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Welcome back to MAR Quest!

Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2092597/
Character Sheet: https://pastebin.com/CwcdrCYE

You are Onishi Kana, a high school delinquent, found yourself transported to the world of Marchen. Falling off a cliff, you discovered that your strength, endurance, and senses were heightened. You stowed away on a pirate ship called the Terrible Truth, until you were discovered by the pirates’ captain, “Long John” Silver. After one-shotting her summoned Guardian, Hawken, Silver allowed you to stay aboard and even keep the magical accessories known as ARMs that you had stolen from the pirate’s treasure hold. A heart to heart with the captain helped you reaffirm your plans for this adventure: Kick the shit out of whoever summoned you and beat the evil group known as the Chess.

A dangerous, mid-sea encounter with the murderous organization brought Kana and Silver into a meeting with another former sea captain, Ahab, though to you thought of him closer to a punk from your world than what you would think of as a captain of a fishing vessel. Between the two of them, you learned the state of the world, how ARMs work for the most part, and began to process to get stronger. The injuries and death dealt by the Chess on the Terrible Truth persuaded Silver to join you in pursuit and defeat of the evil group.

Your need of training and the unlocking of the ability your companions called “Magic Power” lead you to shore, and more specifically to the doorstep of Silver’s former master, Flint. Their reunion wasn’t a warm one, and you step in to defend your friend’s choices in life. Your strength and story impress the ARM Master, and he agrees to take all three of you back under his wing. After taking a shower and cleaning up the student cabin behind Flint’s estate, Kana’s school shirt finally tears.

>cont.
>>
You’re more than a little annoyed by this. First your shoe and now your shirt? Fucking bullshit! You sigh and remove the pitiful garment. A chest wrap holds your girls in place and allows you some decency even without your top. Such a tragic end for your shirt. It held on strong for a week despite the salty air and harsh physical regimen you put yourself through. You think about holding a funeral for it.

Ahab is still facing a wall, but Silver is taking a closer look at the wrecked piece of clothing.

“To be fair, I think it held out longer than it should have. Your clothes aren’t really what I consider ‘Battle Ready’ if you know what I mean.” She gestures to your skirt and stockings. You give a stony scowl and actively resist adjusting your skirt.

“I think I can get some of my old things brought up from the ship.” She continues on. “You look to be about the same size I was when I was a bit younger.” You sigh again. Hand-me-downs, fucking great. Well, it's better than going around in just the wraps and a school skirt.

“Fine.” You agree and Silver runs off with a spring in her step. You get the feeling she enjoys the opportunity to dress you up. Several minutes later, Silver returns with a couple of her men carrying a large chest. You the the sleeves and hems of a couple garments sticking out from under the lid.

“On the way back, the Master donated an outfit as well. I think it used to belong to Treyla long ago.” Her voice is a little more evened than when she left.

“Alright then. Let’s see what you got.” You motion for the pirates to give you the trunk. They comply and quickly excuse themselves. You guess ship repairs are an all-hands kind of job.

You see a lot of outfits compiled in the chest and after a little sorting you narrow down your options.
>Navy blue long coat and pants. Thigh high boots for flair.
>Black tank top and pants. Sturdy combat boots.
>White long coat with black pants. Are these sneakers with steel toes?
>[Do you have another outfit idea? Now's your chance!]
>>
>>2144308
>White long coat with black pants. Are these sneakers with steel toes?
>>
>>2144308
>Black tank top and pants. Sturdy combat boots.
>White long coat with black pants. Are these sneakers with steel toes?
mix and match with these two. Open coat, tank top underneath, and whatever pants and boots.
>>
>>2144308
>>White long coat with black pants. Are these sneakers with steel toes?
Can I swap out the white long coat for the navy blue one? Barring that, I like this outfit.
>>
>>2144308
>White long coat with black pants. Are these sneakers with steel toes?
>>
>>2144308
>>2144315
>>2144317
Why not all three? Coat A, tank top B, bottom and shoes C.
Although coat C is fine too.
>>
>>2144322
I like the way this anon thinks. Though I'd be willing to change my vote back to the white long coat, since sixwing is crying in discord.
>>
>>2144323
Alright he's not crying, but I clearly don't know how to color coordinate.
>>
>>2144311
>>2144315
>>2144317
>>2144318
>>2144322
Mixing and matching is fine as long as a general consensus can be reached.
>>
>>2144308
>>White long coat with black pants. Are these sneakers with steel toes?
>>
>>2144308
>>White long coat with black pants. Are these sneakers with steel toes?
Mixing up would be too much of a pain
>>
>>2144308
>>
>>2144349
don't see why. Literally just putting on a tanktop underneath the coat.
>>
>>2144355
I mean to come to a consensus for
>>
>>2144311
>>2144315
>>2144317
>>2144318
>>2144322
>>2144344
>>2144349
White coat, steel toe sneakers and black pants with the tank top.

Writing!
>>
>>2144365
You make a face before deciding on your new look. For the most part, you like the outfit with the black tank top, but those coats are really badass looking. A little bit of mixing and matching later, and you've assembled your clothes. The tank top rests comfortably on your chest and you are quite surprised at how well the black pants fit you. Without tailoring, everything seems to be more or less your size. You drape the white coat around your shoulders, not bothering with the sleeves right now, and fold your arms across your chest. Fuck yeah! You feel like you're clothing is starting to live up to the reputation you had at school. Completely bad ass!

Silver packs up the other clothes for now. She nods in approval of your outfit choice.

"Glad we got that taken care of." Ahab finally turns around and sits on his bunk. "I'm turning in. Don't stay up too late." Honestly he may occasionally act like a fellow delinquent, but other times he's a complete nag. You don't take orders from him. But he is right. Tomorrow, the three of you begin your training under Flint. You have no idea what kind of work you'll have to do to unlock this Magic Power thing, but if it'll help you fight even better than before, it'll be worth it. You don't like the idea of being weaker than those Chess assholes.

>Turn in for the night.
>Pester Ahab with questions.
>Pester Silver with questions.
>Sneak into Flint's house and pester him with questions.
>Do something else?
>>
>>2144402
>>Turn in for the night.
Even delinquents need their sleep.
>>
>>2144402
>>Turn in for the night.
We know the turtle style motto. Right now we sleep well
>>
>>2144402
>Turn in for the night.
Maybe prank our fellow delinquent. wait a bit, see if ahab is asleep then. If he is, steal his blanket. If not just go to sleep.
>>
>>2144402
>>Turn in for the night.
>>
>>2144406
>>2144408
>>2144411
>>2144413

You might be a delinquent, but you're a very sleepy delinquent. Writing!
>>
>>2144446
Now that the day is over, you are beginning to feel exhausted. The fight, along with cleaning the cabin and the other excitements of the day, took more out of you than you realized. You remove your coat again and hang it on the side of the bunk bed while you climb up to your sleeping spot. There's a lot you expect from this training Flint's giving you, and you plan on being well rested for it.

--------

You are not Onishi Kana. You are wearing a black robe and a blank, white mask. Around you more similarly dressed men and women walking down the stone corridor lit with torches. All of you were called to this place by your superiors. The small skirmishes and missions that you've otherwise been dispatched to have all been called off and otherwise cancelled. You're a little disappointed in that order, to be honest. While you have complete faith in your group to confidently hold your own against your enemies, gathering more ARMs would still be a more prudent form of action. If you didn't believe that, you wouldn't have joined the Chess to begin with.

The corridor ends in a massive gathering point outside the fortress. The clearing is desolate and bleak. The grass is pale and lacking vibrancy of life to it as it brushes against the cold stone grave markers. Among these final resting places you see men and women with more recognizable masks and attire. These are the Knights. The generals in charge of this Chess army. Your heart swells with pride as you see a familiar sight among them. A large man with a mask decorated sloppily to give the impression of shark-like teeth. He's the knight in charge of you and your companions.

"Out of the way, Pawn." You hear a refined voice break the silent mood, and a hand forcefully shoves you out of the way. He might be an officer now, but Captain Nemo isn't nearly as important as he thinks he is. You wish you could tell him off, but following behind him is Bluebeard. Out of the three of your commanding officers, he's the one who scares you the most. You've heard stories about his brutality and it only makes you that much more certain about your choice in allegiances.

You are shaken out of your thoughts by the increase in murmurs. Stretching as tall as you can, you peek over the heads of your comrades to get a better look. The leader of the Chess has shown up!

Phantom is going to give a speech.

>cont
>>
>>2144550
"I am overjoyed at the turnout to the summons, my dear friends." He begins. His voice is calm and soft, but filled with power and confidence. "For months we have engaged with the world in small subtle ways. Consolidating power and testing the realm for weaknesses. We have sent all of you, time and again, on missions to gather ARMs, recruit soldiers, and sabotage our enemies! Now that time is over. The Games are but a short while away, but first, I must ask you all to participate in one last mission. One more time to purify this world!" He raises his arms and you cannot help yourself but to cheer. Your fellow Pawns join in your ferver, the fire stoked to send this world into a new age.

------

You are abruptly awakened by the sound of clanging metal. The sudden sound causing you to sit upright, just barely avoiding a collision with the ceiling and your forehead. Silver is already out of bed and getting the last of her accouterments assembled. You slide out of bed, grabbing your new coat on the way down. Ahab looks about as awake as you feel, his eyes aren't even open yet.

"My, my, what a slow reaction." You hear the oaky tones of your new teacher through the door.

"What do you mean, old man? You haven't even taken a look inside." Ahab talks back, his voice is heavy with sleep, but the sharp tone you have come to expect from him is still there.

"I don't need to when I can hear all of you move around like slugs. I expected better from you, Silver."

"Sorry, sir. I'll be back in form in no time." She instantly apologizes. She looks a lot more rigid than you've ever seen her. Like she's in the army or something. Whatever.

"Now that you're all up, let's have breakfast. Please come to the main house once you fully wake up." You hear him walk away with a short laugh.

>Just head over there. You're hungry.
>Talk to Silver about what just happened.
>Wake Ahab up. He's making you look bad.
>>
>>2144552
>Wake Ahab up. He's making you look bad.
Kick that lazy fucker awake.
>>
>>2144552
>Wake Ahab up. He's making you look bad.
Kick him out, or just straight up fireman carry his ass out.
>>
>>2144552
>>Wake Ahab up. He's making you look bad.
Kick the bedframe with your steel-toed boots.
>>
>>2144552
>Wake Ahab up. He's making you look bad.
>>
>>2144554
>>2144557
>>2144558
>>2144562
Kana is a violent alarm clock.
>>
>>2144304
OP, I had almost given up hope for a second thread. And then you came back.

Fuck yeah.
>>
>>2144582
Yeah I was entering the end of the quarter at school, and still had several projects to finish. But now that that's over, I can focus on other, non art school things.
>>
>>2144579
You roll your eyes and turn to look at Ahab, still wrapped comfortably in his blanket. This is your first day and you are going to set a good first impression, goddammit!

"Get up, jackass! We're going to breakfast!" You shout and kick him with your steel toes of your new shoes. You hold yourself back so you don't send him flying through your bed, but you still see about an inch of clearance from the bed.

"THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR, BITCH?!" He wheezes out between breaths as he gets to his feet.

"Fucking serves your right. Flint just rolled through and invited us for breakfast. Get moving!" You shout back.

"Don't tell me what to do!" He returns.

"Fine, then," Silver interjects, "Then I'll do it. Get up and get moving. We're going to breakfast. I'm your senior here and you better listen to me if you want to survive this training."

Ahab inhales like he's about to shout some more, but deflates quickly and mutters something under his breath as he gets his things together.

Speaking of things...
>Wear your ARMs to breakfast. Show that we're always prepared.
>Don't wear your ARMs to breakfast. That doesn't seem very polite.
>Leave your ARMs in the cabin. This is just breakfast, there's no need to bring them.

Making dinner, I'll post as soon as I finish.
>>
>>2144635
>Wear your ARMs to breakfast. Show that we're always prepared.
sleep with em, shower with em, never take 'em off
>>
>>2144635
>>Wear your ARMs to breakfast. Show that we're always prepared.
I don't know this dude's teaching methods and Silver just mentioned the word 'survive' in relation to our training so I'm not putting anything past him.
>>
>>2144635
>>Wear your ARMs to breakfast. Show that we're always prepared.
>>
>>2144635
>Wear your ARMs to breakfast. Show that we're always prepared.

Guy that's training us a hardass, I totally expect a surprise spar during breakfast.
>>
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>>2144641
>>2144642
>>2144649
>>2144661
Kana will never be caught... un-ARMed
>>
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>>2144856
That pun was bad and you should feel bad Sixwing.
>>
>>2144856
You adorn yourself in your ARMs following Silver and Ahab out the door. You see that Silver and Ahab had the same idea. Silver using the world 'survive' to describe Flint's training was a big factor in that, you think. You've never taken any kind of martial training, so you don't know what kind of stuff to expect. Then again, you're in a fucking fantasy world. Training could easily just be eating til your stomach explodes. Either way, being prepared for the worst couldn't hurt any.

The three of you enter the main house and are instantly greeted with the smell of bacon, eggs, and something sweet. Hot syrup? Either way, it smells completely delicious. Ahab starts ahead at a quicker pace, boys and their stomachs... though you're following hot on his heels.

The spread in the kitchen is astounding for two reasons. Last night, this place was a wreck. Empty liquor bottles, dust, cobwebs. Today, though, it looks completely pristine! Not a speck of dust or beer bottle to to be seen. On top of that, you see that the old man you fought last night is gone. The beard on his chin has been neatly trimmed to a respectable, and regal, look that complements his warm expression. Like his home, you don't see a single part of his look out of line. He is wearing an apron over what looks to be some kind of suit. Very European in style, but an old European. Maybe Baroque era? You don't remember non-Japanese eras very well. Whatever the case, it looks formal.

The spread is astounding. Pancakes, bacon, eggs made in just about any style, biscuits. Not only these more western dishes but also rice, soup, and fish. How long did he spend preparing these dishes?!

"Glad you could all make it. Now, please, dig in!" Flint's oaky voice fills the room with a rich laugh as he gestures widely to the breakfast. Ahab doesn't need be told twice and starts piling food onto his place as fast as he can. Silver does the same, but at a calm pace. Picking and choosing her favorites from the spread.

>CONSUME ALL THE FOOD
>Let's start with pancakes, bacon, and eggs.
>A traditional Japanese breakfast today. Rice, miso soup, and fish.
>Mix and match!
>>
>>2145003
>CONSUME ALL THE FOOD
but don't go belly bursting full. we don't want to throw up from something like a punch to the gut. Unless her metabolism is faster now and she can handle it now.
>>
>>2145003
>>CONSUME ALL THE FOOD
>>
>>2145003
>CONSUME ALL THE FOOD
>>
>>2145003
>>Mix and match!
>>
>>2145003
>>A traditional Japanese breakfast today. Rice, miso soup, and fish.
Exercising on a full stomach would be awful.
>>
>>2145018
>>2145028
>>2145029
All you can eat! Without getting stuffed, of course. Writing!
>>
>>2145100
You dig right in. You've been subsisting on stew of a week, this is the first breakfast you've had that wasn't rationed for a couple hundred men. Your pallet makes no distinction as you devour eggs, rice, bacon, and a biscuit in rapid succession. The food is amazing! This guy must be some kind of master chef as well as a ARM master! Ahab is too busy stuffing his face to take time and taste the food, which you find just a bit sad. Oh well, its something you can lord over him later. Silver is going at a slower pace, which you assume is for the same reason you started to slow down.

"Are you enjoying the food?" Flint leans forward with a warm smile still on his face. Silver nods and matches his expression. Ahab doesn't respond, only continuing to pack away the calories. You stop chewing and swallow.

"Its alright." You give a neutral response, have to keep up the defiant persona after all. You then resume eating the delicious spread.

"I'm glad. I'm glad." He chuckles. "It'll be the last good meal you eat for the next three months." His face doesn't change, but the mood suddenly changes. Ahab stops mid-bite, almost choking on a piece of fish. Silver sets down the teacup she was hold, sighing slightly.

>"What do you mean 'three months!?' The Chess aren't gonna sit on their hands that long!"
>"Run that one by me again, old man?"
>Say nothing. Narrow your eyes and chew a little slower.
>[other reactions]
>>
>>2145252
>>Say nothing. Narrow your eyes and chew a little slower.
Challenge accepted old man
>>
>>2145252
>Say nothing. Narrow your eyes and chew a little slower.
he seems to know his shit. If we've got three months, we've got three months to train.
>>
>>2145252
>[other reactions]
"So... what, you want us to forage for our own food while we train?"

We are intimately familiar with all kinds of manga and anime cliches. Call him the fuck out.
>>
>>2145252
>"What do you mean 'three months!?' The Chess aren't gonna sit on their hands that long!"
>>
>>2145257
>>2145258
Letting him explain but with some nonverbal attitude. Writing!
>>
We are obviously going to sit still and finish this breakfast in following 3 months,
>>
>>2145348
You chewing speed slows to a crawl and your eye narrow on the old man as he talks about what you'll not be doing for the next few months. You don't think the chess will wait that long, but if it'll let you curbstomp these fools into the dust, late is better than never.

"THREE MONTHS?!" Ahab manages to not die on his food and is able to sputter out the words. "THE CHESS AIN'T GONNA WAIT AROUND FOR US TO GET STRONGER IN THREE MONTHS, OLD MAN!"

"Calm down, Ahab." Silver calmly interjects. "Just listen to was the Master has to say." Ahab slinks back into his seat having been rebuffed. You just keep up your glare and await clarification.

"Thank you, Silver." Flint nods to the pirate. "Now don't worry. Your three months of training will pass much faster than you think, but it is vital that you complete the training in its entirety. Magic Power isn't something you can cut corners on." He wags a finger at Ahab. "Now that we've all had a bite to eat, I want you to follow me."

Flint removes his apron and beckons for the three of you to follow. Silver, daintily wipes away the crumbs from her face with a napkin before standing and following after the master. Ahab follows in behind her, his place at the table left a complete disaster zone.

You grab a biscuit for the road, and catch up to the three others. The path Flint is walking down is worn, but slowly has been reclaimed by the greenery around it. Looking ahead you see that it winds far into the forest.

>Where the hell are we going?
>So what is magic power?
>Why do we have to train all the way out here?
>[other questions?]
>>
>>2145576
>So what is magic power?
hyperbolic time chamber? Hyperbolic time chamber.
>tell the old fart he cleans up nicely.
>>
>>2145588
I'll support this.
>>
>>2145576
>So what is magic power?
>>
>>2145576
>So what is magic power?
>tell the old fart he cleans up nicely.
>Faster than we might expect, huh? Care to clarify?

I seem to recall there was some Hyperbolic Time Chamber-esque training in the manga. They were some sort of dimension ARM that looked like a trap door.
>>
>>2145588
>>2145635
>>2145644
>>2145762
Trying to explain magic!
>>
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>>2145798
The walk is long and a little boring, so you pipe up to create some dialogue and maybe learn something about how this stuff works.

"So what is magic power anyway?" A valid question, you think to yourself. There's a long pause before Flint replies.

"Magic power is the ability to control ARMs. To use stronger ARMs, you need to build your experience and deepen your reserves of magic power. Its not something that can be accomplished just by exercising your body normally."

"That's... not an answer." You mutter to yourself. "Sounds more like video game levels. Unlock a mana bar at level 5." You secretly sass your sensei. That's going to bug you now. What the hell is magic power?

"You know, old man," Ahab chimes in next, "You really clean up good when you want to. Go from street bum to noble in a couple of hours is pretty impressive." The passive aggression is so intense you'd think Silver said it. You wonder if it was intentional.

"Well I've been told I've always been quick with a blade. Accurate too." Flint shoots back with a warm chuckle. "Ah, here we are!" He stops the group in a clearing in the woods. "Nice and peaceful. Away from prying eyes and any unforeseen annoyances." The old master pulls a silver chain from his pocket to display.

"This is the Training Gate Dimension ARM. I'll be sending you in there for this.You will be training nonstop, but don't worry. Food will be provided within. It will be challenging, even grueling at some points, but well within your capabilities. I have confidence in you all." His smile widens as the Chain glows. Two doors flash into existence on the grass behind Flint. "I can't go in with you, but I'll do what I can for you out here. Now have fun!"

>Take the left door.
>Take the right door.
>Demand to go alone.
>Take the door Silver goes through.
>Take the door Ahab goes through.
>>
>>2146058
>Take the right door

If someone follows us, that's fine. If not, ah well.
>>
>>2146058
>Take the left door.
>>
>>2146058
>>Take the left door.
First one in, let's go.
>>
>>2146058
>>Take the left door.
>>
>>2146058
>Take the right door
>>
>>2146058

>Take the left door.
>>
>>2146073
>>2146082
>>2146085
>>2146100
Cannonball through the left door to somewhere! Taking a sleep break and will get to writing again tomorrow before work.
>>
>>2146115
Good to see you back senpai
>>
>>2146115
Getting back into it before I go to work. Make me a roll! 1d10 to see who jumps into your door!
>>
Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>2146823
>>
Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>2146823
>>
Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>2146823
>>
Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>2146823
>>
Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>2146823
>>
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>>2146824
Taking a deep breath, you leap feet first into the door to your left.The feeling is completely reminiscent of leaping through the Monban Peirro. Complete with landing on your ass. While it doesn't actually hurt you, the surprise of the familiar drop solicits a compulsory "Ow!"

You scowl and look at the space where the door should be. As you expected, its gone. Surprisingly though, you are alone. Looks like both Ahab and Silver must have jumped into the right gate. Your brow creases as you puzzle out what you are supposed to do now.

"Don't look so confused, Kana." You recognize the oakey voice booming around you. You don't see Flint, but his voice seems to be coming from everywhere at once. "I'm still on the outside, but I'll be keeping an eye on you all. This is the Dimension ARM: Training Gate. Within it, time travels differently. One day in our world is equivalent to 60 inside the Gate. Your training will conclude in exactly 36 hours on my end. Plenty of time remaining for you to catch up to the Chess in power.

