you play as Argia Candente, the silver-haired Hand of Ansàrra. After proving your worth in your darkest hour, your Goddess has blessed you with many gifts. But the door to the Night opens, and the final hour looms…# # # # # #Welcome to the eight thread of Argia Candente’s thrilling adventures! Our scatterbrained, silver-haired (sporting a newly-found F-cup, by Ansàrra’s grace) Holy Knight (fully-fledged now!) with a penchant for daydreaming and less plagued by self-doubt after Ansàrra’s own blessings, on a quest to save the world from the resurgent Seven Sisters and their demonic rule..For tomorrow dawns in darkness, and you may have to bear the light of Her sun upon your very shoulders…So, without further ado, let’s take a look at where we come from.And then let’s decide together where we are going.
>>6357652### The sealed verses ###>ARCHIVES:>First Thread: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/6012263/>Second Thread: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/6049645/>Third Thread: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/6098808/>Fourth Thread: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2025/6154957/>Fifth Thread: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2025/6198478/>Sixth Thread: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2025/6240838/>Seventh Thread:https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2025/6309570/Thanks everyone for all the votes! Will we get every thread gilded? Make my mom proud and do your part, anon!>Voting Link: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=sunseeker
>>6357655### A post a day keeps the Seven at bay ###Update schedule: usually one updateevery 24-48 hours. Moving on, for each update you can expect between two and four posts (previous players know this might be a lie… ten-posts updates…) depending on narrative pace and player interaction. I will do my best to reply to questions and suggestions!Notice: new players, please feel encouraged to interact and play! I promptly made the summaries you see attached to these posts just for you. The more the merrier the marred, as they say in the Night Lands…
>>6357656### The lay of the land ###Rules Recap:We vote by majority to decide actions. In rare cases, if a tie happens I may incorporate both options if narratively possible or interesting. This does NOT happen for combat rolls.Usually, options are highlighted in red, blue, green (with no special meaning for the colours, I just think they are neat), and there is almost always an invitation, in bold, to add suggestions and discussion. Discussions and questions are highly encouraged as they may give you numerical bonuses or allow you to skip dangerous situations!We (generally) use a Best of Six 1d100 roll against a DC, plus bonuses.>natural 1 is a critical failure, natural 100 is a complete success.>crits in the same roll cancel each other
>>6357657 ### Dubs and Trips and Crits ### Roll vs DC for most checks. You might need to win more than once.Combat roll is (generally) Bo6, comparing rolls in succession (my first roll vs your first roll, etc.) and counting successes against my rolls (usually you need to beat only 1 or 2 of my rolls)If you or I get dubs, trips or more on the rolling post we add the following values/effects to what was just rolled and only that:>dubs: +18>trips: automatic critical success>quads: permanent bonus + kiss on the cheekOnce you got quints and you gained a nice permanent bonus.these rules apply to my rolls as well but only to the first one (as I use a single post for my rolls)>Write-Ins:there will be the occasional prompt for these. Interesting ideas or suggestions may be incorporated in the update even if they don’t reach a majority.Discussions and questions are highly encouraged as they may give you numerical bonuses or allow you to skip dangerous situations!
>>6357659 # # # Lore! And Stats # # # Pasta?Pasta!>Lore and Important Characters: https://pastebin.com/By6W3xxD(you will find yours and other character's bonuses here in this file):>MC and stats (also refer to the updated character sheet I will post further down) https://pastebin.com/CuxGS43X>Anon's spicy pasta that explores what might have happened that night our Knight got her V-card revoked...https://controlc.com/7391da03# # # # # #And now, the news…
>>6357660# # # Silver Knight Quest Thread VIII # # #Under the tender rays of Her sun, the day stretches, and you sit in Sandora’s wooden cell, watching the expressions change on her face.Rubida and Soralisa know much of what you are saying, so Rubida just sits properly, waiting for you to finish, and Soralisa kicks and swings her legs. Sometimes her fingers find yours and you entwine your hands.Sandora, ever the attentive teacher, glances at this exchange, but she does not comment on it.It feels so peaceful. You suppose part of it is—gorgeous weather, you are a Knight at last, you are going to see your family again.Now, if only the world did not end before that…The Asterite finishes eating the meager lunch reserved for diplomatic prisoners, then wipes out every plate you and Soralisa brought from Rosandra’s home.As for the auburn-haired Inquisitor, she is just as happy sitting silently in a corner. You doubts she even drew one breath ever since you all came here. Then again, she does not need to.At last, Sandora puts down her fork and looks at her lap, at her empty plate. Perhaps she is contemplating the hole in her stomach which must be filled right now, or the hole in the world that the Sisters are about to create.“The Worm,” she whines finally, her green eyes widened in shock, as she rests her head against the side of the cell. “We found its image in the Temple. Oh, Starless Night. To think I would have to be alive for its resurrection.” A pause. “Too late to ask his Imperial Majesty for a raise, I guess…”“The key to getting rid of it,” you remind her, you remind everyone as your eyes look for Rosandra, whose hazelnut gaze is already trained on you, “is to find this pivot, which is located somewhere close to the Worm. Willow is linked to it. Uh, a pivot is the spot around which something turns,” you add with a little smile. Pride would be your downfall, but it feels good to show how much you learned. Your right hand traces a circle, the gold glinting in Her sunlight. “So we find this spot and close the door to the Night.”[cont.]
>>6357661“Easy,” Sandora croaks. “At least one of the Sisters is going to be there, I suspect? Oh, and what of the effects of this door opening? The circles of the affixed stars are the gears of this door’s lock, Argia Candente! We Asterites depend on that.” She cups her shaking head with both hands. “The—The entire Throne risks dissolving in a deflagration of teratomorphic magic!”You remember the half-dissolved rogue Asterite you were sent to catch in the Temple. Little more than a mass of liquefied organs and mutated skin, and yet its pernicious magic would have been just as dangerous, had he not been burned to a charred wafer by Ansàrra’s own might.It should have been your crowning moment, but then Willow…You furrow your brow and stand up.“We will have to be faster, then. How long can the Throne last if the Worm rips through the heavens?”“I have no idea! We are doing bad enough as it is!” You have never seen her so shaken. So you cross the tiny room, your steps kicking away empty plates and you sit in front of her, taking her hand with your own golden on.“I need you to give me an answer, Sandora.”She stutters, blinks. Gives you the same look Rosandra did when she started to consider you under a new light.It still feels like you are wearing far too large boots for your size.But what keeps you from stumbling is you are walking in Ansàrra’s footsteps.And if you do stumble… She will be there to pick you up again.“We h-have…” she sighs, composes herself. “We have reserves. Our dreaming jewels can hold the collapse at bay for a little bit.”“I thought Silt was the thing that kept you alive?” Asks Soralisa, perking up. Rubida gives her a chilled glare. Not the right moment.“They are the same,” Sandora explains. “Silt is just the dust of shattered dreaming jewels, but their whole form is much more formidable.”Soralisa opens her mouth again, and Rubida clamps her arms around her, dragging her into a silent hug.Sandora, though has guessed her question. And graciously answers.[cont.]
>>6357662“The dust comes from the Borderlands. Remember?” She pulls down her robes exposing her scarred shoulder. “I went there for a time. The Silt blows from the desert, but for those who can cross it, there are still larger shards to be found. That’s the gist of it.”“How many of those jewels do you have?” You ask, going back to the topic.“Nobody knows! The Throne has reserves of its own, and each Accademia keeps some in store. But they certainly would not share with each other.”“At a glance, then.” You stand up, pacing back and forth. “One cycle? Five nights? Four?”Sandora shakes her head, runs her hand through her locks as she mentally counts.“Maybe two.”“Starless Night”.“There is a score of Asterites in the Thronelands. Each of them will need some, and more and more. My own Silt reserves are running dry.”“And you will need… ‘more and more’ as the Night advances,” you hiss.“So we may be blessed by the absence of this heathen soon enough,” Rosandra muses.“She is an ally and a friend,” you snap. Sandora’s eyes snap wide. Rubida and Soralisa’s breath caught in their throats.Rosandra quirks one of her dark eyebrows.“I will not see her harmed. Do we have any of these Jewels in the Holy Land?”“Why would we?” Rosandra scoffs.“The Adversary certainly has some,” Rubida interjects. You blink, turn to her, who rolls her eyes at you. “Do not give me that look, Candente. It makes sense for her to have them. Makes for a secondary leverage in the Thronelands. Her hooks run deep everywhere.”“Not everywhere,” Rosandra quips.“She was in Argia’s cell! Coming and going however she wanted!”You raise your hand, Rubida scoffs and adjusts herself, Soralisa still straddled on her lap.“That is one source. Then… then there is the matter of Willow,” You add. “I want to snap this pivot without it collapsing on her. I want her safe, and I want her sane.”You do not expect cheers, and you get none. Three of the other women here have been on the receiving end of Willow’s betrayal.“She is a lost kid,” Sandora sighs in the end, “but she might not be a lost cause.”“And she was still somewhat kind to me. Even if she stole your first kiss,” Soralisa grunts.“I will let Candente decide on this. There is little love lost between Willow Stark and I. But Salicera Fors was good to us for a time. Somewhat. Oh, I have had enough of Stranders…”You glance at the open sky, at Her sun, with a half smile.“All things considered, I reckon we do not have much time,” you add, sitting next to Rubida and draping your arm around her shoulder, grateful for her support. “Perhaps a couple days, plus two nights of buffer before the Thronelands go up in flames.”[cont.]
>>6357664“Worse than flames…”“And we need to understand what this pivot might be. How to strike it. And where Willow is.”You sigh. There might be someone who knows where Willow is. And where to find the Jewels for Sandora.But even with everything that happened between the two of you, you are not sure if your friends would be ready for a collaboration… Alternatively, it would not be bad to finally find Master. Or deal with Sandora’s future.Or you could focus on finding a way to save Willow, first.You close your eyes, alone with your own thoughts once again.[cont.]
>>6357665Willow is the key. Better to find a way to break the door around her, and then you can think of ten thousand ways to spank her hide crimson, after you have saved it…Sandora now knows everything. Perhaps she can join forces with you: this is why she came. The Academies might know something, after all they work with Stars, right?It was madness then, it is madness now. But after all you shared, the bond you have with the Stilladìa is still there. You will try to contact her and rope her in an alliance against the Sisters.Add a suggestionWelcome back. If the new captcha doesn't stop me from posting on /qst/ ever again, nothing will. While my patience is tested, thank you for being here. Showtime.
WE ARE SO BACK! PRAISE ANSÀRRA, my weeks are blessed again>>6357667>Sandora now knows everything. Perhaps she can join forces with you: this is why she came. The Academies might know something, after all they work with Stars, right?Before we make talk of alliances with the ancap devil we should probably focus on grabbing more brain power into our party, which is reinviting Sandora to Argia'sseraglio manipolo, /ourheathen/ shall suffer from moregirl camaraderie whatever she likes it or not.>>6357660>Anon's spicy pasta that explores what might have happened that night our Knight got her V-card revoked...It was my pleasure to write it qm, knowing you liked it already makes me giddy
>>6357667>Sandora now knows everything. Perhaps she can join forces with you: this is why she came. The Academies might know something, after all they work with Stars, right?Lithala isn't very amenable to our efforts to save Willow, and none of our friends are likely to work willingly with her. Even if we can get our polycule on-side, and Sandora, Rosandra will 100% not suffer the Adversary.Welcome back, QM!
The Thread went up 2 and a half hours early.>>6357667>Willow is the key. Better to find a way to break the door around her, and then you can think of ten thousand ways to spank her hide crimson, after you have saved it…Willow's got a plan right. hopefully we've not inadvertently fucked it by becoming a knight after she told us not to. But it's not like we had a chance not to either.
>>6357697>Willow's got a plan right.>Willow's plan:>cut Argia's connection to Ansàrra with her cool night sword, denying her faith and very reason of being>then kidnap Argia back to earth>while letting Argia's world and entire reality be destroyed by the seven sisters>while abandoning Soralisa and Rubida behind to die alongside everyone else there btwLithala is right, earth really isn't sending them their best, the real alliance between the Stilladìa and Ansàrra will be when they establish an immigration control just for stranders.
>>6357745Stilly would consider Annie one of the worst stranders, though.
>>6357747I'm not so sure about that, for all of Ansàrra's shortcomings she still saved everyone else by exterminating the Kiengiri and keeping the seven sisters at bay,even if the Stilladìawas betrayed and hates how men became too dependent on Ansàrra's blessings, even though they will probably go to war in the next century over their philosophical differences and their vision of mankind's future, I think Lithala can concede about Ansàrra's crucial role for the world's future.Willow on the other hand is willingly going to help Lithala's most hated enemy end her world, all so she can keep Argia for herself in true yandere fashion, while leaving said world at the seven sisters' mercy I'm not surprised Lithala was dismissive about "saving" Willow at all, hell only Argia really wants to save her (after smacking her rear red with her golden right hand).
>>6357778>Willow on the other hand is willingly going to help Lithala's most hated enemy end her worldWhat other option did Willow have; Completing the mission was going to cause issues, so she had to do "something". What should she have done?>All so she can keep Argia for herself in true yandere fashionSo what happens to Willow herself when she gets "found" to be a Strander during the Accolade after the mission had it been successful?>while leaving said world at the seven sisters' mercyIt's not like Ansàrra doesn't have everything in hand, just trust the plan. Willow's probably not necessary.>I'm not surprised Lithala was dismissive about "saving" Willow at allIt reflects poorly on how she would handle things going forward should she seize power successfully. And to some degree why, at least in my view Argia wasn't swayed by her Faustian offer.>Only Argia really wants to save herSo what is it that the others can't see?
>>6357660>Anon's spicy pasta that explores what might have happened that night our Knight got her V-card revoked...I don't recall this, was this posted in the qtg server ?>>6357667>Sandora now knows everything. Perhaps she can join forces with you: this is why she came. The Academies might know something, after all they work with Stars, right?anyway, welcome back OP
>>6357778Willow has legit reasons to far that this is a grim world of darkness where Ansarra is also evil. For a while, some of us were pretty sure Sunmommy was going to kills our silver-haired doofus for no reason, and Willow has the added context of knowing what anime is, what isekai is, and what an evil isekai anime church is.
>>6357697>The Thread went up 2 and a half hours early.sorry momAlso, thanks everyone for coming back and casting your votes. I see there's some lively discussion already (would not be this Quest otherwise). I see Sandora is eking a victory already but I will leave 24 more hours for voting.Thanks everyone for the welcoming messages anon. I missed this.may this thread continue to be blessed by the dice gods.
>>6357667>Sandora now knows everything. Perhaps she can join forces with you: this is why she came. The Academies might know something, after all they work with Stars, right?
Sandora now knows everything. Perhaps she can join forces with you: this is why she came. The Academies might know something, after all they work with Stars, right?At last, you stand.“Can Sandora be escorted on the shore?”Rosandra jolts.“A Heathen shall not be suffered to touch Holy Land with—”“I was a Heathen for a while,” you interrupt, your voice calm.Weird.This game, this dance… you were always so terrible at it.But now the words come out almost on their own. You are just stating what happened. Is it enough to survive this terrifying dance?You hold Rosandra’s brown gaze. You do not expect her to lower it and she does not.“You have proven yourself, Argia Candente. But this does not allow you to break long-held rules out of a whim.”“Do the same rules dictate we should treat a diplomatic mission as a threat?”“They entered Maduan waters.”“And they did nothing to deserve an Eye of the Sun to the face,” you grimly remind her. “At least let’s provide her with better quarters. Not a cell.”Rosandra sighs.At last, you both look away at the same time.“You never cease to be a headache, Argia Candente.”You share a small grin with Rubida, is glowing from the way you handled this.“I am grateful,” the Asterite says, standing up as well. “But good food and a comfortable bed will do nothing for me when the time comes. If one of the Sisters incarnates, the energies inside my body are going to bloom and burst out in a flower of misshapen meat. I had no idea something like this could even happen.”“We will work on it,” you reassure her. “Soralisa, I need you to work with our resident teacher. Try to discover where this pivot might be and how to break it.”You turn to Rosandra.“If we find this place, can we even fight the Worm? You were there the first time.”[cont.]
>>6358483Sandora’s green eyes go wide, and not with sea-sickness.The Inquisitor was there, of course. She had been there since the very beginning, but for Sandora it might still be strange to consider the actual age of the auburn-haired, bandaged woman.“That is a kinder way to put it than most,” she sighs, running a hand through her mane. “She refers to the time Saint Bragia Lacresta dispatched the Worm, six centuries ago,” she adds. “Just to make sure everyone understands… I was in Madua at the time. The attack came like a thief in the night, got us all by surprise. I fell asleep in its maw like everyone else.” She turns her face away, flushing at the memory. “I was as useless as a cut lifeline.”Right.Only Bragia knew what she precisely did to kill the Worm the first time, and you did not stop to ask her precise instructions the last time.Who else could help?You raise your eyes to Her sun.But no miracle vision fills your eyes.Which means only one thing.You will have to work for it.Such is the Will of Ansàrra.It carried you throughout all this, even in the darkest times, like with the Well, when that mask whispered to you and—Wait.“It was a pilgrimage,” you whisper.The other women glance at you, in silence. Only Soralisa seems to guess what you are about to say.“The Well. Remember?” Rubida winces. Soralisa shakes her head.She only arrived at the last moment after all.The only one who was there with you until the end, was Willow.“Those people outside of the Well! The ones with the…” you splay your hand in front of your face. “The cultists! How did they know how to find that spot?”“The Sisters speak in dreams and nightmares,” Rubida whispers. “My uncle suffered from many a sleepless night ere his downfall.”“Well. If there is one thing I know about the Seven is that they would not do anything without an audience. We need to find the cultists and track their movements.”“Those must have been in the past already,” Sandora points out. “If the Worm’s resurrection already happened, then there must have been a great movement of people past the last few cycles. After your friend… left.” She bites her lips. “Are you sure you want to do this for Willow?”“She is my friend. Like you said.”“Ha. No other reason needed. Sounds like you indeed, Argia Candente.”Soralisa clicks her tongue, shares a longing look with Rubida.“We can give her the benefit of the doubt. She was singled out by the Seven. Sunbirther knows what venom they poured into her ears.”“One last time,” Rubida agrees.[cont.]
>>6358484“I will deal with it. You just have to stay with me.”“Where else would we go? Though I would not mind taking a break to kick Astoria in the ribs. Rubida got such a fine hit! I have been jealous,” Soralisa grins.“A proper lady ought to know when to turn silk into steel,” Rubida replies.“So. We find tracks. Movements. Hints. Whatever it might help. Next, the matter of the Dreaming Jewels…”“No, Argia,” Sandora shakes her head. She sits back on the bed, looks at everyone of you. This time, even Rosandra. “We cannot lose that much time.”“But you said…”“If the Seven return, if they open the Door to the Night, it might just as well mean a return of the Kiengiri as a race.” She pauses as a chill wind seems to blow inside your chest. “Have you given it any thought? They want to open that door to bring something back. Someone. We cannot hope to stand, if that were the case.” She taps against her cheek. Just like when she told you to punch her in the face if everything else went bad… “I have taken countermeasures of my own. When I came, I hoped we would have more time, but if such is our misfortune we must ride with it. Luckily for you, I have mastered the art of living without sleep.” Sandora chuckles. “I can be your teacher, at least in this.”We are fit for storms.Your father’s voice echoes in your mind.“I will not ask you if you are sure. Very well, then… we track the cultists… unless someone has another idea?”“It is a desperate move, Argia,” the Asterite reminds you. “Those tracks might have disappeared. There is a chance we might find something, but it is a stretch.”“Can you contact your Asterite colleagues? They might have more hints about where to find the Worm.”“It is going to wear me out, but I can send a few dispatches. I just need a blade.”“Good. At least we have that.”It does not feel that reassuring.Sighing, you look at the sky again, at the silver streak the cleaves it in two.It is still there. Her brother’s pulverised body.As long as that ring is over there, you still have time…But you need to find way to use it in the best of ways.You set your hand over your brow, thinking, doubtful, but thinking…[cont.]
>>6358486The Seven speak through nightmares… you felt their pull from the wound in your chest, but that is fixed now. Unless… Rubida still has her mark on her right arm, doesn’t she? If you follow that trace to your inner world… though that would mean risking a contact with Celaeno…You will play it safe and let Sandora and Soralisa try to find the right tracks. You can even ask Carnaval help. This would keep you and your friends the most protected.Or you could reach out to Lithala. She was always one step ahead of everyone else, besides Ansàrra Herself. And she was already getting prepared. If you find the right words…Or perhaps there is another way. If Argia thinks about Bragia’s early history, she might find a hint… for you to guess.Gave some hints about this last thread that Argia might be able to connect
>>6358488>hintsDamn, Sunseeker, it's been a bit. Uhh...Well, she was in the Night lands when she gave birth to the Worm. Did we have any IC way to know that, or infer it? On thing might be that this place alone is never touched by Ansàrra's sun. As for where in the Night Lands, once could reasonably assume a Kiengiri ruin, as they're obsessed with their lost golden age and IIRC that's also where Bragia and company encountered their Sister for their showdown.Beyond that... I got nothing.
>>6358585>and IIRC that's also where Bragia and company encountered their Sister for their showdown.Nice suggestion anon, if we are supposed to infer from Bragia's early history maybe the abode where they faced Merope the first time could be a hint? At least Argia was present when she saw the whole fight.>Damn, Sunseeker, it's been a bit. Uhh...Kek I'm also terrible at puzzles, in any case if we fail to figure out I say we gamble hard and chat up Celaeno what is the worst that can happen right?
>>6358601We already hugged Satan and got good-girl pats from God, so how bad can a bunch of Assyrian transhumanists who take turns in the cuck chair for the sake of some sister-shtupping isekai edgelord be?
>>6358488>You will play it safe and let Sandora and Soralisa try to find the right tracks. You can even ask Carnaval help. This would keep you and your friends the most protected.
>>6358488To be clear, if >>6358585 fits for...>Or perhaps there is another way. If Argia thinks about Bragia’s early history, she might find a hint… for you to guess.Then I'm going for that. If that's off-base, or in a tie-breaker situation, I'm all aboard>The Seven speak through nightmares… you felt their pull from the wound in your chest, but that is fixed now. Unless… Rubida still has her mark on her right arm, doesn’t she? If you follow that trace to your inner world… though that would mean risking a contact with Celaeno…
>>6358585>this place is never touched by Ansàrra's sun>Kiengiri ruins>obsessed with their lost golden age>>6358601>infer from Bragia's early historywell, damn.I'll start writing in a couple hours.
>>6358488>The Seven speak through nightmares… you felt their pull from the wound in your chest, but that is fixed now. Unless… Rubida still has her mark on her right arm, doesn’t she? If you follow that trace to your inner world… though that would mean risking a contact with Celaeno…
>>6358488There is a place that matches your guesswork.It could actually be two places.But one is the lost wastes of the Kìtum. You have never set foot there, but you know the tales: of the destroyed towers of the Kiengir, their black shafts still burning, still bearing the brunt of Ansàrra’s final assault, when She brought down the Old Sun upon them. The land is choked with teratomorphic dust.A graveyard of memories and tyranny, a few hundred miles to the north of the very Holy Land.To say that it also borders the Sea of Candèa!But no.You should think like a Sister to guess the workings of her mind.You have seen Merope: how haughty she was, to her own ruin. She was blind to both the Sun-Birther’s plan and Lithala’s last-moment bet. So, if you were to come back to life, to finally incarnate after all those thousand years, where would you do it?What place would you call home?What place would it be closest to your beloved, to the ring of silver that encircles the world?And that second place makes too much sense.You have also never been there—but Saint Bragia did.The Sisters know the Stilladìa will fight them. They must have chosen her old homeland as a way to twist the knife even deeper.It is what they would do.“Willow is in the Night Lands,” you mutter.Silence wraps around you.You turn to the spectacle of Rosandra’s face, stunned.“That is… the farthest place from the Holy Land. Why mount an attack when they have to cross half the world?”“It is right under the planetary ring. And it is not just Ansàrra they are fighting against.”“The Stilladìa,” Sandora snaps her fingers. “Right! I should have made the connection myself! Curse this lack of sleep.”“I would love to let our enemies consume each other,” Rosandra growls. “But if it is as you suggest, that would only mean the victor would be so much stronger.”“We cannot leave the Stilladìa alone,” you say. You slip.The silence that follows feels much more like thin ice.Like the sort of treacherous terrain that would have swallowed you whole, at one point.“The Sisters are the bigger enemy. We can focus on the Adversary later. Perhaps even join forces together. For the present.”“You have spoken to her,” Rosandra hisses. “The Trial is past, so I shall not ask myself if she has poisoned your mind. I shall ask you, Argia Candente. Can I trust you?”“Yes,” you reply at once.“Then I shall.” Rosandra holds up her hands. “You know the consequences of your failure.”[cont.]
>>6358884You look at her stunned.“I would have expected…”“Walking in the light of Ansàrra leads us through dark places,” Rosandra explains. “I would be a fool to doubt you after what happened, even if I will express my displeasure if we ever are to breathe the same air as that wretched being.”The seething hate in her voice feels like a river of lava.How ironic, knowing what you know.Perhaps one day, if Lithala desires to, there will be room for the whole truth.For now, you will pave over the cracks.Are you… behaving like Ansàrra right now?Truly Saint Bragia’s heir, are you not?“Alright… alright. We have a plan. And we need supplies, ships, everything. Fastest route! And…”“And we need to know where she is. Where the Worm is.” Rubida raises her hand, attracting your attention to ground you. “The Night Lands are vast. We can’t look under every rock while the world breaks around us.”Your eyes fall upon her right arm.“No. No we cannot. Rubida… I need you to lend me your arm.”Her eyes widens as she covers it with her healthy one.“H-How so?”“There is a connection. Like my old wounds, but that was cleaned up after the Trial. Yours is the last one we have to the mind of the Sisters. I can use it to pinpoint their location.”“You would face Celaeno,” Rosandra whispers. “If I was not used to your bravery being foolish, Argia Candente…”“If anyone else has a better plan I will be happy to hear it,” you add. Look up at the sky.If the Sun-Birther has any revelations for you, it would be the time to share them.But then again, that is your tiny, mannish, animal desires speaking.Not Her indomitable Will.No revelation comes.You will have to do with what you have.[cont.]
>>6358885“I will do it,” Rubida agrees. “But I need a bit of time to prepare. Please.”“You will have it. Sandora and Soralisa, I will still need that check on the cultists. They are going to be there, we need to gauge their numbers. And reach them before…”“You also need to sit down and drink something,” Rubida pulls you onto the closest seat. “You may be made of gold but you certainly are not made of stone. And the only one who has eaten anything so far is our Asterite.”“I… yes. Sorry. I got a little too involved.”“Same old,” Rubida says setting a kiss on your lips. Sandora makes a face like gagging, but you ignore her.“Speaking of things you need,” Rosandra is right next to you, her bandaged fingers tapping over your metal upper arm. “It has been a while since I have seen you swing a sword. Gold does not rust, but flesh and bone certainly do. You need some training.” A glint goes off in her eyes. “And you are in luck: everything falls to its proper place.”You will accept her offer. Rosandra may show you things she would never be able to do anyone else.Actually you would still prefer to spar with Master. And recruit him and Carnaval… Good idea, but finding the Worm is more important. You will deal with Rubida first… after a quick lunch.Add a suggestion. Keep in mind time is limited# # # # # #Well, I'll be! I did not expect anons to connect how Argia should have been able to guess the Night Lands thanks to her experiences inside Lithala's memories. Good job everyone! Making a retarded QM proud... how dare you...
>>6358888>You will accept her offer. Rosandra may show you things she would never be able to do anyone else.Finding willow is all nice and good but Argia will still have to fight her anyway, since it's inevitable Argia will have to face and fight a much more powered up willow I vote for her to train with someone away above Argia's current strength, which is rosandra, master is definitely powerful too, but Rosandra is still a monster hag with a millennium of experience under her belt, she can use whatever rosandra can teach her combat wise>“We cannot leave the Stilladìa alone,” you say. You slip.I know lithala is your oshi Argia but please keep the fangirling to a minimum, you can get your discounted bragia merch from your idol later.>I did not expect anons to connect how Argia should have been able to guess the Night Lands thanks to her experiences inside Lithala's memories. Good job everyone! Making a retarded QM proud... how dare you...it was a good puzzle qm and I definitely have to thank the anon who put the puzzle together by mentioning Bragia's battle with merope.>>6357828>I don't recall this, was this posted in the qtg server ?Nah back then I posted the link in the last thread (#7), I don't really post those at qtg it fits more here.
>>6358920>discounted bragia merch from your idolkek>I definitely have to thank the anon who put the puzzle togetherIt is often a challenge to figure out how the character should know a thing that I know OOC, but I have practice. I'm glad it worked!>>6358888>You will accept her offer. Rosandra may show you things she would never be able to do anyone else.
>>6358888>Actually you would still prefer to spar with Master. And recruit him and Carnaval…Getting a second opinion on the plan and seeing if we borrow a heavy hitter or two could prove very useful.
>>6358920>Nah back then I posted the link in the last thread (#7), I don't really post those at qtg it fits more here.I missed it, so I assume it was after the ending of the quest
>>6358888>You will accept her offer. Rosandra may show you things she would never be able to do anyone else.
>>6358888>“Same old,” Rubida says setting a kiss on your lips. Sandora makes a face like gagging, but you ignore her.I missed my homophobic scholar>You will accept her offer. Rosandra may show you things she would never be able to do anyone else.
okay, 4 to 1, we have a clear majority. Writing.
>>6358888You will accept her offer. Rosandra may show you things she would never be able to do anyone else.You do get a quick lunch, though.You finish the last of your meat while looking at the sea, sitting on the stone balcony of the closest Flame Temple. Rubida and Rosandra are with you, while Soralisa and Sandora are out there on the ship.It was not just the Inquisitor: none of the priests would accept the Asterite, so she had to wait on the ship. At least you managed to get her and Soralisa as many books as you could. They would probably be able to find something… but you will have to trust Rubida with the rest.She gives you a glance, the empty mug of fermented milk and hone resting in her lap.“Better?”“We all needed it.” A pause. “I had started to enjoy the calm, and now this happens. May the Sun-Birther preserve us all.”“Still, I’m glad Sandora is with us,” you point out. “It feels like our journeys were not for nothing.”Rubida gives you a smile, but then her hand goes to rub her right arm.“This might be harder on me than that time you left me alone in the Well.”“I would ask nobody else.”“You cannot, Candente. Do not try to put honey on your words. You are far too good at it, and it ruins everything else.”Was that a backhanded compliment?“Still, I will do it. Of course I will.”You stand, setting the plate on a stone table and reach out for Rubida, drawing her into a tight hug.She hugs you back.Not long ago she would have smacked you in the face for daring to touch her.She used to mock you.All to protect her friends from what she believed to be your curse…Truly, everything falls to its proper place.“I will need you to refine your meditation and focus on your inner world. I will go looking for the Seven, but you will have to hold the door open.”Rubida snickers.“It feels like we are still in the Well, after a sort.”“I do prefer the light out here much better.”“And I do prefer the company.” She entwines your fingers, rubbing her thumb against your palm. “I have given it some thought. Do you still believe that Willow did all that just to save your soul?”“Yes. She is misguided. And jealous. Probably a thousand other things I do not have the brains to name.”“Bother not. I would add a couple thousand more myself.” Rubida leans against you, sets a kiss on your cheek. “But I will admit she was good to me, until the moment she was not. When it comes to being kind, I’d rather follow your lead.”“She does not deserve what the Sisters would do to her. Still. She does deserve what I am going to do to her.”“Soralisa will want to watch—”“Uh…”[cont.]
