"There's no time to lose." You announce. "Everyone, get ready for battle." You raise your voice slightly, grabbing attention of those of your companions who missed Tithe's sudden return. "Elle, I want you to head to the village and raise the alarm." You command the courier, it would be better for her to rally the villagers who were unlikely to respond well to an ogre, glowing or no. "Harriet, Janet, Chloe." You address your stealthier companions next. "You will advance ahead and harry and skirmish with the advancing mercenaries, delay and draw them away from the village. But don't take any unnecessary risks."

Chloe simply nods, while the two young humans salute.

"Everyone else, with me. Sparky, Smutkin, don't leave lady Olga's side." And finally you turn to the mercenary princess. "Lady Maia, in case you feel-"

"Don't worry. I won't hesitate in a fight if that's what you're worried about." The red haired tomboy says.

"I appreciate that." You tell her, then raise your voice again. "However, we will fight to capture and subdue when not unreasonably risky. These men may have information that could help us."

Chloe sighs a bit, but nods.

"Alright then, we're set. My lady..." You offer your hand to Olga and help her disembark from the wagon as Phineous brought it to a halt.

"Out of respect for your dedication I will refrain from pulverizing our enemies, if you can keep them from reaching me." The dark queen says.

"And I'll make sure nobody gets hurt!" Sparky announces as he hops off and into the air, his radiant wings manifesting."

"Thank you all. Tithe, directions?"

"They approach from the east." The gargoyle raises a hand, pointing in the direction. "Through a forest that gives way to the orchard. They may have reached outermost farmhouse by now."

"Then we've already tarried too long. Get back up there, and the rest of us - onwards!"

Your wildly diverse company breaks into motion, the scouts disappearing into the foliage, and Elle galloping away to warn the villagers. You, meanwhile, along with bulk of your forces, hurry through the otherwise pleasant landscape, leaving the wagon behind, hoping to interdict the advancing mercenaries. It doesn't take long for you to reach a path which you assume is one that branches off the road you were following into the village, and you proceed past it, occasionally signaling Tithe to confirm you're going the right way.

Worryingly, the gargoyle confirms the mercenaries have reached one of the outlying farmhouses and few of them were busy plundering it. Meanwhile, Harriet and Janet managed to ambush and fell a few of the mercenaries, causing the rest of the raid to be halted in a cluster of surprised and angry shouts. Remaining mercenaries, still over a dozen, halted their advance, made aware they were currently in a fight.

It was not your turn to decide how to end it.

>Plunge directly into the mercenary force. You will take up their attention and rely on your allies to pick off whoever makes it out of range of your weapon.
>Approach conservatively and systematically, ensuring none would have choice to slip past you and giving opportunity for whatever help Elle might rally from the village to flank them.
>Rely on your allies to hold the line and protect Olga and each other while you head out to check on the raided farmhouse.
>other plan

>>5850597
>>Plunge directly into the mercenary force. You will take up their attention and rely on your allies to pick off whoever makes it out of range of your weapon.

>>5850597
>Plunge directly into the mercenary force. You will take up their attention and rely on your allies to pick off whoever makes it out of range of your weapon.

>>5850597
>Plunge directly into the mercenary force. You will take up their attention and rely on your allies to pick off whoever makes it out of range of your weapon.

>>5850597
> Plunge directly into the mercenary force. You will take up their attention and rely on your allies to pick off whoever makes it out of range of your weapon.

The enemies are disoriented and currently focused on our forward element. Now we have the element of surprise and we should cash in on that. Make full use of shock-and-awe tactics, while also try to further sow confusion among their ranks. Force them to fight on two fronts: if they focus on us, then Chloe and the scouts can take them out without too much hassle - and vice versa; we are harder to counter flank by virtue of Tithe, afterall.

... too bad we don't have any ranged attackers in our main element, but once again, we're the close-quarter anvil that's meant to stall the enemy's advance through our melee prowess, so as long as we're coordinating well with Chloe and the scouts we should be fine.

>>5850597
>Plunge directly into the mercenary force. You will take up their attention and rely on your allies to pick off whoever makes it out of range of your weapon.

It doesn't take much thinking to recognize that the best course for you to take would be the one your nature was best suited for - straight into where the enemy thinks they are stronger, only to pummel them with brute strength.

And you had so much more than just that.

"Diana, Minerva, guard the flanks. Phineous, Maia, cover me."

"What do you-" The mercenary princess blinks trying to imagine what your plan is but it becomes obvious soon enough.

Echoing the roar your instincts, kept on tight leash by the other emotions you shelter, you dive forward towards the enemy.

Against the back of your mind, you register a twinge of regret from your spiritual companion, although alongside you receive assurance that she understands well enough that in this world, use of violence is ultimately unavoidable if you wish to preserve what is precious to you. In turn, you mentally brush against your friend in appreciation and draw on the strength she conferred to you to further bolster your own.

The mercenaries who expected easy plunder now found themselves being charged by a glowing ogre.

And charge you did. And you're not sure how much you could attribute to the luminous aura around you, some of them did actually freeze in terror at the sight, something you promptly capitalized on by striking them, relatively lightly, but enough to knock the fight out of them, so they would not pay too dearly for their decency to be afraid.

Unfortunately, that only took a few men out of the loose formation. The others were sufficiently quick on their feet to adapt to shift in battle conditions and the most daring among them actually exchanged some shouts to organize themselves to counter you.

It did them little good. One fell to crossbow bolt from Phineous's crossbow, another to an arrow from the undergrowth, presumably Janet's. With the maneuver broken up, you quickly dispatched two more with your mace.

At this point it became apparent to entirety of the opposing force that their quickly eroding advantage in numbers would not carry the day, and by your count several men must have already turned tail and run. Some of the others sought to slip around you to your flanks, guarding themselves against more of Janet's arrows, but their advance is cut short by a flurry of red dismantling and disarming the first, leaving his companion stopped in his tracks.

