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(Minor updates to the Player List and the Equipment FAQ)

STAGE: HOLOPHUSIKON

In one world, a movie plays: Intermittent blurs of action, streaks of flying figures, flashing steel, and rare spatters and gouts of moist crimson, all washing across the screen like hurried brush paintings. Surreal, unhurried, as if they have all the time in the world...

-And in the other, the Black Tri-Stars are waiting for you.

The grand double-doors of the Holophusikon's central chamber swing open; Overhead, stirred by an unseen breeze, Phantom Edge's shell sways in its spiderweb of chains, the soft chiming marking your steps - Muffled by the thick red carpet underfoot, giving way to the clank of your stride.

They're seated at the round table, half of the baroque thrones perpetually empty - The dusty gloom illuminated by...

When you see it, it quite takes your breath away. A writhing tapestry of light hovers in place, lines of neon and scarlet and azure in constant, seething motion; It rotates, at irregular intervals, sketching itself into being - Tyrian Edge is on his feet, gesturing with a fluted rod that reminds you of a conductor's baton, caught mid-sentence as heads swivel towards you.

At far end of the table, Bishamon nods, the vanes of his helmet whirring softly in time to the motion. Halfway down the circumference, Volt Regios - Gilded blue armor and ozone - chuckles his electronic crackle, metal digits splayed on the surface of the table.

(Continued)

>>25168752

"Joker," Regios growls - Not unfriendly, that's just the way he always sounds. "-Fashionably late, are you?"

"-Glad you could make it," Bishamon says, his voice a metal-on-metal clash; Though he tilts his head to the side, in an instinctive gesture of curiosity. As if to say: Where have you been?

[ ] "-It's good to see all of you, too."
[ ] "Something came up. Bishamon knows how it is."
[ ] "I just had a...bizarre...encounter."
[ ] "I was attacked by a Corrector."
[ ] "Does the name 'Hellebore' mean anything to you?"
[ ] "You're looking well, Regios."
[ ] "I wasn't aware you'd already started."
[ ] "What's *that* thing?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>25168757
>[ ] "I just had a...bizarre...encounter."
>[ ] "I was attacked by a Corrector."

>>25168757
"Just for once I'd like a quiet day where I could go outside and not have something try to kill me."

[X] "I just had a...bizarre...encounter."
[X] "I was attacked by a Corrector."

Nice to see you OP, how's it going?

>>25168757
"I think I might have a stalker. Probably in the sense of a hunter stalking prey and not the kind that ends with me chained to a basement wall. At least I think so; I think I just saw Kraken's queen, player name Hellebore. "

> "Just for once I'd like a quiet day where I could go outside and not have something try to kill me."

"Oh, we've all *been* there," Regios sniggers - The silver circuits of his Ionic Amplifier flicker, briefly, in time to the cising sparks leaping between his spined knuckles. Bishamon gives him a Look, and he subsides...Though he still seems amused, for whatever reason.

> [X] "I was attacked by a Corrector."

Bishamon stiffens - Kouichi's sharp. He knows that it must've happened in the interval between his departure, and your arrival - "*That* close?" he mutters, almost to himself; "...That's unusual." As if echoing his discomfort, his armor's cables writhe behind him, like blind snakes - Until he exhales, with a deep, cycling clunk, eyeing you thoughtfully.

"-Still, if you're here...Good job taking care of it, Joker."

...He's probably a little too quick with the compliments, though...

> [X] "I just had a...bizarre...encounter."

"'Bizarre?'" Tyrian Edge echoes; The first one to pick up on it. "'Bizarre' how?"

> [X] "I think I might have a stalker. Probably in the sense of a hunter stalking prey and not the kind that ends with me chained to a basement wall. At least I think so; I think I just saw Kraken's queen, player name Hellebore."

There's a sudden tension to the air - The *clank* of shifting armor, and the hiss *hiss* of exhalations. "-I hate that bastard," Bishamon mutters; His gauntlet resting just below the sternum, as if in memory of your last encounter. Kraken, you remember, impaled him with a talon - As a way of making a point.

(Continued)

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>>25169059

Or perhaps just to say hello.

"...He gives me the creeps," Tyrian agrees - An odd statement coming from a tall, rather lanky figure, the riveted steel of his armor plates glinting in the light. "I want to know where he got his fucking *horse* fr-"

Regios clears his throat. "Can we get back to business?" he growls, significantly; "-I can't keep powering this thing *forever*, you know." His hands are locked around what appears to be a pair of charging handles - There's a faint background *hum* to the air, as the hovering image flickers, slightly.