>>6359577You pull back, redness spreading over your cheeks. You did not mean to—“One thing that has not changed about you. You are still so easy to fluster. Please do not lose that innocence, Candente. Do not let Willow take it away… or the Adversary… or the Seven.”You nod.Rubida gives you another quick kiss, then stands up and walk away.“I will find a place where to meditate and focus. If you two want to spar, it might be a good idea to find a better place. The balcony is quite narrow.”“That will not be necessary,” Rosandra explains.Following her habit, she sits on some narrow spot, overlooking the fall from the Temple’s edge to the rocky shore, one hundred feet below. Always perching like a bandaged crane.She swings her legs towards you and advances, her gaze following Rubida even after she disappears inside the Temple.“You have many noble friends, Argia Candente. I trust the Sun-Birther will be kind on madama Dell’Obertengo. And if I am mistaken, her Anthilian blood will provide some help.”“Have you seen it before?”“I was there before Her sun was born, Argia Candente. I have seen many losses and many pointless victories. Yours have insofar been far from pointless. But you need your sword sharpened.”“I am ready.”Rosandra snorts, amused.“How eager. If that is true, please sit down.”You blink, surprised, but do as she says, choosing the same spot.“Now, dreamfast with me.”She sets her bandaged hand against your face, and at the touch, you feel like falling… falling… falling…[cont.]
>>6359578# # # # # #When you blink, you are not in Madua anymore.It is an open field, red dust surrounding you, all the way to far-off hills that wrinkle dark to the horizon.The sunlight… is different.The sky is darker. A deeper blue, like the inside of a painted teacup. The sun is—it is not Her sun.It is far smaller, paler and seems distant. The light barely warms up your skin.And in the sky there lays a moon… like Earth’s moon?But this one is larger. And from the dark patches on its skin you see the outline of an empty orbit, a hole where the nose would be, the ridge of human teeth… hanging there in the heavens.“You have recovered sooner than I expected. Good.”Rosandra steps out of your shadow. For the first time since you have seen her, she is not covered in bandages, but wears a shirt that falls loose over her slender body, and a pair of short trousers that expose her legs and feet.“What is this place?”Though you have a hint. It does not feel like Lithala’s memories, but it is similar enough.“Why, it is just the same,” she grins. “The very same shore. Ere the sea came back.”You knew Rosandra was ancient. To feel the span of centuries, of millennia… it is a completely different thing. Your knees feel like giving out.“Before Ansàrra.”“There was never a time before Her. But these were the dark years before She drew Her light for us all. Now. Do you have any idea why I brought you here?”Yes.You open your mouth to explain.Something hits you in the chest.Breath and blood and bone bursts out of you. You look down at where Rosandra’s arm pierces you right under the cameo.Your vision goes black.The pain envelopes your like a blanket of thorns.I did not—She withdraws her arm.You fall on your knees.“You are slow, Argia Candente.” Her bloodied hand covers your vision. “Even in dying.”She grasps your skull and—You draw in a breath. Stumble back.Rosandra is in front of you.Not a drop of blood on her body.You palm your chest.It is still whole.Oh.[cont.]
>>6359579“Ah— I… I think I see now.”“Good. This kind of training gives us all the time we need to smooth out your edges, Argia Candente.”“O-Or bash them in,” you sputter. Pain still radiates from where she broke through you like wet paper.She could have destroyed you in a blink.It is only thanks to your faith that you are still here.“Whatever it takes. We are about to face one of the Seven. I am sure you understand the gravity of such an endeavor.”“I do.”Rosandra shows you that smile she reserves for when you manage to impress her.“Worthy words from the pupil of Ibardo Delebasse. I always thought his teaching methods were a bit too soft. Sure you can withstand a bit of rough play.”You nod.Hold out your hand and your sword, the one you pulled out of the twisting tree, appears from the grip all the way down to the blade.“Now, I will make a valiant attempt to keep my movements readable, Argia Candente. Let us discover how many times I have to kill you before you learn.”You raise your sword, taking on the Lion’s aggressive stance.Just another chance to make Master proud.>Combat rolls!>Now, there is no way you can fight Rosandra on even ground, so you will just have to score a 160 to show you are trying.>Best of Six, 1d100+24+18+36 (total +78), Critical on a Nat 97-100. A Nat 1 is not a critical failure>DC 160Best of luck anon…[cont.]
Rolled 33 + 78 (1d100 + 78)>>6359581
>>6359581Rosandra Brusera Da Roccafonda, Knight of Gerofalco+178 with bare hands+166 with any weapon>At any time Rosandra rolls a number that contains a 6 (i.e. 16, 26, 36, 6 and so on), she can count that roll as a critical success. She counts Natural 1 as a simple number, not as a critical failure.>Any time Rosandra scores a critical success, she acts before her opponent.>Any time Rosandra risks suffering any kind of damage, she rolls 1d6. If she scores a 6, she prevents that damage.>Any time Rosandra has suffered any kind of damage that was not prevented, she rolls a 1d6. If she scores a 6, she recovers that damage.>Rosandra has access to any Sanction. She is granted any Sanction at no cost, with no roll. Sanctions cast through Rosandra have any effects doubled and maximized.>If Rosandra embibes the blood of a believer, any Sanction cast through her has its effects furtherly tripled.I have fond memories of when the thread comments debated about fighting Rosandra and what kind of chances you might have...
Rolled 17 + 78 (1d100 + 78)>>6359587GodDAMN.>>6359581Uh, r-rolling... Bracing for impact
Rolled 100 + 78 (1d100 + 78)>>6359581Ahhh I was missing those combat rolls qm, may the dice carry Argia to survive Rosandra's rough play (or fewer deaths).>>6359587>spoilerAnd I remember how Soralisa and Rubida were stupified over master sparring with argia with a blindglass weapon back at thread #3, turns out that doesn't even count as rough play to Rosandra.nice to know that my suspicions about fighting Rosandra meaning instant death were correct, I feel vindicated kekonce again it's a top 3 major achievements from anons that we managed to get Argia to befriend this monster hag, right there up with the quints
TOTAL HAG DEFEAT! PRAISE ANSÀRRA!
>>6359606We even got a six...
Rolled 24 + 78 (1d100 + 78)>>6359606Incredible stuff happening>>6359581rolling just for the participation trophy and for the rare quints
>>6359606>>6359608
Rolled 15 + 78 (1d100 + 78)>>6359587Nice to see this is back sun!>>6359606Holy shit anon!
>>6359606anon...once again, dice carry this quest.>>6359608Rosandra is a Dark Soul boss but Argia is a Bloodborne player>>6360210thanks! It's good to be backnow, I'll leave roughly 8 more hours for rolling, after this, given we have a Crit, I'll add the update. But if anyone gets any more 100 Nat I'll add a small permanent bonus, just to celebrate Argia's awesomeness.
Rolled 17 + 78 (1d100 + 78)>>6359581I'll get this last roll in. We'll give Rosandra our best.
>>6360322good job anon. nice dubs!
>>6359581>Anon gets a Nat 100dice carrying this quest once again.# # # # # #You die a few times.Once when Rosandra hits you in the head—or where your head would have been. Her strike burst it into a thousand gooey bits, a red and silver flower to paint the dust with.But soon you recover.Once when she just jumps ahead, away from your thrust, and lands behind you, grasps you by the arms and breaks your back over her knee, and for good measure she rips you apart, splinters of bone cracking like thin branches.But soon you recover.Once when she just kicks you in the torso, sending you flying high, and when you come back she has the same bored expression on her face, and she elbows your in the neck—That one was almost painless.But soon you recover.She also kills you when you hesitate.When you try to strike ahead.When you try to defend yourself.Again and again and again.Soon you recover.“Getting tired, Argia Candente?” She goads you with a grin.“Perhaps a bit.” You spit on the sand and rise your sword towards her. “It means I will just have to do it tired.”“Good thinking!” She praises you, and then she jumps and Rosandra is just a dark shape moving too fast for your to blink, and she has shattered your pelvis and as you fall she crunches your neck under her bare foot.Again.You are pretty sure it has happened before.But what you must do——she kills you again——is to stand up——again——and again——she pierces your orbit and pops your eye and your brain——and again——and again——and again—And then you raise your sword just right. You step to your right and you smash into her with your golden hand, and—[cont.]
>>6360396Rosandra slaps your fist away, then kicks you in the sternum. Your ribs crack inward, your gasp as your heart gets smashed.Again, then.“Are you getting tired yet?” She asks you, gently helping you stand. Rosandra takes a few steps back, still just as relaxed as when she first killed you. “A bit frustrated.”“How so? Dying is a bit tiresome but usually it only happens once. I apologize if this—”“No,” you shake your head. “I’m just a bit frustrated because I am not learning quickly enough.”Rosandra laughs.“Ha!” She says when she overcomes her mirth. “Truly the Sun-Birther knew what She was doing when I was set on the path that led me to you, Argia Candente. Now, again.”And again.It takes you time to learn, truly. But learn you do.Rosandra’s movements, her tells. You are sure she can change it up in a moment, but as she said, she is trying to stay consistent.When you will face the Seven and their servants, you will not even be given that courtesy.It takes a little longer to die, each time.Like the droplet carving through rock, you find yourself winning precious seconds.Just a heartbeat or two.But—You die again.And then, the next time, you accept it. You are going to die. She is going to kill you.So you relax your body and once more you put yourself in the hands of Ansàrra.And when Rosandra raises her arm to strike, you see it. Your body acts before your brain.A blessing, for sure.Your golden hand dashes forward, catches Rosandra’s bandaged wrist, pulls it forward, and you use her own momentum to slash at her with your sword.Your weapon hits something.“Ah, Argia Candente.” Rosandra looks down where your sword has pierced her skin. She oozes a red-ruby blood which paints her bandages crimson, though the lines from Ansàrra’s own golden blood remains starkly visible over it. “A fine strike indeed.”“S-Sorry,” you say, this time because your tongue is faster than your brain.Rosandra laughs again. She pulls her arm back and the wound closes itself. Her blood comes back into her veins. Everything is as it had been.“How proper of you to apologize. I hope this means you do not consider me an enemy.”“No.”“Not even after all the times I killed you?”“This was just training.”She nods.“Now—how do you feel?”[cont.]
>>6360397Strange question. You check yourself.Your body feels lighter.Your arms stronger.And your aim more precise.“A bit… perhaps a bit better than before?”“Just a bit better,” she smirks.“Training seems to work, then.”“You tell me. This has certainly improved you already. Now… I have my own ideas, but you were the one who faced this Willow Stark. I know she is highly-regarded as a skirmisher, and yet you seem to fear her for different reasons. Perhaps I can teach you something else, next?”Has she ever faced one of the Seven? Any specific suggestions? Besides what you already know…You are mostly worried about ways to save Willow herself. The real battle will inside her heart and for her heart. Has there ever been someone who came into the light of Ansàrra after abandoning it?Perhaps just more melee training. (if choosing this option, repeat a roll: 1d100+81, DC 170)Add a suggestion or request # # # # # #>Your skill with your sword has greatly increased! You gain +2 for passing Rosandra’s challenge, and a further +1 for doing so with a flair (total: +3, see updated character sheet)
>>6360398>You are mostly worried about ways to save Willow herself. The real battle will inside her heart and for her heart. Has there ever been someone who came into the light of Ansàrra after abandoning it?
>>6360398>You are mostly worried about ways to save Willow herself. The real battle will inside her heart and for her heart. Has there ever been someone who came into the light of Ansàrra after abandoning it?We did see Rosandra proselytizing to the Throneland's villagers after healing them two threads ago, Rosandra must have some experience in dealing with heathens's countless fears and doubts over Ansàrra's intentions by using more than just the threat of overwhelming violence.>>Your skill with your sword has greatly increased! You gain +2 for passing Rosandra’s challenge, and a further +1 for doing so with a flair (total: +3, see updated character sheet)Sweet, even sweeter to see that number in the character sheet qm (and all it took was Argia dying countless times until she memorized Rosandra's moveset like a true Bloodborne player), makes me tempted to train again just to see if Argia can get a bigger drop of blood from Rosandra, but frens come first
>>6360398>Has she ever faced one of the Seven? Any specific suggestions? Besides what you already know…Rosandra is terrifying and especially eager to torture apostates. I really don't think she's the one to ask about Willow's immortal soul, or prospects of living to again see the Sunbirther's mercy and set foot on Her Holy Land's soft soil. She'll just be like "lol, no, stick her on a spike and parade her around as a warning to those who haven't strayed already."
>>6360398>>You are mostly worried about ways to save Willow herself. The real battle will inside her heart and for her heart. Has there ever been someone who came into the light of Ansàrra after abandoning it?
>>6360398You are mostly worried about ways to save Willow herself. The real battle will be inside her heart and for her heart. Has there ever been someone who came into the light of Ansàrra after abandoning it?You lower your sword, looking around yourself, at a world without Ansàrra.Or rather, at a world before She was revealed.The blasted surface of the Moon. Was this Her brother’s form, ere She pulverized him?This is an unkind place.And kindness is not something you would associate with Rosandra.Yet, a memory stirs. Back in the Thronelands, when she did set you and your friends off to a completely unnecessary mission, all to free those villagers from the serpent men.It certainly allowed her to better understand your character, but she did it unprompted.And when you told her about the cultists, she refused to go and butcher them on the spot, even if that was what you expected.Maybe she will surprise you once more.“There is one thing.”She nods, waiting for your words.“I was thinking of Willow.”The crease on her brow shows you are walking on thin ice again.“She used to be on our side, if barely. Is there a way to bring her back? Will Ansàrra accept her if I manage to get through to her?” You look at your golden hand.The two entwined squares on your back pulsate.You suffered through all this and more, and gladly so. Surely at this point Willow will understand that your faith is stronger than her fear.“Faith cannot be imposed.” Rosandra crosses her arms over her chest. “A believer’s house can be taken away. Their belongings, their friends, their family. Their life, even.”For a moment you are back on the Temple, that flash of molten gold falling upon you like the final curtain.“But their faith cannot. And as such, it cannot be given by others. If this girl wants to come back to the Sun-Birther, if she truly wants to, then her salvation might be arranged.”Your heart jumps in your throat.“And yet, it will all be up to her. I cannot lure in no more than you can convince the ocean to jump into your mug.”“Willow is doing all this because she thinks she is saving my own soul. From giving it to Ansàrra.”“Then she is committing a theft. Robbing you of your choice.” Rosandra plucks on a bandage strand, tying it back with the others. “Thieves are not known for putting back what they once tried to steal. You would have to convince her.”Your shoulders slump.But how?[cont.]
>>6361243At least your goal is a bit clearer now. Rosandra put it in the right way, you feel: she robbed you of your choice, in the depths of the Temple of Saint Bragia.Now she is doing even worse, accomplice in the theft of the world.The only thing she cares about is you.And only because she wants to prevent Ansàrra from stealing your soul. Which She never did…… in fact this entire ordeal with the Stilladìa and the cameo and all the truths you had to go through only happened because you had the freedom to do so.So you will have to make Willow understand you did all this by yourself.Uh.She is going to be thrilled.“Has it ever happened? For someone to come back to Ansàrra.”Rosandra breathes through her nose. She gives you another of her looks, but it’s as if she’s looking inwards.“The Sun-Birther’s grace is boundless. It has happened. More than once. Often even the most foolish do turn right.”“Oh.”“Oh indeed, Argia Candente.” She raises her face to look at the sky. Not at the pale haphazard sun, but at the one that will take its place. Hers. “This Willow may have been ensnared by the Seven, but she has robbed you of choice indeed. Until she gives it back, there will be no helping her. Not even from you.”“I… I see.”How typical of Rosandra. Cleaving right through everything, reaching the core of things.Now you just have to convince Willow to listen to you.How are you even going to do anything like that, you wonder…Your hand coils around your cameo.Well.Perhaps the way you have done anything else so far.You’ll just do it.“Now, there is one more thing that—” Rosandra trails off. She blinks. Raises her hand.[cont.]
>>6361244# # # # # #You blink.Rosandra takes her hand away from your face.Sunlight on your skin.The right kind. Warm, golden and welcome. You are in your own time once more.And from above the Temple comes the whooshing of wind, and a crinkling of crystal.You gasp, looking up at the thousand crimson shards in a shape of wings.At the alabaster-pale woman carrying an old man in her arms.Carnaval touches land next to you and pours Master on the ground. His grey eyes shine like stars and he looks like a renewed man.“Look at you,” he says. Reaches out and pulls you in a hug.“Oof.”“I knew it. I knew it. I felt it in every one of these old bones!” He laughs.You blink, and blink, but wet damp tears still run down your cheeks.“Master—” you gasp.Did he see? Did he see you at the Trial?He was evidently swept up by Carnaval. You might want to share you know how it feels now…You hug him back and show off your golden arm!Or add a suggestion. Master is here!
>>6361247>You hug him back and show off your golden arm!
>>6361247>You hug him back and show off your golden arm!Hey, we get the reunion (and back-up) after all! Good news, anons!
>>6361247>He was evidently swept up by Carnaval. You might want to share you know how it feels now...Master deserves to know /ourknight/ proudly got her V-card revoked>>6361244>“This Willow may have been ensnared by the Seven, but she has robbed you of choice indeed. Until she gives it back, there will be no helping her. Not even from you.”So if we want to change her heart, Willow has to be convinced this is ultimately Argia's choice, that nobody is stealing her soul and that it's freely given.Yeah that's not happening. Even if Willow is convinced that this is Argia's choice she will think that Argia is being deceived and will proceed to kidnap her anyway, I'm already seeing this ending in a fight to the near death and Argia will probably have to break all of Willow's limbs, then smack Willow's rear with her golden arm until her cheeks are darker than her nightsword before a change of heart is an option. mindbreaking is an argument right?Jokes aside at least she will be in the right mindset about Willow's complaints on the custody of Argia's soul and where to start to address them
>>6361299Honestly, I think the heart of Willow's issue remains as it ever was: she doesn't believe in, or respect others' autonomy. She still has that superiority complex where everyone else is "NPCs." She's an edgy Reddit (well, 4chan) atheist, and she is pretty sure she is in an anime isekai world where everyone is as or more mindless than normies back home. Argia is her waifu, but she still thinks she's "christcucked" by an evil Italian woman who has brainwashed her, and she thinks far less of all the other people in this world.Right now, I think that showing her that we are, genuinely, "thinking with our own head" is the answer, and finding a way to prove to her that even if other people prefer not to or don't do so for other reasons, it doesn't mean they and their lives and feelings are irrelevant.We essentially need to deradicalize a femcel
>>6361325>We essentially need to deradicalize a femcelShe a lesbian, not a femcel, anon
>>6361576What did anon mean by this ?
>>6361389She's both. She is a lesbian who isn't getting action from anyone and is a bitter misanthrope about it.
>>6361247>You hug him back and show off your golden arm!Hug him!
the hugging council has spoken...writing.
>>6361247You hug him back and show off your golden arm!Then you squeeze him into the tightest hug you can.He barely lets out a huff. Master is as tough as an oak and just as ancient, so even your renewed strength does little to bother him.You are also fairly sure that if Carnaval’s embrace did not crush him, you certainly will not.“You have become stronger,” he muses, withdrawing from the hug to give you a once-over. “Look at you. Same silver hair, same eyes. And yet you walked through the fire and back.”“I spoke with the Sun-Birther,” you confess in a whisper. It still feels like something you ought to keep secret, or something that happened once in a legend, certainly not to Argia Candente.Carnaval’s eyes widen.“And?” He prompts you.“She was warm. She gave me a chance to stay, but I wanted to come back. To finish what I have started. And to save Willow.”He blinks.Right.“Salicera Fors.”You doubt Carnaval has told him everything about what you did.“But that is why I was training with Rosandra and I will then be busy with Rubida. That said, look!” You flex your right arm, displaying how your new arm glistens under Her sun. The honeycomb pattern like broiling waves of golden heat. “I survived the Trial and got this in turn!”Master’s eyes open in wonder. He passes his hand over yours, unable to speak.“But what happened to your hand?”“I—” you hesitate. But no: he deserves to know everything. “It was burned. By a Sanction. It didn’t last!” You quickly add. “And it was all part of the Sun-Birther’s design, as always. I just…”He hugs you again.Just cradles you between his old arms.[cont.]
>>6361996You go back to that time when he first gave you your cameo, now nestled between you. The day when everything started.And now you are here with Master, again.And perhaps, everything will be right once again.“You’re safe,” he sighs.“Yes.”And even Rosandra and Carnaval decide to keep silent for a while.# # # # # #The shadows have lengthened when you have finished to update Master on everything, while Carnaval and Rosandra are discussing some other matter, giving you two some needed privacy.You told Master everything, and spoke for what felt like hours. It probably was.“So,” he says, leaning forward to place his hands between his knees, his bear brushing against his chest. “When I picked up all those years ago I had no idea you would end up holding the fate of the world in your hands. I would be more worried if those hand were my own.”“Do not say so!” You raise your hands, scandalized. “I just—I did—”“All that was required of you. Which is not little, Argia.” He chuckles. “If I had known, I would have gotten out of that cell earlier. I missed your Trial… ah. What a bother. One more to add to this old man’s pile!” He slaps his hands over his thighs and stands up. “But now we are all here once more. You are planning to leave for the Night Lands, then.”You nod.“I will go with you. And Carnaval as well, of course. As for our Asterite friend, there are a couple spots in the Night Lands which hold Dreaming Jewels proper, or at least some silt. I know a few very kind men who would promptly part with their stocks given the current situation.”You can’t stop your grin at Master’s cavalier way of describing his planned breaking and entering.“That would be a relief.”“Oh, for me first. I trust my fellow man’s kindness, but if things go sour I will welcome the workout.”“Besides the one Carnaval gave you, Master?”“Hear hear,” he grins as well. “You sound like a woman who has learned more than one lesson.”“To be fair, I got taught,” you point out. “Soralisa was, uh, very energetic. And Rubida too.”He laughs, full of mirth and relief.[cont.]
>>6361998“Ah, those two! You have finally found the water for your tree, haven’t you?”“I did,” you agree, turning to look at the Temple’s entrance. Your good mood slowly shifts towards duty.“And now I need to lead Rubida down a dark path.”“You two will make it.” He sets his hand over your shoulder and then helps you stand up as well. “There is a light that never goes out.”You give him a smile.You have seen it.Master stretches himself and then turns towards Rosandra, who is sitting on the parapet’s edge (where else?) as she keeps discussing with Carnaval.“I will join the ladies. As I said I am rusty. Even the movers and shakers were shaken by Argia Candente, so it is my turn now.”He raises his hand, three middle fingers extended.You do the same.“Thank you, Master.”“Nay, thank you Argia.”And with that, he’s walking downhill to join the two others.You look at them for a moment. Three of the most powerful and dangerous people you know, discussing together like old friends.Probably it is what they are.Master has his own trees, after all.You then leave the comfort of the afternoon light, entering the Temple.The Priests bow their heads at your passage.Word has spread.You still would prefer they did not. It feels supremely unnecessary. You are just some country bumpkin from the Sea of Candéa, and that has changed little.You cross into the deeper parts of the Temple, take off your shoes, your clothing, and at last you find Rubida sitting with her legs crossed, her head bowed so that her black hair covers the marble floor.Right outside of the inner sanctum, her naked body bathed by the golden light.Your eyes linger on her right arm, the dark patch of skin where she was marked, all those years ago.[cont.]
>>6362001If the Seven had not interfered with her life, you doubt she would have been as guarded with you at the very start. She might not even been set on her path to become a Knight.You two would have never met, and now—Now you would not have a way to try and contact Willow, or locate their Worm before it fully opens the door that looks onto the Night.As you sit in front of her, Ansàrra’s words echo in your head once again.Everything falls into its proper place.You blink.That felt like a memory, and like an echo.With a mirthful satisfaction to it.You nod, agreeing.Then you extend your arm as Rubida opens her blue eyes. Such a deep tinge. So different from your icy hue. Hers almost look like painted pottery, so thick that blue is.“Candente,” she groans.“I have come. Have you found…”“Just give me your hand.”You comply.Rubida’s fingers slide against yours as your palms touch.You two close your eyes at the same time, and you are falling together into the darkness.You pray that light follows you. You will have to keep that close.>Roll: 1d100+18+36 (tot +52), DC 120 for result number 1 and DC 140 for result number 2. Best of 6. Dubs and trips apply.
Rolled 61 + 52 (1d100 + 52)>>6362002
Rolled 26 + 52 (1d100 + 52)>>6361998>“Oh, for me first. I trust my fellow man’s kindness, but if things go sour I will welcome the workout.”>“Besides the one Carnaval gave you, Master?”Reminder that Argia and Master are pussy bros now>>6362002rolling
Rolled 90 + 52 (1d100 + 52)>>6362002>“I will go with you. And Carnaval as well, of course. As for our Asterite friend, there are a couple spots in the Night Lands which hold Dreaming Jewels proper, or at least some silt. I know a few very kind men who would promptly part with their stocks given the current situation.”Master will teach us how the cavalier's way to loot everything on sight kek
>>6362016They both did their sacred duty as Annie acolytes, and helped train a future temple prostitute
>>6362019Starless Night I'm on a roll lately
Rolled 39 + 52 (1d100 + 52)>>6362002I am just tired from work or isn't 18+36=54 not 52?
Rolled 86 + 54 (1d100 + 54)>>6362002math is off. 18+36 = 54....
>>6362019>>6362110We got this.
>>6362019anon drops another banger>>6362054>isn't it 54yes, I was tired or retarded (guess what)
If there is not a roll in the next two hours I'll consider >>6362019 and write the update anyway. There's still a slot available so if someone wants to try for a crit he's welcome
>>6362002>Best roll: 90+54 (both checks passed!)You are spending a lot of time inside people’s inner worlds as of late.Latest was Rosandra, and you have journeyed through years’ worth of the Stilladìa’s memories.You even visited the Sun-Birther’s.This one though might be a little closer.Rubida is just besides you. She links her arm with you, trembling like a leaf in the winter’s wind.To your right, a garden stretches, followed by a beautiful ripe orchard. There’s a dark-haired child, a little girl with long dark brown hair and eyes shining like blue stones, running towards a tall and gangly man who shies away from the sunlight, sitting under a patio.You have not come here to witness that.Gently, like she was made of glass, you wrap your right arm around Rubida and lead her away from that spot in her past. She shivers against you.Almost the way she made you shiver yesterday, but that was a much happier conundrum, with warmth spreading throughout your body, and Soralisa there as well.This is you holding her. Cradling her.“I—” she hesitates, leans against you. You are just barely taller than her. Rubida is a trained, fit young woman. She seems to weigh as much as a snowflake. “Sometimes I still cannot get over how I used to treat you.”“I thought we discussed it already. I do not—”She grasps your wrist.You let her finish.“I wanted—nothing more—than—” she gasps, takes in a deep breath that makes her shoulders tense. Then she releases. “I could not have Soralisa suffer through what I did. If there even was a sliver of a chance, I would not allow it.”“I know.”“Countryside wisdom, perhaps?” She chuckles, but it feels more like a shudder. She looks at you. “You can look.”Rubida stops.The orchard is dark now. Not the darkness that comes soft with the night, but an inky blot that weighs like sorrow upon both your shoulders.Rubida holds up her arm.Shows the dark patch where her flesh was forever ruined. Mangled and melted.You nod.Brush your fingers against it. Black grime comes off.You pull away, the grime puffs up and out like smoke, it dances, it wafts in the airless wind.Is it strange, how fearless you feel?The spot where fear usually pounds at your heart feels like rock now. Like a solid core that’s been broken, rebuilt, broken, rebuilt.Wonder if it’s because Rosandra has killed you enough times today.Wonder it’s because your friends are all there for you. Like Master.Yet, you know.You are a puppet who trusts its own strings.And like strings you pull at the darkness, then you mutter:“Udu ru umu dili.”Argia is gonna get banned in chat
>>6363551Rubida wails, her teeth clattering as she clenches her jaw.You did not speak in your own tongue. There was no need to.The blasphemy echoes through silly things like languages or words or traditions.Kiengir words make way for themselves.The sun is just another star.The strings react.They flash out towards the horizon, curving through the sky, like dark shooting stars, like arrows from the very bow of Night.They carve black lines and your mind follows them, past the shore and the sea, past the ocean, and then towards a dreary shore, dry land where not even the light of Ansàrra can reach, under the thick blanket of the rotting corpse of Her brother.And there, under the silver cover of the ring, the strings find their resting place.Rubida screams. Does not pull back but she covers her eyes.She does not want to see.You do not allow yourself the same courtesy.A few details stand out.The cup made of entwined flesh and bones.A sinuous shape that reaches up to the sky, gnawing through the upper air. Taking gulps of sky and clouds.And the ruins of a small town.Something lingers there—Your cameo flickers.The memory of a tiny thing.A hand-made medallion. Made of wood, during a feast. A moment of joy and dance, when a white-haired girl, as pale as snow, with eyes like burning coals and black horns, had made it.Lithala was always fond of carving, after all.You clench your free hand. For the poor woman who is inside the pile, for what was left, the tinge of gleeful cruelty. A life gladly broken.With the eager callousness of the people Ansàrra had erased from history.“Please—” Rubida grunts.You understand. She is not made like you, she cannot bear the same brunt, you would not ask her to.You pull away, right before a Presence as deep and vast and dark as the broiling blackness that lays gurgling behind the holes between the stars sets her Eye upon you. You feel a ghost of blue—Kiengir blue.But you pulled away.Barely. Just in time.Before that Presence squashed you like a worm in the mud.Rubida sobs against you. Shaken.Not broken.“It’s over.”[cont.]
>>6363552You pull her into a hug, let her face shiver against your chest. She holds you, holds onto you.“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, it was necessary. Now we know. We can go there.”The spot is clear in your mind, and you could bet, in Rubida’s mind as well.The Night Lands, two hundred and seventy miles inward, where the dry rivers meet, behind the hills of glowing copper, past the burned field.You can see it as clear as the sky growing softer around you two.Stars appear.Not feverish and gleeful like the Sisters. The gentle, inane night lights that speak of simple wanderings.A calm wind carries itself over the plains.You are back in Rubida’s backyard.There is nobody around but you two.“It’s over,” you assure Rubida.She sniffs, pulls away. And rubs at her wet eyes.“I made a spectacle of myself, Candente.”You cup her cheek to dry her tears, when something pierces through the air.You turn to see a black blade, a blade seemingly carved out of the night sky full of swirls and blue and white points of colour, arch and cleave a space for itself.That space falls down like a curtain.Inside, there is a face you have not seen in a long while.Your heart jumps into your throat.Her eyes are the same brownish grey you remember. Her jaw is set.The girl’s gaze hardens when she looks at Rubida so close to you.She still wears her hair in a long braid.Willow’s mouth curves. The smile she gives you feels like a tired, stretched echo of the confident grin you admired.“Caught you,” she says.Well if she’s there, it’s time to deliver #correction.[/spoiler]With Rubida next to you, you are reminded of how she used to think you a hopeless case. Try to reach out to Willow.It’s two of you here. Soralisa is still on the boat, but you can try to buy time and send her a message. She has to be present for this. If choosing this option, please roll a 1d100+54, DC 120.
>>6363554>With Rubida next to you, you are reminded of how she used to think you a hopeless case. Try to reach out to Willow.Correction can be administered once she has given herself over for judgement. Doing so right now will just mean she gets away.
