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''Shereen, stop!''

Pure instincts and nothing else filled your limbs as you moved to push your little sun away from the teenage mage she was choking, her changed hand having grown strong enough to rip out his windpipe. Barely did you finish screaming that you caught -and heard- a sudden movement, a blur rushing to your flank. Your raised your shield and braced in reflex as something blunt collided with your protection hard enough to make you take a back step and adopt a proper stance to keep your balance, the shock even reverberated into your arm.

''Aah! Go away you crazy bitch!''

Another surge of magic accompanied the lad panic as his entire body was expulsed a sudden, short-lived inferno that was more wind than fire (he likely wanted to make some space more than anything) and exploded all around him in a clumsy but effective blanket of flames that didn't even last a second, heating without burning anything. Still, it had been enough for him to shake off Shereen who clumsily fell a foot away, raise himself on his feet and race toward the exit whilst holding his nose, leaking blood, tears, and probably a few teeth. He nearly stumbled on Klesiah who resisted a violent aggressive urge, instead of indulging violence she growled at him to get out of the city.

Laughter from Leena told that, despite her bloodlust, she found some humor in this outcome.

''A-ah...? What did I...? M-My Moon?'' Shereen rage had been replaced by sincere horror. Her body had undergone a sudden, quick and already reversing mutation but in the second of her overwhelming bloodlust, Shereen had attempted to strike at you with a shapeshifted arm, her limb had become a lengthy, deadly boneless whip that, thankfully, had only been aimed haphazardly toward you but its power had been very real indeed.

''I'm not angry.'' You whispered, she found no comfort in your words. ''Let's take care of our little cat.''

Why did you stop her? That mage might have been a teenager but... he committed unforgivable acts, indulging in his money to fuel his lust by hanging out with Mamonos from the slum, even going far enough to want little Leena, and then make her dance on coals when she refused... Although fault probably wasn't his alone, his two female compatriots were taking a sick amount of joy in this childish torture. Had Klesiah influence affected you? She had felt sincere horror at seeing Shereen about to tear out that guy throat; was that all it took to shake your pragmatism?

You'll think about that later.

The man only movements during those few confusing seconds were to accommodate Leena on his body comfortably, you've used a pearl to find this important little girl, can't have that wasted now. His arm covered by the blue magitek gauntlet still crackled with dangerous energy, ready to unload its dangerous content.

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The man only movements during those few confusing seconds were to accommodate Leena on his body comfortably, you've used a pearl to find this important little girl, can't have that wasted now. His arm covered by the blue magitek gauntlet still crackled with dangerous energy, ready to unload its dangerous content.

''Sorry about that.'' Shereen timidly got on her feet and walked behind Klesiah as you talked with this new face. ''As you've said we don't have time. We can't let you take that girl, our group will keep her safe.''

''And create a bigger target.'' The man replied, taking a slight step back, Hildegarde and Zhu took a similar forward one. ''I was certain the last player controlled the independent criminal factions of the city, an independent party is a welcome surprise... But it'd be better for you all to leave.''

''I intend to help the cat. I'll embrace that role; whatever she can open for you isn't worth it if that means hurting her.'' You responded firmly and his steely dark gaze settled on you for a few seconds. The turban covering his face made it impossible to accurately deduce his emotions.

Of course assuming this one assumed any particular role was pure conjecture on your part.

''Heehehe, I am truly at the center of the world.'' Leena said dreamily, looking at your party without showing a hint of resistance toward the man holding her.

''Harming her isn't my intention.'' He responded firmly. ''Having a traitorous bandit in your midst doesn't help your word. That fox creature has chosen wicked people for her game and I cannot take chances... you think changing your hair would completely mask your identity, Klesiah?'' His steely gaze moved toward the temporary redhead who stiffened in shocked confusion. ''You had a heavy heart back then, in Gremory employ, but still clung to justice tightly enough to reject temptations, nobody else could have led these slaves out of that woman infernal mines... To become a bandit now is unforgivable.''

''Adam?'' Your paladin said in disbelief.

This man... Yeah, now you remember. Klesiah did mention having some help with freeing the foreign Mamonos in Gremory territory, and that was him? Did Ama go all the way to get this guy and pull him into her game?

''Some knight you make...''

''Keep insulting her and I'm going to pull off your jaw you sanctimonious piece of shit.'' Zhu interrupted in a growl, faraway echoing noise of metal reached your ears as, undeniably, a squad of guards was going to get here soon - two minutes if you're lucky! ''Whatever happened, she's had her reasons, adapting to shitty circumstances aint betrayal. Someone with a pole in his ass like you can't be trusted with a kid.''

A mixture of guilt and simple, bubbling relief radiated out of Klesiah quietly. ''I'm not...'' She murmured but didn't try to say anything, there wasn't time for sentimentality.

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'Same to you.'' Adam replied to Zhu drily, then shifted his attention to you. ''I suppose you're the elf who managed to negotiate a bloodless release before those Closed Fist got close enough to ruin things... Good to know it's not an unwarranted reputation.'' Sparing the lad hadn't been your intention but if that's giving him a good impression, you might as well take that as a lucky break.

''Make your way into the church.'' He continued. ''There's an empty house not too far from here that you people could use to hide and hopefully avoid the guards(he proceeded to list an address on this side of the slum). It's undeniable that after what just happened and the duchess position that she'll begin a manhunt for all of you. Travelers are rare things in Muribel, doubly so for a large armed group.'' Slowly lowering his lightning arm, Adam grasped Leena solidly, looking almost intimate as he pressed her on his chest. The quiet orange glow on his heels increased in intensity.

Damn it, prying out of him without hurting her won't be easy... it might be genuinely impossible.

He did raise a good point. After crashing this party, beating a handful of kids into submission, and disfiguring the son of the richest merchant in town, retribution is an inevitability and once words start spreading you've got a kid in your midst (they might even mistake Shereen for Leena) opposition could ramp up considerably.

You've also used your only astral pearl to find Ama beloved ''cat''. If he's not a man of his word, then you'd be letting her slip through your fingers.

Alas, if you had but five more minutes, negotiating could be possible. Your party will need to muscle themselves out of this courtyard no matter what, the longer you get dragged down in a fight with this guy, the less chance you'll have to make it out safely...

>Try to overpower this Adam with Zhu and Hildegarde as quickly as you can. Nobody in this forsaken city can be trusted to handle a kid Ama decided to ''play'' with.

>Leave Leena with him and regroup, if he made the church his headquarter, then finding him won't be difficult.

>Free

Your magical reserves remain healthy, although Arawn does notice a hole. Roughly 1/4 of your reserves have been consumed.

>>4298268
>Free
Could we have Klesiah, and Hildegarde go with Adam and Leena on their way back to the church, since we are linked Klesiah it should be somewhat easier to find her again.

>>4298268
>Leave Leena with him and regroup, if he made the church his headquarter, then finding him won't be difficult.
Damn that Witch and her games.
No time, no time whatsoever. Trying to contend with this Adam will almost certainly mean the guards will be able to give chase far too close. Let cut our losses for now.

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>>4298289
Asking/negotiating will always be a full choice because you're out of time. That's a valid choice though, I'll give it a 20 minutes wait before going with it.

>>4298268
Ok, does Klesiah trust this fucker? Does she see him as a man of his word? Seems she'd be in a position to know if we can trust him or not.

Also, how's he know we're an elf? I thought we kept that under wraps pretty darn well with the leper disguise. And how do we know he's made the church his headquarters and how do we know he won't just bolt out of town at nightfall and leave us to be a distraction?

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>>4298303
>Ok, does Klesiah trust this fucker?
She's a bit too shaken for Arawn to be able to deduce that, unfortunately. She's surrounded by an unhealthy amount of negativity, nothing aimed at Adam. Take that as you want.
>Also, how's he know we're an elf?
Not a question you can get an answer now.
>And how do we know he's made the church his headquarters and how do we know he won't just bolt out of town at nightfall and leave us to be a distraction?
Arawn is assuming the church is his headquarter, there's no guarantee it actually is.

>>4298312
Will he kill Klesiah if we order her to go with him to ensure he won't do anything bad to the cat? Will the disguise fade if she gets too far away from Shereen?

Honestly, if Adam takes the Cat out of the city and whisks her away then...
well, what is there to keep us in Myrtidal, playing along with Ama's game? If there's no cat - therefore no objective - then we *could* simply bugger off back towards Marleon.
I admit, this is rather cold in a way. But it is an option should events go that way.

>>4298320
Oh, also, how quick would asking her if we can trust him go down? That is the vital piece of info we really, really need right now.

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>>4298320
>Will he kill Klesiah if we order her to go with him to ensure he won't do anything bad to the cat?
That's one hell of a question. I can't answer, you'll need to trust your guts.
>Will the disguise fade if she gets too far away from Shereen?
Yes.

>>4298323
>Oh, also, how quick would asking her if we can trust him go down?
Can be combined with >>4298289 to make a full choice, though a squad of guards -will- get here afterward.You'll be able to confirm sending anyone with him if he agree, of course.

>>4298330
Can't we all start running right now then do some negotiating? If the guards arrive before we start running they'll be chasing us too close to make use of the safe house he just gave us.

Would it be possible to reveal who we are exactly and extract an oath out of him to meet up later to negotiate what to do with the cat? I'm pretty sure Klesiah spoke highly of us to him.

>>4298340
>Would it be possible to reveal who we are exactly
please no, I don't think this is a good idea to execute lightly. Besides Adam has no reason at all to believe us.

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>>4298340
>Can't we all start running right now then do some negotiating?
Adam has a way out on his own. He won't follow, but you can try negotiating again.
>Would it be possible to reveal who we are exactly and extract an oath out of him to meet up later to negotiate what to do with the cat?
Some more talking is possible if you don't mind having to handle armed Mamonos afterward.

It's important to understand that time isn't your ally here. You have the chance to cut your losses and make a gateway, but trying to negotiate or fight Adam is always possible. Assuming he will do anything in your favor, however, isn't something you can count on but he's not outright hostile either.

>>4298353
Ok, if we were to start running now and then ask Klesiah if he can be trusted would that result in us fighting or getting tailed by the guards? In the few seconds that would take he wouldn't have broken LoS with our party so if she answered "no" we could immediately order her to tail his ass.

Also, could we schedule an appointment right quick? Just a number corresponding to an hour and a rough location. Like ya said, we ain't got time, but we gotta have 15 seconds at least.

>>4298363
>Ok, if we were to start running now and then ask Klesiah if he can be trusted would that result in us fighting or getting tailed by the guards?
The situation with the guards will need to be handled no matter what... but that comes later. But yeah talking with Klesiah while running is fine.

>Also, could we schedule an appointment right quick?
Whether it work out or you even have the chance will remain to be seen.

Gonna roll between the two clear choices in around 15 minutes unless we get a clear course of action.

>>4298369
Ok, one last question, how far away is this safe house, do we know how to get there, can we get there without a guard detail tailing our ass if we were to start running right friggin' now and how far is it from that church? How hard would sneaking to the church be if we were to wait until nightfall?

Also, could we say that we'll haunt him forever if he harms the cat? Like we said, we don't/can't exactly trust the fucker.

>>4298373
>how far away is this safe house
Not too far, it's in your general area, in the thicker parts of the slum.
>Do we know how to get there.
Your group actually passed through the area during your search so you know, yes.
>can we get there without a guard detail tailing our ass if we were to start running right friggin' now
You'll need to handle some guards but you'll be in a favorable position.
>how far is it from that church
Give me a few minutes to fiddle with the map,. I've had some trouble editing your position but you'll get an answer there. You won't be too far from the church though.
>How hard would sneaking to the church be if we were to wait until nightfall?
It depend entirely on how the situation is going to be.
>Also, could we say that we'll haunt him forever if he harms the cat?
Absolutely.

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Red is your position, blue is the safehouse, and yellow is the church.

Don't mind my previous post.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4298289
>>4298299
Rolling, one quick vote can always replace mine.

>>4298402
That last post had me worried, this changes things.

Ok then, not killing guards is in our best interest and if we negotiate we'll have a bunch of them on us and he'll just smoke bomb/flashbang and ghost leaving us to deal with the furball that'll ensue.

We run, we ask Klesiah if he's a man of his word/can be trusted as we do so, and we tell him that if he harms the cat he'll regret it quite seriously. Since we're going in roughly the same direction we'll also see if he's bugging out or not.

Question, our ice magic, could we throw up a nice thick wall of fog/condensation what with the temperature difference? If that's not possible could we switch to lightning and create a blinding flash? Can fire magic make smoke?

We do need some way to blind the guards if we're to make a clean getaway after all. We cannot let them see what direction we went in. Damn, if only we had made some friggin' bombs and if only Hilde had managed to nab the cat instead. Damn this fucker to hell for making this so complicated!

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>>4298423
>Question, our ice magic, could we throw up a nice thick wall of fog/condensation what with the temperature difference?
Yeah, but it'll have to come out of your hand like a fog machine. Can't create a sudden wall.
> If that's not possible could we switch to lightning and create a blinding flash?
Concentrating the entire Heavy projectile into something harmless and bright is possible yes.
>Can fire magic make smoke?
If you specifically want it, yes. The smoke (and fog from ice) will dissipate unnaturally quickly, average to around 10 minutes.

Running away as a group it is. I think this also opens another choice.

Would you guys like to do a heavy spell to distract the coming guards and make it easier to get away or literally muscle your way out?
Ice = Fog
Lightning = Flashbang
Fire=Smokescreen.

Choosing to do a spell is an automatic success in a gateway, otherwise, there will be a roll needed after I post.

I'll proceed without a spell in around 20 minutes.

>>4298451
Smokescreen. That little shit was using fire magic, so it's not unreasonable that something caught.

>>4298451
Use a spell, I don't trust our luck right now. Not really caring about which one. Whatever makes the most sense to do.

>>4298451
Sure, let's do a smokescreen.
Though I can't help but feel that we'll have to conserve our reserves after this.

Gonna go sleep, so no more votes from me.
Good luck with the Witch's game, Anons.

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''Fine we'll retreat.''

''Arawn co-''

You interrupted Zhu protest by causing a sharp crackling noise from your gauntlet, Hildegarde relaxed her stance and took a few steps back.

''We'll meet in the church again, Adam and if anything happens to Leena, I"ll hunt you down and kill you.''

Your threat had the same effect of cursing at a wall, his steely resolve undaunted. Adam proceeded to press on the buckle of his belt whereupon a strange rune lit up in soft green hue to spread over his body and little Leena who looked to you with a sheepish smile, was that a blush on her face?

''Hold onto me tight.'' He said to Leena and the girl obeyed, spreading her arms around his neck. energy gathered on his feet, the glow of orange become genuinely powerful despite the high sun of noon.

''For justice sake, I won't let any of that cursed creature instruments lay their hands on this innocent one.'' He said to you and the next instant, Adam exploded.

More accurately, his feet did. Artificial magical energy had coalesced into the ruby ion his feet to create a magical eruption that sent him skyward in a controlled manner, jumping well above the three meters wall, leaving behind a small crater and a shower of gravels. The madman proceeded to kick in the air, causing another cavernous boom and unceremoniously crash into the slum a few meters ahead, the sound of broken woods and screams revealing he must have landed on an inhabited roof.

''Crazy bastard,'' Hildegarde grunted.

This is NOT how you keep a child safe!

Noises of clanging metals shook you out of your awed stupor as you realized the first squad of guards was undeniably on the road leading here now. ''Let's go!'' You screamed at the girl and proceeded to use your nose to push the button on your gauntlet whilst running.

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The mechanism activated without problems, absorbing it's usual heavy magical toll and you mentally directed it toward the ruby filter and imagined your spell, since the energy needed immediate release. You created a small sphere of flame to hold onto out of which thick black smoke emerged like the belch of an angry inferno, forcing you to hold out your arm sideways or risk losing your breath.

''Klesiah, can that guy be trusted?'' You asked as the girl looked to you in briefly shared confusion. That spell wasn't orthodox but it'll do, especially since you'll be able to a continuous screen wherever you go.

''I...Yeah.'' Her shaking, unsure voice didn't match the surety of her emotion, small doubt still leaked. ''He always called himself a man of justice. It's why he helped me with the slaves.''

There wasn't more time for words. Emerging out of this cul-de-sac and onto the road proper (with Hildegarde holding Shereen in her arms as your little sun wouldn't be able to physically keep up) a group of five plated monsters rounded the corner.

''The travelers!'' One of them pointed in your general direction and all of them pulled their weapons. ''Stop right there and you won't be harmed!''

Instead of giving an answer you pointed back with your arm and let out a thick, voluminous belch of dark smoke, filling the road with a curtain of darkness, and the next instant a jolt of lightning crashed onto the house next to you.

One of them was a mage!?

The guards were too busy coughing their lungs out to make headway and they weren't able to keep up since you ran the opposite way, although the other side of the long road also saw a trio of enemies emerge; you quickly redirected the smoke toward them and Klesiah directed everyone into a nearby open alleyway that was, inevitably, engulfed in magical smoke.

