You halt your charge and shift your momentum into a solid thrust straight into the helmet of the closest guard. Your enhanced blade slices through both shield and helm like butter.

As a pair of guards close in on your flanks, an arrow strikes one of them at a weak point in the breast plate. The other gets a flying Kuma to the head. Your assistant takes the guard down in a way that you can barely comprehend, nevermind describe. She somehow gets his head locked behind her knee, then flips him over in such a way that his neck snaps and he slams off the ground.

It is, in a word: elegant.

A second guard steps over the one you felled, hoping to strike through your lapse in guard as you extract your sword from his comrades head. He doesn't see the dagger in your off-hand, which is admittedly the entire purpose of your cloak.

You make incredibly short work of what Roderick and Cassandra sent after you. By the end of it, a few of them have broken necks, a few of them have sword wounds, but most of them have an arrow stuck somewhere lethal.

You look past the guard, down the hall. Cassandra and Roderick are gone. Behind you, Kuma is dusting herself off while Laura makes sure Selene is all right.

"Well, they know we're here" You say. "We should get going"
"After them?" Laura asks.
"I was thinking 'out'" You say. "We got what we came for"
"We aren't... we aren't going after them?" She asks.

>[ ] Not right now

>[ ] Send Selene down with Kuma

>[ ] That works too

>[ ] Other

>>43280159
>>[ ] That works too
We need to finish this

>>43280159
>>[ ] Send Selene down with Kuma
>>[ ] That works too

>>43280252
Actually, never mind, let's get Selene over to Louis/Louise before we take on Rick the dick.

>>43280159
>[ ] Send Selene down with Kuma

>>43280159
>[ ] Not right now
Don't split the party

>>43280252
>>43280355
>>43280385
This is pretty much what I meant. We head down to Marcy, together, and deliver Selene.

>>43280159
>>[ ] Not right now
But we will head to the throne room as soon as we give Selene to Marcy.

>writing

"Not just yet" You say, walking over to her and Selene. "Selene takes priority. We get her safely out of the palace first, then we can come back and clean things up"

"Yes... right. Sorry, I guess I justgot a little caught up in-"
"Don't apologize. What they did to you is unexcuseable, and they will pay for it" You say, lifting up Selene so you can carry her. "But Selene takes priority"

Laura takes a deep breath, closing her eyes as she lets it out. Then she nods, and gives you a look of determination that you're not used to seeing on her. "Let's go"

You, Laura, Kuma and Selene make your way back down to the basement. However you're forced to stop partway, as the entrance to the Vaults is absolutely packed with soldiers and guards.

"What the hell...?" You say quietly.
"How do we get through that?" Laura asks. "Can we take them on?"
"Not unless you've got several aces up your sleeve" You say.
"All I've got is basics" Laura says.

You bite your thumb. Marcy is on the other side of this. You doubt that they know where the exit is, but if they do Marcy could be in trouble...

But if she was, what can you do? There are way too many of them to take on with just the three of you, unless you can get ridiculously lucky. On the other hand, if there are this many men gathered here then there can't be all that many in the rest of the Palace...

>[ ] Find another way out

>[ ] Try to fight through

>[ ] Other

>>43280917
>[ ] Other
Cause a distraction.
Try to get at least half of them to go somewhere else so we can break through.
Fires tend to work.

>>43280917
>Try to fight
Can't we use that Earthbending trick to knock them on their asses, and Laura us her Air spell? Or can't she use Blaze Twister? We've also got that Airbending Fan, which can blow them away, while Laura picks them off.

>>43280917
>[ ] Try to fight through

>>43281012
>>43280950
Also worth a try.

>>43281012
We've also got the drop on them, so this shit would be extra effective.

"Remember, Selene: if any of them get too close, shank them in the balls."

>writing

"How many of those guys do you think you could take on with just the two of you?" You ask.

Laura gives you an odd look. "Giles, you're not thinking of..."
"I didn't ask for objections, only numbers. Kuma?" You ask.
"Roughly a quarter of them, Master" Kuma says.

You nod pensively, putting Selene down and rustling her hair.
"Giles... you can't seriously be thinking of-"
"Drawing them away?" You ask Laura. "I am"

Laura looks uncomfortable with the idea, so you give her a hug and a kiss.
"I'll meet up with you once I've lost them" You say.

Laura pulls you back in as you try to step away, and kisses you again. "Go" She says.

You step out into the open and examine your opponents. Definitely to many to take down, and you have to get as many following you as you can...

>roll 1d20

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>43281334

Come on Giles, for Selene

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>43281334
lets hope our string of poor rolls is done

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>43281334

File: Freddie.png (126 KB, 600x749)

126 KB PNG

>>43281358

>>43281407
This is a no crits quest right?

>writing

>>43281427
It is a no crit quest, and thank god for that.

>>43281358
Giles somehow kills most of them, or tricks them into falling into the moat... simultaneously.

>>43281419

*gasp* Freddie came to visit me. I am honored

You reach into your cloak as you strut confidently towards the soldiers and guards, pulling out the Crown and twirling it on a finger as you walk.

"So... you lot guarding the Palace against intruders?" You ask. "Because you've done a terrible job"

"Is that...
"It's the Crown!"
"I thought the Gambler had the Crown"

"And I have the Crown that the Gambler stole, what does that make me?" You ask.

"He's the Gambler! Get him!"

