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A political debate exploding into a duel to the death, a suspicious moon rousing a sentiment of self-preservative fear and now a friend forced in manacles, watched dutifully by a pair of Onis guard; Tanuya wouldn’t put up a fight but she still had every right to feel betrayed, whether or not she was accusing me was impossible to tell but the simple fact that I’ve done it squeeze my heart – events keep on piling and piling without end, sometime I feel like time itself grow sluggish, as if every seconds stretched on unnaturally. The mystery of the unearthed memory was enticing but I couldn’t lose myself in doubts – minutes, hours, all of it passed despite my better judgement to stay conservative and late night blossomed fully, forcing my option into a single one; to use the help of the slime named Aurore in the duel, and this resolution was easily felt throughout the group; doing so inside the chamber of Amarantha Amisi was by far the safest option and so…

‘’Right, are you ready?’’

Zechariah spoke down at the tiny blue creature that, for once, didn’t look over energetic. The swordsman was holding three ofudas (the ones given to him by Ame), pinching them between his fingers and already activating them since the papers themselves starting burning yet… I also knew you had to be a mage to activate these items and there weren’t any lines of Focus on that man body – a mental note is about the only thing to do about it, Sylphis obviously figured out the same and her twisted face quickly motivated me to ruffle her hair, eliciting a grumpy «muh» from the mantis.

‘’You should have started already! You scared of having me all grown up and pretty?’’
‘’Just please don’t do anything weird’’
‘’We both know I can’t promise that’’

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The little slime shook her arms while talking and I felt a smile threatening my face; the little blue one wasn’t someone to let the atmosphere bring her down; everyone was looking at the duo now, even the massive creature had twisted its body to peer at the activity and from my peripheral vision I saw it twitch when the papers lit on fire, and from there they quickly consumed themselves, disappearing in a strange golden dust that quickly started to swirl in the air in a spiral pattern. I felt a strange yearning in my chest, a pinch of pain near my heart made me mass the area as I tried (and failed) to puzzle the sensation; aside from some nervous wiggling from the worm everyone else looked fine and dandy, even Tanuya had regained some color while sharing space with the chieftain.

With a nice wide berth given to the slime I couldn’t quite identify her expression but I saw her jump in place a tiny bit before extending her arms outward toward dust…that, without warning, moved by itself once all particles plucked themselves away from the burning magical talismans (that, of course, didn’t leave a mark on Zechariah skin); the strange glitter dusts flew directly toward the slime but instead of piercing her skin and coloring her in bright yellow. The pattern warped and slapped itself on her back, quickly digging into her malleable skin the particles swam directly for the rose core of Aurore and disappeared within, whilst the sphere visibly pumped and grew as the ‘’magic’’ entered again and again.

‘’Hey, that girl…she’s consuming magic?’’

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Sylphis spoke softly beside me and silence was my only answer – it was the only way to properly theorize this phenomenon. Then the tiny body of the blue girl began to bubbles, budging, expanding slowly and reaching a worrying breaking point; I felt compelled to reach for her even when her guardian (or lover?) simply observed in silence not the least bit afraid. A tiny sound of rupture accompanied the fact she, quite simply, imploded; Aurore body couldn’t sustain her ballooning reaction and became a bright blue puddle with no core in sight.

‘’Oi what just happened!?’’

Sylphis was quick to voice her concern and I stopped her from moving forward once Zechariah spoke in turn, scratching the back of his head with a dubious expression.

‘’She’s just playing games, don’t worry’’

Just afterward the puddle moved, the volume of liquid started to increase exponentially, forming an increasingly large circle that, once a good 2 meters of floors was damped and stained in bright, sticky blue, began to bubbles exactly like what happened to the humanoid slime for all of a few seconds as the slime substance of the pond began to form a bigger core of incomprehensible blue bubbles…which quickly erupted, again.

A young looking woman literally jumped out of this bubbling nest, a being of blue, near-transparent skin landed softly on the wet ground, it was undoubtedly the girl Aurore, albeit with a sudden growth spurt. Her face hadn’t changed, albeit with matured traits and more defined hair; each strands looked to have been carefully carved in the substance of her body, it feel in a somewhat glue-like fashion past her ears and neck whilst the rest of her body looked naked without ‘’proper’’ definition. No peculiar mark on the skin, nothing to really define her sex aside from the feminine contour of her visage, the obvious bump of her breasts and the shape of her hips – all of it obviously subject to change.

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The girl started stretching now, meeting Zechariah full height (six feet), prompting the young man to speak up while putting a little distance between him and the entity.

‘’Well… I’d like you all to meet Aurore, again.’’

‘’No time to play around tonight I’m afraid’’

As the girl spoke up I still couldn’t chase the previous spectacle from my mind, I’m no expert in slimes but… one of them growing so fast and possessing so much individuality isn’t exactly common place.

‘’Still, Ame hard effort taste delicious’’

Oh dear…perhaps there was some wisdom in keeping her tiny.

--

Thankfully the new realization that the chieftain chamber would now have an irremovable stain didn’t cause any undue drama but the hours had passed and healthier people would be preparing for bed – something that I simply can’t do right away with tomorrow morning duel, a few chambers had been prepared but I still insisted on staying with the chieftain even when Tanuya fell asleep on her bed; our entire group huddled somewhat close together, curious of Aurore newly created adult body.

‘’So you can help me as a proxy limb?’’

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‘’Yes’’

Us two were sitting face –to-face, with Zechariah and Sylphis standing beside us; by now the other guards had moved on accompanied by Amarantha, leaving only the worm as proxy watch dog.

‘’I’ll take care of all the little boring details, there’s just one thing I need you to tell me before we begin’’

‘’Okay’’
I was still trying my best to wrap my head around the fact the tiny mascot became a full-fledged adult, she had also taken my hand in hers, the blue skin felt elastic yet fragile, I didn’t try to squeeze too hard and simply gaze into her ocean eyes – there was a gentleness in there, something warm that begged to wrap my heart. What is this girl…?

‘’I can be only two thing for you right now, Athena. I need you to choose between two concepts; slick and lethal or savage and hostile – I can only turn into one such weapon for your duel.’’

‘’Can you go into more details?’’

She slowly shook her head at my question.

‘’I don’t even know how I’d turn out myself, it just an objective I need to concentrate on while shape shifting’’

I’ve got this hunch that this might be a little more complicated than anticipated…

>What should be done?

>>36064898
What would fit Athena's fighting style better? She's trained to be slick and lethal but the arm she was using before was all kinds of savage and hostile. What would she be more comfortable in wielding?

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>>36065116
She's good with both, it honestly all depend on what you think is best for the duel. Slick and lethal can be efficient, but sometime pure savagery is more murderous, there's no real ''goos choice'' or hard counter, it'll simply be the style Aurore will stick to.

>>36064898
Slick and Lethal.
Salamander fighting style seems to favor overwhelming savagery on the whole, from what I remember seeing her fighting before.
Rather than fight her head on with the same style, we should adopt one that can turn that advantage into a disadvantage.

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>>36065432
I'll wait a little bit if there's more vote.

>>36065432
Hmmm... you raise an interesting concern and Athena's in a position to know given how she fought her before. INH, this anon right about the Salamander favoring berserker-like tactics?

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>>36065541

The Salamander was a bit of a show off during the duel, wielding a big flamberge, she was fast and lethal in movement, not very conservative; a bit of a mix between pure barbarian and actually trained two-handing style, so thinking of her as ''savage'' is adequate, if underestimating the opponent.

>>36065606
Then I second >>36065432, we need something that can exploit any opening she gives us rather than force them out of her with pure savagery.

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>>36065725
Will do

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Several ideas flashed in mind upon her request; all of them endearing without a doubt but as I glanced at my missing arm after observing my remaining one, I came to a decision. I already had something ‘’savage’’ and nearly lost my life because of it. Aurore isn’t anything like the nightmare, but I think I’d feel more…secure with something different and easily understood.

‘’Concentrate on a sword; slick, efficient, easily understood yet hard to master’’

That was the best way I could put it. In response the girl facing me inched closer with obvious deception showing on her face.

‘’Aaaw, I wanted to let loose’’

‘’Aurore, listen to her would you?’’

Zechariah warning certainly felt welcomed, but then again I doubt she’d go against my wish. Call it a hunch.

‘’Yes yes’’

Her hands boldly went to land on my shoulders; her face warped into a very serious expression and I stiffened as a result, obviously the next few minutes are going to be very important.

‘’I’ll need you to take off that shirt, Athena’’

What?

‘’I need to touch your skin without barriers, go non now, you can keep the bra’’

…and then she pulled directly on my vestment and my reflect was to slap her hands away, yet my strike was fruitlessly as her semi-solid body maneuvered past my limb, twisting like a grotesque display of fractured forearms to continue pulling, revealing all the scars on my torso, something that made the slime smile, even her eyes light up.

‘’Hoho! Warrior to the core! Very nice Athena!’’

Meanwhile Zechariah cleared his throat and politely turned, catching the attention of the worm that, for some reason, started to gently shake her body sideway, even tapping the ground gently with the end of her body; I immediately thought of some kind of nuptial dance.

‘’Come on, it won’t hurt, it’s necessary and you’ll feel pretty fresh on this hot, you’ve only got everything to gain here!’’