"B-boss?"

"Down, now!" Maia barks and it's almost like legs give out under him.

However you can't yet pay attention to that impromptu exchange with the fight still going on. Although as you survey the field of battle, it seems it's mostly over. Around you men were groaning, bleeding and/or knocked senseless, at least the ones that failed to wisely flee. The last one still standing held a round shield close to himself and was looking desperately around, probably regretting he did not run while he could. As it were, he was clearly neither eager to attack, nor to show you his back.

You point at him and he jumps a bit. Then you make a gesture of pointing to the ground.

There's another moment where he weighs his options, looking between your weapon and Phineous's crossbow trained at him.

Ultimately he makes the right choice, tossing weapon aside and kneeling in surrender.

You're about to begin securing the defeated men and having Sparky apply first aid where necessary when you are interrupted by a shrill cry from direction away from the village - focusing, you can make out a farm house among the trees.

"Phineous, help others secure the prisoners. Smutkin, with me." You bark and break into run, stomping through the orchard towards source of the sound. Moments later you walk through a door to come across a scene of carnage.

And there is that cry again.

It comes from a little girl, pressing against the wall, her dress damaged and disheveled and bloody - luckily, it seemed blood belonged to a man splayed out on the floorboards between you, the girl, and an exasperated dark elven woman.

"Great timing. She was just beginning to calm down." Chloe hissed, and you relax.

"D-don't eat me!" The girl sobs. "M-my pa will be v-very angry!"

"We won't hurt you." You try to speak softly but apparently it didn't come across all that well as the girl resumes crying and sobbing unconsolably. You consider whether trying to hug the child would help or only traumatize her more when sounds of music come to your rescue. Soft tones of Smutkin's lullaby put even you at peace somewhat, and the effects on the child are immediate and pronounced. She falls silent and relaxes, falling asleep even leaning against the wall.

Chloe is at her side before she slides to the floor, taking her in her arms.

"I'll take her to-" She begins to explain but is rudely interrupted.

"You will take her nowhere, monster. Let my daughter go this instant!"

A middle aged, slightly rotund man stands in the shattered door frame.

"Monster, am I? Where were you when she needed you? Where were you just now?" Chloe snipes back.

"I'm not getting lectured by a fiend!"

"Please, please, clam down everybody. The real danger has passed."

"Not while-"

"We are on a mission for lady Celestine." You speak up in a bid to give the man something else to think about, allowing Laurentia's aura to flare up for emphasis.

"Y-you - what devilry is this...?"

"They are speaking the truth, elder Hans, this is Mouse, Lady's champion." Elle's voice comes from the outside. "Didn't you see the defeated marauders on your way here?"

"I... but... my daughter..."

"Is safe." Chloe says, biting back the ", no thanks to you." you knew she wanted to add, something you acknowledge with a grateful nod in her direction. Her cheeks seem to darken a bit at your gesture.

At least the man seems to relax a bit as he finally realizes what the circumstances are. "I... I apologise. And... thank you. Can you... please, return my daughter to me?"

"Mhm." Chloe murmurs an assent and approaches the man to hand the girl over. He eagerly accepts the child and hugs her tightly, tearing up a bit.

You decide to give the man some privacy and gesture at your companions to follow you out so you can check on the rest.

"Wait." The elder sees you leave. "I was wrong about you. I realize it now, you saved our village. Please, stay for the night and accept our hospitality. We don't have much to share, but what we have is yours. We were about to lose so much more."

>Decline. You are on an important quest and time is of the essence. You will interrogate one or two of the captured mercenaries and set out immediately.
>Decline. You are on an important quest and time is of the essence, but you will stay long enough to interview all of the mercenaries.
>Accept. You are on an important quest, but this may be last time for your companions to enjoy some sort of homely comfort for a while.
>other course of action

>>5858042
>>Decline. You are on an important quest and time is of the essence. You will interrogate one or two of the captured mercenaries and set out immediately.

>>5858042
>Decline. You are on an important quest and time is of the essence. You will interrogate one or two of the captured mercenaries and set out immediately.

>>5858042
>Accept. You are on an important quest, but this may be last time for your companions to enjoy some sort of homely comfort for a while.
>other course of action
Enjoy their southern country hospitality, if you know what I mean.

>>5858042
>Decline. You are on an important quest and time is of the essence. You will interrogate one or two of the captured mercenaries and set out immediately.

>>5858042
>Decline. You are on an important quest and time is of the essence. You will interrogate one or two of the captured mercenaries and set out immediately.

"I am touched, but no." You tell the elder. It's not a hard decision to make, you have work to do; besides, you could swear you saw the elder's facade slip for a moment as he sighed in relief. "I'd like to interrogate someone from among these fools, but we need to get back on the road. Our mission is too important to tarry."

"Very well, I'll have at least some supplies gathered-"

"Don't bother. We already have more than we can probably carry all the way to our destination." You stop him. "More importantly, do you have means to deal with those men?"

"Well..." The elder looks around, unwilling to easily vocalize the most convenient way to deal with the incapacitated marauders within their earshot.

"I believe I can help with that." A new, silken voice comes from the direction where remainder of your team was.

"My lady." You acknowledge the dark queen coming up with Phineous and flanked by the golems, an eerie spectacle in the orchard, one you are now free to appreciate with no fight to occupy you.

The elven queen enhances it further, your skin crawls a little as you sense the power gathered around her as she raises her staff and the ambient afternoon light is momentarily subdued, as if during an eclipse, causing the village elder to take few steps back. A cluster of purplish light coalesces into existence around the raised staff, whirling for a little bit before bursting apart, darting individually seemingly at random...

...only seemingly, though, as you spot one of them striking into nearest of the subdued mercenaries, while a discordant chorus of groans confirms others follow suit.

