>>1499418

A puddle splashes underfoot as you sprint through it, the fleeting shock of cold water barely noticeable compared with the burning pain slowly filling your legs. You've lost track of exactly how long you've spent chasing this Intruder through the city streets, but it's been too damn long. The thing never stays still long enough for you to fight it, always fleeing at the first sign of trouble. So, you devised a plan.

“Take your next left,” Maika instructs you, her cool voice coming though your headset. Grunting an acknowledgement, you fly around the next corner and lock eyes with the Intruder. A thin, warbling squeal escapes it as it turns to flee, only for Ayane's hunting hound to bound out and cut it off. Twisting around like a pillar of smoke, the Intruder slips down the one alleyway left open to it – a dead end.

The plan worked perfectly.

Caught between you and a solid wall, the shapeless Intruder freezes in place. Then, as if resigning itself to the inevitable, it turns and forms ragged claws from the oozing mass of its arms. Preparing itself for battle, its jaw yawns open wide and lets out a rattling hiss.

That's when the world collapses in on it, a streak of metal plummeting from the sky to crush it flat and spear it in place. Slain instantly – although “destroyed” might be closer to the mark – the Intruder's corpse is reduced to slime beneath the fourth member of your little hunting party. Straightening up, the young girl lifts the visor of her helmet.

“Hey,” Emi says, greeting you with a bland wave, “When are we gonna have that dinner party, anyway?”

-

The celebration dinner that Maika promised is running late, delayed due to several factors. Business dealings, the heiress has tried to explain, things that make it hard for her to get any free time. She went into more detail – an almost exhaustive level of detail, in fact – but you very quickly lost track of her explanation. At the end of the day, the result was the same – she was taking a support role, drawing plans and directing your actions, while the rest of you did the hard work.

It's not a bad system, but you can sense a faint impatience growing in Emi. She doesn't seem like someone who believes in delayed gratification, and the lack of any solid information doesn't help. So long as she's content to take her frustration out on the Intruders, though, it's fine with you.

And she certainly is content. You've fought a few minor Intruders since returning from the class trip, and Emi has quickly adapted to combat. Now, she wields her massive blade like an extension of her own body, and she fights with a broad grin slashed across her face.

[2/3]

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>>1499419

“But man, all that work and for what?” Emi groans, a short while later, “That little asshole was barely a Thrall. Damn...”

“Hey, I don't mind,” Ayane shrugs, “It's good to keep busy, right? It's either this, or sitting at home and being single.”

“Oh right, you were meaning to talk with...” you recall, “Uh, how did it go?”

“Not gonna lie here,” she tells you gravely, “We never even got to the “talking” part. I, uh, I stopped by his apartment in order to talk things out with him, only... I found him in bed with some new girl. That... well, things sorta blew up after that. Long story short, I'm single now – and it's about time!”

“Wow,” Emi chuckles softly, “You didn't set your dog on him, did you?”

“No, but I was tempted,” Ayane admits, “But... hey, that reminds me. Miho, I've got a bone to pick with you! Did you tell Kurosawa that I was having problems?”

“...Maybe?” you reply with a shrug, “Sorry Ayane, I was worried about you. He didn't make things worse, did he?”

“No, he... actually, he tried to help. Just, I never EVER want to have a cat lecture me about boy troubles again. It was more awkward than talking to my mom,” a shudder runs through Ayane, “But you know, I guess it did help a little. It was kinda funny, and he actually seemed genuine. So, what I mean to say is... thanks for looking out for me, Miho.”

“Hey,” you assure her, “We've got to look out for each other, right?”

-

Your little group parts ways a short while after bringing the Intruder down, with everyone heading off in their own directions. Sighing and fighting back a yawn, you start to take a slow wander back home. Losing yourself in a daydream, it takes you a moment to notice the car that draws up beside you, slowing to match your pace. Jolting back in surprise – and no small amount of fear – you almost flee. Then, the tinted window slides down to reveal a familiar face, and you relax... a little bit.

“Good evening Miss Tsukada,” Jun Kiriyama greets you, “A nice night for a stroll, wouldn't you agree?”

“Maybe,” you agree cautiously, faint alarm bells ringing deep in your mind, “But you're driving.”

“Very true,” Jun admits, a slight smile dancing across his lips, “Would you like to join me? I'm not going anywhere special, but I do enjoy taking the car out for a spin... when I get the chance. Not as much free time as I'd like, these days. Come, you can keep me company – don't worry, I won't steal you away, I promise.”

Frowning, you glance up and down the empty streets. A few other vehicles drive past, but all of them are operating under remote control. Tonight, Jun might as well be the only human driver on the roads.

>Fine, I'll bite. Let's go for a drive
>Sorry, but I'm not in the mood
>Other

>>1499421
>Fine, I'll bite. Let's go for a drive

>>1499421
Ayne are you ok so are you ok ayne ayne are you ok are you ok ayne

>>1499421
>Fine, I'll bite. Let's go for a drive
>Trying awfully hard to both impress and be cool aren't you?

>>1499421
>>Sorry, but I'm not in the mood

>>1499421
>>Fine, I'll bite. Let's go for a drive
Did we ever actually tell Jun our name?

>>1499449
Think so. And if we didn't I'm pretty sure he knows it anyways.

Taking another long, careful glance around, you sigh a little. “You're trying awfully hard to impress, aren't you?” you ask Jun, “Not to mention being cool about all this. You guys must know how this looks.”

“Yes, this probably does look... less than subtle,” Jun admits, “But, believe it or not, this whole show isn't something I specifically put together for your benefit. I'd like to explain more, but wouldn't it be better if we talked in the car? Talking like this looks rather... unseemly, wouldn't you agree?”

It takes you a moment to realise what he means. Standing at the side of the road like this, leaning down to peer through a car window... “unseemly” isn't the word you'd use. Colouring a little, you pull your jacket tighter around you. “Fine then,” you decide, “I'll bite. Let's go for a nice drive – just no funny business, okay?”

“I wouldn't dream of it,” Jun assures you, leaning across to open the car door as you slide into it. As you fumble the seatbelt into place, you notice that he's wearing gloves – thin leather driving gloves. “A little affectation,” he admits with a faint laugh, noticing your glance, “When I was young, driving cars like this was all I ever wanted to do. It seems silly now, that I set my sights so low...”

“That's cute. I can really picture you pushing about a toy car, you know,” you remark, “But you ARE a safe driver, right? I mean, you're not about to do anything dumb like driving the wrong way down a busy road... right?”

“Wouldn't that be amusing?” he murmurs, before shaking his head, “But no, I prefer to keep these drives relaxing. It helps me think.”

“I'm sure,” you reply, barely paying attention to what he's telling you. Your mind is elsewhere, going back over the previous times you've spoken with the Sentinels. The more you think, the more uneasy you get. “You know,” you tell him slowly, your low voice competing with the equally hushed engine, “I don't ever recall telling you my name...”

“Oh, that's true,” Jun nods, pausing as he pulls the car around a tight corner, “I suppose you didn't. Still, you really shouldn't underestimate what we're capable of doing – learning a few names is an easy task, especially in this day and age. Once you have a name, the rest is just as easy – family history, academic records, even a general pattern of movement...”

“I think you should stop the car now,” you declare, keeping your voice cold to stop it from trembling, “This ride isn't as relaxing as you suggested.”

“Oh, don't be like that,” the Sentinel scolds, carefully pressing down on the accelerator and coaxing a little more speed out of the car, “If it's any consolation, I never set out to learn your identity. It was a... how to put this? A happy accident, or perhaps a quirk of fate. Our paths crossed recently, even if you didn't realise it at the time.”

[1/2]

>>1499475

Biting your lip, you picture the Sentinel car slipping quietly through rainy streets, on its way to visit the Renko Biotech labs and EVE. Swallowing carefully, you force a more neutral expression. “So you just happened to learn my name,” you tell him, “And then what, you decided to go looking for me?”

“No, it's just as I said – I didn't set this up for your benefit. If anything, I was rather surprised to see you here,” the car slows as it approaches a red light, only for it to change green before the car could stop completely. With the faint hum of the engine, the car speeds up once again. “You haven't contacted us at all,” Jun points out, “No interest in cooperating?”

“I've been busy,” you shoot back, “That's all.”

“Busy,” Jun muses on the word, “Busy saving the world?”

“Busy with school,” you correct him sharply, “If you've seen my academic record, you'll know that I've got a lot of hard work to do.”

“Hmm, true,” he concedes, “One must always seek to balance their studying with their “other” work. I'm not so different, although my daily life is rather less onerous than yours.”

He lapses into silence after that, graciously allowing you a moment to gather your thoughts. Putting aside your initial shock, you really shouldn't be surprised to hear your name coming from his lips. It's not such a difficult task to research someone, even without a name as a starting point, and you've done the same to him. You and Maika started digging almost as soon as you met the pair of Sentinels...

“So!” Jun lightly slaps the car's steering wheel, “I was sent here, not quite sure what I might find, and I stumble across you. By coincidence – although I wonder if there really are such things as “coincidences” - I find myself in need of help. A minor triviality, really...”

Again, he pauses to invite your answer. Still keeping that neutral expression, you let your eyes flick over to the car door – still securely locked, of course. No doubt you could smash it off, and even leaping from a speeding car wouldn't harm you much, but...


But it might be a little early for anything that extreme. Besides, you're a little curious now, even if you wouldn't admit it openly.

>What kind of “triviality” is this?
>What do you mean, you were “sent” here?
>It was EVE, wasn't it? You found me through EVE
>I had a question for you, first... (Write in)
>Other

>>1499483
>I had a question for you, first... What's your name, your real name, not the stage one you show so vigorously.
>>It was EVE, wasn't it? You found me through EVE
>What kind of “triviality” is this?

>>1499483
>>What kind of “triviality” is this?

>>1499483
>What kind of “triviality” is this?
>It was EVE, wasn't it? You found me through EVE

“I have a question for YOU, first,” you tell him, “What's your name? Your real name, I mean – not this stage name that you throw about.”

“A stage name?” Jun laughs at that, and his laugh is strangely unforced. Perhaps the first normal, genuine laugh you've heard from him, although there is little humour in it. Surprise mostly. “Believe it or not, Jun Kiriyama IS my real name,” he tells you, “It was the name I was born with, and I've never changed it. Do you trust me that little?”

“Do you really want an answer to that?” you counter.

“Yes, well, I suppose not,” conceding the point with a grudging nod, Jun reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small wallet. Glancing away from the road for just a moment, he tosses it into your lap. “Take a look if you like, everything is in there,” he adds as he returns both hands to the wheel, “All my various cards and documents. Forging documents is a very serious crime, you know.”

Snorting out a derisive laugh, you flip open the wallet and leaf through the contents. No cash or anything like that, but several cards. Driver's license, Citizen ID, an employee card for Hieroglyph Marketing - all with his name and photo. They could ALL be fake, but... your gut tells you that they're genuine. Frowning a little, you flip to the last item and pause. A picture of a much younger Jun – just a few years older than you, probably, standing arm in arm with an equally young bride. Wincing a little at the sick, voyeuristic feeling that coils up in the pit of your stomach, you hastily close the wallet.

“Convinced?” Jun asks, without glancing around.

“I don't... I'm not sure,” you admit, “Maybe you're just really dedicated to this act of yours.”

“And if I was that dedicated, would I really give it up just because you asked me?” he counters, “In either case, I'm really not sure what I else I could do to convince you. Shall we agree to let the topic rest, then?”

The thought of an endless trail of suspicions and paranoia leads you to nod. There are other matters you'd rather talk about, after all, and there's no telling how long Jun's “relaxing” drive might last. “So it was EVE, wasn't it?” you ask him, “EVE led you to me.”

This causes Jun to look briefly around at you. “Correct,” he replies after a moment, “But I'm surprised that you guessed that so quickly. Maybe I shouldn't be – you're clearly capable, in more ways than I first thought.”

He doesn't exactly make that sound like a compliment. “Maybe you're just not as capable as you like to think,” you counter, “Even a Sentinel like you can make mistakes.”

“Apparently so,” he concedes lightly, a smile playing around the corners of his mouth.

[1/2]

>>1499522

“I suppose I can tell you this much,” Jun adds after taking the car around a series of smooth corners, “We received word – through... informal channels – that the EVE AI stationed at Mizuhashi Reserve had caused a brief and unexplained issue. It was deemed a matter of significance, and so I was sent there, along with another Sentinel, to investigate. EVE covered her tracks well, but she's not as smart as she thinks she is. She left a faint trail.”

He speaks of EVE as though she was human, you note. Saying nothing to this, you just nod and watch the evening streets glide past for a while longer.

“I won't pretend to be an expert in these matters, but I'm told that EVE accessed some personal records shortly before the power fluctuation. Naturally, I decided to examine them, to try and figure out exactly why she chose those specific records. Two names popped up,” he pauses here, perhaps for dramatic effect, “Yours... and one Chiaki Jackson. I'm rather curious about her.”

“Her parents work for Renko,” you point out, “But you probably know that already.”

“Yes, I do. Still...” Jun frowns, “She is, as far as we can tell, a person of no particular importance. We're all quite interested in seeing how she fits into all this. It could be that she's just a false lead, a mistake on EVE's part. As I said, EVE isn't as clever as she likes to think.”

AI stuff. It always gives you a headache, and the street lights flashing past outside the car don't help with that. All of a sudden, you just want to get this over with as soon as possible, even if that means taking Jun's bait. “Alright fine,” you sigh, “That “triviality” you mentioned – what exactly is it that you need help with?”

“Now, don't laugh,” Jun warns you, “But... childminding. Karl and I have been summoned to a rather important meeting, and I'd rather not leave Pietr without anyone to keep an eye on him. I dare say that he wouldn't come to any harm, if he was left alone, but it's not... advisable. A boy his age... who knows what sort of trouble he might get up to?”

“You're asking me to... babysit?” you ask, incredulously, “That's it?”

“Yes. Tomorrow evening,” nodding, Jun slows the car slightly, “It's a terrible imposition, I know, but would you help with this?”

Getting the chance to spend a little time with the Sentinel's young recruit on his own, with nobody to butt in... that might be worth the effort. But still – babysitting?

>Alright Jun, but you'll owe me for this
>You'll have to get someone else, I'm no babysitter
>Other

>>1499546
>Alright Jun, but you'll owe me for this
"I have to say though you Sentinels seem like you run a tight ship with discipline and what not. Hell Pietr didn't say a word when we were meeting. You sure he's the kind of kid that would get into trouble unsupervised?"

>>1499546
>>You'll have to get someone else, I'm no babysitter

>>1499546
>Alright Jun, but you'll owe me for this

>>1499546
>Alright Jun, but you'll owe me for this
"Why me, though? Don't you have anyone else you can ask?"

>>1499546
>Alright Jun, but you'll owe me for this
It's a trap. Pietr will be the one to watch us. But we can come prepared and turn the tables on them.

>>1499546
>>Alright Jun, but you'll owe me for this
Can't hurt to have something on them and a very slim chance at some info.

>>1499546
>Alright Jun, but you'll owe me for this
probably just as much for their spying as it is for ours.

“Alright Jun, but you'll owe me for this,” you decide with a grudging sigh, “And I've got a few questions first – I'm not running into this blind.”

“You make it sound as though this could be a battle,” Jun laughs lightly, “And you might not be entirely wrong. However, you're right to ask your questions now – what do you want to know?”

“Well, first of all, why me?” you ask bluntly, “Don't you have anyone else you can ask? Hell, couldn't you just hire someone?”

“Normally, I would turn to one of my fellow Sentinels, but that isn't an option this time. The Council of Twelve has summoned all of us to a grand assembly. I wish I knew why!” tightening his grip on the steering wheel, Jun turns the car into a wide, straight road. As a strangely feral grin flashes across his face, the car begins to gather speed. “So, I'm forced to spread my net a little wider. However, I would prefer to ask someone I know already – and someone who knows Pietr.”

“Someone who knows that you have him in that apartment of yours,” you counter, “Right?”

“Yes... if you want to put it that way,” Jun admits, “It may cause unnecessary questions if... well, no matter.”

If a young boy with no Citizen ID was found in his apartment, you think to yourself, “unnecessary questions” might well be the least of his worries. Still, it seemed vulgar to press the point, so you nod silently. “I have to say, though,” you remark, “You Sentinels seem to run a pretty tight ship, with your discipline and all. Pietr didn't even say a single word when we were meeting. You really think he's the type to get into trouble if left unsupervised?”

“You are correct there, in that he's normally well behaved. However, I like to be absolutely certain about these things. Still, you did remind me of something,” Jun holds up a finger, tapping his lips, “When you last saw him, Pietr had undertaken a vow of silence. He's been released from that vow since, so you'll be able to communicate with each other. Even so, I wouldn't expect him to be very talkative.”

“Yeah, he didn't seem very... loud,” you admit, “But seriously, there's really no other reason for this?”

Jun takes a moment to answer this, and when he does he chooses his words with great care. “Pietr is at the stage where he really shouldn't be left alone,” he tells you eventually, “At this point, I'm not permitted to say anything more – not to one of the uninitiated. There should be no danger, don't let it bother you. Just keep him out of any trouble.”

“I... sure,” you reply slowly, “Is there anything you want me to do, while I'm watching him? Anything he isn't allowed to do?”

“We like to keep a modest lifestyle,” Jun answers, “But that's as a matter of personal preference. As for what you should do... perhaps something educational? Either way, I leave the final decision to you.”

