>>3871077
>from previous thread

“I have a question actually. Do you have any bomb runes you could spare, or pack animals, donkeys maybe?” Henry asked.

“Yeah we have bomb runes for defensive purposes, and a couple donkeys we could part with, specially now with supplies a bit lower than we started out with.” Thomas said, running his hand through his beard. What’re you thinking?”

“I’m thinking we load them up with bomb runes and one of my mages try to control them and throw them at the ooze. If we could load them up with shrapnel it’d be even better. Metal shavings or small pieces of bits and bobs.”

“Smart, wouldn’t work more than once I’d wager, but smart. I got something a bit stronger than bomb runes we could offer, detonation runes, used for mining. The things pack a hell of a wallop but are much pricier.” Thomas said. “Yeah I’d need you to offer up about thirty five silver to cover the costs of the donkey, the supplies, and the two detonation runes.”

“Let me think about it. By the way have you seen a flight mage around, her name is Alice.”

“Yeah we were hoping she was one of yours. She’s been hiding in the cloud cover all day, no idea how the hell she’s managing to stay on target up there, we’re wondering if you have some sort of equipment for it. Some of the boys said that she should be pretty uncomfortable flying at that altitude and speed what with the wind.”

“Trade secret.” Henry said plainly.

>>3871080
Henry thought for a moment and then somewhat reluctantly handed over thirty silver coins. Thomas swiftly counted them, quickly realizing that he hadn’t been paid what he’d asked.

“I’m only paying thirty, take or leave.” Henry said.

“Fine, fine. I suppose things can get lost.” Thomas said, noticeably pocketing several of the coins and placing the rest into a small leather bag with the cult of progress’ gear logo on it. He whistled over a few of his workers and had them hand over to Henry a couple of large and heavy detonation runes.

>-30 silver coins

Henry had never had anything like them before, and he could hear Larry whistle behind him. The things were the size of watermelons and intricately carved. Henry shuddered to think what would happen if he let them fall into Ophelia’s hands. He’d probably have a lot fewer worries, on account of his likely death.

Henry let his group rest for around ten minutes before speaking up. Charles had to prod Ophelia repeatedly, as the woman had been gazing at slime samples in her test tubes and scribbling notes.

“Right, we’re going to be strapping these to a donkey and sending it at the slimes. I figure they’ll eat it and then we set the charges off. From what I gather these things are going to be very fucking loud. So we should probably stay outside when setting them off.” Henry said.

“Yes, loud noises in an enclosed space are not good for the eardrums.” Ophelia concurred.

“I wanna see them blow up.” Larry said.

“It’s your head, if you catch a stray piece of stone from the blast.” Xavier opined.

Henry and Charles got to work as soon as the mule arrived, quickly tying the detonation runes to the poor creature. Rosa glanced at it occasionally. Larry explained it was for a good cause while Ophelia simply said it was a stupid animal and that Rosa shouldn’t trouble herself. Larry glared at Ophelia for a bit until she shied away.
Decisions:
1. *have Ophelia attempt to control the mule and guide it down*
2. *call Alice down and see if she can do it, she’s less likely to get distracted you figure.*
3. *try to get the mule to listen using more physical approaches*
4. (write in)

>>3871124
>1. *have Ophelia attempt to control the mule and guide it down*
Poor mule, I feel bad for it.

>>3871124
this >>3871230 but also observe how the slimes behave towards the prey and how they kill it

>>3871230
>>3871572
roll 2d100 (first roll for ophelia, 2nd for observation)

Rolled 55, 18 = 73 (2d100)

>>3872563

Rolled 43, 58 = 101 (2d100)

>>3872563

Rolled 45, 45 = 90 (2d100)

>>3872563

Rolled 9, 8 = 17 (2d100)

>>3872563

>>3873098
>>3873137
>>3873017
>>3872631
55,58 are the rolls, both pass. Will be writing tonight, additional details posted in discord

>>3873483
writing

>>3871124
“Ophelia, try to hijack the donkey, you can do that correct?”

“Probably? I’ve never hijacked such a large animal before.” Ophelia said.

“Hijack?” Charles asked.

“Take control of another living thing, animal’s souls are far simpler than humans so they’re far easier to take over. I’ve heard that some people can even take over bird and fly them around. It’s similar to what Ophelia does when using the owl statue. But generally the control of the animal only lasts for a set amount of time. The other good thing is that it’s not a direct control. If it were direct, you could risk death if the host died.” Henry said. “Direct methods of control give you far better… well, control of the being you’re controlling.”

“So she’s just doing a hijack of the donkey then? I guess it wouldn’t go in there on its own.”

“Yeah, most living things try to avoid throwing themselves into harm’s way.” Rosa said.

“It’s a shame but it needs to be done, a small sacrifice for the commons.” Xavier said.

“I didn’t take you for a religious man.” Rosa said. “Especially wearing that hood around… or er… I apologize.”

“No harm done, I understand your disbelief.” Xavier replied.

“Ey boss, I had a look inside!” Larry said. “The mage slime is trying to cast some sort of green mana spell, don’t know what its trying to accomplish.”

“No idea, I don’t know green mana sorcery well.” Henry said.

“Maybe it’s trying a regeneration spell?” Rosa offered. “I’ve seen pagan healing methods, perhaps it’s going to try and heal some of the less damaged ooze?”

“That would be a big fucking problem. How’s it coming along Ophelia?” Henry asked.

The reply was in the form of the donkey honking as Ophelia went limp. Henry sighed, of course she had, she hadn’t even bothered using a circle to mitigate the effects. The woman would probably end up sick after doing it that way.

“Alright Ophelia, have at it.” Henry said.

>roll 1d100

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>3874623
>>roll 1d100
We probably need to inform the researcher that the mage slime is CURRENTLY casting green magic. See if he wants to observe.

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>3874623

>>3874623
Yay! EXPLOSIONS! I'm so happy we're using my plan.

Pity about the mage slime probably not surviving, but there's still the Queen Slime anyways.

>>3874630
>>3874725
>>3874727
writin

>>3874623
Everyone watched as the donkey slowly waddled its way over towards the cave entrance and then descended inside. Larry went to look but was quickly pulled back to safety by Rosa and Henry. Xavier mumbled something about idiots and knives. Rosa explained that it was their job to prevent idiots from stabbing themselves with knives. Larry mumbled about wanting to see the explosion.

“So aren’t all the slimes going to die?” Charles asked. “Didn’t Thomas want the mage slime alive? Isn’t that our job?”

“Our job is staying alive, Charles.” Henry explained. “If our employers have a problem with that then they can fuck right off. I’m not going to do something that fucking stupid with no equipment, no plan, and little incentive.”

“Oh. Won’t that make him angry?” Charles asked.

