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>>44148967

But where can you run? The tunnel you used to arrive here, in what was once the Lady's domain, is now blocked off by a curtain of roaring flame. You can't even get close to it, you imagine, without the brutal heat forcing you away – any attempt at pushing through it would be as good as suicide. The other exit, then? The portal there, at the end of a long and narrow corridor, would take you into the Intoxicating One's fortress itself. Not exactly what you'd call SAFE, but better than being trapped here.

Assuming, of course, that the portal still works. If it doesn't – and really, what guarantee do you have that it does work? - you'll be trapped in an even tighter space, easy prey for your blazing enemy to scour away. Even if it does work, and you all make it through the portal without any trouble, what's stopping him from simply following you? And what's to say the Intoxicating One won't have an equally menacing minion lurking on the other side?

Taking a trembling step backwards, you realise that there is one option left to you. With Midnight's power, you might be able to blink through the wall of fire. It would be a certain escape, but one that came at the cost of leaving Elliot and Petra to fend for themselves. Not an option, you tell yourself harshly. Another step backwards, and a pair of hands fall upon you, one on each shoulder. Elliot and Petra, reassuring you with their presence.

You can do this. You've GOT to do this!

>Stand and fight
>Escape through the portal
>Blink through the wall of fire
>Other

>>44148981
>>Stand and fight

>>44148981
>Stand and fight

Ha! Ha! Time for SM/tg/! Shame I'll be gone for most of it.

>>44148981
>Stand and fight
"You know, I was just wondering how we are going to carry the Idol out of here. You'll do."

>>44148981
>Ask about him. He created life itself?
Don't mention Amelia just yet, but I'm actually curious about his little section of mythology

>>44149056
Didn't he kill Izanami by torching her during birth?

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That's right, you're not backing down now. You've got your friends by your side, and loyal demons under your control – you can't lose. Besides, you tell yourself in an attempt at bolstering your confidence, you were wondering how you'd drag this idol out of here. Kagutsuchi looks like just what you needed – assuming he's willing to cooperate, of course.

You'll just have to persuade him, then.

“Not one step back,” Petra snarls, mirroring your own sentiments. She has her sword drawn – not burning with its mystical fires, of course, but still gleaming lethally in the wildly flickering light.

“Nice and warm in here, isn't it?” Elliot adds breezily, balling up his heavy coat and tossing it away, “Makes a nice change from outside, wouldn't you say?”

“You jest,” Kagutsuchi spits, “Would you waste your last words on mockery?”

Actually, you say politely, you'd rather use them to ask a question – he mentioned creating life, perhaps he could expand on that a little? So you can die without curiosity, you add with an insincere smile.

“The God-King has created life from the mud and snow of this world,” Kagutsuchi says slowly, as if thinking this much is too much for him, “A race of servants, neither man nor demon. This world will be his – it is only right that he populates it with forms pleasing to his eye.”

That sounds like something that only divine power could manage – meaning, in other words, that the Intoxicating One has one of the fragments. There can't be many left, now, loose in the wild.

“Enough of this!” the blazing demon howls, and the flames around you burn brighter still, “Prepare to die!”

With a flash, Elliot and Petra summon their demons – Fortuna and Dullahan, respectively – and stand before you. “I can bring this one down to our level,” Elliot assures you, “Just give the word.”

>Summon which demon?

>Have Elliot hinder the enemy
>Have Elliot attack normally

>>44149190
>>Summon which demon?
Let's die those fires down a little.

Lilim - Tarunda.

>>Have Elliot hinder the enemy
To be on the safe side this round.

Have Lilim initiate.

>>44149190
>Shackle him with the Shax
>Have Elliot hinder the enemy

>>44149190
Lilim for debuffs for sure

Maybe Shax later to slowly wear down the flames

>>44149221
>>44149190
let's go with this. Time to cool him off. Move to SHax later as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzbPNNX9LxI

His disco ball form in Nocturne was so silly.

hangon, Shikome's got debuffs, too. Weak to fire, though.

>>44149361
Yeah she has Stun and Panic, but like you said: Weak to fire.

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Rolled 23, 78, 53 = 154 (3d80)

>>44149221
>>44149239
>>44149252
>>44149279

Throwing a quick nod back to Elliot, giving him the go-ahead to do... whatever it is he's planning on doing, you turn your attentions to Kagutsuchi himself. Time to cool down those flames of his, you think.

“Got it, boss!” Lilim announces cheerfully as she flourishes into life, “Time to get this hothead out of here!” With that, laughing at some unknown joke, Lilim's hands twist through the air in some kind of arcane gesture. Green light builds around her, only to coil around Kagutsuchi a few scant seconds later. The chains of light seem to sink into him, causing his posture to slump a little. That seems to be the only effect, but you weren't expecting much else – this was just the first move in a longer game.

The next move, then, is Elliot. He turns, reaching up to Fortuna and spinning the great wheel embedded in her chest. “Here we go!” he shouts as the wheel clicks into life, clacking away merrily as Petra prepares for battle, Dullahan mimicking her actions.

At her nod, Petra splits away from Dullahan, the armoured demon breaking left to take Kagutsuchi in a pincer attack. Time to see if your preparations paid off.

