>>995234
Hiya Announcer!
You doing ok?

>>995234
>Internally curse your drunkenness for making you forget whatever happened last night.
>Hold Tuile closer
>Give her a kiss

>>995244
I'm doing good. I got the next week off!
We might have an announcement at the end of the thread! Let me see what I can do.

>>995253
Oh, congrats Announcer!
Glad to hear you getting a break.

>>995234
this: >>995248

How do you manage to run a quest for so long

>>995333
He's put a lot of effort into it.

>>995248
Oh and, ah, can I vote to run hand through tail or something as well?
Or is that basically just assumed?

>>995333
I enjoy writing, but I am a little slow at it.

I have what is called the "Hexer Curse", where I write something and then delete it because I don't like the way it sounds.

This is actually my second quest. My other got to 125 threads. My earlier threads were a lot faster. Mostly because I would ignore grammar while I wrote.

I find writing fun. I already have an idea for another quest.

>>995345
Honestly I wouldn't keep deleting stuff.
Grammar and such isn't the end of the world.

>>995347
It's a little more complex than that. I will write a post and then think about the implications this has for future posts or future places I want to take the story. Then I'll delete it and start over.
It's been hitting me pretty hard lately. I think it's a little bit of the ol' writer's block coming through.

Speaking of which

>Next post almost done!

>>995367
Ah well, fair enough.

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Damn it.

Why do you always seem to forget things just as they're getting good?!

Is it because of the drinking?
Is it because you used a ton of energy and was more focused on sleeping than having fun?
Is it because you can only perform well after two shots of the strongest stuff you have?

..Maybe it's because of the drinking.
You need to remember this, but not do anything about it. The drinking does seem to help your performance, after all.

At the same time; damn you for not remembering last night. It seems like it was a hot one.

You give up trying to make sense of it and instead wrap your arm around Tuile, and place yourself just a little bit closer to her.
Gently, you give her a kiss. Your hand runs along the silky down of her tail.

There are days for going out and doing things.
Today is looking to not be one of those days.

--

Huh, now the bed seems even colder than it did before. What gives?

You let your eyes flutter open, and are left with a surprise.
No Tuile.
Darn.

It seems you slept for at least another hour after your first awakening. Tuile must have awoken and left.

Leaving you inside of the airship while the day passes by.

Well, you're sure she has princessly duties to be attending to. Just like you have hero duties to attend to.
You were going to go follow-up on Aligot's suspicion about that guy-from-the-mountains being around Bruschetta somewhere.

It seems like a solid theory, from the evidence you acquired.

You wake up and throw on your clothes. Quietly, you manage to leave the airship without any of the guards surrounding it noticing.

Even though the bounty was called off last night; it seems they still want to keep you under strict supervision. You effortlessly evade a patrol around the airship, and find yourself in an alley behind the walls of the general store. You're two hops away from the castle.

It seems like getting your friends together might be a little difficult today. Especially finding Aligot without having to puffball tons of guards.

Knowing that the guards will likely not play along, what is your course of action?

>Request entrance to the castle grounds peacefully
>If not, you can go in by force.
>Send a message to someone inside to meet you someplace
>Preferably the bar
>Screw 'em, it's just investigating something. How much help do you need?
>Other?

>>995457
Aww Tuile left?
On the other hand, we did get to touch fluffy tail again so good way to start a morning...

>>995457
>Request entrance to the castle grounds peacefully
i mean, we have ben paying these guards for a reason... right?

>>995466
Jack's been paying them?

>>995471
i'm pretty sure we've been slipping a coin or two to pretty much every castle guard we met

>>995475
Well ok, if we have...

>>995457
>Request entrance to the castle grounds peacefully
>They could just pretend you snuck in using your Hero prowess.

>>995457
>>Request entrance to the castle grounds peacefully

>>995457
So how fluffy was Tuile's tail, Announcer?

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>>995512
Tuile's tail is very fluffy, by volume. It's also extremely silky. All thanks to her good Biscotti genes.

>>995545
Knew she was best waifu.

>>995601
Like there was ever any doubt.

>>995647
True, true.

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It would be such a hassle to start yesterday's fight again.

While you were able to fondle some good bunny ears, but the trouble wasn't worth it. You're pretty sure you put half of their castle staff out of commission with that little stunt.

You're going to ask them to enter. It's not worth trying to get in a big fight this early in the morning.
You leave the safety of the alleyway and are immediately accosted by the guards at the castle gate.

"HALT!"
"Yar, yar." You grumble. "Could aye get in? There's a person aye need to talk to."

"Women or Men's quarters?"
"Men's."

The bunny-knights lower their spears. "You may only enter if you agree to stay inside of the guest mansion."
"Yar, sure."

"And- that you refrain from drawing weapons before you enter."

"Aye get it, fine."

"And- that you take off your coat and shirt."

..
What?

"Aye'm not takin' my coat off, it's freezin'."
"It's necessary for you to take them off. You may be hiding something."

"Aye'm not takin' off my shirt OR my coat."

One of the knights huffs.
"If you don't take off your clothes; you're not getting in."

"There's only one woman in the castle that aye take my clothes off for, and it ain't you."

"I'll have to report this to the captain." The bunny girl crosses her arms.

"Let 'er know she's not my type, either."

You push past them and toward the guest mansion. They huff as you stride past them.
Why is every country full of jerks?

--

"Hey Aligot."

The glasses-wearing scholar is entranced in a pile of books.
"Oh, hey Jack! Did you have any problems getting in?"

>Yar it was a cakewalk.
>Aye dun wanna talk about it
>Did they ask ye to take off yer clothes when ye came in?
>Great.
>Is there a way we can see each other without me havin' to come in here? Like ye meet me at the bar later?
>Other?

>>995946
>Yar it was a cakewalk.
>Did they ask ye to take off yer clothes when ye came in?

>>995946
>Did they ask ye to take off yer clothes when ye came in?

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"Yar it was a cakewalk." You cough, "Pray tell, tho. Did they ask ye to take off yer clothes when ye came in?"

He blinks, "No, why?"

"Just a question." You grumble to yourself. "Anyway, How goes it in finding that guy?"
"That.. guy?"

"Yar, the one from the mountains."

"Oh! Him!" He ruffles through some books, and pulls out a particularly old one. "I think I found something on that, actually."

He opens the old tome and flips to an ear-marked page.
"There used to be a settlement here, at this very spot, at one time." Aligot points to a map, you can see the overlay of some squares on top of what appears to be the town you're in right now. "Off to the north is an army outpost. It's situation in the mountains, where assault would be nigh-impossible. According to some generals I've talked to, it's the oldest outpost in Bruschetta."

"I think." Aligot hands you another map, "This is where your mystery man is headed. It was likely an outpost far enough back to benefit him. Plus, it would be an opportune place to meet someone, as there would not be many witnesses."

"Is there anyone stationed thar now?"

"Nope! They close the outpost down for the winter."

"So, ye think he's.. what? Waiting there? Waitin' for a signal?"

"If he's really what you claim to be; I don't think he has much use for hiding." Aligot smiles. "So, it's just a matter of going there and confronting him."

"Alright, Aye'll leave right away."

Aligot looks concerned, "Woh, woh, What do you mean? Aren't you going to, yknow, gather everyone up, equip them, and all that stuff?"

"Aye'd like to bring Yuuki, but somethin' tells me she wouldn't want to be brought right now. So my choices are just Dorje and Cody. Aye rather not involve 'em in case this turns out to be more dangerous than aye thought."

"You should really bring the other heroes, Jack."

>No.
>Argh, fine.
>Whar are they?
>Should aye be bringin' an army, too?
>How 'bout aye go there, scout the place out, and come back?
>Other?

>>996490
>>Argh, fine.
>>Whar are they?

>>996490
>>Whar are they?
>>Should aye be bringin' an army, too?

Should we add in thinking up a proper apology to Yuki too?
I'm still not sure why we threw her off the ship...
That's basically been causing so much trouble for us.

>>996529
Sure, you're perfectly free to do that.

If you want to go apologize to her, I'll add that into the next post.

Happy New Year Everybody.

>>996650
Happy new year, Announcer.
Hope you have a good one.

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"Argh, fine. Whar are they?"

"Dorje went over to visit Yuuki, but I think he'll be back soon. He was having some trouble with the guards. Cody went to the bar. Yuuki is probably still pouting in the castle; I haven't seen her."

"Damn." You grumble, "Shouldn't aye be bringin' an army, too?"

"Well, to be fair." Aligot sighs, "If this is who you claim it is, then an army wouldn't do much good."

That's what you were afraid of.

"Argh. Aye guess it's just as well." You feel yourself feeling less optimistic by the second, "Aye need to apologize to Yuuki anyway."
"If it makes you feel any better." Aligot adjusts his voice, "I think you did the right thing."

"Ye really think so?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, she's a hero. A tiny drop shouldn't mean anything to her." Aligot blinks. "That's like, maybe an extra hour of sleep with her summoner to recover from."

"Aye don't know, maybe aye just don't get women."
Which may be the biggest understatement of the century.

You drink from your flask, and cough.
"Alright, aye'm off to find Yuuki."

