File: 1347685945212.jpg-(1.09 MB, 1024x921, rain.jpg)

The day before was, quite possibly, one of the worst days of your lives - Filled with plasma fire, with death, with leering joker-grins and harsh violet light.

Yesterday, you slept. You dreamt, a little.

It wasn't pleasant.

Today, the skies are a thick, smoggy grey, the wan sunlight hidden behind roiling crowds. It's been raining ceaselessly, with no signs of letting up; A steady, dreary downpour broken only by sullen flickers of lightning, hazing the world with cold mist.

The school's roof has an overhanging awning, a large square of respite amid the pounding rain - Though you're only peripherally aware of it. Today has passed in a confused blur, so far, and...

"-Wow, what's with the long faces?" Akira muses aloud, sounding concerned - Glancing from you to Kazuya, then back, as he lowers his half-eaten sandwich. As always, the three of you have congregated at the roof for lunchtime...Though for some reason, no-one seems to feel like saying much today.

Kazuya has been quiet for most of the day, picking at his food - He has the expression of a man considering the aftermath of a disaster, wondering exactly *when* things went wrong. As for you...

-At least Akira's back to his old self.

Akira heaves a slow sigh, his shoulders lifting in a shrug - Maybe finally picking up on the mood at last. "...This is about Nara Dreamland, right?" he says, at last - Though he can't hide the curiosity in his voice...

[ ] "-I don't want to talk about it, Akira."
[ ] "Mind your own business."
[ ] "No, it isn't. It's just...Today's been a very bad day."
[ ] "Yes."
[ ] "Want to talk about it, Kazuya?"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

> Though for some reason, no-one seems to feel like saying much today.

I laughed out loud. The suffering warms the cockles of my cold black hear, Op.

>>20729263
[X] "Yes and no. Nara Dreamland was fine, WE were fine- and then it all went so wrong. It seems like getting injured is the only thing -we- do anymore."

>>20729263

[X] Free.

> Oh god, it was terrible! Fire, death, suffering and zombie clowns!
> And we got dumped, too!

> [X] "Yes and no. Nara Dreamland was fine, WE were fine- and then it all went so wrong. It seems like getting injured is the only thing -we- do anymore."

"...I heard about that, yes," Akira says - He looks out, across the rain-shrouded city, for a long moment. "It was all over the news...I can't say I'm surprised."

It still is, in fact. You vaguely remember watching it - The jury's still out as to whether there *was* a bomb, or whether it was some disastrous structural failure that downed one of the Dreamland's fully-loaded rides. The death toll was...You've heard it was in the dozens, though you suppose you'll never quite be sure.

Kazuya speaks up, at last. There are bags under his eyes - He doesn't look like he's got much sleep.

"It was bad," he agrees, simply. "We left before...Before the *worse* of it, but not before..." He lets the sentence trail off, unfinished.

"...Again, huh." There's a contemplative note to Akira's voice. "Getting to be a bad habit."

[ ] "How's Natsumi holding up, Kazuya?"
[ ] "...There you go, Akira. I didn't see too much of it myself, either."
[ ] "-At least we're all right."
[ ] "What do you mean?"
[ ] "...Yeah, I don't really want to talk about it."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20729419
[X] "What do you mean?"

[X] "How's Natsumi holding up, Kazuya?"

>>20729419

> [X] "How's Natsumi holding up, Kazuya?"

He's clearly been losing sleep about that. Let's see what he has to say.

> [X] "What do you mean?"

>>20729419

[ ] "How's Natsumi holding up, Kazuya?"

Now we're suspecting she's chrome Cypher, her reaction should be interesting.

>>20729428
>>20729437

> [X] "What do you mean?"

"-What I meant?" Akira makes a sweeping gesture, as if to encompass the school and the rain-drenched city beyond. "It's just that...Well, you guys are either *really* unlucky, or this is a *spectacularly* bad year. I don't even want to *know* what may happen next."

He catches himself, as if aware he's said too much. "...Or it's just one of those things," Akira finishes, lamely.

> [X] "How's Natsumi holding up, Kazuya?"

Kazuya grunts, non-commitally, and looks down at his feet.

Natsumi's called in sick - Her empty chair right in the middle of the classroom, like a missing tooth. Since you've never known her to miss a day of school, her absence is all the more troubling for its rarity...

"...She's not answering the phone," he admits, by way of answer. Kazuya's been notably closed-mouth about that. His brow furrows, slightly: "-I don't think she wants to talk to me," Kazuya goes on, his voice leaden.

Akira has the good sense to keep his mouth shut - Settling for a sympathetic pat to Kazuya's shoulder, before he turns back to you...With the question you've been dreading.

"Anon, how's Tsukimi-chan?"

[ ] "...I don't know. I haven't heard from her."
[ ] "She...had to go, very suddenly. I don't know if she'll be back."
[ ] "-I blew it, Akira. I don't think I'll see her again."
[ ] "She's fine, she just wants some time alone."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20729540

>[ ] "-I blew it, Akira. I don't think I'll see her again."

This seems to be an apt description of the shit that went down.

>>20729540
[x] "Gone."

>>20729540
[x] "...I don't know. I haven't heard from her."
We don't know if she's alive or dead.

>>20729564
>>20729574
>>20729579

Gone.

That last glimpse of Hecate, through the alien light of the swirling portal - Her eyes blank with shock, just beginning to fall - it makes your throat tighten, acid roiling in your stomach.

You don't know what happened, after that. It's been a mere two days, but you can't believe how quickly things went to pieces. You spent most of Sunday in bed, waiting for the rawness in your muscles, the phantom pains of shattered armor to fade...

Intellectually, you *knew* your body, your *real* body, wasn't hurt, but you were weak, nauseous for the entire day.

"...Really? No wonder you're so down." Akira is saying - Looking distinctly sympathetic, now, as the rain continues to drum down from above. For a long, long moment, no-one speaks; A general gloom lingering, as palpable as the white fog roiling across the grounds below.

After a bit, Kazuya sighs, and gets up. "-I have deliveries to make," he says, though he sounds like there's nothing he'd like less. His lunch, uneaten, stays right where it is, as he begins to descend the steps.

"...We should be heading back, then," Akira agrees - He stretches his stiff limbs, crumpling the plastic wrapper into a little ball. "Any plans after school, Anon?"

[ ] "I'm taking the day off." (You're visiting the Papillion.)
[ ] "-There's a friend I have to meet." (You're going to look for the Thief.)
[ ] "...Actually, I had a job interview today." (You're going to contact Argent Prominence.)
[ ] "-I'm going to check on Natsumi."
[ ] "Did you have something in mind?"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20729661

> [X] "I'm taking the day off." (You're visiting the Papillion.)

Obviously this. We need to check if hecate is still alive, or how badly she may be hurt.

>>20729661
[X] "I'm going to stop the rain of course."

>>20729661

Looks like the different routes are branching off now. Very tempted to find the thief or Fumito, but our girlfriend's whereabouts come first.

[x] "I'm taking the day off." (You're visiting the Papillion.)

Not doing this for the tennis maid girl whose name I can't remember for the life of me. But it'd be nice.

[X] "Did you have something in mind?"

Actually I'd like to ask him if he's seen anyone using that smiley face icon Pazuzu's thugs were wearing

>>20729761

It's Mio, but she goes by Eri when she's working.

>>20729774
Thanks.

>>20729661
>>20729772
[x] "I'm taking the day off." (You're visiting the Papillion)

also

[x] "Do you think you could run down something for me? At the park there were these people wearing a smiley face mark. I don't know if they had anything to do with what happened, but..."

>>20729772
I'd like to go after those guys too, but it might be a good idea to check on Natsumi. We're already pretty sure she's chrome, and she might know something about what the fuck happened.

>>20729789
There's an interesting idea. And if Akira is the Thief like we thought it could turn out pretty well.

>>20729661
I'm going to check on Natsumi. It can't be easy on her either so I want to make sure she is ok

(Apologies for the delay.)