[ ] "You're awfully quick to dismiss him."
[ ] "We're going to need to deal with Kraken at some point, Regios."
[ ] "-What *were* you talking about, anyway?"
[ ] "How's the Ionic Amplifier?"
[ ] "You're right - Go on, Tyrian."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>25169073
"Yeah, that can wait; I'm much more curious about how you managed to get cable on this side."

Though we should ask how the new toys are working once the presentation's done.

>>25169073

> [X] "You're right - Go on, Tyrian."

I wonder who these people really are, and how they met. There's a story in that somewhere.

>>25169128
>>25169212

"Right." Tyrian seems faintly abashed, but turns back to the hovering screen - Regios tenses, slightly, as the image sharpens; It still wavers, on occasion, but it's mostly clear...Now, if only you knew what you were looking at.

"...As I was saying, this is a real-time manifestation of the area's energy circulation patterns. We-" He indicates a tangled knot of seething blue lines - "...are over here. And that-" Another point, relatively close - a rotating cylinder of golden circuits - "...Is the Hollow Sun."

-And things snap into place.

It's a map. He's made a map of the city.

The racing, snaking quicksilver rivers - That's the rail network, criss-crossing the Red World like stitches. The rising columns of azure light - The cyclopean towers of Dis, the iron city. It reminds you, faintly, of a impossibly elaborate grid; The more you see, the harder it is to comprehend, until you feel the beginnings of a migraine press against your eyes.

"...Unfortunately, we can't pick up the signatures of indiviual Players with it - They get lost in all the background noise, you see? They're too small to detect. But..."

(Continued)

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>>25169400

"-See here." The image blurs, and then an ugly, jagged spike of violet - Like a stake driven through glass - flares near the grid's heart. Frozen in place, it resembles a time-lapse flower in full bloom; Slicing through the silver line of the rail network, making the energy threads around it whip back, in explosive tension.

"...That was yesterday. There was a...I don't know what you'd call it. A flare, maybe; Whatever it was, it shorted out *everything* around it for..." Apparently, Tyrian's vocabulary fails him. "A significant time, anyway. Coinciding with the power failure of the *real* train network: I wonder if the two were linked, and if so, how-"

"Get to the point," Regios rasps - There's a faint air of strain to him, his myomer muscles bunching in his forearms. The cycling whine of electricity rises, in your ears.

"I *am*." Tyrian sounds piqued. He waves his hand, and clears the map: Now, with the first level of topography removed, all that's left is the cool, criss-crossing lines of the grid, stripped of the other distractions.

A jagged violet star beams at the north-east corner; "You see that?" Tyrian says, nodding towards it. "-There's been a buildup of similar energies at that spot. It's gathering charge, with each cycle - God knows what's happening over there..."

"-Might be worth investigating," Bishamon says - His armored fists balled before him, in thought. On the left-hand side of the map, though, there's a strange warp to the pattern; A marble-sized distortion, a perfect circle of *blankness* that twists the gridlines around it apart - It's a hole in things, that seems to pulse before your eyes as Tyrian rattles on.

(Continued)

>>25169566

"...a distraction," Volt Regios is saying - His voice gone taut, now. "You *saw* what the last one did - That's not an opportunity, that's a hazard. I vote we *stay the hell away*."

[ ] "Bishamon's right. We should take a look."
[ ] "We should leave it alone."
[ ] "...That was caused by Enfer."
[ ] "Tyrian, what do you think?
[ ] "Hold on a moment. There, to the left - What's *that*?"
[ ] "I'll leave it up to you."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>25169578
>[ ] "Bishamon's right. We should take a look."
>[ ] "Hold on a moment. There, to the left - What's *that*?"

>>25169578
"I can tell you what it is: those goddamn purple crystals. I don't know where they come from, but they're bad news. They exist in both worlds and have all sorts of nasty uses; like making bombs that affect both worlds at once. The flare you're showing was me defusing one--but not very well. Don't know what's building up here, but it's probably because of the smiling bastards, and it's probably going to do nasty things to both sides of the world.

"This thing on the left side side... is that the Hive?"

>>25169673
> The flare you're showing was me defusing one--but not very well. Don't know what's building up here, but it's probably because of the smiling bastards, and it's probably going to do nasty things to both sides of the world.

