>>40722198
Aw shit, did Carmina just summon a chunk of Paradise?

>>40722198

“This won’t do at all.” Sayuline addresses the crowd with a face of flat amusement. “A work of art is nothing without an audience to appreciate it.”

She focuses her gaze far into the distance and instantly something almost imperceptible changes all around you. The confused multitude’s attempts to flee are met with invisible resistance in every direction, they’re sealed in.

Panicked shouts sound out everywhere, but your grin still doesn’t leave your face. The sheer size of the seal sacrifices a great deal of strength. You’d very likely be able to walk out with hardly a second thought.

But you’re not leaving. Perhaps you should feel threatened, but instead you’re positively spellbound with hungry curiosity. Just what do they have planned?

Izu watches on next to you in uncharacteristic absolute silence, his deep green eyes trying just has hard as your own to divine the meaning of all of this. Ali has long since disappeared from sight since her kill order was thoroughly dismissed.

>Watch on.

>Write in.

>>40722256
>Try and undo the big seal so people can leave

>>40722256
Are Matthias and Aya nearby? If they are tell them to retreat. Not like this seal could stop them.

Izu if you can run, I don't want you in the crossfire.

Unseal our wings

>>40722256
Cancel the seal if we can but don't go crazy trying to.

Hello everyone! It's been a while. I've never liked extensive meta, so I'll keep it very brief.

[ Upon my graduation, I had thought I would have a few months of just focusing on work before I took anything else on my plate. Life isn't always as you plan it, and now I've become more busy, extremely busy in fact.

As to what this means for the quest, I will try my very hardest to maintain consistency in scheduling runs, but I am more than certain that I will not be able to in every instance. Runs may become schedule on different dates than usual and may be more infrequent.

That's about it for now...]
>>40722312
They're likely nearby, but you don't see them. Unsealing your wings will leave you indisposed for a few moments, you won't be able to cancel the seal.

>>40722256
>Study the large seal. Don't break it just yet, but make sure we can do so at just the right moment, for maximum chaos.
>Send Izu to get the others. Marissa and Ellie will help Ali out. Izu joins Aya and Matthias, whatever they intend to do. Laurent is with us.
>Go closer.

I'm actually unsure if Laurent should go with us or with Ali.

>>40722427
Oh, and don't go in fireballs blazing. Make it clear that we want to know what this is about, first.

>>40722427
I'd say Izu should go with Ali.

>>40722493
Ah, I think I get what you mean. Izu's got the best head for learning other people's tricks, so far.

I sent him to Aya because she's pregnant, they're both fire and Matthias is.....well, Matthias, but that's also an option.

I don't see a problem with including most of what's here so far except for one thing, you cannot remain inconspicuous and break the seal.

So, please direct your votes on the following.
>Break the seal.
>Hold off on breaking the seal.

>>40722575
this is me >>40722427, and I'll switch Izu over to joining Ali.

>Hold off on breaking the seal.
We don't want to appear to take a side yet, and it's better to time it so they can't immediately reapply the seal.

>>40722562
>they're both fire
That's why he shouldn't go over there! Overlapping specialties.

>>40722575
>Break the seal.
We have a side, and it's not theirs. If they reapply it we'll just break it again, but we shouldn't put a crowd of hundreds at risk.

>>40722621
I dunno man, we've never seen what 2 people can do working together, let alone 3.

Of course, doing it completely untested is insane, but that's why WE aren't doing it!

>>40722575
>>Hold off on breaking the seal.

>>40722610
>>40722681
Holding off for now, study seal, direct Izu, and unsealing wings.

>Writing!

>>40722748
Not too sure about the unsealing wings, but eh, I don't see a particular reason NOT to do it.

>>40722793
>reason NOT to do it.
Blows our cover.

>>40723129
I don't see you voting against it.

And well, the boost in raw power is pretty useful. The added attention is both good and bad for the current situation. Certainly tipping our hand a little early.

>>40723211
I had shit to do at the time.

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Hello Auri!
Sayuline and carmina working together? How? I mean, for what purpose?

>>40723450
Hello there, anon!
You shall soon see...

>>40722748

If they intend to put on a show, why not watch? But you will certainly not pay the same price that everyone else here will.

You pull Izu in close. “Run and try to find Marissa, Ellie, and Laurent. Get them to Aya and Matthias and tell them to stick together.” You’re practically whispering at this point. “Don’t waste too much time trying to find them. Do what you can and then find Ali. She’ll protect you.”

Izu knows that you mean for him to leave immediately, but he lingers for just a moment, his hand tightly clutching onto yours.

But there’s no fear in his eyes. “Okay.” He smiles brilliantly at you and then is gone among the teeming masses.

Seemingly endless amounts of people surge in every direction, desperately searching for a way out from their invisible prison, while you focus on the seal.

It’s a few hundred yards in diameter. The sheer size of the thing stretches it thin, but as you observe it further, there seems to be something more than just a huge seal. You’re not sure what it is, but it screams of innate complexity.

They’re not messing around here, the amount of information needed to pull off just what they’ve done so far is exceptional.

