>>42473286

Grunting with vague distaste, you reread the first message:

>Do you seek power? I have wisdom I would share with you. Meet with me. Scathach.

Huh, so the old witch can use technology as well. You've got to admit, you're a little surprised – not least by the fact that she managed to get your number from somewhere. Even if it does sound a little like a dubious advert, the prospect of power is one that catches your attention. The next message:

>We have been asked to provide a service – the client asked for you specifically. Stop by the club when convenient for more information. The young mistress would also like to see you. N.

The club? That must be Nebiros, from the Hellfire Club. If there's a client asking for you by name, you must be getting a reputation. A reputation as what, though – someone who can get things done, or someone who'll take any dirty job that comes along? Unfortunately, both could be seen as true.

On the other hand, there might be something to do around the palace. There's a certain energy in the air, and muffled noise comes from the direction of the dining hall. Faint music, cheers and drinking songs, by the sounds of it. Someone, somewhere, is having a party. It might be a good chance to blow off some steam...

>Go and visit Scathach
>Go and visit the Hellfire Club
>Investigate this party

>>42473290
>>Investigate this party
odds are it'll affect us and our ability to stay here.

>>42473290
>>Investigate this party
This is the same celebration Cass mentioned I guess.

>>42473464
What do you mean?

>>42473517
Parties usually involve something to celebrate, something important. Since I doubt fairies celebrate birthdays, and there are no holidays pending, it must be a political event. That is going to affect us around here one way or the other.

>>42473290
>Investigate this party

>>42473464
>>42473517
>>42473594

A party, and they didn't invite you? This cannot stand!

Really though, neither of those messages sounded particularly urgent – if they were that urgent, they would have made the effort to come get you in person – so you can probably put them off until tomorrow. If they take offence, you can always play the wounded soldier card – you were still recovering from your injuries, of course. So, with the trivial matters put out of your mind, you settle down to the important business.

The riotous sounds grow louder and louder still as you follow them down the palace corridors. Every so often you pass groups of fairies, cheering, singing or just plain drinking, but they pay you no mind, far too involved in their own revelry to care about some passing human. It must be some event, you think to yourself. The last time you saw this much excitement and vigour in one place, it had been after Cu Chulainn's return. Maybe the hero has done something worthy of his reputation – some noble deed or great triumph. Or, maybe the fairies just throw a party at the drop of the hat.

When you arrive at the dining hall, you immediately notice that, if there was any formal celebration, it's long over. Now, all that's left is the chaotic swirl of drinking and cavorting. Pixies flutter around the roof, occasionally spilling wine or dropping entire jugs of the stuff to shatter upon the floor, while other fairies tear the floor up in violent dances. You even see a circle of trolls slumped in one corner, draining barrels of ale and roaring laughter. It's quite the eye-opening scene, but what you see next amuses you even more.

Sitting at a table, flanked on one side by Cu Chulainn himself and on the other by a... demon of some kind, Cassandra laughs and gesticulates wildly. Her too? Eager to get in on the action, you push your way through the crowds and plant yourself down at their table.

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>>42473664

Some party, you shout above the background noise, is this a friend of Cassandra's? You ask this as you look at the leopard creature sitting to her side, the demon swaying in place and occasionally taking a deep swig of wine.

“This is... Osh!” Cassandra yells back, her own voice slurred beyond anything you expected from the usually sober girl, “Ose, Ose!” she corrects herself, the devil at her side roaring laughter at her error.

So, you smile with bemusement at the sight of the pair cackling like old friends, what's the occasion? Did someone do something, or is this just a party for the sake of a party?

“Full moon!” Cassandra, Ose and Cu Chulainn all cry in unison, raising their glasses and clashing them together. That... doesn't really tell you anything. Is it a full moon tonight? The thought suddenly reminds you of that strange priest – if he really was a priest – you met on the border between life and death. Find him on a full moon, he had told you – assuming, of course, it hadn't been some delusion.

“We're celebrating the return of the Lunar Crown,” a voice from behind you cuts through the background noise, startling you just as much as the hand that falls upon your shoulder does, “But, yes, it is also a full moon tonight. An impressive coincidence, is it not? Oberon now possesses the crown, and none may dispute his rule.”

Titania, you realise as the lithe woman slides into a seat next to you. She looks serene, quietly pleased with the celebrations surrounding you both. That must mean she's happy with this recent turn of events.

“Oh yes, quite pleased,” Titania assures you with a smile. “But not as pleased as the king was. I played the part of the dutiful wife, giving him the most valuable gift I could give.”

>>42473775

Is that so? You crane your head up and look around the hall for any sight of Oberon. That said, he wouldn't be easy to find, what with his small stature and all. Even so, there isn't any sight of him. What's the king up to, you ask Titania, what's he planning?

“He took a number of his, ah, bodyguards and retired to his private quarters,” the queen answers you plainly, “As for his plans, well, I shan't speculate.”

That's okay – you really don't want to know. So, if Titania is offering gifts to Oberon, their feud must be over, right?

