>>43103660

Fallen twigs crunch like bones beneath your boots as you march along, your eyes fixed on the rapidly approaching palace. After tersely telling Petra about the situation, neither of you have exchanged a single word, and that's just fine with you. Right now, you don't want to talk – your old temper, your instinct for finding trouble, has been roused from its slumber. It's dangerous, you know that, but you welcome the risk. The time for keeping a cool head has passed.

Even so, your pace slows slightly as you spot the pair of guards flanking the door. Tall, expressionless humans – no, not humans – with neatly folded angel wings, they resemble statues more than living beings. It's only when they don't react, not even looking around as you pass them by, that you pick up the pace. More of Joseph's shining warriors line the palace foyer, while Cassandra stands at the end, wringing her hands and staring at her feet.

“Amelia!” she shouts when you approach, “Oh, I don't know what to do! Joseph just marched in here with those... soldiers! He, um, I mean, he...” Cassandra's words devolve into stammers, her chest heaving with panicked breathing.

Calm down, you order her, too fired up to worry about snapping at her. Just take a damn breath, you add, and talk. You want to know where Joseph is.

“He... I think he was heading for the archives,” Cassandra forces the words out, “Amelia, I think the professor might be...”

Carnby. He's got your damn father. If Joseph hadn't already crossed a line, this lone act would have taken him far beyond your ability to forgive. Your hands form tight fists by your side as you think about your next move.

>Go straight to the archives
>Get as much information as possible from Cassandra before making a move

>>43103668
>Go straight to the archives
Normally Amelia would get more info, but I think she is way too pissed for that right now. Just make sure Petra and Cass come with us, we'll probably need help.

>>43103668
>>Go straight to the archives

>>43103668
>To the archives.
You know, I'm quite scared. That soul we heard said he transformed them into angels using some sort of instrument, so maybe we should look out for sounds and music. What if he just go ''fuck it'' and tries to transform everybody into that things?? Our friends, or maybe even we??

>>43103705
>>43103750
>>43103860

If your father is down in the archives – and, given his usual lifestyle, you know that he probably is – you can't waste any time on this. You don't have time to think of a plan, or even to cool your head. Hell, you don't want to cool your head. You want to march down to the archives and kill Joseph so hard that the pixies will be picking pieces of skull out of the books for weeks to come. Simply put, you are platinum fucking mad.

“Wait!” Cassandra cries as she hurries to follow you, Petra joining your little party without a word. If they want to come along, fine, but they'd better not get in your way. Realising that anything she might say would be pointless, Cassandra lapses into a sullen silence. That's fine as well – you've got better things to worry about. Your footsteps echo down the hallway as you descend the steps into the archive.

It's quiet down here. Of course, it usually is quiet – often, it'll be just you and Carnby down here and you won't be talking to each other. In those rare moments, the only sounds will be the rustle of paper and whatever murmured comments you exchange. Those were good times, you realise with a sudden morose weight, times that you might not get to have again. If only you'd taken the chance while you could!

Forcing that thought from your mind, you nod to Cassandra and Petra who – after a confused moment as they try to decipher your curt gesture – fan out to search the aisles. You head straight for Carnby's usual desk, hope and fear wrestling in your mind as you imagine what might be waiting for you. Then, as you draw close, you hear the sound of a heavy book being closed – the thudding sound ringing out through the archives.

Joseph, when you see him, is sitting at your father's desk. Softly, he drums his fingers on the closed book and, as you approach, turns to point his gun at you.

>>43103870
>turns to point his gun at you.
In retrospect we should have had our gun unholstered and ready too. Damnit.

>>43103870
>>43103894
We should have our DEMONS ready, anyway. Fuck it, we could just go ''Heartless, attack!'' and pin the motherfucker down.

>>43103870

“Well,” he says softly as you stop dead in your tracks, “I'd like to say it's a pleasure to see you. I really would.”

You don't say anything, forcing your racing thoughts to slow down so you can focus on the scene. There's no sign of Carnby anywhere, but neither is there any sign of violence. No spilled blood, no bullet casings and definitely no smell of spent powder – your new experience in mercy killings having given you quite the nose for such things. As far as you can tell, it's just Joseph, sitting at the desk with his unused gun.

“Please, don't move,” the fanatic sighs as he sees your body tensing up, “Hands away from your pockets. Any sudden movements, and I'll gun you down. You're wearing armour, I know that, but I'm a very good shot. At this range, I can put a bullet between your eyes without thinking twice.”

He could be bluffing. He might actually be a terrible shot – but the hand holding that sleek, black pistol is perfectly steady. The ground here is cluttered with loose paper and stacks of books, with plenty of obstacles to foul up an attempt at closing the distance between the two of you. A hasty lunge, and you'd be on the floor before you realised it.

“I know you've got the location of the last cornerstone,” Joseph sneers, “Translated, from these heathen texts. I could translate them myself, of course, but that would take time. What you're going to do,” he says as he holds up a sheet of loose paper, “Is tell me how to decode this. What cipher was used? What letters are these?”

You freeze, peering carefully at the paper he waves at you. That's... not in code. That's just Carnby's disgusting handwriting, scrawled with speed rather than legibility as the focus.

>Tell him the truth
>Bargain with him – you'll tell him, if he tells you where Carnby is
>Try to attack
>Talk some more
>Other

>>43103949
>Talk
>Gain some time
>And be loud enough so Petra and Cass can hear and fuck him up
>Maybe try to distract him so we can summon something

>>43103949
>Talk some more
>Bargain with him – you'll tell him, if he tells you where Carnby is

Hopefully Petra and Cass can hear us. All they need to do is get a demon between us and Joseph.