>Please roll 3D100, for Lilim, Petra and Dullahan. I'll take the highest of the first three
>Lilim's debuffs will remain, so Mia can switch to another demon after this.

Rolled 94, 18, 26 = 138 (3d100)

>>44149374
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkTV2yz9nXQ

Rolled 75, 73, 3 = 151 (3d100)

>>44149374

Rolled 37, 54, 83 = 174 (3d100)

>>44149374
FEAR! FEAR GOD AND GIVE GLORY TO HER

Alright. Petra only lost by 5, thats not too bad. The rest are going to do some damage.

>>44149406
>Petra only lost by 5, thats not too bad.
yeah, but her sword doesn't have the fire bonus, so it's just augmented human strength. Not looking too good for her.

At least Dullahan isn't abysmally bad again.

>>44149427
The blade is still enchanted to fuck up demons, fire or no. Fire is just a bonus.

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Rolled 23, 32 = 55 (2d80)

>>44149389
>>44149391
>>44149394

Lilim's sorceries seem to cut deep into Kagutsuchi, sapping the towering demon of much of his strength. Not all of his strength, not even close, but enough to take him down to a more manageable level. You shudder to imagine what inhuman power would flow into his heavy fists if you hadn't drained some fragment of his might away.

It's a good thing you did, because the titan turns to meet Petra's charge, swinging a heavy punch up from the beneath. The fist, trailing greasy flame, slams into Petra's chest and manages to bodily lift her up, throwing her away like a discarded toy. She lands heavily, crying out with pain, and you already see the first sparks settling into her coat. They blossom, like seeds unfolding into bright and blazing flowers, and the redhead curses as she struggles out of the clinging garment.

With Kagutsuchi focussed on Petra he is helpless to defend against Dullahan's attack, the armoured demon plunging her sword into the small of his back. Staggering forwards, Kagutsuchi shouts out in bold anger, turning to face his attacker. Petra, too winded to stand, is safe for now. You hope.

Glancing back at Elliot, you shoot him an accusing look. Didn't he say he could take care of things?

“Mia dear, I WAS taking care of things,” he replies, with an admirable degree of calm, “If I hadn't...”

Ah, you reply, floundering a little as you try to puzzle out your next move. Calling Lilim back into your phone, you usher out Shax for the next attack.

>Please roll 2D100, for Shax and Dullahan. Again, best of three

Rolled 79, 21 = 100 (2d100)

>>44149537

Rolled 66, 9 = 75 (2d100)

>>44149537
Now that Kagu has a nice open wound lets see some of the those poison winds Shax.

Rolled 61, 56 = 117 (2d100)

>>44149537

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>>44149555
>>44149570

“Hold on a moment!” Shax protests in gentlemanly outrage as you summon him to battle, “How did I get here? Who are you?”

He doesn't remember? Shaking your head in despair, you promise to explain everything later – when you're not facing down a demon intent on murdering you.

“Capital!” Shax declares, his mood turning in an instant. Even so, he makes no move to fight yet, biding his time as Dullahan weaves in and out of Kagutsuchi's powerful punches. As you watch, the armoured demon takes a short hop backwards and lowers her guard, the sword dangling weakly from her hand. Fatigue?

A laugh booming from his chest, Kagutsuchi steps forwards and swings his fist down like a deadly pendulum, clearly taken in by the show of weakness. That's when Dullahan strikes, launching herself forwards into a roll that takes her clearly under Kagutsuchi's guard. Rising, she sweeps her sword up and draws a vivid wound up the demon's body. Howling, staggering backwards, Kagutsuchi is defenceless against Shax's attack.

Flapping his wings with particular vigour, Shax calls up a whirlwind of festering air around Kagutsuchi, the dark winds creeping into his open wounds. There is a moment of silence, and then Kagutsuchi drops to his knees, screaming in an entirely different tone. There is no rage, not this time, but amazingly there is fear in his voice.

“It BURNS,” he yells with an agonised voice, “You're burning my BLOOD!”

Shaken by the unexpected sounds of his suffering, you aren't immediately sure how to react. You could put him out of his misery – indeed, that seems like the kindest thing to do – or perhaps this is the leverage you'd need to buy his loyalty?

>Finish him off
>Offer to call Shax off if he serves you
>Other

>>44149718
>Offer to call Shax off if he serves you
Well more serve Petra or Elliot really. We already have a fire demon we need to pick up.

>>44149718
Get Shikome out and inflict an ailment before we call off the poison. Want to make sure he doesn't pull anything at the last moment.

>>44149718
>Offer to call Shax off if he serves you

>>44149746
I THINK that since the Inferno Idol is going to replace Sati, Sati will join back up with us. So Kagu to Elliot and Sati rejoins with Petra?

>>44149783
What the option means is that we don't turn off the poison until AFTER he forms the pact. Once the pact is formed he won't betray us.

>>44149806
then I suppose it depends on how he answers. The Oni backed down pretty damn easily, but I wonder about this guy.

>>44149825
I don't know. I mean, we're burning him from the inside out. That's got to count for something

>>44149838
He called the Intoxicated One God-King. USUALLY, that means something.

>>44149838
That must be a really fucking odd and scary sensation for a fire demon.