The guards begin chasing you. All of them. So you put the Crown away, and you run...

Through the dungeons and up the stairs, getting off on the ground floor and running through the halls. But you can't seem to lose these guys. Some of them are pretty fast, maybe even faster than you.

Turning and fighting really isn't an option right now, but perhaps some thrown knives could pick off the faster ones so you can get away...

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>43281668

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>43281668

Rolled 89 (1d120)

Let do this>>43281668

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>43281706
oops
>>43281668
again

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>43281668

File: Breathing.jpg (30 KB, 500x418)

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>>43281706
Beyond the impossible...

>>43281743
SO CLOSE. PLEASE, SMILEY, WE'RE SO CLOSE TO THE FINALE.

>writing

>>43281738

Nooooooo just a few more seconds

>>43281792
A point: a critical success puts Giles that much closer to us wrapping up this quest.

You turn and loose a pair of daggers. Each one catches in the throat of your nearest pursuers, forcing those behind them to slow down and step over the corpse or stumble. It lets you gain a little ground, but only momentarily.

It's a good five minutes of running before you start to lose control of your breathing, and you still haven't lost them...

You wind your way through the hallways, making your way back to the center so you can head back down to the Vaults. But the passage back to the stairs is blocked.

You skid to a stop, and try to double back to the turn so you can go another way, but your pursuers catch up and block that path.

Enemies to the front, enemies to the back. Several doors on each side, but you're too far inside the Palace for any of them to have windows...

You consider surrendering, but it doesn't look like capturing you alive is on the list of things these guys plan on doing...

You sigh, and put a hand on your sword. "Well Klaus, it looks like we're both idiots..." You say, drawing your blade and charging the nearest soldiers.

>[1/2]

Reminder that this is a NTR quest

*THUNK*

Something hits the soldier's head from behind and his helmet arcs lightning into the two soldiers next to him, killing all three.

The soldiers fall to the floor, and you can see an arrow sticking out of the center one's head...

Seconds later, a pair of armored men crash through the line. Both of them carry spears, though one is definitely bigger than the other.

After that, a pair of swordsmen enter the gaps left by the spearmen and start killing enemies left and right. One of them wields a familiar sword, and is not technically a 'swordsman'. The other wields a long, curved blade, that cuts simlilarly long killing arcs across swaths of soldiers.

As this is going on, another familiar figure hops across the helmets of thoes still standing to make her way to you.

"You may want to duck" Kuma says.

You do as she tells you, as a shout rings from the back of the carnage.

"Tempest Arrow!" Laura shouts.

An arrow flies straight through the center of the enemy soldiers, moving over your head and continuing on through the soldiers behind you, shredding everything in its path.

"Well, those look like turned tables to me" You say, standing back up and dusting yourself off.

Now its the guards running away, which is a nice change of pace...

>[ ] Go after them

>[ ] Thank everyone for the save first

>[ ] Other

>>43282364
>>[ ] Go after them
First off, gents... tally ho!

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>43282364
>>[ ] Go after them

>>43282364
>[ ] Go after them

>>43282364
>>[ ] Go after them

Over our shoulder on the way by "Thanks guys gotta run."

File: Alucard.jpg (13 KB, 426x240)

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>>43282440
YOU WERE TALKIN' ALL THAT GOOD SHIT A SECOND AGO.

>writing

You smile at Kuma, and turn to toss a pair of Night Shells into the path of the fleeing guards. You didn't get a place to run to, neither will they.

The carnage continues, and when it's over half the guards are dead. The smart ones surrendered, and were corralled into one of the side rooms.

As soon as the guards are out of the way, Laura jumps into your arms.

"That was stupid" She says. "What if it had ended like last time?"
"Last time?" You ask.
"In Catisse..." She says.
"Ah... yes" You say. "Well, it didn't. I guess I have you to thank for that"

"Trying to take all the credit, Laura?" Dalen asks.
Your rescuers step into view. Just about everyone is here: Laura, Dalen, Cedric, Zen, Marcy, and Kuma.

"Hang on, what are those 3 doing here anyway?" You ask.
Cedric slaps you on the back. "You think you're the only one who came to rescue Laura?" He asks.
"Eleanor showed us the way in, and she took Selene out of the palace" Zen says.

Then Dalen slaps you on the back as well, hitting you much harder than Cedric. "But you would've guessed that the one we'd be rescuing would be you?" He asks, bellowing with laughter.

"But how did you get into the city?" You ask.
"We led a small team through the front gate" Cedric says. "They're out there right now causing problems for the town guard"
"Yes, but they won't last long" Zen says. "We should leave while we have the chance"

>[ ] Not just yet

>[ ] You guys go ahead

>[ ] Good plan

>[ ] Other

>>43282943
>>[ ] Not just yet
We're finishing this.

>>43282943
>>[ ] Not just yet
I am getting Giles Happy ending

>>43282943
>[ ] Not just yet
We need to find Cass and get some answers. Killing Roderick wouldn't hurt either.

>>43283027
Trying to kill Selene, brainwashing Laura, sending Giles to the other end of the world, subjugating the people... these fuckers have to pay.

>writing

You look at Laura, and see the determination. If you want to leave, you'll have to drag her.

But you don't want ot leave.