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--

Sylphis also had to coerce me (by squeezing my tail) before I finally found the guts to pull that damn shirt (and armor) off. I’ve never been one to show off my guts and all the scars I’ve accumulated during the years didn’t make my semi-nude body anything beautiful, from either the front or back. I’ve even lost my tail a few time, but the slime needed it and she was quick to proceed to the next phase of her self-titled ‘’boosting operation’’. Tendrils had extended from her body to land in three sport on my back, another patch spread itself above my heart and I even felt another one land directly behind my head despite the hair and now Aurore was proceeding to touch my naked…well, my naked ‘’missing spot’’ that was fine and healthy, coating it in her biological substance that resembled a transparent cocoon – all of this shaved a good inch of her height and it’d seem like she’ll only grow smaller in time.

‘’I’ll need another good dose of magic to regrow normally after that duel but for now I’m making sure I’ll adjust to a correct balance with your other arm and well… also making sure we’ll be compatible. Thank for not rejecting me midway, Athy’’

She gave me a thumb up while I tried my best to chase the heat off my face, Sylphis was doing her best to avoid chuckling despite sitting beside me – you’ll have your due sister I promise…

‘’Anyway for now I guess… well, I guess I’ll need and hour to properly change so… free time, maybe?’’

‘’Free time?’’

I could only repeat her remark.

‘’Yeah! Just stay sitting like that, afterward there won’t be any problem for you to sleep, we’ll be fine’’

‘’Huh…’’

>I’ve got to stay like this for an entire hour, now? What should I do to pass the time?

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>>36066586
>‘’Come on, it won’t hurt, it’s necessary and you’ll feel pretty fresh on this hot

Missing the word night.

Sorry

>>36066634
Ask Sylphis to explain how she's magic.

>>36066634
Has Sylphis told us about her upgrade yet? Or rather, does Athena know all the relevant details? If no, lets get her to talk about that. It's a whole hour so we could even talk with Zech about things.

In general, just talk about things not related to the upcoming duel. Stress is a killer, best relieve it.

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>>36066800
>>36066776
Already taking the opportunity, I see. Very well, getting to it.

>>36066634
>>I’ve got to stay like this for an entire hour, now? What should I do to pass the time?
Meditate on our warrior spirit.

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‘’One hour…one hour’’

This entire month forced me to become hyperactive, thus I searched for something to occupy my mind; at first the scary moon popped back in my mind and I had to physically fight off the encroaching fear, a quick glance backward revealed that Tanuya had fallen asleep on the chieftain bed, then came the next option; Zechariah seemed busy with the worm that kept on evading his gaze so I decided with a little tug-of-war with a certain sister.

‘’You. Talk. Now.’’

It was fortunate that Sylphis was sitting on my good side, my hand loudly clapped her shoulder and she tensed, then immediately began to smile awkwardly.

‘’Whatever could you be talking about, dear sis?’’

She couldn’t look my in the eyes and the way we were facing each other now made her antennas poke my forehead; meanwhile Aurore was watching with great interest.

‘’Those runes, I want every little details’’

‘’Aah…well…I became chummy with the guild master of the mantises and she gave them to me, that’s it, yes’’

When Sylphis lied she always had the tick of looking to the left and I didn’t see it here, she kept a very awkward smile however and that only motivated me to press further. Also keeping close to her was good enough to shield my own semi-naked body so I –definitely- had something to gain.

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‘’It’s not magic tough! Although the concept is pretty similar’’

This time I heard a distinctive lack of vitality in her tone and an easy to miss frown came and went – if I hadn’t spent so much years with Sylphis, I’d have missed that for sure, another one of her tick; there was something important she wanted to keep hidden.

‘’It’s runes of ‘’momentum’’ grafted onto my skin, it’s a near-perfect imitation of the first Hero of Zipangu, you remember who it is, right?’’

Her name escape me, but it was someone that Tsukiyomi summoned not too long ago… yes, during the night Bletsia was kidnapped, a woman reminding me of cherry blossom was present during the crisis. The Princess of War, was it?

‘’Well, long story short, she left her ‘’origin’’ for others in a secluded fortress near the Rahal mansion, and I got it grafted onto me, well more like copying –then- grafted’’

Nothing ever come free with magic, the more she spoke, the more… sullen Sylphis seemed to grow and I, too, fell into silence whilst the slime kept on working, part of me felt like I was standing on a slippery slope, ready to fall on one wrong move, be it speaking or actually holding my tongue.

>’’Do you regret it?’’
>’’You didn’t gain this power freely, right?’’
>Perhaps it’d be best to move onto something else…

>>36067629
>Other
"Any complications I should know about? You know how Siegfried gets when it comes to us. Do you get knocked out if you use it for too long?"

>>36067629
>>’’Do you regret it?’’
Also >>36067811

>>36067629
Aww man poor Sylphis, I have several theories as to what she gave up, all of them horrifying from one perspective or another.

Do >>36067811 followed by asking if she regrets it. If she doesn't want to reveal what was lost now we can wait until she's ready to tell us.

‘’Any complications?’’

In the end I just couldn’t do with this silent wall, she’s my sis after all.

‘’You know how paranoid Siggy tend to get, and well, I’d like to know for myself too’’

A small smile returned to her peachy face which soon morphed into something a little smug.

‘’I should only get tired without the risk burning; I think that’s how they put it? Anyway, I’ve more or less gained something similar to a weak mage, but this kind of talent is really, really useful. I could even beat Zechariah now, yep’’

A wet splotch erupted beside me as the slime reacted in something of a snorting giggle; Aurore quickly wave off our gaze tough and instead concentrating on this ‘’operation’’ again while Sylphis grew sulky, crossing her arms and glaring at the blue girl with an aura of outright defiance.

‘’Well that’s good, teleportation is handy’’

‘’It’s not teleportation at all, it’s simply moving at different speed «while trying to imitate the consistency of water». That’s the philosophy anyway, honestly I don’t understand it but I’m a natural apparently, that’s why I’ve been able to change direction very easily.’’

Part of me felt suspicious; I know ‘’being a natural’’ in magic is completely different from martial arts but I do feel like Sylphis has been –too- competent and this time, I had to ask something else, a bit of a hard question and I lowered my voice accordingly.

‘’Say…do you regret it, Sylphis? I know your hiding something, you can’t gain anything of importance with magic or alchemy without sacrificing anything in turn.’’

I saw something bitter, almost angry flash on her face before Sylphis returned to her usual nonchalance – she was hesitating, that, at least, was clear as days and for a moment she simply peered into my eyes, her gaze slightly shaky before letting out a sigh. Then she leaned closer to whisper in my ear.

‘’I had to get rid of my soul link with Siegfried and sacrifice one third of my lifespan. I did it to get stronger. I don’t…regret it.’’

On this part she spoke truth, there wasn’t any wavering of emotions or telltale sign of hesitation, it was simply good old Sylphis speaking the truth, obviously already coming to term with her choices.

>What should I say?

>>36068443
"I understand, Sylphis. I really do."
Athena's own need for power and strength in order to protect what shreds of honor she had left, as well as her desire to have the power to serve Ame faithfully, and the loss of her arm resulting her in own feeling of powerlessness.
"I understand, but...Siegfried's going to get all weepy and angry, and you're on your own for that, sister. I suggest you let him touch your wings; the man is just obsessed with monstergirl parts."

>>36068443
>sacrifice one third of my lifespan
It sacrificed a third of her lifespan, but if the extra power is what keeps her alive through the coming battle, and the rest of the war, it's hard to complain.

>>36068443
Ouch, a third gone.

That's pretty much death in a year.

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>>36068533
>I suggest you let him touch your wings
So you guys haven't forgot?

>>36068568

Insect type don't live too long tough.

>>36068602

Not quite, she's got about 13 years left I'd say, assuming no immortality rituals come into play, of which there are several.

Although none of them are easy, all are pricy and the majority are unethical.

>>36068637
>So you guys haven't forgot?
Forgot what?
I'm pretty sure that Siegfried got a touch of Sylphis' wings during that wing comparison contest when we had the sleepover.

>>36068668
Oh no he didn't, she kept those firmly secure.

>>36068681
>Oh no he didn't
Then no time like when Siggy is throwing a fit over Sylphis sacrificing a third of her lifespan to distract him with 'Touch smooth wing'.

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>>36068443
Man... that's a pretty big sacrifice. She obviously doesn't want anyone else to know, especially Siggy. By giving up the link she means her ability to feel him through it right? A full and utter severance would likely have been felt by him.

I like the latter part of >>36068533, the first part might trigger negative emotions. I don't think Sylphis takes too kindly to pity. Then again Athena knows her better than we do, so if she thinks it's a good idea to say that first part, she does so.

Besides it's true, keeping that arm was done by her with similar goals and sentiments. She knew it was bad news and would probably land her in an early grave at best... but she wanted power. Nightmare knew that, why it chose her, it knew it had leverage there.

>>36068668
That's the one pair Siggy didn't think of. An ongoing goal is to touch those wings ASAP.

>>36068719
It may be the only thing that'd calm him down after hearing that. It's like his Nepenth. Touching tails, wings, and other exotic body parts helps him to wash away his sorrows and stress. It's a good thing he chose the monstergirl side, not having a ready supply of those at the ready would probably drive him nuts at this point.

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>>36068825
> A full and utter severance would likely have been felt by him.

Remember, all the soul links have been rendered completely ''dull'' with the Soul Merge. So no, he didn't feel anything, but he definetly would have otherwise, because that was a full and utter severance, as you put it.

>not having a ready supply of those at the ready would probably drive him nuts at this point.

with how eventful this journey has been it's a wonder everyone isn't a PTSD ridden mess.

>>36068929
you mean siggy might keep his memory's instead of sacrificing all of them to keep everyone safe

>>36068825
>holo

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>>36068975
Depend if he can even keep anyone safe, yes?

