>>43014247

Petra is just leaving to take her position, high up in the hospital behind a makeshift barrier – an overturned bed, in this case – when you stop her. Glancing across at Cassandra to make sure the blonde girl isn't listening in, you murmur a warning to Petra. It might be best, you tell her, if she doesn't mention what happened yesterday.

“The tree?” Petra asks, still giving you that look of neutral innocence – as if she didn't vandalise what you suspected to be some kind of sacred tree last night.

That's exactly what you were hoping to not mention, you tell her, that tree was broken when she got there, understood?

“What tree?” Petra offers a cavalier shrug, a grin breaking out on her lips, “I don't remember any trees.”

Right, you say as she turns to leave. That's... that's good. Now, you say to yourself as you watch Petra retreating into the hospital, all you have to do is wait. You challenged Michael to a duel at noon – whatever that means in this wretched world without a sun – and, judging by the vague rumble in your stomach, it must be getting close. Still, no sign of the angel. Maybe he's the literal minded type, arriving the minute the clock strikes midday? If so, he's certainly got a more accurate clock than you do. Just as you're yawning, the sound of angelic trumpets resonates through the air, announcing the Archangel's arrival in the most bombastic way possible.

In a single flash of blinding light, so bright that it sears your vulnerable eyes, Michael appears. Standing tall with his wings folded protectively around him, the Archangel is a terrible, majestic sight. Slowly, moving with an unhurried arrogance, his wings sweep back away from him and he stretches his arms out, a long spear held in one and a sheath of fire clinging to the other.

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>>43014254

“Child of God,” he spits, pointing his spear towards you in a sarcastic salute, “You sent my agent back to me, mutilated and broken, with your poisonous words on his tongue. Do you seek death so eagerly, that YOU are willing to challenge ME?”

Does he seek death so easily, you shoot back, that he's willing to meet your challenge?

“A show of bravado, even now. I'm impressed, human,” Michael's blunt face twists in a dark glare, “It wasn't supposed to be this way. Countless cycles have passed according to the Lord's design, but things are different this time. Why would that be?”

Just how the hell are you supposed to know that, you ask as you watch him carefully, isn't he the one with the direct line to Heaven? His gaze is fixed upon you, never once straying up to the windows where your friends wait for your signal.

“It's clear to me now,” Michael muses, “Only your death can restore some semblance of order and restore things to their appointed design. Once again, it seems, I am called upon to cast down one who defies His will. Are you prepared, human, to meet your end?”

Ready? Not really, you think as you grip your phone tightly, but when has that ever mattered?

>Prepare for battle (choose three demons)
>Ask what this “appointed design” means
>Give “the signal”
>Other

>>43014261
>Ask what this “appointed design” means
Is it a place where folks like these
>summon demons
Are kill on sight? Where does the killing stop

As for WHICH demons to summon....fuck, we have a terribly list against fire/light

>>43014308
Cernnunos for sure due to Null Light and being a high ranking Fae, but...

Pixie if we're trying to appeal to dialogue, Hres if we want to keep a distance and just shoot I guess. Heartless once we mean business, which is probably after the sniper shot.

If it's not too difficult to summon after the previous ones die, Eligor and Gurr are pretty good vanguards....if they don't mind running into their deaths. I mean, Eligor might be happy about it, but Gurr....

....why didn't we turn Gurr into enchanted boots or wind/thunder pistol?

>That pastebin

.....Moloch. MOLOCH. Did you really like the pairing that much?

I mean, I expected something like this if Amelia went so far as to give her own eye AND some demons to fill up her roster, but...

>>43014412
>>That pastebin
I think I'm missing something here

>>43014261
>>Prepare for battle (choose three demons)
I say go for Cernunnos for sure and yeah, Gurr and Eligor

>>43014494
Check the twitter

>>43014412

I regret nothing

File: Gurr2.jpg (41 KB, 523x739)

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Rolled 96, 48, 88 = 232 (3d100)

>>43014308
>>43014359
>>43014494

Before you fight, you ask boldly, you have a question. What is this “appointed design” he speaks of – some divine plan that God sought to impose upon the world? Just another extension of his cruel “laws”, or something else?

“His ways are not to be questioned by the likes of you,” Michael sneers, “But perhaps you deserve to know. There should be three humans, tasked with bringing life to the new world – a saviour, sent by God, a rebel who chooses darkness and an observer, one who must choose their own path. Yet this cycle is deformed, stillborn. The saviour has not risen. The rebel sacrificed himself on the altar of hubris. You, the observer, have chosen the path of mindless destruction. That is why you must all be destroyed,” the flames around Michael's hand flare brighter for a moment, “The slate must be wiped clean, so that order can be restored.”

Well, that sounds like the natural end to the discussion. You swipe your phone out and start summoning your demons. Cernunnos appears behind you, looming large and matching Michael's salute with one of his own, thrusting the jagged head of his spear at the Archangel. Gurr and Eligor appear next, flanking you and sizing up your angelic enemy. You resist the urge to strike a pose and focus on Michael, ready to launch the attack.

>Please roll 3D100, for Cernunnons, Gurr and Eligor. I'll take highest of the first three

>>43014558
>The rebel sacrificed himself on the altar of hubris
For the record, I feel terribly about that and I'd prefer he were alive.

>>43014514
Oh

I see

Will there be more?

Rolled 66, 37, 82 = 185 (3d100)

>>43014558
forgot the actual rolls

Rolled 13, 34, 80 = 127 (3d100)

>>43014575
>>43014558
Forgot muh dice

Rolled 60, 62, 91 = 213 (3d100)

>>43014558
and anothrt one

Damnit I just woke up. No offense but you guys should have done Heartless, Cernunnos, and Valkyrie. Gurr and Eligor are weak to light.

Oh well.

>>43014650
that was the point. Blitz in some damage and force him to use the light move at least once, which normally has high MP cost. Bosses in this quest have finite MP pools, right? RIGHT!?

But I only mentioned it incase summoning over and over is actually a viable tactic.

and lets be honest, weakness or no, half our demons would get slaughtered either way.