"Not just yet" You say, giving Laura a sly grin. "We have a chance to finish this, here and now. I say we take it"

"I thought you'd say that" Marcy says. "Roderick's had this coming for a while. Count me in"
"Sound logic. If we end this here, we end the war" Zen says. "I will help"
"Need a lance or two?" Dalen asks, grabbing Cedric as he talks. "You've got em!"

You look to Kuma, who simply nods. "I am always at your disposal" She says.

"Right then, off we go" You say.
"Where do you think he is?" Laura asks.
"I have an idea" You say, as you start walking. "You know, with all the time I spent snooping around this place, I never visited the throne room"

Laura smiles knowingly and nods, following you down the hall.

>[1/2]

You kick the doors of the throne room open and burst in with all the subtlety of an Angel. Roderick sits on the throne, with Cassandra and an older man you don't recognize next to him.

There is also a fair number of soldiers here. each of whom have their eyes on you.

"Good evening" You say.
"And you're still alive..." Roderick says. "Just what the hell is it going to take to get rid of you?"
"Far more than you've got" You say.

"We'll see about that" Roderick says, waving his men forward.

The man next to him holds up a crystal, and Cassandra smiles at you...

>[ ] Take care of the soldiers first

>[ ] Go for Cassandra

>[ ] Go for the Old Man

>[ ] Go for Roderick

>[ ] Other

>>43283404
>[ ] Go for the Old Man

Gank the mage.

>>43283404
>[ ] Go for the Old Man
I don't like that smile. She's planning something, but I don't know exactly how bad it'll fuck us over, so I'll go with the safe choice.

>>43283404
>[ ] Go for the Old Man

>>43283404
>[ ] Go for the Old Man

>writing

>>43283404
>>[ ] Go for the Old Man

"Guys, make me a hole" You say, grabbing Laura by the hand. "We're going up"

Dalen and Cedric dash past you, slamming their spears into the center of the advancing soldiers. You take Laura and run through the break they create in the line, cutting through anyone in your way to the throne.

The old man with the crystal must be the man who made the crown, or at least had a hand in its creation. You stop pulling Laura along at what you feel is a good shooting range, and bring your sword to bear.

The crystal the old man is carrying flares up, firing a blast of darkness at you. You whirl out of the way, losing your momentum and stopping.

"You must be the one that broke my creation" The old man says.
"So you are the one that made that monstrosity" You say.
"That monstrosity was a masterpiece!" He shouts. "Over a month of preparation. Shaping the crystals to a form that will hold the magic, while still sticking to its intended head... ruined!"

"That project was doomed before it even began" You say.
"And why is that?" He asks.
"Because no one takes from the Master of thieves" You reply, chucking a dagger at his face.

The crystal flares again, and the dagger stops and falls to the floor. But as he stops the dagger, you advance.

>roll 1d20

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>43283857

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>43283857

Rolled 14 (1d120)

>>43283857

>>43283888

Fuck yeah, this guys deserves a far more painful death than what Giles has the time or willingness to give.

File: 1438639287602.gif (2 MB, 400x332)

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>>43283888

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>>43283888
Dayum

>>43283937
With a 19, Laura might blow his damn head off.

>writing

The crystal fills with darkness again, and you can feel a famiiliar enchantment.

He is using Night Shell. Calling back to your practice with Laura, you remember how easily you countered dark magic...

So you give it a shot. You don't know the words, but you know the feel.

You disintegrate his Night Shell from within the crystal, and it pours out as black mist.

"What?" He asks. Looks like he was counting on that working. Too bad.

You get in close and slam your sword into his chest up to the hilt, whipping it out and jumping back as an arrow strikes his forehead. The arrow burns a small hole through his skull, and he flops to the ground.

You check behind you, and see Laura priming another arrow as you expected.

Then Roderick stands, looking understandably pissed.

"Just what will it take to get rid of you?!?" He shouts.
"More than you've got" You say.
"You have no idea what I have in store for you" He says.

You take up your stance. "Then show me" You say. "Show me your hand, and I'll show you a better one"

Roderick's eye twitches, and he grits his teeth. He draws his sword with a hand trembling with rage, and moves towards you...

>roll 1d20

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>43284251

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>43284251

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>43284251
>"Just what will it take to get rid of you?!?" He shouts. "More than you've got" You say.
We both already said that before...

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>43284251

Oh yes son, it's TIME

>>43284292
we were right, it was better

>>43284292
WELL FUCKING DONE ANON
YOU ARE A GOD

>>43284314
No, he the Devil

File: 1436835965414.gif (1.12 MB, 330x248)

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>>43284292

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>>43284292
Holy shit...

>>43283404
"Just what the hell is it going to take to get rid of you?"
"Far more than you've got" You say.

>>43283857
"Just what will it take to get rid of you?!?" He shouts.
"More than you've got" You say.

Let's do the time warp again?

>writing

>>43284372
In this case it's an echo: instead of referring to Roderick's forces, he's talking about Roddy, himself.

"Last time I checked, that throne wasn't yours, Ricky-dick."

He slashes. It's a wild, angry thing. Easily deflected, easily countered.

He stumbles back as blood begins to run from a new slash across his chest. He looks down at it in horror, as though he's never been wounded before.

You step into the opening and thrust, but your thrust is blocked... stopped by am invisible barrier.

"Really now, were you forgetting about me?" Cassandra asks.

"Get your barrier out of my way" You say.
"So you can kill Roderick?" She asks. "That is a bold move, one that will have consequences. Are you prepared to face them?"