"Good luck, out there."

Thanks Aligot, you're going to need it.

You step out of the quarters and then try to think of a way to get into the castle proper.
There are several ways to get to Yuuki. You could find Dorje and ask him to get Yuuki to come meet you. You could also just power your way into the castle; who's gonna stop you?

You could just wait out here in the courtyard, she's bound to walk out eventually.

Or you could go to the bar and get piss-drunk with Cody. Then worry about finding Yuuki after some time has passed.

All them seem like tempting ideas...

>Bar
>Bar
>Bar
>No! No! Yuuki first!
>Wait out here in the courtyard, think about how you're going to fight this hero.
>Find someone to sent a message inside the castle.
>Time for pirate-sneaks! Find a way in.
>Other?

>>996978
>>No! No! Yuuki first!

Mind I've no idea how to fix it up beyond, like, going "Yuuki, I've had to run damage control on everything - including multiple foreign kingdoms - for weeks now, I snapped, and I'm sorry"

...Would that work?

Everyone, I am off to bed. We will continue in the morning.

>>996978
>No! No! Yuuki first!

>>996978
>Go to the bar to pick up some booze to bring to Yuuki

>>996978
>No! No! Yuuki first!

>>997350
I don't think she likes drinking.

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..You could go to the bar and pick up some booze for Yuuki. Then after you're done lounging around there; you could easily go back to the castle.

Yar, that's what you think you're going to do. You're going to go get some booze for Yuuki!

..
No, no that's a terrible idea.
Apologizing to Yuuki should come first. Your morning drink(s) can wait until you apologize to her.

You're just going to make a quick stop by the bar to give Cody a message and then-

Damn it! No!
Stop!
You take the flask out of your pocket and take a drink from that. Surely, that tiny infusion of the liquid of life can be enough!

You don't even think Yuuki likes liquor!

You begrudgingly holster your flask and set out for the courtyard. You aren't going to let some dumb bunny-rabbits stop you in your mission.

"Hey." One particularly busty maid notices you, "Where are you going?"

"The castle, aye need to see Yuuki."

"Nuh uh." The maid stands in your way. "She can come out and see you."
"Then can ye go get 'er?"

"No." She turns her nose up at you. "She has another visitor right now, and you don't have the authority to call for her."

I don't have the- what?!

"Can ye send 'er a message, then?"
"I can, but it will have to wait until after I'm done with my patrols."

Okay! That's it.

"Alright, out of the way." You effortlessly shove her aside.

"HEY! Guards! Guards! He's trying to rush the castle!"

Oh damn it, the same two bunny-knights from earlier show up. You almost wonder if they were just waiting for this to happen.

"Ladies, aye need to see Yuuki. Just lemme in, and this will be easy."

--

"Jack?" Dorje emerges from the castle.
He's just in time to see you walking toward the front gate with three bunnyballs in your hands.

Dorje blinks, and the realization hits him.
"What are you doing?!"

>Takin' out the trash.
>Gettin' accompanied with the wildlife.
>Hey Dorje.
>Don't ask.
>Can ye go get Yuuki fer me?
>Are ye up for fightin' a big hero guy?
>Other?

>>998064
>Hey Dorje.
>Just visiting Yuuki, don't worry.

>>998064
>Aye've been TRYING to get to Yuki so I can apologize.

>>998064
>Can ye go get Yuuki fer me?

>>998064
>>998113
>>Aye've been TRYING to get to Yuki so I can apologize.

Second.

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It's always just one thing after another, isn't it?

"Hey Dorje."

"Jack, no, seriously, those are guards! Do you want yesterday to happen again?!"

"Aye it's fine." You drop the fuzzy spheres nonchalantly. "Just visitin' Yuuki is all."
"Er at least." You dust your hands off, "Aye've been TRYIN' to get to Yuuki so I can apologize."

"I think you're going to have a problem doing that." Dorje looks slightly embarassed. "It was pretty.. difficult for me to get in to see Yuuki earlier."
"Really? Did they ask ye to take off yer shirt earlier?"

"They asked me to take off my... everything."

Oh.
That explains why Dorje is now furiously blushing.

"Did ye?"
"Of course not! Everyone here is acting really strange, Jack."

"Naw they're not, Kid." You laugh, "It's a mostly-woman fortress, and yer a cute kid. We need to be careful, with our stunnin' charm and all."

After all, you've had difficulty keeping the rabbits off of you!

"Well, either ways. It was tough getting in earlier. I think I'm going to just-"

"Could ye go back in?"

Dorje blinks, "Uh, what?"

"Aye was wanting to apologize formally to Yuuki, but fluffballin' half of the castle to do so seems likea lot of work. Can ye go back in and get Yuuki and bring 'er out here?"

Dorje, are you sweating?

"Aw come on, it can't be that bad!" You give him a pat on the shoulder.

Dorje furrows his brow, "The acting QUEEN wants me to marry Yuuki, Jack. MARRY, YUUKI. I'm worried if I go back in that might actually happen!"

"That should be a compliment!"
"Jack, I didn't come here to find a wife!"

"Just go back in and tell Yuuki Aye'd like to talk to 'er. It won't take long."

Dorje huffs and heads back toward the entrance.

He disappears for a few minutes, and then comes back. This time, he has what appears to be red lipstick on his forehead.
"Hey kid, what happened with-"

"DON'T, ask. Yuuki will be out in a moment." He quickly rubs it off with his sleeve.

Aw what's the matter, kid? If you were his age; you'd never leave this place!
Why does he gotta act like that?!

Several more minutes pass. So much time that one of the animal-balled guards was able to compose herself back into her two-legged form. Thankfully, you were able to put her back into her quiet state without anyone noticing!

Yuuki comes out, and she looks much happier than yesterday.
"Good morning, Jack." She adjusts her voice. "Did you find anything about Clair?"

>Well, about that.
>First, aye'd like to apologize fer yesterday.
>Aye found something out about something much more scary.
>Don't mention that. Instead mention her plans for the day.
>Other?

>>998771
>First, aye'd like to apologize fer yesterday.
>Stress from everything, having to go to different kingdoms all the time even right from the start, musta gotten to me.

Bad night to run, it seems.
Writing!

>>999288
It's after new years celebration, so yeah... probably not the best night to go about this, sadly.

>>998808
Seconded

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"First, aye'd like to apologize for last night."

"Well, I want to apologize too, Jack." Yuuki frowns.

"Aye dun think that was necessary, aye'm the one who threw ye off the airship."

"I'm the one who reacted that way! I shouldn't have acted the way I did. If I had stayed calm, then Bruschetta would still trust you."

"Yuuki, aye'm glad ye feel that way. It's just, yesterday was stressful on ye. Aye'm most of the reason that happened. Aye was pretty stressed myself. Havin' to go to differeng kingdoms, right from the start just put me in a bad mood. Aye didn't mean to make things worse than they were."

"Neither did I."

"Aye, can we agree to put it behind us, then?"
"Let's, please."

"Thanks Yuuki."

"So, with that out of the way, what did Aligot tell you?" Yuuki is smiling, but you suspect it's not genuine.

"He told me 'bout a guy, a guy who lives in the mountains. It seems he might be visitin' this country. A meetin' perhaps? That musclehead Gilles mentioned meetin' with him. Aye would think that here would be a good a place as any."

"W-" Yuuki seems sheepish. "So that even bigger guy is staying HERE?! In Bruschetta?! What else did he say? Is he going to let you know when you find out?!"

"Lass dun worry, aye don't think he's invadin. Also ye can go ask Aligot yerself. He's stayin' in yer guest mansion."

"I can't visit the boys mansion."

You feel your eyelid twitch, slightly.
"You what?"

"I'm not allowed to. It's a policy thing, really! Aligot will have to meet me either in the castle or somewhere in town. Can you go tell him that? I'm not allowed to get too close to it, either."

"Oh damn it Lass." You feel your hand slap your face, "This again? This is yer country! Yer allowed to go any damn place you want!"

"Well most places." Yuuki seems even more sheepish. "Except there."


>When we get done with this, ye need to tell yer summoner to lay off.
>Also ye need to tell yer summoner that yer not a pawn to be married off like the Queen was talkin' about with Dorje.
>Say nothing, don't get in another argument.
>-okay, I'll tell him that. Can ye tell the maids and guards to lay off?
>Or at least tell 'em to lay off Dorje and quit makin' passes at him?
>Let's just go find this place before somethin' else happens.
>Other?

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Everyone, I hate to say it, but I was far too slow today. Another 3-post night.

Now I have to depart not because I'm tired, but because there is a massive thunderstorm overhead and I may not have power in twenty minutes.

If I have power tomorrow, then we will continue! See you then.

>>999954


>When we get done with this, ye need to tell yer summoner to lay off.
>Also ye need to tell yer summoner that yer not a pawn to be married off like the Queen was talkin' about with Dorje.

So was that guard who told Jack to take off his shirt just really thirsty?

>>999954
>Say nothing, don't get in another argument.
>Let's just go find this place before somethin' else happens.

>>999954
>When we get done with this, ye need to tell yer summoner to lay off.
>Also ye need to tell yer summoner that yer not a pawn to be married off like the Queen was talkin' about with Dorje.