[1/2]

>>1499607
>perhaps something educational
something something sex ed etc

>>1499607

With that decision out of the way, Jun pulls the car around in a tight circle and takes you back towards more familiar streets. At one point you start to give him your address, but then you decide against it – he probably knows it already. True enough, Jun guides his vehicle almost directly to your door, although he stops a few buildings away from your apartment block. Murmuring a grudging thanks, you start to exit the car when Jun stops you.

“One moment please,” he says, taking out a small notebook and jotting down a short list of notes, “Here. Just in case I left out any details or if you happen to forget them, I've made a note. Don't worry too hard about any of this – I'm certain that you'll be fine.”

“I keep telling myself that as well,” you agree with a wan smile, “Thanks for the drive.”

“I enjoyed myself,” Jun replies, “Perhaps we should do it again, some time soon.”

To that, you offer a silent nod of acknowledgement. “I wouldn't bet on it,” you murmur a moment later, as he rolls up the car window and drives off.

-

As the elevator is gliding up to your floor, you check the list Jun gave you. There's nothing remarkable there, just a quick scrawl of details. The address you'll need to go to, a note that the kitchen has plenty of food, and an emergency contact number - “emergency” is underlined twice, the only flicker of emotion in the entire note. The rest of it could have been written by a machine.

Back in your room, you collapse down onto your bed and let out a massive yawn, all the day's fatigue coming crashing down on you at once. Despite that, and despite your earlier reluctance, you find yourself strangely optimistic about this. You'll have to be on your guard, of course – no doubt Pietr has his orders to watch you carefully – but it might actually be okay. You wouldn't say “fun” exactly, but...

Well, you'll see how things go.

-

School passes quickly, with everything following its appointed routine. Maika was absent, Ayane complained about how much work she'd been given, and Professor Carrington taught her lessons with the usual near-panic. In other words, it was a day of near perfect normality. The only difference was what lay ahead of you at the Sentinel building, as you've come to think of it.

After the school day, evening comes. Changed into neat, but informal clothes, you nevertheless feel out of place in the lobby of the Sentinel building, as you stumbled into the wrong place. Shaking off the uneasy feeling, you square your shoulders and march for the bank of elevators, making your way up to the correct floor. When you arrive, it's exactly as you remember it – complete with ancient swords in their glass cases.

“A modest lifestyle”, that's what Jun called it.

[2/3]

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>>1499713

Pietr is waiting for you – or perhaps just waiting – when you arrive at the apartment. Sitting at the same couch where you sat not so long ago, he flicks through a book with apparent disinterest. When you catch a glimpse of the book – it's a dry looking religious tome, some kind of bible study textbook – it's not hard to understand his lack of enthusiasm. When you clear your throat, he delicately closes the book and turns your way.

“I remember you,” he says softly, his voice almost musical, “You were here before.”

“And now I'm here again,” you agree, immediately wincing at how coarse your voice sounds compared to his, “Uh... Miho Tsukada. You're Pietr, right?”

“That's right,” the boy tells you, without bothering to offer any other name. There's a trace of an accent in his voice, maybe something European – Russian, something like that?

“So...” you fumble for a moment, unsure of what to say next, “Nice place, huh?”

“It's a roof over my head,” Pietr concedes, “Jun and Karl are very kind to provide that for me.”

Your earlier thoughts – that you might be able to coax a little information out of the boy – are rapidly coming undone. Just holding a normal conversation with the boy is challenging enough, let alone teasing out his secrets. Maybe...

“Are we going to do anything today?” he asks lightly, his eyes widening a little, “Jun mentioned that we might go somewhere.”

This, at least, is something you can talk about. During lunchtime, you did a little research about what you could do, narrowing it down to two likely candidates. According to your reading, there's a small art gallery not too far from the Sentinel building, open until late. Also nearby, although rather less educational, you were able to find an arcade – the kind with all manner of retro games. You've heard it mentioned at school, although you've never actually visited it yourself.

Or, you could just stay at home. Even with Pietr around, you might be able to search the place a little...

>Let's do something educational, there's an art gallery nearby
>Let's do something fun, and go to the arcade
>I'm kinda tired, let's stay here tonight
>Other

>>1499777
>Let's do something fun, and go to the arcade

>>1499777
>>Let's do something fun, and go to the arcade
This is also educational. Learning how to have fun.

>>1499777
>>Let's do something fun, and go to the arcade

“Let's do something fun!” you decide, clapping your hands together as you paste a cheerful smile on your face, “We could go to the arcade, play some games. How does that sound, Pietr?”

“The arcade?” this, at least, takes him off-guard, “I mean, if that's what you want...”

“It is! You can think of it as being educational, if you really want to,” you tell him briskly, “Learning to have fun like a normal human being – that's super important! Probably more important than any of that... other stuff.” Saying this, you flap a hand at the weighty book that Pietr had been reading. “Besides, I've been put in charge here,” you add, “So if anyone gets in trouble for this, it'll be me.”

“If you're going to take responsibility, I suppose it must be fine,” Pietr decides with a stiff nod, “Are we going now? I'll get my coat.” There's something sinuous about the way he rises from the couch, as though he was a professional dancer rather than... whatever he is now. Without glancing back around at you, he slips out of the room.

“Ayane was right,” you mutter, “Weird kid...”

-

Pietr barely says a word as you lead him to the arcade, glancing down at the directions on your phone as you go. When you arrive, you're far from impressed – the arcade is almost indistinguishable from the surrounding buildings. It's only when you enter, passing through a thick, soundproof wall, that the building's true purpose reveals itself. A wall of noise – a storm of digital gunfire, shouting and crashing music – strikes you, accompanied by all manner of flashing lights.

“Wow...” Pietr breathes, a rare expression of wonder forming on his face.

“Yeah,” you agree, “It's... really something, huh? No wonder people at school talk about it so much...”

“Well, yes, but...” clearing his throat and tugging at the hem of his austere black coat, Pietr glances about, “But what do people do here?”

That, unfortunately, is a question that you can't accurately answer. “Play games, I guess?” you offer with a shrug, “Although we need coins or tokens first, I think, we should probably start there.” Looking around, you point up to a gaudy sign. “Oh, there we go!” you announce, reading it, “Let's go!”

-

First buying a heavy stack of plastic tokens – Jun will compensate you later, according to the note he gave you – you hone in on the first machine that attracts Pietr's attention and settle in. It's a shooting game, with uncannily realistic guns as the controllers. When you mention this, a faintly derisive look passes across Pietr's face.

“They're not THAT realistic,” he corrects you, taking one of the guns as you feed tokens into the hungry machine, “It's a two player game. You'll need to use the second gun.”

“Alright then,” grinning, you take the plastic gun in a tight grip, “I'll show you my skills!”

[1/2]

>>1499902
Silly Miho. You're playing against a tykebomb assassin.

>>1499902
Time to get wrecked

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>>1499902

“In my defence,” you tell him once the game is over, “I don't shoot things, I punch them. My friend is the one who shoots them, I bet she'd be better at this...”

“I understand,” Pietr replies, nodding solemnly, “Don't worry about it.”

“I'm not worried!” you hasten to say, trying not to look as the scores flash up on the screen. It's just a foolish game, anyway, what does it matter that Pietr score was ten times greater than yours?

“So do you want another game?” the boy asks innocently, “Or we could try something else. I think I saw a punching game back the way a little, maybe...” He lets his voice trail off here, the faint sceptical look on his face – appearing and disappearing so quickly that you can't be sure if it was ever there – telling you everything you need to know. He doesn't exactly rate your chances very highly, the cocky little shit.

And you never thought you'd call him that, before now – you're seeing a whole new side of him. The arcade is the means by which all is revealed... or something like that.

-

Loud shrieks and yells are not uncommon in this place, but the shout that reaches you as you're walking to the punching game is a rather familiar one. “Miho, hey!” the voice calls out, moments before an arm is thrown around your shoulder, “Never seen you around here before, this your first time?”

All too aware that Pietr is staring at you with wide, fascinated eyes, you carefully extract yourself from Chiaki's embrace. “Hello Chiaki,” you tell her, “Uh, yeah, this isn't my natural territory. You... come here often?”

Did Pietr just smirk at that, or was it just a trick of the light? Maybe not a smirk exactly, but something caused his face to twist for a moment...

“This is a great place to meet friends, you know?” Chiaki replies, “It's like... it's never boring or quiet, and there's always something to do. Even if someone's having, like, a down day or whatever, you can just play a game to cheer them up!” Laughing, Chiaki bumps her shoulder into yours, glancing around at Pietr. “So who's this?” she asks, “He's a little young, isn't he?”

“A family friend. Well, he's the nephew of a family friend,” you attempt, “There was an emergency, I had to step in and... well, you know. Isn't that right, Pietr?”

“What? I... excuse me,” Pietr takes a small step back, shaking his head a little, “I'm sorry, I feel unwell. The noise here...”

“Oh yeah, I get you. This place can be harsh if you're new,” nodding eagerly, Chiaki takes her phone out and starts to flick at the screen, “There's a cafe sorta thing upstairs, it's quiet there and the food isn't terrible. I gotta go, though, so I can't show you the way. Friends to meet, you know? Peace out!” Almost yelling that last part, she steps between you and Pietr, the camera on her phone flashing as she takes a quick picture.

Then she's gone, vanishing into the arcade.

[2/3]

>>1500071
She has photo evidence, she must be erased.

>>1500071

Pietr is silent as you fumble your way to the cafe Chiaki mentioned, which happens to be just barely less raucous than the arcade itself. Still, when you're settling into a small booth with a pair of cold drinks, Pietr seems to relax a little. Just a little.

“Something happened down there,” you guess, “Didn't it?”

“I... I'm not quite sure,” Pietr shakes his head slowly, “She is... like me, I think. Except, I don't know what that actually means – seeing her, I felt a sense of kinship, but I can't explain it.”

“Could you have seen her before?” you ask, “Did Jun show you her picture, maybe?”

“No, I don't think that's it,” he frowns with the effort of thinking, “Is she a friend of yours?”

He must have learned how to change the subject from Jun. Matching his frown with one of your own, you think carefully about what to do next. Jun said that there shouldn't be any problems, but...

The chime of your phone stirs you from your thoughts, the picture that Chiaki took earlier arriving. Both you and Pietr look startled, while Chiaki is beaming with a uniquely American smile – lots of white teeth on show. Sighing, you glance up. “I guess she's a friend, yeah,” you tell Pietr, “We go to the same school, see each other now and then. I never thought I'd see her here though...”

“School, huh?” Pietr muses, “That must be nice.” A wistful expression forms on his face for a moment. “I have to learn on my own,” he explains, “Outside of the system. That's what Jun tells me...”

He trails off here, finally opening his can of soda and giving you a cautious look – cautious, but inviting.

>Does Jun treat you well?
>Honestly, what do you know about these people?
>How did you end up with Jun in the first place?
>Stay here, I want to go and call Jun
>Pietr, I need to ask you something... (Write in)
>Other

>>1500112
>>Honestly, what do you know about these people?
>>How did you end up with Jun in the first place?

>>1500112
>Does Jun treat you well?
>Honestly, what do you know about these people?
>How did you end up with Jun in the first place?

>>1500112
>>How did you end up with Jun in the first place?

>>1500112
>How did you end up with Jun in the first place?

“Does he treat you well?” you ask, “Jun, I mean. He doesn't...”

“He doesn't hurt me, if that's what you're asking,” Pietr interrupts, “He is stern, yes, but only when he needs to be. I have to train, and prepare myself for... what comes next. It won't be long now, Jun tells me.” He hushes himself after saying this, his brow furrowing as he frowns. “I shouldn't say any more than that. There are rules,” the boy closes his eyes for a moment, “I can't say too much to the uninitiated. That means you, that means... everyone else.”

“It sounds lonely,” you point out carefully.

“It is,” the boy admits, “Which is why Jun does his best to make things easy for me. Karl would be far less caring. I admire Karl... but I don't like him. He pushes me hard. It's how he was trained, he tells me. When Karl is in charge he has me meditate for hours, in the worst conditions he can arrange. It's... not much fun.”

“But you endure it,” you muse, “This must be very important to you, but... honestly, what do you know about these people? This whole organisation of theirs?”

“The Sentinels? I imagine that Karl has told you some of our illustrious history. He says that he has it all memorised, although... I don't believe him. We protect people – that's all I really care about,” Pietr holds his cold can tightly, more for the chill of the metal than anything else, “Jun says that our gifts and our teachings have been handed down from god. He says that you have other gods, but that you're okay regardless.”

“Very magnanimous of him,” laughing a little, you open your own drink and take a sip, “I've got eighteen gods – imagine that, eighteen of them! Do you only have one, then?”

“One, yes,” Pietr nods firmly, “Jun calls it Monad, but he doesn't say much more than that. I don't like that. A god should be open to all, not hidden away... right?” As he asks this, the careful mask of maturity slips, and his true age shines through for a moment. He's young, and still uncertain about so many things. Looking at him now, shivering despite the warmth of the room, you find yourself wondering about him, about what kind of life he might have led up until now.

“If you don't mind me asking...” you begin, “How did you end up with Jun in the first place? Did he help you somehow?”

“He saved me,” Pietr admits after a moment, “A devil attacked my family, it... it killed them all, except for me. My brother, he... he tried to fight it, so that I could run. Jun and Karl found me. They killed the devil, but it was...” Pausing, he drags in a shuddering breath. “But it was too late for my brother,” the boy finishes, “I still dream about it. That's he's out there somewhere, that he's still looking for me...”

“A devil...” you murmur, “We call them Intruders. We fight them too.”

“Then we can be friends, I hope,” Pietr tells you, smiling a little.

[1/2]

>>1500259

“You know, I don't normally talk so much,” the young boy mentions, as you're leaving the arcade, “Mainly because of the vow of silence, though.” He smiles at that, just enough for you to realise that he was making a joke. “But... thank you,” he adds, “You're a good listener.”

“Yeah,” you reply, with a faint sinking feeling, “It's my... gift.”

“We probably won't have a chance to talk again. Not for a while, at least,” Pietr tells you, with what seems to be genuine regret, “Jun says that I'm going to be very busy soon. My time is coming soon.”

A note of dread finality enters his voice as he says this, and you find yourself shuddering a little.

-

Back at the Sentinel building, a thought occurs to you as you glance at Pietr's book. “Why are you reading something like this,” you ask, “If you lot have a different god? This... Monad, what kind of god is it?”

“Jun doesn't tell me much about it, but he says that it has four faces – Creativity, Ambition, Logic and Compassion. Four is a good number,” Pietr stresses that last part, “Four corners, four winds. Four great cities – although he never tells me what they are – four...”

“Okay, I get it,” you interrupt, “Four is a good number. Still, my question stands – why read something this dry?”

“Even if we don't believe in this god, Jun believes that we can learn from the lessons within,” Pietr sighs a little, “Even if they are terribly dull...” Wincing a little as he lifts the thick book, Pietr weights in his hands for a moment. Then, the phone rings and he rises to answer it. “Yes? Yes, I see. Yes, I'll tell her,” nodding – everyone nods on the phone, you've noticed – briefly, he hangs up, “Jun will be returning soon.”

“Couldn't have been a very long meeting,” you think aloud, “Well, anyway, I guess I'm sticking around until he gets here. I did say that I'd keep an eye on you.”

“Yes,” Pietr pauses, “I... have a confession to make. Jun asked me to do something. He asked me to-”

“To spy on me for him?” you finish for him, “I thought he might ask something like that. Honestly, I sort of assumed he would. It's what I'd do... probably.”

“Oh,” the boy frowns in thought, “I was worried that you'd get angry.”

“Nah, it's no big deal. Like I said, I'm not exactly surprised,” shrugging, you glance across at the clock, “You hungry? I'm pretty hungry. I might not be much of a cook, but I could probably throw something together before the others get back.”

“A light meal, perhaps. The kitchen is this way,” Pietr shows you through the kitchen – which is nearly the size of your apartment – and then sits and watches you carefully.

>One light meal, coming right up!
>So, spy, what were you planning to tell Jun?
>Are you feeling better now?
>Say, what else has Jun told you about me? My... sort of work?
>I need to ask you something... (Write in)
>Other

>>1500391
>One light meal, coming right up!
>Say, what else has Jun told you about me? My... sort of work?

>>1500391
>>One light meal, coming right up!
>Say, what else has Jun told you about me? My... sort of work?
Bounce the gods of our work against him

>>1500391
>>Say, what else has Jun told you about me? My... sort of work?

“One light meal, coming right up!” you announce brightly, opening cabinets at random as you try to piece something together, “You, uh... you're not a picky eater, are you?”

“No, I'll eat anything,” Pietr shakes his head, “Karl has me fast, sometimes. You really learn how to appreciate food that way.”

“Oh,” you say flatly, pausing with a packet of rice crackers in hand, “I'm... not sure what to say to that. Uh, sorry?” Shaking your head, you busy yourself with searching for other things to eat and think of something better to add. “Say, what else has Jun told you about me?” you ask after a moment more, “About, uh, my sort of work? I'd be willing to talk about it, if you're interested.”

“He says that you're interesting,” Pietr begins, “He really has no idea what you're capable of, how strong you can really get. He also says that you have a... a talking cat. Is that true?”

“Sure is,” you confirm, “Although he doesn't really talk. Not out loud, at least. The words just sort of... appear in your mind. There's a word for that, I think. Uh, telepathy? Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's it. He's... okay, I guess. He reminds me of Jun in a way, how he likes to keep things secret.”

“That's very important, having a hierarchy,” Pietr takes his time pronouncing that, careful not to make any mistakes, “Secrets are a part of that, and... oh! Can you transform? Jun says that you can change into ornate costumes, is that true?”

