I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick-ass…

…and I’m ALL outta bubblegum.

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>>5377799

"So how is he doing?" Serpico asks you of Guts' condition after a full day's work on him, only having time to rest at nightfall as Serpico throws some pebbles at the ocean to pass the time with you.

"We finally took the armor off of him. Damn thing was stuck on several of his vital organs, it was like a metal straw slurping on his blood. If it wasn't for Schierke's sleeping spells constantly putting him under, we would have lost him already..."

"And you still trust him enough to stay with that thing? You're pretty much lit the fuse on a man who doesn't have a good track record of handling explosives."

"Perhaps the same could be said of Farnese back in the day, but we've managed to handle her so far, right?"

"Speak for yourself..." Serpico's remarks seems rude at first, but you can see that he's merely lamenting how he was unable to change her before you came along. "Still, Hyde and I aren't too happy about him feeding into his bloodlust, it could easily turn into a liability for the group. To risk him killing us all whenever he dons that helm..."

"It's a necessary evil for now. Were it up to me, I wouldn't have him using the Berserker armor after one mere use leaves him half-dead, but I feel partially to blame after leaving him alone to fight The entity and Grunbeld, I doubt he will be as maimed as he is now, and with 3 magicians on our team, preventing him from losing his way will be just as much a priority as preparing for the war on the apostles."

"If you say so... Still, we have a right to defend ourselves. So should he come our way or against the ones we love, don't suppose we will stay idle." Serpico confirms that he would kill Guts or die trying should you be unable to control him, still being mistrustful despite his adventures on Qlipoth.

"Let's hope it won't come to that... Why don't we talk about something more concrete, for instance? I'm thinking of how we're planning on to get that boat to Elfhelm." You change the subject about something in the near future.

"I was about to ask you that. Do you have any plans on what to do when you arrive on Vritannis? There is plenty for us to do there, and I assume being wanted by the See won't stop you from pursuing onwards."

>I'll keep my helm on, as always. Can't risk anyone discovering my identity there.
>Rumors of the Phantom Impaler are already well known, it's possible someone might recognize my armor. Perhaps I should invest in a disguise...
>I'll present myself to the nobles as I am: Vlad Santana. I know I am innocent, and I do not fear the court of law.
>If Farnese has enough power to prove my innocence, she will likely have some sort of contacts that could hand us a boat.
>I think I have enough money to buy one from the docks. Might not be a first class voyage, but as long as it works...
>Write-in.

>>5377827
>I'll present myself to the nobles as I am: Vlad Santana. I know I am innocent, and I do not fear the court of law.
Ace attorney up in this bitch.
>If Farnese has enough power to prove my innocence, she will likely have some sort of contacts that could hand us a boat.
And if she doesn't:
>I think I have enough money to buy one from the docks. Might not be a first class voyage, but as long as it works...

>>5377888
>support

>>5377888
>>5377894
"I'll present myself to the nobles as I am: Vlad Santana. I know I am innocent, and I do not fear the court of law."

"... Are you sure? Neither the nobles of Vritannis or the See are known for their fair, unbiased trials. I'm afraid they might just arrest you on the spot for revealing yourself."

"You know I am much stronger than they are, escaping or defeating them wouldn't take long."
"We both know you don't mean to prove your innocence by committing courtroom genocide. Most likely you would just let them arrest you"

"...Would I? I'm not so sure anymore."
"If you're asking for an evaluation from me, I would say you haven't strayed away from your goals, but they are conflicting with how you feel on preserving peace."

"Hopefully Farnese will be able to intervene before any violence occurs. If she really is able to prove my innocence, asking a boat for her father will be like a snap of her fingers."
"Will it be that easy, though? If Farnese and I ran away due to the of chance of being pursued as heretics, our return might not be exactly welcomed."

"And if it doesn't work?"
"We buy one. I'm not wasting my father's money on mindless jewelry or terrain when I get there. I don't know how much a boat costs, but as long as we find some way to get a ride to Elfhelm, it's good enough for me."
"Do you know how much does it cost to hire a crew?"
"No, do you have an estimate?"

"Around the 40 gold coin mark. The crew, the food, rations, repairs... And that's if this island is in the same distance from the average islands away from the coast."

"You really don't have a a good word of positivity to say, huh?"
"Hey, I'm merely making you aware of the risks. I've paid more attention to court proceedings than Farnese ever could, it's only fair I give you additional insight."

Serpico's negativity is merely a way for you to ask him of other factors you might not be considering, taking the role of advisor he wished to be when Farnese was in a position of power.

Well, why not indulge him a little?

>Are boats crews hard to hire?
>How was Vritannis the last time you were here, is there anything worth noting about the city itself?
>How close is Farnese with her Father? Do you have any dirt on him worth remembering?
>My Father might have visited this place a couple times, do you think anyone might remember him or his knight?
>Write-in.

>>5377931
>How close is Farnese with her Father? Do you have any dirt on him worth remembering?

>My Father might have visited this place a couple times, do you think anyone might remember him or his knight?

>>5377931
>How close is Farnese with her Father? Do you have any dirt on him worth remembering?
>My Father might have visited this place a couple times, do you think anyone might remember him or his knight?

>How was Vritannis the last time you were here, is there anything worth noting about the city itself?

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>>5377938
>>5377945
"How was Vritannis the last time you were there, is there anything worth noting about the city itself?"

"For those who have the money to enter and exit the ports, it's a prosperous, ever growing garrison for the Vandimions. A monolith of how religion can unite people of all countries of the continent. Ys, Tudor, Midland, and Balden, just to name a few. Before we departed, I remember Vritannis attempting to expand their army by use of Randel commonwealth. Along with Faris, Lana and Nise, they together form the Paneria Alliance."

"Are they all meeting together for their negotiations?"
"They're all in the border of collapsing on their own regards. For example, Balden is dealing with a peasant insurrection. Randel is a newly found country born from said insurrection, and due to being a settlement in the wetlands where criminals were sent to, they are seen as an aggressive nation with negative connotations to their colonies. Uniting with Midland forces to aid in the Kushan army should cleanse their blackened history."

"If that much can be done for a country, a single man shouldn't be hard to forgive..."

"Redemption is not that easy to build, as a country's entire reputation can be tarnished by the slightest mistake. Look at Morgar and Wallatoria for instance, small kingdoms at the furthest east of our nations, yet they're veterans of war who have survived resistance against the kushans for generations. The Paneria Alliance were only a group of city-states in continuous skirmishes around their dominions, so even though they have economic power, they are heavily dependent on mercenaries."

"Seems dangerous, to only use mercenaries as a private army. Midland did something similar with the Band Of The Falcon, but they still had some semblance of a private army."
"Depends on the mercenaries, The Band Of The Dawn Fang, for instance have remained undefeated in the Randel war of independence, but one must always remember that mercenary groups will always priorities themselves and their benefits than whatever noble entity hires them."

"Your knowledge of their forces is quite widespread."
"It comes with being a herald of arms. Don't be surprised if you find plenty of people dying on the street and being ignored while begging for change though. All of these people hate the kushan and want to survive, but they won't accept all unless they apply with either political ideology, or with enough bribery."

"Getting on their good side must be near essential, then. They must have more urgent matters to attend than an inquisition of an old enemy."
"Well, you were accused of witchcraft and brought down the great hero of Midland at his peak, before the kingdom fell into ruin. It's pretty much common belief that you were the one responsible for it, bringing a curse onto Midland for your imprisonment."
"..." You shiver, wondering if that was the reason why they went after your family estate.

>>5377931
>"... Are you sure? Neither the nobles of Vritannis or the See are known for their fair, unbiased trials. I'm afraid they might just arrest you on the spot for revealing yourself."
>"You know I am much stronger than they are, escaping or defeating them wouldn't take long."
>"We both know you don't mean to prove your innocence by committing courtroom genocide. Most likely you would just let them arrest you"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuV63EEhS8c

>>5377976
"What do you know of Jacopo Santana or Royal Knight Gallahad? They have visited the holy lands a couple times, surely they are remembered."

"Jacopo... Jacopo..." Serpico mumbles your father's name, trying to muster up something worth mentioning. "Do you mean the son of Char Santana? I remember him being a judge from nobility that dealt with trials regarding tax evasion."

"From the commoners?"
"No, from the nobles itself. He knew that they had more fortune than whatever bronze coins they could take from whatever hundreds of thousands of peasants they knew."

"Combating corrupt governors is something that's hard to find even nowadays, I'm surprised he wasn't persecuted."

"In a few ways, he was. He might have had incriminating evidence to be found so that all his cases were closed and shut, but that came with some sort of infamy, many thought he used forged evidence to his cases thanks to the Santana's ties to the See. and being so focused on his work, he only married out of obligation, having a child in his golden years and dying a few years after retiring from the one verdict he said he was mistaken on."

"It feels humiliating to only hear my family's history from you, rather than on my own household, but that would explain why my the estate was so luxurious despite my father never being around."

"Jacopo is a name I hardly hear partly from Char's infamy. I believe your father likely wanted to lay low and have a quieter, more unassuming career to compensate for the turbulent divisiveness of Char, which is why he always opted out of skirmishes and advancements of our troops, instead pleading for diplomacy in the Tudor war instead of leaving villages behind for tactical advantages. He was a good man at heart, but being so easily pushed around and with no allies to his side, shutting him down was easy."

"Didn't help that Michelle was a commoner, even if our trading expeditions and his holy missions were successful, it all could be interpreted as expanding our private business."
"I believe that he played a part in supporting Randel's was of independence, but you'd have to ask someone more familiar with Balden history to confirm which side he took."

"What about the Vandimion Family? Do you have any dirt on them?"
"What could be dirtier than their only daughter being deeply in love with a wanted wizard with terrible relations with them? We almost killed you at your house just because you held her hand." Serpico chuckles, indicating that what you know about Farnese is already enough to shun them out of high society.

"There is one other thing worth nothing... But I do not know if exposing that secret would do us good or harm us in the long run..."

>Anything could help.
>If it's urgent, I need to hear it?
>Is it related to you and Farnese?
>You don't have to tell me, if it's that harmful.
>Write-in.

>>5378014
>You don't have to tell me, if it's that harmful.

>>5378014
>You don't have to tell me, if it's that harmful.

>>5378014
>Whether you tell me or not, I trust your judgement on the matter.

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>>5378031
>>5378071
"You don't have to tell me if it's that harmful."
"I insist. I've been dwelling on this for far too long. It's something I had to tell Lady Farnese eventually, so consider this a test run."
"Why can't you just tell her?"
"Let's just say this secret is only harmful for those who spread it, and you've more than earned my trust for you to explain myself."

You are reluctant in obliging Serpico, but after him boasting his vote of confidence to you, it's hard to deny an ear to him.
"I don't know if I can maintain my composure by explaining this with words, would you mind using your magic?"

Delving into his memories, Serpico thinks back to his childhood as the first vision that appears to you is pure white, the snowy stones of Vritannis slums obscuring a young Serpico's view as he is repeatedly kicked and stomped on by a group of children, stealing the food from his bag as they ate a slice of bead in front of him.

"Get lost, idiot!"
"Yeah! We're the ones who get food around here!"

Just as the group of children were about to leave, Serpico unexpectedly picked up a rock from his hand to squash the eye of the one stealing his dinner, bashing his face in to relinquish his anger before finally fleeing to his home.

For those who didn't have a family name, Vritannis was as much of a hellhole for commoners as any other place in Midland, as he climbed to the second floor at the rotting hovel he lived in, a dim lit room in the outskirts of a city was room to a woman emaciated to skin and bones by illness, forever reminding his youthful self of his imminent death.