I would've been more inclined to say the flare was caused by the activation of the Nihil Sphere, rather than anything having to do with the crystal on Enfer's bomb. (Mostly based on the fact that Tyrian mentioned that "Whatever it was, it shorted out *everything* around it"; and when we activated it, it was to use EXEC_DISRUPT.)

Which means the similar, building energy signature could easily belong to the Nihil Sphere's companion. Which happens to be in Pazuzu's possession.

That said, if it DID have to do with the crystal, rather than the Nihil Sphere, we still probably want to check it out.

>>25169661
I'd second these choices, maybe also bring up
>[ ] "...That was caused by Enfer."
despite not knowing 100% whether it was him or us that caused the anomalous energy signature.

We should probably ask about where he got this map from, and whether we would be able to get a copy of it. I suspect that having access to the map for more in-depth investigation of what places in the real correspond to things in the Red would be useful, and powering it shouldn't be an issue if we have access to the Hollow Sun.

Also, if he has past versions of the map, we could compare the current energy signature to that when Bardiel used his crystal to help narrow down whether the signature was Enfer or us.

>>25169673
>defusing
That's an interesting (and inaccurate) way of putting it...

>>25169661

>[X] "Bishamon's right. We should take a look."

Bishamon nods - Tyrian Edge doesn't say anything, fiddling with the handheld control. "Oh, that's all right, then," Volt Regios mutters; "-If the Red Joker says so, it must be a *good* idea." The sarcasm in his voice is rich and thick, even through the staticky buzz of his voice - Or maybe he's just feeling the strain, from keeping the simulation powered.

It's hard to tell.

>>25169673

> [X] "...That was caused by Enfer."

"You fought *Enfer*?" Regios laughs, a buzzing, blurred sound. "-Yes, it sounds like him all right; Wish I'd been there to see it."

"There was the lightning storm," Bishamon reminds him. "And the Corrector."

"On second thought..." Volt concedes.

> They exist in both worlds and have all sorts of nasty uses; like making bombs that affect both worlds at once.

"*Both* worlds?"

*Now* you've got their interest. "...So *that's* why," Tyrian says. "-There's been too many...irregularities...recently. Strange things - Well, stranger than usual, anyway. If these, uh, 'purple crystals' can create effects like that-"

His voice trails off. The silence is a pregnant one, rife with possibility - And, of course, greed.

>>25169861

"The 'Nihl Sphere'," Tyrian Edge echoes. "That Relic of yours? Hmmmm." It's a thoughtful sound, considering and a little intrigued - He doesn't say more, but you can almost hear the gears in his head beginning to turn.

"It's settled, then," Bishamon says, with an air of finality. "That's our next target."

"-Raise the black flag, eh?" Regios - As you'd expect - sounds rather more enthuaistic than before. He moves to stand, the image beginning to flicker out: "So when do we get-"

> [X] "Hold on a moment. There, to the left - What's *that*?"

Volt doesn't *quite* glare at you, but he lets out a long-suffering sigh as he settles back into his seat - His fists bunching around the handgrips once again, sparks crackling down his tusked shoulders.

(Continued)

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>>25169875
Hush, I'm trying to make us look good. And I really don't want to say "Yeah I used the reality warping relic that's a match to Pazuzu's own uber-relic to detonate the purple crystal that has reality warping effects that he had strapped to a suitcase nuke".

>>25169942
...Annnnnnd we talked about the Sphere anyway. GodDAMN it.

lolwut, kill yourself.

"...What's-" Tyrian begins, as he stoops - Following your gaze, with a sharp hiss of breath. "That wasn't there before." His armored footsteps are quick, as he circles the tables in fast strides.

"-It's...a blind spot. Amazing; It's an area that's completely cut off from the grid - And it seems to be growing."

> "This thing on the left side side... is that the Hive?"

"Actually, that's..." he says - And suddenly falls silent. It's a rather embarassed silence - As Volt Regios and Bishamon regard him, he shuffles his feet, looking sheepish.

"Out with is," Regios rasps, and Tyrian starts.

"...That's, ah, Noctus," he says. He's taking utmost care not to meet your eye.

"I might be wrong, but...That's - Nara Dreamland."

Tyrian is still looking down, as he punches keys on his wrist-mounted console. "Well, the coordinates match up. The dead zone synches perfectly with the physical location, even accounting for deviation in the overlap, which-"

He draws a deep breath.

