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>>43233157

“We found each other, by chance, a few days ago,” Marco murmurs, “She recognised me immediately. Someone, she saw past this monstrous face and recognised the father she knew. I frightened her, I knew that, but she stayed by my side regardless. So young, and yet so brave...”

You don't know what to say. What can you say, in a position like this? “I'm real sorry about your daughter, want to help us kill God?” Better just to hold your tongue at times like this, and see just how things play out without your misguided advice.

“She was sleeping when everything started,” Marco continues, absently stroking his daughter's hair with a single finger, “We'd been hiding out in an old building, and it began to collapse almost immediately. I... shielded her as best as I could.” Marco falls silent here, and as he bows his head, you see the pattern of wounds covering him. Bruised flesh, broken skin and even shards of splintered bone piercing his thick hide, all give silent testimony to his heroic – but ultimately futile – efforts.

“When I fought free from the rubble, I just grabbed Mia and ran,” Marco raises his head, continuing with his story, “I just... ran. I didn't stop until I reached safety, but when I checked on Mia...”

And now, put simply, he wants revenge? To vent his sorrows on the Heavens, in the hope of finding some solace?

“Not revenge,” Marco shakes his head slowly, “I just want an answer. God, whoever I find there, it doesn't matter – I just want to show them what they have done, and ask why.”

“They'll kill you,” Cassandra whispers, her voice nevertheless carrying, “Making demands like that... they'll strike you down in an instant.”

“I don't care,” Marco sighs, “I accepted that fate the minute I stepped into this Tower.”

>Don't throw your life away like this
>I won't let you do this alone
>I can't come with you, but I hope you find the answers you seek
>Other

>>43233165
>Don't throw your life away like this
>I won't let you do this alone
>We'll all get our answers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94RowafnAck

>>43233165
>I won't let you do this alone
"Come with us. We have a meeting with Metatron ourselves."

>>43233165
>Don't throw your life away like this
>I won't let you do this alone

>>43233165
>Don't throw your life away like this
>I won't let you do this alone
We have a meeting with heaven ourselves, we were just gathering a few angels so we could trade them for access to weapons before we began.

>>43233165
>I won't let you do this alone
this is why telephone numbers are important

>>43233284
>>43233289
>>43233298
>>43233408

You're not going to let him throw his life away like this, you say quietly but in a voice firm with resolve. You won't let him do this alone either – you want your answers as well, and you're going to get them.

“You risk much,” Marco warns you, “I am prepared to sell my life, but I would not have you sacrificing yourself for me.”

You're not sacrificing anything, you tell him – although, remembering the pair of maimed angels you recovered, that's not quite true. No, your meeting with Metatron has been long overdue, and it's about time that you all went to see him. For answers, for revenge, and to wipe away one of the last bastions of resistance standing in your way.

“Once again, I fear I owe you much,” Marco rumbles, “And have little to offer in return.”

You just shake your head at that. This isn't about asking for anything in return, this is for the principle of the thing. Even though you never knew her, never had the chance to know her, Mia's death cannot be allowed to go unanswered. That means taking the issue all the way to the top. That just leaves the matter of your prisoners to take care of.

“I don't think they're going anywhere, yes?” Petra says, nodding towards them. One look at their broken, twisted limbs is enough to make her point. They might be able to crawl a few feet but, well, you won't need to worry about an escape.

Let's go, you tell Marco as you point the way towards a grand spiral staircase leading up to the levels above. You don't know what kind of lair Metatron will have waiting above, but you won't let that hold you back – you're not afraid of him.

>>43233438
>http://pastebin.com/60se8siH
While we are walking, have Undine see to Marco's wounds.

>>43233438

Still, it doesn't hurt to be prepared, so as you walk to the stairs you take the golden eye you took from Mithra from your pocket and wear it around your neck. The little amber pendant – it seems like so long since Titania gave it to you as a gift – takes its place in your pocket. You won't be needing it, you imagine. Metatron isn't the type for tricks or deceit – wrath and holy fire is more like his kind of thing.

As you reach the bottom of the stairs, you pause for a moment. Summoning Undine, you bid her to heal Marco's numerous wounds. She does so eagerly, and Marco nods his silent thanks. Then, with the Minotaur holding his daughter close to his chest, you all make your way up the stairs.

“Whatever happens,” Cassandra tells you as you ascend, “I'm with you. I mean, I just want you to know...”

You understand. It might be God's champion waiting for you, but it's been a long time since Cassandra could be considered a faithful member of the flock. Those days are long past. As you nod confirmation to her, you reach the top of the stairs and see, in a blinding flash of light, a radiant sun shining down from the sky.

Real sunlight. It's been so long since you've seen it that it feels alien – hostile almost. Tearing your eyes away from the sky, you look down at the world that surrounds you. A vast field of white flowers, high enough to brush against your waist, with their petals swirling through the air on each gust of wind. Amidst the flowers, set in orderly rows, are countless white crosses – gravestones, each one polished to a beautiful sheen.

“It's amazing,” Cassandra murmurs, “But... something feels wrong here. Those are soldier's graves. All of them.”

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>>43233560

“One marker for each martyr to have fallen in our cause,” a harsh voice says. Looking ahead of you, you spy Metatron. He's smaller here, than when you met him earlier, but no less sinister looking. “The meek have no place here, held so close to His heart. Even the faithful must earn their place in Heaven.”

By your side, you sense Marco stiffening up, a great rage building within him. His scarred shoulders tremble slightly, and his footsteps as he approaches seem to cause the ground to tremble.

