/monster/ - The Last Bastion of Romance

>>403809

You're assuming she has any conscious control over her abilities.

>>403810

Bruh its pretty clearly meant to be "Love"

>>403811

No such assumption is required. If she has no control over her abilities then containment or shielding is needed; if she does have control over them then she needs to throttle back. I’m willing to accept mamono mana as a natural carrier particle of Love but not the kind of charm magic we see here.

>>403799

>Meditate, see if you can make contact with Cirice or Reitia

As last time, seek absolution and guidance from Reitia. Find out her stance on these monsters, in general.

>>403805

>Yeah, fuck this, >>403729 (You) is wrong and these lolis are up to no good.

In light of learning about them murdering at least 2 men, you're right. They need to be stopped.

>>403815

Alice's are known to use magic entirely unconsciously. Additionally, unlike the other loli monsters, Alice's are genuinely innocent and non-malicious. Their mind's remain child-like for their entire life. But they have powerful charm magic that they used subconsciously.

>>403813

Yeah as soon as you remember that riddles are assholes and not always a physical thing "love" is pretty easy

This means that whatever plan we want to put into action needs to be decided upon and ready before Alice realizes how abstract riddles are or worse, decides that the physical manifestation of love that she could bring would be a great big kiss for her onii-chan Horace

Me, I think we need to consult with Cirice and/or Reitia, especially on the matter of Alice. Should we stop her from seducing Horace? Should we tell Horace it's okay if the child consents? Does she still have that stupid fucking "innocent virgin every time" thing? I think that'll fuck him up even worse than giving in and fucking her, having her look at him with the same innocent ignorance the morning after.

>>403848

>Should we stop her from seducing Horace? Should we tell Horace it's okay if the child consents?

If we're talking about the actual MGE Alice lore, it's among some of the most perverted around. Their charm magic actually compels men to repeatedly rape them and repeatedly take their magically endowed virginity. There's no way a devout Tyrisian is going to be comfortable with any part of this. The only way an Alice can even become capable of consent is to return to Wonderland with her partner, where she will retain her memories of them having sex, and essentially lose her innocence. But in RD's universe Wonderland has been destroyed by Entropy, so that is impossible.

>>403863

I'd hoped to handwave a lot of the gory details because I'm not really comfortable with lewding lolis, but I've gone and included them so now I've got to deal with it.

I'll stick an exposition hook in someone's mouth before you have to make any kind of concrete call on Horace and Alice.

>>403868

My opinion of perma-loli MGs, in general, is that they basically have adult minds with child-like bodies. And they exploit men's desire for them. That could easily be said of most of them. In other words, witches, baphomets, and imps should be treated as adults. But Alice's are kind of a special exception. I wouldn't hold it against you to make them a bit different in your universe. I can't see Reitia approving of Alice's at all. But if, unlike MGE Alice's, they were self-aware of their sex charm magic, then it would be a different story. I mean, you the man, so do whatever you feel is appropriate. MGE is just a guideline.

>Meditate, try and get in contact with Cirice or Reitia

“I need a better look on all of this.” You stated simply, sinking to your knees on the uncovered stone floor.

Horace raised an eyebrow “How do you mean?”

You smiled wordlessly at the man, before closing your eyes, breathing deeply and centering yourself. “Sahnate, Pora, Reitia Dei in Excelsius…”

You felt yourself sink into the now-habitual meditation, your inner eye clearing, your mind-self manifesting, once again, in an unfamiliar landscape. The ground was of grey scree, your surrounds obscured by thick smog, bearing a distinct crimson tinge to it. A worm of concern began growing in your breast. This was not a vista that boded well…

“Cirice?” You called, looking about for the form of your Angelic fiance.

“What did I tell you, Pilgrim?” A young voice sighed from behind you. “Don’t try and summon that Cupid.”

“Deniel?” Cirice’s voice sounded faintly from without the smoke “I can’t see you… Where have you gone, my love?”

You swallowed, turning to come face-to-face with the scythe-wielding form of the Baphomet Lizette.

“You are not welcome here.” You snapped forcefully. “This is MY mind, and you…”

“You are in MY house, Pilgrim!” The Baphomet interjected with a voice like iron. “Do you honestly think your petty meditations are beyond my notice?”

“Holy Mother…” You prayed fervently “…Grant unto me the clarity of thy Love, In thy Mercy, deliver me from iniquity, and cast forth with the power of Thy voice…”

“How do you know she’s not speaking through me, Pilgrim?” Lizette interjected again.

“Blasphemy!” You cried in outrage.

