>>45136024
>Check equipment
>Mentally prepare

It's go time.

>>45136024
>Check equipment
>Mentally prepare

>writing

These guys wanna call themselves "Sacred Mountain", then they gotta go all the way.

Namely the "getting killed by your rivals via overwhelming force" thing.

Eye for an eye, bitch.

You head over to a table in another part of the courtyard and draw out the archive. Then you check over a few of your personal favorites.

Jess didn't really teach you anything about the cleaning or maintenance of these things, but you can at least make sure they all still function.

You start with the auto-shotgun. From what Jess told you about this thing, it needs minimal care. So you kinda look it over a bit. The most you can do is say 'Yep, that's a gun all right. It shoots bullets. Kills things. Beautiful'.

You dropped your favoured handgun back at your apartment, but there are duplicates of it in the Archive. All of which, thankfully, remain unused.

You then check the numbers on a few of your grenades, to make sure you know exactly how many you have, before putting the Archive back away.

Then you stand and take a few steps back towards the fire. Safi is doing her own practice, manipulating the flames to test her own control. Beside her, Abigail has Claire wrapped in her arms. It was agreed that she would be giving Claire and Safi a decent portion of her mana, so she must be making good on that.

Tasha is leaned back, staring up at the night sky. While Zee roasts a marshmallow and looks a little cross everytime Safi moves the fire away from her...

>Anything you guys wanna do before the Arena opens?

>>45136477
Kiss the Abigail for good luck

>>45136477
How about, after all this, provided the earth is still around, we look for the Mountain? All of us? Get a real view. I think we've earned a vacation.

>writing

>>45136477
(Probably won't be a popular suggestion)

Apologize to Claire, but let her know that, if being her friend is enough to make her happier than she's felt in years (as evidenced last thread), then we're more than happy to be there for her.

"You know" You say, drawing the attention of the ladies around the fire. "Maybe after this is all done, we should go look for that mountain..."
"You mean the one we used to climb?" Safi asks
"Yeah" You say. "Get a real view of the stars and the sunrise. I think we've all earned a vacation"

"After we see Sarah, maybe?" Claire asks.
"Of course" You say.
"That sounds like it would be nice" Abigail says. "Getting some peace after all this"

Abigail leans back in her chair, and you give her a smooch.

"It's a date, then" You say.

You check your watch. 1 minute until entry...

"Everyone ready?" You ask.
"I'm ready" Safi says.
Claire nods.

You pull out your phone and wait for the notifications to come in.

[Arena]>The Judge will be entering the Arena
[Arena]>The Muse will be entering the Arena
[Arena]>The Keeper will be entering the Arena

You look back up to see that both Safi and Claire have their phones out.

[Arena]>The Witch will be entering the Arena
[Arena]>The Creator will be entering the Arena
[Arena]>The Butcher will be entering the Arena

Meanwhile, your own option hangs underneath the notifications...

>Will you be entering the Arena?

>[Y/N]

>>45136944
>Y

>Mfw captcha is mountains

>>45136944
>Y
EXTERMINATE.

>writing

[Arena]>The Guardian will be entering the Arena.

And that's it. All 7 of the remaining champions are locked in. Chances are high that that number will dwindle considerably before the night is through.

You look at the people in front of you: Your sister, your friend... it's up to you to make sure they make it out the other end.

"It feels strange to be working with you" Claire says.
"Get used to it" You say. "After all this I... don't think I could fight you anymore"
"Likewise" Claire says. "I sink... I 'ave much to atone for..."

"You aren't the only one" Abigail says. "We all have things to make right. But we'll work on that"

"Together" You say.
Claire smiles. "Oui" She says.

"Well, Tasha, Abby, Zee" You say, as you check your watch. Only seconds remain. "We'll be back shortly"
"Good luck" Tasha says.

Abigail smiles at you, and leans back for another kiss. You oblige her, relishing in the warmth of her for the last few seconds before it's replaced with the cold of the Arena's entrance.

The fire is out. The stars in the sky all look wrong. And the moon is red.

To your left, the door leading back inside opens. You walk over to it and step through, back out into the labyrinth.

It takes a few seconds to right yourself and extend your senses. You feel Safi already, and you kinda feel someone using body magic as well...

>Go to Safi

>Go to the other signal

>Other

>>45137290
>>Go to Safi

I'm not worried about Clair in the slightest

>>45137290
>>Go to Safi

While I'm pretty sure both of them will be safe long enough, she makes the better partner.

>>45137290
>Go to Safi

Safi, then we meet up with Claire.

>>45137290
>Go to Safi

>writing

You stop for a moment to work out the exact direction, then draw your sword. You have no clue where they are in this maze, and you'd rather not be caught with your pants down.

Then you take a step back, enter fast time, and get smashing. As you move, you get a better feel for the distances between you and the two body magic signals coming from elsewhere in the labyrinth.

As you smash through the last wall between you and Safi, landing on the opposite wall feet first and hopping down, you have a pretty good idea of where they are.

"Record time" Safi says.
"Well, if you aren't improving then you're only getting rusty" You say.

...

You and Safi both laugh, before hugging each other.

"What now?" Safi asks.

You stop and look around. You can feel what you assume are Claire and Julia, but you can also feel something that you now recognize as light magic...

They're in opposite directions, so you have a choice to make.

>Go after the light magic

>Go after the body magic

>Other

>>45137737
>Go after the body magic
Stick to the plan.

>>45137737
>>Go after the body magic

>>45137737
>Go after the body magic

Get our back up. Her golems aren't fooled by their invisible/tuner shit.

Plus, hate for Keeper to sneak up on her.

>writing

"Now we find the Beaumonts" You say.
"Both of them?" Safi asks. "You sure we can't just leave Julia? I never liked her anyway"
"No, we get the full team" You say.

Safi shrugs. "You've been mobile, so I assume you've got a better bead on them than I do" She says.
"I do" You say.
"Well then, aprez vous" Safi says.
"You speak french?" You ask.
"Oh, fuck no" She says. "That's the minimum that I remember from gr.9 french"

"Better than what I know" You say, as you take a few steps back from the wall.
"Well, you've got a good tutor for it" Safi says.