"...Which means, 'Yes'."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>25169861

(My apologies, I didn't get everything in - I've done my best to paraphrase, without making it a mega-post, though.)

>>25170034
Well crap. So, the build up probably has something to do with Enfer's mission which is bad news for AP (who we still haven't picked up our new shield from) but the null zone at Nara will make people think "Hecate". Though it occurs to me that it could also have something to do with Totenaz, who would have both a reason to hide his presence and the means to do it.

>>25170034
"So wait, what does that mean? Is it just gone?"

>>25170034
"Is that so? Excuse me, I think I have to go burn down the happiest place on Earth."

Too many secrets there. Maybe we should have investigated before...

>>25170042
No worries.

>>25169986
Hey, I never said to tell THEM about it; I was just mentioning OOC that it was probably OUR fault, not Enfer's, so if we go check out the other, similar energy signature, we shouldn't just assume we're going to find another "regular" crystal there and end up running face-first unprepared into Pazuzu.

>"...Which means, 'Yes'."
Does this mean "Yes, that's Nara Dreamland", or "Yes, it's a Hive now."?

>>25170138
>>25170200

"Nara Dreamland," Bishamon muses aloud - "...That place again. I wonder why...?"

"Maybe it's haunted," Regios says. He may have meant it as a joke, but in his flat, electricity edged-voice; It's impossible to tell.

> "So wait, what does that mean? Is it just gone?"

"I..." click-click-clack goes the keys. "...I don't know, actually," Tyrian confesses, abashed. "-This is the first time I've...Wait. Regios, if you please?"

"Fine," Regios crackles. He grunts, and tenses in concentration - The bright spires of buildings, and the silver lines of the metro network return, as do the red circuit-pattern streamers. The distortion vanishes, lost beneath the blurred, impossibly complex illumination...Or is that disguised?

"There. Something's...changed, about the nature of the place. If we hadn't been looking, well...We'd never have known." Tyrian seems visibly shaken by this; "...I wonder how long it's been disconnected?" he mutters - Then stirs himself. "Either that, or it's some kind of heavy-duty encryption. It's draining energy into itself, and the Red World has...built *around* it?"

He shrugs. "...That's the best I can do. I don't know what's happening in there..."

> "Is that so? Excuse me, I think I have to go burn down the happiest place on Earth."

"You're not going with us?" Bishamon says, a little too sharply - But then he relaxes, slightly, modulating his tone. "...I meant to say - You're going to investigate?"

[ ] "-Yes, I am. And I'll need your help."
[ ] "Yes, I am. I'll go alone."
[ ] "No - The energy spike comes first."
[ ] "No, *you're* going. I'll handle the energy spike."
[ ] "I'm not sure. Tyrian, what else can you tell me?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>25170308
"I want to check that out, it could be important. It would be nice to have some backup, though. You know me, always getting into trouble."

>>25170308
"The two could be connected. One area is building energy, one seems to have lost it. But... How long until the spike goes like yesterday's spike if it continues building at its current rate? If we've got more than two days then Nara Dreamland comes first."

If we split with the tri-stars maybe we should lend Bishamon the the fatal abyss fragment to increase their chances of survival.

Another thought, couldn't we call Natsumi and tell her there's something strange going on so she can warn AP?

>>25170367
>If we split with the tri-stars maybe we should lend Bishamon the the fatal abyss fragment to increase their chances of survival.
I mean, despite knowing he is capable of using it, A) We need it if we are going to have any hope of exchanging the whole thing for Red Joker Memorabilia (or whatever Totenaz is actually offering us), so if they end up getting smoked by whatever was in there, we would be obliged to go in there to get it back and B) He actually seemed kind of relieved to be rid of the thing.

>Bishamon goes silent, for a moment, as the shard continues to revolve. "-I'm just glad I'm out of it," he mutters, "It's too competitive for me."

>Another thought, couldn't we call Natsumi and tell her there's something strange going on so she can warn AP?
This, on the other hand, seems like a reasonable idea. (Though we might want to do it by talking to Argent ourselves, rather than having to explain directly to Natsumi how, yeah, we're just going to be going on a whole bunch of dangerous investigatory trips in a row, don't worry about us. Girl might have a panic attack.)

>>25170463
I'm not sure if we have a direct line to Argent?