Lizette smirked. “How Tyrisian of you… Think about it Pilgrim. If I had appeared in a visage of Reitia, what would you have done? If she ordered you to aid Alice in her seduction of Hector, you’d be tying him up in a pretty bow and throwing open the door to your room. If she ordered you prevent it, you would be doing violence to me and mine without a single thought. What have we done to earn your wrath, Pilgrim? Have we not housed you in relative comfort? Have I not prevented Tina and Kumi from violating your vows? What wrong have we done?”

“I know about the Colonel, and the Archmage.”

“Ohhh… that classic comedy duo with you have been talkative, I see.” Lizette laughed. “You’re a mage, Pilgrim. You should know that mortals see less than half of any given situation, and even then imperfectly.”

“Then explain.” You demanded.

“Dorian wanted to send Kumi back to Hell… Do you know what she was in Hell, Deniel?” Lizette near-seethed. “She was PREY. Imps are not exactly high-ranking amongst the hierarchy of Pandemonium. Tina called her from that… welcomed her like a sister… greeted her like a friend. Would you do any less for your siblings-in-faith?”

“I…” You began helplessly.

“And Archmage Topher… Oh he would have had me… Had me shackled whilst he leeched my power like some base reliquary… I was a GENERAL in the Infernal Legions, Dammit! Maou HERSELF sought my council in matters of war, before Princess Telia supplanted me with that two bit Incubus… Warmaster Salethiael… faugh. Meat-head twenty-first century marine…I’ve overseen PLANETARY warfare, whilst that grunt barely experienced the basest skirmish!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” You blustered incredulously.

“Of course you don’t!” Lizette sighed. “And that’s the cruellest joke of all.”

“What do you want?” You demanded.

>>403919

“A home.” Lizette replied with what appeared to be bare-faced honesty. “Our ritual? We’re calling what you Humans know as Dark Matter. I’m going to make a place in this world where we can be US, without apology, without having to hide what we are, without having to couch our husbands in cute euphemism… Onii-Chan… The term’s a joke.”

“I recognize the Zipangan…” You remarked, trying to parse the Baphomet’s furious rambling. “…But I don’t understand it.”

“It means ‘Older Brother’…” Lizette near-sobbed. “…We in the Sabbath have become so used to the horror our existence inspires amongst you humans that we’ve mythologised our own lies. We don’t have ‘Husbands’, we have big brothers. No Mister Paladin, he’s my big brother. No sex here, Mister Hell-Knight. Dark Magic? Don’t know what you’re talking about, Corvidian-sama… After enough millennia, it starts to stick in the craw.”

“The world has changed.” You retorted, hearing the desperation in your own voice. “Surely Maou can grant you…”

“She wouldn’t dare.” Lizette snickered, her petite body brandishing the scythe before leaning against its haft. “Being Sabbath is a CHOICE, Pilgrim. Tina can give up the power any time she likes. She can grow up… be a middlingly talented mage… blossom and wither and die in obscurity, maybe finding love… maybe not… Or she can have eternity as a Witch of the Sabbath, and shape her life according to her own terms. She’s happy with her choice, single or otherwise. She’d never let Kumi suffer again, no matter the cost.”

“And Alice and Horace?”

“I don’t know what will happen there.” Lizette admits. “Alice are strange creatures… we never truly understood them after the fall of Wonderland. When they pair with a human, something happens. Some choose to neglect the memory of the occurrence, locking themselves into an endless loop of amnesia, perpetually playing the virginal bride… Some… Some become something else.”

“And which is it with them?”

“I don’t know!” Lizette declared, grabbing your arm in a beastlike paw. “But doesn’t she deserve the chance to find out on her own terms?”

“And Horace’s feelings mean nothing on the matter?”

“He can say no.” Lizette sniffed dismissively “He could always say no.”

“Against that kind of charm magic?” You scoffed.

“It’s an easy word, Deniel. That annoyingly attractive bard had it right… Part of him wants her. Wants HER. Because she’s the first woman to seek his affection, or because he likes them young… who knows? But if he succumbs, it’s on him.”

“You mentioned Doyle… He spoke of a song. What’s he talking about?”

“THAT…” Lizette snarled “…Something is calling him… something powerful… some spirit beyond the ken of Life.”

“An oneiromancer spoke of a song as well…” You continued, pushing forward, steeling your will. “…A secret song, at the centre of the world…”

“…Whose music is as of fangs rending flesh…” Lizette laughed openly. “No, the song he hears is nowhere near as profound. You are wasted on Heaven, Deniel. You are strong, despite your shortcomings… You could learn its words…”

“What are you saying?” You swallowed, jerking your hand from the Baphomet’s grip.