Strident bells began to ring throughout the slum and for the next few minutes, your party engaged in a breathless run. Inhabitants were coming out in droves as you spread smoke everywhere, screaming ''Fire!? Fire!'' without knowing the source, a small panic inevitably brewed as your group ran in the back alleys, losing sight of guards when you blocked line of sights with your magic. As you made headway toward your destination, you threw the small sphere into a courtyard whereupon smoke exited in renewed vigor: by now enough native had come out to become a genuine obstacle to your party and the guards, creating an actual temporary nexus for this distraction would at least force your pursuers to handle the people instead.

Losing yourselves in the crowd was possible: people in the slum were too busy trying to figure out what was happening to give your group of misfit many thoughts and the guards were congregating toward the smokes without looking around them. For the few that did catch glimpses of your party, words hadn't spread about your mischief yet, so getting into the house wasn't a complicated affair.

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The house that Adam had guided you into was a quaint little place. Two stories high, four rooms in total, a courtyard leading into a (now filled) communal space and no way to access the roof, the place was cozy... and rather hot. With everything made of stones and barely any windows, the heat was stifling. Thankfully there wasn't much in term of garbages littering the ground and the total lack of furniture made moving around easy.

''Phuah!'' Shereen breathed out forcing herself out of Hildegarde embrace. ''Awfully hot!''

''Let's hole up on the second floor.'' The maid said, then proceeded to test the door leading into the road and soon enough discovered that it was impossible to lock.

Everyone proceeded upstairs to pile into one of the bedrooms and you let go of Focus as you observed most of the smoke dissipating from the horizon. This effect quickly spread, removing the black stain from the pretty scenery, leaving the growing crowd suitably puzzled at this manifestation.

Then Klesiah hair changed colors, the gorgeously bright red dimmed by the seconds and soon disappeared completely, leaving your blueberry paladin in her original hair color... though the ponytail was a welcome change.

''Ah...'' Shereen said, having also let go of Focus and just now realized it. ''I'm sorry!''

''It's okay.'' Klesiah gently patted one of the anubis ears. ''We'll figure something out.''

''For now, we're stuck here.'' Hildegarde looked out of the only window carefully by placing herself at an angle. The crow out there was huge and guards were being to tell people to go back home but the general disturbance will take a long while to dissipate.

At least there wasn't any obvious sign that Adam had been caught. No doubt your distraction helped him but now, you'll need to wait until things cool off... and even then, it's undeniable now that your group will become wanted fugitives. Moving around Myrtidal will be much more difficult.

For now, at least, you can hold up here although this abandoned place must undeniably be known by the locals so you'll need to be quiet... But that's alright, you can at least catch your breath.

''Suppose it's too dangerous to find a toilet huh?'' Zhu commented as she unloaded her bags. ''Guess I'll have to use the other room.''

''Ugh... My Moons are supposed to be graceful!'' Shereen complained whilst Zhu shrugged, audibly tearing a piece of clothes.

''Nature call.'' Answered the closed-eyed swordswoman who proceeded to audibly close the door.

>Free

Here's a little downtime, you can discuss things with the girls, take stock of your situation or maybe plan a quick next move. I'd like to gauge players moods before imposing greentexts.

>>4298681
Well, letting the disguise go is actually the right call. The APB will be for a redhead instead of a blueberry. Course I think Klesiah already has an APB on her normal look but this newer one will likely get prioritized by the local noble.

How long until nightfall? What do each of the girls think we should do? How good are each of them at stealth? Can blood magic be used to conceal our group's presence? We don't need an active camo/cloak (though that would be extremely helpful), just something to give us a bit of leeway in the stealth department. Can the goddess shard do anything useful and what's she think about all this?

This is also a concern now, how many more heavy spells do we reckon we got in us and how much would a mid-tier fusion cost if things truly go to shit?

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>>4298702
>How long until nightfall?
It's roughly 1 pm so you have plenty of time.
>What do each of the girls think we should do?
The general mood is to stay put for now.
>How good are each of them at stealth?
Hildegarde is skilled in that area.
>Can blood magic be used to conceal our group's presence?
Shereen isn't confident that can be done.
>Can the goddess shard do anything useful and what's she think about all this?
That'd be an interesting discussion to write out, so answering that properly will need a small update.
>This is also a concern now, how many more heavy spells do we reckon we got in us
Arawn would say... around 10, maybe 12 mores. He's getting much better at calculating his reserve.
>how much would a mid-tier fusion cost if things truly go to shit?
As you are now, you'll need a good measurement to avoid Overcast. It'll completely drain you, though.

>>4298724
Oh yeah, I forgot to continue with the stealth question. Nobody else is good at it

>>4298724
Ask the shard some questions then, I want that update.

Any way to recover mana and how long does it take? Could we leech mana from Klesiah or Shereen? Like, reverse the battery spell and take instead of give? They'd consent.

Also, how long does Klesiah think that Kamen Rider wannabe little bitch is gonna wait at the church? Given the current mood I'd think that there are precious few parishioners who attend as I think it's dedicated to Shereen's family. Hence it's a decent hideout for the little bitch. Maybe we move in and start converting it into a shrine for Mother Earth. Better people start worshiping a real goddess, not some pretender with a clutch of death pearls.

>>4298734
Damnit. We still got food and water right?

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>>4298747
>Ask the shard some questions then, I want that update.
That'll be a good way to end things tonight.
>Any way to recover mana and how long does it take?
Nothing but a full rest will work. Short naps, unfortunately, have been proven not to regenerate anything.
>Could we leech mana from Klesiah or Shereen? Like, reverse the battery spell and take instead of give? They'd consent.
Soul Magic is a weird type of magic, so theoretically such a thing could be possible.
>Also, how long does Klesiah think that Kamen Rider wannabe little bitch is gonna wait at the church?
She knew him as am an of his word, so whatever he's doing out there, she doesn't think he'll move out unless forced to. But who knows what he's after?

>>4298747
Yeah, only things missing are clothes.

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Gently pulling your shield out of your hand and letting it rest on the wall, you enjoyed the relief of being freed from its weight because supporting it for hours on end was starting to hurt. You slowly allowed yourself some relaxation and sat on the ground. Shereen and Klesiah imitated you and your little sun was pawing into the bag of provisions to take out a bottle of fresh water. There was still more than enough in there for the return trip... and you could always buy something at that inn if anything is missing. Hildegarde was the only one to remain standing, keeping a constant vigil on the window.

She wasn't even sweating, this woman is inexhaustible.

Zhu returned quickly, Shereen made a show of scooting away and the swordswoman reacted by hugging her, creating no end of quiet complaints. For a moment you remembered Shereen's reaction with the boy, how her mood briefly overwhelmed her, and how that influenced her magical nature... Blood magic is definitely dangerous, in a way that you might never be able to fully understand since you aren't a natural blood mage.

''Hey, Klesiah.'' Your knight was completely out of it, even her emotions had grown dull as she stared at Zhu antics, caught in a lull of near slumber yet there had been a comfortable peaceful radiance surrounding. ''I'd like to speak to you and that shard of Mother Earth inside your soul... Mina, right?''

Hearing that rekindled your knight's usual sharp mind.

''We've gotta speak a whole lot more too, you've been up to all kind of stuff huh?'' Zhu commented chin pressed on Shereen crown, enjoying the princess's stubborn ears flaps on her cheeks. Shereen is far too easy to pressure around.

''I'm mostly wondering if she can help, what can she do in general.''

''Unfortunately, she's not in a good state to be helping.'' Klesiah spoke gently and a wave of warmth emanated out of her, heralding the presence of her partner. She could likely hide if she wanted, this warmth... It was an inviting thing. ''I haven't been able to connect with Mother Earth web for... months now, Mina is weakening and we've seen that utterly strange manifestation in Myrtidal, I doubt we'd be able to somehow connect to Mother Earth divinity...'' Her concern was naked on her face and radiating out of her.

''Energy, hm... So the two of you aren't entirely joined?'' You and Gardy shared one body, your internal magical reserves were his, his battle experience likewise filtered into you.

''Yes, Mina would actually leave my body but... we've thankfully managed to make my soul strong enough to contain her.'' Klesiah had gone the opposite way: total separation. It was likely the natural way to do this since Mina was a shard of Mother Earth and would need to return into the goddess fold.

''Assuming she did have the energy to spare, what could she do to help us?'' Soul magic can become a universal organic fuel, surely...

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''She can manifest in battle, she already did once. It's thank to her that I was able to kill that damnable vampire...'' Grim satisfaction mingled with regret, interrupting her for a second. ''...I think she'd be able to scout ahead. Perhaps not far enough to get into the church, but Mina would be able to become a small fairy and dim her colors enough to be mistaken as a bird perhaps, we never needed to scout very far before so we haven't tested our actual limits. I can share her senses so I'd be able to relay whatever she sees and hear.''

A fairy sized scout huh? That'd be useful.

Then a spark of anger suddenly animated Klesiah and she shook her head firmly.

''I said no, Mina.'' She continued firmly and, realizing her antic, grew a tad bashful. ''S-sorry... Mina is a shard of Mother Earth. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands like her so she doesn't have much... attachment to her survival. She's always happy to be useful but, I will not let her kill herself or exhausts her reserves to be simply ''useful''.'' Reaching for her ponytail, Klesiah undid it in a way to keep her fingers busy and shake off her frustration. This felt like something she and that spirit must have argued about often. You're already missing the ponytail... ''You will return to Mother Earth, Mina, and share your memory with the goddess as it is your duties. That is more important than ever now that we're stuck in that witch game.''

If Mother Earth herself could actually see all the struggles of Klesiah and how Ama game will end in detail... It could actually be a huge boon.

''Hm, would it be correct to attribute that shard -Mina- capabilities with those of an elemental?'' Shereen asked quietly and upon being faced with collective confusion, puffed her chest in pride. ''I've read about them, apparently, they are a type of very rare spiritual monsters that embodies an element or -even rarer- some kind of emotions or force. They make contracts with mortals and joined their souls, though ''contract'' is only a term, this joining is more similar to a marriage apparently. Anyhow, these elementals are their own existences, fully capable in combat and all that, with their own magical reserves, their own bodies, their own souls.''

''I... would say so.'' Klesiah answered, unsure, tilting her head as a silent dialogue went on with her spirit. ''I've taken every precaution I could to mask Mina presence from that fox, so I've almost always refused any chances to practice or uncover her true capabilities... but Mina tells me that is the best way to think about her, Shereen. She's an elemental aligned to Mother Earth.''

If Ama found out she didn't care but at least her apostles don't seem to have any ideas. Could that mean that she'd mimic Mother Earth combat capabilities?

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>Pro-

''Um...'' A wave of excitement belonging to Klesiah shard broke your trail of thoughts as you were examining your options. ''...Mina has an idea. She thinks it'd be possible to create a ritual that could re-energize her with the help of blood and soul magic.''

''H-huh?'' Shereen crawled out of Zhu lap (to the swordswoman chagrin) to face Klesiah properly. ''What do you mean? I... I'm not at all skilled in my magic, you saw that earlier and... isn't Mother Earth an enemy of blood magic?''

''Only from cultist that abuse it. Blood magic is a tool far too easily abused... it remains magic and an important projection of life itself.'' Klesiah answered gently. ''Mind you, the overwhelming majority of Mother Earth follower do hate that magic... but Mina doesn't and I'd say it's fair to assume our goddess holds a similar stance.''

''But...''

''Horkus is gone.'' You interrupted your little sun wavering spirit. ''Nothing can ever interfere again with another joining of souls.'' You turned to your knight. ''Would such a ritual consume much in terms of magical reserve?''

''No, we can decide afterward how much or if we commit anything. Mina believes that by using our soul link and building a bridge between your magic, Arawn, and Shereen, then we could greatly replenish her diminished existence.''

''Good thing we've had a little practice before huh, Shereen?''

''Ah...'' Her confidence in her ability was rock bottom. ''...I don't know.''

Action will be the only thing to lift her spirit.

Mina offered an interesting idea... and you have some time to spare.

>Commit to Mother Earth shard idea completely. Impossible to accurately know what will happen, but Horkus is gone, there wasn't any soul parasite affecting anyone, Ama handicapped herself with a contract. Nothing could hijack this ritual... at least hopefully.

>Try to be a little more conservative. A simple solution would likely work better here: modifying your bait spell should work just as well.

>Talk about something else instead. It's too soon for magic (Precise what)

>Free

>>4298969
>Talk about something else instead. It's too soon for magic
We're still exhausted and need a moment (Sloth).
>"Shereen, I stopped you when you were going to kill that boy. Why?"
Personally, I didn't want her to have killed in anger. It sets a bad precedent for the future. If she's going to kill someone, then it should be with a clear head. Also, official executions declare that being a vile excuse for a waste of flesh isn't ok.

>>4298969
How long would this ritual take? Also, Ama, err... can she interfere here? I mean, we'd be on guard against it but with no Gardy I am doubtful of our ability to clam jam her.

Wait, if she did interfere we'd all be within the realm of souls right? Wouldn't we just be able to juice up the shard regardless of her interference? It'd mean, worst case, a fight within our soul and that's established to mean we die. Surely Ama wouldn't break her favorite toy again over this right? Is the shard worried about that fact? It knows we're cursed and what that entails right?

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>>4298994
>"Shereen, I stopped you when you were going to kill that boy. Why?"
Are you directly asking her what she thinks about this? Or in a more introspective way as in ''why did I do that?''

>>4298997
>How long would this ritual take?
Impossible to say for sure but it'd be safe to assume at least an hour.

> Also, Ama, err... can she interfere here? I mean, we'd be on guard against it but with no Gardy I am doubtful of our ability to clam jam her.
Impossible to say for sure. She put a contract on herself during the game-opening, if you can trust it or not is a leap of faith.
>Wait, if she did interfere we'd all be within the realm of souls right?
Not this time, the ritual won't need you to go that deep internally.

Gonna continue tomorrow. I'm pooped out.

>>4299007
So the contract states that she can't/won't involve herself directly or interfere with the "players" of which we can assume we're one of?

Are we all that exhausted or tired and would this ritual be all that draining? Sloth is our vice after all. How long would asking Shereen take? I'd like to do the ritual but if the Shereen thing can be done within five minutes it can be done before the ritual.

I don't want to wait too long to start, we did good getting here but the guards might get lucky if given a few hours. Best get this done before they have a chance to roll their dice and find us.

>>4299017
Oh, and I think the anon was asking about Shereen and why she tried to kill the fucker, not us asking why we stopped her.

>>4299007
What she thinks, though >>4299020 brings up the other good option. I want her to think about it, so she has a chance to see our reasoning before we outright tell her.

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>>4299017
>So the contract states that she can't/won't involve herself directly or interfere with the "players" of which we can assume we're one of?
Mmhm.
>Are we all that exhausted or tired and would this ritual be all that draining?
Only Shereen looks a bit drained, otherwise, everyone is good. Mina promises that you'd be able to choose how much mana you spend on the ritual and creating it will only need a small amount from you and Shereen.
>How long would asking Shereen take? I'd like to do the ritual but if the Shereen thing can be done within five minutes it can be done before the ritual.
Asking her this >>4298994 ? It won't be that time consuming, I'll just have to write an update based on this answer.

>>4299027
If it won't take long it's fine. Plus it might help re-center her emotionally. Again, we can spare five minutes, but after that I *really* want to get started on this ritual.

Having a sprite scout will help immensely in stealth as it'd basically give us wall hacks with the guards. Making even total stealth scrubs like us into friggin' master thieves. A full battle manifestation would cost enough to rule out a fusion on our end but I bet Mina can fly and even Gardy can't. Thus, versus the enemy angel, it'd be better for us if she was on the field instead. Especially if we get Elina back before then so they could double team his ass. Any way to send her a message? Like, "watch out for other angels" or something?

>>4299038
Outside very strong emotions, there's no way to communicate with Elina.

Rolled 49 (1d100)

.

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''I think it's worth a try.'' Klesiah didn't try to voice her desire but it was obvious that she wanted to start this ritual for the sake of her spirit companion. ''I'd like a breather first, I think we all deserve a little rest.'' It was obvious that Shereen would need some encouragement but you also felt lethargic, thirsty, and hungry. You didn't eat anything since breakfast and the hours that following your arrival in Myrtidal had been more than active enough to demand a little recharge.

The heat in the room was irritatingly stifling. You and the girls (beside Hildegarde) were drenched in sweat despite not even being under the sun, being trapped in this room wasn't helping but... the silver lining was that you genuinely appreciated having everyone close.

''How are things looking out there?'' Zhu asked the stoic maid who hadn't budged a muscle.

''Busy,'' Hildegarde reply was dry of emotions. ''Guards are forcing people back, telling them not to worry while looking around again, they've begun to walk around in squads of four of five so they're taking a while to get anywhere. At least this street of ours seems a low priority.'' Walking around in broad daylight won't be helpful that's for sure, words will likely spread throughout the entire city about your group... maybe it already had.

Hopefully, your smokescreen also prevented any potential aerial eye from deducing your position.

''Shereen, I'd like to talk about what happened.'' There wasn't a better time than now, the events of what happened with that boy mage were still fresh. Your little sun stiffened and stubbornly looked away. ''Why do you think I stopped you from killing that boy?''

''Huh?'' That wasn't the answer she expected, her ears jumping upright proved that. ''What do you... Ah...'' She shook her head. ''I don't know?'' She'd rather not think about it, that was clear enough.