"Hey, what's going on?" By the time Maia trots over, Olga had already lowered her staff and the darkness was lifted.

"I placed a curse onto those men. You need not be concerned for them, they will recover in time, but for a few days they will be feeble and sluggish, even a human child should be able to overpower them."

"Thank you for your consideration, my lady." You say and mean it, as through her distaste for the nature of power employed your spiritual companion conveys to you that Olga must have exerted herself for what was no doubt an act of mercy on her part. The sentiment seems echoed in mixed expression of Sparky who stands next to Olga.

The dark queen acknowledges your words with a smirk.

"I believe you can handle the rest. I shall return to our... carriage."

With that she turns around and heads back towards where you left your wagon, accompanied by the golems.

Phineous and Sparky wait for your word.

"Go get the wagon closer to us along our route. We won't take long." You turn to Maia as Phineous departs. "The man you recognized...?"

"You want me to get him to spill, do you?" The mercenary princess asks, to which you nod. "Yeah I was on it before... that happened." She gestures. "I guess... Yeah. I'll get back to it."

"Thank you."

She gives you a sad smile before going off her way.

Leaving you with Sparky, Elle, Smutkin and Chloe, at least within direct sight, as the elder had wisely chosen to take the chance where you were talking to others to make himself scarce.

"Harriet, Janet?" You ask, and the two young people announce themselves from a side.

"Sir."

"Go with Elle back to the village and help them get the prisoners somewhere safe. Smutkin, go with them, see if you can hear something useful." Your gaze rests on Sparky. "Go with them, perhaps there's someone in need of your help in the village, too." You tell the transformed imp, the real reason being a nagging feeling of not wanting him near for what comes next. "I and Chloe will... find one to interview on our own."

"At once, sir." Elle and the twins salute and head off, the bard going after them. Sparky gives you a grim nod of understanding before following.

Well, it needs to be done. You walk over to where most of the fight has taken place and pick one of the mercenaries that look conscious, if debilitated and probably in pain as he quietly groans, clutching his side, and judging by his equipment being in marginally better state than that of the other you surmise he might be able to tell you something. Chloe stays back as you approach the man.

The mercenary looks up and quickly gives you his undivided attention. In fact he tries to scramble, but can't seem to lift himself off the ground, instead only pushing himself back weakly with his hands. As you conclude your approach, looming over him, he gives up and offers a panicked expression.

"Please don't kill me! I'll tell you everything I know!"

Well, at least that is one less problem to worry about. Assuming he is being honest, but the man's fear seems genuine.

"Very well. You can start by telling me how many other mercenaries are in the area and where your camp is." You ask.

"T-there's no camp, and there are no others..."

You frown and make a show of looming menacingly.

"It's true, I swear on me mum and every ass I've tapped!"

"Then why did you choose to raid this village with just this band?"

"Uh... because we could? Or, or we thought! We were clearly wrong!"

"Don't play coy with me. I know you are part of the mercenary army. Who do you report to and where do you operate from? Where were you supposed to bring the loot?"

"We're not! Honest! We're, we're not with those Volt guys anymore! Seriously! Ever since that creepy mage guy returned they went way past what we signed up for."

"What does that mean?" You ask, genuinely curious.

"Right. Those fucks. They're all crazy. They're taking some alchemical stuff. I mean, not booze or special spices or something like that, but something truly fucked up. Turns guys into monsters. Well sometimes kills them. And then they brought some cult... That was just too much for me and some of the boys."

"So you chose to go off to raid on your own instead." Chloe remarks.

"Yeah. It's not like we need them to do our thing." The marauder says, then catches himself. "Wait. Wait! I didn't mean that like that! I'm totally different now! Touched by your mercy and all that!"

You sigh.

Chloe gives you a questioning look and raises her eyebrows. You suppress another sigh and shake your head.

"Are you going to let me go? I told you what you wanted to hear... I mean, what you wanted me to tell."

"No, and no." You answer. "I am going to consider your fate further, but first I need you to tell me where exactly your creepy and not anymore your friends were where you last saw them. Is that clear?"

The mercenary hesitates, but looking around and squirming a bit he quickly determines that there is not much he could do but cooperate.

"Fine."

What follows is a recount of the man's recent week or so, one you have to frequently navigate away from irrelevant tangents. Fortunately the mercenary seems to have resigned himself to his position and the intel you gain looks valid, although you will have to compare notes with Maia later. It appears there is a mercenary camp perhaps two days away, not exactly on your current route, if vaguely along the direction you needed to take. Apparently the mercenary mage passed through it, very angry, shortly after the failed coup attempt. And right away started on dubious experiments that precipitated decision of your interlocutor that perhaps he threw his lot in with the wrong crowd.

As his story concluded, you had gained some knowledge, but were also facing some new questions...

>The camp is an irrelevant distraction. Keep headed straight for your destination.
>Check out the camp, it seems unlikely the mercenary mage would stick around, but perhaps there is something to be gained there to make up for the loss of time and possibly the wagon.
>other idea

And once on the road, you still had some time before you would consider retiring
>Talk to Maia, there was something you wished to discuss with her before...
>Talk to someone else

And speaking of retiring...
>Drive well into the night.
>Drive through the night. With some rotation you should be able to get away with minimal rest.
>Drive until sunset, ensure you're all well rested

>>5865423
>>Check out the camp, it seems unlikely the mercenary mage would stick around, but perhaps there is something to be gained there to make up for the loss of time and possibly the wagon.
>Talk to Maia, there was something you wished to discuss with her before...
>Drive well into the night.

>>5865423
>Check out the camp, it seems unlikely the mercenary mage would stick around, but perhaps there is something to be gained there to make up for the loss of time and possibly the wagon.

>Talk to Maia, there was something you wished to discuss with her before...

>Drive well into the night.

>>5865423
>The camp is an irrelevant distraction. Keep headed straight for your destination.