“Charles, I honestly don’t give a shit if Thomas gets his pants in a twist over thi-“

BOOOOOM

The ground shook for a moment while Henry clamped his hands over his ears and fell onto his back. As he regained his focus he realized that the rest of his group had done much the same. There was smoke emanating from the entrance while A couple cultists were rushing over trying to figure out what happened. Thomas emerged and explained to them what had happened while casting looks at Henry.

“The slimes are all dead.” Xavier explained. “Probably just the queen left.”

>All slimes dead, only the queen remains.”
>Ophelia gains dizzy status, unable to take actions requiring hand eye coordination and takes penalty on movement and spellcasting actions

>>3877401
Henry stood himself up and rubbed his temples, his headache was massive and excruciating. He stumbled over to the cave entrance and immediately gagged from the fumes. The combination of dust and slime guts was horrific, even for him. He glanced at Xavier and noticed the vampire’s eyes were watering. Lucky bastard didn’t have a functioning nose, it seemed. Henry coughed and gagged as he stepped away from the entrance. A couple progress cultists wandered over and immediately turned tail the second the fumes hit them. It took a solid thirty minutes for the dust to settle enough that it was breathable.

Rosa took the time to make sure Henry wasn’t suffering from any poison while Xavier did his best to convince her he was fine. Ophelia wrote notes describing the sensation of watching your body explode into gore all while trying to remain sitting upright. While Larry ran his finger along his sword, complaining he hadn’t gotten to do anything more than chuck a bunch of bomb runes and play with spears. Charles mumbled something than pretended he’d said nothing when Larry asked.

Charles glanced around and asked Henry what the cult of progress was still doing out here now that they’d thinned the horde. Henry explained that they were getting paid to risk their lives so they wouldn’t have to. Charles didn’t seem to be satisfied with that explanation but it was a problem for another day.

Henry didn’t really have time to relax, as a couple cultists claimed they heard movement from the pit. The queen had emerged.

Decisions:
1. *prepare a battle plan* (write in)
2. *call Alice down to lend support*
3. *throw a lot of fucking bomb runes*
4. (write in)

>>3877407
>1. *prepare a battle plan* (write in)
>2. *call Alice down to lend support*
Now is the time FOR THE SPELL
THE DUAL CASTING SPELL, also the hand balastie

>>3877423
>>3877407
We should use the hand ballistae to herd the queen to an area we can trap her in.

I wanna get Ophelia to try to mind meld her once the Queen is worn down and exhausted.

Additionally, we should pepper her with weak bolts to get the queen to exhaust her blue mana.

Live capture, yo.

>>3877423
Gotta make back that silver we spent. Let's try for a live capture of the queen, yeah? All the other slime are secondary to that.

Kill all the cult of progress guys, take the Queen for ourselves!

>>3877449
This is small stuff, if we're gonna do that we should wait till we're doing BIG jobs for them first.
>>3877444
I'll support the live capture as long as it's feasible, if it's the queen or one of our people, then the queen is the one to die.

>>3877468
> if it's the queen or one of our people, then the queen is the one to die

Well, obvvy. That's why I picked the safe harassing option followed up by Ophelia negotiating if possible.

After all, a slime working with the CoP is far more valuable than a mere captive.

>>3877474
Hmm, you make an excellent point.

>>3877479
Also, if we can develop a relationship with the slime Queen then we can have an ally within the CoP.

Finally, with the whole Demons vs Angels thing going on, while I would prefer to have everything under Henry's control, building up and influencing the CoP could result in making a "third side" of "supernatural forces can fuck right off" that can maybe end up in the mix.

>>3877484
>in making a "third side"
If that side is humans, sign me the fuck on.

>>3877486
I mean, the third side would be "people" since we have a vampire and bug-people and maybe a slime.

But no gods or masters on high judging us or treating us like chattel, kindly or poorly.

>>3877407
LOOT THE SLIME GOO! LOOT IT RIGHT FUCKING NOW! then this >>3877423

>>3877474
>>3877484
>>3877449
you fucking retard, the slime queen has all the mental capacity of a fucking dog, it's not a sentient thing dumbass

>>3877818
> Dogs can do tactics and cast spells

I mean, maybe your dog is smarter than you. But the Queen only appeared to be as smart as a dog in captivity. Clearly it's a being capable of anticipating the future and preparing for it, as shown by it's innovative creation of slimes and use of them tactically in combat.

Also you're just an unpleasant person.

>>3878017
Fine, whatever. We should at least take the time before the Cult of Progress guys reenter the place to loot some papers and documents and things, if any are left in a storeroom or whatever. That's for after we take out the queen though.

>>3878517
Oh yeah, also we should try to get our own samples if possible while they're busy with the Queen.

Maybe there's even another young Queen inside somewhere, or a slime that can advance to Queen once the current one is gone much like how bees do.

Or am I thinking Ants?

Aliens. I'm thinking Aliens.

>>3879962
>>3878517
>>3878017
>>3877818
>>3877520
>>3877486
>>3877484
>>3877479
>>3877474
>>3877468
>>3877449
>>3877444
>>3877423
writing

File: amorphous-plus-bestiary-queen.jpg (12 KB, 550x146)

12 KB JPG

>>3877407
=====================(Boss Fight: Ooze Queen, Dual Bladed Fury)======================
Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN9XjiOiuoA

“Ophelia! Call Alice down, we need everyone! Larry, Xavier, with me, we can’t let this thing escape!” Henry yelled.

He quickly realized that something was off, rather, something had been conjured. A massive glowing blue wall had been summoned, and was being tended to, by a group of the cult of progress mages, overseen by Thomas.”

“We got the bitch now, it’s larva can’t survive too long outside it so just bring the thing down and we’re done for the day!” Thomas said. “If ya can’t we’ll build you a door or something!”

“WHAT?!” Rosa asked. “Aren’t you going to help us?!”

“No lassie, that’s the whole point of our arrangement. Sides the lad’s need a good show. Ain’t that right boys?”

None of the mages responded to that. One even going so far as to shake his head.

“Asshat.” Henry muttered.

So it stood that they were in a ring of magically conjured walls made of blue mana, with a VERY angry ooze. The queen immediately charged one of the walls, attempting to scale it, only managing to land back down onto the soft grass covered dirt. The queen raised itself up, two bladed arms extending from its red body. Occasionally a small insect like creature dropped from its hide and scuttled off, but they were also trapped by the wall.

“Ophelia?!” Henry asked.

“She’s on her way, she’ll be here in a moment.” Ophelia said.
>Alice will take 1 turn to arrive

“Right, we’re gonna try to bag this fucker alive. Ophelia can you try paralyzing or sleep spells?”

“I can try, but I doubt it’d hold the thing for long.” Ophelia said.