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>>44149746
>>44149783
>>44149784

Hurrying over to Elliot, you mutter a plan into his ear. Not just a plan for how to get Kagutsuchi on your team – his team, really – but how to make sure he doesn't try anything foolish in the process. Elliot listens carefully, a worryingly cold smile appearing on his face as he processes the idea. He only needs a matter of seconds to think it over before giving you a keen nod, returning Fortuna to his phone with a flourish. In Fortuna's place appears Shikome, the lanky demon flinching away from the fires that ripple all around.

“I don't LIKE it here,” she shrieks, before Elliot calms her with a glare. Bowing to his orders, Shikome plucks a hair from her head and throws it like a needle, the tiny point burying itself in Kagutsuchi. Unable to resist the sorcery in his weakened state, Kagutsuchi's limbs stiffen and freeze. Helpless, he can barely turn his head to face you.

You'll call off the poison, you tell him, once he's agreed to serve you.

“Serve me,” Elliot corrects you, and you nod his way.

“Betrayal,” Kagutsuchi grunts, through a locked jaw, “The God-King would destroy me. He would imprison me in the deepest and coldest pit!”

“You've already failed,” Elliot says, stepping forwards to crouch by Kagutsuchi's fallen form, “I hardly imagine you'll return to a hero's welcome if we let you go. Maybe your charmer of a boss won't throw you to the deepest pit, but it'll certainly be a pretty deep one regardless.”

That's right, you add, picking up Elliot's train of thought. If he submits, he'll be safe from whatever punishments the Intoxicating One seeks to hand out. The worst that could happen is that he'll return to Elliot's storage for a day or so. Of course, he could think it out for a while longer... but you're not sure he's got that much longer to make up his mind.

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>>44149972

“I submit!” Kagutsuchi wails, after a remarkably short moment of thought. Perhaps the poison burning through him – a most curious sensation, you imagine, for a fire demon – speeds up his decision. “I submit, I bend the knee, just make it stop!”

With a gesture, you dismiss Shax and watch, amused, as Kagutsuchi tries to slump forwards against the magic binding his limbs. With a final sigh of relief, the blazing demon shimmers out like dissipating heat haze and enters into Elliot's service. With that task thankfully out of the way, you return to Petra's side, grimacing a little at the sight of her. She's been in better shape, that's for sure.

Although conscious, Petra still struggles to rise from a prone position. Every breath she takes in causes her face to contort slightly, and she is terribly pale. “Fine, yes?” she rasps when you kneel by her side, “Winded, that's all. One moment...”

If only Joseph was here, you mutter aloud, causing Petra to choke out a pained laugh. Probably not something she has a lot of experience hearing, given her history. Still, conjuring up what little medical knowledge you have, you touch the sides of Petra's chest. Nothing FEELS broken – although you're not sure what broken ribs feel like – and she soon waves you away.

“The idol,” Petra grunts as she finally manages to rise, leaning heavily against the cavern wall. You turn to see where she points and notice the Inferno Idol. It no longer burns, but you still sense a formidable power coming off it. As you examine it, your phone chimes – Lilim, trying to get your attention. Calling her up, she stares at the idol with unusual seriousness.

“That's it, huh?” she whispers, “I've got a proposition. A message from the lower powers, if you get my drift.”

>>44150043
oh no. nonononoNONONONONO

>>44150043
>“I've got a proposition. A message from the lower powers, if you get my drift.”
Going to Sati Lilim. We are not altering the deal.

>>44150043
Just summon Nadja to take some the injuries off of Petra. Might as well not be walking around with a big bruise if you can help it no?

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>>44150043

From Hell, you translate, watching as Lilim winces. Was that really supposed to be a secret?

“Uh, yeah,” Lilim shakes her head in despair, “I mean, I'm just relaying the message, okay, so don't take it out on me. Anyway, I was told to tell you...” she clears her throat, “Bring the idol to Gehenna, and you shall receive riches beyond compare.”

But you were going to take it to Sati, you protest, you were going to heal the whole world with it!

“I know, I know,” Lilim holds her hands up to ward you off, “Don't shoot the messenger! I'm just saying, riches beyond compare, y'know? Like, what's Sati offering?”

“The chance to make the world a better place, I believe,” Elliot says drily.

“Yeah, but like... other than that?” Lilim shrugs, “It's not my idea, anyway, so don't get on my case about it.”

Riches beyond compare are one thing, you admit privately, but you don't much like the idea of giving sole ownership of the idol to Hell – you were already unsure about indirectly helping them, let alone giving them the damn thing! But, like Lilim said, vast riches...

Turning the idea over in your head, you return Lilim to storage – if you're going to talk it over, it'll be done in private – and summon Nadja. The fairy child busies herself with tending to Petra's wound as you consider the options.

“Don't,” Petra says, her voice clearer now that she's healed, “Hell won't reward you. Not really.”

“I'm inclined to agree,” Elliot shrugs, “There would be strings attached, I don't doubt.”

With that in mind, you summon Lilim once more to give her your answer.

>Sorry, Sati gets the idol
>Tell your boss he'll get his prize

>>44150148
>Sorry, Sati gets the idol
who the FUCK needs money these days?

gnight guys

>>44150148
>Sorry, Sati gets the idol

>>44150163

>Have a good one. Thanks for sticking around!

>>44150148
>Sorry, Sati gets the idol
I'm imagining Lucy passing out Magatama's like candy.