>>1000132
Well they are bunnies...

Seems Announcer's place got messed up by the storm...

>>1002473
The gods have it out for him, they do not like the fluffy tails and the fluffy tales Announcer tells.

>>1002473
>>1002495
Power JUST came back on, so I'm going to use this opportunity to post something I wrote up last night.

Just as a word of warning, though: The worst part hasn't hit here yet.

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"Alright, Yuuki.." You cup your eyes in your hand, "Aye dun want to get in another argument this early in the mornin', but we gotta get somethin' straight. When this is over, ye need to tell your summoner to lay off."

"Lay... off? What?"

"Ye know what aye mean. This tellin' you where you can and can't go. Yer not 'grounded', ye don't have places you 'aren't allowed'. Yer a hero, Yuuki. Ye should be allowed to go any damn place ye want."

"Yeah, but-"

"And 'nother thing. Ye need to tell yer summoner that yer not someone to be married off. Like that Queen of yers was talkin' about to Dorje."

Dorje is waving his hands, almost like he doesn't want you to leak his secret just like that. Yuuki's face blushes, but also turns to an angry scowl.

"Who does she want me to-" Then she looks toward Dorje, and then back toward you. "-never mind I'll be definitely talking with her about that, later. For now, we should get going."

"Aye."

You take out your flask and tip back on it. Quietly, you note how light it feels in your hand.
"-our first stop, off to the bar to pick up Cody and supplies."

"Jack, wait- Send Dorje to the bar instead, or I'll go! There's no reason for you to be going to the bar and-"

--

"-and I can't believe you went to the bar before going on a mission." Yuuki complains to you, with a huff. "Are you mad?! You're going to drink a bunch and then go confront this mountain-man?!"

"It's fine, Lass. Aye just need a little bit of warmth."

You're sitting next to Cody; who has been passed out since you got here. The barmaid immediately recognizes you and begrudgingly serves you drinks.

It's only natural, yesterday you did turn her into a puffball and all. She's probably doing this more as a service to Yuuki than as a service to you.

"It's fine, imma just drink till Cody wakes up."

"and I think you'll pass out yourself before that happens." Yuuki crosses her arms.

She may have a point, there.

>Let Cody sleep. You can take this job on yourself!
>Leave Dorje here with him. There probably isn't much he can do anyway.
>Another drink!
>Hey Dorje, stop acting jumpy around the waitresses.
>Other?

>>1002599
>Another drink!
>try to break the infinite loop by waking up Cody, summon water on his face

>>1002599
>Another drink!
>Leave one in front of Cody's face
>Hey Dorje, stop acting jumpy around the waitresses.

Jack should know how best to wake someone up, can we just go with that and leave the specifics up to him?

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Well, you know what this calls for.

-That is,
"Another drink!" You declare proudly to the waitress.
Yuuki's stare is practically drilling into the back of your neck.

That's okay, though! You're just going to have one or three more, then you'll be ready to face the world!


The barmaid slams one down in front of your face. You can tell it's mostly head.
That is perfectly fine with you as you weren't intending to drink it anyway.

Slowly, you slide it in front of Cody's sleeping form. Then you give him a slight nudge just to get his attention.

You'll let that cook for a little while before you resort to more drastic measures.

"Hey Dorje." You notice the young boy jump as a waittress passes by behind him. "Try to relax, will ye?"
"It's hard to relax when everyone is trying to grab at me!"

"Oh come on, kid. What's the worst that could happen?"
"I could be abducted." He frowns, and crosses his arms.

"Pfft, you? Ye worried ye can't fight off some thirsty maids?"

"Mmmpfh." Cody makes the strangest growl you've ever heard.

His hand deftly reaches out for the drink you placed in front of him. Of course, it's just out of reach for his hand and he gives up after a couple of grabs.

It seems that more drastic measures may be in place.

"'Ey Cody." You take your finger, and point it straight at his nose. "Drink this."

With a spray, a burst of cold water hits his face and goes up his nose! He grabs at his nose and then bolts upright.

"Mornin' Cody!" You laugh, and pat him on the back. "What's brought ye to the bar this early in the mornin'?"
"I woke up and remembered something important waiting for me back home." Cody grabs the mug, mostly filled with froth. "Now I can't remmber anything except what the bottom of this mug looks like."

"Well how about ye stop lookin' at the bottom of that mug and come help me with a mission?"

"I could do that, Jack. But what about looking for Clair? Weren't we gonna be doing that?"

"Pretty soon, Cody. Aye think there are bigger fish to fry. Come with us, and aye'll show ye."

"Well, it's about damn time-"

He stands up, wavers a bit, and then sits back down.

"..Jack I am dizzy as hell."

"Power through it, soldier. Er, perhaps-"

You reach over and grab a nondescript red bottle.
Pepper sauce, perfect.

You pour a bit of that into his drink and slide it back over to him.
"Try this."

He grumbles, and takes a hit from it without even considering what you just did.
Immediately he starts coughing and gagging!

He bolts from his chair with clarity in his step. You barely resist the urge to laugh!

"That's the spirit." You grin at him.
"Jack, this had better be the best damn mission ever or you're gettin' a boot up the ass."

"Aye'll consider that wager."

>Cont.

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Morning or not.
It's still just as cold as it was yesterday.

Is it EVER warm here?

Either ways; it's a miserable, cold day. Just like the last miserable, cold day.
So, perfect day to try and track down a big evil guy.

You don't even know what you say when you see him again; IF you see him again.
What are you going to say? 'Yar so I was thinking of your offer for rebuilding your kingdom and realized that it was dumb, so let's fight'?

You wish you put a little bit more thought into these ideas of yours.

In the distance, you can see the cliffside that Aligot was talking about. He was not kidding when he said it was a fortress.

On one side, it's a straight climb all the way to the top. Even if you could get soldiers who would attempt the climb, you would have none who would actually do it.

On the other side, a chokepoint through a very narrow valley. You can almost picture the wall of shields and spears that would await anyone foolish enough to attempt to take that route.

Then, on the last side; one of the tallest mountains in Bruschetta. Trying to cross that to take a military outpost would be suicide, at best.

Taking that position would be impossible if you were ordinary soldiers. Fortunately, there is no one among you now who you consider 'ordinary'. Getting to the outpost is a trivial matter for everyone in your party.

Yuuki decides that she doesn't want to bother trying to climb the sheer cliffside. You think she's just getting soft, but you decide to heed her advice and approach the valley.

At the foot of the valley, you notice something disturbing.
Animal balls.
Bunnyballs to be exact.

It seems someone already visited this outpost, and not too long ago, either.

>Stealth time.
>Try waiting here for a while, see if anyone else attempts to enter the valley.
>Just walk right in, if it's the big guy, then he might be expecting you, anyway.
>Grumble and drink.
>Split up. Have someone go up and someone on watch.
>Other?

That was not easy trying to get posted. Also, my connection is choking out once more. So I'm not sure if I can continue after that today.

We'll see.

aist

>>1003677
>Stealth time.

>>1003677
>Stealth time

>>1003677
>Stealth time.

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Okay, so it's clear someone strong enough to clear an entire outpost is up there.
An army would have no hopes of taking it. So it must be either Gilles or-

-Or that guy.

Damn it; you really, really hope it's Gilles. You at least can sort-of reason with him.

"Everyone, stay quiet, stay alert."

You start the ascent up the valley. This is your best bet to not get spotted if it really IS him. The cliff face is far too steep, and would get your entourage noticed almost immediately.

That's why you're going to play this nice, and safe.

You put Cody at the rear, and you take the lead. Slowly, you start to move with almost pinpoint precision. Every step you take is a calculated risk.

The valley you have to pass through is only about five-hundred feet in length. Despite the relatively short length, it manages to find some way to feel like an eternity.

You round the final line of garrisons, and are finally inside of the outpost proper.

The mostly-wooden outpost surrounds a much more sturdy stone structure embedded into the side of the mountain. You can tell that stone structure is way, way older than the outpost itself.

Most of the guards have been turned into fluffballs. It seems like there was something resembling a battle, here. It just seems like the battle didn't last very long nor was it very interesting.

That does not bode well. Gilles would have, for certain, been at least a little deterred by this number of guards.

You look toward the door of the stone fortification. It's wide open.

Also, you're pretty sure you just heard Yuuki, Dorje, and even Cody gulp.
Darn it.

"Uh, Jack? I don't see any guards who aren't puffballed."

Thanks Yuuki, for your stunning insight.
Wow, you don't remember drinking this much of your flask, but lo and behold; it's almost empty.

That motion of you reaching for your flask, and then realizing its lack of mass did not endow confidence among your peers. You decide to step inside and face the man himself before there are talks of mutiny.

You slowly eek through the door, and are immediately struck with how dark it is inside.
Your eyes take some time getting adjusted, but it takes little time for you to notice the number-one feature of the room. A gigantic throne, in the middle of the fortress.

Did a person really used to sit there? How tall would someone have to be to sit in a throne that big?

Your eyes move from the vision of the gigantic throne, and down toward its base.
There's a person sitting there, definitely not Gilles. He appears to have taken a chair from the outpost proper, and is sitting next to the throne.