“I smell the Angels in your soul… You want to be rid of them… I can make it possible…” The Baphomet wheedled, running a paw down her pubescent form in a clear gesture of enticement. “…Be with us, Deniel… Be a prince of my new kingdom…”

“I abjure thee!” You howled, desperately flinging the full force of your will against the Baphomet’s image. “In the name of Reitia, I abjure thee!”

“Because you love the Cupid? Or because I look like I do?” Lizette’s faint voice echoed as the smoke-wreathed landscape fell away “In all your life, have any been as honest with you as I?”

<You are about to return to wakefulness, what do you want to do?

>Cupids are old hat, Goat-loli is the new black

>BERSERKER TIME! MAIM! KILL! BURN!

>This just got personal. Teleport. Now. Far away.

<If you do this, take Doyle? Take Hector? Take Both?

>Disrupt the fuck out of Lizette’s ritual, psychic scream the fucking walls down.

>The Sabbath deserve a home. This is not your business. Sit patiently until it’s finished.

>Ask Doyle to sing you the song… maybe there’s another way out of this.

>Something Else?

>Hector

Fucks sake… I don't know why I keep wanting to call Horace that.

Why not use a more diplomatic approach?

Seek Lizette out and offer to help her with setting up a home in exchange for her helping give the angels inside Deniel peace.

However make the stipulations that you will not turn on Cirice and that the results of the ritual and new home do not cause any major problems.

>>403920

>I was a GENERAL in the Infernal Legions

Lizette isn't just any old Baphomet. She's been alive for thousands of years. She is extremely powerful. There's little chance we can stand against her on our own. We should try and negotiate. Though I'm not really sure how we should do that.

>Ask Doyle to sing you the song… maybe there’s another way out of this.

But for now, lets do this.

>>403926

I don't totally trust Lizette at face value. But if she can guarantee that her little sanctuary won't cause any trouble for humans, or the Gods and angels that we care about, then it may not be the worst idea.

>>403920

We should find Lizette and discuss a few things with her

First, smack her for daring to imply that we would up and leave Cirice for anyone, loli or not. That was over the line.

>But she's a super powerful goat loli we can't just smack her

She insulted our fidelity and Cirice and deserves to be smacked.

Secondly, I don't see why they need a Dark Matter to establish a settlement of lolis and lolicons. Isn't there anywhere on Earth with enough empty space for them to set up shop that no one would mind them taking? Is the Dark Matter necessary for the formation of the settlement, or is it meant to act as the nuclear deterrent for Pédophiles Sans Frontières? I'm fine with helping them build Loli City but the idea that they would need something as powerful as a Dark Matter seems to imply they mean to use force to do so, and them summoning it in the middle of Albany doesn't help their case.

It sounds like Lizette is still salty about losing her position in Hell to the Marincuubus from Child of the Australs? I remember him getting a promotion but didn't that happen millennia ago? and that may be clouding her judgement and inspiring her to take a more violent, confrontational approach to this. While Alice is a bit weird, I've seen no reason to think that Reitia would reject the Sabbath, and I think Lizette ought to let us petition Her on their behalf. Though that may be awkward, seeing as the next time we see Reitia we still need to beg forgiveness for matricide

>>403926

No way in hell are we letting her tiny paws get anywhere near any of our angel's. We'd love to free their spirits but giving them to a fucking baphotmet is a fate worse then death.

And on that same note, Why is hells name are we so quick to trust a fucking Baphotmet? Demons lie, cheat, steal and hurt to accomplish what they want. The only "courtesy" she has done us is stopping us from turning a good portion of her coven into goo in retaliation for them trying to rape us.

Never fucking trust sabbath. They are worse then the fucking danuki.

So just so I've got it right. The consensus now sounds like we go and speak to Lizette on our own, Mano a Mamono, tell her trying to cuckquean Cirice is not-fucking-on-at-all, then see if we can help with the foundation of Loliland, that right?

>>403941

>I remember him getting a promotion but didn't that happen millennia ago?

That's right. She took him back to hell after he got face-checked by an Angel and raped the shit out of him. Once his sanity had returned and his pelvis had largely healed, Telia pronounced him Hell's Warmaster, and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth. He's held the position throughout the Pax, Through the War of the Angels, and through the Twilight of the Gods. Cunt must be doing something right. Hoo-ah.

