/monster/ - The Last Bastion of Romance★

>Story continue

The morning comes and for once in what feels like eternity, you feel well rested. Stretching, you notice no one else is awake when you're up beyond Erwin. Shrugging, you get up and decide to do some stretches, practicing your Geoflexing.

As you move through the various forms, you move the earth in small amounts, getting a better feeling again for the actions. May not be as great as your normal magic, but it's rhythmic, and you almost go into a trance-like state as you do so.

"Morning Rommel." Alice says as you go through your motions, eyes closed.

"Morning Alice." You murmur, not really hearing the words.

"Oh, morning stretches, that sounds like a good idea, mind if I join you?"

"Not at all." You say, continuing.

Alice's presence appears beside you and you hear her breathing as she moves. Keeping your eyes closed, you follow-through the motions, feeling the power of the earth in your core. Your legs feel solid with the ground, your heart beats with the rumbling of the earth, and your hands move as steady as stone. Feeling steady and one with the earth, you continue on, knowing that should you wish it, the earth will follow.

"Rommel?" Sophie yawns.

"Yes Sophie?" You respond, oneness in your heart.

"Why are you swaying like a buffoon while Alice is half-naked next to you?"

Furrowing your brow, you open your eyes for the first time to see Alice standing next to you, clothed only in her smallclothes. She follows your motions with some derivations of her own, her breathing making her chest rise and fall with rhythmic motions. Her toned physique is odd to behold with her tanned face and white body, seeming almost comical.

Turning your head slowly forward and bringing Alice out of your peripheral vision, you close your eyes again and continue to stretch. You say nothing, returning to your zen as you forget that Alice has no personal boundaries. Instead, you are thankfully that she deigned to wear any clothing at all. Yes, today truly shall be a good day.

You hear the door open again and Sylphie say, "What the fuck is this." A moment later Ebe and Zoras enter from the other room, the Girtablilu snickering while the Ghandharva gasps.

"It appears." Alice says. "That they do not appreciate stretching."

"Alice." You say, keeping your calm. "Put your clothes on."

"Fair enough."

And that like, she stops and returns to her room to dress. Taking a deep breath, you return to a neutral position and look out at the stunned Monsters all around you and realize that you've worked up a light sweat. Wiping your forehead you ask, "Something interesting?"

"Well…" Zoras says, tapping her chin, but Ebe elbows her, making her quiet down.

"It's just different, is all." Ebe says, looking a little worried. "Didn't expect to see you so calm when… you know."

"Maybe he's growing some." Tabitha says, wearing only her tight fitting undershirt and shorts (as if she had any legs to really cover). Nodding her head, she says, "Good form. Interesting style still."

"Thanks I-" You begin, but cut off as the door to Polah's room opens. She walks out, yawning and scratching her head before pausing as she notices you. Eyes going wide, she looks down at herself and finds that she's not wearing a scrap of clothing. Slowly, she covers herself with her wings and sends to you,

{What are you looking at?}

"Ehm. Nothing?" You say, wincing.

Polah's cheeks darken and she glares at you. {I had forgotten you were here.}

"We just… got here yesterday." You say, to the confusion of your party, who was not privy the conversation.

{Bah. Well then, you'll be happy to know I've had my familiars find a way into the dungeons. However I have no discernible method which would be safe for larger creatures to enter.} Frowning, you rub your chin and begin to speak when Polah holds up a claw. {Just wait. I will have the information for you soon enough.}

"I see." You say, nodding your head slowly. Feeling a little unsure, you ask, "Have you heard anything about the Royal Guard?"

{There is a rumor a contingent is returning from some escapade, that is all I can tell. Is there something else you know?} After you tell her about what you heard yesterday she nods her head and sends, {One moment.} Furrowing her brow, she thinks on something before nodding her head. {It is asked. Should there be a swifter return, we shall be aware.}

>>323749

"What happens if they return and decide to go on a sweep for the Violet Sands, entering every building?"

Polah is silent on this for a long while before saying, {That is your problem. Not mine. I merely was contracted to get you into the Palace. Should they find you here, it is your concern. Besides, they will easily find the Violet Sands in the Mushtarak district anyway. They do not hide well enough from me.}

Blinking in surprise, you make to ask her more but she walks into her room again and closes the door, leaving the room in silence. Turning to the others, you see Alice walk back out of her little room and ask, "Oh, she was doing the freaky mind thing again, wasn't she?"

"Yes, Alice." Sylphie sighs. "The freaky mind thing."

"Ah, well is what it is." Alice sits down on the ground, pulls out her sword, and begins to polish it. "So, what's the plan? Is the today the day that we save your parents?"

"Not quite." Sophie says, giving you a questionable look. "That is what I assume, yes?"

"Yes." You sigh. "That is correct. It appears that Polah found a way in, but that it isn't the best for us since we're too big. Apparently."

Erwin snickers and you glare at him before he shakes his head and prances about. Grumbling at him, you turn as Sylphie asks, "So what, we're just sitting here again?"

"Seems that way." You sigh. "I believe that we don't have many other options, all things considered."

"Could always go back out into the city?" Ebe asks, cocking her head. "Find a little more information, get a better lay of the land?"

Though this thought had occurred to you, it still seems a far too risky and dangerous to get involved with. Better just still until Polah has a better idea for you. No sense risking anything if you don't have to. Besides, you have Zoras to help you! Turning to the Girtablilu, you ask more about the city- especially about the violet sands.

Zoras leans back, crosses her claws, and says, "Bloody cultists… yes, as far as I know, the Violet Sands are said to be hiding within the Mushtarak district, though of course I don't know where. I've been out of the loop on most of the happenings here, but I've been told there's been the occasional theft, murder, etc that looks far out of place, even for the capital, as well as people moving about at strange times of night."

She shrugs. "Pretty bloody non-specific if you ask me."

"Still." You sigh. "It sounds more like cultist behavior. No smoke without fire they say."

The Girtablilu rubs her chin, "True enough, if I've learned anything from Ammon or treasure hunting. Might not be what you're looking for, but it bloody well beats nothing. Still…" She shakes her head. "Sounds a little dangerous to go asking around about the Cult if you ask me. On one hand, you might find them. On the other hand, you might find a bloody spear in your chest."

"Uhm." Ebe says, raising a wing. "I change my vote."

"Yeah." You say, rubbing at your head. "Probably for the best to stay put."

The room grows quiet as everyone looks about with awkward gazes, not certain what to do next. It's been awhile since you've really had nothing at all to do. Even the boat adventure you still had something to look forward to, or were recovering from injuries, etc, etc. The anticipation on top of all of this of finally reaching your destination makes it all the harder too.

It's Tabitha who breaks the silence by clapping her hands together. "Right then, we have time on our hands so we best prepare and train." Looking over everyone she continues, "Everyone here has something to practice so we're in top form for when we enter the Palace. Right?"

The party looks at each other and then to Tabitha before nodding their heads. You find yourself getting into it too, smirking at her rousing speech. Nodding herself, she puts her hands on her hips and says, "First things first, we need breakfast."

Sophie cocks her head, "I've been wondering, but does this place even have a kitchen? Wasn't an issue last night, but today…" She trails off as a rat squeaks at Mr. Ed. The horse snorts and Sylphie cocks her head before translating..

>>323750

"Nope. Apparently they just bring whatever food Polah and they need into the place and dispose of it later. Polah doesn't even know how to cook it seems."

Her twin sighs. "Well, we have some rations which will work uncooked I suppose, though I'd rather be able to make a fire."

"Ehhh, really?" Sylphie blurts out, looking down at one of the cats. "Apparently it's fine to just go ahead and do whatever we want in here. We can make a campfire as long as we don't burn everything to the ground."

"What do we do about the smoke?" Sophie asks, raising an eyebrow. "And what tinder would we use?"

Sylphie smirks. "He says, and I quote, 'Shit, aren't you fuckers mages or something? Figure it out yourselves, fuck.'"

Sophie hisses at the cat who hisses back, though his hiss carries a distinct smugness to it. The Cat o'Ninetails pulls back and blinks in surprise, as if she was slapped across the face. Blushing, she turns her head to the side and huffs before saying, "Sylphie, be a dear and make a fire for me once I get things set up here."

"Pfff, okay sis." The other Cat o'Ninetails continues to snicker as her sister gets food ready and soon enough the place smells of good cooking. All the familiars save the goat line the little cooking set up, staring in wonder at the smells. When Sophie does eventually serve out the meal of simple cooked lamb, eggs, and bread, she hands some to them- all save for the cat whom she smirks at until he bows down and apologizes. The only other person not to partake is Polah, who stays in her room the whole time.

Once that's accomplished, everyone moves out to their own task. Alice and Tabitha clear a space where they can practice their swordsmanship while Sophie sits nearby, watching with her tails performing various tasks seemingly without her notice. Ebe tunes her guitars and hums a new melody, shaking her head at intervals when she apparently doesn’t enjoy it.

For you and Sylphie, it's magic practice time. Clearing away a big area of anything flammable, you confide in her that we want to practice more Pyromancy before entering the Palace.

"You know, not certain how much more useful that's going to be than your Cryomancy." Sylphie says, shrugging. "Pyromancy is similar to Luxmancy, so I'm pretty good at it, though of course I am my Father's daughter and Fulgromancy is my speciality."

"Wasn't the Monster Lady particularly good at Pyromancy?"

Sylphie's lip twitches. "A little bit. She's basically good at everything to be honest, but I digress." Tapping her head for a moment, she snaps her fingers. "[Flame Lance]."

"That sounds… suitably strong."

"Oh yeah, it's pretty wicked." Sylphie chuckles. "I haven't cast it in awhile, but now's as good as ever." Looking off to the corner where there's no flooring save dirt, she points at it and asks you to pull up a wall. After doing so, she takes up her staff and closes her eyes, channeling mana. After a few seconds she thrusts out her arm and a searing hot beam of fire erupts from her staff. It flies in a straight line faster than you can track and bores into the rock, melting a hole into it before dissipating.

"Haaaa, ouch." Sylphie says, rubbing at her shoulder. "Tch, can I just not do dramatic flair anymore? Maybe I should ask Dad for a magitek arm or something."

"Don't joke about that." You say in a stern voice. Her ears go up at this before flatting down.

"R-Right. Sorry." Sylphie looks like a sad kitten for a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Anyway… that skill will bore through most enemies without much issue, great at melting through armor, but it's so concentrated that any deviation and it loses it's power."

Nodding your head, you practice with Sylphie until you get the hang of it, at once increasing your [Fireball] proficiency and learning how to better manipulate the raging powers of Pyromancy.

>You learn [Flame Lance]

>By focusing the powers of fire into a singular point, you create a lance of flame with extreme penetrating power.

>>323751

Feeling pretty good about it, you decide to lower your target when you notice the molten rock and sand on the floor. It glows faintly red before cooling, making you cock your head to look at it. It's been awhile since you've seen similar down in Blackfire Reach, though thankfully the volcano wasn't active. However this molten rock, this lava still invokes a certain form of fear within people for how devastating it is. Thinking on it you try to control it with your Geomancy but find it cools down, while controlling the flames with Pyromancy will make it heat up, but won't move.

"Oh,I see what you're trying to do here." Sylphie says, pointing at the recently heated rock. "I think you're going to have to combine the two disciplines like with [Pebble Gun]. She concentrates and holds out her good hand. The molten rock shifts and then slides across the ground, leaving a steaming trail behind it. She spreads it out before pulling it back and cooling it off, sighing.

"That certainly takes a lot out of you."

"Hrm." You say, trying it yourself. Keeping the two disciplines in check is rather difficult, especially since you want to focus one on moving and the other on heating. Difficult to do in the din of battle you'd assume. If you could only focus on one thing then-

Both you and Sylphie snap your fingers at the same time and say, "Combo."

"I can move the rock." You say.

"I can supply the heat." She replies. Digging in her pocket for a mana potion, she downs it straight, not even commenting on the taste and licking her lips before holding out her staff. "Ready?"

"Ready." You say. First off, Sylphie focuses concentrated blasts of heat onto the rock, making it melt. Using your magic you manipulate the rock to make it flow and melt easier until it's similar to lava. Moving to the side, the lava flows like a liquid while Sylphie continues a consistent heat upon the lava, following you in turn. Swirling the lava upward, you stop it in an arch and Sylphie abruptily removes all the heat, cooling the rock down quickly.

It stays in the shape of the arch, cracking and dripping errant pieces of stone. The two of you smile and high-five, to which Sylphie winces and rubs at her other shoulder from the shock of it. Apologizing, you look back at the work and say, "I think this could be very useful, especially on a large scale."

"Soooo, I did good?" Sylphie says, leaning her head toward you, ears twitching. Her tails wag behind her and it's obvious what she wants. Sighing, you place your hand atop her head and let the dark magicks take effect.

"Awww yeah, that's the stuff." She moans softly while you look over the handiwork of your spell before returning Polah's floor to how it started.

>You learn [Lava Flow]

>Rapid melting of rock leads to molten lava, allowing manipulation of this deadly substance. Limited control if moving both yourself, very good control if you only do one part.

Sylphie sighs as you finish your headpat. Her ears flip up and she has a goofy smile on her face as you wave her away. Nodding her head, she wanders over to Ebe and sits down, staring off into space as the Ghandharva works, seemingly oblivious to her.

Shaking your head, you turn back to ponder the uses of this when Erwin walks up. {Neat stuff you got there. Surprised you didn't burn the whole place down.}

{We had it under control.} You say, waving your hand. To be fair, you PROBABLY did anyway.

The rat from last evening cuts into your conversation. {Sure you did, wanted to cook us alive ya did.}

Erwin glares at the rat before huffing. {Honestly, I'm getting sick of others listening in to us, how do we fix that?}

{Strengthen our bond, I guess.} You say, shrugging.

{What does that even mean? How do we do that?} Erwin sends, exasperated. He walks over to you as you look through [Familiarity with your Familiar], finding nothing of much value here. Closing the book you shake your head.

{I don't know, I mean, we got the trust issues over with, right?}

{I mean, I thought so.} He says, cocking his head. {We've done the transformation thing, so like… what's left?}

Distantly the rat snickers and you hear Erwin growl at him before you put a hand on his head. Instinctively you begin to rub his head and he cools down before rolling onto his belly, turning it into a belly-rub. {Damnit this is frustrating.}

{I hear you.} You mentally sigh. Looking over at the door to Polah's room, you furrow your brow. Sylphie knows a lot about familiars but Polah… this is the only magic she can cast. With so many familiars of such strong bonds, she clearly has far more experience than the young witch.

>>323752

Standing up slowly, you walk toward the door and raise your hand to knock. Before you can, however, it opens inward and the Shoebill stands before you, the incredibly tall bird looking at you with that piercing gaze.

{May I help you?}

"Uh… I wanted to ask Polah a question."

{After you almost burned her home down?}

"We didn't… agh, look it's about familiar links, alright?"

The Shoebill looks lost in thought for a moment, although that’s difficult to tell to be honest. Eventually she sighs and sends, {Very well then. Polah will allow it.}

She opens the door further for you and the two of you enter into a dark chamber. It's larger than the other rooms and is just as sparsely decorated. Against one wall is a neatly made bed while on the opposite wall a bookshelf has a few, meager books. A chest sits at the foot of the best but otherwise the only other accessories to the room is a pile of cushions upon which Polah lays, naked save for cushions over her chest and nether regions.

Wings spread out in an arc behind her, she creates an imposing figue. Not even looking up as you enter, she sends, {Better make this quick, I'm coordinating.}

"Ah… sorry." You say before coughing into your hand and not looking directly at her. "Erwin and I wanted to as-"

{About your familiar bond. Why it's so shoddy, right?}

{Yeah, that's a harsh way to put it, I guess.} Erwin sends, frowning. {Any ideas?}

Polah sighs before mentally doing the same. {This isn't exactly advice you can really give to someone. The magic for animal empathetics is difficult and you have to be one, heart to heart with your familiar to truly create a good bond.}

"I'd say we trust each other well." You say, nodding your head. "We can successfully perform [Metamorphosis.]"

{Child's play.} Polah sends. She raises a clawed hand and snaps her fingers. The Shoebill next to you suddenly and explosively grows in size, towering over the two of you. her eyes glow a deep red with the malice of a thousand suns and she breaths upon both of you before shrinking down to her normal state and preening her feathers.

Polah mentally chuckles, {Anyone can do that with little work. The true way to develop a familiar bond is yes, through trust, however not a simple trust.}

When you're about to ask what she means, the shoebill says, {What happens when a familiar dies?}

Pausing, you look to Erwin before saying, "The… one they are bonded to takes a severe mental and emotional shock, sometimes leading to death if it's a violent death."

{Indeed. And what happens to the familiar with their practitioner dies?}

Erwin answers, {Oftentimes death as well, however some can survive and will end up losing their imbued consciousness.}

The Shoebill nods her head. {Indeed. Does this scare you?}

"Well, of course." You say, shrugging. "The thought of such a thing happening… that's terrible."

{Yeah, how can you ask that? Going back to the way I was… erm…}

Polah mentally sighs. {And there's your issue. You two trust each other in battle, however when it comes down to it, you're afraid of what will happen when the other dies. You're not actually afraid for what it means to lose the other.}

"I don't…" You begin before your eyes go wide. "Oh."

Erwin looks down and sends, {Oh.}

>>323753

The Shoebill shakes her head. {Do you get it now? A bond is more than just convenient, it's a bond greater than even marriage. You two share one life now, what will happen if one part of that life is gone?}

"I… I'd imagine I'd feel hollow." You say, feeling a little dazed as you think over so simple an explanation.

{And that.} Polah sends. {Is the essence of why the mental trauma is so bad when a familiar dies. It's like ripping a part of your heart asunder violently. For most people who don't have time to prepare, it's too much to bear, however…} Pointing her claw at you, she sends,

{Until you can accept that, your bond will be weak.}

Looking down at Erwin, you catch eyes with the fox. He looks down for a moment before looking back up to you and saying, {You know, I always thought every time you did something stupid that I didn't want you to die because I was scared for myself. Yet now that I think about it, I'm afraid of what life would be like without you man.}

Sighing, you rub your head as you think it over. Though before you'd spoken about trust in battle and trust this, trust that, you never really thought over the implications of it. You never really thought much into if Erwin died to be honest. Sure, you were afraid that Erwin would die but you never really thought that he actually would. So the implications of that is… if he actually did die though…

Taking a deep breath, you rub the back of your head and look at Erwin. "I guess I never thought you'd die, that you'd be around forever. Even before the bond you were such a big part of my life and now with you gone… Gods what would that even be like? Missing a part of my soul? I don't even want to imagine it but…" Feeling a tightness in your chest, you gulp. "Fuck."

A chuckle comes from the room as Polah audibly laughs. "Can you hear me?"

Cocking your head, you look at her and say, "Uh… yes?"

"No, not… like that."

Eyes going wide, you realize she means mentally. Smirking, you look down at Erwin who realizes it as well. Holding out your hands, the little guy jumps into your arms and nuzzles your cheek before standing on your shoulders. Smirking, you walk over to Polah and lean down to say, "Thank you."

"It's… nothing." She murmurs, wings folding up around her.

Reaching a hand out toward her head as repayment, she suddenly sits up, wings splaying out to smack you across the face. Sprawling backward, you hit the ground and blink before pushing yourself up and looking at her.

Polah sits there, top entirely exposed as she focuses on something. She turns her gaze to you and, despite what she just said, sends {The Royal Guard are due to enter the city within the hour. The people are scrambling to get ready for the parade, the normal guard are going on high alert, and…} Polah looks you in the eyes,

{The Violet Sands are falling back somewhere, gathering together. Something big is about to happen… what trouble have you brought me?}

>What do you do?

OKIE DOKIE

Here we go, we're back in action and everything is looking good! Sorry about that delay, I hope things don't get in the way again, I really do.

Anywayyyyyy, you learned a cool new skill or two! You strengthened your bond with Erwin! You're all going to die!

Wait, what?

Ignore that last one.

>>323757

Doesn't sound like this purge will be immediate, but it's not going to be easy to go outside. It may happen soon though, probably depends on how this parade goes.

>>323772

I will read through all of this later but I will say that Helene's cell was nowhere near the Chasm of Regret. They're supposedly around the Capital. At the moment they haven't gone arresting anyone except perhaps this, "Liala."

>>323774

In that case, there is no urgency so let's just rush the rescue plan during the parade.

>>323754

>it's a bond greater than even marriage

Ace browses /zoo/ confirmed

I guess Erwin is basically our one ring, (or horcrux if your a pleb)

>>323754

>Reaching a hand out toward her head as repayment, she suddenly sits up, wings splaying out to smack you across the face.

Why'd you patblock me, Ace?

Hopefully a stronger bond with Erwin won't mess with our ability to communicate mentally with Sylphie. It would be nice to coordinate a [Lava Flow] without giving away our plans to anyone who has ears.

>>323772

>He thinks the waifu war is over.

Guess again Tabithafag. It's over when we romance Ebe.

>>323754

Figures that Polah would know more than she was letting on, we didn't really get a chance to question her. Her familiars would be useful scouts to access the situation, provided she's even willing to help us out.

Contacting the Violet Sands in the city is our best present option. Even if we're able to sneak into the palace and break the GW and Selene out, they'll most likely be in no condition to fight. We're short on manpower, and if the guards sound the alarm it's all over. If we can ally with the cult, they can either serve as a distraction and force the guards to leave the palace exposed. Or we can team up and start a blitzkrieg before the Pharaoh has time to react and come at us full force. We should get our teammates opinion either way.

>>323888

>it's over when we romance ebe

That will never happen. That hope is dead. Tabitha is the best girl.

>>323888

>>323938

RockCollection4lyfe, nerds.

>>323951

>>323938

>>323888

Ebe plays rock. This makes her the only waifu worth considering.

Ah, just to confirm when i start writing tonight, looks like majority opinion is that we want to meet up with the Violet Sands and also that Ebefags btfo?

Just want to make sure no one else has anything to say because this is important

>>324014

but wizard benis in bird bagina :DDD

>>324014

Only >>323888 is actually behind visiting the cultists, because >>323772 changed his mind >>323775 here and no one else has said anything. On that topic, putting my vote for not visiting the cultists and instead talking to Polah to see if she can find us an opening for breaking into the palace when the cultists do their thing and all the guards are distracted, because trying to find the cultists just before the purge begins is silly.

>>323974

Ebe doesn't play rock, Sveth does. Why do you think she goes into a trance whenever she starts playing crusader's call? Besides, Tabitha has metal legs so she's technically partially made of rock, checkmate Ebefags.

>>324018

Oh, I misread.

I see.

>>324014

I see how it is Ace… There are about the same amount of Ebefags as there are Tabithafags… but once again you hand us out to the original WizardQuest cast… I'm on to you

>>324036

Shit man, the tabithafags are more numerous, or appear to be. You want a tender scene drawn between Ebe and Rommel then? Is that what you want?

You want me to dig further down the commissiom rabbit hole? Don't tempt me bro, im crazy.

Really though it reads lke just one guy and its hard to figure out what true interest levels are. Maybe we'll just be like Bearson.

Nevermind

>>324045

I think there is a sizable amount of us that want rommel to not waifu anyone, personally I haven't really felt like either girl has a great interest in rommel and it would kinda just feel forced I guess

>>323754

Before we do anything else, we need to remove all evidence of us being occupants of this building before the guards come knocking. Even if we leave the building so that the guards don't find us, if they see anything that could indicate that we may have been here previously then they are liable to raise alarms and probably interrogate Polah for information about suspicious individuals she may have been hiding in her home, both of which are bad for us and our mission and for Polah. As such, we should gather up all of our equipment that is currently laying about the place and fix any damage we've made to the building with our magic, such as the floor following our experiments that taught us [Lava Flow].