You tip your head, but decide that you'll consider that later. Now is smashing time.

Wall after wall comes down before you, until you finally near the first of the two signals.

"I was starting to wonder if you'd show up" Julia says.
"Oh, it's you" You say.
"Yeah, I'm not a fan of working with you either" She says. "Let's just get this over with so we can go back to killing each other as God intended"

"Which one?" Safi asks.
"Juuust about all of 'em" Julia says.

You're wary about turning your back on Julia, but in the end you have to if you want to find Claire anytime soon. So you turn, and get back to breaking down walls...

>[1/2]

I do not relish finding out what her Cleaver can pull off in Phase 3.

"Ah, zere you are" Claire says. "I got a little bored waiting for you"

The walls around Claire are spattered with blood, and the corpses of several of the labyrinth's monsters litter the ground around her. She's even got a few active golems already, which are also bloody.

"You've been busy" Safi says.
"Zey started it" She says.

"So what now?" Julia asks. "I assume you guys have a plan"
"Now we find them" You say, turning your senses back outward.

"Great plan" Julia says. "It might even work"

You scowl as you begin to feel their magic signals. There isn't 2 anymore. You're reading... 4... 8... 15... 20...

"... the fuck?" You ask.
"They're using decoys aren't they?" Julia asks. "It's common practice for those in their business"

"How do you know that?" Safi asks.
"Because I actually came prepared" Julia says. "If someone had invited me to your little meeting..."

You keep focusing, as more signals show up. They do seem to follow a pattern, like the two of them are running through the labyrinth, leaving them in their wake...

>Follow the signals

>Ask Julia for her input

>Keep moving, and try to come up with something else

>Other

>>45138316
>Ask Julia for her input

>>45138316
>>Ask Julia for her input
goddamnit

Devil you know, and all that.

>writing

You bite the bullet. In the end, if Julia knows the tactic, Julia may know how to counter it...

"So what would you suggest?" You ask.
"Actually asking me for help?" Julia asks. "I'm actually surprised. I was almost looking forward to watching you wander around looking for them like an i-"

"Julia" Claire says. "Please don't"
"Oh, fine" Julia says. "Tonight is just as important for them as it is for us. As of right now they have no idea what next week's Arena is going to be like"

"I thought that the Arena holder gets informed on Sunday" Safi says.
"They do, and she did" Julia says. "It's me, by the way"

"So they will come for us?" You ask
"Now is their best chance" Julia says. "They probably have a set up that can take us all down, but if we're ready for them..."

You nod in understanding. You don't much like the prospect of sitting and waiting, but chasing these signals could just serve the purpose of tiring you all out...

You sigh, and pinch the bridge of your nose. If you're going to do something, you need to get started now. So you-

>Bunker down and wait for them

>Chase the signals

>Other

>>45138686
>>Bunker down and wait for them

>>45138686
>Bunker down and wait for them

>>45138686
>>>Bunker down and wait for them

Maybe look in the archive for a couple surprises. Mines, Flashbangs, that kinda stuff.
And have Safi be ready with the staff, hit them as soon as they play their trump card.

Damn, this is the most dialogue that we've gotten out of Julia this entire quest.

>writing

>>45138809
So... dum question. Why again does she hate us so? Did we kill somebody she liked in something else then self-defene?

>>45138923
She's just always hated us. And she killed our dad.

>>45138923
I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and say that she's supposed to ensure that Claire keeps her eyes on the prize, so she tries to make sure that Claire doesn't get too close to anyone.

>>45138923
Maybe she hates us because the whole Claire Abigail situation

"I hate to say it, but I think that's our best option" You say.
"Wow, actually agreeing with me?" Julia asks. "I thought you'd go chasing lights out of spite"

"I'm not stupid" You say. "You know the tactic, you know the solution. I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth"
"I had no idea people still used that saying" Julia says.

You turn to Claire and Safi. "For now, we should move from here. Find a spot that's a little more easily defended and a little less... messy"

"Good plan" Safi says. "These things stink when they die"

The group moves out, walking through the maze until you come upon a long straightaway. Long sightlines, meaning that you'll be able to see them or sense them before you're in range of the tuner.

You set up a few explosives booby traps on either end, and have Claire set up some golems as cover. You also have her animate a few sections of the wall, giving it hidden hands that can snag any unfortunate enemy passersby.

With your 'base' set up, you head back behind cover.

"Now what?" Safi asks.

>Now we wait

>Get some practice with rifles

>Ask Julia why she knows all this stuff

>Other

>>45139168
>Ask Julia why she knows all this stuff

>>45139168
>Ask Julia why she knows all this stuff

>writing

"Why do you know all this stuff?" You ask Julia.
"She's-" Claire begins.

Julia holds up a hand. "Claire and I are different" She says. "Claire is the blunt instrument strapped to a wild beast that gets let out of its cage every few nights, and I'm the scalpel that was actually trained"

Claire doesn't look too pleased at that description of her, but Julia doesn't appear to care.

"But in the end we both work for the same purpose, so we work together... mostly" Julia says.
"Mostly?" You ask.

"I can't keep up with Claire 24/7, so sometimes we've gotta split up" She says.

You nod and turn your attention back down the hallway. You've felt a few more of those signals go up, but for the last 5 minutes there haven't been any.

"The signals have stopped" You say.
"Then they know you aren't going to bite" Julia says. "Best get ready"

>[1/2]

>>45139507
Julia confirmed for worst cousin.

You pull out an automatic rifle and keep it trained down the hallway. You keep this side covered, Safi keeps the other. Claire and Julia watch your back, and keep an eye out for the Keeper's door...

It seems like a good plan. But the waiting is going to kill you before they get the chance...

"They sure are taking their sweet time..." You say.
"It's a tactic" Julia says. "They'll bide their time, and wait until you lose focus"

"So they're nearby" Safi says.
"Probably" Julia says. "They might be up top, or invisible down the hall..."
"I'd feel it if they were" You say.

"Don't be so sure. The decoy signals also serve the purpose of throwing your senses off. You may think you would sense them, but..." Julia says.

"I get it" You say.

You keep your sights trained down the hallway. Invisibility magic leaves a warping effect that can be hard to notice if you aren't looking for it. But you are looking for it, so you wait...

and wait...

and wait...