>>36069036
Everyone is gonna sacrifice themselves so that won't happen. Sylphis already started it.

>>36068929
That's what I mean. The fluffy tails and wings are pretty much what's keeping him together mentally at this point. Most other people would have landed major psychological problems by this point.

Then again, most every character we have are bastions of resolve and composure, Mylen most of all. Strong people endure where most would break.

>>36068975
We're going to try and keep the good ones, at least a few of them, but if the chips are down and we're losing he ain't about to hold his greatest trump card back. He wants his happy end, and the way we've played him he's willing to pay whatever it takes to get it. Whatever. It. Takes.

Hey if we lost our link with mantisgirl, could we link with bestgirl Mylen?

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>>36069117
Well that's a possibility one, there's a slot open.
isn't it a little too opportunistic?

>>36069117
she would jump on that chance faster than jumping on siggy himself

>>36069164
>Implying Mylen isn't an opportunistic girl

She shacked with him because it was convenient to be his lover and she saw an in. She didn't even start to feel anything towards him more profound until the purge. I like Mylen and all, but she ain't a saint. Hell, she kinda gets off to killing people and only feels at peace on battlefields! I like all that, but it comes with implications.

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>>36069250
Of course but a link also imply danger, as Siggy bodyguard she want him to live and all, not die alongside her.

Well... that's a discussion for another time.

>>36069300
Did we discuss what would happen if we made a Soul Link with Ame?
I feel like we did, but I can't remember if we did or not.

>>36069300
But the precog for both him and her is way too stronk

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>>36069334
It was related to the discussion with her murderous side, ie the Kumiho, asking is it could ''fix it''.

My answer was not, otehr than that you won't realyl have any different gains or loss comapred to other regular links if you did it with Ame.

Tsu would be the only one ''different'', but you'd be hard pressed to convince her. Also Mother Earth, but that's obvious as to why.

ya know i have been wondering since siggy is a demigod and a fluid mage we he feel his divinity at the sea battle with out giving up his own memory's because he could be a god of the sea

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>>36069376
>Implying I don't have something vicious in store.

Anyway I'll finish the update, we do have to progress.

>>36069389

You've also got 6 Yukionnas who can freeze over stuff very, very well. We haven't touched the troops placement yet, I,ll leave more than enough time for that.

>>36069389
In rains or on oceans or fast current rivers Siggy beefs out to BS tier S-Rank, enabling huge ass spells that'd burn him out in 2-3 shots at best to be flung out as if they were cheap Ice Spikes!

Sadly, we'll be needing him on land. He's got the only hard counter to Orion's Soul Blasts... Soul Blasts of his own. That fight is gonna hurt, a lot.

>>36069457
>>Implying I don't have something vicious in store
But I thought the whole point of the link was goodthings?

>>36069473
well then lets force a mother fucker to the sea then

>>36069495
They are good things, but they have drawbacks. Shared pain is one of them. The other is that if one dies the one they're linked to may go as well. It's probably a "save or die" effect, but honestly we do NOT want to find out what happens the hard way.

>>36069495

Oh, that, right. It is, IO was thinking of something entirely different.

>>36069497
A great idea, key word is force. He won't go there willingly after the fight with us begins because he knows it's a place of power for us. Smart people don't challenge mages in their places of power.

Workshop, Demense, Ley Line nexus, optimal planetary alignment, wherever and whenever it is, you want to avoid fighting them there.

Then again as the Embodiment of Strife he may offer a fight there. A struggle is meaningless if it is too easy, his own origin might bite him in the ass on this. I hope that's the case, but it ain't guaranteed.

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If the slime heard anything, she didn’t make any notion of acknowledgement. The tendrils had strange a very noticeable pumping motion now but the blue girl had closed her eyes in concentration whilst I wrapped my arm around Sylphis shoulder.

‘’I understand, Sylphis.’’

We’ve both sought the wish to get stronger at any cost – mine was one wrapped in damnation, hers required sacrifices – to criticize her would be the height of hypocrisy even if my emotions boiled up and pushed me to do so, not because she severed the Soul Link with my husband, but the fact she got rid of a full third of her life… Bug monsters don’t live long.

‘’I knew you’d do’’

There wasn’t regret or sadness, only resolve shining in those golden eyes.

‘’Siegfried might not, you’ll have to console him about that and no skipping either, I‘ll sit you down myself if need be’’

I swear I could see the cold sweat running down her back as her feature shifted into an adorably awkward expression, of course something like that only emboldened a little teasing voice in my head; I went and patted her back, sliding my fingers around the little cocoons hiding something precious.

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‘’You know how much he loves exotic bits…’’
‘’You don’t-‘’

Unfortunately the sweet torture was interrupted once the demonic trio came back loaded with baggage in the form of mattress and sheets (even the chieftain had some), unceremoniously dumping the lot not too far from the bed, afterward Amarantha waved goodbye to the red Onis, then finally graced the curious stares of everyone (minus the sleeping Tanuki).

‘’You’ll be lounging here, we’ve got open rooms but I’m not trusting another floor, this place got everything anyway’’
Is it an unwritten rule of the universe to not have personal room?

‘’Hmm, not too long now Athena’’

I heard Aurore speak softly, she had shrunk considerably during my conversation with Sylphis; from full sized adult to one of a child, a few more tendrils extended from her thorax and forehead to link with my arm, gradually forming a slick limb of transparent blue; meanwhile the chieftain had taken a few loud step toward Zechariah and roughly grabbed his clothes, loudly muttering ‘’I’ll speak to you tomorrow and you’d better be ready to listen’’ before letting him go, his face warped in obvious confusion.

>What should be done? Resting early would obviously do some good for my body, is there anything else to ask or speak about?

>>36069919
sleep is good put we got to ask about the moon after the duel

>>36069977
but*

>>36069899
>I knew you'd do

That should be, "I knew you would". No offense.

>>36069919
Ask Zechariah if he knows anything about a moon with a sense of dread.
If he doesn't know, then we should go to sleep in order to wake up early and get used to Aurore being attached to us.

>>36070164
Good idea, if he knows nothing then it was like 5 minutes of time. If he knows something it's more 10-15 but nothing that should significantly impair us. Also make sure he knows to wake us up at least an hour before the duel.

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>>36070047
None taken.
>>36070164
>>36070245
I'll make it short by saying he doesn't, I'll still add that tidbit in update.

So its time for sleep and dreams...this aint over yet.

>>36069919
Convince Slyphis to act on her desires with Siggy, if she sacrificed a third of her life then she shouldn't waste it

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>>36070946
There will be time for that after the war. Siggy would have made moves on all the girls already if he wasn't doing everything he possibly could to ensure they survive it.

War pretty much shelves romance of any kind. No time for it, and only being unconscious makes you more vulnerable than being in the middle of sex. Besides, how do you even get in the mood when the fight or flight response is maxed out because of people dying all over the place with the added knowledge that lots of people are most definitely out to kill you?

>>36070946
Actually, the more emotionally charged the memory she makes with Siegfried, the more ammunition he'll have for his Soul Blasts.

He'll just forget it afterwards.

>>36071152
Ooooh, forgot about that fun fact. Yes, she should totally try to act on her desires ASAP, will have to convince her to do so tomorrow night.

In fact, it doesn't even have to be sex, a confession of love followed by a sweet and tender kiss on the lips whilst embracing him lovingly should get a pretty potent charge meaning a powerful Soul Blast.

>>36071229
>>36071152
i really hope you guys are using these soul blasts as a last resort not an opening shot

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I had to take some heat off the poor man and so I hailed him over to satisfy my curiosity, unfortunately neither him, Aurore and Sylphis had any ideas about a ‘’dreadful moon’’. It’s a frustrating thing to have a mercenary just in front of you without any hints to grasps, soon enough however, was the time for rest – the duel was to take place in the city arena almost next to this pyramid around 10 am, but would most likely happen sooner. With all the events in the recent my nerves and body were stretched to a near breaking point even if I didn’t feel it at all, Sylphis was also the same, perhaps the others would stay up but the slime, at least, guaranteed me that I’d be safe and sound to sleep during this ‘’operation’’ (only if I kept my shirt and sheet out, apparently the ‘’back’’ was done since she removed those tendrils without my notice.)

Even with all the light and activity in the room I feel asleep only a few minutes after putting my head on the pillow, Sylphis also seemed to be in a similar case yet still, she reached for my hand while lying on her back and before I knew it I was asleep.

--

‘’Phew’’

Now child sized, the slime felt a little twinge of exhaustion as she continue to pump magic after magic directly inside Athena body, her body was nearly completely transferred now and with both women asleep in seconds, activity in the room had diminished considerably, most of all the chieftain had finally left Zechariah who slowly came to sit beside her, his brown eyes lingering around the morphing arm of Athena before moving back toward the slime, upon which he gently went to rub her head.

‘’Don’t do anything too weird now’’

A tiny giggle escaped the child, which revealing the rosy core floating inside her body, the sphere disappeared again just as quickly whilst the tendrils attached to Athena pumped softly.

‘’I have to, you have what Mana gave you?’’

‘’Yep’’

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The gentlemen pulled a tiny wood carving from his pocket, forming a cute oversized head of the little Aurore.

‘’Ready?’’

‘’Aye’’

And slowly pushed the object inside the slime…

--

‘’A candle in the dark’’

!!