With that out of the way, we need to prepare for when the guards start searching the area for cultists because they are now in the capital and it's only a matter of time before they get here. Having thought about it more, I'm personally advocating for [Build the Wall] to make a hidden room with no entrances while Erwin stays outside to blend in with the rest of Polah's familiars and keep us updated about the situation on the other side, as the wall and a slightly smaller room wouldn't look out of place, the guards don't have the blueprints for the house and thus will be none the wiser about the room size being smaller than it should be, and other methods of hiding ourselves are either unreliable [Trick of the Light] comes to mind here, more so if the guards come close or obvious [Trench] would leave traces of digging and simply covering the traces won't work if the guards do a thorough inspection. That said, I'm not opposed to other methods if they work.

Moving on, I believe it would be for the best if we just stay put for now and observe the outside world to figure out what to do next. If nothing happens, then we're safely hidden and can put our plans into action the following day when Polah has a good amount of information to make use of as per the original plan. If something does happen, like the cultists make an aggressive move against the Prophet's forces, then we can abuse this opportunity of the bulk of the guards being distracted by the power move to set our rescue mission into action though we might want to talk to Polah about what information she was able to discover first so we have some plan for how to infiltrate. Trying to make contact with the cultists will at best rope us into their assault and at worst lead to us being caught by the guards in the city, so I'd advise against it.

One final thing unrelated to the situation at hand concerns our familiar bond. As >>323825 points out, our bond's new found strength probably has the side effect of cutting out Sylphie from any conversations, so we need to fix that as soon as possible to help with co-ordination and long distance communication between her and us. On that same vein, we may want to consider giving Polah back access to our conversations too, both because she would deeply appreciate it for talking with us and because we may be able to have her give us guidance while we're out on the field, which would be extremely useful for reacting to anything that could crop up during our mission.

>>324022

Helene has somehow managed to survive being enslaved and being in Ectria for at least 20 years, and has Hent-ateh seemingly at her command. She appears to be very resourceful so I think she should be fine, especially since she is unlikely to be doing any fighting herself.

>>324036

>There are about the same amount of Ebefags as there are Tabithafags

This isn't true. The start of this thread has 5 Tabithafags myself included to 2 Ebefags, perhaps 3 if you count the shitpost >>324015, and the start of thread 6 had 5 Tabithafags 6 if you count the guy saying he preferred Tabitha to Sylphie to 1 Ebefag. Throughout the story, Tabithafags have been more numerous and committed to their waifu than any other type of poster, and the only time Ebe has ever beaten Tabitha in any of the battles along the waifu war was just before we met Lady Aliph where she won 7 to 4 votes which should have been 6 to 5 but dragonfag made a mistake and voted for the wrong girl, and even then it's hard to tell if those votes were from either side of the war or simply a neutral party given the context not to mention pretty much everyone disappeared the following update.

>Repeated usage of ellipses in a single sentence

You're not from around here, are you?

>>324046

>I think there is a sizable amount of us that want rommel to not waifu anyone

If there is, they certainly aren't very vocal about it. The only times I can remember such opinions coming up is when waifuing was first considered back in thread 3 and at the start of thread 6, during the discussion following the (1) and done post questioning why people liked Tabitha and they weren't numerous either; they've haven't really said anything at any other point despite quite a fair number of affectionate actions of the non-headpat variety opposing their opinions being taken.

>>324051

>>324045

I'm not convinced that Tabithafags aren't the same autist that posts a novel everytime he shows up. They're definitely not as numerous as they say they are.

Ebe romance for the win.

>>324051

>You're not from around here, are you?

>been here from before the first wizardquest

>invented [Circle of Shit] and led us down the path of copromancy

Now here we have a Tabithafag constructing a strawman to justify his waifu choice.

>>324046

This man has the right idea. Rommel is a Wizard first and foremost. To betray his wizardhood is to betray his purpose out here. He came to return the world to the old ways. He would never be so weak as to get a waifu of his own on this journey. He knows the resolve that a true wizard needs, he has had to rely on it all of his life. His resolve would not just break here in Ectria over some simple monster girl. We are not some casual normalfag: we are a Wizard of old, a creature of legend and great power who has made sacrifices to retain his power. No old lizard hag or spring Ectrian chicken is going to sway us.

>>324106

>only inventing [Circle of Shit], and not being the guy who suggested the OG wizard have a [Bag of Holding] as his item, [Wizard Quest] as Tobias' item, and a [Trench Coat] with an [Insulated Pocket] as Rommel's item

GIT GUD

I

T

G

U

D

>>324106

Ad hominem, actually. Something you've just done to me as well, only without trying to counter any of the arguments I've made or make a point on the topic in question. And for the record, I'm fairly certain I've done more than enough to justify my position in the prior threads.

We should try and observe from a distance whatever the hell the cultists are up to.

Also, while it's currently unclear if Tabithafags represent a majority or not yes they are, they are undeniably the largest individual faction. It was the same case with Sayafags and Ginellefags/other in Illusionist Quest, so I don't see why the same trend shouldn't be followed.

>Story continue

Holding up your hands, you say, "Hold on now. What are you talking about?"

{The Royal Guard are back and the people are holding a parade, as you said.} Polah says, not even caring that she's exposing her bare chest. She looks at the Shoebill who snaps to attention and walks outside the room before turning back to you. {My other familiars have seen people moving, and I have confirmed that the Royal Guard are headed into the city.}

"Well shit." You say, rubbing the back of your head. "Wait, how are you communicating like this again if-?"

{Because you're still a child compared to me on this.} Polah snaps, glare in her eyes. Rubbing at her head with a claw she sighs and looks down at her chest before blinking, looking up to you, and then slowly wrapping her wings around herself. {You could have at least told me.}

"I thought you didn't care."

{Of course I care if a man looks at me and- nevermind, we don't have time for this.} Sighing, she concentrates on something before sending again. {The normal guard have begun to secure the parade route, but they are also entering nearby homes and buisnesses. One would assume they're looking for something.}

Her gaze shifts to you and you shake your head. "They can't know we're in the city. It's likely the Violet Sands. Their orders said to purge them once they returned."

{Great.} Polah sends. {Just great.} She unfurls a wing, uses an arm to cover her chest, and points at you with the other claw. {I told you before. I will not cover for you should the Guard come here to ask questions.}

"Fine." You sigh. "But if they find us, they will also question you."

She sniffs, {I have my ways in and out. It is little concern to me what happens to you and yours, however.} Shaking her head she continues, {However, Ammon has paid me for my service and I will continue to work at it, although such a thing is going to be more difficult now.}

"We can't just go now?" You ask, cocking your head. She rolls her eyes.

{I found the way for you to enter the palace, however you are not going to be able to get in easily, nor do I know the guard Patrols there. Good luck getting there at the moment anyway.}

"Won't the guards be very… concentrated around the parade, can't we use that as a distraction to get in?"

Polah looks at you the way a champion runner would look at an obese man who called him slow. Shaking her head she sends {Yes and no. The Guards around the Palace are going to be intent on guarding their charge the same as always. However if what you say is true, there will be a noose spread around the Mushtarak district.}

"That's where the Violet Sands are, right?" You ask, furrowing your brow. "Do you know where?"

{Of course, I have a familiar mixed in with them.}

"You… wouldn't happen to know if a member named Helene is there, would you?"

A silence fills the room as Polah focuses for a moment before shaking her head. {No, I don't know any of the individual cultists, merely where they are headed. I don't really care that much either, so long as they don't interfere with my business.}

"Seems tracking them is part of your business."

{Smart-ass.} Glaring at you, she continues. {Look, they're probably hearing the same news via different channels and are reacting. They're probably all going to get slaughtered, so what do I care? I just need to find you a way into the dungeon. That's it.}

She sends this last part with an air of finality. Looking at Erwin, the fox frowns and then shakes his head, making to leave the room. Sighing, you decide to do the same. Once you reach the door, however you hear one last sending.

{If the guards are coming, I'll let you know at least.}

Hand on the door, you send back, {Thanks.}

Walking back into the room, you see your party standing around looking confused. Alice's head cocks to look behind you, but you close the door before she can say anything. Looking between everyone, you sigh and inform them of the situation.

Alice groans while Tabitha curses. The twins and Ebe look at each other with worried expressions. The first to ask anything is the Lizardman who asks, "Well, what do we do then?"

>What do you-

>>324121

No wait, you already did that. Besides, while there's a few thing you can do, but you've already made up your mind on what to do. No point in going back and waiting for your mind to make things up now.

"Look." You say, rubbing the back of your head. "While I don't like just sitting here, we need to stay put until Polah has our way in."

The others look at each other with confused glances. "Are you… sure about that?" Sophie asks, looking confused.

"Yeah, what about the Violet Sands?" Ebe asks, looking worried.

"What about them?" You ask, feeling a little tired.

"Well… uhm… your… you know…"

Sylphie breaks up the awkwardness by coughing into her hand. "Ahem. I'm sure what she's trying to say is that if the cult is taken out, we may have little to cover a retreat."

"Nah, I think she was about to bring up his sister." Alice says, much to Sylphie's annoyance. The Swordswoman gives her a critical eye before saying, "What? Now's not the time to coddle anything. We need to know if Rommel is going to do anything about this."

Eyes turn back to you and you pinch the bridge of your nose. Sighing out, you say, "No. We are staying put, getting into the Palace, and getting your parents, alright?"

Sylphie nods her head slowly while Sophie sniffs. Tabitha shrugs. "Very well then, what do we do if the Guard comes knocking?"

"We'll have advance warning from Polah, but I figure we'll be hiding ourselves." Looking down, you say, "First things first, we hide our presence here."

{Easy.} Erwin sends, nodding over to the other familiars. The goat stands up, walks over to where the others were sitting before, and rolls around, getting hair everywhere. The fox turns to Sylphie and waits for something. The Cat o'Ninetails cocks her head and then frowns.

"Uhm… yes Erwin?"

{Oh hells, that's right, we leveled up or something.} Erwin sends, looking surprised. {Think we can dial her in on this?}

{Do we really want to?}

{I mean. Maybe when we want her to?} The fox thinks about it. {Wait, can we do that?}

Asking this of Sylphie, she blinks and says it's possible. "Still." She adds, "The fact that you two got that close… that's adorable. But damn I can't spy on- I mean uh, well it will just mean we'll be more diligent."

Both of you frown at her and she teaches you how to let her in and out of communications. Basically, it's the same as before, just she can't hear anything until you speak back. Same as how it works with her and Mr. Ed, though really, you want to know what's going on in his mind…

"Ahem." Sophie coughs, interrupting this fun little lesson. "I think what he was trying to convey before we had this fun little lesson-"

"That you interrupted." Sylphie says, interrupting in her own right.

"Yes, quite. Anyway," Sophie begins again. "I believe what he was trying to convey is that the goat has masked all trace of our scent. There's too many animals in here to smell out us, even with those stupid dog noses."

"Oh!" Sylphie says, sniffing around. "You're right. All I can smell is goat ass." She blushes and says, "No offense."

The little goat sniffs and walks back to her spot, plopping down to eat more of those odd fruits. Shaking your head, you say, "Now that that's taken care of, we need to clean up and hold out in one of the side rooms."

"Can't they just… search the rooms?" Ebe asks, looking skeptical.

"Yes, but we can use magic." You say, holding up your staff. Ebe clacks her tongue but doesn't say anything else. Pointing to the room where Zoras was staying, you say, "Alright, we're going to make a small side room in there and then use [Trick of the Light] to conceal further if we need to."

"Bleh." Sylphie says. "But fine, it's only for a short time."

"Right then, the parade will be through the major promenade going from the main gate to the Palace I would expect so this district won't be hit just yet, especially where we are and where the Mushtarak district is." Zoras says, nodding her head. "Of course, we'll need to prepare quite the large around I suspect to hide. I'm not very small and no one wants an accidental sting."

"It's fine, we'll take care of it. For now, pack up your things, we have some time I think." The others nod and get to it, a process which takes far less time than you'd expect, probably from all the camping. The next step is to cover up all your training, again a process that's easily done. With some magic and rolling a goat over everything, it's done.

Preparing the area to hide takes a little more effort, moving away flooring and covering it so it doesn't look too weird before crafting a wall to look like the other walls to hide behind. Once satisfied, you and the others store your things there and get to waiting.

And waiting.

And waiting.

>>324123

Polah gives none of you any information and you consider sending Erwin out to scout the place for abit, but decide against it. Surely, surely they'd try to come after you at some point, right? Without windows, it's hard to tell what time it is, but it seems as if it's slipping to afternoon before you know it with none of the tension leaving the room. Too afraid to do any training and too worked up to study, all of you sit, just… waiting.

"So… what, are they going to wait until we're dead or something?" Alice growls, standing up. "I'm asking the bird-cat what's the deal."

"Alice.." You say, holding out a hand, but you also want to know so you can't quite bring yourself to stop her. She walks over to Polah's door and knocks on it once before shrugging, opening it, and walking inside. All of you watch in suspsense for a moment before Alice walks out again, walks over to you, and sits down.

"Uhm." Ebe asks. "What… did she say?"

"Nothing, she just stared at me. Probably tried her freaky mind shit, one of you go do it."

Sighing, you get up and walk into Polah's room to find her laying under the cushions again. {Polah.} You send, knowing she'll get it. {What are the guard doing?}

{The parade ended an hour ago. Most people are headed home while the guard spreads around, "escorting" people to the Mushtarak district.}

"Are they searching the other districts?" You ask, switching to Deleorian. "Seriously, are they going to come here?"

{I don't know. At the moment, No, they aren't. I'm busy, alright?}

"Look, I want to know if we need to be so worried or not. It's wearing on people. How much longer until you have a plan for us anyway?"

Polah glares at you again. {Tomorrow morning I'll likely have something. You're here for my help, alright? I could literally rat you out.}

Gritting your teeth, you take a deep breath and calm down before nodding your head. "Fine. Fine."

{Tch. Look, just go back there and don't be so worried, I am watching everything.} Polah closes her eyes. {Also, the Violet Sands have closed off from my sight. I know where they are, but not what they are doing. As of yet, there has been no major disturbance, just a few people taken in as suspects for… really nothing.}

"So…"

{Either this is nothing or they're waiting for something else to happen.}

Well shit, what a waste of time. Rubbing the back of your head you apologize to Polah. Before you can stop yourself you ask, "Is there anything we can do for you for all the help?"

{Help? I basically told you to go fuck yourself.}

"Yeah but… I don't know. Somehting simple? Do you like headpats?"

{What… like rubbing my head? Why would you do that?}

"Because it… feels good?"

Polah opens one eye to follow your expression before sighing. {Deleorians are strange. In Ectria it's usually Monsters who initiate with the men.}

"What? No, look, I'm not saying we should- Gods, it's just a simple headpat, here." Stepping forward before she can say anything, you reach down and place your hand atop her head.

Polah's eyes both open wide as your [Hands of Solos] begin their work. She first looks scared, but then begins to let out small moans, clutching cushions close to her naked body and shuddering.

"W-What are you doing?" Polah asks in a breathy tone. "S-Stop!"

"Fine." You say, pulling your hand away. She looks at it with longing before looking down, cheeks growing red. You notice her tail is swishing the cushions below her and she has to conciously stop it before her cheeks begin to burn hot.

"G-Get out." Polah mutters.

"Right, just let us know when you have more."

"Fine…" She murmurs as you walk away, entering into the other room. Once again you're greeted by curious eyes that search over your actions.

"Did ya pat her good." Sylphie asks, smirking.

"What? No, what?" You say, trying to play it off.

Sylphie snaps her fingers and Erwin trots up, sniffs your hand, and nod his head. {Griffon head, no doubt about it.}

"For the love of- Look, I pat her head. That's not the important part here." Pulling your hand away from Erwin, you once again relay the information.

"For fuck's sake." Alice groans, leaning back. "So what, we just… rest then? Morning we may have our plan? Boooorrriinnngg."

Tabitha nods, "But it's not conflict, which is fine."

"Yes, but what are the cultists doing? Escaping?" Sophie asks, looking deep in concentration. "I'm concerned it's something more nefarious."

"You don't think they're going to do some kind of ritual here, in the capital, do you?" Ebe asks, looking afraid.

"I don't know." You say, thinking about your sister, unbidden. "But I hope they aren't stupid enough to do anything rash."

"Well, if they do, it's a bloody diversion for us, I suppose." Zoras says. Stretching, she looks around and asks, "So, how about lunch?"

>>324124

The rest of the day passes uneventfully, with both you and Sylphie focusing on your magic while the others train. With practice, you can bolt easily and cover your tracks, so you're not as concerned, though you don't cook in here again, instead eating travel rations. The Shoebill returns later in the evening with some food and brings it to Polah, though you have no idea how it escapes notice being so large.

Your practice was mostly on Gold manipulation, working on that until you become proficent with it, able to skirt a coin about without much effort as well as working on some golems to have easy access to, mainly with Ronnie, Acillis, Babyface, and Phallia. The other friends you store in your [Backpack] as you work with the chain, feeling a little more confident with it.

>You learn <Gold Manipulation: Proficent>

>You can pull raw gold from the earth and shape it well. You have good control over purified gold.

Well, if you ever run out of money, you can easily go prospecting now, so that's nice. When asked why you worked on this, the explanation was, "We'll be in a palace." This is good enough apparently.

Without sight of the Guard, you keep a watch at night for signs of trouble and all sleep in your false room, preparing for tomorrow. You get the first watch and nothing much occurs as the night continues, so when it's time to head to sleep, you prepare to wake Tabitha, the next watch. As you make to do so, Polah bursts into the room and sends,

{Get up, now. Those cultists have ruined everything!}

Rousing the others, Polah angrily rubs at her head, growling while sending, {They scurried out of their hiding hole with something that began to slaughter the guards in the area with dark magics. The cultists themselves are attacking too, a frenzied look in their eyes. They're capturing the guards where they can and dragging them back into their base too.}

Relaying this to your group, Polah shakes her head, {There's no more time for subtlety, you need to get out of here and get into that Palace.}

"But the plan-"

{Damn the plan, there's no way it will work correctly now. Listen, one of my familiars will travel with you and tell you how to get to the proper location. You're going to enter through an old service chamber that's been filled in years ago, but still reaches the dungeons.}

"How-?"

{Your damn magic shows have been watched, you can dig a tunnel you idiot, it's not that deep.} Shaking her head, she says, {Once in, that's up to you. I'll have a familiar watching for you, but again, my job is to get you in.}

"Question." Zoras asks. "This thing you said that's breaking things… does it look like a construct with some black tentacles coming from it?"

{Sort of?} Polah sends through you. At this your party grows very, very worried.

"Hent-ateh…" You say, gritting your teeth. That means that Helene is here… damnit.

{Sure, that's fine.} Polah says, looking at all of you. {The streets here won't be as patrolled, however you need to go now if you want to enter the Palace and you need to follow my commands via my familiars. Otherwise you may not make it to your destination.}

"Nighttime rescue might be best." Sophie says after you explain it. "Might need to fight some guards but… well it's our best shot."

"Hent-ateh…" Ebe mutters, shuddering. "That thing is here… killing Ectrians…"

"And what are the cultists so worked up about? Did they just go insane?" Sylphie asks, looking confused.

"I don't know, but we should get going." Alice says, patting her sword. "As much as I want to kill that thing for good, we should use the distraction."

"Hopefully there's a city left to come back to when we get out." Tabitha says, nodding her head.

"Bloody hells, what is all this madness." Zoras chuckles. "I just got healed and here we are. Did bloody Ammon predict all of this?"

Everyone looks again to you, for your piece on this. The time has come, whether you wanted it or not. The way to the Palace is open, even if it's being paid for in blood, perhaps your sister's blood. But your goal is in sight, the way lead before you. Are you ready?

>What do you do?

>>324125

Fun fact: They were never going to stop by Polah's place. Well, maybe not today. The Violet Sands kind of ruined all of that though.

But the attack has been laid, for whatever reason. It's a good diversion though, even if it does lead to many cultist deaths. Still… that's not you problem it seems? Most people at the time of writing wanted to wait it out so, here we are!

Good to go to the Palace, right?

>>324127

>It's a good diversion though, even if it does lead to many cultist deaths.

and that's a bad thing?

assuming Rommel's sister isn't involved, or if she is then if she's not some cultist retard and is secretly a government mole planted by somebody to take out the VS from the inside

>>324139

I like the prison break idea but disagree with sending the fox to our sis to tell her our plans. Its not safe for him and the cult can benefit from our distraction without knowing about it so there isnt much point.

Best plan I can think of is to send everyone ahead of you to follow Polah's plan. Meanwhile Rommel goes alone to find his sister and pull her out of this mess. Hopefully if he tells her he's about to break out the GW and his wife she'll see reason, after all the breakout is likely going to foil whatever plans the pharaoh has and the extremely pissed off GW+Selene have a better chance of taking down the pharaoh than whatever suicidal plan her people are trying. It's not the best plan but I think it's got the best story potential.

>>324139

Seconding the prison riot idea, but I think splitting up in any way is a terrible idea.

>>324188

Tabithafag reporting in though my true love is headpats

>>324108

>only hotpocket posting

>not shitposting

>not guaranteeing everyone survived by shitposting against Ace's character and literacy tropes

>>324115

Ad hominem would imply I was arguing with you at all. The post was clearly constructed to affirm the need to maintain our wizardhood. Starglider is that you faggot

>>324200

We've been wasting too much time. We've been procrastinating in the city which is already a dangerous place for us to be in and haven't really been working at our goal. Now that the time has come we can't back down, we need to dedicate ourself to it now or someone in our party can get hurt. Rescuing Selene and the Wizard from under the Pharaoh's nose is not something we should half-ass, it's the ultimate goal. We need to organise everything now and follow through on Polah's plan.

Splitting up our team while dealing with the pharoah is extremely dangerous. We don't truly care about most of these cultists and right now they've provided us with a valuable opportunity. We must move now before their distraction ends and the palace becomes harder to get into.

>>324188

I'm in favor of Tabitha. That being said, I feel this is bound up in Rommel's character development as well, and part of it would be from him seeing her, or any other potential suitor as being people, rather than monsters, which has had a substantial amount of focus in the quest so far. So, if he made a choice on that front, it would be because he chose Tabitha, Ebe, or Sylphie, rather than "the lizardman, the ghandharva, or the cat o'ninetails". Basically choosing somebody as a woman rather than monster after the removal of personal bias via aforementioned character development.

>>324125

Go ahead with Polah and her plan to get in the palace. Meeting up with the Violet Sands would be beneficial but it's too big a chance to find them in a war zone. Splitting up in these stories almost never works out well, our party isn't strong enough to gimp ourselves by losing people.

If we can meet up with cultists on the way, however, we can certainly use the allies. The more chaos we cause the easier we can mask our presence at the palace.

>>324188

There's only one waifu worth voting for. The woman who is loyal to her friends, and has loved and supported us without ever being asked. The only choice is Ebe.

Don't post much but I will add a vote for celibacy or Tabitha

>{They scurried out of their hiding hole with something that began to slaughter the guards in the area with dark magics.}

Unless I’m mistaken, Hent-ateh hasn’t cast any magic prior to this, so this means it has gotten stronger yet again, which is going to be a huge problem for us very soon.

>{The cultists themselves are attacking too, a frenzied look in their eyes. They're capturing the guards where they can and dragging them back into their base too.}

Based on the description of the cultists and the rather odd actions they’re taking in the middle of battle, I have a hunch that the Violet Sands cell in the capital was successful in bringing back an Apophis, ended up getting enthralled by her as to secure their devotion to the cause, and are taking those guards back to their new master to be enthralled themselves so they can be used as fodder on the frontlines to keep this assault going civilians don’t appear to be targeted since they are unlikely to be useful in combat. I hope I’m wrong due to the implications of this, but it’s certainly possible.