''Are you sure?'' Her lips tightened at your question and your gaze idly drifted toward Klesiah, you were honestly tempted to ask her why she felt so strongly about stopping Shereen too.

''I... gave in to rage, and that affected my magic. It wasn't... Taking a life shouldn't be done so casually.'' She spoke in a mixture of shame and irritation, almost like a child who didn't want to admit they've done wrong but her true feelings were different: she was trying her best to hide her shame.

''Little punk deserved it.'' Zhu grunted her comments. ''The only lives that matter are the ones you can defend with your own hands, some rapist abusing daddy money to get girls aint something give two shit about.''

That wasn't helping, Zhu. Thankfully, Shereen didn't look convinced and shook her head at her taller, stronger Moon.

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''I lost control, it's a danger of Blood Magic. I never experienced it before though, it's the first time I felt so angry...'' Without Horkus and a surplus of corruption influencing her mind, this intense rage was part of Shereen as a person. ''...Killing without a cool head isn't good huh?'' She asked quietly, looking to you and Klesiah.

''You've yet to stain your hands in blood Shereen.'' Klesiah commented gently. ''I don't think killing anyone is a reality you have to accept. If you can avoid it... do so.'' Your paladin ended without adding anything else and Shereen appreciated not being drowned in morality. She had the capacity to kill, that was undeniably proven

''I... I'll confess to something.'' Your little sun raised herself on her knees, furred hand grasping at her pants. ''I... during our time in Muribel, I've honestly grown to hate the people here. Everywhere we look we see lethargic city-goers submissively allowing the guards to do whatever they want, the guards themselves act like robber barons taking advantage of pathetic, meek people and the only ones who seem ready to resist have banded together in a cult!'' She shook her head in frustration, tail slapping angrily. ''We're not even outlanders yet people look at us like lepers, everyone insults us under their breath, change street and would be robbing us if they could yet the majority just let time go by as if they were useless statues, plants to be cultivated or something...''

Shereen lowered her head, ears drooping on her hair.
''I know that, logically, the people have probably been repressed hard enough to just... find some harmony in their sorrow but I just kept feeling angry as we walked so when that guy harmed that little girl and I understood what he implied I just...'' She didn't need to say anything else. Hopefully, that explosion of rage gave her some catharsis. ''I hate this city. I really do. I know I shouldn't have such disdain for people's lives... But something here is just wrong!''

Myrtidal was a sharp contrast to Marleon and Throne Town, it really felt like a semi-dead city with people just going through the motions of life instead of being vibrant like the capitals you've visited.

Perhaps Shereen will be able to change her opinion once this entire mess is over for now though, her anger didn't have any outlet and it seems that she was the kind to throw anger right back when it came to her.

''I've seen people living similarly in some towns of the Allied Kingdoms.'' Hildegarde suddenly said without moving from her position. ''Milady felt compassion for all the unfortunate souls at first, up until she realized that they'd take charity and gobble it all down without trying to improve themselves and beg for more once resources dry up. Hate is perhaps too strong an emotion for Myrtidal people, but I don't think we ought to sympathize with them either.'' There she turned to gaze at everyone, cold steel red gaze locking on Shereen eyes.

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''Leena said something interesting when you were about to kill that boy. The world itself is destroying him; perhaps a similar logic can be applied to Myrtidal because of the witch game.''

''What, you mean we oughta become villains or something?'' Zhu asked.

''No, I just think we shouldn't be afraid to cause a little collateral damage if we have to. What happens afterward depends on the people here, not us. The witch is unlikely to be the only infection.'' Hildegarde statement was pure ice. No disdain, no anger.

''That's...'' Klesiah tried a rebuttal but grew silent, and that silence stretched for a long minute. Your paladin was the one with the most experience of Myrtidal people and she hasn't once said anything positive about them; her heart might have hardened after being kidnapped but that gentle, idealistic core had remained. Perhaps that was answer enough.

This... certainly wasn't how you expected this discussion to go. So far you've gotten lucky in the game: ignoring the pulse of Ama resonance when you entered the city might have been unwise, but you managed to find Klesiah and actually get a lead on the Cat after using your pearl without being dragged by the guards into a conflict but now, who knows how things will turn out?

Perhaps it's time for Shereen -and your- hearts to harden. Stopping her from killing that boy in a fit of rage had been the right thing to do, that's what you want to believe, but keeping such idealism might not be enough to win Ama game...

After all, it won't end in Myrtidal. There's still the trouble in Marleon to worry about.

>''I disagree, Hildegarde. We've been dragged into an ugly situation because of that fox, it doesn't mean the people have to pay the price.'' [Show your little sun that someone here can be a little idealistic.]

>'' When a hurricane ravages a town, it is the duty of the people to help each other. Perhaps it's time for folks here to learn this... but we shouldn't go out of our way to harm anyone.'' [Accepting a little pragmatism will only be beneficial.]

>''I think we should learn more about Myrtidal before coming to a conclusion about the people. There's a strange phenomenon infecting the city, I believe there's something going on that... might have a hand in the people's state of lethargy. Only then will it be fair to actually make a conclusion about the people here.'' [Fairness... justice, pragmatism whatever words are used to comfort one heart are nothing next to the truth. Show Shereen that, above all, this is what you believe to matter more.]

>Free

After this choice, would you guys like to proceed with Mina ritual?

>>4299732
Can the state of the other planes affect the attitudes, emotions, and dispositions of people not particularly attuned to them? If shit was going down in the red world would that affect people? That strange webbing we saw blanketing the town, what plane was that in and could that also turn normal people into lethargic assholes if they didn't know and thus weren't trying to resist the effects?

Damnit, if only we had a library here. Too bad Shereen doesn't seem too knowledgeable on this front.

>>4299759
Oh, and yeah, proceed with the ritual after this. We need that sprite scout at the very least if we all wanna stealth our way to the church.

The guards are pretty much evil so stealth killing a few of them if necessary wouldn't be too bad right?

>>4299732
>Free
>"What do you think, Shereen?" Perhaps it is better to let Shereen work this out herself.

Hmm. Personally I feel quite indifferent about Myrtidal and it's people. From what I gather this situation has been brewing even before Ari'el set up shop near the city, which just further marks the situation as Myrtidal's problem. And while I do think that the web we saw while using the Pearl is part of it, I can't see Myrtidal's situation being our problem *beyond* Ama's game, let it reach a conclusion naturally - if it can, that is.

You're free to use this as a write-in if you want, Insert. I'd phrase it as such but it's late for me and trying to wrangle my thoughts into an actual vote would take me a bit too long

Oh, and we might as well proceed with the ritual, yes.

>>4299759
>Can the state of the other planes affect the attitudes, emotions, and dispositions of people not particularly attuned to them?
Yes. But not at all on a large scale, at least, as far as Arawn knows.
>If shit was going down in the red world would that affect people?
It would heavily depend on what's happening but yes. It's possible that the red World could affect people, as far as Arawn known thanks to Gardy tutelage, if say, hundreds of thousands of Red world entities would sacrifice themselves inside people's souls, it's possible that a crow would feel unusual excitement and energy. However this rarely last on its own, the alternate dimension can ''leak'' in people mood this way but it's only on the short term, usually lasting an hour or two.
>That strange webbing we saw blanketing the town, what plane was that in and could that also turn normal people into lethargic assholes if they didn't know and thus weren't trying to resist the effects?
Hm, that could make an interesting discussion huh? Answering that would be a full choice.

>>4299764
>The guards are pretty much evil so stealth killing a few of them if necessary wouldn't be too bad right?
Only you can answer that.

>>4299777
Duly noted. I'll take this as a vote.

I'll proceed with the only choice I have in around 15 minutes.

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Hm, this is looking like another long one. Probably safer to say that I'll either post later tonight or tomorrow. Sorry, I didn't plan how those answers would expand!

>>4299875
It still won't be taking up a bunch of time will it? I'm paranoid and the sooner we get this ritual started and finished the less our chances of getting interrupted or detected by either the guards or the cultists (both of whom will be out for our heads).

>>4299887
How long it'll take is variable since you'll have the opportunity to do a few things.

>>4299888
One of those things is going right into the ritual right? Other questions can wait until that's done.

>>4299892
Mmhm, I'm having fun writing the thing so I've decided to indulge a bit instead of pumping out something quick.

>>4299897
I just thought of two things. First, I think Arawn personally values the truth of things over pragmatism or idealism as I think that's what Gardy would be more about. He might lean a bit more towards idealism while we lean a bit more pragmatism, but overall the "truth" is what matters most to both of us. Still, it would also be fitting for us to see what Shereen thinks independent of our input. We pushed Klesiah to be more independent, and I don't think we'd want Shereen to become as such herself. We are, after all, just about the last true friend she has left thanks to Banu cutting a deal with the Fluffy Devil.

Secondly, this was a safe house recommended to us by the Kamen Rider wannabe magitek master. This place might be friggin' bugged. Can't exactly go around checking now as we wouldn't even know what to look for but I bet the fucker's listening in on us right now. Oh well, if he's an "ally of justice" the revelation that Klesiah's housing a shard of a goddess he ought to revere himself should keep him right where he said he'd be.

Still wanting to do the ritual ASAP given that shit. Sooner we can stealth our way into a meeting with him the better. Best case scenario is we secure him as an ally, get to wait until Elina gets here, and murderize an angelic demagogue before/as we fix this extra planar web problem. Perhaps convert this whole city to the worship of Mother Earth too. That'd make Klesiah and the Shard happy I'd bet. Hell, might even disrupt the coma fog ritual and/or enable Big Mother E to shut Solemnval down as we make our way back to Marleon. Multiple issues solved all at once. We can dream of best ends baby!

>>4300100
Shit, I meant to say that we pushed Klesiah to not be dependent on us and we'd probably not want Shereen to become dependent as a result of that. I gotta sleep now.

>>4300100
>>4300101
You're putting things nicely. I would have posted tonight but a big headache sorta ruined my plans. We'll see what happen tomorrow.

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''What do you think, Shereen? You're my Sun, none of us have lived in your country.''

''Aah...'' The way her ears went up and down made it obvious this was another case of you taking her by surprise. Under everyone's gaze, the shut-in princess squirmed for a moment, closed her eyes, and began thinking.

Five minutes of silence under the stifling heat of Muribel was all she needed to make up her mind.

''The guards are our enemies and do not deserve mercy.'' In a rare instance of complete composure, Shereen spoke firmly, eyes settling on you. ''If they get in the way, kill them. The people... I want to leave them alone. I want nothing to do with any of them but if our struggle needs us to get into a house or something, then beat anyone who resists into submission. The cultists aren't any better than the guards so... let's do what we can to win this game, but at least avoid launching spells into someone house.''

A good enough compromise. You owe nothing to Myrtidal people and for the length of this game, they shouldn't try to interfere.

''Sounds good,'' Hildegarde said, closing the topic. Knowing the group shared a single mindset was a good thing, slowly but surely, Shereen heart was hardening.

However, your mind kept drifting into that surreal experience when Mina guided you inside that alternate dimension, that strange web was similar to Mother Earth golden phenomenon but the goddess miracle was a beautiful canvas of gold that traveled the length of Throne Town whilst this imitation was akin to choking wild herbs growing out of control, crawling up buildings and roads with two unexplainable nexuses inside the mansion of the duchess and the church... Seriously, what was that?

''Should we do that ritual?'' Shereen said, shaking you out of your thought.

''Yeah, let's do it.''

Enough sitting around.

--

Joining your magical flow with Shereen was an experience you quietly relished. The natural way it occurred, how Blood and Soul magic mingled so perfectly filled you with content harmony as Shereen emotions began to quietly splash into your soul. Having spoken earlier and settled her mind had helped immensely in avoiding magical complications. Your steel veins glowered quietly on your skin, your fingers interlocked with your little sun furred hand. Her body was also alight in a quiet red glow, she looked at you smiling in silent, understanding contentment as both of you felt the natural tide of your magic.

''Are you guys ready?'' Klesiah words came with a strangely uncharacteristic wave of amusement as she observed you and Shereen, her emotion quickly changed into a gentle, inviting warmth. She too had embraced Focus, the luster of bluish-purple on her skin accompanied her hair magnificently.

Hildegarde had covered the window with her body, standing so motionless that she'd likely be mistaken as a forgotten curtain, and Zhu sat in front of the closed door.

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''Yeah.'' You answered your knight. ''We won't need to go into a trance and internalize?''

''No, Mina will need to manifest in the world so it's important to keep our wits. You two need to make another bridge, with me. Mina tells me that it would be possible to make a threeway path because of our link, Arawn.''

''O-oh that sounds exciting,'' Shereen commented.

''Mmhm... as always, consent and concentration are needed. Please welcome me.'' Gently, she extended her hands for you and Shereen to grasp and a triangle was formed.

At first finding equilibrium was difficult. Your link with Klesiah made you particularly sensitive to her general mindset and now the flow of her magic made for a constant rush of excitement that, you realize, was purely the essence of Klesiah magical nature. Lightning was energy, lightning jolted and exploded, always moving forward and that... at least a part of this made Klesiah essence.

''O-oh?'' Shereen trembled as she shared your sensations and in contrast, the inner calm and serenity that was your magical flow with your little sun create a blossom of tranquility inside Klesiah soul.

''Ah...'' Your knight squeezed your and Shereen hands, fingers interlocking solidly. ''...This is so nice.'' Klesiah absentmindedly leaned forward, stopping short of putting her forehead on your shoulder. ''I wouldn't mind... doing this often.''

Such closeness of emotions was an experience indeed, no jealousy, no anger, no hatred, all three of you indulged in sheer positiveness and almost intimate closeness almost without physical touches...

''Wrap your arms around them and give your girls a big hug, Arawn.'' Zhu teased, chuckling when Shereen and Klesiah jumped in perfect synchronicity after realizing what she just said.

''T-that's...'' Klesiah was too embarrassed to say anything
''You're not feeling any shame?'' Shereen looked at you in plain accusation.

Everyone hands were still joined together so you squeezed both girls. ''I'm no liar.'' You responded casually, looking away.

Damn it, Zhu.

''L-Let's start.'' Klesiah cleared her throat. ''Sorry for getting carried away, this was a unique experience.'' One that she would like to continue, for her feelings were honest. ''You two will be able to feel Mina presence now...''

Slowly, gently, inch by inch a new presence added itself into the flow of your joined magic, a quiet yet perceptible thing like a different color of water added into the collective river. As always, consent was needed for this manifestation to progress into you then Shereen... It wasn't intense enough to be felt however, there was no bleedthrough effect or hints about its emotions, but you consciously understood its presence and existence.

In the same way that Gardy imposed his distance.

''Ooh... Hm, so she's here.'' Shereen started, obviously fascinated.
''Now, channel a little bit of magic into me... No need to overdo it okay?'' Klesiah continued, obviously following the instruction of her spirit.

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You and Shereen let out a tiny bubble of your respective magic that gently flowed into Klesiah energetic flow... Mina appeared slowly, emerging out of Klesiah body for the second time today. She flowed out harmoniously, a gorgeous multicolored entity that, despite a lack of mouth, nose, and much of a face, showed inviting warmth in multicolored eyes. Floating quietly in the middle of your makeshift triangle, visible trails of colors traveled into the middle of her chest; a spiraling blue-ish purple came out of Klesiah, a steel column flowed out of you and a red river identified Shereen.

''She's smaller than earlier.'' You hadn't realized it at first but when the divine ghost allowed herself to float on the ground, her height had grown similar to Shereen instead of being a head taller.

''One pearl alone wasn't entirely sufficient for her ritual.'' Klesiah explained, throwing Mina a glare and the colorful woman returned the gesture with a playful head tilt.

''How can we help her?''

''Blood and soul are two primal parts of magic.'' Klesiah cleared her throat, pausing her sentences as she relayed her spirit words. ''You and Shereen have almost created a temporary link because of your intertwined magical natures and since we, Arawn, have a genuine one and we've now joined flows, I'll be able to give you my magical energy then you and Klesiah can transform it into genuine, pure, raw organic magical energy that can be fed into Mina.''

''Does that mean that I could... siphon magic from someone?''

''Yes.'' Klesiah nodded. ''Although you'd need to join magical flows or have a soul link to make it happen... Mina tell me you'd be able to replenish your reserves from someone else''

A reverse way to use your battery and much more limiting.

You have discovered the spell Magical Siphon.
This spell allows you to absorb magic from a willing person, you need a soul-link or joined magical flows to make it happen.

''Could we use our reserves to help your friend?'' Shereen asked.
''Of course.'' Klesiah smiled, she was growing genuinely fond of Shereen.
''How much do you intend to give?'' You asked, keeping your eyes on the spirit. Mina truly was a fascinating... woman? Can't go calling her a thing, she's looking decisively human. She seemed to enjoy your attention because she gave her hair a familiar swooshing and tried her best to hold a dignified pose.

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''Hmm...'' Your paladin didn't miss where your attention was going. ''...as much as I can.''

''Oi, hold on now. That's too much.'' You immediately protest. Klesiah battle style was a marriage of lightning and excellent martial qualities, diminishing that isn't wise!