You unseal your wings to be prepared for whatever may come. The pain causes the voices to fade, and you’re easily jostled to your knees. Sayuline has begun to speak again, but it’s only a blur in your mind as your wings begin to tear through fabric on your back.

[1/2]

>>40723651
>She’ll protect you
who said anything about protect? He's supposed to spy and make Ali owe us!

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>>40723651

Her voice comes back into focus as you rise to your feet and make your way closer. “And many of you have helped make this glorious day possible.” Her smile unnervingly unmoving. “By lying with the corrupted one you’ve helped weaken the summoning seal. Every person, giving into their lust helped spread little by little this possibility, and now it is time to collect…”

You shake off the last of the pain as you watch Sayuline begin to recite something from a skin-colored piece of parchment.

Only moments later a large number of men from the crowd collapse hard to the ground in convulsions. Their skin blackening as they foam violently at the mouth with pitch-colored fluid.

It’s a chain reaction fanning out throughout most of the crowd. Sayuline nods toward Carmina.

Carmina sighs in pensive sadness. “Now the rest of you will do your part to make Paradise possible.”

She channels something toward the huge pile of paper-crafts at the base of the float, and they soon glow with a familiar purple light.

Something warm wets your cheek. You turn to see the young boy that played with Izu earlier today, now holding onto the dangling arm of his mother, the rest of her, liquefied onto the ground.

One by one, this same occurrence spreads. They mean to make everyone a sacrifice. The sky above you begins to distort as they continue their ritual

>Write in.

>>40723697
Disrupt it, break the seal end the magic. This is abhorrent. Seal Sayuline's voice first if possible.

>>40723688
He can receive protection and keep an eye on her activities as well.

>>40723697
Really? They didn't even blink at the whole wings thing?

Yeah, unseal this show. WE decide who's turning what into Paradise.

>>40723467
>>40723697
You know, I was going to say that an easy way to tell a evil villian apart is if they are willing to harm civilians. These fuckers clearly did.

Well, at least we're going to look like a goddamn angelic savior protecting the humans.

>>40723697
God damnit Marissa.

>>40723848
I told you we should have claimed her.

>>40723697
>Unseal it
Kinda sad that we had to wait for people to start dying to do this.

>>40723884
Don't think it'd have helped. Don't think it'd have stopped her anyways.

>>40723697
Break the seal. Unleash Hellfire on Sayuline.

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>>40723697
>unseal and assault
we were only waiting around to see what was happening. It happened. Time to stop them. And inquire them on what the fuck they think they are doing.
>>40723828
You don't say.

>>40723936
Sealing her voice so the incantation is unfinished is smarter.

>>40723848
This has nothing to do with marissa. It's Sayuline and Carmina.

>>40723971
. “And many of you have helped make this glorious day possible.” Her smile unnervingly unmoving. “By lying with the corrupted one you’ve helped weaken the summoning seal. Every person, giving into their lust helped spread little by little this possibility, and now it is time to collect…”


They fucked Marissa which weakened the seal.

>>40723966
Do both

>>40723928
>Don't think it'd have stopped her anyways.
Yeah it would have.

>>40723697
>>40723966
Oh right. changing >>40723764 to
Seal her voice first, THEN break the crowd seal.

>>40723990
It's not her fault. She didn't actively participate in it.

>>40723733
>>40723764
>>40723892
>>40723936
>>40723950
Unanimous vote to end the show. Sealing Sayuline, unsealing the cage, then attacking.

>Writing~

>>40724014
Our skill with Sealing is enough to do both at the same time.

Then we proceed to unleash the might of The Little Empresses Flame on them.

Izu's flame restores, right? Can he....fix this?

>>40724020
People in town spoke too highly of her for me to believe she just starfished it, anon.

>>40724036
Times like this I'm glad this quest does not use rolls.
>>40724062
I don't believe so. They're already goop, no turning back.

>>40724131
She was a prostitute.

>>40724145
a Magical prostitute. I still think she had a hand in Grievermillion's arrest given what the note in that office said. MArissa is many thing, innocent is not one of them. She is at the very least culpable for her actions. She's your waifu, doesn't make her a saint or blameless.

>>40724173
>. I still think she had a hand in Grievermillion's arrest given what the note in that office said
uh what? reminders?

>>40724173
>I still think she had a hand in Grievermillion's what? he was arrested before she even delved the first time

>>40723990
you're right. Goddamnit, Marissa. This is part of the "unintended consequences" thing I had Sophia warn her about.

>>40724202
Female voice which was very compelling. Like hers.

>>40724210
So she says, all we know he was recently arrested around the time she started delving alone.

>>40724173
No one likes Marissa. She's my least favorie character in the quest.

But her fucking a bunch of people doesn't make her responsible for this shit.

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>>40724173
>she had a hand in Grievermillion's arrest

>>40724236
He'd already been arrested for some time before we arrived in Impel.

Which was less than a week after her first delve.

>>40724250
>>40724236
>>40724173
That makes zero sense.

I had no idea me posting god damnit Marissa as a joke would spark a debate on how evil she is and whether she meant for this to happen or if she was behind Grievy's arrest. She obviously did not, calm those shadowruns down, jesus Christ.