>>404074

If this Loliland is going to be something self-contained like the other planes of existence, then it's actually not a terrible idea. It would be a good place for monsters who are usually shunned by humans. Reitia teaches unconditional love for man and monster alike. Unlike our resident Crusader who wants to burn them all for being gross, I better like the idea of being sympathetic to them.

>>404078

>Unlike our resident Crusader who wants to burn them all for being gross, I better like the idea of being sympathetic to them.

Siddown fuckya, no need to start with the sidelong whinge-and-fuckwit routine just because I was willing to entertain the idea that an operating Hell-cell might not be all rainbows and unicorn farts in between the pedestry and eldrich spider transmutation. Have you forgotten how another cult cell was nearly responsible for summoning a depraved abomination from the essence of an unjustly sealed god earlier in the story? Did you miss the part where they’re conducting a ritual to summon a sentient mass of super-concentrated demonic energy directly inside a settlement, i.e. the very loli-nuke I predicted and did not want us to be on the wrong end of? How about the part where the goat-loli jammed contact with our loving goddess and proposed cucking our betrothed in between whinging that Maou threw her out on her ear?

I’m more than willing to solve this by means of headpats and helpfulness but do not for a moment think that this means I don’t want us with our eyes wide open and our legs tightly shut.

>>404074

I’m voting for more info on the Song. Slaps and headpats can come shorty after depending on what leverage the Song gives us.

>>404090

>unjustly sealed god

Shenanigans. Dagon was eaten for a very good reason. Frog-cunt's a fuckhead.

>>404091

Referring to Oannes the god whose existence Dagon’s followers masked and sealed in order to free Dagon, no?

>>404092

Ohhh. Yep. See what you mean now.

>>404090

That was a Grade A rant, good sir. And I agree that we should err on the side of caution. I'm just optimistic.

I'm also all about learning that song.

>>404074

Come to think of it, we probably should also give Horace some advice before we leave, seeing as Alice will be on her way back at some point.

I'd say tell him that she clearly wants a relationship with him, even if she is being weird about it, and only he can decide whether or not to accept her, but if he does we won't judge him for it.

>Ask Doyle about the song

>Advise Horace that he needs to make up his own mind about Alice, without hiding behind religion.

>Go see Lizette in person, read her the riot act re: Cirice, then ask about loliland.

“I abjure thee!” You howled, staggering backwards and impacting with the wall, staring blindly in all directions as you rudely return to reality.

“Didn’t go well then, Pilgrim?” Doyle sighed, scratching absently at a callous on his hand as you blinked.

“Lizette…” You panted, rubbing at your eyes, forcing yourself back to equilibrium. “…That goat has a miasma of a sort I’ve never encountered over this place. If there’s anything to be gained here I need to speak to her directly.”

“Good luck with that.” the bard chuckled incredulously.

“On that note, you did mention that this “Song” of yours protected you against her power. Show me, Please.”

“You still don’t think I’m crazy?” Doyle murmured hesitantly.

“I know madness, goodman. Whatever this is, it’s not madness.”

“As you will…” Doyle sighed, straightening and drawing in a deep breath. Closing his eyes, he released it in the controlled fashion of a trained musician, his rich tenor voice ringing with a plaintive pair of wordless notes. He repeated the pair again, followed with a descending septet, his voice throbbing as the music took him over… Then… out of nowhere… his voice was joined by a spectral accompaniment, the new voice seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.”

And again, ‘twas my love singing to me, and it filled me with desire and yearning. I bid him come to me, yea, for my heart longs for him…

“Who is that?” You gasped, looking this way and that.

“Who’s what?” Hector demanded nervously.

“The voice, you don’t hear it?”

Hector looked at you with an exasperated expression. “I already SAID I don’t!”

“You hear it? Truly Pilgrim?” Doyle gasped in anticipation, redoubling his vocal acrobatics.

But peace, o my nightingale, for a new voice joineth in my chorus… sing for me, ingenue… sing for me…

“That’s new!” Doyle exulted, rushing forward and gripping your tunic eagerly. “Sing, Pilgrim! Sing!”

“Miserere Mei, Dea, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam…” You sang, your voice uncertain. You closed your eyes, focusing your thoughts on the All-Mother of Creation, making your song an offering to Her. “…Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dele iniquitatem mean…”

And light… such pure and warming light… it spilled upon me in the darkness of my dwellings… a blessing! A blessing of love and faithfulness… Sing, blessed one! Sing yet more!

“Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: et a peccato meo munda me…” You continued, your voice straining as the melody soared upward.