>>43014673
Thing is, this quest has been less like a game and a little more grounded. Fights even with Archangels last only 1-3 updates due to how lethal everything is.

Still summoning Heartless and Valk wouldn't have stopped Michael from getting that 96.

We're in trouble. Time for "the signal"?

>>43014705
I think it IS more grounded to assume that angels get tired after spamming their strongest move.

But it's also a matter of setup: Keep throwing "everything we have" at him until it seems like we're on the ropes, then pull out the snipers and bring out the REAL A-Team.

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>>43014611

Cernunnos lunges forwards first, leaping towards the Archangel in a barbaric charge that is, unfortunately, swiftly turned aside by a swipe from Michael's wing. The Archangel follows up on his easy evasion by spinning around and raking the edge of his spear across the horned god's naked back. Skin splits and blood flows freely down Cernunnos' back, causing the fairy to roar in mingled pain and fury. His charge ends in a graceless tumble, with Michael already turning his attentions to your other demons.

Gurr, whose flight had taken him high into the air, descends upon the Archangel with shrieking anger, clawed feet reaching out to rip and gouge at Michael's flesh. His claws bite deep into Michael's bare arm, sinking into the muscle and clinging on tightly. You see small trails of blood leaking from the puncture wounds, and the roaring flames surrounding Michael's hand flicker a little as Gurr rips and rends the flesh. Is the magic somehow linked to that particular arm? If so, removing the limb...

Your thought is cut off as Eligor charges past you. “Sacrifice the son of Heaven!” he roars, lance lowered for a devastating charge. The blow lands true, striking Michael right in the centre of the chest, but even with all the momentum provided by his demonic steed, Eligor's lance still cannot penetrate the armour. It does, however, knock Michael back a few paces, leaving the Archangel off-balance. Before you can celebrate too much, you see a blinding light forming around the divine warrior's burning hand. This is not normal fire – he's preparing his holy light.

>Press the attack!
>Get some distance between you and Michael
>Change your demons (choose three/return them to storage)
>Give the signal
>Other

>>43014754
>Press the attack!
Cernu in, Eligor go for the arm

>Change Demon
Switch Gurr out for Hres

>>43014786
Wait shouldn't we desummon Eligor too, just for this round. He is as good as dead otherwise with that holy attack.

>>43014829
If it's a feint, Eligor gets a free hit.

If it ISN'T a feint, Cern gets a free hit.

Either way, he STILL has to do the holy attack again because Gurr isn't dead yet.

>>43014754
>>Change your demons (choose three/return them to storage)
Switch Eligor for Valk
Switch Gurr for Hres

>Press the attack!
Cern goes for that arm, he's immune to light
Valk lightning bombards
Hres Ice bombards

>>43014840
>Free hit.
I think you are underestimating Michael. He still has his other arm with his spear and his wings to turn away attacks and counter.

>>43014845
>>43014754
Going to go with this one. Eligor is one of the few that can fight this guy and we need to preserve those assets. If Michael gets his attack off Eligor would be as good as dead with how close he would be.

>>43014754
>>43014845
>Switch Eligor for Valk
>Switch Gurr for Hres
Seconding this

>>43014865
you get what I mean. He can't do a fake out with the Holy Light and he fails to remove the outnumbered issue for this "round" instead of pummeling Cern 1v1.

>>43014886
I think switching is a 'free action'. Our new demons can attack on the same 'round'. Its happened in the past.

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Rolled 49, 94, 51 = 194 (3d100)

>>43014845
>>43014884
>>43014885

There's no time to waste on theatrics – that holy light would reduce Eligor and Gurr to dust in an instant if it hit them. Tapping frantically at your phone, you pull your devils back – ignoring any complaints they might have in the process – and send out the next wave. Valkyrie, who clashes her swords together in a shower of sparks, and Hresvelgr, who immediately takes to the air in a rush of frigid wind.

Quickly, just as Michael lifts his wounded arm to the air and releases the pent-up power he had gathered, you fling yourself backwards. As a “mere human”, you might not be as vulnerable to God's power as your devilish minions, but you still remember Raphael's killing light all too well. Valkyrie follows your example, galloping away and joining Hresvelgr in making some room. Then, as Cernunnos looms up behind Michael like a bloody ghost, the ball of light explodes.

Heat and light wash over your skin, while a discordant howl of Heavenly music stabs violently into your defenceless ears. For one single, brief moment you feel strangely serene, like all your cares had been washed away, but that doesn't last. All too quickly, you are plunged back into the blood and filth of reality. Michael looks... disappointed by his failed attack, and fixes you with a murderous glare.

That's fine, you mutter, keep looking this way. While his attentions are fixed on you, you give the silent command for the next attack

>Please roll 3D100, for Cernunnos, Valkyrie and Hresvelgr. Again, highest of the first three

Rolled 30, 28, 93 = 151 (3d100)

>>43015008
Stop rolling well Moloch

Rolled 50, 48, 89 = 187 (3d100)

>>43015008

>>43015020
>>43015022
This nigga birdfood

Rolled 71, 46, 47 = 164 (3d100)

>>43015008
Come on Valk and Cern

>>43015053
Finally, time for some Cern action-GET SOME FUCKING PANTS YOU GUYS.

>>43015022
....Bye Valk.

>>43015020
>>43015022
>>43015053
Cern get a decent hit in, Valk dies in a counter, Hres does good. Time too bring in Heartless guys, he's got no weakness to what Mike throws out and deals a lot of damage.

>>43015075
Time to give the signal too. Have Heartless capitalize on the surprise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdOVl4rt8cQ

>>43015075
No, save Heartless for after the sniper, or once Cern hangs back for some healing.

>>43015091
>>43015008
Speaking of which. Once the sniper attack happens, Cass can bring Ose, Unicorn, and Heidi in the fight too right? Same with Petra and Cerberus?

>>43015123
Only if he divines their positions, cause summoning would give them away and knowing our luck he has a better version of Gabby's teleport.