"Now I told you before that the best way to build magic power is to first build experience with your ARMs. Normally, you'd have to take part in many dangerous battles for that to happen, but the Training Gate allows for us to simulate those in rapid succession with a fraction of the chance of death. Say hello to your new training partners." As if on cue, the ground beneath your begins rumbling. You quickly leap away and keep your footing as massive figures made of earth and held together with the spindly trees that dot the land rise to their full, towering heights above you. A quick count reveals at least 8 of these Golems. Shit, Flint doesn't do anything in half-measures. They look much stronger than those Pawns from earlier. Maybe even stronger than Nemo.

For this first leg of the training you decide to focus on building your skill with just one of your ARMs. You don't want to tire yourself out too quickly.
>Call out your Inferno Fists.
>Call out your Earring Kanabo.
>>
>>2146897
>>Call out your Earring Kanabo
Gotta respect our delinquent roots.
>>
>>2146897
>Call out your Earring Kanabo.
I really, really want to go inferno fist, but unless we can make flames hot enough to melt these things into a puddle, that ain't happening. Or use fire as a kind of jet to propel outselves for a maximum power punch.We are nowhere near experienced enough with it for that
>>
>>2146897
>>Call out your Earring Kanabo.
>>
>>2146897
>>Call out your Earring Kanabo.
>>
>>2146901
>>2146905
>>2146914
>>2146918
Calling out the Kanabo! Roll me 5d10s
>>
Rolled 1, 7, 5, 8, 1 = 22 (5d10)

>>2146946
>>
Rolled 1, 10, 3, 6, 10 = 30 (5d10)

>>2146946
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 2, 10, 7 = 22 (5d10)

>>2146946
>>
Rolled 8, 9, 3, 3, 1 = 24 (5d10)

>>2146946
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 9, 4, 7 = 27 (5d10)

>>2146946
>>
>>2146947
>>2146950
>>2146954
>>2146959
Magic Power Unlocked.
>>
>>2146975
You call forth your Earring Kanabo, letting it rest lightly on your shoulder for a moment while you size up your opponents. Wrecking these stupid clumps of dirt wouldn't be too hard for you even if you were barehanded, but that's not the point of this training. The goal isn't just to beat them. Its to beat them using the power of your ARMs. You close your eyes just for a moment, digging down into yourself as well reaching out with the Kanabo. You... think you can feel it. A faint glimmer of something. A spark attached to a memory. Your first dream. You can still remember it vividly. You were walking in a meadow of brilliant emerald grass and bouquets or wildflowers were spreading out across the horizon as far as you could see. The fields shimmered in a cool summer breeze.

That sense of excitement rushes back to you as you feel a familiar, but new power begin to fill up within you. Its as if a dam has burst somewhere inside.

With both hands, you grip the large studded weapon. With all your strength you swing in an upward arc, completely obliterating the first golem's leg and the bottom portion of its torso. Fuck yeah! You were strong before, but this is more than just your brute strength now! You charge forward and swing downwards on the next golem, crushing its head and nearly splitting it in two. More than before, the Earring Kanabo feels light as a feather in your hands. Its like you were meant to be holding it!

>Cut to Ahab and Silver.
>Cut to Flint.
>Cut to the shadows descending on the world.
>>
>>2147022
>Cut to Ahab and Silver.
>>
>>2147022
>Cut to Ahab and Silver.
>>
>>2147022
>>Cut to Ahab and Silver.
>>
>>2147022
>>Cut to Ahab and Silver.
>>
>>2147022
>>Cut to Flint.
>>
>>2147025
>>2147028
>>2147030
>>2147037
Star wipe to Ahab and Silver!
>>
>>2147165
I forgot to ask this in the last post.

You are
>Silver
>Ahab
>>
>>2147230
>Ahab
>>
>>2147230
>>Ahab
>>
>>2147230
>Ahab
>>
>>2147230
>Ahab
>>
>>2147230
>Ahab
>>
>>2147230
>>Silver
>>
>>2147234
>>2147249
>>2147251
>>2147253
>>2147254
You are Ahab. Both you and Silver jumped into the right gate at the same time, fall through as a tangled mess.

"FUCKIN WATCH IT!" You shout as you pull yourself free. "Why'd you have to go and pick the same gate as me." You fold your arms and scowl as the pirate picks herself up off the ground.

"I could say the same to you, you dolt." Silver snaps as she dusts off her clothes. You look up at the non-existant sky and the swirling vortex that is the top of the Dimension ARM's pocket dimension. The jagged mountainous skyline is brighter than you'd think a place with no sunlight would be. That's when you hear Flint's voice echo through the sky.

"I'm still on the outside, but I'll be keeping an eye on you all. This is the Dimension ARM: Training Gate. Within it, time travels differently. One day in our world is equivalent to 60 inside the Gate. Your training will conclude in exactly 36 hours on my end. Plenty of time remaining for you to catch up to the Chess in power.

"Now I told you before that the best way to build magic power is to first build experience with your ARMs. Normally, you'd have to take part in many dangerous battles for that to happen, but the Training Gate allows for us to simulate those in rapid succession with a fraction of the chance of death. Say hello to your new training partners."

The ground erupts under both of your feet as well as Silvers. The two of you managed to leap to safety as several massive golems pop up from the earth.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" You exclaim as you call out your Harpoon.

"Didn't you pay attention just now?" Silver chastises you. "Master Flint said these are to act as our training dummies. Or really as YOUR training dummies. Focus on using your ARM rather than relying on your own skills. Once your able to tap into your innate magic power, you'll find how quickly you can improve. It'll set your pace for the next three months."

You roll your eyes and attempt to focus on your Harpoon.

>Roll me 4d10 to attempt to unlock Ahab's magic power.
This'll be the last post from me today. Gotta get ready to go to work. I'll count them up and resume posting tomorrow.
>>
Rolled 9, 1, 7, 6 = 23 (4d10)

>>2147420
>>
Rolled 8, 8, 7, 3 = 26 (4d10)

>>2147420
>>
>>2147420
>We have more magic power than Ahab does
Assuming that the extra die is meaningful
>>
Rolled 8, 3, 4, 8 = 23 (4d10)

>>2147420
>>
Rolled 5, 9, 10, 2 = 26 (4d10)

>>2147420
>>
Rolled 8, 10, 8, 4 = 30 (4d10)

>>2147420
>>
>>2147425
>>2147427
>>2147448
>>2147449
>>2147451
>>2147452
You grit your teeth and dig down deep. You refuse to lose here. Not to Kana, not to Silver, not Nemo, and fuckin definitely not losing to that traitorous bastard Moby. You feel a burning surge of power you had no idea existed within you attached to the memories of Moby. His friendship, partnership, and betrayal to the Chess. All the pain you endured because of him. All the lives lost BECAUSE OF HIM! DEAD MEN LITTERING YOUR DECK BECAUSE OF HIM!

YOU REFUSE TO BE LEFT BEHIND AS A FORGOTTEN TROPHY OF HIS ATROCITIES.

A savage cry rips from your lips as you call upon your Harpoon's power!

"THUNDER HARPOOOOON!!" The smell of ozone envelopes you as a flash blinds both you and Silver for a brief moment. A second later, you hear it.

Thunder.

The three golems in front of you have large, gaping holes through their chests, all lining up perfectly with each other. The massive burst of power subsides, leaving you gasping for breath, sweat dripping off of your Aquiline nose. Fucking eat it, you fucking golems!

"Not bad, Cap'n." Silver offers a soft clap on the shoulder. "You've manged to go from zero to two if we were to put a number to your MP there. That'd put you roughly on par with the average rook." Fuck! You thought you had more power than that. "Don't sweat it. Just unlocking it is an incredible breakthrough for your first day." You feel your knees start to buckle a little, but you refuse to let things end now.You just unlocked this stupid power. And you aren't going to rest until you tame it!

"You're a stubborn one, you know that?" Silver gives you a genuine smirk which you can only respond in kind between your gasps for breath.

>Cut to Flint
>Cut to the terror descending on the world.
>>
>>2151539
>Cut to Flint
>>
>>2151539
>Cut to Flint
>>
>>2151539
>>Cut to Flint
>>
>>2151546
>>2151550
>>2151626
Let's see what Teacher is doing stuck in the middle of clearing in the forest! Writing!
>>
>>2151671
You are now Flint and you are having a good chuckle at how much progress your new students are making. You don't normally keep such close tabs on the pupils you stick in the Training Gate, that's why you have other guardians inside it for, but these are the first students you've had in such a long time. It doesn't hurt that Kana reminds you so much of your dear, departed Treyla. You sigh with a contented sadness as you think about her. Even to the end, her spirit burned brightly. You see a lot of that willfulness in your newest student and seeing her wearing Treyla's old jacket allows you to almost see her one more time.

You chuckle to yourself again. Treyla would throw a fit and give you an earful if she caught you wasting time on reminiscing rather than training. She was such a slave driver back in the day. Then again, what's a old man like you supposed to do other than fritter away the day thinking about the good times.

You check back in on your students. It seems they're nearly done with the golems. Far more time has passed than you thought. You guess that doing nothing but think really makes the time fly. It was still morning when you brought them out here, but now the sun is nearly overhead.

Hm? You think you can hear something traveling on the wind. A sound from the town nearby. With it, you smell burning wood. Maybe someone having an early bonfire? Probably that group of young boys that occasionally decide to make trouble in town. Scrappy lads that they are would probably make decent sailors in another five years or so. Probably this place's second best export outside of lumber and fish. You hear more sounds on the breeze, but these are not quite the same.

These have a chill of something... wrong...

>Cut back to Kana
>Cut back to Ahab and Silver
>Cut to the carnage sweeping over the world.
>>
>>2151739
>>Cut back to Kana
>>
>>2151739
>Cut to the carnage sweeping over the world.
>>
>>2151739
>Cut to the carnage sweeping over the world.
>>
>>2151739
>Cut back to Kana
>>
>>2151739
>>Cut back to Kana
I want to annoy Sixwing by ignoring the important and ominous looking option. Sorry bro, I still love you.
>>
>>2151759
Takes a lot more than that to annoy me.
>>
>>2151746
>>2151758
>>2151759
Going back to being Kana. Writing!
>>
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>>2151764
Good to know Sixwing.
>>
>>2151800
You are once again Kana, panting heavily and sitting on the remains of the final golem. It feels like you've been fighting for days! But that's probably because you have been. Every time they pop up, you put'em right back down. And every time you put'em down, another two or three pop back up. But more curious than that, every time you stop, they do as well; allowing you a chance to breathe, recover, even eat and sleep! Once you look like you're ready for another round, though, those golems are back on the attack.

This must be what Flint meant by "Learning at your own pace." You laugh a little as you stand back onto your feet, ready for the next golem. A few seconds pass and still no golem appears. Instead, you see an ARM floating down from the freaky vortex in the sky. On the end of the chain is a pendant shaped like a turtle shell.

>Touch it.
>Poke it with the Kanabo.
>Stare at it longer.
>>
>>2151880
>Touch it.
Nani?
>>
>>2151880
>Touch it.
If it's inactive, it's harmless, right?
>>
>>2151880
>>Touch it.
Oni club and a turtleshell shield? I'm loving it already.
>>
>>2151880
>>Touch it.
>>
>>2151888
>>2151890
>>2151895
>>2151896
Touching it!
>>
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>>2151926
You look at it quizzically for a moment before cautiously stretching out a hand. These things are harmless when their inactive, right? The tip of your finger just barely touches it when the ARM begins to glow. You quickly withdraw, taking a short leap back and readying yourself for more combat. The chained pendant explodes into a cloud of dust, causing your to cough as it mingles with the air around you. Strangely you hear more than just your coughing, though.

"Whoops, used a little too much powder." A young, slightly nasally voice chimes in. The smoke begins to disperse and you are able to see what looks like a young boy with green and white hair sitting cross-legged with a hand resting under his chin. No... that white isn't hair but some kind of hat or something. He's wearing an outfit that very much reminds you of ninja costumes from TV. His hands, though, are webbed and covered in mustard colored scales up to where they disappear into the sleeves of his shirt. He's... some kind of Kappa?

"Nice to meet you." His voice doesn't carry any sort of energy to it. "Call me Maruem. I'll be assisting in your training from here on."

>Then your my opponent! HIYAH!!
>I'm Kana. What do you mean you're assisting.
>I don't need your fuckin help. I'm doing fine as is!
>Are you... a sentient ARM?
>[Ask some questions?]
>>
>>2151989
>>Then your my opponent! HIYAH!!
We don't need no exposition! Speak with your fists!
>>
>>2151989
>>Then your my opponent! HIYAH!!
>>
>>2151989
>a Kappa, huh? So, we doin' this, are are you going to bring out some other guys for me to beat the shit out of?
>>
>>2151989
>Then your my opponent! HIYAH!!
>>
>>2152012
>>2152033
>>2152053
Swinging away!
>>
>>2152166
You don't waste any time. Obviously, he's here as some kind of upgraded challenge! You grip the Kanabo tightly and swing at him, attempting to send him through the nearest cliff face. You scream incoherently as the boy explodes into smoke on contact with your weapon ARM.

"Jeez, what a hot headed woman." You hear that nasally voice again. There's no way he could have dodged that! The smoke clears and you see nothing where he used to be. You look around for a moment before you hear his voice again. "Up here." You turn to face the voice, as see him on top of your Kanabo still sitting cross legged with a hand resting under his chin. It's like he didn't even move!

"Listen, I'm not here to fight. That's not my job, and, honestly, I suck at it." He continues to talk. "I'm here to help you through your next stage of training. You've awoken your Magic Power now you need to align your self with your ARMs. We refer to it as Synchronization." He delivers the instruction with all the passion of a tired, underpaid, and unenthused tour guide.

You swing your Kanabo around, trying to get the little bugger off, but he's stuck on there like he'd been glued.

"Get off, you asshole!" You shout at him.

"Not until your promise to stop trying to break me, Miss Angrypants."

"Fine... whatever. Now how am I supposed to train this sink-whatever." You roll your eyes and fold your arms. Maruem or whatever his name is, drops to the ground and stands up to his full height... which turns out to be just up to your chin.

"I'll show you. Follow me."

>Complain as you go.
>Introduce yourself.
>Think about how you're gonna hit this creep.
>Wonder if Ahab and Silver have some weirdo guide as well.
>>
>>2152275
>Complain as you go.
"Call me hot-headed again, I fucking dare you."
>>
>>2152275
>Complain as you go.
>>
>>2152275
>>Complain as you go.
>>
>>2152275
>Introduce yourself.
"The name's Onishi Kana, and if you call me hotheaded again, I'll bop you."
>>
>>2152275
>>2152313
This.
>>
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>>2152288
>>2152296
>>2152308
Writing!
>>
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>>2152362
"Fine." You sulk. This is freakin dumb. Its a glorified bat. You understand needing to have Magic Power to properly use the powers of ARMs, but what the hell does 'aligning' with your ARMs supposed to mean?! You complain loudly about it and you can hear an audible, heavy sigh come from the turtle kid.

"Us ARMs are more than just items, you know. Sure, not all of us have personalities, but the magic that gives us life and power creates certain quirks in our uses. Part of using an ARM to its maximum effectiveness involves synchronizing your will with the power of the ARM." That shuts you up for a second as you think about how you use your Kanabo and Inferno Fists. Quirks in their uses? What, like they have a preference in how their held or something? That's sounds like a load. You can understand that from things like Guardians. They're like summons or something. Actually alive and with feelings and personalities. But weapon and nature ARMs? What a load a shit. You hear another sigh from the Kappa.

"Well here we are. Your test and the true gatekeeper to the rest of your training. There's a pun here that Master Flint tells me to make about hitting a wall, but I really couldn't care less." He makes a gesture to the large, tablet looking stone wall in front of you. "Behold the Gate of Destruction." You feel like he was supposed to put a little dramatic flair into this.

"In order to progress, you must synchronize with your ARM and break the Gate. Break it, but don't destroy it. That's the only way you can pass." He gives out more of his blase advice.

>"Too easy!" Hit it with your Kanabo!
>"And just how do I synchronize with my ARMs?""
>Examine the Gate of Destruction more closely.
>Sit down and rest some more. You can cool your head and think over this challenge.
>>
>>2152556
>>"And just how do I synchronize with my ARMs?""
>>
>>2152556
>Examine the Gate of Destruction more closely.
There's gotta be a trick to this.
>>
>>2152556
>"And just how do I synchronize with my ARMs?"
>>
>>2152556
>"And just how do I synchronize with my ARMs?"
>>
>>2152562
>>2152567
>>2152582
Shamelessly asking for advice!
>>
>>2152608
You look at the Gate and the creepy faces on the sides of it and look down at your Kanabo. Then back to the Gate. And right back to the Kanabo. There's a gimmick to this. There has to be. And it lies in that Synchronicity whatsit that Maruem was talking about.

"The fuck am I supposed to do?!" You exclaim. "I don't know anything about this synchro shit. How am I supposed to synchronize with my ARMs if I don't know what the fuck I'm doing?!"

"Jeez calm down." Maruem sighs, sitting down on the stone floor next to the Gate. "Your not even going to attempt to find out on your own? That's a new one." Despite his words, there's no effort or emotion put into it. "You've piqued my interest, so I'll give you a hint. Aligning your heart to your ARM is like treating it as an extension of your body. Its about FEELING a connection. Its your attachment to your ARM that creates synchronicity. A relationship between Master and Servant. You need to think of it that way. Then you'll be able to suss out the answer to this puzzle."

You're a little surprised at the one moment of emphasis he put into his speech. But it was very informative.

"A feeling. A relationship between Master and Servant..." You echo his words as you step back; raising the Earring Kanabo in one hand. You close your eyes and concentrate on the weapon.

>Roll me 4d10
>>
Rolled 7, 10, 5, 4 = 26 (4d10)

>>2152690
>>
Rolled 10, 6, 1, 9 = 26 (4d10)

>>2152690
>>
Rolled 4, 5, 7, 8 = 24 (4d10)

>>2152690
>>
Rolled 8, 3, 7, 2 = 20 (4d10)

>>2152690
>>
Rolled 9, 2, 9, 6 = 26 (4d10)

>>2152690
>>
Rolled 6, 9, 5, 3 = 23 (4d10)

>>2152690
>>
>>2152701
>>2152704
>>2152731
The world seems to melt away as you focus in on your ARMs. The Kanabo and even your Inferno fists. You breathe in... and out... as your heart beats. Faintly you hear it; something beating alongside your heart. A soft, thrumming. A murmur. A whisper.

Master...

You open your eyes in shock and the world comes back to you.

"The fuck was that?!" You exclaim.

"You heard the voice of your ARM. Not that it can actually speak, but how it responds in your heart. Congratulations." Maruem gives you a few, slow claps of approval. You'd think he was being sarcastic if that didn't take effort. "Now concentrate and utilize that synchronization. This Gate can be broken without the use of tremendous strength. You just need to find the its weakness. Whoops, I got too excited."

He says that, but you can't detect a hint of emotion in his voice.

>Really focus on that Synchronicity! 5d10 now!
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 10, 1, 4 = 24 (5d10)

>>2152796
>>
Rolled 1, 7, 1, 10, 5 = 24 (5d10)

>>2152796
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 7, 3, 7 = 22 (5d10)

>>2152796
>>
Rolled 9, 3, 7, 9, 6 = 34 (5d10)

>>2152796
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 1, 5, 6 = 15 (5d10)

>>2152796
>>
Rolled 7, 7, 2, 7, 8 = 31 (5d10)

>>2152796
>>
Rolled 10 (1d24)

>>2152817
You close your eyes and reach inward again to your ARMs. You hear them whispering in tempo with your heart and focus in on that.

Master... let us work together...

They call to you in their wordless voice. You nod in agreement and stretch out with a feeling you cannot describe. Some kind of Sixth Sense shows you the world around you within your mind. Your ARMs are showing your a bright spot highlighting a point on the door. Your eyes snap open again and a confident grin stretches across your face.

"So you've found, eh?" Maruem comments. "Well, go head and break it. No one's going to stop you."

>Swing your Kanabo with all your might at the weakpoint.
>Tap the end of the Kanabo on the weakpoint with a bare minimum of strength.
>Switch to your Inferno Fists and launch a fireball at the weakpoint.
>>
>>2152882
>>Swing your Kanabo with all your might at the weakpoint.
>>
>>2152882
>Swing your Kanabo with all your might at the weakpoint.
GOTTA LOOK COOL
>>
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>>2152882
I forgot the picture... whoops.
>>
>>2152882
>Swing your Kanabo with all your might at the weakpoint.
I would love to just tap it, but then what a the point?
>>
>>2152882
>>Tap the end of the Kanabo on the weakpoint with a bare minimum of strength.
We have to break it, not destroy it. Nothing as badass as tapping something only to have it get heavily damaged.
>>
>>2152882
>Tap the end of the Kanabo on the weakpoint with a bare minimum of strength.
Just tap. Our bare minimum is probably more than enough anyway.
>>
>>2152897
>>2152901
You know what, you've convinced me. Let's try tapping it. If we fail, no one will have to know...
>>
>>2152882
>Tap the end of the Kanabo on the weakpoint with a bare minimum of strength.
>>
>>2152882
>Tappity tap tap
>>
>>2152901
>>2152913
>>2152927
>>2152993
>>2153062

You walk up slowly to the stone slab, gazing directly at the spot your ARMs had pointed out to you. It's a little high up, so you leap into the air. This isn't a test of strength, so there's no point in putting your back into it, right? Then might as well look like a fucking badass!

You reach back with your arm that's holding the Kanabo and take aim. Your motion is swift and creates a sharp tapping noise on the stone. Complete bullseye!

You take a relaxed pose, resting the weapon across both your shoulders and draping your arms over it.

"Eh? That's a pity." Maruem started, leaning back against the slab. "Maybe you should use a bit more f-" He is cut off by the sound of the Gate fracturing into several pieces. Another moment later and the whole thing bursts apart, leaving a hole in the wall that had been covered by the gate. Maruem's legs stick out from the under the rubble. "Ow."