>And you get a Magatama! And you get a Magatama!

>>44150148
>Sorry, Sati gets the idol


Sorry Lilim your boss is not as cute or as trustworthy as you.

>>44150256
>>44150212
>>44150166
>>44150163

Sorry, you tell Lilim, but Sati is getting the idol. Doesn't Hell benefit from this enough, without hogging all of the power to itself?

“I'll let them know,” Lilim says, with an undeniable degree of trepidation, “I mean, this is probably the right thing to do. Morally. It's just a shame, y'know, about all those riches. You're not even a little bit tempted, are you?”

Not a bit, you tell her – only telling a very small lie. In all honestly, you were a little more curious as to what the actual reward would be. What good would material wealth do you, in a world like this? If you wanted money, you could help yourself to the contents of any number of deserted banks or shops. Weapons or other artefacts seem more likely, but even then you're doing okay. Certainly, you're not in such a dire need that you'd damn the rest of the world to a cold death for a new sword.

“Fine,” Lilim nods, “Ah, I just hope THEY don't shoot the messenger either...”

If they do, you assure her, they'll have you to answer to. Now, you add as Lilim vanishes off to deliver your answer, what's next? Delivering the idol itself is the obvious option – Kin-Ki could carry it, now that the fires have subsided – but it's not the only one. Leon might be here, held within the Intoxicating One's fortress. Perhaps, while you're here, you should take a look for him? The idol, after all, isn't going anywhere.

>Take the Inferno Idol back to Sati
>Take the portal to the Intoxicating One's fortress
>Other

>>44150332
>Other
Summon Kagu. Ask him about Leon.

>>44150332
>>44150348
THIS! Ask if he's gone to their side, or captured.

>>44150348
>>44150332
Second.

Ask the ex-Shackle member if he knows about a dude with a bad temper and a flying goat around these parts.

>>44150332
>>44150348
We can decide our next move when we know more about Leon. If he's captured that should be our priority

I'm going to give it good odds that he's been captured considering a demon answered his phone (which is his weapon and source of strength in this world) and said we couldn't help him.

>>44150391
>>44150369
>>44150366
>>44150348

Before you make a move, you want to know all of the facts. At your request, Elliot calls Kagutsuchi back out of storage, the blazing titan glaring around with petulant compliance. He's really not happy about his new position in life, is he?

Tough.

You ask, first, if the Intoxicating One has captured any humans lately. Angry ones, you add, with their own summoned demons.

“There was a human,” Kagutsuchi growls, “He came willingly into our clutches. We captured him and dragged him, in chains, before the God-King. I don't know of his fate – he claimed to be seeking out a worthy master, but there was the air of treachery about him. The God-King, in his infinite wisdom, cast him down into the dungeons until he had reached his decision. If he is deemed acceptable, he shall take his oaths and serve. If not, he shall be devoured.”

Kagutsuchi grins at that last comment, blackened teeth visible through his scorched, lipless mouth. He seems to be waiting for your reaction – hoping, perhaps, that you will recoil in horror. You don't give him the satisfaction, merely contenting yourself with a grimace that is hidden neatly behind your mask.

“So,” Elliot says carefully, “It seems our friend has seen fit to turn traitor. Unless, I suppose, this was all a grand ruse – though I can't really see him coming up with that on his own. That said, he's not on his own, is he? He's got someone whispering in his ear, offering “helpful” advice...”

His demons, you assume, not quite sure what Elliot might be referring to. Still, it's useful information to have. Now that you know the situation...

>Take the Inferno Idol back to Sati
>Take the portal to the Intoxicating One's fortress
>Other

>>44150577
>Take the portal to the Intoxicating One's fortress
"You guys down to kick down the door again?"
If we can (yeah right) let's try to be stealthly.

Fucking Goat.

>>44150577
"What can the intoxicating one do? Strengths weaknesses, a name that isn't a title? Where in the dungeons was the human kept and where would his phone be?"

>>44150577
>Take the portal to the Intoxicating One's fortress

And yeah ask these >>44150610 questions

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>>44150708
>>44150610
>>44150608

You're going to take the portal, you tell the others, to the Intoxicating One's fortress. You're going to slip in, as quietly as possible, and rescue Leon. When that inevitably fails, you'll be as loud as you need to be – but either way, you're not leaving without him. Not if his eventual fate is to be... devoured. Before you go, though, you want to know everything you can about the Intoxicating One himself – strengths, weaknesses, even his damn name would help.

“He burns with the brightest fire,” Kagutsuchi growls, in vague admiration, “And his jaws can swallow the world. He could crush any one of you beneath his feet, and your blows will slide off his divine skin. You cannot harm him with mere blades, and his voice will sow terror among you.”

...And weaknesses?

“It is said,” Kagutsuchi admits, “That he feared Lady Hel's storms. He plotted her death, even as they worked together. The cold, perhaps, will weaken him.”

You understand. You don't like what you're hearing – he sounds like a monstrous foe, a real tyrant – but you understand it. Where are the dungeons, you ask next, and where might his possessions have ended up?

“The dungeons are beneath the fortress,” the demon grudgingly admits, “That is all I can tell you. I have been here, within this trap.”