“Were we feuding?” Titania asks, with deliberate mystery, a playful glint in her eyes, “I don't know what you mean. The fairy kingdom remains united, as does its leaders.”

United. Right. You could argue – frankly, you kind of want to start a fight – but there seems little point. You can already see how it would end, with Titania talking you into some corner and then swishing away with her victory intact. Either she's still got some plans brewing behind the scenes, or there's some serious revisionism going on here – neither option spelling anything good for you.

“Excuse me,” the queen stands, smoothing her gown down, “I should mingle. Perhaps I'll find some entertainment of my own. I'm gladdened to see you recovered, Amelia – we'll talk soon, I'm sure.”

...Sure. As Titania turns to leave, you return your attentions to Cassandra – who looks like she's about to fall asleep at any minute. Exactly how much wine has she drank?

>You're drinking tonight?
>What happened while I was out?
>I'm leaving. See you around
>Other

>>42473842
>You're drinking tonight?
Please tell me you didn't try to outdrink Cu or Ose.
>What happened while I was out?

>>42473842
>You're drinking tonight?
>What happened while I was out?
Hang out with Cass, Ose, and Cu. Might as well enjoy ourselves. It won't be long til we are back at work.

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>>42473870
>>42473883

She's drinking tonight, you ask in amazement – you can't remember ever seeing her drink, hell, you couldn't even imagine her drinking until tonight! - why?

“Drinking to forget,” Cassandra murmurs, leaning closer so her words can reach you, along with a rush of wine scent, “You know what we had to do to get that crown thing? If it wasn't for us, Titn... Tita... Tint... the queen wouldn't have it at all!”

So what did she have to for it? What could be so bad that it drove the normally calm, sensible girl to drink?

“We had to fight this dreadful monster,” Cassandra shudders at the memory, and takes a long drink, “It was awful – so... so awful. I don't ever want to think about it again.”

“Massive fuckin' dick!” Ose yells, drawing stares from all around, “Green as a pile of green shit!” The leopard devil roars with laughter as Cassandra groans, slumping low until her forehead rests on the wooden table.

“So then we carry this gaudy moon crystal bullshit outta there,” Ose continues, seizing the narrative, “Then... Shit, boss, what then? Musta passed out or somethin'...”

“Then the church,” Cu Chulainn explains, lifting Cassandra up from her slump and shaking her shoulder lightly, “We saw a light inside and decided to investigate. Wisely, now I think about it, although I think Cassandra regrets it now.”

“Amelia!” Cassandra hisses with drunken paranoia, “It was HER. Sister Joan – only it wasn't her! It was Gabriel, the Archangel!” Cassandra's eyes grow wide with exaggerated shock as she sees your surprised reaction. “I know! It's cheating, right? There was none of that “whoosh” stuff from the sky this time. Just some... candles and... more candles.”

She's going to need to give you more than that to work on, you tell her, to no reaction. You glance across as Cu Chulainn, who shrugs vaguely. At least someone else here is remotely sober.

>>42474019

So, the Archangel Gabriel is already here. Did she arrive while you were in your coma, perhaps?

“No, no!” Cassandra protests, “I mean, she WAS Sister Joan. She was her all along! It was Gabriel that gave me this stupid... phone thing. She said... said I wasn't beyond redemption, but I'd need to turn my back on you, this, everything. That's not all...”

Gabriel was around even before the end of the world? You lean back in your seat as you process this new information. Worrying, especially if this new Archangel can assume a human form. You'll have to be on your guard from now on. Then again, Lilith took a human form as well – are they really all that different?

“She said that you were going to turn evil,” Cassandra's shoulders slump in pessimistic worry, “Amelia, I don't want you to turn evil.”

You... hadn't been planning on turning evil, you reassure her, awkwardly patting her on the shoulder. Is that what Gabriel said? Her exact words?

“There is a great darkness growing within you,” Cu Chulainn tells you, “I believe that was more or less what the angel said.”

You see. Then what?

Cu Chulainn clears his throat before answering. “We removed ourselves from the situation. With haste.”

>So you ran away
>Cassandra, I'm not evil. Do I look evil to you?
>Gabriel... we're going to have to do something about her sooner or later
>Other

>>42474116
Well there WAS this weird black marble, and then there's the visions I got every time I controlled a cornerstone, and how I'm don't exactly feel guilty when I tell half-truths....really, it could be anything. I don't WANT it to happen, but if I have to keep this up until all the cornerstones are taken....

At least it wasn't Black Frost.

>>42474116
>Cassandra, I'm not evil. Do I look evil to you?
Also from prior experience angels interpret anything not following their interpretations of God's will as dark and evil. Still sorry you had to go through that.
>Gabriel... we're going to have to do something about her sooner or later
She's not going to go away, and we will likely meet her at a cornerstone eventually, unless she tries to strike directly.

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>>42474116
>Gabriel...we're going to have to do something about her sooner or later.

Also

>Fucking hell my favorite demon finally shows up and I wasn't around for it

>>42474116
>So you ran away
Good call, I never want to fight those guys unprepared.