>>40724319
Just one paranoid anon.

>>40724379
Nah fuck that, I am paranoid, he is just stupid.

>>40724509
point

ITT: where do you think you are

>>40724036

You will not be made a sacrifice. As much as you wanted to know how this show ends, it’s much more preferable not to end up as a pile viscera.

Your wings truly taste the air of this world for the first time as you float up to meet eye-to-eye with Carmina and Sayuline.

Sayuline almost loses her focus from sheer amusement. The look on her face indicates that she was clearly expecting you to arrive at any minute.

The words of the incantation are choked in her mouth as you set a seal to the task. The seal is met with furious resistance immediately, not only from Sayuline, but from beyond the portal forming above you.

For the first time, you feel a jarringly unpleasant sensation in the core of your body as your seal cracks, then breaks.

The anger, hot in your face, doesn’t allow another word to escape Sayuline’s mouth as it fuels your next seal, the strongest you’ve ever made to a single task.

Your mind fills with never before heard voice, oozing with cold fury.

>“You will not deny me.”

The seal holds, but it’s certainly having its mettle tested. You’re set to break the cage and then unleash hellfire upon Sayuline, but a single sensation stops you in your tracks.

Pain.

[1/2]

>>40724831

“Oh, Sophia. Your narrow-sighted rashness will bring you misfortune.” Carmina whispers to you soothingly as the flesh surges to your wings and begins to tear crimson feathers out by the bunch.

The scream in your throat can hardly escape as you crumple to the ground in sheer agony. In primal rage, you tear away at the attacking flesh with your flames, and shoot a caustic bolt toward Carmina, but she’s no longer there. Forgetting about her certainly cost its price.

“It doesn’t have to be this way.” Carmina blocks a bolt of your flame, flesh sizzling immediately. “You will be free to live in Paradise. You need only choose.”

Carmina, even with all the flesh of now hundreds of bodies, can only defend as you unleash your assault. It’s strange, if she’s in control of all the sacrificed flesh, why is there only this much dealing with you right now?

She sighs after she defends against yet another caustic bolt. “It’s your choice Sophia.”

>Write in.

>>40724851
Seal her magic or make it so she can't defend herself from the sniper. Broodmother, be gone.

>>40724831
>You will not deny me.
Oh jees. Sophia is spooky when she's angry.
>>40724851
...oh no, they are going after aya aren't they? Or our other friends. Or is trying to backstab us from the blind side.

>>40724851
Charge up our Napalmfire thing and then teleport behind her and kill her.

Carmia that is. Sayuline is next.

>>40724941
The sniper has already been eliminated.
>>40724944
That wasn't Sophia's voice.

>>40724967
>>40724851
Seconding.

>>40724851
>Teleport in close and kill Sayuline
She's the one in charge of the ritual.

>>40724944
>Oh jees. Sophia is spooky when she's angry.
Lol, that wasn't Sophia buddy.

In fact, other people seem to be confused too. They're summoning a BBEG, for anyone who's wondering what's going on.

>>40724967
This. I liked her but she fucked with the wrong person.

>>40725037
Sayulines' mouth is still bound. Let's kill Carmina first so she can't try and save Sayuline.

Carmina would probably block an attack made against Syuline.

>>40725078
Not if we teleport in. And I want an explanation from Carmina.

>>40724967
>>40725015
Finishing off Carmina.

>Writing

>>40725131
Fuck that, let's just kill em both.

>>40725170
Well, it's too late to change now, but she spared us earlier, after we killed her guildy, and she knows we're the little Empress. She has a lot of valuable information, and I think killing her like this is a rash and foolish move.

>>40725237
She did not "spare" us. She just ignored us because she gave no fucks about that guy cause she was allied with Sayuline.

>>40725274
That's why she killed one of the creatures Sayuline summoned? I think you might want to reread that part.

>>40725346
Because they needed to die to be farmed for their power sources?

>>40725370
That's why she just let us keep the one we killed? Cmon dude, this is sad. Stop with the baseless shit.

>>40725441
One is immaterial since they need a lot of them. Especially since if she attacked us her hand could have been tipped. Carmina is fighting us, she hurt us, we're going to do our level best to eliminate her.

>>40725441
She knew she couldn't take it from us.

>>40725497
Ok, first of all, only 4 were summoned in the first place. Second of all, she only killed one anyway, so why did she bother if it was immaterial? Third of all, these "power cores" don't even exist. Fourth of all, if she attacked us back then she would have easily killed us, we were far weaker and had no magic. Fifth of all, she tore out our feathers, a nonlethal but very painful attack, clearly intending to incapacitate us without killing us.

>>40725519
And this is even more implausible. Do you really expect me to bother?

>>40725633
She dies. That is all.

>>40725633
They summoned more that was only the first batch. Multiple corpses of their were found in the outskirts.

They had crystals embedded in them that had power in them so they do exist.

>>40725807
Stop arguing with him. He's beyond reason.

