>>2007132
>They must have gone in the Witching Hour. Phones don't work in there.
>Bennett should know where they are.

>>2007132
>They must have gone in the Witching Hour. Phones don't work in there.
>David wouldn’t play hooky

>>2007160
>>2007171
>They must have gone in the Witching Hour. Phones don't work in there.
>Bennett should know where they are.
>David wouldn’t play hooky
You know the adorable little scamp well enough to know that he would only skip school if he was sick, it was an emergency, or someone died. Given the first is to your knowledge impossible, you hope to get to him and Solomon before one or both of the other two become true.

You and the group you've gathered so far head to Mr. Bennett's office, but find it locked from the inside after a few failed turns.

"We've gotta get the key from someone," Ruth says. "Ms. Crew, the Principal, the janitor."

"Or we could not make a fool of ourselves and call Bennett," Keith rolls his eyes and dials. "No signal. He's also in there. Which would explain why the door is locked."

"I can try to pick the lock," Donna suggests, getting a dirty look from everyone present. "What? I can."

"The Principal and Crew know about this, right?" Kenneth asks. "Maybe Ruth is right."

"I knew there was something up with Bennett." Florez mutters. "He's doing something behind our back for sure."

"Hold up," Keith stops Ruth. "If Bennett brought David in the Witching Hour, he must have locked the door. So how would Solomon follow him? We know David was out of classes before, so he would logically be in the Witching Hour all day in that case. None of this makes sense if Bennett betrayed David AND Solomon."

"Solomon could have locked the door behind him," Donna shrugs, pulling out a pair of paperclips. "But that doesn't really make sense either. Let me at the door."

>>Locked Room Problem
>Let's just get the key from one of the teachers.
>No, I think this is bigger than that. We need the key and without anyone else knowing about the fact we have it.
>Donna, try the door. But this had better work.
>Never thought I'd say this, but... Keith? Smash.
><Write-In>

>>2007379
>We have to get a key knowing what's on the other side Bennett wouldn't carelessly make it so this door can be forced open.

>>2007379
>>We have to get a key knowing what's on the other side Bennett wouldn't carelessly make it so this door can be forced open.
>Let's go to the Janitor's office, we'll need to find a way to get the key from them.

>>2007410
>>2007430
>>We have to get a key knowing what's on the other side Bennett wouldn't carelessly make it so this door can be forced open.
>>Let's go to the Janitor's office, we'll need to find a way to get the key from them.
The Janitor's office is near the Principal's office. Thankfully, he and the secretary don't seem to be in at the moment. You're not supposed to go behind the desk, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Seems the janitor isn't as rigorous as Bennett is, and you snatch up a ring of keys. Unfortunately, they've also got a beacon attached to them, and due to the design it can't be removed from the ring.

"It'll have to do," Ruth whispers, then tilts her head to signal that you should leave. Returning, Kenneth and Keith go on lookout for anyone coming by and you try the keys. Eventually, one of them fits, and the bolt turns. Taking out the key and pushing open the door, you see the closet door is closed and open it. Keith is the last to come in, and he locks the door behind him, in case whoever's responsible comes back.

You've got Ruth, Keith, Kenneth, and Donna with you- not really enough overlap to justify breaking up into groups, especially without support.

Entering Avalon, you find the place devastated. There are bullet holes everywhere, huge dents in the wall, and the chair is in bad shape. No sign of Bennett, David, Solomon, or anyone else. Ruth looks around with a worried gaze. "I wonder... Are Beatrice and Virgil here?"

When you go to the first floor of Babylon, they don't seem to be, and Florez gets more worried.

"The elevator seems intact," Kenneth notes. "Wherever they are, they probably took the fighting down a few floors."

>>Wherever they are
>We need to see how far this elevator can really go.
>The next most recent floor, then- Wrath and Sullenness.
>They might be on the same floor we're on now.
>We need to head back outside and warn someone.
><Write-In>

>>2007573
>Inspect the siege perilous before we go. Can we tell anything from it?
>>We need to see how far this elevator can really go.

>>2007573
>The next most recent floor, then- Wrath and Sullenness.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>Inspect the siege perilous before we go. Can we tell anything from it?
The chair is heavily damaged and none of its hardware seems to be functioning properly. It's still active, but nothing seems to be working and you're sure that even beyond Walt's warnings putting yourself in the seat would be a death sentence due to all the exposed wires and damaged electronics.
The cameras don't seem to be working- the screens are all showing test signals.
>>2007589 (1)
>>2007630 (2)

>>2007674
>>We need to see how far this elevator can really go.

You decide that this is no time to hesitate, and ask everyone to pile in. How far does this elevator go when you're in control of the console, instead of one of the guides? Punching the 'down' button, you watch the number at the top change with some nervousness.
"There are nine layers of Hell, right?" Kenneth asks. Donna nods silently and stands by Keith, not sure what's going to happen.
You started at 1...
2...3...4...5... That's the first floor you haven't been to. As you hold your breath, the elevator eventually changes to 6, Heresy.
Then it goes to 7, 8, 9... and finally stops at 'B'. The air feels much colder all of a sudden.

The doors open to reveal a desolate wasteland, icy and pitch-black. Nothing but darkness in all directions.
"Uh, maybe we should head back up." Price chatters, already feeling the cold. "They don't seem to be here. Besides, I don't think 'B' is a layer of Hell."

"Hey, no bitching out now. At least three people's lives are at stake, if not more." Keith is the first to step into the darkness, and when he does, the earth shakes.

"See?" Donna tugs on his sleeve. "Get back in here and let's ditch this joint."