>>43103949
>>Talk some more
"Shoot me? That's implying you think you can take down Beelzebub all by yourself and the only things you've killed are unsuspecting humans with poison and that little pistol you love to wave around. You don't have shit on the Lord of Flies."

>>43103949
What, I do? News to me, let me see those papers, they're new.

>>43103979
>>43103999
>>43104064

You just need to buy some time and make enough noise that Cassandra or Petra will come to find you – it can't be that hard, when even the sound of a turning page can carry across the entire hall. Fight down your revulsion, you tell herself, and talk a little. This really isn't necessary, you tell Joseph with a forced smile, you had a deal, didn't you? You'd find him once you learned the location, and you'd all take the cornerstone together – right?

“But with these notes, I don't need your help. God has sent his true warriors to my side – angels, born into the flesh of those with true faith. What use are you, when I have them? Now, if you please, I would like to know how to decode these. It would save me a great deal of time and effort.”

Where the hell are Cassandra and Petra? They should have heard you as soon as you started talking, but there's no sign of them. Scowling hard – you can't keep up that polite façade for any longer – you offer to cut Joseph a deal. You'll tell him how to decode those stupid notes, if he tells you what he's done with the man who wrote them. The question seems to throw Joseph, but not enough for his attention to wander. The gun remains pointed your way, even as the man holding it frowns.

“You didn't write these?” he asks slowly, “No, I should have known... You didn't strike me as the type to read much.”

Keep talking, you snap, see how that shitty attitude helps him when he has to fight Beelzebub! You hurl that blasphemous name at him, shouting it loudly enough that your voice reaches to the far corners of the archives. That must have worked – they must have heard you!

“Your friends won't be coming,” Joseph smiles coldly, “They're... occupied. I wonder what nightmares Mastema has conjured up for them.”

oh god, dad is going to save the day.

>>43104127

“Fine,” Joseph shrugs suddenly, picking up one of the old books instead of the notes, “I'll do this the hard way. It might take a little longer, but I'll be in no hurry. You'll be dead, in either case.” Then, with his eyes and gun still fixed upon you, he slowly stands and kicks his chair away. “Do you want to say a prayer, perhaps? It won't do you much good though – God has turned His face away from you. His eyes are on me now, and I will not fail Him.”

You hate having guns pointed at you. Really, that probably goes for most people, but you believe it's worth emphasising. You HATE having guns pointed at you. You've got nothing to lose now, you realise, and you prepare to lunge at him. That's when you hear it.

“Amelia?” a voice – distant, male – coming from the entrance, “What's all this commotion? I could hear you from all the way-”

As Carnby turns down into the aisle and sees you and Joseph, his eye lock on the young fanatic's gun. There is only the slightest moment of hesitation before his hand drops to his pocket, fumbling for the phone that he so rarely uses. It's only a brief moment of hesitation, but that's enough for Joseph. The young man swings his gun away from you and fires four shots in quick succession as he pounces away from the desk. The sound of those four, terrible gunshots sends a spasm of horror through you, slowing your body and yet – cruelly – sharpening your senses.

You see, in perfect slow motion, Carnby falling backwards as Joseph pushes past and charges out of the archives. Too late – you know it's too late – you force yourself to move, to give chase. You last a few paces at most before dropping to your knees, your father's body at your feet. He's bleeding badly, blood rushing from his scalp and hip. You cry out, and only now do you hear voices calling back to you.

>Please choose a character
>Cassandra
>Petra

>>43104230
>Cassandra
is this how Cass dies?

>>43104230
FUCK
>>Cassandra

He's gonna be alright though, right?

>>43104409
Depends on where he was hit and if Petra or Cass can get here.

>>43104425
Daisoujou might be able to help. I mean, as long as his brain is intact. I don't think he'd mind losing his legs if it meant not dying.

>>43104460
Yeah thats what I meant. Either Unicorn or Daisoujou might be able to save him. Or Titania.

>>43104250
>>43104277

>Character sheet: http://pastebin.com/GkV7x9Z9

Your name is Cassandra Einhart, and things just weren't supposed to be this way. Things were supposed to be getting better.

It had been a day much like any other, at first. Cu had come to you with an announcement – he'd been given permission to leave the court's service and join yours. From that moment on, he had announced, his spear would be your sword and shield. The sentiment was so romantic that you decided against pointing out that you already had a sword AND a shield. That would be ungrateful. The rest of the day, well...

Of course, things had changed when word came of Joseph's arrival. He had marched into the palace and started to demand access to the archives and – he claimed – the secrets you had been keeping from him. You arrived too late to do anything other than watch as he stormed down there and then call for help. Maybe if you'd done something sooner...

“She won't leave her room,” Petra curses as she barges into the room and drops into a seat, “Now, I think she's barricaded the door. She needs her private time, yes?” The violent girl makes no effort to disguise the disgust in her single eye as she looks at you – in a moment of weakness, you had told her everything about what you'd been doing. To say she hadn't approved would have been an understatement.

Sighing, you put your head in your hands and let your body slump forwards onto the desk. You're still haunted by that illusion you found yourself in as you searched the archives, corridors stretching off into infinity where no sounds – not even your own footsteps – could be heard. By the time the illusion faded, everything was over. Petra, of course, had chased after Joseph, despite the futility of her pursuit. You had been left standing over Amelia, kneeling and sobbing over her father's prone body. The fairies had arrived soon after and, with a sombre air, whisked him away.

>>43104532

“Is there any news?” Petra asks slowly, as though forcing herself to speak with you, “Any... change?”

