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File: Claymore_OP_2.jpg (170 KB, 1222x820)
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You are Noel Tiberius di Hazaran, and your morning is off to an absolutely dreadful start.

Along with eleven other warriors, you've been camped out overlooking the remnants of the mountain village of Rila waiting for the arrival of the Abyssal One named Constanzia. Your intelligence said that she would be traveling alone, which is apparently how she arrived here during the night. But your planned assault has run into its first major hitch.

“What is Sabela doing here?” you mutter, exchanging a worried glance with Serana.

She's arrived with her yōki very well suppressed, especially compared to when you first encountered her, and the yōki suppression pills you were taking to hide from Constanzia until the right moment to attack made it even harder for you to notice her than it would be otherwise.

I DON'T KNOW.

Serana seems just as surprised as you... clearly the yōki suppression pills have played hell with her senses as well.

“Who is it?” Sabrina asks nervously.

“It's Sabela, one of the other two Abyssal Ones,” you explain. “I've heard rumors that they've corresponded by letter in the past, but a face to face meeting is...”

“What do we do?” Emma hisses quietly. “This wasn't a part of the plan!”

“I know, I know!” you hiss back, already trying to work out in your head what the solution is. “The other teams may not have sensed her... and Galeria seems determined to attack... but Sabela wouldn't want to fight us, especially me... but nobody else knows that...”

“What are you saying?” Sabrina presses.

“Shut up I'm thinking!” you snap in a loud whisper. “Okay, Helen's not going to want to attack under these circumstances, she knows it'd be suicide assuming that Sabela would take exception. But Galeria may not have the full information either, and might attack as planned.”

WOULD SABELA ASSIST US?

“Maybe,” you frown, still thinking carefully about how the scenario could unfold if you charged in as planned.

>I COULD GET HER ON OUR SIDE, BUT I NEED TO GO IN. ALONE.
>We need to hold back and see what the other teams do, then act accordingly.
>This went from a bad idea to just flat out stupid. I'm not ordering an attack.
>Other?
>>
>>3409534
>It's not dawn yet I think. We should have enough time to at least warn Galeria and Helen.
>>
>>3409534
>>This went from a bad idea to just flat out stupid. I'm not ordering an attack.
>>
>>3409534
>We need to hold back and see what the other teams do, then act accordingly.
>>
>>3409534
>Warn Helen and Galeria. Tell them another wild abyssal one has arrived. Noel's going in for a closer look.
>>
>>3409534
>>We need to hold back and see what the other teams do, then act accordingly.
>>
>>3409534
>It's not dawn yet I think. We should have enough time to at least warn Galeria and Helen.
>>
>>3409534
>This went from a bad idea to just flat out stupid. I'm not ordering an attack.
and/or
>>3409550
>>
>>3409534
>>3409550
>>
>>3409534
“We have to get in contact with the other teams,” you declare. “Only question is how?”

“Do we have time to get to both of them on foot?” Sabrina asks, gazing most of the way across the valley.

You shake your head. “Not enough time before daybreak to do it without drawing on our yōki. We'd lose any advantage we might have bought ourselves with the pills and the planning, and we'd compromise all our locations.”

“What if only you went?” Emma asks.

You shake your head again. “I'd have to use my yōki too in order to get to Helen fast enough. If we had a way to signal them visually that'd be ideal, but I don't think we can use the reflection off our swords... they're not polished enough, the light is too weak, and they're all in concealment like we are.”

You glance at Serana, who's moving her hand to get your attention.

“You have an idea?”

She nods, a grim look on her face.

YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO IN ALONE.

“I'd considered that,” you admit. “Trying to talk to Sabela.”

Serana shakes her head.

NO. OTHER TEAMS WILL SENSE YOU. LIKE BEACON.

“And Helen at least would know something had gone awry with the plan,” you realize. “Emma, do you think that would convince Galeria to hold off her attack?”

Emma nods. “Unless she's already prepared her technique, it just might.”

>It would compromise us. I'd prefer to try and signal Galeria's team, since she's the unknown here.
>I'll go alone, and stop hiding my yōki. That should serve as a warning, and Sabela won't let me die.
>We'll go as a team, you'll wait on the outskirts of the village. We'll all be safer that way.
>Other?
>>
>>3409893
>It would compromise us. I'd prefer to try and signal Galeria's team, since she's the unknown here.
>>
>>3409893
>I'll go alone, and stop hiding my yōki. That should serve as a warning, and Sabela won't let me die.
>>
Inb4 this is a very elaborate hit on Sabela by the Organization via using Noel as a hostage she needs to protect while giving an opening to the other Abyssal to exploit
>>
>>3409893
>I'll go alone, and stop hiding my yōki. That should serve as a warning, and Sabela won't let me die.
>>
>>3409893
II f we go in alone do we put Sabela at risk to the other awakened?
>>
>>3409893
>>It would compromise us. I'd prefer to try and signal Galeria's team, since she's the unknown here.
>>
>>3409946
>Sabela
>at risk
>Ever
By her own words to Noel, Sabela is the strongest Abyssal One. To her, having to fight one of the other Abyssal Ones would be an annoyance.
>>
>>3409893
>>I'll go alone, and stop hiding my yōki. That should serve as a warning, and Sabela won't let me die.
>>
>>3410042
And Snoop Dogg said he was Bob Marley reincarnated or some shit.

Who can really say we should trust someone's words on themselves?
>>
>>3409893
>>I'll go alone, and stop hiding my yōki. That should serve as a warning, and Sabela won't let me die.
>>
>>3409893
>I'll go alone, and stop hiding my yōki. That should serve as a warning, and Sabela won't let me die.

trust in mother. and hope our comrades realize what's up
>>
>>3410083
i mean, she's "Trueheart" and what reason does she have to lie
>>
>>3410184
I'm just saying self overestimation is a thing. What she believes doesn't necessarily have to be true.

Also I don't think her name has anything to do with her character so much as her abilities.
>>
>>3410271
ah, i misinterpreted. also i'm in a very trusting/optimistic mood rn, so I'm just gonna hope things turn out alright ^-^'
>>
Fairly certain if we went out alone we'd get ambushed by the other Abyssal.
>>
>>3409893
>Other

I say we flare our yoki as high as we dare and use it to run. Give our squad our plan and have them go get the others out.

The narrative we will give The Organization, if we need to, is that once we detected the second Abyssal, we were prepared to risk sacrificing ourselves so our comrades would sense something was amiss and could fall back stealthily while still under suppression effects for just a little longer. Meanwhile we would be devoting our all to escaping and drawing them away, maybe even surviving: we'd have a better chance than most being the only single digit defensive type afaik.

In reality, and hopefully unbeknownst to the org, we have a little insurance in that Sabela would probably recognize our yoki and be unlikely to let anyone chase us down and murder us.

Please guys, back me up on this one if you think it has any merit. Queen isn't considering for one off write-ins, e.g. even though someone wanted to plan for this kind of scenario back in the Q&A with Galeria, we still wound up with no way to call off the attack.
>>
>>3409893
>>3411337
I'll back this up.
>>
>>3411337
>wanting to ruin plot hooks

Why u bully King, man?
>>
>>3411337
I like your plan but cant avoid a juicy plot hook like this.
>go in alone unsuppressed.
>>
>>3409893
>I'll go alone, and stop hiding my yōki. That should serve as a warning, and Sabela won't let me die.
>>
>>3409893
You take a deep breath, and release it with a sigh. “If I go over there and make a show of my yōki it may serve as a warning for Helen and her team. But I want to contact Galeria's team as well.”

“Serana, can you lead the team there?”

She nods silently. YES.

“Then that's the closest thing to a plan we have,” you nod resolutely. “I'll be fine. Worry about yourselves and your fellow warriors first and foremost. Understood?”

OF COURSE. Serana smiles at you serenely. YOU SAVED MY LIFE. TO REPAY THAT KINDNESS BY SAVING OTHERS IS RIGHT.

You can't help but smile as you gesture back. I'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH GOOD FRIENDS.

“Follow Serana's lead,” you tell Sabrina and Emma. “My only other orders to you are to survive, and to help as many others as possible to do the same.”

“Go.”

You take the lead, moving first as you run down the slope as fast as you can without using your yōki at all. That will keep the Abyssal Ones from noticing where your team has been hiding, at least long enough for them to get away from that spot. Then, at the edge of the village, you release your yōki to about ten percent.

“Hello, Sabela,” you greet your mother with a professional distance.

She glances at you, and shakes her head. “Of course you'd be sent here. Just my luck.”

“I agree that this is an unfortunate situation,” you sigh. “Which is why I came out here in person.”

“I see,” Sabela nods thoughtfully. “So you're trying to cover for those friends of yours. I hope it works.”

“As do I,” you frown, realizing what that implies. If Sabela could sense them, that's a problem.

“I understand that this may be a bad time,” she sighs, “but I would like you to do something for me.”

You narrow your eyes. “What do you mean?”

“I would like you to show me your black card.”

“As if she'd do that,” a familiar voice contends.

“Helen?” you ask, staring at her in disbelief. “Why are you here?”

“I had my team withdraw,” she informs you. “They'll at least have the defense of numbers once they meet with Serana, which you don't.”

“As if I'd let you do something this foolish on your own.”
>1/2
>>
>>3411916
Is it me or did you skip the part where we actually meet Sabela?
>>
>>3411916
“You're blessed with good friends,” Sabela nods gently. “I'm glad.”

“And that's why I'm not gonna let her do something else that stupid!” Helen insists loudly, far more forcefully than you'd have expected from her. “As if she's stop in the middle of a mission to unscrew her pommel and open up her sword just so that she could entertain your...”

>Do as Sabela asks. You want to see where she's going with this.
>Explain the situation to Helen.
>Helen has a point. This isn't a good time or place.
>Other?
>>
>>3411922
>Do as Sabela asks. You want to see where she's going with this.
>>
>>3411920
The implication is that she already knew you were there the whole time, so you both dispensed with most of the formalities and just started talking.
>>
>>3411927
You could've described how she was standing already waiting for us. As it is, it just looks like you lost a sentence or two while editing.
>>
>>3411922
>>Do as Sabela asks. You want to see where she's going with this.
>>
>>3411922
>Do as Sabela asks. You want to see where she's going with this.
>>
>>3411643
Sorry man. I think another qm, who shall remain unnamed, has made me paranoid as hell of carelessly walking into tragedy.
>>
>>3411922
>Other
Wait, where's Constanzia?

But go ahead with her request. Her asking nicely is merely a formality and time might be limited.
>>
>>3411966
I think I know that QM.
>>
>>3411922
>Do as Sabela asks. You want to see where she's going with this.
>>
>>3411922
>Do as Sabela asks. You want to see where she's going with this.
>Helen, please remain calm. I'd like us both to survive this.
>>
>>3411922
>>Do as Sabela asks. You want to see where she's going with this.
i hope the shock prevents Helen from forcefully stopping us. Or mom, but if mom stops Helen, then i just hope she's gentle
>>
>>3411922
>3d10, best of four
>>
Rolled 9, 9, 10 = 28 (3d10)

>>3412249
Well here we go
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 8 = 16 (3d10)

>>3412249
As of recently I'm really apprehensive of dice in dangerous scenarious.

>>3412260
You're the only thing that calms me down anon.
>>
Rolled 3, 3, 2 = 8 (3d10)

>>3412249
>>
Rolled 9, 7, 2 = 18 (3d10)

>>3412249
>>
File: 62670791_p4.jpg (137 KB, 1024x1024)
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>>3412249
“... what are you doing?”

“It looks like she's doing what Sabela asked her,” a new voice observes, as a mousy-haired young woman turns around the corner of one of the abandoned homes. “Hello, Sabela.”

“Hello, Constanzia,” your mother replies, not really looking at the newcomer. “I'm busy at the moment, would you mind waiting?”

“Not at all,” she replies. “We have plenty of time.”

You finish twisting off the pommel of your sword, exposing the hollow cavity inside the long hilt and the rounded tang that fills up almost the entire space leaving a tiny amount of room into which an envelope can be slid.

Only after topping the threaded end of the pommel, you realize that there is no envelope.

You freeze.

“What is it?” Helen asks.

After a few seconds, you glance up at Sabela. “It must have been when they called me to Lavinia, and had me relinquish my sword... don't tell me they called me there specifically for the purpose?”

She nods. “I'm afraid so. They used the same trick on me, many years ago.”

“That's the entire point of the Organization then,” you realize, already screwing the pommel back on. “That's why the black card system exists, why they subject us to horrors and torture, it's how they choose our missions and select our warriors.”

“It's why they picked twins at first,” Sabela adds with a nod. “And why they chose you, Noel. Right now, you're their running experiment. I was a fool not to realize that Tomas knew about my indiscretions regarding Tiberius.”

“I thought that I was giving you the only chance you had at a normal life.”

“What is she talking about, Noel?” Helen demands quietly.

“This whole thing was a trap,” you realize. “The information that the Organization gave us had to have been flawed... we have to get out of here.”

“If this is an ambush...” Helen mutters, before her eyes suddenly widen and she raises her voice to a booming shout. “Above us!”
>1/2
>>
Oh hey, *there's* where that other shoe went...
>>
>>3412350
You barely notice the shadow on the ground between you and Helen as it grows, and the two of you manage to evade at the last possible second. A heavily-built woman has been apparently dropped from above... where a yōma with wings is now circling.