"Here is your food, Mother."
"Were were you! I was freezing by myself here... My back aches, rub it for me."
"...Yes, Mother."

She showed her protruded spine and ribs for the boy to press onto, and the way her neck snapped when she turned over to check his face made her look like a living skeleton.

"What's this bruise over your face?"
"I, um... Got into a fight with some other boys in town--" Serpico speaks up before being slapped in the face.
"Where is your pride, Serpico!? You are an aristocrat! Fighting with hood rats is absurd, don't stoop to their level!"

Taking a pendant from her neck, the sickly mother makes an uncanny grin to her son as her eyes sparkle on the brink of insanity.
"You are my only hope... Your father will come for us, I know it! Do not disappoint him!"
"Quit shouting, Mother... You will start coughing again."
"Have pride, Serpico! Pride!"
Her mad mantra proceeded to drown his worries as he expected the locket, opening the latch to find a painting of Federico III and a younger depiction of herself. Being a servant for his mansion, she told the 9 year old Serpico that he was conceived at the end of their honeymoon.

As she clung to those sweet memories, she burdened the young child with a dream who he had no chance of discovering if it was a mere delusion, too busy supporting the family by himself.

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>>5378089
Being beaten by the older brother of the kid he deformed the following day, his bones were broken to the point where he couldn't lift himself up the freezing snow, until the cursed daughter of aristocracy had the irony of saving his life.

Hating the burden he was pushed onto, Serpico had no idea who she was, other than a genuine daughter of nobility while he was a mere bastard son of a nobleman.

"Silly rabbit..." He grumbled as he saw the young Farnese clutching to her father's gift, only to receive a stomp to the nape.
"Insolent whelp!"
"Don't waste your time with this filthy, dying child, milady... It's time for the Holy communion." One of Frederico's servants came to interrupt Farnese's beating.

"The communion can wait, put this boy in the carriage!"
"But milady-"
"PUT HIM IN! NOW!" She growled, avoiding her visit to the temple to treat him.

Seeing these memories by Serpico's perspectives gives all the additional context you needed for their weird, dysfunctional relationship.

"I will look after you, but do not forget who you belong to. You owe me your life, so pledge yourself to me!" Farnese rubbed a hot cloth piece onto his freezing body.

Though he could not comprehend what he pledged to, he was finally able to find a decent paying job, liberated from a mother who could not let go of the past as he hired a housekeeper to take care of the woman in his stead.

"And what's the name of this noble?"
"I was so excited, I forgot to ask them... But I will live and work there starting tomorrow."
"Good! Serve them well! This is your chance to reach high society, don't waste it."

Despite being drowned by Farnese, being chased by dogs and falling off horses for entertainment, he didn't mind being her sadistic human toy, as the physical pain was nothing compared to the pain he felt of being dragged by the sins of a past others had lived, so he was happier with submitting.

But his mother's past would chase him even there, as when he met the master of the house when wearing the locket, he was asked to show the painted picture.

An underwhelming meeting with his father, feeling no sense of comradery at the man who abandoned him. Being more concerned at how close he had gotten to Farnese.

Already having 3 sons, Frederico did not want a fourth one competing for his assets, promising Serpico to become a noble when he grew up, if he promised to keep his secret as a loyal servant.
Fulfilling his mother's dream, Serpico had no choice other than to accept, but only after asking:

"Will you meet my mother too? She misses you a lot."
"...In due time. Honestly, I was quite at a loss when it came to Farnese, but ever since you came along, the other servants that their lives were made easier ever since you became her companion. Maybe she will stop feigning innocence to me eventually..."
Frederico dismissed his questions with such ease, Serpico wondered if he even heard him.

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>>5378104
Feeling like you've seen enough to cast some judgement, you let go of his forehead and meet Serpico's gaze.

Reminiscing all his terrible memories, you expected some sort of feelings to resurface onto him: Anger, Sorrow, Sadness, perhaps even Despair.

Yet here he is, posing elegantly with his hands crossed behind his waist as if he was meeting his master.

It seems Farnese and Frederico had groomed him well enough to not emote negatively to whatever pain he was feeling. Almost as if he could smile through it all.

>Why are you comfortable with sharing this with me?
>The Vandimions are monsters, both you and your mother deserved much better.
>So that's why you refused to reciprocate Farnese's feelings, I don't blame you for it.
>What happened to your mother?
>Why haven't you told this to Farnese?
>So you joined Farnese in her inquisitions of the poor, despite being a commoner yourself?
>Screw nobility, you were stolen of your family name! It's time you take your pride back.
>It's a pleasure to meet you, brother-in-law.
>Write-in.

>>5378109
>Why are you comfortable with sharing this with me?

>What happened to your mother?

> I agree this is probably something we shouldn't spread around. we won't really benefit from it.

>>5378109
>>Why are you comfortable with sharing this with me?
>What happened to your mother?
>Why haven't you told this to Farnese?

>>5378109
>>Why are you comfortable with sharing this with me?
>What happened to your mother?
>Why haven't you told this to Farnese?

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>>5378118
>>5378124
>>5378135
"Why are you comfortable with sharing this with me?" You wonder why he suddenly blurted that out to you. "Farnese is the one who you owe an explanation, not me."

"Well, you wanted some dirt on The Vandimions, didn't you? There you have it. Besides, with Lady Farnese and the others already opening up to you, I could only hope that some of your magic worked on me."

"What am I, a confessionary?"
"A confidant. Should you find it too bothersome of your time, you can pretend that this conversation never happened."
"You just dropped a bomb on me! How can I forget this? I don't even know what to make of this information."
Serpico sighs feeling hurt and questioning his trust in you.

Not meaning to offend you, you attempt to shift your composure before he leaves.
"You have been easing Farnese's burdens more than I could, Vlad. It's only natural that you came to learn a secret that she doesn't even know of..."
"I rather let you be the one telling her the message yourself."
"I'm not sure it would be fair to reveal that, given her neglected feelings... Or what came after I found that out."

Serpico then explains what happened to his mother, being dragged into a sanitorium as her condition worsened to the point where she mistook him for her lover. The closest she would ever receive from a visit from Frederico.

"Is she still alive?" You ask, though already knowing the answer.

"..."
Groaning, you become too curious to cease your probing, looking for an answer by entering his mind.

"Well done, Lady Farnese. We've managed to finally strike at the headquarters of those devil-worshippers. Who would have thought their den would be a sanatorium?" His mind wanders to the same year your parents disappeared, when they were still eagerly burning heretics at stakes.

"Sanatorium?" Serpico uncharacteristically walked over to the victims about to be cleansed, hoping he didn't find any familiar faces...

"...Mother?!" Serpico's torch trembled as it's flames grew short, lighting the face of a smiling old woman."
"Serpico? What's gotten into yo-"
"She's..."

"Did he just say something?"
"I believe he said, 'Mother'?" The inquisitors interrupt Farnese's interruption as they overhead his fearful voice.

"I-Impossible! A relative of the Holy Army, a heretic?"
"But he said it so himself!"
"Yes, but..." Farnese attempts to defend her knight as he approaches the insane elderly victim of persecution.

"Oh! My dear husband, how long has it been? Was our son of use to you? He did not disgrace the family, did he?"

Despite how much his mother brought him down and he wished death upon her for the abuse and pressure, to do so in this moment felt like a betrayal of what Serpico stood for, an ironic way for her take revenge for ever thinking he could stray from his past."

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>>5378164
"Prove to me! Prove to me that she's not your mother!" Farnese tears up as she offers Serpico a stronger fire source, wanting to prove his innocence once and for all.

"Farnese-"
"You can do it, can't you? You don't have a woman to call yours! So swear it once more to me! I am your mistress! Only I, now and forever..."

Putting his mistress' needs over his, he slowly approached the stake with confidence to burn all the heretics, burning the only remaining evidence of his true origins while asserting to Farnese of his innocence.

"...Now you know why I can't tell her." Serpico says as his memories disappear from your vision. "We have left a labyrinth we never dreamed of escaping, and now we've reached the ocean that marks the halfway point of our journey. Be it snow or sand... our footprints continue along..."

How could he reveal the truth, knowing that Farnese would instantly connect the dots and deem herself guilty of killing her brother's mother?

"Maybe the wind of the sylphs is guiding me to my freedom with these thoughts... Though I wonder what it means to truly be free... Is it to pass my burdens to someone else, or to feign control over the ones who give you order. Unless being free to die is considered a form of opposition..."

>To be free is to do whatever you wish to.
>Freedom is relative, and many times illusive. Some burdens are ours to carry alone.
>We can't be free until we've fulfilled our missions. Though whatever our mission is predates our own conception.
>We are slaves of our own minds and needs. It's sad, but it reflects our state of being.
>Write-in.

>>5378175
>Freedom is relative, and many times illusive. Some burdens are ours to carry alone.
>The man who lives imprisoned is still free to choose whether he lives or dies. He is free to think whatever he wishes to think, but he is denied the ability to go where he wants and do what he wants. He has the same amount of freedom as the man who surrounds himself with obligations and ties himself to being socially acceptable. The latter may have chosen his cage, but he can't say what his heart desires. Personally, of the two, I would rather be the former - he can say whatever he pleases, and show his true self to the world even if they hate him for it.

>>5378186
support

>>5378186
+1

>>5378186
+1

>>5378186
Support, yes.
Just in time for a new thread

>>5378186
>+1

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>>5378186
"Freedom is relative, and many times illusive. Some burdens are ours to carry alone." You open your heart to your friend so he can understand your interpretation of the world. "The man who lives imprisoned is still free to choose whether he lives or dies. He is free to think whatever he wishes to think, but he is denied the ability to go where he wants and do what he wants. He has the same amount of freedom as the man who surrounds himself with obligations and ties himself to being socially acceptable. The latter may have chosen his cage, but he can't say what his heart desires. Personally, of the two, I would rather be the former - he can say whatever he pleases, and show his true self to the world even if they hate him for it."

"I see... I guess only time will decide on when I'll be tested by a fork in the road..."

"Serpico! There you are!" Zhafira shouts over in the distance. "I've been improvising some new songs! Do you want to hear it?"

She ecstatically hops around, wanting her friend to trust her. Spending more time with Cindy and Hyde gave him an extra perspective on how the non-nobles lived their lives. Despite being unhappy with their social status, they all found a way to communicate their feelings and be more than the world wished them to be, be it through art, their relationships or their jobs, they gave Serpico a glimpse of what the world could be if he had remained as a commoner.

"Of course! What song are you making?"
"It's part of Rosy Rose's epic tale! But it's a bit of a sad song, so I'm trying to remember the lyrics without making anyone cry. It's the part of the story where she runs from home as her city is burnt to the ground."

"What a coincidence..." He whispers to himself. "It's an interesting premise, if anything."

Inviting himself to listen to the song, Serpico looks over to you, wondering if you'd join him, as well as what you would do with his revelations.

>Keep it between you two, you're glad he trusts you enough to tell you this, but you don't have much use in revealing it.
>Wait for him to speak up. It's his secret, so it's best to leave it to him to reveal it to who he wishes.
>Tell Farnese in private. She deserves to know.
>Use it to blackmail the Vandimions. Serpico deserves to be a noble as much as they do, and you will fight for his cause.
>Listen to the song.
>Guts might be needing some healing aid now, maybe later.

>>5378515
>Listen to the song.
Then afterwards:
>Tell Farnese in private. She deserves to know.
Keeping it a secret from the rest of the group is justified, but from Farnese? Keeping such a secret that hits close to home from her could lead to some major trust issues with us if she ever finds out we kept this information from her. Tell only Farnese. She deserves to know at the very least.