You shake your head wordlessly. Ever since being taken to the sickroom, Carnby had hovered on the border of life and death, kept alive only by constant infusions of powerful healing magic. The bullet wounds themselves were not the problem – there was a lot of blood, but they were glancing hits at best. No, the real problem was the poison they had left in their wake. Joseph's gun, enchanted with some vile toxin, was killing Carnby hours after the shots had been fired. None of the healers were willing to say it, but their concern was obvious – they were fighting a losing battle. Just a matter of time now.

Petra lets out a long breath, tension obvious in her clenched fists. “She needs to know,” she says eventually, “You tell her. She won't hear it from me.”

Tell her? Tell her what – that her father is at death's door?

“Whatever,” Petra grunts, with forced nonchalance, “Do what you want. I promised that butterfly woman to help with the healing. Don't look at me like that,” she snaps suddenly, “You think I can't heal?”

No no, you protest helplessly, not knowing HOW you looked at her. She should help, definitely. Anything is better than sitting around uselessly, right? Petra grunts again and walks out, not even glancing your way. You sit there, uselessly, for a few moments longer before you hear new footsteps. Titania, taking a seat opposite you with a heavy sigh. As you look up, you realise how tired she looks, how... unusual it is to see her anything less than perfectly composed. Her face is dark, like someone bearing bad news.

“Is Amelia here?” Titania asks softly. You shake your head, and the queen offers another sigh. There are a lot of sighs going around lately. “Can you bring her here, please? She needs to hear this.”

>>43104655
Has Scatach had a look at him? I doubt Amelia's mask would help, but if we can either take Joseph's gun and have a look at it or find a way to stick Carnby in a jar...

>>43104694
>find a way to stick Carnby in a jar...
Eh lets not. May be just me but I'd rather just pass on than be stuck in a jar forever.

>>43104713
The world is about to end, it's not like he'd have to put up with it for very long.

Just long enough to not be in pain, have intelligent conversation, maybe witness the birth of the new world, and be buried in peace.

>>43104655

Knocking on Amelia's door results in silence at first, and then furious cursing when you knock again. It's only when you call out to her that, after the sound of furniture being shifted, the door opens a crack and Amelia's haggard face peers out. She looks awful, no question about it – pale, red eyes and smears of dried blood lingering about her hairline. Her father's blood, you realise, painted there when she found him and left unwashed.

“Is he dead?” she croaks, her gaze not wavering. You were expecting grief or sorrow, but her voice is flat and totally empty. “He is, isn't he?” she continues, “Just tell me. Things can't get worse, can they?”

Titania wants to call a meeting, you tell her. It must be important, you add, because she wanted to deliver the news in person.

“...Fine,” Amelia says eventually, finally leaving her room, “But it's bad news. I know it.”

>Keep silent for now
>Offer reassurance
>Offer your condolences

>>43104755
>Keep silent for now

>>43104755
>>Keep silent for now

>>43104755
>>43104755
>Keep silent for now
Yeah, whatever Cass tries, she has to do it of her own initiative before telling Amelia.

>>43104771
>>43104818
>>43104833

What could you say, in a time like this, that would help? Rather than make some trite comment in an attempt to lighten the mood, you hold your tongue and lead Amelia down the corridor. When you draw near the room you had been waiting in – waiting for what, though? - you pause. Softening your footsteps, you creep up to the edge and peer around the doorway. Your eyes widen as you catch a glimpse of Titania, sitting at the desk with her face in her hands, just like you had been before. Her shoulders are slumped. Immediately, you feel guilty about snooping on her moment of weakness. Grimacing, you knock lightly on the rim of the door before leading Amelia inside.

“You're up, that's... that's good,” Titania breathes, already recovered by the time you enter. She takes a deep breath, eyeing Amelia up carefully before speaking. “Your father is in a critical condition,” she declares, without making an effort to soften the blow. You wince at the blunt delivery, but you see Amelia nod in vague appreciation. “The next night will be what decides things. Gradually, the poison in his system is growing less aggressive. If we can just keep him stable through the night, I believe he will survive.”

“But there's a catch,” Amelia says flatly.

“This poison is magical in nature,” Titania admits, “There is no way of knowing just how it will react. I've seen poisons that wait until their final moments before becoming savage and intense. Time will tell.”

“So that's it,” Amelia looks down at the desk, “You brought me here... to tell me to wait. That's great. Really fantastic.”

“That wasn't my only reason,” Titania continues smoothly, seemingly invigorated by Amelia's rudeness, “I found this in the archives. I believe you might want to see it.”

File: Titania.jpg (60 KB, 602x755)

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>>43105058

Titania pushes a crumpled note across the desk, sliding it directly underneath Amelia's downcast eyes. “I believe this is what your father was working on – the location of the fourth cornerstone. Perfect English, and a precise location. That's what you were wanting, isn't it? No doubt your enemy will be making his way there as soon as he learns the location.”

That's good, you tell Amelia in an attempt at breaking through her sullen silence, isn't it? That's a start!

“We're waiting,” Amelia states, her tone offering no argument. “You said that the next night is critical, didn't you? I'm not going anywhere until then.”

You shouldn't be surprised, really. If your positions were reversed, you would react in exactly the same way – staying by your father's side, rather than chasing after some artefact of cosmic power. It's the right thing to do... you guess.

“Very well,” Titania nods, before rising to her feet, “I merely brought you what I found. I wouldn't tell you what to do with it. Now, I must return to work. Excuse me, please.” She leaves without another word, holding her head high.

“Am I doing the right thing?” Amelia asks after the queen leaves, “I might as well hand the cornerstone over to Joseph this way, but... I can't do it. I can't leave here when my... when Carnby is like this.” Then she looks across at you, her eyes pleading with you. Seeing her like this, so unlike her usual self, is painful.

>You should be here, just in case
>This is bigger than one man, you know that
>I can't tell you what to do
>Other

>>43105199
>You should be here, just in case
"Let Petra and I take care of this. We are all in this together aren't we? We can at least keep him busy until you are ready."