>Yes

>No

>>43284574
Can we stab her?

>>43284574
>>Yes

>>43284574
>>Yes
Didn't come this far for nothin'

>>43284574
>Yes

I know there is fucking trick somewhere but damn it I want to save our little princess

>writing

"I may have destroyed the last of Rog's Breath, but there's no telling what this asshole will try when his supply runs out."

Also, totally expected that this dip couldn't actually fight worth shit.

I mean, it was a nat 20, but still.

>>43284574
>He looks down at it in horror, as though he's never been wounded before.

Was anyone else reminded of Captain Hammer (played by Nathan Fillion). or is that just me?

"I am" You say.
"C-cassandra, you don't mean to-"

The barrier disappears, and your thrust continues with all of your weight behind it.

It moves true, straight into Roderick's chest.

You try to pull your sword out, but it won't budge. Neither will Roderick... it's like the wound itself is stuck, and neither he nor your sword can move.

Then the cracks appear. Like a sheet of glass that had been placed across reality was now being broken.

And Cassandra smiles.

The cracks come from the wound in Roderick's chest, spidering out across reality.

"Giles! Get out of there!" Laura shouts.

You try to pull your hand away, but even that won't budge...

Cassandra's eyes are drawn to something behind you, and you turn to see an Angel... no, it's not an Angel. It has no wings, but its form is the same sort of polished porcelain as the Angels.

"My work has been broken" The being says.
"It was never going to last forever" Cassandra says to it. "Let us return to the days of old"

"Not just yet" It says. "The balance has been thrown. A fulcrum must be chosen"
"I happen to have a proper one, right here" Cassandra says, indicating you.

"Very well" The being says.

The cracks reach their apex, and everything shatters.

>[1/2]

>>43284968
Now do we stab her?

You stand on a field of glass, alone with Cassandra and the strange being.

"Welcome to the realm of divines, my son" Cassandra says. "Never in a million years did I believe you would work out so well"

"Just what the hell is your deal?" You ask.
"I am the lady of chaos, and your mother" She says.

"Long ago, we fought each other" The other being says. "I was victorious, and set the world on a path to true order"
"A flimsy path, so easy thrown off course" Cassandra says. "By you, my son. For nine months I carried you, working my own magic into your very being. Making you un-nameable, untouchable by the laws that bound me"

"No more of this" The being says. "You have caused this rupture, and you will close it"

You can feel the eyes of every living person on you. Some are confused and scared, some are worried, some are angry.

Two come to the forefront: Laura and Selene. They stand before you, confused and afraid.

"Choose" The being says. "One must die"
"What?" You ask. "Why?"

The being moves behind Selene, making her more nervous. "The child must die for Fate to move back on course. A new chosen will be ordained, and all will be as it should be"

"Or..." Cassandra says. "Kill the elder, to whom the chosen was to be married. Toss the silly idea of fate into the abyss, and let the new age begin"

You step back, horrified. You can't make this choice.

You can see the fear in both of their eyes. Selene starts to cry, and Laura can't go to her.

>Kill Selene, and set fate back on course

>Kill Laura, and let the age of demons begin

Or...

>Mystery 3rd option, which I will reveal if no one wants the first 2

>>43285230
>Mystery 3rd option, which I will reveal if no one wants the first 2

>>43285230
>>Mystery 3rd option, which I will reveal if no one wants the first 2

FUCK KILLING OUR FAMILY.

>>43285230
>Mystery 3rd option, which I will reveal if no one wants the first 2

>>43285230
Shank Cassandra.. seriously I keep saying this.

>>43285230
>Mystery 3rd option, which I will reveal if no one wants the first 2

We've come too far to half-ass this shit. Fuck both y'all, we're Giles.

>>43285230
>Mystery 3rd option, which I will reveal if no one wants the first 2
This isn't going to be a "Kill self" option, is it?

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>>43285230
"I... won't... kill... my... FAMILY!"

>>43285230

>Mystery 3rd option, which I will reveal if no one wants the first 2

Like hell are we going to bound by what that witch said

>>43285334
that's my guess.

>>43285334
>>43285358
I don't get it. Why is everyone adverse to stabbing Cassandra?

>>43285371
I'm not averse to it. It's just not an option we can vote for. It might be the mystery third option I guess.

>>43285230
>>Mystery 3rd option, which I will reveal if no one wants the first 2
Yeah no

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>>43285358
>>43285230
>>43285334
Even a hentai demon is not that underhanded

>Looks like the mystery option is gaining steam.

You can feel it, this place is bound to you, anchored on you.

In the throne room, they said they needed a fulcrum. Something to balance everything on.

They want you to choose between two bad options, between killing your daughter and killing a woman who would give up everything for you if you asked.

You can't make that choice.

If everything is balanced on you, then you'll remove yourself and let it all fall. To steal victory from the gods of order and chaos. One last theft for the Master Thief, one last play for the Devil.

>Remove yourself. Take away the fulcrum, and let the chips fall where they may

(NOTE: The quest will continue)

>>43285540
>Remove yourself. Take away the fulcrum, and let the chips fall where they may

>>43285540
>>Remove yourself. Take away the fulcrum, and let the chips fall where they may

>>43285540
>Remove yourself. Take away the fulcrum, and let the chips fall where they may

>>43285540
>Remove yourself. Take away the fulcrum, and let the chips fall where they may

>>43285540
>>Remove yourself. Take away the fulcrum, and let the chips fall where they may

Just so long as we can Constantine this shit, and flip them both off.