>Cassandra, I'm not evil. Do I look evil to you?

>Gabriel... we're going to have to do something
But later, right now we can at least enjoy ourselves.

>>42474150
Hey, reassure the drunk girl, not make her more worried. Monologue that shit in your head if you really feel the need to think it through.

>>42474150
Do you really think Amelia would say or think for that matter 'Oh yeah I can totally see myself going evil if this keeps up'? She's more sure of herself than that. Honestly that's more of Players opinion than a in character one.

>>42474199
>Hey, reassure the drunk girl, not make her more worried
MORE PARANOIA, MORE FEAR, FACE IT ALL HEAD ON AND KILL IT.

Wait, wrong character.

>>42474226
ach, yea you kinda hit the nail on the head.

>>42474116

changing >>42474150 to
"Well if there IS some darkness in me, we can deal with it together, right?"

>>42474245
>>42474199
>>42474188
>>42474164

Evil? Well, you'd hardly call yourself evil, but does anyone? What you do know if that you're acting directly against God's will. In the eyes of an angel, then yeah, you're probably evil. But speaking as a human, you'd hardly consider yourself any worse than the next man. You've done some things you're not proud of – the memory of leaving Leon to die still stirs up ill-feeling in you – but evil? Never.

Cassandra, you murmur, leaning closely so the drunk girl can see you closely, do you look evil to her? You say this with the most reassuring smile you can manage, desperately trying not to think of what might happen if she says “yes”.

“No,” Cassandra – thankfully – replies instead, “I guess I knew that. This... Sister Joan thing is messing with my head...”

Well, if there IS any darkness within you, you've got Cassandra to keep you on the straight and narrow – so that's okay then. We can deal with it together. Now, you look up at Cu Chulainn. This hasty removal of his – you ran away?

“Yes,” the fairy hero admits, “I feel it was the only option. We were fatigued and injured – a straight fight would have spelled disaster.”

You agree entirely, you tell the fairy, smiling a little at the wave of relief that passes across his features. You don't like to take on those things without plenty of preparation first. That said – and you lock eyes with Cassandra for the next part – you're going to have to deal with Gabriel sooner or later. Even if she doesn't come to hunt us all down, she'll be searching for the next cornerstone as well. When you do cross paths, is there anything Cassandra can tell you that might help?

Cassandra frowns, searching her memory. “She felt... friendly, almost. Said she was God's Compassion.”

Hmm. Nothing terribly useful, you must admit, but you've got other sources for that information. For now, you're just glad that Cassandra got out of there alive.

>>42474424

“If I may be so bold,” Cu Chulainn adds gently, “I would advise against underestimating the Archangel. She put on a façade of harmlessness, but don't forget – she is second only to Michael himself. I don't know what she's capable of, but if you were to face her, I would be ready for anything.”

Right. At the very least, you can probably expect holy magic. Before this can turn into an impromptu tactics meeting, Cassandra lets out a tremendous yawn.

“Oh...” she groans, “I'm tired. All this stuff we've been doing...”

And the wine she drank, you remind her, glad to be talking of less serious matters.

“I only had a little!” Cassandra protests, before sliding down in her chair and sighing deeply. “They make strong wine here...” she murmurs, her voice already growing thick with sleep. Before you can say or do anything to stop the inevitable slide into slumber, her breathing has already grown heavy and regular, her eyes drifted shut.

Damn it. So much for your plans to spend the night talking with her. Looks like you're going to need something else to do. As far as you know, both Scathach and the Hellfire Club are open for business at all hours, if you feel like getting something productive done. Then again, you could also just stay and shoot the shit with Cu Chulainn.

Or, there's always church, if you want to risk frustration by talking with a vaguely worded priest.

>Stay here. Have a drink or two
>Go see Scathach/the Hellfire Club
>Go and find a church
>Other

>>42474535
>Go see Scathatch

>>42474535
>Go and find a church
Hell, you don't find many opportunities to really have a heart2heart with LAW

>>42474535
>>Go and find a church

>>42474535
>Other
Shoot the shit a little bit with Ose and Cu, maybe have a single drink.

Then

>Go and find a church
Well I suppose its not often there is a full moon and we can't just run in circles like the game.

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>>42474545
>>42474552
>>42474569
inb4gabby

>>42474585
Well the priest himself seemed pretty non-aligned back when we talked to him in Ankou's realm.

But yeah theres a chance Gabby might be lurking.

>>42474545
>That fake-ass priest
>Law
More like Lucifer

>>42474545
>>42474552
>>42474569

If this priest only shows up on the full moon, then you'd have a long wait to see him again if you miss this chance. You're not sure what help – if any – he can offer, but the last time you talked with him he seemed to have all kinds of knowledge. Even if you can only tease a single bit of information out of him, it'd be worth the trip. Besides, you want to see him again just to prove to yourself that he wasn't some kind of hallucination.