Rolled 14 + 54 (1d100 + 54)>>6363554>It’s two of you here. Soralisa is still on the boat, but you can try to buy time and send her a message. She has to be present for thisAs much as I want to vote for correction, I say stalling for time and letting Soralisa join in is the best call to argument Argia's growth, Rubida's inner world is hardly the best battleground for a duel..worst case scenario willow will be extra mad at Argia for the double ntr kek>>6363552You pull away, right before a Presence as deep and vast and dark as the broiling blackness that lays gurgling behind the holes between the stars sets her Eye upon you. You feel a ghost of blue—Ah I knew it wasn't going to be that easy, we escape a sister's gaze only for her to send Willow to find her scent like an attack dog
>>6363554>With Rubida next to you, you are reminded of how she used to think you a hopeless case. Try to reach out to Willow.We got what we needed from the link, the exacting details of the plans are less so at this point.Focus on her and how she's doing. We've not spoken for a while now, must have been hard. Avoid giving her an easy opening to escalate by not asking about the "why" she did what she has.
>>6363554>You turn to see a black blade, a blade seemingly carved out of the night sky full of swirls and blue and white points of colour, arch and cleave a space for itself.So the blade appeared outta nowhere, cut a portal/opening and then willow appeared ? neat>With Rubida next to you, you are reminded of how she used to think you a hopeless case. Try to reach out to Willow.
>>6363627>..worst case scenario willow will be extra mad at Argia for the double ntr kekSurely Willow knows that Maduan knights are into polyamory? Did this misanthropic lesbian nerd really get thrust into an isekai where she is a total chad-stacy super-knight surrounded by fawning bisexuals and NOT score with Sora or Rubi at all??
>>6363554>Well if she’s there, it’s time to deliver correction.
>>6363554>With Rubida next to you, you are reminded of how she used to think you a hopeless case. Try to reach out to Willow.
/qst/ hath spoken.writing.
>>6363554With Rubida next to you, you are reminded of how she used to think you a hopeless case. Try to reach out to Willow.Your golden hand twitches.Willow’s eyes follow the movement. She winces, her eyes crinkling with weariness.Then she looks at Rubida. At you again. “You have changed.”To think it has not even been a whole month.Since the last time you spent time with her, you laughed with her. When Willow whispered all her secrets to you, while the others slept.Since she trusted you and only you with her biggest secret.“I have been through a lot,” you reply. Your hand moves up, away from your weapon, to brush against your cameo.Willow puts her black sword down. But she does not sheathe it.She takes a step forward, her figure billowing like smoke, rippling like vapor as she traverses the border between inner worlds.Rubida stiffens.“And you have not changed at all, Salicera Fors.” She raises her chin. “Always doing whatever you want. Entering someone else’s world without even asking for permissions.”Willow’s lip purse. She glares at Rubida—brownish steel against blue stone—but neither lowers her gaze.“I am asking now,” she adds lowering her head. “Happy? And that is not my name.”“Unkindness begets unkindness.”“How true. So now that we are all being terrible to each other once again, can you stop it with the passive aggressiveness? Terrible vibes, man.”Rubida blinks. Frowns.“I beg your pardon?”“Nevermind. I came here to talk with Argia anyway.”“Have you shut your door behind you? I have already seen one of the Seven, I do not want to see another?” You ask.Willow turns. The bleeding hole between worlds is still there.She shrugs.“Hell if I know.”[cont.]Willow you USELESS ledyba
>>6364339“Then this conversation is over before it begins.” You drape your arm around Rubida’s shoulders and draw her away. Out of her orchard, out of here. Before something follows that is far beyond your skill to withstand.“—hey. Wait!” Willow’s voice grows shrill. “I just wanted to talk! Honest! I—”You whip your head back. Let go of Rubida and walk up to Willow. She is just as tall as you are, but the fury boiling in your blood makes her pull back a bit. A red flush blooms over her cheeks, her lips parting. Those are the same lips that gave you your first kiss.This is no feast under the stars, though.“Talk. Was there no room to talk, when you left us in the Temple?” You jab your golden finger against her chest, metal against metal. “You betrayed us. You left and you haven’t shared a word since. What have you been doing? Opening the door to the Night! Putting yourself in the hands of the Seven! And all this for what! To keep me from deciding what to do with my own soul? At least the Stilladìa asked!”You are out of breath.Willow looks pale. Almost ill. Her eyes look sunken, covered by deep dark circles.“You are a pup—”You grasp her cloak, pulling her so close your noses touch.Your heart is beating fast.“Do not call me a puppet. Do not dare even mention that, Willow. Or, Sun-Birther be my witness, I will knot your tongue so hard even the Seven will not be able to untie it.”Willow’s lips part breathlessly. By now her flush has spread to her ears and her chin. She’s trembling.Then she lowers her gaze.“You have given in. To your sun goddess. You have given her your soul, wholesale, haven’t you?”“She,” you reply in a hiss, grasping her chin to force her to look at you, because by all that is gold she is making you lose your patience, “asked, Willow. Gave me a choice. The two most powerful beings in the world have spent the last few years playing a wargame with my soul. And neither of them used lies or trickery. You did.” You push her away. Almost to the point of shoving her into the bleeding wound she opened. “And yet I am here to extend you a courtesy you do not deserve. I made a choice.” You tilt your head towards the hole. “Now make yours. Rubida’s inner world does not wait.”[cont.]
>>6364341Willow is breathing hard. She sets a hand against her face. Panting. Her eyes shift between you, your hand—it’s clear what path you chose—and Rubida.“They would not follow us. You are nothing to them. They are just going to take their boy toy and split. No skin off our back, right?”More confirmation that Lithala’s suspicions were true.They are going to try and bring Ansàrra’s brother back.With all that entails.You shake your head.Willow lets out a wail. Like a chained dog struck behind its ears. She turns to look at the hole she opened, at her sword.She hesitates.Raises her sword an inch.Then she sheathes it.Her shoulders slump.She points behind her. “So I poked a hole through Rubida’s dreams. Big deal.”“That is not just a dream!” Rubida shouts. She has stayed silent until now. “And this is the second time you strike me so thoughtlessly.”You sigh.“We cannot stay here. Rubida. Leave, get Carnaval to take a look at it. Even better, ask Master. He’s good with this sort of thing.”“I am not—”“You are.”You turn to look at her.Rubida’s blue eyes widen at the sight. At the way you will not allow her to say anything, to argue, to do anything but follow.There used to be a time when she would have smacked you into a pulp for daring to look her way.If anything, this might mean you have a chance with Willow too.Or at least that is what you want to believe.“You are, because I need you to.”“Candente…”“Now.”Rubida stiffens again. But then she bites her lip. Nods.She glances one last time at Willow.The Strander raises a hand.“I—I did not mean it.” Rubida lets out a long hiss through her teeth. “For real! I did not want to hurt you. Or Soralisa. It’s not like I got off on it! It’s just, well… when you have a goal, you do anything to achieve it, right?”“To the point of betraying those who you called friends?”Willow runs a hand through her locks.Lowers her head again.She would not meet Rubida’s eyes.She tries very hard not to mouth an agreement. But it is loud enough in its silence.“We are giving you one last chance, Salicera Fors.” Rubida shields her eyes. “The best among us is gifting it to you. Squander it not.”Rubida covers her face and she fades away in a cloud of sparks.Now it’s just you and Willow.You hold out your hand.“Let’s leave.”Willow touches your hand.And you two disappear.[cont.]
>>6364342# # # # # #When you come back, you are inside your own world.A secluded spot.A rocky shore on the coast of a vast inland sea.The Mar da Candéa glistens like diamonds in the distance, while the murky water that murmurs upon the pebbles is reddish with algae.The wind carries the scent of grapes. And dry earth.Willow sits on a mossy rock, her legs drawn to her chest. Her sword is still sheathed.“Why did you do that?” She pleads. “After everything I did. I was—I had to give birth to that thing!” Willow’s hand darts to her belly. “Have you any idea how—fuck! Fuck, Argia! It was…” she runs out of words. Her eyes shine with tears unshed. She blinks hard to keep them that way.Willow sniffs and shakes her head. “And now you just gave it to her.”You find a spot where you can sit. An old large tree left here by the last storm.“Why didn’t you say anything?”“What would have changed?” She shakes her head. “Nothing! You are too stubborn! You would not have listened!”“Willow.”“What?”“Am I a mirror?” You point at your own face. “Am I made of glass?”“Listen, I know what you mean…”“That is what I am trying to explain!” You raise your arms to the sky, your rage getting the best of you. When Willow was still just a shadow, a bitter memory, you could try to keep the lid of your emotions close. But now she is here. You can see her, and listen to her, and touch her. And slap her, perhaps! “You cannot know! Yet you dare act like your word was final. You walk with the inane confidence of a goddess. And let me tell you I have met at least two and neither acts with your arrogance!”“I don’t want you to disappear!” She shrieks. “What would I do without you? Y-You are like me. You are the only one who is—”“The Stilladìa was right in this. Earth is not sending their best.”“You—you say that, and yet… ah!” A feverish smile appears on her lips. As if she knew something that would shatter your worldview so thoroughly you will be forced to tell her she was right. “Hey… do you want to know something, Argia? A little secret, just between you and me.”You think you know what Willow is about to say. You will listen.“Your next line is…” Argia is so confident she interrupts.You are not interested. She has to learn she can’t just make it all about herself. Or about you.Add a suggestion.thanks for playing
>>6364343>You are not interested. She has to learn she can’t just make it all about herself. Or about you.
>>6364341>Willow’s lips part breathlessly. By now her flush has spread to her ears and her chin. She’s trembling.Kek, barely a minute together and Willow is already weak in the knees around Argia.>>6364343>You think you know what Willow is about to say. You will listen.Ansarra's isekai is old news already, but why stop Willow when she is making another mistake? I'd rather watch her confidence shatter (again) when it slowly dawns on her that Argia isn't even fazed by the news, then seethe at the realization that Argia not only knew it, she still chose Ansarra over Willow anyway.
>>6364343>You think you know what Willow is about to say. You will listen.>>6364352I must say that I disagree with your framing, and REALLY think we should not ohrase it that way. We didn't choose Annie over Willow; there is no contradiction there, except where Willow creates one. Ansarra is our goddess, our spiritual leader. Willow is the woman we first kissed and cuddled and shared secrets with. Our relationship to Ansarra is not romantic or sexual... And even if it was, we're from a culture of sapphic polyamory, so it isn't a matter of choosing one or the other unless Willow decided to be possessive/jealous about it due to her own American sensibilities.
>>6364343>“Your next line is…” Argia is so confident she interrupts.
>>6364399This is me, by the by.
>>6364343>You think you know what Willow is about to say. You will listen.Things only stop being possible when either party stops trying. And besides she mighty actually tell us something "interesting".____As an aside what is it that Willow would have had us do differently? that wouldn't have resulted in our execution, or death.Argia wasn't given an opportunity to go with Willow at the temple, even if she had wanted too.It's not like we had an answer to Fighting off Rosandra at the farmhouse(even with throne backup), would likely result in death; or worse injuries sustained and still being detained and returned to Madua, whilst giving cause to "fail" the trial, so Argia dies.Lithala was unwilling to help significantly, let alone effect our escape unless we signed a contract for our soul, and that enlisting her help with "saving" Willow was off the table as part of the terms. Which would have resulted in a transfer of ownership so not actually helping.Its apparent that the others were not going to prevent the trial of Gold from occurring, so what was Argia supposed to do down an arm, and without weapons or armor.Maybe she could have jumped from the platform but Willow never turned up to intercede.
>>6364343>You think you know what Willow is about to say. You will listen.
/qst/ emphasizes the importance of listening.writing.
>>6364343You think you know what Willow is about to say. You will listen.Willow’s face has regained some color. She truly believes what she is about to say will have any relevance on how you feel.Nothing but a genuine ‘I’m sorry’ would.But you let her speak. You could bet on what she’s about to say. She has been with the Seven, after all…“Go on,” you sigh.“Ansàrra is a Strander.” Willow’s eyes glint. She pats herself on her chest. “Like me! She comes from Earth, too! So, she’s not a goddess, okay? She’s just someone like you and me. Y-You don’t have to follow someone like that.” The grin on her lips wavers. “Alright? Do you get it now?”You rub your forehead.“I very well knew.”Willow freezes.“Y-You. You what. You knew.”“I have known for a while.” You let your arms fall between your legs, looking at Willow with a rueful smile. “You have not met Her, have you?”“I have!” She stands up. “Back in the day! When—”“What did it smell like?” You interrupt, your voice as light as a feather, yet heavy enough to make Willow hesitate. To push her to sit back on the rock, draw her arms against her chest, making herself small. “When you saw Her?”“L-Like nothing.”“Not like you said. That rotten egg reek. Like asphalt.” What a silly word. You have committed it to memory, though. It really felt important, and now you take it out, wielding it like a sword.“I—I did not pay attention, why are you asking me?”“Because I was there. I have seen Her twice. Once in someone else’s memories, and once She has graced me with Her presence. It smelled like dry earth and wine grapes ready for the harvest. As I told you once already. It smells like home.” You pause, rubbing your hands together. “You are too focused on roots and beginnings, Willow. Things grow and change. I am giving you this chance because I think you can. Please do not disappoint me.”“I—I…” she stands again. Trembling. “H-How can you do all that? For a Strander! For a pretender, and interloper! She’s just some fake in a fake world! Sh-She will just gobble up your soul and forget about you!”“Perhaps.”“Why then?”[cont.]this brings me back to that time in Thread 1 when anon correctly predicted the first of this quest's many twists
>>6364748“Because I put my trust in Her.” You show her your metal hand. “This one is also new. I lost my hand when Ansàrra’s own flame burned me. She rebuked me, as part of my test.”“She did what?!” Willow screams, jumps ahead and grasps your hand before you can even move. Even with all your renewed gifts, she is still fast. A reminder.She is still dangerous.Willow’s fingers roam over your golden hand, playing with the honeycomb patterns and its inlets.“Are you okay? Does it hurt? Where did you get this?”“Ansàrra gave it to me. After my Trial. She has restored me.”“She shouldn’t have burned you in the first place! That’s—”“Probably. But I was the one who decided to touch Her flames. And, when I visited her, She did something else as well.”You stand up. Willow is still holding your golden hand, but your blue eyes glint like finest steel. You tilt your head until her ragged breaths push move the strands of your silver hair.“She apologized.”Willow’s jaw moves like she were trying to drink from a bitter chalice.“I apologized. I just… you would never have listened.”“The goddess you hate so much gave me far more credit than you ever did.”Willow jolts.She lets out a wail.Leans over you. Never letting go of your hand. Sets her forehead against your shoulder.Something wet and warm falls upon your shoulder.One drop, two.It does not stop.“Why not me… why haven’t you listened to me? Why…”“Because you do not trust me. You do not trust anyone, Willow. Yourself, least of all.”“I—I can still save this. I have plans. We can just… we can just be by ourselves. I can show you. I have—I know how to. There’s a nice place back home we can be by ourselves. J-Just the two of us. I can get a job. Whatever. I will flip burgers, I don’t care. I can show you around. T-The internet! I can show you cat videos and we will be shitposting together and it will be perfect and… auughh… oohh…” Willow grits her teeth as she cries against your shoulder. Her hand still grips yours.“I have made my choice,” you remind her with a soft whisper. She jolts. Raises her puffy face, streaked by heavy tears. “You have taken it away one time. I will not have it robbed once already.”[cont.]don't ask me on which boards Willow posted...
>>6364749You pull away, if only slightly, if only to straighten her and make her look at you level in the eye. Just like that time with the Stilladìa in the dungeon. She made sure you had your dignity.Willow cannot make a choice without such dignity.“You can still come back.”Willow opens her mouth. Glances at her side. Then at you.“I—”“It will hurt. Soralisa and Rubida are not happy with you, as you have noticed. And others will not treat you as kindly as I do. There will be a period of adjustment.”“A-Adjustment. Like…” her throat bobs as the last of tears fall off her chin. “Burned at the stake, more like.”You purse your lips.“I have friends in high places. Most high. There will be no burning… but there will be a period of probation, for sure.”Willow knots her eyebrows.You can read what she’s thinking.Bowing and groveling. Asking for mercy from a goddess she does not believe into.Not that it makes much difference. Ansàrra is real, even if Willow does not want Her to be.The humiliation would sting.“It would get better.” Tentatively, you set your other hand on her shoulder. “I can be there.”Willow gulps. Her eyes grow softer.“But the others…”The way she say those words gives your pause for a moment.The rough edge in her voice.Then you understand.“I have shared a night with Rubida and Soralisa.”“Together!” She wails.“They insisted.” A chuckle. “And it was just after the Trial. You cannot complain. You were the first to steal my kiss, after all.”“D-Do you regret it?”“I do regret what happened later.”“That I left.”“That you took away my trust.”“I…”Willow’s braid swings in the wind.Her eyes look past you.Her other hand twitches by her side, closer to to a bundle of stitched buttons and fabric, and also close to her sword…You grip her hand before she can reach her sword.You let her hand wander.
>>6364750>You let her hand wander.I say we walk the walk and allow Willow to make her choice too, doing otherwise will only prove that Argia doesn't really believe that she can change anymore. Worst comes to worst everyone is still with her there, Rubida should have let everyone know about Argia's predicament at least.Funny that once again Argia has to decide if she can trust an interloper with her life AGAIN, just one day after she did the same with Ansàrra. >“She did what?!” Willow screams, jumps ahead and grasps your hand before you can even move. Even with all your renewed gifts, she is still fast.Willow's is so shocked by the golden hand that she didn't even notice Argia's new measurements (courtesy of the sun-birther) yet kek
>>6364750>You let her hand wander.
>>6364748>this brings me back to that time in Thread 1 when anon correctly predicted the first of this quest's many twistsWas it the guy who predicted that Stilly and Bragia were the same ?>>6364750>You let her hand wander.
>>6364750>You let her hand wander.Go for a hug, though. If she's about to aft on jelaous impulse, that may give her pause to properly consider her actions... Also, to notice the boobjob, kek.
>>6364813>the guy who predicted that Stilly and Bragia were the same ?What can I say? It takes a merchant to spot a merchant. "The nose knows," kek.
>>6357826>>6357888The saddest irony of all this is that despite Argia doing her darndest to convince Willow to accept Ansàrra in her heart and that everything can be forgiven with time, she fails to account on how Willow doesn't want to STAY in her world anymore, the mere fact that Ansàrra exists and everything she represents terrifies Willow to the bone, which Argia can't understand because Willow's upbringing is just as alien to her the same way asphalt is, hell Willow would have already bailed and left it under the seven's mercy if not for the fact that her drove her to it is to save Argia from AnsàrraAlas this is a setting where Argia is not only okay with her soul being "gobble up", she is rewarded for her convictions so Willow's entire eloping fails flat on her face.She is probably the only isekai character I saw in recent memory that actively aims to go home after getting the opportunity to do so (but not before bringing her silver haired gf alongside her)
>>6366033checkedalso, very interesting analysis anonI'll be writing now.
>>6364750You let her hand wander.Willow’s hand shifts towards her sword.Stops right before the hilt.Instead, it closes around that bundle of fabric.Your shoulders relax.You have showed her kindness and you have given her trust once more.Will it be enough this time?“I was going to give you this,” Willow shows you what she made. It’s a stitched thing that might, if you were to feel very generous, approach something close to a doll. Or perhaps a—“You made this.”Willow nods.“With your own hands. A puppet.”“You like puppet shows,” she mutters, looking away. “I thought about that night. All the time…”You also did. Not all the time, because between that night and now you suffered all sorts of troubles. Traveled memories not your own. And you have also been killed many times, just recently. But you came back.Lithala had described her confrontations with Carnaval in a similar manner, had she not? Like throwing stones into the sea.In the end, the tide always won.“Well.” You pick it from Willow’s hands and try it out, slip it over your golden hand. It does not fit at all, with three of the fingers too long and the thumb sticking out. And the buttons to the side… “I am ugly,” you squeak, pressing your thumb against your hand, where the buttons are, so that it looks like a mouth that’s speaking. “But I am here for the show.”Willow laughs. And cries. She hides her face with her hand as she folds like bent paper, shaken by her laughter.“…oh… ohh, I missed this. Oh, god. I missed this. I missed you… ah…” “This might be the worst piece of fabric I have ever seen,” you chuckle. Still, you do not take it off. “But it is your effort that counts.”“You…” Willow dries her tears. Sniffles, looks up at the blue sky, at the silvery ring that cuts it in twain. “You are never going to come with me, are you? I could smite you, I could draw you there in chain, but you would never—you would never be you. Oh. Oh, what the fuck. I’m…” she shakes her head. “I’m such an idiot.”Only then she draws her sword.[cont.]
>>6366065The blade looks like a thin, stretched hole, filled with stars and the endless black between them.“I was given this.”“I see.”You do not step back. Nor do you summon one of your own weapons. You stand there, Willow’s puppet still upon the hand Ansàrra burned, which She healed.Everything falls to its proper place.You are still willing to believe that.“It’s some sort of special sword. It’s supposed to break your connection to Ansàrra or some shit.” Willow’s eyes run down the blade. “I wanted to use it to drag you away. You know. So we could be something together. I would flip hamburgers and come back home to you. You’d be waiting for me in a pajama and ask me how the microwave works. I would but you your first cellphone and I would watch you get obsessed with the algo. We would live a normal life.”“I do not understand half of those words.”“Yea, you wouldn’t get it.” Willow shakes her head. “You know what? I even liked it for a while. Playing the knight. The genius skirmisher. I never gave too much thought to Ansàrra, though. She was just, like, this boss thing at the final level, you know?”You draw your eyebrows together.“Yea. Sorry. That’s disrespectful and shit. Sorry. Ah, this thing is still here.” She swings her sword and throws it away.It plunges into the depths of the Mar da Candéa.A white plume of foam, and then—it’s gone forever.“Hnnf,” Willow sighs, her shoulders slump.“You feel lighter.”“I’m really fucking stupid.”“Ugly agrees!” You speak through your puppet.Willow lets out a choked laughter.“Oh, you.”[cont.]I happily notice how the new captcha is slightly less cancer. very slightly.
>>6366066She falls to her knees.The wind plays with her brown locks.She turns her head towards you, and you kneel in front of her.“You know—I can’t. You know I can’t. I don’t believe in Ansàrra. I do not think I ever can.”“What I believe,” you reply cupping her hand, “is that She understands. And I believe at this point it does not really matter. But she knows you matter to me.”“You do.”Willow leans forward. Her forehead touches yours. Praised be the Sun-Birther, she does not try to kiss you.Perhaps Willow has learned something throughout all this.“I could still go back. To asphalt roads and my parents who have probably split by now. And to whatever else is going on there.”You say nothing.The idea does not sit right with you.Even after all this, you do not want Willow to leave.“If you wish to—”“I wish to stay with you. What I do not wish is to share you with Rubida and Soralisa and all the other friends you made along the way because apparently you are a magnet for far better people than me.” A pause. “And especially I do not want to share you with an Italian who got too close with her big brother.”You frown.You are not sure what a ‘magnet’ or an ‘Italian’ might be, but she might be talking about Ansàrra. You file that away for the next time you meet with Lithala and Helias.“But I think I can live with it,” Willow adds. Her shoulders slump. “I’m a fucking mess. Can I stop being a mess alone?”“I can decide, but I can only decide for myself. The others will have to. And there will be some penance involved. Though I can intercede. Perhaps.”“The world owes you a favour just because you exist, Argia. There will never be a perhaps with you involved.”You draw her into an embrace.Still wearing her ugly puppet socket.Willow shakes. Shudders. But she seems to have shed all her tears, so all she can do is pant softly.You might still save her.Her soul, at the very least.But there is more to her than that.“We need to get you out of there.”Before the Seven erase Willow even from memory.She can pretend, for now. Leverage Celaeno’s self-importance. It’s a dangerous move but the only other move you see involves…… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reason.Or, add a suggestion.well, I did not expect this development at all. I had a completely different structure in mind, but now you can play an extraction shooter with Willow. live.
>>6366067>“Ugly agrees!” You speak through your puppet. Willow lets out a choked laughter.So cute..how could asphalt every compete..>>6366067>… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reason.Besides the obvious fact that denying the seven any kind of strength is in her interest or the fact that lithala is Argia's fren, or how she can bleed Argia dry for every future favour she will be owned after doing this, there is one more reason the stilladìa could be interested on willow.>“And especially I do not want to share you with an Italian who got too close with her big brother.”Willow SAW Ansàrra, before she became what she is, that's something nobody else had the privilege of every seeing, I am sure willow won't mind leaving open her own inner world so both Lithala and helias can learn more about Ansàrra unfiltered past.
>>6366067>… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reasonI say we keep cooking with these bad bitches and see what happens
>>6366067>… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reason.How convenient: Willow isn't prepared to stop being an atheist, and Lithala LOVES atheism! And she still needs a Silver Knight, since we're a golden girl now.
>>6366067>… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reason.What are we gonna give her, though ?
>>6366347perhaps Willow can share her fanfics?or rather, Argia might try to offer something herself. especially considering her current position and role.
>>6366067>… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reason.
>>6366067# # # # # #unanimity, so quick update# # # # # #… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reason.Get her out of there.But how?Carnaval could fly there on her own, but would it be right to ask her to face the Worm and one of the Seven by herself? A shiver runs through you. The mere memory of your meeting with Merope is enough to make jagged shards run through your mind like a broken comb.No.It might not be enough. Even with how fast she is, you need to move at the speed of thought, like time wasn’t even…… time.“Oh.”“Hm?” Willow seems to have caught her breath. She gives you a curious look. “Even if you want to, I can—I can escape on my own. I will manage, I’m…”“I know someone who can help. But it is going to cost us.”“Ansàrra?” She frowns. “I have no idea what I can give your goddess, besides more years of service. If that would let me stay by you, I do not mind.”“No. No, I was thinking of someone else.”Willow balks. Her eyes widen.“S-Someone else? But—after you gave all your soul and everything, how can you think of someone else? Isn’t that like, blasphemy?”“I have given and received. I can still think for myself.”“Oh. I did not expect that. For… for real?”“No, for me.”“Nevermind. I meant… is that true? You can really still just move, do whatever?”“I can probably not flap my arms and fly,” you joke. “Now… you seem to know more about Ansàrra than the last time we met. How?”“I was shown something. A vision or whatevs. From back in Kiengir times. There were terraces and lots of them. Even the Sisters, and Ansàrra as well. She used to be a blonde, go figure.”“This could be useful.”“To this other person? Wait, aren’t you—” Willow pulls back, as if struck by a thought. “You are kidding. You are kidding, right? The pretender?”[cont.]
Rolled 5 - 1 (1d7 - 1)>>6366515It’s worrying she uses the same term as the Seven.“The Stilladìa. Yes.”Willow slaps her hand over her forehead.“But of course! Now I have to share you even with that bitch! I—”“She has a husband and is very much not interested.”“Hm. Ah. I thought. Well, given everything and… uh, you have changed, and stuff, so…” her eyes shift towards your chest.Ah.“The Sun-Birther has been generous.”“Yeaaa… must be from all that pasta. N-Not that I complain!”“Also, the Stilladìa is not a bitch. She has been good with me, even healed my hand back when it was still flesh.”“For real? I mean—really? Because that’s… well, uh. Kind of her. Nice move.”“But even like this…” you pull your thoughts away from Willow’s appreciation. “You were shown a vision. It might not have been true.”The Stilladìa made efforts to show you the actual facts. Everything that happened was real, supported by other people, by what you learned. And by what happened later.But the Seven are treacherous. Still, even like that, Lithala would be better suited than you to parse truth from lies. If not her, Elias.Also, this would not diminish the negotiation value of what you propose.Hmmm… you might truly have spent a little too much time with Rubida and Lithala……but if it can help Willow…And also, you have responsibilities now.You glance at Ugly, the sock-puppet covering your golden hand.Which is still beneath.The Hand of Ansàrra.Maybe it’s time for you to pull a few strings yourself.You will offer what Willow offers: info about Ansàrra’s past. Informations in exchange for safe, quick passage there so you can extract her… and kill the Worm.As above, but you will also throw in another promise: you will not directly oppose Lithala or her actions, not even if the request comes from Ansàrra herself.As above, but the promise will only extend up to Carnaval. The Sun-Birther’s Will is still absolute, friendship or no friendship.Add a suggestion# # # # # #by all means please ignore the roll at the top of of this post.# # # # # #
>>6366516>As above, but the promise will only extend up to Carnaval. The Sun-Birther’s Will is still absolute, friendship or no friendship.>Add a suggestion>And if it's not enough or if Lithala doubts your nerve when the time comes, then with the sun-birther as your witness and on your honor as a knight of Ansàrra you will openly pledge an oath of friendship in front of your master, Carnaval, Rosandra and your girls, swearing mutual aid to the adversary against the seven sisters and bearing no arms against each other.The Stilladìa already knows how much Willow means to Argia so there's no point on her trying to play coy on what Argia can or can not offer her, they both know saying no to Ansàrra is impossible, that ship already sailed the minute she made her pledge to the sun-birther in front of the Stilladìa herself (and I doubt she would respect someone that would willingly throw her loyalty away the minute things become inconvenient).However even if Carnaval, Rosandra or even her master outrank her, she can still think for herself, the sheer sincerity of the act should throw even the Stilladìa off her game at least. >“But of course! Now I have to share you even with that bitch! I—”That is, if Willow doesn't doom the negotiations before they even start.
>>6366516>As above, but you will also throw in another promise: you will interfere if it comes to direct confrontation between Lithala and Ansàrra.>You will also visit her with some regularity.
>>6366516>You will offer what Willow offers: info about Ansàrra’s past. Informations in exchange for safe, quick passage there so you can extract her… and kill the Worm.
>>6366516>As above, but the promise will only extend up to Carnaval. The Sun-Birther’s Will is still absolute, friendship or no friendship.I feel good about this.
>>6366516>As above, but the promise will only extend up to Carnaval. The Sun-Birther’s Will is still absolute, friendship or no friendship.Come on, Lithala. there are limits. But...>Add a suggestionIf she were to make Willow a knight, it would certainly be good fit, and we would be both hard-pressed to ever fight her and happy to visit often...
>>6366516>>As above, but the promise will only extend up to Carnaval. The Sun-Birther’s Will is still absolute, friendship or no friendship.
>>6366569+1 to the regular visits
apologizes for late updates. I was knocked out by a nasty cold for a few days. Writing will continue until health improves.
>>6368154Oh no! Sorry to hear it, QM. Feel better soon.