>Celebrate while Maruem can't see.
>Dig the turtle man out of the debris.
>Thank your ARMs.
>Walk through the hole.
>>
>>2153068
>Dig the turtle man out of the debris.
>bop him on the head in REVENGE
>Thank your ARMs.
>Walk through the hole.
>>
>>2153068
>Dig the turtle man out of the debris.
Just cuz he's a jerk doesn't mean we gotta be.
>>
>>2153068
>>Thank your ARMs.
>>Dig the turtle man out of the debris
In this order. Turtle boy wants to be apathetic about things, he can chill under the rubble for a bit. Gotta thank Kanabo properly.
>>
>>2153068
>Dig the turtle man out of the debris.
>Thank your ARMs.
>>
>>2153077
>>2153078
>>2153100
Having pity on the poor turtle and thanking your whispering magic weapons. Writing!
>>
>>2153230
Your smirk turns into a full blown smile as you look at your handiwork. You exhale with a tone of accomplishment before closing your eyes and thanking your ARMs for their help. You feel that they appreciate the praise.

>Synchronicity Increased!

You open your eyes again look down of the slowly moving legs of the Guardian trapped under the rubble. What a lame Guardian. Doesn't fight and doesn't bother to even get out of the way of falling rocks. Does this idiot even have a sense of self preservation? You walk over to him and grab him by one of his ankles. A swift pull removes him from the rocks, only somewhat scuffed up.

"Ah. Thank you." He says as you drop him back down, rolling your eyes in disdain. "I must say I am quite impressed with your progress. To have been able to grasp synchronicity with your ARM in a mere 10 hours." He muses and scratch his...

Wait... what?

"T-Ten hours?! That took ten hours?" You stoop down to get in his face.

"Hey, personal space, please."

"You're saying I closed my eyes to try and synch up with my Kanabo for 10 fuckin' hours?!" You're more than a little shocked at how long that took. It didn't feel like it to you. It felt like mere moments. A minute or two at most! But 10 hours?!

"That doesn't matter that much in the long run." Maruem shrugs his shoulders and gets back to his feet. "My instructions were to keep you on schedule for the next 90 days and then, and I quote here, 'politely show them the door out.' You've only just make it through the first week of training. 11 more to go now, but at least you have something to work on and refine."

Your anger cools slightly, but you aren't satisfied at having lost 10 hours on this dumb puzzle. Sure, it helped you reach a new level and unlock your Sixth Sense, but that's still ridiculous that it took this long. You lift your Kanabo, and swiftly deliver a bop to the top of your Guide's noggin. He doesn't even put up a resistance, unlike during his dramatic entrance

"Ow." He give a less-than-believable response.

"Well you had it coming." You scowl at him. You release your Kanabo for the first time in a couple of days and walk through the door.

>Check in on Ahab and Silver
>Check in on Flint
>Check in on the sorrow and horror drowing the streets of the world
>>
>>2153324
>Check in on the sorrow and horror drowing the streets of the world
>>
>>2153324
>>Check in on the sorrow and horror drowing the streets of the world
>>
>>2153324
>Check in on the sorrow and horror drowning the streets of the world
>>
>>2153324
>Check in on the sorrow and horror drowning the streets of the world
>>
>>2153324
>>Check in on the sorrow and horror drowing the streets of the world
>>
>>2153350
>>2153355
>>2153358
>>2153362
>>2153366
Checking in with something much darker.
>>
>>2153324
>drowing
drowning*
Kill me.
>>
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>>2153399
Don't worry sixwing, we still love you.
>>
>>2153391
You are not Kana. You are not Ahab, Silver or Flint. You are aware of most of them, though. Nemo won't shut up about the girl who wrecked his trophies and sprung Ahab from his brig nor will he stop bragging about how he slaughtered the crew of the Terrible Truth, crippled it and how Bluebeard seriously injured its captain, "Long John" Silver.

Honestly, its not even a blip on your mind. Right now all you're thinking about is the mission. The Razing is the Chess's proclamation of war upon the world and orders must be carried out as planned. You're running through the streets, your hand covered in the silver metal of the Talon Brooch Weapon ARM you had been issued, looking for more soft targets to dispatch. Most of this place has gone up in flame. That insane guy strapped to a cross with a red pumpkin on his head started using fire Nature ARMs to launch bolts of fire indiscriminately before most of the Pawns had been able to storm the streets.

You hear ragged breathing coming from an alley in the main square of this town. A run down building can be seen from where you stand. The only way you know that it hasn't been touched yet is the fact that it hasn't been lit on fire. You decide to investigate, blade in hand.

The door is slightly agape and you simply push it open. A filthy looking man stands in front of you. In his hands are a butcher's knife and what looks like the cover to a stove. He is shaking in his boots, his eyes filled with a combination of fear, panic, and determination. What in the world would fill him with such a resolute emotion? You look behind him seeing a group of young boys. None of them could be much older than 10. They are absolutely terrified, tears streaming down their cheeks. The leader of their little group has his hands over the mouths of the youngest, his eyes are just like the older man in front of you. Wild with fear and a need to protect.

>Turn and leave. You've never had a taste for innocent blood.
>Butcher the man, but leave the children. You don't do kids.
>Orders are orders. They're all soft targets for the chess.
>This is totally fucked. Give them instructions on how to safely escape the city.
>>
>>2153526
>Butcher the man, but leave the children. You don't do kids.
Only those who stand against us deserve out ire.
>>
>>2153526
>Butcher the man, but leave the children. You don't do kids.
Maybe go a little lenient? Chop off a couple of limbs and leave him for dead.
He wouldn't have joined chess unless he was willing to at least do this. Of course, this is probably going to bite whoever we're playing in the ass later...
>>
>>2153526
>>Orders are orders. They're all soft targets for the chess.
>>
>>2153526
>This is totally fucked. Give them instructions on how to safely escape the city.
Gotta have at least one nice guy.

That way we can all experience MAXIMUM DESPAIR when his superiors execute him for his insubordination.
>>
>>2153526
>Butcher the man, but leave the children. You don't do kids.
>>
>>2153529
>>2153535
>>2153580
You're a killer, but you're no monster. Writing in the morning! Catch you all in a couple hours.
>>
>>2153582
Alrighty! I'm up, I'm fresh and have a stomach full of cheap, fake, mexican food! Writing now!
>>
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>>2153582
Damn it all! You hesitate for a moment. You're instructions were to destroy soft targets to provoke the nations into agreeing to Phantom's solution to warfare. You were prepared to kill civilians. But you never agreed to kill kids.

"W-Whatever it is you want, we don't got anything. Please, they're just kids." The man is pleading with you now. The chopping knife is raised and the metal cover blocks your view of the children.

You breathe in deep to steady your nerves before replying. Was your voice always this cold? "Checkmate."

Your rush in close to the man, your clawed hand outstretched and reaching for the dirty man's throat. You move too fast for him to react, leaving his blade and shield worthless. The claw meets almost no resistance as it glides through his flesh like it was wet paper.

"Ben! No!" The oldest boy shouts in distress. Shit. Now you have a name for this poor bastard. Ben. Probably the chef or bartender. Maybe both. "Damn you! Why? What did Ben ever do to you?!" Tears are running down his cheeks, his gaze trained on you. The other boys around him echo the older man's name, held in place only by their fear of you. The younger ones have completely shut down, their eyes hollow and listless save for the drying tears reflecting the inferno outside.

You hear the poor man gurgling, blood catching in the gaping wound on his neck. One of his hands claws at his neck. His eyes are wide in shock and terror as he slowly drowns in his blood. His other hand reaches out to you in a last bid to save the boys.

You feel a twinge of pity for this man. His will to hold on for the sake of a future generation is a noble one. His sacrifice will be remembered when the War Games begin. You lean down to him, gently clasping his shaking hand in both of yours. Despite his rapid exsanguination, his is still quite warm.

"Go in peace, Ben. There's no one left here for me to kill." You whisper in his ear as he slowly stops his death rattles. His wide eyes slowly droop as the fatigue of blood loss kicks in. His shaking ceases and he soon passes. When you go, you hope you receive even just a fraction of the mourning he will receive. Though you are certain you don't deserve even that much.

You stand up, giving one final glance at the children before leaving the dive. You tell yourself this is for the sake of the world. Ben was a sacrifice to bring about lasting peace and you are a soldier following orders.
>>
>>2154988
"Hey you, Pawn!" You hear a commanding bellow from a fellow Chess piece. Its that vegetable-headed guy, Halloween. A knight is talking to you! "Has this area been cleared?" You look back at the storefront and return to the imposing man before you.

"Yes. There are no more targets here." You lie. You are grateful full masks are part of the uniform.

"Heeheeheehaha! Wonderful! Then our work here is done! Let's go back and wait for the announcement." He shuffles along with that cross-shaped thing on his back. For a guy completely bound to a heavy metal object, he move pretty fast.

"Sounds like a plan, sir." You respond. "I think I need a shower... and a drink."

"I like the way your think, Pawn." He laughs maniacally as the two of you teleport away.

>Check in on Silver and Ahab.
>Check in on Flint
>>
>>2154994
>Check in on Silver and Ahab.
>>
>>2154994
>>Check in on Silver and Ahab.
>>
>>2154994
>Check in on Silver and Ahab.
>>
>>2155016
>>2155026
>>2155073
>You are Silver, amused at watching Ahab fail at breaking the Gate.
>You are Ahab, furious at this fucking Gate for not breaking properly.
>>
>>2155112
>You are Silver, amused at watching Ahab fail at breaking the Gate.
>>
>>2154994
>Check in on Silver and Ahab.
>>
>>2155112
>>You are Ahab, furious at this fucking Gate for not breaking properly.
>>
>>2155112
>You are Silver, amused at watching Ahab fail at breaking the Gate.
>>
>>2155112
>>You are Silver, amused at watching Ahab fail at breaking the Gate.
Look at him. Look at him fail and laugh.
>>
>>2155117
>>2155131
>>2155163

You have been watching this hook-nosed idiot fail at breaking the Gate of Destruction for last two days and it has been a complete riot the entire time. Every time the cracks seal up, he launches into another string of expletives like a child. Next to you is the Guardian ARM acting as your Guide for the training. If you remember right her name is Baskerville. Outside of the dog ears, tail, and studded collar she looks like a girl around your age.

"No!" She howls, "You gotta synchronize! Use your Sixth Sense! I believe in you!"

"YOU KEEP SAYING THAT AND I SAY I AM!" He shouts back, Baskerville shrinking under his volume and making a whimpering sound. "Sorry." He apologizes almost instantly after seeing her pitiful face. Looks like Ahab can't take waterworks from pretty girls. That's some pretty useful ammunition to gain.

"Hey, Baskie," You casually address the dog girl. "Is there a spot for food around here?"

"Food? Oh yes!" She shakes her head and smiles widely at you. "There's a fruit tree over by the waterfall just a little ways that way!" She points to the area beyond the stone pillars dotting the landscape.

"Thanks!" You then turn your attention to Ahab, clearly cross and looking generally exhausted. "Come on, numb nuts, take a break and replenish your strength."

"Not... Yet..." He pants as he charges the electricity into the Nature ARM again. "Not... Until... I break it!"

>Insist he takes a break.
>Make him take a break with Hawken.
>Entice him to take a break with a hint.
>Push him over and drag him with you. He looks ready to collapse as is.
>>
>>2155230
>Push him over and drag him with you. He looks ready to collapse as is.
>>
>>2155230
>>Push him over and drag him with you. He looks ready to collapse as is.
Time to emasculate this fool.
>>
>>2155230
>Push him over and drag him with you. He looks ready to collapse as is.
>>
>>2155230
>>Push him over and drag him with you. He looks ready to collapse as is.
>>
>>2155247
>>2155249
>>2155335
You roll your eyes and storm over to him as he attempts to charge up another bolt from his Harpoon. You glare at him disapprovingly with your arms crossed. You can't believe this moron. You don't know what exactly his deal is, but he isn't going to get anywhere with this pig-headed stubborn streak. You lean over to him and shove him on the shoulder with one hand. Like you thought, he didn't have nearly enough strength in him than he believed.

He falls over like a sack of potatoes, his Harpoon reverting to a ring on his hand.

"Looks like you aren't getting a say in the matter any more." You quip smugly and start dragging the semi-conscious sea captain over the smooth stones. Baskerville, looks between the two of you confused and alarmed at the proceedings, stammering in surprise before hurriedly following along behind you.

You've been through this section of training before. Learning about Magic Power, learning to synchronize with your ARMs and those kinds of things. But it has been so many years since that training and you were started to get rusty. It honestly feels nice to get back to the basics. It allows you a chance to bond with Hawken and train some more with your other ARMs. You love being the fearsome Captain Silver of the Terrible Truth, but captaining is a complete time sink. Your run-in with Kana and the Chess raiding vessel really showed you how behind on your technique you'd really fallen.

"Hey, Baskie?" You ask, turning your head to look at the ARM. She is staring worriedly at Ahab, but quickly turns her attention to you and switches to a happier expression. Her tail even wags a little. "Would you mind looking after Ahab and making sure he eats something? I think I should get a little practice in myself since I'm here."

"Yes, ma'am! I'll take good care of him!" The Guardian gives you a salute, her tail wagging like a fan as she sprints to the fruit tree to gather sustenance for your companion.

>Call out Hawken. He hasn't had a chance to spread his wings since Bluebeard shot you out of the sky.
>Train with the Feather Cutlass. Swordsmanship is one of the key traits of a good pirate.
>Is this really something you can train with. Contemplate using the Piece of Eight on your hat decorating your hat.
>>
>>2155586
Contemplate using the Piece of Eight on your hat
>>
>>2155586
>>Train with the Feather Cutlass. Swordsmanship is one of the key traits of a good pirate.
>>
>>2155586
>>Train with the Feather Cutlass. Swordsmanship is one of the key traits of a good pirate.
>>
>>2155586
>Train with the Feather Cutlass. Swordsmanship is one of the key traits of a good pirate.
>>
>>2155586
>>Call out Hawken. He hasn't had a chance to spread his wings since Bluebeard shot you out of the sky.
>>
File: Silver.jpg (11 KB, 247x440)
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>>2155605
>>2155660
>>2155707
You pluck the silver feather from your had and call out its more useful form. It has been far too long since you last felt the weight of the blade in your hand. For the most part, you had been relying on your wit, your ship, and Hawken's appearance to browbeat merchant vessels and military supply ships into surrender without having to engage in boarding maneuvers. But as a pirate, your swordsmanship should always be sharp. If you're going to get justice for your men, you need to be sure that you regain your prowess.

You recall using the blade to inform Kana on some of the types of ARMs in the world. You grin mischievously as you recall omitting some details on the function of the Feather Cutlass. Mostly that it was actually shared more similarities with Ahab's ARM of choice than it did with the Kanabo that your outsider friend uses. You use a moment of time to synchronize yourself with the weapon before putting yourself into a ready stance.

You decide your targets for your training session are the stone pillars on the way to the Gate. You wonder how many pieces you can cut them into before they hit the ground.

>3
>5
>12
>>
>>2155858
>12
>>
>>2155858
>>5
>>
>>2155858
>5
>shoot for 12
>>
>>2155858
>5
>>
>>2155858
>>12
>>
>>2155863
>>2155865
>>2155882
>>2155886
>>2155879
Confindent in 5 but shooting for 12. Roll me 6d10s
>>
Rolled 1, 7, 4, 2, 4, 10 = 28 (6d10)

>>2155940
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 4, 2, 3, 3 = 23 (6d10)

>>2155940
>>
Rolled 1, 4, 7, 3, 10, 1 = 26 (6d10)

>>2155940
>>
Rolled 3, 1, 9, 6, 6, 7 = 32 (6d10)

>>2155940
>>
Rolled 9, 4, 1, 5, 5, 4 = 28 (6d10)

>>2155940
Slices, slices!
>>
Rolled 4, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1 = 24 (6d10)

>>2155940
>>
Rolled 3, 6, 9, 4, 4, 9 = 35 (6d10)

>>2155940
>>
>>2155948
>>2155953
>>2155985
>>2155996
>>2156002
>>2156011
>>2156056

Well, at least you know where you need to improve.
>>
>>2156063
After a moment of silence, you unleash the first of several slashes into the open air. Nearly-invisible crescents of wind that carve apart the stone pillars at a rather impressive range. You slice through the bottom of the pillar, causing the whole thing to start collapsing on itself. You make another slash, cutting off a wedge of the falling portion of the structural support.

And another.

And another.

Another!

ANOTHER!

MORE!

YES!

NO!

SHIT!

You sigh with disappointment as you are only able to carve it into nine pieces before they all come crashing down in a pile of rock and dust. Three more and you would have been satisfied. You wipe a few beads of sweat that had begun to form on your brow. You really are out of shape if nine cuts has you sweating now. The sacrifices you make for your Truth...

"Wow! That was an excellent display, Miss Silver!" You hear Baskerville cheering from behind you. Abruptly you turn around, discovering that it wasn't just Baskerville, but also Ahab, who must have bullied Baskie into carrying him over her shoulder so he could yell at you for making him stop throwing himself uselessly at the Gate.

"Well, I was aiming a bit higher than that to be fair, but I suppose I this is the place to work on it." You smile sheepishly in return.

"You did say you left Flint's tutelage without finishing, right?" Ahab cuts in.

"Ahab!" Baskerville jabs the man in the ribs, causing him to yelp in discomfort.

"Yeah. That's part of it. I've already gone through this part of the training, though I was in here for a full 3 days as opposed to our current 1 and a half. That's 6 months if you're bad at math." You confess.

"Six months of this shit? Sounds crazy." He remarks. You nod and the conversation dies for an awkward minute as Ahab works up the courage to ask you another question. "How long did it take you to learn to synchronize to your ARM and break the Gate?" His cheeks are a little flushed from the embarrassment of what you think he's getting around to.

>A whole month.
>Six weeks.
>Ten Weeks.
>>
>>2156148
>A whole month.
Git gud Ahab
>>
>>2156148
>9 days
>that was a joke.
>Six weeks.
>>
>>2156148
>>A whole month.
>>
>>2156148
>>A whole month.
>>
>>2156148
>>A whole month.
>>
>>2156155
>>2156161
>>2156171
>>2156185
>>2156308
"Nine days." You say with a smirk on your face. You watch Ahab's lower and a scowl cross his lips. "Nah, I'm joking around. Took me a month before I got it right." The scowl remains but he looks back up at you, not nearly as embarrassed looking as when he asked. "I know it sounds easy, but synchronization is a lot harder than any explanation can do justice. Thinking of an ARM, especially ones without a voice or anything resembling a mind, as something that you need to form a bond with can be difficult. Its part of why building Magic Power is the first step. Having experience with an ARM builds that bond naturally and gives you memories to reflect on and use as the catalyst for Synchronicity."

Baskerville nods her head along with your words. Ahab looks down again, this time, though at Thunder Harpoon in its ring form.

"In that case, I'll do it in 3 weeks." Ahab gives you a cocky smirk and frees himself from Baskerville's assistance. "I'll get this synchronicity thing down and show you up."

You can't help but to laugh. Not at him, but at his ridiculous need to one up you. "Fine, fine. Let's see if you can put the infamous Captain Silver in her place." You taunt.

>Check in on Flint.
>Check in on the curious shadow stalking the woods.
>Check in on Kana and Maruem
>>
>>2156358
>>Check in on Kana and Maruem
>>
>>2156358
>>Check in on Kana and Maruem
I want to see how our MC is doing.
>>
>>2156358
>>Check in on Kana and Maruem
>>
>>2156358
>>Check in on Kana and Maruem
Also
>"I know it sounds easy, but synchronization is a lot harder than any explanation can do justice
Kana does it nigh instantly with her Kanabo.
>>
>>2156358
>Check in on Kana and Maruem
>>
>>2156418
>"Must smash"
>Synchronization complete
>>
>>2156432
>burn, smash, rip and tear!
>>
>>2156358
>>Check in on Kana and Maruem
>>
>>2156418
She's a delinquent and the Kanabo is a giant metal bat with studs. It's practically a natural weapon for her. Hell, we used a REGULAR metal bat to beat the shit out of that giant parrot.
>>
>>2156418
>>2156432
>>2156459
>>2156491
Also, Kana did something sensible and ask how synchronization worked. Ahab got as far as the word break before deciding he could smash his way to glory.

Checking in on Kana wins. Writing!
>>
File: kanabo.jpg (82 KB, 640x512)
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>>2156524
You are, once more, Kana and you have spend the last week or so applying what you learned from the Gate of Destruction to the earth golems that the Training Gate supplies for you to fight. Maruem sits nearby offering unsolicited critiques on your form and methods of attack.

At first, it made your one-shot kills on these golems much easer, but as the days progressed, you began to realize that they've been scaling up in power, speed, and durability to the point that you now have to take more than a couple of swings or fireballs to obliterate them.

Currently, you are catching your breath between golems. The newest golem popped out of the ground the instant you knocked the head off the last one, but its waiting patiently (read creepily motionless) for you to recover and make an aggressive move.

"You know," Maruem pipes up. "You're pretty strong for a kid."

"WHAT'D YOU CALL ME?!" You angrily shout back.

"Fine. Whatever. Anyway you're strong. You brute forced your way through the first round of golems here in the Training Gate in just a couple of days. Then knock through the Gate of Destruction in mere hours. Most adult students Master Flint sends my way would still be fighting to increase their magic power right now." The turtle boy rests his hands behind his head.

"Is there a point to this or are you just trying to offer me praise?" You tap your foot impatiently.

"There is. You put me a head of schedule and I want to thank you for the change of pace." From behind his back the ARM pulls a small black orb. "I noticed that your Kanabo has slots for magic stones." You reach out and take the smooth gemstone from him and examine it closer. The inside of it looks to be filled with a slowly moving murky smoke not unlike what you remember from the space between worlds where you spoke with the Monban Pierro.