You bid farewell to Ose and Cu Chulainn, promising that you'll be back soon enough to share a drink with them. You want to keep a clear head for this, but there's always the chance of wanting – no, needing – a drink afterwards.

“Stay safe,” Cu Chulainn reminds you as you're leaving, “It's not just us fairies that come out to dance under the full moon. Demons of all kinds can react... strangely.”

You'll be careful, you promise – knowing full well that if you were REALLY being careful, you wouldn't be going out at all. What the hell, live a little. Grinning with the simple pleasure of walking freely about again, you stride out of the dining hall and work your way towards the foyer. From there, London awaits you. When you take your first steps out into the cool night air, your breath escapes you at the sight.

The moon is... huge. Hanging lower than you've ever seen, it seems impossibly bright and intricate, every single scar and chasm displayed in fantastical detail. If this is what fairies see at every full moon, you can very well imagine why they grow excited at the sight. It even seems to get a faint reaction out of your all too human body, a restless energy that seems to fill your limbs with slow ease. This strange mood... you feel like causing some trouble!

Laughing softly to yourself – without regard for how insane you might sound – you stride off into the night.

>>42474868
>a restless energy that seems to fill your limbs with slow ease. This strange mood... you feel like causing some trouble
Are we going to start transforming and eating people?

>>42474920
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv3rtPD0C-s

>>42474946
>Amelia got a stomachache!

>>42474868

It is, at the very least, a passing lunacy. By the time you've found a church – nothing scenic, but it's got everything that counts – you're feeling much closer to normal. You even take the time to knock before pushing the door open and letting yourself inside. It's pretty bleak inside the little church, but at least the lingering corruption that has twisted the world seems to have left well alone. At first, you think you're alone, but then:

“So,” a smooth voice calls out, “You've fallen in with the fae. An interesting lot, if you don't mind the fact that they're a den of vipers.”

As your eyes get used to the darkness – the impossibly bright moonlight seemingly not penetrating the darkened windows – you notice the priest casually sitting on one of the pews. He hasn't even turned to face you yet, but he obviously knows who you are.

“I find them interesting, at least,” he continues, “They're a paradox, those fairies. They exist in a constant state of flux – of transition – and yet they never really change. Curious, is it not? They repeat their trite little cycles over and over again, without end. Tell me, have the king and queen had their usual squabble yet, or have they made up already?”

That smug tone in his voice is almost enough to convince you to turn around and walk right out of here, but something keeps you. As you watch, the priest takes a deep drink from a metal goblet – it seems that everyone except you is drinking tonight – and chuckles at some unsaid joke.

>Tell me more about the fairies.
>You're a priest, aren't you? What do you know about angels?
>Have you heard of something called a “cornerstone”?
>Other

>>42475069
>Tell me, have the king and queen had their usual squabble yet, or have they made up already?”
"I honestly can't tell yet."

>You're a priest, aren't you? What do you know about angels?
>Have you heard of something called a “cornerstone”?

>>42475069
>>Other
Who are you really and what's your stake in all this?

>>42475069
>Tell me about Outside
>Who are you really and what's your stake in all this?

>>42475069
>>Tell me more about the fairies.
What's all this cycle nonsense about?

>>42475069
>>42475100
>>42475110
>>42475133
These

>>42475100
>>42475110
>>42475133
>>42475222
>>42475273

Have the king and queen stopped arguing? Now that's a question – truth be told, you can't imagine them NOT being at each other's throats these days. So, you gesture for him to continue, you can't really tell. He seems to know what to expect, though.

“Those fairies,” the priest shakes his head, “Gods become men, men become demons, and demons aspire to divinity. A sad, endless cycle. Their whole race seems stranded a few steps away from absolute chaos, and yet they never take the plunge. I wonder what it would take to push them over the brink.” Finally turning to face you, the priest gives you a sinister grin, “The human element, perhaps?”

You really don't want to dwell on the implications of what he just said. You ask, instead, about angels. He's a priest, isn't he? He should know all about them – what can he tell you?

“I won't bore you with the basics,” the priest drawls, “I assume you know the bible stories. Now, you might be wondering why the Archangels are not as... regal as one might expect.”

You think back to Uriel's ravings and his frenzied attack, as well as Raphael's high-handed arrogance. True enough, they both behaved nothing like you'd expect an angel to act. More like beasts maddened by some disease.

“Correct,” the priest smirks as he answers, “And that disease is their growing distance from God. Their connection to the divine grows more tenuous with each passing day – and with it, their minds begin to break down, to degenerate.”

And they're growing more distant from God because – you stop yourself here, realising the truth. Because of what you're doing – weakening their power by claiming the cornerstones for yourself. Speaking of cornerstones, has he ever heard of them? And what about Outside – does he know anything about that?

>>42475365

“My, we are eating from the Tree of Knowledge tonight, aren't we?” the priest smirks again, “Yes, I know of the cornerstones. The cosmic pillars of creation, if you'll excuse the rather fantastical name, are sought by all. Angels seek to rebuild their bridge to Heaven, while devils seek to summon their lord Lucifer to Earth,” he pauses for a moment, “And from Earth, to Heaven.”

