLY on your side then things would have never got this bad, but you get his point. At least now, together, you might be in a good position to reach some kind of conclusion.

“So is what you said true?” Cu Chulainn asks, his voice suddenly growing morose, “King Oberon has reached levels on insanity that even I could not predict? Now he holds the whole kingdom in his hand, to play with as he will. This must end, as quickly as possible.”

You couldn't agree more. Fortunately, you've got a plan...

>We'll rush in – you, me and Cerrnunnos. This ends tonight
>Queen Titania is imprisoned to the North. We need to free her
>We should take this slowly, examine the situation some more
>Other

>>42719715
>Queen Titania is imprisoned to the North. We need to free her
>We should take this slowly, examine the situation some more
>Other
Tell him what we learned about the crown. We have no confirmation but it all sounds right.

>>42719715
>We should take this slowly, examine the situation some more

>>42719715
>Queen Titania is imprisoned to the North. We need to free her
>We should take this slowly, examine the situation some more

Alright fine, I just hope our lack of haste doesn't make things worse.

>>42719793
>>42719800
>>42719841

You want to rush in and just sort everything as soon as possible, there's no denying it, but the truth is, you're not really in any situation to just abandon all sense and reason. Now more than ever, you need to think things through and approach the situation with care. Oberon is erratic – there's no way of knowing what might set him off. That means that waiting is dangerous, but making any dramatic moves is just as risky.

First, you repeat what Nebiros told you about the Lunar Crown, taking great care to state how dubious some of the information was. Still, the hero receives the new knowledge with a serious expression.

“We did get if from a rather suspicious character,” he admits, “That sounds like just the perverse kind of game that he'd play. Do you think, if we removed the crown, that Oberon would return to normal?”

You're silent for a while as you think. It's hard to say, you answer eventually, with so little concrete facts to go on and so many rumours there's no way of knowing what the crown can do. All you can do is knock it away from Oberon and hope for the best. The next issue, you tell the hero, is Titania. She's vanished from court, but Cernunnos thinks she might be in Oberon's Gaol, whatever that is. Rescuing her should probably be your first move.

“I see,” Cu Chulainn thinks for a moment, “Yes, I'm loathe to just leave the situation as it is, but I think you're right. Marching in through the front doors would be too dangerous right now. Besides, if I know Titania, she should have a plan for this.”

Hmm, yes. Her infamous ability to plan around every eventuality. You've not forgotten about that, or the fact that maybe that's what got everyone into this mess in the first place. Still, she'd be a fine asset to have on your side when the time comes.

>>42720038

“I don't think you realise how important she really is,” Cu Chulainn adds, “Having the queen on our side grants us legitimacy – or at least, some legitimacy. Without her, we'd just be a gang of soldiers staging a coup for selfish ends. If Oberon doesn't recover, we'll need someone to sit on the throne for the time being.”

That's the political side of things – not your problem, in other words. Your first concern is getting Cassandra and Carnby out alive. Everything else is second to you.

“I understand,” Cu Chulainn says calmly, “I... want to keep them safe as well, and I believe this is the best way of going about it. If this does go wrong...”

It won't, you snap. Everything is going to be okay.

“Of course,” he sighs, “But if there are unforeseen circumstances, I won't hold you responsible. That, I promise.”

Well that's fine then. You might fuck things up, but at least you won't have someone reminding you of your error every moment of the day – just yourself doing that exact same thing.

“Did Cernunnos tell you how to find this Gaol?” Cu Chulainn asks, gracefully changing the subject.

North, you tell him. Return to the fairy kingdom – carefully though, it might not be safe – and head to the north until you find it. It should be simple, or so he claimed. Borderline unguarded as well, if the horned god's stories are to be believed. Just a single warden, although you're willing to believe that there's something dreadful taking that particular role.

“I don't know anything about the warden,” Cu Chulainn tells you cautiously, “But the north is cold. We should prepare accordingly.”

Already sorted, you tell him, rapping your knuckles against the enchanted breastplate you wear. The metal is still cold, as it always is, but the protection is worth any discomfort.

“Well then,” the fairy announces, “Shall we go?”

>Let's go
>You stay here, Oberon's goons are looking for you
>Other

>>42720231
>>Let's go

>>42720231
>Let's go

>>42720231
>>Let's go

>>42720314
>>42720436

What the hell, it's a risk taking Cu Chulainn along, especially with Oberon wasting little effort to hunt down the hero – still wrongly convinced that he was responsible for assassinating Cernunnos – but you're willing to take that chance. Even without his famous spear, there are few people you'd rather have at your back in a fight than the fairy hero. Sure, you tell him, you're ready to go.