>>43105199
>You should be here, just in case

>>43105199
>>Other
>>43105283

Yeah, Time for Petra and Cass team up while Amelia is busy.

>>43105283
>>43105339
>>43105378

She's doing the right thing, you assure her. She should be here, close to Carnby's side, just in case something happens. Something like... like what Titania was describing. If things go wrong, Amelia should be close.

“So that's it then?” Amelia asks, forcing a smile. It's a wretched thing to see, weak and trembling, but it's better than the blank apathy you've seen up until now. “Just sit back and wait for Joseph to do... whatever the hell he's going to do?”

You can take care of that, you stress, you and Petra. She should let you two handle things for a while. After all, you're all in this together, right? You can try to keep him busy, at least, until things have changed.

“He'll be back home, I bet. That damn enclave of his,” Amelia murmurs as she reaches down to pull a ring from her finger. Then, staring at the band of badly corroded gold around her finger, she barks out a bitter laugh. “Of course!” she groans, “That damn angel! I should have known he'd pull something like this. You see this ring?” Angrily, Amelia waves the decaying piece of jewellery at you, “Without this, we can't get in. The labyrinth, remember?”

You remember. Joseph had to lead you through it the first time, and on the return trip you had that ring. Now, though, you don't know if it'll work. At least, you're not willing to risk it.

“He's played us,” Amelia curses darkly, “Played us like a-”

Wait, you interrupt, what if Scathach can help? She knows about curses and magic and... and stuff! Maybe she can do something to speed things along?

“Worth a try,” Amelia muses, “Look... I'm staying here until... until I know. One way or the other. I'll let you decide what to do.”

>Take a risk and use the New Way ring to "visit" Joseph
>Visit Scathach
>Scout out the fourth cornerstone
>Other

>>43105574
>>Visit Scathach
>>Scout out the fourth cornerstone
>>Other

Get Petra to scout out the fourth cornerstone.

>>43105574
>Visit Scathach
Thing about the cornerstone is that we might lead people to it AND we don't want to claim it until we are for sure ready since the we'll on the clock the moment that happens.

Also we should not by any circumstances assault his home turf. We can skirmish with his forces out in the field.

>>43105641
What's the worst that could happen?

>>43105574
>>Visit Scathach
Really. Stick together for now and don't do anything stupid

File: Daisoujou.jpg (34 KB, 467x547)

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>>43105615
>>43105722
>>43105609

You'll visit Scathach and see what she has to offer. Maybe – just maybe – she has something that might help. Even if she doesn't, well... you welcome the distraction.

“Like I said,” Amelia tells you with a weary smile, her exhaustion catching up with her in an instant, “Do what you want. Stay safe though, won't you? Take Petra with you – I'd rather not have her hanging around me.”

You frown a little at that odd request, but nod. It's probably a good idea to travel in numbers and you might, at least, be able to clear the air a little between the two of you. As you leave, heading back to the sickroom to meet up with Petra, you offer Amelia a weak wave which you're glad to see her return. She'll make it through, whatever happens. You're confident of that.

When you arrive at the sickroom, Petra is sitting at a low table with a dismantled handgun in front of her. You're glad that Amelia isn't here to see that – honestly, how could Petra be so insensitive to clean a gun, here of all places? Every so often, a little chime rings out as the skeletal monk hovering beside Carnby rings his bell. With every chime, you see Petra's shoulders tighten a little.

“That bell,” she remarks without looking up, “Is driving me insane, yes? It never stops.”

Well, in that case, how does she fancy the chance to get some fresh air? You wanted to visit a witch, just to make sure all your bases were covered. It's a slim chance, but she might be able to help.

“In the hospital basement, yes?” Petra finally looks up, glaring at you with only a little hostility, “I don't think Amelia would be so happy to have her father forged into a trinket.”

That's NOT what you meant, you snap back, irked by Petra's deliberate attempts at being unhelpful.

“I understand,” Petra pushed the dismantled gun aside, “Do something. Occupy the mind. I'll come with you.”

File: Scathach.png (203 KB, 323x426)

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>>43105900

The fresh air does seem to help you both, bringing a rush of fresh energy to your weary limbs. It doesn't thaw the cold air between you and Petra though, with the redhead stomping ahead of you in resolute silence. Eventually though, she speaks up.

“I didn't know him long,” she admits, “But Carnby seems, I think, to be a good man. Strong, no matter what he looks like. He'll survive.”

That's right, you reply eagerly, taking the hand offered to you. It's nothing worth calling the UN over, but you can recognise an attempt at making peace when you see one. You've known him for a while, you continue, but only as a teacher. You never really knew him as a person until all this happened. When you found out he was Amelia's father... A surprise, to say the least. You're about to say something more when you notice the hospital looming over you. You were so busy staring at your feet that, well, you didn't see it coming.

“Well well,” Scathach greets you when you descend to meet her, “Two of my favourite customers. What can I do for you?”

“Amelia's father is dying. Poison. Can you help us?” Petra is straight to the point, bluntly laying out the facts. You'd prefer a more subtle approach, but this works. You guess.

“I think I know what you're talking about,” Scathach puts a finger to her chin, “A poison sent by God, am I correct? Very lethal, I'm surprised he's survived this long. As you know, the next night is crucial. He might survive, with the appropriate healing magic, but it would leave him weak. A shadow of the man he once was. On the other hand, if you were to cut the poison out at the root...”

Amputation? That won't work, you grimace, one of the bullets grazed his head.

“Not amputation,” Scathach corrects you, “Killing the source of the poison.”