>>324125

Our mission, and the sole reason for us being in Ectria in the first place, is to save the Grand Wizard and Selene as per our contract with the twins and probably our desire to help our friends at this point and this is the best opportunity we’re going to get to set our plans into motion, so we should absolutely capitalise on these turn of events immediately by heading out to infiltrate the palace as per Polah’s instructions and not wasting time on anything else. The cultists don’t need our help to carry out their assault and have the potential to be a threat to us with Hent-ateh among their ranks and this sudden frenzy they’ve gone into, so there isn’t much point in trying to make contact with them when we could be using the opening they’ve given us to benefit ourselves instead; we purposefully didn’t ally with them for a reason, after all.

When we eventually reach our destination, start tunnelling with [Trench] towards that old service chamber Polah mentioned, keeping an eye out to make sure no one is following us. Once we finally breach into the dungeons, we should start navigating the building with haste, using the [Palace Map] both to determine where the Grand Wizard and Selene are likely being held so we can start heading over there and as a guideline for how the building may be laid out rather than an accurate blueprint, since the map is old and changes may have been made to the layout of the palace since it was originally sketched. Ideally we should try to avoid being detected if possible while moving about, as the guards knowing about us being here will make trying to find and secure our targets that much harder for us, but this may prove to be impossible even with the majority of the guards fighting the threat outside, so don’t be afraid to go loud if necessary. Speaking of which, what >>324139 suggests about rousing the prisoners to arms is a great option should we be forced to make our presence known as a fair amount of those imprisoned will want the Prophet’s head, so I’ll advocate for that to distract the guards inside the palace while we try to locate the twins’ parents should the situation call for it and it pretty much will with our circumstances.

One final point to make is to never split up the party if we can help it. We previously learned the hard way what happens when we try to do something difficult while missing key members of our party back in Jahardin, with the difference this time being that the consequences will be much more severe than just Sylphie getting injured, so we can’t afford to take any risks we don’t have to, even if such an action would make the searching process more efficient for us, as to do so only invites catastrophe.

>>324127

>Fun fact: They were never going to stop by Polah's place. Well, maybe not today. The Violet Sands kind of ruined all of that though.

Better safe than sorry, I guess.

>>324188

>Why don't we actually tally a proper vote then?

If we're doing this not everyone has responded and Ace hasn’t said anything so I’m not sure, then add another to the Tabitha tally.

I'm gonna cast a vote for celibacy, at least until we complete our mission.

On that note, fuck the cult. We're about to reach the goal we've been working towards for this entire quest, and we can worry about other shit after we meet up with the GW and fulfill the main reason why we agreed to work with the twins in the first place. Once we're done with that and only that, I'm sure Ace doesn't have anything else planned for us to do :^) we can start up the Waifu Wars anew.

>>324335

better pick a side indecision-san

>>324188

Gonna go with Lizardcake.

Oh boy, fun times, lets see what we got here…

>>324128

Well. That's up to you

You don't know but man, having Hent-ateh is one hell of a plant.

>>324135

It is incredibly unlikely that, if you split the party that way, that the group will be able to meet you in the palace.

>>324139

Oh ho, tricksy tricksy mister diehead

>>324188

Aight, I was hesitant to make a formal vote due to vote fixing, but I will assume each ID is one person and count it up.

Oh, and for that headpat, well it was supposed to be. She wasn't all over it and there's other things going on. You want to give her a real headpat? Not certain before going into battle is the best time but hey, if other people want sure I guess.

>>324190

Celibacy, kay

>>324200

That would have some excellent story potential, but man getting back into that palace may be rough later.

>>324232

Tabitha, kay

>>324241

TBH I had hoped people would go out or take a more active role, but oh well.

>>324242

hear, hear

>>324266

Dubs of tabs, aight. And I think he has started to see them as people, just I use descriptors like that because using the name every time gets repetitive

>>324305

Unlikely you will meet cultists on the way. Polah will not have you go through the Mushtarak district, where they all boiled out from.

>>324305

A vote for the birb I see

>>324353

Stick together eh, fair enough.

And another for the tabby

>>324356

Well you aren't going to pin Tabitha down and fuck her right now, so yes, anything would work until the end. Also Tabitha is in the lead with celibacy as well so yes, I can say Tabitha

>>324357

And more for Tabitha

>>324360

Not so fast! I vote for celibacy. There will be no waifus for Rommel for he is a true wizard even greater in willpower than the Grand Wizard himself

>>324360

I vote to waifu Tabitha

>>324118

I am this anon, and I vote Tabitha for the tally.

>What do you do?

Ignore the cult entirely, go to the digging spot and get to work. Whether they succeed or not in their attack doesn't matter to us, either way they will be less of an issue for us later. Make sure to hide the entrances to our tunnel both at the surface and in the dungeon so no one notices, but don't collapse the tunnel because we can use it as a possible escape route once we have the parents with us if we need to. Go explore the dungeons in search of the parents on the off chance they're in the same place as the rest of the prisoners, using magesight to see their massive amounts of magic so we can locate them easier.

And use the dungeon to our advantage when needed. We have geomancy, might as well use it.

>>324188

>>324360

Vote for the best girl Tabitha.

It bugs me that the celibate group didn't say anything earlier about those scenes on the boat because if they win now then any development in that area already written down will be shat on

>>324367

We did tho

>>324360

Celibacy vote.

>>324367

It just means that Tabitha is a good friend. You don't have to lewd the friendo.

>>324125

Go through with the plan, once we're inside send Erwin to scout out ahead, also if we run into any other prisoners we should act like we're there to set them free to increase the chances of getting some more allies

>>324360

casting a vote for tabitha

>Story Continue

It doesn’t matter if you're ready or not, because the time is here. Closing your eyes, you take a deep breath and say, "Right then, let's do this."

The twins smile and both nod while the Tabitha and Alice adjust their swords. Ebe and Zoras look to each other before nodding, coming to some inner resolutions. You see Mr. Ed saunter up to the group and neigh while Erwin scampers onto your shoulders, giving you a foxy grin. Everyone's all here and everyone's prepared it seems.

{Sure you don't want someone scouting out the Violet Sands?} Erwin sends, giving you a knowing look.

{No.} You send, shaking your head. {The time for that is long past. What happens, happens, no matter if Helene… well, if she's involved then she's helping out her little brother again in a way.}

{Heh… if you say so. If you say so. You just don't want anyone getting hurt, huh?}

{Can you blame me?}

Erwin sends nothing further and instruct the others to get their belongings and prepare for battle. The whole time Polah stares out into nothingness, her eyes shifting as she coordinates multiple familiars. As the others finish preparing, she snaps her eyes back onto you and sends, {Are you ready to go already?}

"Almost." You say, nodding to the others. "Despite your crabby attitude, you've been a big help."

{What a charmer you are.} She mentally sneers. {Whatever, we're almost done with all of this anyway.}

"Polah, you don't get outside much, do you?"

The Griffon looks at you with a suspicious expression. {What does that matter?}

"Well, you're fairly good looking for a Monster and you seem to care a lot at least for your familars. Maybe you'd be less shy and crabby if you went outside every now and then."

{Griffons don't do that, we're not a common species of Monster and we're far more comfortable guarding something anyway.}

Rubbing the back of your head, you say, "If you say so. It's not really my place to say anything, I suppose. But since I doubt we'll be seeing each other again…" Looking down at your hand, you clench it tight before holding it up. "Let me give you a proper headpat."

{I-I don't want that.} Polah sends, looking nervous. {S-Stay away from me with that.}

Sylphie walks out of the room where the others are gathering their gear and pauses, looking over the scene. Cocking her head, she asks, "Are you going to pat her head?"

"Well." You say, shrugging. "I was going to try, but she doesn't want to."

"Oh wow, she doesn’t know what she's missing then." Sylphie giggles. "Or maybe Polah is secretly a prude." Polah glares at her and Sylphie blinks before smiling even wider. "Ohhhh, she's just embarrassed."

Must have been a sending between the two happening, because Polah grows redder and redder before crossing her arms and huffing. Her eyes flick up and down between you and the floor and she fidgets a few times before whispering, "Fine…"

"Hmm?" You ask, walking closer. "What's that?"

"I said it's fine…" Polah says, a little louder. "Don't make me say it again."

Looking at Sylphie, the Cat o'Ninetails waves at you to continue. Shaking your head, you place your hand upon Polah's head and something pulses through you. As if being called into action by a force far beyond your will, the pat powers take hold, this time with a vengeance.

Fingers course through Polah's unkempt hair, yet the strands part easily through your fingers. Finding the skin of her scalp, her eyes go wide as if nothing has ever touched such a place before. Quivering as you continue to explore the jungle of her hair, tears begin to form in the corners of her eyes. Whether or not these tears are from joy, fear, or sadness, you're not certain, but it's too late to stop now.

Polah makes to grab your hand with one of her claws, but you gently take it by the wrist with your other hand she submits, sinking her head into the pat. Tears fall down her cheeks as you continue to pat, your hand somehow shifting from the aggressive patting that left the other girls breathless into a gentle motion, something comforting.

As the last bit of tangled hair parts you bring your hand back and let go of Polah's wrist. She slumps for a moment, eyes staring down at nothing. The familiars in the room walk up to her and either crawl onto her shoulders or place a paw/hoof upon her legs until she shakes and then pulls her head up, wiping away the tears.

"Are… you okay?" You ask.

>>324525

Staring at you with puffy, red eyes, Polah says, "No. But… thank you." Gently placing a talon atop the head of the rat who lead you to her before, she strokes his head before picking him up and handing him to you. The little rat doesn't spare a moment to jump onto your other shoulder and send to you,

{Right then, ya ready for this? Can't believe ya makin ma masta cry like that without marryin' her.}

Polah blushes and the rat shakes his head. The rest of your party make their way to the foyer, giving Polah odd looks as they do so. The Griffon stands tall, looking out over all of them and then says, voice clear, "Go and do what you came here for."

This is the most shocking thing of all it seems as judged by the reactions of Sophie and Zoras. Nodding at Polah, you reply, "That's the plan. You stay safe too."

Polah begins to say something but then hesitates and looks to the side. She sends, {We'll be fine, I have much advanced notice and the fighting isn't heading this direction anyway. It's moving West.}

"Thanks again." You say one last time before gathering up your things as well. Making for the door, you give the place once last look before nodding and heading outside into the night.

The cool air of the desert evening mixed with some humidity from the river tickles your face and you shiver for a moment after coming from the relative warmth of the house. Looking about, you don't see anyone moving through the side street, but farther away you hear a commotion and see someone run by in confusion. The rat tells you where to go and you group follows the lead, heading northwest.

The side streets are plentiful in the Tajir district and you're able to skirt the main streets rather effectively, heading around The Great Bazaar. Once or twice you pass by one of the main roads to see a flood of people swarming toward the town gates. Some people make for the way you came, toward the Gate of Gold, while others make toward the river docks in the Mina district. A few mill about in a panic while some others take the opportunity to loot stores. All of them, however, watch the smoke rising from the north, in the Mushtarak district, with anxiety.

Guards are few and far between here and they have no time to question your group, especially not with looters and others trying to flee the city. Like it or not, by now everyone's heard of the cult uprising and they're scared. This has spurred the guards further into action and allows you to get closer to the Palace without suspicious eyes following you.

Of course, things get more difficult once you reach the Alnabil district. While parts of the district were evacuating,those on the Tajir district side have holed up, private guards outside estates watching for trouble-makers as a few of the Guard run past from the capital. Some common folk make their way too, along with merchants seeking safe haven, but the main thing you're concerned with is what your rat friend spots.

There's a group of people, a trickle in some places, larger in others, heading toward the Palace, likely thinking it’s the safest place to be. Following commands from Polah via the rat, you merge in with this group, which steadily grows larger. No one thinks to question why you're in this mix, they're too scared. While technically you're moving closer to the smoke, it's still toward the Palace, so clearly it's safer. Right?

The Guards that pass by don't have the time to deal with you, however when the Palace walls come into sight, you're greeted by multiple guards standing outside and the gates closed. People mill about in a panic, asking to be let into the grounds. The stoic Anubis say nothing while looking over the people, only shoving them out of the way if another patrol leaves to head into the city.

Some people catch the feeling on the wind and bleed out towards the west of the city. The Guards barely pay them any attention and thus you follow them, heading away while sticking close to the walls. As you pass, one of the Anubis gives your group a critical look and seems as if she's about to say something, but is distracted by a loud, fat woman who demands to be taken to see the Pharaoh. The butt end of a spear in the gut is enough to quiet her down, however.

>>324526

{Aye, just like that. On the Northwest side of the walls, there's a sallyport, not used too often a' course and it's barred rather well, but if you know how to jiggle the lock just right, then ya in.} The rat sends as you break toward that way. Some of the people leaving the front of the Palace follow you since it seems you know what you're doing, but some quick stings by Zoras has them incapacitated before they can make much of a ruckus.

Hiding them quickly, you continue toward this gate and find it easily enough. As you stand there, waiting for the rat to go in and open it, the door swings open and another familiar, a cat this time, saunters forward and looks at all of you.

{Well now, isn't this a motley crew~.} The cat mentally purrs. {Well, follow me so I can go back to being pampered by Mistress Polah~.}

You can't tell, but you think she sounds a mix of annoyed and amused. Cats, right? Anyway, though it's a tight squeeze, Mr. Ed and Zoras are able to make it in and you soon find yourself in the Palace grounds. Thankfully no one is present, though you doubt the cat would have lead you into a trap at this point. Polah could have betrayed you at any point, so why now?

The domed towers of the palace loom ahead of you while around the grounds are various gardens filled with plants that do not normally grow in the desert. Small buildings for gardeners, etc dot the grounds as well, giving you some cover as you move toward the larger structures of the Palace.

It was hard to really gauge the size of the Palace from a distance, but it's utterly huge. There are about four towers with the domed roofs in addition to the massive, central domed tower which looms over various wings of the Palace, each larger than the mansions outside. Some parts seem newer than others, but overall the place feels ancient, like a piece of history right before your eyes. Part of you feels bad for digging into it but… well, no time for such worries.

You pause a few times, hiding behind Sylphie's magicks as some normal Anubis Guards pass by on their patrol routes. While most personnel seem to have been moved inside for safety, keeping guards on regular patrols seems routine. Besides, with the ruckus you assume the Violet Sands are making, it's unlikely that they'd not know about anyone moving inside the Palace. That, or they don't believe that anyone making it inside could hurt the Pharaoh anyway.

It takes some time, but eventually you reach the shuttered service doors Polah mentioned. It's a simple pair of metal doors leading at an angle downward toward some basement complex. Locks are placed all through the handles, but once they're removed with some simple magic, the doors open to reveal multiple layers of a building material that looks like heavy mortar forming a thick, impenetrable wall that would take ages to dig through for someone with a pickaxe.

Thankfully, you have magic! With the others guarding you, both you and Sylphie get to work removing all the material, opening the passageway. It's faster than you expected, the stuff seperating out easily enough, and you spill it into the chamber beneath as opposed to out where you are. Once a large enough hole is made, Tabitha slides in, followed by Alice and Sophie. You have to work very hard, but eventually it's large enough for Zoras and then Mr. Ed, the horse looking annoyed at being squeezed in twice in a row.

Before entering, the cat and rat before align before you and confirm the end of the deal. They held up their end of the bargain, as you have with Polah. Nodding your head in affirmative, they scamper away and you enter into the service tunnel. Once inside, you close the doors again and hope no one notices the missing locks before you're done. Turning to your group, you make sure everyone is accounted for and take stock of your surroundings.

This part of the service tunnels is dark, with no candles being lit, and covered in cobwebs. Clearly no one comes down here any longer. In the distance you see a faint light, so you keep your staff light off and creep forward. Erwin scouts ahead, sighting no one and you follow through, coming into a brighter, better kept tunnel complex.

It's large enough for many servants to move through, though at the moment it's quiet. Too quiet… Yet despite waiting for a trap, nothing arises. Looking a little concerned, you push out with your [Survey] but find… nothing? Trying again, you realize that it's not your magic that's broken, it's the Palace itself! Looking to Sylphie, she nods in agreement, bewildered.

"It's like… the Palace walls reject magic." She whispers, producing a small flame before snuffing it out. "Can still cast though. But Rommel, this is going to make direct Geomancy difficult."

>>324527

Without the benefits of your [Survey], you're left with the [Palace Map] that Ammon gave you. There's some of the service tunnels listed, but nowhere near all of them. You're able to find where you are though, and use it to orient yourself toward the dungeons, which are apparently quite large. Having the Cat o'Ninetails listening for any danger, you continue forward under a [Privacy barrier].

Sophie's tails, now freed from their confinement, twitch behind her as she moves, listening for signs of trouble. She stops you a few times, and you hear the scurrying of feet from servants or otherwise echo through the tunnels. Only once do you run into a servant, a demure woman who almost lets out a scream but is tied up by Sophie before she can do so and given a sting by Zoras. Quickly drifting off, she's hidden around a corner and you continue forward with a little more urgency.

Voice sound ahead and while they don't sound urgent, it makes it less likely that you're able to get to where you need to be without trouble. You continue moving until you reach a section of tunnels which opens up into a larger cooridor where multiple voices are heard.

[Have you heard what is happening outside?] A male voice asks in Ectrian. [The cultists are attacking!]

[Well, it makes them easier to put down once and for all.] A female voice says. [I figured they'd get uppity once the Royal Guard came back.]

[Yes, but they say an Apophis is leading them!]

[In the heart of the city? Preposterous. You should get back to work. Tomorrow will be just like any other day.]

The two continue to chat for a little longer before they leave, confirmed by Erwin. Thankful for not needing to start a ruckus, you move through quickly and head to the dungeons. Searching around the corridor leading to the dungeon, Erwin spies two guards standing at attention, both Anubis with halbreds and curved swords. The space is too confined to sneak through and you need to take care of both of them before they can call the alarm.

Pulling out pieces of [Ronnie], you prepare to leap out and fire a [Pebble Gun] when Tabitha steps forward. She takes in a deep breath, puts a hand on her sword, then charges forward. You move after her for support, but you're too late to do anything as she jumps onto the wall, presses off with her legs, and in one motion cuts the throats of both guards before they can do anything. Clutching at their bleeding necks, both Anubis collapse to the ground in spasms before dying a rather horrific death.

With them dead, you enter the dungeon proper. Sophie searches over the guards but is unable to find any keys, meaning they're not the actual jailors? Damnit. Moving forward with caution though, you enter into a large chamber lined with row after row of cages packed with prisoners. Some are men, some are Monsters, however all of them look at you with a mix of confusion and hope. They also all start immediately shouting at you to let them loose.

There's too many of them to put a privacy barrier around all of them so you don't even bother. Though the girls try to keep them quite, they just won't shut up until you use your magic to break the locks on the nearest cage. Apparently the bars aren't resistant to magical tampering at least though the stone is, oddly enough. The three men inside pile out as soon as you open the cage and walk up to you amidst the clamor.

[Who are you, oh great savior?]

Thinking quickly, you say, [We are of the Violet Sands.]

Some of the prisoners look at you with wary eyes while others cheer. The men before you smile broadly,[Then you are here to free us?! They brought in the high leader today but I did not expect anyone to rescue her so soon!] The man pops his knuckles. [I will die for the Violet Sands! Give me a weapon and I will fight! So will we all!]

The men cheer and you have Sylphie get to work making them weapons from their cages. As she does so, you free another few prisoners, including an Anubis who has more bruises than unblemished skin. Apparently the Anubis in the Palace do not take well to Anubis who work against them, even more than they hate cultists in general..

>>324528

Sylphie hands her a makeshift spear just as a commotion sounds before you. Loud, furious braying is heard from further down the cavernous complex and the men next to you flinch in reflexive fear. The Anubis you freed growls, "The jailor and her pack…"

As she says this, three Anubis in the livery of the Palace appear, weapons held at the ready. One of them has similar garb as the Warden from near Gahn though the other two seem to be normal Anubis. They look around at the clamoring prisoners and then to you, growling at your presence. The warden begins to glow with the runic tattoos, turning her magic resistance wards inward and gaining physical resistance.

They don't engage however, standing their ground as another Anubis pads forward. Standing slightly taller than the others, she wears finery that doesn't impede her movements and which reveals a series of complex tattoos on her skin. In her paws she holds a double headed axe while a pair of wickedly sharp blades sit on her belt. A set of keys catches your eye as well, and you try to grab it with your magic before she can react, but nothing happens- her wards have extended to the keys just like the weapons when Alice fought the Royal Guard in the desert.

[What is this.] The Jailor shouts, voice booming. The prisoners quiet down, looking afraid of her, even those outside the cells. [Who are you treading in my domain?]

Ebe steps forward, gulping, [W-We're here as part of the Violet Sands!]

[Here to free your comrades then? Hmm. I didn't think any of you had gotten past the Guard outside, especially with a horse in tow, but how curious.] She rests her axe on her shoulders, looking at all of you.

Stepping forward, you ask, [Don't do this, bring us to the high value prisoners.]

[Hmph, your Cult leader was being tortured before we were interrupted. She's not really in a good place to do much of anything anyway though-] She cuts off as she noticed Sophie and Sylphie. Her eyes go flat and she chuckles. [Ah, so that's the game is it. No matter.]

Pulling the weapon down from her shoulders and placing it into her paws, she growls, [No one has ever escaped this dungeon alive. You, the Monster Lady, no one! As a Handmaiden, I'd rather die than let that happen.]

You've fought Anubis before, and while tough enemies, this one feels on a whole other level. She fairly radiates power and you know damn well that magic will be nearly impossible to use on her. Without the guarantee of your Geomancy on the walls and floor, you're going to have to rely on getting creative here.

Gods help you.

>What do you do?

Uh oh! You didn't think you could waltz in and free them, did you?

Well goshes, guess it's time to fight, oh dear me.

Also, I'm pretty sure Tabitha won the poll guys. So.

Guess most people want cold blooded cuddles I guess. You have other, important things to worry about at the moment.

>>324538

>then she should work on maming them drowsy or weaker.

shit, I meant to say making. I don't think Ebe will be doing very much maiming.

>>324530

Would geoflexing count as use of magic upon the rock? A second question I have is that handmaidens cant really be affected by magic but physics still apply correct. I believe we covered this the last time that they can stop the magic acting upon an object but if that object is in motion they will jot automatically stop it? should we use pebblegun could we use it to at the very least distract her or kill her companions?

>>324529

Fuck this lady. Let Tabitha and Alice pick her apart while we stay ranged and harass/create openings. Make some golems and have them latch onto her ankles or just generally get in her way. Shoot pieces of Ronnie at her, just avoid direct combat and play support.

>>324530

>not waifuing the autistic Hikigriff

I hope some other wizard makes her happy someday ;_;

>>324538

>>324545

>>324555

Oh god.

>>324541

Uhm, no as you have shot them in the head before, they can't stop physics.

>>324567

Polah is a gud girl who will be getting gud girl art soon.

…. man I wish I had the full res of this other piece though. Now I'm getting the commission jitters again and-

Oh yes, the Pharaoh herself needs art doesn't she…

>>324529

use random magic to easily kill her, worked for all other enemies so far.

>>324545

>>324555

Why not use gravitation magic and crush her into a tiny ball, since mc's magic power is all-powerful and unlimited?

>>324529

Use [Sonic Blast] to discombobulate them. Then use a Double-barreled [Shotgun pebbles]. Aiming primary at the head pooch.

>>324580

The keys on her belt are magic proof and like so is her weapon. It's highly likely her clothes are too thanks to the natural resistance that Anubis have, especially a handmaiden.

>>324588

I remember Naruto ages ago. I never finished it.

Anyway, dead bodies? Sure, I guess. However a living person is very unlikely due to the way the magic interplays with their life force. It would make it very hard to get a grasp on the metal at that point and the results would be miserably poor.