>>43015123
Ose is too slow, and I think Unicorn will have a problem getting down the building. Heidi is flying, right?

Cerberus would be helpful because of his fire res, but Penetrator Pfft is still far more useful even after the first shot.

>>43015165
If Michael knows where the snipers are Ose can just break through a window and jump down. Same with Unicorn. Demons probably don't take that much fall damage.

But still ONLY if Michael knows where the shots are coming from. Don't want to give away their position if he doesn't.

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>>43015020
>>43015053

Howling with bloodlust, Cernunnos lunges up from behind Michael and thrusts his barbed spear into the Archangel. He doesn't aim for the polished armour, but instead strikes low and pierces Michael's vulnerable thigh. The blow is a good one, penetrating right through the limb and bursting out the other side, and Michael drops down to one knee. Before Cernunnos can pull his weapon free, however, another strong beat from Michael's wings send him staggering backwards. Then, as Valkyrie readies her lightning, Michael does something you did not expect.

He throws his spear, hurling it like a javelin. The Heaven-forged weapon shrieks through the air, moving too fast for you to follow it with your naked eye, and crashes into Valkyrie. Just as Cernunnos' blow pierced Michael's leg, the Archangel's counter plunges deep into Valkyrie's breast and sends the swordswoman tumbling from her horse. She doesn't even have time to scream, merely gurgling low in her throat as she lands in a crumpled heap. Michael is just rising, his wounded leg weak beneath him, when Hresvelgr smashes down from the sky.

The giant bird lands with enough force to plough Michael down to the ground, smashing concrete apart and filling the air with a choking cloud of dust. When the air clears, you see the crater that Hresvelgr's descent created – like something fell from bloody space – and pause, your jaw hanging slack at the sight. That's it, right? Nothing, not even an Archangel, could survive that blow.

Right?

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>>43015226
>Right?
Ha

>>43015226
Hres

Hres pls

Get out of there now and JUST SPAM ICE BEFORE YOU DIE

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>>43015240
Its too late man. Its too late.

>>43015240
>>43015249
Pixie and Heartless time with sniper crossfire?

>>43015272
We have to let the smoke clear first.

>>43015272
We have to see what the situation is. Gurr is still fresh so I'd use him instead of Pixie right now.

>>43015226

You're just approaching the impact site when a pillar of fire bursts forth from the depths of the crater, hurling Hresvelgr into the air in a spray of burning feathers. The fire howls as it burns, like countless voices raised in ecstatic prayer – but not any prayer you've ever heard. It's something far older, something that primal humans would roar in praise of their violent god.

Oh shit. Oh SHIT.

Michael rises from the crater, his wings hanging loose and bloody, but with murder in his eyes. Fire ripples down his entire body, dripping like liquid from his twitching fingers. He might not have his spear – the weapon still jutting from Valkyrie's body like a flagpole – but he looks perfectly willing to strangle the life out of you, or maybe just smash your skull in a single fist.

“Your sins are manifest, human,” he rumbles, his voice echoing with awful power. It's like there's two voices coming from him – his own, and one that possesses even deeper and more ancient power, “The Great Will sustains me. Your attacks are useless. See how your allies fall before me, one by one. Bend the knee, mortal, and we can finish this quickly.”

You take a faltering step backwards. That's all you can do. Then, gritting your teeth, you prepare for your next move. Cernunnos is still alive, and you've got snipers waiting. This isn't over yet.

>Summon fresh demons and attack
>Give the signal
>Get Cassandra and Petra down here in person
>Other

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>>43015296
>Summon fresh demons and attack
Gurr and our boy Heartless
>Give the signal
It's time.

>>43015296
>Summon fresh demons and attack
Heartless and Undine for ehaling
>Give the signal

>>43015296
>>43015313
this one, Cern is going to crumple if he keeps going as is.

Michael is overpowered. Nerf pls

>>43015305
indeed it is

>>43015344
No he's not

He doesn't have Victory Cry
Metatron you motherfucker

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>>43015415

>>43015415
Victory cry won't do us a lot of good here

>>43015344
Leader of the warhost of heaven
Was in the Bible strong enough to spank Lucifer on his own
Angel of Miracles


I was worried Moloch would underplay him.

inb4 that tree kept the fae world from falling into ours

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>>43015313
>>43015341
>>43015305

No, this isn't over by a long shot. In fact, you're just getting started. Snarling with raw aggression, you call up Undine – instructing her to see to Cernunnos with such a blunt, savage thought that she winces as she hurries to her mission – and Heartless. Uncoiling before you like a pool of liquid smoke, the phantom killer rises up and pulls a pair of wickedly sharp iron stakes from his chest, brandishing them like daggers.

“I am God's first sword,” Michael spits, “And you try to stop me with this mongrel? A symbol of mankind's mindless cruelty, and nothing more. A shadow, to be banished by His light!”

Oh yeah? You fumble for a suitable retort, some devastating insult that would send him into a violent, easily avoided rage, but the words just don't come. You... You'll...

Fuck it.

You thrust your clenched fist into the air, punching it up with such sudden intensity that your muscles protest with a stab of pain. Michael laughs openly, pouring scorn upon your gesture of spiteful disobedience. Then, unnoticed, a single bullet pings harmlessly off his metal breasplate. Was that... it? That was the devastating sniper fire you were expecting?

A moment later, a terrible noise – like the howl of the Banshee, but taken to devastating levels – shatters the still air and forces you to stumble backwards. Even Michael grimaces, lifting both hands to cover his ears against the fearful shriek. That's when the second shot rings out, this one blasting through his flaming arm with crippling force. Boiling blood explodes from the wound as the limb is thrown free from his torso, and the Archangel's scream of pain is loud enough to rival the Banshee's voice.

Now, while he's vulnerable. Time for a decisive strike!