Until suddenly, a flash brightens up the entire hallway. It''s not bright enough to be blinding, so what is it for?

"What the fuck was that?" You ask.
"The signal" Julia says.
"The wha-"

Cold

You feel cold.

You turn to find the source, and see what is quite possibly the one thing you never wanted to.

"SAFI!" You shout.

>[1/2]

>>45139797
>"SAFI!" You shout
Choo choo

>>45139797
>"SAFI!" You shout.
You sonofabitch.

>>45139797
>"The signal" Julia says

Julia... you whore.

>>45139797
>>"SAFI!" You shout.
NO SMILEY. WE JUST GOT HER BACK. NO, NO, NO.

>>45139797
>"SAFI!" You shout.
If Safi is dead, our wish will be for Julia and all of her friends and relations to suffer in agony for all eternity.

>>45140001
No if she's dead I won't be sticking around for a wish. I'm fucking done with lol-they're dead bullshit

>>45140019
Oh, I'll follow through the end of this quest, but I'll never take part in anything else of his.

>>45140019
>>45140038
nobody cares if you leave anon

You enter fast time, and watch in slow motion as Claire slams Julia against the wall. But that isn't what you care about.

You manage to catch Safi before she can hit the ground... but it's only half of her... her bottom half still hits the ground.

"Safi no" You say.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!?" Claire shouts at Julia. "Why did you-"
"Betray you?" Julia asks. "What the hell made you think I was on your side in the first place?"

"S-a-i...f" Safi says.
You grab her hand and hold it tightly, connecting with her to try and find some way to fix this. There's too much damage, you can't-

"S-sorry..." Safi says weakly.

"Why in gods name did you think I would want to wish for your family to be great again?" Julia asks.

"Safi please" You say.
Safi tries to smile, having lost the strength to speak. You feel her words,the ones she can't say anymore.

'Sorry I have to leave you alone again'

"No" You say. "No, no no noNONONONONO"

Her arm goes limp, and her head falls to the side. The sorrow you felt from her is gone. In its place is the cold.

*KA-THUP*
*KA-THUP*

Claire screams

"2 down" Julia says.

You turn back to see the Keeper's door hanging open, with the barrel of a strange gun sticking out. Claire is on the ground, clutching her stomach. There's no blood, but she still screams...

Three people emerge from the door. One of them raises a tuner...

>Take Claire and get out

>Kill

>Other

>>45140057
I've feel absolutely disgusted saying that, I've belittled quest dropped faggots for years. I just can't handle this, no agency nothing we can do to stop it stuff. Sorry for blogging

>>45140084
You've got to be fucking kidding me

>>45140084
>Take Claire and get out

>>45140084
This.
This was sadly predictable. I'm ashamed of you, Smiley.

File: 1430271894927.gif (528 KB, 500x246)

528 KB GIF

>>45140084
>Kill
REEEEEEEEE

>>45140122
Yeah we've known smiley wasn't really running things in good faith for a while.

>>45140084
>>Kill

>>45140122
Yep, no arguments from me

We could totally take safi into slow time to make her last long enough for healing to be available.

>>45140084
>Other
>Push the power stored in the shield into Safi.
I'd rather waste all our time trying to keep her alive, and lose, than bother with this stupid "All is suffering" ending.

>>45140198
He killed her before we got a chance to vote. If we can't >>45140199, there's no point.

>>45140084
actually changing >>45140181

to >>45140199

>>45140122
The worst part is that we had no option but to trust Julie as part of our team

>>45140084
Changing>>45140121 to >>45140199.

>>45140199
She was cut in half retard.

I can't help but feel that this is all leading up to something.

>>45140084
Smiley, how long have we been in the maze?

>>45140084
>Kill

>>45140279
Exactly. Our shield can restore to the moment before death.

>>45140313
She has to have it at the moment of her death. It's too late.

>>45140084
>>45140199
Supporting. It's either this or Saif lets them kill him. He has nothing else to live for.

>writing

>>45140344
Also: bodies disappear upon death in here.

>>45140344
One soul, two bodies. We don't know how it'll act with that. We're literally half dead without her, after all.

>>45140364
>accepting this samefaggotry
quest is now dead, good job everyone

safi was a shit character

Let them blot everything out. Safi's death hasn't been announced. She hasn't disappeared. You still have a chance.

'You have to surrender twice' is what Jess or Abby or someone said. Which means...

You push the Guardian's shield into her. It's done a good job protecting you so far. Now it needs to protect what you hold dear.

You turn back to your enemies. Claire is still writhing on the ground, and they've all turned their eyes to you.

Good. Let's keep it that way. They still think Safi is dying, which she is.

But they think she is going to stay that way. They think they've broken up the dream team

Oh, how wrong they are.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>45140559
DICE GIVE ME STRENGTH.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>45140559
time to die

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>45140559
>>Roll 1d20

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>45140559

>34

Not too shabby.

>>45140482
honestly I agree but I try to look at it from saif's perspective

>writing

>>45140482
>>45140718
She hasn't had enough screen time to develop

>>45140777
I'm not terribly fond of what development she has gotten. But my opinion doesn't really have much to do with saif's opinion.

See, I don't trust this. Smiley has other quests that he wants to run, why would he piss off his followers for the hell of it?

A fatalistic ending is too easy. Smiley doesn't do easy; he does twists.

>>45140851
Misjudging reaction, or assuming that a fair destination will make up for an unfair journey, maybe. The latter even could've been the case, if he didn't start us off implying that we'd have a fair journey.

You draw out your sword, and note where they all are. The Keeper is still by the door, the Judge and the Muse are hovering by Claire, and Julia has backed off for the moment.

The Muse hits their tuner, and you enter fast time.

Their plan is mostly likely to try and shoot you under the cover of the tuner, so you move to the side and up. You run up the wall-

Hang on. Running up the wall? What happened to the gravi-

Safi is back up. You can feel it.

Good. The team's all here.

You run up the wall under the strange, sideways gravity, before bounding off of it. Gravity returns to normal, and you come crashing down.

Light and sound returns just in time for the Muse to witness their fate approaching from above.