> [X] "I'm taking the day off." (You're visiting the Papillion.)

"...That's probably for the best," he agrees, with a glance up at the skies. "-On a day like this, it's hard to get anything done..."

The Papillion. If Hecate's...around, she'd be there. She *has* to be - You don't know where else you could find her. The red world has been strangely quiet, for the past two days - It hasn't encroached upon you the way it usually does, which may be just as well.

...But the silence is strangely ominous, too. A false peace, a moment of respite - As if the otherworld itself is waiting, with bated breath, for the next blow to fall.

> [X] "Did you have something in mind?"

Akira chuckles - "You know me too well," he admits, retrieving a thick envelope from his pocket; "...These are the photos from the tennis tournament - You were asking about them before, well..."

...Before he ended up in hospital.

"I'm a little busy today, and you wanted first look, so...Mind if you pass them to Asuna by the end of the week? I'd do it myself, but the library's closed today...And you know her a lot better than I do." He smiles, just a little - "-They're for the school newsletter, though I'm probably a bit behind..."

> [x] "Do you think you could run down something for me? At the park there were these people wearing a smiley face mark. I don't know if they had anything to do with what happened, but..."

"A...smiley-face mark?"

Akira makes a considering noise, brow furrowing with thought; "-I've been seeing *that* a bit recently. Graffiti, usually...Though I can't quite recall..."

(Continued.)

He nods; "-I'll have to check it out. Though I'm not sure why it's important..."

[ ] "No reason; I'm just curious."
[ ] "I think they may have had something to do with...Well, with what happened at the park."
[ ] "-Oh, so you've met Asuna?"
[ ] "Was there anything strange about the photos?"
[ ] "On second thought, never mind."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20729882

> [ ] "I think they may have had something to do with...Well, with what happened at the park."
> [ ] "Was there anything strange about the photos?"

That's what important now.

>>20729882

> [ ] "-Oh, so you've met Asuna?"

A RIVAL EMERGES.
But does anyone else think akira may be gay? He's kind of got a gay vibe to him.

> [X] "I think they may have had something to do with...Well, with what happened at the park."

"Really, now?" From the way he says it, you know you've got him. Akira has a newshound's instincts - Wave a hint of a conspiracy, and he's interested. "Sure, it's the least I could do."

> [X] "Was there anything strange about the photos?"

"Strange? Strange, how?"

A pause. "-Come to think about it...Some of the roll was already damaged. I must've jarred the camera when I passed out - I've never seen so many bad shots in my life. I tell you; It's professionally embarassing."

He cocks his head to the side; "*These* shots, though; There's nothing wrong with them - Not that I can tell, anyway."

> [X] "-Oh, so you've met Asuna?"

"Of course I have; She's part of the ground that works on the school newsletter...She draws the cartoons for it, and helps with the formatting." Maybe it's something in your tone, but Akira chuckles, dryly - "Don't worry about it; She's not my 'type', if you're wondering."

Somewhere, the school bell tolls, half-heard over the rain.

Back to class.

(Continued.)

>>20730115
[X] "-Hello there. I remember you from last time; You seem awfully excited today...?"

File: 1347693166147.jpg-(621 KB, 1024x768, jokermaidcafe2.jpg)

(My apologies, wrong image.)

The rest of the schoolday is pretty much a slog; The lectures blur into one another, your hand slowly cramping from scribbling half-coherent notes...But the rain seems to have dampened the teacher's enthuasism, and class seems strangely subdued.

But at last, the bell sounds again - School's out. The rain slackens slightly, the greying sky showing a touch of color...Though the downpour continues, as you make your way along the familiar route to the Papillion, water sheeting from your umbrella.

It's been a cold, dreary day - A perfect match for your mood, thus far - but the cheery lights of the maid cafe are as bright as always...As is the "Ohayo, Master~!" from the waitress just past the door. If anything, there seem to be slightly more people than usual...Or maybe they're just glad to be in out of the cold...

It's the same maid from before - You never got her name, but she seems as energetic as always...But *especially* so today, a soft giggle teased from her throat as she looks you over.

"Welcome, Joker-kun ~ It's nice to see you again~!" she chirps, dipping her head in a little bow...Her hands clasped together before her, as she sneaks a glance over her shoulder - With the air of a girl with a surprise in store.

[ ] "-Hello there. I remember you from last time; You seem awfully excited today...?"
[ ] "Can I use one of the back rooms?"
[ ] "Could I get a table, please?"
[ ] "Is Mio in today?"
[ ] "Sorry, I'm...not really in the mood today."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

What the everloving deity, it's not Sunda--
>Actually past midnight and OP is on the other half of the planet.

...Okay then! And I was just thinking about going to bed early... oh well.

Checking for Hecate is a good idea, though I think the law of narrative casuality states that Pazuzu has her (again?).

Funny story: I was playing Titan Quest earlier today and found a relic called the Essence of Hecate's Crescent. I had to stop playing for a little while.

>>20730130
Hmm... Anon's here for a reason, but he's trying to play it cool so after the "Hello there. I remember you from last time; You seem awfully excited today...?" option:
[x]Free "I only have a little bit of time today. Could I get a half session in the back room?" Because when Hecate's not here we go talk to Natsumi and a chromic mystery.

>>20730172
And I forget that I have a name. Hi OP, how's life?

>>20730130
[x] "Can I use one of the back rooms?"
Feel like being private today.

>>20730130
[X] "-Hello there. I remember you from last time; You seem awfully excited today...?"

File: 1347695024141.jpg-(669 KB, 850x1205, jokermaid2.jpg)

>>20730172
>>20730182
>>20730199

> [X] "Hello there. I remember you from last time; You seem awfully excited today...?"
> [X] "I only have a little bit of time today. Could I get a half session in the back room?"
> [x] "Can I use one of the back rooms?"

"-Ah, you remembered!" *Nothing* seems to get this girl down. Really. "Of course, Master~" she answers, primly enough; "-I'll get someone to escort you..."

You...kind of have a bad feeling about this, especially when she moves behind the counter - Sparing a moment to glance over at you, with a sly glint to her big brown eyes as she keys the intercom button.

"Eri-chan, I need you at the front counter for a moment~" she trills; Not too far away, you hear a door open - Maybe from the staff loun-

No. You can feel eyes on you.

Half-hidden by one of the booths, you see one of the customers - About your edge, another student? - looking right in your direction, as he sips at his fuming tea; He's tall, wiry, with angular features...Watching you, with piercing grey eyes reminiscent of a bird of prey.

(Continued.)

(Still rather cold, unfortunately - It's still freezing here.)

When you meet his gaze he smiles, faintly, louching in his seat - The fingers of his free hand crooking in a shape very much like claws, as he adjusts his off-white coat...

"Rena-chan, it's a little sudden...Oh~!" Behind you, there's a familiar voice...A gasp of unalloyed surprise, the honeyed gleam of blonde hair...

Eri's - Mio's - fox-ears twitch, her skirts rustling as she smoothens them down, self-consciously; "Wel-welcome home, Master~" she says, sounding rather flustered, but pleased all the same - "...It's been a while, Joker-kun..."

[ ] "It's good to see you again, Eri."
[ ] "You're looking as lovely as always."
[ ] "Is something wrong?"
[ ] "...And I was hoping to keep things quiet, today..."
[ ] Look back.
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

You seem excited

And

Can i get a back room?

>>20730344
[X] "It's good to see you again, Eri."

[X] "How have things been since... your match?"

>>20730344

>When you meet his gaze he smiles, faintly, louching in his seat - The fingers of his free hand crooking in a shape very much like claws, as he adjusts his off-white coat...

Son of a bitch.

>>20730344
Sorry to hear. Weather over here improved.

[x]Look back. I'm guessing this is The Thief? Also,

[x]Free: "Hello Eri, you're looking well. How are things with you?" And then later, maybe once she's escorting us out of the main room, "There was a customer about my age sitting in one of the booths who looked familiar. Tall, sharp features? Do you know who I'm talking about?"