I exult! The heart which beateth not is warmed by such. So did I bid them come yet unto me, both. A Groom, and a Holy Priest with which to marry us. My love throws open the door, and they come to me, yea, e’en as they lament in their imprisonment…

You opened your eyes at that, to see Doyle eagerly haul at the door, throwing it open to reveal the slight form of yet another member of the Sabbath, her small hand raised as if to knock.

“I found the answer to that riddle, mister Deniel.” She stated precociously, her hands folded behind the sky-blue sundress she wore, her stockinged feet tracing adorably on the stone floor, her azure eyes fixed upon you with a pleading innocence.

“And what is it?” You acknowledged dumbly.

“Love!” The girl exulted “Love for my onii-chan…”

“Pilgrim!” Horace cried. “You’ve doomed me!”

A moment of clarity struck you, and you straightened, turning towards the heavyset man. “You hide behind Tyrisian tradition in an attempt to keep from exercising your own will. If you truly do not want this, tell her. Your destiny is yours to weave.”

>>405255

“I’m not strong enough!” The man blubbered, edging backwards, his feet giving out as he collided with the bed, falling onto his backside atop it with a creaking of protesting wood.

“Onii-Chan!” Alice cried, skipping forward. “Do you like my dress?”

“It’s… very pretty…” Horace choked, his jowls shaking and cold sweat standing out on his brow.

“Your fate is your own. Whatever you choose, may the blessings of Reitia be upon you.” You declared, giving the big man your back and following Doyle from the sparsely furnished room.

“We’re just going to leave him?” Doyle murmured in surprise.

“We have to… It’s how… It’s how the story goes?” You explained in puzzlement, squinting as you attempted to find some reasoning for that statement.

“The Song…” Doyle nodded in understanding. “…You’re hearing it now, aren’t you?”

You paused, listening to the barely audible music in your mind. “It wants us to leave… quickly… It… it wants you… and it wants me to speed you there.”

>>405256

“Scott!” Doyle cried, rolling beneath the leg which bit cruelly into the wooden beam where his head once was. “Dammit man, we’re going to see Lizette!”

The spider-thing grumbled in an inchoate tongue which was tantalizingly, terrifyingly familiar.

“He says he doesn’t believe you. He thinks you’re… going to disrupt his weavings?” You translated, swallowing heavily.

“How did you get that from “gblgmrfmghg?” Doyle demanded, regaining his feet and wisely taking up position behind you, magic’s threatening glow already casting its lambence upon the dim hallway, the spider’s bulk ahead of you blocking your progress.

“Never mind that.” You muttered dismissively, there was no time to be discussing what the Dark Tongue meant coming from this thing’s mouth. “I thought you said it spoke Magisterian!”

“He does! Scott… it’s me!” Doyle cozened desperately. “I left Albany to get AWAY from weaving, remember?”

“Doyle…” The spider grated. “…Wasn’t… talking about… you…”

“Me then?” You retorted, the magic around your hands glowing slightly brighter. “I know nothing about any weavings. What you and… whatever your wife is get up to is no business of mine. Reitia bless and give increase to your love…”

“MG.” The spider-thing spat, horking a gobbet of some kind of foul fluid from its tentacular maw.

“Ialprg!” You snapped, a bolt of fire incinerating the slime in mid-air.

“Ymg'mgn'ghft fm'latgh.” Scott slathered, his front legs dancing threateningly “Ymg'mgr'luh ya Gretchen ng y'ngahnah. Ymg' c'ah'r'luh hup fahf shuggog!”

“Pilgrim? What is he saying?” Doyle begged, his eyes wide with fear.

“He says that I want to see him and his wife burn, that the light I bring with me will end only with their screaming…”

“What? Why?” The bard demanded, grabbing your arm and staring at you incredulously.

“That’s what I’d like to know!” You yelled in exasperation. “I could have killed you so many times it ceases to be amusing! I. Just. Want. To. Leave.”

The spider’s mouthparts twisted weirdly, and with a note of revulsion, you realized it was smiling. “Ng ulnah ya mglagln.”

“No…” You gasped, recoiling in horror. “…Don’t make me. Please. In the name of all the Gods. Don’t…”

“Deniel?” Doyle prompted, shaking you.

“Scott wants me to tell him to leave.” You replied in a quavering tone.

“So? Tell him to rattle his dags and get on with it… The song… It’s getting insistent…”

“You don’t understand. He wants me to order him in the Dark Tongue. It is the language of Hatred… for a mage to speak it… you don’t know what it will do… Reitia, I don’t know what it will do!”

<What do?

>Go back to the cell, grab Alice, use her as a hostage

>Yea verily, the way will be made clear, strive yet forward that we may bring the nightingale hence

>Do as Scott asks… His funeral if your words decide to summon something horrible from the Malebolge.