>>5378515
>Wait for him to speak up. It's his secret, so it's best to leave it to him to reveal it to who he wishes.
>Guts might be needing some healing aid now, maybe later.
Sorry Serpico, but you won't get out of this burden by pushing it onto us. It's your secret to reveal, not ours. The only one who can lift the weight on your soul is you.

>>5378532
>+1.

>>5378542
+1

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>>5378532
>>5378550
>>5378542

"Wouldn't hurt to hear a piece of it."
"Hooray! Come over to the fireplace then! It'll add some visual flair to my singing!"

Finding a shell to blow onto to replicate some echoing sounds to her eclectic sounds, she slowly waltz behind the fireplace while everyone barring Guts heard her song at the bonfire.

These red and orange sparks, have rained down before
As they burn they remind me, of the faded town in the offshore
How can I descend a hill with you, when I failed to climb it alone?
On the day the city fell, our stories were all gone.

Even if you won't be there, I will visit you
and knock upon the charcoaled door, the one from way back when

This house I’ve never visited seems so familiar
When did it disappear together with you?
There’s no reason you’d have been here, yet here I am
When that song I cannot hear comes to an end,
I wonder if this echo I recall will disappear.

Serpico smiles, feeling like the meaning of the song was not lost on him. By confiding his deepest secret with you, some weight was put off his shoulders. It didn't seem like he was particularly suffering from the pressure, or at least, not anymore than he had already ruminated on the topic for over a decade.

He wasn't expecting your pity, or a pat on the back so you can do the job for him, he merely believed that you had more freedom to use that information for the greater good than him.

"Farnese." You rubbed the girl's hair as she lifted her face from your shoulder.
"Yes?"

>You mind if we took a look at Guts for a second?
>Let's take a walk for a bit.
>...Do you remember burning a woman who called Serpico her son?
>Would you like to know what Serpico truly thinks of you?
>Is Serpico a brother to you?
>Write-in.
>Nothing...[Avoid the subject with a quick kiss]

>>5378581
>Let's take a walk for a bit.

>>5378581
>Let's take a walk for a bit.

>>5378581
>You mind if we took a look at Guts for a second?

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>>5378584
>>5378585

"Are you still upset with me?" You ask your loving apprentice as she takes off her shoes to walk in the sand.

"Not at all. I've understood your grievances after seeing how Schierke was dealing with Flora's death. As much as she attempted to convince me that she was fine, that she merely ascended to a greater realm of ideas, that it was all according to plan to better defeat Griffith... She couldn't help but tear up."

"Death is never pleasant. As much as we want to cope by saying they "are in a better place" if we truly believed in that, we would celebrate their life and passing, instead of missing them so much..." You relate to Schierke after all who came and went into your life.

"How many families did I destroy by ignoring that...?" She holds a hand over her forehead, while you try to distract her with something more light-hearted.
"I thought you would be angry at me for eating your omelet, too. Or do you just make good food when you're not with me?"

"I'm serious, Vlad! Now that I'm reaching closer to my hometown, a flurry of memories are swirling me..."
"Anything worth sharing? Serpico told me plenty, but I would like to hear your perspective."
"...Do you remember my brother Magnifico? He has a friend who's third in line for the throne of Ys... Roderick. I believe they will come for the meeting."
"Roderick? Sounds like someone important. Do you know anything else about him?"

"If he is coming over, he must be searching for political power... perhaps a bride."

She's afraid of her parents arranging a marriage for her, much like they have done in the past. And even being as physically powerful as you are, even before your family name was tarnished, your family wasn't even close to competing with royalty...

>You have nothing to fear, Farnese. I am also a lord.
>No man shall take me away from you, I don't care how powerful Roderick is, he will hear a no from me.
>I'm sure some sort of compromise can be achieved, we can't be too demanding at their home.
>If anything, it will be a good way to establish relations with Ilos so it's finally recognized as an independent place from Midland.
>About Serpico...
>Write-in.

>>5378609
>No man shall take me away from you, I don't care how powerful Roderick is, he will hear a no from me.

>and I'm at least not a commoner. Hopefully that'll count for something.

>>5378609
>No man shall take me away from you, I don't care how powerful Roderick is, he will hear a no from me.
>About Serpico.

The longer it takes us to get to the point, the harder it will be to say what is necessary.

>>5378609
>No man shall take me away from you, I don't care how powerful Roderick is, he will hear a no from me.

>>5378609
>>No man shall take me away from you, I don't care how powerful Roderick is, he will hear a no from me.

inb4 griffith

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>>5378620
>>5378635
>>5378649
>>5378875
"No man shall take me away from you, I don't care how powerful Roderick is, he will hear a no from me if he hasn't heard one from his parents."

"I surely hope he can handle rejection..." Farnese whispers. "Gallahad was your master when training as a royal knight, correct? He became a bit of a legend at the docks, perhaps being his last pupil would leverage some of your status."

"After his body was buried under my estate? Unlikely... At least I am not considered a commoner, hopefully that will count for something."

"Hopefully." She repeats, walking further into the water to wet her feet.

"Any idea on when Guts will be able to walk again?"
"The way he is, I'll be glad if he can just open his eyes without screaming. I'd give him a few more weeks until he recovers, but knowing how eager he is to walk around without waiting for his injuries to heal, he'll likely just start undoing his straps and walking by himself in a few days if I let him."

"Stubborn as always, isn't he? Oddly enough, I feel like him being a commander gave him some experience in leading our group, I wouldn't mind it if it happened again, perhaps it could serve as a bonding for the opposing sides of our group."
Farnese's advice is sound, maybe you'll give him a word when he is able to listen.

Oddly enough, when approaching the water to check your face, you feel something tugging at your lifted heel. Turning over to get rid of the crab pinching you, you're surprised to meet a young child, not older than 4 years old, playing with the extra skin on your ankle. As he loses balance and falls face first on the sand, he starts to quietly sob as Farnese attempts to clean his face.

"What's a child doing here?"
"Naked, too. His skin is freezing." You start to worry about the kid as he avoids your touch after letting him fall, raising his arms to the direction of your camp's bonfire.
"Should we look out for his parents? I don't see anyone in the vicinity."
"I think it's smarter to just ask him first."

"Well, he hasn't spoken anything so far."
After being cleaned, the boy returns to his neutral expression. He lacks the energy of a kid his age, and the way he remains silent and avoiding your gaze when you claim for his attention makes his appearance all the more mysterious.

>Where are you from, little boy? Do you have a name?
>I'm sorry for tripping you over, are you feeling alright?
>Can you understand my language? I can speak in Tudorian, if you wish.
>Let's follow him, see where he wants to go.
>[Feel if anyone's nearby, his Od must be similar to his parents]
>[Entertain him with some funny faces.]
>Write-in.

>>5378952
>Can you understand my language? I can speak in Tudorian, if you wish.

>I'm sorry for tripping you over, are you feeling alright?

>[Feel if anyone's nearby, his Od must be similar to his parents]

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>>5378875
>Griffith arrives on the island to kidnap Casca.
>Vlad reaches him before he escapes.
>"Griffith, wait!"
>"Of course, I almost forgot."
>Hops out of Zodd's uber ride and kidnaps Farnese.
>FUUUUUUUUUUUU

I M A G I N E

>>5378982
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

>>5378952
>I'm sorry for tripping you over, are you feeling alright?
>Can you understand my language? I can speak in Tudorian, if you wish.
>Where are you from, little boy? Do you have a name?
>[Feel if anyone's nearby, his Od must be similar to his parents]
>Let's follow him, see where he wants to go.

>>5378997
+1

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>>5378997
That's just voting for everything but one thing
Too many voters never make smaller choices

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>>5378955
>>5378997
>>5379013
>>5379026

Alright, sensing him is a given, but Vlad will need a row to see if he finds anything around aside from the boy, I'll consider the following actions depending on his result.

A 1d100 should do it, maybe he can find something out about this rando kid

>>5379031
Ah, forgot the trip, reminder to not shitpost on other boards while I'm running. At least the IDs help me out on that regard

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>5379031
best roll.

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>5379031
Sense the shit out of this little demonspawn

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>5379031
Sand. I hate it.

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>5379031

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>5379031

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>>5379034
>>5379038
>>5379040

"Where are you from, little boy? What's your name?" You try to get some small talk with the boy, but he merely tilts his head sideways, wondering what are you really trying to say.

"Hmph... Is something wrong? I'm sorry if I upset you for tripping you over... Are you hurt?"
You inspect his feet, head and shoulders to see if there was anything stuck on him, but he seems to be doing just fine.

Still silent, though... What else could you say to him?
"इदानीं मां अवगन्तुं शक्नोषि वा?" Switching the language to Tudorian, you wonder if there is any other way to communicate with the boy without resorting to magic.

The child takes a step backwards, now feeling startled at a language beyond his comprehension.
"So it's the regular speak then. Why won't you talk, though? Cat got your tongue?"

Placing a hand on his hairy head, you attempt to look into his memories or hear any of his thoughts, yet he makes an active effort not to think of anything, revealing absolutely nothing with 0 messages. The child feels like a complete blank slate.

You thought that being mute would only make it easier to read his mind, but only a single thought goes through his mind.

Mother...
"Right, I'll find your mom in no time!" Focusing on your surroundings and the color of their Od, you see the fusion of energy that came with his own sense of self. With the full moon, visual pollution was bound to disturb your Od vision, feeling several particles of the elementals as well as the spirits.

There are no strangers in sight. No apostles are nearby. The closest mind you can communicate with are the people from your camp. Given how that's the direction he is pointing, he couldn't possibly want to meet anyone there.

"Beware Of The Moonlight Child..."
You are reminded of Merlina's last piece of advice in your dream... The full moon has a strong affinity to spirits.

Malevolent or not, a team such as yours is bound to encounter the supernatural, but for what reason she would advise you to be wary of this kid?
Mother...

Knowing that his mother couldn't be Farnese, Violet or Cindy, the only other woman to be found there would be...
Now that you think about it... his features with the long hair... the mixture of their Ods...
Wasn't this the spirit who haunted them before?

>Poor boy. He doesn't realize that he's already dead.
>It wouldn't hurt to let him come along, would it?
>Maybe Casca would not appreciate reminding herself of her assault in such a crucial moment of her recovery.
>Check him again for any oddities.
>What do you think, Farnese?
>Away with you, ghost!
>Write-in.

>>5379418
>Poor boy. He doesn't realize that he's already dead.
>See how he reacts to a ward drawn in the sand. If he only bears benevolence in his heart, he would be fine, surely. And if he's a malevolent spirit...you'll be able to see through his trickery through the pain the Ward would produce.

>>5379434
support
just be ready to fight

>>5379031
Yo becchi, I caught you last thread
>"See that wall over there? You can climb it!" You hold your open palm to balance the weight of your body as you fit it inside the crevices.
I cannot believe Vlad toddposted at Isidro like that

>>5379418
>What do you think, Farnese?
>See how he reacts to a ward drawn in the sand. If he only bears benevolence in his heart, he would be fine, surely. And if he's a malevolent spirit...you'll be able to see through his trickery through the pain the Ward would produce.

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>>5379450
Scenes with Puck are my go-to scenes for not so subtle referential humor.

I solemnly vowed not to reference anything that happened after Miura's passing, so at least the other references like Hajime No Ippo or Dragon Ball didn't take anyone too much out of the story considering no one commented on it.