>>20730374
This and look back.

Say, we can challenge other people to fights, right? that bastard behind us. Wouldnt be surprised if it was that rust guy come to fucking gloat

> [x]Look back. I'm guessing this is The Thief?

You look back - And he's ignoring you, now, your view momentary blocked by a passing maid, tray in hand. The contact was so brief, you could almost have imagined it - But then again...

[X] "It's good to see you again, Eri; How have things been since... your match?"

"Ah, I..." she begins - Before Rena gives her a slight encouraging *push* and a wink, enough to nudge her forward a step. "-I've been fine, An...Joker-kun," Eri says, her initial surprise apparently fading; "It's nice of you to ask, though; Please, come this way~"

Her fluffy tail switches from side-to-side, as she proceeds down the narrow hallway - Eri seems more composed, now, though there's a faint flush to her cheeks as she peeks over her shoulder, to be sure that you're following.

> "Take good care of her, master~"

...You're fairly certain you hear Rena giggle, before you hurry after Eri; She's slightly ahead of you, her pace slowing as you catch up.

"-I'm sorry about Rena-chan; She can get a bit...carried away, sometimes," Eri offers - A little sigh teased from her lips, though there's a real warmth to her voice. "I didn't know you'd be coming today, but...I'm *really* happy to see you again, Joker-kun ~ After all your help last time."

> "There was a customer about my age sitting in one of the booths who looked familiar. Tall, sharp features? Do you know who I'm talking about?"

Slightly wrong-footed, Eri blinks; "Oh, him...N, no, I don't think I've seen him before, but - There's new people every day." It's clear that there's something on her mind, as she comes to a stop before room A4; Though she doesn't move to open it right away, the key ring chiming softly as she fiddles with it...

(Continued.)

Then, more softly-

"Joker-kun...Is everything all right?" There's a note of concern to her voice, now, as she stands to the side. "-You don't look very well, today - Is something bothering you?"

[ ] "It's just your imagination."
[ ] "It's nothing, really - Don't worry about it."
[ ] "Sorry, I don't really feel like talking about it."
[ ] "Yes. Today...hasn't been a good day."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

[x] "Sorry, I don't really feel like talking about it."

>>20730527
No reason to hide it.

[x]"...I was at Nara Dreamland two days ago."

If Anon doesn't want to talk about it saying that in the right tone of voice will shut down the conversation faster than anything else could. If, however, he does want to vent, add: "A friend of mine has been... missing since then. Another friend's locked herself in her room since then. And me... I saw people die."

The fact that he was the one doing the elimination notwithstanding.

>>20730527
[X] "Well, as much as I'd like to say I'm fine- I'm not. It's been two days since Nara Dreamland. I got separated from a friend just before the accident. Now I don't know what to think."

>>20730575

Seconding this. Might as well let her know, rather than worry.

>>20730386
I'm not getting it, which player do we know who has claws?

>>20730609

The guy is described as 'a bird of prey', and hunting birds have claws. The player who killed hecate had wings.

>>20730629
Whatever the case we're wasting time. W need to be in the red world. If this guy is a player we'll deal with him then.

Actually now I'm paranoid that this is a trap. If Hecate lived they might have forced her to talk about what she was doing with us and placed agent in areas we might go.

>>20730575
>>20730586

"Oh..." Eri looks away, her blue eyes clouding over with realization. "-It must've been bad..." she murmurs, sounding sympathetic - Even her fox-ears pressed flat, like a sad puppy. She says nothing; Long enough for the silence to linger, hanging stale and heavy in the air...

Just when you're about to ask her to open the door, Eri looks up - Her gaze meeting yours, at last. Then, softly, she says:

"Joker-kun...Do you want some company?"

As if surprised by herself, Eri makes a sound like a stifled gasp - Her eyes widening slightly, hastening to clarify the potential misunderstanding.

"I, I mean...I won't ask what happened, or why you always visit by yourself, but..."

Her voice fades to an embarrassed whisper: "-If you just want someone to *talk* to..." There's the soft *swish* of that fox-tail, as she fusses with the keys. "A-after all, it's kind of lonely, if you're always alone..."

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20730683
That would be nice thankyou.

>>20730683
Aw shit. I saw this one coming. Hmm... I know.

"...I'd like that. Except... can I have five minutes? I used to meet someone at a karaoke place, not too much different from this one (hah). I need time to center myself, and to remember. If you can give me five minutes, I'm yours." (as if remembering potential misunderstandings yourself) "That, ah, didn't quite come out the way I intended..."

Good grief I'm a manipulator.

>>20730683
That really is well done outfit, to be able to have the ears and tail react with her expressions.

I'm not sure about being with her though. We won't be able to shift if we're talking with her.

On the other had with claw guy here and the sudden possibility this is a trap maybe we should have her stay, they might think the girls referring to us as "Joker-kun" is just a coincidence.

>>20730683

If she OFFERING to sleep wi...

> Her eyes widening slightly, hastening to clarify the potential misunderstanding.

Guess not. I think we should take her up on it, it can't hurt. But it also means that whatever goes on might involve her.

>>20730744
We'll ask her about it.

>>20730755
>>20730744
The first time we came here we gave our name as joker
It is nothing suspicious

Also the outfit was made by her when we asked about it originally but we never did quite find out how it worked or why it seemed she could feel it when we touched the fluffy fail

>>20730694
>>20730717
>>20730744
>>20730747

Eri's cheeks flush - Pink, going to red- as she nods...She looks a little tongue-tied, as if she's not sure *what* to do, now you've said yes.

> "If you can give me five minutes, I'm yours."

"F-five minutes?" Eri echoes...Mingled surprise, and a momentary relief, flitting across her features. "Y, yes...I think that's probably for the best, too..."

She's probably going to need all that time to compose herself.

> We'll ask her about it.

Come to think about...Why *does* her tail and ears move? You'll definently have to bring it up...

'Later' seems like a good idea, though, as the door swings open at last. As always, the room hasn't changed - It's still one of the dozen other chambers like it, with a plush, well-padded interior that reminds you of an expensive chocolate box...

-And it's empty. But then again, it's always been.

You close the door behind you, as you circle the room: This is the *same* one you met Hecate in - The past seemingly closer than ever before, in this place.

There's no sign of her...For a moment, you wonder if you scent brimstone - But no, that's just your imagination.

[ ] "Hecate? Are you there?"
[ ] Transform.
[ ] Examine the Nihl Sphere.
[ ] Wait for Eri.
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20730848
Examine the Nihl sphere

>>20730848
[X] Examine the Nihl Sphere.

then

[X] Transform.

>>20730848
[X] Examine the Nihl Sphere

Maybe it can take us back to the armory.

[X] "Hecate? Are you there?"
[X] Examine the Nihl Sphere.

In this order.

[X] Transform.
If nothing seems to happen after that.

>>20730848
Hoo boy. Call for Hecate, then check the red world. We've never seen what this place looks like on the other side.

>>20730897
>>20730886
>>20730861
And we need to be on guard when we transform, we can't be sure who's waiting for us

>>20730848

Awww, I hate to leave the poor girl hanging. Never mind, our job comes first.

> [X] TRANSFORM
it is.

>>20730886
This

> [X] "Hecate? Are you there?"

No answer. Your voice sounds so very loud in the confines of the soundproof room - But there's nothing, no response. You remember how Hecate liked to make a game of it; Appearing without warning, covering your eyes...

-But when you're seated, there's still nothing.

> [X] Examine the Nihl Sphere.

The Nihl Sphere is heavy and lifeless in your pocket, as your fingers close around the round weight...It's the size of a marble, to your touch - But in the full light, it's *swelled* somehow...A smoked-glass sphere as large as a softball, the color of cracked quartz.

For two days, you've poked and prodded at this thing - But it's remained stubbornly dead and cold, refusing to spark. There's no response, except...