“I can only sense Sabela and Constanzia...” Helen growls. “Could this be... yōki synchronization?”

“Her sister is here too somewhere!” you realize. “Run!”

“That's right!” Constanzia agrees in a cheerful tone, firing a massive bony rod from her palm that impales your mother through her head. The force of the blow lifts her clean off her feet and nails her to the building behind her. “Sorry, but I lied when I said you had plenty of time.”

“As if we'd let you escape!” the awakened being who was nearly dropped on top of your heads a few seconds ago cackles. She releases a massive burst of yōki, distorting her features as she begins to transform into a monstrous creature with what appear to be bony scythes for forearms.

The scene is interrupted by a laugh, quiet at first but growing into a loud, confident roar.

“And here I thought your mind couldn't grow any duller,” Sabela taunts Constanzia, pulling herself free of the house's wall and taking the bone lance with her. “You tried the same thing when I awakened, remember? Why would you think it would work?”

Sabela simply pushes the lance the rest of the way through her head, before pulling it out the back and throwing it at the awakened being before it can attack you or Helen.

“Run!” she shouts. “We'll talk more later!”

Then her own yōki releases, and it feels as if a massive ocean wave has crashed over your body. Her form doesn't change all that dramatically, at least in terms of size she only grows a few inches and over all she still looks vaguely human. But her skin turns a deep shade of gray, and her hair solidifies into a mass of writhing tendrils, each of which looks as sharp as the head of a spear. A skirt of what looks like armored, chitinous plates protect her body around the waist.

Her eyes glow yellow, as if lit from within by the fires of Hell.

“My,” Constanzia muses as her own body begins to change as well. “How nostalgic.”

Sabela, in the mean time, raises her head and glances over your shoulder. “Does she have a death wish?”

Is that... Galeria?

>You need to withdraw. Rejoin the other warriors as soon as possible.
>You need to know what Galeria is doing. Does she mean to follow the plan?
>You need to take out this awakened being first. Then you withdraw.
>Other?
>>
So the Organization took our black letter to send a hit squad after us?
>>
>>3412372

>You need to know what Galeria is doing. Does she mean to follow the plan?
>>
>>3412372
>You need to know what Galeria is doing. Does she mean to follow the plan?
>>
>>3412372
>You need to know what Galeria is doing. Does she mean to follow the plan?
>>
>>3412372
>You need to withdraw. Rejoin the other warriors as soon as possible.
You are a liability here
>>
>>3412373
They take it from warriors who they want to awaken, like Sabela.
>>
>>3412372
>Bodily drag Galeria away.

>>3412386
Why would they want this though?
>>
>>3412372
>Tackle Galeria and drag her away from this mess.
>>
>>3412392
That, detective, is the right question.
>>
which vote is mine?
>>
>>3412372
>>3412378
Alright swapping to
>Drag Galeria to the other warriors
I want everyone around when we reveal 'the org took my card' Assuming Galeria doesn't start shit.
>>
>>3412392
>>3412397
Then ask ourselves this question:
What would the Organization gain from selectively forcing Claymore Warriors to awaken? So far the warriors that they selectively force the awakening process on are Warriors that are No. 1 in the ranking system. But now Noel's the running experiment and she's #9. So they knew about Noel's heritage. And if they want to force her to awaken, what is the result that they want to achieve? A warrior who can stay sane while awakened? a warrior who has both Human and Yoma Heritage running through their veins?
>>
>>3412408
Sabela is pretty sane already. They must want something else.
>>
>>3412392
>>3412408

I can imagine a few reasons.

The Organization could be less like the Witchers and more like Umbrella Corp, looking to profit from a new war engine only they can reliably control.

They could also be looking to produce a Super-being that could take on some external threat nobody but them are truly aware of.
>>
>>3412408
Saria was probably also purposely awakened since her letter was also kept by the Organization
>>
You know, this also brings Tomas's role in the organization into perspective. I'm not sure the exact story, but he was rather fond of Noel and Sabela and seemed rather crushed by Sabela's awakening to the point where the mannerisms ("Fancy that") seem to be a homage to Sabela.
>>
>>3412372
>You need to withdraw. Rejoin the other warriors as soon as possible.
>Try and take every warrior you can with you including Gabriela, with force if necessary
>>
>>3412408
Noel is #7.
>>
>>3412372
>3d10, best of three
>>
Rolled 8, 6, 4 = 18 (3d10)

>>3412519
>>
Rolled 9, 8, 8 = 25 (3d10)

>>3412519
>>
Rolled 2, 6, 7 = 15 (3d10)

>>3412519
>>
Rolled 6, 8, 6 = 20 (3d10)

>>3412519
>>
>>3412529
Damn. Noel has officially stopped playing around this thread.
>>
>>3412372
You retreat, feeling every blow traded between Constanzia and your mother even at a distance. But as you do, Galeria is charging full tilt the other way, towards the overwhelming sounds and concussive forces of battle. Her yōki is harsh and wild, like a raging fire that surges all around her in a roiling mass of untamed power.

As she passes, you can see that her eyes have the same quality to them that your mother's do, only without even the faintest spark of recognition. She warned you that you might have to abandon her if something went wrong... and you know why now.

The answer is her mind.

Her technique must induce a berserker-like fury, most likely by awakening her nervous system. Her instincts, her reflexes, her body's actions: in every way it's like she's already awakened. The only way you can think of that the Organization could have made a usable warrior out of someone like that is through the use of post-hypnotic suggestion, through even stricter and more heavy-handed indoctrination than you yourself experienced.

She must be following her target's yōki, and when that yōki disappears that must trigger her to suppress her yōki and allow her own mind to reassert itself. But between activating her technique and the death of her target, she has no control over herself. Yet another experiment, used by the Organization not to produce a 'sane' awakened being but a 'controllable' one.

Calling her off is beyond your ability, and she must know that. Even if you could synchronize your yōki with hers at the level Olivia could, you're not sure you could suppress a full awakening of someone in a berserker state.

>Back her up. She'll just get herself killed going after Constanzia and Rafaela like this even with your mother's help.
>She knew this might happen, and insisted that you prioritize the lives of her fellow warriors if it did. Honor that.
>>
>>3412662
>>She knew this might happen, and insisted that you prioritize the lives of her fellow warriors if it did. Honor that.
>>
>>3412662
>>She knew this might happen, and insisted that you prioritize the lives of her fellow warriors if it did. Honor that.
>>
>>3412662
>>She knew this might happen, and insisted that you prioritize the lives of her fellow warriors if it did. Honor that.
>>
>>3412662
>>She knew this might happen, and insisted that you prioritize the lives of her fellow warriors if it did. Honor that.
BERSERKER BARRAGE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7HaJRUg6y8
>>
>>3412662
>Back her up. She'll just get herself killed going after Constanzia and Rafaela like this even with your mother's help.

We'll be effectively fighting one Awakened being, since Sabela will distract the other.
>>
>>3412694
No we'll be effectively fighting an Abyssal one, who has both Youma AND awakened Being back up.
>>
>>3412662
>>She knew this might happen, and insisted that you prioritize the lives of her fellow warriors if it did. Honor that.
>>
>>3412662
>She knew this might happen, and insisted that you prioritize the lives of her fellow warriors if it did. Honor that.
>>
>>3412662
>>Back her up. She'll just get herself killed going after Constanzia and Rafaela like this even with your mother's help.
>>
>>3412662
>Back her up. She'll just get herself killed going after Constanzia and Rafaela like this even with your mother's help.
>>
>>3412662
>3d10, best of four
>>
>>3412694
>>3412733
>>3412744
>Literally fighting 2 Abyssal ones
>Their Awakened Retainers
>And the youma army one made.


Really? what purpose does this serve?
>>
Rolled 6, 4, 4 = 14 (3d10)

>>3412746
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 6 = 13 (3d10)

>>3412746
>>
Rolled 3, 3, 7 = 13 (3d10)

>>3412746
>>
Rolled 2, 7, 5 = 14 (3d10)

>>3412746
>>
>>3412753
>>3412761
>>3412762
>>3412763
WHAT THE FUCK IS WITH THESE ROLLS?
>>
>>3412747
Youma army belongs to Ella, not any of these.
>>
File: Time to die.jpg (43 KB, 450x600)
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>>3412770
>>
>>3412774
Honestly I half expect every other would be AB to be jumping on mom right now to try and kill her off as she is the most powerful of them all.
>>
>>3412770
It's normal rolls for 3d10, only a little below average.
>>
>>3412746
You sprint with Helen towards where the other warriors are fighting for their lives, and as you get closer the sight horrifies you.

Three awakened beings have engaged with your friends and allies. Hera is already dead, her lower body crushed underfoot by the initial landing of one of the monsters that attacked from the sky only to be finished off with a claw-like nail impaled through her head. Liliana too, cut in two just below her ribs with her severed hands still grasping the hilt of her sword.

Justina has some sort of spine through her gut and is on her knees, while Valentina is helping her pull it out while keeping their attacker at bay with her extendable claws.

Greta has a deep wound across the top of her shaved skull, and blood is dripping into one of her eyes.

But one situation is far worse: Emma stands over Sabrina, who has lost an arm and taken a horrific blow to her gut. An awakened being is in the middle of attacking her with its left claw outstretched.

Emma knows she's dead. Her eyes aren't even open, but she's willing to die to keep Sabrina alive even just a few more seconds.

Serana sees it too, but she's engaged with a beast of her own. If she disengages Lucia is as good as dead, and you're still too far away.
>3d10, best of four
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 9 = 14 (3d10)

>>3412839
>>
Rolled 1, 10, 8 = 19 (3d10)

>>3412839
>>3412839
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 6 = 13 (3d10)

>>3412839
Oh no.
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 9 = 12 (3d10)

>>3412839
No time to lose!
>>
Rolled 3, 9, 1 = 13 (3d10)

>>3412839
>>
>>3412860
>>3412857
>>3412843
>>3412864
what the hell is wrong with your dice? Am I the only one that got a relatively high number?
>>
>>3412871
The suffering has begun.
>>
>>3412839
In what feels like no time at all, your fist collides with the awakened being's wrist just in time to knock it aside. The attacker's own momentum helps you impale it on your sword, right up to the hilt, and as it bowls you over you manage to use your feet to propel it in a high arc over Emma and the fallen form of Sabrina behind you.

With a quick, deftly-coordinated movement, you spring back to your feet.

Something feels... different.

Serana stares at you for a moment, as does her opponent, before they return to their fight. In a moment Valentina manages to score a direct hit on her assailant's left eye, giving Justina time to start regenerating her guts. That situation seems like it may be back under control.

But what about your team?

You turn on your heel to face the two behind you. “That was very brave, Emma, but reckless. You'll not be any help to Sabrina if you're dead.”

She stares at you in shock, as if a silent scream were escaping her lips.

Helen runs past you. “We'll talk about this later.”

“Talk about what!?” you protest.

Meanwhile the yōma you sent flying manages to stagger to her feet. Then she lays eyes on you, and starts staring at you too just like the others.

“See something over here you like?” you demand angrily.

“What the hell is wrong with you, bitch?” she hisses. “You definitely passed your limit just then... grew horns and everything. So how can you just be standing there calmly like nothing even happened!?”

Wait... horns?
>will continue tomorrow
>>
>>3412889
HOOOO BOY! !
That's some shit, exciting shit!
>>
>>3412889
>“What the hell is wrong with you, bitch?” she hisses. “You definitely passed your limit just then... grew horns and everything. So how can you just be standing there calmly like nothing even happened!?”
>Wait... horns?
Well shit. Did we Awaken? We're perfectly sane from the looks of it, so that'd be interesting.
>>
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>>3412889
>>
>>3412889
>>
Some mother/daughter yoki synchronization bullshit is my guess. Looks like the Org got the results they wanted from this experiment.
>>
>>3412889
Well, when a papa human and a mama Abyssal One love each other very much, rules don't quite matter as much...
>>
>>3412912
>tfw Org's latest project becomes a breeding project to raise the ultimate soldier
>inb4 they want Noel to breed with men to make more claymore warriors like her.
>>
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>>3412902
>>3412889
>>
>>3412920
>nb4 yuri to spite them
>>
>meanwhile, in Tomas' mind: Hello darkness my old friend
>>
>>3412943
Nah, we do need actual heirs, we just need to kill the Org first so they can't get their hooks into them.
>>
>>3413082
But Noel is surrounded by best girls.
>>
>>3413104
Noel also is a Queen to be and must ensure her bloodline. I'm not saying Yuri is off the table, just that she's liable to like Clams and Lobsters
>>
>>3413134
>implying that the next thing Noel is doing isn't abducting Tomas
>>
>>3412889
>>
>>3411966
>>3412839


No. Noooooooo nononononononono not again! IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN. WHY IS IT HAPPENING AGAIN? I TRIED TO MAKE IT NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN.
>>
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>>3413742
>>
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>>3413742
>>
>>3413134
> Implying Noel is planning to take back the throne
>>
Oh man I was hoping to at the very least get to number two ranking before awakening. We'll never get abysmal status now.
>>
>>3414190
rolled low on the wake up too apparently. we might be trash tier.
>>
>>3414208
Apparently it was the bare minimum for Noel to be able to do something. If we rolled too high, then Helen would've been attacking us.
>>
>>3414214
>Helen would've been attacking us.
What? What makes you say that?
>>
>>3414259
We only grew horns, If we went full woke like Sabela...(grey skin, eyes, monster bits) then we'd be like an awakened one. not some Clay with a crown of horns.
>>
>>3414269
No I mean, why would we be attacked for rolling high? Like rolling high isn't a bad thing.......
>>
So if regular yoma are like the Wendigo from Until Dawn, give or take a few gimmicks, what's the story with these "awakened"?