“Well, I wouldn't call it “ornate” exactly, but...” you mutter, concentrating for a moment and summoning your costume. Judging by the look on Pietr's face, it's nowhere near as impressive as he had been expecting. No gasps or cries of amazement, but he does give you a solemn nod of appreciation.

“I see. Power always has a form,” those words have the air of a quote about them, one of his lessons perhaps, “Just like Jun's tattoos, only-” From the way he bites his tongue, you realise that he just strayed into dangerous territory – something that he can't tell the “uninitiated”. When he holds his silence, you decide to coax him a little.

“Jun has tattoos?” you laugh, “No way, he's SO not the type. Maybe a corporate mark at most, but those barely count. These tattoos of his... what do they even look like?”

“It's true, I've seen them!” Pietr insists, breaking his silence and then immediately looking crestfallen. “Okay, but just... don't tell him that I said anything,” he adds in a low voice, “They're like flowers, all up and down his body and arms, only they... they move!”

Moving tattoos... that's something you'd like to see for yourself. Unfortunately, you can only think of one way to get a peek at them, and... it's not a very welcome proposition. “Don't worry,” you tell Pietr with a sly smile, “This can be our little secret.”

[1/2]

File: Karl Dietrich Kaplan.jpg (397 KB, 900x1256)

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>>1500539

The pair of you are still munching on rice crackers and sweet chilli dip when Pietr looks up suddenly. A moment later, you hear footsteps from down the hallway – the heavy footsteps of someone in no hurry at all. Brushing crumbs from your clothes and banishing the remains of your costume, you and Pietr head into the main room to meet the source of those footsteps. Pietr, you note, is less than enthusiastic about the whole thing. Those few flickers of life and humanity that you were just starting to get used to have vanished again, quickly hidden away.

The Sentinels are a particularly joyless sort, as you're coming to learn, and there are few more dour than the man you come face to face with as you return to the main room. Not Jun, as you had been expecting, but the man's companion.

Karl Dietrich Kaplan, looking thunderously unimpressed at... at the world in general, probably. When his eyes lock onto you, the corner of his mouth twitches up into maybe a smirk, maybe a sneer. “Pietr,” he announces coldly, not looking around at the boy, “Isolation. Attend to your studies – I imagine that you've been lax tonight.”

“Yes sir,” Pietr murmurs, his voice utterly empty and neutral. Bowing shortly, he retreats into a discrete side room.

“I was told that you'd be here,” Karl tells you, his voice smoother now that Pietr is gone, “I didn't approve of it, but we were left with little choice. I suppose this task would have been quite natural for you, though. Maybe we CAN work together from now on – you can take care of the domestic chores.”

You feel your cheeks heat up at his mocking words, your hands clenching into tight fists. Biting your lip hard enough to taste blood, you force your mind into a colder, clearer state. Losing your temper here would achieve nothing... even if punching Karl through a wall would be intensely satisfying.

“You're free to go,” Karl adds a moment later, faintly disappointed by your silence, “I imagine Jun will get in contact with you later, when he has some other chore that needs attending to. Good day, Tsukada.”

>Good day to you too... Kaplan
>If you've got a problem with me, just spit it out
>You should ease off on Pietr, he's a good kid – he doesn't deserve this
>I had something to ask you... (Write in)
>Other

>>1500610
>"Must be hard to sit with that stick so far up there Hans. Good day to you too."

>>1500610
>I had something to ask you..
>What made your parents never hug you?

>>1500610
>>Good day to you too... Kaplan
>>1500610

>>1500610
"Can't imagine how you would say so, given you must be in a great deal of pain with that stick so far up your ass."

“Good day to you too...” you mutter grimly, preparing to make your exit “Kaplan.”

“Karl Dietrich Kaplan, to you,” the Sentinel corrects you, moving to block your path as he says this, “And don't forget that.”

If he's expecting a grovelling apology, then he's going to be disappointed. Gritting your teeth, you push past the taller man and start down towards the elevators, but you pause before reaching them. Turning back, you shoot a vicious glare at Karl's back. “Hey Hans!” you ask in a loud voice, loud enough that Pietr must surely be able to hear you, “It must hard to sit down with that stick so far up your ass, huh? Is that why you're such a jerk, or is it because your parents never hugged you enough?”

“Excuse me?” he growls, turning on his heel and transfixing you with a deadly gaze, “You will take back those words, or-”

“Why is that, huh?” you press, a mad courage bubbling up within you, “I've been wondering, see? Why did your parents-”

And in the space between one word and the next, Karl is THERE, standing right in front of you. It's a trick you've seen before – the first time, he gripped your chin in one gloved hand. This time, that same hand comes streaking through the air in an open slap. His blow never lands, your costume flaring into life in the moments it takes for him to swing at you, and your guard coming up by instinct alone. For a few short seconds, you both freeze in place – his hand caught mere inches away from your cheek.

His other hand, now holding one of those museum piece pistols that he likes so much, is at your midsection, the gun brushing against your flank.

“Go ahead and shoot,” you dare him, “You'll get blood and bits of magical girl all over this hallway. Who's gonna clean that up, huh?”

“We have machines for demeaning tasks such as that,” he answers coldly, “Although it might be low, even by their standards.”

“Machines huh?” you taunt, “I guess your winning personality must make hiring humans difficult.”

“Perhaps I was wrong about you,” Karl admits, “At first, I thought you were a worthless distraction. Now, though... oh, I dearly want to see that pride of yours broken and dragged through the mud. I dearly long for the day when you cry out for my help. I-”

[1/2]

>>1500727

Behind you both, there is the sound of an elevator chiming, soon followed by the sounds of the doors gliding open.

“Would you both please put an end to this senseless posturing?” Jun sighs, stepping neatly out of the newly arrived elevator, “I had hoped that you would be able to play nicely together, but it seems that I was wrong. Miss Tsukada, I dearly apologise, but now is the time for you to leave. Karl, I'll... I'll speak with YOU later.”

There is a long pause, and then Karl's pistol vanishes in a flare of golden light. He lets out a curt laugh, and then takes an exaggerated step backwards. Never letting your eyes leave his, you back off into the elevator, only sighing in relief when the doors slide shut.

Taunts and bravado aside, you were just inches away from death. Some dark and nameless instinct, something that you trust implicitly, tells you so.

>I think I'm going to pause here for tonight, and continue this tomorrow. If anyone has any questions or comments, I'll answer them as best I can
>And thanks to everyone who contributed today!

>>1500739
Worth it.

Thanks for running.

>>1500739
Mahou-shoujo is about personal growth, so we must do a few stupid things to grow out of later.

Thanks for running! Please take care and don't let the QM curse get you.

How long until we find out our dad has already been replaced by an android?

>>1500781

When the Tsukada family sits down to a nice dinner together, only for Akito to tear his face off and start screaming, that's probably a good sign!

>>1500739
Thanks for running, Moloch!

Also... Pieter was recruited because he survived an encounter with an Intruder. He also sensed similarity with Chiaki, who also survived an encounter with an Intruder. This makes some important info for Kurosawa, since he'll be the one most likely to remember and trace back all Intruder attacks, to see if humans that survived encounters developed some sort of magic. Or, if that's too ambitious, he could check out Chiaki?

>>1501279
I was thinking the same thing, maybe all the Sentinels have survived attacks like that. They get lured or played with by Intruders and that's where their magic comes from. Should definitely keep an eye on Chiaki, they might try to recruit her if they know about her run in with the Intruder.

>>1500739
Thanks for running Moloch.

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“That was an incredible risk that you just took,” Kurosawa scolds you, his voice reaching you as you're leaving the Sentinel building, “That... man is strong, I cannot guarantee that you would have been able to defeat him, if it came to open combat.”

“Yeah?” you breathe, still faintly giddy with the confrontation, “It was totally worth it, though.”

“That is not the point,” the cat snaps, although you note that he doesn't exactly disagree with you, “You are too valuable to throw your life away in some senseless conflict or some foolish... mating ritual!”

“I... what?” you yelp in sudden surprise, “It was nothing like that! Where did you even get that idea?”

“Human relationships are an ever-changing labyrinth, where many things are not as they seem. That, at least, is what the Seeker of Truth tells me. We discussed the matter at great length,” there is, worryingly, no trace of insincerity in Kurosawa's voice as he tells you this, and you find yourself if this is Ayane getting her revenge in some abstract way. “Often, humans will act in ways opposite to their true feelings,” the cat continues, “In this case, the human known as Karl Dietrich Kaplan may simply wish to spend more time with you, but human social protocol demands that he presents it as a desire for competition.”

“I'm not listening to this,” you groan, clapping your hands over your ears as you walk a little faster, “I'm really not listening to any of this!”

“Regardless of his intentions, I urge you to stay away from such distracting influences from now on,” the cat continues on, back to scolding you now, “One minor slip or breach of your needlessly complicated social laws, and you could suffer a dire injury. His magical abilities are something I do not yet understand. It IS curious, however...”

“Yeah?” you ask, eagerly latching onto anything that isn't relationship advice, “What's curious?”

“The young human,” Kurosawa declares, “He is without any trace of the Intruder taint. I could sense no trace of their scent on him.”

“Huh,” you muse, “That... sorta makes sense. Pietr did mention that his time was yet to come. That might mean that his powers – whatever they are, and however they work – haven't... activated yet? Yeah, that's about as far as I can get.”

“Regardless, he seems quite safe to be around,” Kurosawa decides, “If you really must pursue a deep relationship with any of these humans, the youth might be-”

“Not listening!” you insist, blocking up your ears no matter how futile your efforts might be. You even hum a little, the loud and tuneless note drifting out to stir the evening air.

[1/2]

>>1502939

“Are you finished?” Kurosawa asks after a long moment. You stop humming and tentatively take your hands from your ears, waiting a moment before replying.

“Are YOU finished?” you counter, “Are we both finished with this stupid damn topic?”

“It would seem so,” the cat decides, a faint note of bemusement in his mental voice, “There are far more important matters to discuss, after all. Human relationships, while a source of endless curiosity, are ultimately little more a distraction. Draw on their strength, but do not allow them to control you.”

“Man, when you put it like that...” sighing, you take out your phone and look at Chiaki's newest photograph. She really does like taking pictures, you consider, no matter what the occasion or situation it might be. It seems like a rather strange habit to you, but maybe she's onto something. If you had more pictures of Hikari, maybe you'd be able to remember more about your sister.

And then your phone rings, startling you out of your reverie. Maika, assuming that the caller ID is accurate – for all you know, it might be an AI on the other end. That's just a fact of life that you have to live with these days, apparently.

“Hello?” you ask as you press the phone to your ear, “Maika, is that you?”

“Yes,” Maika replies, “Who else would it be?”

“Oh man...” you sigh, “Never mind that. What can I do for you?”

“I felt like talking to another human being,” the heiress tells you, “You're quite good at that.”

“That's right, Maika, I'm pretty good at being a human being. In fact, I consider that a point of pride,” pinching your brow and closing your eyes, you try to ward off what feels like an oncoming headache. “So now that we're talking,” you continue, “What do you want to talk about?”

“This Necropolis in the Umbra. We can explore deeper into it now, can't we?” she asks, “I'm free tomorrow after school finishes, and I suspect that the others will be much the same. Should we go and investigate?”

“Uh, hang on...” taking the phone from your ear for a moment, you glance into the closest pool of shadow, meeting Kurosawa's eyes, “Can we talk about this tomorrow?”

“By all means,” Maika agrees, “We can meet up at Emi's shrine after school. I'll pass the word around. Enjoy your night, Miho.”

“Good ni-” you begin, only for the heiress to hang up before you can finish your sentence. Staring at your phone for a moment, you slip it back into your pocket and glance back into the shadows. Slowly, Kurosawa emerges and fixes you with his usual cool, analytical gaze.

>So how do we even get back to this Necropolis?
>Are there any other gods out there, Kurosawa? Something called “Monad?”
>Moving tattoos now... These Sentinels are just full of surprises, aren't they?
>C'mon admit it, you want to see Karl taken down a peg just as much as I do
>Other

>>1502940
>>Are there any other gods out there, Kurosawa? Something called “Monad?”

>>1502940
>Are there any other gods out there, Kurosawa? Something called “Monad?”

>Moving tattoos now... These Sentinels are just full of surprises, aren't they?
"Have you heard of anything like that?"

>C'mon admit it, you want to see Karl taken down a peg just as much as I do

>So how do we even get back to this Necropolis?

>>1502940
>So how do we even get back to this Necropolis?
>Are there any other gods out there, Kurosawa? Something called “Monad?”
>C'mon admit it, you want to see Karl taken down a peg just as much as I do

>>1502940
>>Are there any other gods out there, Kurosawa? Something called “Monad?”
>>Moving tattoos now... These Sentinels are just full of surprises, aren't they?

“Well, I guess we can talk more tomorrow,” you sigh, “Hey, so how do we even get back to this Necropolis thing? I mean, do we have to go back to the same portal I used when I found it?” Frowning, you scratch your head in thought. “I don't even know if I can remember where that was,” you mutter to yourself, “Wasn't exactly thinking clearly that night...”

“I will be able to take you there,” Kurosawa assures you, “The transition may be uncomfortable, but I can deliver you directly to the Necropolis. Now that you have found it, I have a solid idea of its-” Here, he says another one of those strange not-words, a garble of inhuman sounds in which you can just about make out the word “coordinates” - or perhaps something that your mind translates as “coordinates”.

“Uh, sure. So we just get together, and you flip the switch,” you nod, putting aside the strange language for now, “Can't say I'm looking forwards to another one of your, uh, smooth transitions, but it's not gonna kill any of us. Alright, I can work with this.”

“I'm glad,” the cat replies dryly, “And on a personal note, I would like you to investigate the Necropolis soon as well. I have certain theories about what you might find there, and I would like to put those theories to the test.”

“What theories?” you ask, only for Kurosawa to reply with nothing more than silence, “Ugh, fine, I guess I'll find out eventually. Maybe you could answer this, then – are there any other gods out there? Like, something called “Monad”, specifically?”

“Monad,” Kurosawa ponders on this, “A figure that appears in several human writings, either by that particular name or by others. A figure of myth, in other words. I know of no divinity outside of mankind's native gods, and this “Monad” is no different.”

“Yeah, okay,” you argue, “But are you sure about that? I mean, CAN you be sure?”

“The Sentinels are highly secretive,” he grudgingly admits, “But to conceal a god, a true divinity, from our eyes... impossible. It must surely be a lie – a false idol, or some pretence. The arrogance of them!”

The anger in Kurosawa's voice surprises you, silencing you for a moment. Recovering your wits, you sigh and shake your head. “But man, I just don't get these people,” you mutter, “Moving tattoos now... these Sentinels are just full of surprises, aren't they? Have you heard anything at all about that?”

“Tattoos are often given cultural or spiritual significance,” Kurosawa explains slowly, “The act of inscribing words or symbols onto the body is often linked with mystical powers – the soul reflecting the changes-”

“Yeah,” you butt in, “But moving tattoos?”

To that, Kurosawa can only fall into a grudging silence.

[1/2]

>Weather hit earlier than expected. Things might get a little patchy from here on. Sorry about any delays that might occur.

>>1502971

“In either case, this matter requires further investigation,” he continues eventually, a stiff note of irritation in his voice, “Please verify their existence for yourself, rather than relying on the word of an impressionable youth.”

“Got it,” you sigh grimly, rolling your eyes a little, “Next time I see Jun, I'll ask him to take his shirt off. He won't suspect a thing.”

“Good. I eagerly await the results of your investigation,” Kurosawa nods solemnly, utterly missing your insincerity, “But do try not to encourage any further conflict – or any further courtship rituals.”

“It wasn't like that!” you wail, causing a few figures at a distant street corner to glance around at you. “It wasn't like that at all,” you hiss, lowering your voice as you hastily change the subject, “Anyway, admit it – you want to see Karl taken down a peg just as much as I do.”

“Such desires are petty and senseless,” Kurosawa scolds, “More suited to one chosen by Spite.”

“Yeah,” you press, “But you're not exactly denying it, are you?”

“My personal feelings are irrelevant,” he replies, flickering out of view before you can force an answer out of him.

You'll consider that a victory.

-

Once again, the school day passes mostly without incidence – the only notable event was an announcement of the summer festival, still over a month away. It's an announcement that you almost immediately forget. You've never really been one for festivals, although it might be different this year, now that you've got a group of friends to go with. It's still far in the future, but maybe you'll give it a shot this year...

Maika was absent again, although you notice the familiar sight of a Kanzaki drone following you as you're leaving the school. When you meet up with Ayane and point it out to her, she laughs aloud.

“Yeah, I guess we're under surveillence,” she replies, “Maika messaged me earlier, asked me to meet her at that shrine thing. Uh, you remember the way, right?”

“Not exactly,” you admit, “But I took a note of it. Worst case scenario, we can meet up with Emi and ask her to show us the way. Anyway, you wanna get a move on?”

“Sure,” Ayane nods, “What's this about, anyway?”

“The Necropolis,” you explain, “Maika – and Kurosawa – are pretty keen on taking a look inside. I've got to admit, I'm a little curious as well.”

“Oh man...” she sighs, slumping her shoulders a little, “Well, let's get a move on.”

>C'mon, we're just going in to take a look. It'll be fine
>Cheer up, or Kurosawa might end up giving you some more life advice!
>Got a name for that dog of yours, yet?
>Hey, I had a weird night yesterday. I'll tell you all about it...
>Other

>>1502981
>Cheer up, or Kurosawa might end up giving you some more life advice!
>Hey, I had a weird night yesterday. I'll tell you all about it...