-The merest hint of light, a spark, like a flaw within a gem...

> [X] Transform.

The world...*shifts*. From wan light to crimson, the carpeted floor and soft seats giving way to obsidian tiles and...

-And for a moment (So quickly you might *almost* have imagined it) the Nihl Sphere pulses in your hand...Like the slow, heavy throb of a failing heart. The high-vaulted hall takes shape around you, odd, useless artifacts - Gears and rusting metal - standing on tall, dusty pedestals...The corridor stretching on before you.

The sphere...It's not *part* of your armor, merely clasped in crimson endosteel fingers. It doesn't float above your palm, the way it did for Hecate - But it did *something*, just then.

It definently did.

[ ] Head towards the Armory.
[ ] Head in the opposite direction.
[ ] Search the hall.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20730941
Head towards the armory

>>20730941
[X] Head towards the Armory.

I'd love to stay and search the hall, but I recall Hecate saying she used the same machine we used to remove the Black Joker's curse to heal herself in the past. If she escaped she might be there.

>>20730941
ARMORY

When we beat the Guardian, we didn't see her take the robot with her. She must have come back to the armory before our date. It's a start anyway.

>>20730958
>>20730952
Didn't she have the sphere then? How would she get by the guardians without it?

>>20730941
[x] Look for that fucking sword.

We left it to Hecate for safekeeping. Now that she's gone it's a threat. Find that sword and use it for target practice until we have enough meter to annihilate it.

That's a vote for [x]Search the hall I guess.

>>20730941
The sphere is pulsing a tad, head around in a circle, if it starts pulsing stronger in any direction HEAD THAT FUCKING WAY.

>>20730965
She has had it for an unknown amount of time but as long as we knew her she had it,

She also was pretty stealthy she said iirc

>>20730972
It's actually just a pommel.

> [X] Search the Hall.

The Hall of devices is filled with all kinds of mysterious, dusty items, indecipharable writing in a script too faded to read...Everything here radiates *age*, like a tomb.

At random, you draw close to one of the pedestals, where something like a set of scales rest. When you reach out to move it...

-It doesn't come free. Not only does it *not* come free...You can't even lift it. Your gauntlet scrabbles for a hold, but - It's like the background scenery, in a game...It simply can't be interacted with.

But then why...?

> [X] Head towards the Armory.

The last time you were here, you weren't alone. But the *last* time you were here, you were laboring until a horrid curse that would most assuredly kill you...And headed for a confrontation with the Armory Guardian, a tank-sized mechanical construct bristling with weapons.

...It's still not a good tradeoff.

It's amazing how *easy* it is, to retrace your steps; Your footsteps ringing on the steely floor, as you pace along the path. It's not long before you find yourself before the great double-doors, of odd and conflicting angles...

-Now frozen half-open, permanently. Just the way you left it.

Inside, however...Is decidedly *not* how you left it.

(Continued.)

>>20731019
>Inside, however...Is decidedly *not* how you left it.
Herewego.jpg

File: 1347701664727.jpg-(32 KB, 429x519, oh boy here we go kyouko.jpg)

>>Inside, however...Is decidedly *not* how you left it.

>>20731040
Hecate had been back since then

Beyond, where the army of motionless steel statues *were*, with the raised plinth bearing the Vitruvian Device and the wreckage of the Guardian at the far end...

-There's still the cleared path, but things have changed, subtly. Vivid violet outcroppings of...crystal?...bristles from mechanical joints and chrome carapaces, like a organic growth - More than one of the constructs has been disassembled, hanging hunched and 'dead', with their weapon limbs removed.

Quite a few have been...*Opened*, somehow, plates of armor prised away, to reveal the hollow where their reactors should have been. It's as if this place has become someone's private workshop...As you cast your eye over the silent rows of chrome soldiers, you notice that their numbers have been reduce; There are holes in the formation, now, at random intervals, with no sign of where the missing machines have gone...

-And then you hear a *groan*, low and metallic and full of mechanical agony. When you turn to look, you see-

...The last time you came here, you blasted the Armory Guardian with all the firepower you could muster, until it was nothing more than a burnt and blasted hulk. But the thing's great armored carcass - Still rent and incinerated - is *moving*...

After the initial scare, it's clear that the thing isn't functional, but it's active, all the same. The great head pivots from side-to-side, half of the ominous red eyes shattered; A ratcheting limbs waves at the air, as it tries to move it's toppled bulk onto ruined treads.

(Continued.)

File: 1347701988830.png-(344 KB, 547x308, jokerguardian9.png)

Its weapons spool mindlessly, unable to be brought to bear on the target...Even if they *could* be, from the aimless way they cycle, you're not sure if they could fire, as a weird violet light beams from its central optic scanner, flickering in the cracked orb of its defensive systems...A twin to the Cobalt Booster System installed in your torso.

[ ] Approach it.
[ ] Shoot it.
[ ] Stay out of reach.
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20731074
>>20731078

FFFFFFFFuck.

I get it now. HECATE WAS USING US.

>>20731078
Approach it.

We might be able to find out who or what has been rooting around in the armory in our absence. This doesn't seem like Hecate's work, what with the crystals and everything. I could be wrong though. At any rate it's worth trying to communicate or something.

>>20731074
>>20731078
>broken robot functioning as best it can

One of my favorite cliches, also kinda makes me a little sad, even when the robot in question is mindless/bad.

I'm split between trying to interact with it and wanting to put the poor thing out of its misery.

>>20731078
APPROACH IT! I'm really curious! How does it work? It is functional? Is there anything we can recover or learn from it? Does it recognize intruders as enemies to be destroyed, or only those who approach the device? Worst comes to worst we can dodge back and shoot it, but this is a more or less unique opportunity.

I've been wanting to use this image forever

>>20731089
That was established when she was spying on us in thread 1.

File: 1347702918436.jpg-(58 KB, 635x476, hyouka_004_thumb.jpg)

>>20731133
FFFFFFFFFFF--

Carefully, you approach the Guardian, from the thing's beached side - It tries to turn towards you, with a violent *scrape* of metal...But no, it's not going anywhere. The thing's still incredibly damaged; The marks from your plasma blasts and Railgun slugs still marring the solid metal, great rents exposing fizzing circuitry to the stale air.

The Armory Guardian shudders again - This close, you can see that...*Repairs* have been made to it? That's right - Someone's patched the worst of the rents with welded plating cannibalized from the other silent constructs...Even replaced a few of the secondary legs...

...And in your hands, the Nihl Sphere begins to *pulse*, with a fitful violet light. An answering light flares from the Guardian's core - Reminding you, quite acutely, of one torch touched to another. Tendrils of illumination uncoiled, threading towards the Nihl sphere - The dull, dead grey of the orb beginning to lighten, the smoky innards roiling as the first sparks of a violet glow (Like distant stars) flicker to life...

Another great, long groan comes from above you, and the Armory Guardian's battered shape sags to the side a little more...Limbs still clawing for purchase, it's clawing motions slowing - As if the charge is being sucked dry.

[ ] Touch the Nihl Sphere to the core.
[ ] Leave it alone.
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20731143
Charge the sphere by killing the golem that tried to kill us? Sure why not. Really, why make it a choice? Given that the white knight brigade is in arms ready to storm hell/Pazuzu's base of operations to get a hint as to the location of Hecate's shadow, there's no other option possible.

Besides, it survived us killing it, I doubt this will--

...Wait. [x]Free. Touch the sphere to our Cobalt Booster.

>>20731153
>[x]Free. Touch the sphere to our Cobalt Booster.

SCIENCE!

>>20731143
I'm torn. Killing it looks like it might recharge the Nihl Sphere. But should we? I mean in a way, it's just a big clunky mech version of us. Maybe we could... I dunno, convert it to player size and gain an ally or something?

>>20731153
Interesting idea.

Hecate brought one of these things to help us when we fought Pazuzu I'm guessing she's responsible for this. I wonder if the guardian will respond to us?