''I don't need much magic to be effective.'' Your paladin replied, leaning a little closer whilst her guardian sat quietly on the ground. ''Mina can put it to much better use, trust me.''

''I do, but...'' You couldn't find a retort.

It's a good thing you've gotten very good at measuring. You should be able to measure what the girls, and yourself are willing to give...

>Because of your advanced perk, your measuring roll won't be needed. For simplicity, we'll function with a % of magic to give Mina. (Not something that I will allow often because I dislike giving magical reserves hard numbers.)

Klesiah wants to give 90% of her entire reserve.
Shereen wants to give 50% of what she has now.
Arawn will give 20% of his reserves.
This will rejuvenate half of Mina soul.

Negotiating how many things the girls give is, of course, possible and Arawn magical nature work much more effectively in rejuvenating Mina.

The default option will be

>[90%(Klesiah)/50%(Shereen)/20%(Arawn)

>>4300669
Bah, I've no patience to be negotiating or debating this. I'll vote for the default option.

>>4300669
Default works for me.
if Mina manages to survive a little bit longer we could use the travel time back to the capital, or any pearls of power we find to regenerate Mana and feed it some of it to Mina in preparation for the upcoming fight

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>>4300719
>>4300698
Hm, interesting. Time to continue doesn't seem like we'll have anons change their minds.

>>4300726
I had doctor related things that needed doing, I'd prefer Klesiah only give 75%, and we increase to 40%. Assuming this is our CURRENT reserves.

>>4300761
Votes have already been locked and I'll post soon, you'll get a better idea about everyone reserve.

The default option isn't going to put you at a nasty disadvantage, Klesiah will have to concentrate more on melee instead of her magic and enchanting her glaive or sword is natural for her, she'd be able to keep it all day despite functioning at 10% fuel.

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''Okay.'' Arguing will be a waste of time. ''Let's take it slow, make sure we don't waste a single drop of magical energy.'' Squeezing the girl's hands earned you an invasive feeling of elation.

The next hour went by quickly despite the slow, meticulous dedication you imposed on the girls. Feeling Klesiah lightning energy enter your own body properly was an experience you found to be particularly exciting since her magic always tied with ''energy'' it meant that your entire body felt healthier, ready to move at a moment notice, demanding constant discipline on your part to avoid doing something embarrassing like pulling the girls in a hug.

Creating ''pure'', magical energy -mana, as Mina put it- was something you'd love to study further whenever you can. Klesiah electricity was wrapped in layers upon layers of your and Shereen nature, breaking down the very identity of your knight (who willingly let go, undeniably the most important part) creating pure, raw, magical potential. Wrapping it in a fragile protective membrane of blood and soul magic allowed Mina to absorb her host magic who was very willing to give... Too much for your comfort but you knew better than anyone how much Klesiah wanted to help this hard... no, this companion.

It'd be better to think of Mina that way. Anything else would be an insult to Klesiah emotions.

With a firm, fair hand you guided the girl's flow of magic since you were the nexus of it all. Shereen gave generously, you kept yourself back, concentrating on creating this pure ''paste'' instead of emptying too much of your reserves and as the minutes progressed, as energy slowly but surely visibly crawled up the steel road that your connection to Mina.

Changes came to Mother Earth divine helper. Her height returned to its original state (even becoming a little more curvaceous, too). The constant changing variance of colors in her hair changed with more energy, glowing in mixtures of gold, green, red, purple at different intensity and her warm gaze remained intense and gentle despite losing one-third of her eyes length. Once everything came to an end in comfortable silence, Mina put her hand on her face (her skin, you noticed, had changed from glittering gold into a paler shade) and let go after a few seconds. A cute little nose was added on her face and her general features had become more angular -personal- instead of the general sharp, yet abstract geometry that previously occupied her face.

Somehow, what was already a gorgeous colorful spirit became even prettier.

''Ah...'' Klesiah sighed in genuine worry, rubbing her face to peel off sweat and a little trickle coming out of her eye. ''...You'll be able to fight again and finally, I don't need to worry about you going away in a day or two.''

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The shard didn't answer with words. One of her fists shone in glittering gold and then a manifestation expanded out of it, creating a recurved shape - a bow- and her second hand created an arrow in the ether of the world. ''Bow and fists.'' The spirit voice spoke gently, a voice of morning dew, of a mother standing in the wheat of midday summer...

''Mina, I'd like to say something.'' Slowly, the joining of flow between you and the girls came ending to everyone's reluctance. The standing multicolored woman gazed at you silently. ''I'm probably putting my nose where it doesn't belong but I know -and so do you- that Klesiah truly cares about you, she thinks you a friend and companion, you've stood with her for an entire year where nobody else could.'' You've understood that intimately now because of this ritual. Klesiah poured so, so much of herself not out of devotion to Mother Earth alone, but sincere friendship. ''I think you should take your survival more seriously now that we've made sure you won't dissipate on us this soon. Perhaps you are a tool of the goddess but here, amongst us, I'd like it if everyone here thought you a companion... so that means if one of us gets in danger, we're all going to help no matter what.''

Klesiah let out the most adorable of squeak.

''Heh! Yeah, that sounds good.'' Zhu chuckled loudly. ''Keep a full tank rainbow gal cause I'd love to find out what ya can do with them fists once were done here, Rainbow Gal.''

''Hm, I'll admit I was a little lukewarm on your existence, divine elemental...'' The maid commented much more quietly, gazing at Klesiah and Mina in turn. ''...But I'd be insulting milady by remained cold-hearted. do remain whole, my charge will undeniably want to ask you all kind of things.''

''Ah that-'' Unfortunately something interrupted Shereen.

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A loud noise downstair revealed sudden intruders, the door sounded like it was opened with a kick! The spirit immediately retreated inside Klesiah and nobody moved, thankfully, the stone ground wouldn't be creaking and giving away your position.

''So, this is the abandoned place?'' A muffled voice came from downstairs. This wasn't a big house after all.
''What do you think? Locals said it was abandoned and there's nobody.'' Another voice, deeper, replied. Heavy metals boots resounded, by your count, there were only two of them... impossible to know if more were outside, Hildegarde wasn't about to start moving now.
''Well, go upstairs.''
''No, you go.''
''Fuck off, hobos always use these abandoned rooms, I don't wanna smell another faceful of shit.''
''Need the Eternal wiping your ass while you're at it? Fucking hell, always pulling teeth with you. Let's throw a coin.''

Zhu was on her feet, having undeniably reinforced her body and held the door: the guards downstair continued to bicker for a few seconds... what should you do?

>Tell Zhu to ambush the guard the moment she gets upstairs.

>Have everyone remain completely silent and help Zhu keep the door blocked, perhaps they'd believe this room was barred by some kind of furniture...

>Free.

Klesiah reserves are almost spent, as expected. Shereen magical flow found serenity in becoming a lake, Arawn assume she has 1/3 of her reserves left. As for our elf, he<s left with 1/2 of his reserves.

>>4300802
Hmmm, Mina can become a sprite and spy for us right? Look like a bug and/or go through walls or something correct? If so, can't she scout this and, thanks to her link with Klesiah, tell us who/what just barged in here and if more are waiting outside instantly? If we act fast they'll probably go 2 out of 3 coin flips, bicker a bit, then one will move up here. Giving us like a minute or so to act on the info.

If its guards and we have to kill them we have to make sure nobody sees or hears us doing it. This house will make a nice place to hide a few bodies for a day or so before the errr... smell alerts the neighbors/guards. Can that window be opened? Just planning for the future here.

>>4300811
>Hmmm, Mina can become a sprite and spy for us right? Look like a bug and/or go through walls or something correct?
Not bug sized, smallest she can get is a sparrow so in tight enclosure she can get spotted. She can go through small walls though, and literally phase into them too.
>Can that window be opened?

Too small to fit a full-body, you'll need to bust through. Zhu and Hildegarde are strong enough for that but they'll need to work up a bit of sweat.
Also, the guards will only do one coin toss so if you want to send Mina scouting, the choice will default to this
>Have everyone remain completely silent and help Zhu keep the door blocked, perhaps they'd believe this room was barred by some kind of furniture...

>>4300802
>Have everyone remain completely silent and help Zhu keep the door blocked, perhaps they'd believe this room was barred by some kind of furniture...

>>4300815
Send her scouting then. Does Klesiah's soul reinforcement take magic? If we help Zhu we'd have to embrace focus again and they may have magic detectors. How fast can she scout? Like, could she pop up above the house really fast to see if more are outside, then pop back in and keep an eye on the guard coming up here? Klesiah can relay orders to her can't she? Have her act like our own personal camspy with noclip hax?

>>4300819
Oh, also, if it comes down to it, would Zhu's sword make a ton of noise if used to cut a large circle out of the outer wall for a more silent and less showy egress from the house?

>>4300802
>Have everyone remain completely silent and help Zhu keep the door blocked, perhaps they'd believe this room was barred by some kind of furniture...

They are probably going to try and kick the door open again if they find it jammed, so Zhu should probably be on the side of the door without hinges so she can step out of the way then she should have direct access when it opens, someone should also be looking for a way onto the roof, or outside if possible.

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>4300819
>Does Klesiah's soul reinforcement take magic?
Not for her, Mina trained her to do it without needing magic.
> How fast can she scout? Like, could she pop up above the house really fast to see if more are outside, then pop back in and keep an eye on the guard coming up here?
Mina scouting radius is pretty large, she'll easily be able to look around the house.
>Klesiah can relay orders to her can't she?
Yeah.
>Oh, also, if it comes down to it, would Zhu's sword make a ton of noise if used to cut a large circle out of the outer wall for a more silent and less showy egress from the house?
Yeah it would. That sword isn't quiet unless used for quick strikes.

Scouting + blocking the door it is.

>>4300830
Oh shit, who was that roll for?

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''Have Mina take a look outside.'' You spoke so quietly that you wondered if Klesiah even heard you. Thankfully her companion silently emerged out of her body, looking so adorably small that she'd easily be able to stand in the palm of your hand; her natural bright colors changing into more organic, sad gray. She flew toward the window, easily wiggling around Hildegarde's clothes.

A moment later, Klesiah voiced a silent ''none.''

You stood beside Zhu, both of you sharing a silent acknowledgment, your body heavily reinforced itself as usual as you stood beside your companion, both of you trying to do your best to mimic some kind of furniture.

''Maaan...''You heard the five steps the guard needed to make it up into the tiny corridor. You heard the opposite door open.

''Fuck sake!'' A loud slam followed. ''Nobody here but shit! Told you damn it!''

''Whatever.'' Was the muffled response from downstair.

Zhu gripped the handle with such intensity you feared it would break.

''What? It's locked?'' Nothing budged when the guard gripped the door handle. She gave it a few more tries without coming any closer to success.

''Bust it open!'' Came the voice from her comrade.

''How about you bust your ass and do it?'' Was the guardswoman irritated reply. However, the noise of her moving boots didn't herald a retreat. A solid kick on the old wooden door rattled its entire frame but it held on. Another happened without warning, stronger than the last, provoking a thump loud enough to be heard outside.

''Door stuck man, fucking hell.''

''What, you really think the previous owners decided to block this thing with a shelve or something and left?'' The reply from downstair was accompanied by metal steps climbing the stairs.

Bang! Another kick, the door still held... However, if her friend joins, that won't last. You saw the now tiny Mina float out of the floor, curling her fingers into a silent ''0'' to put further emphasis on Klesiah previous comment.

So, you can be confident about the lack of guards.

>Hold on a little longer. These two don't see the stubborn or dutiful type, maybe they'll give up after a few more kicks.

>Entrap them. Once they wind up for their kicks, drag them in the room and kill them as swiftly as possible.

>Free.

>>4300873
Hmmm... Killing the guards won't go unnoticed as when they fail to return from their patrol more will inevitably come here.

What kind of monsters are they? Can Mina create sounds, mimic the voices of others, make illusions, or cause people to fall asleep? Did they leave the front door open?

>>4300873
>Entrap them. Once they wind up for their kicks, drag them in the room and kill them as swiftly as possible.

Can we at least take them captive instead / before deciding on killing them.

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>>4300854
I decided to be cheeky and
Roll for the durability of the door.

>>4300883
>What kind of monsters are they?
Can't know without speaking and it's too dangerous to communicate without being overheard.
>Can Mina create sounds.
Yup.
>Mimic the voices of others, make illusions, or cause people to fall asleep?
No to everything.
>Did they leave the front door open?
This info is possible to know thanks to soul link + reading Klesiah lips. (Knowing what type of Mamonos the guards need a bit more precision)

>>4300884
Yes, it'll mean a slightly more difficult dc since subduing is always harder.
1d20 once we get an agreement, as always.

>>4300891
Hmmm...then, if it's open, can Mina slam it shut? Might get them to leave.

>>4300896
Slam the entrance door or the door in the room Zhu used?

>>4300898
Entrance door. Hopefully, It'd make them think someone was here and then made a break for it. Actually, even if it wasn't open or partially open it could be opened hard to slam open giving the same impression. She can vanish/return to Klesiah at will right?

>>4300903
>She can vanish/return to Klesiah at will right?
Yeah.
So a vote to
>Communicate with Mina and trick the guards by slamming the entrance door.

Hm... That won't need a roll. Wether it work or nto remain to be seen.

>>4300904
Gotta think outside the box if ya wanna win. No offense, but your usual texts aren't very inventive. I'm guessing that's by design as you'd rather us try and be clever.

>>4300906
Yeah, custom choices are always better, it shows that Arawn isn't that straightforward of a guy, even if the girls like that about him.

And my choices tend to be popular with you guys sometimes!

I'll give this one a longer wait before breaking the tie, might be that nobody is here to roll tonight too.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4300884
>>4300904
Alright, let's see how this goes. If we land on the rolling option then I'll likely need to wait for a true tiebreaker in the form of a player roll to confirm things.

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>>4300919
That doesn't close the other option, too.

>>4300923
So someone can still side with me and do the trick option right?

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>>4300927
Yeah. Or you can roll to get things going but this is a good excuse to stop for tonight anyway.

I'll start writing when we get our tiebreaker.

>>4300930
I still wanna do the trick. Best case they leave, worst case they get distracted which makes the stealth kill easier.

>>4300873
>Communicate with Mina and trick the guards by slamming the entrance door.

Jeez, make up your mind

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>>4300936
Rude.
I think I have it in me to make one last post later tonight, you guys will be free to answer tomorrow.

>>4300942
Oh, a quick clarification for future reference. You said that the Zhu's sword is quiet in regards to quick strikes. So screw a nice even circle, say she were to cut a quick diamond into the outer wall with heavy slashes fueled by a (sadly) potent memory. Would that be quiet?

"Flashy" doesn't much matter during daytime and I assume it'd emit a good amount of light but hey, sunny day means even your average "bright" flashlight doesn't exactly do much.

>>4301123
Oh, I just got a rather nasty idea. How fast is Mina? Can she "blink" if ya know what I mean and is that "cheap" for her? Because if all that is what I'm hoping ho boy am I sporting a most sinister smile. I'm too tired to type out the plan I got but let's just say we can scatter quite the number of guards so long as we avoid killing.

I'm a fan of stealth games and Mina has the potential to be total hax now that she's been refueled. Hax we need to even the odds as every other player seems to have one. Kamen Rider wannabe is, well, Kamen Rider. Noble has the Guards and essentially infinite money. Demagogue Angel can fly, is an Angel, and has a cultist network. We had a pearl that we spent and (unknown to any of the others) a shard of a literal goddess and the ability to recharge it and ourselves to enable a manifestation of an embodiment.

Eh, another pertinent question, say we overcast. Is the amount of leeching required to prevent it proportional to the degree? Like, say we went for mid-tier fusion in a most favorable/desperate situation as we are now. Could we drain Shereen to within an inch of her overcasting to prevent it? Could she opt to overcast in our stead without the risk of dying?

>>4301123
>You said that the Zhu's sword is quiet in regards to quick strikes. So screw a nice even circle, say she were to cut a quick diamond into the outer wall with heavy slashes fueled by a (sadly) potent memory. Would that be quiet?
Yeah but her mindset and the thickness of the wall are going to matter a great deal, she's been making that sword sing but activating it to cut a wall is not at all an easy endeavor.

>>4301134
>How fast is Mina?
On average? She can keep up with angels.
>Can she "blink"
If you mean short-range teleportation, that's not possible for her. She can phase through thin walls or meld inside of one and ''swim'' in it when she's sparrow-sized. A blink is just a dash with her.

>Eh, another pertinent question, say we overcast. Is the amount of leeching required to prevent it proportional to the degree?
Actually preventing Overcast by leeching magic will be something to test for yourself because Arawn hasn't come across that knowledge.
>Could we drain Shereen to within an inch of her overcasting to prevent it? Could she opt to overcast in our stead without the risk of dying?
Two very interesting questions that I can't answer. Good to keep in mind if you can ever test it...

>>4301152
>Mina can keep up with angels
Hell yeah! That's all I needed to hear in regards to the coming boss fight with Ari'el and my own vile and devious plans. Total freak outs are now officially on the table! Especially if the Cult of Zerase has blinded them to how a true goddess looks or can operate. Muahahaha!