>Talk to Maia, there was something you wished to discuss with her before...

>Drive well into the night.
we are speed

>>5865423
>Check out the camp, it seems unlikely the mercenary mage would stick around, but perhaps there is something to be gained there to make up for the loss of time and possibly the wagon.
>Talk to Maia, there was something you wished to discuss with her before...
>Drive well into the night.

After spending a brief time asking the mercenary about layout and location of the camp his team had deserted from, you decide that the man had no more to offer you. The mercenary let the mixture of relief and disappointment show on his defeated expression when he realized you were neither going to finish him off nor let him go, and you were just about done with him when a villager cautiously approached, process of rounding up the marauder prisoners mostly concluded. You gave the villager a nod and let him drag the debilitated raider away. Briefly you considered helping him around but seeing as the villagers would be responsible for handling them, they better get used quickly to what it takes. Your priorities laid elsewhere anyway.

When you rejoined Maia, you learned she was done with her interview as well, concluded much in the same spirit as yours.
“Deserters.” She told you.
“Was he cooperative?”
“He told me what he knew, I think.” Maia sighed. “For whatever good my judgment is.”
“Let’s get moving. We can compare what we learned on the way.”
“Alright.”

You reunited with your group as Phineous brought the wagon back on the road past the village. You looked around, everyone was accounted for. Harriet and Janet were carrying bundles of morsels villagers insisted on sharing with the young scouts. The twins immediately offered to share with rest of the group, although you personally declined to take from the humble offering. Phineous did snatch one of the gingerbread treats.

Before long, you were on the road again. You decided that you would ride hard this evening to put some distance behind you and make up for the delays – this one, as well as the next one you planned to take.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea?” Smutkin asked. “Assuming human forces put faith in lady Celestine who put her faith in us, each distraction gives the enemy more time to prepare and act.”

“I know that, and it’s something I’m also worried about.” You reply. “But for the same reason I can’t ignore this outpost, if the mercenary mage left something dangerous there – hell, he may still be around – then we can’t afford leaving it free run of this land.”

“How big is the camp?” Smutkin asked.

“At its largest it was well over hundred people.” Maia said. “But at the time when the boys… damn, I still can’t get over people I thought I knew turning to raiding. I knew they were rough, but…” The mercenary princess shook her head. “Sorry. I was saying, we should expect no more than forty devout Volt followers, probably influenced by whatever filth Kin cooked up for them.”

“Kin… that’s the mercenary mage, right?” You confirm.

“Yeah. Volt came to really rely on that creep… I mean, I could tell he was an odd one, but not how messed up he turned out to be… agh, there I go again.”

“We will set things right.” You assure her. Then, you realize you had something else you wanted to discuss with the tomboy princess. “Lady-”

“Oi, drop the lady already. You’re on first name terms with Celestine herself and are touched by the Goddess… least you can do is drop this ‘lady’ business.”

“Very well, Maia. There was something I think might help you, when time comes for you to confront… the man you care for.”

“Rub it in, won’t you?” She gives you a pained grin.

“There’s no way around it, I’m afraid. What I want to say is, the Beast’s command is not absolute. It can be rejected.”

“Is that supposed to help? He clearly chose to embrace it…” She trails off, although you are almost sure you can hear an ‘over me’ at the end.

“It knows how to tempt and what to offer, and how to make its offers compelling.”

“What are you saying?” Maia frowns. “Right, the relic… But then how did you, actually…?”

“It could not make me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” You answer, then add what you had said to your queen what seemed like an eternity ago. “What I desire cannot be taken by force.”

Maia studies you for a moment, before turning her gaze down again. “But then what hope does that leave me? Volt values strength above all.”

“So it appears. But is he truly fine with being a slave to it, himself?” You muse aloud. “Her majesty was not.”

“What do you mean…” Maia frowns but realization dawns on her. “The dark queen?”

“Indeed. She would rather pin their hopes on us than to submit to the Beast.” You nod. “I thought perhaps this circumstance would help you in finding your way forward.”

Maia is silent for a few moments, then nods slowly. “I… see. I mean… I’m not sure how well that will help me, but… I guess it’s something to think on. Thank you... Mouse.” The red haired beauty ends giving you a sad, but gentle smile that looks almost out of place on the mercenary princess.

You give her some space to think and for the rest of the evening and well into the night your small caravan travels onward mostly in silence. Occasionally you hear some of your companions trade a few subdued words here and there, but you don’t let it distract you as the landscape rolls back under your feet.

It’s well into the night, the stars and the moon offering barely enough light to guide you by – which would be a bigger problem if not for sharp eyed Chloe at the point and Tithe in the sky – that you decide that despite gentle breeze keeping you relatively fresh you should allow your companions at least some of the night’s rest. You quickly set up the bed rolls and hear someone snore for the brief moment before the sleep takes you as well, taking your soul into the land of dreams.

And so once again you find yourself in the realm apart from the physical. The dark, shadowy landscape feels almost familiar by now, although you know for a fact that you would not feel as good about being in it as you have if not for the comforting aura of your companions’ support which you were now aware of, and now, on top of that, a companion goddess. Or at least a being recognized as one. Given all that you have seen and experienced you were hesitant to assert knowledge on such manners easily.

What you were absolutely certain of however was the warmth and light in the metaphysical sense you felt radiate from the female figure sitting nearby in a meditative pose. Through the link you consented to you knew you trusted each other, and were eager to see your mission through.

“Mouse. Your presence is becoming… more accustomed to navigating this realm.” Laurentia spoke without moving. “Do you have something you wish to discuss? Or do you wish to try and wield the Light? Or do you simply wish to rest?”