“Excuse me,” Belial's polite voice from behind the bar catches your attention, “I couldn't help but notice that sword. Not very practical, is it?”

You look at the vast, heavy executioner's sword at Cu Chulainn's feet. Did Oberon know what he was doing when he saddled the hero with such a useless burden? A little something to slow down his flght?

“Normally, we don't keep weapons behind the bar,” Belial explains in a low voice, “But I've been looking for one of those for quite some time. For my collection, you see. I have something more useful, if you wish.”

You glance across at Cu Chulainn, who nods. Why are you the one being asked? It's HIS sword. Still, you agree to the trade and watch, bemused, as Belial pulls a long iron spear out from somewhere beneath the bar. You almost ask about how it fit under there, but... you'd rather not ask. Chances are, the answer would just be “magic” anyway.

Cu Chulainn is still tossing the weapon from hand to hand, spinning it playfully, as you leave the club. He looks a lot happier, with a good honest weapon in his possession, and the sight of his strangely childish satisfaction lifts your mood as well. Maybe things really are going to turn out okay.

>>42720660

Your good mood evaporates when you enter the fairy kingdom. Still some distance from the palace, you can hear the crashing and rustling of guards beating their way through the undergrowth. Cu Chulainn, at home in the dense greenery, takes the lead here and sets off at a quick pace, keeping his elegant head as close to the ground as possible. By contrast with his apparently effortless display, you've got to concentrate on every step you take, constantly on the lookout for fallen branches or anything else that might cause a noise.

Together, you take a long time to creep through the forest, following a wide circle that takes you around the palace and heading to what Cu Chulainn assures you is the north. Trusting his judgement, you follow as quietly as possible. Gradually, the trees around you seem to grow thinner, less tightly packed together, and you start to see more of the terrain ahead. Forest gives way to flat, desolate ground with only a carpet of moss and heather to provide decoration. Cold winds blow here, carrying the occasional flake of snow along with them.

“The weather changes quickly here,” Cu Chulainn – apparently prepared to speak now that the risk of detection has lessened, “It grows mercurial, like the fae ourselves. We could be caught out in a storm at any moment.”

A snowstorm, you assume, and not some terrible fairy invention like a... a knife storm or something ridiculous.

“Those are rare,” your fairy companion tells you, with an admirably straight face, “What you've really got to look out for are the...” he trails off here, leaving you in eternal suspense, “Is that light, up ahead?”

You do see a faint glow on the horizon, rising up from a ring of snow covered rocks. At least, that's what it looks like from this distance. Too natural to be a structure, but a natural formation that was converted...

“I think we've found it,” Cu Chulainn murmurs grimly.

>>42720831

It takes a while longer to reach the Gaol, by which time the weather has degraded completely. Snow whirls through the air, carried on a merciless wind that howls through the rocks with an ominous tone. There's something wild about that sound, like something you've only ever heard on documentaries about “extreme” conditions. Not as extreme as the end of the world, maybe, but unnerving nonetheless.

“Entrance, here!” Cu Chulainn shouts, forced to raise his voice to be heard over the roaring wind. You hurry to join him, glad that you don't have to search the whole of the craggy exterior to find the right place, and take a few tentative steps down into the corridor. You're sheltered from the wind here, and the noise outside fades to a distant murmur. That doesn't mean there's silence, however – from somewhere deep within the prison, there comes a loud repeating bang, like metal being hammered.

“The warden, maybe?” your companion asks. You just shrug in reply, looking around at the prison. The walls are rough stone, slick with ice and lit with the occasional lamp – the insides filled with a little dancing ball of light, rather than a real flame. A shame, a little bit of fire would make the whole place less oppressive, but that's perhaps the point. The corridors are narrow enough that you'd have a hard time fighting in them, let alone travelling with an army of demons. Then again, the safety of company would go a long way to dispelling your gnawing anxiety...

Something to keep in mind, you tell yourself as you begin to follow the pathway down a sloping staircase. This way – the only way you CAN go – takes you closer to that awful crashing sound. You share a gloomy look with Cu Chulainn, the fairy clearly as uneasy as you are, then continue down the path. At the bottom, with the metallic crash ringing in your ears, you see it.