“Have you come here to make war?” Metatron asks, his voice strangely... sad. You expected rage and threats of damnation, but the mechanical angel seems more like a mourner at some great funeral. “To bring destruction to this last sacred place?”

>Stay silent, let Marco speak first
>Was it all worth it, angel? The world destroyed, and for what?
>I don't want to fight you, but you're standing in my way
>It's too late to mourn now. This ends here
>Other

>>43233615
>Stay silent, let Marco speak first
But prepared to guard him.

Then when he has said what he wants to say.
>Was it all worth it, angel? The world destroyed, and for what?
"The old world had plenty of worshipers, myself included. You shouldn't have gotten greedy."

>It's too late to mourn now. This ends here

>>43233615
>Stay silent, let Marco speak first

>>43233615
>who decides what is sacred? What exactly is worth all of this, the lives of the meek and the faithful, the lives of the innocent and brave?

>>43233657
>You shouldn't have gotten greedy."
Let me revise that to
"You should have been content with that, instead of gambling everything for complete control."

>>43233657
>>43233669
>>43233690

“Martyrs?” Marco snorts, the sound bullish and aggressive as it leaves his throat, “What about the innocent? What place to they have in Heaven?”

“Innocent alone is not enough,” Metatron says simply, “A man can do nothing with his life and remain innocent, but he has not earned his place in Heaven. All men must accept their place in the Great Will's designs and devote themselves, life and death, to that cause.”

Snarling and growling, his humanity rapidly giving way to the demonic side of him, Marco approaches Metatron and kneels, placing Mia's body at the angel's feet. “What place did this death have, then, in God's plan? What purpose did her death serve?”

“Her death – and her life – was irrelevant,” Metatron announces coldly, “This world has fallen. It has failed, and humanity has failed with it. In the face of such disaster, one life is meaningless.”

Marco is silent, while you hear Cassandra drawing in a shocked breath. To hear such things from the mouth of an angel... A line, you realise, has been crossed. Before anyone can do anything, you step forwards and look up at Metatron's emotionless face. Was it all worth it, you ask, the world destroyed, and for what? The lives of the meek and the faithful, the innocent and the brave, thrown away, and for what purpose?

“In accordance with the Great Will,” Metatron states, “In pursuit of His desires, any sacrifice is acceptable.”

Bullshit. The old world had plenty of worshippers – you included. He should have been content with that, but that wasn't enough, was it? He had to gamble everything for complete control, throwing away all that He had built up in a spiteful attempt at crushing mankind's free will. No, it's too late to mourn what might have been – this ends here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtJIMeyzh48

>>43233835
>itshappening.jpg

>>43233835

“So you will not be deterred,” Metatron nods, “I see. Your heart, darkened by sin, will not be satisfied without shedding blood in this sacred place. A shame, then, but this is a fitting place for you to die. Amongst these martyrs, warriors who gave their lives for God, you will be cast down and broken. I myself will take your remains and throw them into the lake of fire!”

The personal touch. What an honour. What a privilege. You grimace as, in the distance, more warrior angels emerge from the swirling petals. For now, they stand at the sidelines, watching and waiting for the conflict.

Marco, bellowing with rage, is the first one to throw a punch. His blow strikes Metatron in the chest and knocks the angel back a step, but that appears to be the only reaction. In response, Metatron's eyes begin to glow with a killer light. Now – the final battle against Heaven's champion!

>Summon three demons, let Marco draw Metatron's attention
>Summon three demons, try and draw Metatron's attention
>Other

>Summon three demons, try and draw Metatron's attention
Heartless, Cern, and Morrigan

Cass should summon Ose Hallel, Choo Choo, and Unicorn

Petra should summon Red Rider, Daisoujou, and I suppose Cerberus as long as she knows to desummon him during Holy attacks

Daisoujou and Unicorn stay in the back line healing wounds as they come up.

>>43233886
>Summon three demons, try and draw Metatron's attention

Let's go with Jack, Cern and, uh...Pixie.

Also, is this really the penultimate thread? I was thinking we had like two or three more episodes left.

>>43233886
>Summon three demons, try and draw Metatron's attention
Amelia, Cern, Daisoujou versus Metatron
Hres and Gurr rain elemental from on high
Petra and Cu get to handle dem mooks
Cass keeps watch for feints/superpowers, and gets ready to SHIELD anyone in danger

>>43233931
Gurr is dead and Hres is weak to fire. I mean we can still summon Hres, its just that you KNOW Metatron is going to use Fires of Sinai

>>43233947
Pretty sure Fire of Sinai is almighty, not fire.

>>43233947
they haven't recovered yet?

and uh, aiming the big damn AOE at the sky at one target is a lot better than everyone on the floor.

>>43233952
Alright if you say so.

>>43233906
>>43233886
Revise this to instead of Morrigan summon Hres.

>>43233959
As crazy as its been, its only been a few hours since Gurr bought it to Leon.

>>43233906
>>43233886
Seconded, along with the change >>43233961 here.

>>43233922
We've got Joseph and Beelzebub to deal with. Then the Outsider I assume. The last thread might be long but it's possible. Unless there's some twist ending or something

>>43234003
I think we can take down Beelz and Joseph by the end of this thread. Hell maybe Joe already took down Beelzebub.

>>43234003
Speaking of which, I wonder what the maximum effective distance of THE PENETRATOR is. Enough to snipe a musical instrument?