"What fuck do I do with this?" You ask.

"Well you put it in one of the empty sockets of your weapon ARM. It'll boost the power of your Kanabo and unlock new abilities for you." Well that sounds pretty fucking handy.

You quickly attach the stone into the open socket closest to your grip... but you don't feel it get any stronger.

"Hey, what's the deal? I thought you said this was a power boost?!" You raise your voice again.

"Ugh... why do you always have to yell." The Guardian complains, plugging his ears with his webbed fingers. "These powers take the form from your will, so its up to you."

You look back to the black, swirling orb, thinking about what you've just learned.

>Let's make those studs into spikes! [Earring Kanabo Form 1:Oni Spikes]
>Let's light it up! [Earring Kanabo gains Nature Elemental trait: Fire*]
>[Custom form for the Earring Kanabo]

*Synchronizing with Elemental Nature ARMs has a draw back in that an ARM user becomes physically susceptible to an elemental foil. In the case of fire, Kana would become physically weakened in wet environments and be rendered incapable of fighting underwater.
>>
>>2156753
>Let's light it up! [Earring Kanabo gains Nature Elemental trait: Fire*]
BAHNING
>>
>>2156753
>Make the kanabo solid metal, Solid, heavy, relentless and unyielding.
>>
>>2156753
Custom
>Size manipulation. Kanobo can be active, and the enemy wouldn't notice.
>>
>>2156766
This, but make it gold as a reference to Kin-ki. It would be fucking sick if our powers were references to the four oni
>>
>>2156753
Either >>2156760
because it doesn't matter if we're weak in water because we already have a fire arm, or >>2156766 because just getting a whole fuckton heavier is awesome
>>
>>2156766
I like this. Solid metal bat with metal studs. Sturdier and hitting harder than ever before. There's a lot to be said for the simplicity of hitting something until it dies.
>>
>>2156766
I'd be fine with this too, as long as it's really, really, really heavy.
>>
>>2156858
I'll probably get my BAHNING kanabo another day
>>
>>2156766
>>2156780
>>2156806
>>2156854
>>2156858
Earring Kanabo: Super-Heavy Mode wins
Writing!
Name pending
>>
>>2156926
Oni's Might
>>
>>2156926
You think about all kinds of things when it comes to what kind of power you want to give to your Kanabo. First time, your thoughts go to your dreams back while you were still in Japan. Something like the legendary blade you'd wielded in your dreams... but honesty, you like the kind of damage only a blunt instrument like your Kanabo can do. You think about maybe lighting it on fire. That sounds badass! But you can already shoot fireballs from your fists. Maybe give it spikes? No, then it'd just get stuck in stuff. You need to think of another way to make it hit harder.

Ah that's it!

With your mind made up, you feel the Earring Kanabo change in your hands. Its normal, silver sheen begins to turn a golden yellow as it gains significant weight. Even with your enhanced strength, it feels heavy. Its size even increases slightly, now standing slightly taller than you. You give your weapon a test swing and it making a deep, pleasing "WHOOSH" noise through the air.

"Bad. Ass." You comment with a wide grim spreading across your face.

"So out of all possibilities you decided to make it a little bigger, heavier, and gold?" Maruem sounds disappointed, though that's not too much different than his normal tone.

"Just fucking watch and be amazed." You assure him. You square up to the massive earth golem that has been waiting on you. "Let's fuckin' do this!" You shout at it. Without missing a beat, the golem springs to life. Faster than any other golem you've fought so far, it starts slamming down a fist on you like it was squashing a bug.

>Smash it's arm off as it comes down
>Charge forward take out its knee
>Focus in on its weakpoint
>Run up its arm and knock its head off
>>
>>2157008
>>Smash it's arm off as it comes down
This punk ain't shit
>>
>>2157008
>>Smash it's arm off as it comes down
>>
>>2157008
>jump and let the weight of your new weapon crush it
>>
>>2157008
>>Focus in on its weakpoint
>>
>>2157027
>>2157029
>>2157030
>>2157032
Want to see something cool? Roll me 8d10s
>>
Rolled 9, 10, 3, 1, 9, 6, 4, 3 = 45 (8d10)

>>2157065
>>
Rolled 6, 2, 3, 10, 4, 5, 5, 8 = 43 (8d10)

>>2157065
>>
Rolled 7, 1, 3, 4, 9, 3, 4, 7 = 38 (8d10)

>>2157065
>>
Rolled 8, 6, 1, 3, 1, 10, 9, 8 = 46 (8d10)

>>2157065
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 6, 1, 3, 9, 7, 3 = 33 (8d10)

>>2157065
>>
You roar as you put everything you've got into moving your weapon to intercept the incredibly fast rocky fist plummeting down on you. As you predicted with your newly acquired Sixth Sense, you were not only able to divert the blow away from you, but completely demolish the golems arm in the process. These golems are getting tougher and tougher though. Despite the missing limb, the damn thing isn't giving up.

"Not bad, not bad." Maruem gives a couple lack-luster claps of approval at your showing. "But he's looking a little angry now. Might want to settle up."

"Yeah, Yeah. I don't need you to tell me that, dipshit." You shoot back.

"Always with the harsh language." You can hear him mutter.

Not that it matter much to you, you're overflowing with excitement at the opportunity to use your newly empowered Kanabo and see just what kind of things you can do with it.

You focus your Sixth Sense set about finding a weakness to exploit. In the meantime, it still has another arm you have to dodge.

>Screw dodging! I'll break it like the other one!
>Let's hop on top of it and run up to its head.
>Run under its legs where it can't grab you.
>Side step that bitch!
>>
>>2157149
>Screw dodging! I'll break it like the other one!
>>
>>2157149
>>Screw dodging! I'll break it like the other one!
>>
>>2157149
>Let's hop on top of it and run up to its head.
>>
>>2157149
>Screw dodging! I'll break it like the other one!
Also
>kanabo not so heavy that, if you look closely, light slightly skews near it
Dissapointed
>>
>>2157191
I'll take a "kana dropping it an making a bigass crater" scene though, if we can get one...
>>
>>2157163
>>2157171
>>2157191
Dodging? What's that? Roll me another 8d10
>>
Rolled 4, 2, 2, 5, 5, 4, 10, 7 = 39 (8d10)

>>2157235
>>
Rolled 10, 7, 6, 3, 1, 2, 5, 1 = 35 (8d10)

>>2157235
Something for wimps!
>>
Rolled 2, 7, 2, 6, 10, 5, 4, 6 = 42 (8d10)

>>2157235
>>
Rolled 10, 7, 6, 5, 3, 4, 1, 6 = 42 (8d10)

>>2157235
>>
Calling it in for the night. I'll be back up tomorrow again with the conclusion of this fight.
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 10, 6, 4, 3, 6, 9 = 47 (8d10)

>>2157235
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 5, 5, 9, 2, 7, 3 = 36 (8d10)

>>2157235
>>
Returned from Christmas shopping. I'll get to writing!
>>
>>2158999
Yay!
>>
>>2158999
Wooooo~
>>
>>2157331
Honestly, attempting to dodge with the Kanabo in this heavy mode is too much of a pain. It's much easier to parry and sunder the blow, so that's what you're going to do! The other fist rockets in like a speeding train and you grit your teeth and start your swing.

Like before, the velocity of your attack finds its place along where your Sixth Sense has guided you. The Golem's fist shatters on impact all the way up to the elbow. You imagine if this thing was alive right now, it'd be shitting its pants in fear. A vicious grin creeps across your face as you take a step...

Woah shit!

You have to catch yourself before you fall over. Trying to move your legs feels like trying to move wet noodles covered in wet concrete. What is going on?! You were fine before, but now you feel so sluggish.

"Looks like this new form is pretty taxing right now." Maruem delivers in a flat tone, but you're sure he meant it in a condescending way. "Something for you to practice on for your remaining time in the Gate?"

"Shut the hell up, you stupid Kappa."

"What's a Kappa?"

"... Nevermind." You grumble some more under your breath as you make your next play.

>Try to run at him on your heavy noodle legs.
>Wait for him to attack again and go for the counter!
>Play baseball with some of the golem pieces around you!
>[Other strats?]
>>
>>2159167
>>Wait for him to attack again and go for the counter!
Too tired to move? Let your enemies come to you!
>>
>>2159167
>>Wait for him to attack again and go for the counter!
This weapon's greatest strength is the fact that you can just have enemies kill themselves running into it. As long as they don't pull any projectile bullshit. But we can just use the inferno fists for that
>>
>>2159167
>Wait for him to attack again and go for the counter!
>>
>>2159202
>>2159205
>>2159206
Eventually he'll run out of limbs to throw at you. That how you win!

Roll me another 8d10
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 1, 5, 10, 1, 10, 4 = 35 (8d10)

>>2159375
>>
Rolled 3, 4, 7, 3, 6, 8, 3, 1 = 35 (8d10)

>>2159375
>>
Rolled 9, 2, 4, 8, 9, 4, 5, 10 = 51 (8d10)

>>2159375
>>
Rolled 9, 10, 5, 8, 1, 1, 6, 4 = 44 (8d10)

>>2159375
>>
File: OH MY.jpg (71 KB, 719x309)
71 KB
71 KB JPG
>>2159378
>>2159380
>>2159385
>>2159403
OH MY

Writing!
>>
>>2159468
Moving around while your legs will barely respond isn't a good idea. Plus, its worked excellently so far, you might as well keep up your "Shatter its limbs every time it decides to attack" strategy. Without arms to speak of, the golem launches itself into a quite impressive axe kick. Probably would have been quite devastating if you weren't going to shatter its leg into dust.

The stony limb hits your speeding Kanabo with a satisfying "CLANG!" and is left pulverized in the wake of your Super Heavy Weapon ARM. You cheer as you watch the colossal construct attempt to keep its balance of a moment, waving around the jagged remains of its ruined arms in vain before crashing to the ground and ceasing all motion!

"FUCK YEAH!" You shout. You attempt to leap up in excitement, but you suddenly feel all your strength leave you. That's odd, the ground is starting to move up to greet you. You try to put your hands in front to break your fall, but it feels like there's no response from them either. You flinch, expecting a faceful of dirt but... it doesn't come.

You open your eyes and realize there's a scaled, yellow green arm reaching across your stomach.

"What a troublesome student." Maruem complains as he hoists you up with one arm. You hadn't noticed it, but the instant you started falling, Earring Kanabo went back to its earring form. That was awful thoughtful of it... though really its not actually capable of independent action or thought. "Though I guess you have a goal now to focus on for the next two months."

"Yeah. Not that I'll need all of that time." You say with as much bravado as you can muster despite the fact you feel completely exhausted. This new form is pretty taxing as you are right now. You need to focus on deepening your Magic Power and practicing using that new form.

>You are now Flint, troubled and on edge as you feel something, or someone, is stalking you from the tree line.
>You are not Flint, but a shadowing something, or someone, stalking him from the treeline.
>>
>>2159585
>You are now Flint, troubled and on edge as you feel something, or someone, is stalking you from the tree line.
>>
>>2159585
>You are not Flint, but a shadowing something, or someone, stalking him from the treeline.
>>
>>2159585
>>You are now Flint, troubled and on edge as you feel something, or someone, is stalking you from the tree line.
>>
>>2159585
>>You are now Flint, troubled and on edge as you feel something, or someone, is stalking you from the tree line
>>
>>2159585
>You are now Flint, troubled and on edge as you feel something, or someone, is stalking you from the tree line.
>>
>>2159592
>>2159610
>>2159622
>>2159631
You are Flint once more and you are growing increasingly distressed by the sounds of screams being carried to you on the wind along side the smell of smoke and blood. A part of you wants to cut everything right now and run to the defense of your home you and Treyla had built and lived together in for nearly a lifetime, but you know that you cannot do that. It agonizes you that you cannot save the pictures she had painted for you in her twilight years, but if you were to leave, even for a second, you would have to dismiss the Training Gate.

And to do that before the agreed upon release time would be to sentence your dear students to an eternity in oblivion.

And so you hang on; your hands in white-knuckled grip on your folded arms. You are trembling, not out of fear, but of anger and frustration at the horrific timing of this terrible event. You want to cry out, but you worry that would only cause more trouble than it would solve.

You are certain there is something stalking you from the woods. It could be a person; it could be an escaping villager unsure of what you are doing and of your allegiances. Alternately it could be a Chess Piece sizing you up before going for the kill. At this point, you all but certain it is the latter. You can sense whatever it is has a decent amount of Magic Power.

>Call them out. There's no point dragging it out further than it needs to be. They've already lost the element of surprise.
>Call out your Weapon ARM, Adamantis, and strike him before he knows you know he's there.
>Keep and eye on him, but don't engage, you're too spread out already using 3 ARMs simultaneously.
>[Do something else.
>>
>>2159711
>Call them out. There's no point dragging it out further than it needs to be. They've already lost the element of surprise.
>>
>>2159711
>>Keep and eye on him, but don't engage, you're too spread out already using 3 ARMs simultaneously.
Stall as long as possible.
>>
>>2159711
>Keep and eye on him, but don't engage, you're too spread out already using 3 ARMs simultaneously.
>>
>>2159711
>>Keep and eye on him, but don't engage, you're too spread out already using 3 ARMs simultaneously.
>>
>>2159727
>>2159728
>>2159772
Wary observation! Writing!
>>
>>2159850
You decide the best course of action is to not take action. At least right now. Despite how torturous it has been, conserving your strength and power for the ARMs already in use is best. There isn't too much longer left in their training. All you have to do is stall for time and hope they are quick learners.

You hear rustling from the brush in the direction of the Magic Power you sensed earlier. They're getting closer. Maybe you're losing your touch in your old age or maybe you're just more tired than you thought you'd be, but the Magic Power you thought you felt turned out to be three. They aren't strong from what you feel, but they're better than simple novices. You don't quite know Chess ranks, but they're more than deadly the rank and file soldiers. Probably some kind of officer. The thing that worries you the most about them, though, is that they are heading directly for your clearing.

>Try to suppress your Magic Power. They might pass you by.
>Its time to start posturing. Make a show of force to unnerve them.
>Stay on task. Now is not the time to get jumpy.
>[Do something else?]
>>
>>2159899
>>Stay on task. Now is not the time to get jumpy.
>>
>>2159899
>Stay on task. Now is not the time to get jumpy.
if they're heading right for us, then they'll probably continue to do so, so there's no point in power supression
>>
>>2159899
>>Stay on task. Now is not the time to get jumpy.
>>
>>2159899
>>Stay on task. Now is not the time to get jumpy.
>>
>>2159901
>>2159903
>>2159939
>>2159962
Stay on target...

writing!
>>
>>2159983
Now you make me regret this...
>>
I really hope this doesn't go total Obi-Wan.
>>
>>2159983
You tense up in anticipation for contact with these unknown people. A bead of nervous sweat rolls down the side of your cheek. The power gets closer and closer. These definitely aren't simple mooks you could deal with unarmed and tied to a single spot. Of all the luck in the world...

The masked men burst into the clearing wearing dark clothing. The first one, who seems to be leading this squad, is shorter than the others and has less muscle mass, but you can feel a murderous intent hiding under the mask. These are definitely Chess out for blood.

"Good Afternoon, mister!" The short man greets you in a lilting voice. "What are you doing out here by your lonesome?"

"Oh you know," Your face remains stony and your eyes focused on all three of them. "Came out this way for a nice relaxing walk. Reconnect with nature, and that kind of thing."

"Really?" He slowly raises a hand to his mask. You hear a faint sound of a clasp being undone and he begins removing it from his face. A wide, piercing blue eye escapes around the edge. "I hear that walking alone in the wilderness, especially at your age, can be..." He quickly snaps his arms out, revealing a chain of daggers in his hands.

"Dangerous."

His two companions back up, their arms folded. Looks like you only have to entertain the young pup for now.

>Tell him he's not worth your time. You're not interested in fighting right now. (Especially since you can't actually move at the moment.)
>Call out Adamantis and stand your ground. You're a veteran ARM user. You can wipe the floor with this punk with only this fraction of your Power.
>Come up with some taunts to throw his Synch. It should make dodging his attacks easier.
>Bring out Guardiss and stay on the defensive.
>[Other strats?]
>>
>>2160060
>Call out Adamantis and stand your ground. You're a veteran ARM user. You can wipe the floor with this punk with only this fraction of your Power.
>>
>>2160060
>Tell him he's not worth your time. You're not interested in fighting right now. (His pride seems inflated and taunting him to throw his sync will likely give you the upper hand.)

Have Gaurdiss at the ready though.
>>
>>2160060
>Bring out Guardiss and stay on the defensive.
>Come up with some taunts to throw his Synch. It should make dodging his attacks easier.
We need this limp-dicked shit to come closer, it's the only way we'll be able to hit him.
>>
>>2160060
>>Bring out Guardiss and stay on the defensive.
Would stalling long enough mean Kana and the others will pop out at full power to kick some ass?
>>
It's 1 AM here, so I'm taking another sleep break. See you all again tomorrow!
>>
>>2160066
>>2160077
>>2160095
Bringing out your Guardiss and attempt to throw off his Synch with some name calling. Writing!

Give me some good taunts and insults, though.
>>
>>2160537
Your mother was a hamster and your father reeked of elderberries?

I’ve raised pigs that smell better than you!

Love the clothes, they just scream I have no self will or thought.
>>
>>2160537
You narrow your eyes, and silently call Guardiss out. The two silent followers of this blue-eyed kid straighten up their backs in surprise. They must've thought you were some helpless old man just standing in a clearing. That's the problem with the young these days; no observational skills.

"I wouldn't worry too much about me, young man." You shoot back at him. "The only thing I've encountered in this forest is a fairy and a couple of dead logs." You cock your head to the side and give him a taunting grin. Hilariously, it takes him a second to realize you were talking about him. Chess must not be very choosy when it comes to recruiting. It does your old heart good to see his face steam in rage when he finally gets your insult.

"You're finished, you old geezer! Hurry up and die!" He screams at you, releasing on end of the chain of daggers. The ARM stretches out, attempting to surround you with the links of blades.

>Roll me 11d10s for Flint's defense
>>
Rolled 5, 9, 2, 10, 9, 5, 1, 3, 7, 10, 8 = 69 (11d10)

>>2160590
>>
Rolled 4, 10, 8, 6, 9, 7, 3, 7, 9, 10, 8 = 81 (11d10)

>>2160590
>>
Rolled 10, 2, 6, 3, 5, 2, 8, 3, 7, 7, 10 = 63 (11d10)

>>2160590
>>
Rolled 7, 6, 6, 4, 6, 8, 8, 9, 5, 5, 8 = 72 (11d10)

>>2160590
>>
Rolled 5, 8, 6, 10, 10, 7, 7, 3, 7, 4, 1 = 68 (11d10)

>>2160590
>>
>>2160591
>>2160600
>>2160603
>>2160605
>>2160609

You let out a chuckle as the blue-eye Chess yanks on the chain, sending the line of daggers in to cut you to ribbons. The boy has a lot to learn about controlling his temper during combat. You duck down and have your Guardiss deflect the pointed metal shards of its surface and fly harmlessly over your head.

"Such a disappointment." You taunt him again. "I thought I was looking at a fairy and some logs but really its just a bunch of garbage. I should have guessed, though. You stink worse than the hogs I raised as a young man." You're just having the time of your life using all of these boyish taunts.

"What's the matter, boy? Are those Charm Daggers all you've got? You're going to have to do better than that if you hope to kill me!" You give him a condescending grin that makes him grind his teeth in frustration. Such an animated youth for a soldier in a terrorist army.

"Don't let him get to you, Daruk." One of the still masked Chess pipes up. So that's what this kid's name is. "He's trying to make you lose your synch!"

Daruk shoots the two a dirty look, but does stop and take a deep breath. Shoot, you can feel his power start to rise again as he re-synchronizes with his ARMs. "Good catch, Talis." He complements the masked companion that spoke up. "You've been found out, old man. Beside, for someone rumored to be a Master, I'm a little disappointed."

Rumored?

"So then you do know who I am." You posit.

"Of course we do. The Chess would never be foolish enough to not take ARM Masters into account before declaring war." So that's what this attack was about. The little fool is a decent source of information. "Now hold still. I promise to make this quick."

Honestly even with your skill as an ARM User, you're using far too much power already. Trying to keep this up is a battle of attrition you don't stand a chance of winning. All you can do is hope that the three of your students don't take more time than they need to. Training is ending soon.

Daruk whips the chain of daggers out to the side, the small blades gathering at the farthest third of the chain.

>Keep Guarding.
>Switch to offense and call out Adamantis. Preempt his strike with one of your own.

>Also roll me 1d10.
>>
Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>2160699
>Switch to offense and call out Adamantis. Preempt his strike with one of your own.
>>
Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>2160699
>>Switch to offense and call out Adamantis. Preempt his strike with one of your own.
Does he need his guardians summoned for the entire length of the training? Like, could the gang make it through the final week or so on their own?
>>
Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>2160699
>Switch to offense and call out Adamantis. Preempt his strike with one of your own.
>>
File: kusarigama.jpg (167 KB, 800x800)
167 KB
167 KB JPG
>>2160708
>>2160710
>>2160714
You release Guardiss and call out your favored ARM. You haven't had to use it in such a long time, so it feels right to bring it out now. Your hands feel the sudden weight of Adamantis and its jingling chain is like a nostalgic song in your ears. A smile stretches across your face as you start swinging the weight at the end of the chain.

"You should feel honored, you whippersnappers." You chide, "I haven't had a reason to use Adamantis in so long. You're probably the first one of your generation to see it." He grits his teeth and shoots you the dirtiest look he can muster.

"FUCK YOU OLD MAN!" He screams, sending the chain of daggers at you like a whip. Foolish kid. You send the weighted end of the Adamantis to intercept the attack.