>>25170333

> "I want to check that out, it could be important. It would be nice to have some backup, though. You know me, always getting into trouble."

There's a sharp bark of laughter. "Well, at least he's honest," Regios says.

Bishamon makes a low, thoughtful sound - His gaze flitting between both locations, now, clearly considering it.

>>25170338

"Maybe," he concedes, but he doesn't seem convinced. "-Something *or* nothing; I'm not sure what to make of it."

> How long until the spike goes like yesterday's spike if it continues building at its current rate? If we've got more than two days then Nara Dreamland comes first."

Another pause, another faint whirr of machinery as Tyrian punches in new calculations. The floating screen is overlaid with another, and another, like the overlapping layers of a geological hours.

"...At the current rate of buildup-" and you notice how he stresses 'current' - "We should have 86.7 hours before it reaches unsustainable levels." He seems to think this over: "-Give or take twelve hours," Tyrian further qualifies, hedging his bets.

"So three, maybe four days, then," Bishamon says - His fingers drumming lightly on the polished surface of the table. "...There you have it, then. You have time."

"*If* Tyrian's right," Regios interjects. He doesn't say it, but you get the feeling Regios prefers to take every caution, whenever possible.

>>25170367

The Fatal Abyss's shard. You still carry it with you - Apart, not a part. You get the feeling Bishamon might make better use of it than you, at present; You'll have to consider that, depending on their decision.

> Another thought, couldn't we call Natsumi and tell her there's something strange going on so she can warn AP?

That's a good idea. After all - Isn't this technically their department? You make a mental note of it, though the faceplate of your helm reflects nothing.

(Continued)

With a wheezing gasp, Regios releases the charging handles - At last, the virtual image disperses, fading away to the faintest wisps of energy...Before they, too, are gone. For a long moment, the sullen crackle of sparks, of his power winding down, is the only sound in the chamber...

"-We're going on a field trip, are we?" he remarks. "...I always wanted to visit, but I never found the time." Regios turns towards you, a motion echoed by Bishamon. "-So, when do we leave?"

[ ] "Now."

-----------------------------------------

[ ] "Tomorrow."
[ ] "The day after."
[ ] "I'll tell Bishamon, when I'm sure."
[ ] "I'll handle it myself. Don't worry about it."

You should...
[ ] Call Natsumi first.
[ ] Visit the Hollow Sun.
[ ] Meet with Mio.
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>25170541
Aw nuts, originally we were going to check in on the Hollow Sun. But this seems pretty important.

Maybe we should go now and call Natsumi on the way? Or would we be traveling via the Red making that unfeasible?

>>25170541
"Give me ten. Need to check with a contact."

Then call Natsumi.

As to whether or not we hand over the shard, I say "Yes", but when needed. The whole "off the grid" thing, in a Corrector Hive, in the last spot where we saw Hecate screams Totenaz.

>>25170541
[X] "Now."

"Well more like a bit later today, I'm going to call a friend before I head on in, but yeah, pretty much nowish. Don't want to really delay much on this stuff."

Give Natsumi a call before we head on it.

>>25170569
>>25170578
>>25170586

> [X] "Now."

No time like the present, after all. Besides - You can't help but feel vaguely unsettled. Nara Dreamland, for the second time...

-You're not sure if you *want* to know what you might find there.

> "Give me ten. Need to check with a contact."
> "Well more like a bit later today, I'm going to call a friend before I head on in, but yeah, pretty much nowish. Don't want to really delay much on this stuff."

"...It'll take us some time to get the Siege Perilous configured," Tyrian Edge says, by way of agreement. "We'll wait for you."

"-Just don't take too long," Regios adds. "Some of us had plans for tonight."

With that sardonic parting shot, the red world blurs and flickers around you...

-The movie theatre is emptying out, and you follow the rest of the crowd...Though that's giving to much credence to the mere handful of people who'd decided to suffer through the long-winded arthouse film.

> Give Natsumi a call before we head on it.

Your handphone - Set to silent mode - feels oddly heavy in your hands, as you turn it over...But perhaps that's just the distortion of accessing the red world twice in the same day.

YOU HAVE FOUR NEW MESSAGES, the screen says - Each one tagged with Mio's fox-plushie icon, still waiting to be read. Your shoulder throbs with remembered strain, as you recall...

[ ] Arranging to meet later.
[ ] Sending her home.
[ ] Catching that kitten at last.
[ ] -You can't worry about that right now.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>25170738
Uh oh.
[x]Sending her home, for maximum drama.