>>20731143
Spheres should touch

And Hecate is not around to watch us being gay for it

Touch with spherw
Whats the worse that can happens, we fight it again?

>>20731089
Hmm?
How so?

>>20731169

We got to break the curse, but she got an entire army of robots to tinker with. From what happened at Nara Dreamland? She got at least one working.

she was trying to repair the armor guardian.

>>20731168
[Eri enters the room]

"o-OH MY J-joker kun, I had... no idea you were into these kinds of things."

>>20731182
>she was trying to repair the armor guardian.
Why wouldn't she want to repair it? That thing kicked goodly amounts of ass.

>>20731169
>Be Hecate
>Not a combat type, but have a fabulous utility artifact
>Want to survive, make it to last battle, kill Pazuzu
>Need allies
>Red Joker is powerful and isolated
>Find golem army and enhancing device
>Not an idiot, realize that it has to be guarded
>Red Joker's isolation gets him in trouble and cursed
>Offer assistance
>Red Joker eliminates guardian, removes curse, powers up and is indebted to you
>Scratch that he's very obviously flirting with you
>Have strongest and most notorious player as boyfriend and protector, still have golem army
>???
>Profit

>>20731204
Something else to consider: Hecate's fallen pretty squarely on the mystical side of the magical/technological split. The Thief on the other hand has gadgets and devices galore.

> Touch the sphere to our Cobalt Booster.

As more filaments of light twist towards the Nihl Sphere, you raise it to yourself: It's drinking in the energy, isn't it? And the Cobalt Booster is a reservoir of it. So what if you...?

A void opens up in your mind, as you feel a sudden, wrenching *tug* - The infinite cold of space, like a miniature black hole, drawing on you in a greedy surge. You hear a low whine from your armor, as your HUD flickers, the telltales shading from green to red...Before they begin to flicker, the blue light of the Booster swirling away in liquid tendrils-

...It's not enough. You know, deep within you, that it's not enough to even slake the Sphere's hunger, even for a moment...Your arms growing palsied, the world blurring at the edges-

...And then you manage to pull it away from yourself, gagging and weak, nausea churning within you. A moment longer - *Just* a moment longer - and it'd have *drained you dry*, too...

You black out.

When the world fades back into view, your limbs are still weak, still leaden...Your motions clumsy, as you stagger to your feet. Slowly, your armor cycles back up to full charge - But the Cobalt Booster in your torso is nearly exhausted, with just the faintest hint of a blue glow.

You don't...You don't think you should try that again.

(Continued.)

> HP: 80%
> METER: 0%
> COBALT BOOSTER: 15%
> ASSAULT SHROUD: 100%

It takes you a moment to catch your breath - Enough that you're not feeling eneverated, weak. It takes you longer before you reach down for the Nihl Sphere...But this time, thankfully, it doesn't draw *from* you.

Carefully, holding the orb high, you approach the Armory Guardian. The titanic construct seems to *know* what you're planning - It goes into a frenzy of thrashing, rocking back and forth so violently it nearly dislodges itself...

-And then, without warning, there's a mighty *flare* of light, as the last of the thing's essence is drawn into the sphere's hungering maw...The faintest violet glow beginning with the orb, quartz shading to ameythest.

The Guardian's head sags, as the light goes out of its eyes - Just dead metal, now, it goes inert, the titanic frame's convulsions stopping at last.

(Continued.)

So much for that.

The Nihl Sphere's glow dies down to nothing - Now, it's just an inert orb again...Though the color has changed, like an ember just before it goes out.

All is silent, in the chamber.

[ ] Examine the Vitruvian Device's plinth.
[ ] Examine the other machines.
[ ] Leave.
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20731220
>>20731220
Haha oh wow that was a terrible idea. Did we at least build any meter from that? And we really should have realized that was going to be the result, since it's the NIHIL Sphere.

All this talk about voids and eyes makes me suspect that the Sphere is almost as bad as the cursed weapons we've run into, if it's not part of the same set. Yes Pazuzu uses the other one as an eye, but that's a separate matter, and who knows where he got them from in the first place.

>>20731243
Well that ended... poorly. Any of the other golems active in any way? Might be worth checking a few of them out, see if we can feed the sphere on them.

And let's check the room real quick, we're here after all. Plinth first, a cursory sweep, and then more in-depth on the rest of the machines.

>>20731220
>>20731237
>>20731243
Part of me now wonders what would've happened if we touched our cobalt booster to the armory guardian's. Speaking of which, can we dislodge the now defunct booster from the guardian? Maybe we can do something with it later- it -was- able to be recharged with energy from the other golems.

>>20731237

Wow, that sucked. God damn, every time we tamper with relics, this kind of shit happens.

It seems that all the black items are badly cursed, but other players don't notice or don't care about the curses.

>>20731243
[X] Examine the Vitruvian Device's plinth.

File: 1347706053264.jpg-(164 KB, 255x600, jokerslasher.jpg)

>>20731255
>>20731249
>>20731269

> [X] Speaking of which, can we dislodge the now defunct booster from the guardian?

The Guardian's core isn't that different from your own - You remember a barrier than could stop plasma bolts or missiles, a mighty fluctuating shield of violet and blue...

-You spend a moment examining the downed machine, but...No, you're not even sure where to begin. You aren't a mechanical genius, but the Guardian's system is like...A tank's main gun, compared to a sidearm. The difference in complexity and scale...You don't think something like that would be man-portable.

> [X] Plinth first, a cursory sweep, and then more in-depth on the rest of the machines.

As you find your footing, you cross over to the raise pedestal that once held the Vitruvian Device; It's melted, into nearly unidentifiable slag, the framework buckled and twisted into uselessness. It seems Hecate was telling the truth, when she said it was meant for a single use only...

-The ground trembles, beneath your feet. Once, then again.

No; Not the ground. The *entire structure* - Which you've never seen from the outside - is beginning to shake.

From far, far above, dust trickles down from the cavernous ceiling as a shaft of light - Crimson light - forms a tiny circle on the floor. A circle that slowly widens, until...

A chunk of the vaulted ceiling pulls away, falling down, down, *down* - Until it crashes into the unbroken rows of automatons, with a cancophous sound like a meteor impact. More shafts of red light stab down, as you look up-

...And see the open skies of the red world.

(Continued.)

File: 1347706492404.jpg-(50 KB, 600x338, jokersolo.jpg)

No, not open skies. There's a shape - A great, birdlike shape, that folds, compresses, *reconfigures* - until it's the size of a human, a *winged* shape in silver. Steel pinions the length of swords slice through the air, the low *hum* of energy in your ears as he - it - descends...

Never quite landing, of course. Instead, it hovers in the air, as your HUD tags him:

BARDIEL.

His feet, sheathed in ceramite boots, are warped into armored claws: Curling, multi-jointed and wickedly bladed, no different from a hawk's talons. His helm is a sharp forward slash of white, slanted eye lens lending sharp angles to the Player's form - Like a beak, machine-growls sounding in his cabled neck joints as that avian helm snaps left and right, with an eye for prey.

The flight mask draws away - to reveal the white faceplate beneath - and you hear:

> "Heh."
> "Didn't expect you to get here *first*, Red Joker."

[ ] "-You're that guy..."
[ ] "Who are you, and how do you know my name?"
[ ] "You *know* this place?"
[ ] "You're the Player who killed Hecate."
[ ] "What do you want?"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20731363
You killed Hecate.
I am going to make you scream for that

>>20731332
>>20731363

A flying Player? It's not like we can't fly, but this guy seems heavy duty.

> [ ] "You *know* this place?"

>>20731363
Damn it all I was really hoping we could power up on a few smaller opponents before this. Also I really wish we had trid to communicate with the broken guardian before we drained it's core. Also, fuck, we only have 15% booster left.

This whole setup sucks.

[X] Free.
"I'm interested in the knowing the real name of Pazuzu and Rust Kaiser, as well as where to find them. I'm going to hurt you until you tell me what I want to know. Or you die. Whatever comes first."