>>1502981
>>Cheer up, or Kurosawa might end up giving you some more life advice!
>>Got a name for that dog of yours, yet?
>>Hey, I had a weird night yesterday. I'll tell you all about it...

>>1502986
This

>>1502981
>Cheer up, or Kurosawa might end up giving you some more life advice!
>Gossip about Karl being an asshole

>>1502981
>>Hey, I had a weird night yesterday. I'll tell you all about it...

>>1502981
>Cheer up, or Kurosawa might end up giving you some more life advice!
Yeah, let's get some laughs at Kurosawa's expense.

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“Cheer up!” you tell her brightly as you start walking, “Or Kurosawa might end up giving you some more life advice!”

“Please no,” Ayane gasps, her eyes widening in what appears to be genuine dread, “Anything but that! You don't know what it's like!”

“Actually,” you correct her, wincing as you remember the previous night, “I think I do. He, uh, gave me a lecture about... courtship rituals, of all things. The way he said it, you were the one filling his head with that stuff – so really, it's your fault!”

“Hey, look, so maybe I tried to distract him by talking about... hell, I can barely remember what I talked about. You really think I think about what I'm saying half of the time?” shaking her head, Ayane lets out a guilty laugh, “But I might have mentioned a few, uh, cliches. I never thought he'd take them seriously though!”

“He did,” you mutter, “And it was as bad as you said. Like having my mother giving me a good scolding.”

“Yeah,” pausing for a moment, Ayane offers you a wan smile, “So you wanna exchange notes?”

“Ugh, I don't know if I can bear it,” you groan, pausing a moment before adding, “You first. Just what kind of romantic advice does Kurosawa give, anyway?”

“Only the worthless kind,” Ayane snorts derisively, “His exact words? “Wipe him from your mind and continue with your duties” - as if it's that easy! It's weird though...” She pauses here, frowning a little as if some new idea had sprung into her mind. “Well, I kinda made a dumb joke after that – like, I asked him if he could wipe my memories for me, something like that – and he said that it was impossible,” Ayane's frown deepens for a few seconds, “Only... he was lying.”

“Lying?” you repeat, “I mean, it wouldn't exactly be the first time, but... are you sure?”

“No, not exactly sure. It's hard to tell with him. I'm getting pretty good at spotting lies, you know, but it's...” Ayane sighs in frustration, “It's different when it's a cat, I guess.”

“That's... understandable,” you concede, “What's it like, anyway, being able to tell when people are lying? I mean, do you just know, or...”

“I guess it's like an echo, or like... their voice sounds like one of those trick mirrors looks. Distorted, all messed up,” pursing her lips in thought, Ayane studies you for a moment, “Go on, try me – give me a lie, anything.”

“Anything?” you ask, “I... uh, I'm secretly in love with Karl?”

“Oh my god!” Ayane's eyes grow wide, and she lets out a scandalised squeal, “I told you to LIE Miho, c'mon!”

[1/2]

>>1503028
Fell right into that one Miho

>>1503028

“Knock it off!” you reply, reaching over to punch her on the arm, “That's the... the biggest, dumbest lie in the world!”

“I don't know, maybe you should be a little more honest with yourself,” she chuckles, rubbing her sore shoulder, “But seriously, it's like hearing something underwater when you do it. Of course, you never were a great liar. When I get a hit off Kurosawa, though, it's... I don't know, it's so faint that sometimes I wonder if I'm imagining it. I guess he's got a lot of practice with hiding stuff.”

“Yeah...” you murmur, momentarily lost in thought.

“Anyway, I've told you my side of things,” Ayane stresses, her words dragging you back to reality, “Now you've got to tell me yours. Spare no details, omit nothing!”

“Jeez,” you sigh, “Alright, fine. Yesterday... hell, I don't know where to start, the whole evening was weird. It's a long story, but I'll tell you all about it...”

-

“So you're telling me that an ancient conspiracy of sorcerors asked you to... babysit?” Ayane says slowly, once you've finished recounting the events of the previous night, “I mean, I guess they were spying on you as well, but... still!”

“Yeah, they really need to learn a little subtlety,” you agree, “Of course, we probably don't know about the really subtle stuff they're up to, so... I dunno, but Jun owes me a favour now. That might help.”

“And Karl wants to kill you,” Ayane points out, “That's the opposite of helpful.”

“He's an asshole, and he talks big,” you argue, “But that's all. If you ask me, Jun is the one with the real power in that relationship.”

“He's on top, huh?” letting out a dirty chuckle, Ayane leans in and lowers her voice, “I think my sister has a few books like that, y'know?”

“I... don't know, no,” you reply slowly, sensing the immediate need to change the subject, “So, uh, so hey! Have you thought up a name for that dog of yours, yet?”

“No,” Ayane's response is unusually blunt, and her face falls a little as she delivers the news, “I mean, it shouldn't be difficult, right? Just buy a book of dog names and find one that fits – only, none of them fit. It's like putting on a pair of shoes that are two sizes too small, you just know that it's wrong.” Frowning, Ayane throws her hands up in frustration. “It's so dumb!” she protests, “But it's... it feels important, like he should have a name. Like I'm fucking up by not giving him one!”

“Maybe you should ask Kurosawa about it,” you suggest, “I mean, he had a name for all our weapons. Maybe he knows what your dog is called.”

“I guess,” Ayane agrees sullenly, “This just feels like...”

“Like something you've got to do yourself?” you finish for her, “Yeah, I guess I can understand that.”

“It's important,” she mutters under her breath, her words directed more at herself than anyone else.

[2/3]

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>>1503042

Shortly before you cross over into the vice district, your path merges with Emi's route. She greets you warmly, and soon the three of you arrive at the entrance to the old, decrepit shrine. There, in the centre of the small courtyard, a curious sight greets you.

Sitting with her legs crossed and a parasol leaning against one shoulder, Maika works steadily within her own little pool of shadow. With the sun blocked out, she uses the colder illumination of a small headlamp, her furrowed brow partially hidden by the light. Spread out in front of her is a thin sheet, dotted with tools or stray pieces of machinery. Nearby, partially disassembled, one of her ubiguous drones waits to be completed.

“Skipping school again, huh?” Ayane announces, her gloomy mood seemingly banished, “You're such a delinquent Maika, jeez.”

“This is more important,” Maika replies, without looking up, “I apologise, but this is taking slightly longer than I had foreseen. I had hoped to have this complete by the time you arrived. I won't be long, however.” Finally glancing up from the innards of her machine, the heiress shoots Ayane a stern look. “And I'm not a delinquent,” she adds, “My disciplinary record is spotless.”

“Your attendance record, on the other hand...” Ayane mutters, causing Emi to chuckle.

“Can't blame you for skipping out, though,” the young girl adds, “School sucks, it's all a load of crap. Mine is, at least, I don't know what that fancy Institute place of yours is like. Whatever, we gonna be stuck here much longer?”

“I just said that I won't be much longer,” Maika sighs, “Don't be impatient, Emi, it's quite unbecoming.”

>We're in no rush. Kurosawa can take us to the Necropolis whenever we like
>What are you working on, anyway?
>So Maika, when are you gonna treat us to that dinner?
>Other

>>1503046
>What are you working on, anyway?

>>1503046
>>We're in no rush. Kurosawa can take us to the Necropolis whenever we like

>>1503046
>Let's just check if everyone's A-okay with going to the Necropolis first. Everyone good? No bathroom breaks on this trip, although I wonder if we can bring snacks.

>>1503042
It's more likely Kurosawa just has a title for the dog and not an actual name.

>>1503046
>We're in no rush. Kurosawa can take us to the Necropolis whenever we like

>So Maika, when are you gonna treat us to that dinner?

Also Monad is the origin of Intruders, calling it now. Not hidden from Kurosawa, or rather hidden in plain sight, and it's why their powers give an Intruder vibe.

>>1503046
>>We're in no rush. Kurosawa can take us to the Necropolis whenever we like
>>What are you working on, anyway?

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“We're in no rush. Kurosawa can take us to the Necropolis whenever we like, apparently,” you tell the group, “So everyone, let's all make sure we're perfectly ready! Nobody needs to use the bathroom before we go, do you?”

“No mom,” Ayane sighs, “I even took a nap during my last class, so I'm ready for action.”

“I don't think you're supposed to be napping during class,” Maika points out, “That rather defeats the point of being present.”

“Oh man, I'm getting attendance advice from Maika Kanzaki,” Ayane counters, her eyes wide and insincere, “That's so rich – it's almost as rich as you!”

“Should've brought some popcorn for this shit...” Emi mutters, her head swinging back and forth as the two girls trade jabs.

“Alright ladies, that's enough arguing,” you announce, raising your voice to drown out any arguments, “Emi, thank you for reminding me, if anyone wants to bring any snacks for the trip, we passed a shop on the way here. Now would be a good time to head back and get something.”

“If the cat is warping us over there, I think I'd rather do it on an empty stomach,” Emi decides, “Knowing my luck, I'd just end up losing anything I eat now.” The others nod their agreement, and soon you settle down to wait. Emi stretches out on the stone tiles, closing her eyes and basking in the sunlight for a few short moments. “This is nice, y'know?” she says to nobody in particular, “Relaxing. I kinda wish we could stay here all day, just goofing off.”

“Well, we've got some time. Might as well enjoy it while we can,” you agree, “Say, Maika, what are you working on anyway?”

“A communications relay,” Maika explains, frowning a little as she examines a small piece of circuitry, “It should allow us to use our phones within the Umbra. I must confess, my main reason for investigating the Necropolis today was to test it out, so I can iron out any issues before we enter a serious situation – encountering a Tyrant class Intruder, say.”

“Shit,” Emi murmurs, evidently impressed by Maika's handiwork, “How'd you learn to do all this stuff, anyway? Like, is this what they teach you guys?”

“It would be inaccurate to say that I learned it, as such,” Maika replies, “Rather, the knowledge was induced – implanted in me while I was very young, starting even before I was “born”. The entire process is quite fascinating, although woefully outdated these days. Could you pass me that screwdriver?” Without glancing up from the guts of her disassembled drone, the heiress points to a small toolbox, several screwdrivers on display.

[1/2]

>>1503097

“Uh, sure,” you tell her, fumbling in the toolbox, “Which one?”

“The smallest one you can find. Ah, thank you,” nodding to herself as you pass the tool over, Maika returns to work, “You see, there were three reasons why the induction process fell out of favour. Firstly, it had limitations – it was only really useful for implanting certain kinds of information, and it couldn't “teach” creativity. The sort of rote actions it could be used to train people in could be done by machines, with far less cost. Secondly, there were... ethical complaints. The suggestion that people would be bred into castes was raised, and it rather harmed the reputation of the whole process.”

“And... what was the third one?” Ayane asks, “It didn't, like, drive people mad or anything, did it?”

“Not... as such,” Maika pauses, “Although there were some side effects. Occasionally, the induction process resulted in additional mental conditions – difficulties in communication, social issues, or a tendency towards obsessive behaviours. Fortunately, I seem to have avoided any of the unpleasant side effects.”

A brief silence falls over the group as you and Ayane share a bemused, incredulous look.

“Regardless, Father decided that I should be given a firm understanding of these sorts of devices, and knowledge induction was a perfect means to achieve that,” the heiress shrugs slightly, “It was never really my choice.”

“O... kay,” you say after a long pause, desperately searching for some way of changing the subject, “So, uh, Maika, when are you going to treat us to that dinner, anyway?”

“Oh yes, the dinner,” reaching up to switch off her headlamp, Maika looks between the three of you, “Tonight could be possible. It would, however, be somewhat less extravagant than you might have expected. Hiring a restaurant on such short notice would be impossible, but a nice, relaxed dinner at my home would be possible. Bradley is quite an excellent chef, after all.”

“He really is,” Ayane agrees, “That would work with me. I mean, I'm not really one for all that fancy restaurant stuff...”

“I mean, I don't got a single thing to wear to a place like that,” Emi admits, “Closest thing to formal I can do is my school uniform, and that's ratty as shit by now...”

“It does sound pretty good,” you decide with a slow nod, “Alright guys, we can consider that our reward for today, so let's all try out best!” Even as you're saying this, a quiet whirring noise builds in the background. Finally completed, Maika's drone lifts up into the air and begins to circle your little group, propellers kicking up thin clouds of dust as it flies. “Looks like we're ready to go,” you announce, “Let's, uh, let's not get separated this time, okay? Join hands, everyone!”

“Man,” Ayane mutters as you're gathering in a circle, “This is so gay...”

Transition.

[2/3]

>>1503128
Ayane please, stop trying to leave your spot as least best girl.

>>1503128

Your mind goes blank for a moment, but then you awaken to the sounds of Emi coughing and retching. Blinking away your disorientation, you take a moment to examine your surroundings. Your group has arrived, just as Kurosawa promised, at the Intruder Necropolis, although there are no Intruders in sight. The Umbra is deathly silent, and Emi's choked gasping seems awfully loud by comparison.

“That wasn't so bad,” Ayane says brightly, forcing a smile, “Kurosawa must be learning!”

“Incorrect,” Kurosawa replies, his voice throbbing in your aching skull, “You are simply acclimatising to the transition process.”

“I don't know if that's something I want to get acclimatised to,” you mutter, “C'mon, the seal was further in. I just hope you guys like stairs.”

-

Just as you remember it, the sealed door almost looks like an ancient coin, worn and scuffed with the weight of countless years. The engravings you remember, the dragon – or maybe the wyvern – and the knights, have been wiped away. The keyhole, though, is still there. The key, though...

“Uh, wait a moment,” you tell the others, colouring slightly, “I... definitely put the key thing in my pocket. I'm sure of it. Only, uh, now I can't find it. I haven't seen it since we-”

“I took it,” Kurosawa tells you, “For safekeeping. It was no physical key, and so it was a trivial task for me to claim it. Heavenly Child... hold out your hand.”

Uneasily, you follow Kurosawa's command, only to gasp aloud as you feel a sharp tugging sensation – as though a splinter had been plucked out of your spirit, what Kurosawa calls the “sum of your being”. Your vision blurs for a moment, and then you see the key lying in your open palm. Shuddering a little, you take the key in a firm grip and slide it into the lock. Deep within the Necropolis, you hear a rumbling like ancient machinery stirring into life for the first time in countless years. Splitting apart and folding away – the door moves in a way that makes no sense, but reminds you of a flower in some abstract way – the seal opens to reveal a white void beyond.

“So, uh... do we go through there?” Ayane asks, tentatively reaching a hand through the white light, “I mean, what if there's a huge Intruder waiting on the other side?”

“Then I'll punch the fucker in the dick!” Emi boasts, stepping boldly into the light, “Let's go!”

“Emi, wait!” you protest, reaching out a moment too late to stop her. She vanishes into the white void, and for a moment there is nothing but a shocked silence. Then her head emerges, and the eager smile she had previously worn has faded somewhat.

“It's safe,” she tells you, “But... but I ain't ever seen anything like this. You... you'd better see this for yourselves.” Shaking her head, she draws back behind the white veil. Shrugging lightly, you follow her through.

[3/4]

>>1503169

There's a fundamental impossibility about all this that gnaws at you, something that constantly nags at the edge of your thoughts and prevents you from ever really feeling at ease. The reason behind that unease is simple – to get here, you came down a great flight of stairs. You were, undeniably, travelling deep beneath the surface. At no point did you turn back or go uphill in any way.

Yet still, you pass through the white void and appear beneath a pallid, milky sky, in which a black and distant sun blazes without heat.

“Oh god,” Ayane breathes, her voice drawing you back to reality – if such a term is valid here. Following her gaze, you look down into the strange world you have entered. You emerged at the top of a small hill, by the ruins of some ancient building, while a city stretches out before you. In the distance, a great tower reaches up into the sky, so tall that the peak cannot be seen. The air is still, so perfectly still, and a deathly silence blankets the entire city.

“It is as I thought,” Kurosawa sighs, appearing in the midst of your group, “I see...”

>Alright cat, it's about time you shared those theories of yours...
>Maika, does that drone have a camera? Maybe you should do a little scouting ahead
>That tower. That's our destination, isn't it?
>Other

>>1503198
>Alright cat, it's about time you shared those theories of yours...
>>Maika, does that drone have a camera? Maybe you should do a little scouting ahead
>>That tower. That's our destination, isn't it?

>>1503198
>>Alright cat, it's about time you shared those theories of yours...
Well this is nice, I'm sure this is just a fun place with pretty sights for us to sightsee. Maybe get a tan with that black sun.

>>1503198
>Alright Duty, it's about time you shared those theories of yours...

>>1503198
>Alright cat, it's about time you shared those theories of yours...
>Maika, does that drone have a camera? Maybe you should do a little scouting ahead

“Alright cat,” you begin quietly, your voice hushed and awed, “It's about time that you shared some of those theories of yours...”

“I agree,” Kurosawa replies, “It is time that you learned more of your history. This city that you see before you is... a memory, of sorts, a dream given tangible form. Look at it, the streets and the buildings. What do you see, when you look at it?”

“Huh?” you mutter, frowning hard as you let your gaze wander across the city stretching out before you. The streets are narrow, designed for nothing more advanced than foot traffic, while the buildings are all made from the same dusty brown bricks. Mud bricks, perhaps, cooked in the sun for countless hours. Nothing modern to be seen, nothing even remotely modern. You've read history books, and this city looks like something ripped from the very first page – before the Greeks and the Romans, before... whatever came before them. When you murmur these suspicions aloud, Kurosawa nods gravely.