>Attack with Cernunnos and Heartless (Please roll 2D100, first for Cernunnos, second for Heartless. Best of three again)
>Call down Cassandra and Petra
>Other

Rolled 66, 89 = 155 (2d100)

>>43015550
>Attack with Cernunnos and Heartless (Please roll 2D100, first for Cernunnos, second for Heartless. Best of three again)

Let it rip Jack

Rolled 91, 68 = 159 (2d100)

>>43015550
>Attack with Cernunnos and Heartless

I͋ͣ̅͂̽̚͏͕̼̤̟̞̱́ ̸̥ͪ͊ͫ̔́̚̚W̉̽͛̈́̂̄̽͏͏̳̞I̫͕ͩͫ̓͒͑̆ͩ͜L͓̖̗̊̓͌ͭ̀́͡ͅL̨ͧ̓͂̊ͤ̚͡҉̩͙͔ͅ ̯̘ͣͩͩ͝ͅN͍̱͍͚̞̻͚̿̓̉͛͛Ơ̷̛̜̿ͩ́̿̓T̫̫ͮ̐ͦ ̼̬̯̠͌͑̓̅C̜̫͂́ͮ̌̿͂͛̀͢͠Ṙͦ̄͏̶̵͚̭͖̭̗̪̩̙̠A̜̜͈͌͛C̞̗̭̱͔͎͐̾K̴̜̯̻͋̒̏̀͆ͮ͋̍͟ͅ!̹̙͒ͧ̚͢

Rolled 19, 66 = 85 (2d100)

>>43015550
>Attack with Cernunnos and Heartless (Please roll 2D100, first for Cernunnos, second for Heartless. Best of three again)

Amelia is going too? Fuck yeah, fighting alongside Heartless.

Rolled 83, 79 = 162 (2d100)

>And I forgot to roll as well!

>>43015582
Wait nevermind I misread that. Doh.

Rolled 27, 63 = 90 (2d100)

>>43015550
>Attack with Cernunnos and Heartless (Please roll 2D100, first for Cernunnos, second for Heartless. Best of three again)

>>43015567
>>43015571
good job

>>43015550
>Attack with Cernunnos and Heartless (Please roll 2D100, first for Cernunnos, second for Heartless. Best of three again)
I don't think it's going to end with just this. Just be ready to doubletap with Eligor and Gurr.

>>43015550
>“And you try to stop me with this mongrel?
That mongrel slit Uriel's eyes and decapitated Gabriel mang.

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>>43015567
>>43015571

Cernunnos, still lurking behind Michael while you lead the frontal attack, lunges forwards and seizes his spear, ripping it from Michael's thigh in a flood of divine blood. The wound practically rips the Archangel's leg off, but not even that is barely enough to slow the raging warrior down. What it does do, however, is reduce his charge to a stumble – one that Heartless is easily able to slide under. Then, behind the Archangel, your murderous servant plunges both stakes into Michael's back.

Reeling from the blow, Michael takes one, two unsteady steps forwards before his shattered leg gives way beneath him, sending him plummeting to the ground. His wings flap limply in an attempt to arrest his fall, but they too are broken and useless. How much more punishment can this stubborn bastard take, you ask yourself, before he realises that he's supposed to be dead by now?

He lies still for a moment, but you're not willing to take the obvious risk. You've seen enough horror movies to know that the minute you approach the “corpse”, he'll come alive in one last burst of strength. You nod, instead, to Cernunnos, who walks up behind Michael and – with all his strength behind him – plunges his spear through the Archangel's spine. There is no reaction, other than the corpse twitching as Cernunnos twists the blade.

“Looks dead to me,” the horned god grunts, in obvious satisfaction.

Yes, well, he certainly looks dead, but something niggles at you. Why hasn't his body started to decay? Normally, it would have started to crumble to dust by now – so why is he just lying there? Something is definitely not right here.

>>43015767
Awww shit...

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>>43015767
>Why hasn't his body started to decay?

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>>43015767

Grimacing, you approach the body and roll it over with your foot. Michael's face is growing pale, frozen in a twisted rictus of agony that is utterly devoid of life. Still, as you examine him closer, a golden light is kindled within his eyes. He speaks slowly, but his lips do not move. The words seem to come from some hollow space within him, echoing out from some infinitely deep pit.

“Human,” the voice rasps, and you're able to recognise Metatron's voice despite the distortion permeating it, “Do you seek destruction? An end to this world, and all of its torments? Why else would you fight with such selfish lust for nothingness?”

This asshole again. Just because you're not kneeling before the Archangels doesn't mean you're seeking to destroy the world – it's not a zero sum game.

“Then what do you seek?” Metatron – sounding genuinely curious – asks from within his borrowed vessel, “Chaos without end? That is the only path left open to you now. The Great Will has turned His face from you.”

What do you seek? Not an easy question to answer.

>I seek to end the law of cycles
>I seek control over this world
>I seek revenge on all those who tried to control me
>Right now, I seek your death. Nothing more
>Other

>>43015885
>I seek a future where humanity controls its own destiny!

That...sounds awfully chaotic, now that I think about it.

>>43015885
>I seek to end the law of cycles

>>43015885
>I seek a real choice. Not some binary extreme, and not a reset that will simply foist the choice over to some other poor sod.
>A way for humans to stand for themselves, to become better and PROVE they are better.
sleeeeeeeep

>>43015885
>I seek to end the law of cycles
With a little
>I seek revenge on all those who tried to control me

"Before you leave take this small bit of information. The reason there is now human champion of law? Why this cycle is all messed up for your side? Its all Mastema's fault, trying to get brownie points with God by doing everything himself. Maybe you should have a talk with him."

>>43015912
Just add "free from the influence of angels, devils, and demons alike. For better or worse Humanity should decide its own fate."

>>43015933
>there is now
there is no*

>>43015929
>>43015885
This

With a little of
>>43015933
for blaming Mastema for everything. Maybe, just maybe the Joesph/Mastema problem will be taken care of by itself cause Metatron calls him back.

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What do you seek? You seek to end the law of cycles and win a chance for mankind to control their own destiny. You seek a real choice, not choosing between two forms of oppression or a meaningless reset. You seek a way for humanity to improve, to become better than those who would lord over them and to PROVE that they're better. That, you tell Metatron, is what you seek.