I don’t remember whatever I was dreaming about; the picturesque scenery of a plain in the afternoon melted mercilessly under a pure dark scenery that I remember very, very well – pure ink dark that almost choke the life out of you – that’s my soul, what I decided to make of it but instead of oppressive dark without bridge I saw a light in the dark, orange flame healthily burning without roots, a simple conic form burning by itself in the dark and of course, I was drawn, even if there wasn’t heat, there was light.

‘’Hoho! Fancy! Ahem…’’

…Aurore? I tried to imagine her, pinpoint the sound of her voice – it came from the fire.

‘’…You’re the only one can cast this darkness away, Y’know?’’

If I had eyebrows I would most likely appear angry right now but my vision was drawn to another light – something white, barely visible in the darkness attached to my body – that’s how I realized that I actually had one. It was an incredibly thin piece of string and, once I touched it with my palm, I realize that thousands upon thousands of knots had formed on its surface, leaving barely a millimetre of space for the string itself between them.

‘’What?’’

That’s all I could say, but a leap in my heart made me clutch that string, my instinct told me it was precious.

‘’How strong do you want to be, Athena?’’

What a weird question…

>But how should I answer that now, after everything that happened?
>I’ll pick up the thread tomorrow; don’t be afraid to make your answer.

>>36071300
strong enough to protect my loved ones

>>36071300
"Strong enough to survive, to protect both myself and those I love and care for."

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Page 10 bump. Thread should reactivate around 7/8 pm.

>>36071300
Strong enough.
Because Athena knows what happens when you ask for power without being careful of the source.
The Nightmare Arm made her strong enough to be a great asset, to protect those she loved.
It also became the very thing which threatened them.

page 9 bump

>>36074238
What's this from, if I might ask?

The question shoul be what we're willing to pay for strength.

Does the strong go off into the darkness? Where is it attached to our body?

Page 10 Bump.

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>>36077980
I think it was simply a picture from a random artist I found on a booru, not from any games I know of.

Still aiming for my usual hour for the thread, see you guys soon.

Still here INH?

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Last bump, continuation will come very soon.

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It’s a surprisingly easy thing to answer.
‘’Really? Then go ahead!’’
Aurore voice held back some excitement and I found myself momentarily intimidated, the wavering vision of the flame caught my eyes as I cradled the piece of string gently in my hand – bright orange flickering in this abyss. I’d like to know why she didn’t warn me about this beforehand but…Ah…for a moment my mind wander toward Siegfried, Sylphis, Hadraniel, Ame… all of these peoples, some I’ve known for years, others for less than two months yet they all feel equally precious; sisters, comrades…
To be strong enough to protect them all – it’s that simple. I know I can’t punch away all of Ame worries and enemies, I know dying simply won’t fix everything, to protect the people I cherish I need to safeguard my own life. Something lost much too often in honor code and other chivalric message. I’m done with them, I’ve taken to follow my own path now… but just like Sylphis, I need strength.
I think I’ve put it nicely.
‘’Oooh…the way the lizards kept on going I’d never have guessed you had such a pure spirit, you’re pretty cute Athena’’
Oh come on why does a damn candlelight has to make fun of me inside my own dream?
‘’I’m not doing anything like that. I’m just like you, so I can understand your feeling. Thirty years ago… the demonic invasion shook Zipangu to its core, coming right into the middle of the conflict between Tsukiyomi realm and the united Onis. I had to keep Zechariah safe, but I also wanted to keep my precious friends happy and alive.’’
There’s obvious regrets in her voice, I began to suspect some kind of drain on the flame but instead it brightened, as if the disappearing cheer of the slime was directly fed into it, I opted to stay silent and listen – there was more to this girl, more to Zechariah, and trying to force an answer out of some misguided quest for information would be fruitless if Aurore isn’t receptive.

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‘‘That’s why you’ll have to make another hard choice, I don’t like imposing and saying ‘’there’s no other choice’’ is probably defeatism but… well, I wasn’t given another solution. Strength always requires some form of sacrifice, so without further ado; let’s get to it, alright? That string your holding’’

My barely noticeable hand balls in a fist while holding the precious, knotted cord as thin as a hair.

‘’It’s your soul link.’’

…I suspected as much. Having a physical manifestation of this bond is heart-warming, even if it’s in a sorry state.

‘’Souls are surprisingly malleable once you start understand a little truth; in this case, memories. They don’t form the whole of who you are and what a ‘’soul’’ is, but it’s still an important part and most of all, something you can have some control over – this precious link you have with Siegfried has dulled and he can’t do anything about it, but you… I’ll need you to sacrifice a memory into this flame, if it’s strong enough then all these knots will undo themselves and you’ll have a proper rope instead of a dying piece of hair for this Soul Link.’’

How in the world does she know all of this?

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‘’I’ve been properly briefed, beside, I’ve done something similar once – you should ask Siegfried mother when you have the chance, or maybe Zechariah about some little secrets about me’’

Sacrifice a memory…? That’s rather daunting, yet I do feel ‘’apt’’ for the task, perhaps simple bravado or maybe, just maybe, there’s an instinctive urge going on – time and again expert and old wise women warned about the lack of senses surrounding the Soul World – That’s probably another such case, maybe.

‘’Take your time’’

>I’ve always underestimated this Soul Link, it never brought anything truly tangible but that’s no excuse to get cold feet. I’ve half-assed quite a few things in the past (one of them being my duel), I should do the same with this. Sylphis sacrifice one third of her life alongside her own string with Siegfried, my husband, who’s been working tirelessly without complaining. Tsukiyomi, Ame, and Hadraniel… how much did they lost without complaints? Fine, I need to get rid of something precious to me? I’ve got one such thing, one precious souvenir that will be more than adequate; I want this Soul Link back, it’s my marriage ring with my husband. [Sacrifice something very precious to reenergize the and hopefully reactivate the Soul Links – perhaps all of them]

>No… I should be more cautious, that’s what I’ve learned from this journey and war, right? Always moderate, the quest of strength shouldn’t be any different. [Moderate memory, will need 4D20. High DC, be warned]

>Other.

>>36086273
Would two moderates equal one powerful memory?

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>>36086368
No. Moderates stay moderates, 1+1 doesn't equal 2 in this case.

>>36086273
Which memories does Athena intend to sacrifice, anyway?

And the moderate memory only has a chance to restore Athena's Link, while the precious memory is guaranteed to reactivated Athena's, while also providing a chance to reactivated all of them?

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>>36086273
Go big or go home. Use the precious memory. We need power and Siggy's already blew one of his precious memories to save her ass. She's in debt (even though she don't know it), time to repay it in kind.

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>>36086476
>Which memories does Athena intend to sacrifice, anyway?

That's not something I can tell you folks, just know that it's a strong one.

>And the moderate memory only has a chance to restore Athena's Link, while the precious memory is guaranteed to reactivated Athena's, while also providing a chance to reactivated all of them?

The precious memory will have a sort of domino effect while the moderate one can also do the same, but only if you are very, very lucky.

>>36086559
By asking for 4d20, are you going to use a sum of the 4 against a d20 based DC?
Or will you use an average?

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>>36086667
Each dice will ahve to beat the same DC, consider each rolls to be individuals. So the sum of it all won't be taken into account.

>>36086505
Also, same guy so don't count this as another vote. But I'd also like to point out that Athena's had bad luck with half-measures. Just something to think about guys.

>>36086667
By that he likely means that all 4 rolls will have to be high. Hence why I advocate not taking the risk. No more half-measures, the nightmare should have taught us that.

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Hmm. I think we've only got one clear vote for a choice

>>36086273
Use the precious memory.

The probabilities on the moderate memory are just too low to consider it a viable option.

>>36086765
>No more half-measures, the nightmare should have taught us that.
The Beast also showed that going all in can also be the wrong, and stupid, move.
Blanket statements will just get people killed. Each situation has to be analyzed on its own merits, not on past precedent.

>>36086505
No half-measures. Go all in.

>>36086899
nonono not the fool.
Damn you and your choices.

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>>36087142

Which Arcana would best represent everyone I wonder?

Or alignement for that matter

>>36087178
Tower.

>>36087089
You are correct, I should have worded that better. I should have said that in situations like this we should go all in. The risk of failure for not doing so is too high in this case.

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Also starting on the update, we've got a pretty united vote.

Meaning that even if someone roll four 20 out of nowhere I won't count them, we've made our bed.

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>>36087295
I can't wait to see what we sacrificed.

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>>36087200
I wouldn't say the tower, also I didn't meant a card for the entire group, but oen for each individual.

>>36087363
Towers for everyone.

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>>36087545
But the crashing already happened

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--

Someone else would probably find my ‘’precious memory’’ to be blown out of proportion, perhaps it is; I remember when I first experienced this event a few weeks ago I was caught between anger, incomprehension and guilt, but now… after reflection I’ve come to treasure what happened to day and I’ve often thought back on it – being slapped on the face shouldn’t be a genesis for a good souvenir, let alone something so warm and dear to me.
I don’t care.

People have always said they liked and treasured my presence but I only started to believe once I got a very needed slap in the face; I still carry the memento of that day, that gem was a payment for bloody work but now it became something else entirely… and I still haven’t given it back to him, I probably never well now, but that’s alright. It squeeze my heart to think of it this moment gone, but I have to – this soul link is much more precious and it carries no small amount of memories, moment where he and I were in distress were made bearable thank to the invisible support of each other’s emotions, even if sometime it was a simple case of ‘’misery love company’’.

‘’You’ve made your choice already?’’

I simply nodded – I have no idea how to sacrifice something that elusive, so I simply went with my guts feeling. The finer details of that moment aren’t easy to recall so instead I focused on the grander scope – forgetting this… isn’t going to be easy and most of all, the precious memento will lose its meaning for me.
Not for Siegfried, at least he’ll remember, Sylphis will, Ame too – they’ll just tell me all about it.