>>6368206thanks anon. I'm already feeling a bit better. enough to write an update, kek>>6366516As above, but the promise will only extend up to Carnaval. The Sun-Birther’s Will is still absolute, friendship or no friendship.“I believe it can work,” you reassure her. “You will have to share everything you saw, and do so truthfully. The Stilladìa places a lot of importance on trust.”Willow frowns and lowers her head.“That was not aimed at you. Just something—”“I know. I know, I was just… I’m still reeling from all that happened.” She glances at the lake. “That was one cool sword.”It did not seem either warm nor cool to you, but that’s once again besides your abilities to argue with Willow’s colorful language.“I will lay it down for you.” You set both hands on Willow’s shoulder, rubbing it with your new ugly glove. “I will have to reach out to her right away. You will offer everything you can, and I will throw in something too.”“Such as?”“I have some ideas. But the main offer will be: no intervention. I promise I will not fight her, I will not hinder her, I will not be used as a weapon of war against her designs.”Willow’s eyes widen.“Not even if…?”“If the Sun-Birther Wills it, there is nothing under the sky that can go against that Will. But besides a direct order or Her indomitable Will, I will steer clear from antagonizing her.”“That’s—a lot. What about those merchants, though? Weren’t they the ones that caused all this… all this shit?”A wince goes through you. The flames of anger still lick at your back, trying to pull you back into that pit.“They were. I have not forgiven and I have not forgotten. But the Stilladìa is not directly to blame.”Willow dampens her lip.“Damn. Just like me, hm?”“Perhaps.”“I might have to thank her as well. Hey, you swear she isn’t like, into girls, do you? I would rather n—”A noise covers Willow’s words. A terrible hiss like oil sizzling on a scalded pan. It sizzles through the air, it sizzles right in your mind, it sizzles right through your body.A sable-skinned hand pierces through your inner world. Behind the tear in the sky you glimpse at the purest blue, at an eye peering through mind flesh and spirit.Piercing.And needling you to the spot like a trapped butterfly.uh oh
>>6368222Your thoughts grind to a halt.Willow shoves you away.You stumble.And fall.Your inner world fades into ragged ribbons and you are blinking. Away from that gaze, away from Willow, away from Celaeno.And even yet.It might be too late.# # # # # #You emerge with a scream.The darkness of the Temple surrounds you.Rubida. There, with her hands raised in prayer.That sizzling has not left you.It is spreading, riding your bones like a maddened horseman.“Ah…” you try to stand up. Stumble.Someone slips arms behind you.You turn.Master.“Out!” He screams.With his help and the grace of the Sun-Birther, you manage to stand. More figures around you. The glinting crimson glow from Carnaval, somewhere. Rosandra shouting.Soralisa throws herself at Rubida, pulls her out and away.In a whirlwind of limbs and steps and a race that makes your heart ache you are taken out of the Temple, as the walls rumble and squeeze around you, trying to clamp you into stone that’s now as swiftly melted as wax.“W-Willow…” you mutter, but there is no time.You glance at your golden hand.Ugly has stayed on the other side.Master shoves you again and then you are outside—amidst crumbling stone that is contorting, twisting upon itself, raped by a hungry desire that’s reaching through half the world.Not a surprise. The link through Rubida goes both ways.You look at her.She’s safe, between Soralisa’s arms.Sobbing.But safe.The grinding stones of the Temple turn into a hand. It rears against the sky like a claw ready to strike.“Back! Stay back!” Master pushes you away. Weapon at the ready, the black blindglass making air vibrate.Carnaval raises to the challenge, floating in the sky, vermillion heat bathing the stones.Rosandra crouches, ready to strike.Then a pulse, like a scream with no voice.Carnaval is pushed back, screeching as she covers her body with her wings, the crystal screeching as well like ice pushed to the breaking point.Master screams—the first time you heard him scream—as he’s shoved against the ground, his arms flaying about as he loses the grip on his weapon.Rosandra falls to her knee, her flesh rippling like dough.She grits her teeth and then they break, shattering inside her mouth as the ground bursts.[cont.]
>>6368224You throw yourself at Master, trying to shield his old body from the pulse, when the——the ground slows.The pulse rings back against something.Golden light, shimmering and geometrical, a honeycomb pattern that carries a pleasant scent of ripe grapes and dry earth, envelopes the looming giant stone hand.It freezes each finger to a standstill.Tu osi.That noise again: like grinding ice. But a shout like a brazen bell raises even louder to cover it, to wrap it into itself and contain it.Farai meglio a ricordare ciò che dissi a vostra sorella.The sound echoes, faster and faster. The hand crumbles, faster and faster.Until it is a sphere of ground stone. It turns black, then grey, then white, and then it is gone.A whisper of wind runs over the land. Over the grass and the wounded. Over the hole where the Temple used to stand.Child.You hear Her voice amidst large warm dollops running down your face, holding Master’s hand.A flash of Her body, crystallized and bandaged, oozing gold, lying in her bed, barely able to stand.You picture Her now, wheezing, wounds spilling gilded blood.Please go in haste.And then only silence.>Roll a 1d100. Best of Six.>Dubs and Trips apply.>Remember a Nat1 is counted as a 1 and not a failurewell this cold sucked, especially because the roll during last update was the max number of anons replies before I published this update. It was meant as a bit of a surprise. Still hope you enjoyed how close Celaeno came to spoil all the fun. Luckily Sun Mom was there to stop her. This time.
Rolled 80 (1d100)>>6368225Ok, so how is this going to go?
Rolled 60 (1d100)>>6368225(^: it's gonna go GREAT!
Rolled 73 (1d100)>>6368225Hopefully our more fragile friends didn't have THEIR teeth shattered...
Rolled 43 (1d100)>>6368225
Rolled 97 (1d100)>>6368225>Farai meglio a ricordare ciò che dissi a vostra sorella.The sisters' biggest hater got our back anons, worry not
Rolled 78 (1d100)>>6368225
>>6368333>last roll>it's trips of 3may this thread continue to be blessed by the dice gods.
>>6368333Nice
>>6368333>update starts with a trip of 2s>last roll is on a trip of 3s
>>6368609Now that I think about it, 67 has a different meaning in this quest and technically Stilly could do it canonically
>>6368850>technically >67this sent me into a rabbit hole of generational memes I'm an oldfag>could do itcould do what
>>6368225Ansàrra’s voice still echoes through your being as you blink.The Temple is no more.In its place, a patch of twisted black land, holes where the foundations of stone were ripped off their earthly bosom, spring water sprouting and turning into mud.The very air still thick with the memory of Her presence.The others.You shake off from your spell. Master is the closest. Riven on the ground, blood oozing from his eyes and his nose and from all over his old, wrecked body.“Oh. Oh no,” you crouch in front of him, touch his shivering arms.Just as you do, a faint golden glow surrounds him. His blood falls back into his body, wounds mend, bruises fade, leaving him blinking and groaning.Behind him, Rosandra is clasping together her pieces. Attaching a shattered arm to its socket, checking her hand. Surrounded by the same golden hue. It also envelops Soralisa, and Rubida is on her knees, grasping her offended arm.“What a presence,” groans from above Carnaval slowly touching the grass once more. Her wings fold over body. She is also healing, faster than others. “I have never met such a challenge. It snapped me like a twig. Are you alright?” She asks, crouching in front of Master to help him stand.“I am now,” he pants. “Ah, me! That was one of them indeed. Blessed be the Sun-Birther for Her protection, and let’s be thankful for Her generous heart. Which one of them was again, Argia?”“Celaeno,” you explain with a faint tremor in your ashen voice. “It was Celaeno.”So much worse than Merope.The three most dangerous people you know—besides the Adversary—have been brushed aside like straws by the mere will of the Sister.Halfway through the world.And through your inner world.Your inside organs tremble at the thought of what awaits you.You finally reach Rubida, who is holding her arm.Her arm which is now whole, unscathed. Her wound lost to time and memory.[cont.]Sun Mommy really likes you, uh
>>6369266“Can—Candente,” she sobs. Looks at you, big tears falling down her beautiful face.“The Sun-Birther is generous.” You pull her into an embrace and set your head over her shoulder. Just stay close to her for now.Just stay close.You focus on her grateful sobs as you run your hand through her hair.Your heart sings with the same relief.Blessed be the Sun-Birther. You thought you were about to lose all the people you counted upon.Soralisa joins you shortly after, holding you two while she breaths softly.You allow yourself a moment of respite.But you can’t waste time.Willow is still out there.“She is going to come with us.”Soralisa stirs, her face cycling through a wince, relief, wince again.In the end she sighs, even if her pursed lips make her look like she was stung by something.“I am not surprised.” She grasps your hand with her own, her hand that was once burned. Back when all this began. “Nobody is going to say no to you, Argia.”You bite the inside of your mouth as you reach for your cameo with your free hand, your fingers brushing against the lost profile of the lost Saint.Your newfound, and only, hope.“We will find out right away.”You will go right away, alone. Call to Lithala through your inner world.You will go and bring Soralisa and Rubida with you. Through your inner world. Celaeno already pierced your inner world once. Better not to go back there. Call the Stilladìa to appear in the flesh before everyone… on diplomatic terms, of course.Add a suggestionalso, that roll wasn’t for your friends. let’s say that a certain someone got really really lucky
>>6369267>Celaeno already pierced your inner world once. Better not to go back there. Call the Stilladìa to appear in the flesh before everyone… on diplomatic terms, of course.semi-honesty is the best policy, and Argia already hinted at an alliance with the Stilladìa early on so there is no need to beat around the bush here either anymore, we will just have to live with Rosandra expressing her displeasure over the invite for the next decade or two.>spoilerLuck is truly a skill.
>>6369267A certain someone whom we like one hopes...>You will go and bring Soralisa and Rubida with you. Through your inner world. It's risky, but reasoned diplomacy and cooperation will simply not happen if we have to suoervise Carnaval and Rosandra the whole time, and bringing uo that she's Bragia and beloved by Ansarra will be a hard enough sell to people who DON'T routinely butcher heretics and heathens.
>>6369267>You will go and bring Soralisa and Rubida with you. Through your inner world.
>>6369092>could do whatthe hand movement of the meme https://www.youtube.com/shorts/T7Ex6JMcwto>>6369267>You will go and bring Soralisa and Rubida with you. Through your inner world.
>>6369267>You will go and bring Soralisa and Rubida with you. Through your inner world.Let's take the hoes for a stroll B^)
>>6369267Lithala’s hand sifts through the shimmering stones.“The good thing about having a failsafe,” she muses, regarding the casket full of Dreaming Jewels. Helias glances at her over his shoulder; he is turned towards the Etemen’Anki, the two pyramids floating counter-clockwise to each other.Not for the first time, his wife’s words also float through his mind, and he gives them a great deal of attention.Something has been irking him for a while. He likes to think of himself as a rational man, but knows the importance of listening to the hunch that goes beyond reason. “Better start distributing these before my regrets stop me,” Lithala adds, shutting down the casket’s lid and snapping her fingers. Two of her souls shoot out from between her horns and turn into ghostly figures: a man and a woman. Helias does not recognize them. He’d argue that for this task she hardly needs anyone too important. “Fulfill your balance,” she instructs the two. “Would you kindly take these and give one each to the Asterites under my patronage. Here is the list.” She handles them a rolled-up parchment that is as see-through as they are. The two shades nod and fade out, carrying the casket with them. Helias purses his glass-smooth black lips, a crease of worry rippling over his brow like a disturbed pond. The good thing about having a failsafe.“Are you leaving the other Asterites unattended,” he asks, though he already knows the answer.She runs her hand through her long white hair, making him feel something akin a fluttering heart with the beauty so displayed, and pouts. “Shame on them for not making a contract when they could. But I will send instructions to the Emperor and I have already warned the Collegiata and the various Academies. What they do with this knowledge is beyond my ability to influence.” She crosses her arms over her slight chest. “Or my care.”He allows himself a half-smile. His wife is certainly not a saint. And she has stopped playing the hero centuries ago. But she is still using Dreaming Jewels from her own collection to help those under her care. Hopefully the stones will protect the Asterites from most pernicious effects of Celaeno’s presence.At least for a time. “I liked those,” she sighs, her hand clenching. “Some of them came back to the time of Bradiamante. Those Dreaming Jewels are a testament to my first great success. And now, at the time of my greatest failure, I am giving it all away. Starless Night, indeed.”[cont.]AnCap Devil is baaack
>>6369683He glides over the floor and sets his lips against her brow.“We will get more. More jewels, and more happy memories,” he says.“I am in sore need of both,” she laments. A pause, as she leans into him. “I am scared, Helias.”“Every act of bravery requires being scared.”He gives her a long hug, and she closes her beautiful eyes, letting him pamper her for a bit, rocking her left and right like a cradle made of strong arms and liquid blackness.He will not risk any. A single day together is better than an eternity alone. “I have to tend to my own affairs for a while. Can you give me a bit of time?”“Hmm? Oh, sorry love. I was growing a tad too comfortable.” She tilts her head up and he raises her in the air so she can set a kiss against his lips. “I will be in my rooms… trying not to fall over at the thought of my projected loss over this conundrum. I swear, if I ever get Celaeno between my hands I will…”She walks off, grumbling angry obscenities, and Helias watches her go. Her clenched fists, her stiff back. He loves all of her.More than anything.More than his own work.[cont.]
>>6369684He glides off the floor, away from the hollowed-out chambers that used to be Merope’s Haoma, down towards the main hall of the Etemen’Anki, the giant space excavated to give room to his lifetime’s project. He sets his hand over his hips, looking at the two pyramids, floating together, their tips almost touching, like two lovers who are always just a nail’s breadth away, always a thousand years apart.Hundreds of ghostly souls walk back and forth on the scaffolding surrounding them. Following Lithalas’s orders, and his instructions. The tireless work of a lifetime, to break through the veil, to make right what the Kiengiri tried to open and what Ansàrra had sealed when she destroyed the old Sun and the balance of the heavens. He has been dreaming of this ever since he learned how to put two and two together. Connect the worlds, repair the Wheel. Ansàrra’s brother dreamed of smuggling technology from his homeworld to his own. But once completed, the Etemen’Anki would allow the Wheel to sustain itself once again. No more souls would end up in their world. The door would be shut for them and open for Lithala. Ansàrra, caught in her little familial strife with his love, ignored the true scope of his operations… or so he hoped. One never knows with the unconquered sun.She had ignored them so far.A lucky streak that might never present itself again.To think he had spent centuries trying to protect his most secret and most important project, and now…He closes his eyes. What is the first thing he sees? Her gorgeous face, happy to see him, a triumphant grin on her platinum lips at some other new idea she had, eager to share, to entwine their lives together. He opens them again, their golden glow washing over the black smoothness of his face. So be it.He glides up in the air. Some of the workers glance at him, expecting more instructions. After all the vast majority of Lithala’s souls end up employed on this project, there is always some more work to do. But he will certainly not share his intentions with them. Gliding up in the air for hundreds of paces, he reaches the edge of the lower pyramid, following it until he finds himself floating between the two tips. They are separated only by a few spans, but that distance makes the whole difference in the world. It will make the difference for his whole world.He turns his right hand’s fingertips into scalpels and sets himself to work, carving new lines into the black surface, rerouting energies, overwriting instructions rooted into the rules of the cosmos.It will have to be enough.“The good thing about having a failsafe,” he muses, and keeps working.[cont.]
>>6369685# # # # # #Lithala sighs.She has spent enough time projecting the total expenses of this little war against Celaeno. She has left no stone unturned. No point in saving anything, when you are betting against the all-conquering void of the Seven.She has fought them before, certainly. But back then they were never incarnated, they had never attached themselves to a reborn Worm. Argia’s little friend complicated everything. Hopefully not beyond her ability to fix it.She stands up amidst the floating parchments that give a shape to her incoming losses. The Lithala waves her small pale hand and everything disappears, leaving her alone in the vastness of her rooms. She glances at the rows and rows of memory-spheres and soul-spheres surrounding her on the ringed shelves. Perhaps one day she will take a moment to herself and reminisce about better days.If days will come.One final breath, which passes through her without making her slight chest move. Wonder what Argia Candente is doing right now? Hopefully getting ready as well. Ansàrra knows about Celaeno, there is a chance that—She frowns.A rippling. Like a faint echo that—“Ah.” Lithala’s ember eyes widen, the twin glowing points that would be her pupils brightening.She was there. The ripple passes through and past her, carrying with itself a vile echo of twisting power. Celaeno.In Madua.And right after that, another echo: this one like a gilded bell ringing its stern toll to silence all opposition. Lithala’s hand reaches for the spot where her heart had once been.Celaeno got rebuked. Of course. She is not strong enough to walk in the Holy Land and……she is not strong enough yet.But why would she come there? Probably something related to Candente.It’s always like that with the silver-haired girl.It’s like the entire world revolves around her…“Tch.”[cont.]
>>6369686Lithala straightens as she feels her husband’s presence coming nearer.“Have you felt it?”“I did and I came to look after you.”A faint heat sprinkles her cheeks and she turns to look at him. There is a strange hesitance in his eyes, but then he leans forward, cups her face in his black gooey hands and sets a kiss on her brow.“W-What? I’m fine!”“Wanted to check.” He sets another kiss, this time on her mouth. “Checked.”She lets out a bubbly laugh. She does not deserve him. And Lithala stands on the tips of her toes, straining her body to kiss him on his mouth.“Double checked.”She leans against him for a beat.Holds him.Then lets go.“It’s time. Are you also ready? All your business accounted for?”“All of it.”“Good.”With those words, she steps into the darkness. Raises her arms and a steel helm appears between her hands, with holes for her horns.She sets it on her head, then widens her arm, and pronounces the words that her accounting books fear more than anything.The cracks through her body glow.“Calling all customers.”It’s a good thing that the room inside Merope’s Haoma is wide enough. As wide as a palace, as wide as the prairies in Madua, as wide as Lithala wants it to be.In a shower of glittering dust, a burst of falling stars, the pentagram inside her horns bursts out in an explosion that chases every shadow. The stars arch through the endless ceiling and, hundred upon hundred upon hundred, they shape into see-through figures.Tall kings and stern warriors. Asterites with sharp eyes and mages from Candéa; heroes and soldiers, each of them spanning a dozen legends.All of them waiting for a signal, for a word, for a sign.“Time to fulfill your balance. Gentlemen. Not to forget the gentlewomen.” She pauses, tossing a look at Helias, who nods. “I have summoned you all because we are in very dire need. The hour of doom is at hand.” She hesitates.It’s the same speech she has rehearsed in her mind so many times over the past few days. Even when Argia Candente was taking a stroll through her memories, she was thinking about this moment.“I am in need of your swords, of your wits. They might all be but straws before the power of the Darkness, but if we have to die with straws in our hands so be it. We will die standing and we will die proud. One of the Seven is about to incarnate. I am going to request your help.”Even in the silence, the spirits of the people she has made a contract with seem to hold their breath. A few squirm. Even those that have left behind all fears have a breaking point.“I have kept you in store for such a moment. When all courage fails and all reason is dust. I will face doom with a straight back, looking it in the eyes. I ask you to do the same.”Silence.Well, she did not expect an applause.[cont.]
>>6369687It is in her power to bind them to her will. It lays in the power of their contracts. But this does not mean she has to forget courtesy.Still, it wouldn’t be bad to receive anything but this glacial stillness.Lithala brushes her thumb against the side of her hands, nervous.Uh.Ansàrra would have none of this, would she? People through themselves off a cliff for her.It’s bitter, but—A tall woman with blonde hair and grey eyes, like all color had been shaved off their irises, steps in front of the crowd. She raises her weapon. A broken sword with no blade.Lithala’s throat bobs. Well. At least—at least Bradiamante is there, at least—And then, one by one, like reeds pulled forward by an invisible current, each of her shades, each of the customers she helped reach their goals and make legends out of their name, raises their weapon. Swords, spears, axes.Staves and fists. Knives and flails.“Hm,” she nods. A shivering smile dawning on her lips.Oh, that’s—that’s a little better.“T-Thank you. I—”And then, her eyes widen again.There is a different ripple coming through this time. Like a knock on a door.Helias has felt it too, turning his head in the direction of the invisible knocks.“Oh, you must be kidding.”Lithala’s shoulders slump.Never a dull moment, with this silver-haired girl…[cont.]
>>6369689# # # # # #You hold each of your girls with a hand. Soralisa with your golden one. Rubida with your normal, flesh one.You have excused yourselves from the rest of the group. Master was understanding. Carnaval was curious. Rosandra suspicious.But you do not have time to reassure her anymore. Willow’s life is on the line, and there is just one person who can help you.You pray your girls will understand. You send off a request. A desperate plea through your inner world, as the three of you wander together through the dreamfast.The weight of your cameo feels like an anchor.Please. Please, Lithala.And then the door opens. You open your eyes as well, still holding Rubida and Soralisa’s hands.You open your eyes to an immense room inside what looks like at a glance a hollow tree of legendary proportions. Hundreds upon hundreds of shades surround you. One attracts your attention right away: a tall woman with flowing blonde hair and grey eyes, holding a sword without blade.B-Bradiamante?Helias is there as well, a dark blot amidst the others.“Can we open our eyes now?” Soralisa asks.“Yes.”You are ready for the stunned silence that follows.Maybe not for Lithala’s groan as she adjusts the helm on her head, turns to look at you and her eyes narrow as they glare at you. Then at your chest.Then they raise to glare at you harder.“What is it now? Argia Candente.”Introduce the girls. Politeness wins.Introduce the Stilladìa to your girls. To ease them into her presence.Go straight to the deal.Add a suggestionAh... I had missed writing her.
>>6369690>Introduce the girls. Politeness wins.(^:
>>6369690>Introduce the girls. Politeness wins.
>>6369690>Introduce the girls. Politeness wins.Not only politness but given there is 40k something shades there watching this exchange Argia might as well read the room's mood by showing some modicum of deference here (even the ancap devil must be weak to good manners)>B-Bradiamante?Can Argia ask an autograph later?>spoilerI missed her too qm..I missed her too..>Maybe not for Lithala’s groan as she adjusts the helm on her head, turns to look at you and her eyes narrow as they glare at you. Then at your chest.MOGGED
>>6369690>Introduce the Stilladìa to your girls. To ease them into her presence.
>>6369690She has received you.And not a moment too late.If you can guess from the hundreds of warriors surrounding her, she was just about to lead her assault on the Night Lands. You came right in the nick of time.“I, uh—I need to ask for a favor.”“Hardly a worse time.”“I know! Actually, I also have a deal to go with it.”Lithala’s eyes flash for an instant, then the smoldering interest wanes.“Again, your timing is lousy, Argia Candente. I—”Rubida pulls away. She reaches for a weapon that is not there.“Please stop,” you say. “We did not come here to fight.”“Not come here to fight! Candente! This is the Adversary! And I do trust your foolishness, but this might just be too much! A step too far! Why are we even here? Have you finally gone mad?”Right. You cannot expect them to have any different reaction to Lithala from the one you had.“Worry not, pretty Anthilian. Do not get so worked up you dye your hair brown again,” the Stilladìa sighs, resting her chin on her hand as she looks at Rubida. “Your friend smote me hard and smote me deeper than all of your priests combined could ever hope to do. Seeing you wear yourself out would be amusing, but alas! The Seven have robbed us of amusement.” She glances at you on that last line and your throat bobs.The wound of Merope’s takeover is always aching.“I think Argia has a plan,” Soralisa steps forward, gently grasping Rubida’s wrist before she decides it’s time to throw herself at the Stilladìa for a fistfight. “And I think it’s one of her craziest plans. But they have always worked out so far, haven’t they?”“Apparently,” Lithala and Rubida say right at the same time, which makes they pull back and then glare at each other.[cont.]
>>6370048“I have a desperate hope, rather.”“This is about your friend again.” Lithala, as always, sees right through you.“You know?”“My silver-haired simpleton friend, Celaeno’s presence rang through the dreamfast harder than a mountain rolling into the ocean. As did Ansàrra’s reply, I assure you. And yet—you aren’t at her feet, begging for help, are you. You came to me.”“I did. Willow is in danger, that much is obvious. She came through! She has decided to rebuke the Seven and come back to us, but we need to go there right away. Ansàrra is in even more pain than usual and Carnaval cannot fight the Seven on her own. I need your help. That much you guessed right.”Lithala taps her fingers over her chin. Her black nails catch the light from the silence throng of spirits. They are far from the almost forty thousand that she has collected, but these are probably only those she kept for open warfare. You truly pray, given what just happened to the Temple, it will be enough.“Perhaps the Seven have not robbed us of amusement entirely,” she quips, her lips curling in that sickle-like grin you have seen so many times. “I admit it soothes my ashen heart to hear you say so. Your refusal left me bitter enough.”The grasp of Soralisa’s hand around your tightens.“Willow saw the Sun-Birther. Back in Kiengir times.” You try to shape words so that Rubida and Soralisa’s ears will not have to plunge into heresy. You have suffered enough from having your world upended, and even though you came through stronger, this is not the time for their hearts to waver.“A fantasy threaded by the Seven. Lies and bitterness that have little more value than baubles.”“He was there, you know.”[cont.]Argia plays the Mexican telenovela card
>>6370049Soralisa squirms.Her curiosity bubbling up in her chest, while Rubida fumes, holding your brunette scholar like she was made of glass, her jaw set.Lithala’s eyes widen.But she’s not the one to speak.“So we were right.”You all turn to look at Helias, who between the glassy blackness of his body and the multitude of spirits ended up as part of the background. He gives you all a smile and a nod.“Ladies. It is a pleasure to have you back here, Argia Candente.” He crosses the space to his wife and drapes his gooey arm around her shoulders, drawing her close. “We can listen.”Her shoulders slouch. Lithala clicks her tongue and gives you one long tired look. Then she pulls off her helm and with a snap of her fingers, the shades disappear in tiny motes of light, drawn to the space between her horns.“You have eighty-eight words to convince me, Argia Candente.”“I just need one. Gossip.”“Gossip.”“About Ansàrra. The kind of revelations that would have you squirm in your boots if you wore them. All sorts of sordid truth. If Willow guessed right on one account, perhaps she also did on others, didn’t she? Who knows how many. Straight from Kiengir source.”Lithala’s fingers tremble, like she were a wolf about to pounce on a delectable lamb.“Ah, you know my heart truly…”“And a deal. That’s… that’s two words. Willow has all the info you need, but I want her safe and alive in order to relay them to you. She has agreed already.”“I see no contract between your fingers, Argia Candente.”“You know me,” you reply tapping the very cameo she made. “I never needed one.”Lithala shields her pale face with her hands. The cracks running through her flesh seem to pulse with frustration while her husband rubs her shoulder.She lets out a frustrated whine, sounding like a boiler reaching its bursting point.“The gall on this girl. She rejects my proposition, crashes into my home, and speaks my language.” She lowers her hands. “I will always regret losing that bet over your soul, Argia Candente.”“So that’s a yes?”“You have not even specified your own terms.”“Ah. Right.”I have always been a terrible liar.Honest to a fault once more, it seems.“A gifted student but a student nonetheless. Speak them out.”[cont.]
>>6370050You lick your lips, then glance at both your girls. Asking for their support.“I—I will. Give me a moment. By the way, these are my companions…”“… the black-haired girl who is glowering at me is seventeenth in line from the Dell’Obertengo blood, a branch that goes all the way back to Anthìlia and Kadmos of Kyrenae, though they would not bear any memory of it. Enlisted to become a Sunwell Knight, she has always shown remarkable managerial abilities. As well as a fairly short temper she hides behind great skills for social manipulation.”You freeze.Rubida stiffens.Lithala’s grin widens.“Pretty eyes, by the way. Did you know that Anthìlian blue is a Kiengir derivative? Truly ironic. You also dye your hair but we have been over that. The other girl is Soralisa da Zaribari, from a cadet branch of low-grade nobles, sixth-generation immigrants after the Foundation Wars. Hands burned by Ansàrra herself, poor thing. She was the one who marked your back, Argia Candente.”The entwined squares on your back pulse.Soralisa’s mouth hangs open.“Please, dearie,” Lithala purrs. “There are no flies in this space, but I would keep that mouth closed.” She makes a show of contemplating her nails. “Those terms, Argia Candente, and keep them reasonable. You have my interest, waste it not.”>Dictate the terms of the deal.Remember you are offering what you decided previously, in >6368222>info about Ansàrra’s past. Informations in exchange for safe, quick passage there so you can extract her… and kill the Worm. Promise of non-interference, which will only extend up to Carnaval. The Sun-Birther’s Will is still absolute, friendship or no friendship.
>>6370052I'm a bit confused, QM... What other terms are there to offer besidss those outlined at the end of your own post already? I believe we're in agreement, though I'd like to add that we suspect Willow would better suit Stilly than Annie as a knight, and that we would be glad to visit the two of them regularly.
>>6370052I was considering adding regular Argia visits but it feels as though the contract would cheapen their budding friendship. It'll be way cuter if she just asks if she can visit sometimes after the big fight. Bonus points if she stammers.Stilly would never admit it but she really, really really wants a friend. Bradiamante might like her but the whole owning her soul bit really limits how close they can realistically get. Stilly's only really got her husband and girlbossing in her life.
>>6370096> though I'd like to add that we suspect Willow would better suit Stilly than Annie as a knightNeither Willow nor Lithala would be interested in having willow as her knight, Willow wants to stay with Argia and Lithala already made clear a thread ago that Willow's soul is really just third-rate compared to stranders like esta, her interest starts and ends on the little amount of information Willow has surrounding Sun-mommy, beyond that she is useless because her skills did not impress Lithala in the slightest.Willow is just not cut out to be a knight for either faction, she is too faithless to be a knight of Ansàrra and she is too boring for the Stilladìa luckily Willow's gf got contacts in the right places that make her lack of faith on the sun-birther a non-issue>I'm a bit confused, QM... What other terms are there to offer besidss those outlined at the end of your own post already? I believe we're in agreementI think it's about just making clear if we are set on the terms we want for Argia and willow in particular, we already laid out our offerings, now we just need to make sure about what exactly we want from Lithala here because there is not takebacks afterwards.>>6370123I don't think owning her soul really is limiting on closeness, in the last thread the only two souls allowed to watch through Lithala's memories were Helias and Bradiamante, I don't think she sees owning someone's soul as limiting one's friendship in the silighest, rather she sees it as a show of trust.>Stilly would never admit it but she really, really really wants a friend.kinda, she wants friends that won't die after the next century or two that's why she regrets not winning over Argia's soul after they bonded so quickly, because now she doesn't get to hoard Argia for eternity now that she belongs to AnsàrraHad Lithala won her soul, Ariga would never have to "Fulfill her balance" simply because Lithala wouldn't have made use of it, hell bradiamante still has thirty-two years to go and Lithala sure is taking her sweet time (meaning never) in using those years, 32 years might as well be 3200 years instead.
>>6370050>“You have eighty-eight words to convince me, Argia Candente.”How many words ?
>>6370096>what other terms are there to offerthis is mostly a chance to roleplay the deal a bit. I repeated the terms to suggest keeping them as a baseline. This is about what you want in exchange: so transport for whom exactly, and perhaps adding a bit of extra protection?
Well don't mind me then QM----------------------------------------------------------Contract No.40888PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTTHIS AGREEMENT made and entered by and between the Stilladìa hereinafter called CONSULTANT, and Argia Candente hereinafter called COMMISSION for the oath of friendship and support against their mutual enemies.1. DUTIES. A. CONSULTANT agrees to exercise special skill to accomplish the following results in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the COMMISSION: safe and quick passage to Argia Candente and her companions to the exact location of Willow Stark, so they can extract Willow Stark safely and support to terminate with extreme prejudice the abomination created by Kiengiri magic, the Worm, as specified in Exhibit A: Scope of Services, which by this reference is incorporated herein.B. CONSULTANT shall provide the personnel listed below to perform the above-specified services, which persons are hereby designated as key personnel under this Agreement.Name: Stilladìa Function: Principal in Charge Helias Project Manager Bradiamante Executioner Unexpecificed number of souls under her payroll Indentured contractorsC. CONSULTANT’S PROGRESS REPORTS AND/OR IN PERSON MEETINGS 1) The CONSULTANT shall submit written progress reports with each invoice. The report should be sufficiently detailed for the Contract Manager to determine if the CONSULTANT is performing to expectations or is on schedule; to provide communication of interim findings; and to sufficiently address any difficulties or special problems encountered, so remedies can be developed. 2) The CONSULTANT’s Project Manager shall meet with the COMMISSION, as needed, to discuss progress on the contract.2. COMPENSATION. In consideration for CONSULTANT accomplishing said result, COMMISSION agrees to pay CONSULTANT as follows:A. Willow Stark’s complete and absolute sharing of information and secrets about Ansàrra, The Totality of Heavens in exchange for safe passage and support during Willow Stark’s rescue.B. Absolute non-interference or acts of aggression from the COMMISSION Argia Cadente against the CONSULTANT The Stilladìa, ignoring any and all orders and demands from the higher ranks from Madua up to Carnaval, with exception from commands/requests/demands coming directly from The Sun-Birther towards the COMMISSIONC.A public oath of friendship and mutual protection against their mutual enemies, pledging to commit to their mutual defense against any and all enemies shared mutually between the COMMISSION Argia Cadente and CONSULTANT The Stilladìa.