"The Muse has been slain" The announcer calls out.

You thrust towards the judge, but a shot from the cannon in the Keeper's room forces you to back off.

"So you got one" Julia says. "Big deal, it's still 3 on 1"
"That's almost a fair fight" You say. "I don't suppose you have more friends you could call over to help you. Maybe you could even the odds a bit"

Julia glares at you.

You return her glare with a smile. Safi must be hidden behind you, if she still thinks it's 3 on 1. That suits you just fine.

>Cut off their escape

>Force them back

>Other

>>45141072
>>Cut off their escape

>>45141072
>>Cut off their escape
NO FUCKING SURVIVORS.

>>45141072
>Cut off their escape

>>45141072
>Cut off their escape
They tried to take everything from us. There can be no peace.

>>45141072
>Cut off their escape

Boom, baby.

Even though we're still going to kill her we should apologize for to the keeper about the puppeteer dying immediately before. Its just polite.

>Brown wall running time wizard

In that moment, Saif became The Prince of Persia.

>>45141201
Saif also killed Gambler.

>writing

>>45141324
Yeah but that wasn't while he was trying to surrender. The puppeteer's death was Even Wronged Than Normal.

Well, at least now we understand why Julia always stabbed Saif in the back in the dream.

We gonna tell the Beaumonts they tried too hard and neither blood moon trainee had any interest in helping out the family?

"You realize that I have to kill you now" You say.

Julia gives you a look that says 'try me'. So you do.

You charge forward, ducking underneath and around the Judge's bullets. When the Judge and the Keeper see that you aren't being deterred, they try to retreat into the room...

Oh, but that won't do.

You pull a napalm grenade out of the Archive, rip the pin out with your teeth, and chuck it into the room. Then you trigger the explosives on either side of the hallway.

Now the Judge and the Keeper are stuck, and the Judge still has his back to you. So...

"The Judge has been slain" The announcer calls out, after you impale the Judge's chest and empty your shotgun into his back.

"Who's next?" You ask.

Julia steps forward and brings her cleaver to bear. You block it with your sword, but the sword gets cut in half.

"Shit" You say, as you enter fast time and duck around the strike. You're almost too late, as she still manage to shave a chunk off of your shoulder.

"Butcher!" The Keeper yells.

Julia gets down as the gun in the Keeper's room opens fire. It gets off about ten shots, before you see a flash from where you left Safi, and the gun explodes.

Unfortunately, their plan worked. While the gun held you back, they retreated into the room. The door closes behind them.

>[1/2]

>>45141813
>You block it with your sword, but the sword gets cut in half.
Shoulda targeted her fingers, Saif.

Guys...

Safi's boon is a Camera, now.

Fuck. Yes.

You drop the sword and resummon it. It comes out of your pathways whole again.

Safi jumps out from behind her cover, holding... a camera?

"SAIF!" Safi shouts, as she bounds into your arms. "You... I..."
"It's okay" You say. "You're okay"
"I was... but I..." Safi says.
"You have the shield now" You say. "I... couldn't lose you too"

"Is that what dying feels like?" She asks. "I-I've never felt so cold"
You stroke her back. Neither have you. Not even when you died yourself...

But you feel like you're missing something...

"Claire!" You call out. A wheezing breath is all that answers.

You see Claire, still on the floor... she's... smaller. She looks even weaker than she does when you see her outside the arena.

"Holy shit, Claire. What happened?" Safi asks. The two of you kneel by her frail, prone form.

"I... I... 'ave no... strength" She says, between ragged gasps. "It's... taking it..."

You check her over for wounds... but you can't see any.

"What's taking it?" You ask.
"I... don't know" Claire says, her fear apparent in her tone and on her face. Tears start to roll down her cheeks. "It... hurts"
"We're here for you" Safi says, as she takes one of Claire's hands.

You look her over closely. If what's happening is what you think is happening, then whatever they hit her with is throwing her balance magic off. She's going all the way into the weak/smart side of it... which will kill her, and not quickly from the looks of things...

>What can we do?

>Can it be fixed?

>Other

>>45142062
>>What can we do?

>>45142062
>What can we do?

>>45142062
>What can we do?

>>45142062
When people surrender, they are put back right at the place they were when they entered correct?

>>45142062
gotta connect pathways or some shit like that i guess

>>45142134
They have to stay until the arena's done.

>>45142187
Well there goes that plan

Anyone else anticipating Claire giving Saif the Hand, and he just turns this whole labyrinth into a golem?

Or makes yhem spawn everywhere?

>>45142187
Not in the arena but in the waiting room, I believe

>>45142256
>>45142187
>>45142134
You stay in the arena until it's done.

>writing

>>45142187
What if she surrenders?

>>45142361
See>>45142289

"What can we do?" You ask. "Is there a way to reverse it?"
"I don't... know" Claire says. "It-"

"Shhh..." Safi says, as she gently lifts Claire into a hug, stroking her hair to calm her down. "It'll be okay"

Claire's shoulders rock as she sobs. Safi catches your eye and wordlessly communicates her idea.

The mask still has a charge.

You can save Claire right now, but checking your watch you see that doing so will leave you with no further charges for this arena.

Something tells you that this fight isn't over yet. Julia and the Keeper will be back. You might end up with the numbers on your side, but you have a very bad feeling...

Like things are about to get worse. You don't know how you know, but you just... do.

>Have Safi give the mask to Claire

>Let Claire pass, and keep the revival in stock

>Other

>>45142554
>Have Safi give the mask to Claire

>>45142554
>Have Safi give the mask to Claire

In character.

Plus, there's no gun, and now Claire can turn this entire place against them.

>>45142554
I'm so torn on this...
I'm not sure if Saif would save her or keep it to protect Safi, in case she gets caught again...
I'm probably going to hate this choice, but Saif just experienced Safi dying, I doubt if he'd risk it again.
>Let Claire pass, and keep the revival in stock

>writing

You nod to Safi. "Do it" You say.

Safi smiles. She knows the risk just as well as you do. But if you can save Claire, shouldn't you?