That, and maybe a little bit of revenge on those who tried to manipulate and control you. Speaking, in fact, of manipulation... You kneel down to Michael's head, now with quite an ugly pallor, and speak softly. He's got bigger problems than a few rogue humans to deal with. Mastema has been working behind the scenes, trying to scrape together enough success to claim a new role as God's favoured servant. Maybe, just maybe, Metatron should keep a closer eye on his own house before he starts trying to mess up yours.

“Mastema? That wretch...” Metatron almost sounds amused, but then the humour in his voice dies, “No. He is powerless. Let him play his games. In time, he will be brought before the Great Will and judged – as we all are. A lesson you would do well to remember, human.”

“Do all angels talk so much after you kill them?” Petra, her voice taking you by surprise, asks from behind. When you look back to Michael, the golden light has left his eyes.

“Pretty much,” Cassandra adds, joining you both. Ose walks behind her, both swords drawn protectively. His nose twitches furiously, and his eyes keep returning to the Archangel's corpse. “Hmm,” Cassandra looks around at her looming bodyguard, “What's wrong?”

“Hungry,” the devil growls, “Somethin' here, I can taste it. Somethin' familiar.” He bare his fangs and stoops down next to the body, sniffing it deeply.

>Push Ose away
>Watch and wait

>>43016146
>Watch and wait
This'll be...something.

>>43016146
>Watch and wait
Wasn't Ose an angel once too?

I think I might know where this is going.

Ose Hallel time?

>>43016146
>Watch and wait

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>>43016191
>>43016207
>>43016357

Sniffing and slavering like a starved beast, Ose grabs Michael's body and tears away the armoured breastplate, casting it aside like a piece of trash. Then, with the slain angel's flesh exposed to the air, Ose bares his fangs and tears in. Biting and gnashing, ripping his way through layers of skin and muscle to bury his muzzle in the still warm entrails. The sounds of the devil's feast are terrible, wet and vicious, and you're forced to take a few steps back to avoid being splattered by droplets of gore and saliva.

Cassandra, groaning and covering her mouth, turns away from the sight, while Petra watches with apparent fascination. The sight, strangely, doesn't bother you as much as you thought it might. Finally, as Ose gorges himself on the Archangel's flesh, Michael's corpse begins to disintegrate. By the time it decays completely, Ose's face is stained, smeared with blood, and his stomach bulges. A low groan escapes the sated devil, who collapses forwards and spasms like someone in the grips of a seizure.

As Ose twitches and jumps, all the colour seems to leak from his fur and skin, leaving him pattered in white and grey. Wings burst from the skin at his neck, reaching up the form a high collar around his throat as a second pair begins to crawl out of his spine. The devil's cloak slides away from him, brushed aside by the new limbs. Even his swords change, shifting from brutal tools of slaughter to finely balanced weapons. The transformation does not appear painless – in fact, Ose groans and howls all the way through it – but when it is finished, he lifts himself to his feet.

“I have reclaimed my lost divinity,” he announces, sheathing his blades and kneeling before Cassandra, “My master, my loyalties are yours alone.”

>>43016528

“Uh...” Cassandra looks ill at the mere sight of her changed companion, perhaps haunted by the memory of what she just saw, “That's... that's really great. I, um, I was thinking maybe we should... go.”

Go, you ask, go where?

“You know,” Cassandra forces a laugh, the sound high and nearly hysterical, “Home. I could use a rest after that. I mean, wow, I'm tired!” She laughs again, but when she notices that nobody else is laughing along with her, she drops the act. “I'm fine, really,” she insists, “Just a little shaken. I didn't know what to expect, but...”

But that wasn't it, you finish her sentence for her. Well, you can sympathise with that, that's for sure.

“I think I'll head back anyway, to clear my head,” Cassandra nods to herself, returning Ose to her phone with a trembling finger, “I wonder how Cu is doing...”

“Do you have plans?” Petra asks you as Cassandra makes to leave, “Returning with her, or...”

>Do YOU have any plans?
>I was going back, yes
>I've got some loose ends to take care of (write in)
>Other

>>43016594
>I've got some loose ends to take care of (write in)
Need to talk to Nebiros about who Lucifer sent to counter Michael. He likes it better when I show up in person. Plus I could use a drink.

>>43016594
>I've got some loose ends to take care of (write in)
Killing Michael bought us some time for the cornerstone, maybe we should go demon recruiting. We got 4 slots to fill. And while some of our demons are down we still got plenty of strong ones still up.

>Do YOU have any plans?

>>43016665
How bout >>43016665 this first then >>43016668

That way we have some information to build a team around.

>>43016594
>>Do YOU have any plans?
If we're going demon recruiting maybe we should bring Petra along? She has the Deathstone after all. Maybe visit Daisoujou?

>>43016728
Sure, have her start working on her Fiend army.

>>43016665
>>43016668
>>43016682
>>43016728

Well, you might have had some ideas of what to do next. You wanted to gather some last minute intelligence on the last cornerstone for one thing. Then, depending on what your contacts were able to tell you, you were considering recruiting some new demons to fill out your roster. Maybe Petra should think about doing the same – unless she had some other plans?

“We had the same idea,” she nods firmly, “Safety in numbers, yes? Why don't we go looking for them together?”

You were about to suggest that, yes. You'll start at the club and see what Nebiros and Belial have to say – maybe they know where the powerful demons hang out – and then you'll see if that spooky monk is still lurking around the New Way enclave. The idea of venturing into that grim, silent tomb isn't one you like very much, to say nothing of the risk Joseph poses, but you don't have a whole lot of other leads to go on.

“It's a date,” Petra declares, “You meant the Hellfire Club, yes? I've passed it many times, but never gone inside.”

That's the place, you tell her, but, eh, maybe she could cool it with the “date” stuff?