Huge glowing red lights stare out of the void at you, each at least ten feet tall. Due to their shape and placement, you realize they're eyes. And they're moving closer, becoming much larger as they do. Your body freezes up in instinctual fear.

"Sofia, get us out of here!" Kenneth yells, before pushing you away from the pad and punching in '1'. There's no immediate reaction.

The monster grows closer and closer- it's tremendously huge, each eye five stories tall and the mouth large enough to hold bus-sized teeth.

>>Floor B
>Floor 5! Floor 5!
>Ground floor! Ground!
>No... We need to stand our ground. (Roll 2d10+1)
>(Call into the dark) Solomon, are you in there? Anyone?
><Write-In>

>>2007762
>Floor 5! Floor 5!

>>2007589
Solomon ain't dumb enough to escape to the lowest floor and if he is he's dead already

>>2007762
>Floor 5! Floor 5!

And that concludes our fieldtrip! Let's get the fuck out of here.

>>2007778
>>2007805
>Floor 5! Floor 5!
Whatever it is, it seems to let up when it realizes that you're leaving. You don't know whether that's from it not considering you a good target or simply not having enough brainpower to consider a pursuit.

Thankfully, once Keith is pulled into the elevator, the doors slam shut and the elevator rises, leaving everyone inside to catch a breath of relief. Donna attempts to kick Allan in the shins but does so ineffectually, given how cold it's been and that she's still shivering. However, when the door opens to the fifth floor, the heat is oppressive and wind blows sand into the elevator. You cover your eyes to shield yourself from the strange new environment.

Blinking, you step out into a windswept desert full of dunes. You're not sure how this is Wrath or Sullenness, but given the false sun overhead beats down oppressive heat, you are sure this situation is nothing good. "Great, now what?" Kenneth grumbles, stepping onto the sand and looking around. "I don't see anything but sand and mirages here."

"It stands to reason Solomon would come here," Ruth mutters. "At least, it's the only lead we've got."

"Is that a tornado?" Keith points into the distance. The sound of high-speed winds can be heard faintly in the distance.

There are some tracks in the sand- several tracks.

>>Wrath and Sullenness?
>Let's head towards the storm- seems like the best sign Solomon was here.
>Does anyone know how to signal Bennett, if he's here?
>Ruth, can you contact Virgil somehow?
>Follow the tracks to their source.
><Write-In>

>>2007959
>Follow the tracks to their source.
>Ruth, can you contact Virgil somehow?

>>2007959
>Does anyone know how to signal Bennett, if he's here?

>>2007974
>Follow the tracks to their source.
You begin to make your way towards increasingly concealed tracks, slowly almost getting lost. Thankfully, the elevator can easily be found, and you make sure to leave a trail of melted glass using Pythia.
>Ruth, can you contact Virgil somehow?
She tries to think of some way. "Normally he meets me, or is easily found. I wonder what's stopping him."
>>2008047
>Does anyone know how to signal Bennett, if he's here?
"Right angles?" Keith shrugs. "Ninety-degree angles are rare to find in nature, so things like right triangles are used by lost travelers to signal planes."

"Not really useful, given that Bennett's not in a plane, but thanks for playing, Mr. Trivia Show," Donna laughs. "Here, I'll use Cordelia to make tons of those bird things I fight with and hope he notices." A huge flock of dark bird-like objects flutter out of the Myth's hands and fly into the sky, blocking out a small area and granting you some shade.

"You don't KNOW he's not in a plane," Keith mutters. "These places are crazy."

"Case in point," Kenneth holds up one of Harpe's arms, causing Ruth to gasp. "I'm guessing the rest of her is around here," Martinez braces himself. Your group splits up enough to cover a larger area but so you can still see each other, and Keith finds Harpe's unmoving body resting deactivated on the side of a dune.

Her left leg is blown off, and a stone's throw away craters scatter the earth for about a hundred meters of radius. One of them seems to hold another body, and you run over, praying it's not Solomon's. It's Durandal, and he's got a hole in his chest, revealing electronics beneath. When you walk over to him, he stirs, but can't move to a standing position.

"Is that... Carrollo?" he grunts, still in pain. His voice has a tinge of metallic undercurrent in it.

>>Durandal?
>What happened here?
>Where's Solomon? Where's David? Where's Bennett?
>Guys, Lancelot's still around here, stay on guard.
>Whose Monster rules this area? Do you know?
><Write-In>

>>2008128
>What happened here?

>>2008128
>Everyone be on lookout for Lancelot or Kronos.
>>Where's Solomon? Where's David? Where's Bennett?
>Whose Monster rules this area? Do you know?

>>2008144
>>What happened here?
"David went ape. I've never seen anything like it. Harpe and Solomon were fighting, and then he swoops in out of nowhere and severs her arm by forcing his hand into her socket and pulling. When she instinctively reacted with a kick, he did the same thing. Before I could stop him from doing something reckless, he sticks his hand in my side like it was nothing, closes his fist and pulls. Needless to say, I can't move my limbs."
He turns his eyes towards the tornado. "Solomon tried to get him to calm down... Didn't work. They're probably still... talking it out."

>>2008187
>>Everyone be on lookout for Lancelot or Kronos.
"Don't know where Kronos is. David probably did the same to Lancelot he did to Harpe."

>>Where's Solomon? Where's David? Where's Bennett?
"Talking to David- I don't know where David is. Bennett's probably with them, but I didn't see him."