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>>42721141

The Warden is slumped on the ground – skeletal, filthy and ill-postured. Its head is that of a stag, and is far too large for the body it is crudely attached to, hanging at a painful angle while the eyes roll madly in their sockets. The Warden's legs end in crude bloody stumps, while the hands are sheathed in metal claws. Again and again, it beats those claws against the metal cell door it is slumped in front of, hammering away in a futile attempt at breaking it down.

“Hungry... hungry... hungry...” the thing slurs, words somehow coming from the sewn on head. It repeats that word with every blow it lands on the door. It's more of a pathetic sight than a terrifying one, but you know enough about this strange world to keep your guard up. It must be attacking that specific door for a reason – a prisoner held within, perhaps?

>Attack the Warden
>Summon your demons and attack (choose two demons)
>Try and slip past. Maybe there's something below
>Other

>>42721176
>Attack the Warden
>Summon your demons and attack (choose two demons)
Heartless and Hresvelgr

On the ground and in the air. Also Hres probably thrives in this enviroment.

>>42721236
>>42721176
Seconded.

What the fuck is even going on? Shit, I don't know, do what this guy said >>42721236
>>42721236
This better not fuck us over.

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Rolled 8, 64 = 72 (2d100)

>>42721236
>>42721282

That thing is an abomination, an affront to all that is good and decent in the world, and it does not deserve to live! Okay, maybe that's going a little too far, but it's still pretty disgusting to look at. The head alone is awful, held on with a mixture of heavy stitches and metal clamps. Did Oberon just make himself a monster when he built this place, and then abandon it here? Leaving it here, in this mutilated state, for so long without food?

Killing this thing would be an act of mercy.

That's why you summon Heartless. He's not so big on the “mercy” side of the equation, but he's got the “killing” part refined to a fine art. To support him, you summon Hresvelgr, thinking that the bird's ice magic should be useful for throwing up a shield. The sound of your summons – you can be as quiet as you like, but calling a giant eagle into the world was always going to give the game away – causes the Warden to stop banging on the door and drag itself around to face you. The thing can barely move.

Then if rises up into the air, useless legs dangling beneath it as it levitates. A mindless bray escapes it as it raises its claws to attack.

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

Rolled 69, 39 = 108 (2d100)

>>42721538
>>42721538

Rolled 28, 96 = 124 (2d100)

>>42721538

Rolled 100, 19 = 119 (2d100)

>>42721538

Rolled 52, 29 = 81 (2d100)

>>42721538

Rolled 77, 42 = 119 (2d100)

>>42721538

Redemption

>100, 96

Poor bastard.

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>>42721571

>100, 96
And Heartless continues Rippers trend of fucking shit up

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>>42721552
>>42721571

The thing is clumsy, even floating through the air. It swings heavily, the metal claw sailing clearly over Heartless' head as your murderous demon rushes in low, plunging forwards with both hands outstretched. Heartless' blow lands easily, both deadly hands tearing into the Warden's chest and ripping great lumps of the dry flesh loose. The blow staggers the Warden, knocking it off balance so that when Hresvelgr launches into a dive, it's totally defenceless.

The bird's talons rake across the Warden's exposed back and neck, cutting loose several of the stitches and prying loose the sewn on head. By the time Hresvelgr has risen back into the air, the Warden has slumped to the ground, a quiet sigh escaping it as it dies. That was... about as easy as a fight can get. Still, it WAS a pretty fantastic move from your pair of demons. Full marks for teamwork.

“Everything sounds a lot quieter out there,” a voice – muffled by the metal door but unmistakably Titania's – calls out, “The Warden is dead, then?”

Pretty dead, you reply as you look at the bloody mess. Not as much blood as you might expect, actually, but the thing was pretty dried up.

“I believe it should have a key somewhere,” Titania advises you, “Sewn into the back of its neck, if I'm not mistaken.”

Really? You look back at the shredded body. It could be anywhere in this mess. Why did it even have a key in such a stupid place anyway?

“So it couldn't open the doors,” Cu Chulainn suggests quietly, snapping out of his startled silence. It seems he underestimated your demons, “And eat the prisoners. It did say it was hungry, after all...”

This whole prison is sick and disgusting, you curse under your breath. Hybrid monster guards, keys sewn into body cavities... and this was before Oberon went insane?

>>42721754

You're absently lifting the head up by one antler – maybe the key got trapped underneath – when the head comes to life, snarling and snapping madly at your fingers. You can't help but cry out in surprise, dropping the limp head and stumbling backwards. The thing's corpse rises up, thick blood still seeping from the gaping wounds in its chest and head still hanging slack from the few remaining stitches. It shouldn't move, it has no right to move, and yet it does. It still lives.