You're not sure, but it's a pretty fair guess to say that it's him. Whether he sees you or not is something you cannot tell.

>Slowly move back out the door and formulate a plan.
>Send your team outside. Try to talk with him.
>"Hey, want some Booze?"
>"Booze always makes me feel better when Aye'm feelin' down."
>Just stand as still as you can. See if he notices you first.
>Other?

>>1004287
>Just stand as still as you can. See if he notices you first.

>>1004287
>>"Hey, want some Booze?"

>>995234
>the lands of Bruschetta

hahaha. I hope that was a pun on Brisketta

>>1004287
>Just stand as still as you can. See if he notices you first.

>>1004287
>>Slowly move back out the door and formulate a plan.
a plan is good. a plan is excellent.

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Okay.
You signal to halt, and then you stop.

The cold of Bruschetta just got much colder to you. The breeze from the doorway dips below freezing and nips at the beads of sweat on your neck.

Strange, you didn't even realize you were sweating.

You stand in the doorway; staring at the hunched-over figure in the chair.

Yikes, that man is big.
Like, really huge.

He's at least as tall as Gilles. While he may not be as muscular as Gilles; he makes up for it in tone. Even from here you can see his muscular outline.

Hey, you suddenly remember something. Some kind of dream.
Something about dreaming about this.. guy.

Pfft, you were probably just drunk. When you hit the bottle a little hard; you tend to dream a little hard.

"Gilles." You hear a rumbling voice echo through the stone temple. "Is that you?"

You don't respond to him. Instead, you remain perfectly still.

"I hope you have a good reason for bringing me here." He sighs, "I have a history with this place; I'd like to leave as soon as possible."
You continue to not respond to him.

Instead, you slowly bring Yuuki, Dorje, and Cody outside the door. Thankfully, he didn't notice.

"(Wow)." Yuuki is nervously gripping at her elbow.
"(That is one hell of a man.)" Cody takes a swig from a flask himself. "(You sure know how to pick 'em, Jack.)"

"(What is he doing? Just sitting in the dark?)" Dorje seems confused.

"(Aye don't know, but we needa plan here.)"

Unfortunately, you're at a loss as to how to formulate one.

>How about this, he doesn't look like he wants to fight
>So Aye'll go in and talk with him.
>We need someone less threatenin' than I to talk to him.
>Let's just watch to see who shows up.
>Ferget it, let's go back to trying to sneak-attack him.
>We could bring the temple down on 'im.
>..At least aye hope that would work.
>Other?

>>1005739
>How about this, he doesn't look like he wants to fight
>>So Aye'll go in and talk with him.
"Hello, aye just don't know what's going on anymore."

>>1005739
>How about this, he doesn't look like he wants to fight

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"(How 'bout this." You find yourself reaching for the flask in your pocket, too. "Aye'll go in and talk to 'im.)"

"What?"
"Why?!"

"(He doesn't look like he wants a fight. Aye think he came here to talk to someone else. So aye should be just as good as they are.)"

That's good reasoning, right?

"Jack." Cody pats your shoulder, "How should we know that you're in trouble, then?"

"(Simple.)" You take another drink from your flask. "(If ye see me runnin', you run.)"

"(That, uh-)"
"(Seems simple enough.)"

"(Good to hear.)"
You quickly move past then and back through the door. It would be a shame if you came all this way and had your mind changed at the last minute.

--

"Is that you again?"

The behemoth in the wooden chair shifts his weight. You can practically feel the wood beneath him straining to hold him upright.
Yikes.

"Nah." You respond, gingerly.

"Oh, salutations Jack." The man acknowledges you, and then puts his head into his hands. "Have you been in fair health?"

"Aye, more or less."

Oh, this is awkward.
You don't think he knows what to say.
Which is just as well, because you don't know what to say back to him.

"Need some booze?"
"..What?"

"Aye noticed ye were feelin' down. When aye'm down, I drink!"

"That's.. thoughtful Jack, but no."

This is a dangerous spiral.

What do you even say to him, now?

>Why are you doing this?
>Why are you here?
>What do you want, again?
>Is there any way we can get you to stop working with the bear people.
>Because bears are bad.
>Trust me, I know!
>Who are you meeting?
>Other?

>>1006561
>What do you want, again?

>>1006561
>Who are you meeting?

>>1006561
>Who are you meeting?

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"Ye here fer someone?"

"Yes."
"..Yer not really lookin' forward to meetin' them, huh?"
"I must say, that I am not."

Well, this continues to be awkward.
"Who is it?"

"A lady named 'Clair' of some nation whose name I cannot pronounce." He continues slumped over in the chair.

"Did she call out all the way out here?"
"She did." He grumbles.

You're still not sure if he's going to have a conversation with you, or try to rip your head off.

"Why here?"
"I'm through trying to understand the mechanisms of women, Jack. I'm sure you feel the same way." He sits up in his chair.

Well, there's common ground!
"-Right, well, Clair might be havin' problems comin' out here. A big guy named 'Gilles' kidnapped him."

"..Oh." He says, disappointed. "At the very least; I can leave this miserable place."
"Why's it so miserable?"

"It's.. difficult to see this place in such a state." He mumbles to himself. "This was once considered to be the end of the Earth. As in, if you walked any further south, you would fall right off the edge."

Huh, you've heard sailors spin such tales, as well. You know them to be false, but it's fun to scare the new deckhands with that lie.

"Aye don't think we were ever properly introduced." You try to get just a tad closer, just to see the guy's face.
It's too damn dark, you can barely see it even though you're standing just a few feet away.

You draw a bit closer, and the light shining from the hole in the ceiling at least gives you a peek at his face. You didn't really get to see it last time.
Last time, you were a little more concerned with running away.

Let's just put it behind us.

"Jack Albator, Hero of Biscotti, at your service."
"ÆTHELNOÐ, but that might be hard to pronounce. You may call me Atlas, Hero of the nothern kings."

He extends out his hand, and you finally get to see his face.
Oh gosh, but before you notice that; you instead notice how much bigger his hand is than yours. You reach out and shake your hand, gingerly.

"I am not quite much of a hero of anything, now."

"Let me ask ye somethin'." You step back, just to stay out of his striking range. "What was that ye talked to me about? Ye wanted something, right?"

"That, I did." Atlas leans back, and takes a more calm pose. "I've been in a deep state of.. sleep. Yes, I've been sleeping for a very, very long time. When I awoke: My kingdom was in ruin, my name was lost to time, demons roamed the land, and decadent kingdoms had sprung up in its place."

"So what did ye think rebuildin' yer kingdom meant?"

"I cannot say, Jack." Atlas leans back, in his seat. "Clair's solution was lacking, and their cooperation has been inadequate."

>Wait, Clair's solution?
>What about the king? Or the Ninjas?
>Or what the demons? Who caused those?
>Aye, okay. This is a good start.
>Where could we go about rebuilding?
>What would make you stop working with them?
>Other?

>>1007564
>Clair is a fucking bitch, i'm sure her solution included double child abuse.
>Biscotti is pretty fine honestly, but catland and bearland are HELL.
>where are you from? were you always huge or is that just a power thing?
>Tell me more about your kingdom.

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Will continue tomorrow, take care!

>>1007564
>Do you actually know what happened to the kingdom?
>There might be something Aligot knows.

>>1007589
Catland has been improving, hasn't it?
At least the princess is a damn sight better than anyone.

>Wait, Clair's solution?
>What about the king? Or the Ninjas?
>Or what the demons? Who caused those?
What would make you stop working with them?

>>1007564
Votin' for this
>>1008424

So what are the chances we can get this guy to work with us from now on?

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"Wait.." You let those words echo in your mind for a few extra minutes, "Clair's solution? Ye mean the maid-lookin' beargirl?"
"Yes, someone like that." Atlas responds. "My memory has some holes in it."

"Aye, ye see, Clair is a bitch."

Atlas turns his head up toward you, and seems more confused than anything else.
"-Ye see," You continue, "I'm sure her solution included double child abuse. Not to mention that whole village thing that happened. But hey! Ye know, if ye hate Bearland, then Biscotti is a pretty good place."

He still seems confused.

"-So uh, about Clair. Ye think she had a solution? What about the king? Or the Ninjas? Or-"

"I don't know about any of that." Atlas seems more annoyed than before.

"-Then, whar about the demons? Did ye create those?"

"Create, demons?"
He grumbles in a tone that must signify his anger, or at least some frustration.

"When I was a young lad-" Oh boy, he's starting one of those old-man stories. "-Demons were a thing to be fought, to be destroyed. It was our culture, our way of life to hunt and destroy demons."

He stands up. Oh shit, did you make him angry?
"Earlier, on the path over, I found a peculiar sight. There was a wolf pack, stalking the trail. You may have saw them, as well. Did you know what was strange about them?"

"Uh, can't say aye do." You struggle to even remember seeing a wolf pack.

"-One of the wolves among their pack was not a wolf. It was a demon."

You blink. If there really was a demon this close to town, then surely one of the sentries would have spotted it?