>>40725738
nice debate, thanks

>>40725807
If they needed the power in those crystals so badly, why did we find the crystals in their corpses, still containing power?

>>40725829
Only on that one corpse of the one we killed dipshit. The others had the crystals stripped. You're being intentionally obtuse, or obviously haven't been paying attention to the quest at all.

>>40725867
That's why i said stop arguing with him.

>>40725867
Actually, you're right about that, I remember it now. No need to be so rude over forgetting one line from one post fella, I haven't called you names. It still doesn't change the fact that she was well within her rights to kill us way back then, but didn't.

>>40725929
You are the problem.

>>40725959
>she was well within her rights to kill us way back then, but didn't.
Cause she couldn't

>>40725959
She knew who and what we were before we did, she likely wanted and still wants us on her side.

>>40726014
We had delving and level one pyromancy. She could. Easily. Without any effort.

>>40726050
And that's why we should have killed Sayuline instead. She's the crazy ringleader, without her the ritual is over and we can find out what she was doing from Carmina. Now we kill them both and find out nothing.

>>40726091
Pretty sure Carmina would and can shield her. Also Sayuline likely had better wards to complete the ritual without getting ganked.

>>40725145

You’ve made your choice. Your wings are too injured for quick spurts of flight, so you need a different way to get in close, and thankfully, you have on borrowed.

The flames stir hidden in your hand, as you build them up, far beyond what you made while practicing with Izu.

“It’s always been my choice.” You simultaneously invoke the flames in your hand and teleport yourself behind her.

You don’t see her, and you instantly realize the mistake made. You turn as quickly as you can, and slam down upon Carmina was the sticky flames.

The brief moment of confusion on your part allows her to surge some of the flesh to her arm and try her best to block her attack.

Ravenous flames stick to her arm as you feel them eat through the thin shield of flesh, and then through bone. She immediately surges to put ground between the two of you, blood pouring in her wake.

The lack of practice on your part is what kept that blow from killing her outright.

There’s hardly a few dozen people left as you finally take a moment to look around at the sea of carnage you now wade through. Up until the moment you carved through her arm, she was using her controlled flesh to eliminate the rest of the sacrifices. There’s no telling who’s been lost to all of it.

Carmina collapses to her knees, piles of flesh weakly pooling around her. “My luck’s finally run out.” She laughs through clenched teeth. “But, I knew this was how it would end.”

[1/2]

>>40726128
Not if we teleport in close to Sayuline. And we won't know if those better wards exist unless we try. Personally, I don't think she can maintain the huge seal and good wards on herself at the same time, and is relying on Carmina for defense.

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>>40726207

No more. You invoke your flames and walk toward her. Sayuline has already restarted the incantation, so there’s no time to ask why.

Carmina looks toward the swirling portal hovering above. “Manolo, I’m coming.” She looks toward the city in the distance. “Howell, I love you. I’m so sorry that I lied to-“

The sheer heat of your flame eats through her stomach like melting butter, and then she was no more.

Her body falls to the sideward to the ground, a look of compassion engraved in her eyes.

A portion of the surging flesh in the distance still continues on its path, no longer responding to the orders of Carmina, but responding to the will beyond the portal. The rest coalesces at the mouth of the portal, into a dense red sphere. The once veiled portal now taking on the appearance of a complex seal.

You turn back to the Sayuline to see Ali hopping over the top of the float. A strange and ornate dagger is clutched in both of her hands as she approaches her, but she suddenly spots you. “Go save your friends, you idiot!” She turns back to Sayuline as she just finishes chanting. “THIS WAS MY FUCKING MARKET!” Ali charges toward her with bloodlust.

>Write in.

>>40726269
>Seal Sayuline so she can't escape
>Tell Ali she is our friends
>Also ask her if she's seen Izu because he was supposed to meet up with her.

>>40726269
Seal the portal, reinforce it. Make it so Sayuline has to hold still for Ali's attack. Our friends are either already dead or fine, nothing we can do.

>>40726269
Seal the portal.

We'll 1v1 seal war this BBEG or whatever the fuck it is.

>>40726269
Seal that fucking portal.

Without the portal everything should be fine.

>>40726322
>>40726347
>>40726379
Aiming a seal at the portal.

>Writing.

>>40726480

You can already sense that whatever’s beyond that seal will stand between you and everything that you desire.

Ignoring Ali’s words, you turn your attention skyward and try to close of the portal. It’s so damn large your seal is stretched thin and shatters almost instantly on your first attempt.

What will can be so forceful? Just what’s beyond that portal? What kind of power, what kind of knowledge?

You set off another seal, but this time it’s weaker and lasts for even less time.

The invoker of this portal was Sayuline, not attacking at the source has only shown you what terrible things may lay beyond.

This feeling…The sheer awe of the overwhelming unknown. You shout in frustration, in the face of death what does it matter what you find out? But you must know…

A shrill scream of sheer horror resounds in the blood –ridden empty field. You shut your eyes trying to imagine that the voice wasn’t the one that you heard. You try your hardest to convince yourself that wasn’t Aya’s voice sounding out into the night.

Your heart is pumping so quickly, you’re not sure what you’re feeling anymore.