“We have rope, we could tie it down!” Charles offered.

“I say we just cut the fucker’s arms off. I want one of those blades.” Larry said.

“I say we just kill the thing and be done with it.” Xavier said. “But I suppose you want to end up in the cults good graces?”

“Henry, if we live through this we’re going to have a talk about your new ‘friends’.” Rosa said, the woman was furious.

>The queen places her arms into the dirt and begins to draw herself back.

Choose Actions: (write in)
1. *Henry*
2. *Xavier*
3. *Larry*
4. *Rosa*
5. *Charles*
6. *Ophelia* (suggested spells, sleep, paralyze, meld minds)
7. (write in)

>>3883355
This might take some time to think about.

>>3883355
> Henry
> Larry

Cast weak bolts at it to test its magic defenses, sacrificing power for speed to keep it from counter charging.

> Xavier
> Charles

Hold on to bomb runes, if it tries to charge throw them in front of it to stop it.

Maybe we can get the Queen to attack that blue field bullshit to see how strong it is, might as well get some data on the CoP since they're being dicks.

> Ophelia

Send an owl to scout for the larva. Mayhaps we can scoop them up after.

> Rosa

Fume while standing around looking good. Keep mana reserve for healing.

>>3884343
>>3883355
My idea is that we should test, or at least reduce, the queens counterspell abilities before wasting mana trying to paralyze it.

As for the larva, maybe we can even hold them as hostages if we can find them. Maybe it'll toss it into a berserk rage.

I want to see how it reacts regardless before approaching it.

>>3883355
this >>3884343
don't forget the ballista overload plan either, or the plan to grab some slime or larva
>I say we just cut the fucker’s arms off. I want one of those blades.
This ain't Razor Queen, Larry. That would annihilate everybody in this room in mere seconds.

>>3884360
The hand ballista plan we can do depending on how she handles the bolt attacks.

I want to see what defenses she uses against those, counterspells vs shields vs tanking them.

>>3884452
>>3884360
>>3884349
>>3884343
>>3883475
will attempt to get a post up tomorrow, assuming you all are done planning. Grad school finals week has been hell but I'm over the hump so to speak so I will be able to return to a more regular posting schedule. Thanks for sticking with me.

>>3885942
No rush bruv.

>>3885942
We understand, I am in much the same place right now

>>3885942
gonna post tomorrow, once my second to last final is done.

>>3883355
Henry sent a bit of red mana at the creature in the form of a weak bolt spell. The queen merely swiped at it momentarily as it harmlessly impacted the creatures scythe like limbs. A small black smudge was all that remained to show that there had even been an attack. The queen took the opportunity to lunge forward suddenly, covering the distance between itself and the group in mere moments. Henry saw his life flash before his eyes briefly as Larry stepped in to parry the swing. The man was sent onto the backfoot by the blow but the blades seemed surprisingly light and thus didn’t leave nearly as much as an impact.

The larva writhed helplessly underfoot like small insects. Charles stabbed at a couple with his knife as they drew close to himself and Rosa. The boy stood stock still once the creature lunged and then sprang into action, placing himself between a terrified Rosa and the beast. Rosa managed to keep her white mana at the ready for sudden healing, although there were flickers in her concentration.

Xavier handed Charles a bomb rune and began explaining to the boy how to use them while keeping his spear at the ready. Henry and Larry continued to fight with the creature which proved to be surprisingly capable at combat, given its lack of legs. The creature tore gashes into the ground, not caring whether or not its own larva were caught up in the attacks. From what Henry could tell the queen hardly cared about them, they seemed to be as disposable as the drones had been.

Eventually the queen leapt back and began dragging its arms along one of the conjured walls, sending sparks arcing off.

Ophelia busied herself by readying the ballistae and preparing the charging sequence. It had been determined that she’d be the one to ready the thing and Henry would be the one to fire it. Both on account of Ophelia’s magical talent and the fact Henry was a crack shot. The fact that nobody else wanted to fire a potentially unstable magical weapon also factored into it.

Decisions:
1. *Henry, Xavier, and Larry try to overwhelm the queen*
2. *hold back and simply try to charge the weapon*
3. *Have Rosa attempt to cast a defensive buff*
4. *have Rosa cast an offensive buff*
5. *write in*

>>3888303
>this does not conclude the turn

>>3888303
>*Henry, Xavier, and Larry try to overwhelm the queen*
Spam parry the fuck out of this thing. Larry especially.

>>3888320
This
but also
>3. *Have Rosa attempt to cast a defensive buff*

>>3888348
>>3888320
roll 2d100

Rolled 67, 38 = 105 (2d100)

>>3889526
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Rolled 59, 56 = 115 (2d100)

>>3889526

>>3889539
>>3889530
67, 56, writing

>>3888303
Rosa began chanting a battle hymn from the book of hero’s as white mana spread out from her body. Henry immediately felt strength welling up inside of him. Larry never took his eyes off the fight but Henry could tell the magic was working. Xavier grit his teeth and visibly recoiled from the magic, unable to accept the angelic magic into his vampiric body.

>Henry and Larry gain advantages to attack rolls, via having lowered requirements, lasts 3 turns

The three leapt into action, slowly battering the queen back and freeing up more space for the three of them. They weren’t able to actually deal any damage as the queen was too swift with its movements. Even with three opponents the creature was holding its own.

Ophelia began breathing rapidly and her face became panicked as the ballistae began vibrating with magical energy. Charles grabbed Rosa’s arm and pulled her away as soon as she had finished her chant.

“It isn’t safe.” Charles said.

“No that woman really isn’t.” Rosa said.

As the fight continued Alice emerged from the cloud cover and slowly circled her way towards the ground. Landing outside the barrier and looking somewhat confused.

“Help us!” Rosa said.

“I… I’m not fighting that thing.” Alice replied. “I was just here to provide support, I’m not crazy.” She continued.

“You…” Rosa muttered, before banging her hand against the barrier wall several times.

“YOU GET IN HERE YOU COWARD!” Rosa screamed. Causing Larry and Henry to momentarily lose their focus.

“Woman, always the same.” Xavier muttered as he thrusted his spear at the ooze.

Rosa began hurling obscenities at Alice, saying that she was ungrateful and that she’d been right about her all along. Alice responded by walking away.

“I need more time!” Ophelia said, “Its… it uses so much mana… so inefficient… ugh.”

Decisions:
1. *Use a few more bomb runes to try and damage the thing*
2. *attack aggressively and try to wound the creature*
3. *cast a spell* (Write in)
4. *Have Rosa cast a defensive barrier and hide behind it with everyone*
5. (write in)

>>3889658
Yes I did have fun writing that reaction

>>3889658
>3. *cast a spell* (Write in)
Tell larry to cast haste and have Xavier and him try to pin down the queen, we try Lightning Talons

>>3889658
>5. (write in)
Rosa needs to be on the lookout for injuries, not ranting at Alice.
We'll deal with alice later

>>3889689
I recommend having Charles tell her that.