"-Demons, they are peculiar creatures. They care not for how they attain energy, but only the means to attain it. This one had realized that if it stayed blended-in to the wolfpack, then it would be able to leech energy, power, even life from the wolves inside of the pack. The pack would grow under its protection, and it would grow from stealing the barrier's energy from the wolves."

He looks toward you, "Demons are very much like heroes. We share our energy with our casters. They steal their energy from others. This is why it is our life goal to hunt them. How many have you hunted recently, Jack?"

"Aye'd like to hunt them more, but ye have been causin' me problems, ye know? First with this bear problem, then the cat problem, then-"

"These problems aren't things you should be squabbling about. They're absolutes, they should be uniting your nations. At least, these were the problems which united my kingdom in times of crisis."

Huh, he sits back in his chair.

"Yer kingdom, tell me a little about it."

>Cont.

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"It was magnificent, Jack." He says, with almost a little sadness in his voice. "Towers which stretched to the heavens, fortresses as strong as they were gentle, and rulers as strong as they were benevolent." He sighs at the end.

"Sounds like it was a pretty good deal, so what happened?"

"Time happened, Jack. My time has long since passed. Parts of our world started to fracture, and kingdoms started to fight. The barrier made people feel invincible! With that feeling, came decadence."

"So, people got lazy. Not surprised."
Maybe not the best thing to be making jokes about; you'll make a note to yourself.

"It's more than lazy, Jack. Our people had a culture. One that promoted unity, one that raised our soldiers and our armies to fight demons, not each other, one that made the nobles and politicians into generals and warriors. It's more than just losing my kingdom, Jack. I'm convinced that my kingdom can never be rebuilt."

He puts his face back into his hands, "The true thing I lament is the loss of such a wondrous culture. A culture that far exceeds every culture I have found to exist today. In my culture, there would be no demons, no arguing, no kidnappings, no betrayals, only the sense of unity."

"Hey now, we're united. Aye got heroes from all of the countries in one big team!"

"If your countries were truly united, then you would not have needed to fight them tooth and nail for the things they should have had a duty to fulfill in the first place. You, Jack, the only one who fights demons, the only one who pursues problems, the only one who even cares that this world is in decay. In my time, the politicians and nobility you fight so fervently against would have answered to you. For a man that has solved so many problems, why have they not crowned you king?"

>Aye dun believe that.
>Tell me more.
>Hey, yer right, why aren't they crownin' me king?
>Okay, so how does anything you've done work toward rebuilding it?
>Our culture is great, too! They give me food and booze!
>You really sound like you need a drink.
>Aye still think yer crazy.
>Other?

>>1009430
>Okay, so how does anything you've done work toward rebuilding it?
>Would being a king solve anything? Sounds like a hassle of telling other people what to do.
>Things ain't going great yet, but I think me and the other heroes can work with it.
>You really sound like you need a drink.

>Okay, so how does anything you've done work toward rebuilding it?
>Tell me more.
>Our culture is great, too! They give me food and booze!

>>1009430
>"Honestly? I don't think I could stand being locked up in a single room doin' all that paperwork."
>"Now, for that culture you talked about... you could just spread that? I know I wouldn't turn down less frustration. Maybe an apology note or something from that freaking queen..."
>Sit down next to him, offer the man a drink
>"When ya get to thinkin' about the good ol days, it's best to do so when drunk and someone to listen. That's what me captain used to say. So come on, drink some and tell the stories of your place."

Didn't Louise run off to fight demons, though?

>>1009430
Oh and,

>>1009494
>Point out that Tuile at least has been doing magnificently in helping out.

Cause if he's got issues with royalty not doing anything, Tuile is pretty much the opposite of that nowadays.
That's gotta be proof that things can get better right?

>>1009499
This.

Honestly though?
I think this guy needs to get freaking drunk.
He's moping about, and just doing that on his own will do nothing but cause problems.

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"Alright, so how does anything ye've done work toward rebuilin' that culture?"

"I thought that maybe if the chance existed to start anew, then I could restart from the beginning." He sighs into his hands, "It was a foolish concept. The people just aren't the same, and I was unaware that they would be brought to me unwilling."

"Huh."
You take your flask out, and then you do something that seemed insane a few minutes ago.

You walk over, and sit down next to his seat. Even he seems a bit weirded out by the gesture.
"Ye sure ye don't need a drink?" You offer him your flask.

"Drinking is a crutch."

You take a drink from the flask.
"When ya thinkin' about the good ol' days, it's best to do when yer drunk and someone's there to listen. Ye sure ye don't need a crutch right now?"

He thinks about what you've been saying, and then takes the flask from you.
With a single gulp; the entire contents of the container disappear. He hands the metal sphere back.

"How ye feel?"
"Slightly less thirsty."

Good! That's a start!

"Honestly." You think about his proposition for a minute, "Aye don't think bein' a king would solve anything. Sounds like such a hassle, tellin' other people what to do, and bein' locked in a room doin' paperwork."

You turn to him, "Now, for that culture you talked about. Could ye just spread that? How hard could it be to spread culture?"

"Culture is not something you 'spread', Jack. It is something you follow. It is an idea that is good enough to pass to your children."

"Well, if that's the case, then our culture can't be too bad, aye? It has to be pretty good, because they give me food and booze!"

You smile, he doesn't.
"And if yer problem with our culture is that the nobility is stagnant, then aye have good news. There's a princess; one of the smartest, most wonderful women aye had ever met. Without her, I couldn't have done half of the things aye have."

He turns his head back to the floor.
"Jack, let me ask you something which Clair could not answer. Where is Prince Greta's father?"

Uh.
Huh. OH! You remember!

"Aye, he's passed away, right?"

"Correct, now. Where is Princess Tuile's father?"

..You.. sort-of remember this.

"Uh.. Hunting?"
"Right, How about Princess Charlotte's father?"

You do not know the answer to that.

"This is the sloth I refer to, Jack. The kings have abandoned their kingdoms. Demons roam the land, and their children are left with the burden of the crown. Where are they?"

You really never asked that. It never seemed like your business.

"Princesses should not be the ones trying to hold this burden themselves. Every land I visited had demons, and some countries had demons turned into weapons. Why are women, no, girls less than a hundred years of age shouldering the weight?"

>If it seems that bad, why don't you give us a hand?
>We could roam the land!
>Fight demons!
>Wreck bars!
>Fondle tails!
>Well, what would you do to fix it?
>Should I go find Tuile's father?
>Other?

>>1009855
"Well... Because they're the only ones who care enough to try?
Is it worth worrying about what those useless old men are doing? If these lasses are the ones who are actually running shit, then help guide them instead of lamenting what could have been. You pointed out how young they are, that means they're not set in their ways just yet."

>>1009877
I don't know, I'm still catching up to the quest so I'm not sure if that actually makes sense for Jack to say.

Also was there a recap thread recently?

>>1009913
Eh, no, don't think so.

>>1009913
No, I should consider doing one and updating the pastebin.

I might do one after this, we'll see.

I really did not expect this quest to last so long that it would need a recap thread, but I completely understand that I do need one.

>If it seems that bad, why don't you give us a hand?
>Well, what would you do to fix it?
>Should I go find Tuile's father?

>>1009930
updating the pastebin is fine, I don't know it seems like people manage somehow.

>>1009957
I think it's because I have very, VERY dedicated readers (And I appreciate you so much!). Otherwise, I don't know how anyone would put up with me!

Next post almost done!

>>1010053
I've been here since early on, not planning on leaving.

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"Well.."

You try to think of an answer to that.
"-It's because they're the only ones who care enough to try."

"That is correct, they are the only ones who care enough to try. Why, Jack? Why do the rulers care not for their own kingdom? Have they succumb to nihilism? Do they see the decay, as well?"

"Aye can't answer that, but ye can. If ye worried about them running the world, then help guide them instead of lamenting on what could have been. They're still young, they can learn."

He sighs, and turns back to his hands.

"If it seems bad, then why dun ye give us a hand?"

He thinks on that question for a moment.
"What is the point, anymore? The things I fought for are gone, and I awake on the brink of another dying age. I'm sorry, Jack. Your kingdoms and cultures have not dealt with the problems eating them from within. It's not as simple as a hero going and slaying your problems."

"Should aye go find Tuile's father?"

"If he ran from duty once, then I am certain he would do it again."

"Well, what would ye do to fix it?"

"I am at a loss, Jack."

This guy is really difficult.

"How 'bout this, what would ye need to know to change your mind about our culture? Ye think it can't be saved. Aye disagree."

You're going to say something, and you hope it's not going to get your face punched in. Here it goes!
"-Aye think our culture is better than yers was."

He looks up from his hands.
"..Beg pardon?"

Oh boy, this is going to be a tough bluff. This is going to be the bluff that won you the Captain's coat on your back.
Damn it; if you knew that you would have needed to bluff, then you would have got Cody!

"Aye said- 'Aye think our culture is better than yers'."

"Oh really." He crosses his arms, and he looks none too pleased, "Then, pray tell, why do you have demons hiding among every facet of your life? Why have your leaders abandoned you? Why has it come down to you, a person who dislikes the majority of the world, to save the world?"