>>25170738
[X] Catching that kitten at last.

>>25170738
Was wondering how this loose end was going to get tied up.

>[ ] Sending her home.
but
>[ ] Arranging to meet later.
We know she probably deserves to hear us address just what the hell happened, and she'd almost definitely have been worried sick about us while we were passed out in the real world while addressing Megeara again, but there's no possible way we could figure out how much to tell/how the hell to explain how a car just exploded out of the way before running us over, etc. while still in the moment.

So, with some measure of regret (but equal measures of barely-contained internal panic) we send her packing with promises to try and have a semi-serious chat about EVERYTHING that happened later. (Hopefully allowing us to try and address the possible cause of the kitten's freak-out at the same time as we try and explain what she saw.)

But please god, I just hope we didn't schedule for later today. It'd be in fitting with our fairly atrocious time management, of course (like how we still have to go see art one of these days with our mildly prophetic librarian friend,) but our poor, overloaded schedule can't take much more of this.

>>25170851
I'd also be in favor of catching the kitten because god forbid that little furball is the first antagonist in this quest who gets the better of us once and for all...

But really, considering what all went down, that cat would've probably been looooong gone by the time we woke up. A car getting smashed up loudly plus Mio-induced existential dread probably had the cat halfway across town by the time we came to.

Maybe we could spot it safe and sound on the other side of the road, at least, so we have a little bit of a feel-good moment after we wake up again but before having to face the music with Mio.

>>25170738

>[X] Sending her home.

Definitely sending her home. Oh god, the poor girl. She must be traumatized as hell.

> [X] Sending her home.
>>25170869

The aftermath of an accident is a...curious thing. Peaceful, almost - Made more so by the strange silence that descends, total and unfettered. You remember stumbling to your feet, marvelling at how you were entirely unharmed - The driver, exclaiming at the massive, inexplicable dent that crumpled his car like a tin can, smoke rising from the hood...

-But most of all, you remember Mio, exclaiming as she ran over; Her hands pressed to her mouth, her face gone white with shock. A strange thing; She said-

"I'm *sorry*! I'm so, so sorry-" again and again, as if it was somehow her fault. You were struck by the terror, sharp-edged and cutting, in her eyes - When she realized that no-one was *hurt*, that you were *fine*, she nearly broke down completely.

The rest of it is a blur. Somehow, you got her onto the taxi, assuring her that you were all right, that it was *okay* - But you're not sure how much of it got through. Your last glimpse of her was a teary-eyed nod, her expression oddly imploring through the window...As if there was something she wanted you to understand.

> 1st: I
> 2nd: I'm back.
> 3rd: Anon, Im glad u're all rite.
> 4th: Sorry.

You exhale, and dial Natsumi's number. The phone rings once, twice-

> "...Anon-kun?"

Natsumi's voice is cheery; You can hear muffled music, and the faint clink of cutlery in the background. From the sound of it, she's probably with her clique - There's laughter, cut short, and then the soft scrape of a chair being pushed back.

> "-What's up?
> "It's not like you to call...Is everything all right?"

From the sound of it, she doesn't know about your near-accident. That's...Probably good.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>25171040
"Nothing much, act like this is a normal call. If needed use it as an excuse to leave your little friends.

Something odd is going on in what used to be Nara's Dreamland, bad juju going on there, investigating with allies, thought you should know. Inform AP if you get a chance.

Want to come along with us loonies?"

>>25171040
"Just delivering a warning--someone on the other side noticed that Nara Dreamland's gone completely silent in the Red World. No player activity, no energy signatures, nothing. He's not sure if it's because the place actually turned into a dead zone or something's blocking scanning. Either way it's pretty major. I'm heading to check it out, let Argent know I'll be in touch when I get back."

>>25171075
That wasn't what we wanted to inform her about. We need her to tell Argent that something's happening in DIS that's probably related to our battle with Enfer.

>>25171103
Ah, I've been in and out on this thread and had to do some other stuff, missed that.

So yeah, do let Natsumi know about the spike of energy, and hole in energy at Nara, and tell her to pass it on to AP.

>>25171040
Some contacts of mine have discovered a strange build up of energy in Dis that's been gathering a charge each cycle since our encounter with Enfer. I figured your boss might want to know since he has real estate in the area.

>>25171150
*facepalm*

Tunnel vision's great. You're correct, need to add >>25171165 to what I said.