D. This oath shall be taken with the following witnesses: TWO from the CONSULTANT and THREE from the COMMISSION, with one member from the COMMISSION being a high ranking member from MaduaE. WEEKLY social calls between the CONSULTANT and the COMMISSION, waiting no longer than 6 weeks which shall last until the COMMISSION natural lifespanF. The payments from the COMMISSION shall be collected by the CONSULTANT in a time and place of her choosing 1. CONSULTANT By: _______________________________ SIGNED _________________________________ 2. COMMISSION By: _____________________________ SIGNED ______________________________I couldn't get all the text in so I had to cut it off in two parts, normally a contract should be something like 10 pages but I feel like Lithala would make it easier for Argia to understand, call it a summarized signing pageBtw anons can pick and choose what should stay or not in this contract, just felt nice to make their friendship official and scandalize all of madua after all the grief everyone made our girl suffer on account of her luscious silver hair KEK
>>6371043>>6371044keeekanon this is just what I was talking about. Incredible work. I'll leave voting up for another day in case anons want to add somethingthis was SCANDALISING
>>6371043>>6371044I can back this, except maybe the public oath of friendship with The Adversary, because that shit will spark a civil war in the Holy Land.
>>6371043>>6371044Incredible stuff, anon
>>6370052“F. The payments from the COMMISSION shall be collected by the CONSULTANT in a time and place of her choosing… signed…”The Stilladìa stops reading and raises her bespectacled crimson eyes from the page. That grin is still there.If at all possible is now even sharper.“Argia Candente. You truly learned how to speak my language. I’m impressed, I’m impressed.”You squirm in your boots. Not really sure how to deal with such praise, and in front of your girls.Rubida still seems ready to lash out, while Soralisa glances at her surroundings, always curious.“Still. I would suggest a couple of adjustments…”She holds up her hand as the contract, made from the same shimmering material she carved her tentative offer for your soul out of, floats about. A pen appears between Lithala’s fingers and she proceeds to edit.“First, this part about visitations is truly endearing, but I would add ‘unless force majeure would make it impossible, untenable or counter-productive’.”Oh. You did not think about that.“I—I suppose it makes sense.”“Does it ever. And another note here about your little friend. Let me add ‘and immediate aftermath’ after transportation.”“Why?”“Because all sort of bad bad things can happen in that nick of time, Argia Candente. What if we rescue her and some from your side decides traitor Stranders are not welcome in the Holy Land?” She sighs. “Wording is really important. Agree?”“Agree.”“Splendid.”She gives the whole draft one last long look, then snaps her fingers and it disappears.She holds out her hand.“Uh?”“No signatures needed on this kind of deal. Just your trust in mine.”You lean forward. Rubida’s hand shake, as if about to stop you.Then she relents.You hold out your hand.Lithala shakes it.Then she withdraws. Nothing happens.“Uh. I thought…”“I keep the bell and whistles for people signing off their souls. As I said, this will do. Our deal is just as binding as steel. Remember what I showed you with Merope. Intent above all else, Argia Candente.”“My intent is clear.”“Crystal.” She grins. Turns to regard Rubida and Soralisa. “So. You and those two adorable goons of yours? Or were you thinking about anyone else?”[cont.]
>>6371625Oh.Right. You did not specify Carnaval, Rosandra or Master. And you are about to face one of the Seven…No, wait.“I thought—we would probably need Carnaval and Rosandra. And Master. But I did say my companions…”“And you meant your two friends there.” She holds her finger up. “You did it right here. >>6370052”“Oh.”“Wording. It truly is very important.”Starless Night. You shake your head. It’s your turn to grin.“I forgot who I was talking to, for a moment.”“You already got a great deal. Can make it better with just a tiny effort. Because it is off the record, I can easily involve those three in transportation and protection, for just a little extra.”“And this extra would be…?”“My husband and I will need to discuss certain matters with Willow, after we bring her back. Certain private matters. One hour with her will suffice. Of course, after that she will be given back. Unharmed. And unspoiled.”You agree. Carnaval’s help especially would be invaluable when facing the Seven.The deal stands as it was given. You’d rather not involve Willow further than you need. # # # This is an important vote that will influence the following scenes and the battle to come. Think it thoroughly. # # #
>>6371627>The deal stands as it was given. You’d rather not involve Willow further than you need.
>>6371627>You agree. Carnaval’s help especially would be invaluable when facing the Seven.Argia may speak the language but Lithala has 600 years of fluency in business speak.>>6371308>>6371177Thank you, these past two years reading contracts about the purchase and sale of houses finally came in a clutch>You squirm in your boots. Not really sure how to deal with such praise, and in front of your girls.>deep down craving for some praise and headpats from her idol.Argia...
>>6371043>>6371044Lol truly a stilladia play
>>6371627> You agree. Carnaval’s help especially would be invaluable when facing the Seven.
>>6371627>You agree. Carnaval’s help especially would be invaluable when facing the Seven.
>>6371627You agree. Carnaval’s help especially would be invaluable when facing the Seven.# # # # # #You hold on tight against Rubida and Willow’s hands as you three open your eyes at the same time, and stand up.It’s been less than an instant. Carnaval is still helping Master stand, and Rosandra is still pulling herself back together, Ansàrra’s healing glow still surrounding her.You give those three a rueful smile.“I just had a little talk. Master, Carnaval. Rosandra. Can I ask you all for a favour?”Rubida sighs.But she does not let go of your hand.“Please keep calm.”You step away. The air between you and Carnaval ripples, rips and a pale arm stretches into the space, folding it like a page turned.Lithala appears floating mid-air, with her usual grin even brighter than usual. Crimson eyes glint with amusement at Carnaval’s stunned expression. Master’s grey eyes grow sterner, but he does not show anything more than patience.Thank the Sun-Birther for Master.The Stilladìa crosses her naked legs and sits there in the air, her long white mane floating behind her. She flips it over her shoulder. Her black horns catch the light of Her sun as she appears right in the middle of Ansàrra’s realm.“Well. I would wish you all a good day, but you know how I feel about these things.”Rosandra turns into a bandaged smear of pale skin and floating auburn air as her fist smashes against the open air in front of Lithala, whose grin grows even wider.It’s like she has just struck an invisible, insurmountable wall. The echoes fade in the open air.“Rosandra!” Lithala chuckles. “Old age has mellowed you out.”“You!”“Great work memorizing pronouns.” Her star-like pupils glow. “Now. Can we move past your usual welcome? I did not come here for a fistfight.” She glances towards Carnaval, who ruffles her feather, with a crinkling of glass.[cont.]
>>6372541“P-Please everyone keep calm,” you squeal, holding out your hands. “I—”“A fistfight would not be, Star of Morn and Eventide,” Carnaval growls. She also floats in the air and the Stilladìa rolls her eyes.“I am trembling in my boots.” She wiggles her bare toes. “Or maybe not.”“Last time you flew like a rat.” Carnaval tilts her bald head, golden eyes narrowing like the closing shutters to a furnace. “And yet you claw your way back here. Now. After the Seven.”“I was invited.” She points at you.“Yes. Indeed, I was the one who asked for her help. I know this does not look good, but…”Rosandra, once again, does not put her reply into words. She screams, bites into her own hand, ripping through skin and bandages and flesh, releasing teardrops of scattered blood. They shape themselves into wicked talons, coating her hands and she smashes it once more against Lithala’s face. To tear, to rip, to shred.Her strike impacts, ricochets against the same invisible barrier, which thrums like the strings of a lyre.“Hm.” Lithala drums her fingers against her thigh. “I’m not as good at this trick as Bradiamante.”The words pop into your mind, some distant spot where you can still care about your childhood heroes. So that knight soul was Bradiamante!Ah, but you have bigger troubles now.“Please…”Rosandra leans back for another strike. Lithala huffs.She snaps her fingers and a hole opens right beneath Rosandra, who falls into the darkness, her screams fading into nothingness.“Cease this!” Carnaval shouts, her wings fanning out. Master reaches for his weapon.“Tell your crazed nun to do so first. It will be useless, I know…” And right on cue, another similar hole appears a few feet up in the air, right over the first. You can now see Rosandra claw at the air as she falls.Falls into the lower hole.And then from the upper one.Again.And again.Ever faster, so that her screams of rage raise to a pitch.Lithala rests her chin on her hand.“Hmmm… I can never seem to get this thing right. What was it? Something about ‘air resistance’…” she snaps her fingers again and Rosandra’s screams disappear. She starts falling visibly faster. And Lithala claps her hands, excited. “Oh. Much better! But we can’t hear her screams now, so I’d say it’s still a work in progress.”“Please,” you sigh.Lithala glances at you. Groans.[cont.]
>>6372543She waves her hand and both holes close at the same time.Rosandra impacts the ground with enough force to raise a cloud of dust and broken earth. Even smashed as she is at the bottom of the crater, she glowers with hate at the Stilladìa.“I could do this all day.” Lithala flicks her gaze towards Carnaval. “And I could take on the three of you. You might win in a single fight with me, bird-brain, but I am never alone. You know this very well.” Then she gives her a rueful smile and a shrug, as if to say: can we stop it with the theatrics?Carnaval looks at you, he golden eyes boring holes through you.Rosandra meanwhile stands up. Still bleeding, still with her jaw clenched in fury, but she doesn’t move. For now.“Argia Candente. You better explain.”[cont.]
>>6372544# # # # # #When Willow opens her eyes again, she sees blue.Celaeno is not smiling.This is not news.What is news, though: her sable hand splayed over her chest.Did I not make myself clear enough the first time, Willow Aurora Stark?“Heh.” She grins. For the first time in months—she can grin properly! With her heart hammering in her chest. She will have to share Argia with those two girls—and with that Italian slag—but she will be there for her.Those icy blue eyes are so much sharper than the dull Kiengir shade.“I’m sorry. Maybe I just got tired of listening.”We are Kiengir. Celaeno takes a step back. Willow, seated on the ground of the Night Lands, struggles as an unseen forces drags her up into the air. As I said. We make waste not.“Hey! Let me go you crazy hag! You and your whole circus are going tits up, you hear me?”Celaeno might hear her, but she does not reply. Willow struggles against the invisible bonds. If she could reach for her sword… all her strength, and she can still do nothing against these stupid whores! Her hand clenches at her side.But her sword floats out of its scabbard.No, not her sword.The sword that was given to her.It turns against her as they both float upwards, past the ruins of the village, over Celaeno’s shimmering figure. It is still shimmering between states of existence, but has slowly grown more and more material.And all around her, misshapen figures, hollering and gnawing. Gathered for the triumph of their lords. Incoming from the four corners of the world, now looking up curious and excited at Willow’s body as it approaches the scaly trunk of the Worm, embedded against the sky.“Let me go!” She shouts.It’s a demand that fades into a plead.Celaeno does not waste words. She is Kiengir.The sword made of night cuts through the air, pierces Willow’s chest like a fragment of howling ice. She seeps into the void, her eyes growing dull even as her jaw clenches in struggle.The chill burns so deep. The blackness of night spreads from the wound. Like the wound on Argia’s chest that time in the Well…Willow’s lips curl.Well.Kinda deserved.Her thoughts fade. Embedded against the worm like that, like a butterfly pinned to a wall, she bleeds herself into the endless maw.[cont.]
>>6372545# # # # # #Your throat hurts. You have never spoken so quickly, and trying to make everything fit. While keeping Lithala’s secret a secret. But you put everything together: what you already told them about Ansàrra’s plan, plus Willow’s decision.“We can still save her, but we have to go now!” A pause. “Or at least, I will go. With Rubida and Soralisa. I negotiated passage for you three as well: Master, Carnaval, Rosandra.” Rosandra, who has put herself together enough to sneer, sneers.“Please! I know there is bad blood between you…”“… that’s one way to put it, Argia Candente,” Lithala scoffs, still floating in the middle.“But whatever it is, we have to go now. And we have to go together. It all fits! My cameo, this… all this!” You shout, raising your voice to a plea. “Ansàrra’s Will! As much as I can perceive it. She told me to go in haste just moments ago! And I will go. And I need you in this hour. So… please.” You fall to your knees in front of Master. “Please. If you ever put an inkling of trust in me… follow me to the end of night.”Silence stretches across the Maduan coast.Lithala, as always, is the first one to break it.“Think of it this way, you three sun-loving dolts,” she muses. “Ansàrra and I have our secret war going on, but with the Seven incarnated, the heavens broken and everything else that will come from it… how about we fight that war in a world we can still live in?”>Roll: Best of 6, 1d100+54. Three DCs for three degrees of success: 80, 110 and 160.It was fun to show Lithala thinking with portals.
Rolled 80 + 54 (1d100 + 54)>>6372547
Rolled 57 + 54 (1d100 + 54)>>6372547zamn, getting a 160 is going to be hard QM then again we are asking the nigh impossible from Rosandra.At least Lithala is trying to make it work for her favorite client..kinda.>Her thoughts fade. Embedded against the worm like that, like a butterfly pinned to a wall, she bleeds herself into the endless maw.We will rescue you yet Willow, just stay pinned there until we sort things out with the party btw qm is this Lithala's war bling in the file?
huh, wasn't supposed to spoiler everything..I blame this on my drowsiness after just waking up, retarded player pls understand
Rolled 97 + 54 (1d100 + 54)>>6372547
Rolled 14 + 54 (1d100 + 54)>>6372636That's crazy... Rollang!
>>6372722>>6372576Ansàrra provides, kek.
Rolled 65 + 54 (1d100 + 54)>>6372543>“I am trembling in my boots.” She wiggles her bare toes. “Or maybe not.”What I wouldn't give to know how to draw rn>>6372547
Rolled 61 + 54 (1d100 + 54)>>6372547
>>6372547
>>6372804wise words anonif you wanted to roll I think it has not picked it up.I'll try to write an update tonight but no promises. Life is being particularly complicated right now.Hope to update soon. thanks everyone for rolling and congrats for the high roll.>>6372749>What I wouldn't give to know how to draw rnpick up a pencil anon (not with your toes)
>>6373543>(not with your toes)Quitter talk! Imagine how much more impressive that would be.>Life is being particularly complicated right now.Take the time you need, QM. Your work is much appreciated.
>>6373543>pick up a pencil anon (not with your toes)Maybe I'll do something by the end of the month, even if it's squiggly lines
>>6373570do your best anon, do your best!
>>6372547One by one, the three so-called sun-loving dolts take their decisions.“I would be remiss if I weren’t to follow you in this adventure. One last time,” Master chuckles. He latches his weapon on his back and takes a step forward. “F-Follow me?” It sounds so strange. “Master, we would go together, I—”“Follow you.” He states again, setting both his hands on your shoulders. “To the end. May it be bitter.”Behind him, Carnaval sighs. She shakes her bald head. Folds her creaking wings and falls down to the ground, reaching for Master and you.“I still think I haven’t excused myself for the mess I made with that Temple mission. Perhaps this would be a good chance. Even if it means suffering certain company.”Lithala makes a show of checking her nails.“Oh, it must be terrible. A chance for you to learn something,” she quips. “Hop on, bird-brain. We don’t have time for your hesitations.”And at last, everyone’s gaze turns to Rosandra. She is clenching her jaw and looking away.“I shall take no part in this madness.”You step forward.“Please…”“Silence!” The shout makes you recoil. “I have seen enough. We will fight the Seven on our terms and with our means. There will be no need for the Adversary.” She raises her head, sneering. “I sure hope this means I shall not have to think twice about the trust I have so far leaned to you, Argia Candente.”“There will be no need,” you state.Rosandra gives a small nod, but she does not move.Someone else sets her hand on your shoulder. Right where Master used to.“She has made her choice. As stubborn as the roots of the mountains, that one.” Lithala gives you a rueful look.Echoes of lost Bragia Lacresta. And Rosandra was there, that night.You doubt you can do anything to change her mind.[cont.]
>>6373881“Very well.” Lithala pulls away, turns and entwines her arms behind her back, looking at Rosandra over her shoulder. “Just do not cry when I fix everything. Not for the first time, either.”Then she snaps her fingers, and the six of you disappear into a vortex of colors and echoes.“Thank you for flying with us,” Lithala quips, tapping the side of her head. A pair of dark glasses appear on her face. “Time of arrival is about eight heartbeats. I have already devised and set up a warplan together with my beloved husband. We can easily fit you five into it: Argia, I’m sure, will want to get close and personal with Willow. It is part of our common understanding that I will have to help her.”“We forgot Sandora,” Soralisa says, raising her hand.“We are protecting her.” Lithala clicks her tongue. “As an Asterite, she would go up in smoke quicker than a flash of oil in a pan, if she were to stand so close to one of the Seven. It is better if she sits prettily at a safe distance. But, hey, silver star for remembering.” She points at Soralisa and an eight-pointed grey star appears on her robe.Master clears his voice.“Carnaval and I would be best spent clearing up a path for Argia herself. Is that feasible?”Lithala nods, her eyes flashing crimson behind the glasses.“The Seven and the Worm will clearly be protected. By cultists and by amalgamated beings. I do not fear them, but I worry Celaeno is about to complete her incarnation process. If that happens—” she pulls down her shades and gives Carnaval a long look. “Can I count on you? I promise not to call you bird-brain for a while.”The angel gives a curt nod.“Deal, then. That is the plan. But if you have suggestions…”“We do not have proper weapons,” Rubida shouts, opening her arms in frustration. “Argia has her sword and that’s it.”[cont.]
>>6373882“Ibardo has his elven heritage right there. Your scholarly’s friend weapon rests between her eyes and Carnaval is her own army.” Lithala raises a hand and makes a gesture like pulling down a curtain. From the walls of swirling colors appears a rack of weapons and armors, like she opened a wardrobe. “Choose whichever. I do not have your measurements, but, uh…” her gaze tracks Rubida’s full chest and you notice her finger twitching. “You should find something that fits.”Then she turns to you.“And lastly, about my own involvement. I had planned to leave the Worm alone and focusing on Celaeno, but if you want me to help you extract Willow I will have to knock that damn beast on its head again.”“… again?” Mutters Soralisa, but nobody seems to notice, and you certainly do not help her down that line of thought.“But this is fluid enough we can decide it right now. Where do you want me, Argia Candente?”Lithala will deal with the Worm.Lithala will deal with Celaeno. Add a suggestionThanks for playing and flying Alithala. The final battle is about to approach. Hope you are ready.
>>6373883>Lithala will deal with Celaeno.Between the two, Celaeno is much more dangerous, just having Lithala keeping her busy should make it easier for Argia and her group to focus on the worm and WillowSad we didn't get to rope in Rosandra into the rescue party, but it is what it is we can't hit nat crits and trips on everything, better to save those for the final battle.>“… again?” Mutters Soralisa, but nobody seems to notice, and you certainly do not help her down that line of thought.Soralisa is pursuing a dangerous line of thought...>>6373570I'll love to see it too anon, go for it!
>>6373896Uh, anon... >>6372636Did I not crit? Or is 97+ only a crit with the sword? I forget. >>6373883>Lithala will deal with Celaeno. Let Bragia Classic deal with the bigger threat, and Bragia Reborn earn the comparison by replicating her famous feat!
>>6373883>Lithala will deal with Celaeno.
>>6373949sorry anon, 97 crit is only in combat rolls (convincing Rosandra not to be stubborn doesn't count)
>>6373883>Lithala will deal with CelaenoBetter not give the incarnated Kiengir any room to breathe. The Worm is massive and probably magic but it's not a deathless god-in-flesh that rewrites reality on a whim. We'll have Anny's full attention as backup too.
>>6373974Ah dang. Well, fair enough.
>>6373883>Lithala will deal with Celaeno.Wugh gotta catch upppp
Seldom I have seen this level of unanimity.writing>>6374582welcome back! and just in time for the final battle!
>>6373883Lithala will deal with Celaeno. # # # # # #There is no doubt in your mind.Sometimes you feel the tug of your thoughts, pulling in different directions, but this is clear as Her day.You have seen what the Seven can do. You have seen what the Stilladìa can do.Your only chance is to put the two against each other and hope for Lithala to not break first.“No. We will follow your original plan.”“Ah, Argia Candente.” Lithala’s grin grows fonder. “You keep surprising me. Now you show good judgment.” Her eyes shift towards your golden hand. “It has not always been so, but what is done is done.”Rubida grumbles something while Soralisa helps latching a mailcoat around her figure. It shines like pure mercury and it seems like it would protect her from everything.Lithala clicks her tongue.“Your friend has eye for precious things, uh… well try not to mess that up too much. Those rings have been fashioned by my own husband. So thank him when his craft saves your butt.”That said, she taps her black glasses and they fade, leaving her crimson eyes burning with a somber flame.“We are here.”The vortex of light and echoes fades, leaving you six standing on grey grass.You look up.The sky is covered by streaks of ringed silver. The planetary ring, the strewn and rotting body of Ansàrra’s brother, looms over you, robbing the world of light.And right in front of you, a few miles over the plains, there is movement.At first it looks like a shivering and quivering of black ants, but they soon grow bigger, and the echoes of their cries reach your ears. A broiling army of misshapen limbs, skulking about. Your chest throbs with the memory of the wound you suffered in the Well.An army surrounding what looks like a twisting tree trunk. It coils and reaches upwards, past the level of the gnarly trees, past the ruins of the village, past the clouds and past the very ring, devouring and gnawing at the sky.Your heart skips a beat. Next to you, Rubida’s hand reaches for yours. Soralisa does so with your left one.“Willow is there,” you say. Hopefully so.She has to be.Carnaval raises her arm. With a golden flash, a spear appears in her hand. A gilded glow descends upon her, turning into a burning armor that covers her upper face, her body, down to her legs and feet. So encased, the Angel of Ansàrra floats upwards and lets out a high keen of challenge, which rolls over the plains like a brazen toll.Lithala takes her hands off her ears.“How choreographic.”And then Ibardo steps next to you. His hand on your shoulder.“I am glad to be here with you, Argia.”“It is I who should say that, Master.”He laughs.“At the end of the world, we will keep our head high.” He takes in a long breath. “All finds its proper place.”[cont.]
>>6374843You nod.Something else arrives. A black darkness, as liquid as water, swirls around Lithala and takes on the shape of a tall man with glowing golden eyes. He holds her in his arms and sets a quick kiss on her lips.Lithala rubs a hand over his cheek. Only you see that it is trembling.“Showtime,” Lithala sighs.And once again, she snaps her fingers.The glowing flower inside her horns bursts out in a shower of stars. Dozens, hundreds of silver streaks cut through the somber darkness of the Night Lands, each flash turning into a man or a woman, the same you saw in her inner world.One by one they stand. A forest of spears, of swords, of shields and lances and staves.Lithala jumps down from Helias’ arms. Her naked feet test the grass.Then she shares a look with you.She gives you a half-smile.Your cameo seems to burn.Here you are, facing the world’s deadliest enemy. Here you are, and Bragia Lacresta is with you.Lithala takes a step forward, holds out her right arm. With a shimmering flash, her signature weapon, the steely morningstar, appears in her hand.“What a chore. I am a terrible melee fighter.”The same phrase she has echoed so many times.“You are not alone,” you say, still holding your girls’s hands. Rubida’s twitches. Then you gently pull away. “Protect her,” you say tilting your head towards Soralisa. “And may Ansàrra protect us all.” You unsheathe your sword. Rubida echoes you, a large axe in her hands.Lithala steps forward, arm raised, morningstar poised in a challenge. Ibardo walks besides you, and Carnaval’s feather crinkle above.This is it.[cont.]
Rolled 54, 45, 19, 94, 22, 87 + 77 = 398 (6d100 + 77)>>6374845Past the incoming forces of misshapen thralls, past the ruins. Over the coiling spires… find that pivot. Find Willow.Get your happy ending.And right as you get ready to cut through the advancing forces, a blue flash.You wince. Rubida stumbles. Soralisa cries.Ibardo huffs as if in pain.Even Carnaval hesitates.A pair of eyes. A blue gaze.It seems to be everywhere and nowhere. And sprouting from right inside your mind. It is not focused there, but it is present.You have come, pretender.Celaeno’s voice cuts through the plains. The hordes of thralls, emboldened, let out a rallying cry as they devour the last mile separating your little group from them, Lithala’s shimmering army from the thousands and thousands of soldiers of tortured flesh and ensorcelled steel.This shall not go like the night you killed our sister.Lithala takes one more step forward.Slows down.Stands still.The wind plays with her hair as she lowers her head.Are you daft? Have you not a glimpse of wisdom, if only out of fear?Lithala sighs.Raises her head and looks ahead. In her crimson eyes you seem to recognize a blue reflection, but it is not enough to make her break.Amidst all the ruckus, and the incoming rush of Kiengir thralls. Before the presence of one of the Seven, she still stands. Unbowed. Unequaled. Unrivaled.“Fear?” And there it is. That grin. Flashing like a silvery sickle. She tilts her head, as if amused. “Fear! Listen well, you Kiengir slag. There is only one thing in this world or any others that I fear. And you are not taxes.”Behind her, Helias chuckles."Well said, runt."Then Lithala of the Night Lands lowers her arm, and she dashes forward, carrying her army with her like foam that breaks before the tide.>Combat Roll: beat THREE of my rolls from this post>1d100+81, best of SIX>97-100 Crit (like anon said, it's ONLY for your weapon but in this case it counts)>>6360398 for updated sheet>dubs, trips quads etc count>bonus: if you wish so, you can exchange your roll for a Sanction among those Argia can plead for.>Remember Effimera Corona is not an automated Sanction, unlike the others.good luck anon.And yes, Lithala always steals the best lines. I had that one in my pocket since thread one
>>6374850>>bonus: if you wish so, you can exchange your roll for a Sanction among those Argia can plead for.Hmmm, quick question qm can argia still use Searing Castigation? I was thinking of trading my roll for that instead since this is a big battle so we might as well go out with a style but...I have no idea if she brought sacred oils with herIf she can I'm trading my roll for that instead, I refuse to let the Stilladìa of all people to outshine a knight of Ansàrra>“Fear! Listen well, you Kiengir slag. There is only one thing in this world or any others that I fear. And you are not taxes.”except when they are one-liners, she got us beat there, can't mog her at everything too.
Rolled 90 + 81 (1d100 + 81)>>6374850Let's save the sanctions for when we are up against a worm, without an army.
Rolled 70 + 81 (1d100 + 81)>>6374850Pls Ansarra give me quads and my body is yours
Rolled 79 + 81 (1d100 + 81)>>6374850The weather must have everyone busy. Hopefully a little sunshine can thaw us out.
Rolled 66 + 81 (1d100 + 81)>>6374850
It may be worth having people do second rolls soon.
>>6374870>Searing Castigationsurewe also have one roll left if anon substitutes the Searing Castigation for his.
>>6376070Then I'll vote for the sanction of Searing Castigation qm, that way it becomes a best of five>>6375851>The weather must have everyone busy. Hopefully a little sunshine can thaw us out.The curse of sundays...
Ah right just to make clear >>6374870 is me
>>6376098thanks anon. I should be able to start writing in a few hours
Rolled 39 + 81 (1d100 + 81)quads!
>>6374850And like a tide, the hordes of the Night descend upon you. Hurling themselves at you and at Lithala’s army, with the unthinking glee of misshapen ants, birthed from the bowels of a twisted underground.You get a glimpse of raised talons, of foaming teeth. Of black beady eyes and creatures without, trembling with the Will of their Lady.You raise your sword just as Lithala runs ahead of you. She is the first to swing. Her morningstar glows and it seems as if every other light fails as silvery streaks shoot from its head, each of them a spear cleaving through the multitude. A swing, and they fall like black wheat under a polished sickle. Another and the second line bisects. A third, with Lithala displaying her sneer, and the third line is pierced, showing those far back, filling the ranks from the slain.You can’t stop an excited grin. Well, she is right. She might be lousy in a melee fight, but this is still your heroine you are fighting with. You raise you weapon to the laden skies.“Ansàrra!” You cry out. Lithala’s crimson gaze shifts towards you, and her mouth twitches. Around your sword, another takes form. Soralisa gasps behind you and you hear Master’s proud laughter as a sheath of golden flame appears around your sword. It grows, it expands until it is a beam of castigating light, its heat so intense the black grass beneath your steps turns into charred dust. And then you swing it. The heated sword dashes forward, cleaving through the incoming ranks. Golden light turning flesh to cinder and bowing the Will of the Seven to a yelping dog.You grin as the beam dissipates. It was… easy. The Sun-Birther’s Will right through you. Channeled with nary a thought. And yet, you felt Her effort.She is bearing the weight of the world. Every sin, and every curse, upon Her black shoulders.You grip your sword tighter. Now let Maduan tetracerarmide talk.[cont.]well those were some nice rolls + Sanction
>>6376243You and Rubida and Master carve a path amidst swinging talons, roaring maws and snapping jaws, amidst spears and mauls as they descend upon you like a storm of steel.Master is not bowed. He swirls between every swing like a heron amidst the rushing current, his face impassible as the weapon of the ancients, Kishirra’s own, curls air around itself, sending everything it touches flying, with a flash and the most definitive goodbye, a goodbye into forever.Rubida just smashes. Each time she raises her axe, it keens through the air with a silver flash, and another falls. Another. And another. Soralisa turns to you, glances ahead, at the worm. Tilts her head.“Willow is there.”You nod.She must be right. She’s your brunette scholar. She is always right about these things.Forward.And above you, Carnaval sweeps forward into the deeper ranks. She holds her spear with herself and she burns through the enemy like glowing-red iron over a forge. And the sizzling is sizzling of cursed flesh. And the smoke is smoke of molten iron. She lets out a laughter, the joy of the battle making her blood boil.And yet the black tide does not stop. It does not even slow down. It creeps around the four of you, again and again and again. Only the glowing army of Lithala, a few steps behind you, manages to keep the onslaught from circling you.For each ghostly warrior, a dozen monstrosities. Splendid amidst them, the blonde head of Bradiamante looks ahead with a grim expression. And even over the clangor of metal and the cries and the screams and the stomping, you hear her singing:Questa lama forma non ha. E ossa e ferro a fendere va!An invisible blade falls. And there is nothing that can stand in its way. Everything parts, everything bows, and Bradiamante advances in a perfect wedge of her own making.Well, you shall not be outdone!You swing again. And again. And again.Four times you swing and each time you meet your mark.Dry all tears shed, we break our breadA neck cleaved.we dance as held in gold-spun thread!A chest pierced.Our home is safe its guardian strongA claw cut.may no one tread this road alone!A head sliced.“Pretty little song,” Lithala mutters. She flicks her wrist and more piercing silver stars streak through the mass of bodies, leaving holes in their wake. “You sing it far better than I ever did.”[cont.]