>>43106199

You swear that at the sound of the word “killing” you can see Petra's ears pricking up. Still, you nod for Scathach to continue. This sounds difficult, but if it helps Carnby survive in good health than you'll do it.

“It won't be easy,” Scathach immediately confirms your suspicions, “But it would cure your injured friend completely – save for whatever wound caused the poisoning, of course. Are you willing to take that risk?”

Absolutely, you reply immediately.

“Of course,” Petra adds, “Anything. What must we kill?”

“Samael,” Scathach purrs, “The Angel of Death, and God's poison. I believe it has taken up residence in the London Underground – drawn by the lingering memory of Pazuzu's toxic winds. Destroy it, and all those infected by his poison will recover their health.”

Well. It looks like you've got your mission.

>Head out and find Samael
>Ask for any advice before you leave
>Ask about Scathach's plans for the future
>Other

>>43106319
>Ask for any advice before you leave
>Ask about Scathach's plans for the future

Then
>Head out and find Samael

>>43106319
>Ask for any advice before you leave
Amelia needed that mask you gave her to fight Paizuzu what precautions do we need?
>Ask about Scathach's plans for the future

I'm a little suspicious. Scathach immediately knew what poison we were talking about without ever having to see Carnby or the weapon that was used. It was a magic weapon and who do we know who can make magic weapons?

It's a little too convenient if you ask me

>>43106319
Is Samael's poison airborne like Pazuzu's? If so we may need to borrow Amelia's Mask.

>>43106382
>It was a magic weapon and who do we know who can make magic weapons?
I'd agree with you if weren't for the fact that Forneus of all people made Leon's magic axe.

I imagine she has eyes and ears everywhere kinda like Undine.

That or she is Nyarly.

>>43106409
>Forneus of all people made Leon's magic axe.
Wonder how he managed that. Obviously Scathach wasn't around at that point so maybe any sufficiently powerful demon can enchant stuff?

>>43106346
>>43106353
>>43106389

First, you want to know if there's any advice she has for you. Anything you should watch out for, for example? You recall Pazuzu's poison winds forcing Amelia to get that mask of hers – a pretty spooky mask actually – but does Samael have the same thing? You could borrow it, you suppose, but it would only cover one of you...

“I believe the poison drips from his fangs,” Scathach assures you, “The air itself should be clean – which is to say, as clean as it ever gets in a city like this. Samael is one of God's servants, but he is a dark one. Expect magic both sacred and profane. Elemental magic is, so I hear, your best bet at injuring him, although physical attacks will work.”

“Cut it, burn it, whatever,” Petra shrugs, “Either works with me.”

Moving quickly on, you ask what Scathach plans to do next. Once the Tower rises, you mean. You heard that things might get pretty... rough.

“Oh, I'll probably return to the kingdom,” Scathach sighs, regarding the idea with very little enthusiasm, “It'll be safe there. I'm not an exile, in case you wondered. Well, I am, but it's by choice. I find politics weary, but better than the alternative.”

“Cassandra,” Petra asks, in a surprisingly polite voice, “Are you finished? We are on a schedule, yes?”

Right. Of course. You thank Scathach for her time and make your way back to the surface. You'll just... find the first underground station and start taking a look around. Simple. You can't imagine this thing will be hard to find. You don't have to walk for long before you see the familiar red and white sign. A little less familiar, now that the colours have started to run like watery blood, but the sentiment is there.

“We'll have to fight,” Petra warns you – as if you've never fought with a demon before. You've had your fair share of scraps before. You think about reminding her of that but, well, what's the point?

>>43106668

>Forgot muh name

File: Samael.jpg (254 KB, 1812x2604)

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>>43106668

Frowning to yourself, you descend into the darkness of the station. The air below is strangely humid, and scented with some awful perfume. Scathach said it was safe, you remind yourself, but it smells horrific. Like the breath of some long dead beast. It isn't long before you hear a rhythmic growling sound – the sound of slow and steady respiration. No doubt about it, there's something sleeping down here.

Your eyes adjust to the gloom as you follow the powerless tracks, tracking that titanic sound. There is a stream of water – no, some other liquid – spreading along the ground like a thick, tainted river, flowing steadily from something ahead of you. You follow it a while longer before you see it. A vast, blood-red dragon coiled within the tunnel, practically filling it with its bulk. Its wings are folded neatly and, through an open mouth, you can see two dripping fangs – the source of that filth. It's... the biggest thing you've ever seen, bigger even than Abaddon had been.

It's sleeping, you murmur as you look at the dragon.

“Not for much longer,” Petra snarls, pushing you aside and pointing her oversized handgun at Samael's face. Before you can stop her, she pulls the trigger and blasts a fireball into the thing's face. You flinch away from the explosion but, when you recover, the beast appears unharmed. Slowly, it opens its eyes and glares at you.

Good job Petra, you think to yourself, really contributing a lot. Then, before the beast can wake up fully, you turn and flee back towards the nearest station. From there, the surface. It can't follow you up – right?

It can, but not the way you expect. When you reach the surface, Samael follows soon after, smashing through the concrete and rising up into the sky to loom over you. At least here you've got room to move – and fight.

>Summon which three demons?

>>43106885
Cu Chulainn
Ose Hallel
High Pixie

>>43106913
>>43106885
Seconded. Unlike Amelia there not much mix and match.

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>Meet a giant poisonous angel-dragon
>Petra immediately shoots it in the face
Goddammit

>>43106969
I appreciated the initiative but we really could have used that first strike damnit.

Rolled 88, 1, 86 = 175 (3d100)

>>43106913
>>43106928

Well, you don't have much choice, do you? You summon all of your demons save for Unicorn – you can always keep them in storage for when you need healing. Cu Chulainn gives your shoulder a reassuring squeeze as he materialises behind you, stopping the thrill of fear that Samael's explosive appearance caused in you. You'll be fine, you tell yourself, with him here.