"It'll be okay, Claire" Safi says, as she connects her arms behind Claire to form a connection. "We'll help you"
"Please..." Claire says.
"You'll be okay" Safi says. "I promise"
"Make... it quick" Claire says. "I dont... want to suffer..."

"This might hurt a bit" You say, as you place the tip of your sword at her back.
Claire's shoulders relax. She's relieved that the pain will stop.

You push it forward, and she lets out one last breath...

Then she's back.

"Quoi?" Claire says. "I am not dead"
"No" You say. "You aren't"

Claire blinks in confusion. "But... I was dead" She says.
"Welcome to the club" You say, as you and Safi both stand back up.

She blinks a few more times.

"We gave you the shield" Safi says.
"But... Saif had ze shield" Claire says.
"I had the shield" Safi says.

Claire shakes off her confusion, and hugs Safi, then you. "Thank you" She says.
"You're one of us now" You say. "You ready for a fight?"
"I think I am ready to pummel Julia's traitorous face into ze ground" Claire says.

"I'll count that as an enthusiastic 'yes'" You say.

>[1/2]

Claire shifts back into her strong self, and calls her stone hands back out. There are two of them now.

"We doing zis?" Claire asks.
"Go ahead" You say. "We'll follow your lead"

Claire smiles, and stuffs her hands into the wall of the labyrinth. You hear a grumbling sound, and the whole thing begins to move and shift.

"You may want to hold on to somesing" Claire says.

"Warning to all Champions: interference from gods has occured" The announcer calls out.

"What does that mean?" Safi asks

You think back to Kyla's memories and the stories you'd heard of that time...

"It means that Julia or the Keeper now have near unlimited mana" You say. "Possibly both"
"How?" Safi asks.
"Who cares" Claire says. "With or without zat. We will crush them"

"Good plan" You say. "Ready?"
"I have a bad feeling about this" Safi says.
"Me too" You say. "But if we stay put, they'll come to us. We need to hit them, and kill them before they can strike back"

Safi takes a breath. "Alright" She says. "Let's go"

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>45143139
rolling

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>45143139

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>45143139

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>45143139

Uh... Think we could get a mulligan on this one?

KEK all the deleted votes.

>>45143150
>deleting rolls
haha look at this faggot

>>45143150
>>45143171
>deleting posts
Come on, don't be like that. We'll face the consequences head-on. Saif did feel like things would get worse.

The deleted rolls were 2 and 4 in case you missed them.

>writing
> and yes, I see those shit rolls that you tried to delete. Nice try though.

>>45143266
Not one of those guys, but hey, worth a shot.

Honestly with full power clair and no more SURPRISE shit, we should be fine.

>>45143285
Nah, they're both going to die, cause the others are packing unlimited mana.

>>45143285
>implying he won't fuck us extra hard to make a point

>>45143313
>implying he hasn't made it clear he's just trying to cause as much misery as possible in anon.

>>45143304
>>45143313
Sure sure, pretty sure rolling is just for us

Funny thing is, reading last thread made me wonder "Huh, we're nearing the end and nobody's betrayed anyone yet. That's something I would expect from a quest like this."

Still didn't see this coming, though. Fuck, I don't think this day is going do end on a high-note.

>>45143433
Well there's only two of them, we have two time mages and the person who has more kills than anyone else, realisticly we should be somewhat fine, unless Smiley goes full tragedy.

Did the keepers power suddenly change? I thought they could only stay inside the safe room for 30 minutes but they would have to come out of the same door they went in through.

>>45143433
Julia was blatantly the betrayer. I don't know how you didn't see it a mile off. Like, that's mass-production level of a twist. And of course, right when it seems like the protagonist has the upper hand, gods literally reach out and make their enemies more powerful than anyone else.
It's lazy writing, is all.

>>45143498
It's getting that way, I guess he's trying to make it seem like a challenge, or at least maximize the feels.

>>45143530
But it doesn't maximize the feels, because we all know it's coming, and it just breaks immersion.

>>45143558
I dunno I was pretty mad that Safi and Claire just died with no input from the MC

>>45143581
Again, I just thought it was lazy.

>>45143618
Spoiler

>>45143618
No argument from me

>>45143003
>"I think I am ready to pummel Julia's traitorous face into ze ground" Claire says.
Claire you were planning to betray her all along too you really have no room to complain.

smiley tends to struggle with the last bit of his quests

The maze continues to shift and move, like it's trying to come together...

Then it gets cut sideways. Like the whole thing got chopped right across head level all at once.

"Fuck?" You ask.
"It's the cleaver" Safi says. "We need to-"

Safi's words are drowned out by the sound of crashing coming from deeper into the maze... but it's getting closer.

Something crashes through the wall and bears down on you, but you manage to slow yourself just in time to tank it.

It's the Keeper. Her entire body glows from being reinforced.

Julia follows the Keeper in, bringing her cleaver down on you. You sidestep it, and cut a savage arc upwards through her wrist.

Julia grunts in pain as she drops the cleaver to clutch her wrist. Then the hand regrows, and in seconds, it's back.

The Keeper turns her attention to your comrades, throwing a punch at Claire that sends her reeling even through her guard.

Julia swings again, much faster than you're used to. You barely manage to duck underneath it, and it clips the wall above your head, causing another massive gash.

You can't keep this up. Something needs to change, and it needs to change soon...

As Julia swings again, you feel something... different. A surge of your own. Mana courses through your body. Someone just opened you up to the wellspring as well...

You don't know how long this will last. Time to push back.

>Use the sword

>Fight normally

>Other

>>45143498
I guess it'd been more obvious if we had interacted with her at all. Like the anon at the start mentioned, this is the most we've actually talked with her.

Also pastebin was updated in case anyone forgot. Julia being able cut through anything now is the most important one, I think.

>>45143681
>Use the sword
This is what it's for.

>>45143498
Yeah I was just expecting a "stabbed in the back the moment sacred mountain is out of the way and we're not useful" betrayal not a "working with the enemy" betrayal.

>>45143681
>Use the sword

>>45143681
>Use the sword

>>45143681
>Use the sword

DUST TO DUST, BITCH

>>45143681
TIME TRAVEL

>>45143681
>>Use the sword

>>45143681
>Use the sword

Won't the sword 100% kill us even with the wellspring?