>>3889658
backing >>3889689 with Charles telling her that
then >>3889688 because I doubt Lightning Talons is something the Queen can absorb or parry well with those scythe limbs

>>3889714
We can have Charles tell her that.

>>3889688
>>3889689
>>3890167
>>3891334
roll 3d100

Rolled 11, 66, 16 = 93 (3d100)

>>3891551

Rolled 61, 64, 18 = 143 (3d100)

>>3891551

Rolled 61, 15, 28 = 104 (3d100)

>>3891551

>>3891631
>>3891593
>double 61, 66, 28

oh baby Larry's having a good day

File: 1448583106116.jpg (20 KB, 300x340)

20 KB JPG

>>3891726
He's getting hype for that Queen glaive isn't he?

>>3889658
“Larry, rush forwards, we’ll cover you!” Henry said, parrying yet another swipe from the queen.

Larry wasted no time, casting haste on himself and rushing into the fray, using the wall surrounding them as a surface to kick off from. He managed to land a glancing blow against the queen. Before diving back in. In response the queen folded back onto herself to avoid the attack. Xavier took the opportunity to try and impale her with his spear, but the queen managed to use one of her blades to block the attack. Henry stood there in mild shock as the queen bent and twisted in ways no other creature could have, he had to go for broke to deal any damage at all.

Larry continued to harry the creature, managing to get several more strikes into it as the beast began to have trouble keeping up. Henry watched as the man became much much faster than he had been previously, ducking and weaving and causing the queen no end of troubles. Henry noticed that Larry was burning through more red mana that normal, a sort of overcharged haste spell. He’d had to figure out how the man was even doing that later on, he didn’t have time.

>Queen takes one wound, gains ‘cautious’ status, aggression level decreased

Henry cast lightning talons on himself and his blade and dived in. Letting out a scream and jumping into the fray. His sword screeched as it impacted something very very hard. Henry gasped as he noticed sparks emitting from the queens’ blades. The queen had charged her claws with red mana in response and had managed to completely block his attack. Henry had to leap back to avoid being cut in half. The way the ground where he’d been standing simply sizzled did not grant him confidence.

The queen began to swing wildly at Larry, who was forced back into a more defense stance. The fighting worked its way towards Rosa and Charles and Henry felt his breath catch in his throat.

Charles forcefully grabbed Rosa and tried to pull her back away from the wall where she was still ranting at Alice, oblivious to the fight at hand. That lasted until the queen struck where she’d been standing and Rosa suddenly grabbed Charles and ran quickly away from the spot.

The queen suddenly zeroed in on Rosa and Charles, noticing their unwillingness to fight. Charles momentarily held his dagger up before realizing that’d be suicide. He tried to lead Rosa back towards Henry and the others. In response the queen placed her sword like arms into the ground, pulled back and rocketed forward like a slingshot.

Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>3891846
>queen's attack

>>3891846
The queen lunged forwards… right into Larry’s blade. The beast attempted to dig it’s claws into the ground to slow its assault but only managed to tumble about, leaving itself open to another slice from Larry. There was a pulse of red mana and Henry gripped his head. The thing emitted a horrifying clicking noise as it scrambled away from Larry’s blade. Larry began to step in before backpedaling from a fresh set of slashes from the queen.

>Queen takes one wound
>queen loses ‘cautious’ status
>queen gains ‘flustered’ status

“ITS READY!” Ophelia said, panting and wheezing from the exertion. “I… I can probably make one more round but that’ll be it, this thing was not meant for any real use… it… ugh I need a moment.” She said, handing the thing off to Xavier who tossed it off to Henry.

>Ophelia gains ‘mana exhaustion’ for one turn

Rosa and Charles sat down next to Ophelia. Charles clutched at his warding charm in a death grip, ready to use the thing at a moment’s notice if the queen singled them out again. Rosa sat in a state of semi shock, the fact that she’d almost died dawning on her.

Decisions:
1. *Henry*
2. *Larry* (still under effects of unknown spell, speed massively buffed)
3. *Xavier*
4. (write in)

>>3891865
>4. (write in)
henry
"You're outnumbered, outgunned, and about to die, would you like to surrender and live?"
If it does any thing other than stops moving and "gives up" shoot it.
Larry moves for flanking
Xavier moves for flanking

>>3891865
this >>3891877

>>3891877
roll 4d100 for intimidation

Rolled 62, 75, 100, 89 = 326 (4d100)

>>3891910

>>3891914
Welp, looks like I used all my luck for the rest of the year.

>>3891914
first roll is a near miss, the other three succeed. Holy fuck what the shit

Rolled 78, 8, 10, 92 = 188 (4d100)

>>3891910
here goes?

>>3891926
complete pass, tho cutting it close with that 8. Final roll

78, 75, 100, 92

fucking hell you actually did it.

>>3891930
Yay, we verbally halted the queen.

>>3891865
“You’re outnumbered, outgunned and about to die you fucking bitch.” Henry shouted. Ophelia muttered curses while Xavier looked at him like he’d just grown a second head. “Do you want to surrender and live or die like a dog?”

The queen clicked menacingly at him and made moves to lunge forward. Until Larry stepped into its view, still crackling with red mana. The queen stopped and began to shudder. Clicking weakly and backing up slowly. It made a couple jabs at Larry but the man blocked them easily.

“The fuck is he doing?!” Xavier and Rosa asked.

Larry moved forwards, continually blocking the panicked blows from the queen as the creature was backed up into the wall. The creature began to shake and make whimpering noises before curling up and placing its blades over its head. Larry placed his foot down on top of it and said.’

“Fights over, she knows I’m better.” Larry proclaimed. “NOW THIS WAS A FUCKIN FIGHT!”

At that, part of the wall dematerialized and a team of mages rushed in with a cage being pulled by several donkeys. The cage was made out of iron and incredibly beefy looking glass. The words ‘mobile containment’ were scrawled in several places on it. One of the mage’s lead the donkies away while the others opened the door and began pushing the container towards the beast. As the thing got close Larry removed his foot from the queen and gave it a firm kick. The fearful creature screeched, scurried into the container, and used a claw to shut the door behind it. A couple of the mages glanced inside the find the queen curled up in a corner and shivering in fear.

“Fucking hell.” One of them muttered.

“Dear lord above.” Rosa whispered.

“Holy shit.” Xavier said.

>>3891962

“Haven’t had to do that since a lord’s horse broke loose. All you gotta do is show an animal you’re much braver and stronger than it and it’ll heel. Figured it’d be the sa-“ Larry said as he was approached by a panicked Ophelia.