‘’…I don’t know if I could match your resolve Athena’’

Aurore whispered a little revelation and I smiled; she’s a precious girl too, she doesn’t need that kind of burden. So, slowly, I approached my finger toward the flame while remembering the event as best I could and…

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Before I can remember the voice, what he said, what he promised and what I, in turn, promised back – all disappear in a white fog, only the vison of an emerald stay clear, a beautifully cut stone kept in a bag inside my pouch, a precious little thing, physical reminder of what truly sparked the change I’ve been resolved to carry out.

All of it erased, leaving an empty hole and a spark of flame.

‘’Athena…you’ve got a gem in your pouch, right? Keep it, don’t sell it, just keep it, promise me that’’

…? Why? Why would Aurore say that? A gem is a gem – I’m no collector and money is certainly much more precious; although her words pinch my heart, a telltale sign of regret, it’s a painful emotion indeed to sacrifice a memory, but before I can ask ‘’what did I do’’ the string in my hand expend in one motion, growing from a rope until a full rope in the blink of a eye while several strange sound of ‘’breaking’’ resound in the darkness, the full rope is completely freed of knots and disappear into the dark horizon.

A simple display, yet something familiar is stirred, coming back by droplets.

…then, the candlelight extinguishes itself without warning.

And emotions that aren’t my own fill my heart again. His emotions, his life, crystal clear as if I was standing right next to him and by Mother Earth love.
It’s a sea of maddening guilt and self-loathing, thick and murky enough to make me regret what I just did – a crushing, crushing, unimaginably crushing sorrow emanate from my husband-to-be like some kind of radiating disease, it’d probably drag me down in depression as an image of a sleeping blond transpose itself in my mind like some kind of echo.

Oh dear husband what happened to you!?

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--

Cold sweats and laboured breathing force me awake in a darkened, large room – for a moment I’m thoroughly disorientated, thankfully the radiating emotions of Siegfried, which are slowly shifting toward pure, honest surprise, clear my addled mind and I remember where I am.

South. Duel. Soul Link. Sacrifice.

Right…

Next to me, Sylphis is sleeping, having taken her hand away from mine and instead draping an arm around my shoulders while sleeping on her stomach with Zechariah sleeping peacefully next to her, the slime was nowhere to be seen but upon perusing my side, my breath caught itself in my throat as I witness something that shouldn’t be here.

An arm, blue and transparent yet perfectly balance with my other one extended past the stump and upon willing it to move like one would a leg, it responded perfectly well. Clap, interlocks of fingers, rolling my shoulder – all of it stayed exactly like it is, like it should – my arm, not so banal and only burrowed, was back.

‘’Ssssh, now don’t go waking up everyone’’

A mouth had suddenly sprung directly in the middle of my limb and I had to refrain screaming, but that also made me witness something else, something just as odd.
Every light in the room had been turned off, so things should be completely dark, yet I could see very well because of a luminous projection coming from me, and it wasn’t the slime that was glowing.

My veins had turned crystal blue, bulging slightly, filled with a brilliant, powerful substance that could only glow in the dark.

‘’Focus, yep, you’ve got it. Now go back to bed’’

>What do?

>>36088961
Check through the Soul Link, we can feel Siegfried; can we feel the others?

We should get some more sleep, but wake up an extra hour earlier so we can test out our new magic and get used to fighting with a right arm again.

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>>36089034
But can she eve nsleep with all that excitement?

>>36089159
If she can't go back to sleep, then it's obvious.
Get a sword and shield, slip out of the room, find a servant or guard, and ask them the way to the training halls.

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Well then, I guess it's time to continue.

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>>36088961
A most... pleasing sacrifice. I can rejoice to this. A good thing Siggy didn't offer up that one up as well, it's strong-to-precious tier for him as well right?

>>36089034
Its use for Athena won't be so much for spellcasting as it will be for its other notable fringe benefit. Mentat Mode.

Unlike Siggy, Athena has the athletic ability, training, and agility to make use of that crazy mental boost to predict incoming attack patterns and analyze them in the blink of an eye, quickly becoming familiar with their standard methods of attack granting further predictive ability. A warrior with focus is an opponent never to be taken lightly.

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>>36089805
>it's strong-to-precious tier for him as well right?
Of course.

>>36089805
Forgot to add: Basically she'll be able to know what the enemy is going to do before they do it after exchanging a few blows, dodge, block, and parry like a cheating AI, and strike with pinpoint accuracy. It's quite the boon.

>>36089159
cuddling with Hubby?

>>36089904
He's nearly a country away

>>36090100
Lust after hubby?

He owes us a wedding night.

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>>36090100
Yet now they can feel each other despite that. Soul Fusion, which he did to save her ass, is apparently an order of magnitude greater, enabling a sympathetic connection even over great differences. If the sacrifice did fully restore the links he's also now feeling Daiyu and Hadraniel's emotions as well. It won't take him long to figure out something is amiss as he can't sense Sylphis' location even though he ought be able to.

By doing what we did we've fast tracked Siggy to figuring out everything IC. Especially if Athena asks Ame why the gem is there first. Oh I'm seeing it now...
>Here Siggy. (hands over the gem)
>(He's touched to his core) Athena... thank you.
>Instead of triumph or joy, a great sorrow washes over her
>Athena, what's wrong?
>Nothing, it's nothing...
>The hell it isn't! Why are you so sad?
>I...I don't know!

Siggy's a bit too smart for his own good, he'll likely put it all together in that moment. The feelings of loss, the sudden restoration, all of it. Then he'll finally know what those soul blasts entail.

The suffering, oh the suffering. I'm REJOICING already.

>>36090163
He'll get it in due time. Pity he probably won't remember why they feel so happy around him by the end but that's the price you pay for overcoming a hardwired negative fate. Everything has a price, and a toll in souls is the gold standard of overwriting reality on a fundamental scale. At least it was all given willingly.

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What in the world? I’m glowing! Not even that slime arm can do it, my body is literally glowing in the dark! Not only that but there’s also a strange feeling I feel... alive, for lack of a better term. Not excited or stimulated, but I can hear what’s going on with startling clarity, the distance between my laid back self and the giant worm amount to just about 3,45 meters. Its entire length isn’t 5 meters; its 4,89m while the girth is about 3,23m and right now it’s sleeping, taking heavy, deep breath and letting them out with enough force to send an echo down the stairs- yet it’s still quite enough to allow anyone to fall asleep peacefully.

At least, anyone without this sudden burst of vitality, which quickly make me jump to my feet, my heart is pumping fast and strong, the only time I felt this alive…. Was probably when Siegfried proposed.

‘’Aaatheeena…’’

A whispering whine come from my arm but I don’t care – how can I even hope to fall asleep anyway? It’s probably 4 or 5 in the morning anyway! Although… Siegfried isn’t feeling too good, despite the distance there’ a surprising amount of clarity in the link and I can also ‘’feel’’ something about the others ones, although here it’s more a resolution than outright empathy – all the girls he’s linked with are alive, I can’t know any more than that.
Maybe I’ve suddenly woken him form a bad dream? Then…might as well try to feel good about myself, I’ll just catch a nap after my victory! Or until I get sleepy, I guess.

‘’…don’t do anything reckleeeeess’’

--

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A woman in Focus running around was probably a startling sight for, during the few times I came across guards, they immediately jumped on the defensive, some of them even saying something about ‘’mutant’’ but I didn’t care; I had more than enough time to analyze everything about them anyway and knew I could respond adequately to any threats. Training room were quite numerous inside the pyramid and before long I was pointed to one not too far from the stairs leading to the chieftain giant room; a big, deserted place filled with nice dummy’s, sac, and other object of fitness with adequate space for duels with training equipment neatly arrayed on the wall with wooden swords, clubs, staffs… and some target for thrown objects, mostly axes and javelins.

Southerners weren’t big believer in the bow.

‘’Geez, promise to take a nap in an hour or two?’’

My little wingman spoke with something akin to worry and I simply responded.

‘’Maybe’’
I didn’t felt tired, so might as well try out this new stuff!

>What should be done?
>Concentrate on magic
>Concentrate on the arm
>Other.

>>36090354
>>Concentrate on magic
Siggy did this all the time. One must have more in common with their husband

>>36090354
Try to go to sleep, if that proves absolutely futile then focus on the arm. We had best not attempt any "casting" until we've consulted a master of the arcane like Siggy on that matter. For now, Mentat Mode will suffice. It's passive, and fucking hella useful for a warrior type. It got that one dude through the swamp in the abandoned prequel. Hate to say it, but it basically gives warriors the Sharingan. Most warriors would kill for that ability.

Also, that pic is... well, we didn't go dark side path. Siggy is the one who romances, not the one who fucks.

>>36090354
>Concentrate on magic
It's the newest thing in Athena's arsenal, one she has the least knowledge about.
The arm itself, Aurore should be able to brief us on.

Since we have targets, see how many we can keep track of while they're in the air and can hit with throwing axes.

>>36090426
They aren't in the air, unless you want to throw a few swords and nail them, they are just good old fashioned sraw men to throw stuff into.

>>36090408
>>36090426
You guys do know that a total neophyte to these powers is likely to burn themselves out right? They have scouts and mage colleges for a reason. The newbies can easily burn out without a proper tutor, a very bad thing. You really want Athena to experience it after flinging a few spikes into the air?

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>>36090483
Aurore is there, trust her to keep that from happening.