Good enough, you decide, to start with. Once you're inside, you can start to ask more questions of anyone you find. Together, Kagutsuchi returning to Elliot's storage, the three of you march up the winding tunnel towards the portal. When you arrive, it is darkened – dead. A phantom emerges from it, forming the vague shape of a face that glares out at you.

“Begone,” it moans, “Only those of noble blood may sit at the God-King's table.”

>>44150834

Noble blood, you murmur in confusion. You've never really done any research on your family tree, and Marco never said anything that might indicate a prestigious bloodline. You turn to give your two companions a questioning look, offering them a helpless shrug.

“Don't look at me,” Petra says, with a strange degree of stubborn pride, “Common as mud, yes?”

Then it's hopeless, you say to yourself, turning to scowl at the deactivated portal.

“Actually,” Elliot gloats, “I think I might be able to help with this. For you see, I am a direct descendant of my namesake, Sir Elliot Cosgrove of Kent!”

The phantom glares at Elliot for a long time, looking distinctly unimpressed. Then, with an almost grudging admission, it recedes back into the portal. “Your claim is a worthy one,” it grumbles as the portal lights up again, “Welcome, my lord. You and your servants may enter.”

“Enough of the servant talk,” Petra complains, “So that was a lie, yes? You can't be a noble – your flat is a pit!”

“Is it not more noble to earn your own living, rather than leeching off an inheritance?” Elliot asks with a shrug, “Besides, the family has fallen on, ah, dark times of late. Truth be told, Sir Cosgrove liked spending other people's money. When he died, much of his estate was seized was all manner of unsavoury sorts. The house was sold, the lands taken under new ownership, and what little was left ended up split between countless bastards. Quite the cad, my ancestor.”

Huh, you joke, so that's where he gets it from.

“You wound me!” Elliot gasps, in mock horror, as he reaches out to touch the portal. You follow close behind him and shudder as darkness takes you. The last time you used this portal...

>The next post might be delayed a little. Not long, I hope

>>44150937

The world bends sickeningly around you as you are wrenched from one point in space to another. Where will you be when you wake up, you wonder to yourself, and will you even be in reality? The question gnaws at you as your mind clears, but when you can finally look around at the world you've found yourself in, the question only deepens. Could this place really be real?

Gold, that's the first impression you get, everything around you is gold. Ornate balconies and balustrades loom over you, vines heavy with flowers hanging at lazy angles. The tiles beneath your feet are white marble, and the sky above you is perfectly blue. It's warm here, and the air is violently perfumed. Not far from where you woke, a dark red river flows sluggishly through a deep channel. Blood, you think at first before realising the truth – not blood, but wine.

“Insane,” Petra murmurs, looking about the opulent landscape, “This cannot be real.”

“I rather think that this is the world the Intoxicating One made for himself,” Elliot offers, looking around with awestruck eyes, “My, quite gaudy, don't you think?”

He's not joking. As you gaze around in confusion, a golden boat drifts slowly down the river of wine, bumping gently against the nearby shore. Inviting you onwards, perhaps?

>Take the boat to wherever it leads
>Explore a little on foot
>Try to find some sign of life
>Other

>>44151102
Would Kagu know the way to the dungeon in this new Fortress Moloch?

>>44151102
>Explore a little on foot
See if we can find some kind of You Are Here map.

>>44151127

>Unfortunately not. He's never been to these dungeons

>>44151102
>Explore a little on foot
No way of telling where the boat will take us and if we could get back if we needed to.

>>44151102
>Explore a little on foot
>Try to find some sign of life

>>44151102
>>Explore a little on foot
>>Try to find some sign of life
Maybe find some of that life that Kag mentioned

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>>44151308
>>44151282
>>44151250
>>44151202

You know a trap when you see one, and a convenient boat coming to rest right next to you is far too obvious, even for you. Turning away from the gently bobbing ship, you decide that it might be better to explore on foot – until you find something that might point the way, or even anything that might indicate where you are. The “streets” of this new fortress seem to stretch off into the infinite distance, row after row of anonymous golden palaces reaching up towards the sky. Picking a direction more or less at random, you stroll off.

At first, you actually thought this place was beautiful. Very quickly, however, the sight of constant gold, sending bright reflected sunlight jagging into your eyes, left you sick and irritated. Who would choose to live in a place like this? Forcing the annoyance from your mind as best as you can, you focus on trying to spot any sign of life. Kagutsuchi mentioned that the Intoxicating One could create life, so where is it?

Wandering at random, taking corners as you come to them, you finally see some movement. A roughly human figure, as gaudy as the gold buildings surrounding it, shuffles down a broad avenue with their cargo – a jug, heavy with dark red wine. It doesn't seem to notice you as you approach it, not even when you circle around to the front. It's face is a cipher, totally blank and barely human. Stopping in front of it, trying to block the thing's path, it merely walks around you, its trudging pace never faltering. Looking at it, you struggle to call it “alive” in any conventional sense. At least you've got a lead, some direction to go in.

Settling into a slow pace, following the shuffling figure, you begin to wonder if coming here was a mistake. You've not seen anything that might be considered a dungeon, or even anything other than abject luxury.

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>>44151483

“Terrible place, yes?” Petra mutters, her mood darkened by the somehow oppressive wealth on display. You privately agree, but say nothing. Instead, you pause and listen to the air, concentrating on some vague sound in the distance. A roaring, like vast amounts of water spilling forth from a great height. Gesturing for the others to follow you, you hurry off towards that sound. When you see the cause, it takes your breath away.