They seem a lot more varied. Is there any common thread between them?

They seem less scary so far. More powerful, but less unpredictable. More likely to talk sense and stuff.
>>
>>3414295
Common thread is they are all former claymores. Other than that not really much puts them together. Most of them are crazy. The rest are drunk on power. And none of them should be trusted. They're pretty different on a case by case basis because they all manifest a little different based on their previous abilities and traits.

Really they're just smarter and more driven by ambition. Seems yoma are just interested in living and don't have any goals outside of that. ABs are people. Crazy people.
>>
>>3414295
Awakened are Former Claymores who forms are normally representative of their derived Claymore powers. They all neeed to eat humans to live and are usually crazy or monstrous.
>>
>>3414190
Helen said "we'll talk later" specifically because Noel's clearly not fully awakened, but something bizarre happened when she drew enough yoki to briefly surpass her usual limits. Because yoki utilization, and arguably "awakening", is a natural thing for her body to do the results of her doing so are somewhat different than if Helen or one of the other half-awakened were to do it.

The Awakened Being she's currently set to fight is confused for the same reason. Noel clearly should be a purple-blooded gut-devouring monster, but obviously isn't.

>>3414208
Rolling higher would have had an additional effect beyond briefly passing Noel's supposed "limits" to save Emma's life. Rolling lower would mean Emma would probably have died and a later partial-awakening would have been harder to control long-term.

>>3414295
At about 10% of their maximum theoretical yoki usage a warrior's eyes change from silver to gold. At about 30% it starts to warp their facial features. At 50% their musculature starts to change. "Crush depth", beyond which a warrior loses control of their yoki and can't suppress it again, is typically around 75-85% depending on the individual.

Once you reach that point there are two possibilities. Noel and the other half-awakened all found ways to suppress their yoki anyway despite having been told it's impossible, where the alternative is awakening fully. When that happens the "monster side" is in control.

Awakened beings eat humans, and their human forms are merely disguises for their true forms. But they often retain much of the personality they had as humans: Yulia is calculating and ruthless, Constanzia only ever acts like she thinks a "human" should act, and Sabela is still Sabela for the most part. But again, depending on the individual that personality may become warped, and not all warriors were as rational as Yulia or as benevolent as Sabela to start with. Many were borderline psychotic even before awakening.
>>
>>3412372
Huh. I don't think awakened spontaneously grow clothes, so that 'skirt' has gotta be furled appendages or wings of some kind.

. . . tendrils for hair

. . . I'm on to you queen.
>>
>>3415062
. . . and I approve.
>>
>>3414956
The pills maybe?
>>
>>3412889
You feel your head, and your fingertips find something hard projecting from your skull just above your temples. They're long horns, or maybe more like antlers, which reach forward and backward around your skull like a jagged crown.

In a moment of panic you slice open your palm, squeezing tight with your fingertips so that blood flows freely, and sigh in immediate relief when you see that it's red.

“Still red,” you reassure yourself aloud, before glancing at Emma as you heal the self-inflicted injury. “It's okay, Emma. I'm not going to lose control that easily.”

“Quit messing around with that weakling and face me!” the awakened being shouts furiously.

You carefully walk around Emma and Sabrina. “Both of you, try and stay alive okay? I'll handle this situation from here.”

The awakened being fires three rods at you, one from each palm and one from her mouth, which you deflect by carefully angling your sword. Your arms feel stronger than you're used to, and your movements are faster and more precise. You have to wonder... in this bizarre new halfway form you've accidentally found, what can you do now that may not have been possible before?

>Try to use your White Fist technique through your sword using yōki projection.
>Try to use Emma's 'Iron Body' technique with your own yōki aura.
>Test your physical abilities while searching for weak spots on your opponent.
>Other?
>>
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>>3415240
>image is roughly appropriate for a reference
>>
>>3415240
>Try to use your White Fist technique through your sword using yōki projection.
>>
>>3415240
>Test your physical abilities while searching for weak spots on your opponent.
>>
>>3415240
>>Try to use your White Fist technique through your sword using yōki projection.
>>
>>3415240
>Try to use your White Fist technique through your sword using yōki projection.
>>
>>3415240

>Try to use your White Fist technique through your sword using yōki projection
>>
>>3415240
>Try to use Emma's 'Iron Body' technique with your own yōki aura.
>>
>>3415240
>Test your physical abilities while searching for weak spots on your opponent.
>>
Warning: mild canon spoilers and meta-knowledge ramblings ahead.
Now what I wonder is if this is really Sabela's true form. Every single Abyssal in canon was capable of partial transformation and generally had superb control of their shape.

In fact, on at least one occasion when two of them fought they both agreed to fight without their true forms to avoid devastating the area too much. Sabela could be at least as considerate.
>>
>>3415240
>Try to use your White Fist technique through your sword using yōki projection.
>>
>>3415240
>Try to use your White Fist technique through your sword using yōki projection.
>>
>>3415240
>3d10, best of four
>>
Rolled 8, 4, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>3415335
>>
Rolled 7, 8, 3 = 18 (3d10)

>>3415335
>>
Rolled 2, 10, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>3415335
>>
Rolled 2, 3 = 5 (2d10)

>>3415335
>>
Rolled 10, 2, 7 = 19 (3d10)

>>3415342
Well thank goodness I messed that up.

>>3415335
>>
>>3415342
>>3415341
Holy shit what the fuck is wrong with your dice? My rolls are still on the low-high end.
>>3415345
Baare minimum 19 strikes again
>>
Rolled 1, 9, 8 = 18 (3d10)

>>3415335
>>
>>3415297
Possibly. However both Priscilla and Theresa were human sized roughly compared to how massive the others were. It depends on how obscenely overpowered she is.

>>3415346
We’re only allowed so much luck in ling’s Quests it seems.
>>
>>3415352
True, kind of, about Priscilla, but I will remind you she had the ability to create a veritable forest of tendrils and could shape herself to ridiculous degree. Also anime final form Priscilla wasn't in the manga, but the author still helped in designing it.

As for Teresa, she's dead and never awakens. The thing with her image at the end was just an affectation of Claire, and Claire was never in the same yoki league as a number one/Abyssal. She triumphed mostly because of Priscilla's mental state and the effect Teresa's likeness had.
>>
>>3415356
[Spoiler] Regardless they were both the unquestioned strongest Awakened Being (Theresa does count even if she’s only based on what Claire thinks she should be over what she actually was) thier base forms were very human and while they could shape themselves easily, they did not need too for a win.
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 8, 10 = 25 (4d10)

>QM rolling
>>
>>3415240
“Come on then,” you taunt the awakened being. “Let's see what you can do.”

When she attacks you, you try something for the first time. It's not dissimilar to the Earthbreaker technique, but using your yōki to push in two directions as though building up tension. Then you reverse the flow of yōki that's pushing inward, forcing that power to extend around your blade.

The result is that when your sword's edge hits the armored forearms of the attacking awakened being, it bounces off.

“Ha!” the awakened being snorts triumphantly. “Shows you right for acting so cocky when you couldn't even...”

Then she glances down at her right wrist. “Huh?”

Serana charges behind you, her sword held parallel to the ground and off to her right side.

“Why won't they move!?” the awakened being roars, only now realizing that despite not having penetrated her armor your sword strike succeeded in slicing her tendons.

With basically no resistance to speak of, Serana is free to land two swift strikes using her own one-handed version of the Earthbreaker technique which mangles both the awakened being's legs at the knees.

“Wait!” she protests. “Have mercy!”

“This is mercy,” you hiss, falling from above to smash your sword into the top of her skull with all your weight and both your hands behind it. Both with the normal Earthbreaker, weakened though it may be in your hands, and your yōki-projection version at the same time.

The edge might not have gone more than a few inches into the crown of the awakened being's skull, but the fountain of blood that erupts into your victim's mouth tells you that the force of the blow went at least that far.

You quickly bump elbows with Serana, before she puts the point of he sword into the ground.

WHAT NEXT?

She grasps the hilt of her sword again immediately, ready to move on to whatever target you designate.

>We need to join up with the other teams.
>I need you to protect Emma and Sabrina.
>You need to help our wounded withdraw.
>Other?
>>
>>3415500
>>You need to help our wounded withdraw.
>>
>>3415500
>We need to join up with the other teams.
Strength in numbers. We still have at least Camila and her handler on the outskirts.
>>
>>3415500
>You need to help our wounded withdraw.
>>
>>3415500
>>We need to join up with the other teams.
>>
>>3415500
>You need to help our wounded withdraw.
>>
>>3415500
>You need to help our wounded withdraw.
Getting as many out alive as possible is the priority here.
>>
>>3415522
>>3415529
>>3415574
>>3415583
Without a serious escort the Org is just going to kill them,.
>>
>>3415500
>>We need to join up with the other teams.
>>
>>3415500
>You need to help our wounded withdraw.
>>
>>3415500
>We need to join up with the other teams.
>>
>>3415592
eh, good point, changing vote to >>3415500
>>We need to join up with the other teams.
>We need to join up with the other teams.
>>3415500
>>
>>3415500
>We need to join up with the other teams.
>Escort Emma and Sabrina to the other teams.
>>
>>3415500
>We need to join up with the other teams.
>I need you to protect Emma and Sabrina.
>>
>3d10, best of four
>>
Rolled 6, 6, 2 = 14 (3d10)

>>3415673
>>
Rolled 5, 10, 7 = 22 (3d10)

>>3415673
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 4 = 13 (3d10)

>>3415673
>>
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>>3415676
nice.
>>
Rolled 10, 5, 1 = 16 (3d10)

>>3415673
>>
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>>3415679
For some reason my dice are on fire today
>>
>>3415679
So Noel is alther Arthur ?
>>
>>3415791
when Noel's half-awake.
>>
>>3415673
“We need to get over to the others,” you declare. “Emma, get Sabrina up. Serana, help me cover for her.”

Serana nods, and you rush for your companions. You manage to find a low spot by the side of the road that you knock Sabrina and Emma into just in time to evade a volley of spikes, before joining Helen while Serana heads over to back up Valentina, Justina, and Greta.

“We need to get our wounded out of here,” you tell Helen, while Lucia gives you as much leeway as she can without opening herself up to attack. “Somehow.”

“Those fliers would hunt them down,” Helen observes, sparing a single upward glance.

“Then we need to clear these bastards out,” you realize.

The two of you are forced to separate to evade a rapid attack from an awakened one, whose armor plated body moves far quicker than you'd have anticipated. You also have to force one of the flying yōma, which you think are awakened ones based on their yōki power, away when it tries to attack Lucia who dodged the same direction you did.

“Or we have to kill the flying bastards,” you add.

Helen nods. “Indeed.”

“Any ideas?” Lucia asks, barely managing to knock a spike out of the air.

>I need to find a way to fly. Helen, can I borrow your strength?
>We need to take these other two awakened beings out, then withdraw.
>We need to work our way over to Liliana's body. Retrieve her sword.
>Other?
>>
>>3415811
>The enemy has provided us with ammo. Throw their spikes back at them.
>>
>We need to work our way over to Liliana's body. Retrieve her sword.
>>
>>3415811
>>We need to work our way over to Liliana's body. Retrieve her sword.
>>
>>3415791
We look like Mordred with that black crown of horns on our head.
>>
>>3415811
>We need to work our way over to Liliana's body. Retrieve her sword.
>>
>>3415811
>>We need to work our way over to Liliana's body. Retrieve her sword.
>The enemy has provided us with ammo. Throw their spikes back at them. the Earth Breaker technique in particular would be effective.
>>
>>3415836
>>3415811
This.
>>
>>3415811
>>3415820
Seconding.
>>
>>3415836
This
>>3415811
>>
>>3415820
Support.
>>
>>3415811
supporting: >>3415820
>>
>>3415811
supporting
>>3415836
>>
>>3415811
>>3415836
Yes
>>
>>3415811
>3d10, best of four
>>
Rolled 8, 9, 3 = 20 (3d10)

>>3417306
>>
Rolled 5, 9, 3 = 17 (3d10)

>>3417306
>inb4 19
>>
Rolled 10, 9, 6 = 25 (3d10)

>>3417306
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 6 = 14 (3d10)

>>3417306
>>
>>3417306
Thanks for keeping the thread very active this and last weekend!
How is work going?
>>
>>3417449
Slowly, but surely. It's more a game of grinding out progress every day no matter how slow it feels.
It'll be a while before I can update, btw. Some time later today.
>>
>>3417451
Alrighty then, let's check in with Steve then while we wait. Steve?

>Crikey! I think I may have won 'er over: she gave me a ton of dates and says I can go if I eat 'em all. How incredible is that? Unprecedented behaviour!

Thanks, Steve. Enjoy your dates and take good care of your liver.
>>
>>3415811
You swiftly snatch the spike Lucia deflected out of the air with a malicious grin. “Cover me, I have an idea.”

At a full sprint you practically fly across the battlefield, Helen and Serana and the other warriors keeping the awakened beings from interfering with your swift maneuver. You reach Liliana's body, or rather what remains of it, in seconds.

Grasping the hilt of her fallen sword, you whisper a quick apology and heft her weapon like a javelin.

“Hey bird-brain!” you roar. “Catch!”