>Actually, there was something you wanted to discuss with the goddess… (specify what)
>Training to practice with the light seemed compelling, even if the way she offered the alternatives it seemed like it was at odds with resting…
>Rest sounds good. You had ground to cover ahead of you and possibly a fight not far ahead.
>What about her? Was there something that could be done to strengthen her instead?
>other idea

>>5872187
>Training to practice with the light seemed compelling, even if the way she offered the alternatives it seemed like it was at odds with resting…

>>5872187
>Training to practice with the light seemed compelling, even if the way she offered the alternatives it seemed like it was at odds with resting…
>What about her? Was there something that could be done to strengthen her instead?

>>5872187
>>Training to practice with the light seemed compelling, even if the way she offered the alternatives it seemed like it was at odds with resting…

Notion of learning how to wield Laurentia's Light was too good to pass up on.

"You can do that here? Teach me how to wield the power of light?"

"Yes. Although it is not an effortless endeavour on your part. Although your physical body will rest and recuperate, your mind and soul will be strained to some extent."

Well that was inconvenient, but you sort of suspected something like that would be the case. You suppose there is not going to be a better time than now to get started on this... at very least until your confrontation with Volt.

"Let's do this."

The goddess nods in recognition of your decision and the resolve behind it.

"Very well, Defier, take my hand." She says as her form stands up and offers you her hand. You comply, approaching her, and your forms briefly meet, two points of light among the shadows momentarily joining.

Her hand is soft and warm, and the warmth seeps through your being, banishing the ambient cold you were unconsciously shielding yourself from, the sensation of power as it coursed through you reminiscent of your previous interactions with concentrated force of ethereal light. This time, however, you are fully aware of every aspect of the torrential flow underpinning the warmth, as Laurentia shares with you her own perspective, at least to some extent. You are certainly not capable of comprehending, never mind replicating the feat, but you feel it more acutely.

Including strain it places on your companion. As the power is transferred to you, her own light dims. Not to the point where she'd seem threatened, but you can tell from observing her, and a very specifically pain shaped blank you are sensing across your empathetic link, that the exercise costs her some tangible discomfort at very least. You feel a twinge of embarrassment from her, and judge that expressing your concern right now would not help either of you. She confers to you she recognizes importance of your tasks.

"I've bestowed you with some of my light."

"You've given me some of yourself" You say it anyway.

"...You could use these words, yes." She admits reluctantly. "It is necessary, so that I am able to guide you, before you are able to wield your own."

"It weakened you."

"If you're careful, you can give it all back to me before you return to the material world." She says back.

You sigh, or at least express the intent. "You know what I'm concerned about." You say flatly.

Laurentia gives a similar gesture of resignation back. "It's necessary." She repeats. "You are not wrong. My means of replenishing my light are limited by pervasive presence of the Beast." She turns to the side and looks across the landscape. "If I reach out, I invite opportunity for a confrontation."

"Previous ones turned well in our favour." You point out, although not with excess of confidence. The most recent experience of eluding the Beast with Laurentia herself in tow may have felt right at the time, but it was also a harrowing one. The practical side of you did not much like the idea of a fight where you were, in fact, the small one.

On the other hand, it was not the practical side of you that set you out on this quest.

"That is true. But Defier, without knowing more of what allows you to be as you are, I'm... I'm afraid." She turns her focus back onto you. "Defier. Don't misunderstand. I believe in you. You are my hope. But I know the power of the world. I will do and give everything to give you the chance you need. But I won't take unnecessary chances, tempting whatever chance or fate or power it is that allows you to be."

There's a moment of silence where you consider your response, ultimately settling for simple:

"Let us begin."

"Yes. Let's." Laurentia nods, and you can feel some of the tension she's built up dissipate and transform into resolve. "Please, allow me." She doesn't elucidate on what exactly, but with the rapport already established there is no need to. The landscape blurs and shifts, and in the next moment you find yourself elsewhere(?)

You are in a sunlit garden. Sky is not entirely clear, but that's only because a pattern of fluffy white clouds, the kind that inspire imagination and make Phineous pull out his sketchbook, glide lazily beneath the radiant sun.

Bringing your gaze down to earth you survey the lush, vibrant grounds that remind you of the carefully tended to atrium Celestine was fond of hanging out in, in the way of latter being a painstakingly crafted imitation of something that here had burst into existence spontaneously.

Or at least was giving the impression of having done so.

"This is... what I would have claimed as my realm, were I able to lay my claim on anything in this world."

"It's your dream." You venture a guess and look for the speaker. You find her quickly among the undergrowth, and it's definitely a her.

"Celestine?" You speak before you realize the obvious truth.

"I hope she would forgive me for taking this form. It's simply one I feel closest to my nature, and hers likely manifested in that way for that same reason." Laurentia says. In the context of this garden she took upon herself form of a high elf, a dead ringer of Celestine in fact, with the sole difference being the attire flowing around her form like a mixture between a second skin when still and condensed cloud when in movement. It made for an odd combination of soft and sleek impression.

"I'm sure she will, and I appreciate being taken here." You say, "But why?"

"Because I need to show you something, and that might be dangerous in the open. Come, follow me."

She waves at you and heads away. You follow, the act of setting yourself into motion reminding you of the dreamlike quality of this realm as it shifts past you to allow you passage.

After a short trip you come to a stop in what looks like a marble amphitheatre Laurentia had prepared for her demonstration.

"The light you know from material world, is a force that scatters darkness and casts shadows where it cannot reach." Laurentia explains, and in parallel the clouds cluster overhead, casting shade over the landscape, with exception of center of the amphitheater. "The light brings warmth and shows the way to those who can see. But it can also sear and burn." Sunbeam before you intensifies to the point where it becomes difficult to look at. When it subsides, it leaves a burnt mark on the ground. "But that is only a fraction of what Light represents in the fabric of our world, as you have learned watching your friend develop his affinity with it."

Image of Sparky, as he was before his recent transformation, appears on the podium, alternating between several motions, Laurentia narrating each of them.