Your broken portals, Aya’s scream, the stab that Ali makes deep into Sayuline’s shoulder; it all matters no longer as the coalesced fluid breaches the portal and drops to the earth, a single red teardrop of the sky, landing directly on Carmina’s corpse.

[1/2]

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>>40727388

From the pool of flesh around Carmina; a single body appears instantly. The blood caked onto her skin and clothes disappear instantly at her will.

Perfectly pale skin and elegant clothes all exude an aura of sheer power. Her eyes cut through all that she sees like your flames, and hold wisdom of times long forgotten. She turns and smiles lovingly at Carmina who stares back at her with a look of betrayal.

“Not who you were expecting?” The toweringly tall woman speaks for the first time. “Oh, sweet child. Too trusting, an anomaly in all the worlds, someone like you Carmina.”

Carmina’s chest heaves in sheer panic for a few seconds before life finally leaves her.

The summoned woman bows her head for only a brief moment before turning her attention to you. “Who are you child, to try so hard to deny me what’s rightfully mine?” She demands and then turns an eye to your injured wings. “I see, a Caelumnite. Or perhaps not? A half-breed? No matter, you are stronger than most I’ve ever met before, so why hold onto the past of your people so desperately?”

You stare at her with focused eyes, unmoving. “Who are you?”

She laughs, for quite some time. “I’ve not been sealed that long have I? I am the Empress, the true ruler of all the realms.”

“Usurper.” The words fall from your mouth without thought.

Her smile fades a fraction. “That is one of my least favorite titles, but you can’t usurp a dynasty that’s long dead.” A memory betrays her and her eyes soften incredibly, before turning back to you and returning to normal. “Your will is strong, tell me young one, what is that you want? What motivates you so?”

>"I want to know everything you know."

>"I want to rule."

>Write in

>>40727427

>"I want to rule."

>>40727427
Everything there is to know, the safety of my friends and family, and to be able to walk where I wish without being hounded by those who would hunt and threaten me.


Guess we're about to get miasma'd or Arboretum'd.

>>40727518
I mean, this is the grave we chose.

>>40727564
At this point I don't know why we bother trying. Auri said this was easy mode and we're still fucked, up both whole, with spikes, without lube.

>>40727502
>>40727518
Going with both.

>>40727518
>>40727564
>>40727599
You might be surprised.

>>40727599
It is easy mode. There were multiple opportunities to stop this and anons voted to squander each and every one.

>>40727641
Where? I didn't see them. I saw them in miasma and in Otherworldly, but not here. Point them out please.

>>40727680
We let it go on without breaking the seal.

>>40727680
We unsealed our wings instead of undoing the big seal and letting the sacrifices escape.

We went for Carmina and not Sayuline.

working with Sophia's stubborn streak is hard.

bets on the cliffhanger being Grievermillion's appearance?

>>40727626

Showing no hesitation, you answer her. “I want to know all that there is to know. I want the safety of my friends and family, and to live without fear of being hounded by unknown hunters.”

“Is that all?” The Usurper asks you patiently.

“I want to rule.” You finish, honestly.

She thinks heavily for a moment and then turns back to you. “It can be done, easily." She turns to the city in the distance. "Of course, there will be a time where you serve absolutely under me, but once I get what I want, your final wish can be fulfilled.”

“How do I know that I won’t end up with the same fate as Carmina?” You press.

“Her death was a necessary step to my goals. Yours will do me little, so long as you don’t stand in my wa-“

A small assailant appears from nowhere and begins to thrash at her legs with a small dagger. The Usurper handedly grabs Vicki by her throat, all the slashes she made starting to bleed. “That hurt, child. Who are you so brave, or perhaps foolish, to attack me.” She softens her grip on her throat.

Vicki takes the opportunity to teleport behind her and try to drive the dagger directly into her back.

But it’s The Usurper who appears behind her and flings the dagger from her grasp. “Don’t try to beat me using my tricks.” She grabs Vicki by the throat again and hold her high in the air as she struggles for air.

“Let her go!” A battered Ali appears drops down from the float and hobbles desperately toward the scene. “SHE’LL STOP ATTACKING YOU, SO LET HER GO!”

[1/2]

>>40728288

You look behind her upon the float to see Sayuline’s body, torn to shreds. The Usurper seems to notice this as well as she lets Vicki go, and who upon Ali’s word, stops attacking.

She laughs. “So you were the one who slew my daughter…” A heavy silence persists for a few moments. “She was slain by the human who made all of this possible. You certainly are an anomaly, and I thank you for making my freedom possible again.” She motions to the remnants of the once bustling market, now reduced to a bloody mess.

Ali collapses to her knees upon realizing what her actions caused today.

“Good. Bow and serve me as you served yourselves, and you'll see desires met that you didn’t even know you had. Bow and save your faithful little servant from a painful death.” The Usurper stands tall over Ali who reluctantly dips her head lower.

The would-be Empress turns her attention back to you. “The choice is yours, young one.” Her piercing eyes waiting patiently for your response. "Does the future await us?"

>Bow.