That's a really good point.
"It's because aye haven't given up yet, and neither have they. Look at yerself, ye already gave up. If ye really feel it's a lost cause, then ye would lose nothing to help us. What're ye gonna do if ye say no? Sit in this room for all eternity?"

He thinks about your words, and you pray to whatever deity you believe in that he at least considers this instead of crushing your skull like a flea.
What deity do you believe in? Ah, the one who made whiskey. You like that guy!

"Tell ye what, Jack. Follow me outside."

>Cont.

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"WOH!"
"HUH?!"

Dorje and Yuuki nearly jump out of their skin.
Cody continues lighting his cigarette.

The massive monster of a man steps outside, and into the sunlight.

Yuuki and Dorje cling to each other. Cody adjusts his voice, and asks a single question.
"So does this mean we like, run away?"

Atlas ignores them, and instead looks toward the sun.
He extends his arm upward, and then lowers it toward the horizon.

"It's almost winter." He says, in a much more motivated tone. "That must mean you are to celebrate the winter harvest, soon?"

"Aye." You respond.
"You celebrate this occasion with a 'war', do you not?"
"That we do."
He turns to face you, and the rest of your team.

"How about this, then. I propose, that we have a contest."
Atlas, you didn't get to see it, but he has a glimmer in his eye.

"If, and only if, your entire army, heroes, legions, and generals can beat me, using all of your weapons, your tactics, and your skill. Then, Jack! Then and only then, will I admit that your culture, your kingdoms, and your heroes are better than mine were. You can bring anybody, and it will be everyone from all sides versus me."

He seems pretty confident in himself. Not to mention that he looks.. happy. The first time you may have ever seen him with a smile.
"If you can do that, Jack. If you can prove that your culture is superior to me in at least this one small way, then you may have my hand in helping your world. What do you say, Jack?"

He extends his hand.
Do you shake it?

>Yar. It's a deal.
>Nah.
>This sounds like a, err.
>Aye don't know. Isn't thar an easier way?
>How do aye know yer tellin' the truth, here?
>Other?

It's that time of night again. I will see everyone tomorrow!

>>1010745
>Yar. It's a deal.
he wants to see us unify an army... that can be done

>>1010745
>>1011039
oh, and adding to that,
>Define "beat you", we must have clear victory conditions.

>Yar. It's a deal.

>>1010745
>Yar. It's a deal.
>I don't see what kicking ass has to do with anything, but if it satisfies you then fine.

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"Define 'beat you'."

"Same way you lose at any war, Jack." He pulls at his paper-thin clothing. "Be the first to shred my clothes in combat."

Oh, right. You can't exactly kill the guy because of the barrier that protects every living thing. So it would be a contest to see who's clothes would last the longest in combat.

"Yar."
You reach out, and grasp his hand once more.

"It's a deal."
"Excellent!"

"Woh! Hey, Jack. What did we just agree to?" Cody seems nervous.
"Uh u-h u- u- Big." Yuuki unhelpfully mutters to herself and Dorje.

"Aye it's fine, Cody!" You turn and smile at him. "We just gotta beat the tough guy, here. All of us versus him at the contest in the comin' days. It's fine."

"I don't think we've properly met." Cody approaches Atlas, "I'm Cody Remington, hero of Pastillage. Over there, mutterin' to herself, is Yuuki Kuschinashi, and that's Dorothy- something; The kid being hugged like a teddy bear."

"Well met, I am Atlas. Hero of the northern kingdoms. To tell you the truth, I'm quite looking forward to this war! I haven't had a good fight in what feels like ages!"
While you do feel confident at your prospects of everyone versus him; at the same time you don't like the way he's smiling.

He's smiling like he thinks he has a chance at winning this.

That's.. really something, if he has that much confidence.

"Ye know, aye realy don't see what kickin' ass has to do with anything, but if it satisfies ye, then fine."

"It is not about the act, Jack. It's about the sport!" Atlas is still smiling, "The sport of it, the demonstration is what keeps people sharp. Training and drills are mere practice compared to actual combat!"

You're starting to wonder if you didn't just agree to something that he was just itching for you to do.

"Hey, just one question." Cody drops the cigarette, and grinds it under the toe of his boot. "What're you going to do if we lose?"

Atlas looks toward the ground, and then back at you.
"I have not decided, yet."

"Oh, great." Cody adjusts his voice, and then looks back toward the trembling Yuuki.

>Ye haven't decided yet? What does that mean?
>Try to get Yuuki back together again.
>Okay, see you later, then.
>Wait, how are you going to get to Biscotti?
>We needa go back to town and send a message.
>Aye'm startin' to have second thoughts.
>Other?

>>1012731
>Try to get Yuuki back together again.
>We needa go back to town and send a message.

>>1012731
>Ye haven't decided yet? What does that mean?
>Well I guess you can basically do whatever you want either way.
>Try to get Yuuki back together again.

>>1012731
I feel we should ask if he wants to be shipped alcohol regularly or something, but not sure if that'd be acceptable...

>Wait, how are you going to get to Biscotti?
>We needa go back to town and send a message.
>Okay, see you later, then.

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"'Ey Yuuki." You quietly approach the still-trembling girl. "Ye okay over here?"

"Y-y-y-y-y-y-"
"Could you help get her offa me?" Dorje says, with annoyance in his voice.

"Yuuki, please." You gently pry her off of the boy. She then clings to you. "What's the matter, now?"

"I-I I don't know Jack, it's j-just. I di-didn't expect him to come out h-here."

"Atlas, c'mere."
The massive man almost effortlessly draws near you. His feet carry him almost as if he is floating.

"This here is Yuuki Kuchinashi, say 'hi', Yuuki."
"H- h- Hi."

What is the matter with her?!

"Hello 'Yuuki'." Atlas responds, but you can tell he's less than amused. "It is good to meet you, but I wish to be more forthcoming."

He extends his hand to shake, and Yuuki tenses up.
Slowly, she extends her hand and grasps Atlas' hand. You can feel her breath a sigh of relief as he lets go.

"Thar, now that introductions are out of the way, aye think we needa go senda message."

"Ah, a trip to your castle?"
"Aye."

"Then, allow me to accompany you, Jack. There are still things I wish to show you."

Well, when you have a gigantic mountain formerly known as a 'man' say he wants to accompany you; then there's really only one response.

"Aye."

You make a note to de-puff at least a few of the bunny-guards. They weren't quite in talking shape, but they'll be able to fix up the rest.
Hopefully, someone will also find a way to detach Yuuki from your arm.

The trip goes in an almost awkward silence. Atlas walks in the front of the group, and gleefully admires the scenery and the atmosphere.
The way he seems to inspect each and every tree you pass is almost more than a little strange. His eyes wander into every knot and misplaced shingle of bark in a way that almost makes you think he's undressing them himself. You have seen sailors take to barmaids will more subtlety than he is giving to every tree you pass on the road.

It would almost be funny if it weren't a bit disturbing.

"Aye had another question. What'd ye mean by 'I don't know' when Cody asked what ye were gonna do if we los-"
"Shh."

He holds up his hand, and you stop right behind him.

There's nobody on the path, and nobody for a hundred miles around you!
What gives?!

"Demon." He says, in a low-growl.

"DEMON?!" Yuuki, please, that hurts.
"..What?" Cody blinks.

"Third tree to the right. That, my fellows, is a clever one." Atlas turns to face you, "-But he forgot one thing, trees in this part of the country shed their bark this time of year. His hide is still as pristine as the day he adopted that form."

Atlas cracks his knuckles, and starts walking off the path and toward that one nondescript tree.

"I don't blame you for missing that one, Jack. That one would have evaded me for quite a number of years when I was your age."

>Are you joking?
>This is a joke, right?
>Are ye really going to go off to fight a tree?
>Is this some kinda test?
>Aye O-okay, show me what you got.
>Other?

>>1013588
>Aye O-okay, show me what you got.

>>1013588
>Aye O-okay, show me what you got.

>>1013588
>Aye O-okay, show me what you got.
>Drink

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"Aye O- okay." You blink a few times, just to be sure that you're actually seeing this right. "-Show me what ye got."

You glance back at the rest of your party. They seem just as confused as you are.
Except Yuuki, she looks more concerned than anything else?

"D-demon?" She whispers, gently. "Here? This is the most traveled road in Bruschetta. We walked down this road to get to the outpost! In fact, I'm pretty sure I hit this tree, earlier."

"You have to be watchful around these parts." Atlas continues marching toward that single tree. "Humans are actually a demon's least attractive form of food. Humans move too much, and fighting one usually means fighting lots. They prefer to pursue more stationary prey."

Atlas looks to the trees surrounding that one tree. They do look slightly pale, and maybe a little sickly.
Of course, this doesn't change the fact that he's talking about a demon who has turned into a tree. What nonsense is that?

"These are the kind you have to be the most careful of; they blend into the background. It also means they fight back the hardest." Atlas continues his rant.
He then walks right to the tree in question and leans against it.

"You see, Jack. These demons, being sedentary, also are the most likely to fight back when threatened. The other ones which take after animals tend to run away. These demons feel as if there is no alternative, because they have no other way of life."