Then you hurl the sword with all your yōki-enhanced might, turning it into a silver streak that crosses the sky between you and its target. You're careful to make the full rotation...

“Hah!” the flying beast shrieks in delight as it deflects the blade, with the loss of only one of several of its sharp limbs. “What a wa-”

You suppose it was going to call your attack a waste, but it was obviously taken by surprise when the spike you threw back at it in the shadow of the wide blade catches it under the ribs.

“Whaaaa!” it screams in rage and pain.

“These monsters were so kind as to gift us with ammunition!” you call out. “What say we return it to them with interest?”

“You bitch!” the bug-like monster screams, frothing with hatred as it swoops in. “You daughter of a fucking whore!”

“You shouldn't talk about Sabela like that,” you mutter in a low voice as the flying yōma impales what looks like an arm-length stinger into the ground where you stood a moment ago, turning in the air to land that strange new combination of White Fist and Earthbreaker against the beast's eyes. “It'll shorten your life for sure.”

As it shrieks in pain, withdrawing its stinger in a cloud of dirt, spikes thrown by Lucia and Greta hit it from either side and stick there like arrows shot into a bale of hay.

>Now might be a good time to try out Emma's old Iron Body technique together with your yōki projection. Why not learn something new?
>Finish chopping apart that flying yōma, go for the wing and flank it with Justina.
>Withdraw, continue keeping the strain off the weaker warriors present as much as you can.
>Other?
>>
>>3418150
Is it worth killing the awakened? Or should we back up the weaker warriors?
>>
>>3418150
>>Now might be a good time to try out Emma's old Iron Body technique together with your yōki projection. Why not learn something new?
>>
>>3418150
>Withdraw, continue keeping the strain off the weaker warriors present as much as you can.
>>
>>3418150
>Finish chopping apart that flying yōma, go for the wing and flank it with Justina.
>>
>>3418150
>Finish chopping apart that flying yōma, go for the wing and flank it with Justina.
The death of a flyer would mean we would have a clear avenue of escape.
>>
>>3418150
>>Finish chopping apart that flying yōma, go for the wing and flank it with Justina.
>>
>>3418150
>>Finish chopping apart that flying yōma, go for the wing and flank it with Justina.
>>
>>3418150
>3d10, best of four
>>
Rolled 1, 9, 3 = 13 (3d10)

>>3418418
>>
Rolled 10, 7, 10 = 27 (3d10)

>>3418418
>>
Rolled 1, 3, 8 = 12 (3d10)

>>3418418
>>3418427
Good shit.
>>
>>3418427
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 4 = 8 (3d10)

>>3418418
>>
>dice+4d10
>>
Rolled 7, 2, 10, 1 = 20 (4d10)

>>3418563
And by that I mean this.

It's midnight. I'm going straight to bed after this.
>>
>>3418566
Europoor
>>
>>3418566
Before the flying yōma can escape back into the air, you charge it down and slash at the base of its right wing. Again it slides off the armored joint, but savages the tissues behind that thickened layer. The yōma instantly loses balance, rolling over in the air before crashing down onto its back.

“What the...” it begins, before Justina falls upon it with a series of powerful blows that hack at its limbs.

The yōma struggles frantically to get back into the air, kicking itself up with its remaining limbs and flailing wildly with its remaining wings.

Even as its wing stitches itself back together, Justina takes its head with a powerful leap. Its body, however, begins to rapidly bloat and distend.

“Fuck all of you!” the yōma screams with its dying breath.

Watch out!” you roar, putting yourself between the body and Lucia who was already to your back.

There's a meaty explosion, raining purple gore down on the whole battlefield. But the greatest danger are the spikes which radiate out from the blast zone in all directions. You manage to deflect four, and take one to your shoulder, but it's just a flesh wound... had you not positioned yourself the way you did Lucia would have been torn apart.

Helen manages to duck behind an awakened being who takes the brunt of the blast in her place, and Valentina extends her claws like a cage that blocks the spikes coming her way. For her part Justina takes three spikes to her torso that don't actually seem to penetrate her rib cage, and seem to constitute more of an annoyance to her.

“... Greta?” you hear Lucia's voice behind you.

To your left the clean-shaved warrior drops her sword and slumps to the ground as her right leg collapses, a long spike lodged through it just under her kneecap. As her head turns, you see a second spike protruding from the left side of her skull.

“That bitch,” you hear a voice from above you. “Could have hit me!”

“Shit!” you shout, hastily moving even closer to Lucia to try to intercept the swooping yōma.
>1/2
>>
Riparoni
>>
>>3418617
Then there's a gust of wind, and the bird-like yōma's wings split open. With a screech the yōma crashes to the ground and struggles to its feet, only to find Helen staring it down with a look of pure, burning fury. In a single stroke she takes its head, the blade seemingly landing from the side opposite where it should have been.

So that's the Echo Sword in action...

… but more importantly, was that what you thought it was?

“I knew it was a good idea to follow Sabela,” a familiar voice calls out from down the road as a silver-haired blur comes to an abrupt stop nearby. “If only I had gotten here just a few seconds sooner, maybe I could have been of more help.”

“Laura?” you ask, stunned at her sudden appearance. “You followed Sabela all this way?”

She nods sternly. “I did. I had no idea the situation I'd walk into would be such a mess.”

Then she glances up, feeling a massive shock as the two Abyssal Ones clash. “That's Constanzia, right?”

“Hey, who the fuck's this new chick?” one of the remaining awakened beings demands loudly. “No fair, bringing in reinforcements?”

“Can't say I'm liking the new look,” she shakes her head. “But I suppose it suits you in a way. Perhaps it could grow on me.”

>We need your help to deal with these bastards so we can withdraw.
>We need to get our wounded out of here. You and I can hold the line here.
>Galeria needs your help. She's gone into a berserker rage targeting Constanzia.
>Other?
>>
>>3418645
>We need to evacuate the wounded. Hold the line with me so that can happen.
>>
>>3418645
>>We need to get our wounded out of here. You and I can hold the line here.
We made a promise to value their lives dammit.
>>
>>3418645
>We need to get our wounded out of here. You and I can hold the line here.

>>3418658
A bit louder? Greta's having issues thinking/hearing at the moment.
>>
>>3418645
>We need to get our wounded out of here. You and I can hold the line here.
>>
>>3418645
>>Galeria needs your help. She's gone into a berserker rage targeting Constanzia.
>>
>>3418645
>>We need to get our wounded out of here. You and I can hold the line here.
>>
>>3418645
>get the wounded out of here. You and i will hold the line

>at the awakened beings:”SAYS THE AWAKENED THOTS WHO COUNTER-AMBUSHED US”
>>
>>3418645
>>We need to get our wounded out of here. You and I can hold the line here.
>>
>>3418645
>>We need to get our wounded out of here. You and I can hold the line here.
The Org won't look kindly on us two especially; however, Camila likes Noel and Laura, so here's to hoping she confronts us instead of our wounded, if she engages with anyone.
>>
>>3418645
>>We need to get our wounded out of here. You and I can hold the line here.
>>
>>3418645
>We need your help to deal with these bastards so we can withdraw.
If we don't stick with the wounded the org will probably take or "disappear" them.

Glad Laura showed up, wanted to speak to her but we had no ability to send her a message to ask for her help before the mission started.
>>
>>3418645
>We need your help to deal with these bastards so we can withdraw.
Evacuating the wounded alone means giving them to Camila.
>>
>>3418645
>3d10, best of four
>>
Rolled 5, 2, 5 = 12 (3d10)

>>3419718
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 3 = 12 (3d10)

>>3419718
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 3 = 10 (3d10)

>>3419718
>>
Rolled 5, 1, 6 = 12 (3d10)

>>3419718
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 3 = 8 (3d10)

>>3419718
>>
>>3419736
>>3419746
>>3419758
>>3419782
>>3419783
>>
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>>3419736
>>3419746
>>3419758
>>3419782
I don't think any reaction image can convey my face right now.
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 5, 2 = 14 (4d10)

>>3419718
I need another roll. 3d10, best of three. DC 18.
>>
Rolled 8, 9, 1 = 18 (3d10)

>>3419795
THIS TIME
>>
Rolled 6, 6, 4 = 16 (3d10)

>>3419795
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 3 = 14 (3d10)

>>3419795
>>
>>3419523
Camila is the sensor anyway right? Kinda good anyway...
>>
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As a noble, Noel probably played polo in her youth. Surely, those games of old must inspire her in times like this.

> The sand of the desert is sodden red,—
Red with the wreck of a square that broke;—
The Gatling's jammed and the Colonel dead,
And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.
The river of death has brimmed his banks,
And England's far, and Honour a name,
But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks:
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Newbolt#%22Vita%C3%AF_Lampada%22
>>
>>3419847
>Sees Ellody
Noice
>>
>>3419847
I don't remember this costume in the game.
>>
>>3419718
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQuHwqMcN8w
“Let's make a stand here,” you tell Laura. “Let our wounded withdraw.”

She nods in agreement. “I too wish to see as many warriors survive this day as possible, so of course I'll help you.”

“Serana! Helen!” you bark. “Get everyone else out of here, and cover them as best you can! Laura and I will hold out here!”

Helen, for her part, doesn't hesitate. “You heard the lady, move while we've got a chance!”

Justina withdraws under the protection of Valentina's spikes, and Serana quickly shifts her position to provide cover for Lucia. Helen gives you a curt nod... and then one of the remaining awakened beings launches a barrage. Not aimed at any of you, but to one side.

Emma stands stock-still, her eyes wide as she drops both her sword and Sabrina's limp form.

Your eyes briefly meet hers, before the awakened being tears her in half.

You bastard!” you scream, weaving past the awakened being in front of you to reach the one who just attacked Emma. “Helen, get them out of there!

Serana moves to keep the awakened being you just passed from killing Lucia, who has been making her own attempt to break and withdraw, but she doesn't count on one of the last two fliers extending a tendril after her. The extended limb, more a writhing mass of muscles and twisted bones than an arm or a leg, wraps several times around Lucia's leg.

No you don't!

The awakened being manages to get Lucia off the ground before it sees you coming, having used the head of the monster that killed Emma as a springboard. Before your rapidly-spinning sword cleaves that limb off, it tightens its grip and reduces Lucia's leg to a pulp with a scream.

You don't quite get all the way to the flying awakened being, but as a second tries to catch you off-guard in the air a sword spins towards you. The blue hilt settles perfectly into your hand... and you can see that Laura is now holding your own sword and joining Serana in fighting off the awakened beings below.

“Where did that come from!?” your would-be attacker demands as you impale a soft spot on its torso with your borrowed blade. Your reply is to plant your feet on either side of the sword with a pair of yōki-projected kicks that send you crashing back to the ground.
>1/2
>>
>>3419893
When you stagger to your feet you can see that the final flying awakened being is chasing after Justina and Valentina, the latter making its life a living hell by pelting it unrelentingly with spikes and the former watching her back.

Lucia has her arms wrapped around Serana's neck, and the taller warrior carries her easily on her back, so they seem like they'll be able to escape. But Helen is carrying whats left of Sabrina over her left shoulder.

Greta, Liliana, Hera, and now Emma lie where they fell.

Laura watches them sadly. “Did you know any of them well?”

You shake your head. “No. To my discredit.”

“They died to protect their fellow warriors,” Laura sighs. “We'll honor their sacrifice by securing their objective.”

After taking a moment to get your yōki back under control, you nod in agreement. “Right... you're right.”

>Work with Laura to force a two-on-one.
>Laura's skills are ranged attacks, and you're a defensive-type. Get in close.
>Try to get this fight closer to where Galeria and Sabela are fighting.
>Other?
>>
>>3419911
>Work with Laura to force a two-on-one.
>>
>>3419911
Fuck. They're all dead.
Damn you dice!

>Laura's skills are ranged attacks, and you're a defensive-type. Get in close.
A tank and a ranged DPS is a classic.
>>
>>3419718
>>3419736
>>3419746
>>3419758
>>3419782
>>3419783
>holds a roll call at 4 in the fucking morning at eastern time
> dice rolling is piss poor
queen....
>>
Oh dear. Emma's dead. I get that much, but what kind of attack was it? From how it's described I think it was a projectile?

Anyway, if it's not too much trouble, it would probably help us if we could get a list of the awakened we are fighting and roughly what they look like and what we've seen them do. Maybe some nicknames based on the above to differentiate between them.
>>
>>3419955
I know it's weird and awkward, but that's my schedule.
>>
>>3419911
>>Laura's skills are ranged attacks, and you're a defensive-type. Get in close.
>>
>>3419911
>Try to get this fight closer to where Galeria and Sabela are fighting.

Because there's no way this could go wrong.
>>
>>3419911
>Laura's skills are ranged attacks, and you're a defensive-type. Get in close.
>>
>>3419911
>>Laura's skills are ranged attacks, and you're a defensive-type. Get in close.

>yoki under control
Still horned or...?

And how likely is it that Galeria is keyed to Laura's yoki as well as Constanzia's?
>>
>>3419969
There's one flier getting hammered by Valentina and is probably going to be killed by a combination of her, Helen, and/or Serana. That situation is fairly well under control.

There are two awakened beings on the ground that are both wounded. One extends its limbs and one launches projectiles. Both are risky to engage at close range, but have proven to be perfect opponents for Noel both being heavily armored rather than pure speed-based types. There's also one flier that can extend its limbs, and is also wounded.