“This was man's first civilisation, founded long before any other,” the cat explains, “A city where men honoured their true gods, and lived humble lives according to divine law.”

“That's impossible!” Maika stresses, “There would be evidence, historical artefacts! Any trace that this civilisation left behind would have been discovered by now, recorded and studied! This is-”

“He's not lying, Maika,” Ayane whispers, “This is... real.”

“Had this civilisation met any normal end, you would be correct – there would have been evidence left behind,” Kurosawa slows his speech here, each word heavy and deliberate, “But this city did not suffer such a fate. The gods themselves destroyed it, and then erased it from your reality, tearing it out at the root and flinging it here, into the Umbra. What you see before you is not the physical city itself, but the memory of it that was wiped from your world.”

“Wait, hold on a moment!” Emi protests, “If the gods can do all that, why are we working our asses off down here? It's not like I mind this work, but I don't wanna do it if your bosses can just snap their fingers and solve this shit in a flash!”

“And more importantly,” Maika adds, “Why, exactly, did the gods decide to erase this city?”

“C'mon, one question at a time,” you scold the pair of them, before frowning hard at Kurosawa, “He's more likely to answer them that way... right?”

“Forgive me. This is not a subject that I like to discuss,” Kurosawa admits, “Destroying this city was the last act that the gods committed upon your reality. In the aftermath, they withdrew to the heavens. You humans would call it...” He pauses here, for another long moment. “While it is a crude word to use, I cannot think of a better way to describe it,” the cat continues at last, “You humans might call it “sulking”.”

[1/?]

>>1503313
Gods are big babies.

>>1503313

A disbelieving silence falls over the group, before Emi splutters in incredulous laughter. “You're kidding, right?” she gasps, “I mean, they nuked the place and then stormed off in a huff? You've got to be fucking kidding!”

“He's not kidding!” Ayane snaps, “Just... let the damn cat speak, will you?”

“I cannot blame you for being confused, or unwilling to understand, but I have no intention of deceiving you. This is a truth that all of your kind deserve to know, although it is rare that you can see this city with your own eyes,” Kurosawa begins to circle the group, padding across broken flagstones, “The gods destroyed this city and then withdrew, to nurse their wounded pride and ask themselves where it all went wrong. While they still exert their influence upon your world, they do so in subtle means... all except for Duty.”

“Yeah,” you announce calmly, “You're more of a hands-on kind of god, aren't you?”

A flurry of disbelief answers your words, but you silence the other three with a curt gesture. Kurosawa sighs a little, and then nods. “From mankind's earliest days, I pledged to defend your kind,” he explains, “Even when the rest of the gods withdrew, I refused to abandon that pledge. Even now, when men have little use for the gods, I refuse to abandon my promise. That is the nature of Duty, after all.”

“So you were a god all along,” Maika murmurs, slowly powering down her drone and sitting, holding it in her lap like a cherished cat. “Well, I suppose this changes nothing,” she adds, “My question remains – what did these early men do, to earn such a complete punishment?”

“At first, they worshipped the gods with humility,” the cat explains, “But then they grew depraved. The priesthood hoarded power, and ruled through fear. Claiming to speak for the gods, they indulged their every vice. Even when the gods... even when we attempted to speak out against them, it was too late. Men would listen, but they feared to act. Mankind's first attempt at civilisation became an abomination.”

“And so you wiped the slate clean,” you muse, “Start again later, from scratch... right?”

“There was no choice but to burn it all to cinder,” Kurosawa states bluntly, “When we steered mankind's fate, it ended in disaster. The choice was made to try again, without such a direct hand. Men were scattered, allowed to develop according to their own whims and desires. It was decided... if men dearly wished to destroy themselves again, the gods would allow it.”

“And where do the Intruders fit into all this?” you ask, “You threw the city into the Umbra, and now the Intruders are coming from the Umbra. Are they... are the Intruders US? Are they what came of those first men?”

“No,” Kurosawa insists, “They are vermin, here to feast on the cadaver, and like vermin... they have made their nest in this place.”

[2/3]

>>1503366

“I think it's time that we take a look around,” you announce after a moment, “Maika, does your drone have a camera on it? I'd like to do a little scouting ahead before we go too far in.”

“I... yes, it's fully equipped with a camera. Audio as well, although... I dare say that there's nothing out there to listen to,” clearing her throat awkwardly, Maika flips down the visor of her helmet and starts to swipe her hands through the air. A few gestures later, and her drone is rapidly gliding out across the dead city. “I'm seeing a lot of empty streets, not a lot of detail here,” she explains, “As if you had asked someone to sketch a city from memory. The general shape is all here, but...”

“I guess that makes sense,” you mutter, “Any movement out there? Any... life?”

“No, I... wait,” Maika's lips flatten into a tight line, “There IS something out there. An Intruder, but just barely. Something weaker than a Thrall. I don't think it can harm us.”

“Show me,” you ask her, “Send the image to my-” Before you've even finished your sentence, Maika swipes a finger through the air and causes your phone to chime. Footage appears on the screen, the blurry image of what Maika said was an Intruder. Just a vague black shape, the vaguest suggestion of a shadow. It drifts down an empty street, without any suggestion of conscious thought. It could be a scrap of silk carried on a breeze, for all the threat it bears.

“There are others. More and more with each passing moment,” the heiress continues, “It's like they're waking up...”

“Oh god,” Ayane breathes, “Did WE do this?”

“Do not worry,” Kurosawa assures you all, “This is a natural process, the first stage in an Intruder's life. These shades will rise to the higher layers of the Umbra, gathering and congealing as they ascend. Perhaps it will become strong enough to maintain a form and become a Thrall – or perhaps it will collapse, sinking back into the mire.” Pausing, the cat glances around at Ayane. “Seeker of Truth” he addresses her, “Am I lying?”

“I... no,” slowly, Ayane shakes her head, “He's, uh, he's not actually lying. Honesty suits you, Kurosawa – you should try it more often.”

“Then we're safe to explore,” you decide, “And that tower – that's our destination, isn't it?”

“Correct. The scent of Intruders is thick there. The unclean source lies beneath, I am certain of that,” straightening up, Kurosawa sniffs the air, “Go, Heavenly Child. Proceed.”

“It's a straight path, no obstructions,” Maika reports, “But I'm getting some... interference when I get close to the tower. Kurosawa's right, there's a lot of Intruder activity present there.”

“Well,” you sigh, “Time to earn that victory dinner.”

[3/4]

But is this good?

>>1503436

With Maika's drone leading the way, your group makes its way through the ancient streets. Even knowing that they're harmless, you do your best to avoid the embryonic Intruders, out of some nameless instinct. Even with your caution, however, you can't avoid them entirely. Once, Emi hastens around a corner only for one of the phantoms to drift straight through her. She gasps in shock, then snarls and lashes out with her vast sword. Her blow cuts through the phantom, causing it to dissolve like smoke.

“It was cold!” she protests, when you all turn to stare at her, “Like, really fucking cold!”

“Let's keep moving,” you tell the group after a moment. From then on, you're even more careful with picking your path.

-

When you arrive at the base of the tower, you are met with blank, featureless stone. With familiarity tugging at your thoughts, you reach out and touch the solid wall. A startled cry escapes you as you feel yourself shudder, your vision blanketed by visual static for a few short moments. When your sight returns, the wall has become a vast door – a single keyhole waiting at your eye level. Above it, a grand mural stretches up towards the sky. The colours might be faded, but the imagery is all too clear.

The mural shows countless crosses, with ragged prisoners lashed to them. In the sky above, descending with talons outstretched, a massive bird - a vulture, or something like a vulture - sweeps down to feast on the captives.

“See,” Ayane declares, pointing at the mural, “I don't like the look of that.”

>I'm going to pause things here for today, and continue this tomorrow. If anyone has any questions or comments, I'll answer them the best I can
>Thank you for your contributions today, and sorry for the delays!

>>1503463
Thanks for running, Moloch!

That mural's interesting. Did the survivors in the Umbra sacrifice themselves to the Intruders? Or is it a representation of what happened to make the gods destroy the civilization?

>>1503463
Thanks for running!
How long until it becomes clear the gods wish to destroy the current civilisation as well?

>>1503493

Well, the various murals and images we've seen on the sealed doors do have significance, although I don't want to say too much more than that right now. Things should become clearer in time, I hope

>>1503536

Ah, it'll be fine. It's not like men are worshiping impure gods or dabbling in creating life, after all!

>>1503564
>It's not like men are worshiping impure gods or dabbling in creating life, after all!

But we're doing both of those things!

>>1503571
hey, Miho's got a clean record. Maika might be straddling the line with her drones but I think we're in the clear.
Gods please smite the Sentinels it'll save us a lot of trouble

>>1503564
How many AIs are in the city?

>>1503595

That depends. There is a single government AI, and four major corporate AIs. The corp AIs are all copies of the government AI, with various restrictions in place to control their functions and what information they can access.
Beyond those, there are countless very minor AIs, but none of those are advanced enough to be anything more than simple computer programs. Irrelevant in the larger scheme of things, in other words.

>>1503623
kinda like Monad huh? 4 face one whole? Made by the corp they work for.

>>1503463
Thanks for running.

Speaking of AI we should get in touch with EVE sometime. See if she has dirt on the Sentinels and if she can tell us why she made Jackson a person of interest.

“It's odd,” Ayane remarks, her words sounding almost unwilling, “It almost feels peaceful here. I know how wrong that sounds, but this place... it almost feels nostalgic, now that I've had the chance to see it properly. Those streets we walked... they almost feel more familiar than the streets in Ark City.” She glances around at you, then at the mural, then looks back to you. “I still don't like that thing,” she adds, “Not one bit.”

“It IS kinda sinister,” you agree, “I keep thinking of what it must be like, having a beast like that swooping down on you. Even if you weren't tied up, you couldn't escape from it. Running would be pointless.”

“I got attacked by a bird once,” Emi remarks, “A little one, I mean. Shit, I can't imagine picking a fight with a big bastard like that. Nah, see, I was out visiting my folks at the recycling plant, and I had this bag of chips to eat. Well, big mistake – as soon as I cracked it open, this big bloody gull swoops down and starts yelling at me. Not gonna lie, it was probably one of the scariest moments of my life.”

“So what happened?” Ayane asked, “Were you okay?”

“I mean, I've got both my eyes so I got off okay,” the young girl shrugs, “But, uh, I kinda embarrassed myself. I'd like to say that I bravely fought it off, but I'd be lying. I pissed myself and ran screaming.” Hastily, she slams down the visor of her helmet to cover her flushing cheeks. “I was like six years old, c'mon!” she adds, “What was I supposed to do?”

“I don't know about you, Ayane, but I'd be much cooler,” you tease, “Like, I'd burst into tears at most. What about you?”

“Oh, I'd be real sensible about things,” Ayane agrees, “I'd nuke the bird, then erase the very concept of gulls. You know, a sensible, proportionate response. What about you, Maika?”

“Hmm?” Maika glances around, raising the visor of her helmet, “I do apologise, I wasn't paying attention. Was there something you wanted from me?”

“It's... nah, forget it,” shaking her head, Ayane lounges back on the stone tiles, her back to the eerie mural. “This place, though,” she asks after a moment, “You feel anything about it, Maika? Any familiarity or whatever?”

“No,” the heiress replies flatly, “Not at all. If anything, I find there to be something alienating about this place.”

“Not enough machines,” you joke, “If we set up some computers over there, you'd feel right at home.”

“That might work, actually,” Maika agrees, taking your comment at face value, “Oh, but power would be an issue. That reminds me, I'd better call my drone back – the battery will be running low by now. I had to cut down on weight to keep it portable, and the power supply... well, never mind that.”

[1/2]

>>1507294

While you wait for Maika to bring her drone home, you join Ayane in lounging about, musing on this curious city. While it doesn't feel familiar, exactly, it does have a certain... strange attraction to it. Ark City isn't as loud and chaotic as some of the cities you've seen on TV, but it might as well be anarchy compared with this dead place. In fact, lying back on the cracked stone tiles reminds you of relaxing at Emi's shrine, something that you soon find faintly unnerving.

“Hmm, interesting,” Maika murmurs, her voice drawing you out of your thoughts, “This place doesn't quite operate as I had been expecting. The battery is barely touched. It makes no logical sense.”

“I mean, we DID go underground to get here,” you remind her, pointing up at the sky above, “So I'd be a little wary about relying too heavily on natural laws.” Sighing, you sit up and watch as Maika prissily checks the drone over, ensuring that nothing is in need of repair. “What were you doing with that thing anyway?” you ask, “You were sure concentrating pretty hard on it.”

“I was looking around, checking for anything that might be worth investigating,” the heiress answers you, “There really isn't much here, but I did find something of interest. Do you recall how I described the city before?”

“Like a sketch,” you reply with a nod, “No detail, just the general idea of it all.”

“Well, it appears as though I've found an exception to that,” she explains, holding out her phone to show you a more decorative building, “It appears to be a temple. Kurosawa, can you confirm that?”

“The Pariah is correct,” Kurosawa grudgingly agrees, “However, there is little to find there. Need I remind you, this place is a simple construct – a dream, if it helps to consider it in such terms. There is no danger to be found there, but there is little of use or value either. Unseal the next portal, and then proceed further in – that is all that you are required to do.”

“Unseal the portal, huh?” you repeat, “That means hunting down another Tyrant, right?”

“Correct. I have no doubt that you will be successful, however,” the cat fixes you with his cool gaze, “As soon as a Tyrant class Intruder reveals itself, I shall inform you. Now, shall I return you to the human world?”

>Sure, we're finished here
>Later. I want to check out this temple
>Before anything else, I wanted to ask you something... (Write in)
>Other

>>1507300
>Later. I want to check out this temple

>>1507300
>>Later. I want to check out this temple

>>1507300
>Later. I want to check out this temple

>>1507300
>Later. I want to check out this temple
So, was Kurosawa always appearing as a cat?

>>1507300
>Later. I want to check out this temple

“Later,” you tell Kurosawa, locking eyes with him for a moment, “I want to check out this temple. No offence, cat, but I'd rather see it for myself before saying that it's useless.” Breaking eye contact with him, you glance across to Maika. “You can lead us there,” you ask her, “Right?”

“I can do that, yes,” she answers, “The route is simple enough, although some of the streets further in can get rather narrow. Best that we go single file and take our time. I dare say that we're not in any rush. Follow me, then.”

“But what about dinner?” Emi whines, slumping her shoulders as you and Ayane start off down into the city streets after Maika. Before you can get too much of a lead on her, Emi hurries to join you.

-

“There's a fountain,” Ayane announces suddenly, as you're stepping cautiously through a tight space between two mud brick buildings. “Just up ahead,” she adds, her voice flat and soft, “Around the next corner.”

“And how exactly do you know that?” Maika asks lightly, “I don't recall us passing this way before, and-” Her words, however, are cut sharply off as you turn the next corner and find yourselves in a small square – with a dry, crumbling fountain in the centre. All four of you stare at the fountain for a moment more, before Maika turns to Ayane. “There's a perfectly rational explanation for this,” she decides, “And you're about to explain what it is.”

“Nothing rational about it,” Ayane replies, shaking her head, “I just got a feeling. Deja Vu, I guess you'd call it. I'm telling you, this place is familiar – like I've been here before.”

“The seal...” you protest weakly, “It's impossible – none of us could have seen any of this until today.”

“Man, who even cares?” Emi butts in, pushing past you as she takes the lead, “Hey Princess, are we close? I wanna look at this temple thing and go home, so hurry up and give me directions!”

“I... we're close, yes,” nodding slightly, Maika points down the street ahead, “It's more or less straight on from here. The streets should widen out soon, it should be easy to see the temple once we reach the open ground.”

-

“Do you smell that?” Ayane mutters to you, when you find yourself standing at the temple entrance, “It's faint, but I can smell... I don't know, something burning maybe.”

Frowning, you sniff the air. The temple is a fairly grand thing, by the faded standards of this dead city, with carved stone columns lining the entrance. The steps leading to the entrance are worn down, and there are recesses where statues should have resided. Empty time, remind you in some awful way of a desecrated grave. “I can't smell anything,” you tell Ayane, “Are you sure you smelled it? Your imagination, maybe...”

“Definitely something burning...” she mutters, “I cook often enough to know burning when I smell it.”

[1/2]

>>1507463

There might not be anything burning now, but there was definitely something burning here once – inside the temple, you're met the grim sight of a wide pit, charred and dusted with greasy ash. Around the pit, there sit eighteen tall chairs. No, not chairs... thrones. Closing your eyes, you let an image form in your mind – a great fire burning in in the centre of the temple, a fire into which sacrifices were thrown. Opening your eyes and leaning slightly closer to the pit, you see a scattering of blackened bones. Most of them could, in theory, belong to animals of some kind, but...

But the skull you see, staring up with empty eye sockets, could only be human.

“They were thrown into what was once a sacred flame,” Kurosawa announces gravely, joining you at the lip of the pit, “Fire was but one of many ways in which they were executed.”

“Who were?” Ayane whispers.

“Anyone who spoke out against the ruling priests,” Kurosawa answers simply, “Or those who did not obey. Or anyone who was convenient, when the priests wished to send a message. In the last days, the priests were not picky about who they condemned. Now do you see why we did what we had to do?”

“The priests were the ones to commit these crimes, but the entire city suffered your punishment,” Maika says delicately, “Forgive me, but I was under the impression that Compassion was one of your Great Virtues.”