But what about Outside? Where, exactly, have you been sending this power?

“I believe the stories claim that Outside is just that, somewhere outside the usual equation – somewhere you can send power so it can do no harm.” A pause here, before the priest laughs, “What more can I say? I'm just a humble priest, after all. Of course, one hears other stories, tales of nameless things that dwell within the Outside. But, well, who would believe such things? Outside is nothing – there can't be something in nothing. Another paradox, no?”

And here it is – the vague nonsense that you were expecting! Scowling at the priest's smarmy grin, you ask him the last question you can think of – just who is he, anyway, and what's his angle? What's he after?

“Just a weary priest, put on this earth to cater to fellow travellers,” a slow laugh rolls out of the priest's chest, “Kept on this earth, perhaps I should say, to offer advice. If I could leave...” he shakes his head, “Would you choose to remain here, for as long as it might take, if you were given the option? What if the alternative was oblivion?”

What, exactly, is he asking? Would you become like him, if the alternative was death? Is he a ghost or something?

>Anything is better than oblivion
>I'd prefer oblivion
>I'm not answering that. I'm leaving.
>Other

>>42475501
>As long as there is a purpose that I believe I need to do.

>>42475501
>Anything is better than oblivion

>>42475526
wut?

>>42475546
alright, I think it's time I went to bed, if I keep not making sense like this.

>>42475501
>>42475526
for as long as WHAT might take? The "what" is what's important, not whether anything is better than oblivion.

>>42475501
>All things end in time. If the endings was good I would accept oblivion with open arms. If it was not, I would fight, struggle and persist until a better way was made. Giving up only leads to despair and insanity.

>>42475501
I misread that and thought he was preaching the White's philosophy


>Other
I suppose that would depend WHY I would be remaining here. It needs to be something good if I am going to be stuck in some endless purgatory.

>>42475526
>>42475546
>>42475613
>>42475608
>>42475691

As long as there's something you need to do, some purpose in life, then anything is better than oblivion, you tell the priest with a hard voice. But, you add, if you come to the end of the road with all your duties put to rest and no regrets left, you'll accept oblivion. It's a sombre answer, but one that fills you with a strange feeling of strength. You're prepared to struggle, fight and persist until you claim that happy ending.

But still, the priest's choice of wording disturbs you. Remain here for as long as it might take, he said. For as long as what might take?

“For a replacement to arrive,” the priest explains, “Someone to take your place as a guide. That was the choice I faced, once. I had come to the end of my own road and, confronted with oblivion, I chose to remain within this cycle – your cycle.” Then, with an impressive yawn, the priest lies back down on the pew. “Yet I retain my free will, thankfully. Enough freedom, at least, to ask you to leave. I'm very tired, you see.”

Wait a moment, you plead, one last question. Was he like you, once? In the same position you're in now – defying Heaven and Hell, for the sake of humanity? Was that his final reward – oblivion, or a lifetime spend in some new incarnation of the world?

“That was more than one question,” the priest answers with a weary laugh, “But... you are correct. As you are now, I once was. As I am now, you will be. Or something like that,” he laughs again, “I forget the exact wording. Go, child, enjoy this rare night while you can.”

You could ask some more questions, but it doesn't look like he's going to answer them. He might not even be capable of answering them – his last words sounded so drained of energy that you could scarcely believe they came from a living thing. You murmur thanks, instead, and slip quietly out of the church.

>>42475820
fuck that. Lets go chaos. Being Lucy's right hand man for eternity is way better than oblivion or being a cryptic priest.

>>42475873
Thats pretty cowardly anon. You'd go against what you've stood for up until this point for an easier way out? I wouldn't mind making the final sacrifice at the end of this road if we have to,

Besides not all cycles are the same. We might find a loophole or another option. I know Neutral doesn't usually end well but hey Space Marine and Flynn got out okay.

>>42475820

You start to return, half-heartedly, to the court. Truth be told, you no longer feel the urge to have fun or raise hell. A party, in fact, is the furthest thing from your mind at the moment. You can't stop thinking about what the priest said – could it be true? Did he fight the same battle you're fighting, only to create a world that was doomed to the same fate? Does that same fate await you as well, at the end of the road, and is it worth it?

With passion, you had spoken of purpose and duty, but can you really claim to be working towards a purpose, if everything is doomed to repeat? It's a moment of doubt, of bleak thoughts and pessimism, and not one that looks like it might pass quickly. If that is the third way you've been fighting for, then maybe you've been fighting for the wrong reasons all this time. Maybe it WOULD be better to claim a side, shelter under the wing of some higher power. At this stage, though, who would accept you?

You don't know what to do.

>Return to the court. Maybe someone there can offer advice
>Meet Scathach/Nebiros. You could use the distraction
>Walk the streets for a while. You need time to think
>Other

>>42475940
Staying with a cause you only had half the information on isn't bravery, its stupidity and blind dedication, which makes it just as bad as Law or Chaos.