>>3420012
Still horned. As Galeria's mission was not specifically to do with Laura she would logically not give a fuck about that. But since the other awakened beings have been synchronized through Rafaela's skills you would either need to change that or kill EVERYTHING for Galeria's conditioning to trigger her to stand down. Including Constanzia and Rafaela.
>>
>>3419736
>>3419746
>>3419758
>>3419782
>>3419783

This is just tragic. The chances of rolling this badly is like rolling 2d100 and having them both be nat ones.
>>
>>3419911
>>Laura's skills are ranged attacks, and you're a defensive-type. Get in close.
>>
>>3419911
>Work with Laura to force a two-on-one.

>>3419969
Its kind of hard to "see" out what beings we are fighting and which one is which. So far I can only tell the difference between two types, fliers and melee ones, excluding the abysmals.
>>
>>3419911
>Laura's skills are ranged attacks, and you're a defensive-type. Get in close.
>>
>>3419911
>3d10, best of four
>>
Rolled 2, 9, 2 = 13 (3d10)

>>3420505
>>
Rolled 1, 10, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>3420505
>>
Rolled 9, 5, 5 = 19 (3d10)

>>3420505
>>
Rolled 9, 3, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>3420505
>>
>>3420505
After trading your sword back for Laura's you take the lead without question, putting yourself right where a defender should be: up close and personal. A swift series of swings keeps the two awakened beings from immediately killing you, though they've also grown cautious of the horn-crowned warrior who's been charging up and down the field punching their comrades.

Assuming they possess some notion of “camaraderie”, that is.

“What's wrong?” you taunt them. “Scared of the little pink-haired warrior and her big scary sword?”

One of them extends for a reckless swipe of its claw, which you reward by impaling the guard of your sword into its lightly-protected elbow. You then carefully push the incoming blow out of the way, using your grip on the sword's hilt to lift your body into the air and deliver a powerful upward kick to your attacker's chin that leaves it obviously stunned

“Move!” Laura barks, and you pry the blade from the monster's arm and push off into the air with your left hand.

Laura's expertise allows her to deliver three strikes at range: two from the front that that cut their targets across the eyes, and after turning a wide circle around you one from behind that slices your victim's tendons behind its knees.

The awakened being collapses to its knees, reeling backwards and howling in pain... at least until you slide the point of your sword into the soft tissue behind its jaw and through the base of its skull.

It takes a second to pry the sword free, but Laura's repeated strikes at range keep you safe while you work the edge back and forth until it comes loose with a grotesque sucking sound.

“I can see why you got the new nickname,” Laura admits. “At least the 'queen' part. You have too many friends to be called 'lonely' anymore.”

“This is insane!” the remaining awakened being protests, turning and running back towards where your mother and Constanzia are fighting.
>1/2
>>
>>3420725
“Now, now,” a vaguely familiar voice calls out, before a long, wickedly twisted lance of bone impales it under the arms from one side of the chest to the other. “Who said you were permitted to retreat?”

Even the last flying yōma is killed almost instantly, falling to the ground with its face and torso violated by dozens of spines.

Their executioner presents herself with an almost imperceptible step, a nearly identical woman to Constanzia with the same mousy hair and silver eyes. Her presence is every bit as intimidating... almost enough to send you running even in this state.

“Hello, Rafaela,” you greet her coolly, inclining your head slightly.

“It's my pleasure to greet two such esteemed guests,” she replies, standing somewhat at odds with her sister in terms of her eloquence. “The daughter of Sabela, and the former number two... why have you come so far?”

>We were sent here hoping we'd awaken. I assume this whole thing was a trap for Sabela?
>I'm here to protect my fellow warriors as best I can, including Galeria if possible.
>It's just orders. If I disobeyed I would be declared a renegade and hunted down.
>Other?
>>
>>3420728
>>We were sent here hoping we'd awaken. I assume this whole thing was a trap for Sabela?
>>I'm here to protect my fellow warriors as best I can, including Galeria if possible.
>>
>>3420728
>>We were sent here hoping we'd awaken. I assume this whole thing was a trap for Sabela?
>>I'm here to protect my fellow warriors as best I can, including Galeria if possible.
>>
>>3420728
>I'm here to protect my fellow warriors as best I can, including Galeria if possible.

Careful, the twins are mad right?

We could try to ask her if she was lured to awaken as well though.
>>
>>3420728
>Organization machinations, either a suicide mission, a test bed for what they did to Galeria, or trying to force more "prototypes" to awaken. Also likely removal of troublesome "assets," just depends on whose view you wish to take.
>I'm here to protect my fellow warriors as best I can, including Galeria if possible.
>As you can imagine the Organization and I are currently having a difficult period in our relationship.
>>
>>3420781
Support but maybe say "I intend to" instead of "I'm here to".
>>
>>3420728
>We were sent here hoping we'd awaken. I assume this whole thing was a trap for Sabela?
>I'm here to protect my fellow warriors as best I can, including Galeria if possible.
>>
>>3420728
>Organization machinations, either a suicide mission, a test bed for what they did to Galeria, or trying to force more "prototypes" to awaken. Also likely removal of troublesome "assets," just depends on whose view you wish to take.
>>
>>3420781
>>3420728
>>
>>3420728
>I'm here to protect my fellow warriors as best I can, including Galeria if possible.
>>
>>3420728
>>I'm here to protect my fellow warriors as best I can, including Galeria if possible.
>>
>>3420728
>>3420781
Second.
>>
>>3420728
>>I'm here to protect my fellow warriors as best I can, including Galeria if possible.
>>
>I'm here to kick ass and chew bubble gum. And I'm all out of bubble gum.

I had to.
>>
>>3420781
support
>>
>>3420728
>I'm here to protect my fellow warriors as best I can, including Galeria if possible.
>>
>>3420728
“The Organization is experimenting on us,” you explain with a scowl. “And since I can't exactly defy their orders, I decided to use everything I have to make sure as many warriors come out of this alive as possible.”

“How noble of you,” she chuckles at you. “But what do you expect them to do when you look like that?”

“If others are to be believed those horns of mine will disappear when I seal my yōki again,” you insist. “And if not, at least I'm among friends who won't judge me for it.”

“And do you expect the Organization to take you back?”

You shake your head. “No. But we'll come up with something together.”

Rafaela shrugs. “Suit yourselves then.”

Then she stands aside. “My sister is that way.”

You both stare at her, and eventually Laura is the one to break your mutual silence. “You expect us to believe it's that simple?”

“Not particularly,” she admits. “If we're talking about what you'll believe you have no reason to believe anything I say. But nevertheless, that little lady over there is absolutely going to awaken if you don't kill her first.”

“And if we kill Constanzia?” you press.

This time Rafaela laughs, not an amused chuckle but a deep uproar. “That's great! You two, beating my sister? I arranged all this for her, set up a meeting between her and Sabela simply so that she could enjoy herself with a worthwhile fight for once, and you think that the two of you could possibly help?”

“Simply for Constanzia's amusement?” Laura reiterates.

“And no other reason,” Rafaela grins. “You see I love my sister dearly, but she's always been rather simple... enjoys fighting more than anything else. Problem is she hasn't had an opponent who could keep her entertained for decades.”

“Anything else that happens here is none of my concern.”

Laura turns to you. “Go. Catch up with your friends, I'll deal with that poor rookie who took my place.”
>1/2
>>
>>3422221
“Absolutely not,” you protest.

“Listen,” Laura insists, staring you straight in the eyes. “Helen and Serana are both skilled and cunning, but I saw how they interacted with you. You may not be the strongest warrior among your group but you are what holds them together, and you won't be able to do that with Galeria's blood on your hands.”

“Sabela won't do it, so I'm the one who must spare her the fate of awakening fully. If I were you I'd take off one of the small one's legs and a spare arm for the two wounded offense-types that Helen and Serana were carrying, and focus on getting them through this at all costs.”

>Make sure you survive, Laura.
>I'm not leaving you here alone.
>Other?
>>
>>3422234

Is it bad if newgirl awakens? Maybe if she is constantly berserking.
>Make sure you survive, Laura.
>>
>>3422234
>Make sure you survive, Laura.
>>
>>3422234
>Make sure you survive, Laura.
>Other?
Rally some of the able-bodied survivors and return to action.
>>
>>3422234
>We'll kill the fuck out of Constanzia.
We have already used up all our bad luck. Only crits now.
>>
>>3422234
>>I'm not leaving you here alone.
>>
>>3422247
Wow.

Forget tempting fate, don't turn around because fate is standing right behind you with the most evil smile I've ever seen and a massive erection.
>>
>>3422234
>Make sure you survive, Laura.
>>
>>3422234
>Other
Don't do it, Laura; it's suicide if you go alone. Either we both go or neither of us do.
>>
>>3422234
>Make sure you survive, Laura.
>>
>>3422234

>I'm not leaving you here alone
>>
>>3422234
>other: Make her hold to an oath. "This is my one order for you: "Survive."
>>
>>3422234
You can't help but frown. You understand what she's saying, and to an extent you agree... what she's saying isn't wrong per se. But you also don't want to admit that she's right. Too many lives have been lost already here, and the last thing you want to do is run a serious risk of losing Laura too, but you must already be on shaky footing with your companions. Taking Galeria's head won't help you in the long run.

Perhaps the other thing you have to consider is that Laura's not a higher rank than you for no reason. She's powerful, and she has exceptional skills. Most importantly she has decades more experience than you. If she wants you to leave this situation to her, then there must be a reason for it.: if you had to guess you'd say she feels that she's partly responsible for creating this situation, where so many rookies are being forced onto the front lines. That includes Galeria, who could not have been properly prepared for the mission she was given here.

Eventually, you're left with one conclusion: that you really should honor Laura's request.

“You're not a ranked warrior anymore,” you remind her with a frown. “I am. So I'm the one who gives the orders.”

“And I'm ordering you to survive, got it?”

A faint smile tugs at her lips. “You really are like your mother, in the best possible way. You know that?”

“I've heard it before,” you snort. “But I am serious. You get yourself killed and I'm gonna be mad.”

“Right, right,” Laura insists.

You don't look back, and you doubt that she does either.
>3d10, best of four
>>
Rolled 5, 1, 10 = 16 (3d10)

>>3422433
>>
Rolled 3, 4, 6 = 13 (3d10)

>>3422433
>>
Rolled 4, 5, 4 = 13 (3d10)

>>3422433
>>
Rolled 10, 1, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>3422433
>>
RIP
>>
Beautiful. The dice are conducting a symphony of misery.
>>
>>3422474
Found the Yoma.
>>
>>3422474
Hi mordekaiser
>>
Rolled 5, 10, 5 = 20 (3d10)

>>3422433
>>
>>3422433
You can feel the fighting rage behind you while you go about your grim task.

Laura is right of course... even from her brief glimpse of the scene she determined that the only way for Lucia to fully recover is to take a graft from another warrior of a similar size. That means Emma.

You gently close the girl's eyes and whisper an apology that she'll never hear, before cleanly severing the appropriate leg leaving a generous margin of error. You can shave a little more off later if you need to for it to fit.

Next is Greta, for whom you offer the same basic courtesy before severing her arm at the shoulder. You recall that Sabrina's stump extended to about her mid-bicep, so that should be more than sufficient. As you quickly search her person for any remaining yōki suppression pills you find that she was wearing a single piece of jewelry: a cross with two sets of arms, one high and one low, on a slender gold chain. You recognize it as the double-cross of the twin goddesses Clare and Teresa, and you quickly remove it from her neck before pocketing it.

It feels wrong, perhaps more so than harvesting their limbs, but it may serve a purpose later of which Greta would doubtless approve.

You're about to continue your withdrawal when you feel something that horrifies you: not only does Galeria's yōki vanish, but shortly after that Laura's falters. It's hard to tell at this range, but it can only mean that she's been badly hurt.

Your mother and the two Abyssals she's now faced off against are too overwhelming now to tell what their state is.

>You honored her request, but this is different now. You HAVE to help her.
>Leave the area. This is beyond you now.
>Other?
>>
>>3422557
>You honored her request, but this is different now. You HAVE to help her.
>>
>>3422557
>>You honored her request, but this is different now. You HAVE to help her.
>>
>>3422557
>>You honored her request, but this is different now. You HAVE to help her.
>>
>>3422557
>You honored her request, but this is different now. You HAVE to help her.
At least help her withdraw
>>
>>3422557
>You honored her request, but this is different now. You HAVE to help her.
>>
>>3422557
>>You honored her request, but this is different now. You HAVE to help her.
>>
>>3422557
>You honored her request, but this is different now. You HAVE to help her.
>>
>>3422557
>>You honored her request, but this is different now. You HAVE to help her.
In for a penny in for a pound I guess.
>>
>>3422557
>3d10, best of three
>>
Rolled 4, 8, 1 = 13 (3d10)

>>3422993
Once more unto the breach.
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 5 = 14 (3d10)

>>3422993
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 2 = 7 (3d10)

>>3422993
DICE YOU SLUT.
>>
>>3422993
Roll me one more.
>>
File: 1448829693071.gif (1.78 MB, 420x236)
1.78 MB
1.78 MB GIF
>>3422999
>>3423010
>>3423018
Jesus Christ
>>
>>3423032
I know right?
>>
Rolled 9, 1, 1 = 11 (3d10)

>>3422993
>>3423025
>>
>>3423037
.....Fucking hell. This quest is cursed I tell you.
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>3422993
>>
This is hell. We're in hell.
>>
>>3423057
How many times have we been lowballed by dice exactly?
>>
>>3423061
I think this is the fourth time.
>>
Rolled 2, 8, 9 = 19 (3d10)

>>
>>3423074
in a quest where dice gives us the implicit "Roll high or die" in some literal cases.
>>
>writing
>>
Sabela is bad luck
>>
Wow and I thought some of our rolls in SoZ were shit...
>>
>>3423273
really says something about the “roll high or die” trend lately
>>
>>3423105
You can't help yourself... as cautious as you would normally be, you refuse to lose someone else today. Not after Olivia smiled at you and disappeared to die alone, just like Laura did.