>>Whose Monster rules this area? Do you know?
"If I had to guess? David's. I have never, ever- in all the time I've worked with him- seen him furious. Angry, yes. Frustrated, yes. Furious? Not even once- not even for a few seconds. It's the only explanation I can think of for him to suddenly use all of his strength like this."

He lays back. "Whatever is going on, I don't think they can stop it. Not by themselves. And if Kronos gets to him before they do, I don't know what the hell could happen." Durandal winces. "We're not sure, but Walt thinks when Kronos steals a person's Monster, it becomes part of his own psyche, and he forces it to conform to his will from there, making his Myth stronger. If he fails, especially with a Monster like that.... I don't want to think about it."

He pleads with you. "Please, stop him. I'm going to try to conserve energy..." He appears to fall asleep, but does not breathe.

>>2008359
Elsewhere...

You are Solomon Read, and you really wish you had brought more backup. Sure, having Bennett help you out was nice, but he'd already burnt through most of his power by the time you got here and has been struggling fruitlessly to try and disable David's sudden programming bug. Or virus. Or whatever.

Trying to recall what Walt's exact explanation was for it, you blink grains of sand out of your eyes and try not to rub them in further. The wind blowing in your face is really wreaking havoc on your concentration. What were you thinking about? Oh, right. The thing that drove David berserk. Something like someone disguised as Walt's fiance tricking them both into entering the Witching Hour and then gave David-

"Dodge!"

Bennett shoves you before hitting the dirt, as a fist-sized stone whips over your cover and skims through the spot your head was before. Alright, this is getting dumb. You try to peer around the dune you're hiding behind into the sandstorm, where David rests on his knees. His expression is unreadable from here, but you're sure nothing good is going on inside his head at the moment.

Looking to Walt, you ask for a status update.

>>So we're doing this now apparently.
>"Where's everyone else? You sensed there was someone else here!"
>"I can't get any closer to him. Can you break up the storm?"
>"Beatrice, if you show up right now I promise you I'll take you to that damn dance."
>"He's not going to hate your fiance after this, right?"
><Write-In>

>>2017002
>"Beatrice, never thought I’d say this so soon. But nothing would make me happier than seeing you right now.”
>I need to get closer, any ideas Bennett?

>>2017053
>>"Beatrice, never thought I’d say this so soon. But nothing would make me happier than seeing you right now.”
Thankfully, your attempt to exploit your stalker-like assistant's affection towards you pays off when you see a bolt of lightning flash through the sky. Beatrice appears soon after the thunderclap hits your ears, with a determined expression.
"Mister Evelake, you are not my charge. However, I must request you cease and desist immediately."

The reply, cold and robotic, comes, "Classifying threat: Target shares qualities with known Multiple User Timothy Brown. Current readings suggest threat possesses similar powers. Threat concluded to be X-Con Level 3." He takes a fighting stance. "This unit considered acceptable losses."

"So we have the same end in mind," Beatrice glares at him. "Very well."

>>I need to get closer, any ideas Bennett?
He spots Beatrice out of the corner of his eye and shrugs. "Yeah, I suggest letting her lead this. She seems tough enough. I'll try to deal with some of his sensors. While I can't affect his code, I can feed him a limited amount of bad sensory info."
Walt decides to call on Merlin and you see electrical-style lines run through the ground and around on the sand.

"Get going!" the computer teacher nudges you with a whisper. "That should cover some of his senses. Stay near the lines and you should be fine."

You stand up and hustle out from your concealment as David turns the high winds and sand on Beatrice, who stands her ground and transforms into a beautiful woman who almost makes your mouth drop. You focus and continue running towards David. While reaching the eye of the storm, you decide on your approach.

>>Dealing with Evelake (Roll 2d10+3)
>Talk him down from fighting
>Tackle him so he can be shut down more easily
>Distract him so Beatrice can take the opening
>Shift to a Myth and deal as much damage as you can with your opening strike
><Write-In>

Rolled 1, 6 + 3 = 10 (2d10 + 3)

>>2017227
>Wait for an opening then strike

Rolled 1, 8 + 3 = 12 (2d10 + 3)

>>2017227
>Tackle him so he can be shut down more easily

Rolled 2, 6 + 3 = 11 (2d10 + 3)

>>2017227
>Tackle him so he can be shut down more easily

>>2017262
>>2017309
>>2017350
>Tackle him so he can be shut down more easily
>(1, 8 + 3 = 12) (FAILURE)
The high winds are too much. You're blown back and thrown off your feet before you can get to safety. Tossed like a rag doll onto the sand, you're dragged a few feet by the wind before your tumbling brings the rest of you to a stop.

You can barely even hear yourself think in the howling gale. Beatrice seems to be handling David for the most part, but she's struck in the side by a column of wind and nearly topples. She responds by calling down an electrical storm that fulgurites some of the sand and makes the hair on your head stand up, but David stays standing despite being struck directly. Part of his face has been burned, but the damage appears superficial.

"Persistent, aren't you?" Beatrice narrows her eyes. "It seems unusual that you're even able to harm me with wind."

"Target threat level decreasing," comes the flat reply. Another blast of wind pushes back Beatrice and tears a hole in the ground surrounding her. If she were you that might have been lethal.

"David!" Bennett cries, but the sound is barely audible. The only good news you see is that your backup seems to have come without you needing to call for it. Sofia leads the others towards you and yells something you can't hear while shaking her fist. She seems quite miffed.

(Sofia is in Great condition!)
(Keith is in Great condition!)