“ARE YOU CRAZY?!”

“No I don’t believe so.” Larry said, the effects of his spell finally wearing off. “Ah there we go, no idea what was happening with that but damn what a rush.”

“You… you didn’t even… you made an spell that advanced with red mana, AND YOU DIDN’T KNOW WHAT YOU WERE EVEN DOING?”

“I just felt with the mana and that seemed right so I went with it.”

“You could’ve died!” Ophelia sputtered.

“I didn’t though!” Larry said, laughing away the woman’s worries.

Rosa came up behind Henry and hugged him tightly. Henry began to make a smart comment but realized the woman was crying.

Charles and Xavier shared a look and decided that they could make better use of themselves elsewhere.

The queen was carted off by a group of utterly stunned looking mages, a few of whom cast fearful and revenant glanced at Henry’s party and Larry in particular. Thomas took a long drag from a cigarette than began barking orders at them.

==============================(End of Boss Fight)=====================================
Decisions: (select a character to follow)
1. *Henrys view*
2. *Larry’s view*
3. *Charles’ view*
4. (write in)

>>3891966
>3. *Charles’ view*

>>3891966
>3. *Charles’ view*

>>3891979
>>3892004
writing

>>3891966
Larry was awkwardly pulled away by Ophelia towards a more private stretch of farmland. Henry consoled Rosa before breaking away suddenly and rushing off to speak with Thomas, leaving Rosa standing there. Charles reflected on what he’d done during the battle, his bravery, his small but important contributions. Then he turned to what could’ve been done better. Nothing had gone catastrophically wrong and their planning had been good. But their tactics had been simple, right? They’d barely been better than the ooze. His brother would never have approved. He sighed, this was the first step of many to getting justice for his brother.

Then his thoughts turned to Alice. The damned coward. She’d left them for dead, offering no support whatsoever!

“You’re thinking the same thing, aren’t you?” Xavier asked.

“About Alice?” Charles responded.

“One of our scriptures is never to rush to judgement against another, and to hold no ill will towards those who falter.” Xavier said. “Alice took no oaths, she hasn’t betrayed us. I promised to lend my support and I did, what exactly did she promise? She’s a commoner, with fealty pledged to neither lord nor alter. Of course she would run at the first sign of danger, such is the lot of the commons.”

Decisions:
1. “I’m going to talk to her, she’s part of our group, it’s unacceptable she’d leave us to die.”
2. “We’re all commoners.”
3. “She could’ve done more.”
4. (write in)

>>3893641
>“She could’ve done more. Didn't she say she's good at shield spells or something? Even a single one might have helped you or Henry against that ooze queen! It would have been her helping, doing something that wasn't flying down then chickening out right in front of us! And after she said she was only here to provide support too!"
>"And doesn't she owe us for saving her life from Del Mar? Henry or Johnny could have killed her back then without thinking twice, but they chose to let her live. She could have at least respected that!"
>(Remember big bro's advice. Remember how horrifying Del Mar was, and how hurt Henry and the others got taking him down. Calm down and be rational.)
>"I... understand she has good reasons for being so afraid, for hesitating, or for feeling the way she does about Henry and the others. I get it, I really do - but I don't like it. I don't like it at all."
>"If she's going to be that afraid, Xavier, then she needs to stop and get over it. I was dead weight the whole time Henry took me to Yorkshire, and only now I'm actually learning how to fight and better myself. She can do that too, in her own way. Making excuses when she can do more than I can..."
>(Involuntarily flare black mana at the left hand, white mana at the right hand.)
>"It's not right."

>>3893641
“She could’ve done more. Didn’t she say she’s good at shield spells or something? She could tried to distract the monster! Even a single bit of aide might’ve helped you or Henry or Larry against that ooze queen! It would’ve been something, so you wouldn’t have gotten hurt.”

“We didn’t get hurt, Charles.” Xavier said.

“But what if you did?! I almost watched Ophelia DIE! If I hadn’t done something she would’ve!”

“I can hardly believe anything could harm that crazy woman.” Xavier said.

“She nearly died, Xavier. We all did, to kill that bug and save that ungrateful woman. Doesn’t she owe us for saving her life? So she wouldn’t be chained up? Henry or Johnny could’ve killed her back then without thinking twice. But they choose to let her live! She could’ve respected that, she should’ve!”

“Lots of things to think about.” Xavier said. “A moment, please, I want a moment to think of a response.”

Charles took a few breaths, suddenly realizing how worked up he was. His hands wouldn’t stop shaking and he hated that. He hated all of this. But still, he couldn’t let his emotions take charge. All that’d do would be to invite disaster. Henry had told him that.

“Charles, most people cannot fight, they need to be protected from the world and its evils. Such is the duty of the church. Most people could defend themselves, but lack the conviction. That’s something the church provides. Alice has none. No conviction, all you are to her are the people forcing her to remain alive. I’d imagine she hates that. Yet she endures, perhaps because she’s inspired, perhaps because she has no other choice. You think she has nothing to cling to and then act offended when she smacks your hand away. She needs time, Charles. She has no reason to care about any of us yet.”

“Neither do you.” Charles replied.

“I don’t, but I view this as an opportunity to protect some farmers, which is more than worth the risk.”

Charles nodded, remembering the children they’d rescued.

“I…understand that she has good reasons for being so afraid, for hesitating, for feeling the way she does about Henry and the others. But I don’t like it. I get it, but I hate it.”

“It seems Henry’s judgmental nature has rubbed off on you.” Xavier said. “People needn’t be for or against you. Most people are commons, neutral.”

“I said I get it, Xavier. But if she’s going to be that afraid, Xavier, she needs to stop and get over it, and get over it already. I’ve been dead weight this whole time, until recently. Henry took me in, when he could’ve left me twirling in the wind. Not only that! He took me under his wing! From the entire trip from the capital to Yorkshire, he protected me. He nearly died doing so! But I saved Ophelia’s life, I made a contribution here, even if small. She can do that too, in her own way. Making excuses when she can do more than I can.” Charles said.

He felt a rush of something into his hands. White, Black… and Red mana in equal quantities, flowed into his hands and swirled about.

“You… so you are the heir.” Xavier muttered, breathlessly.

“That doesn’t matter!” Charles said.

“It matters more than anything else!” Xavier said. “You… you’re the royal heir… I knew the story Henry told me was odd. Lord above what has that man gotten himself involved in.”

“I told you it doesn’t matter. I was NOBODY until I met Henry!” Charles shouted, startling Xavier and for the first time causing the man to treat the boy as an equal.