>>43285540
Remove yourself. Take away the fulcrum, and let the chips fall where they may

>>4328554
Remind Selene to be a good girl and that daddy loves her.

>Take out sword
"You know, I think I've finally thought up a name for this thing: 'The-gods-can-choke-on-a-fat-one!'"

>>43285729
That's a terrible name.

>writing

You walk over to Selene, and Laura screams in protest.

Selene sits on the floor, bawling her eyes out. So you kneel down beside her, and pull her into a hug.

"There, there" You say. "It's gonna be okay"
Selene blubbers out something you don't understand.
"Now, things are about to get difficult. I want you to promise me you'll be strong, okay?" You ask as you unclasp your cloak.

"B-but-"
"No buts" You say. "No matter what happens, you keep your chin up, okay?"
She sniffles and nods, and you put your cloak over her shoulders. Then you stand up and rustle her hair.

"And remember to be a good girl" You say.
She nods again. "Daddy?" She asks.
"Yeah?" You ask.
"I love you" She says.

You lean over and hug her again, planting a kiss on her head. "I love you too" You say.
"Don't hurt mommy" She says.
"I'll try not to" You say, standing up and walking away.

"Wait! Wait! No! Don't hurt Mommy!" She calls after you.

>[1/2]

>>43285760
That's the point; it's sarcasm.

>>43285850

oh god damn it Smiley, the feels

>>43285850
Somebody's chopping onions, nearby...

Laura sighs in relief when she sees you walking over to her.

"Thank god... for a second there, I thought you were going to..."
"Kill Selene?" You ask. "Not in a million years"

Laura wraps her arms around you when you get close enough. "I'm ready" She says.

"I'm sorry about this" You say.
"I know... but... it's the only way, right?" She asks. "It's one or the other, and if killing me is the only way to save her..."

You kiss Laura, pressing your forehead to hers as you break your lips away.

"I was kind of looking forward to being a part of your family too" You say.
"You still will be... I just ... won't be there" Laura says. "Make sure she grows up to be strong for me, will you?"
You smile.

"And make sure that... nothing fucked up ever happens to her again" She says.
"That'll be well out of my hands" You say.
"Just try your best" Laura says. "I know she's a handful, but she deserves better than what she's gotten"

You smile.

"And I..." Laura says. "I love you"
You kiss her one last time. "I know"

You step away, and move back to the middle of this strange space.

A look of horror crosses Laura's face. "Wait, Giles no! You have to kill me! You have to!"

>[2/3]

>>43286038

No. I don't. (BOOM drop the mic walk out on the gods)

>>43286038
>"I love you"
>"I know"
every time and i still love that cheesy shit

>>43286117
Me too anon, me too

2 girls who both love you, each one begging for you to kill them and spare the other. The sight fills a part of you with joy at the fact that you could know this kind of love in your life.

It fills the rest of you with disgust at the fact that you've been forced into this position. The ones who put you here watch your actions with interest.

"Have you decided?" The being that you assume is fate asks.
"I have" You say.
"What is your decision?" It asks.

"I have decided..." You say, fiddling with a gold coin. "That I cannot decide"

"So will we all stay here forever then?" Cassandra asks.
"No, I will leave it up to the perfect mediator: chance" You say, brandishing the coin. "Heads: I kill Laura and let the demons out of their cage. Tails: I kill Selene and let Fate return to its course"

"Acceptable" Fate says.
"Well, go on then" Cassandra says.

Selene and Laura both beg you not to, demanding that you take them instead of the other.

You smile like the Devil, and toss the coin high into the air. The millions of eyes watching the spectacle follow it up, as you draw your sword.

The gods could stop you if they wanted, but right now their attention is up there on the coin.

You place the blade's tip at your heart, and pierce it.

It hurts. Oh gods does it hurt. But this pain is peanuts in comparison. This is temporary, and when you die it will fade.

If you had chosen. You would have lived with that for your entire life.

You rip the sword out, and feel the warm blood running down your shirt, as well as the horror of all the onlookers.

Your vision begins to darken, and by the time the coin hits the ground, you are gone.

The throne room returns as the glass space fades away. It is silent. Everyone inside is stunned by what just happened.

Laura falls to her knees, likes she's been struck by the brutal truth.

Giles is dead.

Outside the Palace, sounds of chaos echo. Something is happening out there...

She wipes her eyes and regains her feet. He died so she could live. He died so that they could both live.

Right now, she needs to-

>[ ] See what's happening outside

>[ ] Find Selene

>[ ] Make sure everyone here is okay

>[ ] Other

>>43286454
>[ ] Find Selene
acquire daughteru

>>43286454
>>[ ] Find Selene

>>43286454
>>[ ] Find Selene

>>43286454
>[ ] Find Selene

>>43286454
>>[ ] Find Selene

>>43286454
>>[ ] Find Selene
>[ ] Find Selene

>writing

Laura takes several deep breaths, and walks swiftly for the door. She steps over the corpses of the traitorous soldiers as she goes.

"Laura? Where are you goin?" Dalen asks.
"We left Selene down there, I need to know she's safe" Laura says.

"I'm coming too" Marcella says. "I'm still your guardian"
"Let's go then" Laura says.