"It can be wielded to sear your enemies, especially those who align with the darkness." The goddess says to the imp simulacrum calling forth a beam of light. "But when channeled through care and compassion, it can be also called upon to heal or protect." Laurentia continues as the image changes to alternating between several gestures you would characterize as introspective, gentle or eventually warding. After that, the image loses focus and Laurentia herself comes onto the stage. "Following this path, light as a bringer of clarity and herald of creation can be called upon to turn nearly any expression of will into reality." Laurentia spreads her arms and around her saplings begin to sprout from the ground, turning the barren floor of the stage into a meadow of grass and flowers.

With that last demonstration done she lets her arms drop and she wavers, prompting you to jolt forward and you find yourself at her side, supporting her. "Thank you. That last manifestation of the powers of light is by far most taxing, and likely not very useful for you at this time."

"I wouldn't be so sure..." You think aloud, ideating some ways in which you could make use of the landscape changing abruptly to your advantage. Laurentia's own display, a stray root to trip or restrain an adversary came to mind.

"Creative notion, but I'm afraid you might find some difficulty with it." The goddess says with a slight flush. "Because the power of the light is inherently tied to your intent. And corruptive abuse of creation falls into domain of the darkness that could corrupt your creation and use it against you." She looks to the side. Unfortunately, the same can be to some extent said for everything light can do. You've already learned, and saw, how easily darkness of this world subverts and corrupts manifestations of the light..." She trails off, looking back at you.

"...no, wait. That's wrong. Or at least not entirely true." She pauses. "I apologise, Defier, I'm not yet done coming to terms with everything I've seen. I'm doing my best to guide you to the best of my knowledge, but that's clearly not as complete as I've assumed it to be." She pauses again. "For now, though, this is something I can do for you. With you. Is there a particular aspect of the light you'd like to focus on?"

>You have some more questions before you decide (specify)
>You'd like to be able to handle physical aspect of the light to banish natural darkness and sear your enemies
>You'd like to be able to call upon the power of light to heal and restore wounds
>You'd like to be able to call upon the power of light to shelter and protect yourself and others
>You'd like to be able to tap into the power of creation, despite its drawbacks
>some other idea
>actually, maybe you could just talk some more (specify topic)

Merry Christmas, Friends. May you find comfort in knowledge that at least in our world hope is not fundamentally tainted but a very real spark of light for us to cherish.

>>5874292
>>You'd like to be able to call upon the power of light to shelter and protect yourself and others

>>5874292
>You'd like to be able to call upon the power of light to shelter and protect yourself and others
Merry christmas OP. Man, we really came a long way from a meme thread that got usurped to here. This is what quest is about.

>>5874292
>You'd like to be able to call upon the power of light to shelter and protect yourself and others

>>5874292
>>You'd like to be able to call upon the power of light to shelter and protect yourself and others
we are the tank

>>5874292
>You'd like to be able to call upon the power of light to shelter and protect yourself and others
Tanky paladin.

Although there seems to be many paths open to you, you are acutely aware that for now at least you'll have to commit to one of them only. The choice comes surprisingly easily to you.

"I wish for power to protect and shelter others as well as myself from harm." You speak. You don't really have to, as Laurentia begins to nod with an understanding smile as soon as you make your decision.

"Then so it shall be. Observe, and perceive, Defier."

With that you feel the power shift and ebb, soon manifesting itself in a spherical bubble of soft radiance centered around the elfin figure of the goddess. You can feel the intent and solidity of it without needing to physically interact with it, but you take the steps forward anyway and reach out.

The barrier stops your hand without giving you any sense of cold or heat, it simply halts your movement. It offers no purchase; applying additional force sees your hand slip around the edge, obviously without leaving any residue on your palm.

Briefly you consider striking with greater force, but hesitate, worried for the woman behind the barrier. For her part, Laurentia initially offers encouragement for you to test limits of her barrier, but quickly changes her mind as you mull it over yourself, sharing in your concern of such a hostile action aimed at her, pretend or not.

"Please, step back." She says in the end and after you comply she calls forth several beams of light that strike her bubble in ways of demonstration instead.

Once the light show concludes, the goddess waves the protective bubble away, unscathed.

"I believe you should be able to replicate the feat; focus, and allow your experience to guide you. Your first step should be to call upon the font of light you carry - some of it mine, that should be easier to handle."

You nod quietly and do as you are told. Focusing inwards and grasping for the recollection of the sensation, you do your best to recreate the sequence in your imagination. In a burst of inspiration, you think back to how you've found yourself able to adjust intensity of glow that you've gained after liberating (this fragment of?) Laurentia from her bondage, and after some mental exertion and a few moments of wondering if you hadn't gotten it all entirely wrong, you feel something shift. Narrowing your attention down to that sensation, you find yourself cradling a small orb of light in your hand. It hovers above your palm, awaiting your choice of what to do with it.

"Next, you need to shape the concentration of power into your desired intent. If you can manage that, after that it is only matter of practice and finding best way to order your will and your feelings."

Once again you muster your focus and bring up a mental image of what you just saw - protective sphere of light, keeping the person inside from harm.

The bubble reappears, once again embracing Laurentia with a soft golden glow. She gives you a small smile at your choice to shield her rather than yourself for your first attempt. She lifts one hand as if to reach the barrier, but the bubble shifts around in response to her movements.

"Very good. Now, shield both of us at once." She tells you, and you do your best to comply, but it turns out to be trickier than what you just did. Just as you think you got it right, and the area around you lights up, you can see Laurentia's one flicker, then yours, then hers again, as your focus jumps between the two of you.

"You are relying too much on your conscious for this." Laurentia says. "That's wasteful, especially for a mortal like yourself. Keep exploring your options. I cannot tell you what would work for you, and even if I could, if I did it might not anymore as the intent would be warped."

You frown internally at this explanation. What was this even supposed to mean?