>>3893789
“I’m learning how to fight, I’m learning how to be useful. I’ve learned magic for god’s sake. I am on my way to finally being someone important! I’m bettering myself! I’m making something of myself, no matter what setbacks or whatever else gets thrown in my path. It’s not right! It’s not right that she can just trample on that!”

“So would you force me to fight you’re battles then? Am I but your slave?” Alice asked, fearful but displaying a silent resolve.

Charles spun around the find the woman staring him down, her hood drawn and the illusionary spell occasionally flickering. Xavier nodded curtly at her and began to step aside.

“Please stay, Xavier… I want someone here, someone impartial.” Alice asked.

Decisions:
1. “You have no right to anything. Henry and Rosa are far too kind to you.”
2. “I’m not talking to you.”
3. “Fine, speak.”
4. “You’re nothing but a coward. Even Rosa wouldn’t abandon people. Even Ophelia wouldn’t leave us for dead.”
5. (write in)

>>3893791
>"Yes Xavier. Stay, please."
>"Fine, speak. It wouldn't be fair to you if I didn't hear out your end of things."

>>3895273
Supporting
We need to CONTROL THE RAGE

>>3895273
>>3895280
writing

>>3893791
Charles grit his teeth and calmed himself as best he could. He turned to Xavier and asked the man to stay. He wanted someone impartial to judge, he knew he was right but it’d be far better if Xavier agreed. He needed to make sure Alice understood he was trying to be fair.

“Alice, I believe the boy should hear your side of the story. I’m sure you had your reasons for not joining our skirmish.”

“I didn’t realize I was required to.” Alice replied. “Nor did I realize that I’d be judged for it.”

“You abandoned us.” Charles said.

“I wasn’t even with you from the start. I’ve been following you and staying with you because I have nowhere else to go. Not because I believe in anything you stand for nor because I feel like you’re worth protecting.” Alice explained

“Perhaps you should think about that fact a bit more, we could throw you back onto the street, or turn you over to the church.” Charles spat.

“I think about it all the time.” Alice replied. “You just want to poke and prod at me and figure out how I work. You’re nicer about it than I expected, but that’s the only reason you’ve kept me alive.”

“Hell of a thing to hang over a person. Are you the kind of person to use punishment and fear to reign someone in, Charles?” Xavier asked.

Decisions:
1. “No, I expect people to do their jobs.”
2. “you could’ve helped us out regardless, or not acted like such a bitch.”
3. “I have no obligation to respond to that.”
4. “yes.”
5. “That’s Henry’s decision to make.”
6. (write in)

>>3895325
>1. “No, I expect people to do their jobs.”

>>3895325
>6. (write in)
"If we wanted to 'poke and prod' you to find out how you worked, we would have never offered you money, help or anything else. We even gabe your friend a proper burial because no one should be abandoned after suffering like that."
Start crying for we failing at controlling emotions and this is too much for us, and we're imagining burying Rose or Henry or Ophelia or Larry.

>>3895325
this >>3895364 I guess
I figure Charles still has a long way to go to holding his emotions back and learning more about life in general, so this helps to slowly develop him better.

This would have been my write-in. Thoughts?
>(Think carefully about what Xavier just said.)
>(Remember how heartless and cruel everybody except big bro was to you and each other, back when they were alive.)
>(Remember how heartless and cruel Henry can be sometimes, despite how much you idolize him and see him as the father figure you wish you had. Even if he isn't that way towards you, you can't deny he has that capacity in him too.)
that's all I got

>>3895325
“If we wanted to poke and prod you to find out how you worked, Henry wouldn’t have offered you money, help or anything else. We even gave your friend a proper burial because NOBODY deserves to be abandoned after suffering like that.”

Images of Ophelia near death suddenly flashed in front of Charles’ eyes, and the boy was overcome with emotion. He fell to his knees and felt tears flood out. He hated this, he felt pathetic. He desperately tried to wipe the tears away but was stopped by a firm hand, Xavier.

“There ain’t nothing wrong with crying over your fallen comrades. I’ve had to bury my fair share too.” Xavier said.

“I…”Alice said, shaken. The woman hadn’t expected any of this, and her antenna picked up and nearly lifted their way out of her hood. She quickly adjusted the thing back down, desperately hiding her appearance.

Oh god, what if one of the others had died? He wouldn’t be able to cope with that. Thank god Henry was always so calm. He needed to be more like that. That man was untouched by anything, even the possibility of his own death didn’t scare him. The fact that this wasn’t exactly the case was unknown to Charles.

“Let it all out, boy.” Xavier said. “Better now than during a fight, but finish up before Henry gets back, he wouldn’t want to see you like this.”

“R-right.” Charles said, slowly regaining his composure. He wiped his tears away and stood back up on unsteady feet.

“Oy! We’re heading out!” Larry yelled, waving the group to come over.

“You should talk to the others about this, Alice. They’re more than willing to listen to you.” Xavier said. “I can provide spiritual support if needed.”

“God bless you.” Alice said.

Decisions:
1. “I’m sorry for being so judgmental, Alice. I guess not everyone has the same way of looking at things.”
2. “Yeah, what she said.”
3. “We all need to have a talk, I think.”
4. (write in)

>>3895370
didn't see this vote I'm afraid, do you want me to change anything?

>>3895377
Nah, it's fine. I was saying that WOULD have been my write-in, but I decided to back the other one instead. Charles can ponder the responsibility of rulers as being potential arbitrators of punishment and fear later, I guess.

>>3895373
>“We all need to have a talk, I think. It would help clear the air for a lot of reasons."

>>3895373
>4. (write in)
Go and sit elsewhere, and try not to cry.
Cry

>>3895389
>>3895388
writing

>>3895373
“We all need to talk, Alice. It would help clear the air for a lot of reasons. Are you able to?” Xavier asked.

“Yes. I think I am.” Alice said.

“Alright, Charles? Let’s… damn.” Xavier said, realizing the boy had run off. “Come on Alice, let’s go look for him.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Charles was hunched over next to a tree stump inside the Cult of Progress camp. He’d tried to find somewhere else to huddle near but had already been driven out of three different seats. So this would have to do. He was a mess, he hated that he hadn’t been able to control the conversation. Xavier had done everything! He couldn’t control his emotions! He couldn’t do anything! He banged his fits against the tree stump and continued to do so even as his skin tore. He didn’t even care that it hurt. He wished he was stronger, and knew he wouldn’t be for a long time. He hated everything.

He bit his lip until he tasted blood. He was letting Henry down by being here, and showing everyone else that he was just a liability. He was letting his family down. Right before he gave into despair he felt something warm envelop him, and just as quickly the burning pain from his torn hands disappeared. Charles opened his eyes to find a set of white robes and the red headed woman wearing them, Rosa.

The woman said nothing, simply healed what few wounds he had and ran her hands through his hair to sooth him.