“Cassandra,” Petra shouts as she summons her own demons – the skeletal monk from earlier, a silver dog thing and a cloaked skeleton riding a red horse. “We are killing this demon, not taking it to bed, yes?”

She's never going to stop complaining about that, is she?

“Sinners!” Samael's voice booms out, echoing off the surrounding buildings as he hovers above the crumbling hole his entrance created, “I am the poison that waits in mankind's veins – death! The Great Will's punishment for your sins and sacrilege!”

“Go on then,” Petra smirks at you, “I'll let you have the first shot.”

>Please roll 3D100, first for Cu Chulainn, then Ose and High Pixie. I'll take the highest of the first three

Rolled 61, 27, 15 = 103 (3d100)

>>43107122
Ose is going fuck things up regardless.

Rolled 45, 55, 23 = 123 (3d100)

>>43107122
pls

Rolled 80, 70, 56 = 206 (3d100)

>>43107122

So we're in trouble right?

>>43107228
Just High Pixie. Cu Chulainn was close enough to shrug it off and Samael rolled a 1 fighting Ose.

I have no idea about Petra's demons though

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>>43107182

“Allow me the honour of the first strike,” Cu asks you, moving to shield you while offering a dashing grin, “If fortune is with me, then it will be the only strike we need!” With that boast still on his lips, he pulls back and hurls Gae Bolg, his mighty spear, at Samael. The blow flies true, plunging straight towards the dragon's breast. Then, with a contemptuous swipe of a wing, Samael knocks the spear away. Turning end over end, the weapon flies wildly through the air before landing, point down, in the concrete ground.

“Oh,” Cu's face falls, his entire expression turning downcast. Behind you, you can hear Petra roaring with laughter. Fine – you're not done yet!

“I will serve judgement,” Ose intones as he steps up, both swords drawn and ready. Ose... he's not as fun as he used to be, but you have no doubt that he'll be a potent warrior. Snarling, Ose charges towards the towering dragon, easily ducking under a vicious lunge – Samael's head flying right over the devil's head – and twisting, dragging both blades across the dragon's throat. It's not a fatal blow, but it leaves a deep gash. You cheer, and point Heidi forwards to deliver the next blow.

“If I must,” the little pixie sounds doubtful, worried, but moves to obey regardless. She flies forwards, lightning playing around her hands as she approaches Samael's fallen head. A moment more, and the spell will be cast.

Then Samael lunges forwards, his jaws closing over Heidi with a surprisingly small crunch. A second later, her icon on your phone turns blood red.

Oh.

“My turn, yes?” Petra snarls, her face set in a savage grin.

>Please roll 2D100, first for Cerberus, second for Red Rider. Again, best of three

Rolled 98, 19 = 117 (2d100)

>>43107420

>Forgot to roll for Samael's attacks

Rolled 2, 45 = 47 (2d100)

>>43107420
>Then Samael lunges forwards, his jaws closing over Heidi with a surprisingly small crunch.

Pfft.

Also RIP Cerberus.

Rolled 79, 69 = 148 (2d100)

>>43107420
pls

Rolled 27, 88 = 115 (2d100)

>>43107420
>>43107465
>FEED ME PIXIES

>>43107122
>>43107442
God fucking damn these boss rolls

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>>43107483
>>43107492

“Fight!” Petra roars, slapping Cerberus on the flank to goad it forwards, “Kill it! Burn it!” The demon hound lopes forwards, flames building around its muzzle as it readies an attack. Yet, before the spell can be cast, Samael rears up and then bites down, seizing Cerberus in its toxic jaws. Both you and Petra watch as the dragon shakes his head back and forth before hurling Cerberus back down to the ground with enough force to cause a crater upon impact. The hellhound isn't defeated yet... but it's certainly not in a good shape.

You, being the better person, fight back a vindictive laugh.

“Whatever,” Petra sneers, “The strong prosper where the weak fall! This is the way of battle – the way of WAR!”

Her cheer is matched by the Red Rider behind her, the skeleton thrusting his sword into the air and shouting a wordless cry as he charges, his horse taking to the air with a powerful leap. He rides high up into the air before swooping down in a steep dive, thrusting his sword into the open wound in Samael's throat and ripping it wider still. Tainted blood, hissing and steaming when it touches the ground, spills forth as the Red Rider descends to earth. For a moment, you allow yourself the delusion that it might be over. Then, Samael rears up and roars, raw magical power building around it as it prepares for an attack.

Your shield grows warm around your wrist as you watch the magic build. You were warned that it might not be able to block everything, but... it's worth a try, right?

>Use your shield
>Use your shied, cover both you and Petra
>Press the attack before Samael can cast

>>43107728
>Use your shield, cover both you and Petra
Smells like Megidoloan, desummon our demons before the blast hits and resummon them after. One of the perks of being a Devil Summoner is that we can get them out of harm's way with good timing on summons.

>>43107728
>Use your shied, cover both you and Petra
>Press the attack before Samael can cast

Have Ose Hallel and Red Rider go since they're immune to instant death.

>>43107791
>raw magical power building

Its not a instant death spell other wise it would have had 'Holy' or 'Death' Power attached I think. This seems like Almighty.

>>43107728
>>Use your shied, cover both you and Petra

>>43107816
HolyOsemon and the Red Man are our best bets at shutting it down regardless

>>43107778
>>43107728
I'll second this, it does sound like Almighty and if I remember right Samael was capable of that in Nocturne.

>>43107876
We can mitigate risks by desummoning them and then attacking after Samael is exhausted from casting. Unlike Amelia we have to preserve our demons since we don't have that many.