>>Assemble the team
><Write-In>
>(Let Sofia lead)
>Let's get the fuck out of here! (Bail)
><Write-In>

>>2017485
>Sofia back up Beatrice
>I'm gonna try to subdue David while he's distracted

>>2017485
Supporting >>2017499

>>2017485
this>>2017499

>>2017499
>>2017552
>>2017709
>Sofia back up Beatrice
>I'm gonna try to subdue David while he's distracted

"Sorry, David," Carrollo frowns, before summoning a gale of fire she directs at the android. It whips around his storm and begins to hat the surrounding area, but the windspeed merely accelerates and dispels the flames. Thankfully, it has dealt some damage- David's left arm is revealed to be a white plastic artificial version, and he observes it and the fingers, which are now skinless and exposed in a skeletal fashion.

"New threats detected. Four Multi-Users detected in range. X-Com threat level has changed to 2." Something the Monster has not done yet occurs- he shifts into a Myth-like form. "Overriding all power limitations."

The Monster appears to be a golden warrior wearing a lionskin and Classical Greek clothing. It carries a huge club and its eyes are glowing a vicious red.

"Targets will be eliminated at all costs."

Wrathful Monster Hercules

COMBAT ENGAGED!
--!!!WARNING!!!--

Thankfully, since the others are distracting him, you have the initiative. You will be able to act without being threatened with retribution for one round.

>>Command? (Roll 2d10 and add modifier, * options do not take up a turn)
>Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: (+3/+3/+3/+3) + Faust/Dante(+1/+2/+1/+1) = (+4/+5/+4/+4)
>Strike from behind- as much damage at once as possible (Proficiency +4)
>Use Faust's mental vampirism to drain away some of his power (Knowledge +5)
>Lower Hercules' resistances to your allies' other attacks (Charm +4)
>Sucker punch him and then keep up the assault (Courage +4)
>*Change Myth <Write-In>
>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything he can say about the Monster
>Flee (Sealed)
><Write-In>

OOC: Sorry, had connection error, removed formatting so it would post

Rolled 6, 9 + 5 = 20 (2d10 + 5)

>>2017728
>Use Faust's mental vampirism to drain away some of his power (Knowledge +5)

Rolled 9, 9 + 4 = 22 (2d10 + 4)

>>2017728
>>Strike from behind- as much damage at once as possible (Proficiency +4)

Rolled 5, 9 + 4 = 18 (2d10 + 4)

>>2017728
>>Lower Hercules' resistances to your allies' other attacks (Charm +4)

>>2017747
>>2017748
>>2017763
>>Strike from behind- as much damage at once as possible (Proficiency +4)
>(9, 9 + 4 = 22) (SUCCESS)
Like a knife to the back, Faust's claw strikes a severe blow to Hercules, who stretches his back and claws at the streak you leave on his back. The wound fills with ichor and heals over, but only very slowly. The others attack as well, especially Kenneth, who uses his nuclear-type powers to burn Evelake's Monster badly.

However, the Monster is far more resilient than any of the others you have faced. What would have been a heavily-damaging attack either does not deal as much damage or closes much more quickly than with the others. You don't know how long this pseudo-healing factor will last, but wearing it down would probably be a good idea.

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

"I will fulfill my duty- whether or not you interfere. All Multi-Users must be eliminated for the sake of national security." David's threat seems to extend to you.

>>Command? (Roll 2d10 and add modifier, * options do not take up a turn)
>Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: (+3/+3/+3/+3) + Faust/Dante(+1/+2/+1/+1) = (+4/+5/+4/+4)
>Attack while dodging- play it smart (Proficiency +4)
>Try to tap away some of the power to prevent him from healing (Knowledge +5)
>Lower Hercules's resistances (Charm +4)
>Fight him face-to-face (Courage +4)
>*Change Myth <Write-In>
>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything he can say about the Monster
>*Order (Tell another person to do something specific (+2 condition bonus): Current party- Keith, Kenneth, Sofia, Donna, Ruth)
>Flee (Sealed)
><Write-In>

Rolled 10, 10 + 5 = 25 (2d10 + 5)

>>2017868
>>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything he can say about the Monster
>Try to tap away some of the power to prevent him from healing (Knowledge +5)

Rolled 10, 6 + 5 = 21 (2d10 + 5)

>>2017868
>>2017880
Second

>>2017880
>>2017892
>>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything he can say about the Monster
"I don't know what the fake told David, but I can sense the Monster's composure is a front. Whatever his orders, he's using them as a pretense to lash out. He seems... confused, rather than aggressive- defaulting to base programming rather than thinking consciously."

>Try to tap away some of the power to prevent him from healing (Knowledge +5)
>(10, 10 + 5 = 25) (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
Faust's powers drain away some of Hercules's healthy golden glow, restoring your strength to full. Unfortunately, this also turns the god of strength's attention to you, and he drops a tremendous fist in your direction, followed up with a club strike. Neither of them make a clean hit, thankfully, and you are able to keep your distance.

"Let me!" Sofia hisses. "David, I demand you stand down immediately!"
(Maiden’s Judgement: Hand-to-hand assault on one target with high chance to strike fear in other enemies.)
Carrollo's assault is only mildly effective, and Hercules does not seem afraid of her, but it's better than nothing, for sure.

"Admirable," Beatrice mutters. "Ishtar!" She calls down another bolt of lightning, which passes through Hercules.

"Threat level- threat level..." Hercules seems to be twitching slightly. The damage is a lot more visible, and he hasn't seriously hurt anyone.