A vast hole, reaching down into infinite blackness, seems somehow to be the centre of this whole palace. Countless numbers of those inhuman slaves gather, emptying out their wine vessels into the abyss, while grinding elevators drag up groups from the bottom. They almost seem to be emptying the wine into that vast chasm, only for others to gather it back up again. A meaningless cycle, repeated over and over again – for what purpose? The amusement of whatever demon calls themselves the god of this place?

As you stare in wonder at that great void, a boat – possibly even the same one you avoided earlier – comes drifting down and tumbles off the edge, spiralling down into the blackness beneath. You all watch it fall, nobody willing to voice what you are all thinking.

“The dungeons were supposed to be below, were they not?” Elliot offers eventually, a note of worry in his voice, “You don't suppose...”

“Don't say it,” Petra says wearily, “Just don't, yes?”

Well, you say with great reluctance, the elevators would offer a safe way down – and a way back up.

“Shit,” the redhead mutters, shaking her head in disbelief

>Take the elevator down
>Explore elsewhere. Anywhere is better than this
>Other

>>44151588
>Take the elevator down
Maybe Leon is drunk out of his mind down there.

>>44151588
>Take the elevator down

>>44151588
>>Take the elevator down
Don't got much choice
>>44151634
>He doesn't want to leave

>>44151708
>>44151696
>>44151634

You're not exactly a fan of the idea either, you tell Petra, but at least this way you won't be taking the long drop of the edge. That boat must have been smashed into shrapnel when it hit the bottom – what would it have done to you?

...Perhaps it's best not to think too hard about that.

You make your way around the rim of the great circular abyss, stepping carefully past ranks of inhuman slaves as they go about their endless, mindless task. More and more, as you pass them, you feel a sense of outrage building within your chest. What right does the Intoxicating One have, to create this semblance of life and then reduce it to such a futile existence? The entire process seems to needlessly cruel that you just cannot understand it. Still fuming, you reach the grand elevator and wait, pushing through those ranks of shambling drones to reach it.

“You know,” Elliot mentions carefully as you take your place on the elevator, “We never learned why the Intoxicating One took their share of the prisoners – for his own amusement, would you say? All this, everything we've seen here, makes me think of a child playing god.”

Just the thought of your father, dragging a heavy burden of wine back and forth in a meaningless exercise in futility makes you even more furious, and soon you realise that your hands have formed into fists. Still scowling hard, you step forth from the elevator as soon as it arrives at the bottom of the abyss and take a look around. Everything here is, of course, made from solid gold. The sky is reduced to a gleaming coin, a circle of pure light above, while the tunnels around you – MORE tunnels – are lit with flickering torches.

Another labyrinth. Fantastic.

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>>44151965

This one, at least, has a single difference. There is a sound here, one that almost seems to be beckoning you further in. A riot of trumpets and horns, blaring away in a wild bout of festivities, echoes out from the darkest depths of this subterranean maze. Shrugging, you set off down the tunnel path, glad of the mask cutting off the worst of the wine fumes. Down here, with only a scant supply of fresh air, the smell is almost overpowering – your head feels light, and dizziness is never far away.

“Not that way!” a mirthful voice calls from ahead of you – or was it behind you? - as you walk onwards. You stop dead in your tracks and listen hard, trying to ignore the tuneless shriek that fills the air. You think you hear a splash, the sound of something sprinting through shallow water, but it vanishes before you can be sure.

“Come now,” the voice scolds you, “This way, you fool!”

It's Moh Shuvuu all over again, but this time you're pretty sure there won't be a cute girl at the end of it. Grimacing, trading dark looks with Petra and Elliot, you continue forwards. What else can you do, really, but march forth and hope you find some sign of Leon? No matter how heavenly the golden towers above might look, you are in no doubt that this place is nothing more than a different kind of Hell.

An unknown – but infuriatingly long – time passes, with you following that mocking voice, before you come to a dead end. It's like the abyss above in miniature, a circular chamber where faceless slaves pour wine into fresh depths. As you watch, a gaudily painted figure rises up from the pool, balancing beautifully atop the water on a single toe.

“Greetings,” he tells you, in a voice like music, “Have you, too, come to beg for the Intoxicating One's favour?”

>I'm here to rescue my friend and leave
>I'm here to kill the Intoxicating One
>I just want to get out of here
>Other

>>44152142
>I'm here to rescue my friend and leave
Hopefully without incident but... You know.

>>44152142
>>I'm here to rescue my friend and leave
>>I just want to get out of here
Realistically, do we even have a chance of killing Mada yet?

>>44152142
>>I'm here to rescue my friend and leave

>>44152255
Not yet. We need more magic and Ice specifically. Right now Petra wouldn't be able to do anything.

>>44152285
>>44152255
>>44152168

You're just here to rescue your friend, you say cautiously, and then you're going to leave. You're not looking for any trouble.

“Why?” the colourful figure asks politely, twisting and contorting his body in a languid, lazy manner.

What does he mean, you ask with confusion, by “why”?

“Why would you “rescue” your friend, from this gilded heaven?” the figure asks, “Why would you wish to rescue yourself, in fact? Join us, in worship of the highest of all. I am the high priest, Dionysus, and I would be only too pleased to welcome you into my flock.”