>>43234020
>Joseph
>Achieving anything other than killing his own allies

>>43234044
Good point.

>>43234025
Looks like your trump card just got...shafted.

You really thought I was gonna say it, weren't you?

>>43234056
I don't know if I'm sleepy or innocent, but....what were you supposed to say?

Rolled 32, 95, 14 = 141 (3d100)

>>43233961
>>43233981
>>43233931

This is just another fight. Handle it like you've handled every other battle. The only difference is that this time, you'll be drawing Metatron's attention away from Marco. To that end, you summon up Heartless and Cernunnos – the dynamic due – and have Hresvelgr swoop high up into the sky. You don't know much about divine robots, but a little ice might keep Metatron from making any sudden movements.

As you watch, Marco hammers another pair of punches into Metatron's chest, each blow ringing hollowly on the metal armour in a sound strangely reminiscent of Moloch's forge. Other than ruffling Metatron's pristine robes, the punches don't seem to make much impact. Well, you decide with a grim smile, that just means you'll have to hit him even harder.

“I'll keep my eye on those ones,” Petra mutters to you, staring off into the massed ranks of waiting angels, “Keep them off your back, yes?”

“I'm with you,” Cassandra tells you grimly, Ose and Cu Chulainn appearing by her side, “I don't care if he is God's messenger. What he said... that's unforgivable!”

You've got your friends by your side, and your demons ready for battle. Now it's just a matter of sealing the deal.

>Please roll 3D100, for Heartless, Cernunnos and Hresvelgr. I'll take the highest of the first three

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Rolled 19, 32, 9 = 60 (3d100)

J>>43234109
Joe is currently dealing with a demon who wants a musical battle with the sofar.

>>43234090
it involves sunglasses

Rolled 4, 38, 21 = 63 (3d100)

>>43234109
pls

Rolled 61, 63, 95 = 219 (3d100)

>>43234109
Cerns got a tough act to follow

>>43234130

Clutch

Sorry Cern.

Rolled 28, 97, 86 = 211 (3d100)

>>43234109
Shit, Cern's not gonna come out of this well.

>>43234130
Saved our ass anon. Hopefully thats enough for Cern to not completely die, at least not die until a healer can get to him.

>>43234137
So close.

Rolled 91, 21, 86 = 198 (3d100)

>>43234137
....Heartless is more important than Cern anyway.

>>43234137
...son of a bitch, I knew I shouldn't have replied to that one post.

>>43234123
ah, i get it now.

>>43234151
Still pretty damn important. He's the only one in our crew immune to both Light and Dark.

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Rolled 33, 79 = 112 (2d100)

>>43234130

Howling for blood – even though you're not sure if Metatron has any blood, being made out of metal as far as you can see – Cernunnos charges through the field of white flowers, his bare feet churning the earth below. His spear is sharp, aimed true at Metatron's armoured breast, but the blow never lands. With a single beat of his glittering wings, Metatron launches into an equal charge, landing a ferocious punch on Cernunnos' blunt, bearded jaw. The blow hurls the horned god away, his impact ploughing a deep channel through the dirt and smashing aside countless gravestones. He comes to a halt, dazed but alive, a few feet away from you.

Heartless hangs back, unusually cautious, while Hresvelgr soars up above Metatron and flaps its powerful wings. A cold wind descends, sweeping through this sacred place and rustling thousands of petals. The cold wind turns bitter as it gathers around Metatron, pillars of ice bursting up around the metal angel. Metatron grunts, actually reacting to a blow for the first time, and seems to shudder as his joints grind against the gathering frost. Then, as his limbs slow to a halt, Heartless strikes.

He doesn't bother with his usual metal stakes, instead copying Marco in slamming a punch right into Metatron's face. This time, with terrible force behind the blow, the rigid metal of Metatron's mask cracks slightly. It's not much, but it's a start. Groaning – the sound more like metal grinding together – Metatron's limbs break free of their icy grip and he seizes Heartless by the throat, throwing the killer away.

Time for the next pass.

>Please roll 2D100, this time for Ose and Cu Chulainn. Best of three again.

Rolled 45, 24 = 69 (2d100)

>>43234247
Have Cass summon Unicorn to top off Cern as well.

Rolled 17, 40 = 57 (2d100)

>>43234247
Let's do this!

Rolled 89, 29 = 118 (2d100)

>>43234247
pls

Rolled 85, 77 = 162 (2d100)

>>43234247
nope, dps is not high enough, load save and grind some more

>>43234264

>That's going to be included, don't worry. No roll for that though.

>>43234289
And probably for Cu Chulainn too in a minute. Ouch.

gnight guys, don't let Petra dissipate into light

>>43234281
>>43234274
>>43234264


Demon that turned from the sins of gluttony and excess doing amazing.

Demon that turned to indulging his lusts doing badly.

Thank you for this amazing teaching, Allah!

>>43234264
>>43234274
>>43234281
>Cu's rolls

I wonder if this is Mithra's revenge?

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>>43234281

“I can do this,” Cassandra says to herself, her hands clenched into fists as she orders her demons forwards. Ose draws his swords, clashing them together and bowing his head, in a gesture of vague respect for his foe. Cu Chulainn, on the other hand, sticks close to Cassandra's side – as if you expected to see anything different. Unicorn takes up the rear, a warm light building at the tip of its horn as it prepares healing magic for your fallen ally.