>>6376245“Be as it may.” You heave, giving your blade a shake to clean it from the black blood. “I am glad I am here with you.”Lithala hesitates.She bites the inside of her mouth, shakes her head.And that grin glints once more. Eager.“Is that so… well let it not be said the Stilladìa, the Adversary shall be outdone by a mere servant of Ansàrra!” She raises in the sky, floating higher than Carnaval, and holds her morningstar up. She slams it down. A curtain of silver slams with it. It smashes against the ground as it had been bitten.Under the silvery curtain, everything is turned into dust. Nothing remains but a crescent-shaped hollow.“Showoff!” Cries Carnaval from somewhere in the momentary silence.“You have strange friends, Candente,” Rubida huffs from behind you as your ranks tighten, waiting for the next assault. “Efficient, I will have to admit.”You smile. Rubida seems to be warming up as well. You open your mouth to thank her when the air goes thin. It coils around your throat. Rubida wheezes, falling to her knees, covering Soralisa with her body.All around you, each silvery warrior slows, stops. Even Bradiamante has to set her invisible sword against the ground to keep herself from falling.Far ahead, in front of the scaled form of the Worm eating through the sky, a crack appears. Like the world were a mirror and someone hit it with a scalpel. Then another.Another.Each echoing through your mind, pulling you apart also.Each crack wider and wider.You count five.Six. You clench your jaw.Seven.[cont.]
>>6376246With a noise like groaning glass, something pushes through. A scattering of blue fog. Glinting with a light that every other light devours.It slowly gathers into a human shape. Still hazy, still immaterial, but there.She slips out of the crack which keep oozing star-blood.And there stands Celaeno, with her black mane and her sable skin and her blue gaze, a burning gaze that feels like it’s an open maw inside your own mind.You grit your teeth and stand up.Your strength does not come from muscles or bones. It does not come from something that can be cut or smashed.It comes from a girl who stood upright in the face of utter oblivion, and let gold pour over herself.Your gilded hand tingles. You use it to help Rubida and Soralisa stand. A few paces away from you, Master huffs, but you exchange a glance and he seems to be getting himself together again. Perhaps, now that she has still to seep into the material, Celaeno cannot be as devastating as she was when she destroyed the Temple. Or as focused.In fact, she seems focused on herself. Dancing, checking her nebulous body.There’s still time, even if it’s rapidly running out.Lithala seems to think as well. She holds up her hand. Helias’ black shape raises to curl around her and then they shoot up and out, towards Celaeno, a comet of silver and gold and black.Lithala will fight her battle.Around you, the hordes raise again. An unceasing tide.You need to decide what to do.You’ll ask Carnaval for help. She can carry you to the Worm. Master can protect Soralisa and Rubida. It’s the fastest route.You’ll open a path through the hordes. Slower, but it will be all of you to face the Worm.Add a suggestion.
>>6376247>You’ll open a path through the hordes. Slower, but it will be all of you to face the Worm.Argia may be a bloodborne player but she will have no retries like she had with Rosandra if she messes up, plus Soralisa and Rubida still have their importance as Argia's support>“Be as it may.” You heave, giving your blade a shake to clean it from the black blood. “I am glad I am here with you.”She gets to watch both her childhood hero + master show off and gets to fights alongside Bragia herself, her inner child must be on cloud nine
>>6376247>You’ll open a path through the hordes. Slower, but it will be all of you to face the Worm.Willow should know that a whole community is here for her.
>>6376247>You’ll open a path through the hordes. Slower, but it will be all of you to face the Worm.
There seems to be a consensus. I will keep voting open for about 18 more hours, just in case.
>>6376247You point your sword towards the Worm.“We need to get Willow. And close that door!”There must be a way to do both. The Worm is keeping the door open, so if you find that pivotal point, everything collapses. With Lithala keeping Celaeno busy… this is your chance.“Lead the way, Argia. In this hour, I want you to do so,” Master says, leaning over his weapon for a moment. As the hordes around your reorganize. Off in the distance, Carnaval shoots up from a pile of charred bodies, pieces of burnt flesh still stuck to her wings.And you still have her cover. Master with you. It should be enough.Sun-Birther, let it be so.A flash of blue and silver beams across the sky from above. A rumble like a thunder resounds a moment later, shaking up your spine. You glance towards the sky, where more flashes appear: strewn over the village and around the Worm as the Stilladìa clashes with one of the Seven.Your throat fells narrow.May Ansàrra look over you, Lithala.Hopefully you will see her grin again.Then you raise your weapon and you launch yourself forward.[cont.]
>>6377351# # # # # #Closed in her cell, Sandora entwines her fingers and tries to take a long breath, but air has grown so thin. Each breath is turning painful, like sipping on fragments of glass.There is a light inside her.A light that every other light devours, and that will suffer no mannish will. If and when Celaeno of the Seven incarnates, Sandora knows that the light inside her will recognize its kin, and will howl and bark and gnaw at the mere confines of her flesh and blood body. Then she will bloom.And her flesh will turn into flesh that screams.So, for the first time in her life, who knows if prompted by fear or hope, she thinks of Argia’s simple courage and passes her tongue over her lips. Sandora Mirari has never been a woman of faith. She has been a woman of focus, of will and of snark. All things that served her well in her plans, in the plans her mannish desires and mortal drives have devised.And all useless now.She is right on the brink of opening her mouth and praying.Argia has shown her, first-hand, the might of Ansàrra. Sandora never believed te Goddess of the Maduans to be some conjured spirit, or simply the creation of a cabal of magicians. She has journeyed too far and see too many things to entertain that comforting delusion.But she has always been held back by the bridles of her own pride.She comes from a land of kings. An unbroken line that goes back further than Madua, to the times before the New Sun. It has weathered many a catastrophe, the Throne.But not like this. Not like this time.Her mind goes to Basilius. To her students.To poor Arda Vespera, sitting on her bed, collared and chained. None of them deserve the terrible death that Celaeno will unleash upon the world. None of the survivors deserve the eternity of thralldom that would follow.So, her hand raises to her cheek. She presses against one of her teeth. The same spot where she asked to get punched, if things went badly. Hard to envision a worse moment than this.Sandora holds her hand out. Clenches it into a fist.“Please,” she whispers. Her pride crumbles like sand before the tide as she punches herself.[cont.]
>>6377352# # # # # #The Stilladìa’s latest attack, the one when she smashed her morningstar upon the ground, has left you enough room for an opening.You four dash forward, against the incoming tide of thralls and deformed monstrosities, held together by an indomitable and ancient Will, by iron and hate.Master cleaves through them, sending their remains off flying with each of the sweeps of his weapon.Rubida dances, making sure not a hair and not a droplet of blood touches Soralisa as she keeps studying the situation.Carnaval plunges into the mass and watches over you. At times she dives close enough you can feel the impact of her body against the ground, the devastation she carries with herself.And as for you, your sword and your new hand do the rest.Every time you fight against one of your opponents, Master is there to protect you from another strike. Every time you slain one of the thralls, Carnaval whooshes above, raining death and destruction.Every time you take a step, Soralisa is there, breathing next to you, safe and sound.Ands with each step, amidst the air thick with shed blood and ripped meat, you finally reach the outskirts of the village. Lithala’s silver army is behind you, having cut a wedge through the hordes of thralls. There are more still here, but it seems the Will is more focused on engaging with Carnaval and Lithala and Helias, so the roads here are emptier.And they are roads made of people. You wince at the mounds of corpses that have taken the shape of buildings, of houses and of the streets within.Or perhaps they used flesh to rebuild a mockery of a place?A shiver of fear and anger climbs down your back. This is a glimpse of the reign of the Seven.You raise your gaze. The Worm is there. A hundred feet or so away, munching against something invisible, opening a path. Time to close that path.But you cannot see Willow. You can still feel your connection, so she is not dead, you surely hope so, she cannot be dead, all your efforts cannot be—“Starless Night,” Soralisa gasps, her hands coming up to cover her mouth. Then she points a trembling finger upward. “It’s…”You follow her finger. There, at about three hundred paces up in the air, Willow’s body is pinned to the Worm’s scales. By the same sword she was given.Your blood curdles and turns into a wintry river. Soralisa’s voice, Rubida’s calls, they all come dulled.Willow.[cont.]perhaps journeying to another world comes with a few hazards...
>>6377353You open your mouth. Only to close it right away.How are you going to climb up there? Maybe Carnaval can…Then the world shakes. That creaking and grinding sound comes off again. With a blue flash, the cracks in the sky mend.Something has passed.A weight falls upon your shoulder. There is a force pulling your knees down.Down, towards the ground. Down, to the place that has been decided for you. A meeker place, grinding against the mud like the worm you are before the magnificence of the true rulers of this world.Panting hard, you clench your fists, and your golden hand sparks a wave of refusal through your body. You will not fall.You will not.But over you, you see two small figures, a silvery one and a black one, slow until they stand still in the air. And—blue-robed, black-haired, corporeal, physically reformed—a tall woman advances in the air towards them, a victorious grin upon her face.And, once again, it’s too late for anything else.You will ask Carnaval for help: trying to reach Willow and see if you can still save her…Ask Soralisa for help in finding this pivotal point. You need to close the door now… even if it might be too late.The bonds of your friendship demand you to deliver some help to Lithala. Perhaps a well-aimed Sanction now that Celaeno is distracted… though this might attract her gaze upon you.Add a suggestion.
>>6377354>The bonds of your friendship demand you to deliver some help to Lithala. Perhaps a well-aimed Sanction now that Celaeno is distracted… though this might attract her gaze upon you.>Add a suggestion.and what better way to call Celaeno's attention than the Effimera Corona? This should give Lithala enough time to fufill her part of the promise and rescue Willow too.Would Argia by herself be able to call THAT sanction down there and would Ansàrra grant it given how dangerous it is?
>>6377426I'm thinking we may need that sanction to kill the Worm...>>6377354>Ask Soralisa for help in finding this pivotal point. You need to close the door now… even if it might be too late.Our scholar has been studying all this time. What does she think we should do?
>>6377354>Ask Soralisa for help in finding this pivotal point. You need to close the door now… even if it might be too late.
>>6377471My main idea here is that a sanction like that is guaranteed to distract Celaeno, someone calling the might of her nemesis in the form of her strongest sanction right in front of her, someone with the gall of wearing Ansàrra's golden arm in her presence would goad Celaeno to do more than just a passing gaze and give Lithala an opening to capitalize on it in whatever way she deems necessary.I'm suggesting we switch strategies for a minute to throw Celaeno off just a little while she is feeling like she already won, let Lithala focus everything she got on the worm and willow while Argia + Lithala's 40k souls entertain Celaeno for a few minutes.>I'm thinking we may need that sanction to kill the Worm...Yes we will need it for the worm too but nothing says there is a hard limit to how many times it can be petitioned, the only two real limits here to all sanctions are1 - You need sun-mommy's prior approval to be granted it (that's how Soralisa was even able to do it, Ansàrra granted it even though Soralisa's body couldn't take it), hell rosandra can do ALL of them without cost or penalty >>63595872 - There is still the matter of how likely Argia can do it and remain lightly unscathed, but if I'm not completly mistaken I'll bet on her body being able to call two of them (one at a time I mean, not simultaneously) before her body starts breaking down.Again I'm aware that proposing something very VERY retarded dangerous suggestion here, but as it is right now they won't accomplish anything, not even rescue Willow
>>6377751the idea is interesting, and as you did say: dangerous.I'd say 10 more hours for voting
>>6377354There is a crazy suggestion that crosses your head for a moment. Sudden and unexplainable like lightning over clear sky.What if you tried to cast a Sanction on her?That blue-robed dot that is approaching the Stilladìa. Celaeno.From visiting her memories, you know that Ansàrra’s might does have effect on the Seven.Maybe if you were to petition for an Effimera Corona…. The idea is tempting. The golden arches intersected. The bursting gold blooming.It had been enough to get rid of a first-rate Asterite.Then the folly peaks and withdraws, leaving you with the flotsam of your inane dreams. If you attract Celaeno’s attention, her eye is going to focus on you first. On you and your girls and Master.The attention of a reincarnated Kiengir.“Argia?” Soralisa pulls you out of your reverie.“Sorry,” you reply shaking your head. “I got caught in something. Never… nevermind.”You decide to shelf that idea. Also, the last time you had your Sanction granted, Ansàrra’s tired reply sent echoes of how worn out and empty She is right now. You might have Her support, but you would most likely amount to nothing but the tiniest flash ere you have the tide of Night engulf you.Your chest throbs with the memory of your wound from the Well. You picture that kind of dissolving, oozing darkness all over you.No.No, you would only turn yourself into a suicidal glowbug. You turn to Soralisa.[cont.]
>>6378756“How can we reach her? Please.” You set your golden hand on her shoulders. “Tell me you have ideas.”While you address her, Master straightens and follows a noise. From between the houses made of corpses, something large is slumbering closer. He leaves Soralisa in Rubida’s care with a nod and a glance, then he’s off to face the new opponent. You get a glimpse of a large tumescent body and Master jumping in the air three feet to get a better strike.The crunch that follows once more tells you are in good hands. “Ideas. Ideas ideas ideas…” Soralisa mutters. “We must find this pivotal point. This spot…”“Wasn’t there anything about it in the Temple?” Rubida provides, looking up. The scales on that thing are huge, but there is no way to climb them. They are larger than a house and you would just be smashed between them as they flex.Soralisa presses her hands against her head.“There was something… about… I think… it feels disjointed, but…”You set your jaw. You will have to explore it yourself. You raise your eyes looking for Carnaval. She might carry you up there an—Leave Carnaval where she is useful,, comes Lithala’s voice inside your brain. Soralisa’s eyes widen.“You can hear it too?”You three argue so loud I could hear it on the other side of the world. Now. Saint Bragia killed the Worm by smashing the stone on the top of its head. The same head that is busy munching through the sky.“Oh. A-Alright.” Your hand clenched around your sword’s hilt. “How do we fly up there?”Flying is overrated.[cont.]
Rolled 81, 60, 79, 90, 49, 37 + 63 = 459 (6d100 + 63)>>6378757The world tilts. A silver shimmer surrounds you, Soralisa and Rubida, a mantle of sparkles. The pull towards the ground, which you have felt since you were born, tilts as well.With a surprised scream, you fall sideways. Your butt impacts one of the scales as the sky and the land appear like two separate horizons before you.“What the… how is this possible?” Soralisa groans, standing up and looking at the sky. Which is now in front of you. The Worm’s body extending before you in a long straight line. You can feel it thrum.Trade secret. Now. Go there. Get your friend. And use something to smash that thing on the top of its head. Go!You take a step. Another.It holds beneath you.Thank you, you send off through your mind. Lithala always said she did not want to save Willow. But in this moment, she came through. One last look at Master shows him rapidly dispatching the beast. You set your hand against your mouth to call to him and a screech goes off in your head, like nails over a board.Stop that! The Worm is only ignoring you because it has not registered you as a threat. You’ll have only one chance at this. I will have only one chance at this. Go, Argia Candente and by all that’s marketable, please do no make stupid mistakes!Yes.Right.You can do that.“Right.”You start running. Then something changes. A few paces ahead, something ugly and bent and with far too many limbs, like an overgrown tick, slithers out of one of the scales.Oh, and watch out for parasites. Those were there last time.# # # # # #I hope Argia brought her bug spray!>Combat Roll: beat at least TWO of my rolls. Roll 1d100+81, Best of Six.>Dubs and trips apply>Best of luck
Rolled 17 + 81 (1d100 + 81)>>6378758>Then the folly peaks and withdraws, leaving you with the flotsam of your inane dreams.That was probably for the best, I'll admit I was a little too excited in pulling the big guns so early..>I hope Argia brought her bug spray!I should have added "infinite supply of bug sprays" when I wrote that contract
Rolled 83 + 81 (1d100 + 81)>>6378766>picKek!>>6378758Rolling! Poor Willow got properly invested by this thing, huh? Gonna need a sanction for THAT...
Rolled 28 + 81 (1d100 + 81)>>6378758
Rolled 49 + 81 (1d100 + 81)>>6378758>Go, Argia Candente and by all that’s marketable, please do no make stupid mistakes!Can't wait for the Candente plushieZam, let's see if I can beat the 90>>6378766What a waste of a good dub
>>6378958>Can't wait for the Candente plushieNow with added decoration and extra chest padding, kek.
>>6378992Indeed. Btw, roll as well, anon
>>6379152I already did. >>6378812 is me.
Rolled 62 + 81 (1d100 + 81)>>6378758Let's roll
>>6378812>>6379449We did it. Now, to the last roll
interesting rolls everyone. hope everyone does his best for the last roll!>anon rolls a 66this might have consequences...
Rolled 86 + 81 (1d100 + 81)>>6378758
>>6379585Wait, who rolled a 66? I don't see it...
>>6379667I think he means if someone rolled a 66 for the final roll
>>6379667>>6379833my bad, I meant he got a dub of 66s. writing!
>>6378758She could have told you in advance!Then again, you have a faint remembrance about not asking Lithala about her time fighting the Worm back when you could… you might have glimpsed some more useful information from that event.But at least you have your friends.Your sword.And Ansàrra’s guiding light.You cry out as the first of the skittering things hisses towards you. Your stomach lurches at the sight of pedipalps and twitching legs. But your golden hand is steady.You strike forward. Just like before on the ground, you strike true.With just a few slashes, the edge of your sword bites through the creatures’ carapace and cleaves away its legs. They lose their purchase on the Worm’s skin and fall to the ground… behind you. Towards Master’s amused face as he turned to wave at you for a moment.You do not have time to fully reply. More of those things skitter forward.You slice to your left where one of those is assaulting Rubida, but your dark-haired friend seems just as skilled as ever.Perhaps even more: thanks to the Stilladìa’s weaponry, she dances back and forth, slicing and cutting with her axes, protecting Soralisa.The scholar points her finger at some spot ahead of you… above you. It still feels disorienting.And there, at about half a mile in the distance, there’s something.“Willow,” you and Soralisa say at the same time.You dispatch the last tick, which falls to the ground with useless wriggling of legs. And then you dash forward.[cont.]
>>6379976# # # # # #Lithala lets out a strangled whimper as she watches the black-haired figure advance towards her. Grinning, gleeful murderous joy expanding from her.She has seen one of the Seven before. Back then she used to still be but a human girl.And she has faced their attempts many other times over the six centuries that separate her from her former life. Always squashed them before they could fully incarnate.They did not have the Worm. They did not have a Strander who could keep the door open.Behind Celaeno, Argia and her friends are climbing the Worm.Good.Maybe she still has a few cards to play in this.If not…… her eyes shift to look for Helias. There she is, at her side, like always.Risking his life for her. Like always.Well.“Love?” She turns towards him. A glint goes off in his golden eyes, and he understands. No surprises there. He’s so much smarter than she is. So much sweeter. So much more precious. She raises her hand and a cage of silver surrounds him. The strongest she can summon. Ansàrra might smash it with her palms open and it would stand.Just the best, for him.“This is matter between us girls.” She flicks her wrist and there she goes. With a mute scream, a protest. Her throat tightens because he’s becoming smaller and smaller as the cage carries him off.Is this the last time he sees him? No. No, it must not be…How long have we thirsted, shudders Celaeno’s voice. Lithala turns to look at her. Weapon at the ready.She is terrible at melee. No lies there. But Celaeno is Kiengir. A true fight is just as alien to her as the concept of not leaving her fingerprints all over creation. One tiny hope. One tiny delusion?She grits her teeth. She has always liked to hedge her bets. She will have to do it again.Now our Beloved shall descend from the prison the Interloper has put him into. We shall piece him together. All of us. With all the love we are capable of. A new age comes. Celaeno’s voice trembles with a ferocious joy. The kind Lithala has felt before.When her little sister was tearing through her own soul.Well. She managed to outwit one of them.She might do it again.Right? Right.“I love confidence in people. I’d give you one of my silver stars, but you are not people.”Indeed we are not. Celaeno regards her with her twisted smile. Indeed we are the hand that shapes all that there is. We are Kiengir.“I was going to say ‘filth’. But by now that’s a synonym.”Weak comeback.This is not her style. She should be better than this. Where is Carnaval? Her pride smarts at the idea of calling the angel to help her in this fight, but Celaeno is still…Celaeno is suddenly right in front of her face.Even senses hones by six hundred years of immortal life and a decade of fighting for Ansàrra have a breaking point.[cont.]
>>6379977Oh, I would love to torment you. To squeeze your spirit like a fruit, to smash its pulp and to see your pain ooze out of it like the sweetest nectarLithala pushes back.She does not move.Panic blooms in her slight chest. She looks below.Nothing is happening. There are no chains, ropes, attached to her legs.It’s just that the idea, the concept of leaving, has been quietly assassinated.And all she can do is stand, and feel that spoke of fear spread cold in her chest as Celaeno’s grin turns even sharper.Ah. But I shall do no such thing. For too long have I wished to do… something more material!.She punches her.Lithala wheezes. Her weapon slides off her fingers. The sky tilts as she smashes into the ground like a comet. Lands. A crater opens around her.Right in the middle of her silver army of souls. She spits, looks up where is—Blue eyes appear right in front of her, again. A sable—skinned hand closes around her neck.She does not need air to breathe, but the touch invades her. It’s like a searing brand pressed over her soul. Lithala wills, commands, tries to move her body.But her body does not respond. It lays limp like a sail mourning the death of the wind.And for you, pretender. You who wear the body of our beloved sister like a glove. You who walled yourself in her sacred flesh for so many long years. For such a sin there can never be punishment dire enough. We will take turns. All six of us. Putting together the most imaginative way to express our displeasure. But for the present…Lithala sends a thought off to Bradiamante. The silver ghost shimmers, fades. Reappears right behind Celaeno. Her invisible sword traces a downward arc—And with the sound of a thousand glass bells smashed together, it falls apart. Bradiamante stumbles back, falls to the ground. Grey eyes open in shock.Celaeno seemingly has not even noticed her. Rather, her other hand reaches between Lithala’s horns. Grasps the space inside them.Lithala screams.… you have stolen our youngest’s ability to bind, pretender. But great as she was, she was the least among us. And what she bound, we can break.Celaeno pries her hand away.She rips off something.Lithala would like to scream again, but she does not get the time.And all around her, the spirits fade.[cont.]
>>6379978# # # # # #In the Mar Da Candéa, the House of Nottefonte has long been the most powerful and respected.The servants did not expect to find Arturo Mandago da Nottefonte laying on the floor of his library, a hole where his face was supposed to be. His red blood spilling silver. Slowly evaporating in thin ribbons of smoke.# # # # # #The towers of the mercantile republic of Frigéia have often scraped against the very clouds. On top of immense barges, legends have it that they have been built thanks to a deal with the devil.On that evening, the bookers of Frigéia would have been tasked to document their ruin, smashed pieces falling into the sea, if they themselves had not been caught in the utter chaos that was engulfing the floating city.Like every single ship and vessel and merchant patriarch had been hit by the same mysterious curse.Brick after brick, the staircase to the heavens secretly built by the Stilladìa falls into the night ocean.# # # # # #The Thronelands are burning.Every Asterite goes up in a burst of pernicious magic. Screaming at the sky as their flesh turns into flesh that screams.Those who have put their trust in the Stilladìa can hold on yet a little. Huddled in their hiding places, they suck on the Dreaming Jewels that can keep the night at bay, the call of the shards in their souls, now gathered to their old master.None of them will properly understand what truly is going on.But the Thronelands burn nonetheless.# # # # # #And all over the world, contracts fail.Power, influence, skills and abilities traded wane like the moon used to be.Under the silver arch of its deposed body, the work of centuries rips itself apart.# # # # # #The body of the Stilladìa cracks. That light-that-is-not-light pours between them as Lithala cries out. She barely hangs onto herself, onto the spell she has covered Argia Candente and her friends with. That must… hold.Her last thought is for the silver cage she has sent off.She has felt it fade.Helias is exposed.Celaeno watches her unravel as the energies of almost forty thousand soul contracts burst out of her body like a collapsed star.There is no comforting Dawn to watch over the torment.# # # # # #And inside Lithala’s inner world, that Haoma she inherited from one of the Seven when she managed to outwit Merope, the two black pyramids painstakingly built by Helias touch.Just a tiny contact.Enough to send off a wave throughout her Haoma. The tide of annihilation that Celaeno caused is absorbed in the stone.Under Helias’ instructions, his life’s work makes one final trade, as it is in the tradition of his wife.Then the black stone crumbles.[cont.]
>>6379979# # # # # #You feel it. A ripple going through your soul. Your cameo sizzles. You look sideways, trying to find Lithala… but there she is. On the ground. Celaeno holds her up, and the Stilladìa’s body cracks, that strange light oozing from the cracks.You shudder as her silver army disappears.You jump down to try and reach her. You cannot leave her alone!You grit your teeth and continue. Willow is close. You can still close the door. Lithala bought you time. Do not waste it.Add a suggestion
>>6379981>You grit your teeth and continue. Willow is close. You can still close the door. Lithala bought you time. Do not waste it.As much as it pains me doing that, each second Celaeno is wasting on her version of an onesided Kiengir catfighting means we can use it on closing the door to the apocalypse..assuming there is something left to save besides madua by the end of it>>6379585hopefully good ones..>>6379979The biggest irony of all this is that by weakening Lithala and undoing all the 600 years of buildup she did until now Celaeno is doing Ansàrra a favour, hard for a war to end all wars to break out if Lithala is down again to herself + Helias.
>>6379981>You grit your teeth and continue. Willow is close. You can still close the door. Lithala bought you time. Do not waste it.Bragia-senpai... Hold on! Just a little longer!
>>6379978>… you have stolen our youngest’s ability to bind, pretender. But great as she was, she was the least among us. And what she bound, we can break.Oh no>>6379981>You grit your teeth and continue. Willow is close. You can still close the door. Lithala bought you time. Do not waste it.
>>6379981No matter.Lithala gave you time. You need not waste it.“Onward!” you shout, sword at the ready. You and Rubida and Soralisa keep running over the scales of the Worm. Along the way, you make quick work of the remaining ticks.The ones up here look more lethargic and are far easier to dispatch. Maybe because the whole of the Worm is distracted. From above, that noise like crunching glass keeps running down your spine.But Willow gets closer and closer. She’s a dot, then as large as a child, and finally she lays upon the ground, crucified by the same sword she was given. You crouch to her side and hold her hand. It feels cold and clammy in yours.Oh, may the Sun-Birther help you.“Willow,” you call. You run your hand over her arm, then to her ashen face. Her eyes are full of stars. The sword of night sticks out of her body.Your hand slowly shifts towards the hilt.Try to pry it off. You will ask Ansàrra for help.Try to pry it off right away.Try to reach out to Willow, first.Add a suggestion
>>6380596>Try to reach out to Willow, first.This is a matter outside of our relationship with Ansàrra. She's well-meaning, but her fire will burn an unbeliever like Willow if we ask for a Sanction right now. We need her awake and, even if for a moment, to accept Annie into her heart and to put her faith in her (through us?) so that when we call down holy fire, she can survive as we survived our Trial of Gold.
>>6380596>Try to reach out to Willow, first.even if we pry out that sword out of her body none of the three will be able to use an sanction that can heal her wounds.Well maybe helias or the Stilladìa could do something about it like when Argia was in jail but they are both too busy to help so no luck>>6380599Agreed anon, our best bet is to beg Willow to put all of her trust on Argia and that means trusting Ansàrra with her very soul.
>>6380596>Try to reach out to Willow, first.
>>6380596You briefly think about reaching out to Ansàrra for this.The Sun-Birther has led you to this moment. She would know what to do.But—At the same time, Willow would not understand Her grace, would she? To reach out to Ansàrra right now might compromise what you are trying to reach out for.It never gets easy. Does it?You lay on your knees next to Willow, while a creaking sound makes your turn. More of those monstrous ticks are coming up.Rubida nods at you and jumps ahead, axes at the ready. Cutting, cleaving and delivering vengeance. Meanwhile, all around you, the world grows cold with the lingering night of the Seven.Soralisa grimaces.“There is not much time…”You agree.Especially if Lithala’s spell were to give off, you would all fall to your death.You set your golden hand on the hilt and your soft, flesh one on Willow’s shoulders.“Come back. Willow, can you hear me? Willow.”Her eyes look up in the distance.Your golden hand grips around the hilt.“Willow.”You lean forward. Set your forehead against hers.“Willow. I am here. I have come, as I said. Please come back with us. Willow.”You close your eyes, and push inside her inner world. [cont.]
>>6380917# # # # # #Lithala lays somewhere.No idea where. Or how.She did—What did—She coughs.Looks up to the silver cover of the ring.Something black and warm surrounds her.Helias.“You—you dummy. Why did you come back?”At least, Celaeno is nowhere to be found?No, wait. She can perceive her. Turned towards the sky, arms raised as she waits for the Door to completely open.Carnaval blasts her with her blood, dives into her, and every time it’s like she’s passing through her. Perhaps Celaeno enjoys the angel’s frustration, or perhaps to her she’s naught but a fly.Well, that’s not good. Even Ansàrra’s best warrior amounted to nothing, in the end.Feels like a recurring theme.“We lost,” Lithala murmurs.“You are alive,” Helias pulls her closer, his arms encircle her.“How?” She tries to connect the dots. But thinking is hard. Just like keeping her body together, even now that the unrelenting pressure of holding forty thousand souls inside her has erased.Erased like her contracts.She turns to see the ghostly visage of Bradiamante, still mounting guard at her side. Her face turns towards her with a rueful smile.“You stayed.”Bradiamante nods.Lithala can still feel her soul. Together with maybe a couple dozen others. The only ones that wanted to stay, beyond the obligations of their contracts.Everyone else moved on.Celaeno ripped the obligations apart. Not the whole system, but it was enough for her to lose almost everything.So much for the star that always hounds the Sun. She broke like a glass the moment Celaeno ripped off her current contracts.But she is alive.How?That questioning tendril runs through the possibilities. There should be nothing left of her. She ought to have vaporized like droplets in a sizzling pan, if—She turns her head towards Helias.“The Etemen’Anki.”He purses his lips.[cont.]
>>6380918If she could muster the strength, she would slap him.“Your life’s work! You—”He shakes his head and pulls her tighter.That’s what it means.That his life’s work is right between his arms.Lithala balls her fists.It’s all her fault. Her arrogance cost them everything and now…“Stop it,” he pleads. “Stop it. I pulled you away. We are still alive, and there is still a way out of this. It is not your fault.”“Maybe not,” she grimaces. “But it was my responsibility.” All those contracts that had been terminated… the trust put in her by all those people. Those still alive, still running, waiting for her to deliver.Hundreds of currently-active beneficiaries, left alone in the cold.Her fault.She couldn’t uphold her end of the bargain. Sure, she might be facing one of the Seven. But it matters little. She was found wanting.Far ahead, Celaeno lets out a shrill cry of victory, a breathy moan as, from the crack past the clouds, where the Worm is crunching through the sky, the ring ripples, coalesces in ribbons and silver matter, and then an immense arm falls down, halfway to the ground.“So what do we do now?” Lithala murmurs.“We wait for the end of the world. We have front rows seats, after all. And we trust Argia Candente to save us all.”A tired smile spreads over her platinum lips. She rubs a spot between her breasts, where something used to hang, a lifetime ago.“Of all people, she might be our best bet.”Lithala closes her crimson eyes, and focuses on upholding the spell. Now that Celaeno is too enraptured by the incoming resurrection of the Seven’s lover, it’s Argia’s time to strike.[cont.]