>>5379434
>Support

>>5379462
>Puck has a heart to heart with Vlad and Schierke
>talks about how he also lost somebody dear to him a while back
>Vlad checks his mind
>sees a glimpse of Miura
>hears Guts going "He died doing what he wanted, no matter what. Right? I bet he was happy."
>vision ends abruptly
>feels a very very strange emotion come over him; a mixture of deep sadness when he lost his family, and the familiarity one gets seeing a stranger that looks strikingly similar to a loved one but is a complete nobody to you

>>5379434
+1

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>>5379434
>>5379461
>>5379445
>>5379476
>>5379486
"Poor boy. He doesn't realize that he's already dead..."
"He's a ghost?" Farnese grooms the boy's hair with her fingers, wondering why she could feel him just fine.

Explaining to Farnese the events of Albion she did not know about due to fainting from the rapist horse, you tell her about Casca and how she managed to protect herself from the Tidal Wave Of Darkness thanks to the demonic baby she had with Guts. Being corrupted with Griffith's inhuman essence, he is perhaps the sole reason why Casca was protected from harm at night while Guts was forced to fight all sorts of monster for the two years they have been astray.

"This... Is awful! How did she not take her life from such suffering?"
"Being unable to remember what happened to her might have been a blessing in disguise... I doubt she wants to remember either."

"But it's her son! Shouldn't she feel better about seeing someone familiar who is still alive?"
"We can't know that without trying it, this could also risk another panic attack that would drain the little essence we have."

"Isn't being unable to see Guts without associating him with that day torture enough?" Farnese is inclined on delivering this nameless child to Casca. Though you can sympathize with her, you have to make sure that your master's advice isn't for naught.

Drawing a ward in the sand, you attempt to place the boy in a circle which would entrap evil spirits. The most that happens is him getting startled by the light show, kicking some sand at your face as he hops away with no further effect.

"*Cough* COUGH*" You clear your throat after some dirt got inside your mouth. Why does every single child you meet has to dislike you?

"I take it he's all clear then." Farnese holds his hand, noticing a scar between his fingers that seemed to have been cut recently.

"Hmm..." She wonders where he got hurt as you decide on whether or not to bring him in.

>Casca deserves to see him. And so does Guts, if he is awake.
>It might trigged a few too many bad memories. Sorry, boy.
>Let's at least give him some clothes and food until sunrise. I'd feel bad abandoning a child by himself.

>>5379508
>Casca deserves to see him. And so does Guts, if he is awake.
>preferably with clothes.

>>5379516
+1

>>5379516
>+1.

>>5379516
might be better to prepare before. We would take this kid with us, so we probably should talk with Casca/Guts
otherwise support

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he passed the test

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>>5379516
>>5379528
>>5379587
>>5379608

"Please, can I see him?" Casca asks to go into the caravan's hut after Farnese went off to ask Zhafira for some cloth.

"No can do, Casca. Orders of the little witch kid 'erself. It's for yer safety."
"But I don't get any reactions when he's asleep. "

"He could wake up at any moment, and we don't have any more juice to count for relapses."
"How can I get better if I don't try to get over whatever happened to me? I need to be with Guts!"
"Casca, Y' know that this is the sensible option-"
"How long do I need to be 'sensible' when he's dying right in front of me? Why can't I protect him for once?" Casca pushes Hyde away from the door, to which he tries to resist, but his muscular memory still proves that two years wasn't enough for all her force to go away.

"Casca!" Farnese looks back as Farnese brings the boy with her, covered in a blanket as his head hangs upside down.
"Where the heck did you find that boy, Farnese? That ain't how you hold a damn kid, woman!" Hyde quickly moves over to get the child from her arms before he could fall to the floor as Casca stops to see what they were doing.

"Wh-What did I do wrong?"
"Don't you see how kids are? Look at them big ass heads they got! You gotta put another hand on their nape so they don't hurt their backs!" Hyde adjusts the kid and places it back on her shoulder.

"He seems much more comfortable now..."
"Course he is. Been waiting to have a kid with Jodi for over 3 years, you bet yer ass I'm gonna be the best father in all the three worlds when I'm back home! Had plenty of time to hold Violet and the girls in my arms when they were young. Oh, they grow up so fast..."

"You can say that again." You chuckle reminding of Violet's instant growth into adulthood, wondering how you would explain the moonlight child's identity to the others.

>Found him at the shore, he doesn't seem to be able to speak.
>I was meaning to present him to Casca, he seems to be after her and Guts.
>Is Guts still asleep? I might have to wake him up to see this...
>Oh, didn't you know? I had a kid with Farnese.
>Write-in.

>>5379691
>Oh, didn't you know? I had a kid with Farnese.
Fuck with him a bit for the lols
>Found him at the shore, he doesn't seem to be able to speak.
>I was meaning to present him to Casca, he seems to be after her and Guts.

>>5379691
>>Found him at the shore, he doesn't seem to be able to speak.
>>I was meaning to present him to Casca, he seems to be after her and Guts.

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>>5379695
>>5379710
"Oh, didn't you know? I had a kid with Farnese."
"Ack!" Farnese almost lets the toddler fall from her arms as she trips over on the weight of her own embarrassment.

"Not falling for that one, partner. Kid doesn't anything like you. Eyes and hair are totally different." He chuckles, making Farnese calm down as Casca approaches the child reaching his hand out to her.

"Found him naked at the shore. He seems to be a mute, but since he wants to be with Casca and Guts, I saw no harm in bringing him here."

"Why is he after me? I don't remember his face..."
"Looks a bit too young to be anyone she should remember before her memory loss..."
The child quickly hops from Farnese's chest to Casca's, with her trying her best to catch him without both of them falling.

"Nothing comes to mind?"
"Nothing at all..."
Casca is confused, but feels an oddly, familiar warmth coming from the child, like a mother feeding her son, she naturally lets his little head rest on her collarbone, so he can finally relax and close his eyes.

"It must be late for him." Farnese giggles at the sight of him sheepishly falling asleep.
Despite not remembering, the good influence and genuine happiness that came from their reunion would be bound to bear fruit, if you let them be.
"Father... the child thinks to himself as his head is caressed by Casca.
Since the retired mercenary hasn't given up on visiting Guts while he is asleep, she waits for your permission to enter his resting place.

Well, knowing how she would try to get in even if you said no, you let her come in, so long as she kept a good few meters away from him.

As Casca sees Guts' body, covered in a blanket to prevent the sight and infection of his wounds. The armor was taken off of him, but his resting was essential.

"To have the possibility of moving on dangled in my face, right as all is forcibly forgotten... It's like gasping for air one last time, before being pushed down to be drowned once more, by an assailant I can't fight..." Casca stays on her knees as the boy rustles on her chest, angry at being woken up before noticing who was in front of him.

"I just want to see him open his eyes, to have a final talk to him before this is all over... There's no need to die for me when we could have once lived in peace..."

"I still love him! That's the worst part about this! Why can't he realize that the weight of this sword is much greater than any burdens we could have gotten through!? I'm tired of fighting, Guts... Why aren't you...?"

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>>5379800
>He would rather kill 100 apostles to protect you than outright admit his love. It's just the way he is.
>You are the one giving him strength. We all are, he's already changing and growing calmer thanks to being with us.
>You could always leave him, if it's too much for you to handle, but your child would appreciate having it's parents united.
>Would you like me to wake him up? Maybe he would appreciate having a heart to heart with you. It's worth seeing if you're getting any better.
>He will only cease his fight when he dies, when those monsters are sent away, or if he's incapacitated. sad to say, it's a feeling I'm starting to relate to.
>Write-in.

>>5379801
>You are the one giving him strength. We all are, he's already changing and growing calmer thanks to being with us.

>>5379801
>>You are the one giving him strength. We all are, he's already changing and growing calmer thanks to being with us.

>>5379801
>He IS tired of it, Casca. He's been fighting for longer than any of us, but I fear it's the only thing he truly knows. Love and peace are strange and uncertain things for him. That's slowly changing, but for now...he's driven by the memories that haunt him, and his need for revenge. You both suffered true injustice, though I beg you to keep your mind away from that for now. He wants for nothing more than to live out the rest of his days with you, but the beast of darkness within him refuses to let go of him or the past. Sadly, it's not something so easily purged as an apostle or dark magic...it can only be purified by bringing peace to Guts, and giving him the strength to lay the beast to rest.

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>>5379844
>>5379850
>>5379862

"He IS tired of this fight, Casca. Exhausted, even. As much of it as we all are, but I fear that's the only fuel he knows how to use. Love, Peace, Acceptance. Having to relearn all of those feelings after the injustice you've suffered... I can't imagine how haunting would it be to be fed only by revenge, taken those positive influences for granted for so long..."

"But how come he's not already improving? Did he even think twice before jumping into that monstrous armor? Forget about learning, he will die before any of us reach the damn island if he suffers wounds like these a second time!"

"I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Casca, Vlad. This is something even the others tend to ponder on. A single mistake in fights of this stake, and we risk being wiped out of history. And even when we can count our victories over time, they will start to feel like losses if everyone ends up like how Guts is now." Farnese expresses her worries.

"Ya might be able to heal everyone on the spot, partner. Doesn't mean we can calculate accumulated damage over time. Lord knows we're probably losing several years of lives with every blow to the head. Not everyone here can dodge as well as ya."

"His case is different, which is why I beg of them to wait. The beast of darkness is not the same as an apostle of dark magic... It's a personification of his needs to grasp to the past to stay living. We can only appease it by starving it with our strength and calming him down over time."

"And who's to say I yearn for revenge? I just want to live in peace!"
"Tell ya what, Casca. Why don't we strike a deal? Once you and Cindy are fully healed from this Mandragoran curse, Guts will likely have a better head on his shoulders. If ya both decide to forget about Griffith when we reach a peaceful place... Welp, nuthin we can do." Hyde gambles on everyone being safe and sound until then."

"...Is that true? You'll set us free?"
"Yer a patient, not a slave, girl. Yer free to come and go once all is fine with yer side of the group. yer not even forced to be around him if you don't want to."

Hyde's bad faith towards Guts makes her question whether it is worth it or not to even be around him. Something that never passed through her mind until today.

"Fine... Provided the island is reached without either of us dying... I'll have my answer."
"Don't I get a say in this?" Guts lifts his neck, waking up conveniently enough to hear most of your interactions.

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>>5380039
"Guts!" Casca hurries to leave with the child, not wanting to trigger an episode, but the heavy tugging of the child's arm kept her in scene, making her notice that she already looked at Guts, and nothing had happened yet.

"H-huh?"
"It' is said in some medical reports that emotional support is just as essential in recoveries as medical. It's not every time it happens, but knowing that someone you care about is there to see you, to offer their full attention until you recover, or to cry should you pass, it's enough to make you cling onto life."

"Don't think you're getting rid of me a little to easily, Vlad? I'm not down for the count yet."
"It ain't you we're worried about, dumbass! We're wonderin why Casca is still fine." Hyde points to her and the moonlight child, which appeared to have it's eyes closed as it kept hugging his mother, seemingly preventing her collapse as she could finally interact with the black swordsman.

"And I was referring to the child who yearns for their parent's touch."
"Parents...? But I never--" She takes a good look at the child as it spreads its arms in the air, feeling guilty over it's own existence.
Casca finally connects the dots, tears fall down her face. A confused Guts wonders why she is sad, until he remembers the last sight of the aborted demon child before the falling of the tower of conviction."

"I did not know why he stopped haunting me... I thought he was still wondering around, alone somewhere in the forest night." He moves his neck around, still being unable to get up.

"Guts..." Casca bawls uncontrollably, finally uniting the three of them as you all left them alone to catch up their eternally delayed emotional reactions.

Guts might only have half the eyes to tear up, but you managed to catch a glimpse of his tears, as well.

A few hours later, you wake Hyde up so he can keep the night watch as you rest next to Guts, leaving Farnese by herself this night since he could always need something he could not reach.