>Roll me 9d10s
>>
Rolled 5, 8, 4, 7, 1, 5, 2, 9, 2 = 43 (9d10)

>>2160762
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 4, 4, 1, 8, 8, 5, 8 = 42 (9d10)

>>2160762
>>
Rolled 7, 2, 9, 4, 3, 6, 1, 7, 5 = 44 (9d10)

>>2160762
here
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 9, 7, 7, 10, 5, 8, 8 = 65 (9d10)

>>2160762
>>
Rolled 4, 6, 7, 7, 6, 6, 6, 1, 6 = 49 (9d10)

>>2160762
>>
>>2160764
>>2160765
>>2160787
>>2160790
>>2160792

Your Adamantis's weight shifts direction as you tug on the chain, making it wrap around the Chess boy's weapon and dragging it to the ground in a tangle of metal and blades. You tug it again, ripping the weapon out of the boy's hands and sending it clattering at your feet.

"Bastard!" He shouts at you some more, but you can't help but laugh at him.

"Serves your right, you rude brat. Maybe next time you'll see the need to respect your elders!" You laugh some more at him as he lowers his head and droops his shoulders in defeat. They start shaking and you think he might actually be crying over his loss. How embarrassing.

No... he's laughing?

Suddenly the Charm Daggers spring to life despite not being in the boy's hands.

"Gotcha!" He laughs loudly making a face at you. "See the neat thing about the Charm Daggers is that I don't actually have to hold them to manipulate them! I just have to make the motions!" He gestures wildly as the chains wriggle free from Adamantis and begin wrapping painfully around your body. You... can't move. Bastard managed to trick you.

If you were at your peak, you could easily break out of the chains and show him what for, but you're rather tired and spread out too thinly to muster the power to do much of anything. How shameful of you.

"Now then! How about I show you the power of the Chess!" He laughs hysterically as he makes a spinning motion with his hand. The chains begin to move around again. First slowly, but they're picking up speed at a rapid pace. The knives cut against your clothing and flesh, but the knives are dull, making the cuts jagged and painful. You grimace and clench your jaw tightly, denying the twisted youth the pleasure of hearing you cry out in pain.

Just... a little... longer...

"My, my, old man. I thought you were better than that." The chain suddenly stops moving around you as your enemies glance behind you. You take the opportunity to look as well. A wave of relief washes over you as you see one of the doors has opened. The voice that taunted you belongs to...

>Onishi Kana
>Ahab
>>
>>2160830
>Ahab
>>
>>2160830
>>Ahab
We know Kana will make it just fine, Ahab is the one we have to worry about
>>
>>2160830
>Ahab
Kanas probably lost track of time beating the crap out of golems
>>
>>2160830
>>Onishi Kana
>>
Sorry I have to take an emergency break and go deal with a malfunctioning sump pump. Be back as soon as I can!
>>
>>2160830
>Ahab
>>
>>2160830
>Ahab
Going with Ahab partly because i want to see how good he is right now, and partly because I want Kana to have the chance to fight a berserker like her.
>>
After hours of sorting through soggy/moldy things, I return! Writing!
>>
>>2160837
>>2160841
>>2160853
>>2160890
>>2160893
You are now Ahab. You wear a confident, if slightly cocky, grin, your Thunder Harpoon already in your hands. You're a little surprised to see Flint as messed up as he is. From what you can see, the blue-eye asswipe is only a Rook.

Somewhere behind you Silver arrives through the door, allowing it to close and Baskerville to deactivate. A little rest for the old man might do him some good. You'll let her tend to the Master while you deal with the riffraff.

"You losing your touch old man?" You berate your teacher in a jesting tone. "Well, it won't do to have some upstart punk messing around with my teacher." You turn your attention to the kid and start shouting at him with sneer and snarl"Oi! Fucktard! Let me teach you some fucking manners!"

"You... YOU!!" He stammers at you, infuriated that you're stepping into the fight. Well, so far the only one whose opinion you care about in this fight is Flint's and he's not complaining. "Charm Daggers!" He shouts at you, commanding his ARM back into the air. He waves his arms around and makes them charge at you.

"Pft" You chuckle slightly at the rather lame attack. He must've been recently promoted to Rook given his choice of weapon ARM. Charm Daggers... He's lucky the old man was both drained of magic power and rooted to the spot because of the Training Gate and the Guardians he was using inside it.

>Use your new technique you learned with your Harpoon to blink forward in a bolt of lightning.
>Use your new technique you learned to call down a bolt of lighting on your enemy.
>Save your new techs for a more worthy opponent and just launch a harpoon at the weakpoint on your foe.
>>
>>2161500
>>Save your new techs for a more worthy opponent and just launch a harpoon at the weakpoint on your foe.
>>
>>2161500
>Save your new techs for a more worthy opponent and just launch a harpoon at the weakpoint on your foe.
He's just a scrub. Teleport/blink lightning is for foes who deserve it.
>>
>>2161500
>>Save your new techs for a more worthy opponent and just launch a harpoon at the weakpoint on your foe.
As much as I want for Ahab to do something badass against this guys we better save it just in case.
>>
>>2161500
>Save your new techs for a more worthy opponent and just launch a harpoon at the weakpoint on your foe.
Also
>Ahab has lightning movement now
He's now 150% cooler.
>>
>>2161503
>>2161507
>>2161513
>>2161540
Roll me 8d10s
>>
Rolled 4, 8, 4, 1, 5, 6, 6, 4 = 38 (8d10)

>>2161592
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 4, 2, 6, 5, 2, 8 = 36 (8d10)

>>2161592
>>
Rolled 8, 10, 6, 9, 8, 9, 10, 1 = 61 (8d10)

>>2161592
>>
Rolled 7, 6, 9, 10, 7, 9, 8, 4 = 60 (8d10)

>>2161592
>>
>>2161602
Nice
>>
File: grandfather clock.jpg (38 KB, 232x800)
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"What a bore." You sigh as the chain rattles towards you. "I was hoping for a challenge to show off my new techniques on. You're barely worth a regular attack." Your grip tightens around your Harpoon as you gather electricity into it.

"WHY YOU... ARROGANT PIECE OF SH-!" He shouts again, but is cut off as a harpoon shaped bolt of lightning blasts the kid off his feet and into his accomplices. His ARM first falls to the ground before reverting to its base, charm bracelet form. You pick it up and toss the mediocre ARM behind you and spit. What a waste of time.

"Daruk!" The masked men attempted to revive him but at the very least, the shitstain is going to be out for a while. One of them steps in front of them. You guess he is taking the place of his fallen friend.

"Bastard! I'll show you what happens when you mess with the Chess!" You are able to catch him flick an ARM into his hand from up his sleeve. "Darkness ARM!" He shouts. Shit! Even in the hands of a novice, Darkness ARMs can be a handful. "Grandfather Clock!"

You feel the earth rumble beneath you and you're able to take a quick step back as a massive towering timepiece shoots out of the ground like a tree!

"What the fuck is that?!" You exclaim on reflex, gripping your Harpoon a little tighter in your hand.

"The Grandfather Clock counts down your doom, Hook-nose." His taunt makes you sneer in disgust. "It'll slow you down until the clock strikes 12. All it asks for in return is the use of one of my limbs. I wasn't planning on using my left arm anyway." He laughs as you see his hand turn a purtrid blackish green. Even through the laugh, you can tell having a limb rot much be causing him pain. "You're mine now!" He come at you in a mad dash, activating another ARM in his good hand -some kind of curved sword- and winding up for a slash down across your chest.

The effects of this Darkness ARM is starting to manifest on you. It feels like you're being forced to move through thick, invisible mud; slowing your movements to a crawl and inhibiting a lot of your combat skills. You don't have much time until this new opponent closes the distance.

>Use your new Blitz Step skill
>Use your new Thunder Strike skill
>Try to intercept him with a normal Thunder Harpoon attack
>Switch to Sea Belle and anticipate eating the hit.
>[Other Strats?]
>>
>>2161787
>>Use your new Thunder Strike skill
>>
>>2161787
>>Use your new Thunder Strike skill
>>
>>2161787
>Use your new Blitz Step skill
youretooslow.wav
>>
>>2161787
>Use your new Thunder Strike skill
Blitz strike would be cool and all, but that would take more effort than it's worth to take this guy out
>>
>>2161787
>Use your new Blitz Step skill
Hes making us slow? Move at the speed of lightning!
>>
>>2161807
Know what? Fuck it, blitz step it is
>>
>>2161787
>Use your new Blitz Step skill
>>
>>2161803
>>2161811
>>2161814
>>2161819
Dodging with the Blitz Step. Roll me 5d10

Captcha: Slow Bridge
>>
Rolled 2, 7, 5, 9, 9 = 32 (5d10)

>>2161848
>>
Rolled 3, 9, 2, 6, 9 = 29 (5d10)

>>2161848
>>
Rolled 4, 4, 1, 7, 9 = 25 (5d10)

>>2161848
>>
Rolled 1, 10, 6, 8, 2 = 27 (5d10)

>>2161848
>>
Rolled 7, 7, 9, 4, 4 = 31 (5d10)

>>2161848
>>
>>2161852
Skin of your teeth! Writing!
>>
Rolled 9, 4, 3, 4, 5 = 25 (5d10)

>>2161848
>>
>>2161877
You hate fighting Darkness Users for this exact reason. With some effort, you are able to get your hands in position as you use the new ability you gave to your Thunder Harpoon. Focusing your power and synchronizing with the ARM, you leap across the battlefield in a bolt of lighting, skidding to a stop on the other side of the towering clock.

"What the-?!" The Chess officer is taken aback after only striking empty air where you stood but a moment ago.

"I did more than just harness my Magic Power in the Gate." You explain to him. "You might have physically slowed me down, but I'm still more than a match for you." Of course with the clock in play, a lot of that is simply posturing, but you aren't about to make yourself look like a fool by losing to this creep now.

>Call down the Thunder (Strike!) [Choose a target]
>Blitz Step into him for a right hook!
>You've got the distance now, hit him with a regular TH attack!
>[Suggestions?]
>>
>>2161907
You've got the distance now, hit him with a regular TH attack!
>>
>>2161907
>Call down the Thunder (Strike!) [Choose a target]
The darkness arm
>>
>>2161907
>You've got the distance now, hit him with a regular TH attack!
>>
>>2161922
This, quit fucking around and bust the clock
>>
File: Kana's new Clothes.jpg (194 KB, 744x1328)
194 KB
194 KB JPG
Keep on voting! I'll be posting again in the morning.

In the meantime, have a picture of Kana in her new outfit
>>
>>2161922
Yeah, we should take it out ASAP.
>>
>>2161922
>>2161929
>>2162139
Time to punch out the clock!

With lightning!

Roll me 5d10s
>>
Rolled 4, 9, 8, 10, 4 = 35 (5d10)

>>2162744
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 9, 5, 5 = 30 (5d10)

>>2162744
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 9, 7, 8 = 31 (5d10)

>>2162744
>>
Rolled 7, 8, 6, 6, 3 = 30 (5d10)

>>2162744
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 6, 3, 10 = 26 (5d10)

>>2162744
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 4, 10, 5 = 24 (5d10)

>>2162744
>>
Sorry, got distracted with wrapping presents

>>2162745
>>2162752
>>2162762
This is starting to get annoying. The physical drain from this Darkness ARM is slowing you down too much to make a good showing. On top of that you've yet to land a hit on this guy. Fighting against the oppressive curse that the clock has laid down on you, you raise the barbed point of the Harpoon to the sky and gather your power.

"Thunder Harpoon!" You shout out as the clouds suddenly start darkening in response to your other new technique. There's only one way you're going to get this over before that Darkness ARM finishes its countdown. "Thunder..."

"If you think I'm going to just sit here and wait for you to hit me like Daruk, then you're sadly mistaken. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others!" The Chess Piece dashes backwards, assuming whatever you're doing is heading for him. You can only smirk at his naivety as you level your ARM at your real target: The giant clock in the middle of the clearing.

"And who said I was gonna hit you, moron?" You mock him as a bolt of lightning strikes. A moment later it is followed up with the satisfying sound of thunder and the time piece exploding into splinters of wood and metal. You can also hear the springs and bells clang and snap as they are super heated in an instant and thrown about by the force of the strike. You imagine what the look of surprise and horror is expressed across the stupid face of this masked man would be.

"Looks like your little slowing curse is done, punk." You taunt him and move your aim from the shattered remains of the clock to the man who summoned it.

"L-Look, I-I'm sorry! Please! Please let me go! Have mercy!" He drops his sword, causing it to vanish back into whatever form it takes when not in use as he gets on his knees to grovel. Disgusting. You knew the Chess were cowards by their tactics, but you can't say you expected this from one of their ranks.

>Ha! No. (Kill him)
>Fuck no. (Kill him)
>Sure... get your friends and leave. (Kill him when his back is turned)
>Send a message to Moby. I'm coming for him. (Spare him)
>>
>>2163151
>Send a message to Moby. I'm coming for him. (Spare him)
If nothing else, the Chess are the kind of guys who shoot the messenger, so either way, this Pawn's gonna die.
>>
>>2163151
>Ha! No. (Kill him)
he was willing to kill us and our new mentor.
>>
>>2163151
>Ha! No. (Kill him)
Funny guy, he thinks we won't kill him despite everything.
>>
>>2163151
>>Ha! No. (Kill him)
>>
>>2163164
This, he's not living anyway, might as well make it so he was useful for once in his miserable life
>>
File: FATALITY.gif (1.4 MB, 500x250)
1.4 MB
1.4 MB GIF
>>2163165
>>2163169
>>2163184
FINISH HIM! [How is Ahab killing this guy?]
>>
>>2163243
Stab him in the heart.
>>
>>2163243
Lightning Strike
>>
>>2163243
No need to be cruel about it. Stab him and be done with it
>>
>>2163252
>>2163266
>>2163307
Writing!
>>
>>2163445
Mercy? MERCY?! Did the Chess show mercy to your crew? To the UNARMED fishermen that worked under your command? Did the Chess show mercy to the men and women on board Silver's ship when they were simply travelling to shore?

You clench your jaw and your lips curl back, baring your rage for all to see. The pleading Chess minion falls backwards, fearing for his life, but is too scared and too tired to actually flee.

"You want mercy?" You're voice growls as you talk. "I can grant you that." For a second, the man relaxes from your words, but as you raise your Harpoon up, he quickly tenses up, throwing his one working arm up as an ineffective shield between him and your weapon.

"Ahab, wait!" Silver calls out for you to stop, but there's no stopping the retribution that is coming for him and all other Chess that get in your way. The sound is rather soft. No cracking bones, just the light sound of slicing flesh as you shove the business end of your Harpoon into the man's chest. Weakly he grabs the haft of the weapon, staring up at you with his unchanging masked eyes. You're a little disappoint you can't watch the light fade from his eyes, but what can you do.

He gurgles at you, blood dripping from his mouth underneath the mask. You tighten your grip, sending a massive electrical shock through his body, finishing the job. He spasms from the blast for a short while before falling limp.

"The mercy of a swift death. Not that you Chess ever deserve something like that." You spit on his corpse before ripping Thunder Harpoon out, the charred flesh being easier to dislodge from than the that of something still living.

"You... You killed him!" The last remaining Chess stammers. "You killed my brother, you bastard!"

"He brought it on himself." You retort. "If you're going to commit these atrocities for the Chess, you should already be aware that you'll be met in kind." Your gaze is cold and the last man shrinks back a little.

Behind you, you hear a door open.

>con't
>>
>>2163564
Finally, you are once again Onishi Kana. You have spent the last 3 months training your ass off in the Dimension ARM: Training Gate with the help of a Guardian ARM named Maruem. You learned to generate your own Magic Power, Synchronize with your ARMs, and gained a new and powerful form for you Earring Kanabo. You spent the last week simply recovering from your insane, self-imposed training regiment, but it was worth it. You step out of the Gate to discover a surprise.

Flint, the ARM Master who was training you and your friends is laying in the arms of Silver. His clothes are torn to ribbons and he seems to be bleeding slightly. Both of them have shocked expressions on their faces, which only adds to your momentary confusion. Looking past them, you see Ahab, Thunder Harpoon in hand, standing over a smoking body. Did he... kill someone? Holy shit. You've been in a lot of fights. Hell, the last one you took part in would have resulted in you probably killing two boys if you weren't oh so timely summoned into this world.

Ahab isn't looking at you, instead he is staring down a man in a mask and black robes who is holding another man in black robes, though he isn't wearing a mask. The unconscious one, as you can see, has a silver earring shaped like a castle. These men are Chess.

That just raises some questions. What are the Chess doing here? How did Flint get so messed up fighting a Rook and a couple of Pawns? Did Ahab have to kill that one? The thought of killing feels almost alien...

Ugh... you're starting to feel a little dizzy trying to think of all these solutions to these questions. More importantly right now, Ahab's shoulders shake violently with his panting breath. He's clearly falling into a rage. If he went through even half the shit you did, you know all he's doing is wrecking his Synch with his ARM.

>Make him go tend to Flint's wounds.
>Call him out on straight up killing a dude.
>Get on his case for losing his cool in combat.
>[Yell at him for other things?
>>
>>2163569
>Make him go tend to Flint's wounds.
Whatever point he wanted to make, he's made it. Now step the fuck down.
>>
>>2163569
>Get on his case for losing his cool in combat.
>Make him go tend to Flint's wounds.
I mean, I can't fault him for wanting to kill chess that bad. He probably shouldn't and Kana might agree with him after she starts hearing all the horrible shit that's been going on for the past day or so. But right now is not the time, there's still chess to deal with.
>>
>>2163569
>Make him go tend to Flint's wounds.
We cant possibly know what happened. I would suggest maybe going to puke in a bush somewhere, but I'm sure kana has enough fortitude to not do so... right?
>>
>>2163569
>>Make him go tend to Flint's wounds.
>>
>>2163569
>>Get on his case for losing his cool in combat.
It'd be dumb to call him out on killing when we don't know the circumstances, but a berserk rage doesn't help anyone.
>>
>>2163569
>Get on his case for losing his cool in combat.
>Make him go tend to Flint's wounds.
>>
>>2163583
>>2163593
>>2163597
>>2163598
>>2163606
>>2163616
Critique and reassignment. Writing
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 2 = 6 (3d10)

>>2163640
You're holding it together despite the wind forcing you to smell the sickly sweet scent of burnt flesh. Like poorly cooked pork... disgusting. You decide to do something to distract yourself from that thought process.

"Ahab!" You shout out in a commanding tone to hide how shaken you are from the sight of a dead body. "I don't know what's going on here, but letting your anger get the better of you is a fine way to end up like the shit at your feet." Really? Why'd you have to remind yourself of that? You shake that thought as Ahab turns to look at you.

"Mind you own fuckin' business, Kana." He sneers at you, his eyes are more distant than you've ever seen them. You remember your father talk about how grandpa would look whenever something triggered a flashback to the War. This seems frighteningly similar.

"I don't fucking think so, jackass! You're done fighting today." You stomp up to him and get in his face, shouting loudly. "You're the only one with the Holy ARM, remember? You gotta job to do! Now go heal Flint before the old man fucking bleeds to death!" You point sharply at your master. His expression is now one of surprise and embarrassment than shock now. "Besides, I've got some new skills to test on a real opponent, too. Tag out."

>Roll me 3d10s to out-spirit Ahab
>>
Rolled 9, 7, 5 = 21 (3d10)

>>2163686
>>
Rolled 5, 2, 5 = 12 (3d10)

>>2163686
here goes nothing
>>
Rolled 8, 6, 8 = 22 (3d10)

>>2163686
>>
Rolled 7, 9, 9 = 25 (3d10)

>>2163686
>>
Rolled 4, 4, 7 = 15 (3d10)

>>2163686
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 9 = 14 (3d10)

>>2163686
>>
Rolled 7, 1, 2 = 10 (3d10)

>>2163686
>>
>>2163694
>>2163698
>>2163702
>>2163703
>>2163705
>>2163708
>>2163716
Seeing as Ahab has that last roll I did, there's literally no way you could have failed this.
>>
>>2163739
The two of your exchange glares for what feels like hours before the Harpoon disappears from his hand and back into its base trinket form. He reaches into his pocket and produces Sea Belle and walks past you, aggressively bumping your shoulder as a final act of displeasure in your decision. Too fucking bad for him. He needs to stop and cool his head before he ends up on the wrong side of his own Harpoon.

You step towards the last Chess standing. One so you don't have to look at the dead body you're standing near and, two, so he knows that you're the one who he's going to be dealing with.

"You friend killed my brother!" He sets down the Rook and stands against you. He activates some kind of large punching knife ARM that attaches to his right arm. "Get out of my way, so I can kill him back!"

"Ain't gonna happen, shit-for-brains." You don't miss a beat. You don't know the whole story about what's going on, but you're not going to let him kill Ahab. "I'm your opponent now."

You looks you up and down. "A little young to being fighting to the death, don't you think?" He seems to be calming down, or at least covering his grief with poor jokes.

"I don't know, why don't you ask your Rook friend back there." You shoot back, letting your irritation at the comment show.

"Fair enough. Just don't expect me to go easy. I'm not a Pawn like my brother there." So this guy is stronger? Good. You could use a challenge. He removes his mask, showing you a rather plain face. Honestly, the mask probably was more conspicuous than his actually appearance. "My name is Talis and once I deal with you, I'll avenge my brother and kill the man that killed him!" He points the weapon on his arm at you, though you barely blink in response, unimpressed by his gutsy talk.

>Be civil and introduce yourself before calling out the Kanabo and playing baseball with his face.
>Be civil and introduce yourself before calling out Inferno Fists and light his ass up!
>Be civil and introduce yourself. Even give him a free hit for his trouble.
>Go Super Heavy out of the gate and end him in one hit.
>No intros here. Just fireballs.
>No need to bring out the fancy techs. A Kanabo to the gut should wreck him sufficiently.
>>
>>2163869
>Be civil and introduce yourself. Even give him a free hit for his trouble.
>after, go super heavy and drop the kanabo on the ground. Give him one chance to see he's hopelessly outclassed.
>>
>>2163869
>>Go Super Heavy out of the gate and end him in one hit.
OHKO his ass, nobody has time to listen to a shitty mook's revenge speech or give him a decent fight. Save it for someone who actually matters.
>>
>>2163869

>Be civil and introduce yourself before calling out the Kanabo and playing baseball with his face.
>>
>>2163869
>>Be civil and introduce yourself. Even give him a free hit for his trouble.
>>
Rolled 1, 7, 6, 5, 7 = 26 (5d10)

>>2163887
>>2163944
Being a good sport.