>Write in.

>>40728320
No, I do not bow. I have no stomach for it, and everyone who cared for me would be rolling in their graves if I bowed to anyone, especially you.

>>40728320
>Bow

>>40728320
Say nothing
>Seal Wings
This will leave us kneeling, and in a position to calm down and attempt to ping Izu. Then:
>Run like fuck
flame walls, self-immolate, seals that are expected to break, but DO NOT teleport

>>40728320
>Bow

>>40728407
>>40728417
>>40728417
You do realize if we bow she has control over us right?

>>40728445
uhh, who are you quoting?

>>40728445
And that's a bad thing?

>>40728445
Citation please.

>>40728407
>>40728436
And we bow.

>Writing

>>40728508
what? We're at a tie.

>>40728320
>Bow

>>40728524

>>40728364
One for this.
>>40728417
One for fleeing.
>>40728436
>>40728407
Two for bow.

Please correct me if there's something I'm not reading correctly.

>>40728463
>>40728493
That note that retard anon was talking about earlier, how the guy had no choice but to obey her despite not wanting too? Yeah she has control magic like Marisa but probably more powerful. We bow we acknowledge her right to rule over us, which will never be shaken.

>>40728478
It Makes us a puppet for her. Effectively ending the quest.
>>40728508
gg no re

>>40728524
No one for tricking, one for NO, and 2 for bowing.

>>40728320
>Bow

>>40728574
false

>>40728602
Nice non come back.

>>40728574
>We bow we acknowledge her right to rule over us, which will never be shaken.
Citation needed

>>40728665
The fact she had such a strong hold over that official for so long? The fact we're right there and she won't let us away from her until we're broken? She didn't get that much power from being an idiot.

where the fuck is Laurent?

>>40728693
>The fact she had such a strong hold over that official for so long
that doesn't sound like forever to me

> she won't let us away from her until we're broken
Citation needed

Citation still needed on the connection between bowing and her mind control voice too.

>>40728745
>that doesn't sound like forever to me
It was years anon, he hated her and she still compelled him.

>Citation needed
Would you let someone very strong willed with a good grasp of magic get away from you before you had broken them to your will?


>Citation still needed on the connection between bowing and her mind control voice too.
Symbolism, we're acknowledging her right to rule over us by bending the knee.

>>40728508

This will not be your end, far from it. You’ll learn all that there is to learn from her and then see that she receives full recompense for all that she’s done for you today. You kneel upon your knees and dip your head low.

A small sigh of satisfaction comes from her lips. She turns to away from you two and to the night sky. “It won’t be an easy road, but I’ve built myself up from less. This time, I am not alone.”

You turn to see absolute hatred in Ali’s eyes, a million plots swim through her head, as well as the steps necessary to complete them. All that she built for herself, taken in a few short hours. She turns to you, her eyes asking you if you’re prepared to do all that’s necessary.

You nod firmly.

An unreadable smile forms on her face, it seems that she’s come to terms with the future that lies ahead of her.

She signals for the two of you to rise, and you help Ali to her feet, you step to her right side, and Ali to her left.

“Let’s go see my home is still where I left it.” The Empress declares.

~

>>40728823
Okay, that's where I'm going to end it for tonight. An extremely important run, and I want to thank everyone that played today! As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them in the thread, and I will do my best to respond to them.

If not, then I wish you a good day/night, and hope to see you again next time!

>(Twitter)
https://twitter.com/QM_Auri

>>40728797
oh damn, look at all that mind control that just happened in the latest update. looks like you were right, we got bent to her whim even through all our magical defenses, and of course the same thing happened to Ali who was defenseless. I guess I was wrong to bow and the quest is over since we're now helpless mind slaves.


hahaha

>>40728871
So who many threads until we're dead like in the other 2 quests?

>>40728871
thx 4 runin budi gud thred!

When did all these anons get so very salty?

>>40728917
I'll laugh when we try to strike and whoops not going to work, or when she says for us to do something we don't want to like killing Izu and we do it anyways.

>>40728927
Whenever you stop rising to adversity. Or maybe sooner, maybe later.
>>40728944
You're very welcome! More serious events are usually accompanied with controversy.

>>40728969
And I'll laugh when your assumptions continue to be wrong, again and again and again.

>>40728995
So how much more powerful is she than us? Have you finally written a villain that isn't sue level hyper powered compared to the setting?

>>40729053
Has he ever written a villain that is sue level hyper powered?

>>40729053
You don't know quite yet, but she does have quite a few years on you.

And if you've got something on your mind, then please say so. Most of my questions seem to have quite a bit of hostility behind them tonight.

>>40728823
>Ali
Wait which one is that.

>>40729111
In Miasama
1 Lizardman large enough and strong enough to dualwield great swords at the pace a average person uses a longswrod
1 spirit creature that can poses the dead and has no readily available way to kill
1 Undine who's nearly as bug and a strong as the lizardman and can apparently pull the same body snatcher trick.

vs a spear wielding fighter. So Dark souls without the respawning or having enemies with repeating attack patterns.