(BONUS ROUND)
>>Command? (Roll 2d10 and add modifier, * options do not take up a turn)
>Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: (+3/+3/+3/+3) + Faust/Dante(+1/+2/+1/+1) = (+4/+5/+4/+4)
>Keep your distance (Proficiency +4)
>Repeat a successful strategy (Knowledge +5)
>Try to talk David down (Charm +4)
>All-out attack (Courage +4)
>*Change Myth <Write-In>
>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything he can say about the Monster
>*Order (Tell another person to do something specific (+2 condition bonus): Current party- Keith, Kenneth, Sofia, Donna, Ruth)
>Flee (Sealed)
><Write-In>

Rolled 3, 8 + 4 = 15 (2d10 + 4)

>>2017987
>Try to talk David down (Charm +4)

>>2017993
>Try to talk David down (Charm +4)
You try to communicate with the man behind the Monster. David's Monster seems to possess such great power, but he's not a hateful person. There must be something going on. You make a heartfelt appeal to him.

"Interference... Detected. Programming... Compromised. Initiating reboot."

Hercules collapses and then dissipates, revealing David underneath. Walt immediately rushes over to check his brother's condition, and Beatrice steps up to compliment Sofia. "Impressive, human," she compliments Carrollo.

"Uh, you too I guess." Sofia is a little confused as to how to take that.

"Of course, not as impressive as Solomon, but that can't be helped."

The girls share a terse glare before Walt manages to lift David back to a standing position. "Are you okay?" he asks his brother.

"I-I think." David stutters and then falls over again, carried on the other side by Keith before you can get to him.

"Thank goodness," Ruth mutters. "Is everyone else all right?"

"I think so," Kenneth brushes himself off. "That was a lot easier than our last fight, wasn't it?"

"Alarmingly so."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFhXPvElNZ0
Feather Green shakes his head from behind Walt. "I can't believe any of you even thought that would be the end of it. Honestly."

"What?" David shudders. "But that can't be. I-"

"Denied me. Like you always have been." The doppelganger is cold and merciless in tone. "Now, however, I am in command of this power. And I know what you have been suppressing through conditioning and programming."

The green-suited ranger shakes his head. "The Paladins are warriors before all else. Meant to eliminate threats to humanity. Your mercy leaves you incapable of fulfilling this role, as it would cost the lives of the principal, a friend of your foster father. And, now, two of your close friends. So you pretend it is simply 'programming', somehow a lesser purpose. But it is inescapable- as natural an instinct as a predator hunting prey."

"Please, stop..." David winces and falls over, clutching at the sand.

"Why?" Ruth asks desperately. "Why are you so adamant on fighting us? David is in pain! Aren't you part of him?"

The Monster laughs. "Do not attempt to mock me with empty words. I see through your deception. It is clear to me you are an enemy. If not for your use of multiple Myths, the fact that you have attempted to conceal this from the remainder of us." The ranger faces your group and begins to reform into Hercules. "Multi-Users are a threat to the supernatural power balance of the world. All Paladins have a hidden directive to eliminate them if they become a threat. To me-" he gathers energy, "-you are all threats."

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

---

OOC: Sorry for slow post- this will be the last post for the night.

>>2018140
Thanks for running dude, hope we can finish Herc off next time.

>>2018171
(Digital Devil Saga 2 ost - Hunting Betrayal [Extended])

"This unit specializes in infiltration, not combat. However, my software has been prepared for conflict with groups of Users and Multiple-Users. This is your final warning to surrender and seek a painless execution."

COMBAT ENGAGED!
--!!!WARNING!!!--

Hercules's eyes turn a pitch black with red pupils, and his presence begins to emanate fear.
Furens
(Hercules's action count increased!)

"Activating Nemesis Drive."
The Monster appears to glow with power.

"What?" Walt is surprised. "David doesn't even have that capability!"

"What does it do?" Kenneth asks. "Don't leave us to be surprised, man."

"It- It's a modification that eats up power at a massive rate for higher combat capabilities. But David doesn't have it- his body is an infiltration model! I of all people should know."

"Correct. However, I am not limited by such mechanical capabilities. I exist to eliminate threats, and will adapt accordingly. That is my purpose- and my will."

David is unable to move or help you. It seems you'll have to face his Monster without his help.

"Hang in there," Donna places a hand on Evelake's shoulder to comfort him before turning to fight.

>>Command? (Roll 2d10 and add modifier, * options do not take up a turn)
>Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: (+3/+3/+3/+3) + Faust/Dante(+1/+2/+1/+1) = (+4/+5/+4/+4)
>Get ready to dodge the assault he's obviously preparing for (Proficiency +4)
>Search for weaknesses (Knowledge +5)
>Distract his attention to you by pointing out you're the biggest threat (Charm +4)
>Hit him with everything you've got (Courage +4)
>*Change Myth <Write-In>
>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything he can say about the Monster
>*Order (Tell another person to do something specific (+2 condition bonus): Current party- Keith, Kenneth, Sofia, Donna, Ruth)
>Flee (Sealed)
><Write-In>

Rolled 5, 10 + 4 = 19 (2d10 + 4)

>>2027339
>All out attack

Rolled 7, 1 + 4 = 12 (2d10 + 4)

>>2027339
>>Get ready to dodge the assault he's obviously preparing for (Proficiency +4)

>>2027343
>>2027413
>>All out attack
>(5, 10 + 4 = 19) (SUCCESS)
At your command, the Monster is forced back by the assault of your entire group at once. Lightning, nuclear power, flame, ice, and light and dark magic. Seemingly everything you have at your disposal is hurled at Hercules, and he flickers slightly. However, even when Beatrice follows up with a mighty strike that appears to lack elemental affinity, Hercules still stands back up.