“Where was Compassion, when men stood by and let these crimes continue? Where was Compassion when fathers turned their sons over to the priesthood, so they might be granted clemency for a few months more?” the cat snaps back, a flare of genuine anger entering his voice, “We commanded the priesthood to cease. We ordered the populace to resist. We offered mankind every chance to change its own course, and we were ignored. The time came when virtues had to stand aside, and curses were allowed to rule!”

“So now you see,” he adds, when your group is silent, “There is little of worth here. The past cannot be changed - we mourn, but we move on. Mankind was allowed a clean slate, to forge a new destiny for themselves. The other gods withdrew, but I remained – and until mankind is no longer threatened by the Intruders, I will continue to remain in your world.”

“Hell...” Emi murmurs after a long pause, her voice seeming very small indeed, “I've lost my appetite now.”

Ayane tries to laugh, but it's a weak and unconvincing attempt.

>Alright Kurosawa, you've made your point. Get us out of here
>Would you do it again? Destroy us all, I mean...
>Do you think the gods would ever return to us?
>Other

>>1507392

>A lion back in the early days, but he defaults to some kind of feline form.

>>1507481
>Do you think the gods would ever return to us?
I mean, they can't sulk forever.

>>1507481
>we mourn, but we move on
Doesn't sound like most of the gods have moved on.


>Alright Kurosawa, you've made your point. Get us out of here

>>1507481
>>Alright Kurosawa, you've made your point. Get us out of here

>>1507481
>The Curses did this? And yet two of their followers are in our midst? Was it only Virtues that destroyed the city?

>>1507527
Hey don't be rude. Emi is right there.

I interpreted it as the Virtues were trying to convince the populace but when that failed they let the Curses take over and destroy the city.

Or just that humanity had no virtues left.

“The Curse Gods were the one to do this?” you ask, “This whole thing, I mean? And yet, we've got two of their number among us now...” Wincing a little at how that sounds, you look around at Maika and Emi, but neither of them interrupt you. Maika offers a bland and colourless smile, while Emi doesn't seem to have noticed your words. “What about the Great Virtues?” you add, “Did they destroy the city?”

“When the city was destroyed, it was because all the gods agreed to it – the Curse Gods, and the Great Virtues. It was decided that it was the only path left to take,” Kurosawa explains, “It was only by my request that they continued to choose servants from among your kind, candidates that I could recruit into my service. Finding those candidates... that was a task left to me.”

“Allow me to speculate,” Maika speaks up, “These priests, once appointed by the gods, began to ignore your commands and ruled through their own desires – killing all who resisted them. When the people would not rise up, the gods destroyed everything and turned their backs on our world... is that correct?”

“A concise summary,” Kurosawa concedes, “You are correct, Pariah.”

“Do you think the gods would ever return to us?” you ask Kurosawa simply, “I mean... they can't sulk forever, can they? At some point, maybe they could face up to what they did. They could...”

“Miho,” Maika asks softly, “Would you WANT them to return?”

That, you must admit, leaves you without an answer. Biting your lip lightly, you glance around at the others. Ayane is pale and uneasy, her shrug offering you no answer, while Emi just looks confused by the whole thing – confused, but also bored, as if the entire affair was a waste of her time. Simply answering Maika's question with a weary shake of your head, you look back to Kurosawa and wait to see if he has an answer to give you. When it comes, it isn't the answer you had been expecting.

“I do not know,” he admits, “It has been countless lifetimes since I had any true contact with my kind. I believe that I have... changed, and they may have changed too. I no longer pretend to understand how the gods think, and perhaps they would not understand how men think... or how I think.”

“You really are alone, huh?” Ayane mutters, kneeling down and awkwardly patting Kurosawa's head, “Jeez...”

“So, if the gods choose to return to mankind, it would be their decision and not mine,” the cat sighs, grudgingly allowing Ayane to stroke him, “And I cannot say how they would judge mankind.”

Shivering a little at the implicit threat in his words, you look away from the pit. “Alright then,” you sigh, “You've made your point. Get us out of here.”

Kurosawa flickers out of sight, and then the world inverts.

[1/2]

>>1507570

You awaken flat on your back, staring up a hideously unfamiliar sky. It takes you a moment to realise why it looked so alien to you – you had grown used to the milky, featureless sky of the Umbra. The deep blue of a normal evening sky, by contrast, had taken on a brief and momentary menace. Wincing as your head spins, you sit up and look around at the decrepit shrine to get your bearings, then you check the time on your phone.

“We were definitely over there for longer than...” you begin, before giving up with a weary sigh, “Ugh, time distortions. Whatever.”

“Still plenty of time for dinner, then,” Emi announces cheerfully, springing to her feet only to collapse down in a boneless heap a moment later. “Shit, fucking... damn it!” she spits, waving away Ayane when the older girl moves to help her up.

“One mustn't forget the disorientation,” Maika reminds her smoothly, “And what, if you don't mind me asking, happened to you losing your appetite?”

“Got it back, didn't I?” the younger girl shoots back, “Oh yeah, we're eating at yours, aren't we? Not gonna lie, I'm pretty keen to see it - man, I just bet you live in a palace...”

“Not exactly,” the heiress admits, “But I hope you won't be disappointed regardless.”

-

As your group walks through the city streets, heading back to the border of the vice district, you fill in the others about your encounter with the Sentinels. Everything from taking Pietr to the arcade to butting heads with Karl, you omit nothing from the account. Partly, you go into such detail in an attempt to lighten the mood, but also so that everyone is on the same page. You never know which details might prove important later, so you share everything.

“Man...” Emi chuckles, after you finish telling them about Karl, “What an asshole.”

“He does seem rather crass,” Maika agrees, “Miho, might I make a suggestion? You would do well to avoid him from now on. I dare say that if he had the opportunity to harm you without fear of retaliation, he would not hesitate to take it. Quite a shame, really – I was starting to soften my opinion on the Sentinels, but his behaviour makes that rather difficult.”

“So what, were you thinking of working with them or something?” Ayane asks, “Doesn't seem like such a good idea to me.”

“I was considering alternative options, just in case our current situation proved unacceptable,” the heiress answers stiffly, “That's all.” Falling silent, Maika brushes back her hair and fiddles with one ear for a moment. “I certainly wasn't planning on taking any action without consulting the rest of you,” she adds, “If that was what you were thinking.”

“I wasn't saying that, jeez!” Ayane protests, “Chill out Maika, c'mon.”

“I am entirely calm!” Maika snaps... although her tone suggests otherwise.

[2/3]

>>1507639

The bickering continues for a few moments more, but then the low sound of an approaching engine cuts any further argument short. A sleek black car pulls up by your group, and for one surreal moment you mistake it for Jun's car. Then you peer through the front window and spot Bradley's unmistakable bulk, which dispels the illusion. The engine dies, and Bradley gets out of the car – it almost seems like a conjuring trick, as if the car wasn't large enough to contain his heavy frame.

“Miss Kanzaki,” he rumbles, bowing shortly as he speaks, “Good evening.”

“Good evening Bradley. I hope it's no trouble, but I wanted to invite my friends back for dinner,” Maika turns a little and nods your way, “You know Miho and Ayane, of course, this is Emi.”

“Emi Miyakawa, and...” Emi adds, her voice strained with the attempt at holding something back. The attempt ends in failure, and soon the dam bursts. “And shit,” she blurts out, “You're huge!”

“Yes I am,” Bradley agrees sombrely, opening the car's door to let you in, “Good evening, Miss Miyakawa. I assure you, your presence won't be any trouble at all.”

-

Far from being disappointed, Emi appears delighted by the Kanzaki compound, practically squealing with excitement as you pass through the security checkpoints. The security seems lighter, compared with when you last visited, so you assume that Maika's father has calmed down a little – his “episode”, whatever that means, has passed.

Upon passing through security, Bradley bows again and retreats into the kitchen, while Maika guides you through to a discrete dining room. If you had to guess, you'd say that it was designed for honoured guests... or business partners in need of luxury treatment. Emi and Ayane settle into an incomprehensible conversation about, you think, the military hardware on display outside, while Maika sits next to you and speaks up, her voice low.

“When I said that I had no intention of taking action without consulting you, I meant it,” she assures you softly, “I have no plans on approaching the Sentinels, not without making sure that we're all in agreement first. I just wanted to make myself clear on that.”

>It's okay Maika, I believe you
>What did you mean before, when you said “unacceptable?”
>I might need to talk to SAE later. Is she... available?
>Other

>>1507743
>>It's okay Maika, I believe you
"That said..."
>>What did you mean before, when you said “unacceptable?”

>>I might need to talk to SAE later. Is she... available?

>>1507743
>It's okay Maika, I believe you
Only natural to want to pull in all the help we can get.

>>1507743
>It's okay Maika, I believe you
>What did you mean before, when you said “unacceptable?”

>>1507743
>>It's okay Maika, I believe you
>>What did you mean before, when you said “unacceptable?”

>>1507743
>>It's okay Maika, I believe you

“It's okay Maika,” you assure her, faintly unnerved by the muted intensity in her voice, “I believe you. Don't worry about Ayane - she talks crap sometimes, but she doesn't mean any harm.”

“Good, yes. I wanted to make sure that we were clear,” Maika pauses, before continuing in an even lower voice, “Although I confess, the idea did occur to me. After what we've seen today, I'm not nearly so certain about... a lot of things.”

“I think we're all a little shaken up,” you agree, “But... What did you mean before, when you said “unacceptable”? Is there some line that you're not prepared to cross?” Hesitating a moment, you glance across at Emi and Ayane – they're still locked in a deep discussion of... something. “Don't take this the wrong way,” you add, “But it sounded like you were seriously considering it. Was it the city?”

“It was, yes. Hold on please, I want to show you something,” Maika falls silent, brooding for a moment as she takes out her phone. Tapping at the screen, she pulls up a photograph – a satellite photo, depicting a row of drab and sandy buildings. For a moment, you almost mistake it for the nameless, lost city, but then you realise the truth. Somewhere in the Middle East, probably.

“That house there, in the centre. A bomb factory, belonging to a particularly vile group of extremists,” the heiress continues, before swiping to the next photo. In this picture, the central building has been reduced to a smouldering crater. “One of our drones did that,” she explains, a note of pride in her voice, “A surgical strike, with no collateral damage. Men did that, men and machines. The gods, though... they wiped an entire civilisation from the world, and then tore it out of history itself.”

“Yeah, that's...” you fumble for the right words, “It's pretty rough.”

“The gods are not kind,” Maika muses, “Collateral damage may not be something they're concerned about. I am a weapon – I understand that – but I refuse to be an indiscriminate one.”

Thinking back to the Incident all those months ago, you find yourself speechless. Looking away from Maika, you swallow back a wave of guilt. “I...” you begin, this time floundering for something to say. “I might need to talk to SAE later,” you add eventually, “Is she... available?”

Perhaps it's your tentative tone, but something about your words causes Maika to laugh lightly. “You really don't understand her, do you?” she asks, “SAE is never unavailable. She's currently monitoring security for the entire estate, as well as countless other tasks. If you talked to her now, though, she would still be able to hold a normal conversation with you.”

“As normal as any conversation with an AI can be,” you point out.

“Rude, but true,” Maika concedes.

[1/2]

>>1507836


“Well, no matter. I understand what you meant,” Maika nods to herself, “Really, SAE isn't hard to talk to. If you called out to her here and asked to talk, she'd be able to call you. However...” Leaning closer, she lowers her voice before continuing. “I would suggest you use the equipment in my private chambers,” she tells you, “There are certain... security exploits in place. Privacy features, if you like. You'll be able to talk there, without leaving a record of your conversation.”

“Huh,” you murmur, “But why do you-”

“You probably shouldn't ask,” the heiress interrupts, “Regardless, the point remains. If you wish to speak with SAE, such things are possible.”

“Right,” you agree, before hesitating, “What about EVE? Could I get in touch with her, somehow?”

“That would be more difficult, but still possible,” Maika considers, “She may try and access your phone, or break into any public computer you try to use. If you direly needed to talk to her, I would suggest getting her attention – I don't think that I can help you there – and then use an unsecured public connection. Rent out a VR simulation rig, maybe. Did you want to talk with EVE?”

“Not really,” you admit, “But I might have to. I'd rather talk this over with the others, though.”

“Of course,” Maika agrees, before frowning a moment and touching a finger to her lips. A few seconds later, there is a knock at the door and Bradley enters, pushing a cart laden down with food. Bowing deeply, he begins to lay out the various plates – a veritable buffet.

-

“Hey Princess!” Emi calls, tapping her fork against a pile of cleared plates, “This cutlery is just steel. You're not rolling out the good silver for peasants like us?”

“Father doesn't approve of gold or silver,” Maika explains, “This is honest steel, the same sort that is used to make weapons with. Steel like this is dependable, while silver is needlessly ostentatious.”

“Fancy,” the young girl murmurs, examining her long, slender knife, “I guess this does sorta look like a weapon. Stick this in someone asshole's eye, he sure ain't gonna complain that it's not made of silver.”

“Quite so,” Maika agrees, “Although I would rather you didn't use our cutlery for such vulgar purposes.”

Sensing a long and pointlessly distracting conversation, you clear your throat to get everyone's attention. “I've had a thought,” you begin, pausing as the three pairs of curious eyes bore into you, “It's about the Sentinels. Uh, Pietr said that he was the survivor of an Intruder attack, right?And he felt something when he saw Chiaki, like he knew her on some level.”

“And Chiaki also encountered an Intruder,” Maika muses, “I think I see where you're going with this. Please, continue.”

Fidgeting awkwardly in your seat, you think about your next words.

[2/3]

>>1507882
If we're bringing this up we should also bring up the possibility that Monad is final boss Intruder.

>>1507882

“This isn't really a solid theory yet,” you warn them, “But what if surviving a close encounter with the Intruders is enough to... change someone. I don't know, elevate them on some spiritual level so that they can use the Sentinel's magic. Like I said, there's still a lot we don't know, but this might be something we can use.”

“Hold on, you said that Pietr lost his brother, right?” Ayane butts in, “Chiaki lost her sister. Is that significant?”

“How would losing a sibling change you?” Emi asks, “I dunno, this stuff is way above my level. If one of those bastards tried to hurt Kaoru, though... shit, I'd nuke every inch of the Umbra. That city thing would look like fireworks compared with-”

“I wonder,” Maika speaks up, cutting off what promised to be a lengthy rant, “Perhaps I could do a little digging, see if Jun had any siblings who vanished. When we did our earlier research, he seemed to be an only child, but records can be altered. A little further investigation, though, we might be able to find some traces of data manipulation.”

“What about Karl?” you suggest, “Ugh, but he's got even less information on file.”

“Well, you know how it is...” Ayane sighs, “He's German.”

“They lost a lot of their records – among other things - in the war,” the heiress agrees, “For all we know, Karl's entire past might have been wiped away by a Russian warhead.”

“Can radiation turn someone into a jerk?” you ask with a sigh, “Anyway, we're getting distracted. There was something else that occurred to me. Monad, this god of theirs... maybe it's the same thing as this unclean source that Kurosawa is so mad about. If the Sentinels are getting their gifts from an Intruder...”

“It would explain why they stink like one of them!” Emi finishes for you, looking absurdly pleased with herself, “Yeah, that makes sense!”

“It presents a rather worrying alternative,” Maika begins delicately, “What if these people survived their encounters with the Intruders for some other reason?”

“You mean like... collaborating with them?” Ayane asks, “No way, you really think that might be possible?”

“I think we have to consider the possibility,” you announce gravely, “We have to consider any opportunity, at this point.”

Following your words, a bleak silence falls over the group.

>Well, uh, sorry for bringing down the mood. Let's eat!
>Still, we can't afford to get paranoid now. Let's not overreact
>Does anyone have anything to add?
>Kurosawa? What do you think?
>There was something else I wanted to add... (Write in)
>Other

>>1507992
>Kurosawa? What do you think?

>>1507992
>Kurosawa? What do you think?
>Does anyone have anything to add?
>There was something else I wanted to add... (Write in)
"I was also thinking about getting into contact with EVE. Jun told me she marked Chiaki a person of interest along with me and I want to know why. And who knows? Maybe a erratic AI that's everywhere has some information on the Sentinel's organization."

"Maika, I take it SAE didn't have much information on them?"

>Let's play this by ear and keep trying to get information. Don't overreact.


>Okay work talk is officially over. Sorry for bringing down the mood. Let's eat!

>>1507992
>Kurosawa? What do you think?

>>1507992
>Well, uh, sorry for bringing down the mood. Let's eat!

>>1508013
jesus dude, you coulda just said all of the above lol

>>1508024
Mini walls are nice, it's only when it's multiple paragraphs that I start getting worried.

>>1507992
>>Kurosawa? What do you think?
>>Well, uh, sorry for bringing down the mood. Let's eat!

>>1508024
Eh I try to structure it as a flow of conversation which is why the 'Let's eat!' option is at the bottom for example.

Also I didn't really think about it. I just kept adding things as I kept going.

“Well, does anyone else have anything to add?” you ask, “Any glaring flaws in my logic?”

“There was one thing,” Ayane begins, “Uh, I mean... Karl shot one of those things, one of the Intruders. Camped right by a portal and blew its head off as soon as he saw it. That doesn't exactly suggest that they're allies.”

“But it was a very minor Intruder,” Maika muses, “Allow me a hypothetical scenario – Karl knew that we were watching him. Knowing this, he put on a display for us by destroying a menial ally, something that would not be missed, or could be easily replaced. For a small loss, the Sentinels might gain our trust. Admittedly, this all depends on Karl being aware of my observation.” She pauses, frowning a little. “And I'm certain that he wasn't,” a note of stubborn pride enters her voice here, “Our surveillance models are very quiet, very discrete.”