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>43107885
>>43107874
>>43107778

You don't know what's coming, but you really don't like the look of it. You bark out an order to Petra – you actually ordered someone to do something! - for her to return her demons to storage for a moment. Perhaps the sheer surprise of hearing something assertive from you is enough to convince the redhead that there's something in your warning, because she obeys without question. You rush to her side and press her to her knees, raising your shield to cover both of you.

“This some magic trick?” Petra asks as Samael's energy builds. You don't have time to reply before the spell explodes above you, torrents of raw power blasting into you and shattering the terrain around you. It's like, for a brief moment, being trapped inside a raging storm. Flickering lightning crawls across the transparent dome of magic that your shield casts, creeping all over it as it looks for some weak spot. As you cower beneath the shield – there's no way of making it sound brave or noble – you swear that you see it... dim slightly, like a flashlight with a weak battery.

Is this going to work? Samael's assault shows no sign of ending, and your shield is only getting weaker...

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

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>43108062
>75
Ah shiiit.

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>43108062

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>43108062
1 in 4 is a fair chance!

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>>43108118
Clutch.

>>43108118
GOOD JOB ANON!

I'm so hype right now

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>>43108118

The storm raging outside grows to a climax, screaming against the failing barrier of your shield but – after a few terrifying moments – the howling energies begin to dissipate. When the last of the crackling lightning bolts dies off, and your shield collapses, you're left shivering in place for a moment. You're alive? You're alive! Not only are you safe, but that last attack left Samael drained, its head slumping with fatigue.

You're alive, and now it's time to finish things. Cu Chulainn and Ose respond to your call, dragged back into the world by the siren song of your summoning device. Both stand armed, ready to deliver the final blows.

“Let this strike be the last!” Cu shouts, throwing Gae Bolg in another deadly arc. This time it flies true, and it flies at a defenceless target. It hits Samael in the face, spearing straight through the roof of its mouth and jutting victoriously from the burst cup of its skull. Samael roars, pulling back and screeching in sheer animal pain. Then, impossibly, words filter through the shrill squeals.

“Impudent humans!” the dragon howls, “I am not the least of the Great Will's servants – there will be more, and they will be greater than I! Pray for forgiveness, humans, and fear death!”

Before Samael can curse you out any more, Ose throws himself into the air with a mighty leap. His twin swords flash back and forth in a single blurred motion and, as his leap carries him back to the ground, Samael's head tumbles from his shorn neck. Blood spurts from the open wound in lazy gushes as the body begins to decay and crumble. By the time Ose has landed, Samael is nothing but ash and bone.

“Let THAT be the last strike,” Ose says, in a typically sombre voice. Both you and Cu look at him in amazement. Maybe he IS still fun, after all.

>>43108338
Ose why are you so based?

>>43108338

“So...” Petra begins as you're walking back. This is the first thing either of you has said since killing Samael. “So maybe you're not so bad, yes?”

That almost sounded like a compliment, you say with admirable modesty. In truth, you'd be glad to have her back on your side. For a moment, after fighting with Michael, you almost say yourself becoming friends with her. Then, well, she learned certain things and everything got weird between the two of you.

“You fight well, your demons fight well,” Petra shrugs, “That makes you okay in my book.”

You're thinking of a suitably witty retort when your phone rings – Amelia. You put her on speaker and hold the phone between you and Petra, both of you eagerly waiting for news on Carnby. Before you can ask for an update, Amelia's voice rings out from the little device.

“What did you DO?” she yells, sounding happier than you ever recall hearing her sound, “He just... just sat up and started talking! You... you really did it! Whatever you did, you really did it!”

You can't help but laugh, both in reaction to Amelia's undisguised joy and your own relief. You'll give her the details later, you promise. You're still laughing, Petra joining you, as you end the call. She slaps you on the shoulder and gives you a broad grin – a friendly grin, not a murder grin – that you're all too willing to return. This time, as you walk back to the fairy kingdom, your conversation flows easily, even if Petra is far too interested in going over every little detail of the battle in exhaustive detail.

It's a start, at least.

>>43108621

Amelia is waiting for you, with Carnby sitting in a rickety wheelchair, when you arrive back at the fairy kingdom. When she sees you, she struggles to speak. In the end, it's her father who speaks up first.

“Will either of you two tell me what's going on?” he asks, rather peevishly, “I woke up with a terrible headache, and my hip feels like it's been broken in three different places! I keep asking Amelia about it, but...” His expression turns grave here, “Something happened, didn't it? Something that I don't remember.”

Well... the short version of the story is that he got shot by poisonous bullets. To cure him, you had to go and kill the dragon that produced the poison. So, you finish lamely, that's what you did. You're not very good at telling stories – you'll admit that right here and now.

“I'm, uh, very grateful,” Carnby nods, returning to his scatterbrained self now that his questions have been answered, “Now, can we get something to eat? I feel like I've not eaten in days!”

“Let's get some food,” Amelia manages to say, putting an affectionate hand on Carnby's shoulder and adding: “Dad.” As she turns to wheel him away, she looks back and meets your eyes, mouthing a silent “thank you”. That gratitude you see in her eye is more of a reward than anything else you've gained – perhaps in your entire life.

Soon, you'll be back in the fight, but for now... you'll call yourself a hero. Just this once.

>I think I'll leave it there for tonight. Next thread on Saturday, and I'll lurk for a while in case of questions. Thanks for all the contributions today everyone!

>>43108753
Thanks for the run boss.

>>43108753
>Amelia actually calling Carnby "dad" for once
Shit nigga, that's cute as fuck

>>43108753
Thanks for running! Joseph notice his guns bullets not poisoned anymore? Did Mastema lose any servants in the archive assault. Can We ask Scathach about something to negate that instrument or it's influence tomorrow? Cuh salty about Ose being the spotlight stealer? Petra's murderboner towards allies calmed down yet?