He silently turns to Beatrice first. She shields herself against him, but the colossal strike he lands throws her back and tosses her to the ground, where she tumbles to her feet while preserving her modesty. It's quite the impressive acrobatic feat, though your advisor clutches a bruise she sustained on the incoming hit.

Then, Hercules drags his club through your group, knocking Sofia into the sand and causing Keith to shove Donna out of the way, taking the blunt of the blow himself. D'Artagnan materializes in response and summons ice, which is also crushed by the mad demigod. Ruth's attempts to calm the Monster using Christine are proving fruitless- he doesn't seem to be affected by her attempts to charm or quiet him. Even Kenneth's nuclear power doesn't seem to be having the effect they did before.

He's harmed, but Hercules certainly lives up to his reputation as a juggernaut. You're the next target as Walt ensures David is safe.

>>Command? (Roll 2d10 and add modifier, * options do not take up a turn)
>Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: (+3/+3/+3/+3) + Faust/Dante(+1/+2/+1/+1) = (+4/+5/+4/+4)
>Dodging sounds good right about now (Proficiency +4)
>Try to rack your brain to see if the myths he's in points out a vulnerability (Knowledge +5)
>Taunt him, try to exploit his anger (Charm +4)
>Just keep hurting him (Courage +4)
>*Change Myth <Write-In>
>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything he can say about the Monster
>*Order (Tell another person to do something specific (+2 condition bonus): Current party- Keith, Kenneth, Sofia, Donna, Ruth)
>Flee (Sealed)
><Write-In>

Rolled 2, 6 + 4 = 12 (2d10 + 4)

>>2027438
>Taunt him, try to exploit his anger (Charm +4)

Rolled 2, 9 + 4 = 15 (2d10 + 4)

>>2027452
I'll re-roll

Rolled 1, 1 + 5 = 7 (2d10 + 5)

>>2027438
>>Try to rack your brain to see if the myths he's in points out a vulnerability (Knowledge +5)
Obiously we just need to summon Gilgamesh!

>>2027540
What have you done

>>2027543
Ah, we'll be fine... Probably.

>>2027545
>Crit fails
>We'll be fine

>>2027547
Fine's a relative term.

Don't we have a once per dungeon free reroll as a power?

>>2027551
I already used it

>>2027555
Well tits.

OOC: Congrats w4j0CuXn, you've convinced me to have a 20-min closing period after a vote post goes out.
>>2027551
Yes, you do, and I really shouldn't be giving it to you. You have two minutes.
>>2027555
Nice trips. On a reroll like that every voter gets the reroll, but it has to be a majority choice to use the power before anyone re-rolls.

>>2027560
Sorry about that, bit hard to pay attention to the quest and other stuff at the same time. To clarify, are we all getting the chance to roll to save this?

>>2027564
Yes you do

Rolled 6, 3 + 5 = 14 (2d10 + 5)

>>2027564
That was technically after the two minutes, but I'll take it.
>>2027452
>>2027523
>>2027540
>>Taunt him, try to exploit his anger (Charm +4)
>(2, 9 + 4 = 15) (FAILURE)
>Try to rack your brain to see if the myths he's in points out a vulnerability (Knowledge +5)
>(6, 3 + 5 = 14) (FAILURE)
Of course! Hercules's most famous weakness is his anger. You are dealing with the monster of Wrath, after all. You mock him into focusing on you, using some pointed and colorful metaphors about how he's a half-rate substitute for David. Fortunately, he responds to your taunting. Unfortunately, he also responds to your taunting. You realize too late that his anger was a flaw because it harmed people who weren't Hercules, and he was made to undertake the 12 tasks as a result.

Before you can fully grasp the depth of the situation you've put yourself into, you learn what seven seconds of involuntary hang time feels like when Hercules puts his foot right under your sternum. Lights flicker as you almost lose consciousness from the pain, but thankfully, you're able to roll with the landing instead of passing out. Jesus Christ, he really is fucking unstoppable, isn't he? You realize that you're almost a football field and a half's distance away from Hercules with a burning pain in your chest.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see Durandal- or should you say Lancelot- taking away Harpe to the elevator. Seems he's limping but still functional somehow.

>>Command? (Roll 2d10 and add modifier, * options do not take up a turn)
>Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: (+3/+3/+3/+3) + Faust/Dante(+1/+2/+1/+1) = (+4/+5/+4/+4)
>Get to your feet and hustle back over there! (Proficiency +4)
>Come up with a new strategy (Knowledge +5)
>Catch your breath and heal some, you're in no shape to move (Charm +4)
>Stop the androids from leaving! (Courage +4)
>*Change Myth <Write-In>
>*Ask Mr. Bennett if you can get a buff or help now
>*Order (Too far away)
>Flee (Sealed)
><Write-In>

Rolled 6, 3 + 4 = 13 (2d10 + 4)

>>2027587
>*Ask Mr. Bennett if you can get a buff or help now
>Catch your breath and heal some, you're in no shape to move (Charm +4)

Rolled 7, 5 + 4 = 16 (2d10 + 4)

>>2027587
>>Catch your breath and heal some, you're in no shape to move (Charm +4)

Might be worth mentioning Judge, but the previous thread, XVII, doesn't seem to be in the archive.

>>2027592
>>2027593
>>Catch your breath and heal some, you're in no shape to move (Charm +4)
>(7, 5 + 4 = 16) (Success)
Oh God, your everywhere hurts. You let the androids go as you try to make sure your lungs don't collapse.
>>*Ask Mr. Bennett if you can get a buff or help now
"Sorry, I needed to make sure David wasn't gonna bluescreen on us. Merlin!"