"Once you figure it out, you should have no difficulties extending protection over all of your allies,"

As Laurentia speaks, numerous additional simulacra come into existence all around you. Queen Olga. Phineous, Smutkin, Sparky - as he currently was, Tithe, Diana, Minerva, Elle, Chloe, Harriet, Janet...

"...and perhaps more."

...and all the princesses (with Klaus attached to Claudia) begin appearing, and additional people you've met and interacted with on your travels, as still images, as if captured in time.

You're momentarily overwhelmed by the assertion, especially considering the trouble maintaining just two shields at once was giving you. But... if there really was an approach you could take...? All these people did place your trust in you, and their lives in your hands. You owe them nothing less than your best.

Finding your frown deepening, you ease yourself slightly and think back to what Laurentia was saying. Between her emphasis on intent and claim that conscious direction of it was inefficient, perhaps there were other points of reference you could reach for, when it came to protection.

There was, obviously, your mother. By the time you were capable of creating lasting memories you were already too large for her to lift, but that never stopped her from wrapping you in a warm embrace that felt softer, warmer and more complete than it had any right to just going by the physical measure.

Then there was Queen Olga, the woman who saved you from following your parents early on. Distant and regal as she was, you recognized and had recently confirmed that she did extend her protection over you throughout your maturing and training, sheltering you from the worst Black Citadel had to offer.

Despite everything, though, between them stood another exemplar you felt most appropriate to the task before you. Your father. Not the creature whose physical form you inherited, but the man who extended his own protective embrace over both you and your mother, in defiance of all adversity from without as well as any doubts or impulses from within. The man who was first there to teach you how to ward off not only physical harm, but also the horrors that were impossible to grasp physically, by his own kind word and reassuring touch. The man who taught you of the world, confined as you were for most of the day, not as it was, but how it could be.

You let all those memories flow through you and warm your soul, as you have so many times in the past. Except this time, there was a slight difference.

This time, you would follow the flow a step further. Where other times you would carry the warmth into the waking world to serve as a beacon, today you would rely on it as a furnace and a crucible.

You begin to look around, but stop yourself. That would not do. You need to do better than that.

You let your desire for your friends' safety lean against the kernel of light you still feel with you... and you give it a mental nudge.

The ambience lights up slightly, as an array of shields coalesces around your companions - and almost as an afterthought, around yourself.

Now you allow yourself to look around; maintaining the effect seems considerably easier than it was last time. Another thing you allow yourself is a small smile of satisfaction. You had learned something this day.

There is a faint echo of surprise from Laurentia.

"Very well done, Defier. I did not expect you would be able to achieve this so quickly." She says, impressed. "However, there is always room for improvement." She adds. "For instance, you need to work on your own shield some. Perhaps..." She hesitates. "Perhaps it would do well for you to remember that you won't be able to shield your friends if you yourself are incapacitated. And perhaps more importantly... No, I've already said too much. Besides, I wonder..." She trails off momentarily.

You allow the effect to disperse and begin pondering whether to try to continue practicing when the goddess speaks up again.

"You've already done more for now than I thought possible. Do not strain yourself too much, rather it will be time for you to return to the material realm. Anything else will have to wait for the next time. Until then, I will be with you."

Even as she speaks, the realm around you begins to fade into nondescript void. As the image fades, you find yourself in receding darkness and the physical world around you makes itself known to you once more.

With a blink you allow your senses to organize themselves. The dawn's soft light, fragrance of sparse forest, fresh morning air, all together these sensations work to wake you up.

It is a strange, discordant feeling that grips you as you pull yourself up. Your body responds easily following the night's rest, but still you feel as if you have to actively work to keep your attention sharp after night's spiritual exertions.

I'm afraid there's nothing to be done about that. You made a great leap of progress, but it came at a cost. Do not worry, your strength will return. Laurentia tries to reassure you.

You do a brief workout to check effects of this mental exhaustion on your coordination. Results are... passable. Still, perhaps it would be best to rest a bit before getting into your next pitched battle.

For now, though, you couldn't afford to laze around, the road ahead was still long. Gathering your things you moved to help your companions pack up the camp and soon enough your company was on the move again.

>Who do you wish to spend time with on your way?

>Drive hard towards the mercenary camp, reaching it during the night at expense of a chance to rest
>Pace yourself and camp for the night just before the enemy outpost
>Maintain a steady pace but stop at sunset to ensure time for a good rest
>other idea

>>5877224
>Drive hard towards the mercenary camp, reaching it during the night at expense of a chance to rest

>>5877224
>Pace yourself and camp for the night just before the enemy outpost

>>5877224
>Pace yourself and camp for the night just before the enemy outpost

>>5877224
>Pace yourself and camp for the night just before the enemy outpost

>>5877224
>Pace yourself and camp for the night just before the enemy outpost

With your next objective settled, the path ahead was clear. Hopeful that the mental fatigue of last night's exertions would wear off, with soft feeling of reassurance with your spiritual companion, you focus on maintaining a suitably urgent pace to close most of the distance ahead. Once again you are reminded of the boon Tithe's sharp eyes and faithful soul is to you as the diminutive gargoyle watches over your advance, easing much of the burden off your other scouts.

And so you press on.

Between the pace and no particular topic you would want to discuss with your companions you make it a point to slowly make rounds around the formation to check on all of them. Between your original team of monstrous misfits and your recently acquired companions, you are met with expressions of resolve and expectation. If the revelation you've shared with them rattled them, they make no show of it.

With the only possible exception being Maia. The Mercenary princess gave you an awkward reassuring smile, although you could tell it was meant for herself at least as much as it was meant for you. Still, you could not begrudge her, given circumstances under which she joined your group; you did not doubt her spirit, but you knew that your last shared fight against the marauders was not nearly enough to build the same bond you've managed to forge with Elle or the twins. Not to mention you've rescued those from grim predicaments, although you're quite certain by now they follow you for much more than just gratitude.