As you watch, disgusted and fascinated, the wounds on its chest begin to close up. Lifting its own head with a thin arm, it presses the two open wounds together until they begin to close up, skin flowing like melted wax right before your eyes. Before the thing can recover completely, Cu Chulainn stabs it from behind, thrusting his new spear into its flesh and causing its back to arch painfully – you can actually hear bones creak, and see the ribs straining against paper-thin skin. He's bought you a moment, now you've got to make the most of it.

But how? Those wounds just closed right up a moment after you tore right through him. Did the key fall out somewhere, or is it still buried deep within the Warden's flesh? Maybe there's a trick to killing it, and making it stay dead.

>Press the attack!
>Try and find the key
>Something else, maybe? (Write in)

>>42721754
Hey, Moloch, is a demon who is under contract in our phone unable to backstab us? Because I notice we have a queen prone to shenanigan and an open slot if I'm not mistaken.

>>42721888

>They'd have to obey our orders, so they couldn't betray us, but they'd also have to agree to make the contract in the first place. Some demons might not be willing to make that choice

>>42721886
I'm voting for complete decapitation. Its almost unfortunate we didn't bring along our executioner's sword.

>>42721886
Maybe he is like Troll, summon Valk and burn him.

>>42721886
Valkyrie in for bird burn it to ash. Heartless keep hitting it.

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Rolled 71, 41 = 112 (2d100)

>>42722040
>>42721944
>>42721940

You can feel your lip curling in disgust at the sight of the Warden's wounds closing up, erasing the impressive damage you managed to inflict upon it. You stunned it a bit, perhaps, but that's all you managed. Fine, if that's the way it wants to play, you're all too happy to oblige. First, you call Hresvelgr back into your phone – the bird's talons are deadly, yes, but so is Heartless. Sheer physical power alone isn't going to win this fight. That's why you call out Valkyrie.

Kill it, you shout to the warrior woman, not caring about thinking your orders or any other kind of subtlety. Kill it with fire! Heartless, on the other hand, you point at the thing's head. It might not kill it, but you're pretty certain that ripping the thing in half should keep it busy. Heartless hisses gleefully, an excited stream of nonsense sounds slipping from between his clenched teeth as his long fingers twitch and spasm. He's eager, all too eager, for a second round with the Warden.

“I can't hold it for much longer!” Cu Chulainn cries, wrestling with his long spear to keep the beast pinned for a few extra seconds. Hopefully, those moments will be all you need.

“I'll send you to Hel!” Valkyrie screams, clashing her blades together as she summons a tongue of bright flames.

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

Rolled 18, 56 = 74 (2d100)

>>42722189

Rolled 79, 36 = 115 (2d100)

>>42722189

Rolled 82, 20 = 102 (2d100)

>>42722189

Rolled 59, 37 = 96 (2d100)

>>42722189

Rolled 81, 93 = 174 (2d100)

>>42722189
>

>>42722189
I mean, I guess Amelia could be knowledgeable about history enough to know the difference between Hel and Hell. But like, does Valkyrie pronounce hel in a way that we know it only has one l?

>>42722260
goddammit.

>>42722288

>Maybe Amelia plays with subtitles on? I don't actually know if the pronunciation would be any different either way.

>>42722202
>>42722246

Again, Heartless is quick off the block, grabbing the Warden by the chest – had the Warden been wearing a suit, Heartless would have seized it quite neatly by the lapels – and pulling it free from Cu Chulainn's spear. The, without breaking stride, your killer thrusts the Warden up against the ice-slick wall, slamming the hybrid beast hard enough to break the exposed bones in its back, and bloody the wall behind its head. Heartless repeats the attack a few more moments before lunging forwards, jaw unhinging so that he can tear into the exposed neck with his jagged, irregular teeth.

You watch, horrified, as your killer demon literally bites the head off a regenerating hybrid, fipping through the regrowing flesh until the entire head comes free. Then, finished, Heartless hurls the body down in front of Valkyrie, who stares at it in an equally traumatised silence for a moment before snapping back to her senses.

“Witnessed!” Valkyrie screams, clashing her swords together and throwing her magical fire down onto the corpse. Heartless throws the head – still snapping and biting – onto the pyre as well, staring intently into the flames. The body burns quickly, collapsing down to ash in a matter of moments. Glittering slightly in the greasy ash are several pieces of metal, one of which is the key you were looking for.