(Allies gain +2 to all rolls for three rounds!)

Thirty seconds leader, you don't feel like lying down and dying, so you stand up and hurry back. Everyone is happy to see you, Beatrice and Sofia especially.

"Thank goodness," Florez sighs in relief, before laying down another pattern of confusing symbols to disorient Hercules. Your group is slowly wearing him down, but Donna has nearly been tread underfoot, and Keith is brushing sand out of his hair, rolling his shoulders to try and distract himself from his black eye and bruised left side of his face.

Everyone else is in varied states of bad to worse, with even Bennett taking some damage as he tries to put up temporary shields and transfer power to other members of your group.

"You will not hinder me from my end. I will secure this world against evil, and against those too weak to do what is necessary. I am a sufficient judge for my own actions- after all, I was programmed to do so."

>>Command? (Roll 2d10 and add modifier, * options do not take up a turn)
>Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: (+3/+3/+3/+3) + Faust/Dante(+1/+2/+1/+1) = (+4/+5/+4/+4) +2
>Try another sneak attack while he's ranting (Proficiency +6)
>Put him in a position where he can't strike back (Knowledge +7)
>Keep him talking instead of fighting (Charm +6)
>Wear him down some more (Courage +6)
>*Change Myth <Write-In>
>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything else he can say about the Monster
>*Order (Tell another person to do something specific (+4 condition bonus): Current party- Keith, Kenneth, Sofia, Donna, Ruth)
>Flee (Sealed)
><Write-In>

>>2027593
Oh, right, forgot:
Updated archive-
>http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/1979763/

>>2027639
*later
Boy I'm really out of it tonight apparently.

Rolled 3, 7 + 7 = 17 (2d10 + 7)

>>2027639
>Put him in a position where he can't strike back (Knowledge +7)

Rolled 6, 1 + 7 = 14 (2d10 + 7)

>>2027639
>Put him in a position where he can't strike back (Knowledge +7)

>>2027649
>>2027652
>>Put him in a position where he can't strike back (Knowledge +7)
>(3, 7 + 7 = 17) (SUCCESS)

His feet are sinking into the sand due to his weight, a trend you hope to continue by preventing it from packing under him and forcing him to shift his feet. Unfortunately, David is the only Myth-User who specializes in wind in your group, so you have to resort to other methods of distraction. You press your mental attacks on Hercules, continuing them until Hercules becomes unbalanced. Donna contributes by causing the black bird-like creations produced by Cordelia to hassle the demigod as he tries to attack.

Soon, Hercules's stomping, struggling, and disorientation slowly form a rounded-off pit of sand that his feet sink deeper into the more he tries to get out. The flailing hero becomes enraged as his footing becomes an ever-stronger sinkhole, and swings his club around in furious anger. "You'll pay for this!" Raising his weapon to the sky, a windstorm forms around him, blowing away the sand and catching you all up in it.

"If I go down, I'm taking you with me!"

The high winds are dangerous and seem to be picking up everyone except David and Bennett, who crouches to prevent himself from being carried away and then reaches out his hand, using his body and Evelake's as an impromptu anchor. "Someone hang on!" he yells. You can pick at least one person to make sure they get Bennett's hand, and you can try to save one or two from the tornado, but if you fail, you and everyone you're holding onto will be pulled away.

>>(Roll 2d10+5, choose one or more compatible options)
>(Easy) Choose someone to grab Bennett's hand and try not to be pulled away <Write-In>
>(Easy) Grab Bennett's hand and then grab someone else's <Write-In>
>(Medium) Grab someone else and make sure they're not pulled away
>(Hard) Grab two others and hope you can connect hands before one of you is pulled into the winds
>(V. Hard) Into the eye of the storm to fight Hercules!
><Write-In>

Rolled 7, 5 + 5 = 17 (2d10 + 5)

>>2027686
>(Hard) Grab two others and hope you can connect hands before one of you is pulled into the winds

Rolled 5, 2 + 5 = 12 (2d10 + 5)

>>2027686
>(Hard) Grab two others and hope you can connect hands before one of you is pulled into the winds

>>2027695
>>2027699
Forgot to ask: Which two?

>>2027703
Whose closest?

>>2027704
Donna and Ruth.

>>2027708
Works for me.

>>2027708
Second

>>2027709
>>2027715
>>Grab two others and hope you can connect hands before one of you is pulled into the winds (Donna and Ruth)
>(7, 5 + 5 = 17) (SUCCESS)

You manage to grab Ruth's hand, and the slightly-built Price manages to hold on to your other before she falls out of reach. The three of you hit the sand and use your shared bulk to try and mitigate the effects of the wind. Kenneth pushes Sofia towards Bennett, and he is thrown into Keith, who barely grabs hold of him before Beatrice is able to grab his hand and demonstrate her strength by holding the two boys still despite being buffeted by the wind herself.

Eventually, the winds begin to die down. Hercules slowly leans on his club, his energy spent. His form crackles and fades in and out, the Monster going silent for a few seconds. As everyone gathers themselves, David stands up, his features still damaged. "I think... I think I need to deal with this."

Stepping up to face Hercules, he becomes pensive. "I suppose it is true that I really do want to take things into my own hands. But I can't let my own desire for justice overwhelm me. And I don't think my allies pose a threat to the world, even if they are powerful."

"Your naivety will cost more lives than you hope to save. You cannot deny your duty, even though it may cost you your soul." Hercules growls, and David is left without a reply.