Spinning his spear, Cu Chulainn summons up a great tornado and guides it towards Metatron. It's a flashy attack, and the thousands of petals caught up in the whirlwind are particularly charming, but it seems to have no impact other than ruffling Metatron's feathers. When the winds die down, the angel appears unharmed. His contemptuous response is to point at Cu Chulainn and, for one single moment, the sunlight here seems to gather in a single point around the hero. When the blinding moment passes, Cu Chulainn remains upright, bemused but unharmed by the divine power.

As Metatron grunts in disgust at his failed attack, Ose launches himself towards the angel, his swords flashing. At first, his blows do nothing but rip gashes in Metatron's robes, but then one of Ose's swords rips through one of Metatron's wings, sending a cluster of metallic feathers dropping to the ground. Not a lethal blow, but one that might slow the angel down somewhat.

Finally, Cernunnos climbs to his feet as Unicorn's healing light touches him. Good as new – hopefully. Before you can press the attack, the green glow in Metatron's eyes reaches a new intensity and he spreads his arms wide, a deep and sinister laugh coming from him.

>Don't hold back now, press the attack!
>Have Cassandra raise her shield
>Return your demons to storage as soon as possible
>Other

>>43234444
>Have Cassandra raise her shield
>Return your demons to storage as soon as possible

Oh shit. I can't tell if this is Almighty or Holy but its better to be safe.

>>43234444
backing >>43234478

>>43234444
>>Have Cassandra raise her shield
>>Return your demons to storage as soon as possible
>>Other
Marco, hop in my phone for safety!

This is Fire on Sinai isn't it? I remember him laughing everytime he did it in Nocturne.

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>43234478
>>43234509
>>43234574

Fingers flashing, you call your demons back to storage and hurry to Cassandra's side as she does the same, her own minions vanishing. A nervous moment passes as you scan the area for Petra until the redhead appears a moment later. She runs across to you and ducks low, looking uncomfortably familiar with what's about to happen next. Gritting her teeth against the coming blow, Cassandra drops to one knee and holds her shield out in front of her. A moment later, a dome of invisible force engulfs you.

Marco, you realise, where's Marco? Another hurried search, and you spot the Minotaur. He's put some distance between himself and Metatron, skulking around the edge of the battlefield and waiting for an opening. He should be safe there. Maybe. Either way, he's too far away now – he'd never make it over here in time.

Metatron's laugh grows louder still as his eyes flash violently green. A moment later, a beam of blazing gold light rips out from those eyes and sweeps across in a violent arc. The beam crashes against Cassandra's shield and the scent of burning metal fills the air. Her shield, you realise, is glowing red hot with the strain of blocking the magic. It'll hold – it HAS to hold!

>Please roll a D100 for the shield, best of three as usual!

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>43234622

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Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>43234622
>8

>>43234622
>8
Weak shit Betatron

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>43234622

We got pretty mediocre rolls but

>8

>>43234632
>>43234650
>>43234653
What the fuck is wrong with us today? Sure, Metatron dun goofed, but...

>>43234689
The curse of Mithra. We killed him so hard his mediocre rolls rubbed off on us.

>>43234632

A moment passes, and the beam of blazing light passes on, only for the ground to explode around you. Everything that the beam touches – save for Cassandra's shield – is blasted apart in a hail of shattered stone and burning petals. For all his reservations about fighting in this “sacred place”, Metatron certainly seems happy to blow it up. It didn't even do him any good – when the smoke clears, you all stand unharmed in the centre of the devastated cemetery. Metatron, even with his expressionless face, manages to look confused.

The stunned silence ends suddenly as Marco lunges at Metatron, smashing an uprooted gravestone into the back of the angel's head. It sounds rather like a bucket being smashed with a hammer, and the force of it is enough to send Metatron lurching forwards. It's not much, but it looks like the grieving father has won you an opening. Now, to capitalise on it.

>Summon your demons back and launch the attack (Choose three demons)
>Other

>>43234739
>Summon your demons back and launch the attack (Choose three demons)
Heartless, Cern, and Hres same as before. Try to have Hres initiate before the melee attackers.

>>43234739
>Summon your demons back and launch the attack

Same as before; Jack, Cern and Hres.

>>43234756
Actually I just realized he is staggered. Everyone attack at once.

>>43234739
>>Other
All out attack!

>>43234828
>Wrong SMT, bro.

Rolled 24, 32, 25 = 81 (3d50)

>>43234756
>>43234771

Well, your original tactic worked – sort of – so you don't see any need to change things now. Calling up Heartless, Cernunnos and Hresvelgr, you urge them forwards to attack the staggered angel. Cernunnos springs up first, seemingly eager to take his revenge on the angel, while Hresvelgr circles above, preparing another rush of deadly winter wind. Heartless, again, waits with the illusion of patience, although you can see a sheen of spittle glistening on his bared teeth.

“Do it now, human!” Marco roars.

As if you needed the encouragement.

>Please roll 3D100, for Heartless, Cernunnos and Hresvelgr. Best of three as usual

Rolled 31, 21, 12 = 64 (3d100)

>>43234856
Sacrifice the son of heaven

Rolled 90, 27, 8 = 125 (3d100)

>>43234856
YOUR CURSE WILL NOT STOP US, MITHRA! WE WILL NOT CRACK!

>>43234878
Well it won't stop Heartless at least.

Rolled 91, 39, 9 = 139 (3d100)

>>43234856

Rolled 44, 78, 44 = 166 (3d100)

>>43234856

>>43234899
>>43234900

Now which one was me

Mithra's curse has taken root in Hres.

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>>43234900
The Lord laughs at your tardiness.