"Vlad..."
"What is it, Guts? Thirsty?"
"Do you know how it felt to be on death's door, for two weeks? To sleep and rest, day after night, in peace... as I finally earned the trust of a group, when I had once sworn to never be part of a group again?"

You remained silent, noticing that he was merely contemplating his own journey.
"It was the calmest few nights I have had in such a long time... And now that I see the possibility of reuniting with Casca... I'm starting to worry I will lack the spark to go after Griffith... Why pursue revenge... When I already have everything I want...?"

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>>5380096
>Take me for example. I never wished to turn Griffith into an adversary, I don't even think of him as someone on my revenge list. He is merely in my way to my battle against Conrad. This is a fight for justice, even disregarding personal feelings.
>Whatever your decision is, I will support it. You have been in this struggling condition for far longer than I have, provided you don't turn into an enemy or drop dead, you have earned to rest, but only after this is fight over.
>...That child is a spook, Guts. He is only present here due to the spiritual power of the full moon. As always, our happiness is only temporary.
>Write-in.

>>5380098
>>Take me for example. I never wished to turn Griffith into an adversary, I don't even think of him as someone on my revenge list. He is merely in my way to my battle against Conrad. This is a fight for justice, even disregarding personal feelings.

>Whatever your decision is, I will support it. You have been in this struggling condition for far longer than I have, provided you don't turn into an enemy or drop dead, you have earned to rest, but only after this is fight over.

>>5380107
>+1.

>>5380098
Backing >>5380107
What IS the reason Guts needs to go take out Griffith?

>>5380107
+1

>>5380098

>>5380107
+1
Follow with this:
>"From the position you're in, you don't have to fight for vengeance anymore. If you do drop your fight right here I won't ever hold it against you. But take heed; we've seen a glimpse into the Godhands' plan. They seek to plunge the world into an apocalypse where they rule supreme with their demons running wild. And Griffith in particular is out to forge his own unholy kingdom as well. Think about it for a moment. Is a world in the palms of Griffith and the Godhand really the world you want to care for Casca and the child?"

It's a bit manipulative but Guts has plenty of military experience and has just as much for fighting Apostles. As a Lord of Ilos who's country is at war at Griffith(who's basically on Minecraft creative mode) we need to take what we can get.

>>5380098
>Whatever your decision is, I will support it. You have been in this struggling condition for far longer than I have, provided you don't turn into an enemy or drop dead, you have earned to rest, but only after this is fight over.

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>>5380107
>>5380121
>>5380133
>>5380166
"Take me for example. I never wished to turn Griffith into an adversary, I don't even think of him as someone on my revenge list. He is merely in my way to my battle against Conrad. This is a fight for justice, even disregarding personal feelings."

"I'm not sure I believe that." Guts sneers, bathing in sarcasm. "He's also done plenty of harm to you, even if indirectly. Give a few years bathing in the blood of your enemies, and you might just drop the pacifist schtick and admit that you enjoy all the killing."

"Doing an action similar to yours won't make me your doppelganger. We've both been gifted with Behelits, that does not mean that we'll walk the same path of the dark angels. Griffith has accepted his role as a pawn of causality, I merely pity the husk of what was once a man, who still have dear ones that confuse him for the benevolent man he once was. Conrad has no relatives who remain in this realm. His history is long gone, so I can't feel empathy to one who was never human in my eyes."

"For someone who walks a different path than mine, you sure adapted a mixture of the path between the two of us... You can tell the mixture of influences right down to your face. Obscured by a mysterious helm, hiding a scarred, animalistic face that gives way to a relaxed, soft-spoken young man."

A mixture of Guts and Griffith... That's enough to call your path your own, wouldn't it?
"As warm as the sun lets me be. The falcon will fly to it to reach it's heights, the wolf will chance it by land, and attempt to devour the sun. The tree merely stays as it is, letting the light come and pass through him as much as the darkness of the night."

"The tree will also outlive the both of them. Forever remaining still in it's ever changing scenery." Guts prematurely declares their deaths, wanting you two outlive them.

"If you do drop your fight right here, I wouldn't ever hold it against you. You have been in this struggling condition for far longer than I have, provided you don't turn into an enemy or drop dead, you have earned to rest, but only after this is fight over."

"Of course. While I do want this to be over with, I can't exactly abandon a fight I started. This sense of duty is starting to replace my revenge... I couldn't even imagine sharing the same air as him nowadays, but after seeing the growing relations of The Pegasus Brigade... Abandoning them would only make me repeat the mistakes of my past."

"In the same light as we don't recognize the old Griffith, he won't recognize either of us. To stop his plans of plunging the world into his apocalyptic autocracy of demons, our palms should be strong to push the ones of the God hand away, for all the ones we care for."

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>>5380241
Taking a glance at the child of the moonlight sleeping soundly with Casca, he looks over to Farnese, wondering if you'd do the same mistake that he did.

"Have you two done it already?"
"H-Huh?!" His bluntness and the sudden change of subject feel like a mental suckerpunch. "What does that matter to you?"
"You seem to have less of a block towards these sorts of advancements than I do--"

"--Subtle way to call me a pervert--"
"Our paths might be different, but they sure attack in the same repeated way, if the armor from Bones is anything to go by. I just want to make sure that you don't be struck in the same manner."

A valid point. Now that you became a target for causality, the dimension of ideas is a perfect way to telegraph what would make you break: What would cause you to be on the verge of insanity, to let go all of your ideas as you snap and finally give in to your inner evils?

If they are building you up just to make your fall more horrifying like they are doing with the Kushan Empire, all of this could still only be bait to make you miss the ones who will soon pass away in front of your eyes...

To have a scenario similarly to the eclipse, where Farnese would be in Casca's situation...

"They wouldn't..."
"..." Guts lets the silence speak for itself.
"I'm still getting used to this whole 'father' thing--"
"Wouldn't say it's normal to see them only once in a blue moon, either..." You keep that thought to yourself.

"-- Which is why it would be useful to know if Farnese and you aren't... active. Do you even plan on having children with her?"
For someone so blunt, he sure tends to slur his tongue when speaking of sex.

> Maybe one or two, but any more would be too many.
> As many as possible. I am a lord at Ilos, expanding our lineage is important.
>I wouldn't mind adopting a child instead, It's only fair to honor my parent's legacy with their kindness.
>Don't plan on having kids, at least not right now.
>It's a decision between me and her, I would rather not elaborate any further.
>Write-in.

>>5380251
>I wouldn't mind adopting a child instead, It's only fair to honor my parent's legacy with their kindness.

>>5380251
>>It's a decision between me and her, I would rather not elaborate any further.

>>5380251
>It's a decision between me and her, I would rather not elaborate any further.

>>5380251
> As many as possible. I am a lord at Ilos, expanding our lineage is important.

>>5380251
>> As many as possible. I am a lord at Ilos, expanding our lineage is important.
>>Ultimately is a decision between me and her, but to see my family prosper and return to his glory would make me very happy.

>>5380251
>It's a decision between me and her, I would rather not elaborate any further.

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>>5380262
>>5380292
>>5380333
>>5380416
>>5380439
>>5380460
"It's a decision between me and her, I would rather not elaborate any further."

"Well, hope that was enough for you to get the message then."

"It was, I'll try not to lose any sleep over it." You go back to your sleeping spot, getting ready to shut your eyes in peace after discussing your grievances with Guts.

Perhaps his role as a commander will repeat itself in your group afterall...

Hyde's obnoxiously loud whistling wakes you up.
"Enemies! Some fog's coming up and they're hiding in it!"
"Swear that I'm going to sleep until noon when I'm done with all this bullshit..." You grumble as your group awakes with you.

"Is it the usual wraiths? Bandits? Kushan?" Serpico asks of the previous enemies they've managed to fight without much worry."

"Buncha crocodiles. They don't usually hang out at the beach, or in Vritannis, so I'm wondering if they were summoned here by some of them wizards!"

"The fog doesn't let me see them well, be it with my eyes or with my magic reading. It will be hard to see what else we're up against."
"So are we fighting?" Farnese asks.

"Hell yeah we're fighting! I wanna put those climbing skills to the test!"
"What, you're going to climb they're backs? Gators don't go past twice your size." Ivalera shrugs.
"We can always run if ye don't feel like fighting, but they might just chase us to the main city."
"Well, what can we do?" Guts attempts to stand up, barely being able to crawl to the dragonslayer.
The moonlight child dons the berserker armor's chestplate, with Guts extending his hand to reach it, only for the boy to do a 180 past him to avoid his usage of the beast.

Seems like even he knows the dangers of the armor.

>We're fighting, no point in delaying the inevitable.
>We can outrun them, just let Gunpowder take the wheel.
>Guts, you better sit this one out, or I'll strap you to the floor if I have to.
>I've never had crocodile meat, let's see if it's any good.
>Write-in.

>>5380511
>We're fighting, no point in delaying the inevitable.
>>Write-in.
>"You and the child will remain inside, it will suffice that you use your crossbow for keep them at bay from the wagon. We will fight but not on their conditions, the ones that summoned them aren't intelligent has they believe. We will leave the beach and find a terrain more suited to us, an hill or a forest, reaching it with Gunpowder shouldn't be a problem. I leave the task to find it to Hyde and Violet."
"Meanwhile i will use this mist against them, thanks to the trident, and my seeds will crush them if they arrive too near. Once we are on a better terrain their numbers will mean little."

>>5380511
>We're fighting, no point in delaying the inevitable.
redrum redrum redrum

>>5380511
>We're fighting, no point in delaying the inevitable.

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>>5380525
>>5380630
>>5380660
Onward towards our rolls, then!
a 1d100 to start things off against the crocs.
Let's see if the situation is as bad as Hyde said it was.

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>5380668
Cut your grasses (very bad flute edition)

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>5380668
Vladdy needs a new pair of boots.

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>5380668

Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>5380668

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>5380668

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>>5380685
>>5380687
>>5380688
>>5380742
>>5380824

Advising Hyde and Violet to scout the area and look for a better ground to fight or escape in, you tell Guts and the child to stay together with Casca until the situation calls for backup.

"Shame. This would be perfect to go back into practice."
"The full moon is also when a person's mind is at it's most unstable, Guts! You're inviting the beast of darkness into your body!""

"I heard you all the first time, only show up in case Vlad can't handle the crocodiles."

As they quickly emerge from the fog, all of your group attempts to keep flocked together and strike at the first reptiles who show their maws, but having the advantage in numbers, their copying of your strategy proves to be more effective as Serpico disperses the fog temporarily, getting a good sight of the tens of bipedal crocodiles walking up to Isidro's direction as he uses his salamander dagger as a torch!

"Isidro!" Not having time to wear your armor you shove the pishaca's teeth away from the young bandit as the monster gnaws at your arm.

The sharp pain from having your arm nearly devoured is enough to shock you from doing your first attack, pulling your halberd and pushing him away with enough force to stop the crocodile from eating you whole.

It does work for a single enemy, as you can match the monstrous animal's strength with no worries despite being in a bad position. What's worrying is the 5 others mistaking you for fresh meat.

Serpico is too busy flying over the enemies and clearing the skies for Violet to take flight, Farnese and Schierke are preparing their spells, and Zhafira's unseen hand doesn't seem to be trained in much other than absolute defense.

So your fighting companion for this encounter can only be Isidro... Either this will be proof that his training is paying off, or the bane of your existence...

>Impale the first crocodile and bash the others with him.
>Switch to your trident and freeze the water they rise from.
>Behead the gnawing monster and protect Isidro.
>See if he can help you kill the one attempting to rip your arm off with his set of shortswords.
>Something else.