Otherworldly Aboretum-
Realm guardian who can at will, Paralyze, disable and replace someone's will, manipulate emotions, teleport herself and others without error, disarm at range via magic

vs a guy with a sword. Didn't even get a will save before she had him kill his friends for her.

>>40729160
Just concerned she's going to be unbeatable unless we jump through every option just right with no error. As in we fail once we lose and everyone dies.

>>40729160
I find some stuff a bit odd, but wasn't around to question it.

Like, I get that Sophia attempted to seal Sayu more than once out of sheer indignation, but then why didn't she break the crowd seal before unsealing her wings? The point was to make sure we could break it at a moment's notice, and if we couldn't, then she most certainly should have spent the time figuring out how to, before letting her presence known.

>>40729223
Well, I don't remember Miasma that well, but Aboretum didn't have someone who could do that.

>>40729223
>Just concerned she's going to be unbeatable unless we jump through every option just right with no error. As in we fail once we lose and everyone dies.
Just warlock it up and make a pact with her.

Oh wait we did.

>>40729310
That final realm guardian did every single one of those things to us. Reread if you don't believe me.

>>40729317
If she gives us all of her secrets she deserve what she gets. I doubt she's going to give us any more power than what we already have. What we have is more than enough after all.

>>40729209
She's the merchant/ruler of the city in which you live in. Sophia and her go back many years.
>>40729223
If you're assuming you've made it this far with no errors than you're not quite right. I realize that I made those quests much too crucial on all the details, so I've eased up quite a bit on this quest. But that doesn't mean you'll be without setbacks, I'm afraid.
>>40729248
I don't normally do this but, there was a detail about the simple seal being more complex than it seems, breaking it outright would've added another thing for you to contend with.

>>40729412
>If you're assuming you've made it this far with no errors than you're not quite right
Oh I know we've made errors. Probably massive ones.

>But that doesn't mean you'll be without setbacks, I'm afraid.
All but counting on that. given your questing style.

However one write in being a little off kilter making us go full kill everyone then mindbreak is a little much.

>>40729375
>That final realm guardian did every single one of those things to us. Reread if you don't believe me.
I don't need to, I remember it perfectly. And it wasn't at will. Anons chose to drink her tea, which bypassed any defense we had. If we hadn't drunk the tea, none of that would have happened. Don't call villains OP to cover up your own mistakes.

>>40729497
>Anons chose to drink her tea, which bypassed any defense we had.
and it was out of our system by then. She still teleported her minions into our camp for the doppleganger bit, teleported herself, and did other sundry things. She controlled us like a puppet with ease even after the shit had worn off us and all our friends.

>>40729412
>there was a detail about the simple seal being more complex than it seems
yeah, but when did that stop Sophia? Pretty sure the votes would have turned out differently as well if we knew the seal was complex, when it was implied to be weak due to the size.

> breaking it outright would've added another thing for you to contend with.
well, that's another thing entirely, I suppose.


>>40729223
Personally, I'm not too buttblasted for a variety of reasons, some not exactly faults and most not really things that can be "fixed".

>>40729539
>implying it ever wears off
I don't know where you get these ideas, but Auri's a good QM, so I'm gonna trust his ability to not make impossible enemies over you.

>>40729574
well yeah the miasma quest had terrible terrible dice luck. so many 1s

Arboretum just had must make x answer absolutely 100% perfect qm approved at the end which is kinda bull. We're never going to know intuitively what Auri is thinking all the time.

>>40729636
Just saying off the last 2 times it's been pretty bs. Hell that teleport in of itself would be nigh impossible for us to beat.

>>40729663
>Just saying off the last 2 times it's been pretty bs
Except it hasn't. Nothing about the last time was BS at all. Auri gave two chances to back out with clear warning signs, and anons took neither. Don't blame the QM for your mistakes.

>>40729480
It wasn't a single write in that led to the scene, but I think I understand why you're concerned.
>>40729574
I recall that the vote leaned toward hold off for the moment on unsealing the cage, so I defaulted to leaving it alone as the action progressed.
>>40729636
I thank you for your support, and while I didn't make those encounters impossible, I think I made them too hard for what most people are looking for in a quest.

>>40729726
I'm assuming Aya is either badly hurt or dead, and the baby is gone either way no? Which mean s Matthias is likely going to die soon unless we can get him to see sense.

>>40729697
I didn't read all of either, but there is a point about not being able to intuitively understand what Auri's thinking. It's very difficult to reach that understanding with regulars, let alone with some people dropping in every now and again with little understanding.

Which is why "hard" quests are not very easy to create. There are just too many cases that are just as likely within the frames of a story, and little way to figure out which one it is and "solve" the situation.

It's one of the reasons why fanfic quests are so popular, because there's a generally accepted context based on canon. The QM needs to follow the logic of the source, and players are safe knowing the bounds of the quest's reality.

>>40729726
case in point here, where it goes both ways and Auri can't figure out what WE'RE thinking.

>>40729807
It's too early to say for certain what happened, but keep in mind that a person doesn't necessarily need to be hurt themselves for them to scream.