“Just what the hell is that thing?” Cu Chulainn murmurs as he picks the key out of the remains.

Heartless? Oh don't mind him, you make a show of nonchalance, he's a good guy once you get to know him. Real friendly.

“Sure,” the fairy still gives Heartless a wide berth as he approaches the door, unlocking it and letting it swing open.

>>42722455
I wonder if the original game is in Japanese. And I wonder if Yuri Lowenthal voiced Leon for the North American release.

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>>42722520
I always imagined he sounded more like this guy.

>>42722489

“Well,” Titania gets up and stretches slowly. Save for the heavy metal collar around her neck, she looks no worse for wear, “I'm glad to see the both of you.” Her voice has the utter lack of concern that you've come to expect from her, but some small part of you was hoping she'd be panicking, dishevelled, distressed or... something. As it is, she could cast off that collar and stride right back into court, looking no different from when she left.

“Your majesty,” Cu Chulainn drops to one knee, “I beg your forgiveness. I should have protected you, but I let my lust for glory cloud my senses. While I was out, hoping to advance my own status, you were brought to this awful place.”

“It is awful, isn't it?” Titania asks calmly, running a finger down the iron door, gathering up beads of accumulated moisture. Some of the ice is melting, set into motion from the heat of Valkyrie's flames, and soon there are puddles forming underfoot. “The situation has deteriorated, I assume?”

At court? To say the situation has deteriorated would be putting it mildly. Oberon has gone into full witch hunt mode, seeing enemies in every shadow and creating his own conspiracies to oppose. The court is on the verge of collapse!

“Oh dear,” Titania muses, “I had hoped my exile might have calmed him. That poor fool... Well, no matter,” she shrugs, “Won't you take this collar off? I can't work any magic with it on.”

>No, I prefer you with the collar on
>Things didn't quite go to plan, did they?
>I'll take it off. Now, we need to get you back to court
>Other

>>42722644
>Things didn't quite go to plan, did they?
Did he grow mad too fast or something?
>>I'll take it off. Now, we need to get you back to court

>>42722644
>>Things didn't quite go to plan, did they?

>>42722644
>>No, I prefer you with the collar on
Was that supposed to sound suggestive?

>>42722644
>Other

I'm not letting you out of that collar for free. We're making a deal, with your freedom and the potential to reclaim your position over the fairy kingdom as what I'm putting up. What are you putting up?

>>42722714
Titania would probably make a joke about it being suggestive at the very least.

>>42722610
http://thathomestar.tumblr.com/post/120024797987/super-stardust-and-another-one-interpret-it

>>42722743
>as what I'm putting up. What are you putting up?

What?

>>42722785

As in, if we do her the favor of getting her back in control, what favor is she going to do for us?

>>42722759
I laughed far harder at that than I had any right to.

>>42722759

>Exact audio recording of the moment of Leon's death

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>>42722691
>>42722694
>>42722743

You can't resist taking this brief moment to ask Titania a few pointed questions. Things didn't quite go to plan, you ask her, did they? Did Oberon go mad too quickly, or something? Or maybe she didn't think he'd turn on her so soon.

“Amelia!” Cu Chulainn cries out, shocked at your display of insolence.

“Hush,” Titania murmurs, and the hero immediately falls silent, “You're saying I planned for this? I intended to be dragged out here and locked in this miserable cell with that unspeakable brute hammering on the door all day every day?”

Yeah, that's pretty much what you just suggested. In fact, you'll take it back a little further and suggest that she brought the Lunar Crown for Oberon knowing that it would lead her to this exact moment. Soon, she'll be in a position to ride back into the kingdom and depose the “mad king” Oberon, taking power solely for herself – and maybe whichever victim she chooses to be the next king.

That's basically what you just suggested, yeah. The look on Titania's face is brief – a momentary flash of sheer outrage – but priceless. Worth this whole miserable journey.

“If that's what you think,” she hisses, although her face has long since returned to neutrality, “Then perhaps you should go back to the palace and stay with Oberon. You can swap conspiracy theories. Now, are you going to take this thing off of me?”

Nah, you shrug, not for free at least. You're offering her her freedom, and the chance to retake her entire kingdom. What's she offering? Go on, you add with a smirk, make an offer.

>>42723153

Again, it takes a moment for Titania's face to return to something approaching normality. “Make you an offer?” she asks, feigning politeness for the moment, “Why, I don't know what I can offer you like this. Maybe after I've returned to the palace...”