"What do the rest of us do?" Dalen asks.
"See what's happening out there" Laura says. "I want a report when i get back"

Dalen salutes, and Laura nods to Marcella. Then the two of them break into a run.

They leave the Throne room behind, making their way to the stairs and down to the Dungeons, and the Vaults.

Laura knows the route well enough now, just as well as the first time she took it. Back when Giles snuck them all out of the Palace on that night...

Laura wipes her eyes and shakes her head. There'll be time to mourn later...

The secret exit is open, and she can hear screams from within. Screams and something else...

>roll 1d20

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>43286781

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>43286781

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>43286781

>>43286833
Praise Giles!

>writing

Laura and Marcella rush down the stairs. As she moves, laura activates and reduces a Blinding Flash for light.

At the bottom, she find that she doesn't need it. There is a creature down here that is illuminating everything.

"An Angel?" Marcella asks.
"You know what that is?" Laura asks.
"Only from what Giles said. It matches the description dead on" Marcella says.

In the light, Laura can see 4 figures fleeing from the Angel.

The Angel's face flares up, and without thinking Laura lets an arrow fly. It hits its mark, causing the angel to recoil, and the beam it fires to strike the ceiling.

But it doesn't fall.

So Laura activates the arrow...

"Burst Impact!" She shouts. And the arrowhead explodes, blowing the Angel's head to pieces. This time it falls.

"Mommy!" Selene shouts, as she races down the passageway.
Laura drops her bow and scoops her daughter up, hugging her as tightly as she can.

"Mommy! Daddy is gone!" Selene cries.
Laura kisses her daughter's head, as the tears start to fall from her eyes as well.

"Yes... daddy is gone..." Laura says.

Marcella picks up Laura's bow, and makes sure that everyone is alright. Then a cracking further down the passageway draws their attention.

"We should go" Marcella says.
Laura sniffs and nods. "Yeah" She says.

They all make their way back up the stairs.

>Several hours later...

Selene pulled her daddy's cloak around her. It's cold in the throne room.

After her Mommy saved her from the screechy thing, she brought her up here. Then she left to go do other stuff. 'Cause she's pretty much the queen now, an' she had to make sure the people were safe.

Eleanor is here, but she's asleep. Selene should be asleep too, but she's not tired.

So she's passing the time by pulling things out of daddy's cloak. He had loads of stuff in here, maybe Selene could find something that would help her mommy.

The ground around her was already littered with stuff. From rock-like eggs, sacks of gold, weapons and weird objects that Selene didn't recognize...

Then Selene pulled out the crown. Everyone was always so fussy about who had this. When they left the palace, Laura was all worried that the mean guy had it, then they found out that the Gambler had it, and then Selene found out that the Gambler was her daddy.

The crown glows in the dark, and Selene looks it over. It looks too small for a big person head, but it might fit her...

>Should she put it on?

>>43287313
>>Should she put it on?
Go for it best daughter

>>43287313
>YES

>>43287313
Yes.

>>43287313
>Ask mommy.

THE PROPHECY! The prophecy said something about the crown resting on a head of gold... something something...

>>43287313
Do it.

>writing

Selene plops the crown on her head. It's a little bit too big for her, so it hangs to the side a little. But it stayss on.

And the room begins to glow.

"Hello young one" A strange, feminine voice calls.
"Who's there?" Selene asks.

The voice comes into view, as a golden, spectral image of a woman.

"Who are you?" Selene asks.
"I am your Mother" The woman says.
Selene tilts her head in confusion. "But Laura is my mommy" She says.
"And I am her Mother as well" The woman says. "And her mother's Mother"

"I don't get it" Selene says. "How can you be everyone's mommy?"
"Because I am the Mother" The woman says. "And by wearing the Crown, you are my voice"

A loud boom echoes from outside, and Selene flinches.

"Do not be afraid, my dear" The woman says. "This place is hallowed, and the rowdy servants of my firstborn cannot enter"
"But mommy is out there" Selene says.

The woman sits down next to Selene. "Do you want to help your mommy?" She asks.
Selene nods.

The woman looks around the room, and the weird stone eggs begin to glow and float. "It seems like they've been gathered already" She says.
"What are they?" Selene asks.

>[1/2]

>>43287875
So, she's Mother Earth, and Fate and Cassandra are her bitch-ass kids.

"Eggs, of a sort..." The woman says. "Containers to give birth with"
"Give birth to what?" Selene asks.

"That all depends on you" The woman says. "You bear the Crown. You decide their forms"

Selene looked at the eggs, and the woman. "Can they bring Daddy back?" She asks.
"I'm afraid not..." The woman says. "That is beyond even my power. The magic that my daughter worked into that boy left him unbound to the world, unbound to me"

"Not even if I try reeeeeally hard?" She asks.
"I'm afraid no- oh, hang on" The woman says. "Why is it that you want your daddy back?"

"Because it's dark and scary outside" Selene says. "And Mommy's out there with the scary things"
"What could you daddy do about that?" The Woman asks.
"He could scare them all away, 'cause he's scarier than they are!" Selene says.

The woman smiles. "Very well" She says.

The strange Eggs disappear, and Selene feels a strange energy around her.

"Wh-what happens now?" Selene asks.
"Now?" The woman says. "Unbound to the world as he was, your daddy was not without his Names. Given to and accepted by him, he was not completely free of the world..."

"What does that mean?" Selene asks.
"Daddy is coming home" The woman says.