Polah is a gud girl, isn't she? Poor thing though, you made her cry.

>>324529

The idea others have suggested of utilising the metal from the cages to launch a swarm of projectiles towards the Jailor and her pack is far too good to pass up, and frankly it’s our best bet right now since our other magic fails against them for the time being and we sure as hell aren’t fighting someone in close-quarter combat when they’re implied to be much more skilful than us and are using a weapon we’ve never fought against, so definitely do that with either small fragments or sharpened rods as both are simple to make and trying to be fancy will only end poorly for us. For my own input on the attack, consider using [Shatter] on the metal sticking out of our opponents following the initial swarm as a coup de grâce to cause the pieces to explode and send fragments throughout their bodies to cut their insides into bloody ribbons something like what Gáe Bulg does if you’re aware of the myth, as such a move is both practically impossible to counter or mitigate once set up and likely kill them very quickly due to massive internal blood loss they would suffer. Alternatively, have Sylphie cast [Thunderstrike] or [Chain Lightning] the moment they trade magical resistance for physical resistance, since there should be no way for them to dodge this with the metal attracting the spell.

On the topic of defence, make sure to put some of the metal aside so we can use it for something like [Rock Solid] or [Build the Wall] in case anyone finds themselves in an inescapable position or in close range when they really shouldn’t be, as we can’t use the dungeon bricks for this due to that protective enchantment they have and we don’t have anything like [Shield Circle] to use instead. Once the Anubi drop their magical resistance, we should be able to disarm them with [Metallurgy] or [Gust] to somewhat limit their effectiveness, so consider doing that too. Also, keep a [Health Potion] ready for immediate usage just in the off chance our defensive manoeuvres fail and anyone in our party takes heavy damage.

One last thing worthy of mention about this situation is to avoid letting anyone escape the battle, which should be easy enough as there isn’t much space to move around in and there are only four of them. Our opponents are not only aware of a break in occurring in the dungeons, but the Jailor seems to know who Sophie and Sylphie are and why they’re here, so letting anyone in this group get away would allow them to warn all of the other guards in the palace about the attack, thus making proceeding further in much more difficult for us and impossible to do with any stealth, and tell the Prophet about the Cat O’Ninetails in her home, which may lead to her directing even more guards towards us or possibly dealing with us herself, both of which are obviously terrible outcomes. It’s likely that anyone who tries to run would have dropped their magical resistance at that point, so use something they can’t outrun or dodge like [Lightning Bolt], [Razor Wind] or [Twister] with some leftover metal to finish them off before they can get far.

>Story continue

Instead of letting you have time to think things over too much, the Anubis charge your position. Though they are not overly large, they are still imposing as they charge at you, weapons leveled. You barely have enough time to push Ebe backward along with yourself as the Warden, body glowing red with tattoos makes it in first, howling as she drives forward her spear.

Thanks to your training, you catch it with your staff and then yelp as her strength tears the staff from your hands. Before you can react, she lets go of the spear with one hand and backhands you, the blow sending you backward, stars crossing your vision. You hit the ground hard and with a dazed expression, feeling hands on you dragging you backward as steel rings nearby.

"Rommel!" Ebe says, shaking you. Head still swimming, she leans down and uses a wing to cup your ear before whispering a song into your ear. Your whole body seems to shake and then, almost explosively, everything comes back into focus. You gasp and look to Ebe before turning back to the battle you were so rudely taken out of.

The Warden, her initial attack happening so quickly, has been countered by both Alice and Tabitha, the two turning her aside with their weapons. The Warden seems to instinctively know not to fuck with Alice's blade and shows far more control than the one in the desert. As she pulls back, however, the other two Anubis move in, their weapons going toe to toe with Alice's glowing sword and Tabitha's burning blade.

Sophie shrugs off her outer clothing, freeing her up to battle and her tails flash out before her. She makes to move in and strike at the flanks of one of the regular Anubis when she pulls back the double bladed axe of the Jailor slams into the ground, sending up a shower of rock. The Cat o'Ninetails looks up and snarls as the Handmaiden pulls back the weapon again with shocking speed.

"Hmph." The Handmaiden sneers before she swipes with the axe again, this time a horizontal cut. Sophie's eyes go wide and she drops flat to the floor, barely missing getting cut as the axe slices overhead. In the relative confines of the dungeon, there isn't much room for the axe to travel in this arc and you look on in surprise as the angle seems to head straight for one of the other Anubis! Clearly Sophie didn't think she'd do this, and nor did Alice who notices it just in time to raise her sword and catch the axe blow on the side of the blade.

The force of it sends her spinning, but you snap your eyes to the Anubis she was fighting only to see the Monster drop as well, seemingly knowing it was going to occur. Either they have something between them or they've trained for such things extensively. Because of this, however, it allows the Warden to move into the gap and strike at Alice, her weapon moving with berserk speed. The only reason Alice isn't run through is Sophie lashing out with a tail and hooking the leg of the Anubis, dragging her to the floor with a quick yank.

Sylphie stands next to you, tails spread out behind her and staff at the ready as she surveys the situation, looking for openings. Mr. Ed stands next to her, the horse seeming incredibly out of place in the dungeon, but where else would he be? Beside them is Zoras, the Girtablilu skittering forward to grab your staff and throw it back to you. She looks about the corridor and curses, leaping onto the wall to stick there and survey for a moment to strike. The Anubis don't seem to pay her any mind, but she's still wary.

Despite the best efforts of your friends, the numbers and the skill of the opponents are telling. Alice and Tabitha can easily hold their own, however they're unable to drive any decisive blows because of the hit and run tactics of the Anubis with the Warden. Sophie is forced to drive back as well, the Handmaiden proving too powerful an opponent for her, forcing Tabitha to pick up the slack. In such a short period of time, it's obvious this isn't going to work.

>>324852

So, that leaves magic. Picking yourself up, you fire pieces of Ronnie into the mix, but have to be careful with your shots as not to hit your friends, which is too difficult in this setting. The shots you do fire either miss or are deflected somehow, the Handmaiden catching them on her axe. Unfortunately your other spells would also cause too much damage down here and you can't just manipulate the walls to your liking or this would have been easy. Besides, with their magical resistance, you'd need something physical to attack them with. Think… think…

A prisoner nearby clamors on his cage and shouts for you to free him. Growling, you put the man out of your mind before you snap your vision to the bars of the cages. THOSE aren't magically resistant at all, are they? Made of a decent variety of steel, they're sturdy, heavy, and are meant to stick around. Best of all, your magic will work on them.

Trouble is, they're bored into the ground and you don't have to the time to remove them all easily. Sylphie might be able to help with some pyromancy, but that will still take too much time. No, the best option would be something that could cut through them, something like a sword, a sword with a magical-

Okay look, you need Alice.

Unfortunately, Alice is currently one of the lynchpins of your forward line, her blade keeping the Warden at bay while turning aside the other Anubis. You can hold your own with a sword or a spear now, but you make absolutely no pretensions as to your ability to square off against these Anubis before you, especially not that Warden. You wouldn't last long enough for Alice to cut open half a cage, let alone multiple cages.

So what? Your magic can't hold them back for long, however if you had something like a shield, something that could intercept their blows… of course, you've been training for this. Quickly pulling Ronnie out of your pockets, you fashion him into plates of metal. Grabbing the roughly made weapons from the already opened bars you slap the pieces of Ronnie onto it to as a framework, creating a bulwark before you in a half-circle. It isn't the thickest, but it grants you 180 degrees of protection… you hope.

"Rommel, what the fuck?!" Sylphie asks, looking confused. "What are you doing?"

"Just cover me and help Alice, alright!" You shout, steeling yourself. You left a hole open so you can see through your shield as well as wrapped your [Chain] around the outside, partially to secure it further. Taking a deep breath, you prepare yourself and charge into the battle.

The Anubis look at you with confusion as you barrel into them, whipping out with the chain to drive at one of them. The chain grabs her spear and you yank it from her hands. Even though your magic hold on the chain vanishes when you grab her weapon, there's enough not affected to yank backward. Disoriented, the Anubis falls back and draws her spear as the Warden charges in at you, driving forward a series of blows.

The first few ring off your bulwark while one punctures through, the head of her spear hitting a section of the metal without a framework. She pulls it out and you quickly repair the rent before shouting to Alice, "Go! Cut the bars and make more of these!"

Alice gives you a confused look but doesn't question the order, disengaging with her sword held out, slicing easily through the metal bars of the cages. They drop to the ground with loud clatters as the prisoners come loose, some spilling out from where you came while others meet with their friends near Sylphie, cheering you on.

You have limited time to think of that as you concentrate on keeping the enemies driven backward with your crude protection. The chain whips out at the Anubis, keeping them on their toes and you feel things are going well until Sophie screams. Turning your concentration over to the Cat o'Ninetails, you see her flying into you. On reflex, you turn your shield with your magic as not to have her fly into it and catch her, the momentum of which driving you backward to land into your shield.

The two of you slide as you hold her close until you collide with the wall, the jarring impact making your teeth clatter. Sophie shakes her head and then nods sharply before gasping. Taking her meaning, you quickly turn the protective device over you, creating a covering as a moment later a sword thrusts through the center, piercing the thinner pieces of iron. Thankfully Sophie catches the blade with one of her tails and together you heave the attacker off, rotating the shield again to drive them back.

>>324854

The Anubis you took the spear from staggers back with her sword drawn, looking at you in confusion. In her momentary lapse of judgment however, Sylphie takes the opportunity to fire a [Pebble Gun], the projectile piercing through the skull of the Anubis and dropping her lifeless to the floor. The other Anubis notices this and screams, charging at the Cat o'Ninetails. Sylphie yelps and holds up her staff before her too quickly and cries out as her shoulder gives her pain, staggering backward.

As the Anubis charging, Zoras leaps down from the wall, knives raised. She lands atop the Anubis, flattening her to the ground. Holding her tail up, she drives it toward the Monster's body, but she dodges it and kicks upward with her legs, driving Zoras backward. Rolling to her feet, the Anubis's eyes go wide as Mr. Ed's back hooves slam into her face, throwing her backward with a cry of pain. The Warden catches her with that super quick speed and places her on even footing, the two glaring at the horse.

Sophie springs from your arms and assumes a fighting stance next to you as you slam the wall into place again, feeling some mental taxation from keeping all these working parts together. Appraising the situation, you notice that the Handmaiden hasn't made an attack on you. Daring to take a look, you pan over to watch for a moment.

The Jailor's axe swings downward, to which Tabitha catches the blow with her sword, turning it aside. She makes a kick with her legs, but the Handmaiden grabs her adamantium foot with surprising strength and flips Tabitha, the Lizardman spinning midair before stabilizing and dropping to her feet, narrowly missing a blow from the axe again. Sneering, the Handmaiden makes to attack again but Tabitha drives her sword upward, drawing a line of scarlet blood along her opponents arm.

Unfortinatrely, the Handmaiden doesn't seem to care much about his, having as much physical resistance as the Warden does it seems. She barrels into Tabitha, the weight of her assault forcing Tabitha on the backfoot. Using the axe's butt, she drives it into Tabitha and makes ready to swing the axe again when Alice leaps into the fray, intercepting the blow and allowing Tabitha to recover.

"Ha, looked like you were in trouble!" Alice chuckles.

"Shut up." Tabitha growls in reply.

"Hey, Rommel!" Alice shouts. "It's ready!" Before you can reply, she rolls to the side as Tabitha charges in, using the momentum to spring up and strike at the Warden before she can charge at you and Sophie again.

Out of immediate danger, you turn your gaze to the piles of metal bars lining the floors and the multiple men, women, and Monsters milling about in confusion. Collapsing your shield, you take the cell bars used in its construction and shout at the prisoners, "Gather them all together!"

Confused, they respond and in moments you have them in a pile. Moving into the pile, you begin to quickly reach out and take control over all the bars, a process that isn't as quick as it looks, as there has to be dozens of them.

The Jailor, seeing their tactics failing, disengages from Tabitha to form up again with the other two guards. Holding her weapon before her, she barks and order and the other two comply. Alice's eyes go wide as they form up on Sophie, finding her the weakest link and the swordswoman goes to save her only to find herself under pressure from the Warden who feints and the Jailor, both of whom pressure her.

The Warden sweeps her legs while the Handmaiden raises her axe to split Alice in twain. Tabitha leaps to intercept, but won't be able to reach in time. As the axe comes down, you shout, "DROP DOWN NOW!"

Tabitha snaps her head to you and hits the floor, Sophie doing the same without needing to be told twice. Alice looks up in horror but the axe deviates to the side before hitting her. Blinking in surprise, the swordswoman looks up at the Handmaiden in confusion before turning to look at what her opponent is looking at.

Standing before a crowd of nervous prisoners, you have your hands out before you, magical energies rippling about you. Surrounding you in the dungeon are a veritable wall of steel bars cut from their holdings, edges sharp from Alice's sword sheering them. Taking in a few breaths from the effort, you stare down the Jailor and without further waiting, hurl the projectiles toward her and the other Anubis.

>>324855

Perhaps if there was more space, they could have stood a chance. As it was, they're in a dungeon with few areas to turn and run. Sadly, they are not near any of the side passages either. With no recourse and the projectiles moving too quickly, the three Anubis hold up their weapons and cry out in defiance.

The regular Anubis is struck through the arm, a leg, then through the torso, slamming her backward and pinning her to the ground as she screams in agony. The warden catches a projectile, dodges another, but then falls victim to one slamming into her leg and pinning her to the ground. Another one takes off her head.

The blade off the Jailor's axe catches a few of the projectiles, forcing her backward from the blow while others graze her skin or dig furrows into her body, but don't incapacitate her. Howling at the maelstrom, a bar takes the axe from her hands and she staggers backward, arms wide open. She stares at you with anger in her eyes, the initial thrust of bars having been weathered.

Unfortunately for her, you had a few left in reserve. With barely a motion, you throw them again before she has time to recover. Try though she might, one catches her in her abdomen, driving her backward and impaling her into a wall next to a cage… with some unfortunate prisoners who were caught in your barrage. The Monster coughs up blood and puts her paws upon the bar, her tattoos flaring with power before flickering.

Her face pale, she looks at you again and tries to say something but only vomits more blood. Holding up your hand, you make to deliver a finishing blow, but Zoras puts a hand on your shoulder and shakes her head. Turning to her and then to the Jailor, you find the life is gone from her eyes and she slumps, dead.

The prisoners, the ones who aren't dead anyway, shout in joy and adoration, rushing to give you all accolades. Mr. Ed protects Sylphie from the men while Ebe gulps and tries to keep them from touching her too much. Tabitha and Alice put on too much of an imposing figure and Sophie, well, Sophie seems fine with it.

You get your own share of the people as well, men congratulating you. Waving them away, you look to the other prisoners and shout for Alice to free them. She goes about doing so easily and you turn back to the prisoners to ask,

"Do you know if they're keeping a Monster who looks like those two down here?"

Most of the prisoners shake their heads, but one steps forward, a man who seems a little thin, and says, "Aye, I've seen her brought back and forth under heaving bindings."

"Did she go with a man with hair like mine?"

"Ah…" The man thinks. "No, it was always alone."

"I… see." You say, looking worried. "Where is she being kept?"

"I don't know, we don't really… get out much." The man chuckles before coughing. "But they're further down there.

Tabitha walks up with the keys from the Jailor and says, "Alright, let's do what we came here to do."

Nodding, you make to go when the man asks, "What! How are things up there?"

Frowning, you look back the way you came, noticing more prisoners leaving. No sense in subtlely now. "Well." You say, shaking your head. "The Violet Sands have risen up from the Mushtarak district. The… the Apophis have returned."

A silence fills the room as the prisoners take this in. Some of their eyes go wide and other look at you with open mouths. It lasts for only a moment before those aligned with the cult shout in joy, holding up their hands in worship. They dash forward and grab the fallen bars and weapons to use and form together as the beaten Anubis says,

"First, we free our leader, next, we kill the Pharaoh!"

The cultists shout in approval and their ranks swell as the dungeon is cleared. Gathering up your party, you make your way forward, keys in hand, toward the back parts of the dungeon. You pass by some rooms with blood stains where the cultists bring out a beaten Lamia, her skin bruised and multiple cuts on her body. She really doesn't seem to be in the spirits to do much of anything, but she whispers orders to the cultists as best she can. Her eyes drift over to you and she nods her head slowly, clearly seeming to recognize you somehow.

>>324856

Moving further down the dungeons, you begin to enter areas where there are no prisoners. Turning down a hallway that's dimly lit, you find at the end of it a door with multiple runic sigils on it. Cocking your head, you walk forward but are stopped by Sylphie who hisses, "Wait!"

Blinking, you turn on your [Mage Sight] to see the true nature of the runes. Laced within them are traps that only those magically resistant would be able to get away from unscathed. Cursing, you make to use your [Reverse Polarity] when Sylphie says,

"I'll [Dispell] them."

"Huh?" You ask as she begins to work magic on the runes.

"It's… something Dad taught me. Takes time to do but it's efficient. These sigils weren't really meant to keep out the wary so I think I can break them."

"I see." You say, waiting patiently as Sylphie works her magic.

The Cat o'Ninetails begins to sweat a little as she works, but one by one, the traps fade away until the hallway is clear. All the clamor of men behind you is gone by the time it's done- you figure they've gone to go cause havoc upstairs. Not caring much about that at this point, you hold the heavy set of keys in your hands and walk forward again before being stopped once more.

"Ahh, bloody hells, wait a second." Zoras says, skittering forward. She cocks her head and then chuckles. "Of course it wouldn't be that easy." She moves a little bit and touches out with a scorpion leg before nodding and saying, "Trapped with mundane traps too. Seems high profile targets here. One moment then."

With dexterity that a scorpion shouldn't possess, Zoras moves her hands, disarming traps with various clicking sounds. Now it's time for Sophie and Sylphie to look anxious, getting excited and then saddened whenever they hear a trap being disarmed, hoping it’s the last one. Eventually Zoras wipes her brow and says, "Alright, that's that then."

"Now?" You ask, and no one else objects. Walking forward, you make your way to the door and put a few keys in before the lock clicks open. Slowly opening the door, you peer inside the room.

It's much larger than you'd expect and has only one source of light- a small lantern hanging on the ceiling. It swings ever so gently, casting vague illuminations against the walls. Chains creak and shackles rustle as something stirs within. Holding up your staff, you cast a light out over the room, illuminating it further. Focusing your sight, you see two shapes in the room, shackled to opposite walls and your eyes go wide.

On the left is a tall, formerly toned Monster with Red hair that looks faded in the fey light. She has black furred feline ears and paws, with more human, yet still furred hands and sharp claws. Her attire is a ripped and torn tunic, barely covering her shame and show many bruises and cuts on her once tanned skin. Though her arms and legs are chained to the wall, behind her seven tails are chained up as well, their bladed end blunted and firmly in place.

As you enter and cast your light, she winces and looks at you with green, confused eyes. Her mouth works soundlessly for a moment before she asks, "Who… the Hells are you?"

Against the other wall more rattling sounds. Turning your gaze that way you see a man about your height with a long, unkempt, silver-blonde beard. His clothing is a tattered and torn grey robe that hangs loosely on him though you can tell he used to be more muscular. A runic collar rattles around his neck and his eyes open up as well and you can see that despite the poor condition of everything else, they hold strong conviction. The man looks you up and down and then chuckles, which is more of a cough than anything.

"Dear, you have to be gentle with him. He's a fresh Wizard, you must understand." Coughing again, he looks back up at you and gives a shit-eating grin reminiscent of Sophie's. Of course it would, because this man is none other than her Father, the Grand Wizard himself. Speaking as best he can, he asks,

"Now then, who the FUCK are you?"

>What do you do?

>>324857

Hey! You did it! You found them! Oh man, it was quite a ride, but you sailed through that final boss easily.

Alright, good quest everyone, I think we had fun, right? But the end goal was met and it's time to pack it up. You guys did wonderfully, sorry that the celibacy crowd ended up winning in the end, but well, story's over and-

What? It's not over? There's more to do? I don't know about all that, I mean it's not like you're still behind enemy lines with basically a war being raged in the streets or anything. Jus use your imagination for what happens, right?

>>324857

We should quickly and determinedly pull out our copy of [Wizardquest] and ask him to si-

oh, wait, wrong quest.

Well, we should free them, let the girls have their tearful reunion, get them to tell us how in the Hell two of the most powerful people on the planet were imprisoned, and then finally confront the Grand Autist about whatever it was we initially wanted to. After that, we should be able to decide whether or not we want to get involved with the conflict upstairs or if we should just leave it to the natives and head home.

>>324857

we do absolutely nothing other than check the room for more magical and regular traps AND THIS IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO DO BEFOREHAND because Sophie and Sylphie are gonna wanna see their parents

after that, have a bit of a talk with the Grand Wizard after he's rested and healed a bit about the wizard stuff we want(ed) to ask him about

after THAT, we should get the fuck out of the palace and out of this country and back to Deloria because fuck this place, we're out

even though the waifu wars are over (i think), i want Rommel to end up with a nice, THICC, motherly holstaur and since that won't happen because there were no cowgirls in the party and all the cowgirls from the town in Illusionist Quest that we saved from not-me not-Beardicus already have husbandos probably, i say Rommel should end up with Ebe

>>324857

Tell the grand wizard that he should have made it so that when you become a wizard your dick stops working.

>>324869

Beardicus plz

>>324869

I didn't have you labeled for having such shit taste beardicus. An ebe fag? I'm actually surprised.

>>324858

Check for other traps before we let them reunite and start bawling their eyes out. Last thing we need is one of the twins or Selene or GW injured because of some surprise trap. After that we get out of the palace and just dig out of the city and make a mad dash for the pharoah. Should we be unlucky enough to have to fight the apophissnce it seems like she might have been Rommels sister I'm of the opinion Rommel should fight her 1 on 1. That is his sibling who has gotten out of control and he should be the one to deal with her.

>Though her arms and legs are chained to the wall, behind her seven tails are chained up as well, their bladed end blunted and firmly in place.

I take it she lost yet another one of her tails either in clash with the Prophet or during her imprisonment then.

>>324857

As others have already suggested, checking for more traps of both physical and magical variety, both around the room and on the prisoners themselves, is the first thing we absolutely must do before anything else, as it wouldn’t surprise me at this point if there were more to threaten us considering the sheer amount of traps present just getting in here in the first place. Following this, free the two from their bindings and have Sophie and Sylphie go ahead to do the whole reunion thing with their parents, as this shows we’re on their side and the twins probably deserve a few moments with their family after everything they’ve put up with, while everyone else bar maybe Tabitha, seeing as she’s known the Grand Wizard longer than anyone else in our party and is a close friend of his heads outside to give them some space and to keep watch so we aren’t caught unaware by anything. After that and some brief introductions to the rest of our party, give both of them a [Health Potion] calling the Grand Wizard a cum-guzzling slut optional so that their condition improves at least to the point where we don’t have to carry them during our next moves and they can think and speak properly.

Their conditions satisfactory, ask the two of them about what the hell happened to them and why they fought against the Prophet in the first place for some bite sized exposition of potential immediate usage to us, and then quickly fill them in about the current situation so that they’re up to speed. We don’t really have the time to discuss anything else due to the danger we’re in, so save such conversations for when we’re in the clear -- that said, at least do what >>324861 says and make mention of us wishing to converse with the Grand Wizard privately about something rather serious at a later point when he’s healed up, just to ensure we can actually get that conversation at some point in the future. And make sure to keep our emotions in check for the time being, as the Grand Wizard is in no condition to deal with any of our bullshit right now; we can argue, berate and possibly fight him later on at a better time if we so desire.