Petra waves your concerns away as she takes off, walking with a cheerful pace. Exasperated, you follow behind her and follow the familiar route to the Hellfire Club. When the building itself gets into view, you're so surprised at the sight of it that you stumble a little. Belial is out front, slowly nailing a wooden plank over the doorway. Already, there are several similar planks in place. Closing up shop?

“Hello,” he announces as he sees you, “Back again so soon? I hate to disappoint you, but...”

But he seems to be closed, you remark, nothing to do with what happened yesterday, you hope?

“Not the first brawl we've had in that alley,” Belial laughs shortly, “No, it was nothing to do with you.”

>>43016951

Bad business, then, or something else? The sight of the boarded up club strikes you as being strangely sad, as though you've lost a dear friend. You might have taken it for granted once or twice, and almost been held hostage within it, but it was still a point of consistency in the wasteland. Losing it so suddenly...

“Business is fine,” Belial gives you a curt laugh, “More than fine, actually. We had a fair crowd in here earlier, all looking for the person who gave Michael's herald a good kicking. Most of them wanted your head, but some wanted to buy you a drink. No, we're closing up because of the way the wind's blowing. This world might not be here much longer, you see – although I doubt I need to tell you that.”

Yes, well, you'd certainly got THAT memo. In a way, you're not surprised to see people fleeing back to their own corners of creation. If your world really is not going to last much longer, it makes sense that anyone with the ability to leave it is doing so.

“Mister Black is inside, if you wanted to talk with him,” Belial adds, “Use the back door, will you? I'm about finished up here.”

Right. Glancing over your shoulder to make sure Petra is following you, you make your way around to the back alley and let yourself into the club. Nebiros is sitting at the bar, nursing a glass of some dark liquor and staring intently at a sealed coffin.

“Ah, Amelia. I was hoping I'd see you,” he says, looking around at the sound of the door, “We're closing up, as you can see. Still, I've always got time. What can I help you with?”

>Some information, if you can
>Got anything you need sorted before you go?
>I'd like to thank you for everything
>Other

>>43017186
>>Some information, if you can

Then after we are done
>I'd like to thank you for everything

>>43017186
>Some information, if you can
>I'd like to thank you for everything

>>43017186
>>Some information, if you can
>>Got anything you need sorted before you go?
>>I'd like to thank you for everything

Eh, everything.

>>43017216
>>43017221
>>43017227

First things first, you'd like some information if possible. You expect Lucifer has his top man out there, looking for the final cornerstone – can Nebiros tell you who you'll be butting heads with? Of course, their strengths and weaknesses would be a great help, but even their name would be enough to start on.

“That's a strange one,” Nebiros begins, taking a sip of his drink, “You're right – I was expecting to hear about it as well. Normally, we get a lot of attention, devils asking for leads to send further up the chain of command, but everything has been silent lately. That's strange – either Lucifer has given up, and I doubt that very much, or he has some advantage that he's keeping quiet about.”

Really? So there isn't even any indication of who might be out there?

“The Lord of the Flies would be my guess,” Nebiros says slowly, stressing the word “guess”. He looks down at his drink, grimaces, and continues. “He's Lucifer's top man, that's for sure. Nasty type, not the kind I like to do business with at all. If he shows his face, you'll need protection against his magic. It is said that his darkness can strike a man dead in a single second.”

That does sound nasty, you agree. But, you add hopefully, a weakness? When Nebiros shakes his head sadly, it doesn't come as much of a surprise. Well... you glance back to Petra, who shrugs, does he need any help with anything? Last minute work that needs doing?

“You don't like to stay idle for a moment, do you?” Nebiros laughs heartily, probably the biggest display of mirth you've ever seen from him, “For once, I believe I have all my affairs in order. I must say, however, I appreciate the gesture.”

“We're looking for Fiends,” Petra adds, butting in with all the tact of a diplomatic incident, “Have you seen any?”

>>43017396

You wince at the abrupt interruption, but for once, Nebiros lets the breach in protocol go. Perhaps whatever he's drinking has mellowed him out a little. “Fiends, hmm? I have heard a thing or two about one in the area. A skeleton of most hideous appearance, riding a red horse and waving a sword above his head. Is that the kind of thing you'd be interested in?”

“Exactly,” Petra leans closer, her lone eye bright with enthusiasm, “It's nearby?”

“Close, yes,” Nebiros nods, “Although it might be difficult to find. It only makes itself visible when confronted with a potent symbol of death.”

The Deathstone, you ask, that's what he means, right?

“Yes,” Nebiros nods, “But not just that. It is said that only the voices of the warrior dead can call it to battle. And, as you're probably aware, the dead tend to keep their mouths shut.”

Maybe, you think with a gloating grin, but you might just have a way around that. It'll require a little stop on the way, but you've got the answer to this particular conundrum waiting for you. Before you leave, you thank Nebiros – not just for his time, but for everything he's done for you in the past. It was a pleasure working with him.

“And a pleasure working with you too,” he replies, sounding a little surprised at your gesture. It's probably rare that he has the chance to deal with a polite customer, you realise sadly. You shake hands with the slender man, hiding a shudder at the clammy chill of his skin, and turn to leave the club. Outside, you repeat the gesture with Belial, who seems equally pleased with your manners.

“Got a minute?” he asks as you're turning to leave, “One last piece of advice for you, if you want it.”

Of course, you tell him, you'll welcome any help he has to offer.

>>43017561

“You're going for the Tower, when you're done here,” Belial leans on the wall and brushes a sheen of sweat away from his blunt head with a rag. “There's a guard just inside the entrance. He'll ask all kinds of questions and try to eat you if he doesn't like the answers.”

Oh, you say, this guard sounds perfectly charming.

“We go way back, he's all bluster,” Belial waves away your concern, “You'll probably need to fight him. He's got a false eye, made from gold – if you can take it from his body, it'll be a powerful amulet, the kind that protects you from both light and darkness. Something to keep in mind, at least.” With that, he turns back to the boarded up door, testing each plank with a tug.

“So that's that,” Petra muses when you walk a few paces away, “You know something, don't you? About that “voices of the warrior dead” thing?”

Well, you might have a few theories...