>Choose a Master Thief
(Brute, Gambler. Sparrow, Riddler, Buyer, Critic)

>>43288062
>Gambler

>>43288062
>Gambler

Oh, HELL YEAH.

>>43288062
>Gambler

>>43288062
>Critic

>Gambler

If Giles isn't an option, this is the next best thing. Nothing has stopped him before, maybe he can add death to that list.

>>43288062
>Gambler
The alias that brought him to them in the first place.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>43288062
>Gambler
We started with the Gambler, we end with the Gambler

>>43288062
>>Choose a Master Thief
>(Brute, Gambler. Sparrow, Riddler, Buyer, Critic)
she brings backs all he incarnations of the master thief as separate people, and so begins the second era of everything of value being stolen

>writing
>You'll be playing as each one by the time this is over

File: Burn.jpg (94 KB, 800x676)

94 KB JPG

>>43288179
And, evidently, he's going to turn a few tables.

File: Ultron.jpg (144 KB, 1280x800)

144 KB JPG

>>43288222
Everything that belongs to the gods, anyways.

SUCK IT, CASSANDRA.

File: Exactly.jpg (113 KB, 859x679)

113 KB JPG

>>43288231
>>You'll be playing as each one by the time this is over

You step out of the flames that you were born from, in the burning husk of a building somewhere in the noble district.

The people scream and run by you, and looking to where they're running from you see why. A flight of Angels, and a horde of demons pursue them.

You step out of the building as a new being, an elemental. You take the name that suits the flames most: The Gambler. Fire is a powerful ally, but it is capricious. To work with fire is to gamble.

You turn to face the oncoming monsters, and a smile comes across your face.

You wear comfortable clothes, with a half cloak and a nice hat. All of it is red.

In your hand there is a coin.

You summon the flames.

>Gambler's mechanic!
>Heads or Tails

>Roll a d2
>1 is head
>2 is tails

>Call the result in your post as either heads or tails.

>Taking the 1st 3 rolls. You succeed if one person can correctly call their flip

>Feel free to ask questions to clear up any confusion about the system now

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>43288459

Heads

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>43288459
tails

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>43288459
heads

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>43288459
>heads

2/3. That ain't not bad

>>43288483
>>43288498
well we are on a roll

>>43288459
So are we just playing through each roles and doing missions

So, does Gambler look like a dude made of fire, or does he just wear red clothes?

>writing

>>43288539
You'll play as each one up to a certain point, and then it'll switch to the next one (chosen by you)

>>43288459
So is this a one time thing or does giles permanently exist as multiple elementals that support Selene?

>>43288644
I'd assume they revert back into eggs when not needed or whatever they are.

Not sure if they're actually real/have his personality either.

Might just be a terrible reminder that he's gone to have imitations walking around fighting with his visage.

>>43288644
I'm guessing that we'll just have to wait and see.

You hold out your arms and pull the fires from the buildings around you, siphoning them into one flame, and using that flame to extinguish the monsters.

Well they're your family, technically speaking. But they are wrong, unbalanced, and so they must be removed from a world that requires balance.

You do not mourn.

Instead, you turn and follow the people as they run. Perhaps you might find something interesting at the end of their retreat...

As you walk, you are set upon by the occasional Angel or Demon. They regret their aggression all too late.

"Is that... Giles?" A woman asks. She stands at the bridge to the Palace, ushering the fleeing people across. She is a beautiful woman, with short black hair and big blue eyes.

"I'm sorry?" You say.
"It IS you!" The woman says, running towards you and throwing herself at you. "You were dead, how did you-"
"My apologies, miss. I'm afraid I have no idea who you're talking about" You say, as you gently push the woman off of you.

"But you... you look like him..." She says, wiping tears from her eyes. "Who are you? Why is your hat on fire?"
"I am the Gambler" You say. "Born of flame"

The woman looks at you in confusion. "But... Giles was..." She says. "What do you mean 'born of flame'?"

"I was born in a fire, just over there" You say.
"How?" She asks.
"I was called by the Queen and the Mother" You say.
"But..."

"Well, isn't this a surprise" Another voice says.

>[1/2]

>>43288993
>"I was born in a fire, just over there" You say.

Gambler's so matter of fact, it's hilarious.

You turn, and see a dark skinned woman floating down towards you. Her smile is nothing short of sinister.

"Hello sister" You say.
"I am not your sister" She says.
"Yes you are" You say. "We are born of the same Mother. Chaos was your father, and the Flame was mine"

"You really aren't Giles" She says.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" You ask.
"It doesn't matter" She says. "If Mother sent you to stop me, she'll be sorely disappointed"
"I was not sent to stop you" You say. "But, if you must be stopped..."

"Come! My children!" Cassandra says.

Well... this puts you at a disadvantage... She gets children, but you don't?

The chaotic beings approach. You handled the last ones with the aid of the flame, but the flame is not here...

Perhaps there is a way to pull through this...

>[ ] Enlist the girl's aid

>[ ] Create children of your own

>[ ] Try to talk your sister down

>[ ] Other

>>43289179
>>[ ] Enlist the girl's aid

>>43289179
>>[ ] Create children of your own

>>43289179
>[ ] Create children of your own

>>43289179
>>[X] Create children of your own

>>43289179
>[ ] Create children of your own

So, Smiley, is Gambler made of fire? Is it only that his clothes are red? Glowing eyes? Molten veins? What?