>>324901

>>324857

With all that sorted, it’s high time we get the fuck out of capital. Sure, we could stay to go deal with the conflict on the surface, but we lack any way of dealing with either the Prophet or the Violet Sands due to a lack of definitive information on their strengths and weaknesses so we won’t be accomplishing much in battle at all, we have two heavily injured individuals with us who are in no condition to do much of anything that we need to secure the safety of first lest they become a burden for us, we don’t really have much of a reason to intervene in the fighting other than to see if our sister is present due to our lack of allegiance to either side and frankly Ectria can go fuck itself for the time being after the shit it’s put us through getting to this point, thus we probably shouldn’t bother with that. If we really want to save Ectria or whatever, then it would be better to do so later on when we’re better prepared and know what we’re getting into rather than working with gut instinct and fighting in a war we don’t fully understand yet. And let’s be real here, this conflict isn’t suddenly going to be solved if we head up there because we’re not actually near the end of the story yet and Ace probably wants us to explore the Chasm of Regret at some point.

As for how to go about escaping, heading back through the way we entered the dungeons is our best bet, as proceeding further into the palace is only going to have us meeting more resistance and getting lost trying to navigate the foreign building, while the service tunnel will likely be clear of threats due to its position being away from the cultist attack and worst case we will pass by a couple of cultists who may or may not be a problem for us. Assuming we take this exit successfully, we will appear on the north-western portion of the Alnabil district, which gives us a few options of where to go next. Personally I’m going to advocate for trying to reach either the Great Gate to the west, as we might be able to blend in with the terrified civilians trying to escape and it’s the closest exit to our emergence point, or the Anubis Gate to the south-west, as it’s likely to be less guarded and gives us the option of stealing someone’s boat and heading through the southern channel guard we first entered the city from should the situation call for it. We could also try digging through or underneath any of the capital’s walls should the gates be undesirable, but this depends on the size and depth of the walls for whether this is a good idea or not. In any case, stick to side roads where possible, avoiding any large roads which are probably swarming with guards at this point, and definitely avoid points of interest like the Sultan’s Grand Theatre, and we should be golden.

>>324856

I feel like you kind of dragged that out for no reason besides being dramatic. We shouldn't have needed Alice to cut the bars, We're good with steel, Even if we do have a bit more trouble shaping it. Breaking bars that are maybe and inch thicc should have not been an issue to us. Besides that, Good fight gg

>>324860

>>324861

>>324869

>>324878

Nah fam, Our conversation can wait. There are far more important things happening currently so getting them the hell out of the dungeon is top priority. Maybe make some quick remark about the fresh wizard having to save the impotent wizard from the trash bin. We can slap the shit out of him later, When he may still be old but not crippled

>>324891

>>324886

well excuse me for liking shy, demure girls of which Ebe is giving me that kind of vibe rather than kuudere

>>324869

>>324927

Shame on you for having such a shit taste Beardicus! Only a blind person wouldn't see that Tabitha is the superior gentleman's choice.

>>324904

It was faster to have Alice do it. And yeah, with multiple characters it makes it a little more difficult but I sort of just… get into a groove writing fighting scenes.

>>324925

>>324902

>>324860

>>324869

>>324901

So I'm reading that we want to release them and get going with a little exposition after some crying. Escape the city and the country huh? Don't want to stick around and see what's happening?

Interesting.

>>324930

I have your ID now.

Hello slavsan, my friend. :^)

>>324932

SHIT! I'M LATE TO THE PARTY!

My vote is for; Our Fair Lady Tabitha. If she weren't part of the party, then I would have gone with Ebe.

Celibacy fags, if you wanted him to stay an unhappy virgin for the rest of his life. You should have kept him as a distant hardass!

Wait till the shit stops hitting the fan before we talk to the G.Wiz about the sex with monsters thing, but I feel that's an old hat now.

>>324932

Oh I wouldn't mind exploring whatever it was the pharoah/apophis were doing that the GW and selene came here alone. But right now they're in no shape todo anything. So we should run first then maybe come back to deal with this mess.

>>324932

>Escape the city

Yes.

>and the country

No.

I probably didn't convey this very well myself, but I was thinking we do more of a tactical retreat so we can get into a better position to take action later rather than a complete abandonment of everything, seeing as the situation in Ectria will probably affect Deleor unless we do something about it and we would be a very poor Wizard if we ignored our duty. That, and I personally don't want a repeat of IllusionistQuest's endgame where the final area and boss are completely ignored, leading to a rather abrupt end.

>Don't want to stick around and see what's happening?

I guess we could send Erwin to check things out, or perhaps check things out ourselves since we're pretty good at escaping via <Rock Slide>, but priority number one right now is saving the Grand Wizard and Selene, so we really shouldn't do anything else until that is sorted or at least until we can be confident in the rest of our party being able to do that for us while we do other things. Also, intervention is most certainly a bad idea, especially if we're alone, so stick to observing the situation to see how it evolves and be ready to get out at the first sign of trouble.

>>324995

>>324995

>That, and I personally don't want a repeat of IllusionistQuest's endgame where the final area and boss are completely ignored, leading to a rather abrupt end.

>He still hasn't realized that Tobias and co would be fucking dead if they had set foot into the Cradle themselves, because it's level 30 endgame area of the series.

>>325000

Let's be honest- Someone would have died in the cradle.

Either way, you reap what you sow~

>>325000

I never said that the decision to leave wasn't smart - it was without a doubt the best move we could have made given the condition of everyone in the party following the previous encounter - merely that I want to avoid yet another abrupt ending like that in this story.

>>324995

We aren't running away, we aren't some easily corrupted and ruined mind bender, we are a wizard. If gwiz and selene are ready to fight that's what we do

If we think the grand wizard will answer our question/s quickly we ask them but time is not on our side right now

>>325008

CAUTION. (G)RAPE SNAKE IMMINENT

>>325034

Her reflection after she turned. :^)

>>325055

I don't know what you're talking about

>What do you do?

What pretty much everyone else has said, get away from danger first before doing anything else. Once the parents are safe we can decide if we want to make a full retreat or stick around for a bit to see how things are progressing in the clash. I kinda wanna stay until we absolutely need to leave so we aren't left in the dark as to what happened in the attack later on, but that depends on everyone else and how the situation changes.

If we do end up poking our head around the battlefield, then don't bring attention to ourselves by attacking anyone and at least have one other person with us so we're not screwed if things go wrong like we would be solo. Anyone who isn't Ebe, G. Wiz, Selene or a familiar should work for this so take your pick Ace.

>>325055

>>325058

Welp. Sororicide when?

>Story continue

You wonder if this is how you thought this would go. Maybe you thought you'd show up and they'd be overjoyed, or worried, or have already broken their bonds and are just waiting for you to arrive. Or perhaps you expected things to be exactly the way they are now. Looking at the haggard form of the man who turned the world upside down, you can't help but feel that his choice of words is just so…

Appropriate.

At once you feel a sense of loathing, relief, and humor. For fuck's sake, you just broke into the damn dungeon of the Palace where the most powerful people in Deleor were defeated. And here the man sits, fire in his eyes, daring to say that shit to you, his rescuer?

Despite it all, you can't help but crack a smile. Fuck this guy, fuck him for everything he's done and fuck him for making you smile. It takes all your effort and you think that somewhere a most suitable man should say this line, but you force a shuddering breath and ask,

"Kept you waiting, huh?"

The Grand Wizard smiles at this and chuckles, "Fucking hells kid, fucking hells."

You feel something shift behind you and you hold up a hand before opening your [Mage Sight] and scan the room. All you see is a dark, dank room, however only the item around the Wizard's neck is enchanted. No further traps exist in the magical realm at least, though before you can ask the Monster Lady says, "There's no other traps in here."

"Ah, good. Then there's some people here who want to see you." Stepping aside, the forms of Sophie and Sylphie are illuminated in the doorway, their eyes wide as they behold their parents.

The Monster Lady's eyes go wide and she strains at her chains. "SOPHIE? SYLPHIE?!"

"Gods above, what are you two doing here?" The Grand Wizard asks, his turn to seem surprised.

Tears fill Sylphie's eyes and she drops her staff to the ground before putting her hands to her mouth. Her voice trembles as she wails, "Mom! Dad!" Dashing forward to her father, she tackles him into a hug, holding him tightly with every fibre of her being.

Sophie takes trembling steps behind her sister, looking at both of them. She sniffs, trying to keep it within herself before she loses control and runs to her mother, hugging her tight.

Watching the scene unfold, you casually break the locks with your magic, allowing the parents to hug their children. They meet together in the middle of the room, laughing and crying as they reunite. It hurts a little to watch this, though at the same time you're overjoyed for the two girls you've been traveling with. The stress and worry seems to melt from them in their tears and you yourself begin to feel caught up in the emotions. Turning away, you rub at your cheeks, trying not to feel when both Tabitha and Ebe put a scaled hand and a feathered wing upon your shoulders. Nodding to both of them, you turn back to the family scene.

"Gods, I was so-so afraid you both would be dead and… and…" Sylphie bawls, burying her head into her father's chest. "I thought we'd get here and we'd be too late!"

"Shhh, shhh." The Grand Wizard says, tears in his eyes as well. He looks up and strokes his daughter's head. "It'll take more than they can dish out to kill me."

"Mother I… I tried to be strong and keep it together but… but…" Sophie begins, hugging her mother fiercely.

"My little kitten, it's alright, I know. Let it all out, no need to hide anything anymore. Mommy's here." At this, Sophie begins to cry in earnest, creating messy tears that soak the ragged clothing of her Mother.

Sylphie still crying into his robe, The Grand Wizard looks up and noticed Tabitha. He blinks in confusion before asking, "Did Blake send you?"

"Afraid not. He's a little busy with Galmathoria last I checked." The Lizardman shrugs and pats you on the back. "It's actually this guy's fault that we're here."

The Wizard nods his head and says, "Well thank you then. Sorry for the rudeness before."

"You're not sorry." You say, shaking your head.

"Well, no. Not really, but you know what I mean."

"Yeah, yeah." You say, waving your hand. "Listen, I know this is touching and we have a lot of questions to ask, but we need to get out of the city, now."

"Why, what's happening?" The Wizard asks, narrowing his eyes.

Tabitha gives him a stern expression. "The Cult of the Violet Sands may have succeeded in returning an Apophis into this world. They are currently attacking in the streets above." She thinks for a moment. "We may have also have just let out all the prisoners to riot up into the Palace itself."

The two parents look at each other before nodding their heads. The Monster Lady turns to you and says, voice commanding, "Then this is the perfect opportunity to end the Prophet's rule here and remove the threat she poses to Deleor, and the world."

>>325134

"Yeah, let me get this damn collar off and I'll help with that." Her husband says, reaching up to pull at it. "Damn thing has been chaffing for weeks."

"Magic nullifying device?" You ask, looking down at it. Sylphie sniffs, wiping at her eyes before tapping it and then pulling her finger away.

"Oww! It stings too."

"Can't just force it off I'm afraid." Her Father chuckles. "Need a special key that the Prophet has and-" The runes flicker and fade away before the collar snaps and clatters to the floor, devoid of energy any longer. It does not light back up and sits, inert. The Grand Wizard blinks before looking up at you and clacking his tongue. "Impressive."

Ending your [Reverse Polarity], you nod your head. "Right, let's talk later. Can you two walk?"

"You should be respectful of your elders, you little shit." The Grand Wizard says.

Tabitha chuckles, "Rommel here isn't respectful of anyone."

"Ah." The Monster Lady chuckles. "So he is a Wizard then." She nods to you and smiles a feline grin. "Thank you for rescuing us, Rommel. I'm sure you know who we are, but you may call me Selene."

The Grand Wizard sighs, "And you may call me-"

"Wizard works just fine." You say, holding up a hand. "We need to go before they come after us. We do not want to get involved with that is happening up there." Digging into your pockets, you pull out two [Health Potions] and toss them to the prisoners. "Drink up, I need you in good condition."

Selene pops open her bottle with frightening speed and closes her eyes, savoring the flavor while the Wizard groans. You frown at him and say, "I know you like the flavor you cum guzzling slut, but no time to be shy."

"How do you two put up with this guy?" The Wizard says, drinking the potion in one gulp before sticking out his tongue.

"He's quite nice once you get to know him actually." Sylphie says, to which her Mother's feline eyes narrow.

"Oh? What's this then?"

"Mother, please." Sophie says, regaining her composure. "Just listen to him for now. You two are in no shape to fight, despite the health potion. Besides, you look ridiculous." She pulls an outfit from her bag of holding and hands it to her mother.

"I have many questions for the two of you, but for now, everyone turn around." Groaning, you do up and a moment later Selene sighs as if refreshed. "Much better."

The Monster Lady, having discarded her ragged clothing, now wears an Ectrian style tunic and skirt with room for her tails. You don't remember Sophie wearing that one before, though when would she have had the time? Selene pats at her chest and frowns.

"The bust is a little large though."

Sophie says in a calm voice, "Clearly, it's because of your captivity."

"Hmph." Her Mother sniffs, clearly not jealous of her daughters at all. Nope.

Rubbing at your temples, you say, "That's real fucking touching, but we need to GO."

"I heard, you, I heard you." The Grand Wizard says, standing up slowly. "When you get a family someday, you'll understand, alright?" He gives you an odd look when you glare at him for this, however.

Turning your back on him, you walk toward the door again, meeting up with Erwin, Zoras, Alice, Ebe, and Mr. Ed. The Gandharva cocks her head as she looks at Sophie and Sylphie's parents, putting wings to her mouth in excitement for them. Tabitha clasps the Wizard's shoulder while Mr. Ed nods to the man and nuzzles him. Zoras and Alice merely shrug and move ahead while Erwin leaps onto your shoulders.

{Seems everyone really likes this guy, huh?}

{Yeah.}

{You going to tell him?}

Turning your head back down the dungeon hallway, you pause for a moment before sending. {Let's go.}

Moving down the corridors at a swift pace, much faster than you'd have hoped given the prisoner's condition. The potions and some food from Sophie give them a little pep in their step and you race through the tunnels the way you came. Distantly, you hear the sounds of violence from some of the service corridors but you just keep on moving, not wanting to get involved with it. You did what you came here to do, for now… for now just get out.

Here and there you find a servant killed by something, likely a cultist, but none of the combatants themselves. This is good, and in such a case you make it back to the tunnel you entered from without any run ins. Opening up the closure you made, you thrust open the doors with your magic in case anyone is standing behind them, but find nothing but a surprised Anubis in the Palace livery, looking down at the open tunnel. A [Pebble Gun] to the head silences her before she can say a word.

>>325135

"Geomancy and Aeromancy… not bad." The Grand Wizard says, admiring your magic. You say nothing to him but instead look around and ask Erwin and the twins if it's safe. They begin to search with their senses when Selene says,

"There's a battle going on in the south, likely near the gates. Over here there's no trace of guards."

You trade glances with Tabitha before nodding your head and heading out of the tunnel, running for the sally port. As you near it, you find the cat from before licking herself and giving you a questioning look. She looks over your group, especially the new additions, and sends, {So, that's it then?}

{Tell Polah thanks, but we're probably not meeting again.}

{For the best anyway. You did make her cry.} The cat sends. It pauses then and sighs the best a cat can sigh. {Though I will admit, she did sound a little worried about you. I'll let her know you survived.}

Clearly, no one here find it odd that you're staring at random animals. It's common in this line of work apparently. Filing through the gates, you enter out back into the Alnabil district. Not much has changed in this area since you last entered, and frankly that's for the better. Lights in houses indicate nobles waiting it all out while you see no Guards moving through the streets. They must have all made it to the other sections of town or near the front gate of the Palace, if Selene is to be believed.

Moving quickly through the district, you've planned on making your way out and to The Great Gate, perhaps blending in again with the people fleeing. The Cat o'Ninetails cover up their tails, no one asking the question as to why Selene only has seven tails, though you see it burning in their eyes. You and The Grand Wizard cover up as well, hiding your skin as best you can as you make your way through.

Skirting away from The Sultan's Grand Theatre and the area near the Mushtarak district, you head toward the pathway leading into the Masrah district toward the Great Gate. Streams of people begin to appear, many of them looking panicked as they point at the fires burning in the Mushtarak district. You notice a few of them seem to originate near the Tajr district as well, and you hope Polah is safe.

Pushing through the people heading in the same direction as you, you stop as you notice the boats lined up in the river. Many sailors and merchants shout at one another, pointing ahead and seeming furious. Apparently the Channelguards are closed- no one gets in or out through the rivers while this is occurring. As you think this, one of the Channelguards on the bridge ahead of you slides closed, trapping the people in further. Great.

Terrified civilians shout at the loud sound but the Guards, human and Anubis keep them in check. Doing your best to avoid notice as best you can, you act afraid and head toward the gate. Your progress becomes delayed faster than you'd expect, however until eventually you see the massive gate in the distance- closed.

Citizens shout and scream in panic, but the guards keep a shield wall before the gate while others stand atop it with arrows. A line of Anubis lead by what can only be two Handmaidens stand behind, barking out orders while a man tries to calm people down- something which falls on deaf ears.

Sophie and Sylphie cover their ears from all the shouting while Selene hugs both of them, looking about. You as well look for a way out, but it's not going to happen from this gate. Nudging Ebe, you ask her to ask if the southern gate is open. She find out very quickly that no, as far as everyone can tell, all of the gates are closed. The Pharaoh has ordered the entire city shut up until the situation is taken care of.

Though the people are panicking, it's really the Guards that give you pause. None of them seem concerned in the slightest, merely holding their positions, looking out over the crowds. One would assume that they'd feel nervous from a riot breaking out, or perhaps worried about the safety of their city. Their calm is disturbing you greatly and you realize, with a start, that it's because they have unwavering faith in that Pharaoh will win.

That… does not bode well for the Violet Sands.

>>325136

Turning to the others, you gesture for them to head away from the crowds of people and towards the walls. Perhaps if you can just dig a tunnel out of the city, you'll be able to get free. Can't go through? Just go under! Unfortunately, after a [Survey], you realize that the walls are dug deep into the ground. While this isn't too bad a development, the guards keeping close sentry over the walls on both sides will make it very difficult to go undetected.

In fact, you watch as a group of men with shovels are executed by an Anubis, their pitiful tunnel barely even dug. Poor bastards. You suppose you could make it out, but there would be a lot of fighting and you guess no matter what you do, you won't be able to avoid it. The question is- how are you going to do that?

"We need to rethink this." You say to the others. "Let's find somewhere to regroup."

Pushing your way out of the crowds, you make for a side street in the Masrah district, wall in sight in the distance. Turning to the others, you say, "We can't stay here for long, we're going to create a way out I'm afraid."

"My daughters say to trust you, but I'm beginning to wonder why we're trying to leave?" Selene asks, giving you a critical eye.

"Since we have a moment, I wonder the same thing." The Grand Wizard says, crossing his arms. "Personally I wanted to strike that bitch for what she did, but you're right, I haven't cast magic in so long that I'm rusty."

"Yes, me too, but for other reasons." Selene sighs. Sylphie rummages in her bag and hands her mother a [Mana Potion], which she sniffs and then holds it away, sneering. "This isn't freshly squeezed at all."

"Mom, please, it's store bought but it works."

"Dear, you have a man in your group and you haven't at least saved some coin by extracting some semen? Or at least having him masturbate for you?"

"M-Mom!" Sylphie says cheeks flushing. "No! I don't- I haven't- Ugh!"

Selene sighs and downs the potions, shuddering. "Ugh, dear, I need to suck you off as soon as possible, okay?"

"A little later, alright?" The Wizard says, looking back toward the Palace and the smoke in the district. He frowns and then turns to you. "Listen, I understand we're not in the best place to fight, but the Prophet cannot be allowed to regain control here. We worked too hard to aid the Violet Sands to rise against her and if she takes them out here in the capital, all that will be put to waste."

Ebe's eyes grow wide. "What? Y-You helped the Violet Sands?"

"Of course." Selene says, nodding her head. "Cultists they may be, but they've kept the Prophet occupied from her plans on Deleor. We are in no place to repel a concentrated invasion from this place and should eastern Deleor fall, it's only a matter of time before Galmathoria acts as the hammer to Ectria's anvil."

The Wizard nods, "It's not ideal and I don't like it, but we can't allow that to happen. Too many good people will be killed or enslaved. Besides, if the Prophet reaches the altars to Phallia-"

Ebe cuts him off raising her voice high, "GOOD PEOPLE? You mean good DELEORIANS!" Tears form in her eyes as her cheeks go red. "Many good ECTRIANS have already died or been suckered into this cult! They've taken slaves, had people killed in relation to this, and their damn goals of bringing back the Apophis twist people into doing… unspeakable things!"

>>325137

Ebe looks to you and says, "Rommel's sister was even swayed in by that cult! They've unleashed an ancient horror to slaughter my people and you just… you just went and fostered this?!"

Selene bristles. "Do not presume to talk down to me. I have a NATION of Monsters to protect, those who want to live peacefully now. This little cult was never to amount to anything but a distraction, I do not know how they gained so much power in such a short time, but there are ALWAYS reasons for someone's actions."

Ebe looks to Sophie and Sylphie, the two seeming miserable, ears flattened. Clearly they don't want to upset Ebe, but at the same time they just got their Mother back! Can you blame them?

"Listen, Ebe." You say, holding up a hand. "We can yell at them later, I know you want to, I really do. But We need to get to safety or at least… at least figure out a plan of attack if that's what we're forced to do."

The Gandharva bristles but pulls back, glaring at Selene. Tabitha steps forward, hand on her sword. "Look, we can either try to settle the score or leave the city and regroup. At this point, we lack information of the situation and the capabilities of the Pharaoh."

"Oh, I can tell you all about that." The Grand Wizard grumbles. "We had her on the ropes, she was nothing until she took up this staff of hers and worked some spell. Felt like something shattered for a moment around us, then…"

"Then our magic was useless. She was able to contain me before I could engage her in close quarters again and it was like everything bent to her will." Selene chimes in.

"Unlimited power." You mutter, remembering the stories from before. "At the cost of releasing the Apophis back into the world."

"Hmm?" The Wizard asks.

"Nothing." You sigh. Standing up straight, you look at everyone present and ask, "We have a choice to make here. We'll have to fight our way out of the city if we're leaving unless we can think of another option. I need to know, what do all of you think?"

The Wizard and Selene look at each other before nodding. The Monster Lady says, "We need to aid the Violet Sands in overthrowing the Prophet. It's not just about the safety of Deleor that we do this, but for the world as a whole."

Ebe looks down, gritting her teeth. "I… I don't agree with allowing this slaughter but… but it has to end somehow. Either way, I want to do what's best for my village and for Ectria. If that means leaving then so be it."

Sophie says, "Myself and Sylphie believe it would be best not to engage the Pharaoh at this time. Besides…"

"Rommel, your sister could be there, right?" Sylphie says in a low voice.

Alice shrugs, "I'll fight where I need to fight." Next to her, Tabitha rolls her eyes,

"Tactical withdrawal would be fine, however it would likely be safer to hole up and get information before leaving or attacking."

Zoras shrugs. "If you're going, I have more information to gather for Ammon then. If you're staying, well, better to stay in numbers then."

{I'll follow your lead.} Erwin sends, full of confidence.

All eyes turn to you, though the Grand Wizard smirks, as if he himself was in similar situations multiple times. There's many more questions to ask him, both of them really, but is there time now? And what do YOU want to do here? Is it worth collecting the information and moving in to intervene, or merely returning and preparing Deleor with its two greatest assets?

Or, will you do what you came here to do?

It's been the case so many times in this adventure, but now more than ever you need to decide.

>What do you do?

>>325138

Hey! You did it, you freed them and you're sort of in an okay for the moment position. Sadly getting out of the city is not going to be easy so ya gotta be committed. There are certainly safe areas at the moment, though thatdoes not include the east side of the city, nor the Palace now.