>>36090482
>unless you want to throw a few swords and nail them
That was the intention, yes.

>>36090483
How about you keep your wrong ideas to yourself?

>>36090505
So she is master of the fluid arcana as well? That would help, but I'd rather focus on harnessing the true power of Mentat Mode with Athena. It best fits with her lifetime of training. A martial artist reads bodies, not minds. If they could boost cognition to superhuman levels like a Mentat can then they'd focus on that.

Knowing the vector, velocity, twitch, and other factors of an incoming strike in an instant would grant an even further "precognition" for a given strike. They've even done science to this, experienced martial artists react faster than the average man to a stimuli. If the mind worked faster, the response would be faster still.

>>36090546
Outright stated very early that masters beat newbies by firing an array of spells and watching them burn out trying to defend against it all haphazardly. Mage duels are quick and decisive. The master launches a barrage, and the newb overcompensates and burns out for it. Hell, amnesiac Siggy did just that against a Witch type in the first few threads. He wouldn't now, but he knew next to nothing then. So he burned out a bit. How it goes down here it seems.

>>36090645
So instead of working on learning the limits of the new power, you just want to go over something that Athena is already experienced in.
Not to mention, she doesn't even know how to exit or enter Focus yet, and concentrating on magic would work on that first.

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>>36090645
>So she is master of the fluid arcana as well?
Well, yes and no. She's a slime, she's a master shapeshfiter and can go full Shoggoth, but you guys went with slick and efficient so we won't have that.

And what yo usaid about duels is very true, but that also mean said mage would be very ignorant of magic itself, remember Athena saw him burn out, she does have some knowledge of magic in that departement, even if its all observation.

Also the most popular choice was to exercise magic, so I went with that.

>>36090762
I accept that, I just think it unwise. If you suddenly awaken to a new power you should try to integrate it into what you already know absent a mentor or tutor. Diving into areas you know nothing of in any good way is a pretty good recipe for disaster.

Like, if I could suddenly use magic and fling fireballs around. I'd be ill advised to to try and light my cigar inside my own house right then and there. Best go outside. Better still, go outside with a man who knows how to control a small flame on his fingertips.

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‘’I think I should try to do what Siggy does, all in moderation tough, yeah, saw him burn up. You agree right?’’

Aurore responded with a dodgy «weh?» as I concentrated on… what could pass for the inner chakra maybe? Is that what mages believe in? The inner power of the body and/or soul or something? Yeah, it’s got to be chakras, although, I DO feel good about myself… and now, (almost) alone in the room, I clapped my hands together a few times, which proved the solidity of the slime. There wasn’t any break, reverberation or waves in what I thought to be semi-solid, poking my finger along its length proved satisfactory, I could feel the contact (albeit, numbed) and the arm itself was solid, giving me the impression of ceramics without the inherent fragility of all the vases I’ve broken.

I imaged a spike imbedding itself right on that cheeky non-faced straw men and nothing happened.

‘’Tsss…’’

Meanwhile, Siegfried was having a bit of an emotional cascade but was thankfully slowing down; maybe it’s selfish to not worry about him but I guess my excitement should be enough to distract him. Still how do mages cast…? Do they manually imagine their ‘’chakras’’ or is there no such thing? Let’s see…

‘’I want to cast something!’’

Siegfried was fluid, yet often used ice; for a moment my eyes strayed toward my newly added arm.

‘’I don’t know what you have in mind but I don’t like it’’

Ice. Snow. Cold. It’s the core of his magic and I –am- burrowing from him. Siegfried come from the cold north of Gwynedd, loved a Yukionna who thought him many thing so-.

‘’Ack!’’

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Aurore barely had the time to scream when the entirely of my blue arm changed without warning, turning into a total carapace of ice that spread all the way toward my shoulder, protecting it in a nice flexible pauldron, all of it was comfortably warm, unfortunately tough, it couldn’t quite stay whole once the slime drilled (yes, literally, drilled) a hole from the inside out.
‘’Jeez! Warn me next time okay!? Now, just… you can’t tell what’s behind you right?’’

‘’It’s the rack for thrown weapons’’

I could at least remember that much from a quick glance.

‘’How many can you count without turning?’’

She asked again, very serious while I started to flex and test the flexibility of this ice armor, which proved very satisfying. No wonder Siegfried use it all the time.

‘’I don’t know.’’

I heard something akin to a «tsk». For an arm, she’s quite chatty.

‘’Well it’s about a meter behind you so I think it’s safe to assume you’ve got no circle of mastery. You’ll only be able to use magic with your own body as point of origin’’

I guess a javelin rain is out of the question then… what a shame. Then I tried to imagine the big armored fingers into something a little slicker, clawed gauntlets can be pretty handy… and within an eye blink the armored gauntlets changed to perfectly espouse my fingers while giving them wicked slashing nails.

‘’Whoa! Now that’s convenient as hell!’’

‘’I guess you’ve got an origin of Ice’’

>Mayyybe. What should be done now?
>I should be done soon but I still haven't reached the point I want, so I might just pick the thread again tomorrow.

>>36091074
Ask Aurore if the arm transformations are using up our magic, how quickly will we get close to burning out?

Since in order to take advantage of our enhanced mental speed, we need to see our target, do some target practice to see how well we can track and throw objects on interception vectors; toss up some targets and try to hit them with throwing daggers or axes. Try to bounce targets off walls if we can, to see if we can predict their new vectors and can plot interception vectors.

Also try changing the arm into difference shapes, from the normal unarmored shape, to the armored shape, to seeing if we can form a buckler attached to the arm. Also take note of how quickly the transformation happens, since we'll likely need to know how quickly it can be done.

>>36091074
Don't know how to put it all together but hey, let's defy a law or two. Make "fate" our bitch in at least one instance. Too bad I don't know how to do so. Let us step outside of fate, if only for a single turn...

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‘’Can you judge my…huh… magical level? I’ve seen Siegfried use too much and burn up, I really don’t want the same’’

I gave a quick glance to my second arms and the veins were still glowing in the same shade of brilliant blue, the absence of changes was heartening at least but being a complete and total apprentice is… well… I’ll have to do my best.

‘’Using magic on your body is very economical, but you can’t really get a knack for this easily, you’ll need to watch the color of your veins. When the blue start changing into something else is the time to worry; it all has to do with red in this case, mix blue and red together and you get purple, if you start to see that hue, you’d best start being conservative.’’

Thank heaven for this encyclopedic arm. Next was another exercise, changing the forms of the arm itself; from a simple armor to a shield, then shield to a sword, then back to armor – all of it was near instantaneous. Imagine the change in my mind and boom, the slime arm reflected it nearly instantly, the same however, could not be said with my other, normal arm.

Here, putting my entire arm in armor took three seconds whilst metamorphosis was just about the same. Shield to sword to armor to shield, imagining it and having the change itself require a little more planning and effort.

‘’I’m sort of a boost for your magic, that’s why’’

Aurore finally confided, given the sheer near-instant change, it was very believable. Obviously, my right arm was superior in term of magical manipulation.

‘’Speed isn’t really your thing; I think I’ve nailed it.

‘’Do tell, little master’’

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It’s surprising how quickly I’ve adapted to talking to her. I heard a satisfied sigh at my praise and could only snap my tail in annoyance, so I did.

‘’Hardness, thickness, resistance. I had to actually drill through that ice carapace of yours, so that’s pretty telling.’’

It barely took a few seconds for her to creature this talking hole. Unashamedly, I went to plug it with my finger, poking the perfectly warm arm underneath; ice that wasn’t extremely cold isn’t that easy to get used to.

‘’Mph!’’

I felt her, quite literally, breathe out on my index so I showed mercy and allowed her to speak again.

‘’You’re as thick as your ice! I –eat- magic for a living! I had to chew through your stuff, put effort in what is perfectly natural for me, and I’ll bet you could take a mace strike, hell, not even a bear could rip out that arm of yours. You’ve seen a non-monster bear before?’’

I’ve heard many things, but I can’t say that…

>Roll 1d20 for perception.
>Also, I’ll end here tonight and pick up again tomorrow.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>36092031

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>36092031
If the ice armor can also cover the natural left arm, can it then also armor the body, legs, head, and tail?
Does Athena experience any impediment to movement?

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>>36092138
Armor for everything, as for impediment, it's about as good as a regular, perfectly fitting gothic plate. So not much reduction, if any.

She can also increase its thickness, but that'll obviously put more weight.

>>36092079
>>36092138
Looks like Athena's luck with the dice still hasn't changed.

So, I expect that we've been seen using our magic, and that information is going to go back to the Salamander, who will prepare somehow for it.

>>36092315
Well, I allow up to 5 rolls in case of heavy activity but in this case, it's three. Its late on a week day, so not everyone has the chance to roll.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>36092339
Rerolling, then.

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>>36092376
Welp, that was the DC

>>36092376
i hope that's enough to avoid whatever trouble was coming our way.

Early morning bump

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Bed time soon, I'm just ringing the thread because I discovered a nifty site and threw my pebble in the pond.

ask.fm/InsertNameHereQM

Can be handy if there's questions without threads, or just if you want to make sure I read what you have to say.

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>>36092376
High enough for us to avoid a hard fail I hope.

Told you all not to focus on magery just yet. Ya gotta be taught that shit. There's a reason not everyone can even into lucid dreaming for example. You can learn, yes, but expecting to be a natural at something like that is asking a lot.

>>36096928
Oh shut up, you sanctimonious shit. There is nothing to indicate that the perception check was caused by our concentration on magic.