Roll me 3d10 to endure the blow.
>>
>>2164092
>>
Rolled 10, 2, 10 = 22 (3d10)

>>2164092
>>
Rolled 1, 10, 10 = 21 (3d10)

>>2164098
Shit, I thought I typed that in right. Guess not.
>>
Rolled 8, 8, 4 = 20 (3d10)

>>2164092
>>
Rolled 2, 4, 5 = 11 (3d10)

>>2164092
>>
Rolled 4, 7, 6 = 17 (3d10)

>>2164092
Endure, kana!
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 7 = 14 (3d10)

>>2164092
>>
Rolled 8, 4, 8 = 20 (3d10)

>>2164092
>>
>>2164102
>>2164105
I can hear the 'tink' sound effect already.
>>
>>2164282
Not necessarily. If this is an opposed roll, we still lost out.
>>
File: Air Katar.jpg (63 KB, 1306x871)
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>>2164102
>>2164105
>>2164112
>>2164120
>>2164128
>>2164130
>>2164216

A combination of overconfidence and a twinge of misplaced guilt over the man's deceased brother, you decide to do something rather reckless.

"My name is Onishi Kana." You say loudly in your authoritative voice. "And, tell you what? I'll give you one free hit." You smirk and cross your arms, confident in your enhanced abilities from being from another world. The man's face twists into a hateful scowl, offended by your offer.

"DON'T YOU LOOK DOWN ON ME, YOU BITCH!" He shouts at you, raising his weapon. "AIR KATAR!" Your eyes narrow as you begin to hear a peculiar sound. It takes you a moment that it was coming from the weapon. Or really, the air above the weapon. The air started whipping into a small tornado at the tip of the blade. So this was a Nature ARM, not just a Weapon ARM. You watch the tornado grow and grow and grow and... Talis makes a slashing motion at you.

Your body is accosted by the force of the intense wind. Your lids nearly close to protect your eyes from the force and you need to fight the instinct to raise your arms to shield your face. The cold wind prickles against your skin and makes the long tail of your coat and your long hair flap violently as tornado picked up speed. Suddenly the stiff wind turns sharp, ripping at your clothes and and flesh. A cut slices its way across our cheek and the tie keeping your hair in a pony tail is cut, letting your hair fall to its full length. A final piece of the clothes you took to this world with you ruined. Now you're mad.

Finally the wind begins to subside. The man doesn't looked shocked that you're still standing, instead smirking at you.

"Can't say I didn't expect this. Judging by your magic power, I'd say you're probably on par with a mid-ranked Bishop. But raw power rarely ever makes a good measuring tool. Fighting with ARMs is more about skill!" He charges forward, the Katar coiled back for another attack and another tornado beginning to form at its tip.

>Call out your Kanabo and shatter his ARM. You said only one free hit.
>Call out your Kanabo in its other form and launch him into the stratosphere.
>Call out the Inferno Fists show him just how his attack will backfire.
>Nope! Dodge out of the way.
>[Do something else]
>>
>>2164407
>Call out your Kanabo and shatter his ARM. You said only one free hit.
>>
>>2164407
"You had your chance."
>Call out your Kanabo and shatter his ARM. You said only one free hit.
>>
>>2164407
>Call out your Kanabo and shatter his ARM. You said only one free hit.
>>
>>2164407
>>Call out your Kanabo and shatter his ARM. You said only one free hit.
>>
>>2164407
>Call out your Kanabo and shatter his ARM. You said only one free hit.
>>
>>2164407
>Call out your Kanabo and shatter his ARM. You said only one free hit.
>>
>>2164407
>>Call out your Kanabo and shatter his ARM. You said only one free hit.
>>
Rolled 2, 2 = 4 (2d10)

>>2164410
>>2164414
>>2164415
>>2164418
>>2164420
>>2164439
>>2164442
I said. One.

>Roll me 8d10s
>>
Rolled 8, 9, 1, 5, 9, 6, 9, 3 = 50 (8d10)

>>2164456
>>
Rolled 1, 8, 8, 2, 10, 5, 1, 3 = 38 (8d10)

>>2164456
>>
Rolled 1, 3, 2, 3, 8, 5, 9, 6 = 37 (8d10)

>>2164456
>>
Rolled 7, 1, 2, 6, 8, 1, 8, 9 = 42 (8d10)

>>2164456
>>
Rolled 5, 8, 1, 5, 10, 7, 3, 2 = 41 (8d10)

>>2164456
>>
>>2164456
>>2164460
Oh sweet Lord, that boy is about to be smote.
>>
>>2164460
>>2164462
>>2164465
>>2164472
>>2164476
"I said..." You chide him as you extend an arm out to your side. You silently call Earring Kanabo out in its regular form. You can see Talis realizing what you're going to attempt to do, but he's already committed to the blow.

"Only..." You raise your weapon upwards with one arm, it feels even lighter than when you first started using it. You wonder if this has to with the physical training you did in its other mode or if this is a result of having reached synchronization with it. Of course it could also be both. Regardless, being able to do this makes you feel like a complete badass! You bet all the assholes at home who would try to pick on Yama would shit their pants if they could see you now.

"ONE!" With amazing speed, you bring down the Kanabo on the flat of the wide blade, instantly shattering it. The wind dispersing in every direction as it lacked the mystical focus point keeping it there. The ARM itself reverts to a shattered silver ring on the ground between the two of you and Talis makes several leaps back out of your immediate range, holding the hand that the broken ARM was on.

"Shit." He says aloud, his eyes betray his panicked thoughts as you assume he's attempting to think of a way out of the obvious, impending loss on his part.

"Oi, oi! Give up, kid. I outclass you in every way now." You taunt him, playfully tapping Earring Kanabo on your shoulder. "I haven't even done more than swing my ARM around with brute strength." That's more of a half-truth, but the expression on his shocked face is worth the fib. Psychological Warfare, motherfucker!

"Fine. You win this round, Onishi Kana." He mimics the way you introduced yourself. He blinks and looks at you as if something just registered in his mind. "Wait. You're the one Nemo was talking about. Man, he better catch up he wants to make good on the things he talks about doing to you." You shoot him an irritated look. So that bastard Nemo is talking shit? You're gonna have to make sure he learns his place next time you meet.

"If you let me and Daruk, my friend behind me, go, I can make it worth your while." The Rook speaks up again.

>Hear him out.
>Send him home compliments of Kanabo Airlines.
>>
>>2164585
>Hear him out.
"You going back to the Chess? Because if you do I'll show you what I can actually do."
>>
>>2164585
Make it worth our while? What could this scrub possibly give us?
>Send him home compliments of Kanabo Airlines.
>>
>>2164585
>>Send him home compliments of Kanabo Airlines.
All I need you to do is send more Chess my way to get obliterated faster
>>
>>2164585
>Send him home compliments of Kanabo Airlines.
>>
>>2164585
>>Send him home compliments of Kanabo Airlines.
>Picking on an old man who can't fight back? Nah what's good for the Goose is good for the Gander!
>>
>>2164613
>>2164618
>>2164635
>>2164650
"I don't know what you think you can offer us, but I can tell you right now it ain't gonna be enough." You say with a malicious smirk on your face. You see his eyes widen in terror as he scrambles back to his still unconscious friend. "Think you can pick on an old man just cause he can't fight back? Well, what's good for gander is good for goose!" You charge forward and he cowers over the top of his compatriot. Wielding the bat in both hands, you focus your power and swing for the fences.

You catch a little of the ground underneath him and manage to send him, his friend and the ground they were laying on sailing out of sight over the trees, the still conscious one screaming his head off the entire way. You can't help but to laugh at it. Its downright slapstick comedy gold.

"Well I didn't really get to show off anything new, but it was a decent warm up." You turn back to face your friends with a relaxed smile on your face, but it looks that the atmosphere is rather heavy over there. Silver looks at Ahab with concern while he shares a conversation with Flint, who has a very serious, but understanding expression on his face. You're sure they're talking about what Ahab did before you exited the Training Gate.

Speaking of, the wind changes, blowing scent wafting off of the smoking corpse's body into your face. Without the tension of immanent combat to bolster your nerve, the smell is starting to get to you. You're brain connects the smell to that of poorly barbecued pork, but your eyes see it coming from what used to be a human person. Yeah, they were pretty goddamn evil, probably, but a person nonetheless.

Oh god the wind blew over the cloth. You can see a gaping hole in the chest and the bones and organs within it, all scorched and toasted. You fight off the urge to puke now, but your stomach is doing backflips and doesn't want to stop.

>Go see what is being discussed without you. That'll take your mind off this grizzly scene.
>Take a visit to a nearby bush upwind and wait for your stomach to stop churning.
>?
>>
>>2164699
>>Go see what is being discussed without you. That'll take your mind off this grizzly scene.
>>
>>2164699
>Take a visit to a nearby bush upwind and wait for your stomach to stop churning.
>>
>>2164699
>Take a visit to a nearby bush upwind and wait for your stomach to stop churning.
>do NOT throw up. Don't. keep it down, know that this wont be the last time you see something like this, and try to regain your bearings.
>curse super hard.
>>
>>2164699
>>2164717
Oh, I like this. Backing.
Maybe now kana will realize mar isn't all fun and games like in her dreams
>>
>>2164699
>>2164717
Supporting
>>
File: IHxDSQJ.gif (583 KB, 640x360)
583 KB
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>>2164701
>>2164717
>>2164729
>>2164760
Nothing says "ruined forever" like retching in a bush near a dead body.

Post comes tomorrow morning. Sorry for the rather short number of posts today
>>
>>2164773
Your first instinct is to go listen in on what Flint and Ahab are talking about, but another gust pushing yet another whiff of that Chess's body makes your stomach take the controls, quickly diverting you to the edge of the clearing. You brace yourself against a tree as you double over, going through the motions of throwing up, but without any of the substance. Holding it back only makes the feeling stronger.

A dead body. That's all you can think about right now. Someone died here. Ahab killed someone. Are you going to have to do that? CAN you do that? What if they're trying to kill you too? That Rook you were fighting... HE was trying to kill you. Nemo tried to kill you! Your stomach does more flips as the gravity of the situation starts to take hold. What happens if you die in here? Can you really leave Yama back at home wondering what ever happened to you? Oh god, what about Mom and Dad?

Another surge of retching doubles you over yourself as you start to worry yourself sick. You inhale with a sharp shudder as you force yourself back upright. You curse at yourself, smacking your fist lightly against the tree. Now isn't the time for wavering. This is war. This probably won't be the last death you see on this adventure. You just need to make sure the bodies aren't from your side.

"FUCK! SHIT!" You curse louder at no one in particular. You feel awful, like you are still going to vomit, but the urge to dry heave is gone. The wind has shifted directions away from you, instead, you get the trailing smell of burning wood. Is someone having campfire?

You return to your friends, who have finished their conversation some time ago, you suspect. Ahab seems to have settled down somewhat. Silver's expression hasn't recovered to a cheery point, but you find out exactly why from Flint.
>>
>>2165274
"From the attack just now and from the smells and sounds I witnessed while you were in the Training Gate. I have reason to believe that Reginleif has been attacked and razed by the Chess." Your eyes go wide with surprise. Silver and Ahab had informed you how the Chess had been operating up until now. Small, precise targets of value to increase their surplus of ARMs. Your teacher continues on with his explanation. "I don't know what we should expect when you arrive back into town, but I want all three of you to be prepared for the worst. We're going to helping with the relief effort as soon as we can link up the survivors."

You nod your head, as does Ahab and Silver. The four of you start making your way back into town, the smell of burnt wood and acrid smoke getting stronger as you go and the sense of anxious dread building along with it. Finally, you spot the town from between the trees. As Flint suspected, its a complete wreck. Most building have been reduced to charred, crumbling husks. A few are even still on burning. The smell is intense; crowded with the scent of burnt pine, earth, and the metallic stink of drying blood. You feel your stomach start to churn again, but you are able to force it to behave again. You wonder if the others are having such a sensory overload or if its just because of your enhanced senses.

In the distance you can see the castle is just as badly off as the town that grew up around it. Bits of the masonry has been cratered and cracked. One of the towers is simply a smoking pile of rocks.

>Split up and look for survivors
>Make for Flint's home and establish a base.
>Head for the Terrible Truth. It was still in the harbor for repairs.
>Make for the castle. The rulers should be the ones
>>
>>2165278
>Split up and look for survivors
>>
>>2165278
>>Split up and look for survivors
>>
>>2165278
>Split up and look for survivors
>>
>>2165283
>>2165287
>>2165340
Roll me 2d10 and pray
>>
>>2165278
>>Split up and look for survivors
So is silver's crew dead, hiding in the boat, or independently helping survivors?
>>
Rolled 5, 3 = 8 (2d10)

>>2165413
>>
Rolled 5, 2 = 7 (2d10)

>>2165413
cmon, kana!
>>
Rolled 5, 8 = 13 (2d10)

>>2165413
>>
>>2165414
A very interesting thought. You should ask them if you can find them
>>
Rolled 1, 7 = 8 (2d10)

>>2165413
>>
Rolled 7, 6 = 13 (2d10)

>>2165413
>>
File: Chess policy.jpg (62 KB, 1280x720)
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>>2165417
>>2165418
>>2165419
>>2165427

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-6QSuExEnA

You don't wait for anyone to formulate a plan, and neither does Silver nor Ahab. It looks like Silver is prioritizing her ship and crew, and you can't really blame her for that, while you and Ahab start patrolling the ruined streets in search of survivors. The view you'd gotten from the edge of the forest didn't do the damage the Chess caused justice. You and Ahab decide to split up. Both of you are more than capable of dealing with whatever lingering Chess might still be in the area, but you doubt they'd have stuck around for a complete day and a half.

"Hello? Anyone out there! C'mon out! I'm here to help!" You call out loudly for anyone who can hear you to respond in kind, but you hear nothing back. Shit.

You take a right turn among the remains and are confronted with the most grisly sight. The bodies of around thirty villagers and town guards litter the central plaza of the marketplace. Some of them partially burned, some dismembered. All of them look like they died in terror. Your stomach does flips again. You really hate today. Its been nothing but death and nausea. You can't contain it this time, you run over to a charred wall and toss up your lunch, your knees nearly buckling under you. You shudder and recoil and curse at your constitution giving up now of all times. You know there were more than thirty people in this place. You'd seen more than thirty people in one of the shops earlier in the week.

"Anyone! Hello? Please?" You repeat yourself a little more desperate than before. Shit. Shit shit shit. This is fucking bullshit! You knew the Chess were awful pieces of shit, but targeting innocent fucking villagers? There were kids here! Honest merchants and housewives! Sailors, carpenters, and other craftsmen! They didn't pose a threat! WHAT WAS THE FUCKING POINT?!!

You want to scream. You want to rage and smash and unleash this pent up feeling on those monsters who can just waltz up to someone's mom and butcher her in cold blood. You want to throw up more, but you won't allow yourself.

>Look through the bodies. Maybe some aren't actually dead. Shit...
>You can't stand to look any more. Move on and keep looking for more survivors. Goddamnit...
>Try to meet up with Ahab. You want to see if he's taking this carnage okay.
>Try to meet up with Silver. You doubt the Chess would skip over ships in the port.
>>
>>2165495
Either this
>Look through the bodies. Maybe some aren't actually dead. Shit...

Or this

>You can't stand to look any more. Move on and keep looking for more survivors. Goddamnit...

I'm fine with either
>>
>>2165495
>Look through the bodies. Maybe some aren't actually dead. Shit...
Gotta hope. There's might just be someone passed out, or in critical condition
>>
>>2165495
>>Look through the bodies. Maybe some aren't actually dead. Shit...
>>
>>2165495
This breaks the Kana
>>
>>2165511
>>2165527
>>2165542
>>2165547
I'd like a couple of rolls. 3d10s.

Taking the first two.
>>
Rolled 6, 6, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>2165555
>>
Rolled 1, 3, 9 = 13 (3d10)

>>2165555
>>
Rolled 9, 8, 5 = 22 (3d10)

>>2165555
>>
Rolled 10, 7, 4 = 21 (3d10)

>>2165555
>>
>>2165556
>>2165558
Your hands are trembling. You want to leave this place. You want to go home. You want to wake up from this nightmare and never have to think about it again. Your breathing speeds up as does the beating of your heart. You've always maintained this big and tough personality, but in the face of all this blood and death and destruction, you've never felt so powerless and small.

No.

You can't accept it. You can't accept that there's nothing you can do. You were summoned to this world. You decided you were going to be a fucking hero and fight against these Chess motherfuckers. There's gotta be something you can do! You clench your fists, holding back their shaking, and bite your lip as you force yourself to take a step forward. Then another. Then another. And another.

Step by step you force yourself to walk over to the first body on the ground. You force yourself to kneel down next to him and check him over. He's dressed in heavily padded armor. Most likely some town guard who was doing his job. You feel your stomach knot up again as your finger brushes against his shoulder. He's not breathing, like you thought, and there a large burn wound in the square center of his chest. Most likely, he died on impact. At least he didn't have to suffer.

You move on to the next person; another guard. You have a hard time telling if they're male of female for a moment as they are laying curled over something with their back to you. You reach out your hand to move their shoulder back so you can check on them.

To your surprise, they react! This one's alive! Holy shit! You quickly move to the other side,not wanting to aggravate any injuries this person might have.

"Hey, guy!" You call out clearly. "You alright?" A dumb question, but its one of the things you remember you're supposed to ask. You really wish you'd paid better attention to that lecture on first aid back in school. The person mumbles something but you can't make out any words. You lean in to try to better hear them, and that when you notice this guy isn't human. Or at least not completely...

>They've got long, rabbit ears!
>They've got scales on his neck!
>They've got the head of a crow!
>They've got claws and dog ears!

From this side now, you can tell that they are
>Male
>Female
>>
>>2165664
>>They've got the head of a crow!
>>Male
Birb time
>>
>>2165664
>They've got the head of a crow!
>Female

Honestly, I just remembered Painted Wolrd of Ariamis and couldnt resist.
>>
>>2165664
>They've got long, rabbit ears!
>Female
>>
>>2165664
>They've got long, rabbit ears!
>Female
A bunny girl that's all bouncy playing off Kana would be funny
>>
>>2165690
Oh, that'd be great. Yeah, this.
>>
>>2165664
>They've got long, rabbit ears!
>Male
>>
>>2165664
>They've got long, rabbit ears!
>Female
>>
>>2165676
>>2165690
>>2165700
>>2165726
Bunny girl takes it! Writing!
>>
>>2165738
"I'm not a guy." She repeats a little louder this time, her long, rabbit ears twitch as you looks up at you with piercing red eyes. You are taken aback by this. Sure, in your dreams you encountered talking trees and rocks and animals that walked like people, but you were starting to think that maybe those were more Guardians like Maruem. You're surprised to see that the person before you is a real, live rabbit girl. Girl here being the key word. She doesn't look much older than you, actually maybe even a little younger.

"What happene- Augh!" She tries to move but winces and cries softly in pain. She must have been injured.

"Hold still. I've got a friend nearby with a healing ARM." You sit up and turn your head. After taking a deep breath, you shout at the top of your lungs, "AHAB GET YOUR FUCKING SALTY ASS OVER HERE, I GOT A LIVE ONE!" The girl whimpers and covers her white-furred ears. Sensitive hearing. Whoops.

>Ask her what she remembers.
>Ask to see her injuries.
>Ask to see what she was huddled over
>Ask her something else?
>>
>>2165803
>Ask to see her injuries.
>Ask to see what she was huddled over
>pat her on the head? give her a hug? What do you even do in situations like this?
>>
>>2165803
>Ask to see her injuries.
>Ask to see what she was huddled over
>>
>>2165803
>Ask to see her injuries.
>Ask to see what she was huddled over
>>
>>2165803
>>Ask to see her injuries.
>>
>>2165805
>>2165813
>>2165876
>>2165880
Trying to be social. Roll me 2d10s
>>
Rolled 9, 8 = 17 (2d10)

>>2165911
>>
Rolled 5, 6 = 11 (2d10)

>>2165911
Oh right, we got low social stats,
>>
Rolled 5, 6 = 11 (2d10)

>>2165911
>>
>>2165914
"Sorry." You apologize to her for shouting. "I need to make sure you're going to be okay while my friend shows up with the healing ARM, okay?" She nods as she removes her hands from her long white ears. She rolls over slightly, showing a series of nasty claw marks raking across her midsection and a stab wound on her left shoulder, the pastel pink of her torn dress is crusted in dried blood and dirt. On closer examination of the stab wound, you see that it was already healed up, even though blood was still present around the wound area. You find it a little peculiar that she would be covering her bright clothing under a a heavy black coat. You think that maybe someone else gave it to her. She's wearing around her shoulders rather than having it on properly.

"Those look pretty nasty." You say aloud, examining the claw marks. "But Ahab should be able to take of or it for you." You smile as friendly as you can, and she responds with a weak, but hopeful one in return. "Can I ask what you're curled around? It must be important."

"It's not really." Her voice is delicate and soft. She lifts up the corner of the coat and shows you a damaged basket of cakes and other pastries. "U-Um, I was making a delivery when the docks caught exploded. I just... kept a hold of it when I tried to flee." Your mind wanders for a moment, thinking of Silver and what she might find with the Terrible Truth. You hope it's not too bad. The crew was pretty alright as far as pirates go.