In any event, you could also tell from her thoughtful look that Maia was actively mulling over what you had shared with her earlier. You hoped, and Laurentia with you, that she would find the answers she needed - or at very least the right question to share with the man she cared about.

For now, all you could do was share the road. Your small caravan made forward with few words, against subdued backdrop of Smutkin's tune keeping your pace regular and spirits from sinking as the landscape slowly, gradually shifted from temperate, sparse woodlands towards ever so gloomier wetlands that would turn into a swamp by the time you would reach the cult's seat of power.

It was around the time that afternoon passed into the evening that your party had reached a fork in the road. At least a theoretical one. Following directions extracted from the defeated deserters you knew you would have to leave the road to reach the smaller mercenary outpost and now that you were here, you found yourself looking somewhat wistfully on the wagon, still heavy with supplies. But there was nothing to be done about that - attempting to bring it with you would slow you down at least until you hit the terrain where it would get stuck and you'd have to leave it anyway. Your choice to address the cultist outpost only made that happen a day, maybe two, earlier.

And so you took the wagon off the road, set the beasts pulling it free and distributed what you could without overburdening yourselves among your group, obviously taking much of it upon yourself, althogh the golems have also volunteered to carry quite significant burdens. You suspected you'd have to relieve them of much of it by the time soil became too soft to support them carrying that much, but for now that was not an immediate issue.

This took some time, and by the moment you set out again it was already dark, slowing your progress. Fortunately, you did not have much left to cover, only several hours to reach a spot suggested by Tithe to be only a small ridge away from the camp that seemed to have no standing patrols in the field.

Reason for this apparent negligence was not immediately apparent to the gargoyle, though he did report movement within the camp proper. You would learn more in the morning. Quietly you bemoaned being deprived of a chance to assault during the night, but given likely odds and possible involvement of dark magic it would be probably very unwise to engage as you currently were.

And so you quickly set up a small hidden camp, your companions quickly falling asleep after the day's journey under watchful gazes of the gargoyle and two golems. Your last waking thoughts belong to your silent guardians, your soul touched warmly by knowledge of their vigil - and smiles Diana and Minerva offer to you as they notice your attention.

With that pleasant image you find yourself once again take form in the shadowy landscape, now familiar form of Laurentia back in her contemplative pose just ahead of you, facing outwards, her presence radiating a soothing aura.

But there's something else, as well. You realize something is different as your focus glides around, surveying the seemingly featureless darkness.

Suddenly it doesn't feel quite as featureless.

There's of course the circle of light around you, and the distant horizon - you are reminded how it begins to resemble the landscape you've seen when searching for the seat of Beast's power - but there's more that stands out of the blackness. Sparks of light, several of them. Very close by.

"Your attunement grows." Laurentia speaks without turning to face you. "You've already known of your connection with your companions, now you're feeling more aware of it."

You realize each of the spark represents one of your resting companions, including the vigilant golems. Focusing on each of them you could make slight variance you could perhaps identify them each with, but it takes effort to narrow your focus properly.

"You should probably rest before exerting yourself more in this realm." Laurentia says. "Your strength is there, but if your soul may not be prepared to handle more until it settles entirety of what it is learning to face."

"Time is not a luxury we have in abundance." You retort, allowing some of your frustration at the struggle ahead to vent.

"Indeed." Laurentia knows your thoughts better than to take offence. "Ultimately the choice lies with you, and I will follow whatever it will be."

You let your luminous companion feel your appreciation through your link. It is a strange sensation, sharing with another like that. Almost like an embrace without the physical component. Or sensual, despite Laurentia's clear preference for a distinctly female form. Just closeness of two... friends?

Still, the moment passes as you recall that the world will not wait for either of you.
>Just allow your consciousness to rest. There is likely an intense fight waiting for you at the end of this rest.
>Spend this time talking with Laurentia, that should be relaxing enough. (specify topic/s)
>Take a look around you in this realm, perhaps you could even scout out the mercenary outpost? Although you know that dark magic is likely involved...
>Although you were warned against it, you can't help but focus on your newfound awareness of your companions, starting with (specify who...)
>other idea

Seeing as new update is likely to be in a new thread, I'd like to thank you all again for bearing with me and wish you all copious amounts of hope for the new year.

Also, feel free to share your preferences for who the best girl may be. I only regret being unable to do them all justice.

>>5883599
>>Spend this time talking with Laurentia, that should be relaxing enough. (specify topic/s)

> Ask about her. her earliest memories (the start of the world), why she incarnates in the mortal world (and why she always chooses an elf), stuff like that

>>5883603
I think we all know who I think is best girl.

>>5883599
>Take a look around you in this realm, perhaps you could even scout out the mercenary outpost? Although you know that dark magic is likely involved...
>>5883603
i'm leaning towards elle, though I could be convinced to turn to Celestine.
but truly, i want mouse to end a martyr and none of these routes will be more than dreams of times lost

>>5883605
>+1
>>5883603
thanks OP, also didn't know you had archived this thread already https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Usurper
speaking of best girl, I'm kinda torn between Olga and Celestine.

>>5883599
>>5883605
This.

>>5883603
Celestine holds the lead as usual, but Laurentia is making a grand effort.

>>5883599
>Just allow your consciousness to rest. There is likely an intense fight waiting for you at the end of this rest.

>>5883603
I don't really have a favorite but I think Chloe feels the most natural because of how their relationship has developed over the course of the quest.

>>5883599

>Although you were warned against it, you can't help but focus on your newfound awareness of your companions, starting with (specify who...)
Chloe. I think she was nearly manifesting herself during our last forays into the shadowy landscape in the city. We should have all our companions training not just ourselves.

>>5883603
Chloe again. Felt over the quest she had the most development.