And you got a little exposition, but things are a little rushed at the moment, so y'all's call if you want more. Basically this is a pretty important call here and only on the goodwill of the daughterus are you still actually flying this plane.

But uh, yeah. Maybe someone else has another way out of the city? I bet you the Morning Gate is open :^)

No but really, sorry if it feels rushed, but it sort of… was since the suggestions were all-"Get out, figure out later.

>>325123

Hey man, belts are a good indicator of status in Ectrian society. Lady Aliph had like, 30 belts.

Or it could be because Manos thought they looked neat. Besides, Helene was a slave, poor girl. Give her some slack.

>>325072

Hey man, she may not even be here. You don't know.

Oh well, guess we'll delay showing the other side of that picture for now.

>>325138

Staying in the city to plan out our next move is the more prudent choice, especially with the GW in our party. We can just find somewhere out of the way and have him take us to El Dorito to decide on our next course of action away from all of the chaos. We should also make sure to learn [The Road To El Dorito] from GW, both so that we can leave with someone to do recon and come back, and in case we need to quickly bail everyone to safety if shit hits the fan.

>>325142

This suggestion is good but you have to remember that [The Road To El Dorito] is not a standard spell but a powerful enchantment placed upon a bag of holding that involves dangerous spacial fragmentation magic to program bind a toggle-able script portable portal between dimensions. This is not something that you can build in a cave from a box of scraps and GW's bag was most certainly confiscated during his imprisonment.

>>325138

As for what we do at the moment: Ask Big Bo- I mean Grand Wizard our important question. It is fine if the next section will be short because of that: Rommel's decision on what he does now hinges directly on the answer he gets I believe.

I would normally go for meta faggotry and try to squeeze as much as info about or task as possible but:

1)We are out of immediate danger.

2)We have time. Riots like that don't break apart in an hour or even a day.

3)We had just completed our promise to the twins and are no longer contractually obligated to them.

4)This is the whole reason for Rommel's journey.

He showed great restraint and wisdom by keeping his emotions in check earlier to complete his promise but now is the moment of truth. We need to know the answer before we commit to anything more.

If we decide to confront the pharao we should scout the Mushtarak district assess the situation there and if needed aid the cultists in their fight. We could just sneak back into the palace ourselves but I think picking up at the worst case a bunch of red shirts first could come on handy. In the best case we could group up with the Apophis herself. At the very least we should probably get in contact with the cultists. The wizard has no idea how to stop the prophet we never met her so at least getting some cultist insight could be beneficial. This is very much an enemy of my enemy situation and we should take advantage of that.

>>325138

I think we should meet with Helena. She clearly has been the deciding factor in getting the cult to level up to this point, So Im sure she has a plan. We need to find out what it is and how we can help. Grapesnek or not, If they try to turn us into a nutter we execute on the spot. Even Helena if need be.

The Pharaoh would probably order a crackdown on all places harboring the Violet Sands if she wins here, which means RIP Ebe's mom. We should gather info and give Selene time to suck off the GW then help the cultists.

>>325144

>GW's bag was most certainly confiscated during his imprisonment.

So the Pharaoh might have a backdoor to El Dorito? Scary thought.

While everything else in the update was fine and enjoyable to read Ebe's character development of growing a spine and calling the parents out on their bullshit in particular was nice to see, one thing is irking me to no end:

>Ebe looks to you and says, "Rommel's sister was even swayed in by that cult!"

Since when does Ebe know about our little secret? Unless I've missed something stated in a previous update, we've never mentioned it to her or anyone else and we've gone out of our way to avoid giving away hints about our connection to Helene whenever possible, so none should be the wiser about this. Furthermore, shouldn't there have been at least some kind of reaction to this sudden revelation? Rommel doesn't even bat an eye about Ebe blurting out something he's been trying to hide for so long in front of everyone and no one else seems to care about this rather important connection Rommel has to the Violet Sands, which seems a bit odd.

>>325138

I'm still of the opinion that we should retreat to fight another day, because attacking the Prophet is a terrible idea in the current situation. My reasons for this are threefold:

Firstly, my weakest reason, the proposed plan for dealing with the Prophet involves directly assisting the Violet Sands in their mission. We haven't actually encountered any cultists outside of perhaps some of the prisoners and the broken form of Liala since the attack began, so we can't be sure how those attacking are going to react to seeing us. There's a good chance that they're enthralled to that Apophis they summoned based on earlier descriptions and their actions, so my guess is that they may try to subject us to a similar fate should we pop over to say hi, which is something we want to avoid for obvious reasons.

Secondly, there's the problem of actually killing the Prophet, since we clearly can't fight her as we are now because of the whole 'unlimited power' thing she has on her side giving her a huge advantage against our party. The only real chance we would have against her is if we were to destroy the implied source of her power, that [Mirror of Heaven] Ammon mentioned, but we don't know where that is exactly, as the Holy Altar of the Twins the artefact is supposedly stored at could be in either of the two temples or the palace -- which is a problem in itself as those areas are war-zones right now – and we can't be sure if destroying it will actually do anything as the link between the artefact and her powers is based on rumours and is theoretical at best, so we may end up wasting our time and risking our lives for nothing. I guess an alternative method is to try casting [Reverse Polarity] in hopes it temporarily severs her link with whatever the source of her increased power is, but that would require us to determine the frequency first and there is no way in hell she will give us the chance to do that, so that isn't going to work. And even if we do manage to remove her massive amounts of power somehow, that still leave the issues of getting to her in the first place with all her guards in the way and defeating her when she's still a threat without the additional power and our two strongest party members are exceptionally weak at the moment.

>>325159

>>325138

Finally, the aftermath to killing the Prophet, which is something the Grand Wizard and Selene don't seem to be considering when they really should be. In the hypothetical scenario that we are successful in killing the Prophet, the Violet Sands is going to immediately take control of the capital and then proceed to spread their influence around Ectria, which involves enslaving those who don't immediately bow down before the new tyrant that supposedly leads them if Lady Aliph's words are to be believed; not a very good outcome in my eyes. Also, with our alliance with the Violet Sands having fulfilled its purpose of working toward our related goals, what would stop them from immediately turning on us while we're weak from fighting the Prophet? More importantly, what would stop them from amassing an army and attacking Deleor themselves in the Prophet's place? The Apophis spirit we encountered in the San'ha Urn was described as malicious, after all, and the cultists will follow whatever the Apophis decrees without question, enthralled or not, so there's no way they aren't going to pull something on us when it would benefit them. As such, killing the Prophet should only be done if we can deal with the Violet Sands immediately afterwards, which we really can't as of now.

But that's not all, as there's also the problem of Hent-ateh, which we should really mention to the parents since it's rather important and I doubt even Selene knows about its existence. As Lady Aliph points out, the moment the royal bloodline ends is the moment Hent-ateh is no longer bound to the covenant with the Apophis and can do whatever it feels like doing, which will probably involve mass murder because it enjoys the act and apparently gets stronger because of it. Unless the Prophet has a secret child that we haven't heard about up to this point in the story, the Violet Sands are going to lose control over the abomination when the Prophet dies, and the cultists are implied to have no idea how to deal with this whatsoever so Hent-ateh is going to be unstoppable and a huge threat to all life. Unless we can deal with the abomination ourselves right now, which is very much doubtful when it took the combined efforts of an unknown number of Dwarves, Wizards and Ectrians to merely seal the thing, we need the Prophet to stay alive until a time that a solution is found.

I'm not opposed to sending a smaller group to scout around before we leave so we aren't ignorant to what's going on and can do something productive prior to escaping, but helping either side right now is a definite no for me. That said, it wouldn't surprise me if we get dragged into this mess any way since we don't really call the shots any more following our contract's completion and there are a myriad of different events that could force us to fight the Prophet. But I digress.

If we do decide to make a tactical retreat, then consider starting a tunnel with [Trench] a fair distance away from the walls where the guards aren't looking before trying to go underneath the walls and outside the perimeter of the capital, as the guards can't stop what they're not aware of and we have four magic users who can help out with the tunnel so we should be able to dig for a long period of time before needing to resurface, at which point we should be clear of the capital. If we instead end up trying to kill the Prophet in spite of all the issues surrounding the action, then prioritise finding and destroying that [Mirror of Heaven] above all else, as that's our only chance of being able to fight her on equal footing, and be ready to get everyone in our party the fuck out of dodge at a moment's notice when not if the Apophis decides we've outlived our usefulness or we'd be better off in her permanent employment. In either case, keep our purpose for seeking the Grand Wizard to ourselves, because we really need more time and privacy for that and we have neither of those things right now.

>>325142

Learning how to get to El Dorito sounds like a great idea for future purposes, but is it really the best idea to cast that now? Unless either us or the Grand Wizard stay behind while the others enter, we can't know for sure if our exit point will be safe to return to which just seems like a disaster waiting to happen and a rather unnecessary risk when we're perfectly fine staying in the safe spot normally.

>>325144

From Wizardquest:

>He begins showing you the process to use your [Pocket dimension] to open a gateway here, which is fairly easy and straightforward.

We still have our trenchcoat with bag of holding pockets, GW should be able to teach us something "fairly easy and straightforward" to do with it.

>>325161

That was because our bag already had a spacial hole in it when GW dumped the ultimate elixir in it after trying to add additional flavors to his hot pocket dimension which nearly unmade reality as we know it. Replicating this is not something that can be done on the go.

My head canon is that only the Union can actually manufacture them with Hardinclouse's help and that their number, owners and locations are strictly regulated in-house.

>>325158

>So the Pharaoh might have a backdoor to El Dorito? Scary thought.

Only wizards can interact with the portals and all the newfound loopholes involving them are constantly monitored and patched out. The most recent one was putting it into a bag of holding which caused the enchantment to freak out and to either transport whoever is using it into El Dorito or to conjure a temporary black hole that sucks everything around it into a negative space, including itself. This has been fixed since then and no new loopholes are known to exist so El Dorito is safe for now.

>>325138

Ok, so we're going in.

The concerns raised tho are very important. Stacking the deck as much as we can is never a bad thing.

With the rioting and general unrest, the guards will be busy. Soon rather then later would be best.

What is the postion of the Waifu War? Have celibacy/lucker fags come out of the woodwork; cucked Rommel/Tabitha or what?

>>325157

>>325159

>Not told anyone

From speaking with Ammon:

"My Father was a scholar while my Mother was a housewife. As far as siblings go I have… had, one older sister, Helene."

Out talking with Lady Aliph:

Ebe bites her lip as you tighten your knuckles. Gritting your teeth, you ask, "And what of Hent-ateh? What will you do with that abomination?"

Lady Aliph cocks her head and looks to Ephra. "Hent-ateh? That's Helene's little monster, yes?" The Lamia witch nods her head to which Aliph continues. "Yes, that creature. From what I know, the contract it must fulfill has it ending when the line of the Pharaoh is ended or it is dismissed by the Apophis. For now, there is little we can do about it, but use it to fulfill its purpose. At least it listens to Helene…"

While you never really had an explicit chat about this nor did you ever bring it up specifically, Ebe isn't stupid. The way you've been acting and the name "Helene" popping up twice, a Deleorian name i might add, in relation to each other? It seems a little hard not to put two and two together.

So true, the reaction should probably have been higher but I had sort of thought it was more obvious that others knew. Reading back, it was not as obvious and really only was said out loud in two places, but it was known at least!

>>325144

Yeah, he probably wants it back too, but the whole "Getting out alive with my daughters, holy fuck why are they here, they should be at home and where the fuck is Chaika." sort of situation was a little more pressing.

Okay, it might well be the time then.

>>325142

So… yeah, The Grand Wizard isn't in the best place at the moment and also that is a rather complicated enchantment. The fact that he stumbled upon it was mostly luck and he kind of almost died doing it. Replicating the spell took awhile and yes, took Hardinclouse's help. Besides, if you go there, likely they'd just force Sophie and Sylphie to stay there for their own safety.

>>325156

>>325157

Cultist contact, aight.

>>325158

Oh most certainly a purge would happen. She needs everyone on board and she has the power to do so.

>>325159

Ayep. You have hints on how to beat her, but do you want to? Maybe a step at a time is best.

Also, it's implied that the Selene and the Grand Wizard never really thought that the Apophis could be brought back. As it stands, they shouldn't have been able to except, ironically, because they forced the Pharaoh's hand.

So no, probably haven't thought that far ahead.

>>325166

I was joking beforehand. Anyway, the Tabithafags seem to have won, just a few more… pressing things happening.

>>325174

>Tabithafags won

>more pressing things

goddamn my mind is in the gutter

>>325174

>Tabithafags have won

Not if we revert the world back to the way it was. Then we're in a whole different game. There has definitely not been enough development with Tabitha to make her worth losing our powers over, if it is to happen.

>>325174

Hey Ace, what's Rommel's favorite rock out of all of them?

Scouting seems like a good idea atm.

>>325123

>Lulu onee-chan

Why are you trying to tempt me into heresy, anon?

On the topic of Final Fantasy we should learn [Break] where we copy this faggot's plagomancy and modify it so that the victim's body deposits calcium, keratin and other hard stone-like substances everywhere, effectively petrifying them. Basically [Cancer] but with a Rommely twist.

>>325174

>>325212

>>325224

>Tabithafags have won

FUCK YEAH!!

>>325285

Better idea for everyone arguing over who should be our lover. We know Rommel really loves his rock collection and would likely get more.

What would he do of he encountered a monster girl composed of a mineral, rock, gemstone, etc?

Been watching Houseki no Kuni recently and I want to see Rommel sweat.

>>325305

>Rommel marries a golem girl

>she gets jealous of his rock collection because he autistically obsesses over it

>>325344

>inb4 Rommel gets a harem of rock/mineral girls

It's occurred to me that we completely overlooked the

>Pick five rocks to carry with you. The rest will be stored in the [Backpack].

decision from the previous thread. It's probably irrelevant at this point, but placing my vote towards keeping Greg, Ronnie, Barry, Donte and Babyface on our person since they work the best as offensive options in a pinch in comparison to the other choices.

>>325174

Ah, so I was missing something then, my bad there. That does beg the question of why we even bothered to try and hide anything relating to it from the others though.

>>325224

That is a very big if there. And you say that like such development wouldn't occur before such a choice ever has a chance of becoming a possibility.

Yeah, took a nap and then just… not going to get writing tonight. So we'll do this tomorrow.

Also, I will be out of town for some trip I don't want to go on from Wednesday-Saturday (I think, might only be friday). Either way, will be no updates between those periods. Sorry y'all.

>>325345

>>325297

N-Neat

>>325305

Well, he has seen Chaika and she's basically full metal.

>>325324

I mean, there were just more of y'all. Who knows what could happen tho.

>>325344

>>325345

I notice no one has answered the favorite question

>>325368

Yeah I thought about it later on and then just kept going since it wouldn't be overly relevant later. Maybe.

Yay, I remembered something you didn't! I'm a good writer, I swear.

As far as keeping it hidden, Rommel clearly doesn't want to talk about it and by y'alls actions of not getting involved with the Violet Sands, doesn't want to go after his sister. Y'all can imagine why that would be the case.

>>325424

Yes, Rommel may not want to go after his sister, but does his sister not want to go after us? She has to realize by now that we're here by now. Or she certainly will once the news breaks that the GW and monster lady have escaped

Oh come on. I know I saged

>>325324

>>325424

>Tabitha hasn't actually 'won' anything.

>Ebe is still bestgirl.

I won't stop.

>>325138

As other anons have stated, we don't have the option to hide. The Pharaoh looks to be winning so far, and if she does we won't be able to hide from the crackdown that comes afterwards. As it stands, we have no knowledge of the state of this civil war, scouting the area is the smartest option. Depending on what we find out, working with the Violet Sands might be our only option. Helene is our sister. We can't give up on her.

>>325144

This is a good idea as well. Before we start overthrowing governments the GW and Selene owe everybody some answers. They've shed light on most of the plot, but we just saved their asses and they owe us the full story.

>>325498

>Ebe is still bestgirl.

>I won't stop.

Be my guest, but to reach the summit of Mount Tabitha. You're going to have to go through the Lurking Celibacy Trolls. And they don't want anyone to score!

>Story continue

A cool night wind rushes through the alleyway, bringing with it the distant smells of smoke. Despite this, you take a whiff, scrunching your nose at the stink. This city burns, though you wonder for how much longer? The way you see it, unless something happens, the Violet Sands will be defeated. The Pharaoh will crack down on anyone who happens to be close to the cult and purge all of them, solidifying her rule. Anyone associated in any way, including Ebe's mother and your sister.

Closing your eyes you think it over again in the relative silence of the alleyway. Though in the distance shouting is heard it's muted to the point to seem quiet in comparison. It allows you to think it all through and yet… yet something else digs at you. Something deep, something that was present since the beginning of all of this. It reminds you of the reason you were here in the first place, something you'd almost forgotten.

Opening your eyes, you turn your gaze to the Grand Wizard. The man chats softly with his wife while pointing out behind your group, toward the city. They have concern on their faces as they talk despite all the suffering they had to deal with over the past few months. It seems so strange to think that they totally trust each other, a Wizard and the Monster Lady, natural enemies. Watching this feels so wrong and yet… you can't seem to blame him.

Flicking your gaze to the twins, you see them holding hands, eyes looking toward you while glance flick to their parents. Sophie notices your gaze and furrows her brow, though you look away a moment later, thinking it over. These two girls were the product of such a union, something that was never supposed to happen! And yet if they didn't come together then all the hardships, all the good times, the emotions, they'd… they'd never-

Moving your gaze aside, it leads to Tabitha, the Lizardman standing with sword on her hand, ears twitching as she listens for signs of danger. Her eyes catch yours and she nods, probably to reassure you. Oddly enough, you feel reassured… but she's a Monster. A Monster who cried on your shoulder and wept of the loss of her father until she fell asleep, feeling safe enough around you to do so. Even worse, you felt comfortable enough to let her do it.

So when it comes to your original reason for being here, you feel a certain sense of hesitation. Part of you knows why that is and yet an intractable part cries out for you to follow this through. You don't understand and yet you WANT to understand. You're afraid and yet you're more afraid of not knowing, not saying what you came here to say. If you don't do this now, you might never get the chance and… and deep down you know that the answer to this question will set your course one way or another.

Gritting your teeth, you stand up tall and address the Grand Wizard. "Wizard! Before we decide what to do next, I would have a word with you."

"Hmm?" He says, raising an eyebrow. Selene's tails rise but he puts a hand on her shoulder and shakes his head. She backs down, looking a little confused until he leans over and plants a kiss on her cheek. She sighs and hangs back as he walks over to you.

Gesturing for him to follow, you head down the alleyway a little more and once sufficently seperated, you cast [Build the Wall] to block the two of you from view. You know on the other side that Erwin is standing before it, hopefully keeping them from doing anything rash. You'd at least expect to have earned at least that much trust.

"I suppose this is important." He says as you cast [Privacy Barrier].

"It is."

"Hmph." The Grand Wizard replies, looking around at your magic. "Not bad. How long have you been a Wizard again?"

"Only a few months." You reply, gathering your thoughts.

"Impressive. I didn't really do much until I was thirty-two, but to get this far you must have had one hells of a time."

"It wasn't easy."

>>325599

"No, no it doesn't seem like it was. Especially not with those two by your side the whole way." He pauses and shakes his head. "I suppose that's a story for another time. I assume however they sort of forced you into this?"

"Not exactly." You say, shrugging. "I was the one calling the shots most of the time, though they made the decision to find you before I met them."

"I see. Well… thank you Rommel. For keeping them safe. I can't imagine what I would have done had they…" Tears form in his eyes but he wipes them away before taking a deep breath and looking up at you. Clearing his throat, he asks, "But escorting those two isn't exactly why you're here, is it?"

"No." You say in a low voice, almost a whisper. Gripping your staff tight, you look up and raise your voice to say,

"I want you to return Wizards to the way we were."

Even without the privacy barrier, you know silence would be the only answer. The Grand Wizard stands a little taller, his eyes becoming steely and resolute. He searches your emotions for a long while, jaw clenching as he thinks something over internally. Eventually he closes his eyes and says,

"No."

Anger fills you at this answer. Well, perhaps not anger exactly, but something akin to beer kept under pressure for far too long and finally being let loose. All the pent up frustration from your journey, the fears, the hurts, the aches, the confusing emotions, and all the doubts pour out of you from that single word. It digs deep into your veins, dragging forth a rage that has you stomp your feet on the ground and shout, "LOOK AROUND YOU! Monsters have pushed their way into our societies, taking what they want and leaving sorrow in their wake! Galmathoria seeks to destroy or subsume our nation and Ectria has no problem taking slaves and raping like barbarians!"

Throwing down your staff, you walk up to him and grab him by the robe, the man merely staring into your eyes as you continue to spew vitriol at him. "These beasts take and take and the force which was supposed to keep them in check is now busy throwing it all away because they fucking can. Where did the proud Wizards go? Those who believe in JUSTICE and protecting humanity? Where did the spirit of sacrifice go which made us strong? We are but a shell of our former selves and YOU are the one to blame!"

He says nothing as you continue to hold him. Shouting in frustration, you shake him in a similar manner to how you've been shaken by Monsters the whole damn trip. It doesn't solve anything, but you need a release for all this emotion. Face heating up, you snarl, "I lost everything you know? I lost my Mother, my sister, my whole damn life when I was little. The only fucking thing I had was you! I had your fucking book and a promise to keep. I told myself I'd protect people from these creatures, I'd do what you did, I'd become a Wizard and fucking HELP people. But, the more I read and the more the world began to change around me, I started to see truth of what you did. You didn't save us, you damned humanity by relegating their greatest protectors to degenerates who forgot their own history!"

Dropping him, or well, almost THROWING him to the ground, you tower over the older Wizard and say, tears forming in your eyes, "And yet here you are, broken and abused by them, yet the first thing you do is hug a damn Monster." Gripping you knuckles tight, you continue, "How can you just accept that? How can you throw away all that Solos gave to us to protect? How can you let it just continue, to make allow Wizards to be weak creatures who fuck those they were sworn to defeat with no consequences?"

Gritting you teeth, you almost hiss out, "Give me one good reason why you won't let US save the world from THEM?"

The Grand Wizard, sitting on the floor of some unnamed alley in the middle of the Capital of Ectria, looks straight into your eyes. Never wavering, he opens his mouth and answers,

"Because for all the differences we have, for all the history, the fear, the bloodshed, the wars… for all of that and more, Monsters just want to live and find love. In the end, Monsters are people too."

His gaze softens as well as his tone as he asks, "And you know that, don't you?"

>>325600

Closing your eyes tight, you hang your head as you slump your shoulders, defeated. Despite the torrent of all the rage, the anger, and the frustration, you did know that answer. It became obvious and yet you chose not to acknowledge it. How many times did you see the twins as the same as young women, or Tabitha as a seasoned warrior? Even standing side by side to Alice, you only compared their characters instead of their features. What was the really difference then?

Even after your first encounter with the slavers, despite being lead by an Anubis, she had many men doing the dirty deeds as well. Humans can easily do as cruel or crueler acts than Monsters- Sylphie's rifle wound is testament to that- and yet you still never gave up this niggling hope that if you just reached the Grand Wizard and roughed him up, that he'd change everything back to the way it was. Maybe, hells, maybe you figured if it all went back to the way it was before, somehow your Mother would return, or maybe even your sister and… your sister…

The Grand Wizard stands up slowly and dusts himself off. Walking up to you, he looks at your tired form and places a hand on your shoulder. Blinking tears of frustration and weariness away, you look at him with blurred vision. He smiles, an understanding smile, something that tells you he knows exactly what you're going through. With a calm, even voice, he says to you,

"Rommel, I think you just need to stop being such a faggot."