>>45143795
Nope. It kills you if you're not connected.

"Hey, Julia... Ever heard the phrase "eternity is a lie"?"

>writing

You step back, raise your sword into the air, and pump mana into it.

Julia makes a break for you, but gravity pushes her away. Safi has made you impossible to get to. Time to end this.

Your body strains to move the sheer volume of mana that you're working with, and you can feel your physical form stretching at the seams...

>Time

>Say the words

What words?

>Time was there as the universe took its first, gasping breath

"From the beginning" You say.

>Time will be there as it breathes its last

"To the end" You say.

>Eternity is a lie

You grit your teeth

>All things must end.

"Rrrrrrr-"

>Show them

"RRRRRAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" You shout. "BATHE THEM IN ETERNITY!"

>The name

"EEEEEEX-"

>[1/2]

>>45144018
>"RRRRRAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" You shout. "BATHE THEM IN ETERNITY!"
Holy shit, even if I thought smiley was running this in good faith I wouldn't be able to take this seriously because I'd be too busy laughing my ass off.

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69 KB JPG

>>45144018
I know I should be excited Julia's about to get her ass handed to her, but being guided by an unknown entity (possibly the Fool?) feels wrong.

>>45144069
Hey now, there has been FAR cheesier.

The sword is charged. Your targets stand before you, trying to break through Safi's interference.

You bring it down, and with it, the curtains come down as well. This circus is over.

"-CALIBURRRRRRR"

An invisible wave of time smashes through the Arena. Matter becomes molecules. Molecules lose their bonds and become atoms. Atoms lose their charge and become null. The building blocks of everything before you crumble into nothing, as the wave sends all things to the end.

You fall to your knees, steadying yourself on the sword.

"Saif!" Safi shouts.

"The Butcher has been slain"The announcer calls out "The Traitor is no more. The Keeper has been slain"

The Traitor... "What?" You ask.
"Did something happen to Tasha?" Safi asks. "How?"

Claire helps you to your feet. "Time?" She asks.

>Time

You wince as a sharp pain shoots through your head. For a moment, it looked like Claire was missing a hand...

"Saif, what time is it?" Claire asks.
You shake your head. "It's... uhhh" You say, as you check your watch. "The arena should be done in a fe-"

The labyrinth disappears, and you find yourself back in Tasha's courtyard with Safi and Claire...

But no one else is here.

>Look for Tasha

>Look for Abigail

>Look for Zee

>Other

>>45144245
>Look for Abigail

>>45144245
>>Look for Abigail

>>45144245
>Look for Abigail
>>Look for Zee

>>45144245
>>Look for Abigail

>>45144245
>Look for Abigail

>>45144245
>Look for Abigail

>>45144245
Oh god, did we kill tasha by using too much mana in the sword?

Ok, so I think we can all agree that Time Excalibur is the tits.

>>45144368
More likely that she gave up her immortality to give us that mana, and she was killed by another god.

>>45144368
Who the fuck knows, it's not like we have player agency on anything anymore, unless that's what the roll was for.

>>45144368
...the sword weaponizes and amplifies whatever magic you have right? What if time magic works similar to Balefire from the wheel of time through it? We all remember her cause we were in the arena, but the universe out here has been changed?

I guess that settles it. Since a second god just died, they're definitely blowing up Earth. The question is how much time do we have. Will they even wait for the Blood moon to resolve?

Sucks to be in the EU right now. Hopefully things won't be too fucked up when I wake up.

>writing

>>45144430
The Traitor's final betrayel was against her fellow gods.

I like it.

>>45144489
She was the concept of selfbetrayal, which she did here. Wanting to find a dark corner of the universe to hide in, then giving up her life to save Saif? Definitely betraying herself

"Where is everyone?" You ask.
"Do you smell smoke?" Safi asks. "I smell smoke"

"Could it be from the bonfire?" Claire asks.
"It could be from that" You say, pointing to the massive plume of smoke rising from around the front of the house.

This doesn't feel right. You take off, crashing through the glass door back into the house, and out the glass front door.

On the front lawn there is what appears to be a massive pyre. A lone figure stands in front of it, looking on in horror.

You step carefully up behind them. It isn't until you get closer that you recognize her...

"Zee?" You call out. "Zee, what happened here?"
Zee turns to face you, with her usual passive expression. "Tasha is gone" She says.
"I know that" You say. "What happened?"

"She got mad 'cuz they were cheating" Zee says. "She said that you wouldn't make it, so she..."

You kneel down and hug her. Tasha opened you up to the wellspring because she knew you couldn't handle what was happening in the Arena... and it cost her her immortality, as well as her life...

"Where is Abigail?" You ask.
"In there..." Zee says, pointing to the fire. "Abigail fought to save Tasha, cuz Tasha was saving you..."

No... no. It can't... she can't be-

>It can't end this way

Your own voice echoes in your head, sending a jolt of pain down your spine.

You said that... but when did you say that? You don't remember...

"Who was it?" You ask. "Who killed them?"
"It was-"
"Me" A new voice echoes.

>[1/2]

You're not provoking any feels with abigail dying. Literally everyone called it from the moment she wanted to surrender.

>>45144770
>tfw I invested a shitload of time in this quest for this

>>45144835
I'm feeled out to be honest, I don't care anymore

I'm reserving any and all judgement for the thread end.

>>45144770
>"Me" A new voice echoes.
The Witch. Because that'd be the predictable twist.

New plan. Saif keeps playing, wins, and channels all the blood moon's mana through the sword to destroy the wellspring, and all the gods can go suck a dick.

>I can save them!

You turn to see a new person. A new god.

"And to whom do I owe the displeasure?" You ask.
"I am the Creator"

>I can fix this!

"Funny, you don't look like a Creator" You say. "You don't act like one either. Last I checked, a creator creates. I think I'll be calling you something else"
"Like the destroyer?" Safi asks.

You turn to see Safi and Claire beside you.

"Like... Carl" You say. "Much less extravagant. Nobody hears the name Carl and thinks 'that guy must be the second oldest chump in the universe"
"Mind your words-"

"Or you'll what?" You ask. "Kill me? I'm still a Champion, you know. Come after me, and you can kiss your precious immortality goodbye"

The Creator remains silent, and you smile.