You hear her gasp and start to sob, which brings you back to your reality. She is looking around at all the bodies laying scattered around her. You're not someone who is really good with normal people, let alone traumatized bunny girls. All you can think of is placing a hand on her head, stroking her silky hair, and hoping it helps calm her down somewhat.

"You're alright." You attempt to console her. "Help is here." You hear Ahab approaching, he's cursing under his breath and running as fast as he can.

"Holy shit, Kana." Is all he can say, looking at the scene as a whole before looking at you and the girl you're kneeling next to. Without a word, he calls out his Sea Belle. The Holy ARM grows large and the mermaid that that floats about it taps the bell to produce its soothing music. You notice how sad the mermaid looks this time around, and it makes you wonder if she is aware of the horrible scene or if she's responding to Ahab's emotions.

"Wow!" The rabbit girl remarks, as she touches the area where her claw wounds have healed. Unfortunately, they and the already healed stab wound are going to leave scars, but now they shouldn't pose risk of infection or reopening. "Thank you, both. Kana and Ahab, right? I'm Cecily."

>Ask her about the attack
>Ask her if she knows a safe place for her to stay.
>Ask her to accompany you back to Flint's place.
>Ask her to come with you look for more survivors.
>>
>>2166082
>Ask her to accompany you back to Flint's place.
>>
>>2166082
>>Ask her to accompany you back to Flint's place.
>>
>>2166082
>>Ask her to accompany you back to Flint's place.
>>
>>2166082
>Ask her to come with you look for more survivors.
>>
>>2166082
>Ask her to accompany you back to Flint's place
>if she feels comfortable doing it, ask her if she wants to look for survivors
>>
>>2166104
>>2166123
>>2166132
"Come on." You offer your hand and help her onto her feet. She clutches the coat draped over her shoulders tighter and tries to keep herself from looking at the bodies around you. "I'll take you Flint's house." You turn to address Ahab. "You good to keep on looking?"

"Not a problem." He nods, but his face stays serious. The hot head really knows when to buckle down and be professional, it seems. "When you're able to, come find me again. If there's people trapped in the debris, I might need you to do some heavy lifting. Not that I can't do it alone, mind you, but you'd be able to do it faster and that'll make the difference to these people."

"Sure." You agree before starting to escort the girl out of the village marketplace.

"So Mister Flint is okay?" The girl pipes up as you start walking. What was her name again? Cecily?

"More or less. We had to deal with some Chess out in the forest while we were training and he got a little roughed up, but Ahab saw to his wounds." You decide to leave out the part where Ahab stabbed one of them in the chest before lighting his ass up. You don't think she'd have the stomach for that much detail after such a traumatic experience.

"I'm glad. He's been through a lot already, you know." She gives a relieved sigh.

>So how do you know Flint?
>How long have you lived here?
>Anything you can tell me about the attack?
>[Other small talk questions?]
>>
>>2166385
>So how do you know Flint?
>How long have you lived here?
>>
>>2166385
>>So how do you know Flint?
>>How long have you lived here?
>>
>>2166385
>>Anything you can tell me about the attack?
>>
>>2166385
>So how do you know Flint?
>How long have you lived here?
>Anything you can tell me about the attack?
>>
>>2166388
>>2166392

"So how do you know Flint?" You aren't all that surprised she knows Flint. From the sound of things, he was a bit of a popular figure back before Silver left and his wife died. You'd like to know more, though.

"Well he's kind of the village grandpa for most of the kids here." She smiles remembering something or another. "When Nana Treyla passed away he started changing and stopped visiting with everyone." Her smile and her ears droop slightly, but quickly perk back up and looks at you. "But if he's training people again, then he must be doing better!" That makes you feel a little better. Knowing that you had an impact on someone and fixed something.

"How long have you lived here, Cecily?" You continue your impromptu interview with the bunny girl.

"My whole life. Mom and Dad moved here before I was born. Dad's a sailor and fell in love with mom and settled down here, or so Mom told me. I hope they're okay." Her ears droop a bit as she starts worrying about her parents. You don't know what to tell her. You have no idea what you would do if you were in her shoes.

Luckily you don't have to think about it too long. You reach the outskirts of the village and where Flint's house sits. All in all, his estate is good condition. The doors have been blown open and man things have been upended and destroyed, but nothing was burnt down like in the village itself.

"Oh no!" Cecily gasps at the scene and runs in to find your teacher. You follow her in. "Papa Flint!" She exclaims as both of you see him stooping on the ground. He's holding a small painting in his hand. You can't really see what's on it. He stands up as he notices the two of you.

"Cecily! I'm glad your safe." The two of them run together and embrace briefly. Cecily pulls away with a slight smile on her face.

"I'm glad you are, too. Kana and her friend Ahab found me and helped me." The bright mood is quick to end though as she remembers the state of the village. "But... the village..."

"Hush now." Flint cuts her off, gently holding her by the shoulders and kneeling down to look her in the eye. "What matters right now is that you're alive and safe. Kana, Ahab, and Silver will worry about finding others and bringing them back here safely." He offers her a soft, warm smile as comfort and hugs her again.

"I missed you Flint." She says softly. Your magnified hearing makes you feel like your eavesdropping. "But this is my village, too! I wanna help!" She pulls out of the hug with a determined look on her face.

"Okay then. Can you tell us about the attack?" Flint asks. Cecily hesitates at first, her ears twitch and her eyes shift as she starts trying to think back.

>con't
>>
>>2167168

"I was running errands for Runi at the bakery like normal. It was my favorite, a carrot cake." You stifle a laugh. Of course the bunny girl likes carrot cake. "I just a few blocks from the harbor when all of a sudden a bunch of strange men in black clothes and masks showed up out of nowhere! They must have had some kind of teleporting ARM!" She looks at the old man with serious eyes and he nods, stroking his trimmed beard in thought.

"Probably an Andarta Dimension ARM. A strong, but fairly common transportation ARM. Haven't seen one in years, but I'm familiar with it." He smiles and pats her on the head, making her smile. "Good eyes, Ceci. Anyway, continue."

"Okay! Um... I was delivering the cake when the appeared. I thought they looked weird, but I didn't say anything to them. All of a sudden the weirdest one started shooting fire everywhere! A bunch of ships in the docks exploded as well as a couple of houses. Then all the other guys in black started running through the streets, calling out their own ARMs and started attacking people. I ran as fast as I could but one of them hit me with something and I fell down and I was bleeding."

That must be where the shoulder wound came from, but you're sure there is more to the story.

"I thought I was gonna die, but Raphu showed up and started fighting him. Taphu was right behind and used a healing ARM on me and told me to run to the forest. So I got back up and started running again. I got to the marketplace, but some really big guy showed up and hit me in the stomach. I think he was a werewolf, cause he started howling at me when I tried to run away. I got to the plaza, but I started feeling dizzy and I passed out. When I woke up, Kana was throwing up somewhere behind me."

SHIT! You thought she might have still been unconscious for that part. You straighten up on reflex, your cheeks burn in embarrassment. You half-expect to someone laugh at your lack of fortitude, but Flint only offers you a compassionate glance.

"She got that Ahab guy to come and heal me up nice, though."

>Who are Raphy and Taphu?
>They told you to run to the forest? Is there a meeting place you were supposed to meet people?
>[Other questions?]
>>
>>2167173
Forgot one of the question prompts

>What do you mean by "The weirdest one started shooting fire"
>>
>>2167173
>Who are Raphy and Taphu?
>They told you to run to the forest? Is there a meeting place you were supposed to meet people?
>Do you have anything to defend yourself with?
>>
>>2167173
>>Who are Raphy and Taphu?
>They told you to run to the forest? Is there a meeting place you were supposed to meet people?
>>
>>2167173
>Who are Raphy and Taphu?
>They told you to run to the forest? Is there a meeting place you were supposed to meet people?
>>
>>2167194
>>2167197
>>2167218

"Who are Raphu and Taphu?" You ask.

"My friends. They're a part of the guard now, but they live next door to me." Fair enough, you guess. They might have been doing they're job but was pretty fucking gutsy to step in. You think about how you constantly would put yourself between Yama and shits who thought they could mess with your friend. Especially considering what transpired before coming to this world. "I hope they got away." She tags on after a moment of quiet. They sound like stand-up guys. You hope they did, too.

"Why did your friends tell you to run to the forest? Was there some sort of meeting place there you were supposed to be at during emergencies?" You ask.

"Not really?" She doesn't sound sure. "When we were kids, Raphu, Taphu and I would go to this really cool cave and play, but we haven't done that for a long time. Not since they joined the guard. Do you think they'd be there?" Her eyes brighten and she starts bouncing up and down in excitement.

"Its a possibility," Flint strokes his beard again, looking at you with serious intent, "but we shouldn't place our hopes in it yet. There's a lot of ground to cover in the village. One of us should probably check this cave out with Cecily to see if any survivors decided to take refuge there while the other aids Silver and Ahab."

There's a part of you that isn't sure about this cave. Its just as likely to be a trap by the Chess as it is to be a safe haven for the villagers. Plus, if her friends aren't there...

On the other hand, you still aren't used to seeing dead bodies thrown around, burnt and missing limbs. You're making yourself sick just thinking about it.

>I'll check the cave with the bunny
>I'll see about assisting Silver and Ahab.
>>
>>2167273
>I'll check the cave with the bunny
>>
>>2167273
>I'll check the cave with the bunny
"She looks like she'll need someone who can carry her weight." Totally not squeamish about the bodies.
>>
>>2167273
>I'll check the cave with the bunny
Better than looking for bodies.
>>
>>2167273
>>I'll check the cave with the bunny
>>
>>2167280
>>2167285
>>2167299
>>2167301
Totally not an excuse to avoid seeing more dead bodies. Nope!

Writing!
>>
>>2167327
You'd rather fight a hundred Rooks at once than see another dead villager in their burnt out house.

"I'll go with her. If she runs into anything out there, I'm more than enough to deal with it." You smirk confidently and point to yourself, earning a look of excitement from Cecily. You guess there aren't many girls around her age that she normally hangs out with. "Ahab was back in the marketplace plaza last we saw him, so he should still be around there. Silver I think went to check on her crew at the docks." Cecily's ears droop as she turns to Flint with concern in her eyes. Her hands fidgeting with one of the edge of the black coat covering her torn, pink dress.

"I see." Flint's face remains stoic as he carefully navigates around the both of you, politely excusing himself to see to the rescue efforts.

"Did Flint make up with Silver? Is that why he's back to normal?" Cecily looks at you, a little confused but with the same amount of concern as when you mentioned the docks.

"I think so. They're talking again."

"I guess its a start." She murmurs under her breath before reestablishing eye contact with a cheery expression. "Okay let's get going! I wanna see if Raphu and Taphu made it!" She takes the lead surprisingly quick and, despite the heavy coat she's clinging to, continues with a light hop to her cadence. You're actually forced into a light jog to keep up.

She takes you to the edge of the forest, waving at you with one arm to continue to follow her. "Come on, slowpoke! The cave's this way!" She giggles girlishly before bounding away like the little rabbit girl she is. You sigh, but easily keep pace with her. There still quite a lot of ground to cover before the two of you reach the cave as she inform you, so you use the opportunity to continue conversing with her.

Pick two:
>What's up with the coat. She's been clinging to it for dear life this whole time, even if it doesn't seem to fit her otherwise summertime clothing.
>You might encounter more Chess while your out here. Does she know how to defend herself? Can she use ARMs?
>What kind of things did she do when she played in the caves? How big is it?
>[Ask some other questions?]
>>
>>2167354
>What's up with the coat. She's been clinging to it for dear life this whole time, even if it doesn't seem to fit her otherwise summertime clothing.
>You might encounter more Chess while your out here. Does she know how to defend herself? Can she use ARMs?
Tact? No such word in Kanas dictionary.
>>
>>2167354
>>What's up with the coat. She's been clinging to it for dear life this whole time, even if it doesn't seem to fit her otherwise summertime clothing.
>>You might encounter more Chess while your out here. Does she know how to defend herself? Can she use ARMs?
>>
>>2167354
>What's up with the coat. She's been clinging to it for dear life this whole time, even if it doesn't seem to fit her otherwise summertime clothing.
>You might encounter more Chess while your out here. Does she know how to defend herself? Can she use ARMs?
>so... you mentioned you like carrot cake?
>>
>>2167377
Oh, ask her about cake! Yeah.
>>
Six's internet died on him, so he's wrapping it up here for the night
>>
>>2167417
My internet has been returned to me! Let's keep going, shall we?
>>
>>2167364
>>2167366
>>2167377
"What's up with the coat? Doesn't really look like your style." You cut right to the point. No reason to beat around the bush. Plus that's not really your style. Cecily turns around, running backwards through the woods as she talks to you. Her speed doesn't change at all, either. You're a little impressed.

"I don't really know. I didn't have it during the attack. I thought it was yours." She shrugs and pulls the dark fabric tighter. "I like it though. Its warm and..." she trails off as her ears twitch and an embarrassed blush forms on her face before she turns back around. "I like it." You can't help but smirk at her bashfulness. Its kind of cute.

"We might encounter more Chess while we're out here." You switch to a different topic. "Are you able to defend yourself?" She spins around again, actually stopping this time, her eyes sparkling with excitement and hopping up close to you. You really notice now that she's about a head shorter than you.

"Yup! Dad got me my own ARM for my birthday! Watch!" She extends one of her hands out from under the coat, showing you ring designed with rabbit ears engraved in it. She throws her hand into the air energetically as she calls out its true form. "Weapon ARM: Bun Gun!" In a puff of smoke the ring has turned into what appears to be a flintlock pistol with long rabbit ears over the barrel. She twirls the weapon in her hand, pointing to her left and then right before dismissing it. "What do you think?" She seems supremely proud of herself for having it.

>Laugh. Laugh loudly.
>Hold it in as best as you can.
>Ask her what it does.
>It's... interesting. [Switch topics quickly!]
>>
>>2167915
>Hold it in as best as you can.
>Ask her what it does.
>>
>>2167915
>>Hold it in as best as you can.
>>Ask her what it does.
>>
>>2167915
>Hold it in as best as you can.
>Ask her what it does.
>>
>>2167915
>>Laugh. Laugh loudly.
>>
>>2167918
>>2167921
>>2167991
It has bunny ears. That gun had bunny years! That's hilarious and adorable! You try your best to stifle your laughter which garners a look of confusion from the girl. Places her hands on her hips, puffs out her chest and pouts. Her ears twitch repeatedly in irritation of your reaction.

"What?" She protests.

"No-Nothing." You lie, waving it off and attempting to recollect yourself. "So what does it do?" You've only seen what it looks like, so you wonder what exactly a rabbit themed gun ARM can do. Cecily's expression shifts back into a proud, smug smile as she fold her arms across her chest.

"It shoots these bouncing bullets that home in on whatever I shoot at!" That actually sounds rather useful. You wonder how many times that bounce before the connect with their actual target or cease moving.

"Can you show me?" You ask.

"Sure! Weapon ARM: Bun Gun!" She calls out and you have to pretend to cough so you don't get outed or laughing at the name of her rabbit themed weapon. She levels the gun at a squirrel nibbling on a nearby tree, using both hands to steady her aim. "FIRE!" She cheers as she pulls the trigger. A white ball of fluff rockets out of the barrel at insane speed and... whizzing right by the small animal. She did say that the rounds ricochet back at the intended target, so you hold off and criticizing her aim.

The cotton ball smacks into the tree behind the target, careening into another and picking up speed. Then another. And another. And another! With each bounce the projectile more and more of a while blur, even to you.

"NOW!" Cecily cries out, pumping an empty fist into the air. And on her command, you hear a shrill squeak and a ball of cotton with a squirrel tail wriggling about falls into the forest grass. "AND RELEASE!" She cheers again and the ball explodes harmlessly into nothingness, letting the small creature scurry away in a panic.

"Pretty cool right?" Cecil bounds back up to you, hopping onto her toes and getting rather close to you as she anticipates your approval. Even as a nonlethal weapon, it looks like it could prove to be quite formidable, though you speculate on its effectiveness against larger opponents.

>cont
>>
File: pistols.jpg (48 KB, 598x305)
48 KB
48 KB JPG
>>2168173
"Its... effective." You offer, earning another disappointed pout as she takes a step back. "And I think it suits you. It should work well for defense if we encounter something dangerous." Her eyes soften up a little and the two of you continue walking to the cave in the forest.

"So... you like carrot cake, huh?" You pipe up again.

"Yeah! Its moist, sweet, and tangy. I know, I know, the bunny likes carrots. But I can't help liking what I like!" She rolls her eyes as she walks next to you, again starting to crowd your personal space. "What about you? What kind of stuff do you like?"

"I'm partial to cherry buns." You respond.

"Are they good?"

"I wouldn't like them if they didn't." This kid asks a lot of questions.

"So... Where are you from?" She asks again.

>Tell her the truth. You're from another world!
>Give a dismissive answer.
>I'm from... OH HEY LOOK WE'RE HERE LET'S FORGET ABOUT THAT QUESTION AND SEE WHO IS IN THE CAVE.
>Lie. Lie out your ass. You're from Lestava. That was a place on the map, right?
>Lie. [make up a village]
>>
>>2168176
>Give a dismissive answer.
"Out of town."
>>
>>2168176
>Tell her the truth. You're from another world!
No harm in telling her.
>>
>>2168176
>>Tell her the truth. You're from another world!
She'll probably even believe us
>>
>>2168176
>Tell her the truth. You're from another world!
>>
>>2168176
>>Tell her the truth. You're from another world!
>>
File: starry eyed.gif (2.13 MB, 480x270)
2.13 MB
2.13 MB GIF
>>2168194
>>2168200
>>2168227
You mull it over for a moment before you reach a decision. You don't see a point in lying to the girl. It's not like you were planning on keeping it a secret anyway.

"This will sound a little crazy, but I'm actually from another world. I was summoned here by some insanely powerful Dimension ARM called the Monban Pierro." You just go ahead and spell it out. There's a moment of silence before she explodes with excitement.

"WHOA! THAT'S SO COOL! WHAT'S THE OTHER WORLD LIKE? DO THEY HAVE ARMS THERE TOO? DO THEY LIKE CARROTS? I BET THEY DO! WHAT DO YOU DO OVER THERE? ARE..." She becomes incredibly animated as she bounces around you asking questions about life back home, though she never actually gives you time to respond to any one of them. It starts to grate on you fairly quickly.

"HEY!" You shout, causing her to instantly freeze in her tracks and grab her ears in surprise. You don't apologize this time since this was the only way to get her to calm down and back to what you were supposed to be doing. "We need to check out the cave, so come on and show me where it is." There's an edge of irritation in your voice.

"Right! Yes! Okay, follow me!" Cecily recovers a little, though made a little nervous by your outburst. This kid...

It isn't too much longer until the two of you see the cave. Most of the entrance is overgrown in moss and hanging plants. You can understand why anyone would set this as a meeting place. It would be very well hidden from people unfamiliar with the terrain. People like an invading force of murderous Chess.

You approach cautiously, holding onto Cecily's shoulder to prevent her from running ahead without checking to see if the people there, if there are any, are villagers or Chess.

You definitely see movement among the hanging plantlife, but you can't what is making it move.

"Let me get closer!" Cecily volunteers in a hushed, but still enthused voice. "I can be sneaky! I'll check it out and run back here before anyone know I'm there!"

>No, its too dangerous. Let me do it.
>Okay. Be careful, though.
>We're not going for the stealthy approach. I'm more than capable of dealing with any stragglers the Chess left behind.
>>
>>2168497
>>No, its too dangerous. Let me do it.
>>
>>2168497
>No, its too dangerous. Let me do it.
>but why not try using that arm of yours?
>>
>>2168497
>we'll go together.
If not
>No, its too dangerous. Let me do it.
>>
>>2168516
>>2168520
>>2168581
"No. I want you to hang back. I'll take a look and let you know if its safe." You shake your head. You aren't sure if you can trust her not to freak out or anything if the worst case scenario happens to have unfolded up ahead. If the Chess are there, you don't want to risk the life of a little girl. There's a lot about her that reminds you of Yama, though she's far more expressive in her personality than him.

Cecily, of course, pouts at your decision and folds her arms. Her ears fall flat against her fluffy hair as she sits down. "...Fine."

"I mean it." You warn her as you crouch walk closer to the edge of the cave. You can hear the faint sound of water rushing from somewhere (probably some underground river or something like that) inside ans well as the sound of footsteps. There's definitely someone here.

"You can hear them too, right? The footsteps!" SONUVA- You nearly jump out of your skin as Cecily speaks up. You look down and see that's practically attached to your hip.

"What the fuck?! I told you to say there!" You hiss at her through clenched teeth, still trying not to give yourself away to whoever is in the cave.

"Well, I'm supposed to be checking out the cave with your help, that's what Papa Flint said." She gives you a smug look again. "I can't do it if I'm all the way back there." She's seems supremely pleased with herself and her logic. And while you might be a little impressed with her guts to completely ignore what you say (something, again, that no one her age back home would do) you're more than a little pissed at her recklessness. You don't think she's realizing how much danger she's putting herself in. You've got the excuse of your inhuman toughness, but she's... she's a fucking bunny!

>Listen here you little shit...
>Go. Back. There.
>Fine... whatever.
>You got guts, kid. Let's go.
>>
>>2168892
>>Fine... whatever.
>>
>>2168892
>Fine... whatever.
Tell her we've got a lot of sgrength, so she's got to be careful around us lest we hurt her.
>>
>>2168892
>>Fine... whatever.
We'll just have to make sure to kick enough ass that she doesn't get in danger
>>
>>2168892
>Fine... whatever.
Cheeky little rabbit.
>>
>>2168892
>You got guts, kid. Let's go.
>>
>>2168900
>>2168902
>>2168907
>>2168911
Cheeky little rabbit... You pinch the bridge of your nose and exhale sharply.

"Fine... Whatever." She isn't going to listen to you when you tell not to do something, apparently, so you're just going to have to kick every single Chess ass over there before they can even see her. "Listen. Because I'm from another world, I'm really, really strong, okay? So you need to be extra careful not to get in the way. I don't want you to get hurt because of that."