You'd... rather not, all things considered. Saying that, you take a single step backwards and then another, casting a glance back over your shoulder. The sight makes you recoil in surprised horror. The tunnel has been blocked completely by a wall of those mindless servants, their bodies spilling out into the river of wine in a swaying barricade that reminds you, perversely, of that ghoulish congregation Sati had been surrounded by. You were able to sent them chasing nothing, but you can't see the same trick working here.

“I hope you realise,” Dionysus purrs, “That I won't LET you leave here.”

You had pretty much guessed that, yes.

“I'm glad,” the high priest smiles broadly, savouring the moment, “Now bend to my song, feeble children of men! Join this mad dance, or die!”

>Deploy a demon and attack
>Attack personally
>Try to fight your way out
>Other

>>44152433
>Deploy a demon and attack
Nadja
>Attack personally
I think Mia is getting tired of this shit.

>>44152433
>Deploy a demon and attack
Nadja
After she creates an opening
>Attack personally

>>44152433
>>Deploy a demon and attack
>>Attack personally
Nadja should help but we should do this personally. Time to get some exercise

Rolled 48, 4 = 52 (2d100)

>>44152502
>>44152496
>>44152465

Throwing one last look over your shoulder – checking that those ranks of formless, mindless slaves are not attacking, merely blocking your exit – you call up Nadja, sighing in relief as her entrance blows a fresh gust of summer air through the stagnant tunnels. For one brief and deliriously glorious moment, you can breath clean air again, and then the heavily perfumed air descends once more. All the more reason to get out of here as quickly as possible, you decide, and that means taking things into your own hands.

Petra, by your side, grins as she sees you drawing your dagger, encouraging you with a savage smile. Dullahan is already appearing at her side, the demon already wielding her blade with the skill you've come to expect. Elliot brings up the rear, looking uncharacteristically nervous. Fortuna appears at his command, her own face copying Elliot's concern.

“This tune is for you humans,” Dionysus gloats, lifting the curious rod he has hanging from around his neck, brandishing it like a wizard holding their wand, “And for you alone...”

You don't like the sound of that.

Swiping his wand through the air, a horrific blaring of all manner of instruments – trumpets, horns, everything you can think of, and all out of tune – fills the air. It's a din that claws at your mind, scrabbling for a foothold. Cringing, you feel it slide helplessly against the invisible shield bound within your mask – something to toy with your mind, then?

>Please roll 2D100, for Petra and Elliot. I'll take the highest of the first three.

Rolled 60, 89 = 149 (2d100)

>>44152694

Rolled 30, 54 = 84 (2d100)

>>44152694

Rolled 63, 54 = 117 (2d100)

>>44152694
Nah

Rolled 63, 28 = 91 (2d100)

>>44152694
Did this motherfucker try to mess with our heads? Thats some bad news for him.

>>44152742
>>44152800

It's an awful din, a riotous mess of sound that can only be compared with the gaudy splotches of paint adorning his body, but that's all it is. Just noise, and noise that you can shrug off. Whatever magical effect it was supposed to carry is meaningless, not just sliding away from your mind but brushing off everyone, without ever finding purchase. You'll never learn just what he was trying to do to you.

Not that you were that curious, of course.

“You!” Dionysus snaps, glaring at you with eyes full of swirling colour, “Why are you immune? What sorcery is this, that deafens you to my song?”

You don't answer, of course, why should you? You could tell him that it's Maya's remains powering your mask, but that would distract you. He's already distracted, and you're making the most of that moment. You dash in low, wine splashing underfoot as you skip across the surface of the pool. Whatever magic elevates him above the waterline seems to hold true for you as well, as you manage to bound past him, lashing out with Midnight's blade as you pass. The magic dagger cuts deep into his thigh, causing him to twist and buckle, crying out in pain. Immediately, the spell is broken and he tumbles down into the lake of wine, sinking beneath the surface. You only just make it to dry ground, out of danger.

That's what you thought. You were wrong.

As you land on the gilded path, a hand lashes out at you, closing tightly around your ankle in an iron grip. You cry out as the sinking demon pulls you down with him, down into the churning darkness of the pool.

Visibility, within this churning morass, is practically zero. It's only the pain of his hand around your ankle that offers any hint of where he might even be. At least Midnight is still tightly clutched in your grip.

>Cut yourself free (D100, best of three)
>Other

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>44153015
>Cut yourself free (D100, best of three)

>>44153015
Blink away to the surface and out.

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>44153015
>Cut yourself free (D100, best of three)


While its probably unnecessary due to the last roll do >>44153062 this if something goes wrong. Might as well try to save the few of Midnight's charges if we can right?

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>44153015
>>Cut yourself free (D100, best of three)
Do I even need to roll?

Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>44153051
>>44153098

>Forgot to actually roll for Dionysus. I don't think he's got much of a chance though!

>>44153127
Not for lack of trying.

>>44153127
Way closer than I'd like it to be.

>>44153062
>>44153098

Closing your eyes – they're useless down here, and the wine seeping through your mask is just making them sting – you focus on the iron band clamped around your ankle, painting a picture, in your mind, of where you need to strike. You have to take the time and focus, all too aware that a random swing, made in haste, could just as easily cleave through your own flesh. Forcing yourself to stay calm, you ignore everything – the cold wine against your skin, the sluggish impression of sinking, everything.