"Which is the only reason why I'm still alive, probably" You say.

"But the mana has to go to one of us eventually" A new voice says.
"The Witch. I presume" You say.
The new goddess smiles. "Me, or him" The Witch says. "Choose"

>Surrender to Claire

>Surrender to Safi

>Fuck all y'all. The mana is mine

>And what if I don't?

>Other

>>45144982
>>Fuck all y'all. The mana is mine

>>45144982
>Call to the cosmos for The Fool.

>>45144982
>And what if I don't?

>>45144982
>Fuck all y'all. The mana is mine

>>45144982
>Fuck all y'all. The mana is mine
Fuck this shit.

>>45144982
>Fuck all y'all. The mana is mine

HAHA

>>45144982
>Other
Where the hell is Moriarty

>>45144982
>Reach out to the voice in our head.
Fuck it, I'll bite the plot hook.

>>45144982
>Out of curiosity what happens when there's two champions left and one of them kills the other outside the arena.

>>45145009
>>45145032
>>45145036
>>45145046
Destroy the wellspring?

>>45144982
>Fuck all y'all. The mana is mine
Don't know shit about human spite bitch

>>45145088
This isn't the wellspring. Though we might still be connected to the wellspring?

>>45145088
We'll see

>>45144982
>>45145069
Yeah sure

>>45145104
No, as in, use that bloid moon mana through the sword to destroy the wellspring. It seems like thr gods overall have been nothing but bad news.

>>45145136
Yeah that seems a little... Out if our capabilities, and quite possibly not actually possible.

God War now!

>writing

>>45144982
You know normally this is when you'd start trying to bribe us. Especially the witch since if we did play ball we'd almost definitely go with the creator because the witch was complicit with Harvey.

>>45145172
The sword's sentient and can direct the mana itself. Doing that would definitely kill us, but if these gods keep dicking us around... Besides the sheer amount of mana in the moon will kill us anyway.

"And if I do choose, what happens to my world?" You ask.

The gods are silent.

"ANSWER ME" You shout. It's been a long day, and you're incredibly short on patience.

They remain silent. But their answer is clear. Neither of them would want to tell you that they intend to glass the place and bounce.

"Fine" You say, turning to Safi. "Hey"
"You have a plan?" Safi asks.
"Maybe" You say.
"Is it good?" She asks.
"No" You say.

Safi takes your hand, giving you the Cane and the Canvas.

"Are we... really doing this?" Claire asks.
"Yes" Safi says.
Claire gives you a worried look, but after a moment she smiles. "I 'ave faith in you" She says, as she also takes your hand, and gives you the Hands and the Mask.

"This is a foolish ploy" The Creator says. "How can you hope to withstand-"
"I don't" You say. "That's the point. I won't be able to withstand it"

You call up the sword again, as you feel the Moon's mana begin to flow into you.

"Thing is" You say, holding the sword up as things get into full swing. "Neither will you"

>[1/2]

>>45145198
Like even a "I'll make sure the coven and sacred mountain die especially unpleasant deaths when we're wiping out humanity" would be better than this.

>>45145384
>"Thing is" You say, holding the sword up as things get into full swing. "Neither will you"

My nigga

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>>45145384
>"Thing is" You say, holding the sword up as things get into full swing. "Neither will you"

You clench your teeth to hold back the screams. This is 1000 times worse than when you were opened to the wellspring.

Then, it was just giving you more mana as quickly as you could use it. Powering the sword may have stressed you a bit, but it was still better than this.

Now it just keeps coming. You can't use it up anywhere near quickly enough. Your reserves fill, then overflow. Mana pours out of you, straining your physical form to its limits, and then beyond them.

Memories flood your mind. They are all yours, but they are not... it takes a second for you to understand. They are yours. They are from different 'Saifs'.

Each one got pulled into this mess.

Each one fought.

Each one loved.

Each one lost what mattered most.

Each one broke their word, choosing to try and fix things instead of following through on their promise to Kyla.

Each one thought that starting over would help.

Each one was wrong.

You can't bring back the dead. The universe doesn't like being altered.

How were you to know that starting over to fix things would only make things worse?

That the same determination to fix things that drove you forward was the same thing that was breaking you from the inside.

Every time you started over, those who had died would die. You could never save them. You could only bring further death to the world.

You swing your sword and watch through eyes that are not your own as the gods before you, beings that would live eternally, learn what Eternity is.

A lie.

The wave travels forward, turning the gods to dust, and then the moon. In the distance the stars go out... everything turns to black...

>[2/3]

>>45145632
I fucking called it

Inconsistent as shiiit.

>>45145632
>The wave travels forward, turning the gods to dust, and then the moon. In the distance the stars go out... everything turns to black...
https://youtu.be/O4irXQhgMqg

You awaken in a void.

"Oh, I've survived" You say. "Probably"

You turn to view your surroundings. It's a bit difficult, as there doesn't seem to be any ground here.

Sorry, that's wrong. There is a ground, but it is not made of ground. It is made of moments.

Which doesn't make much sense. How can the ground be made of moments? Moments aren't a 'thing'... are they?

Or maybe they are... you aren't in the best position to decide that.

Your body drifts, slowly turning away from the strange "ground". You struggle to turn back down, but there isn't anything to grab onto...

Oh, wait. There is a thing. In the center of the momentary ground, there's an orb made of nothing... which also doesn't make sense.

You try to get a better look at it, but you continue to drift.

"Damn it, stay still would you?" You say, but your body doesn't seem to obey.

You try to get a grip on the orb, but it slips away and you continue to turn.

As the orb passes your vision again, you draw your sword and stab the stupid thing. Then you regret stabbing the stupid thing, as something begins to bleed from it.

"Oh, uh... shit" You say.

>Try and fix it

>Pull the sword out

>Leave it be

>Other

>>45145813
>>Try and fix it
>>Pull the sword out

>>45145813
>Try and fix it

This should be good

>>45145813
>Other
Start jacking off.

>>45145813
DRINK ITS DELICIOUS BLOOD

>>45145854
>>45145855
I know I shouldn't, but I laughed

>>45145855
this tbqh famalam

>>45145813
>>Try and fix it

>>45145813
Jack off while drinking the blood.