I wonder what we're doing in the real world right now? It has to have been more than 5 minutes.

>>20731363
[X] Don't say anything. Scrander jump up on the roof next to him. Stare at him for a while, then bring the Nihl Sphere up next to our head. Make like we're listening to the sphere. Bring the sphere back down and store it away somewhere safe.

"Yes, dear. He'll bleed. I'll make sure of it."

>>20731415
And 80% HP remaining. Don't forget that.

[X] "You *know* this place?"

>>20731423
Time flows differently in the worlds, sometimes it is faster here and other times it is faster there it seems

>>20731432
>>20731392
Should probably do this before we move on to the death threats.

> You killed Hecate.
> I am going to make you scream for that

It's him. You've never been more certain of anything in your life. The casual, effortless arrogance that holds him in the air - The razor-sharp flicker of his unmoving pinions...The silver gleam of his chromed form...

"So it's true. You *were* an item."

Bardiel is never quite at rest, even when hovering - His limbs twitch, the steel feathers of his wings flickering with electric blue flame. It's like a nervous tic, reminiscient of the winged predators he resembles...As if he's too alert, too wired, to ever hold himself still.

"-But easy come, easy go. No hard feelings, eh?"

> [X] "You *know* this place?"

"Down to brass tacks, then." His wings make a sharp, slicing noise as they carve the air - Beginning to blur, vibrating so fast they're still. They're not just for so; You can make out the control surfaces lining them, like plumage - An impossibly complex array, far more sophisticated than your own flight pack.

On some level, it doesn't surprise you: Someone like him enjoys looking down on everyone, from the skies.

"-Ought to be more careful around your lady, Joker," he sniggers - A dark, ugly chuckle. "I can tell *where* she's been." Then, archly - "Can you?"

> "I'm interested in the knowing the real name of Pazuzu and Rust Kaiser, as well as where to find them. I'm going to hurt you until you tell me what I want to know. Or you die. Whatever comes first."

He's descending, slowly - But he clearly has no intention to land.

"Heh. You'll try."

The Tempest Scrander roars to life, and you take to the air on howling thrusters...

(Continued.)

-As if in answer, you hear the spiralling whine of Bardiel's turbines, cycling up, going active. The steel Player doesn't make for the hole in the ceiling, the exit; Instead, he *swoops* with the predatory shriek of a true bird of prey, autoreactive talons extending into grasping claws, coming right towards you...

> HP: 80%
> METER: 0%
> COBALT BOOSTER: 15%
> ASSAULT SHROUD: 100%

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20731482
Murder his shit.

He uses wings, those wings are going to be full of holes, focus on one wing, if one goes down he won't be able to fly.

Juke downwards before boosting up, try to buy more time before he gets close.

Turn on the Afterimages of the Assault Shroud.

This man is going to die screaming in agony, and it won't bring Hecate back.

>>20731482
Use that last bit of booster to augment the scrander. At the last moment before impact, invert your body so that our ascension becomes a full on drop kick. The moment your feet connect with his chest, engage the railgun maglocks. Let the scrander's shockwave do the rest.

>>20731482
If we have our interceptors we should deploy those as well to keep him on his toes.

>>20731482
Use scrander to pounce him. power it up with the cobalt booster remaining charge. shoot with both gatlings placed on his face

>>20731497
Don't go with the after images just yet, he shouldn't know about our scrander's ability to knock people around so do >>20731507 except possibly the railgun maglocks cause I think those have to be unlocked along with the railgun before we can try that. Anyway, knock him off balance and ridle his flight rig with whatever our chainguns fire these days.

>>20731507
>invert your body
no, we have to make contact and don't let him go.

Your Vulcans cycle up, forearm sheaths clattering open - Filling the air with the hungry roar of your guns going live. Plasma bolts spit across the distance as you blaze away, blasting at his descending shape as you take flight - The Assault Shroud's afterimages boiling in your wake...

The first shots stitch across Bardiel's chromed armor, leaving molten burn scars where they explode against his plate - But the plasma rounds whine fracticiously as they deflect off his wings, which seem utterly impervious to your gunfire.

Your Scrander flares, and you're suddenly moving twice as fast, the Tempest Scrander's shriek rising to a howl - Your body corkscrewing as you *invert* yourself, violently, the railgun's maglocks engaging...

Bardiel's wings furl around him, and he drops like a stone.

You go barreling past him, at incredible speeds - A blue-flame corona surrounding you, your kick sizzling through empty air...

Instead, you meet the high-vaulted surface of the roof. You go into it - Then *through* it, in an explosion of obsidian, tumbling out through the hole into the crimson skies beyond...

For the first time, from the outside, you can see that you were within a great dome; A great black half-sphere structure now cracked and pitted, sporting two rifts where Bardiel punched his way in, and you punched your way out-

(Continued.)

>>20731482
Wait for him to pass the point of no return then launch ourself with the scrander into him and start cycling the vulcans into his wings / face

>>20731533
>>20731550
Oh, I have and idea: As we're flying towards him launch the interceptors behind us and have them follow, once the scrander has unbalanced him we grab a hold of him and twist him into the path of the interceptors which make a single pass to cut him up a bit. Then we fuck up his flight rig with our gatlings

>>20731572
Ah, crap.

...And suddenly, without warning, the air is filled with blades. They make a high, whining whistle as they slice through the air, single-edged and paper-thin; Launched like missiles from below you, stabbing skywards in lethal flurries - You make out Bardiel, in the act of plummeting, his arms wrenched forward as the razor-edged spines punch out towards you.

Your Interceptors detach - All three at once, beginning to circle you - but before their cutting fields even have the chance to engage, the vertical hail of blades knocks one spinning, hurls it air, stabs it a half-dozen times until it falls down, down, *down* and away from the fight.

You bite back a grunt of pain, as the flying knives gouged and scar your crimson plate - They'd wreck *ruinous* damage against an unarmored Player, but they're only moderately dangerous against you...A lucky hit, or one against weakened plate, would punch *right* through, all the same.

> HP: 73%
> METER: 9%
> COBALT BOOSTER: 4%
> ASSAULT SHROUD: 76% (DISPERSING.)
> INTERCEPTORS: 2/3.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20731579
>>20731580

(My apologies, I missed the most recent posts. Next round, then.)

>>20731591
>(DISPERSING.)
What the hell does that mean.

Okay, missiles are our if he can fill the air with blades like that. Also, our strategy isn't working, we need to drop down somewhere we have cover, rather than take a more experienced enemy on in his element.

Lay down suppressive fire and head for the dome.

>>20731597
We were too slow, it happens

>>20731591
Use the high ground to our advantage. Fire down on Bardiel, using our gatlings to both damage him and intercept his feather knives. Meanwhile have the interceptors harass him from the rear.

>>20731613
Better make sure they use wide arcs as they set up for there attack run so they avoid the stream of feather knives he's sending at us.

>>20731609

(Just a reminder that the Assault Shroud is 'active' - That is, using the afterimage ability. Since this fight looks like it's going to be an aerial one, I'll include the remaining charge in the Tempest Scrander.)

You come at him again - The Tempest Scrander seething and spitting sparks at your back. You'll have to be *careful*; You don't have unlimited flight time the way he does, and if it cuts out...You'll have a sharp drop *and* a sudden stop.

Your Interceptors scythe through the air - Spinning before you, their cutting fields overlapping; The seemingly endless volley of single-edged blades skips and glances off the crackling field, as you fire down at him. Your shots fireball against his wings, smoke trailing from his cuirass as a burst catches him *cleanly*...But then he sideslips, manuvering faster than you thought possible, and hurtles out of sight, away from the dome's ragged exit wound.

The hail of shrike blades stop, though - He has to *see* you to fire at you, and he's broken line of sight. Your Interceptors zip into the hole a heartbeat ahead of you, as you bank sharply, braking on wings of jetair and flame...