>>42475975
>Meet Scathach. You could use the distraction

>>42475975
>>Return to the court. Maybe someone there can offer advice

Lets go full fairy. I'm down for sending the next two cornerstones here.

>>42475975
>Meet Scathach. You could use the distraction

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>>42476021
>>42476030

What you need right now is something awful to do, some life or death struggle to keep your mind from straying too far into dark places. Christ, is that what your life has come down to – throwing yourself into battle in order to avoid thinking too much about the future. Just a few days ago, you seemed to optimistic, so willing to face whatever destiny had in store for you with open arms. Was it just ignorance that kept you going before?

Regardless, you decide to visit Scathach and see what she wanted to talk to you about. Power, she said. Well, you don't know how much you care about power any more, but it's almost certainly going to involve some violence. Just what the doctor ordered, you think to yourself with a grim smile as you approach the hospital. Through the foyer and down the stairs to the basement. Then, suddenly, the witch is there, hovering right in front of you in her usual, crossed leg stance.

“Welcome, cursed one,” she greets you in her typically enigmatic tones.

That fucking nickname. You were almost starting to like it, thinking that it made you sound like some legendary warrior or something. Now, it sounds like a snide insult, as though she knew what fate had in store for you all along, and found some amusement in it. You feel your hands clenching into fists as Scathach turns away from you, gliding deeper down into her lair.

“The moon is full, tonight,” the witch continues, oblivious to your growing anger, “This will be a night of portents – this, I predict.”

As much as you want to punch her in the back of the head – she wouldn't see that one coming, you'd put money on that – you force yourself to calm, following her down the corridor to the boiler room.

>>42476560

“Tell me, cursed one, what is it that bothers you?” Scathach asks suddenly, “Your heart has... darkened somewhat.”

Darkened? You frown deeply as you recall Gabriel's words, by way of Cu Chulainn. A great darkness growing within you, he had said – a coincidence, surely. Unless Scathach knows more than she's letting on and really, is that such a remote possibility? You sit, instead, and fold your legs in imitation of the witch. Silence descends as you stare at each other, her eyes cool and calm, yours less so.

>Explain your situation. Ask for advice
>Ask about her earlier offer. You're here for business
>Make your excuses and leave
>Fuse a demon into equipment
>Other

>>42476667
>>Explain your situation. Ask for advice
>Ask about her earlier offer. You're here for business

>>42476667
>Explain your situation. Ask for advice
>Ask about her earlier offer. You're here for business

>>42476667
>>Explain your situation. Ask for advice
>>Ask about her earlier offer. You're here for business

Specifically alternatives to oblivion.

>>42476734
No one lives forever.

>>42476843
Sure, lets choose neutrality in sixty years after a full life and 3 kids

>>42476856
Pretty sure that kind of life got snuffed out the moment the apocalypse happened.

The question now is what are you fighting for?

>>42476887
The chance to fuck Cu Chulainn

>>42476913
Don't uhh think that's it anon.

>>42476680
>>42476721
>>42476734

If what the priest said was true – and you can't rule out the fact that he might be lying, pushing you closer to one of the great powers – then both fairies and the human world seem to be connected with cycles. In that case, why not ask a fairy about it and see if they can offer advice? Even if she can't push you in the right direction, it would be nice, at least, to talk about it. Rant, if need be. Vent your problems to an outside opinion.

So, you explain in as much detail what your problem is. Your path, you explain to her, is leading you to nothing but two shitty options. Oblivion, or an eternity spent in purgatory, guiding some other poor fool to take your place. You're not asking to live forever or anything, but you don't want your... sacrifice to be for nothing.

“Interesting,” Scathach says eventually, “So your “third option” has led to this. Tell me, who has given you this information?”

A priest, you tell her, claiming to be the one to make such a choice in the previous... cycle, or whatever.

“And where, if I might ask,” Scathach pauses dramatically, “did HE get his information?”

...Shit. Someone – or something – had to have put the choice to him, and explained his new duties. Not God, if he had followed your third way, but what? Some nameless force that waits Outside? Your jaw, you realise when Scathach laughs softly, was hanging slack.

“Now, you came to discuss business,” the witch purrs, “But perhaps you have other plans now?”

>Ask about her offer while you're still here.
>Leave and confront the priest
>Other

>>42477024
>>Ask about her offer while you're still here.
then
>Leave and confront the priest

>>42477024
>Ask about her offer while you're still here.
>Leave and confront the priest

Fuck I wonder if he saw a family member in the Outside too, feeding him information.

>>42477024
>Leave and confront the priest

Tell him to be less of a cryptic asshole and explain the deets in full. Also, tell Scathach to send us a text message with the details of the job so we don't risk losing the guy.

>>42477024
Moloch have you ever played the Legacy of Kain series?

>>42477187

>I played Blood Omen a fair few years ago and some of the sequel, but not all of it. I'm bad at finishing videogames

>>42477055
>>42477071
>>42477083

...You're in no rush. You've got this whole evening to question your predecessor, and he might appreciate a rest. Actually, you couldn't care less about what he appreciates, but this way he might be able to answer more than one question at once. So, remaining seated, you force your voice to be steady and ask about her earlier offer.