Blinking one, twice, three times, you can only blurt you, "Huh?"

"Yeah, this whole getting emotional and crying thing. I mean, I get it, you had a hardship and you wanted this not to happen to anyone else ever again, and that's noble and all, but you really just need to stop being such a faggot."

"That's- That's not." Shaking your head, you glare at him and say, "That's not really something you tell someone who hates you and wants you to fix the greatest mistake the world has ever seen. It's doubly the cause when this man has you trapped behind a wall where no one can hear you and you've been imprisoned for months."

"Yeah, but it's the truth." The Grand Wizard says, shrugging. "Listen, Rommel, I understand what you're asking, but I'm not certain you understand fully what it means to ask this. If I did this, which I won't and probably couldn't anyway, then things would change more than you'd imagine and for the worse."

"How's that?"

"There's plenty of practical reasons, but I think the one that you fail to recognize is what it really meant to be a Wizard in the past."

Stiffening, you say, "Wizards in the past were warriors with absolute wills who lived thirty years fighting temptation in preparation to protect humanity. They were weapons forged to keep us safe and secure."

"Yes, but what kind of lives do you think the ancient Wizards lead?"

You pause and think it over before slowly answering, "I'd imagine… they lead pretty solitary lives, trying to avoid temptations, yet ready to defend humanity if needed."

"You make it sound more noble than it was." The Grand Wizard sighs. Shaking his head, he says, "Listen, Rommel, how was it growing up with the goal of being a Wizard?"

"It was… I guess I'd have to call it lonely?"

"Yes, it was very lonely. Now imagine a time before the Communion Matrix existed. Imagine what it was like to be beset on all sides by Monsters, to be heralded as champions of the people and yet to know you could never interact with them or anyone else. For most Wizards, they were lonely, bitter, solitary men who often weren't fighting for noble reasons, but for spite or revenge. Much of their technology and advancements came from a far different reason than why we invent today."

"But." You say, holding out your hands. "The records all say that-"

"The records are purposefully vague. Who would want to write about something so bleak? There's so few records left and they're mostly in the Monster Nation, from those who fought and observed them. The one common theme in all of the stories was the thought of, 'I wish I could help him.'"

>>325601

Growing quiet, you feel a growing sense of guilt within you. You'd always thought that the Wizards of the past were these monolithic warriors of virtue and JUSTICE, the embodiment of Solos's will. Perhaps the first Wizards, perhaps.

"Some people wondered why the Wizards left when Mootatrix developed the Communion Matrix. It's pretty obvious, once you think about it. It offered them a way to break the loneliness felt in the real world without all the complications that come with doing so. No one would know who they are, no one would care. It was so much easier to break from all of it and just retreat into that world."

He looks at you and raises an eyebrow. "You've felt it too, haven't you?"

"Perhaps… but I always knew what I was going to do though."

"Yes, you did. You put that hardship upon yourself until you were thirty and what was the first thing you did? You came out here to fucking Ectria with my daughters and rescued me during a civil war just to tell me to fucking make it so you lost your powers when you had sex. What kind of person does that?"

"A dedicated one." You say before you can think about it.

"Yeah, a dedicated one." He says, nodding. "The numbers of Wizards have dropped dramatically, I'm sure you're aware. As more people know about Wizards and know that there's no consequences to sex any longer, they lose some of that dedication. They slip or they do something else with their lives. Those who were only in it for power and never had a purpose just go ahead and never become Wizards."

Holding up a finger, he continues, "Which means that the new Wizards, those who began their journeys after what I did are those with dedication, those who take on the hardships for a reason. They're people like you Rommel." Looking directly into your eyes, he says, "Would you rather the protectors of humanity be angry shut-ins, or people who go out and fucking do something?"

Shaking your head slowly, you sigh out, "I really want to hate you. I really do, I want to break your fucking nose, but you make sense you bastard. You unbelievable bastard, why can't I hate you?"

The Grand Wizard leans in with a shit eating grin, "Because, you know I'm right."

"Fuck off." You say, waving him away. With a groan, you rub at your head. "Gods damnit. I'd thought that… Gods I don't even know what to do anymore."

"Well, you'd better figure it out. Everyone's clearly looking up to the Monster hating Wizard. Especially Tabitha for some reason, though she doesn't really get along with anyone."

"Well, she did tell me why she's afraid of water."

The Grand Wizard's eyes get big and his jaw drops, "You fucking what? She hasn't told that to anyone! Holy shit, are you fucking her? How did you beat her in combat? No, wait that's stupid, you just went on a rant about not wanting sex and- By the Gods."

"Listen, I don't- Gods, it's not like-"

"Lad, I'm rooting for you. You two would make cute babies and Gods knows Tabitha needs a good dicking."

"Holy fuck, stop."

"Hrm, but would semen mess up the aether balance of her legs? Maybe she should take them off before engaging in anything like that, though that would mean no leg locking and-"

Grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him, you shout, "STOP!"

"Okay." He says, dropping it like that.

Groaning, you walk up and pick up your staff before shaking your head. "Well this is fucking embarrassing now."

"Honestly, you have more important things to worry about than embarrassment." He says, face growing serious. "Like what you're going to do next. I don't have to tell you how important it is to Deleor that the Pharaoh is defeated."

"Yes, you've made your position incredibly clear. I just don't know if it's worth risking the lives of everyone present, but…" You say, waving a hand. "I'm also worried about what she'll do the people of Ectria who support the Violet Sands."

"Ah." The Grand Wizards says. "The Ghandharva… Ebe, was it? She mentioned something about your sister?"

"I… yes, it's a long story, but she's part of the cult."

"Is she in the city?"

"I don't know." You say honestly. "I just know she is around the city, but I'd assume since that thing Hent-ateh is here, she is too."

"Since you know she's around, have you talked with her? From what you told me, you gained these powers so you could prevent something terrible happening to people like your sister. If she's really here then…" He trails off and looks at the wall. "Then family is one of the most important things you can have."

>>325602

"I know that, I know, it's just… I never wanted to get involved with the Violet Sands. They're crazy and think nothing of enslaving others to their will. The more I learn of the Apophis too, the more I hated them and feared their return. Now that there is one back I… I don't know what would happen if the Pharaoh were to fall."

"We… didn't think that would happen." The Grand Wizard sighs. "When we first came here we found a small cell of the cult and thought that they could be galvanized into a weapon to slow down the Pharaoh. We didn't think much of their tactics, but they were effective at getting the populace mobilized and with such a crazy goal they would never cause any real harm. We figured we could use them as a means of getting into the Capital and then assaulting the Pharaoh herself but well, I told you how that went."

"Which ironically allowed the Apophis back into the world." You say, waving a hand. "But no one could have seen that coming. I think the better question is how they can seem to communicate with each other so easily."

The Grand Wizard blinks. "Oh, that was me."

You stare at him. "What?"

"Yes, it was a spell Selene and myself devised, we made a network of sorts with those sigils they keep, allowing them to speak with others which had the spell laid on it. Taught it to their Witches and they spread it quickly. How else would they stay connected so well?"

Mind racing, you say, "Can you cast this spell again?"

He shrugs, "Sure, if I had one of the sigils. It's very particular and laid to the exact design though, so not just anything will-" He cuts off as you hold up the [Aliph's Sigil] before him. A smile comes to his mouth as he cracks his neck and takes the sigil.

---——————————————

The wall comes down and the two of you step out toward the waiting group. Though it felt like forever, not much had changed since you had your little chat. No one questions what you talked about save Alice, who gets a sound knuckle to the head by Tabitha. Erwin looks at you and nods before sending,

{I guess you found your answer.}

{You cheeky bastard, you knew what it would be the whole time.}

{Not much of a Quest if I told you though.}

Shaking your head, you hold up a hand. Everyone turns to you and you look over the assembled people and Monsters. You're acutely aware of the difference between them and the humans again after your talk and yet… it doesn't seem to matter as much. Though you feel a little emotionally weary from the conversation, it also feels as if a weight is lifted from your chest. You'll need some more time to really process everything he said, but for now you have other things to do and nothing weighing you down.

>>325603

Nodding your head, you address the group. "Friends, I won't pretend we aren't tired and beaten, and need another long nap. I also won't pretend that things are serious here. I've heard what everyone thinks and after thinking it over myself, I must say that I'm not committed to overthrowing the Pharaoh."

Selene and the twins look at you in surprise, though Ebe gives you a puzzled look while Tabitha merely watches, waiting for you to say something else. Looking at her and remembering the conversation you just had, you look away again, trying not to dwell on it. Fucking, why does everyone keep saying this? Continuing, you say, "However, I think the true that we don't have enough information to make a full decision. It may very well be in our best interests to run, but at the same time, it would behoove us to find out what's going on with the Violet Sands. If aiding them is best for Ectria and Deleor… then so be it."

The other nod their heads at this, with Sophie stepping forward to ask, "Rommel, how do you propose to do that? Send Erwin to scout?"

"Perhaps at a certain point, however I don't need that for now." Holding up the [Aliph's Sigil], you say, "Turns out the Wizard here made an enchantment that allows us to talk with them. Isn't that convenient?"

Zoras snorts, "Bloody convenient, yes."

Ebe nods her head slowly. "You're going to ask about your sister, aren't you? I know you've been keeping it to yourself for awhile but…"

Smiling at Ebe, you say, "Yeah. Thanks for not digging into it, but I'm… I'm ready to face her. One way or another." She nods at you as you hold up the amulet and activate the spell that the Wizard laid onto it.

You feel something tug at the corners of your mind, something similar to the familiar bond, and then you hear voices. Furious voices mainly, voices of those shouting back and forth as if in a warzone, trying to communicate. Listening for a moment, you get a picture that things are at a stalemate at the moment, neither side making much headway with even Hent'ateh stalled and forced back. There's no word of what happened inside the Palace though, but given that there's no news of the Pharaoh being dead, you assume the opposite happened. Still, the distraction there kept the full might of the Royal Guard from falling upon the cultists.

Listening in to something particular, you hear a woman cry, {Mistress! We have another prisoner!}

{Good. Bring them to me that they may be given my blessing.} Your eyes go wide at the voice which responds. It sounds like Helene and yet… it doesn't. It sounds more sensual, like the voice is slithering through silk. It makes your body shiver both from being disturbed and also from primal allure.

You're able to hear all the conversations of this particular cell now and can easily monitor their chatter. You're on the other side of the city from them, and it will take some time to get to that district without running into the Royal Guard, but at least you can get a sense of what's happening now and find a safe way to meet them. On top of all that, you could also speak with them as well, but is it wise to reveal yourself? If you say something now, there's no going back.

The sigil almost feels hot in your hand as you look down upon it, wondering how to proceed next. With that disturbingly silky voice echoing in your head and a newfound sense of purpose, you need to think carefully about your next actions and how you want to approach this. Will you join in the fight against the Pharaoh or do you just want to see your sister again and confirm what you already fear?

>What do you do?

Well, you finally went and said it.

And it went about how it was expected to go I suppose. Given the course of the adventure, it was unlikely that Rommel still had the conviction to really make the Grand Wizard change everything back and I hope it was conveyed well enough. It's certainly a big thing, but it doesn't feel like much of a turning point unless you compare Rommel as he was to Rommel as he is now. I hope it didn't feel too weird and it came through alright.

As far as for your sister… well, looks like you have another chance to back out or to talk to her directly possibly. That voice can't… can't possibly have been hers, right?

I didn't make it go much further than that so y'all could digest/ think of anything else you'd like to do/ say or if you just want to spy on them or go to meet them, or aid them or-

There's a lot of options. I'll be in and out until next week since i'll have my phone, but I highly doubt I can write or update this story via my tablet while I'm gone.

>>325611

I dont think Rommel would accept that without seeing it for himself. Going to meet them in person definitely, secondly I'm pretty sure we all saw this coming between the theme of monsterization and the apophis needing physical vessels.

Don't say anything through the sigil. Listening in on the cultist chatter without them knowing would be ridiculously useful if we end up pissing them off. Besides, anything we say to Helene should be said in person, like pointing out how the slave has become the slave master. The current stalemate pretty much guarantees she'll want our help, and based on what they're doing with their prisoners, I doubt we'd be given a choice in the matter, even if we decided to help them anyway. So, when (not if) Helene decides to brainwash us with her new grape powers, drop this question:

Did she save us all those years ago, just so she could enslave us herself?

>>325604

Find a whetstone so Selene can sharpen her blunt tail blades!

>>325604

There is no advanage to telling the Cultist we can listen in on their comms. Speak to Helene in person. Be careful.

>all this talk about rommel's sister being the leader of the Violet Sands/a grep snek

>inb4 his sister is actually the Pharaoh after having been monsterized into one for whatever reason

Ace would totally not do something like this you guys.

totally…

>>325684

This needs to happen. If it doesn't Ace needs the B&

>>325707

I'm quite certain we discussed this in a previous thread that it wasn't possible for her to be the pharoah. Besides that we've already established Helene joined the violent sands.

>>325707

Ace has stated before that the Pharaoh is not Rommel's sister.

Welcome from Nashville! Grand ol Opry house was neat.

Im tired. Anyway…

>>325611

>>325613

>>325641

>>325661

>>325703

Looks like at the moment everyone wants to go and speak with Violet Sands in person. Okie dokie!

>>325726

>>325684

Plasma cannon turrets is a good way to get all of you dead, but otherwise, well, its the appropriate time for that I guess! Probably not on your way to see the violet sands, but later?

>>325846

>>325749

>>325707

I cant see any why you would think that. The timeline could never work that way, and you also sort of saw her with your eyes.

Hey there! Im sufficiently fed and tired, but here's wishing all of my readers who are burgers a happy thanksgiving.

Im thankful for everyone still reading and participating. You keep me doing this! That and a compulsive need to finish.

Also thankful for Slavanon and his story. Im glad Putin didnt kill him. Its really humbling to know someone enjoyed it that much to make what is essentially a Jojo and MGS fanfiction in the setting.

And for those who only read on TFT? Well, you wont see this, but thats okay. Thanks too.

>>326049

>a compulsive need to finish

Ace, I think I say this for anyone here. You are a source of both joy and reliability on this board. Whilst others quit, give up or get bored of their stories.

You soldier on… and we all appreciate your efforts. We might grumble and complain; like in the Waifu Wars. What route to take and what our next action should be. And a great deal of emotional stress for you like in Cair…

But, we would never wish you to stop! Unless you wanted to… which would be a sad day.

You have crafted an impressive world setting, that can be both wonderful and terrifying. Often at the same time. With different areas and locales. With it's own lore and history, all of it's own. With interesting and fun characters. That we have come to all care for. Some more then others, depending on who you ask. Your world changes and grows and sometimes not for the best. Your world breathes, it feels alive.

I hope Slavsan won't mind me saying that it is not that surprising. That your work inspired him to write his excellent tales of his own based within YOUR world. It is however very, very welcome and enjoyable in it's own right!

It has been a genuine HONOUR and a JOY to both read and participate in these great adventures. And should you wish to; many more yet to come! ;-)

Thank You Very Much! For Your Efforts And Time, Please Continue With This Amazing Story.

Happy late Thanksgiving to all. I would make a statement here, but there isn't much to be added that both >>326056 and >>326117 haven't already said, so I'll refrain from sounding too much like a broken record and simply say that the story is still very much enjoyable and I sincerely hope you finish it Ace and continue making more.

>>325604

Delicious exposition, seeing how far Rommel has come from his original debut being wonderful and the Grand Wizard being the lovable cheeky shit we remember fondly aside, the situation hasn't changed much if at all from the last update, so everything I said in >>325159 and >>325160 still holds up for my views and ideas for how to proceed regardless of whether we decide to try and kill the Prophet or not.

That said, I will mention two more things regarding actions. Firstly, it would be very much beneficial to bring Selene and the Grand Wizard up to speed on what we know about the Prophet, the Violet Sands and Hent-ateh, the former so they're aware of her potential weakness, the latter as it is a matter that concerns ancient Wizards and, unless the Prophet kills the abomination, we will have deal with it following the events here, and the remaining topic as I don't think the parents realise how bad the Apophis being back actually is, nor what the cult is planning following a victory over the Prophet. Secondly, on the topic of [Aliph's Sigil] being enchanted to allow us to access the Violet Sands' communications, heed what >>325641 and >>325661 have said about staying silent for the purpose of listening in. Even if the cultists eventually figure out that we're eavesdropping on everything they say, the amount of plans and critical information we would have been privy to up to that point would be absolutely worth not having a 'safer' form of communication with our sister.

>"Hrm, but would semen mess up the aether balance of her legs? Maybe she should take them off before engaging in anything like that, though that would mean no leg locking and-"

Considering the likelihood of the legs having taken at least one direct hit from a spell over the course of 20 years of fighting many different foes and how the legs are still working now seemingly without issue, I'd like to think this shouldn't be a problem. If it is a problem, then make sure to pester the Grand Wizard to find a solution before we do anything in that department -- Tabitha's first time should be comfortable and special for her, damn it!

Also, unrelated to anything else, but has the Grand Wizard learned any other spells of note since the first WizardQuest? Feel free to not bother if it's a hassle Ace, but it might be worth making note of his skill set from the original along with any new tricks he's picked up in this quest's Pastebin, seeing as he's likely to be joining us.

>>325661

>Find a whetstone so Selene can sharpen her blunt tail blades!

Good catch, though we might be able to do something about them ourselves dependent on what the tail blades are actually made from.

>>325684

Save this for when we need to break out of the capital/begin an assault on the palace where it would actually be extremely useful, as right now we're in stealth mode and should really take advantage of the guards being oblivious to us by continuing to sneak around the place, rather than throwing it all away when we don't need to at all. That, and the combination of narrow alleyways and civilians blocking the roads means the tank wouldn't be able to do much of anything movement-wise, so it seems a bit silly to hinder our mobility when that is precisely what we need right now.

>>326237

Ace, when you work the tank in the story, be sure to have Tabitha jump on top of it and yell "Drive me closer! I want to hit them with my sword!".

>>326284

That joke was already made back in thread 6 though:

>As you pass the corpse of the Mega-Croc, Tabitha holds up a hand.

>"Stop for a moment and bring me closer."

>"Want to hit it with your sword?"

>"A little." She says, smirking at you.

>>326284

>>326290

Gud old jokes never die.

>>326284

>>326290

Hey! I'm back at home! Sadly I felt like shit today after work and passed out when I got home, so I'll need to do the update tomorrow. Sorry y'all.

Let's see, time for responding and feels and such…

>>326056

Your capitalizing every word at the bottom triggers me, but thank you very much for the sentiment. There have been many times I've wanted to give up, especially in the first Wizardquest, but I told myself I needed to see it done. Done and shit is better than never finished.

>>326117

You still don't know how humbling it is still to know that this spur of the moment little greentext turned into something someone made such a well planned story out of. There are still times I read your stuff like, "Shit. He's better than me. Clearly he's thought all this out."

>>326188

Who knows how far it will go? I know I'll probably need a break again after this one. Muh backlog.

AS far as killing the prophet goes, we'll tackle that after you've had a chat with the Apophis.

Also, semen is rich in life force and has major aetheric properties. Jizzing into magitek constructs without proper insulation can cause catastrophic effects! I don't recommend it.

That being said, Tabitha is probably smart enough to cover any exposed parts up. It's only ever been an issue with poorly made "Pleasure constructs" exploding.

>>326237

Well, you can probably also use flame lance instead. High velocity lava… hrm, might be a little more difficult, especially at range. This sort of spell works better in larger areas. Flame lance is a better turret spell.

>>326366

>>326290

>>326284

TBH that's far more of an Alice thing to do, but I'm so glad I made that joke before.

>Story continue

"Helene…" You whisper, clutching the snake-headed sigil in your hand. The metal bites into your palm as you do so, but it's such a small thing you barely notice. Your mind is too conflicted with decisions on what to do and what your choice will mean going forward.

In the end, it all really comes down to what you do with the Violet Sands, doesn't it? Determining what their goals are, how they're doing in relation to the Pharaoh's forces, and what the demeanor of the Apophis is are paramount. If, and it's a big if, after speaking with her you decide it's worth helping them to remove the Pharaoh, you'll do it. Besides, you'll have more time to decide whether or not you will need to commit double regicide.

Above all of this however, the words of the Grand Wizard ring in your mind. "Then family is one of the most important things you can have." You've grappled with it and done very little overall to reach out with her since your meeting beforehand. The letter was a gesture, something heartfelt but ultimately with little weight behind it, you suspect. You fear you know what you'll find when you go to seek her out, but… you have to do it anyway.

"Hmm?" Sylphie says, cocking her head. "Did you say something?"

Shaking your head, you loosen your grip on the sigil and say, "I've made my decision. We're going back in to speak with this Apophis."

Skeptical eyes greet you and Alice raises a hand. "Uh, why would they just let us walk in?"

A pit forms in your stomach. "I have a feeling they won't cause us much trouble. We're too valuable and…" Trailing off, you shake your head and stand up tall again. "Anyway, any objections?"

Your party look between themselves before shrugging. Sophie nods her head, "I suppose we've followed you this far. Might as well see what we can do, especially if it helps to preserve Deleor." She winces as her mother ruffles her hair.

"That's my little princess."

"Ugh, Mother please, you're doing it all wrong." The young Cat o'Ninetails says.

Selene looks confused. "What? But you love my headpats!"

"I was a younger child then and have a more refined palette now."

"B-But? Who else has been touching your head?"

Sylphie's eyes flicker to you and Selene catches it, turning her head slowly in your direction. You feel something like panic wash over you for a moment under the scrutiny she's giving you. Shifting a little, she eventually sniffs and says, "I assume your sister has been in on this too?"

"E-Ehm." Sylphie says, fidgeting. "I mean, he gives REALLY good headpats."

"Dear…" The Grand Wizard says, putting a hand on his wife's shoulder. "They're adults now, they can choose who can pat their heads." When Selene still glares at you, he says in a softer voice. "If you let it go, I'll let you pat my lower head, alright?"

The Monster Lady sighs and rolls her eyes. "Oh, very well then." She gives you one last intimidating look before smirking and walking off with her husband before a wall of rock similar to the one you cast appears to block them off. A moment later the tingle of a privacy barrier being cast is felt as well and both you and Sylphie shudder.

"Gods, it's like being back at home again when we were little and Mom didn't travel as much." She says, shaking her head. "I know they're doing lewd shit just in the next room, but you can't hear anything."

"Sister, do you really want to?" Sophie asks. Her sister taps her chin and then grimaces before shaking her head.

Chitinous legs skitter up next to you and you turn to see Zoras, arms crossed under her breasts. "Well, interesting as it is to know that you could just drop that wall and watch two very important foreign officials going at it, I think there are more important things to do." She gestures behind you toward the city. "Such as figuring out the next steps."

"Ah, that's easy." You say, turning away from the wall. Gods that's unnerving to know what's happening but not seeing it… or wanting to see it and yet not seeing it is somehow worse. Shaking your head, you pull out the small map made for you in town and trace a line through the Tajir district.

"I highly doubt the guards are going to care much about this district at the moment, especially with the cultists pushing south toward the capital. If we push quickly we can come around the sides and reach the backlines."

Tabitha looks over the map and nods. "Sound enough thinking. Unless they form a rear attack, but with Violet Sands being holed up so well, I doubt that will mean much."

"Well." Alice says, cracking her knuckles. What are we waiting for?"

Mr. Ed snorts and swishes his tail in the direction of the wall. The swordswoman clacks her tongue. "Oh, right." A lewd grin appears on her face as she slowly turns to you and raises a finger.

"No."

"Aww, you're no fun." She sighs, turning her attention back to her armor while giving furtive glances to the wall.

>>326640

A short time later the wall comes down and both the Grand Wizard and the Monster lady walk back toward the group, perfectly composed. They meet the questioning eyes of all assembled and then look to each other before the Wizard says, "Is there something we can help you with?"