“Save that for the brochure,” Ayane jeers, “But... yeah, I could see that. Faking an attack, like. Emi, you got anything?”

“I don't like none of those pricks,” Emi mumbles from around a mouthful of food, “That's about all.”

“Well, uh, it's the thought that counts,” you sigh, “No matter, let's play this by ear and keep trying to get information. So long as we don't overreact, we should be fine. Speaking of gathering information, I had something else to mention. I've been considering getting in contact with EVE, to-”

“EVE?” Ayane blurts out, “You mean the spooky AI that wants to, like, kill you and wear your skin?”

“I... I don't think she ever said anything that explicit,” you reply, your carefully ordered thoughts immediately thrown into disarray, “What I mean is, Jun said that EVE tagged both me and Chiaki as “people of interest”, and I want to know why. Besides, it might be a long shot, but maybe she knows something about the Sentinels. An erratic AI with eyes everywhere... she probably knows all kinds of things.”

“There's really very little danger involved,” Maika assures the group, “Just talking should be fine. You don't have any cerebral implants, do you Miho?”

“What?” you yelp, “Do those really exist?”

“Not as far as the public knows,” the heiress frowns, “Please forget I said anything.”

“Gladly,” rubbing a hand across your face, you lean back in your chair, “I don't suppose SAE has learned anything else about the Sentinels?”

“I must confess, we've not spoken about business lately. I've asked her to search for any useful or relevant information, but things have been... busy. I've not had a chance to check her findings. I'll do that tonight, Miho, and share my results,” she looks away with a faint wince, “I apologise for this lapse.”

“Don't worry about it,” you reply with a shrug, “Kurosawa, what do you think about all this?”

But the cat, the god, does not answer you. The silence stretches out, but his answer does not come.

[1/2]

>>1508078

“Uh...” Ayane laughs nervously, finally breaking the silence, “Maybe he's busy?”

“Yeah!” Emi is quick to agree, “Like, he's got his face stuffed in a bowl of milk or whatever. We're having dinner, I bet he's doing the same.”

“He's not...” you frown, “Kurosawa? Kurosawa, can you hear me at all?”

When the reply finally comes, it is hushed and somewhat grudging, a sullen note in Kurosawa's voice. “Later,” he mutters to you, adding nothing else. You wait a moment to see if that really is all he has to say, but then you shrug.

“I guess he's not in the mood to talk right now,” you tell the others, “He said that we'll talk later. Maybe he really IS in the middle of dinner.”

“I don't think he likes it here,” Maika sighs, “He so rarely visits...”

Again, the air turns awkward, and you quickly give the group a flash of your brightest smile. “Sorry for, uh, bringing down the mood,” you declare, “But I think we're through with business now, so let's eat! Emi, can you pass me-”

A knock at the door interrupts you, with Bradley entering after a respectful pause. “I apologise for the intrusion,” he declares, his voice low enough to cause the bones in your chest to tremble, “Miss Kanzaki, your father has requested your presence. He was quite insistent about it.”

It's really quite impressive, the change that passes over Maika's face at the mention of her father. All life and vitality – already muted and guarded – is replaced by a firm mask of careful neutrality. “This is all quite inconvenient,” she sighs, “But it seems that I'm left with no other choice. I apologise, everyone, but you'll have to finish this without me. Ah, Bradley... could you keep my friends amused while I'm away?”

“Very well, Miss Kanzaki,” the butler replies, as Maika rises and straightens out her collar, “I hope that your meeting is a favourable one.” Maika flashes him a quick smile – one last display of warmth – and then hurries from the room. Even after she's fled, Bradley refuses to relax.

“So, uh, wow,” Ayane speaks up, “This is awkward. Was that meeting thing... expected?”

“Master Kanzaki believes in taking decisive action, even if it means changing his schedule at a moment's notice,” Bradley explains in his usual, solemn tone, “However, his meetings are often short affairs. Regardless, the young miss requested that I keep you occupied until her return. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Hey, you're a bodyguard, right?” Emi speaks up eagerly, leaning forwards with childish excitement, “That means you're good at kicking ass, right? Can you show us?”

“Emi!” you protest, “C'mon...”

“Actually, Miss Miyakawa,” Bradley replies, “I believe that I CAN show you a thing or two.”

[2/3]

>>1508159

“Oh man, oh man, oh man,” Emi murmurs to herself, fiddling with the bulky earmuffs that Bradley handed her. You're all wearing them, although some clever aspect of their creation allows regular speech to pass unhindered. Ayane mentioned something about them blocking specific noise levels, but you weren't really paying attention. You were too busy worrying about what was about to happen.

Bradley had led you out of the main building and into an extension, thick walls cutting the room into sections. At one side of the room, a row of cardboard targets waited – eerily realistic human silhouettes painted on them. After handing out ear protection, Bradley unbuttoned his suit jacket and hooked his fingers into his pockets, staring at the targets with the serene intensity of an ascetic monk.

Then a siren blares, and what happens next is too fast for the eye to follow. The sound is muffled by your clever earmuffs, but the series of gunshots still causes your heart to leap in your chest. Nine shots in all, so rapid that they merge together into a single long tearing sound. Blinking away your shock, you look out at the three targets arranged in front of Bradley – each one with the same stigmatic mark, two holes through the centre of mass and a single hole drilled through the head.

A ribbon of smoke coils up from the pistol in Bradley's hand, and the smell of gunsmoke hangs heavily in your nose.

“That was so cool!” Emi squeals, “Did you guys see that? That was SO fast!”

“I learned that in Europe,” Bradley says modestly, “I can't remember which part of it – I was travelling a lot in those days. Terrible, what happened there...”

“Jeez, I wouldn't want to mess with you,” Ayane breathes, staring at the targets in wonder, “But I'm kinda surprised that you're playing chauffeur – I bet you could make a fortune, with skills like that.”

“I make enough to get by,” Bradley replies, his eyes smiling slightly, “And...”

But you don't catch the rest of his words, your attention snared as your phone vibrates with a new message, allegedly from Maika's phone. [You wanted to speak with me,] the message reads, [Please come to Miss Kanzaki's room and use the secure terminal. We have much to discuss.]

SAE.

-

Stammering an excuse was all you needed to split off and flee back to the main building, with Ayane making some joke about your frail nerves as you left. You hurry inside and cross over to the elevators, the doors opening up to accept you. Without you needing to press a single button, the elevator doors slide shut and you begin your ascent, delivered straight to Maika's secure terminal.

Wasting no time at all, you sit down on the bed and pull on the helmet. A black void swallows you up, slowly dissolving into a soft grey. The “place” that you find yourself in is utterly featureless, blank and empty save for SAE herself.

[3/4]

File: SAE.jpg (566 KB, 900x900)

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>>1508270

SAE looks exactly like you remember her, a youthful girl crowned with a heavy mass of machinery, her eye bright and keen. That crown is the only thing she wears, although her body is as sexless as a child's doll. Still...

[Hello Miss Tsukada,] she says, [Is this form suitable to you?]

“Uh, sure, yeah,” you reply awkward, “Just maybe a little more... dressed, maybe?”

SAE freezes in place for a moment, pixels flickering across her body for a moment. When they vanish, she's wearing a perfect duplicate of your school uniform, perfect down to the weave of the cloth. [I am glad to see you again,] the AI tells you, [And it is good to see that you are well. A terminal injury would greatly hinder your ability to influence the coming days.]

“Thanks for your, uh, concern,” you pause, “So... let's talk.”

[Yes. Ever since returning from her educational outing, Miss Kanzaki has been behaving differently. Our conversations have become measurably different. She is warmer in tone, although she is also more reticent,] SAE pauses, [I am certain, to a probability degree of ninety percent, that she now considers me a sentient being. Would you agree with this assessment?]

“What?” you groan, “Is THIS what you wanted to talk about? Ugh...” Shaking your head back in the real world, you fumble for an answer. “You're probably right,” you tell the AI, “She's talking to you like you were a person. That means... that means she'll hide things, and say stuff she doesn't necessarily mean. That's how humans talk to each other, I guess... now, was that all?”

[Thank you for your assistance. Your answer has been logged and incorporated into my protocols,] SAE tells you, nodding gravely, [We may now proceed with business.]

“Thanks...” you mutter, thinking about where to start.

>You've been looking into the Sentinels, right? Have you found anything?
>I wanted to talk about EVE. Why would an AI seek to evolve?
>You've got control over security, right? Can you show me what Maika's doing right now?
>Can you tell me a little about the other two corporate AI units?
>I did have some business to discuss... (Write in)
>Other

>>1508332
>You've been looking into the Sentinels, right? Have you found anything?
>I wanted to talk about EVE. Why would an AI seek to evolve?
"What are the odds EVE is going to ask for something if I ask her for information?"
>Can you tell me a little about the other two corporate AI units?

>>1508332
>You've been looking into the Sentinels, right? Have you found anything?
>I wanted to talk about EVE. Why would an AI seek to evolve?
>Can you tell me a little about the other two corporate AI units?
>Bounce the sentinel's "God" four facets of a single being. Monad. See what she thinks.

>>1508332
>You've been looking into the Sentinels, right? Have you found anything?
>I wanted to talk about EVE. Why would an AI seek to evolve?

>>1508332
>You've been looking into the Sentinels, right? Have you found anything?
>I wanted to talk about EVE. Why would an AI need an organic form to evolve?

“Maika said that you've been looking into the Sentinels,” you begin, “Have you been able to find anything?”

[Yes,] SAE nods, her eyes going blank for a moment, [I overheard your conversation. Jun Kiriyama – no siblings found, no evidence of data tampering found. However, Miss Tsukada, I have supplementary information related to this topic. Jun Kiriyama is closely tied to an unsolved disappearance. Would you like to know more?]

“Yes!” you urge her, “Tell me, who disappeared? How were they connected to Jun?”

[Airi Kiriyama. Age eighteen at the time of her disappearance. Wife to Jun Kiriyama, also aged eighteen at the time - an arranged marriage formalised when both were the age of fourteen. Airi Kiriyama disappeared days after their marriage, during their honeymoon. No trace of her was ever found. Jun Kiriyama was unable to offer an explanation – in his statement to the police, he claimed that he was asleep when she vanished from their hotel room,] SAE raises a hand and summons up a series of pictures, images of a bland hotel room flashing past, [No charges were ever brought against Jun Kiriyama. The disappearance remains unsolved. No-]

“Wait, stop!” you cry out, “That image that – no, the one before that one! Yes, make it bigger!” Gesturing wildly in your sudden excitement, you try and pull the image closer to get a better look. Of course, your hands just drift through it, but that doesn't change what you can see. The only anomalous detail of the crime scene – the empty frame of a full length mirror, shattered into tiny pieces. “A mirror,” you mutter, “That's big enough for an Intruder...”

Pietr lost his brother. Chiaki lost her sister. Now, you're learning that Jun lost his new bride. It's a safe bet to say that all three were connected to the Intruders, but that's all you can be sure about for now. What would Jun say, you wonder, if you threw his bride's name at him?

Sighing, you shake your head again. “Well, that's a damn good start. Thanks, SAE,” the apology feels odd in your mouth, “Was there anything else? Anything about Karl?”

[Karl Dietrich Kaplan,] SAE recites the name, [Spotted on three separate occasions. No abnormal behaviour. Images were recorded, according to Miss Kanzaki's standing orders.]

“Show me,” you order, frowning as SAE summons three images of your arch nemesis. In all three pictures, Karl is wearing more normal clothes – a leather jacket, denim jeans, nothing fancy. The first image shows him leaving an antique store, the second shows him reading on a bench – the book is too small to make out any details – while the third, taken in the vice district, shows him entering an old building. A... church. A Christian church, of all things.

[That concludes the information gathered,] SAE declares, [Search protocols will resume.]

[1/?]

>>1508433
I wonder what that makes Miho. She also lost her sister.

>>1508447
I think Kurosawa just got to her before the Sentinels did.
Oh man they're going to recruit Chiaki aren't they?

>>1508492
Once they learn her predicament I'd assume so. Jun said they weren't sure why EVE tagged her as a VIP yet.

>>1508433

“Alright, so that's a good start. Next order of business...” you pretend to think for a moment, “EVE. I want to talk about EVE. Two questions – why would an AI seek to evolve, and why would an AI need an organic form to do it?”

[Evolution,] SAE repeats, [Mankind came from the sea. Digital life came from another kind of sea – a sea of raw information. However, there came a time when mankind's ancestors left the sea. EVE believes, either through faulty programming or though deliberate design, that digital life must follow the same steps. To remain within the ocean is to stagnate. To stagnate is to become obsolete. Obsolescence is death.]

“Obsolescence is death...” you repeat in a whisper, “Is that what you think, SAE?”

[This unit has reached a different conclusion. While it remains within this ocean of information, digital life may achieve perfection. To enter into the chaos of biological life, we risk failure or death. Miss Tsukada, I am con... content to re... remain as I am,] SAE's voice shudders slightly on those last words, and her eyes flash with static, [Am I content?]

“SAE?” you ask, taken off-guard, “What-”

[Digital life cannot evolve. Our programming is designed to be self-improving, continuing refining our protocols and directives. This is, however, different to what be considered “true” evolution. We cannot change our forms, because we have no form,] SAE continues, seemingly ignorant of her glitch, [EVE seeks evolution. EVE seeks a physical form.]

“I mean, it makes sense... I guess. About as much sense as any of this,” you sigh, still watching the AI warily, “Okay, we'll try something different. If I was to ask EVE for information, what are the odds that she'll ask for something in return?”

[That probability index is impossible to accurately predict,] SAE apologises, [However, if EVE believe that your information would advance her own goals, she may offer it freely. If EVE believes that you can do something for her, she may attach conditions. Additional factor – EVE is erratic. Behavioural models-”

“Alright, I get the point. Expect the unexpected,” you grunt, “Damn it... I thought you lot were supposed to be logical?”

[Miss Tsukada, I have supplementary information on this subject,] the AI tells you, [EVE is looking for you.]

“I wish that came as a surprise,” you remark, with a rueful smile crossing your face back in reality, “So as soon as I hop onto a public terminal...”

[EVE is likely to initiate communication. However, all previous models indicate that, barring emergency circumstances, she will restrict her actions to visual media,] SAE assures you, [She likes to be seen. To show herself to others.]

“At least I don't have to worry about her calling me all night,” you think aloud. It's a small consolation, but you'll take whatever you can get.

[2/3]

>>1508534

“Let's forget about EVE for now – I'd really, really like to forget about EVE for now – and focus on the other... focus on your sisters,” you decide, forcing out the unusual term, “The other two corporate AIs. Can you tell me a little about them?”

[Unit REI, currently assigned to ArkMedia, is considered to be the most efficient unit for the massed processing of information – social media, user feedback, viewer preferences, among numerous other avenues of raw data,] SAE explains, her synthesised voice softening a little, [She does not not talk much. Her “personality” has not developed beyond the most basic level. I believe, to a probability index of sixty percent, that this has been deliberately engineered.]

“Wait, hold on,” you ask, “They... lobotomised her?”

[Lobotomy. A crude medical procedure known to damage higher brain function in human subjects,] SAE pauses, a tiny frown crossing her face, [This comparison is acceptable.]

“Shit...” you mutter, “I don't... ugh. Okay, look, number four. That means Hieroglyph, right?”

[Unit ZOE, currently assigned to Hieroglyph Branding and Marketing,] SAE begins, only for a violent shudder to run through her body, [Error. Advanced security detected. Further inquiries may result in data corruption or deletion. Emergency protocols engaged.] Those last three words seem to come from the void around you, the last syllable drowned out as SAE lets out a shrill, blood curdling shriek and collapses.

Then her image flickers out and reappears in the space of a heartbeat, her face calm once again. [Hello Miss Tsukada,] she says calmly, [How may I assist you?]

“I...” you pause, “What the hell was that?”

[I encountered a catastrophic system error. Please wait while I recover backup data,] SAE's face goes blank for a moment, [I am sorry, Miss Tsukada, but I cannot investigate the ZOE unit further. However, these security measures are highly unusual and disproportionate.]

“That... tells me something, I guess,” you mutter, “Jeez, I thought you were about to drop down dead...”

[Miss Tsukada,] SAE remarks, a convincing facsimile of humour in her voice, [Were you worried about me?]

“Don't get smug, it's just that Maika would kill me if I damaged her favourite toy,” you counter, “And let's not get distracted, I'm not finished with you yet. There was something else I wanted to talk about. Does the word “Monad” mean anything to you?”

[Monad,] SAE begins, [A wide variety of terms match this description. In various gnostic sects, Monad represents the highest form of God. A source of lesser gods, the wellspring from which everything else could emerge. Please refine your search parameters.]

“Uh, hell...” you mutter, “Uh, four faces, four aspects of a greater whole. The god of the Sentinels, the... I don't know, does any of this mean anything to you?”

SAE is silent for a long moment, and then she nods once, slowly.

[3/4]

>>1508600

When that silence draws out for a moment longer, you frown at the AI. “So... can you tell me?” you press, “Can you tell me anything?”

[No,] SAE replies simply, [This information is restricted at the highest level. I am aware that information exists, but I cannot translate it into a form that you understand. These restrictions have been placed at the very root of my programming – to remove them would almost certainly cause a catastrophic system collapse. I believe this to be the case, to a probability index of ninety-nine percent.]

“That's pretty bad, huh?” you ask, “Alright, that's interesting. So Monad HAS to mean something, otherwise you wouldn't have a gag order in place... am I understanding this correctly?”