>>5381438
>Switch to your trident and freeze the water they rise from.
Do you know what killed the dinosaurs?

>>5381438
>Switch to your trident and freeze the water they rise from.

>>5381444
It was US

>>5381438
>Switch to your trident and freeze the water they rise from.

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>>5381444

>>5381438
>>Switch to your trident and freeze the water they rise from.

>>5381444
>>5381446
>>5381462
>>5381466
Guess we're taking a trip to ice cap zone! a 1d100+10 to see how this works!
Added bonus because the undines are salivating from the amount of water around in this foggy beach

Rolled 83 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>5381481
Let's chill them out

Rolled 77 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>5381481

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Rolled 97 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>5381481

>>5381500
If only we had a big cooler to store all these frozen gator tails and steaks for the road ahead of us. Or the ocean ahead of us, if THE BOAT will happen You should completely stop running this quest for a full year the moment Vlad and Guts get on the boat. Or at least have Puck or somebody lampshade it

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>>5381584
/qst/ tends to run a lot slower after summer vacation ends for most anons so I'm already getting used to mimicking slower releases : ^)
Nah, mostly just taking a breather this week since I don't want to tire myself out while I'm working, wouldn't mind if I took a month off for the boat though lol

>>5381489
>>5381494
>>5381500
Nice going! Writing soon.

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>>5381881
>stops running the quest
>instead starts posting about this neat game he discovered

Nice rolls

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>>5381489
>>5381494
>>5381500

Calling for the blessing of the undines, you take note of the ridiculous amount of humidity that came with the foggy air and the ocean by your side. Hoping to control the spirits of the water by feeding them as much power as you could, you attempt to freeze part of the shore where the crocodiles arose from their hiding in plain sight.

Unfortunately, you have yet to fully master the undines and their powers, combined with Schierke's warning of the spirits and the loss of ego when feeding into their thirsts proves to be a lot more than you could swallow.

"UGH!" The trident nearly flies off your hand as it extends and bends in several directions, skewering and impaling through several of the scaly fighters as they were frozen solid. A large portion of the sea turned into a walkable, frozen pond.

The coldness of the air was felt by you the most, as your body temperature dropped to the point where it hurt to move your fingers, taking a look at the wounded gash of an arm you have stuck on the crocodile's maw, you felt a lack of movement from your arm as you saw it completely frozen inside the remote controlled animal.

"Uh, Vlad?! Nice going there, you can stop flexing your skills now!" Puck nervously watched the undines disperse into their deep blue familiars, preventing any additional enemies from presenting themselves onto the battlefield, but also keeping you stuck in place as the wild elementals ignored your pleads to return to normalcy.

"I ain't the one doing this!" You complained about the trident being perhaps too effective in this area, to the point of being nearly uncontrollable.

"I got you, Bean dude!" Isidro takes hold of the salamander dagger to reheat your arm back to safety before the freezing could do any permanent damage. Begging for him to do it fast without melting your arm was a given, but there still remained the other pishacas who were still hiding in the fog.

"And here I thought I would never get a chance to shine!" Rolling and tumbling enough times to look like he was permanently curled into a ball, Isidro's precise strikes with Morgan's shortsword and Schierke's dagger makes him an effective multitasker. Dual wielding his weapons to slash and burn all of his incoming threats while keeping his berries around to buy you time until you were set free.

"Seems like they synergize as well as fire and ice..." The blue elf shrugs while lighting the way for the others to pass and find a way to safety.

"Found the ones in charge of this! I'd start shooting, but I can't see a damn thing!" Hyde spots a few magicians hiding at the cliffside.
"I'm on my way." Serpico gently glides away from the wild beast's range, leaving you and Isidro to keep it together until then.

>Attempt to regain control of the trident.
>Astral project and cover Isidro with your soul doubles.
>Strike at the frozen crocodile to regain some movement.
>Advise Isidro on what to do and let him handle this by himself.
>Something else.

>>5381943
>Attempt to regain control of the trident.

>Advise Isidro on what to do and let him handle this by himself.

>>5381943
>>Attempt to regain control of the trident.

>>5381893
Nah, Been a while since I've been interested in any games recently, think the last game I played that was worth noting was Aria Of Sorrow, still have to try out Sekiro.

Now Anime on the other hand... Shit, I read rose of Versailles twice just to get ready for the Vritannis courtroom ordeals, and that hasn't even happened yet.

>>5381978
>>5382026
Well, let's give it up for a 2d100 then, hopefully Isidro won't disappoint you on the second DC

Rolled 34, 68 = 102 (2d100)

>>5382183

Rolled 15, 23 = 38 (2d100)

>>5382183
Undines, I command thee KNEEL

Rolled 72, 62 = 134 (2d100)

>>5382183
BOI

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>>5382193
>>5382200
>>5382201

"Cease this mindless destruction, Undines. Let us act as one for the greater good of mankind." Visualizing their return to your grasp, you plead to the elementals to not end the precious marine life of all the seven seas, now realizing how powerful this weapon is, and how much you still have to control them.

The blue Od flow slowly but surely returns to its handle as you start to grunt from feeling the awful pain that is to unfreeze your arm. Finally feeling your frost bones again, you somewhat wished you didn't, as you begin to shiver and feel how limited your movements are, just pulling your wrist away from the frozen crocodile is enough lose the rhythm of your breathing.

"There we go!" Isidro pumps himself up from saving you. "No need to thank me."

"Honestly, I'm just glad that my arm didn't melt..." You recompose yourself as you wait for your trident to stop extending itself into infinity.

Walking past the fog with the bandit boy, you decide to rely on your physical strength thanks to your irregular breathing preventing you from doing Od transfers.

So when another mob of crocs appear to fight you again, you realize how ineffective your powers are to any who don't have demonic energy within them, as you lack the force to cut through them after the 4th blow, no doubt due to your horribly tense muscles.

"I thought you were the acrobatic guy!" Isidro sneers as he almost gets caught in his own berry throwing.
"Let me freeze your fiery little head and see how you perform!"

With the pishacas lunging straight at your throat as a spear pushes you with a wooden staff.

Before their weight could topple over you and Isidro, the fog dissipates as Serpico beheads the kushan casters hidden in the cliffside. With their spells being broken, the crocodiles return to their simplistic thought process, ignoring their dead relatives and returning back to the sea (having a harder time than usual due to the frozen shore.)

"Talk about a sharp feather!" Isidro smiles, being finally able to see.

Surprisingly, you were wondering why the fog was making it hard for you to use your precognition. Perhaps that artificially generated spell made it so they could prevent both magical and physical sight?

"...The fog is coming out of their body!" Hyde points out as the sand rumbles beneath Serpico, almost sending him to the ground before he could redirect himself into a regular position mid-air.

An amphibian monster, having the trunk of an elephant and the size of a whale appears and roars, deafening all present as the dead kushan possess the carcass of the large animal buried at shore.

"What is that?!" Serpico shouts.
"Post-mortem magic! It's a physical and ethereal enemy, similar to the weapons we have."
"Can we fight it? Farnese shows up with the caravan ready, with Cindy and Schierke inside.
"Yes."
"NO!"
"PLEASE NO!" Gunpowder scares his animal companions with his nonchalant compliance.

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>>5382521
"I do not know enough about Makaras to properly advise in combat, even after our studies together..." Schierke shivers, nowhere in your knowledge of Kushan magic did it say where and how you would fight a monster that can squash the entire caravan flat and all in it by simply walking through it.

>Make a run for it.
>Aim for it's eyes, a blind enemy is a weaker enemy.
>Clog its trunk, elephants are smart enough to use them like hands.
>See if there are any remaining casters nearby now that the fog is gone.
>Attempt to exorcise their Od from the carcass.
>Wait for your trident to stabilize and attack with the elementals of your friends.
>Time to see what Astral Projection can do, look for a spirit in the world of ideas to empower your body.
>Something else

>>5382527
>Aim for it's eyes, a blind enemy is a weaker enemy.
Tear it's eyes out make it scream!

>>5382527
>Aim for it's eyes, a blind enemy is a weaker enemy.
Stack de-buffs like we did in the arena then go in for the kill later.

>>5382527
>>Aim for it's eyes, a blind enemy is a weaker enemy.

>>5382527
>Aim for it's eyes, a blind enemy is a weaker enemy.

meh
drop some seeds around him

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>>5382533
>>5382537
>>5382538
>>5382540
Not expecting you to pass this DC, but you're welcome to try
a 1d100! Gimme the numbers!

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>5382595
Expectations status: Surpassed

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>5382595

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>5382595

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Suffice to say, this is not good.

Rolled 20 (1d100)

>>5382595

>>5382645
>>5382676
Does not matter our injuries shall be a motivator not to fail again!

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>>5382597
>>5382600
>>5382605

This gigantic Makara might rival the size of the unleashed dragon Grunbeld, but is finding an enemy driven by pure animalistic instinct harder than one who has control over his own power?

"Let's hit him in the eyes!"
"What is it with you and eyes?" Puck scratches his head, noticing your preferences for vital blows.

"If I see a way to tactically bring this fiend to my level, I will act on it. CHARGE!"

Following your leap, Serpico is the first to fly over to hit the dead elephant's right eye as you flanked him from the left, but the tension from your frozen muscles prevent you from doing more than a hop that reaches the creatures jaw.

Leaning back and noticing your attacks, the Makara sprays a gigantic torrent of water onto Serpico from it's trunk as he ascended to the point of locking eyes with Hyde.

Were it not for the Slyph vest breaking his fall, he would have been forever lost onto the sea, with their controlled gliding trying their hardest to land on the thin ice created by the Undines.

Hyde gives the heavy feather potion to violet, sending a rain of iron talons towards the Makara as he desperately attempts to distract the creature from you.
"Are you sure you don't need any help?" Guts appears from behind the Caravan with one of the horses, dragging the dragonslayer on the floor as he had to use both hands strapped onto the hilt with his bandages just to keep it from dropping.

"Didn't we just fuckin tell you to stay still? Get that armor off of you before I waste this cannon blast on you!"
"Demoted to emergency backup it is, then... At least I can finally walk away from the runes on that caravan, they always burn and itch at my skin..." His horsehide takes a step back, seeing how both you and him had weapons that could dish out as much damage to themselves as it did to your enemies.

"I can't bear to watch this..." Farnese's spirit is seen ascending to the next dimension before Schierke could.

"C'mere, Dumbo!" Hyde angrily fires marbles and feathers at all the vital spots to slow the creature down and preventing it from stomping you and ending your life.

While it is effective, the flailing of his trunk is dangerous enough to even accidentally put you under. Hyde needs a precise shot to burst through the creature and perhaps even kill it, but with all the swerving and dodging of the water guns, it's hard to even keep himself upside up for long.

Shooting at one of his eyes as the king of pishacas' eye ball is turned into dirty fireworks, the Makara's frenzy is nearly uncontrollable, using the last of its adrenaline tanks to splash him down, the water torrent finally fires at you, slashing away at your clothes as you swerve into the frictionless platforms above the sea.

"Vlad!" Isidro is shocked to see you being defeated.
"Don't die to the filler bossfiiiiiight!" Is all you hear from Puck as you land closer to Serpico, who's isolated in a thinning iceberg slowly drifting farther onto the land.

>>5382755
Despite your fall being worse than Serpico's it wasn't enough to send you singing, thanks to the stronger hits kicking and bouncing you towards the edge of the ice floor, who extended into a solid, snowflake shaped floor for you to fall on your back.

Serpico does not dare to move even a muscle, doing his best to shift his weight across the platform as any ill-performed jump could crumble the only thing stopping him from drowning.

Throwing caution to the wind and attempting to move your back, you find yourself unable to stand up, everything from your below your neck refuses to even move an inch forward.