>There was a great battle here once, and I know someone who can speak to the dead
>You're on your own for this one I'm afraid
>I have no idea
>Other

>>43017661
>There was a great battle here once, and I know someone who can speak to the dead

>>43017661
>>There was a great battle here once, and I know someone who can speak to the dead

>>43017661
>There was a great battle here once, and I know someone who can speak to the dead

>>43017661
>>There was a great battle here once, and I know someone who can speak to the dead

So that's Daisoujou and Red Rider confirmed. I wonder who else is going to pop up

>>43017718
Do we only get one. Like, do we trade the deathstone or do we just need it to collect the fiends?

>>43017745

>Just having the Deathstone lets Petra command the Fiends. As many as you can find, you get to keep it

>>43017680
>>43017709
>>43017710
>>43017715

There was a great battle here once, you tell Petra, pointing at the ground beneath your feet. “Great” might be stretching things a little, you'll admit – it was mostly a mob of savages charging to their deaths – but there were certainly plenty of dead warriors here. As for the voice part, well, you might know somebody who can speak with the dead. Hopefully that should be enough to summon this hideous skeleton.

“So how do you know about this battle?” Petra asks, kneeling to trace a finger across the ground, almost as if she was expecting it to start leaking blood or something.

That? That's a long story. You were... in the area when it happened. That's it, yes. You were just minding your own business when two rival factions decided to declare war on each other. Quite inconvenient really.

“I can imagine,” Petra's voice is amused, “And this person who can speak with the dead?”

Another Fiend, you tell her, so it's kind of a two for the price of one deal. Of course, you've got to get there first. You explain to Petra that the Fiend in question is located past the labyrinth where she was stranded. You'll have to pass through that before you can even think about getting this Fiend on side. It comes as a bit of a surprise when you see Petra's body tighten up with fear as you mention the labyrinth. Maybe you shouldn't be surprised – why shouldn't she feel a little fear, when the last time she delved into that place, she almost died?

It's safe, you tell her, raising your hand to show her the ring on your finger. As long as you stick close together, you should pass right through without even glimpsing at the inside of that terrible place.

“Of course. Lead the way,” Petra nods to herself before repeating, in a voice low enough that you just barely hear her, “Perfectly safe...”

>>43018073

Like you said, you make it through the labyrinth without straying into it for even a moment. The only trouble came when, upon entering the maze of buildings that marks the entrance to the New Way enclave, Petra grabbed your hand so tightly that your fingers were aching within seconds. Now that you're safe, you tell her, maybe she can let go?

“Yes, of course,” Petra offers you a forced smile, “If I must.” She looks like she's about to say something else, but then her eye narrows at the sight of the New Way building. “This place is deserted,” she mutters, “Was it always like this?”

Deserted? You look around and notice, like she said, the hooded guards that normally lurk outside are gone. True, the place was never a thriving metropolis, but now even the few small traces of life have vanished. This is definitely not normal. Rubbing your sore fingers as you go, you slowly approach the building and look around. Still no sign of anyone, no matter where you look.

“Could someone have attacked the place?” Petra asks, the doubt in her voice obvious. You'd have to agree with her scepticism – with the defences in place, no demon should have been able to intrude upon the enclave. That leaves only one option.

An attack from within.

>I think that's a reasonable place to stop for tonight. Next thread on Tuesday, and I'll stick around in case of any questions

>Also, are there any Fiends people would especially like to see in future?

>>43018256
Thanks for the run boss.

>Also, are there any Fiends people would especially like to see in future?

Hmm well you got Daisoubro already.

I'd say Hell Biker and eventually Trumpeter for me a least.

>>43018256
Demi-fiend.

Ho ho ho.

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>>43018292
If only.

gg no re everything.

>>43018292
Just wait. He'll be the final boss or something.
And it'll be Leon with magatama powers

>>43018256
Is #32.5 canon?

>>43018354
>Is #32.5 canon?

Yes.

>>43018292

Fighting him in Digital Devil Saga was bad enough! I don't think I'd be cruel enough to drop him into the mix.

>>43018354
>Is #32.5 canon?

Yes

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>>43018354
>And it'll be Leon with magatama powers

Don't do this to me Anon.

>>43018456
Alice, With Nebiros and Belial trying to convince her stop so they can leave.

>>43018486
Yeah I am surprised the Deathstone being active and nearby didn't wake her up.

>>43018499

Why do you think the coffin was sealed?

>>43018523
Couldn't she teleport out of it if she wanted?

>>43018647
Maybe it's magic. Like sealed to keep her from escaping or something.

>>43018523
If Amelia had gone full CHAOS could we have kept Leon alive?
Could we have romanced him?

>>43018691
>anything other than /u/ route

>>43018691
>If Amelia had gone full CHAOS could we have kept Leon alive?

Going full Chaos would mean fighting him for control.

Thing is, if we had tried more to convince him instead of just giving him a warning and leaving we might have saved him. But shieet Alice was scary.

>>43018709
>Anything other than no route
Nigga we don't got time for that shit. Got a keystone to recover. Besides I am pretty sure Amelia is straight as evidenced by her attraction to Cu Chulainn, but just...lonely.

>>43018691
>>43018709
>>43018756

>Implying we're not going to romance Leon

I'm telling you, Super Demon Leon. He's my husbando.

>>43018756
She might be bi, but yeah most of this is loneliness. Shame we have no time for romance, girl could use it.


Also if we told him ahead of time, we might have saved him too.


>>43018778
He'd probs try to kill us.

>>43018647

It's the same coffin Alice was originally sealed within. If she's inside, she can't wake up. So, jokes about being buried alive aside, she's probably out of action.

>>43018691
>If Amelia had gone full CHAOS could we have kept Leon alive?

Potentially, yes. It would have been a balancing act though, since he'd be wrestling for control at any opportunity.

The other question, also yes.

>>43018805
>wrestling for control at any opportunity.

My fetish. Rival love interests are always the best.