Page 10 bump

bump

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bump

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Update soon

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Leaving the discussion of oversized mammals to rest, I quickly noticed a few things as I peered away from the speaking arm. First was the darkness itself of the training room, I had completely forgotten to light anything during my excitement yet I was able to see perfectly well, the darkness being very clear and easy to see as if the full moon was illuminating the area itself. Next was something much more embarrassing that nearly motivated me to completely encase myself in ice; I just went outside the bedroom without a shirt, I’ve quite literally been running around the pyramid with my upper body half naked – absolutely amazing, Athena.

‘’Mph!?’’

Whatever protest or morsels of wisdom the slime had to share was forcefully interrupted by my finger once again as I spied something unusual – I didn’t know how to get out of Focus so trying some damage control would probably be fruitless anyway, but I distinctively remember closing the door fully behind me, searching for this banal souvenir was extremely easy thank to this mental clarity and now, said door had been pushed open by barely a centimeter, more than enough for some sound to filter through but, perhaps with luck, most of my exchange with Aurore hadn’t been properly overhead.
Thankfully my partner seem to understand my seriousness; I couldn’t really see if there was anyone beside that door, perhaps they’ve simply spied a few minutes and went back their merry or they’ve been staying here and listening – that’s simply not something I can deduce without barging out.

>Should I charge out at once, catch whoever is spying on me off guard?
>Pretend I didn’t notice and move away from the door, so they won’t hear anything else?
>Other

>>36105768
>Should I charge out at once, catch whoever is spying on me off guard?

>>36105768
Does Aurore count as cheating, or a grey area because she doesn't move on her own?

>>36105891
Aurore is your arm, she can't exactly cheat. Or do anything, really.

>>36105768
>>Should I charge out at once, catch whoever is spying on me off guard?
this just sounds like athena

>>36105768
So Athena's magic is only at C-rank it would seem. Eh, mentat mode, massive boost to natural armor, and the handy dandy toxin cleanse. Nice upgrade she got.

>Should I charge out at once, catch whoever is spying on me off guard?

Hopefully it's nothing, but if someone's aiming to backstab us it's best to surprise them.

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Well then...

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Once I lifted my finger again to free the airway, I felt slightly afraid that Aurore would blow away my cover but thankfully she kept quiet and that’s where I attempted my best to pretend ignorance as I walked a little closer to the door, crossing my arms together and feigning my best to appear deep in thought.

‘’Hmm…’’

Ah screw it.

I broke into a sudden run and kicked open the door in one motion, sending it clacking loudly in a cavernous boom that reverberated into the hallway.

‘’Right!’’

I heard the slime whisper and that’s when I saw a silhouette round the corner – too fast for me to identify anything aside from dark clothes. The distance between the training room and the end of the corridor was too much to cover in such a short sprint, more than that tough, I could…feel something of a pulse, a foreign ‘’power’’ similar to mine allowed some kind of tracking as they undoubtedly made quick pace into whatever safe hole this pyramid held.

>Pursue
>Don’t
>Other?

>>36106725
>>Pursue
only for a short distance and make sure not to stray to far from the area we have been in

>>36106725
>>Pursue
we might find the spy

>>36106725
>Pursue
I got a bad feeling about this, but my curiosity overpowers it.

>>36106831
Also, forgot to say grab anything along the way that can be used as a weapon. Can never be too careful.

>>36106725
>Pursue
It's perhaps a person also in Focus.

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The knowledge of this ‘’moving’’ power (for lack of a better term) felt as inherent as the certainty surrounding Siegfried and the girls life, I knew whomever was spying on me was moving down the pyramid and I took off in a run before even thinking about it. Focus is very handy and may bring clarity but it doesn’t make me any faster and in raw speed the fugitive had me beaten; the corner led to another part of the hallway (this peculiar floor formed a little square) that led down a bigger set of stairs, all of it conveniently absent of guards and vigils.

‘’Other side!’’

Not that I needed to be told the obvious, reaching the stairs was a matter of seconds and from there I finally saw the interloper landing on the –literal- opposite floor from my current position; the stairs had no left walls, only a ramp to prevent a lethal fall into the entrance floor of the pyramid and also allowed vision from bottom to roof unimpeded, meaning that a jump of any kind to the opposite flight of stairs holding a balcony was impossible without magical aid.

The culprit was, quite literally, sticking to a pillar, arms, hands, legs and feet bristling with something to electricity without convenient crackling of thunder to give them away. Before I could even ask myself how such a thing was possible I immediately noticed the outstretched arm in my direction holding a convenient light crossbow. The following metal click echoed lightly as the quiver flew directly in my direction but the distance was too little too late; Focus mental clarity made predicting the destination (my throat) and easy and I only had to turn and present my shoulder – the projectile clicked uselessly against the ice, famed armor penetration rendered null against magic.

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Now the foe in question was garbed in dark and a mask concealed their face adequately, the only telltale sign of identification was the obvious lizard tail (also bristling with magic) falling down its obvious point of origin on their waist, already the agent began to maneuver away from the pillar, seemingly sticking to the rocks in order to jump on the stairs and flee – the distance between us made any prospect of capture an increasingly fleeting dream.

‘’Dammit, no way we can cross that gap’’

Aurore grumbled beside me.

>My only choice is to try and cut them off at the entrance, so I should definitely do that.
>Abandon the chase. That lizard is no amateur; she’ll be gone before I make my way up her floor.
>Other?

>>36107492
>>My only choice is to try and cut them off at the entrance, so I should definitely do that.

>>36107492
>Other?
make an ice bridge

>>36107492
Cut them off at the entrance. Grab something, anything, to use as a weapon on the way.

>>36107816
She has no sphere of influence that we know of, that makes external casting like that impossible.

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>>36107816
Can't. Athena is only able to project magic on her body.

Seem like we've got the choice of pursuing further.

>>36107492
>My only choice is to try and cut them off at the entrance, so I should definitely do that.

>>36107877
Ok, if this comes to a fight, we can pull and Edward Elric and make an ice blade stick out of our arm right?

>>36107492
>>My only choice is to try and cut them off at the entrance, so I should definitely do that.

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>>36108081
Both arms if you want. You should read the little pratice above - transformation of the slime arm is nearly instantaneous, but anything else on Athena body need 3 seconds.

In exchange, her peculiar brand of magic create something very, very thick and tough.

>>36108162
If we can form a shield do that on the way. Focus should enable multi tasking in this regard, form as she runs. Looks like we're not as unarmed as I feared.

you know i dont remember why or when Athena started refereeing siggy as her husband-to-be was it after he purged her of the curse

>>36107492
INH, a thought occurs. If we can even sense her that means the pyramid isn't flooded with magic. That means anyone who can into focus or otherwise using magic should sense it too. Why isn't the alarm sounding? In areas not flooded with magic its use is supposed to kill any attempts at stealth because of that.

>>36108335
She proposed to him before the ritual, he accepted, making him her fiancee.

>>36108500
ok i need to reread the archive then cause i missed it

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‘’You really think running around in your underwear will increase your popularity’’

Cheeky girl, I already took off in a run and began to cover ground as fast as I could (mostly by jumping the stairs outright). The Iced armor grew a little thinner for a little ease of movement and I shaped as I ran…

‘’I’ve still got my pants and boots, no problem!’’

Not that I’m fond of showing my scars. With old habits dying hard, a nice, circle shield extended from my arm, encompassing my entire hand, extending nicely in a fitting shield whilst the slime arm was used as base for a sword, creating the object was simple nature due to my familiarity with said weapons; I’m much more comfortable holding one instead of using my own body as some biological weapon.

‘’Just try to keep me posted!’’

‘’Already trying but they’ve abandoned Focus already, we don’t have much choices’’

--

It took me an entire thirty minutes to finally accept the fact this damnable agent gave me the slip, at least they haven’t exited the pyramid itself because I came across a duo of Onis sleeping on the job and made sure they’d guard the entrance but the previous floor this would-be assassin had been sticking to was desert of hostiles, guards and vigils were slowly trickling in, as if roused by my activity. Most of the rooms had guests and were thusly closed and locked but wherever I looked I either saw servants or proper guards obviously surprised by my magical equipment, it was…fortunate that I only crossed path with Onis, if I were to stumble upon a lizard in the dark I’d probably have a fight on my hand.

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Regardless, facts remained that the spy had disappeared inside the pyramid and with the increasing activity from guard and vigil, they’d probably slipped into a disguise – aside from a black and blue lizard tail, I didn’t really have any clue about that person.

‘’Pfaaah’’

I felt a yawn threaten my jaw as excitement was quickly replaced by disappointment, my veins were still glowing in the same gallant blue, and at least my biological batteries had some life in them.

‘’What a shame’’

The talkative slime simply couldn’t resist commenting.

>What now?

>>36108500

People embracing Focus and casting spells doesn’t result in automatic alarm, remember that it’s pretty early in the morning and still dark out, mages don’t trigger defcon 1 by practicing some spells if they can’t sleep, it’s just suspicious and would probably have someone check up on them.

>>36108668
Well, I guess we go back to our room and check on everyone. Damn spy's out to get someone, it may not be us.

>>36108668
Did the crossbow bolt stay stuck in the ice of our pauldron, or did it ricochet off?
Can we recover it?
We're already recognized by the guards as a guest of Amarantha, right?

Make a report, that we were practicing in preparation for our duel. We noticed someone sneakily watching, and when we tried to confront them, they ran, entered Focus, and shot at us with a crossbow.
Give a description of their tail, and let the guards handle it.

As for Athena herself, go back to the royal chambers and learn how to turn off Focus, and turn it back on.