He knocks gently on the wood. Yep, sounds like a regular tree, to you.

You take your emergency flask out of your pocket and take a big swig out of it.
But, before you can put it away, you feel Cody's hand on your shoulder. He borrows your flask and takes a hit of it himself.

Yikes.

"Fortunately, with these demons, they are very skiddish. These kind are very likely to lash out if they feel they've been outed, or even if suspicion is great enough to warrant their attention."

Faster than you can even blink; he straight-up smashes the tree with the palm of his fist! It puts a really large dent right in the side of it!
Silence.

The tree remains as stoic and unmoving as ever.
"Then again, maybe not. It is hard to tell in my old years."
In a rare display; Atlas leans his head back and laughs!

There's a sigh, and a grunt from the few people behind you. Atlas seems to have prided himself on that little trick. He strides past you, and back toward the path.

"Aye, really? that was it? Ye made us think we were gonna fight a demon fer that?"
"It was, can't an old man have a laugh?"

That was his idea of a laugh? That's-
That's pretty ingenious, he didn't seem like the type to joke around like that.

"Are ye really serious about this thing, tho? That's not 'nother one of yer laughs, it it?"

>Cont.

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"Jack, when it comes to combat. I am deadly serious." He sighs, "Fighting is one of the few things in life that I find relaxing, no, more than relaxing; it's one of the few things that makes me feel alive."

"That can't be healthy, you know." Cody aptly points out.

"Some people find their calling in peace, but I always found my calling in battle." Atlas shrugs his shoulders, and continues walking away. "It's always keen to keep your wits sharp, Jack."

"Yar, but-"

"Speaking of keeping thyself sharp, Jack." Atlas turns his head, and is almost glaring straight past you, "I do believe that it is only natural to keep yourself suspicious enough to where nothing comes as a surprise."

"Err.. What?"

"EEK!"

BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

You spin around just in time to see, with writhing limbs and branches, a monster! Nothing short of spindly monster made of wood and sticks!
One of its lanky limbs has grabbed Dorje by his arm!

"I am confident in your strength, Jack!" Atlas shouts from behind you, "I wish to see how you will fell this beast!"

>QUICK! WATER!
>Shoot it!
>Take out the cutlass! Work on its limbs!
>Try to get Yuuki to help freeze it!
>Dorje is ground, right?! Get him to use it to attack the demon at its 'roots'!
>Other?!

>Whatever you do, roll a 1d100! Best of three!

With that, I sleep. See you tomorrow!

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>1013826
>Take out the cutlass! Work on its limbs!
and once we free him
>Dorje is ground, right?! Get him to use it to attack the demon at its 'roots'!

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>1013826
Hurm. Water might hit Dorje, and is more likely to push the thing away than damage it directly. Even if we had fancier methods the tree would probably resist it. Cutting should be better than piercing, so forget the gun.

Ice and earth both seem effective and we only have to bark out the orders so let's combo it. Atlas will probably appreciate the teamwork, regardless.

>Take out the cutlass! Work on its limbs!
Focus on the arm that has Dorje.

>Try to get Yuuki to help freeze it!
Tell her to free the body.

>Dorje is ground, right?! Get him to use it to attack the demon at its 'roots'!
Tell him to uproot it, might have to free him first.

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>1013826
>QUICK! WATER!
>Shoot it!
>Take out the cutlass! Work on its limbs!
>TRIPLE WIELDING

>>1013887
*freeze the body

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>Take out the cutlass! Work on its limbs!
>Try to get Yuuki to help freeze it!
>Dorje is ground, right?! Get him to use it to attack the demon at its 'roots'!

>>1013887
Oh a 74 has to be great.

>>1014004
It's no 90+, but it's good enough.

>>1014036
Well, 90+ doesn't really happen that often.

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You nearly jump out of your skin!
He wasn't joking?! This WAS some kind of test?!

"YUUKI! QUIcK!" You jump over her head, and take out your cutlass, "FREEZE THE TRUNK! I'LL WORK ON THE LIMB!"

"Got it!"

Dorje struggles and strains against the thin vine that has ensnared his arm!
You quickly start slashing at the brown tendril!

The first strike with your sword quickly imparts the realization that this is NOT something made of wood! This is very much flesh! Flesh and bone taken tree form!

"Dorje! Aye'm gonna free ye and aye need ye to attack it at the trunk!"

Cody joins in by unleashing his second set of bullets right at the vine! They strike in a tight grouping just near where you've been slashing. Your cutlass lops off thte final strand holding Dorje's arm!

"NOW, YUUKI!"

You throw a wave of water at it's base, and a massive blue bolt meets it just as the liquid hits the monster!

CRACK!

A gigantic blue stone now sits encasing the beast!

"Dorje!"
"Y-yes!"

The boy punches the Earth with enough force to make the trees surrounding the battle sway! A line of sand slowly rolls toward the monster, and then expands into a pit of gravel!

The demon writhes its limbs, and tries to find any kind of support for its massive body!

"Everyone! Now!"

All four of you move in, and the beast is helpless but to desperately grab in your general direction!
The slashing, shooting, and punching slowly starts to disintegrate the massive demon! With a shred of black smoke; the beast slowly evaporates!

Your team coughs violently, and Yuuki even falls to her knees!
But, with all that, you did it.

"Bravo!" You hear a clapping sound behind you. "That was quite impressive, everyone!"

>Yer an asshole, Atlas.
>Hey thanks for the help, by the way!
>..Aye, thanks.
>Don't say anything
>Other?

Okay, will continue tomorrow. That was just to keep the thread alive. Thanks!o

>>1017832
>Yer an asshole, Atlas.

>>1017832
>Yer an asshole, Atlas.
>But an alright kind of asshole, aye suppose.
>So are demons hiding just bloody everywhere?

>>1017832
>Yer an asshole, Atlas.
>>But an alright kind of asshole, aye suppose.

>Yer an asshole, Atlas.
>>But an alright kind of asshole, aye suppose.

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You kneel down and pick Yuuki up back onto her feet. She's safe, but you suspect she may have inhaled a glob of dirt.

Yuuki spits onto the ground, and continues coughing and gagging. You give her your flask, and she takes a drink from it.

"Ye know what Atlas." You pat Yuuki on the back, and place your flask back into your coat. "Yer an asshole."
He continues clapping, but doesn't say anything.

"But-" You spin around to face him, and he's still smiling; "But yer an alright kind of asshole, aye suppose."

"I am impressed with your teamwork, Jack." Atlas is grinning. "I can tell you have been training."
"Aye, we have." You check Dorje's arm, just to make sure. "How did ye know about that demon?"

He laughs, "I saw that one on the way to the temple. If I stopped every time I saw a demon in these parts, I would have spent the rest of my days out here fighting."

Those words make Yuuki jump.
"A-are you saying that there are that many more demons?! HERE?! In Bruschetta?!"

"That I am. Fear not, young lady. It's not just here, but almost every place I have seen with my eyes since awakening has had a demon infestation."
That statement does little to quell her fears.

"Hey, providing that you're telling the truth." Cody takes a hit from a flask that you didn't even know he had! He was bumming alcohol off you this whole time! "Why aren't demon attacks happening more often? These things are everywhere, right? So attacks should be happening all the time."

"Demons don't seek out humans for food if they can help it, Cody." Atlas continues pacing back toward the road, "They prefer constant sources. Like local deities, or shrines. Hiding is much more beneficial to them, but-"

Atlas turns to face you, "Demons are just like wild animals, they will compete with one another for something to leech off of. They care not for material or matter, but only for the protection of the barrier. When I was your age, I had wiped every demon from the land starting from the northern lands all the way to here, but-! Then I started to notice them, the ones who hid in the shadows, and hide amongst the innocent."

>Cont.

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"-Uh, how many are.. hiding?" Yuuki asks, with worry. "Are they just hiding, everywhere?"

"Around here? Almost without a doubt." Atlas nods.

Yuuki's eyes widen, and she starts walking ahead of the group toward the trail.
"Worry not, after some time you will be able to spot them." Atlas laughs.
You don't think any of it is particularly funny, but he laughs all the same.

The rest of the trek to Bruschetta goes without incident. Occasionally Atlas will stop, and search the sky for something. You don't entirely know what he is looking for, but it stands to reason that he seems to just know something that you can't seem to pick up on.

The castle guards almost immediately let your entourage pass. They don't even make an attempt to stop and question Atlas.
The bunnies are smarter than they look.

"I-I'm going to go meet with Anna for a few minutes, I-I'll be right back!"
Yuuki hurries off with an almost purposeful hop in her step.

You grumble to yourself; you just know that this whole thing has opened a new can of worms that you were hoping you could avoid.
You could go find Tuile, and have her send the message. But then, what do you do with the big guy? Bring him along?

He continues scanning the town, but he seems rather bored. You're not sure if you can just leave the big guy wandering around or not.

>Take him with you, go see Tuile.
>Hey, wait here, I'm going to go meet someone.
>The bar, let's see if you can change his mind on alcohol.
>"Hey, whar are ye gonna sleep tonight, anyway?"
>"What do ye normally do when out on the road?"
>Other?