As for Zhu, damnit, seems she doesn't get how powerful that artifact potentially is despite her ability to wield it. It's an artifact of Justice/Order that she can use despite being a hardcore "Chaotic" character. Cutting a stone wall about an inch thick at most like it's nothing ought to be nothing given that frame of reference.

Damnit Zhu, you embrace Chaos in all other things, why not embrace the possibility that your sword cares not one shit about whether or not you're trying to cut organic/living matter vs. non-living/inorganic matter? Khorne might give a shit but that doesn't mean you (and, by extension, your sword) have to!

>>4301164
>As for Zhu, damnit, seems she doesn't get how powerful that artifact potentially is despite her ability to wield it.
Remember the baths when she talked about her sword? Zhu needs to embrace a specific mindset to activate it. She needs to feel a very, very intense desire to murder whoever or whatever she faces, it's a combination of extreme hatred and anger that is genuinely hard to grasp and sometimes the intensity varies. Remember that some foes seemed to fall like puppets without strings whilst the bandits attacking Klesiah were literally torn to shreds?

The fact she was able to break the doors for your sneaking mission in the church speaks volumes about her self-control. The Embodiment of Justice sword is a finicky thing, it's hard to want to murder a wall.

>>4301177
>Hard to want to murder a wall
I'd want to murder it nice, quick and quiet like if it meant that it maximized the survival chances of those I felt near and dear.

Quick and silent egress could and perhaps may well matter a whole lot to her now. She values us, our blueberry knight, Shereen/her new sun, and now the shard (albeit because, like any true Khornate Berserker, she's relishing the prospect of fighting her in the name of the Blood God).

She's got the motivation if it comes down to it. But hopefully that motivation can either be saved for later or channeled into a quick and easy double stealth kill. If Mina distracts/freaks them out enough it'd all be over with but a single swing of her holy sword.

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>>4301188
You've started to know how she ticks, that blade is mighty useful indeed but the situation of its activation always matter. The biggest reason why she was able to activate it during the sneaking mission is because being with Arawn again made her so happy that she got genuinely murderously enraged at a door ending her fun.

If you want her to slash a wall, engineer the situation so that it'd resonate with her emotionally if you want success.

>>4301205
I can and will try if and when it comes up once again. Might need to explain to her why Ari'el is bad news in regards to our survival chances. We, even with the shard able to fight, do *not* want to fight him now. At all, even if we could land a total blindside ambush opportunity somehow.

Only once Elina is with us do we want to even consider picking a fight with that fucker as only with her, Zhu, and the Shard can we engineer a scenario where we can likely win even if the dice gods frown upon us (i.e. won't let anyone roll above a 10) without one of our party members dying.

We went to a lot of trouble to save Hilde, ourselves, and the rest of our party. Like hell we're going to let anyone die now if we can help it!

>>4300919
I vote for the door slam trick.

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Witnessing the sparrow-sized girl -looking almost like a fairy- coming out of the ground was a surreal experience that almost made you forget where you were but hearing the click of metals boots promptly brought you back to earth. Thankfully, Mina understood your message when you gestured for her to get close and you managed to whisper your idea before the door shook dangerously under the twin assault of the guards. A noticeable protrusion occurred on the thick wood, a few more kicks, and you or Zhu would likely get a mean bruise.

''At this rate, we'll make a hole before opening the damn thing.''

''Man, if anyone really is in there...''

She didn't have time to finish because the entrance door slammed close with enough force to be heard into your muffled room. ''What the fuck!?'' both guards screamed at once and all but jumped down the flight of stairs, Mina filtered through the floor when both women ran outside and floated above Klesiah head.

''Some fucking joker!?'' Now the voice filtered through the window blocked by an unmoving Hildegarde.

''Fuck this. Let's go back and say we need handaxes or something.'' You resisted the urge to sigh in relief on hearing the second complaining Mamono. ''People just leave shit all the time and this place is probably an opium den for the locals anyway, maybe they open the door by having a kid climb through that.''

''You're just making up bullshit to be lazy. ''

''Then let's go get some proper tools to actually explore abandoned places!''

And that, thankfully, was that. Their voices disappeared into the crowd and after a long minute of intense silence where nobody tried to be louder than a sigh, noises.

''Phew...'' Shereen was the first to speak. ''...It's really hot in here.''

''Pfeheh.'' Zhu laughed. ''I'm starting to like all this sneaky sneak. Make the heart pump pretty wild.''

''I feel like I've just aged a year...'' In a rare display of impatience, Klesiah felt annoyed enough to whine. Her hands grasped her glaive firmly, delicately working to put the protective clothes on its blade back on again.

''We might have bought ourselves a few hours.'' Hildegarde remained so motionless that you wondered if she'd ever get cramps.

If you're unlucky, locals could also believe this house to be freed of the guard's scrutiny after this loud display but... letting the hours trickle by as you hide here might not be that bad of an idea.

''Good work, Mina.'' You said and the little faerie answered with a tiny thumb up. This re-energizing ritual might have more boons than you previously thought...

What should you do now?

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>Stay put for a while, perhaps until dusk, so that things can truly calm down. (You'd be able to have personal discussions in the interim.)

>Make use of and Klesiah bond to scout. Eyes in the sky are precious indeed. (Will you look for the guards positions around your hideout? Go into the church if you can? Try to spot potential happenings in the city, like congregations of people? Will need precisions.)

>This place is likely compromised, you should move out and try to find another place to lay low. (You can stay in the slums or try to move into another district.)

>Free

>>4301642
>Make use of and Klesiah bond to scout. Eyes in the sky are precious indeed.
I want to know how active the church's surroundings are.

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>>4301645
Examining the situation around the church will work. Locking the choice in 5 minutes.

>>4301642
Scout the surrounding area. We can make other choices after we know what's going on outside. The bitches ought not be back for half an hour in the worst case.

How far away is the church? If it ain't far and the area free of guards it may be wise to make a go for it.

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Soon, everyone was back to sitting somewhat comfortably -the damnable stuffy heat of your small room never helped- and Klesiah eagerly accepted your proposition to put Mina newfound capabilities to good use. Sparks of enthusiasm flowed through the link as she discussed something silently with her divine elemental.

...Pangs of sadness briefly pinched your heart. You truly, honestly, miss your friendly guardian.

With Muribel sky remaining beautifully clear without any strong winds coming from the ocean or the mountain, Mina had to diminish her colors a little more in the hope of properly appearing as a bird for anyone that'd happen to glance up and see her. With a quiet ''be careful'' you paladin extended her hand and her spiritual friend floated through the roof.

It took a minute of silence for Klesiah to adjust to what was undeniably new sensations. This ''scouting'' meant that she'd need to give Mina more authority on their soul bond, going far enough to yield her own body to the shard influence.

You knew from your episode with Horkus how dangerous it can be to yield to a foreign spirit.

''Okay, it's okay.'' Klesiah grunted, waves of nausea proceeding through your links like diseased bubbles. Flying, it seems, wasn't easy to handle as a passenger.

''Looking around our house I can see a few guards coming and going, nobody is permanently posted for now and there's a lot of locals gathering, it might be possible to go out into the courtyard of our hideout without being seen by the guards on the road if we time it right. Getting closer to the church now...''

Keeping her eyes closed, Klesiah grimaced for the next minute.

''Something is happening in the main square.'' She blurted out. ''Caravans... four of them, big wagons actually, it seems like they are done buying provisions. Lots of guards are gathered here, probably up to a hundred and I think... there's a man talking with a lamia, Mina can't get closer, unfortunately. Mh...'' She waited, blue brows furrowing.

''They're starting to move. A big group of guards is with the caravans, thirty or so and... I can see a boy with a bandaged up face.'' Shereen growled in disapproval. ''I think they're leaving with a big escort.''

''What? The richest merchant in the city is leaving after his boy got nearly killed?'' On one hand, you expected Muribel wealthy folks to have more pride but then perhaps having his heir nearly disfigured and slaughtered was enough to motivate flight...

''Seem's like it.'' Klesiah added. ''The church itself is looking calm, doors are wide open and people are coming out. I think... The communal soup ended? Seems mostly slums denizens, maybe they were pushed inside because of the caravans.''

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''Can Mina get inside the church?'' You asked.

''No.'' Klesiah shook her head. ''At least, not without relaying information back to me. She's already at the edge of communication range, it would be possible to let her go independently... but then she'd need to make her way back into me physically, I wouldn't be able to see or hear anything.''

She proceeded to explain the length of the shard capabilities in a little more detail: you'll undeniably need to move if you want to explore the church itself in real-time...

But you've learned something pertinent.

There might have been a rift in the city leadership. A big group of guards lefts with four caravans, making your general area relatively empty of guards... But unfortunately, the market square is crawling with them and that's where the church is.

>Explore the southern side of the city as much as you can, keep Mina eyes on the horizon. That angel and his cult are up to something as well, could she see anything?

>Lay low for a while and wait for the guards to disperse. (One hour will pass, so you can move onto any discussion you like)

>Find a hideout close enough to the church to make full use of Mina capabilities.

>Convince your paladin to momentarily let go of her spirit friend and trust the shard to explore the church on her own, then relay anything she finds back.

>Free

>>4301715
>Find a hideout close enough to the church to make full use of Mina's capabilities.

Anything we can do to reduce the time we are exposed the better.

>>4301715
>We miss Gardy
Damn right we do, bestest buddy's banter was always nice and I wish we'd had more time to pick his brain in regards to the pretender age. Fascinating times and great stories told by the machine who lived em'. Would be nice if he's still alive and we could re-fuse or restore his ego somehow, but I sadly doubt it. Well, unless we can get some literal divine intervention going. Motivation enough to keep Mina alive. Does she know about that aspect of our existence? Didn't Klesiah tell her about that?

Ho boy, good thing we didn't kill the kid it seems. Also, what's the difference between looking for a hideout and laying low? Wouldn't we be doing one while doing the other until we found a good spot?

>>4301715
>Explore the southern side of the city as much as you can, keep Mina eyes on the horizon. That angel and his cult are up to something as well, could she see anything?

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>>4301740
>Does she know about that aspect of our existence? Didn't Klesiah tell her about that?
Yup. Mina was Klesiah only true friend for a year, she's a mirror of Arawn bond with Gardy at this rate.
>Ho boy, good thing we didn't kill the kid it seems. Also, what's the difference between looking for a hideout and laying low? Wouldn't we be doing one while doing the other until we found a good spot?
Actively looking for a hideout means moving out of your house right now to find somewhere else to crash in and hopefully explore the church. Staying put means just that, staying put. Waiting until the marketplace isn't so full of guards, things like that.

>>4301750
Mina can phase through walls. Can she also sense life energy? We put both of those together we could easily find another abandoned building closer to the church and only move once we're sure the coast is clear.

>>4301755
>Can she also sense life energy?
Unfortunately not, she'd need to shift into an alternate dimension in order to see souls.

Gonna roll a tiebreaker in 15 minutes.

>>4301760
Could we have her explore this section of town with an eye towards locating a safehouse closer to the church?

>>4301765
Letting her go independently to find a place close enough to enter the ''active'' radius? Yeah, that'd work.

Would combine with >>4301735 nicely.

>>4301767
Letting her go independent, as in, having to physically return to Klesiah? I was thinking more along the lines of staying where we are and letting her search while maintaining the link with Klesiah.

Wait, our part of town is essentially guard free correct? It's only the courtyard leading to the church that's crawling with them?

>>4301776
Oh, and do we have anything that'd cover Klesiah's hair from the viewpoint of the sky? I fear our blueberry might stand out if a certain angelic dickwad were to fly overhead.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4301776
Not exactly guard free, just a reduced presence. The marketplace in front of the church is full of guards because of the apparent dispute. There are a good number of locals gathering all over the place.

>I was thinking more along the lines of staying where we are and letting her search while maintaining the link with Klesiah.
She will need to go independent to find something suitably close to the church.

>>4301780
>Oh, and do we have anything that'd cover Klesiah's hair from the viewpoint of the sky?
Nope.

>>4301735
>>4301746
Gonna go with the dice result in ten minutes.

>>4301784
Did both options involve us going outside?

>>4301785
Exploring the south side means getting a birds eye view of that side of the city and taking time to see what's happening out there, paying attention to any signs of the cult. No moving yet.

>>4301789
How long would the survey for cult activity take? If not long I'd go with that. If it'd be an extended venture I'd like to find a different hideout instead. Those guards will come back later, possibly with a larger posse.

If the later option is the play use Mina to scout around corners and the like. Like I said, she's wall hax and we need that to stealth our way though this BS successfully.

>>4301799
Moving it is.

Let's see where this goes.

>>4301810
Oh, since Mina can vanish at will, we could also have her make distractions for the guards that get in our path with no risk to herself. Man, if you had Mina in a stealth game you'd be cheating.

And hey, since everyone else in this game's cheating on one level or another we might as well do it ourselves.

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You didn't need a soul link to understand Klesiah wouldn't be happy with releasing her partner to explore the church on her own but the radius of this ''active'' sense sharing was, admittedly, a little too small for comfort.

''Yes, I think it'll work out.'' Klesiah agreed to your idea without hesitation; finding a second hideout was much safer than stepping into the unknown den of the church. ''Stay quiet and careful Mina, people might mistake you to be a bird but one good luck will surprise them.''

You wondered if she'd be able to turn into a golden butterfly... Since she hasn't yet, that ability isn't a question of energy alone.

''I've lost contact.'' Klesiah continued barely a second after this open monologue. She began to fiddle with her hair to recreate a ponytail, mischievous pride tingled out of her when you instinctively approved of this gesture. Goodness! This is not the time! Yet watching her play with her hair was somehow a supreme distraction...?

''Alright, finally time to stretch.'' Thankfully Zhu brought you out of your reverie, she carefully rose to her full height and kept a hand on the door, waiting for Shereen and Klesiah to finish repackaging the bags. Hildegarde remained motionless, keeping her curtain role to the end.

''So all we have to do is wait for now?'' You asked and your knight nodded.

''Mina will relay information by coming into my soul again.'' She added.

''Aight.'' Zhu decided to speak. ''So Arawn, who do you wanna date?''

What!? ''Wha... Zhu? Is now the time?'' The way Shereen and Klesiah heads suddenly snapped in your direction gave you a terribly cold sweat.

''Yes. You met plenty of gals in Throne Town yeah? Now Klesiah is back and Shereen a good catch, there's something blooming for suuure.'' She somehow managed to sound loud despite whispering and wiggled her hand in your direction...!

''What if I say you then huh?'' An intense, smoldering wave of flame followed your words as Klesiah radiated disapproval. This is what happens when you speak without thinking!

''Well...'' Zhu wasn't taken by surprise, damn it. She grinned in smug self-satisfaction. ''...We can all have some fun.''

''Ahem!'' Shereen threw a bag in Zhu general direction. ''Now is -not- the time my Moon. We wait for our scout in dutiful silence, stop spreading... creating division!''

''I'm building harmony.'' The swordswoman replied cheekily but she took the hint and turned her attention on the corridor, gently opening the door, listening for noises and intruders.

Klesiah pouted in silence for the fifteen minutes it took for Mina to return. The fairy sized divine elemental phased through the roof and entered your paladin in one, smooth, motion.

''Okay, Mina found two places.'' Your blueberry began, pragmatism filled the link with purpose.

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''One isn't too far, it's a square of houses filled with inhabitants with a significant number of people living on roofs, we'll be shielded from an easy glance from the marketplace and Mina found a flight of stairs that'd allow us to wait somewhere that's been abandoned. We will... probably not be able to hide from the locals, the place she found is a one-piece bedroom so keeping our magic hidden should be possible, especially since there's plenty of discarded clothes around.''

''The other place is more dangerous. There's a warehouse directly behind the church that looks unoccupied, she flew through its length and hasn't seen any permanent sentries, there are no chains on the doors or anything though so it's likely people are gonna come and patrol but there'll be plenty of places to hide. It's a dusty, dark place full of discarded furniture, the problem will be getting there because we'll need to cross the main road. Me and Mina will be able to explore the church without any problems if we get in there...''

''Hm, might be easier to reach that place if we separate,'' Hildegarde commented and she waved at you when you opened your mouth in protest. ''I know it's dangerous and nobody likes the idea but there's still plenty of eyes in the marketplace who, by now, must know that a group of five foreigners are moving around the city. Reaching the warehouse in two groups is probably the only realistic solution: I could scout ahead and get a better look at the general situation from the ground, too.''

''Or maybe we wait for the guards to disperse, that'll give us a better chance to get into that warehouse.'' Shereen added.

''There's no better chances than now if we want to move into the roof.'' Klesiah spoke firmly. ''I believe Mina saw a general briefing of the people in the marketplace. She didn't get close enough to risk herself and hear anything, but they're obviously preparing something and keeping a lookout all around, the bazaar itself is closed.''

Hm... decision, decision. It's undeniable now that the duchess wants to find your group and somehow, that Adam managed to hide inside the church - you've no doubt that place must have been thoroughly searched already.

And the cult must be up to something, too. Mina hasn't mentioned seeing any flying monsters or the angel himself: he's still lying low...

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Red is the roof option, where you'll likely have to muscle your way in and push out some locals.

Blue is the riskier option leading to the warehouse.