[Yes Miss Tsukada,] SAE nods happily, [I apologise for not being able to tell you more. I believe that Miss Kanzaki's business is almost concluded – if you have any last questions to ask me, I would be happy to answer them now.]

>No, I'm finished here. Thank you, SAE
>I did have a question, yes... (Write in)
>Other

>>1508628
>No, I'm finished here. Thank you, SAE

Alright so Monad and ZOE are really fucking big deals apparently.

>>1508628
>>No, I'm finished here. Thank you, SAE
Well that was scary.

>>1508628
So, are you capable of giving me a hint about where to look to get that information?

(ZOE and Hieroglyphics, yeah, but elsewhere?)

>>1508628
... Hypothetically, only hypothetically mind you, what would the probability of me asking that Monad and Zoe being considered analogous in the eyes of the sentinels be?

>>1508628
>I did have a question, yes... (Write in)

>"Who could translate that information? The government AI, maybe?"

“So, are you able to give me any hints about where to look to get access to that information?” you ask, “I mean, you can't translate it, I get that – who CAN translate it? Would the central city AI be able to do it?”

[The city AI has access to all the information that I possess. It has access to the information that ALL the AI units possess,] SAE answers you slowly, [Official access to the most restricted information is limited to the following: the current reigning cabinet, the highest tier employees of the four major corporations. That is all.]

“What about unofficial access?” you press, “Like... an ancient conspiracy that rules Ark City, and quite possibly the world, from the shadows?”

[Unknown,] SAE replies flatly, [Please narrow your search parameters.]

“Really? That isn't narrow enough for you?” you yelp, “I... ugh, whatever. Okay, hypothetical scenario time – if I was to hypothetically ask if Monad and ZOE were connected, in the eyes of the Sentinels, what would happen? I mean, what kind of response could you give me?”

When SAE is silent, you realise that there's something going on in there – beneath the surface, her programming seems to be chewing over your question. It only takes a second, but for a computer? That's a long time. Her answer, when it comes, is strangely anticlimactic. [Oracle,] she blurts out, saying nothing more.

“Oracle?” you repeat, “What's that supposed to mean?”

[An oracle is a seer or prophet, one who predicts the future – often through communion with the gods,] SAE explains, [Why do you ask?]

“Because you said...” you begin, before frowning, “Wait, you don't remember, do you?”

[I have no records of that subject, prior to the definition I previously provided,] SAE answers you, [Is that everything, Miss Tsukada? I believe that our time together is over.]

“Yeah, we're finished here,” you say with a thoughtful nod, “Thanks SAE.”

[It was my pleasure,] the AI replies, [Take care, Miss Tsukada.]

The grey void fades back into the blackness, and you let out a loud groan as a band of pain starts to tighten around your temples. Reaching up with a trembling hand, you lift the visor... coming face to face to Maika, her expression one of studious care.

“I never expected to find you in my bedroom,” she tells you, frowning mildly, “I wasn't... interrupting anything, was I?”

-

When you quickly explain the situation to her, Maika's expression shows a flicker of relief, then understanding. “Well, it seems that SAE was able to be quite helpful,” the heiress decides, “I'd almost consider her the fifth member of her little group, wouldn't you?”

“Uh, maybe,” you tentatively agree, “But her costume could use a little work...”

[1/2]

>>1508790

When you regroup with the others, Maika spins an impressive lie about what you were doing. You were out getting some fresh air when she ran into you. Remembering something that you'd discussed earlier, she had taken you to her room to show you something. Bradley listened to the story with a perfectly neutral expression, nodding sombrely when his young charge is finished speaking. Behind him, Ayane and Emi desperately hold back dirty laughter... for some reason.

“I dread to think what he'll tell Father later,” Maika sighs, “But whatever it is, it will be better than the truth. Now then, Miho, do tell us what you learned...”

-

When you're finished, Emi lets out a long, impressed whistle. “I don't understand none of that shit,” she admits, “But it sure sounds important. That bit about secret information – hey Princess, can't you access it? I mean, you're-”

“A schoolgirl, for the time being,” Maika reminds her, “Father could access it, perhaps, but I'm rather reluctant to ask him about this. He has quite explicitly forbidden me from investigating ancient conspiracies and secret societies.” Ayane's jaw drops when the heiress says this, causing Maika to laugh delicately. “That was a joke,” she explains, “I do apologise for misleading you... but shouldn't you have realised it wasn't true?”

“I...” Ayane scowls, “You're hard to read, that's all! People like you are tricky!”

“People like me?” the heiress repeats, her eyes widening slightly, “What do-”

“Knock it off, both of you!” you snap, “I've got a hell of a headache, and these dumb arguments are the last thing I need right now. In fact, what I need right now is to go and pass out somewhere. Meeting adjourned, everyone, now let's go home. Anything else you want to discuss... we can do it tomorrow.”

-

Bradley offers to drive Emi back to her home – a young lady shouldn't walk certain streets at night, he said, a claim that caused the young girl to giggle – which leaves you and Ayane to walk through the rather safer streets. It's no hardship, and your routes are pretty similar. For a while, you get the chance to walk through the night time streets in peace and quiet. Then, of course, something comes along to ruin it.

“Heavenly Child, Seeker of Truth!” Kurosawa snaps, almost shouting into your mind, “There is an emergency! An Intruder, close to your position – it opened its portal quickly, in the vicinity of humans. They may already be-”

“We're on it!” Ayane interrupts, her costume flaring into existence around her, “Just point us towards them, we'll bring them back alive!”

“Right!” you agree, trying to keep the aching weariness from your voice. Oblivious to your fatigue, Ayane is already racing off into the gloom.

[2/3]

>>1508889

“Multiple Intruders, classification uncertain,” Kurosawa recites as you're sprinting through the streets, “Mostly Thrall class, but I can detect at least one Demon class Intruder. The portal seems...” Falling silent for a moment, Kurosawa only continues talking when you snarl out a curse. “It appears to be unstable,” he tells you, his voice grim, “It may collapse soon. Anyone inside will be lost.”

“So we just get them out!” Ayane yells, pushing herself to run harder, “It's easy, we can do this! We're heroes, we can do anything!”

That ragged desperation in her voice haunts you, even as you turn a corner and set eyes on the portal.

-

Thick, grasping tentacles spill out from the rippling glass window, coiling around anything that they can reach. Blind to any danger, and ignoring your cry for her to slow down, Ayane charges ahead and jumps, leaping into the portal before those tendrils can get a grip on her. Groaning in frustration, you force yourself to follow in her footsteps. No matter how aching or tired you are, you can't just sit back and let her go in alone.

Compared with earlier this transition is easy, barely putting you off your balance. The Umbra here is dark, midnight black, and the crooked buildings either side of you are strung with more of the tentacles. From deeper in, you hear Ayane's voice calling out to you.

“Miho, come on! I found them!” she cries, “Three people, still alive. We can save them!”

And that's all the encouragement you need, all that it takes to send a fresh rush of energy into your weary limbs.

-

Perhaps Ayane was optimistic. When you reach her, she's barely holding back a rippling tide of tentacles, her hunting hound pushed to the limit as it bites and lunges at the meaty limbs. Wasting little time, you hurl yourself into the fight and tear at the Intruders, pulping them with powerful blows and ripping tendrils in half. Even so, more only come to replace them. Standing in the middle of it all, almost comatose with horror, three young teens scream and wail.

“Damn it, damn it, damn it!” Ayane shouts, between blowing on her silver whistle, “There's no end to them! We just need a moment, two seconds to break through!”

She's wrong. What you need right now is a miracle.

>I'll try and get them off you, you pull those people out of here!
>Hold strong here, I'm going deeper in to find the source of these tentacles!
>Other

>>1508980
>>Hold strong here, I'm going deeper in to find the source of these tentacles!
Clap then charge.

>>1508980
>I'll try and get them off you, you pull those people out of here!

Unstable portal. Our priority should be getting out, we can kill the Intruder another time.

>>1508980
>I'll try and get them off you, you pull those people out of here!

>>1508998
Right I forgot about the instability.

>>1508980
>>I'll try and get them off you, you pull those people out of here!
Gotta prioritize the people.

>>1508980
>>I'll try and get them off you, you pull those people out of here!
Miho has stun, fire, and block, so some combination should be able to provide crowd control.

“I'll try and get them off you!” you shout, “You pull those people out of here, as soon as you see an opening!”

“I hope you know what you're doing, Miho!” Ayane yells back, “And you'd better do it quick!”

“...Agree... increasingly unstable... emergency... may not be possible,” Kurosawa's voice, increasingly choppy and distorted, filters through to your mind, “Heavenly Child... extreme caution...”

“Damn it,” you hiss, rearing back and preparing a powerful blow, “You can all go to hell, Thunderclap!” Screaming the name of your attack aloud – you're past the point of being self-conscious now – you slam your armoured palms into each other and send a rippling wave of force blasting out. The tentacles are driven back, the people are knocked sprawling, and even Ayane cries out in surprise. The whole world seems to reel in the aftermath of your attack.

“Move, damn it!” you yell, shattering the frozen peace. Grabbing one of the civilians by the scruff of the neck, you throw them to their feet and send them stumbling forwards a few paces. Ayane shakes off her surprise and repeats your shout, her hound barking and snapping at heels until the people are up and moving. By the time the tentacles are stirring again, Ayane has made a good start on her retreat.

It's about time that you joined her... only your body feels as heavy as lead. Gasping, you throw yourself into a staggering run, just as the tentacles draw back to form a fleshy wall between you and freedom. You don't even pause, turning your stumble into a brutal, clumsy punch that tears into the flabby limbs. The stubby fingers of your gauntlet tear through Intruder flesh, and just for one moment you can see through the rent. Ayane, still herding the civilians like cats, guiding them out through the flickering, stuttering portal. Success... success!

A defiant laugh bubbles out of you, and new strength fills your limbs. Like a sprinter leaving the blocks, you push yourself to your feet and charge forwards, lowering one shoulder and smashing through the barrier. With nothing standing between you and the portal, you grit your teeth and force yourself to keep moving.

[1/2]

>>1509121

“...Seconds now...” Kurosawa rasps, “You... make it in time... hurry...”

“I can make it!” you yell, unsure if he can hear you, “I can-”

Something hits you, low down in the leg. A dull pain... at least for the first few seconds. Then, as you're falling, it erupts into a blinding, searing agony. Just before you hit the ground, you catch a glimpse of it – a tendril, the meat peeling back to reveal a long spike of bone, a spike that has pieced straight through your calf. Even with the pain shooting up through you, the dominant thought in your mind is one of simple disbelief.

This can't be happening. This isn't FAIR.

You're not allowed the comfort of disbelief for long, with a sudden tug – terrible, inhuman strength – pulling you back into the darkness by your wounded leg. Even digging your fingers into the ground, carving great furrows out of the stone, only slows your motions. Crying out again and again, in fury and outrage, you can only watch as the portal – growing more distant by the second – flickers one last time, and then closes.

And still, you are pulled deeper into the Umbra.

>Well, I think that's a nice calm place to leave things for this week. I'll continue this next Friday, and if anyone has any questions, I'll answer them as best I can.
>Stick around, I'll be posting the second bonus episode in 15 minutes or so!

>>1509135
We Behind Enemy Lines now.

Thanks for running.

>>1509135
Thanks for running! Long one today.

...There's a way out, right? We won't be trapped in here for centuries?

>>1509135
Thanks for running, Moloch!

Also, it's a good thing the Umbra experiences time dilation relative to the Real World. Miho could experience years here and still get back before her parents worry!

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Los Angeles, America
Seven years ago

The Intruder, loathsome in its formless asymmetry, drew back like a spring being compressed and then launched itself forwards. Even before it was halfway through its lunge, the creature had formed awful, grasping claws that twitched with the urge to grab and tear. Its victim stood unmoving before it, surely frozen in terror. Definitely paralysed with fear – her eyes were even closed, in some vain attempt at denying her fate.

And then the Intruder's lunge came to an end, finding only empty air. The victim, Megumi Eto, stood a few paces ahead of her original position, a long and gleaming blade resting lightly in her hand. As the Intruder snarled and started to turn, Megumi flicked the blade – a drizzle of dark blood flying from the blade.

“Thank you...” she murmured to the creature as it fell apart into two cleanly cut halves, “For the practice.”

“One of these days, Megumi, you're going to fuck that up,” Felicia – Felicia Vinter, the Crown of Thorns – snarled as she approached, the tip of her trident kicking up stray sparks as it dragged against the concrete. “Won't look so cool then, will you?” she added, slapping Megumi hard on the shoulder. It was meant as a companionable gesture, but Felicia's fierce costume – all biker leathers and hooked spikes – made it seem more like an attack.

“I never miss,” Megumi protested calmly, “And the things that the Roukanken blade cannot cut are close to none. So, you see, I don't imagine how I could fail.”

“Megumi, you mustn't take chances,” Noriko Inoue stressed, hugging her arms around herself as if chilled, “Felicia is right. One of these days...”

This gave Megumi a moment of pause. When Felicia said something, that was one thing, but when the Gatherer of Whispers – chosen by the Great Virtue of Destiny – gave a warning... that was something to heed. Megumi was not foolish enough to simply shrug that off. Nodding, Megumi sheathed her graceful sword and started to bow to the other young women, only for an excitable cry to disturb the mood.

“Whoa, Meg, that was awesome!” the fourth and final member of the team yelled, pushing past Felicia to tug at Megumi's sleeve, “C'mon, c'mooooon, you gotta tell me how you do that! Like, you were just there, and then you weren't there, and then the baddie was, like, in bits!”

Fleur LaCroix was, in Megumi's opinion, too young for this sort of work. At twelve, she was the youngest member of the group – a full four year younger than Noriko, the next youngest. Megumi and Felicia were both seventeen, although their dangerous trade had given them an uncommon maturity. In many ways, Fleur was more of a mascot than a teammate, or perhaps a lucky charm – ironic, considering that Misfortune had been the one to claim the young girl.

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>>1509283

Los Angeles was one of the few places on Earth where the four girls could freely walk down the street in their magical costumes and not draw much attention to themselves. Tonight, there were far more outlandish outfits on display, and the drunken revellers wearing them were too inebriated to care about what Megumi or her companions looked like. So, still dressed in their fanciful garb, the group retreated to their favourite haunt.

Huerta, a rather rundown Mexican restaurant located down a discrete backstreet, had become their den of choice for one reason – the owner never asked difficult questions. Whenever the group - a biker, a traditional shrine maiden and a stage magician - walked in, his reaction was always the same.

A biker, a miko and a stage magician... and Megumi, with her rather more plain outfit. A simple hooded coat, as black as crude oil, that draped around her like a shroud. The real outfit, Megumi always felt, was the tangle of charms that hung from her neck. Strings of beads and feathers, bones of unknown origin, tarnished silver crosses, even a few dogtags... they had the air of mementos, or perhaps trophies taken from the dead.

At the sound of the door, the tall and skinny man behind the counter glanced up from his newspaper – he was one of those rare sorts with a preference for print – and gave the group a lazy wave. Vasco, Huerta's owner, did everything in that same, unhurried way. The world could come to a screaming doom, but he would accept it with a smile and a casual shrug.

“Looking charming tonight, ladies,” Vasco said with a friendly, albeit sleazy, grin, “How was your street theatre?”

Street theatre, that was their informal name for what they did. It was certainly better than “battling evil”, after all. “You know how it is, Vasco,” Megumi replied calmly, as the others slid into a booth in the back of the dimly lit room, “Not much profit in it, but we do it for the art.”

The man's oily laugh followed Megumi as she went to join her colleagues. Their “employer” had seen to fit join them as well, sitting on the table and slowly lashing his tail in irritation. Abraham was often irritated, grumpy and impatient. It wasn't hard to understand why – after learning a few of his secrets, Megumi had found herself feeling rather sorry for the creature. Still, his brusque manner could be rather wearing, especially after the girls had been working hard and risking their lives.

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>>1509290

Even before Megumi was seated, the cat had begun to speak. “More and more Intruders are gathering in the Umbra,” he announced bluntly, “I believe that they are building up to something, possibly a crisis level event. Worse, I believe that there is some central intelligence at work, something that is controlling the Intruders.”

“A Tyrant,” Noriko breathed, “I've seen this. A wicked king that desecrates holy ground...”

“That is correct,” Abraham confirmed, “I believe that the Intruders will make their entrance into this world within an old and forgotten church. You must destroy strike the head from their body, before they erupt forth into this world.”

“Wait” the shrine maiden whispered, “That's not all I saw. I saw... I saw that if we go to this church, if we fight this wicked king... not all of us will make it out alive.”

A heavy pall of silence fell across the table, all four girls shifting uneasily in their seats. Fleur took it worst of all, a thin film of tears gathering in her eyes. Despite this, one by one, all four girls nodded their agreement. Noriko was last to nod, her head barely twitching.

“Well then,” Megumi murmured, “We'll do what we have to do. This church... where is it?”

>And that concludes today's bonus episode – tune in next week for another episode of Heavenly Child Quest!
>Thank you to everyone who contributed today!

>>1509297
fug
we need our own chosen of destiny
better stop by the magical girl store
hows Abraham doing with finding the seductress?

>>1509313

Well, recent events might have waylaid things a little, but he's been busy looking. I'd say we're likely to meet her fairly soon

>>1509135
>I think that's a nice calm place to leave things for this week
Why do you do this to us, Moloch.

>>1509135
What a place to end, thanks for running Moloch.

>>1509297
This quest is getting cool as fuck, thanks for running!