>Shoot spidey in the face until he stops being such a cunt

>Holler for Gretchen, she can’t be far

>Holler for Lisette, she’ll be able to tell this thing to fuck off.

>Holler for Tina, she’s sweet on us, she’ll help!

>>405257

>Shoot spidey in the face until he stops being such a cunt

We don't have time to deal with this bitch ass spider. Give him one warning shot with a blast of holy flames over his head. We're not playing his games. Then light up some holy fire under his ass, until he moves out of the way. If he still won't move, then he gets barbecued. This shit isn't enough to make us speak the dark tongue. That uppity little shit thinking he has some kind of upper hand on us.

>>405308

this. I'm not in the mood to deal with nacho spoder's husband.

>>405257

How taxing would it be to levitate Scott until we and Doyle can get around him?

Being peaceful is starting to become a pain in the ass.

If the dark magic only effects the spider then fuck him.

If not then ask for help.

If that doesn't work then we should break shit with mgic unroll we get out or everyone including us is dead.

Fuck this place.

>>405326

Fuck me, sorry.

>>405257

Blowing up the spider will torpedo any chance of a peaceful resolution. Plus that’s someone’s husband, you know. I don’t think that’s necessary considering:

>Yea verily, the way will be made clear, strive yet forward that we may bring the nightingale hence

The Song has our back. Follow the Song.

>>405332

>The Song has our back. Follow the Song.

That's a good point actually. To hell with levitate, Scott can't stop the music, just conga line past him. The Laws of Conga compel him to join in.

>>405326

>If the dark magic only effects the spider then fuck him

I believe Scott is just taunting us into speaking the dark tongue, because he knows we don't want to. Just because he's a jackass who needs his ass set on fire. We shouldn't blow him up. Just teach him a lesson for fucking with a mage who is aligned with heaven.

>>405342

From where comes this unholy arrogance? Has our pilgrimage taught us nothing?

>>405257

Follow the Song. It’s a love needing to happen. Can’t stop the music.

>>405416

>From where comes this unholy arrogance?

What do you propose instead? Speaking the dark tongue? That's much worse than lighting Scott's ass on fire. But I'm open to alternatives. Casting levitate on him wasn't a bad idea, assuming that is even possible. I don't expect that that would be something that was safe to do, even if it were. I suppose we could just stand there and yell for one of the loli's to come save us. But that is rather pathetic behavior. They will notice when we start using magic. That's why I wanted to first throw some unholy flame over Scott's head, to serve as a warning. If he doesn't move, and no one else gives a shit enough to come see what's going on, then we light his ass on fire (in a literal sense). Seems pretty reasonable to me.

>>405600

I heard it. And I'm aware that it compels us forward. But I don't know that it's wise to just samba directly into harms way. But if that will get us past, then why not?

>Okay Song, they’re all yours, take it away…

>Lo, and yet despite his better nature, the Precious One did steel his heart and gird his loins, for yea, he had been sorely tested…

“Fuck. This. Shit.” You snarled, magical energies crackling around you.

“Pilgrim?” Doyle murmured uncertainly.

“I for one…” You snapped, flinging a bolt of white fire at the spider, driving it shrieking backwards. “…Am sick and tired of people forgetting who and what I am.”

Scott chittered, lunging forward at you, only to have his limbs seized in your hands, the corded muscles of your forearms flexing as you glared at the multiple carmine eyes in the mass of the beast’s ‘head’.

“Ne Ialprg!” You grated, holy fire blazing around you.

“REEEEEEEEEE!” The spider shrieked, recoiling from the fire, ripping its limbs from your grip and scuttling backwards in sheer panic.

“BEGONE!” You heard yourself roar. “Work your machinations away from me! I am Pilgrim of She who is Love! She who is Goodness! She who is All-Mother of Creation! I am Forsworn and Claimed of Heaven! I am Shu! I study at the feet of Khepri! I am a Journeyman of the Sixteenth Intersect!”

“Y'ephaimgsyha'h h'mgah'ehye n'ghft l'ah…” Scott snarled.

“OB NORZU MAL COMMAH…” You grated, the hallway lit as if under the bloom of the sun itself as you raised a scintillating orb of Holy Magic above your head.

<You have learned the HOLY magic - Chastize: A ‘Mana-Burn’ style ability. Uses the target’s own magical essence as fuel for holy fire. No effect on magicless beings. (Deliberate magic only, MAMONOMANA doesn’t count)

<You have learned the NATURAL magic - Ignis Mortalitus: Death-fire, returns the target’s life-force to you as a stream of energy. Failure is highly taxing upon your own essence.