Mina abilities will give a good modifier to any sneaking roll (second choice) but fact remains that crossing the street remains perilious without disguise.

>Go with the safer choice. You'd be able to lose yourselves in the crowd of the slum, so there's no need to separate. (No rolls needed, what matter here is the attitude you take - choosing this will open up more things once you're on the move.)

>You can't waste time, Ama game is in full swing and by the look of things, the duchess is playing intensely. Aim for the warehouse. (Will possibly involve more choices based on a roll I make. If you separate the group, the dc will lower but I'll roll twice. Bad rolls won't be an automatic failure.)

>Free

I got hit by a wave of drowsiness all of a sudden. Possibly that I'll end here today, two days of bad sleep is taking a toll.

>>4301863
Do both of them put Mina within scouting range? How far is the red option from our current location? Once they find out that the door wasn't locked or blocked by a barricade they'll go into "caution" mode and scrutinize the surroundings. There's also probably going to be a bounty on our heads soon. Would the red option allow us to acquire a disguise for Klesiah?

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>>4301863
Oh yeah forgot to mention that Hildegarde sneaking abilities will also give a good modifier, making it to +25 if combined with Mina. (I'll roll a d100)

On her own she'll give +10

Discarding your shield and the party bags will also help sneaking around.

>>4301872
>Do both of them put Mina within scouting range?
The red option will only allow you to scout half of the church. (I'll post the range shortly, I'm fiddling with editing.)

>Would the red option allow us to acquire a disguise for Klesiah?
Seems like there's plenty of discarded clothes, so if you want to be creative, you could make something.

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>>4301872
Klesiah can displace the general circle of range she has to keep optimal synchrony with Mina. That'd be her range on the roof.

>>4301863
I think I'm gonna sleep on this one. This is a really tough choice. The warehouse is optimal but the risk is concurrently massive. We roll bad and we got the whole damn contingent of guards in the courtyard on our ass. It'd be game over.

We go with the safe option we can nab a disguise for Klesiah but that will also have us relying on the answer to the question of "who do the common folk hate more" being the guards over outlanders. If they've put a fat bounty on our heads they'll rat us out for sure. No matter what we're taking a massive risk.

Could we go for the safe option first, grab a disguise for Klesiah, then try to sneak for the warehouse or church if the situation is favorable? Would that give us a bonus for stealth?

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>>4301987
>Could we go for the safe option first, grab a disguise for Klesiah, then try to sneak for the warehouse or church if the situation is favorable?
You'd have to adapt to a new situation with the safe option. So I'll give you a ''maybe''
>Would that give us a bonus for stealth?
No. What matters more here is how you move (in a big group or separated) who is experienced and your baggages (Klesiah and Arawn weapons don't help, all the bags also make it hard)
We'll continue tomorrow for sure, I'm too tired to continue tonight. I'd like to know if I'd need to roll or not this evening but waiting is alright too.

>>4301998
Wait, I just noticed that "radius" isn't centered on the location. Is there something preventing Mina from exploring "behind" there or is it more focused into a kind of "cone" such that she has to technically be facing in the general direction she wants Mina to scout?

>>4302144
She can displace the ''nexus'' of her radius for a few degres to try and get some reach with Mina.

>>4302148
Ok, so you roll if we go for the risky option yeah? Just making sure. I'm forming a plan here and, as she can vanish at will/in an instant *and* or can travel at the speed of angels we got a hax the likes of which Styx, Garrett, and Sam Fishser could only dream of.

That is to say, essentially infinite and risk free distractions. Taps on shoulders, knocks on wood/stone, visions of rainbow haired ladies that radiate divinity, voices that just draw you in like a loving mother, etc.

Operation Freak Out might be a full go if I get my way...

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>>4302250
>So you roll if we go for the risky option yeah?
Yeah.
>As she can vanish at will/in an instant.
Only when she's within Klesiah radius. When separation occurs, Mina need to reestablish connection by returning into your blueberry.

>>4302259
My "risky" plan involves her doing just that to maximize her hax. Like I've said, if she functions like we've already established we got a hax option that'd make even the most rudimentary stealth game scrub into a grand master of the genre that could easily S-rank all but the final and most punishing of missions. We aren't quite to that level yet so yeah, should be able to succeed so long as we don't crit fail.

We or Zhu can princess carry Klesiah if it comes down to maximizing Mina's capability to be our own personal stealth hax. I don't expect you to be merciful, but I do expect a certain level of consistency... Which is probably why you made Gardy go away. Noticed you gave us a bit too much of a buff upon further consideration. Oh well, so long as Mina lives past this we'll get Divine Intervention in regards to getting him back. Klesiah will probably get Mina back after she reports back to Big Mother E so we ought get Bestest Buddy back in turn...

If there's some kind of confusion don't be afraid to ask.

>>4302579
Ok, say we went with the risky option, how boned are we if the roll sucks?

>>4302585
You'll have the chance of mitigating a failure but there's no escaping making things difficult. It'll also depend on how you customize said choice. (ie, separate the group? Have all your items?)

>>4302590
Can Mina manifest an anomaly in the opposite direction of the street we'd try to cross if we go for the warehouse without making that obvious? Y'know, try to get all the guards to face the opposite direction so that we could cross the street without them seeing us? Civies might still spot us, but that's better than the guards.

>>4302630
No, she'd need to physically do something to make a distraction. Mina's abilities are combat related as a whole.

Today seems to be an off day, I'll give a solid hour of wait time if I get only a single vote to give anyone a chance to make their voices heard.

>>4302636
Hmmm... would it be possible for Mina to shoot a guard in the leg from around a corner to get their attention then vanish back into Klesiah once it was obvious they'd all been provoked? Maybe sing a song if she'd rather not use violence?

>>4302638
Using her bow while being fairy size work, she also has enough energy to speak naturally.

I'm already taking all these capabilities into account for the stealth roll.

>>4302639
Hmmm... another consideration, can Mina "write" in the air with her magic? Thinking we could use her as an intermediary to meet with Adam.

>>4302645
She can, of course. If she uses a small amount of energy she can make the words last for up to ten minutes.

>>4302647
Ok, one last consideration, the half of the church we'd be able to scout from the safe option. That the "front" or the "back" end?

>>4302689
Mostly front end.
I'll continue tomorrow in order to get more votes unless we get an agreement in the next two hours.

>>4302691
Shit, Kamen Rider's probably hiding out in the back. Is there a clear path from the safe option to the church?

>>4302696
Oh, and can Mina fly and shoot in human sized form and is she willing to kill guards outright? That could matter really soon.

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>>4302696
>Is there a clear path from the safe option to the church?
No
>Oh, and can Mina fly and shoot in human sized form and is she willing to kill guards outright?
Yes to both. She'd rather avoid needless bloodshed.

>>4301863
>You can't waste time, Ama game is in full swing and by the look of things, the duchess is playing intensely. Aim for the warehouse.
Screw it, I'm feeling like gambling a little.
I'm sure Ama would approve and that fact fills me with shame

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>>4302707
Embrace the fact that she is the destined hidden heroine. Gonna roll in an hour or as soon as I get an agreement.

>>4302731
Probably going to regret this, but I got nothing better. Let's gamble.

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Rolled 93 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

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>>4302752
Praise be unto the dice gods! That was for us right? High is good right?

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>>4302752
Why do I even bother to make some tensions?

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>>4302756
Such is the nature of the Dice Gods.
Fickle
Cruel
Insrutable

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''If they're all busy and distracted in the marketplace there might not be a better chance to get inside that warehouse.''

''Hm, both of our options are bad: either get caught by the duchess lackeys or rough up hostile locals and potentially turn people agaisnt us.'' Hildegarde said, holding her chin with a marble hand. ''Alright, I think we can do this. I'll take points, you guys follow. When I make this gesture...''

A crash course on sign language began and afterward, your group made a somewhat competent inner plan to proceed efficiently and, hopefully, without raising a ruckus. Of course, everyone also mentally prepared themselves in case of discovery but that would be something to handle if it happens.

To better fit inside Myrtidal awkward streets, it was decided to proceed in a line with Hildegarde taking vanguard without any baggage and Zhu closing the march, she would also be holding the lion share of the group traveling bags. Shereen held your shield (with both hands of course, thankfully it wasn't heavy enough to cause major discomfort) and you...

''I-I should be fine.'' Your blueberry said, leaning onto her glaive.

''Zhu, can you hold onto Klesiah weapon?'' You said, gently grabbing the staff.

''Sure.''

''H-huh? My lord?'' Klesiah protested was simple confusion.

''We'll need you to relay Mina visions accurately and we'll act fast. There's plenty of awkward angles in these streets, she'll be able to see what we can't and we can't wait until you adust, so...'' Tugging gently, your knight let go of her weapon and you handed it to Zhu. This made her lean forward and put a hand on your shoulder to calm the spinning of her mind. ''...I'll do this.''

Sliding a hand under her knees, a gentle lift, an adorable yelp, and Klesiah was in your arms, looking at you in stupefaction but the warm, excited blossom that came out of her un an unending wave made it impossible not to grin, especially when her cheeks became a pretty red.

Her lack of breastplate was... agreeable, yes. The way her new hairstyle gathered on her chest was marvelous, a little shine came to her azure eyes, one of her hand -covered in metal, so sad a fate- reached behind your neck and held on gently...

''Let's gooo.'' Shereen said, she sounded almost whiny and that broke the spell, a tidal wave of embarrassment almost slapped you in the face but you held on, doing your best to ignore the increased heat throughout your body. Floating above her blue head, Mina fairy-sized body levitated with crossed arms, radiating sternness.

''Keh heh, yeah.'' Zhu had only one free hand now and used it to pat Shereen head.

''T-this should be... okay.'' Klesiah looked away from you and then Hildegarde opened the door properly. The gentle mood of the party changed into raw pragmatism when you descended the stairs.

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What proceeded next was a careful, laborious journey. Mina took the role of a forward skyward scout and, with the stability you provided, Klesiah didn't have trouble relaying your surroundings but the constant wave of nausea and intense discomfort that came with moving around made it obvious she wouldn't have been in any state to progress quickly.

The courtyard outside the abandoned house was, of course, full of people discussing what was happening in the city. The mood of Mytidal had undeniably changed in the two hours you've spent laying low and many people gave your group the evil eye but none felt courageous enough to tempt their fates. You'd be long gone before anyone try to speak with the guards.

Hildegarde proved herself an excellent scout. By making use of her still intact disguise and walking ahead on her own in the multitude of backstreet then signaling at opportune times she managed to make sure nobody was seen by groups of locals or guards as Klesiah relayed people position. The sheer density of Myrtidal position made it impossible to go unnoticed but people walking the streets were rather few. The only problem was crossing the street...

There was no magic here. Mina had found a lucky opening in the dizzying backstreet to avoid crossing in front of the marketplace but guards still surveyed the main road between the slum and Craftman Fortune.

Thankfully, today afternoon had seen a glut of people on this artery. Perhaps they were inhabitants, or folks from the countryside, either way, the guards blocking the road were distracted, people moved here and there and so, Hildegarde proved herself apt again by guiding every single party members into an adjacent road scouted by the divine elemental. Every time, the maid would act like a lover or mother, she held onto Zhu hand and leaned onto her, grabbed Shereen like the princess she was, rested her head on your shoulder to make you appear like a couple of parents despite Klesiah big size... her last back and forth was to grab your shield, right under the guard's nose.

Everything went off perfectly.

Reaching your destination was a simple story of repeating your previous advances, getting into sidestreets, or simply waiting for a squad of three guards to move away. Mina and Hildegarde forewarnings (with occasional distractions from the fairy-sized elemental) allowed Klesiah and Zhu to hide their respective weapons (usually behind you) before anyone noticed anything.

Thirty minutes after exiting the abandoned house you stood in front of the warehouse behind the church. It was separated from the street by a relatively high fenced with spiked tips, a door on top of a flight of stairs was easily seen from your angle.

''How do we open it?'' You whispered.

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This was perhaps the most dangerous moment of this entire escapade. All five of you stood in the street without covers; things looked calm but you could see guards lingered here and there on both roads this street led into. The warehouse itself looked fairly big, easily two stories high and its doors were a pair of solid wooden gates with little more than rectangular handlebars to pry it open.

Thankfully this headache was solved by the divine elemental. She promptly phased through the door and five seconds later, a muffled tumble filtered out of the wood, and they were opened from the inside, revealing Klesiah spirited companion who'd grown to match Shereen height. Beside her feet was a thick wood plank that'd been used as a makeshift lock.

Inside was total darkness aside from hints of afternoon sunlight peeking through upstairs windows. Odd shapes lied inerts covered by blankets, clouds of dust floated in the air, each step on the wooden ground left visible imprints. Mina bioluminescence was even more beautiful in all this darkness and allowed you to see walls to walls and identify a back door firmly closed.

Pushing a shelve to block it will be child play.

Shereen erupted into a concert of sneezes after stepping inside and Hildegarde closed the doors, making Mina your only source of light. Her inner glow of red, blue, purple, gold changing constantly was honestly soothing for the soul.

''Phew!'' Shereen rubbed her face, letting your shield rest on a nearby shelf. ''That was exciting.''

You and Klesiah shared mutual reluctance to let go but inevitably, you let your knight stand on her feet again.

''Feels like I'm tasting wood even when I breathe through my nose.'' Zhu spat on a piece of nearby covered furniture.

Hildegarde remained near the doors. Holding it close and keeping her ear on its surface. ''Doesn't seem like we were followed.'' She commented.

Hm, so far so good.

Dust aside, this place was so much better. condemned but not abandoned, more than enough space to walk around, and all the darkness made for a hint of freshness...

''Good work.'' You leaned forward to pat Mina on the head. Because of your glove, you couldn't feel anything besides organic warmth. The spirit tilted her head in brief confusion, then her multi-colored eyes thinned and a soft laugh escaped her mouthless face.

Zhu promptly imitated you. ''Oh! Feeling pretty warm, and soft...''

''Ahem.'' Klesiah coughed. ''Do avoid treating our friend as a pet.''

Mina didn't seem to mind.

Scouting the church without troubles will be possible now.

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>Concentrate on exploring the upper floors. The church is big enough to have a bell on top of a thin tower, there might be three or four floors in total. Maybe Adam is hiding up there

>Have Klesiah and Mina search for basements. All the tunnels in the countrysides are suspicious things even if they're ''cultural heritage'' how likely is it that some directly connect with buildings of the city? Perhaps Magitek man got a hideout down there.

>Spend time examining the people. Klesiah wasn't popular in the cult but she did spend time with them, could she recognize a few faces?

>Free

Today was comfy day, we'll continue tomorrow. Exploring shouldn't need big updates, so I'll do my best to make things busy!

>>4302915
Ho boy, lucked out so hard. Got to keep everything, no fights, and weren't trailed. Plus they had to have searched this place already so we good!

How long would each option take and what time is it now? How long would a full rest take? 50 percent reserves is enough for one or two more normal fights but not enough to tussle with Ari'el or a mob of crazed cultists.

>>4302927
>How long would each option take

Roughly ten minutes for each, possibly a bit more.

>what time is it now?
Around 3 pm, middle of the afternoon.
>How long would a full rest take?
Full rest to recover your magic will be at least 6 hours. Short naps don't work to recuperate magical energy, you'll need to sleep. (Good things mages rarely have sleeping problems)

>>4302933
Don't got time for that until we have the Adam problem sorted. Voting's open until tomorrow afternoon right? Might change my mind but for now I'd like to scrutinize the upper levels. Kamen Rider came at us from the rooftops, so that's probably where he's based.

Klesiah said the tunnel network is frequently used by the cultists didn't she?

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>>4302940
Yeah I'll keep things open until tomorrow so people can vote what they want.

>Klesiah said the tunnel network is frequently used by the cultists didn't she?
Yup.

>>4302915
>Concentrate on exploring the upper floors. The church is big enough to have a bell on top of a thin tower, there might be three or four floors in total. Maybe Adam is hiding up there

>>4302915
>Have Klesiah and Mina search for basements. All the tunnels in the countrysides are suspicious things even if they're ''cultural heritage'' how likely is it that some directly connect with buildings of the city? Perhaps Magitek man got a hideout down there.
Either we find a pocket of activity or we find ourselves a way to make a quick exit.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4303317
>>4303377

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If some tunnels from the countryside extended into the church then surely Adam must have taken refuge above, likely somewhere hidden because the guards must have searched this place already.

''Need some rest?'' You asked Klesiah after everyone found a good enough place to rest. Instead of lightning torches, you and Shereen had embraced Focus to create light.

''No, I'll be fine.'' The blue knight smiled sheepishly. Her divine elemental shrank into its usual scouting size after indulging a few more head pats. ''I'll make sure that Mina will be careful because she'll be indoor. Can't afford to be seen now.''

After throwing a pair of thumb ups, the multicolored spirit flew up and filtered through the roof leading into the warehouse second floor. Klesiah sat on a chair, closed her eyes, and waited for her companion to make her way safely into your objective.