>>43234932
>filename
That's just a tiny briefcase. Or I guess a normal sized one for humans.

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>>43234899
>>43234872

Hresvelgr swoops down, talons outstretched as it plummets from the sky, but Metatron recovers enough of his wits to, with a single beat of his powerful wings, knock the bird away. Not a deadly blow, but one that knocks Hresvelgr to the ground. Before Metatron can turn to attack the floundering bird, Cernunnos strikes home.

The horned god, once again favouring the “charge in and hope for the best” strategy, slams his spear into Metatron's metal face. The stone spearhead glances off the divine metal, but it manages to widen one of the cracks that Heartless' earlier attack had left. That's all the advantage that Heartless needs to charge forwards and assault the staggered angel. While Metatron reels from the rapid attacks, he is unable to prevent Heartless from forcing his long, bladed fingers into the angel's open wounds. If God's champion could bleed, you have little doubt that the ground would be stained red right now.

A grinding squeal fills the air as Heartless tears at Metatron's metal face, prying the mask apart until Metatron's features are broken and deformed. A single emerald eye springs loose as Heartless rips deeper in, shortly followed by a chunk of silver that lands neatly at your feet. You think you recognise an ear. When Metatron is finally able to push Heartless off of him, much of the angel's face has been torn away. What remains is disfigured, like something burst from within it. Golden light gushes from the wound, rivalling the sunlight from above, as Metatron stumbles blindly forwards.

His skull face set in a frightful grimace, Marco uproots another gravestone and stalks closer to Metatron, preparing to land the killing blow.

>Let him finish things
>Finish Metatron off yourself

>>43235060
>Let him finish things

>>43235060
>Let him finish things

>>43235060
>>Let him finish things

>>43235060
>Let him finish things

>>43235081
>>43235084
>>43235116
>>43235127

You hang back, watching grimly as Marco draws closer. This isn't your fight to finish – the grieving father has earned the right to take this into his own hands. After hesitating for a single moment, Marco pulls back and smashes the stone into the back of Metatron's head. A blurt of static noise escapes the angel as he pitches forwards, dropping to his knees. The golden light pouring from his shattered head flickers, like a dying lantern, as Marco grabs the angel's head and twists. It takes a while, but eventually the angel's head comes loose in a shriek of tearing metal. The light within finally dies as Marco, a growl low in his throat, throws the head away.

How does it feel, you ask, any better?

“Not really,” Marco sighs, “But he had to die. I fear this changes little, however. God will find a new servant in time, and his atrocities will continue.”

Not for long, you tell him. You're going to tear this old regime down and replace it with something new, something better.

“Is that so?” Marco asks, his voice softening as his demonic anger is forced back down, replaced by solemn humanity, “Then I wish you the best of luck. I fear you'll need it – systems that have ruled for generations are nigh-impossible to dismantle, especially overnight.”

You'll think of something, you assure Marco. If there's a way to do it, you'll find it. But enough about you – what's he going to do next?

“I think I'll stay here a while,” Marco decides, “I'll bury Mia here. She deserves her place more than any of these “martyrs”. I know what you're going to say,” he adds, with a weary voice, “I can't go with you. I fear I've lost my taste for battle, and adventure. I'll wait, and guard Mia's grave from any who would defile it.”

That's... reasonable. You nod sadly, and bid Marco farewell.

>>43235311

You're still feeling rather solemn when you descend the stairs back down to Elysium's main level. There are a pair of bloody trails on the floor where you left your prisoners, with the angels themselves not far away. As you expected, they didn't make it very far.

“Back to Hell, then?” Petra asks as she prowls around the maimed angels, tapping her machete against her thigh.

You nod wearily, your shoulders slumping as a wave of fatigue hits you. You really need to think about stopping for a rest at some point – and you think your demons would appreciate it as well. Still, it'll have to wait. You can't settle down for a nap while you're dragging a pair of prisoners around. Cernunnos, obeying your summoning, appears and stoops to grab the pair of angels, seizing them by the throats and dragging them along behind you as you start on your journey to Gehenna.

Nobody says anything until you reach the entrance hall where, as you look up at the grand central staircase, you see a single gilded key sticking out from the lock. Gesturing for your allies to wait, you mount the stairs to examine the gate properly. As you expected, the lock needs both keys to open – and that means killing Beelzebub. That's fine, you think to yourself, that was your plan in the first place. Then, nodding to your allies, you continue on your way back to Gehenna. First up the frozen stairs and then down the slick, damp ones, you soon find yourself in Moloch's forge.

Just like when you left, the air is hot and filled with the sounds of machinery and loud hammering. Waiting atop his iron throne, Moloch looks down at you as you arrive, before booming out a loud laugh when he sees the angels. At the harsh sound of his laughter, the fires in the furnace beneath his throne seem to burn that much brighter. They look... hungry.

>>43235444

“Let's not waste any time now,” the devil roars, “Throw them in, and hurry about it! I'm starving to death here!”

“Don't do this!” the one-eyed angel pleads as Cernunnos drags him up to the yawning mouth, “Please! Have you no mercy? No compassion?”

The time for mercy and compassion, you tell the angel wearily, ended long ago. This is just business. Then, with a nod to your summoned demon, the unlucky angel is cast into the fire. The silent archangel is next, thankfully offering no protest as Cernunnos pushes it into the flames. You don't know which one is worse, the sound of the angel screaming or Moloch's ecstatic laughter. Both seem to fade away at exactly the same time, which is – in a way – worse.