You're not sure how or when you arrived on the battlefield, glaring sidelong at a half-transformed Rafaela with Emma's leg in your left hand and Gerta's arm clenched between your teeth. A second later you realize that you've sliced through a part of her arm, which is rapidly re-growing itself.

“That was quite rude,” she sneers. “I was about to reach an agreement with mommy dearest, but now I don't think I wanna!”

Your eyes flick towards Laura, whose right arm and left leg have been reduced to red smears on the ground around her limp form. Then you glance at Sabela, who has Constanzia pinned to the ground with spears of her hair stuck into her arms and legs. Two long blades of what look like bone are crossed over Constanzia's neck, leaving her just a twitch away from a sudden beheading.

Laura briefly stirs. “You... shouldn't have...”

You let Greta's arm fall from your mouth. “I'll be damned if I leave you here to die, Laura. I agreed to a stupid, bull-headed request... but I didn't agree to let that be your final request.”

“You... dropped something, sweetie,” Sabela informs you.

You tuck Emma's leg into the back of your sword belt, and Greta's arm follows. Then you kneel, pulling her remaining arm around your shoulders and lifting her to her... foot.

“How weak,” you can hear Constanzia cough. “You're still so weak.”

Sabela drives her heel into her victim's chest, drawing another sharp and bloody cough before spinning on that heel and dragging her blades though Constanzia's limbs.

“A parting gift,” Sabela sighs, stepping away and letting Rafaela swoop in to grab her sister off the ground. “Remember, that little bit of human weakness I still have is the only reason you're still breathing... and that what I give, I can easily take back.”

“This isn't the last you'll see of us,” Rafaela growls.

“I wouldn't dare to dream,” Sabela smirks in response.

Then Rafaela is gone... just gone, as though she were never there in the first place.
>1/2
>>
>>3423306
Several seconds pass awkwardly, before Sabela's stomach makes what you could swear is a rumbling sound. She glances down at her belly.

“Sorry about all this,” she apologizes. “I should have known this was a trap from the beginning... but I can't help the wishful thinking that one day those two will come to their senses.”

“Please take good care of Laura.”

“What will you do?” you ask your mother, almost as though speaking to a normal person and not a seven-foot-tall being made up entirely of blade-like appendages.

“This region has a bandit problem,” she sighs. “Since I can't just not eat, that will have to do.”

“Now, please take Laura back to Scaithness with your other friends. I do not want them to see me... that conversation will be difficult enough without my reappearance, I suspect.”

“You're absolutely right,” you nod in agreement.

“Laura,” Sabela mutters, caressing her old friend's cheek. “I... had missed fighting by your side, and by Olivia's. Even under these circumstances, you warmed what remains of my human heart. Please, if you can do one thing for me? Die old, happy, and surrounded by friends.”

“I'll... consider it...” Laura replies weakly.

Sabela looks up at you and smiles. “We will meet again, my beloved daughter. I only hope the circumstances are better.”

Then she too is gone in an instant.
>2/3
>>
File: Dunscaith_Castle.jpg (133 KB, 640x479)
133 KB
133 KB JPG
>>3423331
The road to Scaithness is long and tiring. After suppressing your yōki your horns do disappear back into your skull, which is a good sign, but doing so leaves you so low on yōki that even just carrying your sword and limping along with Laura over your shoulder is a struggle.

Night falls quickly, and the air grows chilly.

You pass by the tower gate, a small outlying fortification just around a bend in the Loch beyond which lies your family's castle on a crag by the rocky shore. Any invading army would have to set any artillery around that bend to fire on the castle, and would have to get past the tower gate to do that. It's an almost perfect combination of natural contours and hard barriers, and can be manned by as few as ten soldiers.

The castle itself is mostly dark, with just a few torches atop the towers alight to mark the location of night guards. These days nobody is likely to attack, but your great-grandfather held this keep with just sixty men against a thousand during the wars of consolidation.

After tracking the obvious yōki you find Helen and the others set up with oil lamps in a stables behind the main row of apartments in Scaithness.

“What is this?” you ask.

Valentina shrugs. “Temporary accommodations. Innkeep says they're full, but I bet they just don't want us bleeding all over the place.”

“Where are the others?” Justina asks quietly.

You shake your head. “This is it.”

>See to Sabrina, Lucia, and Laura's wounds.
>This is bullshit. You need to find a place where they can recover in hygienic conditions.
>Technically ALL castles in Hazaran are yours, but this one will give you refuge now when you need it. And right now, your friends NEED a place to recover and reorganize.
>Other?
>>
>>3423358
>>Technically ALL castles in Hazaran are yours, but this one will give you refuge now when you need it. And right now, your friends NEED a place to recover and reorganize.
>>
>>3423358
>Technically ALL castles in Hazaran are yours, but this one will give you refuge now when you need it. And right now, your friends NEED a place to recover and reorganize.
We have STANDARDS.
>>
>>3423358
>>Technically ALL castles in Hazaran are yours, but this one will give you refuge now when you need it. And right now, your friends NEED a place to recover and reorganize.
>>
>>3423358
>>Technically ALL castles in Hazaran are yours, but this one will give you refuge now when you need it. And right now, your friends NEED a place to recover and reorganize.
Our friends are injured and they deserve a non-shitty non-drafty place with an actual hearth to warm up.
>>
>>3423358
Secondary vote:
>Demand to speak to the steward at the gatehouse
>Sneak into the castle and let your friends in
>Sneak your friends into the keep itself, avoid the guards entirely
>Other?
>>
>>3423566
>your family's castle
>Sneak into the castle and let your friends in
>>
>>3423566
>>Demand to speak to the steward at the gatehouse.
Can we ask instead of demand, at least at first
>>
>>3423566
>>Demand to speak to the steward at the gatehouse
>>
>>3423566
>Demand to speak to the steward at the gatehouse
>>
>>3423589
we're royalty and it's been a long day
>>
>>3423566
>>Demand to speak to the steward at the gatehouse
Yeah sure why not lol
>>
>>3423566
>>Demand to speak to the steward at the gatehouse
>>
Dear Sabela,

Noel could really use a hug and possibly a good cry. She's had better days.

Sincerely,
Anonymous
>>
>>3424369
She's bad at the whole mom thing anon.
>>
>>3424378
Hence the friendly reminder.

Also I think it's less neglect and more distancing herself to protect her daughter.
>>
>>3423566
>Sneak your friends into the keep itself, avoid the guards entirely
>>
>>3423566
>Sneak your friends into the keep itself, avoid the guards entirely
>>
>>3423358
Btw, since we're going to do an impromptu limb transplants, could we do the same for Serana?
>>
>>3423566
You sigh. “Let's get the wounded up and ready to move.”

When you return a minute later, having grabbed Alysheba by the reins and pulled her over towards the group, Helen confronts you.

“What are you doing?”

“You all deserve to rest someplace nicer than this,” you insist, not bothering to lower your voice, “and the wounded should be allowed to heal and recover somewhere clean. I know someplace that has room.”

Helen's demeanor relaxes somewhat. “Alright, lead the way Noel.”

Noel... not 'number seven'. You suppose you won't be called that anymore, not after this. Now you have only your names, all equal in your reliance on each other. As frustrating as it is to have been subjected to this, it's actually a somewhat liberating sensation.

You lead the group through the dim streets and out of town. To her credit Helen affords you significant leeway, up until the castle comes into clear view and it becomes obvious what you intend.

“Okay, again,” she repeats. “What are you doing?”

“Technically all the castles in Hazaran belong to me,” you explain, not stopping to do so. “This one has always been a personal favorite of mine, and it will suit our needs just fine.”

“Hang on!” Helen protests. “We can't just march into a castle and declare it ours!”

“I can,” you insist quietly. “And I will. And after I do, you'll all be welcome as my family.”

Helen is about to say something when Valentina places a hand on her shoulder and shakes her head.

“Let her, Helen.”

You take a few more steps further after everyone else stops, bringing you right to the square tower and gate that protect the end of the covered drawbridge. Two guards are on duty at the moment, with muskets shouldered.

“That's close enough!” one barks.
>1/2
>>
>>3424583
“By the authority of the royal house of Hazaran,” you call out in an authoritative tone, “I will speak with the steward here. What is his name?”

The guards both laugh. “The steward will not see you, witch, but you may have his name. It's Gaius Cornelius.”

Your eyes widen slightly in recognition. “Old Gaius? Master of the Household? Is his wife Dominica with him?”

No longer laughing, the guards exchange confused glances. “Master of the Household? How long has it been since you've seen old Gaius?”

“Not since I was twelve,” you admit. “It's been a while as I've been otherwise occupied, but I'm sure the old man and his wife would recognize me immediately.”

“What is this nonsense?” the first guard asks the other in a low voice. “I'll get the old man, maybe he'll know.”

“You do that,” the second nods in agreement. “I'll see to this.”

“We have wounded with us,” you reply as the first guard calls out and has the drawbridge lowered. “Might we at least cross the bridge while we wait?”

The man looks somewhat unnerved, put on the spot in fact. He can no doubt see that three of your number have been savagely wounded and are in desperate need of attention, and the fact that he's essentially keeping women out here in the cold night air when they should be seen to by a doctor clearly weighs on his conscience.

“Go,” he eventually decides. “But know that we'll keep a guard on you at all times.”

“I understand,” you nod, before waving to your companions.

“Take no action once across,” you warn them. “Unless you want to have more wounds to regenerate.”
>2/3
>>
>>3424596
As you file across the bridge and up a narrow ramp into the courtyard, you're aware of the activity all around you. The curtain walls are five feet thick in most places, rising to a height of around twelve feet, and the towers and lower defensive platforms are fitted with a total of ten breech-loaded bronze swivel guns. When you reach the courtyard you're aware that those swivel guns have been shifted from their usual mounts to aim down into the courtyard, at the eight warriors and the horse that have shown up unannounced in the night.

“What's all this racket!?” the voice of an elderly man barks out as Gaius limps out of his residence in his bedclothes, now leaning heavily on a finely-carved stave. “It's the middle of the blessed night! What have I told you lot about conducting exercises after...”

He just about falls over in shock when he sees your face. “By the wee little man...”

“Gaius what the blazes are you doing out here!?” Dominica shouts, now coming out to join him. “If you catch cold out here and die I won't be the one to...”

Then she sees you as well. “Blessed be...”

You wave awkwardly. "Hi Gaius, miss Dominica. Can my friends and I stay here for a while?"
>3/3
>will continue later
>>
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>>3424603
Pic related, to give you an idea of how Noel remembers the castle.
>>
Does this count as making a claim on the throne?
>>
>>3424654
Only if you're some kind of paranoid nutcase to whom anything and everything can be an attempt to seize power. There are also some within Hazaran who would assert that Noel is simply taking back what should be hers by right, and that certain paranoid nutjobs should just be happy she hasn't sliced them in two.
>>
>>3424603
>You wave awkwardly
Awwww. I adore how normal Noel's last line is, and yay reunions and less secrets among warriors
>>
>>3424671
Is it me or is Gaius and Dominica have heavier Scottish Accents?
>>
Less warriors to share in the secrets too. That are down to, what, 5? 5 and a half?

I want to make sure we find out how everyone really feels about this too. Some of them might unreasonably, but understandably, resent Noel for this outcome due to her hiding things or what have you.

Don't want anyone feeling stuck with us. Just be sure we also don't sound like they're suspicious or unwanted.
>>
>>3424732
>That are down to, what, 5? 5 and a half?
Hmmm, with the extra parts Noel pick up, I'd say we have enough for 6 and a quarter.
>>
>>3424732
>>3425106
The operation began with 12 warriors, and we left with 5 half-Awakened including Noel and the already-armless Serana, the former number 2 that is currently arm and legless, one rookie that is legless, and Sabrina who's armless.

We have an arm and a leg tucked into the back of our sword belt.
So...like 7 and three quarters maybe?
>>
>>3425158
Depends on how we add or subtract the limbs, we could end up with leftovers. Might have to carry one or two more over.
>>
>>3425158
Don't forget the horse. Says here there's a horse
> eight warriors and the horse
>>
>>3424603
After you manage to convince them to stop embracing you, you gesture to the house. “We need to get in there. I assume you have the keys?”

Gaius nods emphatically. “That I do, ma'am. That I do.”

“Then go quickly,” you insist, gesturing to your companions. “Gaius will lead you to the main hall, I'll meet you there in a moment.”

Then you turn to Dominica. “Dominica, I need you to fetch the clothes-drying poles and some spare linens, at least three topsheets. Preferably not white, there may be some blood that gets on them.”

“Right, miss Noel,” she agrees, heading back for the couple's own abode. “I'll have it all for you right quick.”

“And you rubber-necks,” you snap, turning to several of the contingent of guards. “One of you help lady Dominica with her task. One of you take my horse to the stables and have him fed and watered. The rest of you return those guns to their mounts and raise the drawbridge. I want a double guard for the rest of the night, regular patrols.”