>>40729816
When blood starts flaking off the bottom of the table you're about to drink at, it's a pretty clear indicator that you might want to reconsider. I don't think picking up on this requires a intuitive understanding of Auri's thought processes. It seemed very clear to me.

>>40729869
So Matthias is dead, joy. Why do I getbthebfeeling this is going to cost Sophia everyone by the time it's done?

>>40729971
Answers to the questions to avoid tking. Among other things.

>>40729971
I just said I didn't read much of either quest.

Assuming that blood started to flake off a table right before you drank the tea, since I haven't read it: Reconsider WHAT? Should you pick a fight with something eldritch enough to make blood start appearing on furniture? Is the table what's dangerous, not the tea? Is it actually a test of faith, to see if you trust the other person enough to still drink?

Blood flakes is an indicator that something bad is happening, not WHAT is happening, and sometimes it manipulates you into doing the "wrong" thing, either way.

>>40730049
>“Depends on the price.” You look Ali directly in her eyes. “Sometimes the cost might be something you don’t know you’ll miss until after the fact.”

Okay, I'll be stepping out now. Even with everything tonight, I still had fun and I'm glad that I finally got the chance to run. Until next time!

>>40730153
Yeah trying to stop the tide of things destroys one of the things you're trying to protect. Not even using the quote right. Thanks Auro guess we're getting fucked no matter what.

>>40730153
>>40730210
Really, it applies more to Marissa than anyone else. Nobody joined me in telling her to stop that shit.

Welp. Missed everything, yet glad that I didn't participate considering I know I will make bad decisions. Things are going baaaaad.

>>40730316
Thing is I think whatever was in her powers would have compelled her to keep doing it. Her personality shifted hard Remember? I bet that guy who gave her that gift was an usurper agent.

>>40730332
Yeah we're fucked go ahead and be self righteous about how Auri screwed us with the seal.

>>40730316
No one could have known it would help this along. Your baseless paranoia just happened to be right this time, that's all.

>>40730210
>Accusing the QM of not using a quote from his own quest right
Top kek.

>>40731725
The quote was from an earlier conversation about what the Mc would sacrifice for power. This wasn't for power. This was trying to save our friends by keeping the threat in the box. The fact Auri used that quote means he's fucking us now and being smug about it.

>>40730399
dude he was insulting himself about his own decision-making ability.

>>40730427
No, not this in particular. But while what Marissa did was "acceptable" at the time, from an IC standpoint it was a pointless abuse of power. It wasn't efficient at gaining something in return for using powers that weren't entirely understood.

From an OOC standpoint, think about it:
>normal person gets power
>normal person is GRANTED power by an outside force
>person uses the power nearly 24/7
when does that EVER end well in a story about occult and eldritch powers?

I suspected that she would go mad with power and plot against Sophia. I didn't act on it because it was just as likely to happen as a million other things, but getting her to stop somehow would have prevented most of them.

>>40734552
>The fact Auri used that quote means he's fucking us now and being smug about it.
Where do you get these zany ideas bro? It's like some stupid shit just pops up in your head and you instantly accept it as fact no matter how implausible it is. It was the closest quote that fit the situation, so he used it. Have you considered that, if you weren't so retarded all the time, people wouldn't have to correct you constantly, and thus you wouldn't feel like everyone's out to get you? Just a thought, try it out.

>>40738035
He's using that quote as a justification for us having everyone die. Not being retarded but Auri loves killing of characters and Dollars to doughnuts most of our friends/followers are dead or dying right now. That quote was rubbing our face in it.

>>40738145
No, you're definitely being retarded. I'm telling you, cut it out and you won't feel like everyone is mocking you, because not as many people will be mocking you. Why would he be using that quote as justification? He has all the justification he needs. How about you accept that it was a quote he was proud of and wanted to re-use, and he's confident enough in his own intelligence that he doesn't feel the need to mock you over what you lack?

>>40738271
Nice personal attack. Hope it gives you the warm and fuzzies.

>>40738290
Not as much warms and fuzzies as being right gives me.

>>40738353
Yeah, enjoy the false sense of security while it lasts. When everyone is dead I'll say I called it.

>>40738380
There you go again with your retarded assumptions. It's like you crave scorn and derision.

>>40738525
The context of the reply and the quote used blatantly says our friends got sacrificed. It's like you can't read retard.

>>40738776
Still with the retarded assumptions! Will this poor retard ever learn?

>>40738888
Still with the namecalling! When will the blind idiot ever learn?

>>40738936
Learn what? That you do this on purpose because it fuels your persecution complex, or that you genuinely believe everything you say?

>>40739186
Nice insults keep them coming idiot.

>>40739216
Wow, ok
Persecution complex it is, got it.
Have you considered seeing a therapist rather than begging people online to insult you?

>>40729497
>Don't call villains OP to cover up your own mistakes.
Everyone on /tg/ needs to learn this.

>>40739373
No wasn't begging per se, but you clearly can't help but fling shit and denigrate others. So bring it I could sue a laugh. The fact you continue to volley insults now is highly amusing.

We got some Salty Anons in here.

Might wanna just leave now guys. The quest is over.