“We had a deal, human, and I'll honour it,” Moloch begins, “But first... an offer. Are you going to kill Beelzebub?”

That's the plan, you tell him.

“Then I've got a deal for you – I'm looking to secure a little promotion, if you know what I mean, and having that big asshole out of the way would help immensely,” the devil leans down towards you and winks, “See where I'm going with this? Why don't we join forces?”

An interesting offer. You can sense a “but” in there somewhere, but having his help could be a real asset in the battle.

>What's the catch?
>I don't need your help
>Okay, we'll work together
>Other

>>43235546
>What's the catch?

>>43235546
"I'm down but..."
>What's the catch?

>>43235546
>What's the catch?

>>43235564
>>43235566
>>43235635

“Catch? I'm offended!” Moloch leans back in his throne and rests his chin on a fist as he thinks, “Fine, there was one little string attached. No big deal, just that when I'm in charge here – when Beelzebub is dead, in other words – you leave me be. I won't stop you doing what you've come here to do, if you don't try and stab me in the back. Sounds good, doesn't it?”

Well, it certainly doesn't sound BAD, but...

“Come now,” the devil scoffs, “You'll still be able to reach the top of the Tower – I'll let you have my key. It's a win-win situation. Just, in whatever new world you create, I'll be Lucifer's top man.”

...He really doesn't know what you're hoping to achieve, does he? If he did, he wouldn't be nearly so quick to offer you a deal like that. In your new world, there won't be any devils. He'll be powerless – or, at least, powerless to interfere in human affairs. Still, if he doesn't know, you don't see any reason to inform him of the facts.

“And, of course, you can still plunder the armouries,” Moloch adds, “Although they might be a little empty at the moment. Budget cuts, you know?”

Budget cuts in Hell? The idea is so staggeringly stupid that you can't even think of a way to respond to the transparent excuse. It's far more likely that the sleazy devil has sold as much of his treasures as possible before he has to give them away. Typical.

>Fine, we'll work together
>I don't need your help
>Other

>>43235724
>Fine, we'll work together

>>43235724
>Fine, we'll work together

>>43235724
>Fine, we'll work together.

I have a feeling there's more to this than he's letting on...

>>43235745
>>43235755
>>43235766

...Alright, you'll work together for now. You can't shake the feeling that there might be more to this offer than he's letting on, but you'll let that slide. For now.

“Capital!” Moloch shouts, rising to reveal his lower body. What you thought has his throne was actually his body, a twisted carriage of metal that seems to combine a second human torso – arms included – and a long writhing tail. You reel back a little at the sight, unnatural enough to trigger some instinctual revulsion, but rally quickly. You've seen worse, in your time, so this shouldn't be anything to avert your eyes from.

“A wise decision,” Moloch adds as he reaches you, “Now, a little information you might be interested in. Another human came through here some time ago, went charging straight into Beelzebub's garden without even stopping by to say hello. He's not come back, though, so I wager he's met a bad end.”

Joseph, you assume. So he's either died up there, or he's waiting for you to come and meet him. Probably waiting in ambush, knowing him. Interesting.

“And the weapons?” Petra asks, a little too eagerly, “Where are the weapons?”

With a sigh, Moloch waves towards the far end of his forge where a vast iron door grinds open. “You were warned,” he tells you bluntly before you send him to storage. Exchanging a frown with Petra, you both hurry towards the iron door and take a look inside.

Empty. This damn place is empty. That dirty bastard gave you the key to an empty fucking room. You went hunting for angels, and almost jeopardised your friendship with Cassandra, all so you could get into an empty bloody room.

You're calm. You're perfectly calm.

>>43236101

“Found something,” Petra announces after a while, “No, just trash. Some bug in amber, yes? Disgusting, like no bug I've ever seen.”

Wait. Frowning hard, you hurry across to where Petra was searching and pluck the item from her hand. You only need to peer at it for a moment to confirm your guess. It's a Magatama – one of those strange occult insects that gave Leon his demonic power. Power that also left him mutilated and barely sane as a consequence. Not something to be playing around with, you warn Petra. No power is worth what this thing did to Leon. Better just to leave it here and forget you ever saw it.

“But there's nothing else here!” Petra protests, “There's power here – we should use it, yes?”

No. Absolutely not. She didn't see what it did to Leon, she doesn't understand. You're not even sure that you can explain it properly, so you trust in the honest horror in your voice to get the point across. It seems to work, because you see a flicker of doubt in Petra's eye.

“That bad?” she asks eventually. You nod, and carefully place the Magatama back on the shelf where Petra found it. As you expect, Petra stares longingly at it, but makes no move to take the thing for herself. Instead, after a long moment of thought, she pulls out her monstrous pistol and offers it to you, spinning it in her hand so the grip is pointed your way.

>Destroy the Magatama
>Tell Petra to destroy it
>Distract Petra and take the Magatama for yourself
>Other

>>43236210
>destroy that shit

>>43236210
>Destroy the Magatama

>>43236210
>>Other
samefag taking the magatama and giving it to Petra.

>>43236210
>Destroy the Magatama
Giving up power is tough, but its sometimes its not worth the cost. Could you imagine if we still had Black Frost draining us of heat.