Decisions:
1. *pull away*
2. *stay*
3. (write in)

>>3895414
>Hug her.

>>3895417
SupportinG

>>3895417
>>3895425
writing

>>3895414
Charles hugged Rosa tightly, biting his lip to prevent himself from crying any further.

“There there child.” Rosa said.

Charles didn’t even get mad that she’d called him a child, he needed the kindness she was showing him, kindness he didn’t think he deserved. He wished his own mother had shown him anything of the sort. He thoughts turned darker as he imagined her soul being tortured by demons. He banished the thoughts from his mind, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Fantastic, you found him.” Henry said, helping Rosa lift the boy into the carriage.

“No thanks to you, Henry.” Rosa said. “I’m still steaming about this whole event. Risking our lives for some cult coin. I can’t stand the fact that you lied to me.”

“You never asked.” Henry smugly replied, placing a blanket over Charles so the boy wouldn’t be too uncomfortable.

“Alice, go tell the others to come back.” Henry said, watching the woman kick off the top of the carriage and float away.

“Henry, I’m serious. We need to have a real talk about all of your shifty business, what exactly are you doing here? I know you’re hiding things from me.” Rosa said. “Some of the others back at the Abbey are sharing the rumor you practice dark magic!”

“Ha, I’m sure they think I work with demons too.” Henry said, chuckling to himself.

“I’m serious Henry.”

“Oy we’ leaving yet?” Larry asked, interrupting the both of them as he jumped onto the back of the carriage.

A quiet Ophelia scurried behind him, sitting next to him and leaning her head on Larry’s shoulder. Henry took a few seconds to process what he was seeing and then suddenly felt like the world stopped making sense. There were a LOT of questions he had, and none of them led anywhere good. He’d ask Larry what the flying fuck his romantic interests were at a later date.

“Henry?” Rosa asked.

“Look, we’re leaving as soon as Xavier gets back.” Henry said. “We’ll talk about this when we get home, okay?”

“… Fine.” Rosa said.

Xavier and Alice returned a little while later, when asked where he’d been the man said he’d been checking the local woodlands and had decided to stop for a bite to eat. Henry sincerely hoped the man meant local wildlife instead of local farmers but Alice assured him that nothing of the sort had occurred and that it was merely a joke.

Decisions:
1. *perform final actions* (Write in)
2. *head out back towards Marihne, the cult of progress Lab town, to receive payment and additional instructions.*
3. (write in)

>>3895455
>sharing the rumor you practice dark magic!”
Well shit
The fuck?
>2. *head out back towards Marihne, the cult of progress Lab town, to receive payment and additional instructions.*
Also lets say bye to the remaining family members.

>>3895455
>Lament that you could not loot any papers or research notes from the Cult of Progress before the Queen arrived. At least you took a lot of fungus and ooze samples, and you keep the ballista. All of it is promising indeed, not to mention the connection the fungus here might have to the ones Del Mar was growing in his hideout, according to Sophie's report from then. Contemplate the possible link there, since the Cult of Progress had ties to both of them. There has to be something going on. Something you aren't knowing.
>Contemplate what the fuck Rosa meant by "rumors that you practice dark magic." Did someone slip info when they shouldn't have? You'll probably have to get to the bottom of this later too...
and then >>3895467

>>3895469
Supporting

>>3895475
>>3895469
>>3895467
writing

>>3895573
tomorrow

>>3895455
Well. This will be fun.

Shit.

Does she know God is dead/missing?

>>3895804
News of the high seraph's disappearance has indeed spread all over, but god is not missing.

>>3896156
Can't miss what was never there, or what was dragged off int-[REDACTED]

>>3896156
He sure as fuck was never there for Henry.

>>3896277
https://youtu.be/DQG2Ma4sedk?t=893

Lurker swinging by, just gotta say that boss fight was pretty epic. I really enjoy this quest, and I love the characters.

>>3895467
>>3895469
>>3895475
writing

>>3897775
I appreciate it

>>3895455
The carriage began to pull away from the mound the slimes had erected, and the cult of progress mages and workers that mobbed around it. Henry pondered on the fact that they’d found no blackmail material whatsoever. No research notes, no papers, nothing. He knew that the mound had only come into existence recently and there likely were no papers or notes he could’ve taken. He still wished for some more insurance. He could never have enough of that. He glanced at Ophelia, the woman was showing off all the samples she’d managed to grab to Larry. The man smiled and nodded but Henry could tell he was hardly paying attention to the woman. No wonder Ophelia liked him so much; he was the only person who could stand listening to her for more than a few moments.

Ophelia pulled out a fungus sample and he wondered if it was related to Del Mar’s research. The man, when he was still a man, and even afterwards had been furious due to the fact that the Cult of Progress had stolen his research and utilized it in their own work. They were also probably the same ones Del Mar had been growing based on what Sophie had told him. What were they exactly? It was a matter for another day.

Ophelia then switched the samples for the massive crossbow bolt that she’d imbued with a frightening amount of mana, and Henry felt his heart fly up into his throat. The woman was holding an object imbued with enough raw mana to turn them all into pulp. He jumped out of the wagon as it began to pick up speed, leapt onto the back, seized the object out of Ophelia’s hands and tossed it as far away as he could manage. The thing ended up sticking out of the ground at an odd angle. Henry hoped none of the mages would prod at it. Otherwise the Cult would be paying quite a bit to their widows.

“HENRY?!” Ophelia said, her hand clutching at empty air. “I HAD STABLIZED IT!”

“Like hell you did!” Henry said.

The two began to argue over the probability that an object made of metal and wood could withstand the magical power of a dozen bomb runes for more than a couple hours. As Henry finished up he heard a loud bang and turned to find a small crater where the bolt had been. He turned toward Ophelia slowly as the woman tried to shy away behind Larry.

“Well that’ve been bad.” Larry opined.

>>3897925

“I was containing it by having it on my person, of course it’d go off once it was tossed…” Ophelia muttered.

Henry returned to the carriage and assured everyone, including the driver, that they were continuing on and that they actually hadn’t almost all died. He sat back down in his chair and wished that Johnny was there to help him wrangle the idiots. For fucks sake Xavier was on the roof and was only protected by the sun by bits of cloth. Henry knew it would still be painful for the man. He remembered tales of certain members of the church striking and bloodying their own backs using flails and whips, he wondered if the vampire saw this as some twisted form of penance.

It dawned on him just how many secrets he was keeping from Rosa. He would have to tell her eventually although he really didn’t want to. It’d be better to tell her sooner rather than later. He thought about the ‘rumors’ that Rosa had mentioned and began to think of every single individual who could’ve slipped anything out. Then began trying to calculate the odds that it was just a bunch of woman sharing stories. He set the odds at around sixty/forty. He’d have to have a nice long talk with the origin of those rumors at a later date.