-And then you're violently jolted, as a jagged spike punches through the left side of your chest, pain flaring as it deploys - the barbed talons digging in your armor.

(Continued.)

>>20731654
Obviously range favors him more than us in this situation so we should close the distance

"You - nnnnfff - picked the wrong fight...But I know *you* know that now!" Bardiel's words are delivered in a *shout*, from somewhere behind you - The grappling projectile winding from the clawed gauntlets on his wrists, as your Interceptors loop around to engage him.

A surge of vicious pain sizzles up your spine, as he rockets away to evade - Dragging you *with* him, so suddenly you slam into the wall, glancing off as he *hauls* on you...The four splayed talons of the harpoon whining fractiously, connected by an almost invisible length of thin wire...

> HP: 64%
> METER: 18%
> COBALT BOOSTER: 4%
> ASSAULT SHROUD: 62% (DISPERSING.)
> INTERCEPTORS: 2/3. (ATTACKING.)
> TEMPEST SCRANDER: 71%

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>20731591
Aim gatlings at the the point where his wings are attached. no inlocked weapon use, we need to build meter.

>>20731671

Fuck, he's hooked us. Get our funnels to cut the wire.

>>20731671
Grab the wires and don't let go for any reason.

>>20731671
His wings are his greatest advantage. Destroy them and he's ]doomed. We're tethered to him, let's use the wires he's provided us to close the distance. Push off the wall, see about angling around to get him with the same trick he used on us.

>>20731691

You realize that our plasma shots are bouncing off his wings? He seems to have put ALL HIS LEVELS into his flying ability.

>>20731671
Fortunately we can fly too, divert the interceptors to cut the line and then move them clear before he can destroy them. Get back to the hole in the dome, and give the scrander a chance to recharge as well as giving us the ability to jump back into the dome to take cover from his next attack.

>>20731696
Then he's an idiot. His wings are buffed, but how's his back? Tear his wings off where they connect to his armor.

>>20731691
>>20731676
Won't work, the wings themselves can block that. Or at least can block our vulcans. Maybe if we were using the fusion cannon or Railgun.

I say watch him flying while we try whatever other strategy. Look at how his wings work. Do they seem to fuction like they're biological or are they booster by an engine? And if there is an engine, where are the intakes located?

>>20731671
For fuck sake hold that last 4% of our Cobalt booster for a fusion charge.

>>20731712
Engines, but paired with some kind of flapping motion moving so fast that it almost looks like it's not moving. Fusion Annihilator is probably the best bet here.

The deployed talons are a jagged, barbed hook in your guts - When they pull taut, as Bardiel speeds away, the pain is nearly blinding...But it's just *pain*.

You're going to fuck him up.

You *slam* into the wall again, as Bardiel's wings stroke once, twice, beating hard for the air - Still pursued by both Interceptors, their slashing track slicing across him as he slows...You can *feel* the harpoon ripping and tearing at you, but your weight is dragging him down, making his wings work twice as hard to keep you both aloft...

You lash out with a gauntleted hand - grabbing the wire, feeling it cut into your armored fingers. Your Scrander *flames*, and you pull back against him with all the strength you can summon...

Your vision goes red, dark spots of agony dancing in your vision - But the line snaps taut, and Bardiel comes to a momentary stop in midair...Just long enough for your Interceptors to *shear* across him, for you to thunder off a long, satisfying burst that splinters metal fragments from his armor-

...And then the line falls away, and you're free. You're *free*. The grapple - He must've cut the line, himself. Your Scrander fumes as you struggle to right yourself - Arresting your fall just over the rows of silent mechanical soldiers. Bardiel goes tumbling away - You hear the metallic clatter as he slams into the roof, sparks flying from his flailing wings.

(Continued.)

Just wondering, would it be possible to apply Cobalt Booster to the Quantum Singularity Cannon? How absurd would this be?

>>20731748
It would probably start pulling things into it's core and keep going until it had consumed the entire level. Hell given time, I think we could end the game prematurely by just fucking throwing the whole shindig into our singularity. However it might grow enough to effect things in the real world, in which case: [BAD END]

"Son of a *bitch*-" You hear him snarl, as your Interceptors come at him again - Still losing height, he twists round, raising his arms and...

You hear a bass thunderclap, and *something* - A wave, a linear distortion, a concussive blast forming perfect concentric circles in the air - gouts from his gauntlets; It catches your Interceptors, sending them tumbling - Before blades rain forth from his steel pinions again, striking them again and *again* until they explode-

But while he's doing that, you've reorientated yourself in the air, below and to his right flank. His wings have no external power source - They seem to be fused to his back, all glittering steel...Though there's an electric-blue glow coming from beneath the surface, neon lines slashing across the frame right before they give way to 'feathers'.

He *does* have to move his wings to fly...Sometimes. But he makes impossible turns, and ambulates at incredible speeds *without* seeming to move them - It's as if each one is a miniaturized version of a gravitic suspensor, capable of *repelling* in any direction to propel himself...

> HP: 51%
> METER: 32%
> COBALT BOOSTER: 4%
> ASSAULT SHROUD: 47% (DISPERSING.)
> TEMPEST SCRANDER: 51%

TIER TWO WEAPONRY UNLOCKED.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20731776
We need to open his back up so that we can jam the Nihl sphere into his power source.

Cobalt booster fusion shot, 1 charge since that's all we have time to build up for and all that's left in the booster.

>>20731776
If only we had hacking powers we could make them push away from each other and tear him in half! Tragic, really.

No way to sneak up on him since we're so noisy. I say we try Scrander Cros--er, the dash attack with as much power as possible. Cut his power with the charge tackle, then make like he's Push Dagger.

>>20731776
Fly up and grab him in a full nelson while doing >>20731785

YOU FLEW TOO CLOSE TO THE SUN
SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES

>>20731817
We should cut the dispersal on the shroud if we're going to do that, We'll need all the health we have to survive the impact.

>>20731817
Can we even do that with only 4% in the booster?

>>20731776
Shove sphere inside railgun, shoot sphere at him

>>20731860
That sounds like a bad, bad, bad idea. With consequences, I don't think it'd work.

>>20731785
This is vicious and I love it. Let's combine our ideas; charge tackle and then life drain. Get his wings, I think the Nihl Sphere does permanent damage.

>>20731860
That might actually work if we fired the railgun from the hip at about the range were at now.

>>20731860
>>20731878
But would the sphere survive the impact?

Should have used the railgun. We could have fired it twice in quick succession and fucked him up good.

>>20731895
We don't have Tier 3 unlocked, that requires 60% meter.

>>20731889
There's only a way to find out. let's do it

>>20731907
Oh crap, you're right. All that talk of firing the Nihl sphere with the railgun made me forhet we didn't have access.

(You rolled *really* well on the tackle, but poorly on sustaining the hold, unfortunately.)

The Scrander roars and breaths sparks, the jets spewing a long column of thrust - Superheated air boiling beneath you, fuming with dust as you cross the distance in a single spasmodic lunge...

Bardiel is still turning to face you, when you slam into him like a runaway freight train. It's hard to get a hold on his aerodynamic form - Your gauntleted fingers scrabble against his armor for purchase, as everything becomes a flailing, frantic frenzy of close-in grappling...

-You're headed for the room, both of you. One of Bardiel's powerful wings slashes against your side, punching through your armor, into your hip - Terrible scraping, skidding noises ring in your ears, over the howl of the jets, as he struggles to free himself...

It's made harder because you only have one hand - The other's encased in the barrel of the Fusion Annhilator, the faint glow of the Cobalt Booster's dregs boosting it; The charges are mounting, one, two, three, four-

You slam into the high-vaulted ceiling, and you don't stop. The impact is a bruising one, but you're certain it hurts Bardiel more than you; Fist-sized chunks of obsidian shatters against armor plating, until the darkness gives way to the tumbling skies of the red world...