“Understood?”

“And who are you to order my men around?” the man who upon closer inspection is obviously the garrison commander.

“The only one in the world with the right,” you reply sternly, “commander.”

>Follow me inside, we'll talk more there.
>I am Noel Tiberius di Hazaran, rightful inheritor of the realm of Hazaran.
>My name is Noel. I was once the beloved princess of this nation.
>Other?
>>
>>3425330
>>Follow me inside, we'll talk more there.
>>
>>3425330
>>Follow me inside, we'll talk more there.
>>
>>3425330
>>My name is Noel. I was once the beloved princess of this nation.
>>
>>3425330
>Follow me inside, we'll talk more there.
Given how gaius and Dominica were acting, you would have thought the garrison commander would have made the connection
>>
>>3425330
>After you manage to convince them to stop embracing you, you gesture to the house.
...they hugged a witch. They had the balls to hug a witch.
I mean, in their mind it was their long-lost beloved Princess Noel, but still.
And the commander still questioned her identity? Take a hint, man.
>Follow me inside, we'll talk more there.
>>
>>3425330
>Follow me inside, we'll talk more there.
>>
>>3425330
>Other?
Have him meet with Gaius and Dominica, with us present let there be a small meeting.
Tell him That will be made very clear to you in a moment when Gaius and Dominic and I speak to you more privately.

Guys, what if this commander is loyal to the current King? How do we keep this all hush hush?
>>
>>3425330
>Follow me inside, we'll talk more there.
>>
>>3425440
>Guys, what if this commander is loyal to the current King? How do we keep this all hush hush?

Well, the King already knows we're still alive. And we have several rogue warriors with us. My main concern would probably be the vulnerable humans, if the King calls the Org on us.
If the Org starts hunting, we could possibly relocate them near Sabela's territory?
idk, I'm not that concerned atm.
>>
>>3425330
>My name is Noel. I was once the beloved princess of this nation.
>>
>>3425330
>>Follow me inside, we'll talk more there.
>>
>>3425330
>>Follow me inside, we'll talk more there.
>>
>>3425350
>>3425352
>>3425373
>>3425432
>>3425452
>>3425556
>>3425930

Why exactly would he be willing to go inside with us?
>>
>>3425956
because that's where his charges are? Gaius is happily leading us in; why would he choose to not enter too?
>>
>>3425158
>We have an arm and a leg tucked into the back of our sword belt.

So, do we need to get those attached right away? They wouldn't stay useful long once they are detached, or so I would think.

We are going to have to cut them open again, probably, as is due to how fast even offensive types stop bleeding and scar over.

Assuming they are proper warriors anyway. The conditioning that follows the implantation process is where they make sure that the procedure worked and the desirable/useful yoma traits such as healing response are properly expressed and that the young claymore candidate doesn't turn into a ball of tumors or destroy itself when the different organ systems can't reach equilibrium.

Some of the less than successful hybrids are still reared and released into service as sub-par warriors and ticking time bombs if their defects aren't immediately life threatening. They just lack certain abilities typical to normal claymores. Poor Clarice
>>
>>3426068
Bleeding stops very quickly, but regeneration takes a bit longer for most hybrid warriors. Had Elena offered Clare her arm within about twenty-four hours there wouldn't have been much problem just slapping it on. But about... I wanna say three days later? The stump had started to heal.

Since Noel was only eyeballing, she'll have to shave some bits off the new limbs to fit them properly, but she shouldn't have to re-wound Sabrina and Lucia so long as she takes care of it before morning.
>>
File: Crowned One.png (1.47 MB, 1100x1552)
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Heya, lookie what I found.

Noel fans might enjoy this so have a gander.
>>
>>3426700
Noel is 11/10. However blue board my dude. Those nips might get you temp banned
>>
>>3426700
>>
>>3426715
Shoot, you're right. Too late to delete it now too.

Well, was nice knowing you guys.

I'm working on an amateur touch up version to be blue board safe, I'll post it later if I'm not banned.
>>
File: Crowned One edit.png (1.85 MB, 1100x1552)
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>>3426700
So if everyone could just kindly hide this post and forgive the fact that I forgot I'm not on akun and civilized people post here, I would be most appreciative.

Here is my blasphemous edit of a piece of art I am unworthy to touch. Now please excuse me while I go commit sudoku for my various transgressions.
>>
>>3426856
not a bad edit, but i don't think you have to worry to much about that first post, i would say it is very close to the line, but it doesn't cross it
if barely
you should be good, there is worse that has been posted here and 5 hours would be enough for a reaction
>>
>>3425330
>My name is Noel. I was once the beloved princess of this nation.
>>
>>3426870
Hope you are right.

I was just really eager to share the image. The eyes on CSRs Arthoria look even more yoma-like than the other image. The horns look cooler too, but that's just my opinion.
>>
>>3425330
>will update after eating, so give it a few hours
>>
>>3425330
You wave to the man, gesturing towards the house. “Follow me, I'll explain everything indoors.”

After taking a few steps, you glance over your shoulder to find that he's not following. “Come on I have too many things to take care of to waste any time waiting on you. Either you follow me or you don't get an explanation.”

This time he reluctantly follows you into the front entry hall of the keep, and around the corner into the outer reception room. The floor is fine hardwood, and there are round tables and comfortable chairs arranged around the room in groups. Artwork hangs from the walls... but none of those things are particularly flashy. Really, the finery comes from the quality of the craftsmanship and the value of the raw materials.

And of course, no gold to be seen... your father wouldn't allow such gaudiness.

“I've brought what you asked!” Dominica charges in after you, carrying the sheets while the soldier you ordered after her carries the poles. “Here!”

The soldier hands you the poles, and you immediately snap one in the middle. Were you human that would be an impressive display of strength.

Then you wave to Dominica. “Here, pass me a sheet.”

“I see what you're doing,” Valentina nods taking another of the poles and snapping it.

With a sheet wrapped several times around the two poles, set a few feet apart, you've made improvised litters. And by propping them up with the ends on some of the chair cushions you've created something to lay your fellow warriors down on that will be as comfortable as possible.

Soon Lucia, Sabrina, and Laura are all situated on those litters, and you carefully retrieve several leftover chunks of yōki suppressing pills. These you hand to Helen.

“I trust you understand what I'm thinking here?” you ask her.

She nods. “I think so.”

“Be sure to inform Lucia that this leg belonged to Emma,” you suggest. “If she refuses it, please call me and I'll try to talk some sense into her.”

“You'll be dealing with the locals I take it?” she responds.

You nod. “Yeah, this is my problem to straighten out. But don't worry, it won't be a problem for much longer.”

Then you wave to the officer again. “This way.”
>1/2
>>
>>3427414
You lead him to the adjacent room, the formal dining room where there is a throne at the head of the table. You eye that throne for a moment... you can practically see your father still sitting there, and the seat next to it one small step slightly lower is...

Without offering an explanation you lay your sword out on the table, and sit where you would have many years ago.

“How dare...” the commander begins, but you raise your hand.

“Spare me,” you sigh, leaning forward wearily. “What is the status of your garrison?”

“I'll repeat my question,” he scowls. “Who are you to...”

“Is there anything else we can do to help?” Gaius asks eagerly, limping into the room.

“Why are you so eager to serve this... girl?” the garrison presses him.

“Because this is her castle,” Gaius shrugs. “It was her father's before her, and his father's before him.”

“Thank you Gaius,” you nod to him. “If you would be so kind as to have a solider draw some water and heat it for the baths? My friends will be eager to wash up. And leave a bucket or two for the wounded downstairs.”

“Understood,” Gaius bows his head. “I'll see to it right away.”

“And if you could also ask Dominica to prepare a small meal,” you add. “And I mean small, most of our warriors have the appetite of birds.”

“Who is she!?” the commander demands.

“Noel Tiberius di Hazaran,” you inform him. “Princess by birthright and heiress apparent to the realm of Hazaran and all her holdings.”

After a moment of awkward silence the commander shakes his head. “Bullshit.”

>Point out that Gaius and Dominica recognized you immediately.
>Call in Dominica, ask her how she recognized you so quickly.
>Say something that only the Princess would know.
>Other?
>>
>>3427453
>Say something only the princess would know
>>
>>3427453
>>Point out that Gaius and Dominica recognized you immediately.
You know what?
>>Call in Dominica, ask her how she recognized you so quickly.
>>Say something that only the Princess would know.
>>
>>3427453
>Say something that only the Princess would know.
>>
>>3427453
>Say something that only the Princess would know.
>>
>>3427453
>>Say something that only the Princess would know.
>>
>>3427453
>>Point out that Gaius and Dominica recognized you immediately.
and for confirmation, when when he is struggeling
>Say something that only the Princess would know.
>>
>>3427453
>Point out that Gaius and Dominica recognized you immediately.
The fact that the family retainer recognises us should be sufficient. The garrison commander is really not putting on a good showing here. I want to see how much of a hole he is willing to dig.
Perhaps he'll call Gaius senile?
>>
>>3427453
>>Call in Dominica, ask her how she recognized you so quickly.
>>
>>3427453
>Call in Dominica, ask her how she recognized you so quickly.
>>
>>3427453
>>Say something that only the Princess would know.
>>
>>3427453
>>Call in Dominica, ask her how she recognized you so quickly.
>>
>>3427453
>Call in Dominica, ask her how she recognized you so quickly.
>Say something that only the Princess would know.
>>
>>3427453
>>Point out that Gaius and Dominica recognized you immediately.
>Say something that only the Princess would know.
>Were would a Princess nearly disemboweled by the spear of a traitor run too if not the Organization? The one entity unable to be touched by kings and men, and always searching for more young girls to recruit?
>>
>>3427453
You nod silently, having anticipated his refusal to take what you're saying at face value. So you already have a means lined up by which you intend to convince him.

“You've probably had Gaius or Dominica tell you stories about this place, right?” you ask. “They probably showed you around?”

The man nods. “Of course. They always show officers around when they're first assigned here. For the most part we tend to just politely listen.”

“Then go and ask either one of them about this story,” you narrow your eyes, staring straight into them. “One summer, when I was twelve, father and I came up here with only a minimum retinue. I spent the day out riding my pony, Alysheba, and came in when I heard the six o'clock bang. When Dominica saw me she was already in a rush, and insisted that I couldn't sit down to dinner with my riding boots still on.”

“So naturally, being twelve, the solution was simple, and poor Dominica was mortified when I walked into this very dining room in my bare feet. Now, naturally she began apologizing profusely to father, whose own response was to simply toss his own shoes over his shoulder leaving Dominica quite speechless.”

“See, my father was never one to be left out of a good tease, and so the moment he saw me walk in he kicked off his shoes, and was just waiting for the right moment. I don't think Dominica ever let either of us sit down to dinner without checking our footwear first ever again.”

“Of course her vigilance was not required much longer. Three months later my father was stabbed to death by Lieutenant Gregory Schiffer of the Palace Guard, and I was myself impaled with a spear by one of the sergeants at arms and thrown from a window.”

The man is silent for several moments, during which time you rise to your feet.

“I trust you won't mind if I check these details?” he asks.

You shrug. “It's your time to waste. But by all means, be thorough. I'll be in the reception room seeing to my wounded friends. So be certain to knock first.”

>See to Laura first. She lost the largest number of limbs.
>See to Sabrina. She was in the weakest condition of the three.
>See to Lucia. Her worst wounds you cannot see from outside.
>Other?
>>
>>3427922
> Laura
>>
>>3427922
>See to Sabrina. She was in the weakest condition of the three.
>>
>>3427922
>See to Laura first. She lost the largest number of limbs.
>>
>>3427922
>See to Lucia. Her worst wounds you cannot see from outside.
>>
>>3427922
>See to Sabrina. She was in the weakest condition of the three.
>>
>>3427922
>>See to Sabrina. She was in the weakest condition of the three.
>>
>>3427922
>>See to Sabrina. She was in the weakest condition of the three.
>>
>>3427922
>See to Sabrina. She was in the weakest condition of the three.
Will donating yoki help them?
>>
>>3427922
>>See to Sabrina. She was in the weakest condition of the three.
>>
>>3427922
>See to Sabrina. She was in the weakest condition of the three.
>>
>>3427922
>See to Sabrina. She was in the weakest condition of the three.
>>
Rolled 3, 2, 5, 7 = 17 (4d10)

>>3427922
>>
>>3429953
oh come on Queen. Even your dice is piss poor. this thread is cursed I tell ya.
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 10 = 21 (3d10)

>>3430007
Cursed my orange-scented shampoo.
>>
>>3430042
...and there goes the good dice. you rolled good dice when Queen didn't ask for dice.
>>
>>3430051
>>3430042
Played like a damn fiddle
>>
>>3429953
You go first to Sabrina, who was the first of the three to go down, to check on her condition.

“She's lost consciousness,” Helen informs you. “But thanks to the yōki suppression pills she was able to attach that new arm.”

You quickly check the spot where Sabrina's arm meets Greta's, and find that despite the slight difference in size between the two of them the fit was close enough that Sabrina probably won't suffer too much for it. She's going to have to work on retraining once she regains consciousness, but that should not be too difficult for someone of her rank.

“That's good,” you nod approvingly. “I'm glad, it seems like she'll recover.”