“Single-minded, I'm impressed,” Scathach sounds strangely pleased, “Tell me – that phantom of yours, the one that bears the weight of so much death. It's formless for now, but that can change. If you seek power, this might be the answer. I've learned of a certain trio of items that can achieve this end – three different forms that your killer could take. They're currently located in what you once called the British Museum, now home to a degenerate cult. There's danger there, but also opportunity. Consider it.”

Power, huh? You kind of like Ripper the way he is, like a creeping shadow, but if you can make him that much dangerous...

Something to think on for later. For now, you've got some more questions for your priest friend. Thanking Scathach for her perspective, you get up and hurry from the basement. Your pace only grows faster as you leave the building until, by the time the church draws near, you're moving at a run. This time, you don't bother with politeness – instead, you barge your way through the front door and storm right up the aisle, looking left and right for the priest. For one terrible moment, you think he's vanished, but no. There he is, sitting in a dark corner with a goblet of communion wine.

“Child, I wasn't expecting you so soon,” the priest begins but before he can say anything else, you smack the goblet from his hands. The metal cup clatters loudly as it flies off into the distance. “Fine,” the priest scowls, “You've got my attention.”

>Who gave you this task?
>Who did you see Outside?
>Tell me everything this time!
>Other

>>42477379
>>Who gave you this task?
>Who did you see Outside?

>>42477379
>Who gave you this task?
>Who did you see Outside?
>Tell me everything this time!

Beans are meant to be spilled.

>>42477379
>>Who gave you this task?
>>Who did you see Outside?
>>Tell me everything this time!
>>Other

WHERE'S HARVEY DENT!

>>42477379
>Who gave you this task?
>Who did you see Outside?
>Tell me everything this time!

"I thought sending cornerstones to the Outside would be sending it to nothing. Who the hell am I empowering!?"

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>>42477411

>>42477402
>>42477404
>>42477411
>>42477441

You waste little time in grabbing him by the front of his shirt, pulling him close with more strength than you thought you were capable of. Who, you snarl, who gave him this shitty task? Who commanded him to guide his “fellow travellers” on their journey? And he'd better tell you everything – everything! -this time!

“Who?” the priest squawks, “I don't... How could I know their name? We were never formally introduced!”

Then there was SOMEONE that gave him his orders!

“Yes, of course!” he snaps back, “I fought my way to the top of the Tower, and that's where I found the keystone. I touched it and... there it was. Some force, greater than God and Lucifer, that ordered me to to choose. I would create the new world, like I wanted, but there was only one way that I would get to see it! But the name? What good is a NAME to something like that?”

Your scowl deepens for a moment, but you drop the priest, letting him tumble to the ground like a bag of twigs. You're going to take a guess – he saw someone there, Outside. Someone dear to him that told him what to do. Begging, cajoling, pleading – they did everything they could to ensure that he sent the power where it wanted. Right?

The priest is silent for a moment, but then he nods. “My brother,” he rasps, “It wore his face. It said we could be together again, if only I went along with it.”

So. Sending this power Outside is definitely empowering something – what? What have you been feeding?

“It could be the same light I saw at the Tower,” the priest speculates, picking himself up off the ground, “Like it or not, that entity is mankind's only hope of freedom from Heaven and Hell. What would you prefer? All free will crushed by God's soldiers? A world where the weak are put to the sword? What choice do we have?”

>>42477662
>but there was only one way that I would get to see it!

When he said that, did he mean by being a weird guide that can only come to the world on the full moon?

Does he feel betrayed that the world he saved by making a deal with this creature has only led it back on the same path?

>>42477662

Damn it, he's got a point. You hate this situation – hate it even more than the binary choice you once thought you'd been given – but he's right. It's either this, or throwing mankind to the wolves. Not that this enigmatic force is benevolent or anything – he got to see his new world, but as a humble guide under the full moon. You sit in the pew and cross your arms. It's got to sting, you ask him, being sent back to the world, only to guide it towards the same fate. Does he feel betrayed?

“It would be hard not to,” the priest admits, “But... I believe this is the best option. The best of all these terrible options. I must admit, though, I have my own selfish motives. With someone to take my place, someone like you, I can finally rest. I would be granted peace.”

So that's his game. All this time, he was steering you down this path in the hope that you'd replace him as this... entity's chosen instrument. All this, so he could end his weary watch?

The priest nods once, jerkily. You asked, earlier, if he had felt betrayed – now it's your turn to feel that stinging anger. It's a sudden anger that almost makes you want to crush this man, even knowing that he was little more than a pawn.

“Killing me would be meaningless,” the priest warns you, wearily, “I would simply return upon the next full moon. Over and over again...”

Killing him might be pointless, but...

Could it really be done?

“What are you thinking?” the priest asks, suddenly wary.