...Are you paralyzed? You didn't think the Makara hit you that hard, but you aren't feeling anything at all!

Turning over to see why you were glued to the surface, you caught a glimpse of your naked skin stuck to the sub-zero surface of the ice platform.

Seeing how hard it will be to even escape by force without letting part of your chest laying in the snow as they are ripped out from your body, you wonder if that's for better or for worse.

The only thing that can save the both of you from drowning are either Cindy, the only one who knows how to swim, Hyde, provided he can defeat the Makara by himself or if Farnese summons something to aid him, or the Undines, who seem to grow more uncontrollable the closer they get to the ocean.

"Not to be pragmatic, Vlad. But I don't plan on reaching elfhelm on this small vehicle." The sylphs are caught pushing him forward with the wind currents, but the strong tides force him to balance himself on top of his melting circle.

Feeling the Od being drained from the Makara as his life escapes its decaying body.
But why is the source of magic being detected so far from the shore? Are there more casters on boats? If so, how can they puppeteer them so far away?

>Hope your trident can defrost your body without further complications.
>Thaw your back out of the ice with your halberd.
>Make an ice bridge to Serpico so he can help you up.
>Rip your skin out of the frozen snow piece.
>Something else.

>>5382793
>Hope your trident can defrost your body without further complications

>>5382793
>>Hope your trident can defrost your body without further complications.
>Something else.
Use our od and try to melt the ice around if we need to

how annoying

i will force vlad in his armor for the rest of the travel

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>>5382793
>Hope your trident can defrost your body without further complications.
Oh fuck this not good. Well, the trident worked last time, lets hope our luck pulls through!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRH-Ywpz1_I

>>5382843
i am considering to just get gunpowder and switch to our halberd if we can get free (and with the undines going crazy is probably an high dc 80/85 my guess), the Makara and the sorcerers are likely giving us problem with the trident. Beyond the trident it self.

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>>5382827
>>5382831
>>5382841
>>5382843
Well then, let's pray the undines don't go against Vlad this time.

Let's give it a 1d100 again, controlling the water when you're a plant boy might be a bit too much for Vladdy-boy if we fail

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>5383029

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>5383029

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>5383029
ah shucks

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>5383029
Looks like I made it just in time.

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>5383029
RIP Vlad.

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>5383029

>>5383252
there are always alternatives
"If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away."

Rolled 34 (1d100)

>>5383029

How could this happen? We are a plant. Plants have water inside them. Vascular system nigga. Xylem and phloem nigga. Is it because we're not an aqueous plant like kelp?

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>5383029

>>5383073
>>5383131
>>5383160
Attempting to control the Undines in this high tides, you use them to defrost most of the ice laying onto your body... except for the part stuck in your back.

You are in control, focus your breathing, the spirits should be one with the infinity of water sources, not disperse and lose themselves in the heartless sea.

Visualize the elements in peace, you will serve their wishes, so they can also serve you, whatever they can find at the bottom of the ocean, it shall not be greater than your quest against the forces of evil.

As they neutralize into their liquid shape, the ice thaws out with such speed that it melts all the ice you've previously materialized. Including the one you and Serpico were standing on to prevent drowning.

Seeing the melting of the platform, Serpico leaps forward a few meters to get closer to the shore, but the distance is far too great for his sylph cape to send him farther than what you could possible paddle towards before drowning.

Since neither of you can swim, panic is nearly inevitable, you attempt to activate the handle of the undine trident, but being submerged in water, they became unified with their liquid form and don't do much else than push a few tides in your direction.

As Serpico's sylphs are wet and his equipment submerged in water, he manages to see a distant Zhafira throwing her needle into your direction, with the unseen hand stretching a string that could perhaps save you both.

But it fails to reach.
It's only a few meters away from Serpico, but realistically too far from you to reach, you could wait until she reaches you both, but you are barely keeping your head up from sinking.
Can you really prevent yourself from dying to the enemy that sent you away?

The Makara is on its last legs, Hyde just needs one more shot, but with Guts and Farnese preparing to attack, he might not be the one getting the kill.

You can't die here, The Undines weren't reacting this poorly when you were fighting the dragon, and you have grown too far for this to not be working... Damn this dispersion of the full moon and the Kushan magicians accustomed to it!

>Shout for Serpico to help you.
>Attempt to hold yourself onto an ice piece by freezing the water.
>Try to control the tides to push you closer to the land.
>Desperately keep yourself from drowning as you try to float.
>Use the Undines to open the sea, they should be more effective now that they're one with the sea.
>See if you haven't lost any seeds to use a working one as a support to stand on.
>Something else.

>>5383450
>Something else.
Use the tides to propel us like a torpedo and ram the fucking Makara

>>5383465
support
let's see if it works

>>5383404
Shit nigga humans got water in em too that don't mean they'll listen to Isidro.

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>>5383465
>>5383530
A daring option given his current situation.
Let's see if Vlad and Serp will manage to avoid drowning.

A 1d100 to tell the Kraken to go fuck itself

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>5383576

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>>5383614
Ah, I see.

I've killed us.

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>5383576

>>5383614
Get down Mr. President!

Turns out the undines REALLY want to freeze the ocean surrounding vritannis for some reason.

Oh well, I hope this doesn't come up in the court case against us lol, freezing the entire port and stopping trade for god knows how long might not work in our favor in the court of law.

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>5383576

>>5383614
Holy shit anon

>>5383631
just blame it on the dead sorcerers duh

>>5383614
kek

>>5383614
Well,shit.
Guess it's finally time for me to kick somebody of the team...

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>>5383678
Gomen'nasai Haido, machigaemashita.

>>5383678
Oh damn Guts is super dead yo

Attempting to push the tides of battle to your favor, you make a last ditch effort to come back into the fight with the power of the waves, propelling you forward until you went through the Makara attacking your group.

But the unpredictability of marine activity was exactly what kept you from being sure of the outcome. Your mind is wandering back to the Santana family crest, the monstrous Kraken that was able to take the virtuous Pegasus out of the sky, digging him into the depths of the unknown as their battle symbolized the struggle of good and evil, despite being at an advantage in power, the Pegasus had more numbers, leaving their battle postponed in the onlookers interpretation.

The monster in your home was broken when you took the piece of the statue off your family's garden, but what of the one who grasps the world?

The fear of not knowing how to swim, to be drowned by the exact prophecy that brought ruin to your family. You did not want to believe it, but you are just as susceptible to despair as anyone else.

And with all of this multitasking too, family and friends dying, the independence of Ilos, raising an army against The God Hand... You do not have enough limbs as the Kraken to tackle to many things at once...
Which is why when the trident reaches your thoughts, it sends you sinking. A crater is formed as the sea is opened up to the grains of sand below, sending you and Serpico into free fall as Zhafira's string is also brought down into the whirlpool.

As the hole closes, the extended shore is once again frozen, preventing your resurfacing.
The Undines have merely obeyed the subconscious thoughts you have been repressing for so long. The pressure has caught up to you, and now you and your allies are incapable of escaping the prison of your own making.

This is the way of fate to communicate the world of your suicide.

Serpico's air bubbles attempt to give him some oxygen as he attempts to float upwards, but going too fast for his body to accommodate for the changing pressure, he quickly starts coughing blood and loses consciousness, with Zhafira's unseen hand catching him without limiting their movements.

You reflectively gasp for air as you exhaust yourself trying to follow Zhafira, no sweat or saliva to be seen, it all blends together as the same liquid, the slow, agonizing climb towards the moon's reflection nearly makes you burst your own body from the pressure much like Serpico did before you.

>>5383749
Finally reaching the surface, you telepathically tell your friends to help you before its too late, with worrying responses from Isidro, Guts and Schierke.
"Let me help him! These lizard salamanders can melt the ice just fine!"
"I knew I should have helped right from the start!"
"The Makara is almost bleeding out from Hyde's attacks, but there's something wrong with Farnese! She has brought forth the Wheel Of Fire, but it's too late for the spirit to do something against the monster! She has to release the energy somewhere to appease him and make the blaze wheel separate itself from her body! She hasn't learned how to disperse them yet!"

You attempt to shift to your Halberd and break the ice from inside, but the forse you need to thaw your group off the water is immense! You need to put twice the force to move with half the speed compared to what you were doing on land.

With your body craving for air by the second, you will not find any more energy coming from your body aside from what you're already doing. It's all downhill from here...

You were about to signal to Zhafira to see if she could help you in your strikes, but you see the fabric of her clothes being cut by brown spots and twigs as the stress of the situation worsens her mandragoran condition.

...Is she already about to turn?

>Keep using your Halberd, that's enough of Undine abuse for now.
>These spirits will not drown you, assert dominance and order them to save you!
>Absorb the Od of the the sea to empower your strikes.
>Tell Farnese to fire the blazing wheel at the ice formations.
>Wait for Isidro to get here and hope the three of you have enough breath to live until then.
>Use your seeds to burst the frozen grounds.
>Something else

>>5383753
>Keep using your Halberd, that's enough of Undine abuse for now.
>Use your seeds to burst the frozen grounds.
Might work. I don't trust the undines at the moment, enough rolls today with them. And the sea is stupidly large, that's a given.
That's my two cents on this.

>>5383753
>These spirits will not drown you, assert dominance and order them to save you!
Clearly the spirits must see now that they are incapable of killing us. Thus they must submit to us!

>>5383753
>These spirits will not drown you, assert dominance and order them to save you!
USE THE PAIN TO FINISH IT.

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>>5383779
>>5383786
>>5383791
It really is all of nothing with you folks, huh?
Well, hopefully this won't be the last 1d100 we do.

ROLLROLLROLL!

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Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>5383915

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>5383915
please gods, don't FAIL ME

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>5383915

We've finally reached it, quest end.

>>5384050
DON'T GIVE UP NOW ANON, KEEP STRUGGLING!

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>5383915
SECRET-ROLL-JITSU ACTVATE!!

I fucking hate water elementals now

>>5383915
I expected a few different votes, but I am not surprised.

>>5383922
>>5383924
>>5383959
Damn feels like an active effort to kill Vlad now, wonder if it's actually worth pulling a >>5384050 here.
Anyways, I had enough time to sulk, let's see how this goes.

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>>5383922
>>5383924
>>5383959

GOD FUCKING DAMN IT! Why won't these undines consider you worthy!? Haven't you've proven yourself time after time?! How come these blasted spirits are so god damn ineffective at what they do? You can't get any clearer than this! LET US BE FREE!

As the bubbles of air exit from your lungs, the undines concede at letting your allies escape, breaking free as the thinning ice formations break from the unseen hand's decisive punch. Serpico hangs on by a thread as Zhafira crawls her way back to the dying Makara, her legs being deformed into uneven roots, making her unable to properly stand in her exhausted condition.

Yet when your hand did manage to reach out to the surface, the solidified handle of the trident brought you back down, sinking as your lungs were emptied underwater.
Every inch of your body aches for something it cannot produce, however the more you attempt to move, the faster the icy walls close in on you, depraving your senses one by one...

The ringing echoes of your comrades shouting into your mind from the other end of the surface is heartbreaking. Poor Isidro stabs at the icicles with all of his might, his melting of the undines isn't nearly enough to save you in time.

Having defeated the Makara, Hyde temporarily sets his differences aside with Guts to explode the iceberg enveloping you, but it refused to move.

You remember the irony of telling Casca and Guts that they should be free to choose to fight or not once they were cured in Elfhelm... Dying like this, it feels like you are forcing the torch of Ilos onto him, burdening the swordsman with your task of slaying both Femto and Conrad...You can only hope they do not resent you, in the same vein you would not hold a grudge against them.