>>1018873
>The bar, let's see if you can change his mind on alcohol.
then we can ask him these:
>"Hey, whar are ye gonna sleep tonight, anyway?"
>"What do ye normally do when out on the road?"

>Take him with you, go see Tuile.
>"What do ye normally do when out on the road?"
>The bar, let's see if you can change his mind on alcohol.

>>1018873
>Take him with you, go see Tuile.

>>1018873
>Take him with you, go see Tuile.
>"What do ye normally do when out on the road?"

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Okay, you can't just leave him wandering around out here by himself. With the guards around here; there is no telling what trouble he might get himself into.

Or worse, if the guards decide to take to him as they did to you; then there's no telling who would have to stop him if it became all of the bunnies vs him.

"Aye needa go see Princess Tuile in order to senda message. Ye wanna come?"

"I would be honored to meet Princess Tuile." Atlas keeps his eyes fixed to a few, specific points in town.
It's almost a little creepy, honestly.

You keep him in front as you walk through town. He continues to ignore the people and admire the buildings and the scenery.
It's hard to blame him; you don't like the people very much, anyway.

You come up to the airship, and remember a flaw in your plan.
Those guards still stationed to spy on you are still there.

Rats.

"Hey! When did you get outside?!"
"Aye, back off." You say to the guard, it's the same one who was hassling you earlier. "Aye needa speak with the princess. Did she board the ship?"

"Yes, but she went to take a nap, you two will have to visit her later." The guard gives you a mean look.

"That's fine, we will return in-" Atlas turns to leave.
"Move aside." You push the guard out of the way.

"Oh come on!" The guard angrily replies, "Is this going to be a repeat of yesterday?!"

"Only if ye make it that way, Lass! Atlas, let's go!"

"Hah." He laughs! Maybe he has a sense of humor after all!

You walk by the line of guards and back into the airship.

--

"So, explain that last part to me again." Tuile sits in some of the only furniture on the airship. You and Atlas sit across from her on the floor.

"He's the hero aye met in the north. The tough guy. He seems pretty great."

"And you're saying he wants a fight with our kingdoms during the festival?"

"Aye."

"Just one question Mister.. Atlas." Tuile seems apprehensive. "What do you gain from this? Is this just like a game to you?"

"I would be lying if I said that it would not be the most fun I've had in hundreds, no, thousands of years." He states, plainly.

Tuile then looks back to you, "Are you certain about this?"

>Mostly!
>Sort-of.
>It's the best chance aye have.
>Not really, but-
>Want to go drinking and aye'll tell ye more?
>He knows a lot about the world and how it works.
>Aye'd like to have that on our side.
>Other?

>>1019615
>Honestly? Yeah.
>Plus, thousand of years with no fun sounds miserable, so if fightin' is the only way he can really get into it, then that's fine.

>It's the best chance aye have.
>He knows a lot about the world and how it works.
>Aye'd like to have that on our side.

>>1019615
>yup
>he's great
>we have these pretend wars anyway, might as well spice it up a little

>>1019615
>He's a good guy to have on our side, and all we gotta do is something we were mostly gonna do anyway.

>>1019615
>He knows a lot about the world and how it works.

>>1019615
>Mostly!
>Sort-of.
>Not really, but-
>Want to go drinking and aye'll tell ye more?

>>1019615
>yup
>he's great
>we have these pretend wars anyway, might as well spice it up a little

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"Honestly, yar." You dust your sleeves off. "Aye think it would be great, mostly. WE have these pretend wars anyway, so we might as well spice it up a little."

"So you're okay with this guy versus everyone else in the world?"

"Aye, we have nothin' to lose from it. If we win, then we get a good guy to have on our side. He knows a lot about the world, and even shown me some things!"

"Okay Jack but-" Tuile eyes him with suspicion.
You can tell that she doesn't quite trust him. It's no surprise; it feels like enough people have turned on us already. It's amazing she can trust anyone at this point.

"Tell ye what, let's go to the bar and we'll get more accustomed. Ye okay with that, Atlas?"

"I don't drink."

"It's fine! Aye'm sure they might have somethin' ye like!"

You can almost hear Tuile sigh. You're wondering if she suspects if you're not just doing this as an excuse to go to the bar.

--

"I will give your culture one thing, Jack." Atlas bites into a gigantic flank of meat, "This tastes far better than the wilderness stew I eat."

"Wilderness.. stew?" Tuile asks, with confusion.

"You know, berries, grass, sometimes fresh roots from wild onions. The usual adventurers meal!"
Atlas acts like that is the most natural thing in the world as he drinks what you can only describe as a barrel of liquor.

The waittress comes by and sets down drinks for both you and Tuile. You can tell they're still at at you. The barmaid is eyeing you with an evil glare, and you're pretty sure some of the guards that were standing outside of your ship decided to follow you here.

You want to just beat them all into fluffballs right now, but you don't want to give the wrong idea to Atlas.

"You lived out in the wilderness eating GRASS?" Tuile successfully keeps Atlas distracted from the eyes falling upon you.
"It is not so bad. Grass can be quite a filler, and it has plenty of fiber."

"Well, you at least eat better when you're not camping, right?" Tuile almost seems worried.
"Your highness, I am always camping. I can simply not stand to sleep indoors. I have a bit of an anxious streak when I cannot see the night sky."

>Aye think ye need to start living indoors for a change.
>Excuse me, aye need to get some bunnygirls off of my case.
>That's interestin and all, but tell us more about this demon thing
>When ye said earlier that you 'saw some people using demons as weapons', tell us more about that
>Ye are housebroken, right?
>Other?

>>1020695
>Maybe we can set you up in a cozy house with windows up top. Or just no roof.
>That's interestin and all, but tell us more about this demon thing
>When ye said earlier that you 'saw some people using demons as weapons', tell us more about that

>>1020695
>Aye think ye need to start living indoors for a change.
>Skylights, man.

>>1020695
>Aye think ye need to start living indoors for a change.
>Ye are housebroken, right?

>>1020695
>When ye said earlier that you 'saw some people using demons as weapons', tell us more about that

No need to make the dude change where he sleeps if he is comfortable with it.

>When ye said earlier that you 'saw some people using demons as weapons', tell us more about that

>>1021030
I don't think he'd mind being able to sleep under the stars while also being in a proper bed.

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"Aye think ye need to start livin' indoors fer a change. Even if it's just a house without a roof."

"I am still not sure about that, Jack. Living indoors makes you soft."

That's quite an interesting attitude.
"What if we just put a window for the roof?"

"That is a hilarious idea, Jack! If only such a thing were possible."

You suppress grumbling, but it's hard not to.

"When ye said earlier that you 'saw some people using demons as weapons'. What did ye mean by that?" You take a drink from your mug.

"Is that not a common practice? The woman I was negotiating with had one. She assured me that using cursed blades as weapons was a mainstay."

"That woman? Ye mean Clair?"

"I do believe so, yes."

"Listen, nothin' that Clair said or did represents us. Maybe the reason ye have such a low opinion of our culture is because of the things she said."

"Perhaps, but it would make sense to use them as weapons; considering how prevalent they are. It would have never been considered back in my age, but things are different now."

"Do ye know what those kinda weapons do? This is my first time hearin' about one."

"Cursed blades bind demons to the possessor, cursing all whom it strikes. Very nasty work. When I was younger, there was a prince who was struck with one. Demons from kingdoms far away came out of the woodworks to strike at him. That was a terrible week for everyone involved, I say."

Yikes, cursed blades that summon demons? That's really frightening if he's telling the truth.
You have to make a note to inform anyone who might be pursuing Clair about that. You wouldn't want anyone you know getting hit with one of them there 'curses'.

"I would not put much worry into it, Jack. Those sorts of things can only be used once, and she did not seem like the kind of woman to such thoughtlessly wield such a blade." Atlas finishes the last of the barrel known as his 'drink'.

"Aye wonder about that. Tuile, do ye know if the letter was sent?"

"I'll know in the morning. Unfortunately, Yuuki is talking about staying and taking the long-way back. So her summoner will be accompanying her." Tuile takes a big drink from her mug.

"'The long way back?' By carriage?"

"Yeah.." Tuile frowns. "I think we should leave tomorrow, just to see them off. Also, there's some diplomatic work I should finish up before I go."

"That's not fine! Why 're they goin' back by carriage?!"

"I think.."
"It's the airship again, ain't it?"

Tuile takes another drink, and stares into her mug.
"Yes."

Oh damn it, you throw one person out of an airship and you're payin' for it the rest of your life!
Maybe Atlas was right, maybe you SHOULD be king.

>Thread End.

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Okay, sorry to stop it there! I actually wanted to go a bit longer with this thread but it seems we are on page 10.

Thanks for everyone who participated throughout the week! I hope to see everyone again on Tuesday.

Let me know what you think of how the story is going! I might have a recap thread very, very soon just to catch everyone up!

Thanks again! Let me know if the pacing is alright.

>>1021970
>"That is a hilarious idea, Jack! If only such a thing were possible."
We need to get these fuckers to industrialize their magic. Give me earth and fire magic and I'll make a whole damn glass house. I hope at least they have basic plumbing fueled by water magic.