<You have learned the DARK magic - Negation: Destroy a magical structure, object, or being utterly, temporarily adding its strength to your own.

<You have learned the VOID magic - Feed: FEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!

“Pilgrim!” Doyle yelled, throwing himself in front of the spider. “He doesn’t know better… Please…”

“Doyle…” The Spider grated, its mouthparts flaring and its multiple carmine eyes flaring in surprise. “…Have threatened… Why do you protect?”

“You just want Gretchen to be happy… You told me, remember? He’s Reitian, he’s not gonna stand in the way of that… Please… Just let us go…”

The wordless chords of The Song built around you, the spider’s tentacular mouthparts twitching with indecision.

“Go.” It ordered, clambering somehow INTO the floor-tiles, the ground displaying that same weird distortion as it disappeared.

>>406100

“I’ve only said that a dozen times since I got here…” You snapped sarcastically, extinguishing your magic with a somatic gesture. “…who knew one more was all it took?”

“Yeah… you’re not a bard. The message sometimes comes secondary to the messenger. The way he tells it you came stomping in trailing clouds of glory in your wake and tried to set him on fire the instant you saw him.”

“The floor gave way, he ate my staff, and it was a touch removed from playing hopscotch with a little girl a moment earlier!” You blustered.

“I suppose it was at that…” Doyle admitted. “…you’re not gonna turn around and say this capture act was all a ruse and you’re here to purge this whole place now, are you?”

You paused, slightly wounded by the question. “Do I look like the ‘Purging’ sort, Goodman?”

“About a minute ago, yep, sure did.” Doyle admitted honestly. “Now? Not so much. Oh don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen all types of folks through the Westerlands. It’s strange The Song brought me back here… Almost like… Nah, that’s silly.”

“Almost like what?”

“Like it needed narrative closure… sometimes I find myself doing things that would spell out great in a ballad but just make no sense…”

“Why not just ask her?”

“Ask who?”

“The Song?”

“How?”

“You just…” You blustered, before considering the matter. You had made contact with Cirice first in the vaults of your own psyche as you meditated. Maybe it wasn’t as simple as you thought.

And yea, in his Pious Humility did that Precious One decided it was not a good idea to confuse my Nightingale. For verily t’would not behoove him for accident to befall ere the story continued.

Accident? What accid…

“Ow.” You gasped, hopping in pain as you smacked the little toe of your right foot into the leg of a carelessly discarded piece of child-sized furniture.

Say thou not that thou hast not been duly warned…

“So he can’t speak to you?” You asked within the vaults of your mind.

The Precious One was informed that breaking the fourth wall in the middle of a story was frightfully bad form, and to stop it at once before he ruined everything.

“Reitia deliver me…” You chuckled helplessly, resting your forehead briefly in your four-fingered hand.

“What is it?” Doyle demanded.

“Never mind. It wouldn’t make any sense to you.”

The bard paused as he trailed along behind me. “Try me.”

“Ever had a conversation with the other side of a mirror?” You asked pleasantly, referencing a very disturbing meditation technique you experienced in the early days of your acolytehood in the temple. Watching your own face question you was profoundly unnerving.

“What?”

You grinned, squeezing the man on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

“Are all mages as confusing as you?”

“No.” You laughed. “Most are worse. I should tell you about…”

“Onii-Chan!” A piping voice intruded, the petite form of the Witch Tina suddenly blocking your path. You started in surprise at the sight of her. Far from being the bright-eyed, playfully smiling child of your previous encounter, she was pale and haggard, with dark shadows painted under her eyes. “Where are you going?”

“We’re leaving, Tina.” You explained simply. “Please don’t try and stop us.”

“No! You can’t!” Tina cried, stomping her foot. “It won’t let me sleep!”

“What won’t?”

The Witch looked at you with pleading, tear-filled eyes. “The music! It just keeps playing! I’m so sleepy, Onii-Chan… but it won’t let me sleep!”

And the Precious One’s heart was filled with pity, and lo did he take the hand of…

“You’re not serious!”

The. Precious. One. Did. Take. The. Hand. Of…

“I am forsworn!”

Ammit’s Thighs, Reitian, wilt thou TRUST me on this?

“Come on Tina…” You sighed resignedly, taking the witch’s hand and letting her lead you back to her room.

“Pilgrim…” Doyle called warningly after you.

“It’s fine. I’ll be back soon.” You assured him as the witch pulled you along eagerly.