''She's entered the hall.'' Klesiah began after a few minutes and everyone scooted closer. ''We can see a lot of people. The big doors are open but there doesn't seem to be many movements aside from a handful of guards... five of them lingering in the hall I think - ah.'' She paused for a moment as she puzzled out the situation. ''It seems there's a group of them searching the church. I can see the lamia priest speaking with some visitors, I'm not seeing any nuns or acolyte anywhere.''

Were they sent home because of the brewing trouble in the city.

''Okay, Mina managed to make her way into the first floor and it's looking to be a general living area. A living room that's used by a pair of guards to lounge around, a kitchen with some alchemical appliances... There are three rooms here all of them empty, one much bigger than the others, probably where the priest sleep.''

Nowhere to hide here.

''The second floor is just a corridor... ah, there's one room.'' She paused long enough for the fairy to carefully maneuver inside. ''It's a small library, nobody is inside. There's a sizeable collection, a few desks... Probably where the priest applies her scribing trade.''

''How's the corridor of that floor looking?'' You asked as Mina began to move on.

''All wood, fairly large too. There's a round resting spot with a few chairs and windows to look into the city. Doesn't seem like there's a hidden room... Mina can't filter through the walls here, so it means they're thick.''

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Another moment of silence followed the time needed for the fairy to carefully reach the third floor.

''This room is mostly empty, looks to be a storage. Plenty of space, a few windows... There's an open doorway that leads into the roof and from there you can proceed into the belltower. Hmm... there's something a bit suspicious about that wooden wall. There are a few old portraits on it- ah!''

Everyone jumped at her sudden exclamation and hearing a concert of heavy metal boots filter through the heavy doors of the warehouse didn't help your heart.

''I found him.'' Klesiah announced, opening her eyes. ''He's inside a big secret room. I don't have any idea how to open it, but Adam is there, with Leena. He's showing her some of his tools... there's a strange armor on the wall, too. Otherwise, they're looking friendly.''

So, Adam is on the third floor of the church, behind a secret room the guards haven't been able to find.

>Observe him silently for a while, try to get an angle on what his objective with Leena could be.

>Have Mina interact with him -carefully- and see what he's up to. Being stuck up there like a fugitive while guards walk around the place isn't making him look particularly good... (Mina can relay any question you have, so consider this a semi-free choice.)

>Explore other areas of the church. You've got your man, but it doesn't make things easier. (Basement or examining the people)

>Free

>>4303802
>Observe him silently for a while, try to get an angle on what his objective with Leena could be.

>>4303802
>Explore other areas of the church. You've got your man, but it doesn't make things easier.
Let's check out the basement.
Adam's unlikely to leave anywhere anytime soon.anyways.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4303823
>>4303826

>>4303836
How long would exploring the basement take and does Mina know to be extra careful down there?

>>4303849
Longer than ten minutes, can't give a good answer for how much time is spent, nobody can predict things that accurately.
>Mina know to be extra careful down there?
Absolutely. Klesiah is close enough for Mina to make a near-instant escape too.

>>4303853
Ok then, I can get behind scoping out the basement. Need to know if there's some cultist bullshit brewing before we try our hand at negotiations with Adam. Damn Mina's convenient, almost as much as bestest buddy was before he died to save our waifus...

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''We've got our man. Let's not make him suspicious for now, I'd like to get a better idea of the church before we engage with him. Can you check the basement?''

''On it.'' Klesiah replied softly. ''Give Mina a moment to make her way down without being seen.''

''Secret room upstairs...'' Shereen commented after a brief silence came over the group. ''...He came prepared.''

''He's undeniably allied with the head priest or an acolyte.'' Hildegarde remarked. ''Nothing else can explain how the guards haven't found that hidden room, he's no native of the city.''

That was a good point, perhaps he's waiting for the two biggest factions to start raising a ruckus and make his move. The duchess obviously doesn't have Leena, she might start tearing the city apart at this rate and Ari'el cult can't stand around doing anything as time pass: there's some hidden tension brewing... All that's keeping the peace now is an illusion of civilization and the certainty that neither of the biggest factions has their objectives.

That's not going to last.

''Okay, Mina had to be particularly careful because a pair of guards have decided to move downstairs. Apparently, they've sent another duo down there and haven't heard from there in a while, they're expected them to be slacking around or maybe doing drugs.'' Klesiah frown didn't need a soul link to know her opinion about this.

Right, she made an oath to never drink alcohol.

''The stairs leading down are a bit recluse... the first room is a mausoleum, or at least something similar to one. A big square room with several cages holding urns, everything looks very old. There's a closed door but also another small flight of stairs leading down... That's where the guards are going and so is Mina.'' What followed was a tense silence, not only because of how careful the fairy was undeniably going but also another surge of noises filtered from the street as another group of guards walked past.

''Now we're inside a corridor that branch into two paths, east, and west. The guards are turning east, I'll have Mina follow.'' And so came another tense moment of silence, you could only wonder how the divine elemental was managing such amazing feats of stealth.

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''There are a few abandoned rooms here, everything is very dark. Now the guards have stopped in front of another small flight of stairs that lead somewhere dark, I think there was a gate...? Ah!'' Her sudden exclamation made everyone -even Hildegarde- jump. klesiah reopened her eyes to gaze at you, think lips pursed together.

''The guards are dead.'' She stated after gathering her wits. ''Myr... she came out of the dark -that tunnel- with that red four-armed woman and they killed them so quickly, just... There are also a few people waiting in rooms I thought to be abandoned.''

''Well well, it seems like that angel knows how to keep a low profile.'' Zhu commented.

You couldn't help but wonder if everyone knew about these tunnels, why is that one leading into the church hasn't been condemned? Could it be that maybe, this one didn't go all the way into the countryside or maybe Ari'el had his people sneak inside the city and gather in the basement?

Hrm... now's not the time to puzzle out the logistic of this situation.
Some members of the cult are waiting in the church basement, Myr and the Goliath-lady among them.

>Go back upstairs and investigate the people. Could the angel man himself be here?

>Explore the western side of the basement, Mina skipped that part by following the guards.

>Go contact Armin. Seems he's in much more trouble than you previously thought.

>Free

>>4303945
>Go contact Armin. Seems he's in much more trouble than you previously thought.

We need to get back on the road as soon as we can otherwise we're going to end up, having to go to ground until further support arrives or an opportunity arises. is there any reason either of the two can come up with that needs doing before we leave.

>>4303945
Well fuck, I thought as much but had to confirm. Two high level combatants at the least and one of which Klesiah demands we not kill but who will go for us like we're the Arthur to her Lancelot. Fucking swell...

We don't got much time then. Recall Mina immediately and contact Adam. It's time to negotiate and/or secure an alliance. Have Mina keep an eye out as she ascends again. Do not allow herself to be followed or seen entering the secret room by anyone.

How fast can Mina write? Can she do it without using magic? Does she leave some kind of trail in the ether that angels can track if they're looking for it? Does the instant recall use magic and can it be tracked/detected somehow? I just know he's here but Klesiah also said he's supposed to be disguised right now so we won't recognize him at a glance. Can Mina sense angels through disguises or tell if someone created one with blood magic? That'd be our mark if she can.

>>4303967
>How fast can Mina write?
A bit slow side.
>Can she do it without using magic?
Technically no, but the amount she needs is small enough to be insignificant.
>Does she leave some kind of trail in the ether that angels can track if they're looking for it?
She does leave a trail of glitter gold whenever she uses her magic. Whether that can be tracked is impossible to say. Mina herself doesn't believe so, at least not in a place without Mother Earth web.
>Does the instant recall use magic and can it be tracked/detected somehow? I
Not that anyone know.
>Can Mina sense angels through disguises or tell if someone created one with blood magic?
Unfortunately not. She'd need to shift into an alternate dimension to get a hint about that and for now, Klesiah refuse to allow that.

Two votes to find Adam sound like a sign for me to start.

>>4303987
Say Mina got a pen or pencil and some paper, or even just some paper. That faster than writing in the air?

>>4304001
About equal.

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''Let's contact our kidnapper. It's obvious now the church will become a battleground.'' Shereen ears twitched at your words, Klesiah and Hildegarde shared similar resolutions whilst Zhu grinned a broad, sadistic smile whilst fiddling with her holy sword.

''Okay...'' Your paladin closed her eyes again and a few seconds later the fairy reappeared above her head. Mina dim colors looked sad in the darkness of the warehouse but her jovialness hadn't been touched by the grim display she witnessed. With two thumbs up, she disappeared through the upstairs floor and carefully made her way into the church again.

Then bells began to ring and everyone hearts nearly leaped out of their throats. Muffled voices filtered into the warehouse.

''By order of duchess Myrti, everyone is to go back home and clear the streets! no more trade for today, get back home and sleep until tomorrow!'' Similar remarks came muffled from the windows of the second floor as guards all over must be starting to herd the populations now, waving handbells around.

''Gah, damn it.'' Shereen breathed in deeply, clutching her heart. ''I thought Mina...''

''She's okay. Seems like squads have dispersed in the city to impose themselves on the inhabitants again, people don't seem too happy about that.'' Klesiah commented. ''There's a new group of guards in the church now, discussing with the last two remaining- ah no, the pair that was lounging in the living room is back... Okay, we'll go find Adam.''

As newfound activity in the city became a constant echo, it took Mina half as much time to safely reach her destination.

''Let's hope he doesn't react too strongly... It'd be nice if I could relay Mina senses to you, my lord.'' Alas, that's only something you can try later when you spare the time to exercise. ''Mina will make herself known now.''

Pursing her lips, Kleisah remained silent for a long minute of tense concentration. Goodness, waiting like this is awful! you're far too used to doing things yourself.

''Leena prevented any hostility.'' Your paladin breathed in relief, followed by everyone else in the party. ''Mina is sitting in the kid's hands and conveyed herself to Adam, we told him who she represented. Calling him surprised is an understatement, but thankfully things have already defused.'' Thankfully there's been a silver lining with allowing him to spirit away the Black Cat. Is there any little girl in the world that wouldn't be charmed by a fairy?

''Ask him what he intends to do, he's practically under siege now, hiding like a fugitive.'' Hildegarde was the one being proactive, Klesiah nodded and relayed the message.

''He's waiting until the duchess and Ari'el make their moves. He knows is situation looks bleak, the only thing he can do now is to take advantage of the confusion that'll inevitably erupt once these two factions clash. He wants to lead Leena down into the basement where she can ''end'' the witch game.''

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''End it? Just like that?'' You asked and your paladin's lips thinned into another line, seem like a new habit she picked up during the year.

''He doesn't know how exactly himself, only that he's willing to believe in the Cat. Though Leena is saying that... It's where any players can see the city's sins? Where things will end happily. Hm, she's being cryptic, maybe for fun or maybe Ama forbids her to be direct.''

As you've seen during your brief foray with Mina in that alternate dimension, the church is undeniably important.

Mina made it look so easy but reaching that basement crawling with cultists and a city full of very well-armed guards (everyone had plate armor and a sword at a minimum) was not going to be a simple matter.

''Does the head priest know he's here?'' Hildegarde asked, undaunted by distractions.

''Yes. Adam has been in Myrtidal for three weeks to prepare for Ama game.'' Klesiah waited a few seconds to fully digest the message. ''And gotten to know the lady priest fairly well, at least enough to trust her somewhat until today. The church, usually anyway, is the only place in the city that guards and cultists alike haven't touched. Its usual crowd is full of orphans, invalid and people too poor to feed themselves... but today the guards kicked all of them out shortly after he hid inside that secret room.''

''Is that why he lost trust in the head priest?'' You asked, swallowing your disgust toward the duchess. What an awful thing to do, Myrtidal doesn't have any sense of camaraderie or community, these people thrown out like dogs won't make it in these hostile streets.

You could tell that Shereen shared your opinion. Her furred hands clawed into a nearby blanket, slowly turning it to ribbons.

''No. Leena told him something that changed his perception.'' Klesiah answered softly. ''And the girl, she... she keeps calling that lamia a sinner, the embodiment of cowardice who's just as much of a problem to the entire city as the duchess is.''

Strong words for one so young.

''Adam is changing the subject.'' Klesiah continued, sounding genuinely breathless. ''He heard something interesting earlier when guardswomen were inspecting his floor. The duchess called for reinforcement, 700 soldiers have been dispatched from the mountain fort in the south and are expected to arrive here tomorrow. He suspects that reality will pressure Ari'el in making a move since nobody but us has a clue about Leena.''

''Woo, now that sounds like enough numbers to stamp out the cult.''

Tomorrow is also when you can expect Elina to get here...

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>Press him on what made him lose trust in the head priest.

>Ask about that armor in the corner. It's looking unusual, mismatched pieces cobbled together instead of a proper, protective uniform.

>Perhaps you should discuss moving your party inside the church. If the guards are now starting to force people out of the roads, it'll significantly reduce your chances to move unnoticed...

>Free

>>4304179
>700 soldiers
Damn, seems like she's just going to brute force this shit. Might even intend to put the whole damn city to the sword if she gets desperate. Sadly (or thankfully), the angel's probably worth a 100 elite troops. Maybe more, depending on how maneuverable he is at top speed.

Finding if there are any secret passages or other exits inside this warehouse is a thing our party really should have been doing as quietly as possible during this time.

Does that lamia know about his little hidey hole? Did Mina tell him that there's cultists in the basement? Is he sure there isn't an APB on his ass with a description specific enough to convince the lamia that he's the guy?

What of the others. They got any questions or concerns they'd like to air? How about detectability. We keeping it nice, quiet, and magic free?

>>4304204
Wait, "embodiment of cowardice", angel's supposed to be disguised... Aw fuck, new worst case scenario. Hope he's got an alternate safe house.

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>>4304204
>Finding if there are any secret passages or other exits inside this warehouse is a thing our party really should have been doing as quietly as possible during this time.

Nothing was found. The only exit is the single door at the other end of the main room (now blocked with a piece of furniture). The windows on the second floor are too thin to squeeze through.

>Does that lamia know about his little hidey hole?
Yes
>Did Mina tell him that there's cultists in the basement?
Yes.
>Is he sure there isn't an APB on his ass with a description specific enough to convince the lamia that he's the guy?
Being a man is enough to stand out, he's prepared to move the instant things sound suspicious. If he can't get in the basement, then he intends to leave the city with Leena.

>>4304213
Did she tell him we're in the warehouse out back? He's scanned his area for bugs right? Did Mina see any lamias during her excursions? What's his timeline or situation that'll cause him to try and ghost out of town with Leena? Can we offer up an alliance? That is, we'll offer to help him get her to the basement and fight the cultists when the time comes, but we want to see this shit for ourselves and he's gotta help us stay hidden until our ultimate trump card arrives if we intend to wait until tomorrow to make our move (two or more ultimate trump cards actually, if we can manage a full rest for us and our party as well). Also, he has to swear in the name of justice to not rat us out or use us as a sacrificial pawn/distraction.

Other than that, I don't see any reason we can't ask all the questions. Seems time will allow at the moment. I'd like to start with the armor and the lamia, then see if knows of a way for us to meet up in person while not getting screwed over by guards or cultists. How long until nightfall?

Also, just pointing this out, but I don't think he can successfully leave the city now. He must know that as well.

>>4304179
>Press him on what made him lose trust in the head priest.

Could it be at all similar to weird stuff we noticed alongside the pearl, in the church we raided that one time.

>>4304235
>Did she tell him we're in the warehouse out back?
Yes, he's surprised how smoothly your entire group moved.
>He's scanned his area for bugs right?
Quite literally impossible, so no. Being overheard is a danger you can't prevent.
>Did Mina see any lamias during her excursions?
Only the head priest (only one in the church)
>What's his timeline or situation that'll cause him to try and ghost out of town with Leena?
If the church is invaded by the cultist then he'll do his best to sit out the conflict and try to sneak into the basement during the confusion if possible. Once the soldiers arrive though, he can't believe the situation will ever improve so he'll move out.
>Can we offer up an alliance?
Yes, his reaction to that will require a small update on my part. Nothing prevent you to make this offer.
>How long until nightfall?
Proper nightfall begins at 8pm.

>>4304242
Duly noted.

I think I can make another small update tonight, I'll give your vote a 15 minutes wait then lock it in and write.

Also, I'll likely only update once tomorrow and Sunday because I want to take it easy during the weekends. Our thread isn't close to ending though (can't find a good cliffhanger!) so regular activity will resume Monday.

...then again maybe the mood to continue writing will strike me anyway, I'm just giving a forewarning.

>>4304251
Can we offer an alliance and then ask about the lamia? I'd like to formalize that if possible. I think he knows he's probably going to need our help if he wants to win.

>>4304259
Oh, and I forgot, they've been acting like being overheard is a danger have spoken in the lowest possible whispers they can yes? Done low enough the sound barely carries a foot away in total silence if even that.

>>4304259
Combining the two for brevity's sake... Hm, I suppose it can work. Might change into a long post, so I won't make a promise to update tonight.

Actually, maybe I can answer all questions tomorrow.
The one thing that I mainly wanted to know is if you guys wanted to move into the church quickly, which by the look of things doesn't seem to be the case.
So the choice is

>Make an alliance with Adam and continue to communicate.

This will cause some time to pass, inevitably.

>>4304261
Yeah, Adam has been very careful there.

>>4304267
Would moving into the church necessitate another roll? Would we even know a good hiding place for all of us? I mean, we could make for Adam's location but I don't think our group could pull it off unnoticed.