>>6380920# # # # # #Willow’s inner world is fractured. Pieces of herself, floating in the darkness. Fragments as large as doors, each of them replaying moments of her life. Across the abyss, the sword of night has sheared everything clean.You float in the darkness. Trying to decide where to go.Towards the fragment depicting a younger Willow training with her sword, poised between her eyes. For some reason they are flashing yellow.Towards the fragment depicting a road of her own world, grey asphalt under a blue sky adorned with a moon. She stands next to some metal carriage with black wheels.Towards the fragment depicting a screaming Willow, in pain and screaming as something scaly comes out of her.Add a suggestion (or reasoning)as always, thanks for playing. Sorry for the hectic update rate these past few weeks.
>>6380922>Towards the fragment depicting a younger Willow training with her sword, poised between her eyes. For some reason they are flashing yellow.All three seem important, but the eyes flashing yellow caught my attention there>>6380920>Far ahead, Celaeno lets out a shrill cry of victory, a breathy moan as, from the crack past the clouds, where the Worm is crunching through the sky, the ring ripples, coalesces in ribbons and silver matter, and then an immense arm falls down, halfway to the ground.if Celaeno has to wait until all her husband's limbs fall in place then we probably have some time kek>That his life’s work is right between his arms.Helias, the mvp of this battle saving his wife by sacrificing Etemen’Anki, childhood romance wins again.
>>6380922>Towards the fragment depicting a younger Willow training with her sword, poised between her eyes. For some reason they are flashing yellow.The road is the smell that she smells when Annie is around, but this is... New. I want to see what's going on here.
>>6380922>Towards the fragment depicting a screaming Willow, in pain and screaming as something scaly comes out of her.
>>6380922>Towards the fragment depicting a road of her own world, grey asphalt under a blue sky adorned with a moon. She stands next to some metal carriage with black wheels.
>>6380922You reach for the fragment where Willow is playing with a sword, wearing a grey tunic over a tinkling coat of mail.As you cross the threshold, she does not notice you right away. Instead she thrusts her sword forward. The gold in her eyes flashes, and as she slices the air with her blade, an arc of the same golden light raises overhead, bursts in a shower of sharp glistening shards that then fall to the ground with a noise like shattering crystal.Willow raises her fist to the sky.“Yes! Feel the wrath of the heavens! From Waveweaver Willow Aurora Stark!” Her voice sounds more shrill than usual. Her eyes lose their glow and return to her usual brown, rimmed grey. Her hair is shorter, she wears it in a simple ponytail rather than a braid. And when she finally turns towards you, you notice also how younger she looks.Late adolescence, perhaps. Her face a bit rounder, she’s a bit shorter.“Who are you? Have you come to play?”“Willow,” you mouth. Not sure what to say next.“If you haven’t, go away. This is my dream!” She holds her sword ahead, pointed at you. Then the tip wavers. “Your hair is really pretty, tho.”None of your experiences in Madua have prepared you for this.But your time with your own family, perhaps, did.“Thanks.” You lower yourself to the ground, slowly, until you sit on your crossed legs, your sword at your side. Her eyes shift towards your weapon.“You have a blade? That’s cool! Can I see it?” She grins with youthful enthusiasm. You reach for the hilt, take it out and hold it out for her to grasp. Her hand closes around the edge.“Careful. It is sharp.”“I can see that.” She grasps it, takes a swing. “Woah! This is good! Did you make it?”“I found it. You were there.” With the gnarled tree. With everything. Willow was there, until she decided to part ways. But now she’s back, isn’t she? Or at least part of her. Her fractured mind.She must want to come back.This younger version of her… was she…“Do you remember your parents?” You ask.[cont.]
>>6381340Willow’s lips tighten.“What do you know about them?”“Not much. What you said. I know about the car. And the accident…” you frown. All those hours spent with Willow at night while she told you where she came from and what her world was like. Not much about her old life, compared to her new one.At that last word, Willow’s eyes shift.She knows.So this is not… a fragment from before, it’s a fragment that knows about what is going, but she’s trying to pretend not to?Rubida would be so much better at this than you are.Lithala would probably be able to see through this right away.Not to mention the Sun-Birther.“Why are you here?”“I wanted to see you.” A pause, as you look past this domed bubble of reality. Out there, the world is about to end. “I wanted my sockpuppet back.”Willow winces. She pulls back. Lets go of your sword which clatters on the floor, without echoes. “I know nothing about sockpuppets.”You give her a rueful smile, hold up your golden hand, and press the thumb against its side.“How can you forget about Ugly?” You mimic.Younger Willow pulls back again. Her back touches the dome’s wall.“I don’t know anything about this. I don’t… I’m just—playing. This is my dream, and—”“I could not forget about you, either.” You continue. “We came here for you. I, Soralisa, Rubida. Even the Stilladìa, who was courteous enough to help us reach you first.” You look past her. Beyond the bubble, you can see the outline of the Night Sword, having sheared her psyche apart.But what Night shears, you can perhaps mend.Your eyes fall to your golden hand.Ché Oro sana ogne stortura…How can you reach out to Willow? Create a core around which to mend her mind together?Remind her of what’s at stake. The world and the cruel rule of the Seven.You need her. You came here to take her back, and you want all of her back together. Everyone else is also waiting for her. Soralisa and Rubida… you are not the only person who cares for her.Add a suggestion, or try with another shard. Keep in mind that Willow’s mind might fracture further while you try.
>>6381341>Add a suggestion>Willow wanted to show you her world when she tried to drag you away from your inner world, microwaves, cat videos and whatnot, but you want to drag Willow away to show her your world once this is over, you want to introduce your parents and sibilings to Willow, you and her would drink your first wine after you sworn not to sip it in so many years, you, rubida and soralisa would drag her to as many festivals and places around madua as far as your legs can take you, puppet shows! You would make Madua her home tooI think reinforcing the fact that Argia's world could be Willow's home too and that Argia would put in the effort to make it so could encourage Willow to mend her mind.
>>6381341>Everyone else is also waiting for her. Soralisa and Rubida… you are not the only person who cares for her.Plus shades of >>6381412. You can still have your isekai dream, Willow Aurora Stark! Better than a dream: a waking life full of people who appreciate and care about you! It isn't too late.
>>6381341>Everyone else is also waiting for her. Soralisa and Rubida… you are not the only person who cares for her.
>>6381341You sigh.“I know it is not the way you envisioned it. We went over this, don’t you remember? You decided to stay.”Willow slowly shakes her head. She balls her fists, as if trying to withstand an incoming tide. “And other people are waiting for you, outside. We are ready to put it all together, don’t you remember? Both I, and you, and Soralisa and Rubida. We can be together. We can drink together, when this story is over.” A soft smile dawns on your lips and you hold out your hand. “My first drink in so many years. And I want to share it with you and Rubida.”Willow hesitates and looks down. Lowers her own sword. And you feel a swell of hope in your breast. This is the same girl who hid for so long; she fell to the wrong path. And you managed to find her by a series of circumstances that, put together, make your mind reel.Perhaps this is also the Will of the Sun-Birther… or perhaps it was something else. For this is for the two of you only.You hold out your left hand. The one of flesh and bone.“Will you come with me, Willow?”[cont.]
>>6381816# # # # # #The Night is falling.The world is crumbling. Around Lithala, around her beloved. Around what remains of the Night Lands.Did she ever think it would go like this? That they would lose it all not with a scream aimed at the heavens, with a raging strike against Ansàrra, but with the soft slumber of encroaching dark?The hand at the end of the fallen arm, the one coming from some place beyond the stars, twitches. The silver ring keeps buffeting it, waves of silver dust coalescing onto muscles, onto skin. He is taking shape.Lithala groans. So weak. So helpless. All she can do is have Helias hold her. While she tries to give Argia and her stupid friend, that Strander who is the cause of everything, one last fighting chance.She coughs and her vision goes dark at the sides.No.Stay.She has to stay. To keep helping Argia.Her last spell.Then, the light shifts.Something flares behind her. A golden bout of incandescent light that falls upon her skin, that bathes her black horns and the few souls still dancing between them. Lithala’s crimson eyes turn to gaze at a tall female figure drawn in golden and red flames.A woman. The flames pull together to shape a slender and tall form, with slender arms and legs, a gorgeous face which beauty the world has lost since the time of Kiengir might. Her ears display a gentle arrow-shaped tip. She holds out a hand and a burning halberd appears between her fingers. She grasps it, and the searing figure of Saint Kishirra walks past Lithala and Helias, towards Celaeno.“Of course,” Lithala grits her teeth. Then a rickety laughter leaves her lips. “Of course! Now, you would call upon the memory of her. Now, that I have lost it all.” Helias pulls her into a tighter embrace. Lithala closes her eyes.You are such a mother, Lithala thinks as the echo of Ansàrra’s greatest Elven champion raises in the air, dashing forward to strike at Celaeno.[cont.]For some reason the first image did not save the Sumerian notation correctly.
>>6381818# # # # # #You feel a change.Something inside you loses its bearing, hollows out.You shudder, you golden hand feels heavier somehow.The Sun-Birther.Ansàrra’s presence has faded. Like that time with your grand-grandfather, when the light was fading from his eyes.You search inside you—There is but one ember left.The Sun-Birther is still there. But barely. It is like She has made such a tremendous effort. Of course She has. She is still fighting for all that is just in Her world. Just like you.Your cameo pulsates.And Willow reaches for your hand.She pulls you into an embrace, hiding her face against your chest.“Please do not go. Please do not go. Plea—”You pull her tighter. Rest your head upon hers.“I am not going anywhere.”# # # # # #Your hand closes around a hilt that’s as cold as night. You blink. Where are you? Are you…… you are outside again. Holding the sword that pins Willow to the Worm.You pull it out. It creaks like splintering ice, but inch after painful inch you take it out of Willow’s body. It seems to crack for a moment, like the sky did, but then it compacts back together.You scream as you put the sword completely out. Willow stirs.Then her eyes open.The brown is completely gone.They are grey as the silver ring ahead of you.“Hey,” she groans. Her hand reaches for your cheek. “You came.”You just nod, cupping her hand with your left one. Skin against skin.“Of course you did,” Willow chuckles. She slowly sits up, pressing on her elbow. “Well. It seems I woke up just in time for the end of the world.”You pull her into another hug. The cameo pressed against your two bodies, holding the sword out ands away from her body. As you do, the ground beneath you rattles.That was so moving, comes Lithala’s voice inside your head. From the way Willow’s eyes open against your neck, you know she is hearing it too. Now, if you can put off the need to kiss and make out for a while, you two have a Worm to slain.You are still holding the sword.# # # # # #Decide what to do with the Sword of Night.>Let Willow keep it>Throw it away and forget about itCongrats on saving Willow! For real this time. Though there might be one last little problem in sight, and that's besides the Worm. Thanks for playing.
>>6381819>Throw it away and forget about itI would rather watch Argia snap that night blade half with her knee in front of Willow, but we will go with the next best thing. New home, new future, no more keeping things related to the seven ever again (that's how she got into this mess to start with) we will buy Willow the superior version anyway, the halberd.>>6381818I can't believe we are seeing Kishirra again! I remember reading her story almost a year ago on royalroad, I'm so happy to see her again qm>That was so moving, comes Lithala’s voice inside your head. From the way Willow’s eyes open against your neck, you know she is hearing it too. Now, if you can put off the need to kiss and make out for a while, you two have a Worm to slain.Kek, being lithala is suffering.
>>6381819>Let Willow keep itAt least until we kill the Worm. Two magic swords hacking away at the monster is better than one, and Ansarra's too tuckered for a mega-sanction finisher right now.
>>6381818>A woman. The flames pull together to shape a slender and tall form, with slender arms and legs, a gorgeous face which beauty the world has lost since the time of Kiengir might. Her ears display a gentle arrow-shaped tip. She holds out a hand and a burning halberd appears between her fingers. She grasps it, and the searing figure of Saint Kishirra walks past Lithala and Helias, towards Celaeno.Very nice>>6381819>Let Willow keep it
>>6381839beautiful edit anon>I can't believe we are seeing Kishirra again! I remember reading her story almost a year ago on royalroad, I'm so happy to see her again qmI really wanted her to show up in some way before the end...>Very nicethanks anon. if there's a small regret I have with the Quest was not being able to show as many Elves as I'd like. Nevermind that there's only a handful surviving by now, but...
>>6381819The weapon feels so weird. The blade seems to pulsate in waves of scorching cold. It feels like a freezing sensation that wants to burn, a filling that wants to turn into a void.You almost throw it away.But no.“Hold on to this,” you say, handing Willow the sword. “You can use it for the Worm. We need to reach its head and kill it.”Willow does as you say, tentatively holding the sword out. Then she fits it inside its scabbard.“That bitch at last left me that.” Her grey eyes, now a full fog colour, turn to Rubida and Soralisa. Willow pulls away from you, purses her lips. And then she bows to them. “Uh, sorry about all that happened. No hard feelings?”Rubida scoffs. Soralisa sighs and holds tighter to your axe-wielding friend.“There will be time for this later,” Rubida says in the end. Then she tilts her head forward. “You two go ahead.”“You are…”“I am staying here with Soralisa, of course. You think I have the mettle to slay this thing? Who would take care of her? Also…” she turns to your scholar friend. “This is the right route, correct? You think it’s a good plan?”“Yes.” Soralisa nods. “I don’t really like it either, to see you go ahead without me once again, but it is a necessity. It is…”The sky flashes gold. You all turn to the sight of a dancing bloom, two golden comets that have caught Celaeno in a deathly spur. The larger red one is Carnaval, who this time seems to be able to attack the Kiengir sister. But the smaller one…You feel your throat tightening.[cont.]
>>6382951“… the Will of the Sun-Birther,” Soralisa finishes, as you four watch Kishirra burning gold, shearing parts of Celaeno that immediately take shape again. She is a vortex of gilded retribution. But already, with each strike, you feel the fading echoes of Ansàrra’s strength fading.But it is such a beautiful fading.“Dude. Is that that Elf? Sick.” Willow comments. Her prosaic language grounds you. Or scales you. You are still on the Worm.With a quick step forward you embrace both your other girls. “We will be back soon.”“Yes.”Soralisa kiss you on the lips. Sharp, and brief, but she does.Then Rubida too.“A promise,” she pants, her blue eyes shining.“A promise.”“Good. Now go, Candente. And remember: you owe me a drink.”You nod, a smile dawning on your lips nonetheless.Then you turn towards the head of the Worm, raise your three fingers and Rubida responds. Willow is right behind you, besides you. You’d expect her to have lost most of her strength after what happened, but no.Stranders.You two run. When a tick emerges from the scales, you two express your contrarian ideas by slicing it right off. All that while the sky burns and blazes as Kishirra fights for Her goddess once more.Closer and closer now. Your heart thumps. It feels so strange to be here again, fighting alongside Willow. You risked to fight against her.Just a few days ago you thought you would.You thought you would have died, as well.Then Rosandra killed you a few times and it wasn’t even that bad.Mighty is the Sun-Birther.The clouds are getting closer. But they are silvery wisp… it’s not clouds. It’s the ring.It’s Ansàrra’s brother’s body. You will have to traverse it in order to reach the head.I see teamwork is going great, Lithala’s voice peeks into your mind. You nod.Willow doesn’t do anything.A couple words in private, Argia Candente. You will remember that the Door to the Night was opened thanks to your friends’ connection to other worlds.Oh.Oh.You fear where this is going.Willow has always been so proud of her skills. It is what defines her. And now…If you have to slain the Worm, and keep it slain this time… she will have to bury that connection as well. A pause. Once more, it is your own choice what to do with this information, Argia Candente.Tell Willow. Keep this information from Willow.Add a suggestion.
>>6382952>Tell Willow.besides the fact that Willow doesn't have a lot of motivation to come back, besides maybe an urge to browse certain threads and the internet, she does deserve to know what helping us slain the worm entails.>pic relFrom knight of Ansàrra, to the Stilladìa and now knight of the seven sisters (only unlocked if anons get 7 7's in a single rolling post)
>>6382952>Tell Willow
>>6382952>Tell Willow. We did lecture her on how we should all have the chance to choose. Well, this is her choice. Let her show us she's learned and grown, and redeem herself.>>6382970>(only unlocked if anons get 7 7's in a single rolling post)Kek
>>6382952>Tell Willow.
>>6371627Now that I think about that we really got outplayed hard, the little extra the Stilladìaadded during negotiations about Willow predicted this.>“My husband and I will need to discuss certain matters with Willow, after we bring her back. Certain private matters. One hour with her will suffice. Of course, after that she will be given back. Unharmed. And unspoiled.”By the end of this quest Willow will be making a contract with the Stilladìa, she never lied of course, she just never mentioned the fact Willow will be losing what makes Willow, Willow(but that can be resolved with just a little signing here and there)
>>6383336A contract with Stilly is exactly what I wanted for our girl, anyway, since full and lasting faith in Ansarra seemed unlikely. Two edgy atheists go great together!
>>6382970>only unlocked ifthere might be still time, anon...>>6383341>Willow will be making a contract with the Stilladìanobody said it would be involving a [i]contract...[/i]
>>6382952Once more into the fray.You have missed this.As you two run towards the head of the worm, and the silver haze coalesces around you two like a snowstorm, your heart beats faster and faster. Harder against your ribcage. You two climb the worm, jumping over the crags left by the spaces between its scales.How a young and alone Bragia Lacresta managed to do the same, without spells, without the abilities she holds now, it’s far beyond your comprehension.Somewhere off in the distance of your inner world, you feel Lithala’s mouth stretch into a satisfied grin.With each step, your affinity with Willow reaches another high: you help each other, pull each other out of the way when a tick dares to come close, and your sharpened senses—yours led by the Sun-Birther, Willow’s just by good old luck that favours the fools and the brave—work together to cleave a straight path.While the presence of this residual mind and body, the lingering essence of Ansàrra’s brother, pulsates around you like a disease.This is the same energy that turns the Asterites into walking tumors.And yet it barely touches you two.Willow grins. Willow smiles and laughs with each strike; the joy of battle is upon her once again. She dances and jumps and cuts with endless ease, enjoying her own amazing abilities.Who would win between you, right now? An idle question that speaks of a simpler time. And it brings you back right to what the Stilladìa said.Time to share it with her.“Willow,” you call. She turns, slows down—her smile drops like a windless sail at your expression. “There is one thing I have to tell you yet.”[cont.]
>>6383805# # # # # #It’s the end of the world, and Sandora Mirari is feeling it in the scream of her flesh. She grits her teeth, using her own will and training like a net, trying to hold together the mannish blood and bones and skin that would gladly bloom into abstract art, a feral burst of chaotic and savage joy, the same of a dog that jumps towards its master upon its return.She cannot see what that something is, on the other side of the world, that’s calling this light inside her to bloom. But she can certainly feel its fell presence.Gritting her teeth, she falls to her knees.She punches herself in the face.“Hnfhg!”Sandora spits blood and something as small as the last phalanx of her little finger. It shines with a light that’s like the ghostly glow behind your eyes after you watched the Sun. She picks it up, sets it against her lips.The Dreaming Jewel she pilfered in the Borderlands. Her most prized possession, the last card she has to play. She closes her eyes and focuses.The pressure from inside relents. It has something else to consume, as the edges of the tiny gem start to lose their lustre, the glow consumed in lieu of her own self. Immediately, a hard hand cloisters around her throat. The voice of her Crow smears against her ear.For no Asterite can possess a Dreaming Jewel. They were instruments of rebellion during both Eldritch Wars, and the Crows are there also to make sure no Asterite gets ideas about using them, not even during the end of the world.Sandora grins. Who cares.At least she is going to die with her mind and body and soul intact. The rest is—A golden flash. A noise like sizzling meat, and then the pressure relents.Sandora opens her eyes.The body of the Crow lays bisected, one half on each side of her body. It is still steaming, burning and charred by a golden heat; its sparks still dance around her.Someone has answered her call.And when Sandora falls with her forehead to the wooden floor of the ship, still holding the Jewel against her lips, it sounds that much more like a prayer.seems Ansàrra likes fried chicken
Rolled 2, 5, 15, 89, 55, 90 + 64 = 320 (6d100 + 64)>>6383806# # # # # #Willow grits her teeth.“I fucking knew it. I knew it.” She lowers her gaze, her grey eyes now lingering over the sword. “There had to be something.”“I wanted you to know.”Willow shakes her head.“I did not need to know. I mean: I’m not happy about this, okay? I knew there had to be a trap somewhere. But, hey.” She grasps her shirt, her fist clenches. “It would have been the same.”You open your mouth to reply.“I wanted to be special. Okay? I wanted to be special. Well, I feel pretty fucking special right now.” With her cheeks flaming, she steps towards you. “My Knight has just rescued me. She has challenged her own Goddess to come and save me, and she has roped in the very Devil in this operation. All because she wanted me to go back to her.”“I—” you try. Because what Willow says it’s true. Besides one part. “I did not exactly challenge the Sun-Birther, I—”Willow grasps your shirt now, and pulls you into a kiss. Your teeth clash against each other, so it’s a sordid affair, and your eyes are still open, while Willow’s are closed, her breath ragged and she presses against you like you were the last drop of water after you both traversed the entirety of the Glassed Heath.She pulls away and the silver haze comes back between you.“I would lose my arms and legs. My place is where you are, Argia. I hope this is clear enough now.” A pause and she bites her lower lip. “It still fucking sucks!”You smile, pull her into a hug.“I am glad I am here with you. At the end of the Night.”Willow nods against your shoulder. When she pulls back, her eyes are red and she quickly dries them. Neither of you waste a single word on this.Then Willow reaches into her pockets and pulls out a bundle of fabric. It’s Ugly.She shoves it against your chest.“For luck.”>You two will try to find this spot you need to strike in order to send the Worm to its grave.>Roll a 1d100+36+18+1(Ugly’s bonus), total 1d100+55>DC 240, Bo6
Rolled 60 + 55 (1d100 + 55)>>6383808>+1(Ugly’s bonus)With ugly at our side we can't lose anymore>>6383806So that's Sandora’s trump card! We were really were lucky in making sure she kept that one save during her stay in the temple.Maybe /ourheathen/ will finally convert after this lucky streak of divine intervention?
Rolled 29 + 55 (1d100 + 55)>>6383814I think she's mid-conversion as we speak.>>6383808Rolling. For Annie, for Lithala, for Willow, FOR UGLY!
Rolled 66 + 55 (1d100 + 55)>>6383808
>>6383814>>6383820>>6383942This DC is nuts... Here's hoping someone get a crit.The 66 might help?
Rolled 81 + 55 (1d100 + 55)>>6383808
Rolled 50 + 55 (1d100 + 55)>>6383808>dc 240WTF are these final boss stats ?
>>6383948>spoiler66 counts as an nat crit so yes, Ansàrra’s quest, Ansàrra’s thread
1 roll remaining. anyone offering?
Rolled 28 + 55 (1d100 + 55)>>6383808I'll swoop in here. The Sun still shines even at Night.
>>6384197thanks for your contribution anon
>>6383808# # # # # #Note: when I last updated I did not realize I had made a mistake with the DC, which was supposed to be 100 points lower (140); I had miscalculated the difficulty for this check, which was supposed to be challenging but not impossible. I only realized this the following morning. Apologizes.My rolls at the end were, in case anyone had doubts, for Willow.Funnily enough, as anon pointed out, you still got a 66 (a crit), so, yea, even now, dice carries this quest. The other anon who also got a dub would have succeeded.Omnia Sol vincit.# # # # # #Rosandra sits in front of the candle, her mind troubled.The Sun-Birther has withdrawn. She is in pain. She is struggling, and dark clouds of darkness approach from the other side of the world.Rosandra closes her eyes, trying to collect herself. She just needs to have faith in the Sun-Birther. For the almost two thousand years she has been serving Her, Rosandra has always seen Her light win out in the end.A sliver of regret still roams under her brow. For the silver-haired girl. She has allowed her into her own home, she has steadied her blade, and all for her to go to the Night Lands with the Adversary.Carnaval, with all the impetuousness of youth can perhaps be excused, but Ibardo as well?So her mind is troubled.But she trusts that, by the end of this day, her heart will be clear.Rosandra has seen two Suns already. More ends of the world that she cares to count.Ansàrra will, as always, be on the other side, keeping the door open for Her flock.[cont.]
>>6384576# # # # # #It’s getting harder to see. The silvery haze that covers your eyes thickens with every step as you approach the Worm’s head. The scales flare, and they get smaller and smaller, until you are walking on what looks like six-sided tassels.You still hold Willow’s hand. It is steady in yours.“Do you see anything?” You exclaim.“I can’t see shit,” Willow mumbles, always in her colorful expressions… then she grumble something else, and suddenly points her finger ahead. “There! No, wait… ah, no, no I’m sure! There! This way!”She pulls you forward, as eager as she used to be in the Well. You are glad that she took this so well. Perhaps there is still hope for a happy ending. For you, for your girls… for Lithala and the Holy Land. For Master and Carnaval and your own family…As Willow drags you forward, you still have trouble seeing anything, but then it seems the haze parts for a moment: it reveals the scales flaring out into a tasseled mouth, like that of a lamprey fish. Filled with teeth, each of them busy crunching against the sky. And at the bottom… there’s something.A huge eye—or perhaps it’s just a jewel? It sits in the middle of the teeth as they keep munching and cutting. Then the haze comes back.“It won’t be easy going down there,” Willow says. She looks at you. “I’ll go first. Check the path.”>Allow Willow down there (I will roll if this is the winning option)>Be the first! If you choose this, please also roll 1d100+55, DC 130 in your reply.
>>6384577>Allow Willow down there (I will roll if this is the winning option)
Rolled 39 + 55 (1d100 + 55)>>6384577>Be the first! If you choose this, please also roll 1d100+55, DC 130 in your reply.I trust Willow but she did just recovered from a fractured mind a few mintues ago.Also we are the party's vanguard, it's only fitting we lead the way.>>6384576>A sliver of regret still roams under her brow. For the silver-haired girl. She has allowed her into her own home, she has steadied her blade, and all for her to go to the Night Lands with the Adversary.Worry not Rosandra, The Stilladìa's charms will never make Argia's heart waver (despite my best efforts voting for the Stilladìa last thread).
>>6384577>Allow Willow down there (I will roll if this is the winning option)While she still has her Strander powers, our girl is first and foremost our supreme skirmisher. Let her cook!
>>6384577>>Allow Willow down there (I will roll if this is the winning option)
Rolled 56, 45, 21, 71, 100, 90 + 64 = 447 (6d100 + 64)Willow the explorer wins!DC 150, Bo6
>>6386101>Willow taking a W>in THIS questmadness
>>6384577You were the vanguard. You always were the one at the front.But this is Willow’s dance. Her last one.“Are you sure? You just recovered…”“I’m more than recovered,” she giggles, running her fingers over her lips. Those she just kissed you with. “I can face the end of the world with a smile. Watch this, !” She extends her arms and gets ready to jump. “Witness meeee!” She shouts and throws herself into the depths of the Worm’s jaws.Your heart jumps into your throat. Starless Night, what is she—!“Yaaaa!” Comes Willow’s shriek from below as she lands right between two sets of sharp teeth, cartwheels away from moving jaws and finally lands, sword at the ready, right besides the eye. “See?” She shouts, waving her arm. “Come on down, let’s get this…” she stutters as the glowing eye that’s insofar been focused on its task turns towards her. “Over… with,” Willow mumbles as the eye starts to pulse, as if gathering light from inside.It reminds you of the Eye of the Sun.Lithala’s voice sighs inside your head.Stranders. It’s always welcome when they take the initiative and off themselves, but perhaps this is a bit early.“What do I do!?” You shout, ready to jump. I can take over for here, but I will need you to handle me the reins for a couple moments. Your own training as a puppet should make this easy.>Allow Lithala to use her experience through you>Just jump down yourself. Roll 1d100+55 on a DC of 150Is Willow even allowed to get a win? But she won at life...
>>6386109>Allow Lithala to use her experience through youI trust her to make sure Argia's body will come out of this in one piece, just don't tell her girls (or Rosandra, she is already disappointed enough with Argia).>SpoilerWillow is trading her powers for a silver haired gf so the dice gods decided she gets a pass at winning.
>>6386109Crit so good we only needed 1 post>Allow Lithala to use her experience through youOur body is ready
>>6386103This is her redemption arc to earn her Silver Knight back through good thoughts, words, and deeds. Perfect timing for a final W before she loses her powers.>>6386109>Allow Lithala to use her experience through youBragia Squared can't be beat! Silver and gold supremacy!
>>6386109>>Allow Lithala to use her experience through you
>>6386109Funnily enough, you do agree.At this point, Lithala has earned your trust. Especially with how she went above and beyond, all to help you and Willow. And you suppose, her own war against the Sun-Birther… but when it comes to saving the world from another Kiengir takeover, these truly are details.Saint Bragia Lacresta already faced the Worm once. She would know what to do.Do it,, you think. There is no time left to lose.Immediately Lithala’s presence inside you expands, spreads past your head and into your arms, down to your stomach, your legs. You feel as if her silver light is thinning out in threads.Then your legs jump. No you: your body moves without your thought, without your own desires. It feels like a dream as Lithala moves you down, weapon raised. Then she throws it, just as your free hand traces an unknown sign in the air. Your sword cuts through the air like a bolt, impacting against the base of the eye: with a toll like a brazen bell, the pulsating light bursts out and your sword, helped by whatever Lithala is doing, protects Willow from being reduced to ash. A memory that is not your own bubbles up inside you mind: your own brown hair, singed and burned by the same beam, all those years ago.[cont.]
>>6387872You land right in front of Willow, having jumped through the shifting mouths and the bisected jaws. She turns her head towards Willow and—Leaves.“Uh.”Willow blinks, still shielding herself with her arms and the Sword of Night. “What was that? That wasn’t you. You don’t move like that.”“I let the Stilladìa take over for a moment. She has experience on how to fight this thing.”“She has left now, hasn’t she?” Willow reaches over to pinch your cheek.“Ow. Yes, she has left.”“Good. Thank god.” She leans forward to set a kiss on your lips. “I suppose I should thank her. I thought I was toast for a moment. But, hey, jumping down like that was cool, wasn’t it?”You sigh. “I admit you were fantastic.”“Of course! Hey, it was…” Willow purses her lips, raises her sword. “It was the last time. I suppose.”You are now standing above the eye. The Stilladìa’s strike has clouded it, but it starting to brighten again. It is your chance.Are you waiting for tea and biscuits? Lithala screams in your head.You and Willow raise your own weapons, ready to strike.Wait. Should you do it with her?I was alone there last time. I would advise your friend to do the same.That’s right, but… what if it’s not enough? Or perhaps you will interfere?Your sword trembles in your hand. You picked this up from the roots of the Malostromo tree. You have used it well. Would it be a fitting end?Or will you risk ruining it all right at the end?You turn towards Willow.Let her strike it alone.You will aid her.# # # # # #What will it be? And also, thank you everyone for following this silly Quest until its end. Well, actually not the end, but...>>6387590gorgeous pic anon
>>6387874>Let her strike it alone.No reason to go ahainst Bragia's advice or to take away our girl's glorious final victory over the awful monster she birthed into this world. This is Willow's fight maybe more than anyone else's, even, except for Ansarra herself.Thank you for running it, QM. This has been an amazing journey, and some wonderful work on your part.
>>6387874>Let her strike it alone.Like anon said, Willow earned her moment of glory and so far lithala gave only sound advice, let the girl win her spurs.>>6387879>Thank you for running it, QM. This has been an amazing journey, and some wonderful work on your part.We still didn't reach the end quite yet anon, so let's hold the thanks until therestill, thank you for the update qm
>>6387874>Let her strike it alone.
>>6387879>Thank you for running it, QM. This has been an amazing journey, and some wonderful work on your part.thank you anon. I had fun! I will have much more to say about this experience when the story properly wraps up. It'll still take a while tho! There's the end of the world to wrap up and hopefully some celebrating, drinking, kissing and praising Her sun.>We still didn't reach the end quite yetyes, correct. there's still a bit more... I just can't let go of Argia that easily.