>>36108668
go back to the room and tell every what just happened they need to know

>>36108784
>>36109030
Sounds like a plan. We can't keep focus going all night, besides Siggy's internal thoughts on it from other threads suggests that the state is both somewhat addictive and has bad side effects if one stays in it for too long.

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In the heat of the moment I would have completely forgot to pick up the bolt that had ricocheted off my shoulder but Focus certainly help a lot to bring things into perspective; my pants may be light but still had pockets and after making certain I’d be somewhat safe I cut the energy that my shield and sword needed to be kept into the world – it was a simply thing, imagine a flowing river in your mind and being able to feel its flow – then build a dam and just like that, the ice disappeared.

The next few minutes had me meet again with the friendly pair of Onis (I promised to keep quiet about their little nap) and tell my story, which they immediately began to act upon, with one of them following me all the way toward Amarantha floor before going back to her partner – which also motivated me to abandon fueling the armor itself.

‘’This day hasn’t even began yet’’

Aurore muttered as I entered the dark room, movement from the giant worm caught so completely off guard I nearly screamed – pure, honest discipline from training was the only reason why I kept my dignity as I crossed eyes with the entity as it leisurely moved to a more comfortable position and, as it briefly searched my mind, I heard something of a chuckle escape.

It –had- to be one.

The next time was warning the chieftain who was sleeping beside Tanuya, said beastwoman was deeply in dreams now and looked quite peaceful (and cute) – the urge of stroking those round ears was nearly enough to forget the previous encounter entirely. However, I had to report and so awaked the girl as silently as I could and told my story despite scaring the poor girl when she obviously wasn’t expecting my glowing blue veins.

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--

And so the little chieftain had disappeared down the hallway, making sure the giant worm would watch over us all and I decided to sit down on the bed… Introspection was quite easy thank to Focus – I could use some more sleep.

‘’Just let go of Focus first, it’s not healthy to stay too long without purpose. Don’t think about magic, concentrate on –nothing- at all and it’ll be gone before you know it’’

Aurore was a surprisingly efficient teacher she and Zechariah are definitely precious assets for Zipangu and I began to follow her advice soundlessly, but couldn’t resist examining the soul link, Siegfried seemed… sleeping perhaps?

>I’ll be ending here for the night, I know it’s early but I think we’ve reached a good spot and I'm growing pretty tired.
>You have one last choice to make here, either make Athena sleep or keep awake and practice magic; it’s a choice between being fresh and ready for the fight or being a little tired but also more knowledgeable of your capabilities.

>>36109561
Thanks for running man.

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>>36109586
My pleasure friend. We'll be able to fully concentrate o nthe duel for the next thread so there's that to look forward to.

Athena has made some amazing progress

>>36109561
Go to sleep now.
We got the essential training done that we wouldn't have gotten otherwise.
We also used up magic doing all that practicing earlier; getting close to burnout during the duel would be catastrophic.

>>36109561
sleep
you can make some of the most creative thing under pressure

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>>36110016
>>36109904
Very well, I'll be taking this course of action for the opening of next thread.

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>>36110281
It's a good idea and I back it, sleep restores mana and we like that topped off.

Though if I may, I feel as though a kind of mecha thing has happened. In a "real" robot show the mechs get a major boost at some point, an upgrade. Siggy, Sylphis, and Athena were the "real" robots in a "super" robot show. How are mere mortals/real mechs like Siggy and his first waifus to compete against such powerhouses as the heroes of yore, embodiment type angels, and god level monstergirls? Simple, upgrades.

Sylphis is now faster than the blink of an eye, Athena can now ape Siggy to an extent and gained his powers as a mentat to supplement her already formidable prowess as a warrior (and if the prosthetic arm comes online in time do give it a crossbow mechanism, for reasons I'm sure you know as I love that manga), and Siggy himself can now eat magic and consume his own memories for a powerup that places him amongst the top-tier powerlevels of the setting.

With this the final stage is set and the actors assembled, it's a battle of hardcore badasses with no overwhelming power difference for any side. This is gonna get crazy and I love that.

>>36111347
U wot. Temporary powerups that they have are nothing to the constant and sheer power some of the heroes and our enemies contain. At best, you can say Siggy's side has some peopel that can momentarily fight on a level approaching our enemies. Not to mention you're completely ignoring the fact that the beast is, at minimum, Siegfried tier in strength and will be making his move when all the shit has gone down and everyone has used up their reserves since he can't be touched at the moment.

>>36111468
Even being able to fight defensively against overwhelming threats and odds instead of being summarily instagibbed is an achievement in and of itself. Even standing a ghost of a chance of overcoming this cycle is a real feat, I'll take what I can get.

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>>36111468
This is true, while everyone obviously got a good boost in power (aside from Mylen) there's no denying that the heroes and Embodiment are beyond the strength of mortals without needing to sacrifice anything to keep this constant. In fact, Kyorn and Tsu -CAN- sacrifice piece of their souls as well, the reason why Siegfried own sacrifice are so unbelievably lethal is because he's the son of Mother Earth.

But there's also no denying Siegfried burst. It's just about the most damaging thing in the world now, if he use it at full potential. (if you discount the holy Bomb and the Evil Mountain)

>>36111523

It's a case of consistency vs potential.

The Embodiment provide consistent power, while Siegfried and the girls are on the potential side.

>>36111579
So if an entity challenges Siggy's Soul Blast with one of "equal" strength, Siggy's wins the contest by default?

Yes, glorious. We might beat Orion just yet if he doesn't have the relevant info to use a higher order blast to contest our own. Then again, he'll figure that out after his first loss or two in that department. Even Ahriman got that. Matched it well enough first hit, that should have. Ow! Ok, up the friggin' ante, pour it on! Fuck! Still lost. Ok, new plan.

We gonna have to take him by surprise. Like, make him go "Oh SHIT!" at the absolute last second and take at least a third of his corporeal body in the blast. Hard, but possible.

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>>36111799
For some perspective, Orion could take on Tsu + all her summoned heroes alongsi Daiyu and stil lemerge victorious.

If Kyorn and Hadraniel join the fray, things won't be so simple. Of course this is assuming nobody ambush the other and the fight itself is a straight up match to the death.

>>36111931
Good thing it ain't then. I'm aiming to leverage his own origin against him. Plus, it assumes everything works out for him as if he was a god of fate.

We have already made that not so. He even sees Siggy as a graver threat than Deruella. The poor sorry fool. So ingrained into his own role he can't even see how he's potentially being manipulated to serve purposes he himself is diametrically opposed.

Can't wait to take his ignorant ass out. If only to deny our final enemy a pawn in her schemes.

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>>36112054
Deruella is about to make things very interesting.

Maybe she's not even an enemy!

>>36112200
well she aint acting like a friend

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>>36112304

Tough love?

>>36112304
She's thrown a major wrench into our plans. She seeks the end even her own mother gave up on and sided with our own version.

Pleasure does not equal peace, the endless orgy is not the optimal end of all this. Everyone opposes her for a damn good reason. There is more to life than sex.

I swear this is one *hell* of a campaign setting. I'd gladly run a game in it if everyone worked it all out. Siggy's homeland, the Pharaoh's desert, the swamp, corruption, we even got significant time periods like "the purge" and this "last war" going on here. If I knew a group of players up for a more existential horror game I'd gladly introduce them to this kind of thing.

The zombie virus has many forms. But if I had to choose, there is only two candidates. Those that seek to feast upon the living, and that which seeks to feast upon the sexual. Ultimately, they are the same, but for totally different reasons.

It's all quite delicious, why I'm even here.

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>>36112739
You are here because you like it.

Part of me think I should try to put up all the stuff I've thought up about this setting on a site or something, hell in recent I've also come up with the other country on the other side of the Swamp, it's called Kreszenz and I've slowly began to fill it with character and soul. And there's also two Rangers Orders called simply ''Watches'' that keep an eye on the frontier of the swamp.

There's alot of potential for other quests, too.

>>36112889
Please do. I love good settings, and this is one with a ton of potential. The existential horror is just so delicious for me.

Without being a holy mage, for instance, the demon realm consumes you. The further you go in, the more lustful you become. In the end, you become something the "real" you isn't. Yet, you couldn't be happier as your "liberated" form bones monstergirl after monstergirl in that realm. Even the girls become dark slimes and the like and seduce the male heroes that loved them so...

I can rejoice to this. A good reason crusades failed as well. All it takes is one corrupted heroine singing the joys of sex to everyone, her best friend falls, the rest follow. What we love will kill us, as one dystopian author said. I fear he was correct. "Love" is a much more potent tool that "fear".

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>>36113013
Yet humanity is still prospering as Monstergirls have elavated themselves from their previous tribalistic selves.

If only people learned how to talk to one another.

>>36113079
Understanding. If only more could into it. So much to be learned, yet so many refuse to accept that. Such a tragedy. If only people could see the potential in concepts and the like...

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>>36113611
I've already figured out the political ramification if we reach the Best End and it'll be something, oh yes.

>>36113655
I do hope so. Of course, that even assumes we even land that said best end. Seems quite out of reach at the moment, but I'm still gonna try for it.

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>>36114274
We have a Salamander champion to take down first.

>>36114327
I have full confidence that she can do so. Besides, she wouldn't have drugged her if she was a real confident warrior. Even if Athena gets drugged again well, what does focus cleanse?

Fool me once shame on you, good thing we have access to a way to prevent being fooled twice. Drink it after activating focus, just to be sure.

>>36114534
You aren't forced to drink, it's just a ceremonial thing before combat.