>writing

You look to the horde of demons with contempt.

They can break this shell fairly easily, you know this. But the shell is just that: a shell. A form that you took because you needed a form to use as a base.

Within is the flame, and it (apparently) pours forth from your head. You force it upward and outward.

You, the first elemental of fire, needed a form. Your children will require no such restraint.

As the horde of Demons advances, they are met by your Children. And your Children burn through the advancing Demons with ease.

"You might want to go back inside" You tell the girl. "It is not safe here"
"But-"

"Go" You say. "Tell them that help has arrived"

The girl nods, and runs back across the bridge.

A pair of flying demons give chase, but both succumb to the fires before they even get close.

You turn to your sister, and you smile.

>Flip a coin

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>43289635
heads

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>43289635
Tails

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>43289635
tails

Nice! 2/3.

>writing

>"You cannot pass. I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! YOU. CANNOT. PASS!"

You let loose a gout of flame at your sister, but it doesn't penetrate her defenses. Instead, it burns her Demons.

From the flames that engulf the Demons, you give birth to more of your children.

She cackles, and lets loose more of her own children. Even with your advantages, you can't keep pace with her spawns. She's had thousands of years to prepare her army in the depths of her domain, while you are new...

You won't win this alone...

But fortunately, you are not alone.

Not even close...

>Choose the next Thief
(Critic, Buyer, Sparrow, Riddler, Brute)

>>43289893
Brute

>>43289893
>Sparrow

File: balrog3.jpg (53 KB, 720x300)

53 KB JPG

>>43289858

>>43289893
Brute

Brute

>>43289893
>Brute
We need muscle.

>>43289893
Brute

>writing

I believe Brute was born when Giles killed Klaus' murderer.

Cassandra held onto Klaus' soul, all these years, and threw him at us back at Harth.

She wants to talk shit? Time to bring on the boom.

>>43289893
The brute and the buyer didn't show up at all, so should be in the middle. Brute for now.

>>43290112
Funnily enough, we saw Buyer's work at the Harth castle; the sack of gold was still there from the heist.

>>43290112
Sparrow or riddler will be good finishers.

>>43290227
Or Critic.

"I find this invasion... sub-par, at best."

>>43290227
Yeah, while ending with the critic to insult everyone's dumb plans would be funny, it'd be pretty narratively bad. personally I vote end with the riddler unless we end up in a high place between now and then

You step out of the earth that you were born from, on the side of the cliffs that surround the districts of Analask.

Well, you don't step out all the way. That would be stupid. It's easily a hundred foot drop from here. You would survive, but your shell would not.

You feel like that might be a little awkward, losing your shell this early on. So you return to the earth and look for a better place to emerge.

Like solid, flat ground. You emerge somewhere in the Middle district of Analask, much to the surprise of everyone around. They must not be used to seeing someone pop out of the ground.

As they should be. You are the first of your kind.

"What manner of creature is this?" Asks a choir of Angels. It seems as though they have corralled the humans here, for whatever purpose.

"Hello Children" You say. "You do not belong here"
"We must remake this world" The Angels say. "Begone"

"Suit yourself" You say, clapping your smooth, stone hands together.

The Angel's face all flare up at once.

>Brute's mechanic

>Probably one of the less interesting ones
>I won't lie, I kinda ran out of ideas for these
>Brute's thing is the regular rock-paper-scissors combat mechanic

>Without further ado

>Attack

>Guard

>Special

>>43290436
>Attack

>>43290436
>>Attack
If it ain't broke

>>43290436
>Attack

>writing

You are an elemental of Earth, and you took the name that suits the Earth most: The Brute. The Earth is strong, unyielding, and hash. To nurture one from the Earth, one must work for it.

The rocky ground beneath the cobbled road answer your call, rising towards the Angels with unrelenting force.

They turn their faces to the ground as it hits them, one by one. Their beams are nothing but heat, and heat cannot stop the Earth.

The last, broken Angel lets out a screech. No longer able to synchronize with his brethren and form speech.

You crush him as well.

"You... you saved us" One of the townspeople says.
"Get to the Palace" You reply. "There are more, and the Palace is the only place where they cannot follow"

The people thank you, but they do not understand. The road to the Palace will not be an easy one.

More of the Angels descend from the sky, accompanied by their master.

The Earth beneath you rises, and you meet them in the sky.

Calling it a night here. I'm tired as hell.

This was a good thread. I've been waiting to get to this part for a long time.

Next thread will probably be tomorrow night.

As always I'll be sticking around to questions/suggestions

>>43290869
That was fucking awesome, see ya next time

>>43290869
Awesome thread, Smiley!

Is Brute dressed differently, or is he a palette swap of Gambler?

>>43290989
They're all basically palette swapped Giles (as they're based off his form, as Selene remembers it), with something to show their element. The Gambler had the flame hat, the Brute has stone hands, etc.

>>43290869
Is the next thread the end of the quest?

>>43291074
Within the next few, depending on how quickly this goes.

I may do a short epilogue either as its own thread, at the end of the last thread, or in a pastebin

>Giles becomes a god

>>43291141
I'd love to see something about Selene being the thief queen

>>43291049
I admit, I sort of imagined him as a statue 'shaped' as Giles.

Still, glad for the clarification.

>>43291171
More like the Identities he created

>>43291172
Giles funeral ;_;