>>43236210
>>43236251
Now this is my second vote where I'm the same guy but I'm voting for taking the magatama like i'm somebody different. You can tell, because while there's generally 4 votes per option, now there's five

>>43236210
>Destroy the Magatama

>>43236452
>>43236273
>>43236242
>>43236236

You take the pistol gratefully and point it at the Magatama. You can imagine Lucifer placing it here specially, leaving it as the only thing in the armoury in some attempt at tempting you into taking it. And for what – so he could have another “test subject” for his twisted experiments? So he could worm his way into your mind and control you like some wretched puppet?

No chance. Sorry Lucy, but he'll have to try harder than that. Grimacing in satisfaction, you pull the trigger and watch as the amber shell shatters, fire from the pistol's shot engulfing the insect within and burning it to a cinder. Soon, all that's left of the little bug is a greasy stain on the shelf and a few scattered fragments of the amber it was trapped within. There – sorted.

“For the best, yes?” Petra still sounds a little disappointed as she takes back her pistol, but you're glad that she was able to recognise the greater good. Still, you have to force down a little disappointment of your own as you leave the armoury. True, you have a new devil under your command, but you were still hoping for something more. When you leave the armoury, Cassandra is waiting outside, staring into the fires. She looks up at the sound of your arrival, at least, and is quick to follow you out.

“I don't like it down there,” she admits as you're ascending the stairs, heading towards Beelzebub's garden. “It's... too much like Hell. I mean, I can handle all this ice and stuff, but that fire isn't my kind of thing, you know?”

You can understand that. Still, there might be quite a lot of fire where you're going – especially if you let Moloch off his leash. You're almost at the top of the stairs when you stop, and gesture for your allies to do the same. Joseph might be up there, and that means he has the Shofar. You'll need to handle this one carefully.

>Head up alone for now
>Take a risk and bring everyone

>>43236562
>Head up alone for now
Can't risk Petra and Cass being Shofar'd. Before we leave have Eligor healed up. Last I checked he was just seriously injured and not dead.

Phones still work?

>>43236562
>Head up alone for now

>>43236602
>Phones still work?

>Yes. Mystical towers of creation have surprisingly good cell reception.

>>43236680
Good, that means we can call them up once the Shofar is taken care of.

>>43236602
>>43236562
Also have our gun drawn. I'm tired of this guy always having us at gunpoint. We need to return the favor.

>>43236714
I'm all for just shooting the fucker as soon as we can instead of listening to him make a speech or something.

>>43236602
>>43236637
>>43236714

You don't like the idea of going up there alone – that always seemed like a great way of getting ambushed and stabbed in the back – but the alternative is far worse. The idea of having both friends twisted into deformed wrecks in a single moment fills you with disgust and horror. You've all come too far to suffer such an awful fate. No, you're going to have to do this one on your own.

First though, you summon Eligor – his broken arms still hanging limply by his sides – and ask Cassandra to do what she can for him. She nods and summons Unicorn, the warm glow of healing magic washing across your back as you march up the last of the stairs with your gun drawn. This time, you want to get Joseph at gunpoint – of course, at such a moment, your finger might just happen to slip...

Grimacing, you step out into the garden, eyes squinted against a bright light that never comes. The sky here is dark, covered in a flowing wash of clouds that seem to... hum slightly. All around you are wild and overgrown plants, weeds and reeking flowers, with mouldering fruits covering the ground. The air is thick with conflicting stenches, even reaching you through the mask you pull down across your face. The air might not be toxic, but it certainly smells that way. With your gun ready, you drop low and listen for any sign of Joseph. It takes a while, but you hear something. A wretched yell that pierces the background hum.

“Mastema!” Joseph – his voice is unmistakable – shouts desperately, “Mastema, where are you? Why won't you speak to me?”

Mastema. You expected he'd show up sooner or later, but... it sounds like things with Joseph aren't working out. Trouble in paradise, perhaps?

>>43236972

Keeping as low as possible, you creep through the tangles of thorny vines and oily creepers. Every so often, you hear a wretched moan or wail from some direction or another, seemingly twisted by the thick air here. You suspect that you've been walking round in circles, but then the voice sounds again, shockingly loud and close.

“Mastema!” Joseph screams, the sound ripped from a raw and pained throat, “Why? Why have you abandoned me? WHY?”

Then you see it on the ground – a trail of freshly spilled blood, probably shed by some of the grasping thorns that surround you. After checking your gun one final time, you creep through the last line of bushes and spot the young man. He looks... terrible. His clothes are torn, and numerous gashes cover every inch of exposed flesh. When you catch a glimpse of his face, it looks taut and pained, eyes wild with desperate madness. He looks right past you without pausing and, with a final sob, he drops to his knees. A moment later, you hear his voice murmuring prayers.

He's... alone. Vulnerable, maddened and alone. Grimacing, you level your pistol and take aim at the back of his head. A trap, you ask yourself, some ruse to lure you out? Trap or no trap, you can't imagine getting a better chance.

>Take the shot. Kill him
>Approach. Try to talk
>Other

>>43237045
>Take the shot. Kill him
He and Mastema deserve worse but there is more at stake here and we should take any opportunities given to us.

>>43237045
>Take the shot. Kill him

>>43237045
>Take the shot. Kill him
Him dying knowing his patron angel abandoned him is kinda nice at the very least.

>>43237079
>>43237098
>>43237161

This is the way it has to be, you tell yourself as your finger tightens on the trigger. If this IS a trap, then this is the moment at which Mastema will appear and snatch your bullet out of the air, or turn your gun to dust, whatever. That treacherous, black-hearted angel will slink out of the shadows to foil your plans and unleash some hideous fate on you. You just know it. Steadying your nerves with a single breath, you put that final bit of pressure on the trigger and fire.