>>Hercules
>Where does your proposed 'justice' stop?
>If he gave his soul to help others, what would the point of it be?
>You don't need to make all your decisions now.
>Why is he specifically obligated to do this?
><Write-In>

>>2027756
>If he gave his soul to help others, what would the point of it be?
>Why is he specifically obligated to do this?
>And who decides what his duty is? Some bit of code that some government spook programned into his body? No. David is his own man, he can decide that for himself.

>>2027756
>Justice? Forcing someone to kill their friend just because they're potentially powerful is justice? Forcing someone to abandon all they had for a duty they didn't even ask for is justice? If that's what justice is this world would have gone to shit long ago.

>>2027764
>>If he gave his soul to help others, what would the point of it be?
"So that no-one else would have to!" Hercules roars.
>>Why is he specifically obligated to do this?
"Because I'm the only one that can! People like Kronos are too powerful to go about unchecked!"
>>And who decides what his duty is? Some bit of code that some government spook programned into his body? No. David is his own man, he can decide that for himself.
"Then why give him all this power? He was brought back from the dead! He owes them EVERYTHING!"

David shakes his head. "No... If they really wanted an obedient slave, they shouldn't have given me my own will."

"I AM you! You just won't let me lead!"

"Because you're wrong." Sofia says. "I'll be honest, he's right to deny you. You're nothing but a control freak."

"Stupid bitch! Don't you get it? People like Read and Ruth have put the world in danger time and time again! If he won't stop them, we might as well welcome the end!"

"Never say that again," David says with a quiet fury when he hears Hercules insult Sofia.

>>2027766
>Justice? Forcing someone to kill their friend just because they're potentially powerful is justice? Forcing someone to abandon all they had for a duty they didn't even ask for is justice? If that's what justice is this world would have gone to shit long ago.

Hercules' raging misanthropy changes to a complete breakdown. "I'm not even human! My template's last wish was to protect people! He DIED to protect others, and I was made from his psyche! That bitch Harpe killed him!" Shifting away from his formidable shape to David's ordinary body in military uniform, Hercules begins crying and looks at his hand. "I'm expendable! Artificial! If I don't follow these orders... what's the point? Someone else is going to do it! They'll mess it up! I can't let them!"

"Template?" Ruth asks. "What?"

Bennett himself seems to be confused.

"Yes, I'll explain later." David nods. "Artificial or not, I can make my own decisions. Sofia is right- I denied you because you're wrong. You're confused- and so am I. But I won't allow a bad order or some misplaced sense of quote on quote 'justice' to confuse me any longer."

As Evelake closes his eyes, Hercules begins to dissolve into blue light. "You'll regret this!" the Monster weakly protests before vanishing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9aypq2H9HQ

Taking a deep breath and putting his fists at his sides, David shifts into a different Myth from Joshua. Reminiscent of a Transformer that can shift into an F-16, the new form has white coloration and a set of red stripes that form a cross.

(David's resolve has transformed Joshua into Galahad, the Grail Knight!)

"Is that Starscream?" Keith mutters in pain.

"No," Bennett sighs, and collapses on the sand. "Can we just catch our breath?"

(Cont)

>>2027802
>Is that Starscream? Keith mutters in pain.
I fucking love you, Keith.

>>2027802
"Alright, I didn't get a good look at your memories between now and then. I assume you remembered something?" Walt takes off his sunglasses, a rarity for him. You see bags under his eyes. "What's this about a template?"

"Yes." David sits cross-legged. "When... the person disguised as your fiance... tricked me into coming here, she showed me the last scene of my template's death. His mind was used as a basis for mine. They lied about it, when they gave your father the Dreamcatcher he was told was holding my mind at the time. Since he was near death, it was a copy rather than a transfer- and parts were erased to hide the incident... I was gonna say I, but- he was killed in."

"What happened?" Kenneth lays back. "You know that Harpe chick."

David confirms with a nod. "Yes."

"Wait a minute. Harpe killed him?" Bennett sits up and puts on his sunglasses. "Do you know if he was a redhead?"

"Why the hell would that be relevant?" Donna asks.

"Yes, actually." David nods. "Why?"

"Because I know who he is-was. Daniel Crew."

You wonder why that name sounds familiar, until you remember the school secretary's name is Madeline Crew. And that she has red hair. Oh no.

"Well, that explains why we never found the graves," David mutters.

"Harpe was re-activated in a contained environment eight years ago. I wasn't present, nor was my father, but we heard about it when Dad was sent to work on Harpe's programming." Walt sighs again. "Crew was sent in with five others after she took out the lights, but they weren't initially told not to bring in weapons because the commander that sent them in over-reacted. When Daniel tried to talk Harpe down and moved to throw away his gun to prove his intentions, she shot him in the head, then shut down after she realized what she did."

Ruth listens intently, trying to process it all. "So they brought in a Dreamcatcher to get as much of his memories as they could manage before he died?"

"Something like that. I wasn't there, but he might have been a latent Myth-User or something. It could have been his Myth they picked up."

"So what does that make me?" David thinks.

"Yourself." Beatrice leans up against you. "That was invigorating, don't you agree?" she smirks.

"Not the word I would use," Donna grumbles. Keith has fallen asleep on the sand.

---

You all decide now would be a great time to regroup and recuperate, and return to Olympia. Beatrice tags along, to the annoyance of some of the other group members.

---

That'll be it for the thread, I think. Probably going to do a recap or SoL session next time.

>>2027819
Thanks for running.