For the time being, he focused on the road ahead. They’d be reaching Marihne by dusk. He’d gotten permission to camp inside the walls but he was not allowed to bring any members of his group deeper into the settlement. This suited him fine, as it prevented any of them from getting into too much trouble.

Everything was finally coming together. He’d get paid, he’d have more opportunities with the cult, and maybe he’d even start earning some of their trust. Yep, life was good.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

>>3897926
>It dawned on him just how many secrets he was keeping from Rosa
Sad times

>>3897930
We'll reveal the black mana shit first, when we get back to Rally. Then the next thing on the list to reveal is Johnny being a skeleton paladin dating back to before the creation of the very faith she worships and is a part of. Then it's Henry being an N-word. Then all the uber-horrible demon Illuminati conspiracy shit going on right under the fucking capital.

>>3897926
Inquisitor Agatha prayed before a temporary Holy See alter that had been hastily assembled. She was ready for the upcoming bloodshed. She knew all of her people were. Inquisitor Barstow had assembled as many trustworthy people as he could manage, which were mainly inquisitorial shock troops from the capital. She knew that the enemy didn’t know anything about the operation, they assumed they were protected by the Archbishop of Avignon. His head would roll with the rest of the sinners after this operation was concluded.

An entire research settlement, out in the middle of nowhere. She glanced down at her forces once more. Her inquisitorial force of fifteen highly trained inquisitors, the ranks of shock troopers, the two angelic squads that had been specially selected by the angel of dawn… and then there were the paladins of the order of Lanterns. Inquisitor Agatha still refused to trust that man, Star Paladin Venser. His men would die for him, and that apprentice of his was impressive, but overall there was something off about the man. Something dark. She knew that kind of darkness better than most, and she knew how it could twist a man.

He’d told her this was in retaliation for the Cult’s actions against his order but she hardly bought that. Sure there had been some moves in that direction by the cult but nothing that could justify this level of troop mustering on his part. Inquisitor Barstow had asked her to simply accept is as providence but she refused to buy into that. She’d never been a particularly religious person. She smiled and remembered her hospital days. How she’d been told by her teacher and her fellow healers how that lack of fervor would come to bite her. That lack of ‘fervor’, and her general ability to get results had gotten her into the inquisition, not to mention the various promotions that had landed her into this position. She’d gotten the last laugh.

She remembered the factory explosion that had ended those happy times, and then frowned. It was time to work, remembering the past wouldn’t do anything. She checked in with the scout in charge of monitoring the town, and then began barking orders to her people. The archangel in charge of her squads simply made hand motions and sent mana trails out to her followers, the archangels’ ‘feathers’ as they called them. The angels all took off in one smooth motion. All that was left was for the paladins to ready themselves.

Venser brooded over a cup of tea that had been prepared by Ashur. The boy had learned an awful lot since he’d picked him off the street. Sometimes Venser wondered if he was too eager to see bloodshed, no matter how much the people they would be attacking deserved it. He knew the inquisitors didn’t trust a single one of them, but the fact they accepted their help anyway was incredibly telling. This investigation wasn’t backed by enough people to be able to simply take what they needed. The angel of

>>3898440
dawn and the inquisition obviously believed it was worth it, but the lack of support from the angel of midnight was incredibly concerning. Venser couldn’t imagine she was compromised, so why did she shirk her duties to the people?

“What’s the matter, sir?” Ashur asked.

Damn, the boy always could tell when things troubled him. Even with the mask.

“I’m worried that this investigation will not yield nearly enough, Paladin Ashur.” Venser explained.

“As long as we attack swiftly and truly, god will lend us his support.” Ashur exclaimed.

“I’m happy that you maintain such vigor and certainty in these trying times, but remember restraint. I’ve been teaching you long enough.” Venser replied.

“Of course sir, I won’t lose my head. I’m not the same boy that I was three years ago.” Ashur responded, respectfully as he could manage given his excitement.

Venser sighed, the boy knew nothing of what they would be uncovering. But Venser knew full well what the Cult of Progress was capable of. He knew exactly the type of people who ran it, and more importantly, it’s leader. He knew who the hand of progress was, and what that meant for everything. He prayed that this assault would work, as the backup plan would stain his group’s souls forever.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

>>3898441
As the carriage drew around the final bend, Henry’s excitement turned to confusion and then horror. He could see flames leaping up from the town as well as angelic magic being fired off at the forces on the ground. There were troops swarming over the place although he couldn’t tell who. This was bad, very bad, extremely bad.

As everything came to a head, a massive explosion shook the entire countryside. Trees were flung about like toothpicks near the town as buildings were flung about like toys. The shockwave spooked the horses and the carriage was flung into a ditch. Larry and Ophelia were thrown off the back while the driver was dashed against some rocks. The interior was a mess Rosa, Charles, and Henry were flung about amongst broken glass and shattered wood. Xavier landed behind the cart gracefully as he could managed, the only one to avoid any real trouble.

Henry kicked out the door and lifted Charles out, then gave assistance to Rosa.

“Holy shit.” Larry muttered, fear in his voice for the first time that day.

Henry spun around to find something unbelievable. Something terrifying. In the fading light, a massive spirit, towering over the nearby town, and standing level with the nearby hills. A massive being of red mana, something that looked like a giant ghiest tore up the countryside as the angels around ducked and weaved out of the way. Henry felt himself become paralyzed for a moment as he watched Rosa rush off thoughtlessly to try and save the driver.

“God protect us.” Xavier muttered.

Henry watched as an angel, what he believed to be an archangel, stand before the creature. The archangel cast a massive spell, using up tremendous amounts of white mana, forming a holy sword of pure light. The sword was big enough to cut the creature in twain. The sword slammed down into the beast, which managed to knock it away as pieces of itself came loose, turning into bouts of lighting and flame. The thing shrieked, then swatted the archangel away into a nearby hill, causing the earth itself to shake.

Henry watched as white mana trailed out of the hill in the form of a barrier as the archangel tried to get airborne. One final, tremendous punch put an end to any hope of resistance as the hillside was torn off by the force.

The beast, leaned over the destroyed hill, and great bouts of fire and lightning emerged from its maw as it scorched the earth. The creature than began lumbering off, ignoring the angels buzzing around it and the scattered forces on the ground.

The town had gone boom.

=================================(End of Chapter)===================================

File: 79792.hq.jpg (68 KB, 417x305)

68 KB JPG

>>3898456
forgot the image

New thread!

>>3898499
>>3898499
>>3898499

>>3898456
So . . . . Did Henry's family just die?

>>3898508
no, Rally is the town that his family lives in, Marhine is the abandoned town that the cult of progress base. The cult of progress base blew up, Rally, as of now, is untouched.