You ignore it, and then you strike. Lashing out as hard as you can - the liquid around you tugs at your arm as you do so, slowing it somewhat – you feel your blade bite into flesh. A muffled shriek churns the wine around you and you feel, all of a sudden, a tremendous lightness. Dionysus is gone, lost in the blackness as the ocean of wine closes in around him. Then, in that same darkness, everything that you were ignoring comes flooding back.

You're sinking. You're drowning.

Panic almost takes you, rising up to swallow you, but then the soft leather of Midnight's grip reminds you of its own, unique properties. Focussing your mind, imagining those gilded tunnels, you feel yourself blinking away. With your eyes still closed, it is only the sudden change in the air that tells you that you are free – although, with a burning pain in your lungs and heart, you are slow to savour it. Maybe later, once you've filled your lungs with fresh air. Even the awful air surrounding you feels like a blessing.

>>44153337

You crouch there, on all fours as you gasp for breath, for a long time before finally opening your eyes. When you do, it is soon followed by a sharp revulsion – still clamped around your ankle, in a vicious death grip, is one of Dionysus' hands. You tug and tug at it, pulling back on the fingers to no avail, until you finally grow tired and just cut the thing loose with Midnight's keen edge, kicking the colourful limb into the pool of wine to join its owner.

You notice, with a certain curiosity, that the blood seems to sink into the metal blade, adding to the black dye that is creeping back into the steel. Interesting.

“Mia!” Petra shouts, and you realise that you blinked some distance away from them. A blind jump, you realise, could be a dangerous thing indeed. As you rise to your feet, massaging your chest with your empty hand, you are brushed by the dissipating horde of false humans. With their master slain, they are wandering aimlessly away, filing off down the various branches and tunnels.

Close one, you rasp as Petra and Elliot catch up with you, winding their way around the stragglers.

“Dangerous,” Elliot says, with a crooked smile, “You really do like to live dangerously, don't you?”

Sometimes, you admit, you get these ideas. Crazy ones, maybe, but they've never quite let you down yet.

>I'll stop there for tonight, I think. Next thread on Tuesday, and I'll stick around for any questions.

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>>44153452
Thanks for the run Moloch.

Demon blood restores Midnight's energy stores?

>>44153497

Correct - it's much faster than just waiting for it to charge up!

>>44153538
So is Baphomet the one that keeps telling Leon to pretend to be a servant and eventually take over a demon organization?

First Forneus and now Mada.

>>44153452
Thanks for running, Moloch.

>>44153630

Well, it might work this time!
It probably won't work this time
Really though, you're correct. Baphomet will typically try to increase his master's power, to bask in the reflected glory. He's not actively malicious, but very power hungry

>>44153692

Thanks for contributing!

Updated!

>Main Goal
Recover Cosmic Fragments
-Unknown fairy acquired Center fragment
-North fragment captured by Mada and the Shackle. Fortress had transformed.
-South fragment captured and used to make some town on the southern outskirts of the city
-West fragment claimed, unknown who did.
-East fragment unaccounted for. (Archangel's also in the East)

>Priority Missions
-Cure Sati for Moloch and ourselves - Deliver the Inferno Idol
-Rescue Joseph - Need a plan and more manpower.
-Marco's release - Tell Mister Black about the Inferno Idol and Kagutsuchi.
-See if Titania will allow us to stay at the Fairy Kingdom to rest.
-Rescue Leon
-Find out what's going on with Cass - Call her again later.

>Other missions
-Kill the tunnelling demon
-Prove ourselves to Cern
-Meet up with Amelia at the next full moon.

>Current Situation
Rescuing Leon and trying not to die in the process.

>>44153727
So what were the 'riches' Lucy was offering?

>>44153749
>So what were the 'riches' Lucy was offering?

All kinds of things! The service of powerful demons, an array of weapons and armour, a nice little bug to stick in the back of your neck...

>>44153749
Judging from what happened last season, I'd wager a whole lot of nothing.

>>44153787
Magatama'd full Chaos Amelia would have been an interesting playthrough last cycle, if a bit one note

>>44153834

I can imagine!

An angel appears. What do you do?
>Rip
>Tear
>Rip and tear

>>44153863
You forgot burn.

>>44153863
Was Elliot telling the truth about being descended from nobility?

>>44153888

Rookie error. I would not survive in a world of strength

>>44153935

When has Elliot been anything other than completely and absolutely honest with us?
Really though, they are descended from nobility, but not legitimately. Their ancestor was just another one of Sir Cosgrove's bastards!

>>44153793
Nah that was Moloch that screwed us over.
Art imitates life :^)

I wonder if Leon will give us a hard time when we rescue him. Who am I kidding of course he will.

>'Shite, leave me here. Its all part of the plan!'
>'Leon shut up and let us rescue you goddamnit!'

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>>44154255

>>44154390

Oh, I'm sure he'll be his usual reasonable self!

>>44154428
So if we stab a Demon with Midnight does it drain them dry like a vampire blade or just absorb whatever its currently coated with?

>>44154786

Unfortunately, it only absorbs the blood it spills. It's not that powerful, sadly!