>I'll do it. I'll sacrifice myself for this world
>I'll play along for now, but I'm going to kill this entity
>I'm through with this crusade

>>42477945
>I'll play along for now, but I'm going to kill this entity

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>>42477945
>I'll play along for now, but I'm going to kill this entity

Break the damn cycle.

>>42477945
>>I'll play along for now, but I'm going to kill this entity
>>I'm through with this crusade

No more cornerstones are going to the outside. I'm sending them somewhere different. Somehow, I think this thing's blood will smell a lot like demon and angel.

>>42478027
If there are no other options, think we should send 1 to Heaven and 1 to Hell to even things out?

>>42478048
Heaven and Hell!

Lets rock

>>42478048
I mean, I'd send two to the fairies if we learn a bit more about them, talk to them, decide if they wouldn't be just as bad as Outside thing, God or Lucy.

>>42478081
I think its strictly Outside, Heaven, or Hell.

Moloch said that if'd he'd thought about it more he would have given other options, but you know its good to be consistent. Maybe though.

>>42477945
Also, could we talk to the priest about his comment that our mother still walks the earth. Because if this thing in the outside realm is not our mother, but some creature wearing her face. Then was that the entity he was talking about, or is she actually really still out there.

>>42478206
That is a good question.

>>42477966
>>42477971
>>42478027
>>42478206

You'll let him in on your plans, but only if he answers one last question. He said, way back then, that your mother still walked the Earth. Was that a lie? Some ruse to encourage you to chase after the cornerstones and send them Outside, with the promise of seeing your mother again?

“That's right,” the priest admits quietly, “I lied, in order to get to to take my place. It was all a lie. That isn't your mother, in the Outside. It talks like her, and knows everything it needs to know, but it was never her...”

So. Confirmation. It feels good, somehow, like having a weight lifted from your shoulders. Your plan then, you begin, licking your lips as the priest watches with fearful eyes.

You'll play this game for now, hiding your true motives from even your closest friends if need be, but when the time comes, you won't just meekly submit to this entity's choice. You're already following a third way, so why not take another third option? You're already defying God's will and Lucifer's might – why not challenge this nameless manipulator as well?

The priest's eyes grow wide. “Insane,” he murmurs.

Yeah, that's what they said about defying Heaven and Hell, and look. He did it, and now you're doing it. This time, though, you're going all the way.

“No, I mean, this cannot be done!” the priest protests, “No human can be that powerful! To challenge the true master of mankind – impossible! I mean... it has to be...”

You never know, you snarl back with a vicious smile, until you try.

>That seems like a convenient place to end for tonight. Next thread on Tuesday, I think, and I'll linger here for a while. Thanks for the participation everyone!

>>42478324
>true master of mankind
We'll see about that.

Thanks for the run boss.

Question: All 4 of the cornerstones need to go to somewhere before the keystone can be activated right? It doesn't need to have all 4 go to the same place and we can't just break them right?

You thought we were going special snowflake route before. Now its time for our true form. We are the most unique snowflake of them all. Rejecting God, Lucifer, Neutrality

>>42478373

Yeah, all four cornerstones need to be claimed. They can go to different places, but all four need to be activated

>>42478324
Thanks for running. So how hard is Nyarly laughing?

>>42478430
That degenerate cult Scathach mentioned. Are they human or demon?

>>42478540

He's not laughing at all! Yet. He will, in time.

>>42478549

All demon, all the time. There may also be an old friend involved. It's not Leon

>>42478602
>There may also be an old friend involved.
Minotaur

>>42478602
Not mom hear our declaration?

Question/theory time. If going neutral route means that the world is recreated, but eventually cycles round to ending again, has Law/Chaos ever actually won the war? Or has every winner chosen the same third option?

At the very least, the previous cycle ended up neutral, right?

>>42478661
u wot m8

>>42478911
>u wot m8

He's asking if NotMom aka the Outside entity heard our declaration to kill it.

>>42478614

Nope, good guess though - I've been meaning to bring Marco back for a while. Our friend is someone we saw very briefly, way back in Forneus' garage salee

>>42478661
>>42478937

Fortunately, the Outside entity is still ignorant of Amelia's plan. However, it might learn our plans if we reach Outside again - it can read thoughts, after all.

>>42478911

The previous cycle was definitely neutral

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>>42479026
U Mot m8?

>>42479069

That would certainly be dramatic!

>>42479119
So is our alignment: Super Neutral now?

>>42479246
Super Neutral God Super Neutral

>>42479246
It's Unbound Neutral.

>>42479246

Currently hovering somewhere between "Humanity" and "Genocidal" by my estimation!

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You think they'd be proud of us?

>>42479619

We've not killed all of our friends yet, plus we've got some living family members!

>>42479663
True but we are only halfway through the game. I hope we can hold out.

>>42479682
Well Cass is pretty neutral as well and Carnby never leaves his basement. That'll help keep them alive I guess

>>42479729
>>42479315
I get the impression that there might be a role reversal and like how we steered Cass towards Neutral she'll try to steer us on the 'Humanity' side of the spectrum and keep us there.