I think I should hit the sack.

>>25171075

There's a moment of white noise, on the other side - Natsumi excusing herself. Suddenly, it becomes a lot quieter, with the measured acoustics of a confined space.

> Something odd is going on in what used to be Nara's Dreamland.

"Something 'odd'?" There's an edge to Natsumi's voice, now - She's clearly thinking about the last visit, and everything that came after.

> bad juju going on there, investigating with allies, thought you should know.
>>25171097

Pause. "-I see." You can hear the worry in her tone, though she keeps her voice light; And you realize that Natsumi's being cautious - She doesn't know who might be listening. "Be careful," she urges; "...I'm not sure how much you can rely on them - Or at all."

Well, that's comforting.

> "Want to come along with us loonies?"

"I...*want* to, but-" she's searching for the words, now. "-It'd look strange if I leave." Natsumi certainly doesn't sound happy about that. "...I can't, for now. But-" and her tone lightens, ever-so-slightly; "-You're good at taking care of yourself."

>>25171165
>>25171103
>>25171150

This time, the pause is significantly longer.

"...Again?" Natsumi murmurs, under her breath - "-Yes, I'll be sure to tell him. Something like that...What are they *doing*?" It seems like she's about to say more, but...

> "-Natsumi~? You're...lking -ver there~?"

"One moment~!" she calls back, her voice as cheerful as ever - The soft surrusation of her breath echoing in the mouthpiece. "I have to go. But, Anon-kun..."

"-Good luck."

The line goes dead, and then there's just the flat note of the dial tone.

At least she knows, now - She definently sounded troubled by that revelation, though. Still - If there's anyone who can do something about it, it'd be Argent Prominence.

Or at least, that's what you tell yourself.

(Continued)

>>25171298
[ ] "Tyrian, is something wrong?"
[ ] "Remind me how the, ah, 'Siege Perilous' works again?"

>>25171229

STAGE: HOLOPHUSIKON

"Back at last," Volt Regios grunts - With a shrug of his tusked shoulders, as if disappointed. "...I was *hoping* you'd changed your mind."

"Not likely," Bishamon cuts in. He stands tall, stiff - Perfectly poised, arms folded over pitch-scribed plate. Now that the moment has come, Bishamon - Kouichi - actually seems expectant - Even as Tyrian Edge paces back and forth, before the brass double-doors, muttering to himself as he punches a key, pauses, does it again.

"-We have a lock," Tyrian says, abruptly. "The connection with Noctus has been established." He sounds uneasy - Tension writ large in his lanky form - as he steps to the side - The Cortex Regulator's circuits humming as they work, calculating and configurating.

[ ] "Let's go, if we're going."
[ ] "Remind me how the, ah, 'Siege Perilous' works again?"
[ ] "Tyrian, is something wrong?"
[ ] "You don't seem to be particularly keen on this, Volt."
[ ] "Are you sure this is going to work?'
[ ] "...You know, I'm having second thoughts..."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>25171325
[X] "Tyrian, is something wrong?"

> [X] "Tyrian, is something wrong?"

There's a definite air to Tyrian Edge - He seems...jumpy. Or, at the very least, twitchier than usual. "Wha-" he says, as if startled at being addressed directly - "N, no. Nothing's wrong."

He hesitates, and adds - "...I hope."

"Great," Regios mutters. "-I'm feeling better about our chances already."

> [X] "Remind me how the, ah, 'Siege Perilous' works again?"

"The, the Siege Perilous? It's..." A pause. "...Well, to put it bluntly, it's a hack."

Tyrian must've noticed your lack of comprehension, because he forges on. "The physics here are different, you see? It's like when you open a door in a game - You're not actually going *through* the door...You're making a transition from one area to another. The door's just the trigger."

He turns back, as the double-doors open down the center - The last time you used it, it parted to reveal a long, seemingly endlessly hallway, the walls and ceiling mere indistinct shapes. But *this* time, you can feel the cold plucking at you, roiling out from within in a frigid gust - The doorway entirely black.

"...So technically, the same door can trigger a transition, to - to anywhere. Anywhere there's a door of the same kind. But..."

You get the feeling this is the uncomfortable part. "-You can never be sure, you see? If this door can bring us anywhere, there's a chance...Just a chance..." He swallows -

"...We could end up Nowhere." There's a formless dread in his voice, now. "And we - We might not be able to get back."