Alice raises a hand, but Tabitha slaps it down, making the swordswoman grumble. Sighing, you turn to them and go over the plan, which they agree too. The Cat o'Ninetails sighs and looks at the blunted edges of her tail blades.

"Well, I suppose the walk will give me time to sharpen these. Does anyone have a whetstone?"

"Yes, of course." Sophie says, pulling one out and handing it to her mother. She receives a smile in thanks as the group begins walking through the streets again. They're both forced to don concealing clothing again, however Selene has one tail in front of her at a time, honing the edge of her tail with the sharpening rock. It's kind of unnerving to think of what those blades are made of, or how exactly one is to give birth with them. You suppose she's just a tough lady for having twins.

Moving at a quick pace now that everyone is more recovered, you make your way through the rest of the Mina district with little difficulty. Everyone who had a boat was now on them, trying to force their way out of the city while the others who figured out that leaving was not going to happen have cleared the streets. Guards have abandoned the area and the only people and Monsters you really see about are looters who have taken to ransacking warehouses.

Though your group raises some eyes as you travel through the streets, no one starts any confrontations- there's too many easy pickings available to bother with a fight. You begin to wonder if keeping your party members identities hidden really means anything right up until you reach the Tajir district again. Slowing your pace as you pass by the concourse leading to the Merchant's Guild that divides the two districts, you look about in confusion.

Fires burn from various portions of the Tajir district and you hear shouting all around. Sounds of weapons clashing and cries of pain echo through the district and you turn to the others to look at them in confusion. Erwin steps forward and sniffs the air before shivering. {Ugh, fires burning everywhere. Bloodshed too. I think some looters took things a little too far.}

Moving out again, you make your way through the smaller streets, following Erwin and the hearing of the three Cat o'Ninetails. Zoras scurries along walls to scout around corners and only once were you forced to do battle with a small group of men dressed in dirty clothing with improvised weapons. It was over before they knew what hit them.

Because of the distractions you reach the southeastern edge of the Mushtarak district much later in the evening than intended. This area is devoid of visible life, with either the populace having tried to flee to the gates or are cowering in their homes, waiting for this to be over. If the Pharaoh really cared for them she'd have assigned guards in this area, but goes to show you what she thinks of her people.

The elaborate storefronts of the Tajir district give way to larger and more drab houses and apartments that still have more flair than most villas in Deleor. In this area of the city no fires burn and the streets are quiet… too quiet. Through [Aliph's Sigil], you've heard sparse communications, mainly cultists confused as to why the Royal Guard have stopped attacking them. They're taking the time to reinforce themselves and the chatter is minimal. It makes you worry instead of putting you at ease.

As you turn a corner you see in the distance the Lesser Temple of the Twins. Though you can't see much of it, you can hear a low chanting of prayers to the twin Goddesses from a scared and frantic congregation. Thankfully, you're able to steer clear of it as you move Northwest toward the Na'nthal park. Moving near a larger street, Zoras appears from around the corner and drops down onto the ground before you, looking alarmed.

"Bloody Violet Sands cultists up ahead. They're looking a little ah… jittery with bows in hand."

"It's almost like they expect to get attacked." You say, rubbing your chin. Well, you wanted to get closer before revealing yourself, but this seems pretty good. Nodding at the others, you take in a deep breath, pull Ronnie out of your pocket, and walk out.

Immediately an arrow comes flying at you and you block it with Ronnie using [Rock Solid]. The men look at you in alarm, knocking more arrows, but you hold up [Aliph's Sigil] and say, "Hold! We aren't your enemies!"

The men look at each other in confusion for a moment before two converse with each other and one shouts, "Who are you and why do you have that Sigil?"

>>326641

"Come on, you have to know about my bargain with Lady Aliph." You say, getting closer to them. "I'm here to see the Apophis."

Their response, a furious chatter between them confirms that you already knew, that there is an Apophis. One of them dressed in finer clothing steps up and says, "What makes you think you can just see the glorious one?"

"Ask her yourself. Tell her Rommel wants to talk." Though you can do this yourself, it's better for her minions not to know this.

The man eyes you up and down before crossing his arms. "I think we'll just bring you in on our terms instead-" He cuts off as he looks behind you to see the rest of your party emerging from the side street. Licking his lips, the judges his odds and says, "I shall contact her…"

Taking a step backward, he holds his own sigil close to his breast and mutters to himself before frowning. His eyes go open wide a moment later and he licks his lips in worry. "T-The great one will see you. Please… head this way." He gives a shaky nod to the others to hold the line and takes you with him past their lines.

A quiet fills the air ahead as hostilities have ceased for the moment. As you walk past, cult members emerge through houses, carrying with them supplies looted from nearby houses or are shoring up defenses. They mutter to themselves as you walk past, as if knowing exactly who you are and why you're here. The closer you get to your destination, the more cult members you see, as well as more devastation.

The man leads you down a street when you freeze in shock as you come face to face with Hent-Ateh. The… thing stands there, far different than the creature you saw last time. Where the darkness leaked forth from patches of the construct body like something trying to escape, it had now subsumed it. You can see patches of metal as a framework underneath roiling patches of dark flesh which give an unmistakable feminine form.

Glowing purple eyes look at you with recognition and its mouth opens a little too wide, revealing rows of serrated, gleaming teeth. Hands strong as steel grab before you can do anything and Ebe screams in panic at the sudden confrontation as the thing drives its face before yours, mouth open, and…

It laughs.

But not a laughter of joy, no, this laughter is almost as bad as if the damn thing had taken your head off. "EHAHWHAHSHWHAHAHWHAHAH." Hent-Ateh nearly screams in your face, making your fucking soul shiver.

The laughter stops as abruptly as it begins and the creature drops you as your party readies to strike it. Long, sensous fingers curl around the unnatural breasts of the abomination as it regards you. "Hmm. A shame. I do so wish to kill you, but I have been ordered not to."

Ears ringing, you say, "W-what the fuck was that?"

"A present from the last time we met. I was not quite in my right mind, but I assure you, the moment I'm allowed to, I will feast upon your souls." A disgustingly long tongue drapes from the darkness of her mouth and slides against you face before the thing cackles again.

The man who lead you present bows to Hent-Ateh. "Great protector, will the Apophis see us?"

"I suppose." Hent-Ateh sighs. "I wish she would have allowed me to keep killing instead of falling back. Ectrian blood tastes so wonderful…"

The man shudders involuntarily but he leads you past her, making a wide arc around the abomination. As you pass, her head follows you, doing a complete 180 while smiling the whole time. As Ebe passes by, she leans forward and says, "Boo!" Making the Ghandharva squeal and cling to Zoras as Hent-Aten chuckles.

The man leads you to a large building where two Anubis stand, draped in the robes of the Violet Sands. Other cultists work around them, fortifying the position and handling prisoners, but they pay you no particular attention- especially not after your scene with Hent-Ateh. They step aside and admit you entrance to the building where you're immediately greeted by a staircase leading downward. Not questioning it, you head down into the darkness. Unfortunately it's too small for Mr. Ed to come down, so you leave him outside with Sylphie, her Mother, and Alice. Making sure they're well situated, you take a lantern from the wall and head down.

Your footsteps echo down the stone staircase and as you enter further you hear the sounds of agonized screaming coming from below. Looking alarmed, you ask the man what's wrong, but he doesn't seem fazed, more awed than anything. This in turn makes you feel uneasy, but you follow him toward the sounds of screaming which begin to die down. As you turn through the basement tunnels, you begin to hear the same voice which was screaming begin to cry and laugh.

>>326642

The man stops before a door, that eerie sobbing coming through the other side. A Lamia guard nods to you to enter before dismissing the man. He looks a little chagrined, but does as he is told and heads away back to his post. Without even checking, the Lamia opens the door to you. As you make to enter, she holds the others back.

"The Apophisssss only wantssss him."

Tabitha gives you a worried look, but you shake your head and give her a reassuring smile before entering into the room. The door closes behind you and you look at it for a moment before turning toward what you've come for.

The room is quite large for being underground. Clearly this place has been used by the cult for quite some time as it laden with ritual implements for the cult and looks more like a shrine than some living room. Lined along the walls are various reliefs of the ancient Apophis along with various trinkets and some potential artifacts. You notice the San'ha urn sitting in the corner, opened and feel a shiver down your spine. Next to it sits the Eye of Ant'anha, gemstone devoid of life. They must have been used in the ritual.

Turning your attention to the center of the room, you see what appears to be some kind of dais with an altar atop it and a couch-like throne. In the center of the altar is a bound, naked man who stares up at the throne, weeping tears of joy. Upon his neck are two bite marks, both of which pulse with malevolent energies. Off to the side you see the Lamia from the dungeons, the leader of the Violet Sands who was captured at the Chasm, looking reverently toward the throne. Finally acknowledging it, you turn your attention to the throne itself and find what you expected to see.

Sitting upon the throne is a long, sinuous form of a Lamia with dark, violet scales. Her body is deliciously feminine and her skin is the color of lilac. This fact is on display given that the majority of her skin is exposed, only wearing a red, jewel studded silk garment to cover her groin. Ornate, silver jewelry adorns the rest of her, including a bustier and a large ornament that has the shape of a cobra's hood. Red, glowing gems inlay most of the jewelry, giving an even more imposing feature.

Yet despite all of this, the thing about this creature that disturbs you the most are the eyes. Her eyes glow red with black sclera and they look up at you from a face that is distinctly that of your sister's. Brushing aside a lock of long, brown hair with unnatural red highlights, she smiles at you with a wicked, almost deranged smile.

"Rommel! How good of you to pay your dear sister a visit! It has been too long!"

You feel cold all of a sudden as you remember the woman from before, your sister when you had met her not so long ago. The woman from before was determined and hard bitten, but had a fierce vigor despite the pains that must have been inflicted upon her. While a picture of femininity, she didn't bother to show it off and instead only seemed to focus on her task- or at least that's what you assumed when you saw her in that brief time.

This creature before you however… is it really the same person? Where Helene was serious faced, the Apophis smiles at you with an almost insane glee, as if she knows she is all powerful. Her feminine features, exaggerated some after the transformation, are on full display to make it known what she is and how she wishes people to look and lust after her. If it weren't for her speaking to you and the pit in your stomach, you'd have seriously thought that she was a different person entirely.

Of course, she very well could be a different person now that you think about it. Looking over at the discarded urn and remembering the presence you felt, you begin to wonder who this Apophis really is…

Shaking your head, you stand up tall and say, "Helene, is that really you?"

"But of course, dear brother, though I go by Hel'alin now." She laughs, putting a hand to her mouth. "Why would you ask something so silly?"

"You look… different."

"Ahaha, you always were a little joke maker when we were young." Waving a hand at the other Lamia, she hisses, "Take him away to be fitted for battle like the others. Bring me a woman next time to bestow the gift upon."

"Of course, your highness." The wounded Lamia says, ushering the man out and leaving the two of you alone.

Hel'alin slithers down from her throne and draws her body in a circle around you before sliding her voluptous form up close to you. Her breath is hot on your face and you can see long, pointed fangs in her mouth as she caresses your cheek. "Ah… you have traveled so far and been through so much… I was afraid you and I would be enemies. Yet here you are, in the middle of my lair, just you… and me…"

>>326644

"I don't much care for it either." Selene says, sighing. "But Monsterizing through relics like that… how disturbing Ectria is."

"What do we do now?"

{H-Help!!} A voice echoes in your mind, making you look about in confusion as one of Polah's familiars, a rat you haven't seen before appears. The sending is frantic as he looks for help. {The gangs are taking the opportunity to fight for goods and territory and they're going to destroy the whole Tajir district if they aren't careful! Mistress Polah is in danger!}

"Gods…" You mutter to yourself. "I really don't need this right now."

{They aren't at her house yet but please, help her! She can't fly out of the city because of the guards on the walls, and even if we took them down, she refuses to leave!}

The little rat looks at you with little rat eyes. {Please?}

{Rommel…} Erwin sends. {I don't think we have the time for this.}

{No, we don't.} You send, feeling miserable. The rat looks at you with confusion and you're forced to send, {Listen, I'll… I'll think it over, okay?}

{I… okay.} The rat sends. {I know she didn't seem like it, but she did like having you around. It was… good for her.} The rat scampers away, leaving you with more conflicted feelings. Great…

"Eh?" The Grand Wizard says, looking at you with confusion. "What just happened?"

Explaining it all to the group, you rub your forehead and say, "This explains those hooligans we fought in the Tajir district, and the fires."

"Should we help her?" Ebe asks, looking worried.

"I…" You say, worried yourself. While you liked Polah and all, going back and helping her would require dividing some of your party to do so. Unlikely they'll return in time to help out the group in any meaningful way if you make any kind of attack- or if the enemy attacks.

Thinking about that, you look off toward where the Pharaoh's forces should be and frown. Why would they just be waiting? There had to be something more to this than just that…

With an uneasy feeling in your stomach, you weigh your options and decide on the best course for you, your friends… and the Violet Sands.

>What do you do?

>>326645

Heeeeeeey! I'm back!

You get to see the full pic, it's some cool duality thing and I thought it was neat. Also, Oh no! Oh goshes, I guess she really was the Apophis. Rip. I'm so sorry. If only you could have stopped it.

Anyway, oh and it turns out that Polah is in trouble too. Yeah there's a lot happening in the city at the moment.

But y'all should figure out what you want to do going forward eh? The next update could just be recon if you want, etc etc

Yes, I know about talking with Selene and the Wizard again about dangers of the Apophis, but there was uh… limited time again. Sorry!

There's something else at play here. We're missing a piece of the puzzle and it's fucking important. Why would the pharoah and her troops be so confident of victory? It doesn't make sense unless they have something they feel guarantees it. I mean it could simply be overconfidence and arrogance but knowing ace I do highly doubt it. More likely there is some kind of weapon/spell the pharoah has that she plans to use. In fact it wouldn't surprise me if a previous pharoah foresaw the apophis returning and prepared a counter measure for the eventuality. Part of me wants to say that the temple of the twins has something to do with it but I'm not sure.

We should send at least someone to protect Polah, likely she'll just be dealing with looters so one person could help her easily enough. Zoras for example is physically imposing as it is not to mention her combat skills. I'd say send her, that way we keep our strongest fighters and protect polah.

we should teach the GW how to headpat.

I think it only fair to send some help to Polah after what she did for us. Zoras, and maybe Alice, too should be enough to thwart whatever threat facing Polah (which is hopefully just looters.) With the addition of Selene and the GW, this also shouldn't compromise the combat prowess of our party too much.

As for our main task, some information gathering seems in order. Recon near the front line seems a little too risky for Erwin. Maybe we can find a Violet Sands member around who was at the front lines who may have seen something or heard something that will give us a hint as to what the Pharoh is planning with this lull in the fighting. Me thinks it may be related to how the Pharoh was able to capture Selene and GW.

Speaking of which, this may be a good opportunity to ask them about their encounter with the Pharoh, as it may also offer us some clues about whatever is about to happen.

>>326645

>>326654

>Why would the pharaoh and her troops be so confident of victory?

They do stiff have the magical "fuck you" macguffin that shut down the monster lady and the grand wizard, don't they? That could account for a lot.

Speaking about that, I'm all for helping Polah, but regardless of who else goes, I think we should keep Alice with us. Aside from her sword, she has no metaphysical fuckery to remove, so if people's powers or whatever get removed or sealed or something she's probably one of the best assets we have. Tabitha might lose some of her power or have her legs stop working, so that's a concern, since I don't think we're sure of how the pharaoh's ability works.

>>326645

Does Polah really need help? I mean we are going to anyway because she is precious, but Polah should be well enough to take care of some looters. Griffons are really strong creatures and on top of that she has a small militia of familiars she can make Dire.

It looks like we have a little bit of time before things really kick off again, So my thoughts are lets take GW with us, clear out the immediate ruffians and use his knowledge to set up wards around the building. Wiz could use the practice anyway to get back into magic slinging shape and we don't have to leave a party member to babysit. We might miss the kick off of the new battlefront but we should still be able to join in after we get done.

>>326654

We could totally fit in one more headpat session with Polah before we leave and then give the dumbstruck Wizard some pointers while he badgers us on the way back

So Ace, If we had brought Veronica along instead of Tabby, Would she be able to exorcise the grape slut out of our sister? It doesn't seem so much like monsterization as it does possession. Sounds like she's got 2 personalities floating around in that head.

>Polah needs help in the Tajir District

The Bazaar is there, right? We should do what this guy >>326675 says, and on the way back from helping Polah, make a detour to that smoke shop we were dragged off to while shopping and loot some Turquoise Herb. If that one stoner wasn't just blowing smoke before, we could use it to have a less stressful conversation with Dollora later. Some divine guidance would be nice and maybe some assistance in getting that purple, incestuous bitch out of our sister. Plus, if we have even the slightest chance at headpatting a goddess, then, for the sake of all wizardkind, we MUST take it.

>>326709

Oh and I vote for this for our "ride in and fuck everyone up" theme.

>>326712

And by that I mean have Ebe fly in the sky and blare it at full volume with her divine metal guitar.

>>326716

Agreed.

Lets just hope the GW can do something about it. If not, we will probably need to kill her.

It's a shame she is crazy and your sister. Superpowered snek waifu would be neat.

>What do you do?

Polah needs our help but not too badly so a small party should be enough to help her out. Those who don't go to help out Polah should sneak around the palace perimeter with us and spy on the guards there via methods like audio tap to see if anything is out of the ordinary or if anything of note crops up, because as >>326654 points out something is fucky here and we need to find out what before we can do anything otherwise we're going to get royally fucked by a surprise attack of sorts. It might also be worth pointing out the odd behavior from the prophet to our sister to advise her against doing anything brash that could end poorly for the cult and for her as to stop this entire mission from going to shit. Dollora did tell us to protect what's important to us and stopping our sister from doing something that has a good chance of getting her killed would follow that advice so it's maybe a good idea.

>>326709

>It is time for the final battle.

We haven't visited the chasm yet and there are 3 major threats at play here who won't all be dealt with in these events, Hent-ateh in particular has been built up throughout the story so it would be a waste to kill it off so soon like bacon pimp. We aren't quite done yet.

>Polah being in trouble is a trap

I'm not so sure about that. For one thing we weren't spotted going to and from Polah's house at any point nor when we were entering and exiting the dungeons else the guards would have done something, and we didn't leave any other evidence except the gates being busted but that shouldn't implicate Polah in any way. Another thing is that Polah never leaves her house so the guards shouldn't even know she exists let alone where she lives, making locating her questionable. A final thing is that the guards wouldn't bother with setting up bait and would just proceed to torture like they do with every other prisoner, and i doubt the rat would hide this from us when saving his master is his highest priority and the knowledge of her being in immediate danger would speed us along in helping her.

>>326651

>>326669

>>326654

The Pharaoh wields tons of power and has divine blessing, so she says. She is a prophet afterall. Besides, she may not have shown all her cards anyway…

As if you could TEACH such skills you barely understand yourself

>>326660

You know, if I recall, the Grand Wizard knows a spell that lets you see distant things but can't hear anything… goshes now what if there was a spell which allowed you to listen too?

>>326669

True, Alice is a rootin, tootin, kick em in the face

>>326675

Polah is tall and imposing, but did she really strike you as a fighter? I wonder…

Besides, the main worry is fires spreading, or her being forced out of her place, which it sounds like she refuses to do for some reason.

Going there with the GW seems like something interesting though!

Veronica may have been able to do something like that. Not in the way you think though.

>>326682

I… am not certain that will work how you imagine it will. But if you want to derp around in the bazaar, sure…

>>326709

Yeah should ask why not. Maybe they appreciate the architecture? Of course, he didn't much think it a death cult at the time.

Sure, we can learn more about how they lost I suppose.

Asking about Hent-ateh eh.Maybe! Same with banishment, well… we'll see about that one. Perhaps if Veronica was here…

This would be a good time for the tank, yeah.

>>326712

I think it would certainly be a different type of… uhh song, but similar? I guess?

>>326755

Looks like it's a little divided on who should go. I'll check it out tomorrow and see what we got, yeah?

Oh hey, you remembered the Dollora thing. Wonder if that means something? Probably not, you should protect Tabitha instead.

At the moment, Hent-ateh is your friend!

But other threats… hrrrrrm, Could there really be more?

Also, it's incredibly doubtful guards are in that area of town besides the walls. The south partof the city is basically lawless at the moment.

Am I the only one worried about all the Anubi in the upper echelons of the cult? And Ace's dedication in mentioning there's always one around?

/x/ time:

The Anubi are a secret cabal formed by the Pharaoh to infiltrate the Violet Sands and act as spies, that's how Poolah is in danger, how Ebe's mother got caught, and a few other coincidences. The nice smugglers that brought us into the city are probably dead or in danger too.

The Pharaoh is going to do some sacrifice-myself-to-open-a vulnerability-of-the-Apophis type bullshit. Since the Pharaoh is dead, and Hent-ateh is "The creature summoned by the ancient Apophis to destroy the Pharaoh", Hent-ateh's goal will be accomplished and she will presumably go away (but not before forcing us to fight her anyway, I'm sure). During the temporary vulnerability, one of the many anubi kills Hel'alin. The city guard expected to enforce martial law for a little while so politics get sorted out, but we throw a wrench into that plan somehow and everyone that could effectively lead the country ends up dead.

The Pharaoh is dead, but is revealed to be a self-sacrificing and loving monarch with some slaving traditions, the Apophis is dead and turned out to be crazy, the country is in chaos with multiple factions competing to fill the power vacuum Afghanistan-style, and we're the bad guys.

And I think the Khepri know about all this, and were planning on ransoming the Urn back to both the Pharaoh so this plan goes smoothly, and the Violet sands, just because they can.

>>326807

Danukis of the Dunes, some call them :^)

>>326803

Ooo interesting conspiracy theory. Let's see how that plays out.

>>326682

>>326791

Yeah, it's a stupid idea, but I am curious what would happen if we were to somehow headpat Dollora. Probably something like a world ending catastrophe as the opposing forces of Solos and Dollora collide. Still worth it

>>326644

So, Helena isn't completely lost to the Apophis.. can we put the 'genie back in the bottle' and leave Helena ok, but still changed?

>>326791

>Polah being in trouble is a trap

This Anon makes a gud point. There is no evidence to support that the Royal Guards knows Polah helped us. Nevertheless, a cute girl is in distress and it's un-manly to leave a girl wanton. And once saved her, she'll need headpats.

>>326860

>headpat Dollora

If Rommel should ever encounter Dollora this is a must!! And maybe a Belly-rub too!! She sounds like a girl, who has had it rough and not in a gud way…

>>326645

Considering how she didn’t bite us immediately despite having the perfect opportunity to do so and how her statements about her desire to protect us only increased in intensity, going from love to apparent obsession, rather than changing to something negative like desiring our death, it seems to me that Helene’s transformation has only warped part of her personality while leaving her wants and goals intact, which is not nearly as bad as expected. Perhaps our new objective could be finding a way to stop her condition from becoming any worse? If we could do that, then maybe we wouldn’t have to turn on the Violet Sands when they inevitably take over in the Prophet’s absence and could instead have Helene pull a few strings to put Ectria in a better spot from her new position.

But back to the situation at hand. Polah being stuck is highly unlikely to be a trap the guards have better things to do than baiting us (like dealing with the cultists) and, as >>326755 points out, they shouldn’t know about her in the first place, so I say we should save Polah because she’s a cute she has been greatly beneficial thus far and has the potential of being of further use to us, as it’s likely she’ll stick with us for a while following the loss of her home and her not really knowing where to go next. As others have said though, Polah isn’t in that much danger right now since she’s only really going to have to deal with looters and the fires, so we should be able to get away with sending a very small party to help her.