>>43018803
We don't need to fight him. We want to give Hell the other cornerstone anyway. So unless Leon shows up at the tower to stop us, we're good.

>>43018803
>She might be bi
Doubt it, too much evidence against it. Also thats a copout.

>Also if we told him ahead of time, we might have saved him too.

True, but we didn't trust him to not give away our plans. Rightfully so too.

>>43018894
Well I since 32.5 is canon, she probably is, or her loneliness transcends her sexuality.

as for not telling him, I don't disagree.


>>43018843
He'd fight us on principle, since he's a bloodthirsty son of a gun.

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>>43018932
I'm sure we can talk out our problems with him.

Forget Leon, he's old news. What the real issue is can we romance Joseph?

Also. Wasn't his name Joseph Johansson or something like that?
>JoJo
Best character confirmed

>>43018986
>talking out our problems
>Posts a picture of Metatron of all people holding a small suitcase.

You trying to be funny?

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>>43019010
No.

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>>43019018
I am 100% serious and every post I have ever made in this quest has been done with complete sobriety and solemnity.


On another note,>>43019010
Joseph is just a puppet. We should skip past him and romance the guy pulling the strings. i hear he's handsome!!!!!!!

>>43019010
Ha, no. Leon was unruly, but he never intentionally fucked us over.


>>43019078
Even worse.

>>43019010

>can we romance Joseph?
Nope, we're not LAW enough for him

Although if you're asking if you could have romanced him, the answer is yes. But why?

>>43019122
Is Heartless still on the table Moloch?

>>43019122
Cause we are fucking around.

>>43019140
Like so

>>43019122
Besides Cuh was there ever a neutral male that was romancable?

>>43019140
I'd like to evo him one more time first, but I'd be down.

>>43019140

You mean for romancing? That's pretty weird!
And in that situation, it wouldn't be HIM on the table, if you know what I mean

>>43019163

Now I think about it, I don't think so. I didn't plan it that way though!

>>43019163
Cernunnos is still around and technically single.
Heartless isn't chaotic.
You got Ose, even though you're a fucking furry if you want to fuck Ose.

>>43019155
I never fuck around. The content of my posts are always on-topic and important.

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>>43019223
>And in that situation, it wouldn't be HIM on the table, if you know what I mean

HEYO

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>>43019223
>And in that situation, it wouldn't be HIM on the table, if you know what I mean

>>43019223
is there another rank or form up available for Jack/Heartless? I mean he's great now, but I've got the feeling it isn't even his final form.


Is he Nylarhotep?

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>>43019223
>And in that situation, it wouldn't be HIM on the table, if you know what I mean

>>43019290

Unfortunately, this is as high as he goes!

>>43019300
>Violence

Strangely appropriate!

>>43019393
Any chance to get some high end demons before it all tumbles down? We got a solid roster but we still have 4 slots.

Will there be chances to recruit within the Tower?

>>43019393
Darn. Was hoping he could get another rank up. Any of our other demons have a rank up we could get before the world goes poof?

I've got sort of a meta question. Do demons in the quest have "levels" and stuff like that? What I mean is do they get more powerful the more we use them?

We've got stuff that would be pretty low level in the games like Undine or Eligor but they can still keep up. Is it more about how they're used?

>>43019433

There might be some demons within the Tower that can be recruited, yes

>>43019478

There is the possibility of upgrading one of our demons, yes
Keep an eye out if you ever find yourself in Hell

>>43019503

That's a little harder to explain. I'll get a proper answer up in a moment

>>43019503

So, demons don't have explicit levels as such. They have power levels, in that some demons are more powerful than others, but these are more general than "level 10" or "level 20".

Demons don't get explicitly more powerful the longer we have them either, but they do get more loyal and a little smarter - meaning they can use their abilities more efficiently.

It's a little vague, but I hope that explains the system I've been working off

>>43019661
So power estimation and battle exp equating to better use of power over a raw increase?

What's our demon loyalty at?

>>43019708

That's correct, yes

They're mostly pretty high. Heartless is at maximum, and Pixie probably has the lowest loyalty. Even then, though, that's still at a good level.

>>43019765
>Pixie probably has the lowest loyalty

She'd change her tune if we ever got to the lowest part of Hell.

>>43019797
What if we bring a piece of the lowest part of Hell up to her? Would that even work?

>>43019870
Honestly it could be she herself isn't eligible.

Back when Demifiend did it he had to provide his oldest companion to this room, which in his case was Pixie, which then supercharged her.

For us that would be Heartless or maybe Undine.

So I dunno if it was Pixie exclusive down there or 'oldest demon companion' exclusive.

>>43019917
>>43019870
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxG-T9Oll6k

As you can see here.

>>43019917
in which case we should have waited until we got there and kept Jack as Jack.

>>43019953
Actually in Nocturne you can provide the demon that Pixie was fused into.

For instance I gave Odin to the door and got my Super Pixie.

I lost Odin though, but I got him back with Compendium.

>>43019765
We will run into any one else who's human/human like, Not a dick, not trying to kill us, not super crazy?

>>43019917

For the quest, I've interpreted it as a Pixie specific thing. It started as a little inside joke, but now that there is a chance of it happening, I'll stick with my original decision.

Assuming, of course, you can bring Pixie and a little piece of Hell together

>>43020064

Doubtful!

>>43020064
We endgame man.

>>43020104
It's not the endgame until all our friends are dead

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>>43020378
Never! We will make our predecessors proud by being able to do this without having our friends die!

I hope.

>>43020413
At the very least I don't think we'll be forced to kill any of them ourselves. Cass and Petra are on our side and I think Carnby will stay in the fairy kingdom when things start exploding. We've just got to worry about Beelzebub and Metatron, whenever we fight them

>>43020413
Me too. We already fucked up the law/chaos heroes bit, so avoiding the everyone dies bit is within our purview. Need to keep an eye out for Mastema since I think he just purged every human survivor.


>>43020515
Lucifer too, since Beelzy is after the last cornerstone and I guarantee Luci will come for the key. Also need to watch out for the true threat AND the outsider.