-Somehow, he wrenches free before you can fire. It's impossible to hold onto him, as you tumble away from each other - The Tempest Scrander's charge is running down, barely enough to keep you aloft as you fall towards the dome below, propelled by a solid kick to chest-

He's above you, saying something as he swings his gauntlet up. Flight Mode? Pursuit Mode? *Something*.

(Continued.)

You're barely staying in the air - But you hear the warning *ping* as your Fusion Annhilator cycles up to five charges...

> HP: 33%
> METER: 20%
> COBALT BOOSTER: 0%
> ASSAULT SHROUD: 22%
> TEMPEST SCRANDER: 14%

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20731934
What?

Damn it that's why I said 1 charge. Fuck if we had even fired at 3 this would have worked.

Fucking hell take him down NOW.

>>20731930
Say goodbye and head home

>>20731947
is right, we need to fire now. I think it'll miss as he shifts into a faster, more agile mode but we can't risk holding a tyrant infused charge.

>>20731934
Gotta make this count. Are the Fusion Annihilator and Plasma caster on the same arm? If they aren't, hit him with the caster twice to unbalance him before firing the Annhilator. If not, cast off the shroud and get above him then fire.

>>20731958
Caster is a plasma shotgun, I don't think it has the range.

>>20731947
>Take him down NOW
well, this is already an handicap match, and we're running out of options.any suggestion

...wait.
Op, hipotetically, we could drain power from the still functioning guardian cobalt booster?

>>20731934
Use the half second to aim and then give it to him

>>20731962
>>20731958
Triskalion might work, but I'm hesitant about waiting with the Fusion Annihilator like this because if it takes any damage right now it'll explode.

>>20731963
The Nihl Sphere took all the energy that the guardian had left.

>>20731963
Didn't we drain that with the sphere?

Bardiel's silhouette - Silver against red skies. The perfect target, as you swing the Fusion Annhilator up; Plumes of exhaust venting into air, as your crosshairs echo with the sweet chime of a lock...

*Something* is happening to his form - His dimensions shifting, reconfiguring... *Decompressing* from the man-sized shape he'd folded himself into, his steel wings folding around him as if to hide the physics-defying changes.

-But you fire first.

The Fusion Annhilator's ray expands as it comes at him - The focusing ring hurling all that pent-up wrath forth in a sun-flame corona of raw energy...

It hits the barrier of his wings, and the beam splinters into a million streamers of refracted fire. But the Fusion Annhilator is a weapon on another scale entirely, from your plasma rounds; Where your shots glanced off, this one leaves savage burn scars, as your Scrander chokes out, as you begin to fall...But you keep the blast *going*, until his wings glow red hot, until they begin to *melt* beneath the unending heat...

-As it slags through his defenses, into the form curled within them.

(Continued.)

You can see him, through the blinding light - Bardiel has his arm up, forcing the shield to hold for *just a moment longer*...

-The Fusion Annhilator isn't going to be enough. It's going to be *close*, but he's going to complete his reconfiguration and...

NO.

He cannot live.

He has to die.

Distantly - nearly insensible with rage - you feel the Nihl sphere respond, the beam going from white to a fetid violet, the relentless salvo having an effect at last...

The light grows brighter, and it *swells* to encompass your world, until the amethyest supernova swallows all of creation.

And then...

(Continued.)

You're back. You're *back*.

It's a transition made without your awareness, and you *start* - Only vaguely aware that your head was resting on something soft, that you were half-asleep...On Eri's lap?

"A...anon-kun?" Eri seems every bit as startled as you are - She's turning her head, looking towards the door...

-A scream.

That's what woke you. You heard someone *scream*, high and loud and pained, in a way like never before - Loud enough to be *heard*, from within the insulated walls of the soundproof room.

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20732029
Eri? What happened, last I remember I was sitting there waiting for you.

We don't want to give anything away to her

>>20732029

OUT THE DOOR.

Find that bastard.

>>20732029
Get up, head for the door.

"A sound like that never means good things. Maybe you should stay here, Eri."

Do we have our knife with us? If he's not dead maybe we can discretely fix that.

>>20732043
Don't need to say that, she's distracted by the scream.

I wonder if the Nihl sphere powered up the beam to take him out or changed the beam into a portal back to the real world and caused his real unarmored body to cook due to the brief but seriously intense heat coming out of the rift.

>>20732115
Either way I don't think we got any XP or loot for that fight. Like I said at the beginning, I was really hoping to do a bit of grinding on the footsoldier types in the smiley gang.

The sound - A high "AAAAAAAAOHSHIT!" of unrestrained agony - bone-chilling, yet satisfying at the same time.

> Eri? What happened, last I remember I was sitting there waiting for you.

"Y, you were *sleeping*-" she stammers, her blue eyes gone wide and frightened. "And then you-"

Her words are cut off, as you bolt to your feet; Making for the door at a run. Your hand brushes against your pocket, feeling for your knife-

...You didn't bring it. Funny; You've seen so much, yet the thought of bringing *that* wherever you go - Even know, it makes your skin crawl.

You don't have far to go, before you smell it - The charred, sickly stench of roasted metal, the copper of burnt blood. There's already a small group of customers ringing a table - The door still swinging back and forth, as one of the maids consoles a weeping waitress.

Between sobs, you hear her say-

> "-then he screamed, and his arm...His *arm*..."

The table is empty, but you can see how the pink tablecloth is charred, as if by a sudden, smokeless flame - Rivulets of blood staining the carpet below, leaving a winding trickle down across the floor...Past the swaying door...and out into the rain-soaked street beyond.

Like a grisly souvenir - A charred memento - you see a smoldering coat draped across the seat, one sleeve burnt nearly all the way off.

You're at the door, the crowd parting before you like the red sea before Moses...Looking out, where the blood trail ends, washed away by the falling sheets of water.

The rain continues to fall.

JOKER QUEST

EPISODE 19

TO BE CONTINUED.

>>20732131

(Alas, it's really late for me, now - And this place seems like a natural breakpoint. As always, you been a great audience; Hopefully, I'll be running the next episode of Joker Quest this coming Thursday.

Once again, good night and god bless.)

>>20732131

So that's what the sphere does. it's good to know.
Is anyone thinking that this what hecate used to apepar to us?

>>20732131
We need to chase that bastard down.

Thanks as always Joker

>>20732131

That makes three of them. Pazuzu, Rust Kaiser and Bardiel.

A quick googling says

> This angel bears the name of the angel of hail. However, the angel of hail is often considered the same as the angel of lightning, and as such Bardiel could be considered one of the seven greatest archangels, one of the four ruling seraphim, and prince of the second heaven. This would make him the ruler of the Zodiacal sigh of scorpio and a powerful influence over the game of chance.

Honestly, with all the trouble these guys cause for us when fighting them in the red world I thinking of just shanking Rust Kaiser in the real world if we can find out who he is.

>>20732225

Ah, but the red world always gives a perfect alibi.

Now that we know that the armory isn't underground or anything we need to head back in after we've finished with Eri. We should loot what we can and trash everything else so More of Pazuzu's guys can't come after it.

>>20732131
I'm glad he suffered. I'm glad that he bled. And he will live with that pain until we end him. Every time his now scorched and wretched hand twinges in pain he will know the price for taking the love of the Red Joker, every time he struggles to do the simplest task that requires that hand he will feel our hate, every time he wakes up dreaming of plasma immolating him he will remember.

And we just smile, knowing he is in pain, knowing that he will suffer before he dies.

>>20732206

Yeah, one's the fighter, one's the spellcaster, and the third one is the wheelman. They need one more to round out the ranks.

It also seems that Rust Kaiser = Spades, Pazuzu = Clubs Bardiel = Diamonds. They're missing the Hearts suit, unless hecate is going to fill the role.

>>20732280

Seems like he got the game all sewn up.

>>20732276

What happens if we kill someone when using that? How messed-up will he *be*?

>>20732757
>What happens if we kill someone when using that? How messed-up will he *be*?
Probably cook the dude like a christmas ham.