“What’re we gonna do on the bed?” Tina asked eagerly, throwing herself onto the luxurious coverlets with a soft ‘pomf’ of displaced air.

“Nothing, Tina.” You chuckled softly, pulling aside the covers.

“Awwww!” The witch lamented, sliding her petite form beneath them and allowing you to tuck her in. “I woulda been real nice to you…”

“I’m sure. But my heart lies elsewhere.” You smiled gently, stroking the witch’s head and sitting next to her atop the covers.

“It’s still singing…” Tina lamented in frustration, yawning massively.

“Then we’ll find a new tune.” You assured her… strange… where did that impulse come from?

“Lay down…” You began softly, your voice deep and rich as you sang a lullaby to the diminutive witch, patting her absently on the head “…Your sweet and weary head.”

Before long she was asleep, her tiny face a picture of peace as her slow, gentle breaths made the coverlets rise and fall.

“Reitia bless you with Happiness, Tina.” You prayed sincerely, bending to plant a chaste kiss atop her forehead, before standing and softly sneaking towards the door.

“He’s too sweet…” You heard her piping voice murmur, thick with sleep. “…I don’t think he’ll sing the hidden song… I know… But even with that… he’s too good… It’s a shame it’ll kill him…”

Troubled, you frowned, making your way back toward where you had left Doyle, only to come to a worried halt as you saw the scythe-wielding form of Lizette standing on goatish legs before him.

“It’s not fair!” Lizette lamented “We were kids together!”

“Lizzy… we were childhood sweethearts… emphasis on the child.” Doyle explained. “People change… I think sometimes you Sabbath forget about that. Not to mention you’ve got millennia under your belt.”

“But I could give you power!” Lizette wheedled.

“But not purpose.” Doyle sighed pityingly, taking a knee and patting the Baphomet’s horned head gently. “I’m following the song, Lizzy. That’s my purpose.”

“Shhh…” You ventured, approaching the pair. “…Tina’s sleeping.”

Lizette fixed you with a look of longing and pain, before squeezing her eyes shut. “Even if I had cause… That in and of itself would make me let you go. How did you overcome it, Pilgrim?

“I didn’t…” You murmured. “…It told me to…”

“Then maybe I was wrong all along.” Lizette sobbed, dashing away tears.

“Your home…” You ventured. “…Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Know anything about making a pocket universe?” Lizette drawled mockingly through her tears.

“A what?”

“Didn’t think so. Get out. Both of you.” Lizette choked, walking away from you, leaning heavily against the shaft of her scythe. “Before I lose clarity.”

And My Beloved Nightingale and The Precious One did with all haste…

“You don’t need to drive the bloody point home!” You yelled mentally, before colliding with a previously unseen doorway, your shoulder throbbing with the impact.

Again, The Precious One was warned…

“Properly prosaic, isn’t it?” Doyle murmured, leaning against a tree.

“Suspiciously so.” You agreed. The early dawn light coloured the surrounding fields with pink and gold, and the cool wind was soothing. Everything about you seemed to speak to peace and tranquility.

And yea, did they take of welcome respite, resting sure in undisturbed peace, that they might awaken refreshed and speed their way ever onward…

<What do?

>Song says sleep, we sleep.

>Nah Reitia takes precedence, and we still haven’t spoken to her about our fuckup

>Fucking with reality?! Time to get shot of this… Teleport away.

>Wing-cuddles are in order, summon Cirice

>Press on now, we don’t go beddy-byes just because some mysterious song tells us to!

>Something Else?

>>406103

>Nah Reitia takes precedence, and we still haven’t spoken to her about our fuckup

>Song says sleep, we sleep.

It's too bad we couldn't help the lolis with their world creation. But now we can finally speak with Reitia, and seek a very late absolution. I know we feel guilty, but the longer we put this off, the further we will distance ourselves from Her. Also speak to Cirice to let her know we are okay, if at all possible. Then go to sleep afterwards.

>>406103

>>406106

Also be sure to ask Reitia about this song, if we see her. Is it wise to follow to follow the song? Lizette seemed to think it would kill us, in the end. She clearly knows something we don't, but she's hardly omnipotent.

>>406107

>she's hardly omnipotent

omniscient…

>>406103

Pray to Reitia

If the Song says no, apologize to Doyle, then teleport to the temple because fuck going from one mind-manipulating asswipe keeping us from our Goddess to another. The song may be able to fuck with us but I doubt it can fuck with us on Reitia's holy ground.

>>406129

>Pray to Reitia

Indeed. I'm curious about this song, as well. But it is a lot lower priority than straightening things out with Reitia.

>>400057

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