“This is all a bit difficult to take in,” Helen admits quietly. “I mean first you're related to Sabela somehow, then you waltz into a castle and everyone recognizes you? Just who the hell are you?”

You sigh quietly. “I had wanted to inform you all at once if possible... but I am the daughter of King Tiberius of Hazaran by the abyssal one Sabela. Some of our number know parts of that truth, but only one who knows the whole truth is Serana... partly because it came up while we were on a mission together.”

“And you never mentioned it because you were concerned about what the response would be.”

You nod quietly. “I would appreciate if you would keep that to yourself for the time being. You are the only one who heard what Sabela said... I will bring it up again when Sabrina and Lucia have recovered, because we're not in a position where we can afford to keep secrets anymore.”

Helen seems to consider your tone for a few moments before patting you lightly on the shoulder. “I'm not one to criticize about keeping secrets, of course. I will also let our new comrades know about our shared peculiarities at that time.”

“Do you know how Lucia is doing?” you ask.

She shakes her head sadly. “Apparently not well.”

“Not comfortable accepting Emma's limb?” you guess.

“Precisely.”

>Go speak with Lucia, argue about what you think Emma would want her to do.
>Go talk to Lucia about your Emma, and ask her about HER Emma in turn.
>Let Lucia rest a bit more, check on Laura's progress.
>Other?
>>
>>3430074
>Go talk to Lucia about your Emma, and ask her about HER Emma in turn.
Before they realize our birthright (as Princess and daughter of an Abyssal One) cement in her mind that we are her comrade and peer.
>>
>>3430074
>>Go talk to Lucia about your Emma, and ask her about HER Emma in turn.
>>
>>3430074
>Go talk to Lucia about your Emma, and ask her about HER Emma in turn.
>>
>>3430074
>Go talk to Lucia about your Emma, and ask her about HER Emma in turn.
Compare and contrast our Emmas!
>>
>>3430102
Begun, the Emma wars have...
>>
>>3430074
>Go talk to Lucia about your Emma, and ask her about HER Emma in turn.
>>
>>3430074
>>Go talk to Lucia about your Emma, and ask her about HER Emma in turn.
>>
>>3430074
>>Go talk to Lucia about your Emma, and ask her about HER Emma in turn.
>>
>>3430074
>Go talk to Lucia about your Emma, and ask her about HER Emma in turn.
>>
>>3430074
>3d10, best of four
>>
Rolled 5, 10, 4 = 19 (3d10)

>>3430466
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 5 = 13 (3d10)

>>3430466
>>
Rolled 3, 9, 1 = 13 (3d10)

>>3430466
>>
Rolled 1, 3, 9 = 13 (3d10)

>>3430466
>>
>>3430490
>>3430497
>>3430504
This thread is fucking cursed I tell ya.
>>3430476
fukkin saved.
>>
>>3430490
>>3430497
>>3430504
That's a triple, so.. w-we get double the number or something! h-horaay 26! R-right?!
>>
>>3430521
>>
>>3430466
Lucia seems like she's alone, even with Helen and Valentina still in the room.

The latter shakes her head as you pass. “She's not taking it well.”

“I'll be gentle,” you assure her.

Valentina offers you a tired smile. “I know. Good luck.”

You take the last few steps over to join Lucia, and sit in a chair next to her litter. “You in much pain, Lucia?”

She simply shakes her head.

Sighing, you continue to try and engage her. “You knew Emma well, didn't you?”

Not the most tactful, but at least it gets a verbal response. “I did.”

“I didn't,” you admit. “To my loss, I feel. Can you tell me about her?”

“What's there to tell?” she sighs. “She was alive, she became a warrior, she died.”

“I don't think you believe that,” you reply calmly. “You were in the same class together with Galeria?”

Lucia nods. “She was the one who always worried about us, doubly so after the procedure, when she found out how many of us died. I sorta became the class clown to try and keep her from worrying quite so much.”

“If I could get her to laugh, it'd take her mind off other things.”

“Did you go on any missions together?” you ask.

Lucia shakes her head. “We'd only been on a few close to Lavinia, and always solo. She was so excited to get to go on a mission with so many other warriors, including me and Galeria.”

“It's not fair. She should have been the one to live.”
>1/2
>>
>>3430708
“There was a girl in my class named Emma,” you tell Lucia. “There were five warriors in our cell. Whenever one died, the survivors would comfort each other... until it was just the two of us. We helped each other through the worst of it, bonded tightly. I loved her like a sister, and she me.”

After a moment, Lucia asks you what happened to her.

You sigh. “She became a single-digit, and led a hunt. I was on that team.”

“The target killed two of our warriors, it was much stronger than we were warned to expect. So Emma and I launched a desperate joint attack... I took the side I expected to be the most dangerous.”

“She... died, didn't she?”

You nod. “I expected it to be me, but the awakened being had one last trick up its sleeve. Attacked us both at the same time. We killed it, but at a cost. I recovered from my wound. Emma did not.”

“When I buried her, I buried a part of myself with her... but I also took a part of her with me in its place.”

Lucia frowns. “How do you mean?”

“In the literal sense,” you explain, drawing your sword and showing her the crossguard, “I exchanged my crossguard with hers. Later I added material from an awakened being's sword to repair it. But I also mean that my memories of Emma, and my love for her, are something I've held onto for all these years.”

“Those I treasure more than the sword.”

“We barely had time to make any memories,” Lucia sighs, turning away. “You're asking me to take the leg you hacked off of her. How could I accept that?”
>3d10, best of four
>write-ins will be considered
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 1 = 10 (3d10)

>>3430743
>>
Rolled 8, 8, 7 = 23 (3d10)

>>3430743
>>
Rolled 7, 7, 8 = 22 (3d10)

>>3430743
>>
Rolled 9, 2, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>3430743
>>
>>3430743
>"Were your positions reversed, and she had the opportunity to get back on two feet and live a long and fruitful life, would you wish that she reject the offered limb?"
>"I can't say I knew her well, but if she cared about you half as much as you do about her, I bet she would say to take advantage of her sacrifice so that you could repay it twice over by staying alive and avenging her."
>>
>>3430743
“The Emma I knew would smack me over the head and call me an idiot,” you chuckle grimly. “If I refused to use something she left for me, that is.”

“She sounds like a fine warrior,” Lucia tells you, slowly shutting her eyes. “And a good person.”

Tears obviously collect at the corners of her eyes, trailing slowly down her cheeks even with her eyes closed. Her voice however remains calm and clear.

“I'll... need your help matching the ends, miss Noel. Do you mind?”

You place your hand on her shoulder. “Of course I'll help. That's why I'm here, Lucia.”

“Thank you.”
>to be continued tomorrow
>>
Rolled 3, 4, 9 = 16 (3d10)

>>3430743
>Point to her stigma and ask how did she accept something that was not even hers in the first place. The power you use to fight and survive, that limb is just another way of carrying on living.
>"Were I the one to fall that day, I would have wanted Emma to keep on living, even if it meant tearing what was left of my body to pieces and taking those pieces with her."
>>
>>3430796
the 'awwww' that just left me was incredibly high-pitched

yay
>>
I'm wondering if Sabela is ever even going to get the chance to try to be a decent mother.

I figured Noel would be at a pretty low point right now and really need someone to support her, but she seems to have risen to the occasion and has things pretty well in hand.
>>
>>3433355
At this rate, probably not. She's largely given up on the idea of being a parent in the conventional sense, though that doesn't preclude involving herself in her now-grown daughter's life. It just means she'll be circumspect about it.
>>
>>3436102
I guess the question is: what does Sabela feel for Noel anymore, what does she want for her, and what is she willing to do about it?

random series of decidedly less pertinent and shamelessly self-indulgent questions ahead.


What is she going to give Noel for her next birthday?

If Alysheba could be cooperative, would she like to just go riding together with Noel for an afternoon? Maybe have a picni--err . . . maybe not.

Does she hope, against all odds and innumerable difficulties, to one day attend her daughter's wedding? She can dream, right?
>>
>>3436297
Daily reminder that Sabela eats people and isn't best mom at all.
>>
>>3436320
you can only say, yes

at least she is trying her best version of sanity
>>
>>3436320
That's not really fair. Diet does not temperament make. It's not her fault she has to eat humans. You don't blame a lion for having to eat zebras. Sure the zebras aren't happy about it but the lion didn't make the choice to have to eat zebras to survive.

Besides, Sabela has been a fine mother by staying away and letting Noel have a semi-normal warrior life instead of kidnapping Noel to be with her public enemy number 1 mother. She's doing her best. And compared to 90% of her "kin" she's metric fuckloads better.

y u bully ol mom-chan so hard she luv her daughteru
>>
>>3436768
Hell, like that lion who ate a poacher and stole his hat showed us, sometimes we actually *root for* the lion.
>>
>>3436768
This is not a matter of fault or choice. As long as she eats humans she has to be purged.
>>
>>3437045
Except she's only eating bandits and shit.
That's a good thing, and don't pretend it isn't.
>>
>>3437045
Even if doing so ultimately brings harm to far more human lives? By that logic, shouldn't you purge yourself?

There's no shortage of monsters in this setting, how about focusing on the actually malicious ones over the one that is keeping a bunch of far worse monsters in check?

Assuming things are cut and dry and simple doesn't absolve you of culpability when your good intentions go awry.

Also, stop cyber bullying and oppressing my sympathy for a man eating force of nature. She is a good girl.
>>
>>3437060
And what will happen when she runs out of bandits? Or if there's no bandits close by when she gets hungry?

>>3438090
She does keep other Abyssals in check, so she must be purged last, but still.
Also, making your peepee hard is not a moral justification.
>>
>>3438813
>what will happen if she runs out of evil humans to eat
And what will happen if a unicorn flies out of my asshole?
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>>3438958
Depends on the size of the unicorn.
Now you can answer the original question.
>>
>>3438976
>now you can answer the original question
boy you're the big dumb
>>
>>3438978
Ask stupid question, get stupid answer.
>>
>>3438958
Silly anon, just ‘coz she’s a milf doesn’t mean she’s a saint
>>
>>3438813
AB can go weeks without eating. Most binge eat because they’re amoral hedonists. Her eating bandits is pretty sustainable.
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>>3438813
I'm mad and I resent the implication that I harbor any bias due to carnal urges towards Sabela. Psych.

I'm not convinced you have any compelling point to make. You seem to just enjoy rhetoric. But what the hell, I'll bite. Why is it good idea to purge Sabela?

For the record: nobody knows what would happen in the unlikely event the supply of bandits dries up. Just like how nobody knows for sure just how much awakened actually need to eat or if they can only live off humans or what.
>>
>>3439157
At least Sabela definitely thinks she can only live off humans.
>>
>>3439183
The compulsion to do so is quite strong, regardless of the biology. That much is plain to see.
>>
>>3439146
The other tactic would be to play the part of a lone woman in distress on the road and eat anyone who tries to rape her.

A rude surprise for someone who may not have committed a crime yet but who got caught trying their damnedest.
>>
Rolled 25, 79, 17 = 121 (3d100)

I roll to seduce Sabela. Best of three.
>>
>>3439387
DC of 101
>>
>>3439387
Anon pls
>>
>>3439391
>>3439490
Well, at the very least, I entertained her.
>>
>>3439375
What would she do with those who wants to help her instead?
What if there's not enough rapists in the area to meet one within a week?
>>
>>3439543
I'll cut right to it, if it's between starving and eating some poor schmuck who's done nothing wrong she'll eat and just not be happy about it. But going a week or two between meals means even just one batch of bandits can last a long time, especially if she takes the time to make jerky. So it's very rare that she has to eat someone who hasn't earned it.

She draws a hard line at eating children though and would prefer to starve.
>>
>>3439543
They can go years without eating if they don't have to be particularly active.
>>
>>3438958
You fucking retard, unicorns can't fly. If a unicorn galloped or trotted out of your asshole though.
>>
>>3440053
Is there ever an instance of them ever starving in canon though? They seemed to not even need to eat to stay powerful. Priscilla goes on a years long fast and goes right back to being terrifying as soon as she finds what she's looking for.

She shrinks a bit during the interim, possibly to save energy, possibly some other function we can only guess at.

Lucky had balls of steel keeping her around, given he knew what he was doing.
>>
Sabellas shit
>>
>>3440053
What about a parent like a single dad with a child who is solely dependent on the parent for survival?
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>>3441393
And what if the dad had to take up banditry in order to feed them both and survive?
>>
>>3441394
What if he was also raping that child?

Why bother with "what-ifs" when they could be literally any scenario. If he's being a bandit, he's being a bandit. There is no point in worrying about hypothetical scenarios.
>>
>>3441444
Why bother with posting irrelevent responses to other peoples questions on a Indian poop basket weaving form on a make believe fantasy role playing board?

I'll ask because its fun, you go worry about butt unicorns instead.
>>
>>3441530
>Why bother with posting irrelevent ... questions

Shots fired.

Hey, butthole emerging unicorns is a serious problem in Wales.
>>
>>3441623
You may not like other peoples asking them, but its all part of the fun, hell some of the "observers" even made a mini nature documentary featuring Sabela because shes a interesting and fun character.

>butthole emerging unicorns is a serious problem in Wales.
I hear thar be dragons coming outta the other hole.

Problem would be solved overnight if they could stop shagging sheep like a buncha sheep shaggers.
>>
>>3441648
You're comparing apples and oranges there buddy.

For a second there I was worried you were gonna say shagging sheep like a bunch of goat fuckers. Now that'd be a problem.



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