[ ] "...Are you *sure* you got the right place?"
[ ] "-Well, too late to back out, now."
[ ] "You want use to go through *that*?"
[ ] "Bishamon, what do you think?"
[ ] "Forget it- Close it!"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>25171568
[X] Free.
"Well, you don't have to come if you don't want to."

Guess everyone else passed out.

>>25171682

> "Well, you don't have to come if you don't want to."

"Y, you mean-" Tyrian begins; It's clear that he really, *really* doesn't want to - But peer pressure's pushing him to make an effort. "...If that's - okay...?" There's something rather pleading in his gaze, as he looks around for support - One way or the other, until-

"...He's right."

Bishamon's voice is measured, but flat.

"Tyrian, sit this one out. As long as you're monitoring things for this end - We'll be fine."

Tyrian seems to sag, in relief - His sigh coming out as long, crackling exhalation. "Thank G- I mean, thanks." He still seems torn, reluctant to accept, but it's not *that* much of a struggle. He slumps down onto his seat, as if the tension has drained from him all at once.

"...We can opt out of it, now?" Volt scoffs - Or rather, the closest thing to a scoff a lightning-powered knight can manage. "-If it's a *choice*, can I st-"

He shuts up, when Bishamon gives him a brief but searching look. "Fine," Regios grumbles - The note of rebellion momentarily suppressed. He squares up to the doorway, forming one point of your rough triangle; "-Let's get this over with, shall w-"

You take your first step over the archway, and everything begins to go wrong.

(Continued)

It only now occurs to me that it would have been a good idea to ask if the other side of the gate was in the null zone. Cause that seems like the kind of thing that might screw with the signal.

File: 1370091594276.jpg-(245 KB, 850x1315, jokerhecate.jpg)

245 KB JPG

>>25171862
Around you, the world frays. A hole opens in the darkness - Not sharp and bullet-precise, but a great, ragged, spreading wound into which you slide, like a reptile into a tarpit.

There are sounds. Whispers, at the corner of your mind, that grow louder and louder - Until they become a hammering in your skull, as your vision blurs and fades, as the walls begin to undulate like curtains in the breeze-
.
.
.
.
And you wake up.

-------------------------

You don't know how long you've been out. An hour? A few minutes?

A year?

It's cold, here - As cold as a tomb's vault under the rock. It's dark, and there's no sound, except - Very faintly - the whispers.

It is so dark.

You were dreaming, and the remnants of the dream are still hooked in your mind, like splinters in skin - Sharp-edged, glassy, hard with old pain.

Something skitters on the stone, out in the darkness.

Your hands are numb, as you look around you - Your optical sensor cycling, the fathomless blackness oppressing you on all sides. Myomer muscles hum, softly, as you push yourself to your knees...Then to your feet.

*Where* are you?

STAGE: THE MANOR OF DUSK

Everywhere is grey, or black. Fuzzy amber lights pulse, in the distance; There's a smell of smoke, of dank, of metal, of...

-Brimstone.

And then you see her.

She's pale, paler than ever before, and she looks like she's made of mist. Her footfalls make no sound, at she paces towards you - One slow step at a time, those delicate features crowned by spiralling horns-

"Anon," Hecate says, and smiles - It's a pure smile, a smile that's just for you; Her pale hands outstretched and welcoming.

"Anon-kun...I've missed you so much."

JOKER QUEST

EPISODE 44

TO BE CONTINUED

>>25171826
>>25171862

(You're probably right. My apologies for the late start, gentlemen - My schedule has been hilariously busy, and I've been struggling to cope. I'll do my level best to start earlier, next time.

However, thanks for staying with me; You've been a wonderful audience, and I look forward to playing with you next time.

As always: Good night, and god bless. I hope to see you again soon.)

>>25172021

Oh shit.
We're in GAINAX territory now, boys.

>>25172174

We're in Nara Theme Park, right? Didn't we visit this place before, actually?

This smells so much like a trap I'm either expecting arrows, dicks, or a giant pendulum blade descending to smash into us.

Or it's an illusion and we have to shake this off.

>>25172618

Yeah, I don't think it's really her. Saving that picture, though. I nearly forgot how hot hecate was.

>>25172731

It's amazing that we didn't even kiss her. While it's unlikely that we'll ever see her again, I bet she fucks like a tiger. Mio is probably consensual sex in the missionary position, though.