Farnese! You hate to see her hurting... She was just about to blossom into the strongest of flowers across the white tiger field of the pegasus... The stiffness of your muscles prevent you from even blowing her a last kiss. Ironically, it feels like Serpico just cursed you after revealing his secret, but his heart to heart with you proved that he trusted you to the end, even if he might have felt rejected by your shutdown of the subject.

No tears come out of your eyes, nothing comes from your shouts. Your fist relaxes... The water entering your lungs does not hurt you anymore... The pain is receding, your body relaxes...

Your duty was to cleanse the forest, avenge your family, free Merlina's soul, and make yourself into a legend... You've done plenty, Vlad. It's time to rest in the same sand that embraced Sivir...

"LIVE!"
A childish voice is heard clearly as your body is ready to ascend into the great unknown, keeping you tied to your body as the small image of a white spirits is seen blocking your escape.

Is it the child from the moonlight? He seems to be benevolent enough, but the warning of the silver eyed gives you uneasiness...

>>5384230
"Were it not for you, my parents would not have found it in them to reconcile and begin their healing. There is still plenty for you to observe in the world of the living, and we shall be forever grateful of your efforts. We beg of you to stay strong. Please, Live!"

The reinvigorating words of the child let you unconsciously absorb the Od of the Undines, giving your body enough energy to attempt a last move to the surface.

Your plant mother. The Santanas. Even from Gallahad to the child that refuses to see you passing. They all gave their life to you. Your appreciation of life could not come from knowing the true meaning of death. To refuse to burn yourself out of your energy to have a slim chance of living would be to betray all the ones you outlived you to ensure you how much love you had for life itself...

Farnese's fiery rod will soon approach you, whether will it free you or incinerate you, you feel like it would be unfair to leave your lover and disciple behind without ever saying goodbye.

Maybe it comes with following the uneven path of the Silver-Eyed...

A slight nub seems to poke your back when you descend into the sand... As cold as it feels, for some reason... the shape of the rock that touches you seems perfectly oval...

But are you really in the time or place to ponder shapes of pebbles?

It is time to either die as yourself, or live for all of life to persevere...
Whatever outcome is chosen, you are at peace with what happens from your lack of inaction.

>Arise.
>Sink into the stones.

>>5384243
>Arise
The fire rises!

>>5384243
>>Sink into the stones.

>>5384243
>>Sink into the stones.

>>5384243
>Arise.

>>5384243
>Arise.
I'm not quite sure what the other choice means but I'm guessing Vlad dies if we choose it.

>>5384243
>Arise.
NO, I CAN'T LET IT END HERE! I REFUSE! ONE BAD TURN OUT OF THE SO MANY GOOD ONES CAN'T MAKE VLAD DIE! HE STILL HAS SO MUCH TO DO! PLEASE LET HIM LIVE!!!!!!

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>>5384243
>Sink into the stones.
YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE? MERLINA WARNED US ABOUT YOU, MOONLIGHT CHILD. AND HOW CONVENIENT IT IS FOR A BEHELIT TO PRESS INTO US NOW, OF ALL TIMES.
I WOULD SOONER TURN TO DARK MAGIC LIKE OUR MASTER BEFORE US THAN RELY ON THE EGG OF TEMPTATION, OR THE POWER OF ITS FOUL MASTERS.
I SAY WE GRAB THAT EGG...AND REJECT IT SO HARD IT LAUNCHES US OUT OF HERE!

I can't help but feel personally responsible for this outcome...

If only I had rolled better or chose to run away, none of this would be happening so suddenly, all the hard work of the quests before would be up in the air like it is now. I feel so guilty. Shit, I'm sorry guys, I ruined the very thing I love so much. I don't know what else to say other than I'm sorry, I really don't. I'm at a loss.

I truly wish from the bottom of my heart I could do something to reverse this, is all I can think about...

>>5384243
>>Sink into the stones.
And the end of the day, being a man means embracing eternity. Actually just have some faith in our companions. They'll drag us up. I believe. We can't put the world on our shoulders and expect to never shrug.

>>5384301
Pft, come off it. It's just the way the wind blows my guy. What good is a game without a little risk, after all?

>>5384243
>A slight nub seems to poke your back when you descend into the sand... As cold as it feels, for some reason... the shape of the rock that touches you seems perfectly oval...
Oh shit that's a behelit, isn't it?

>>5384321
Yeah, seems that way. Also seems like the only way out without dying.

>>5384313
I know that. Games without risk are meaningless and boring, but that's just why I can't let it end here. We've come so far and Vlad has accomplished so much in that time, and I refuse to let all of that end just because of one bad turn!! He still has so much to see and do!

Characters to meet! New challenges to face! Victories to earn! He needs to be there! HE NEEDS TO LIVE DAMN IT! I WONT LOSE HIM TO THIS!!

>>5384335
Do not accept the behelit.
I am dead serious when I say we should prefer to invoke dark magic over sacrificing with the behelit to survive.
At the very least dark magic would FORCE the undines to heed our commands

>>5384344
Honesty I would prefer that if that were an option, but I'm not even sure that's possible in our situation right now.

>>5384345
>not choosing to die to spite causality
Live free or die my man.

>>5384362
>Choosing to live and bear the pain rather than give up and leave everyone behind.
I prefer my way of looking at it.

>>5384363
What a fine way of saying you don't think they can do it. Truly this is peak camaraderie.

Don't be afraid.

>>5384365
>>5384243

Fuck it. Your right. I can't do it. I can't make Vlad become an apostcuck after all.

I rescind my vote >>5384296 as much as it kills me so deeply inside to do this. I just cant do it to my precious boy.

>>Sink into the stones.
May god have mercy on me, I hope I've done the right thing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5Acw0QDY5k

>>5384382
https://youtu.be/_dLOO2SbdH0
Run for the hills if Vlad starts hearing simple and clean.
Honestly this is the only video that comes to mind for someone drowning

>>5384301
The rolls doesn't matter much.
We cannot decide what it does. Someone else could have roll 1. I could have roll 1. You could have roll 100 and so on.
Doesn't matter for us, me, you or anyone else because we don't influence the dices.
But you know what we can decide ? What we can influence ?
The votes. Now that matters a lot, it really matters a lot and it changes the dice we need to pass no doubt because Becchi doesn't write different words for each actions just for fun. Because each action is different.
>>5383786
>>5383791
See this ? I couldn t care of your rolls. This is what s important. This action is no doubt very difficult. Because the undines where not under our control. And we had a demon and sorcerers against us.
Plus the great influence of the open sea.
Choices are what's matter.
I am not judging you, but I was wondering why no one else was voting and you and the other anon picked that action.
This said the game goes where he goes. No need to be sorry.

>>5384243
>Sink into the stones.
I dislike Vlad being used like his father, and I dislike for the pure od to be infected by darkness and change.

>>5384243
Changing vote from >>5384249 to
>Sink into the stones
Would be nice if Vlad, in this moment, realized it was a behelit and remembered Merlina's warning, then started smiling as he sank

Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>5384417
Watch THIS

>>5384419
Shrug
Choices are what's matter to me. If you want roll 30 or 1000 more times, will not change what I think. And what should matter for us.

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>>5384249
>>5384257
>>5384267
>>5384273
>>5384287
>>5384296
>>5384313
>>5384297
>>5384369
>>5384418
>>5384417
You know what?
I'm not telling which answer is the right or the wrong one just yet.
I'm just gonna ask for one last 1d100 with an unknown DC and decide from there.

Will you have the courage to roll after so many bad ones, knowing it could put an end to his journey.
Roll for your last attempt at turning the tides, Be ready to lose if you fail this best of five.

Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>5384433

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>5384433
DICE GODS HEAR ME:

UNDO THIS CURSE OF BAD ROLLS AND SAVE VLAD FROM HIS ICEY GRAVE!!!!!!!!!!!

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>5384433
FOR THE PEGASUS!

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>5384433

Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>5384433

I pray to god an 87 is enough....

>>5384437
Well, since this was the highest roll I suppose I can metagame a bit and tell you the conditions for each options.

>Rise: Success: Vlad finds the strength in him to cling onto life and climb to the surface, grazing past the ball of fire as his companions free him of his own snares.

>Rise: Failure: Vlad and Isidro are incinerated by Farnese's summoning, with Serpico and Cindy soon passing from lack of guidance from the best medic on their team, Farnese vows to give up on magic and returns to the Vandimion home by herself, ending her life from the heartbreak.

>Sink: Success: The ball of fire sinks onto wher Vlad stood, the cooling bubbles working as geysers that melt the ice and propels him closer to the shore. His lungs are damaged and the loss of oxygen will be detrimental to the three of them but they will live for now.

>Sink: Failure: The pressure of the rock formation cuts through Vlad's skin as the oval nub buried in the ice summons forth a familiar arch-nemesis, curious to see who he is willing to sacrifice to remain alive.

I wonder which one of these options you are getting...
Writing!

My heart has been in my throat this whole day. I can only pray for Vlad's safety now...

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>>5384437
>>5384438
>>5384439
>>5384455
>>5384467

It all happens too fast for you to process.
Your hand lifts up into the air. The spirit of the child dissipates into a blinding light. Instinctively weaving to avoid the growing-sun-like sphere approaching your frozen shell, you avoid the attack from Farnese's spell, and lose the remainder of energy you could take from the sea.

The cooling of magma pushes your body with enough force to pierce the ice, leaving several stalactites to enter your body as the puff of air sends you towards the surface.

With a quick bounce, you get to see the shore one last time, before the world disappears once again.
This is how it was meant to be... To be angry at your passing would be to deny the nature of life and death.

The water does not hate, the tides do not move for anyone other than themselves. Like the purpose of a blade, you cannot get angry at the sword who takes one's life. Nature simply is.

Before sinking once again, Hyde manages to catch you mid-air with Violet's precise timing. Defeating the Makara by himself, his harpy daughter glides downward as she struggles to maintain altitude from the weight.

Casca and Guts panic as she loses sight of the moonlight child. You open your mouth to speak, but only gurgle as your lungs are still filled to the brim with water. Farnese cries as she presses both her hands against your chest, with Hyde doing the same to Serpico. Isidro and the elves attempt to push Zhafira to the shore, not wanting to admit that she will not make it to the end of the journey...

You could have sworn you saw the shadowy outline of the moonlight child disappearing into the cliffside where the Kushan remained. Wondering whether he was the one who waved you, or if he was a cursed child that brought forth Ganishka's strongest soldiers to meet you.

If this is the Kraken at the shore, meeting him in the deep blue sea will no doubt prove of his supreme reign over the plant morphs of the sea...

As you close your eyes and let your consciousness dissipate, you had a feeling that one of the three drowned victims would not be within your group when you opened your eyes again.

Truthfully, you wish you were the one to go instead of them...

Great Roar Of The Sea: Chapter End.

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Gonna take a break for a few days to further read on sauce material, this later half of the Millennium Falcon arc is a lot longer than I remember it being. At the rate we're going we might not even reach the boat until the next thread.

Oh well, at least I can't be accused of rushing through the story. See you on Sunday!

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>>5384548
See you Sunday Becchi! I'm so glad I can finally say that now that Vlad is safe-ish. The tension of who is and who isn't gonna make it is gonna grind on me for a while but I at least can take solace in knowing Vlad isn't dead, but instead reeeeally fucked up.

Hope you have a good few days of rest my man!

>>5384548
>>5384577
Survivor's guilt here we come!

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>>5384603
Survivor's guilt is basically Vlad's bread and butter at this point.

>>5384604
A day where nothing goes wrong must make Vlad very uncomfortable at this point.

Cindy is dead and it's time to riot.