>>6387874>Let her strike it alone.>>6387914>There's the end of the world to wrap up and hopefully some celebrating, drinking, kissing and praising Her sun.Can't wait for the temple orgy
>>6387874>Let her strike it alone.Go Willow!
>>6387874Let her strike it alone.
>>6387874Willow gives you a wavering smile.No. This is her moment. She has earned it even more than you, and you’d rather not take it away from her.So you let her.“You know. I birthed this damn thing.”You wince—you are aware, yes, but seeing the crazed glint of regret in her silvery eyes makes a cold spike pierce your heart.Willow raises the Sword of Night up in the air.Somewhere behind you, you hear Celaeno’s triumphant laughter cut through the air.You do not turn to watch. You are watching Willow.“Reminds me of something my mom used to say: remember that just as I brought you into this world I can take you out of it..”Her laughter is shrill, like blades scraping against each other.“So thank you for everything, mom and dad. And good—fucking—night.”She lowers her sword straight into the eye.And then you hear a sound like shattering glass.# # # # # #Lithala sputters.“I can’t do this anymore.” Her arm strains. Her soul feels stretched.Helias holds her tighter.“You can. You must. Just a little more. Just hold on.”“Hnnh…” she groans. Around her, the night comes up to eat at her vision.Celaeno laughs as she pierces the memory of Kishirra with her own sable arm, her hand sticking out of the Elf’s flaming back as it dissipates.Carnaval pulls away, just in time to avoid a black beam carving a hole where the angel was just a moment before. Celaeno opens her arms, welcoming the rebirth of the Seven’s beloved, and the end of the world as it has been since her old goddess earned the right to be called as such.Kishirra’s final embers fade. Perhaps even Ansàrra is reaching her limit now.Well. If Ansàrra thinks she can make her look bad once again…Her name is the Stilladìa. The star that always hounds the Sun. And now that said Sun is about to stumble and fall, is she supposed to stop chasing?Not a chance.Lithala clenches her jaw and focuses on Argia Candente.Sunken cost fallacy can bite her shiny silver ass.[cont.]
>>6388515# # # # # #You are standing in the middle of a grey road.It stretches beyond the horizon on lazy bends, stretched at the feet of round hills. A line of what look like metal boxes with strange black wheels surrounds a colourful building. You raise your head to look at the blue sky: there’s a moon there.It’s the same. The same you saw in Bragia’s memories inside Ansàrra’s own quarters.This is Earth.Your heart picks up pace in your throat as you notice something else. One of the metal boxes, shiny and yellow.There is someone inside.You lean over the glass covering its holes (the windows?) and see someone there, looking at a smaller rectangular of glowing glass.She turns to look at her.Brown eyes.Brown hair.A younger face, but—The girl puts down the glowing glass. Pulls down the window and stares at you. She bites her lower lip, stretches to her right and opens the door.“Come in.”You sit next to her. She is dressed in what—Earthen clothes?—so different from the way you are used to see her.It’s hot inside here.“I’m about to get killed,” Willow says. Her voice is a little higher than you are used to. “I’ll get out of this place and get fucking shot.”You nod.That’s how the story goes. It is how she has told it to you.“Do you think I can stop it tho?” Willow rolls her head back against the seat, looks up at the metal ceiling. “But if I do, this will all have been for nothing. Right?”“I have no idea.”“Yea, me neither. I don’t look forward to it, heh.”You should probably say something.[cont.]
>>6388516But you have been running around, fixing the work of veritable goddesses for who knows how many years, and now, this moment, right now, you feel like just sitting with her in this place that smells like a smelter, that’s far too comfortable to be a carriage, and perhaps keep wondering why there are no horses around.It must be a Earthen thing.“Well.” Willow slaps her hands on her knees and points out of the window. “It’s that shit. That’s asphalt.”“The scent of home.” You stretch your gaze over the grey expanse.“Yea. Pretty shit if you ask me. Country road, bring me home… and whatever. Hey, Argia.”“Hm?”“Let’s get the fuck out of here.”She opens the door and you follow her out. Willow looks at the building, clenches her fists.“I’m going alone. And… hey. That last jump was pretty cool, wasn't it? A fitting end. Ah… what the fuck, I don’t really want to lose my powers. I’m such a girlfailure.”“Hey.” You grasp her wrist. “I will be there. We all will. Get your revenge, and then we can talk about the rest. I want you there.”“Yea, in your little harem of hotties. You got the ojou-sama, the scholarly type who’s secretly a freak,” she counts on her fingers, “and then you got the tomboy who’s also a failure. Spicing it up, hm?”“I—”“Shut up.” She pulls you into a kiss. At first she’ just pushing her lips against yours, but then Willow’s salty tear mixes between your mouths and you recognize her trembling as it shakes her whole body, so you set your hand against her nape and pull her closer. You have to thank Rubida and Soralisa for their teaching, which is coming quite in handy now. You moan into her mouth, pressing your tongue against hers, drawing her breath out, stretching it like a wave that rolls onto the shore. Willow groans, whimpers, and moans.When you pull away, she is stunned, looking at you with red eyes.“What the fuck. T-That was… where did you learn… okay I don’t even want to know. But that was, seriously, fuck…” another shaky laughter bobs up her throat. “Well. Whatever, I guess. See you on the other side.”She pulls away—thinks twice about it, steals one last peck, and then takes a few steps towards the building. Then she turns.“Hey, Argia. Wanna see something cool?”“Hm?”Willow grins. Holds out her thumb, index and middle finger and puts them against her temple.You frown.“Bang.”[cont.]
>>6388518# # # # # #Lithala shudders at the sound.She has only heard it through the memory of the people she contracted with.But she recognizes it right away.The closest thing is like smashing an insect with a wooden shoe.A firecracker going off.Or the crack of a whip.“A gunshot?” Helias comments.The echoes spread across the sky.And the Worm is the first thing to fall.It lets out a whine, growing to a groan, a roar, as it swings back like a falling trunk, dragging smears of silver powder with itself, smashing the village and then immediately starting to turn into dust.Hope pierces her chest like the heart Ansàrra vaporized all those centuries ago, and she reaches into the depths of her herself, calling onto the fumes still keeping her body up to maintain the spell. She feels Argia Candente and her friend falling to the ground: air wheezing around them. Fast, but not… not fast enough to kill them. Or injure them.When they finally touch the grass, and she feels Ibardo Delebasse already turning towards her, her contract has been solved.One good thing at last.“Hey, look,” Lithala grunts, a savage joy just about to bubble up her strained lips. She points her trembling white finger at the sky, which is cracking, shuddering and popping like ice that’s about to shear. “Fireworks.”The giant arm that’s been taking shape bursts into more of that fine silver dust, and like an immense storm of fireflies going back to their nest, it floats upwards, towards the reshaping ring.And Celaeno feels it as well.She looks up, around her, at the cracks spreading, opening, widening. She screams, rages, holds out her hands, crackling with blue sparks of renewed power.The Kiengir Will that once shaped the world.Then the crack in the world spears right through her.And Lithala of the Night Lands will forever carry inside herself that surprised whimper, raising to the shrill yell of shocked outrage, to the exquisite retributive pain finally stretching Celaeno’s body and mind soul in twain. The crack running through her from her toe to her chest to her head, bisecting her in two.And then a golden glow spreads over the length of the crack.And Lithala hears a voice. Maybe just for Celaeno, but someone made sure to relay it to her. Avevo fatto una promessa.[cont.]on a wager between you and Sun Mommy, bet on Sun Mommy.
>>6388519And the crack closes. It pulsates itself out of existence, fast like a thought.And half of Celaeno with it.Lithala’s crimson eyes widen as she watches Celaeno’s remaining half screaming, screaming, screaming, struggling in the sky like a pinned insect, trying to curse with half of a mouth, unable to die, sheared off from life, forever trapped in endless pain.Curling up like an old dry leaf, like a dead spider, and her flesh turning dark, her clothes fading, her reshaped body fading into blackness. Into a bad memory.Still screaming all the way. Screaming into forever. Unable to reform. Unable to be anything but a wound upon the world, and an admonition to her remaining sisters.The last echo fades. And then the silver ring finds its proper place, like everything else does.“We lost,” Lithala groans. “But they lost too.”Helias kisses her cheek.“I for one, feel like I have won my entire world again.”And despite everything, despite the destruction of everything she built for the past six hundred years, and her bet against Ansàrra, and almost forty thousand souls, Lithala smiles and turns to set a tired kiss against his lips.[cont.]
>>6388520# # # # # #Master pulls you out of the darkness.“Hmmh.” “Argia.”“Your beard tickles, Master…” he laughs, pulls away, and helps you stand. Half his face is red with burns, his beard all sizzled. But he’s alive. “Where… are…”“Argia! Argia!” Soralisa clamps on you from behind, pressing her face against your back and you can feel the wetness of her tears through the darkness. “Argia, you are alive! We thought…”“Oh. Oh, are you two alright?”You turn your head to find Rubida. She’s covered in dust and the remains of tick innards, but you do not care. You hug her as well. It is your turn to shed tears. You finally manage to pull back; past Rubida’s dark hair, the wasteland of melted body and sacrifices is slowly turning into black dust, like some invisible fire were cleaning it all up.You turn your face to the west: Carnaval is flapping her wings, landing in front of the Stilladìa and Helias. They are not looking at you.“Where’s Willow?”[cont.]
>>6388522# # # # # #Carnaval touches the grass. She is limping. Her skin is oozing crimson blood that burns through the ground, raising in ribbons of smoke.She exchanges a long glance with Lithala, crimson into gold.“You kept your promise.”“Not completely,” Lithala points out. “The contract also demanded safe passage back, but I am afraid I will not be able to fulfil that part. Hence why it self-terminated moments ago.”A pause.“If you want to strike me down you will never get a better moment, birdbrain. I am barely holding it together, and most of it because of my beloved here.”Helias grunts.“We have always been civil with each other, Carnaval. I would loathe to add you to the list if you were to attack my wife right now.”Carnaval sniffs, looks at her pitiful state.“I wanted to be the one to get rid of the Stilladìa. It seems I was not the only one who has lost her dream today.”“Hah. Ansàrra has outsourced her help once again,” Lithala grins. “She never changes.”Carnaval stretches her back, groaning as something pops. Lithala wouldn’t be able to know if it’s a good pop.“Our duel is only postponed, then.”“Ha! Give me a couple hundred years and I will be right as rain.”A thin smile dawns on her lips.“I can count on that.”She raises into the air, crinkling like breaking glass, leaving behind her a trail of burning blood.Helias rubs her shoulder.“Let’s make that a couple thousand…”Then she keeps walking towards Argia Candente and the others. She has to confess her failure.As she does, the sun peeks through the low clouds.Because of course Ansàrra has to rub salt into the wound.She never changes.[cont.]
>>6388524# # # # # #You pull off a slab of fallen wall. Of what used to be pressed meat and bones and screaming faces, now turning into dust. Just like the remaining cultists, bereft of the Will that had carried them here.Beneath that slab, a brown-haired girl lay. Her armour is also turning into dust, leaving only simple clothes beneath. She is wounded, she is bruised, but…“Willow!” You scream. Next to you, Soralisa and Rubida exchange a worried glance.You take her head in your hands. She feels cold…Then her eyelids flutter. She opens her eyes. Her brown eyes.Utterly and completely brown now.“H-Hey.” She gives you a half-grin. Her eyes shift towards your side. Where Ugly is safely tucked. A tired laughter bubbles up past her lips. “I’m fucking hungry.”You have zero provisions with you, but you can ask the Stilladìa for help… can you?Let’s focus on making sure Willow is actually fine for now.Bone-crushing hug.Add a suggestion.# # # # # #Willow taking a full unadulterated W??? In this quest? Astounding. And she goes out with a BANG!Well this update was a lot of fun to write. I had managed to set aside the time for it, because I wanted it to be special. Also for those of you who know their Tolkien, they might guess why it was important to publish this chapter today, on the 25th of March. Thank you for playing.Now time to vote...
>>6388526>Bone-crushing hug.We'll hold off on the spanking until later, though.
>>6388526>Bone-crushing hug.
>>6388526>Bone-crushing hug.The spankings will be postponed until the girls are in the privacy of a room (thankfully not with the golden hand), for now Willow earned a reward for her W>>6388524>“The contract also demanded safe passage back, but I am afraid I will not be able to fulfil that part. Hence why it self-terminated moments ago.”Huh, so basically>Argia got everything she wanted for free and owns lithala nothing (the contract >>6371043 I wrote for the two of them is truly void AIEEEEEEEEEE the vists)>Lithala is back to where she started, 600 years of work wasted over a silly knight's soul (again, I blame Argia and anons for this)>Ansàrra won literally everything, had her rivals destroyed, her daughter humbled, and had zero losses.Lithala got scammed, SCAMMED I say.having said all that, fantastic update qm, I truly truly missed those yuge updates of yours
>>6388558There's a reason a certain sun-spider has been dominant so long. She outplayed her brother, his whole harem, their civilization, and all other comers ever since then.
>>6388526Thank fuck the Kiengir are so arrogant it makes them retarded. Imagine if she'd portected the worm instead. It's been a lot of fun, Sunseeker. Are you planning on eventually running here again or will it be traditional writing for now? Either way please do shill your site again. I forgot to bookmark it last time. >Bone-crushing hug
>>6388524>As she does, the sun peeks through the low clouds.>Because of course Ansàrra has to rub salt into the wound.Very nice>>6388526>Bone-crushing hug.
>>6388546>until laterSoralisa is waiting...>>6388558>anon sums it upcorrecto. There will be more info about all this soon, but basically Total Ansàrra Victory (common occurrence)>>6388703>are you planning on eventually running here againI did have a nice idea for a Pokemon Quest oneshot, but I don't know if I'll have time or energy over the next few months. I have four (four; 4) novels due before the end of the year, so...>Either way please do shill your site again.>https://authormontresor.com/100-days-challengeI linked the list of all narrative pieces; if you'd like to read something cool I'd suggest either Patina which is a long-form post-apocalyptic webnovel at 230K words, or the shorts titles Shadows of the Sun which are some of the best short stories I put there. Thanks for asking, enjoy!and now, let's update.
>>6388566dubs of truth.# # # # # #>>6388526You pull her into one of your signature bone-crushing hugs.“Oooffh!” She groans, but Willow does not get any respite as soon enough both Rubida and Soralisa join in.“Ahh, it’s over, isn't it. It’s over…” Rubida sniffs, trembling from head to toe. “And I need a bath right away! I need three baths… six! To take this horrible slime off me.”“Argia! You made it! I knew it! You made it!” Soralisa rubs her face against your shoulder.“It was Willow who landed the final strike.”“Hmmfh-mhgfh-gh,” Willow agrees, though she’s currently snuggled by your chest. She does not seem to complain, besides the lack of air.Something hot and welcoming settles in your stomach.You did it.It is really over.As the first rays of sunlight pierce through the caliginous cover that’s stretching over the Night Lands, you remind yourself that, yes.It is truly, finally over.[cont.]
>>6388837You pull away for a moment to share a look with Master. And the pride in his eyes is something that adds to the perfection of this moment. You nod. And he nods back.There is no need to exchange further words. You will always be Master and disciple, but for now, this adventure that began almost one year ago, when you had to leave his tutelage to join this manipolo, is coming to an end.The feeling rushes over your shoulders and then down, like letting go of a heavy weight you carried since… since you understood the importance of your Cameo? It brushes against Willow’s forehead as you think. Or maybe it was from before, since you threw yourself to save Soralisa.Or earlier still…But what matters… you sigh and lean forward, setting your forehead against Rubida’s and letting all four of your breaths intermingle. What matters is that you are here with your girls. That you got the friends you needed. The friends that needed you in turn.And once back in the Holy Land, you will be able to join your family. Your heart jumps in your throat at the idea. Finally.You got everything you wanted.Everything.And more.“Praise the Sun Birther,” you mutter. Rubida and Soralisa nod. Willow pushes herself deeper against your chest and you suppose that counts.[cont.]
>>6388839Then you turn to hear and see Carnaval jump down from the heavens, supported by Master. She is limping and bruised and bleeding, but alive and quite well, considering she just faced one of the Seven.And as if on cue, Willow pulls back, taking in a deep gulp of air.“I have died and reincarnated again, but this time in paradise, dammit.” She glances at you, and as if on cue. “Hey. You know, I was thinking. Two down, five to go… do you think they are going to change their name? There’s no Seven in Sisters anymore. One of those thanks to me, by the way,” she adds with a grin. “Any ideas?” She turns to regard Soralisa, who blinks at having been singled out.Willow flushes.She is trying.“Well… perhaps Kiengir Sisters would suffice? I do not have my notes with me, but…”Rubida gives you a half smile. Yes, your common friend is truly trying.As Willow and Soralisa discuss the new denominations for those monsters, you remember that you still need the Stilladìa to transport you all back to Madua.Hopefully the loss in the battle did not shake her too much.And once again, as if on cue, you see Lithala and Helias walking towards your group. Lithala is limping as well. And between her horns only a few stars are dancing now.Go ask her about how she is faring.Introduce her to Willow. After all, it is now her own turn to pay her due.As above, but will still do it by yourself, without involving the others.Add a suggestion.thanks for playing. Willow is getting snuggled.Also it seems there's a chance for this thread to hit QUINTS of 8? Perhaps the Stilladìa will have a consolation prize.
>>6388840>Go ask her about how she is faring.
>>6388840>Go ask her about how she is faring.We will have time for business later, better to know if our ancap devil fren is okay. She will appreciate it.>spoiler>Willow gets immediately suffocated by her isekai gf's chest as soon as she comes back to life.best isekai fr fr as Willow would say, also personally I lean towards the quintet sisters myself but that's just me.>Also it seems there's a chance for this thread to hit QUINTS of 8? Perhaps the Stilladìa will have a consolation prize.Maybe her chest will grow from A- cup to a B cup? Maybe the Sun-Birther can find in her heart to be a gracious winner?
>>6388840>Then you turn to hear and see Carnaval jump down from the heavens, supported by Master. She is limping and bruised and bleeding, but alive and quite well, considering she just faced one of the Seven.>And as if on cue, Willow pulls back, taking in a deep gulp of air.>“I have died and reincarnated again, but this time in paradise, dammit.”She gets it>Go ask her about how she is faring.
>>6388840Go ask her about how she is faring.You pull away from the others and slowly walk towards the Stilladìa. Or Lithala. As she is right now, you are not sure she can still call herself by that name.She looks even paler than usual, and only the care of her husband seems to be able to hold her together. With every step, she shudders. White hair wafting around her waif figure, her horns intact but with so few stars between them; her eyes glower like dying embers—she looks so different from her usual triumphant posture. At least, the cracks all over her body have sealed; she looks just like the first time you have seen her after her transformation and rebirth.You leave the others behind, and you can feel their gazes following you like the shadows of trees follow Her sun. But it is too late to hesitate, by now. The weight of your cameo between your breasts is by now so familiar it feel you have known her forever. And it has only been a few days since you have learned the truth.Truly. The fact you used to be in that cell until three days ago is mind-staggering. You reach Lithala and Helias, and you all stand on the burnt, dust-covered grass. Her crimson eyes seem to glow dimmer as she looks at you, a defeated gloom on her face.“I have come to—”“How are you?” You ask, stepping forward and daringly setting your hands over her shoulders. “Are you hurt?”[cont.]
>>6390437Helias chuckles and Lithala’s mouth opens in a small gasp.“Ah. I have forgotten how caring you can be, Argia Candente. A welcomed discovery, once again. I—I survived. It is far more than one can say when faced with one of the Sisters.”“Twice.”“Twice, indeed. And with no help from…” she bites her lip, stopping herself. “Let us speak of this no further. I do not have the strength to fuel my bitterness any more, today.”“Can we do anything for you? Besides, we don’t have any provisions, and I think Willow needs to eat, so if you…”“Argia,” she says. It might be the first time she call you by your first name only, and there is a sad hollowness in that name, like Lithala had to scrape it on tired rock using her own nails. “I cannot help anyone anymore.”“That is not true,” Helias warns her, pulling her into a tighter hug.“It might just as well be! I—I have been reduced to a beggar. I can feel the aftershocks of everything I have built falling into nothingness. The staircase I had erected to reach the skies has tumbled beneath my feet. I have lost the vast majority of my power. I cannot conjure even a bowl of soup for you. I cannot certainly bring you back you the Holy Land.”“Oh.”She raises her hand to point to the east.“The nearest port is twenty miles in that direction, behind the hills. I went there to play with the waves once.”Helias squeezes her shoulder.“Once.”“Yes. There are a few fishing vessels from the Thronelands that sometimes find themselves this far out. They can carry you all to a safe spot where you can receive help: go with haste, because the Throne is sure to deal with the aftermath of all this and will have not time to care about you if you are tardy. As for me, I cannot fulfill the rest of our contract.” Her face seems to wither. A veil of shame falls upon her, and she clenches her fists. “I have failed in every regard and I apologize. Also, I cannot come back with you, and I cannot set foot in Madua.” A pause as she tries to keep her hands still. “Rosandra would make quick work of me, the way I am now. She does not share Carnaval’s sense of good sport, I’m afraid.”[cont.]
>>6390440Oh.Watching Lithala reduced like that, the Adversary so diminished that she looks little more than a lost, confused young girl, should swell your heart with pride. You have wished for her ruin so many times before you came to know her for how she actually was.And now, her utter defeat leaves you empty.You will probably not see her for a long time, after today.“I have lost it all,” she says once again. “And were it not for Helias, I would have lost my life today as well. I am in no position to negotiate anything, so I wanted to tell you that your obligations on the contract’s part are null. You do not need to have your friend share her time with us at all.” She takes in a long breath. “Even if it might be a much-welcomed balm on today’s wounds.”Well…You will still uphold your part of the contract.Willow might be relieved, so this is alright with you.You’d still like to spend some time with her here.Add a suggestion or a question for Lithala. This might be one of the last times you see her, after all.
>>6390442>Add a suggestion>You will still uphold your part of the contract AND you’d still like to spend some time with her hereOur word is not so fickle that we would jump at the first opportunity to worm our way out of it, and even if we have no obligations binding us to it, Lithala is still a friend.>Helias chuckles and Lithala’s mouth opens in a small gasp.Kek, what a soul indeed, also not being able to convince Rosandra to join us in the final battle ended up being a blessing in disguise, by the time she was done we would find Rosandra gnawing on Lithala's bones (or ashes).
>>6390442>You will still uphold your part of the contract AND you’d still like to spend some time with her hereWe don't need it to be a contract. We aren't a merchant. We're a knight. It's an oath, and a privilege, to spend time with Bragia Lacresta and Candeloro... And doubly so with Litahala of the Night Lands and Helias.
>>6390442>You’d still like to spend some time with her here.
>>6390442>You will still uphold your part of the contract AND you’d still like to spend some time with her here>>6390556Argia is a good girl
writing. not sure if I'll be able to post it tonight tho, because I'm not on my usual laptop and 4chan's """anti-spam""" system is absolutely cancer>why is /qst/ dyinguh, no reason I guessalso, if you don't see an update three hours after this message's timestamp consider votes still open...
>>6391542If you can afford it, the 4chan pass is a lifesaver.
>>6391546hi Moot!>>6390437“At this point… I think you should enjoy what little you can,” you shrug. “You did help save us all. And I appreciate your honesty. You have always been a terrible liar.”Lithala’s smile cracks at those words. Her shoulders relax. “Thank you, Argia. I…” she seems to stumble on her words. Gently pulls away from Helias and reaches you, brushing her fingers against your hand. She has always been a good head shorter than you, but today she really looks like she could fade away at the first buffet of wind. “I wonder if you even realise how much this means to me.” She turns to regard Helias. “Can you leave us alone for a little while?”He nods, and disappears into the ground, dissolving into nothingness. With your girls and Master and Carnaval keeping away from you two, still glancing at this unlikely duo discussing the day like—well not exactly old, but… still friends.“It feels strange,” you chuckle. “To think I did get what I always wanted: not just to meet…” ah. Your friends might still hear. Carnaval would. “Well. You know.”Lithala’s crimson eyes glower with understanding, and she nods. There is a lot that goes through that look.Saint Bragia of old. Your hopes of ever feeling her, your hopes of ever being able to tell her how important she was. To keep you going when everything seemed to go wrong. That day, on the beach of Madua, when Ansàrra left you, it was—You wince, at the memory of that coldness.And there is yet a gulf between you and Lithala. Because you chose different paths. They entwined for the present, while you still had to fight the Seven, but now, Her sun is shining again, and all is good with the world, and you have a life ahead that hopefully will be filled with less revelations.Together with the fact you have promised to keep Lithala’s secret. You secretly hope Soralisa’s sleuthing abilities will be content with exploring your body and not the Stilladìa’s past.“I got nothing of what I wanted,” she smirks, looking at her own skin: perfect and unblemished. The power she had to contain now released into nothingness forever. “And I lost almost everything I had. I cannot say our encounter ended well for me, Argia Candente.” Her smirk trembles on her lips. “But such is life. You learn to live with failures. Especially during one as long as my own.”“Are you going to continue?” You tilt your head. [cont.]
>>6391558Again, there is no need to ask what for. For moment, the light in Lithala’s eyes shines brighter, her pupils like the stars she has lost: a claw of anger that distorts her beautiful features.“It is too late to stop. Nobody—stops.” She grasps her face with her fine fingers, running from the base of her horns to her platinum lips to her small chin. “Nobody stops. But my hand has been forced. You will not hear whisper of me for a very long time, Argia Candente. Probably not until you are safely resting in a bed of stone under a baldachin of memories. It took me six hundred years to build my staircase to climb and grasp the sun and throw it into the mud, and that was with a spotless record.” She scoffs. “Ansàrra has shown everyone my contracts are not as iron-clad as I thought. Who would give me his or her soul now? She has—she has hit me in the only other place she knew it would hurt: my business model.”You purse your lips.“So it’s a matter of trust.”Lithala blinks. Then she throws her head back and laughs, laughs so much she shudders and folds forward, holding her stomach as she small chest quakes.“Ah… ah, ah I—Argia Candente, I—” she slowly gets over her bitter mirth, and at last she gives you that smile you have learned to recognise so many times. The one that shows the impressed look in her crimson eyes. “You have bested me in every regard, and now this too. I will forever regret not having won over your soul. And yet.” She sighs. “Yet perhaps it is for the better.”“Everything falls into its proper place.”“Everything falls,” she retorts. “And the pieces can stand back on their broken legs and decide not to live with their head bowed and their lips sealed. But you have proven your point. And you have proven it by taking your choice. So, fine by me.” Her features relax into one final look of fondness. “I am going to miss you. Even with how highly this has cost me.”An impulse blooms inside you. You reach for your cameo.[cont.]
>>6391560“No,” Lithala stops you. “Keep that. It suits you much better than it ever did me, and I would want no baggage.”“Ansàrra told me to do with this what I want. I’d like to give it back. It does not come from Her. It comes from me.”Lithala hesitates. Her fingers twitch. She raises her arm.She lowers it.“No.”Your smile tightens and your arms fall.“Please understand, Argia Candente, I—”“Take this, then.” You take off your sword and your sheath. “In a way, my adventure truly started with this sword. I want you to have it. As a keepsake. Let’s try to enjoy peace for a while. If you at all can… I hope you will know peace, one day.”Lithala’s fingers close around the sheath. She pulls out the sword, frowns, then shakes her head, and ties the sheath around her slimmer hips.“I can deny you nothing, Argia Candente. What a troublesome girl.” She nods. “Thank you. But I have nothing to give back. I have been taking and taking an—”You reach over and pull her into a hug. Her skin feels different from before. Smoother, and more present.“You gave me the truth. It was what set me free.” A pause. “I am no puppet.”Her shoulders fall and at last she relaxes against your body. She rubs her hands against your shoulder.“Not to mention that thing with the Worm. And bringing us here. And saving Willow and saving the world and—”“I know, I know, I’m just the best.” She pulls away, and her cheeks take on that grey shade you noticed when she is embarrassed. “Thank you for confirming it,” she adds running her fingers through her white locks.You chuckle.You truly hope she can let go of this silly war against Ansàrra, one day. She is never going to win it, after all.“And perhaps I will indeed take a vacation after all this…” Lithala sighs.“Might be a good idea.”“It would be the first time. What do you even do on vacation? I would probably get bored after the first day.”“Well.” You shrug. “After I have found my family again, I might also take a vacation, if Ansàrra wills it. So we could get bored together?”“See? This shows your lack of foresight, Argia Candente: how can one ever get bored with you?”You two share a smile, that turns into a chuckle that blooms into a laughter.“Argia?” Asks Willow’s voice. You turn to see her. She also looks much worse for wear, limping about. “The others are getting worried. I…”“Yes. Yes, I know. I was just saying goodbye.”[cont.]
>>6391561Willow gives a wide berth to the Stilladìa as she settles for standing by the side, her clothes billowed by the wind.“Worry not, Strander. I am all out of arrows for my bow, and if you are worried about the other thing… I am a married woman.”“Uh. I wasn’t. Uh.” Willow mumbles, blushing, but she reaches you and holds your hand anyway. “Nevermind.”“Speaking of which. Willow, I need you to uphold your part of the contract.”Willow’s face falls.“I told you to worry not,” Lithala grins, and a glimpse of her old confidence shines from her like glistening silver under its worn patina. “Just a few questions. Beloved?” She holds out her hand and Helias appears right besides her. He glances at the new weapon hanging off her side.He turns to look at you.“I, uh. I thought it would be a nice keepsake.”He nods, his smile burning golden.“Thank you, Argia Candente.”“Yes, yes, we get it, she is the best Knight who ever Knighted and stuff,” Willow interjects. “Now can we do this thing? Fast? Because I’m also hungry! And I need a back rub.”You turn away, leaving Willow to her interview, as they were also promised privacy. Wonder what they will be talking about.Be as it may, you truly hope that it helps Lithala, one day, to find peace.>Go back to the rest of the group: Soralisa, Rubida, Master.>Ask Carnaval for help getting home. Maybe she has ideas.>You will take a moment on your knees to commune with Ansàrra.Thanks for playing. This has been a particularly fun update to write. I hope you enjoyed it. See you soon, as we are truly starting to shift into the Quest's final arc... but we are not there yet.
>>6391563>You will take a moment on your knees to commune with AnsàrraShe took a lot pf punishment-by-proxy, I would wager. Let's check on Annie and make sure she's okay. >>6391558>MootQM, he's been gone a long while now. good riddance, knowing now he was an Epstein puppet
>>6391563>You will take a moment on your knees to commune with Ansàrra.My reason is the anon above me >>6391566>anon votes to commune with Ansàrra>on a dubs of 6How can I vote otherwise now?Also Soralisa probably has an entire journal filled with question marks over the Stilladìa - Argia connection by now.>>6391558>filethat's not fair qm now I can't hate fujimoto's ending after this anymore, Holy SOVLStill I'll really miss our ancap devil, I'm glad she gets a memento and good memories from Argia after everything but still>no more vists>by the time she is back to her original strength Argia will be long long long dead>all she has to remember her newest best fren by is her sword and sheath.It's over..
>>6391563>You will take a moment on your knees to commune with AnsàrraSeems good
>>6391558>picSo peak>>6391563>You will take a moment on your knees to commune with Ansàrra.Thank you, sun mother
>>6391563>You will take a moment on your knees to commune with Ansàrra.