>>43108923
>Petra's murderboner towards allies
You mean demon allies?

>>43108947
and Cass

>>43108985
I don't think she ever wanted to kill Cass, just annoyed at her life choices involving Cu.

>>43109031
Hateboner would be a more accurate description. But I think at this point Petra at least respects Cassandra's ability to kick ass. What Cass lacks in quantity of demons she sure makes up in quality. Ose and Cu are top fucking tier.

>>43108923

Joseph has noticed that his bullets are back to normal - he'll have to use some other weapon now!
Mastema didn't lose any minions. It wasn't much of an assault, you see.
Scathach might be able to help with that, yes
Ah, CuCu and Ose are friends. It's all in good fun, really
Petra's less of a jerk towards her demons, but she's far from trusting them like Amelia or Cass

>>43109031

Petra's just salty because she's not getting any!

>>43109107
>Petra's just salty because she's not getting any!
Well a couple of her demons have raging boners if she is desperate.

>>43109107
>Petra's just salty because she's not getting any!
I imagine after Amelia ruined the mood and she got her life back Petra is turning blue. Too bad the only 2 humans guys left are crazy zealot asshole and Amelia's dad with a bad hip.

>>43109107
>Petra's just salty because she's not getting any!

Only because Amelia's a giant clit tease.

>>43109140
>Amelia barricaded her door to keep Petra out
THat's some next level tsundere shit right there

>>43109206
Less tsun more stop trying to fuck me while my father is dying you horny bitch!

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>You now realize that all of Petra's violent and sadistic behavior is just venting built up sexual frustration

>>43109231
You mean that's NOT the ideal time to hit on girls? That's when they're emotionally vulnerable!

>Petra.jpg

>>43109304
Pretty sure if Petra tried that, Amelia would punch her. Repeatedly. Possibly with the magic knuckles. As it stands she might go off on Joseph so hard Heartless cops a squat and breaks out the popcorn.

>>43109273

I can neither confirm nor deny this theory.

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>>43109338
>Heartless's fw

>>43109383
>Cass faints
>Petra's turning green
>Undine is even greener
>Eligor is desperately trying to keep his composure
>Cuh is trying to pulls us off him while simultaneously trying to not get punched
>Ose is grabbing a drink because after that shit he NEEDS one
>Heidi is hiding behind Ose trying not to look
>Cerberus has his paws over his eyes
>Daisoujou is paler than usual
>Red Rider is taking notes

What would have happened if we'd failed the roll to defend against Samael's magic attack?
What would have happened if we hadn't fought Samael at all? Would Carnby have died?

>>43109372
GOD I NEED TO GET LAID SO BADLY.

FUCK YOU YOU STUPID FUCKING ANGEL DEMON DRAGON THING

*BANG BANG BANG*

SHUT UP GUN, QUIT REMINDING ME!

>>43109504

>What would have happened if we'd failed the roll to defend against Samael's magic attack?
Cass and Petra would have survived, but it would have destroyed her shield permanently
>What would have happened if we hadn't fought Samael at all? Would Carnby have died?
Yes

>>43109557
HAs Cuh been taking care of his spear? Seem like it's lost some of it's penetrating power.

>>43109592
Cass has been doing it for him. She can attest that it hasn't lost any power.

>>43109592

It's not the weapon it used to be - having Oberon wave it about like a petty trinket doesn't do it any good. Of course, >>43109651 has an equally valid point!

>>43109557
Wait, what demons does Carnby own that he thought it was a good idea to take on Joseph >>43109666

>>43109666
He really should practice with it more often and with greater vigor. Maybe have Cass help him polish it more attentively.


>>43109689
Carnby has one demon. Hastur, yes that Hastur. If he summoned it, Joseph would been BTFO.

>>43109710
Cass could give it a good spitshine.

>>43109689

He possesses the power of Hastur. However, he can only summon it twice more before it would kill him. That's why he's not really a battlefield type!

>>43109743
So like, if he summons it twice more it would kill him at the end of the second? Or he gets two more summonings and then the third summoning kills him?

>>43109731
Well whatever she does she needs help with it. It's not living up to it's full potential. She might need a hand with it.

>>43109803

It would kill him after the end of the second. He got three summons, but that included the very first time he summoned it, before the story began. That's why you read the fine print when signing a contract!

>>43109879
I mean, we shouldn't do this. But we could give three of our demons to Carnby and that way we would have a four man party of twelve demons.

>>43109820
I don't know, this is starting to sound kind of lewd

>>43109904
Carnby is probably going to be staying with the fairies when the world ends again.
King Carnby when?

>>43109951
What could possibly be lewd about a few girls polishing a brave warrior's spear so that it may penetrate any defense? How could making the shaft gleam and the tip clean possibly have any such connotations?

>>43109951
>Carnby is probably going to be staying with the fairies when the world ends again.
I wonder about that actually, if when the chips were down would he stay with the fairies or join his daughter in whatever world that's left.

It'll be interesting to see.

>>43110064
>whatever world that's left

>Implying there's going to be anything left

>>43106969
>>43106885
>>43107029
....doesn't the Gae Bolg kill things in one hit?

>>43109666
oooh that bites.

>>43108621
>What did you DO
Hah, remember the first thread? Or was it the second? An unintentional callback, nice.

But Scathach is seriously starting to get suspicious with how informed she is. Better milk her for all she's worth with a few more of Amelia's demons before it turns out she's got her own agenda.

Her true goal isto get some of that Cu spear.

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>>43110729
>Better milk her for all she's worth