"Don't worry about me! I'll be perfectly fine!" She nods and gives you a smile. You're sure its supposed to be reassuring, but it just makes you worry more. You move a little closer, moving foliage out of your way while you scout out the entrance. You see another two Chess -Rooks by the earrings they're wearing- standing guard over something you weren't really expecting: Prisoners. What's interesting is that they aren't dressed like villagers or the town guard. Are they from the castle?

"When are those idiots getting back?" One of them says. "Rougarou will be back any minute and we're not all ready to go after he has his snack, it'll be our head!" He's real antsy about this Rougarou guy. He must be their commander. It also sounds like he... eats people. Sick bastard. What kind of person eats people? The other Rook is about to say something.

"Whatever. Daruk, Talis, and Yuno are the ones who're gonna get chewed out, not us." He laughs at his own, awful pun. "Don't waste your time sticking your neck out for other people or you'll never work your way up to Knight." So they follow some sort of titled ranking structure of some kind? Thinking about it, you think Ahab and Silver made reference to that a while ago, but you didn't really care that much about it then. Maybe it'd be worth it to...

You feel a small body bump up against your side. God damn it, you can't do anything without this kid invading your personal space. No, something not right. You can feel her shaking like a leaf, and that's when you hear it. A piercing howl shatters the relative silence. It catches the attention of the two Rooks who instantly snap into salutes as a massive slouched figure lurches towards them a wolfish mask adorns his face, warped into a permanent malicious grin, and you can see massive canine paws strut across the grass.

"I-its him..." Cecily's voice is quietly shaking like her body.

"Two of you?" The werewolf snarls at his subordinates. "There should be five. Where are the others?"

"Er... Um," The first Rook stammers before finding the words, "They went out on a patrol about an hour ago, sir. They've yet to report in." He cowers in front of the intimidating monster. Rougarou just growls as he stoops down to look the fully grown man in the eyes for a few, silent seconds.

>cont
>>
>>2169393
"They're dead then." He turns around, the Rook makes a relieved face and relaxes his shoulders. "There was an ARM Master somewhere in this village, but he didn't come to defend his home. Most likely he was out here somewhere. Either training or whatever it is old men with too much time on their hands do." So they know a little about Flint. Can't say you didn't see that coming, but its annoying.

"Should start heading back to base yet, sir?" The other Rook calls in. "All the ARMs have been confiscated from both the village and the castle. The only thing left is to dispose of the prisoners."

"Yes..." The wolf man agrees in a low voice. "My favorite part of this assignment." Oh shit! You can feel Cecily's shaking increase as she's barely able to contain herself. No, wait, you're starting to shake too.

>Break from the foliage and sneak attack the werewolf! [Kanabo or Infernal Fists?]
>Grab Cecily and book it. You've already completed what you came here for.
>>
>>2169398
>>Break from the foliage and sneak attack the werewolf! [Kanabo or Infernal Fists?]
Kanabo on heavy mode
>Have Cecily run when we attack
>>
>>2169416
Supporting, no time to fool around
>>
>>2169398
>Break from the foliage and sneak attack the werewolf! [Kanabo]
Leeeerooooooy Jenkiiiinnnnns!
>>
>>2169416
Supporting.
>>
>>2169398
>Break from the foliage and sneak attack the werewolf! [Kanabo]

Preferably on heavy gold mode, blitz him.
>>
Rolled 1, 7, 8, 6, 10, 3, 5, 8, 4, 2 = 54 (10d10)

>>2169416
>>2169419
>>2169424
>>2169443
>>2169453
Shit. There's no time to waste! You spring from the bushes calling out the Kanabo and instantly activating its Heavy Mode. Suddenly the ground starts to crater under each step you take, but this is what you had been training for past 3 months to do. The Rooks can't even react by the time you start swinging for the wolf in charge.

"There you are." He mutters. You can just barely see his eye through his mask, there's a wicked gleam shining in it. There's no time to think on it now, continue the swing!

>Roll me 10d10
>>
Rolled 8, 7, 4, 6, 7, 5, 10, 8, 3, 9 = 67 (10d10)

>>2169822
>>
Rolled 10, 5, 9, 10, 9, 10, 8, 10, 4, 3 = 78 (10d10)

>>2169822
Dice gods smile upon me!
>>
Rolled 9, 9, 5, 1, 4, 1, 4, 7, 8, 4 = 52 (10d10)

>>2169822
>>
Rolled 4, 10, 6, 6, 7, 5, 4, 9, 5, 4 = 60 (10d10)

>>2169822
Oh wow, an even match?
>>
>>2169830
THIS FUCKING GUY, NICE ROLL
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 6, 7, 6, 7, 4, 8, 4, 8 = 53 (10d10)

>>2169822
>>
>>2169830
You narrow your eyes as your feel the Kanabo connect. More than that, you feel the ground underneath the two of you ripple with the force of the impact before collapsing under the immense pressure. The wind around you blasts back in your face and continues on, shearing whole branches from the trees with its intensity. You can hear Cecily grunt with effort to stay standing as well as the Rooks on either side of the monster you just... smashed?

"Congratulations, that actually hurt a little." The gruff voice chuckles out at you. Looking now, you notice that he actually stopped the blow with his hand! But... HOW?! What is this bullshit?! You leap back as he shakes his hand like he'd only just smacked it against a wall. That's when you notice something: a large shackle-like ARM around his wrist. Is that how he did it?

"You must be that Kana girl. I've heard a little bit about you from Nemo. He failed to mention how young you are." He laughs again, though it sounds a lot more like barking to you. "Or how pretty." Ugh, ew. You make a face displaying your disgust at his pass at you, but he just laughs harder now. "Aw don't be that way, darlin." He takes a step closer to you, but stops, sniffing the air. "Now I recognize that smell. Come on out, my little bunny rabbit fore I smoke you out. I just wanna tell you how happy I am you survived my little... love tap..." The sleaze just rolls off this guy like motor oil.

"Leave her out of this!" You shout at him with gnashing teeth. He keeps on fucking laughing. "AND SHUT UP! YOUR LAUGH IS FUCKING IRRITATING ME!"

"Oh, darlin' I can't help it. The two o' you are just too fuckin' adorable for me to do anything else. Well... almost anythin'." He grabs his black robe covering him and, in a single swift motion, removes it and throws it at you, creating a blind spot right in front of you!

>Charge forward and counter his attack!
>Dodge to the side! He's hoping for a free hit while your impared.
>Retreat back to Cecily, he's going to try to find a weak spot to exploit!
>[Other Strats?]
>>
>>2170039
>swing your kanaboto create a heavy wind slash parallel with the ground. Be ready to duck/jump his follow up.
>>
>>2170039
>smash the ground with our kanabo to blast chunks of rock at the wide area in front of us!
>>
>>2170039
>Burn the entire area in front of us with our flame arm!
>>
>>2170039
>smash the ground with our kanabo to blast chunks of rock at the wide area in front of us!
>Shout for Cecily to take potshots with her ARM as she runs away, since she doesn't need to aim. The fluff might help slow this guy down.
>>
>>2170104
Telling her to take some shots as well is a good idea
>>
File: Rougarou.jpg (101 KB, 550x442)
101 KB
101 KB JPG
>>2170048
>>2170104
>>2170201

Shit! You smash the ground with your kanabo, sending chunks of rock and soil flying where you think this creep is going to be. Some hit the robe, knocking it away and pinning it to the ground, others fly into the forest, shattering trees into splinters. This werewolf is nowhere to be found...

"Cecily! Get ready to shoot!" You shout to the rabbit girl.

"R-Right!" She calls back before summoning up her ARM. "Bun Gun! Locked and loaded!" As if right on cue, you hear Rougarou's barking laugh.

"Bun Gun?! The little rabbit uses a little rabbit ARM? That's fuckin adorable!" You see his large form appear out of the shadows of the trees without his mask or robes. He's built massively. His grey fur shimmers lightly in the breeze, but you're more worried about the glistening fangs curled into a smile and his ferocious, yellow eyes. You see on his ear a tag that denotes him as a member of the Chess, but its not a Rook. It looks like a shield with a cross on it.

"So adorable, it makes me wanna just eat... you... up!" He howls again as he charges forward his right hand is covered in a silvery metal claw, most likely an ARM. His path takes him between you and Cecily, meaning he could either divert to the left, and charge at you, or to the right and come down on Cecily.

The rabbit girl lets out a scream as she fires her gun blindly. Two bouncing cotton balls hurtle through the air and bounce off the ground towards the werewolf. They're not moving fast enough through; the Chess dodges one and slices the other into pieces with the metal claw. It's still going to take a bit before the other one builds enough speed. Cecily fiddles with her gun with shaking hands, trying to make it fire more cotton balls. She's terrified and not focusing on synchronizing with her ARM.


>Stand your ground and prepare to counter
>Step in front of Cecily and defend her.
>Don't wait for him to move, just rush him!
>[Write in]

>Say something to help Cecily focus?
>>
>>2171025
>Step in front of Cecily and defend her.
Put that super heavy kanabo to use
>Say something to help Cecily focus?
Something like, I know your scared. This guy is tough, but you've got to calm down and focus. I won't let this guy touch you, so just calm down, aim, and help me pay back the guy 100 gold for what he did to your home!
>>
>>2171025
>>Step in front of Cecily and defend her.
This mode is great for defense, the damn thing is practically indestructible. Just gotta make sure they don't go around it

>>Say something to help Cecily focus?
Probably something like we've got her covered, so she doesn't have to be scared
>>
>>2171040
>>2171037
Supporting
>>
File: Cecily.jpg (12 KB, 330x440)
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12 KB JPG
>>2171037
>>2171040
>>2171077
I need someone to roll me 6d10 and someone else to roll me 2d10 to reassure Cecily everything is going to be okay
>>
Rolled 9, 8, 5, 5, 8, 9 = 44 (6d10)

>>2171165
>6d10
>>
Rolled 2, 8 = 10 (2d10)

>>2171165
>>
>>2171169
>>2171170
You move quickly, putting yourself between Cecily and this sleazy wolfman just in time. You feel the weight of the impact nudge your ever so slightly backwards, jarred by the reverberation traveling up your arm.

"Now, now, darlin'. There's no rush here. Just let me go say hello my little hunny bunny back there and I'll be more than happy to play with you." His oily tone makes your skin crawl as you retaliate, swinging your kanabo to force him to give you space. You can hear Cecily's voice shake as she tries to respond to Rougarou.

"S-Stay aw-w-way!" She manages to shriek. You hear a clicking sound. She probably is trying to fire more of those cotton balls, but she's too panicked to concentrate. Maybe you can calm her down.

"CECILY!" Your volume shocks her and momentarily grabs her attention. "I know you're scared. This guy is tough and his attitude is below scum,"

"Below? Aw, darlin' words can hurt, you know?" The wolf man taunts, but you rush in, forcing further back with another heavy swing of your powered up Kanabo. He chuckles softly and you return to your pep talk.

"but you need to calm down and focus! Synchronize with your ARM! I won't let his guy anywhere near you, so take a deep breath, aim, and help me pay these shits back 100 times over for what they did to your home!" You take a chance to look back at her. She is looking at you with wide eyes and tears clinging to her cheeks.

She closes her eyes and takes an exaggerated breath before looking at you again with a small smile and a determined look. "Roger, Kana!" She levels her gun at Rougarou and pulls the trigger to fire another cotton ball!

"What a touchin' speech. Almost enough to make this ol' dog shed a tear." He laughs through his rough voice. "Heheh, Almost." He rushes you again, ducking under the initial shot from Cecily's gun. It bounces off the head of one of the Rooks that had been bowled over in your initial exchange and knocks him back down.

>Aim for his Claw ARM!
>Aim for the shackle ARM
>Aim for a gut shot!
>Aim for a blow to the jaw!
>Aim for the knees!
>Aim for the ground below him!
>[Write in]
>>
>>2171312
>>Aim for his Claw ARM!
The shackle managed to hold out against a direct hit, but the claw's shape should make it more susceptible to breaking, plus it's a super easy target. He'll be trying to hit us with it. Once his weapon ARM is shattered, he's significantly less threatening without pulling out something else
>>
>>2171312
>Aim for the ground below him!
most likely option is he'll jump, which gives our bunny friend a good shot to get a direct hit. And if he focuses on dodging that too, then we can follow it up with a flame arm shoryuken.
Although, if my idea isn't good enough, I'll take
>Aim for his Claw ARM!
too, since that is annoying
>>
>>2171312
>Aim for his Claw ARM!
Hopefully we can clash and keep him in place long enough for bunbun to do her stuff.
>>
>>2171365
>>2171381
>>2171433
Roll me 10d10
>>
Rolled 7, 8, 3, 3, 1, 6, 9, 3, 10, 7 = 57 (10d10)

>>2171523
>>
Rolled 8, 6, 10, 1, 4, 10, 10, 6, 10, 3 = 68 (10d10)

>>2171523
>>
Rolled 3, 3, 8, 1, 8, 4, 7, 8, 5, 1 = 48 (10d10)

>>2171523
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 7, 6, 4, 1, 4, 7, 8, 5 = 53 (10d10)

>>2171523
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 5, 10, 2, 4, 7, 8, 4, 7 = 54 (10d10)

>>2171523
>>
>>2171545
You grit your teeth as you switch tactics. No more defense! Its time to bring the motherfucking pain! You tighten your grip on the Earring Kanabo and swing it downwards. Not aiming for the werewolf himself, but at the ARM attached to his hand. Your first swing misses as Rougarou had begun to move to flank you. The second swing is leaped over as he tries to close the distance. You turn it around into a pommel strike, knocking him back with a glancing blow to the shoulder. Not enough to do any decent damage, unfortunately, but it does give you a chance to retry your sundering attack!

"Cheeky little thing ain'tcha?" He mutters just loud enough for you to hear as he flips over his hand to bring it up into a sundering strike of his own. The magic weapons collide, creating another heavy gust of wind from the impact. You hear the sound of snapping metal as the werewolf pulls back. "HAHA! Darlin' now ain'tcha just a precious lil' thing. You went and wrecked my Clasp Claw." He brings his hand up, showing the peices of the claw falling like raindrops to the ground before reforming into a shattered brooch. "I reckon you earned a little sneak peek at what's comin' up." He cackles at you, drawing another ARM from behind his back. It looks like a dented metal ball on a chain?

You ready your stance and prepare for whatever it is he's about to.

THWACK!

From out of the trees, something whizzes by your head, and connects with Rougarou's hand -and the ARM he was holding- making a loud solid sound. The Chess's eyes go to surprise, to confusion, to frustration, as he tries to take the large ball of fluff off his hand. He curses with each failed attempt to remove it, eventually losing his temper and howling in rage at the sky.

You charge him again, but he jumps back out of range; snarling, but keeping his voice even toned.

"Now don't that just kill the mood? Here I was gonna what to look forward for in the Games, but MY LITTLE HONEY BUNNY," He roars, baring his teeth at Cecily, who responds by quickly hiding behind the nearest tree, "JUST HAD TO RUIN IT ALL BY STICKIN ME LIKE SHE DID! Aw hell, reckon we'll just have to postpone that til the games proper. My job here was done anyway." He spins a ring on the middle finger of his other hand and shouts.

"ANDARTES, TAKE THESE THREE MEMBERS BACK TO BASE!" And, just as quickly as it started, Rougarou and his two useless Rooks disappear into thin air. You release Earring Kanabo, panting
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 4, 2, 9, 1, 1, 2, 4, 1 = 31 (10d10)

>>2171523
>>
>>2171893
No, come back shackle arm! I want you!
... guess we'll have to wait until later for it then
>>
>>2171893
Cecily comes up behind you, sweating and breathing nearly as heavily. For someone without all that much training, she did quite well.

"We... We did, Kana!" She exclaims as she leaps into the air and hugs you. "We fought off a Chess!" She laughs ecstatic at your accomplishment, though you are disappointed that he retreated on his own terms and having completed whatever objective he had been sent out here to do. You look back over to the caves where several castle guards are staring at the two of you with their jaws more or less on the floor.

Over the next couple of minutes, you and Cecily untie and interview the captives. It turns out that they were indeed castle guards. When the attack happened a group of Chess broke away from the village and assaulted the castle. Their defenses were completely useless against them, men being turned to stone or mauled without a second to react, let alone fight. They slaughtered most of the guards, only taking them prisoner at the whims of Rougarou and their knowledge of the royal ARM storehouses. They took them all. Every single powerful ARM that the nation had been stockpiling in case of an emergency: gone!

They thank the both of you for their timely rescue. Any later and all of them might have been that wolf man's lunch! They bid you goodbye as the declare that they are going back to the castle to secure the king and queen before the sun fully sets. You hadn't noticed it before, but between your fight with those Rooks, finding Cecily, and fighting a literal monster, you had managed to burn through almost the entire day.

With your job done you and Cecily...

>Head back to Flint's to get some rest!
>Head to town and check on the search for survivors!
>Notice there's something weird going on with the moon!
>>
>>2171945
>Notice there's something weird going on with the moon!
Nani the fuck?
>>
>>2171945
>Notice there's something weird going on with the moon!
>>
>>2171945
>Notice there's something weird going on with the moon!

It's turned into swiss cheese!
>>
>>2171945
>>Notice there's something weird going on with the moon!
>>
File: Man in the moon.jpg (43 KB, 642x457)
43 KB
43 KB JPG
>>2171952
>>2171958
>>2171961
>>2171972
https://youtu.be/QTFLYCMkyiM

"People of MAR-Heaven, We of the Chess Pieces embrace all hostility and call on all who wish to rebel."

...The fuck? A haunting androgynous voice echoes around the forest and cave. At first you think maybe that werewolf motherfucker came back with a new group of minions to play around, but Cecily points up to the source of the declaration.

"Look! There's someone on the moon!" Cecily takes refuge behind you, clearly unnerved by the robed figure.

"In an effort to minimize bloodshed. We offer up an open invitation to our alternative to full scale war: The War Games." Your blood runs cold at the mention of it. Rougarou mentioned some bullshit about 'The Games' as did Nemo. This was something the fucking planned from the start. Were the atrocities they commited on this kingdom only done to persuade people into agreeing to fight on their terms?

"The location shall be Gheilerule Castle on the Southern Continent. We have taken the castle and subdued its inhabitants in order to make it a fair and neutral staging area. You have had but a taste of our power today, and so we urge you to attend. If you fail to gather before us, all of MAR-Heaven will burn to the ground!" The voice calmly blathers on matter-of-factly, even through its threats, which only proves to increase you anxiety. Who is this guy? Or girl? Whatever they are! "Your deadline is Noon, sharp, three days from now. No exceptions for late entrys! Fuhahahahahah!"

The Chess are calling out every single one of their dissidents for one massive fight to control the world! Holy shit! You look back to check on Cecily, who, in turn, is looking at you with a worried look on her face. You need to hurry back to Flint and your allies. Outside of exhausting yourselves, you are Cecily are practically unharmed.

Spurred on by the Chess's foreboding announcement, the two of you hurry back to the village. You arrive in a fraction of the time it took you to get to the cave. You arrive to see a crowd of people, survivors from the village, gathered in and around Flint's home. Many are still looking up at the moon and all are murmuring over the message that was just delivered.

You see Flint over at a makeshift table presumably handing out food. He had stopped mid-serving, frozen in place by shock over what just happened, but is currently starting to continue despite his shaken expression.

Ahab is passed out against a tree with an empty, wooden mug in one hand, and a sleeping young woman resting under the other. Being the only one of you with a healing ARM, you can imagine how much strain and exertion he had undergone.

Silver is surrounded by a handful of her crew. From the instruments they're holding and the positions of them, you guess they might have been trying to lighten the mood with song and dance.

>Visit with Flint
>Wake Ahab up
>Dance with Silver
>See what Cecily wants to do
>Do something on your own for a little bit [Write in]
>>
>>2173276

>Visit with Flint
>>
>>2173276
>Visit with Flint
Seems like shit's gone south, hasn't it, old man?
>>
>>2173276
>>Visit with Flint
We'll be heading out to the games in short order, I imagine
>>
>>2173297
>>2173299
>>2173311
You make your way through the crowd of injured and broken to the tables where Flint is working. Slowly, the crowd starts to return to a more normal state. Well... as normal as a refugee camp can get after a few hours of magic healing and whatnot. You sidle up to your teacher nonchalantly (with Cecily mimicking your movements just behind you) and striking up the conversation.

"Shit's really gone south, hasn't it, old man?"

"Indeed it has." His voice remains stoic, but you think you can hear an edge of quiet rage hiding somewhere in it.

"So when do we head out for the games? All of us are looking to lay down some hurt and show these asswipes they can't just steamroll over everyone they don't like." You raise a fist, displaying your readiness and determination. Flint looks at you for a few seconds, studying your face and thinking to himself behind a stony expression. He finishes his thoughts and his stoic exterior melts away into a warm smile. He laughs warmly and places a large, rough hand on your head, mussing your hair.

"For someone not even from this world, you have such a strong connection to it. You're quite the spectacular girl, Kana. You remind me so much of my Treyla when we were young." You physically remove his hand and shoot him angry look... which apparently isn't as intimidating as you were hoping. The old man laughs again and returns to handing out bowls of soup after a light-hearted apology.

>Check on Ahab
>Revel with Silver.
>Talk with Cecily
>Do something else?
>>
>>2173520
>Check on Ahab
Guy killed someone, need to get on him for that.
>>
>>2173520
>Check on Ahab
Im guessing Cecily will sit next to flint in hopes for a headpat now too?
>>
>>2173520
>>Check on Ahab
>>
>>2173520
>Check on Ahab
>>
>>2173520
>Check on Ahab
>Ask flint about the earring we saw the wolfman wearing.
>>
>>2173525
>>2173527
>>2173572
>>2173775
>>2173968
Taking a break for the holiday. If the thread is here when I pick back up, I'll post here. Otherwise, look for MAR Quest 3 next week sometime!




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