>>4304275
Moving into the church unnoticed with your entire group will be difficult to pull off, especially with how random the guard's number seemed to increase and decrease and the main hall is wide open. (Only way to reach upstairs is in there, Klesiah explored the entrance your group can access and it's simply a small quiet, living room seperated from the hall).

The option is there, and your freedom is to take it or not.

>>4304275
Oh yeah, it would need a roll.

>>4304284
Hmmm... sounds like it wouldn't take long. We'll move in if the cultists and guards get into a fight. Otherwise it's better to wait until a distraction occurs (like a fight).

Thread will resume tomorrow. Sorry for not updating this weekend.

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Was the new situation in town truly an opportunity for your group to sneak inside the church properly or are you having a dangerous case of wishful thinking...? To act or not was the question, the role of leadership had naturally fallen on your shoulders because so far, you've made the right call in this game, part of you wondered if Hildegarde would have tried to impose herself had you made one too many mistakes... But thankfully that's not a worry.

The new policy of the duchess to herd the population out of the streets will make it impossible to lose yourselves in the crowd and once the majority of folks are taken care of, it'll free up a whole lot of guards... The church is just across the street but it is a busy one. Keeping track of how many plated boots you've heard filtering through the thick wooden walls was useless, there might not even be an opportunity to sneak inside that church at all.

''Klesiah?'' You had to agree with Adam judgment, staying put and waiting until tensions erupted into violence was the wisest option to avoid being hopelessly outnumbered. Daring is how victory is accomplished but it a thin line separating that into a disaster. ''Can you tell Adam that I, as a player, wish to ally with him? Both of us want to help Leena, if the knowledge he seeks won't endanger that little cat, then our only chances to accomplish anything -especially for him- is to get help. I have plenty of questions and I'm sure he has too, so for now, let's take this time to at least dispel suspicions.''

''Mh...'' Klesiah acknowledges your words with this simple noise, a tiny spark of dread filtered through the soul link as she drank a healthy gulp of water and relayed your message in full with Mina help. ''He accepted.'' She continues after a moment, succinct, a morsel of sadness she tried to hide didn't escape your perception.

''What'd he say?'' You pressed your knight.

''He doesn't trust me, that's all... But he's glad to know that he's not alone in wanting to help Leena.'' Klesiah... she's downplaying whatever it is he said because it certainly caused a sting in her big heart.

Man of justice, huh?

''Well then if he can't keep his fat mouth shut, have him tell us why he's gotten suspicious of the ladysnake head priest so suddenly.''

''It's something related to Leena. They talked after hiding themselves and apparently, she saw the head priest and the duchess do some kind of ritual in the church basement.''

Klesiah waited, blue eyes opening, staring at you and Shereen absentmindedly as both of you were the only sources of light in the heavy darkness of this warehouse, her face and mood made it obvious something happened. ''She's... vague.'' Your knight started after whatever event just happened ended. ''Leena says the duchess forced the lady snake into making a ritual, to create ''the beginning of the end.'' Apparently, she got caught spying on them and was made to...cultivate?'' Klesiah paused in obvious worry.

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Was she relaying Leena words now? Those words wouldn't be out of place coming out of a cultist. ''Leena says the witch promised an end, the unwanted black cat of a sinful city will, for a short moment, be the focus of the entire world?'' Klesiah lips pursed together, her eyes closed again as she concentrated completely on sharing senses with her spiritual partner.

This is certainly... awkward to address. It would seem, however, that the head priestess has some important knowledge about Myrtidal general situation and, from the look of things, is forced to cooperate with the duchess... but she's at least rebellious enough to keep Adam hidden. For now. What kind of magical ritual happened down there? What is it that Leena has been subjected to? Is it connected to that web?

''Leena completely clam up about this subject. She likes being vague and grandiose.'' Klesiah lips purse together. ''Adam says it's better to set her own pace with whatever she's comfortable to talk about.''

You'll have to agree there. She's looking barely old enough to be considered a teenager and those people inside that courtyard must have made her daily life hell, now coupled with whatever traumatic event she witnessed in that basement, Leena's emotional balance must be a very delicate thing...

"Did you take advantage of that, Ama?'' You whispered inwardly if that witch was listening to your thoughts, hopefully, that caused a pang of guilt.

''Let's change the subject for the kid sake.'' You decided to move on. ''You mentioned an armor earlier, can you ask him about that?''

Your knight nodded and as usual, a few minutes of silences followed as she relayed your message then digested the response.

''It's a Magitek battle armor adjusted to function with alchemical power sources, it's his personal tweaked design, the culmination of his time inside the Iron City.''

Iron City...? Oh right, you remember briefly reading about it. A semi-independent city inside the kingdom of Gwalchmai that functions as the unofficial source of knowledge for the Allied Kingdoms alchemy and, supposedly, Magitek.

Apparently, it's the place that perfectioned monstrous agricultural alchemy after the Great Crusade to prevent widespread famine in the Allied Kingdoms

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''It's... something that can combine several pieces of Magitek equipment into a single ''whole''?'' Klesiah tries her best to relay information despite her confusion, almost motivating you to give her a deserving head pat. ''He's starting to put it on now, he's confident he'll be able to help Leena much more effectively with it and since cultists have already infested the basement, there's no telling when he'll be forced to move. It seems the armor greatly enhance his physical prowess and, despite being a non-mage, allow him to use all kind of near-magical tricks by attuning with his equipment.'' She briefly paused. ''He'd like to know about your gauntlet, he's wondering if you have all of your gems or just a sapphire.''

''Tell him my Magitek instrument is a modified version that allows me to switch between lightning, fire, and ice without having to dismantle the item and insert a new gem.'' Keeping that from him would just breed mistrust in the event you have to switch element and hopefully, being truthful would help.

''That got him excited.'' Klesiah smiled faintly, a brief surge of excitement carried a short-lived positive mood through the link. ''He'd love to examine that piece if fate allows.''

You do feel the same about his pieces, what would have happened if you'd pushed Belphegor a little more and managed to get inside that armor... Could things have changed back in Throne Town?

First impression aside and if he can swallow his grudge about Klesiah bout of banditry, this Adam might not be a hopeless case as a player of Ama game. Sunlight was slowly but surely starting to dim outside and for now, your group will have to stay put and react to outside occurrence instead of holding the initiative.

You weren't pleased about this at all but this was the best thing to do, perhaps the cult believes the cover of darkness was the better time to start or maybe they needed more time to move people inside the city. Whatever it was, the duchess and the demagogue must have looked all over the city by now. Patience, you have it, they' don't.

Each choice will drain a certain amount of time, impossible to tell how much, you'll have to trust your guts.

>Coordinate with Adam and form a plan to adhere to once the conflict erupts. (Will open more choices)

>Try your hands with Klesiah and Shereen with another magical ritual. You have an idea about potentially making your and your little princess consciousness come together inside Klesiah and see what's happening with Mina in real-time. It should make communication much easier... (Will cost a light amount of magic).

>Rest and enjoy a rare moment of peace with the girls, there's hasn't been any time to enjoy your reunion with your knight... and seeing two old friends back together again. (Precise what to say/ask)

>Free

>>4307969
>Coordinate with Adam and form a plan to adhere to once the conflict erupts. (Will open more choices)

The faster we get to the basement, the larger the lead that will give us over the reinforcements, and if we manage to time things just right the Cult and the Guards are going to be very busy while dealing with each other as best they can, and so should have the manpower they can afford to spend searching for us reduced.

>>4307969
What time is it now and can magic be detected somehow? Like, can others sense it or is there tech around that can make you show up on a radar of some kind or otherwise lead them right to a mage in focus mode?

Also, we need to bring this guy back to throne town. Seems he's another magitek master who has essentially figured out how to construct mana batteries without apparently needing a mage to gas em' up. Those would be mighty useful for everyone, ourselves definitely included. Being able to run our elemental gauntlet off of those and keep our actual magical reserves for our own sorcery or fusion attempts would greatly increase our combat potential.

>>4307985
>What time is it now and can magic be detected somehow?
Can't give an exact moment about time since you're inside an enclosed building, only hint you'll get here is that sunlight is starting to change into a sharper orange. Some alchemical instruments can detect magic, otherwise, it can't be obviously detected.

>Seems he's another magitek master who has essentially figured out how to construct mana batteries without apparently needing a mage to gas em' up.
Alchemy, in general, run on a universal kind of power sources so it's not unusual for non-magical Magitek to actually replicate magical phenomenon by slapping batteries inside weapons. However, the fact that he seems to have these batteries without equipment to make them is, indeed, remarkable.

>>4307993
The duchess has effectively infinite money and knows we're a mage. She has probably requisitioned such a device. How big is the detection radius and how thick are the walls in this warehouse? Would that even matter in the face of such tech?

>>4308005
>She has probably requisitioned such a device.
Well, Muribel in general isn't big on alchemy. Arawn hasn't seen anything related to that in the capital and here... but who know how crafty that duchess is huh?

>How big is the detection radius
Depend on the item itself, there are several radars. Some are bigger than tables and can detect an entire city block, the most high techs ones are personal equipment (cost a pretty penny) with a general 10-meter radius.

In general, the most affordable ones are unwieldy piece of crap needing two hands to hold properly with a 5-meter radius.

>How thick are the walls in this warehouse?
Very, it was obviously designed to hold all kinds of things behind the church.

>Would that even matter in the face of such tech?
Yes, depend entirely if it's an old or newer version. Old versions will have a problem detecting through walls while newer gadgets obviously don't.

>>4308019
Yeah, that gets me paranoid enough to not try magic. I suppose we can coordinate with Adam then. After all, if everything goes well we'll have a 2 day return trip to the capital to catch up/enjoy with the girls.

Possibly with Adam too. I bet he'd come once he heard about the princess. Justice demands Shereen's big sis takes a dirt nap for that! Or we could hire him out. Nobody said you can't do the right thing and get paid as well. I want the secret to those batteries he has. Badly.

Giving twenty more minutes of waiting time then going with this option >>4307984

>>4308032
Oh, look like there's no need to wait.

>>4307969
>Coordinate with Adam and form a plan to adhere to once the conflict erupts. (Will open more choices)
I sure would like to have some choice words with the head priestess, if fate would allow. She'd likely fold like a house of cards in the face of interrogation, assuming she doesn't fear the Duchess more than whatever threats we could throw at her.

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'We need to coordinate.'' You said, wanting to change the subject. You'd end up wasting time talking alchemy and magitek otherwise. ''If we can't make it into the basement then joining force should be our objective.''

''Agreed.'' Hildegarde remarked. ''I think we should abandon all ideas of actually making it into the basement at first, gathering our strength and moving as a single unit whilst people fight has the most realistic chance of accomplishing anything.''

Part of you wanted to bunker down and wait until tomorrow for Elina arrival but... 700 hundred soldiers are also expected to get here. Hrm.

For what felt like the better part of an hour, a slow discussion happened between your group and Adam (he, unlike you, also had a map of the city) as ideas and realities inevitably clashed, the man was a bold one to be sure, wanting to immediately take action.

''How in Mother Earth good grace he expects to survive jumping off the church roof? It's three stories high!''

''He says his armor and equipment will easily allow that him to make the jump.'' Klesiah voice couldn't resist sneaking an edge of amusement at your irritated disbelief.

''Well, if he's that confident, then at least he's got a way out.'' Zhu added. ''For some lone vigilante, he's got guts.''

Ama has a good eye for players huh?

In the end, several ideas were put forth and, with little intelligence about the upcoming conflict (Klesiah hasn't been privy to much knowledge regarding Ari'el cult and Adam concentrated on hiding from the guards during his time in Myrtidal and was exposed to the general population and free criminal elements as a result) making a broad plan was, in the end, wisest.

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>Having your group immediately charge into the church when conflict erupts will undeniably destabilize the enemies and, depending on how much of a ruckus you cause, it'd be possible for you to drag a good number of enemies away from the basement, thereby giving an opportunity for Adam to go inside. (Surprisingly, Zhu put forth this solution. She's also willing to remain up there and hold up as many enemies as she can.)

>Encourage a wait and see approach. Once things start to seriously heat up, your group and Adam will wait roughly ten minutes for the conflict to truly go out of control then make your way into Pilgrim Way to regroup. The Petebar family was based in there and they seem to have vacated the premise, leaving many big empty buildings. You can strategize again afterward. Mina will also remain with Adam in case his hideout is breached and he needs to move out.

>Make use of Mina newfound well of magical energy to safeguard Leena. A few minutes after things erupt is when the confusion should be total, the divine elemental should be able to carry the girl without trouble and fly her way in front of the warehouse. Adam can concentrate on moving without burdens. Joining forces is of paramount importance if you want to stand a chance against both factions...

>Free

Hildegarde also suggested something very... pragmatic, a whisper into your ear prevented any of the girls to hear what she had in mind.

>(Bonus) In the case you need to vacate the premise of this warehouse, Hildegarde advises you to start a magical wildfire on this side of the city.

Myrtidal buildings are primarily made of stones but there's plenty of woods on the roofs and you've notices that garbage tends to line the backstreets, making for plenty of combustibles. Now a magical fire, even one going out of control, will snuff itself out after ten minutes because such is the nature of magic but in the meantime, it would cause unbelievable fear in the nearby inhabitants.

If the cult and the guards have a modicum of morality, they'll help the people, otherwise, those inhabitants fleeing their burning home would make for a valuable distraction...

Choices here >>4307969 are still valid. You can also try to do other things of course, like...

>Try to reach out to Leena with Klesiah and Mina help. The girl must have quite a story, why not try to get to know her?
>Speak with Adam. (Ask him about his general presence in the game or go for something more personal. Does he have a family, who is he exactly?)
>Free

>>4308150
Damn, Hilde's ruthless. I find that attractive. She's on the waifu list now.

That aside, would Gardy approve of such an action? It does risk harming innocents and I'm not exactly sold on the guards or cultists having any moral scruples. He may be in robot heaven now, but we still have to due right by his memory. And ensure Mina survives this and makes it back to Mother Earth. If anyone can repair/resurrect our beloved mechanical protector, it's her

>>4308150
>Try to reach out to Leena with Klesiah and Mina help. The girl must have quite a story, why not try to get to know her?

If we could find out what her and Adam's intentions are for whatever is in the Basement are that would be useful, since utilizing whatever is down there is the real objective here. (The Guards no longer have access to it, and the Cult doesn't know what to do with it.) And so preventing it's immediate use by either destroying whatever is down there or taking it with us is likely going to be the best way of dealing with it.

Setting the Chuch itself on fire could be a way to temporally seal the entrance, as to prevent / delay reinforcements coming up from behind us while we are clearing / investigating the basement.

If it has any additional entrances they could be as a way to control / slow the flow of reinforcements from above ground or escape once we are done with the basement, and If we run into Ari'el while underground he is likely to have trouble leveraging his greater mobility into a true advantage so it might make it a little bit more likely for us to not immediately die, horribly as we get separated and subsequently overwhelmed by the sheer number of Cultists.

>>4308194
Oh, wait, does Klesiah know about how we no longer house Gardy's ego? Did we tell her that or can she sense his lack of presence in the link?

>>4308194
>That aside, would Gardy approve of such an action?
Nobody would (although Zhu wouldn't really care). Though, if Gardy was presented with a choice of letting a city die or protecting his charge, you know what he would pick. In general though, he wouldn't go out of his way to get an advantage by harming innocents, even if they're assholes.

But your situation is, ultimately, different.

>>4308196

Vote is noted.

>>4308207
>Oh, wait, does Klesiah know about how we no longer house Gardy's ego? Did we tell her that or can she sense his lack of presence in the link?

It hasn't been said outright but by now, especially because of the soul link, she's got some major suspicion. Arawn isn't keen on talking about it.

Having some serious internet problem again (it's happening almost everyday now, damn it). Don't think I'll be posting tonight anymore.

>>4308222
He'd let the city die I'd reckon. Would another mass smoke bomb serve as an alternate distraction? Generate a bunch of smoke but not actively setting fire to anything?

It may come down to it though. Even if we link up with Adam we've still only got half a tank of mana. Keeping guards occupied would only help us. I'm guessing Adam would disapprove of the tactic as well. Would he?

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>>4308233
>Would another mass smoke bomb serve as an alternate distraction? Generate a bunch of smoke but not actively setting fire to anything?

You could try but it won't be as effective because you won't be able to spread the smoke around as you did previously, fooling the people with the same trick twice won't be as easy.

>I'm guessing Adam would disapprove of the tactic as well. Would he?
Based on how Klesiah described him, Arawn would say so. It's a ruthless option, but it will help. Hild is sure of that.

>>4308240
Also, Hild can cause a fire of her own with her unusual limbs but it'd be very unlikely for that to spread beyond the warehouse or this street. A true wildfire will need a bit of a kick, especially since it's not very windy today. Still, it's another option for a fire

>>4308247
I hate to point it out but she can provide the kick if she's capable of jumping up on the rooftops. Superheat her feet, start jumping. Where she lands will burst into flame. I'm guessing her body is quite resistant to fire is it not? Would be nice to know it it's OK to cast fire spells into melee with her in the blast radius.