The gun jumps in your hand, and the sharp report punishes your ears with a stab of pain. You watch as Joseph pitches forwards, awkwardly tumbling down and collapsing into a slump. Blood darkens the earth beneath his head as it spills out from his shattered skull. He's... dead? He's really dead?

You... didn't think that would actually work.

Expecting the real trap to spring around you with every moment, you creep closer to the body and roll it over. It's definitely Joseph – you can tell that, even with an ugly exit wound eradicating a good portion of his forehead – and he's definitely dead. The Shofar hangs, unused, from around his neck. You take it carefully, dangling it far away from you as though its mere touch is poisonous, and wait. This is where Mastema flies out to gloat, right? Or make some jeering comment about how you've only advanced his plans?

You wait a moment longer, looking around at the shifting black sky, before you start to consider that maybe – maybe! - this wasn't necessarily a plan. Maybe Mastema really has abandoned Joseph and his cause. Cutting his loses, perhaps. You feel... strangely disappointed as you trek back towards the stairs. You're glad that Joseph is dead, no doubt about that, but...

You're not sure, really.

>>43237365
Let's smash the shofar asap.

>>43237365

“Dead?” Cassandra asks, her eyes wide with disbelief, “You mean, really dead?”

He can't get much more dead, you tell her quietly. You decide against telling her the grisly details – she really doesn't need to know exactly what his slowly cooling brains looked like – and just repeat your claim that he is, in fact, dead. All that's left is this, you add as you raise the Shofar. Petra, you notice, flinches away from the mere sight of the thing. Unsurprising, after seeing the results of using it on some sinners. With your collective sins, you'd probably just melt away to nothing at the first note.

“Destroy it,” she snaps, “No use to us, yes? Just destroy it – quickly!”

No question about that. If the Magatama was an exotic way to commit suicide, this accursed horn is an exotic way of killing your friends and THEN committing suicide. And if there's one thing you won't be doing, it's killing your friends. You place the instrument on the stairs and stamp on it, your boot crushing the... bone, or horn or whatever the hell it's made of. You keep stamping until nothing is left but splintered fragments and dust. If you could have nuked the thing from orbit, you would have done so. Only way to be sure, after all.

“Uh...” Cassandra begins, breaking her confused silence, “That thing looked pretty old. I think... maybe it belonged in a museum or something?”

You laugh, the awkwardly delivered joke breaking some of the tension you'd felt ever since arriving in this damn Tower. After a while, Cassandra and Petra join in. It's good, you decide, to share a laugh before the end. Before you might not get another chance.

>I'll have to end that there tonight, but I think we're on track for the finale on Sunday! I'll stay a while for any questions, and I'd like to thank everyone who's contributed today. Thanks for sticking with me!

>>43237610
Huh thought we'd fight Beelz. Thanks for the run boss.

You excite for Sunday?

>>43237610
So is Mastema done? Like he heard that Metatron bought it and went 'Fuck it, cutting losses, this guy is useless.'?

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>>43237610
>And if there's one thing you won't be doing, it's killing your friends.

Moloch, we still have time to make this a true SMT quest

>>43237624

I was originally planning to do Beelzebub today, but I've reached my limits for today. I could do more, but I don't think it would be up to standard.

I'm pretty hyped for Sunday! I've had an inkling of how things might end for a while, but I'm interested to see how things actually develop.

>>43237672

Call it a tactical decision. These guys have ripped through everyone else in Heaven - so what chance has he got?

>>43237701
>I've had an inkling of how things might end for a while, but I'm interested to see how things actually develop.

I guess everything is going be decided on whether the keystone can be handled by humans without backing. Going to be interesting finding out...and hopefully not lethal.

>>43237610
>And if there's one thing you won't be doing, it's killing your friends.
Ohoho

>Devil Summoner London about to end
>Another month before Persona 2129 continues

Where will I get my SM/Tg/ fix now?

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>>43238065
Well we can always do that Cu Chu dating sim thing we were joking about.

>>43238109
Desperate times call for desperate measures.I'm in.

>>43238109

That sounds like the kind of thing that might torpedo any of the credibility I might have scraped together

I'm seriously tempted

>>43238159
>>43238135
See the issue is, I wouldn't want to play that. I want to watch people who are blind, never read this quest, play it and see what they do.

It'd be a fun social experiment.

Ameilafags have the best taste but will never win.

>>43238198
>Amelia
>Not being totally bewildered by the mere concept of sex or relationships

>>43238254
Works well with the competent tomboy toughgirl exterior.

Problem is she is always out being proactive doing that whole 'fighting for humanity' crap you know? Never sits still.

I wish we'd had a chance to meet Mia. She sounded cute

>>43238319
Same. Big Sis Amelia probably would have fought tooth and nail to keep her safe had we found her earlier.

>>43238319
>>43238340

Fun fact: Mia spent most of her time hiding out in the New Way enclave. It was only luck the Outsider that meant she was out during Joseph's purge. That's how she stayed safe for the whole month and a bit!

>>43238463
Should we be worried? I feel like we should be.

>>43238463
So we could have found her if thoroughly explored the Enclave. Damnit ;_;

>>43238549
Totally. The path we are on might work or it could be complete self destruction. Its a gamble.

>>43238549

Well...
She was a spare the Outsider had been grooming. It was just random chance that caused her death, something the Outsider couldn't have taken into account.

>>43238581
>>43238610
Sad we missed her, but kinda glad too, that was a complication we didn't need.