>>45145813
This>>45145855
Drink the something-from-nothing.

>>45145813
>>Try and fix it

Huh.

>writing

"Okay, I can fix this" You say. "Maybe if I... oh, no. That's not going to work... uhh..."

You watch as the strange substance leaks from the orb, falling to the moments below and lighting them up. You watch as the senseless void comes alive, and you look back at your sword.

Then you pull it out, and the trickle becomes a torrent, or a...

... a wellspring.

"Woops" You say. "I think... Yes. I just created the universe"

The energy gives form to new life. You watch in awe as it thrives and grows, then withers and dies. In countless places and times, life grows, flourishes, withers, and dies.

Such is the natural cycle. Nothing wrong with it, even if it seems a bit cruel.

Nevertheless, you search the ground for one particular instance of life. And you do find it.

Earth.

All along its path, you see little red dots. On the grand scale of things, the Blood Moon was quite the event. You watch as 200 hands reach up to each one, but only two comes away with it: a god, and a human.

You follow the line of red dots all the way up to the tangled mess, where the line ends.

That is you... sort of. You aren't sure if you are you anymore. You certainly feel like you, but you also feel rather... not you.

It's hard to explain, which is probably why you're doing such a sorry job.

Still, the sudden and abrupt tangle that ends the line of your world all too prematurely is a big problem. And one that you should probably solve...

But how?

>[1/2]

>>45146251
"Woops" You say. "I think... Yes. I just created the universe"
ive always had a fondness of this interpretation of the beginning of the universe.

>>45146251
>we were the fool all along

Neat

Come on we totally could've switched people we care about out for copies that die instead if you actually gave us the opportunity to do anything but watch you wank over our lack of agency

>>45146321
>Neat
I think you mean
>Predictable.

It occurs to you that your attitude about the problem was not the problem. It was your approach.

By going back in time, you doomed everything. But that was just because your viewpoint was too limited. From here you can see the solution, plain as day.

You reach down and place a finger on the little red dot, your blood moon, and push it forward into the unknown beyond it.

All the lives that it claimed are returned.

All the suffering it caused is undone.

A true fresh start. Nobody must suffer. Nobody must die.

As your dear lady once said: Everyone can be happy.

Satisfied, you peer around at this place. Taking one last look at the strange space that you're leaving.

Then you dive back into yourself, to take part in this bit of happiness that you'll create.

The universe has gone too long without you. You'd say it's been almost an eternity, but of course eternity is not a thing.

You step back into your body as you walk into your apartment, shaking off your momentary confusion. You take a few steps into the place you call home, and you are greeted by your cat, who whips his head around and looks at you like you just told him you have a third ball.

"Sup fuzzball?" You ask.

Moriarty tips his chin to you, and you do the same. Then he goes back to glaring at a pigeon on the balcony.

The fuzzball looks bigger than you remember him, but then it has been a few months. You check the calender and see that it's been a few months.

"That would explain the sweater" You say, as you walk up to the window.

High in the sky, the moon looks down on the earth. It seems to ask you a question. A short, simple. "now?"

You smile. "Yeah, now's good" You say.

The moon releases its burden, and you watch in mild amusement as the children scramble to get their little tournament together.

If only they knew...

That is all she wrote.

Blood Moon will return in a few weeks for a (hopefully) short run, but before that I'll be running the Devil's Daughter sometime soon. Most likely next weekend.

As always I'll be sticking around in case anyone has questions, suggestions, or complaints.

>"universe hates being altered. Can't undo deaths."
>QM narrates altering the universe and undoing a bunch of deaths.

>>45146706
>devil's daughter
hype

>>45146706
I'm not sure I understand what we did, I have a vague idea, but could you clarify for me?

Also thanks for running

>>45146706
Awesome! Good run, Smiley!

>>45146720
Oh yeah nigga, it's gonna be awesome

>>45146711
Do you honestly feel like you've run this thing in good faith?

>>45146711
He also at that point created the universe, so the universe couldnt do shit about it.
Also, from outside of time, he wasnt undoing anything, he was just causing event to begin later

>>45146798
Distinction without a difference.

>>45146706
This is supposed to be a what? A "daddy's back, so now all the naughty children get punished" ending?

Did you write yourself into a corner, or run out of ideas or something?

>>45146867
This was probably always going to be the end, its just much less brilliant than in Smiley's head

>>45146867
>>45146914
I'll admit that a better writer could have pulled this off better than I did. But nobody is perfect.

And what kind of ending it is, is pretty much up to you guys. This isn't really the end of the quest.

>>45146980
No but seriously >>45146740

>>45146980
It's been a helluva ride, Smiley. I'm looking forward to your future stuff!

>>45146980
No I don't think a better writer could have pulled it off better because its fundamentally incongruous with questing.

>>45146980
It's not that the writing was bad, it just felt like you were following a generic tragedy plot by the numbers for the last couple of threads.

>>45147010
The problem with the time travel plan was: if you go back to the past, anyone who died before will die again.

Saif bypassed that problem by pushing the Blood Moon into the future, where nobody's fate was decided.

>>45147123
Then that's something I'll work on, for future projects. Definitely not going to do something like this again, >>45147100
is right, this sort of thing does not mesh well with questing. At least not how I was doing it.

>>45147123
Regardless of our action too. Nothing inherently wrong with a generic tragedy plot by the numbers but A: should probably announce that it's a tragedy quest from the start and B. A quest should probably only be by the numbers if the anons are making by the number choices.

>>45147177
I don't see how they wouldn't all due in non-blood moon related circumstances and then a bunch of other suckers suffered the blood moon.

>>45147260
I think he's saying that Saif pushed the Blood Moon's beginning to be a few months further down the line, which means that none of his loved ones have competed yet, AND he won't be repeating things in that same loop of two weeks.

>>45147371
Yeah but they should still all die in non-blood moon related circumstances (or hell, in the pushed back bloodmoon)

Making someone we're not fond of our champion and laughing at "fuck fuck fuck the fool exists?" Yay/nay

>>45147621
Depends on how Smiley plans on running.

Could be funny, though.