Cut the crap, you shoot back, you both know that she'll skip out on her end of the deal as soon as she can. If she wants that collar off, she's going to have to make you an offer.

“Amelia, I won't stand for this,” Cu Chulainn snaps, glaring at you and tightening his grip on his spear, “I'll willing to put up with a lot, but this is going too far.”

Well, maybe. You'll admit that you're making the most of this moment, but you do want some kind of reward for it.

“The longer we wait here...” Cu Chulainn warns you, “Think about Cassandra while you're haggling, won't you?”

Shit, he's right. You got so wrapped up in savouring your tiny victory that you forgot all about the sword hanging above your friend's head. Still, you look back at Titania and think to yourself for a moment. What DO you want out of her? Obviously you'll need to defer payment until later whatever you decide, but... she's a queen, surely she has all kinds of resources to offer you.

So what should you ask for?

>You can owe me a favour
>I want some prophetic advice. Real stuff
>I want... (write in)

>>42723262
>>You can owe me a favour
Are you familiar with the term blank check?

>>42723262
>>I want... (write in)
After the 4th cornerstone is taken and fight for the control of the keystone begins lend me some of your forces.

>>42723262


No more political intrigue bullshit. I want a nice fucking room. I want my dad and my best friend to have nice fucking rooms. I want your complete assurance of protection and amnesty from God and Lucifer. I want help. I want access to your libraries and sources of information (Carnby to have access to your libraries and sources of information). No more political intrigue.bullshit.I want access to some top notch fairy gear. I want Cu Chulainn to not be treated like crap any more and did I mention that I don't want any more political intrigue bullshit?

>>42723357
>>42723387

Well, if you had to list your demands – you feel gleefully like a supervillain just saying that – then you'd start by demanding an end to all this political nonsense. It's just a waste of time, and a lot of senseless trouble. After that, protection from both God and Lucifer no matter what happens. Access to the archives and libraries – unlimited access, you stress – and the same for Carnby. Then, perhaps some equipment? You're pretty sure that they've been holding back the really good stuff.

And a better room. Better rooms for everyone, in fact. You add that last request a little spitefully, but with a smirk.

“You don't ask for much, do you?” Titania asks, when she's recovered from the sight of you listing off so many items, “Well, much of that is simple enough – and nothing I wouldn't offer you anyway.”

Lastly, you're going to need to borrow some of her army. Not now, but later. When the fight for the keystone begins. That, more than anything else, gets a bad reaction.

“I cannot guarantee that,” Titania answers honestly, her mouth set in a hard line, “An attack like that could draw doom down upon the entire kingdom. I cannot risk my entire people for so little.”

Well, fair enough, you shrug. You'll probably ask around for volunteers when the time comes anyway. Nodding to Cu Chulainn, who looks particularly sour about this whole affair, you take the key and snap the collar open. It falls to the ground with a loud crash, and Titania wastes little time in kicking it across the room.

“Beastly thing,” she mutters, “Well, human, I shall honour our, ah, bargain – when you have helped me reclaim my kingdom. I believe sooner would be better than later, yes?”

You're going to earn that bloody room.

>I'll call that there for tonight. Next thread on Sunday, and I'll lurk in case of questions. All contributions are appreciated!

>>42723700
Thanks for the run boss.

>>42723700
Thanks for running, Moloch.

>>42723700
thanks for running!

>>42723700
How'd you think the Lucifer meeting went?

>>42723700
Is Titania going to become our step-mom? I mean, we have the perfect step-family relationship as it is.

>>42723782

About as well as can be expected, under the circumstances! It's going to make the aftermath of the fourth cornerstone pretty interesting, if people decide to sent it to Hell

>>42723728
>>42723771
>>42723781

Thank you for taking part, your contributions keep these threads going!

>>42723798

Don't give Carnby any ideas!

>>42723815
>It's going to make the aftermath of the fourth cornerstone pretty interesting, if people decide to sent it to Hell

Could he just lock us up again?

>>42723825

It's possible. On the other hand, considering we might have a chance of grabbing the keystone itself, he not want to alienate us too much. Plus, we've got our mystery buddy

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>>42723825
MAAAAAASTEMA!!!!!!!!!!!! LUCIFER PUT US ON TIME OUT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>>42723910
Use your wonderful angelic powers and dig us a hole out of here!

>>42723825
Well, we can afford to be a bit patient at that point. Outsider still has more keystones than the others, so both Heaven and Hell will still be busy fighting the Outsider.