(1/5) OMNI 2026/02/11(Wed)02:53 No. 1120973 ID: ca56f7
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>We looked into Julien's mind. It was so tiny.
>You needn't worry about orphaning anyone with your revenge. All he cared about, in his words, were 'simple ambitions' - power, money, sex.
>My question is... who made him this way?

Eiko... Isn't sure. For as long as she's been around, she's known Julien for his complete shitty and arrogant attitude. He was only noteworthy enough for her brother to make small comments about. Namely, when he first recruited Julien, and mentioned how he was a down on his luck guy that was fleeced for everything he had in the city over. Another one of many beaten down puppies for him to adopt. Well. Not a puppy at first. One of the right hand's had to bite and convert him from a... reptile or something.

What was that concept that Vex explained? Ah. Another sin to tack onto Julien's list.

Though it is a relief to think that Julien was probably so shitty that everyone before her brother had abandoned him.

>Who will lead once you're gone?

The bull of a question that Eiko's been avoiding rears itself to the front of the china shop once again. She knows it's an important question. Yet. Can she even choose? In the time she's spent with the Wolf Bites, she has felt no warm inclinations to anyone else taking her brother's seat. Except herself.

Sue her for being petty, but she can't trust any of these jackasses! Vi's one of the only good people in it, and even that can be a stretch, considering her job was to hunt people! Vi also does not want to be a leader. She clearly enjoys following with an eagerly wagging tail.

Anyway... What can she do really? With her putting this world entirely behind her? It will burn her inside to never know what becomes of her brother's gang, yet, she doubts the pack will ever be the same after this.

Is it a cowardly to hope that it just sorts itself out? Yes!

Can't she just indulge in... not thinking about it right now? Please?

>Fight the angel completely naked.

Eiko blushes. As much as her clothes feel like dirty rags at this point, she's not quite feeling that wild yet. Call it a mild resistance with her particular crowd.

She does move to rip the sleeves off her armpits. As much as she loathes what has become of this old staple piece; it was starting to get itchy, and restricted her arms a bit too much.

>Maybe don't pick a fight for no reason when we don't know we can win.
>These angels... theyre just a bigger gang really.

Eiko, while still inclined to pick a fight, begrudgingly agrees that it wouldn't be a smart move to turn to hostilities right away. She knows next to nothing about what they can do and the kind of magic they have up their sleeve.

It's still frustrating. The way these angels flaunt themselves like they have all the power in the world.

(2/5) OMNI 2026/02/11(Wed)03:00 No. 1120977 ID: ca56f7
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>Run
>sounds like there's a whole order behind this one and if we kill this one somehow it will attract more to investigate.

She can't run now. Vex alluded that killing the angel will be the price for her freedom (and a potential forever life of crime). She's just hoping that by the time more come, she'll be long gone and hard to find.

>I'd say not to run because of how much shame you'd bring upon your image
>You can't back down. not in front of everyone. Not with Vi hurt.

Maybe she's being stupid by being prideful, but yes, running feels too cowardly to do now.

>Show them your motivations are your kin and your pack.
>Foolish Gambit

Eiko thinks of all the little things she has to set aside. What is the kinship of this pack that was never truly hers? Is it enough, if it's just Vi?

Eiko swallows the last of the blood on her tongue and wipes her face as best as she can, posturing up, then declaring, "My name is Eiko Takahashi. Sister of Akito Takahashi. My business is with the people here. If you're going to mess with us, then we're going to have a problem. And I will survive it."

The wolves around her murmur to each other. No one knew her last name. They only knew his.

The angel raises their spear. Eiko clenches her fists and prepares to fight, assessing the damage. Her pain receptors are completely numb at this point, so that's a plus. She's also down one eye, but she could grab someone within reach and get it back.

(3/5) OMNI 2026/02/11(Wed)03:06 No. 1120978 ID: ca56f7
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The angel twirls the spear then plunges it down into Julien's chest, the head of it disappearing into the cavity. Like a snake, the handle of the spear distends, as if swallowing something round.

"Survive? Mess with? No, no, I have no quarrels with you as of now."

The angel, in a swift pull that has them all flinch, unsheathes the spear from the gorified chest. It looks rigid once more as they hold it up to the light. Assessing their new cargo.

The spear-point bleeds out until shiny once more, red spilling onto the ground as if repelled. Eiko's spine shivers.

"It would be unseemly of someone of my position to interfere with the agendas of the higher sphere. It is only if you serve a demonic entity that I may take issue with you."

"Oh... Then no. I serve no one." Eiko lies. Or, well. Are YOU... demonic? Can multis be held accountable for crimes of sin in the first place?

"I see." The angel says.

"Killing Julien was my business." Eiko explains. "You don't have an issue with that? Didn't you choose him to be.. the leader of this pack?"

The angel shakes their head, still holding the spear. "His ascension to leader was not our doing. That was the demon's. Our goal was his redemption."

Eiko's mouth goes dry. "What?"

"It's quite simple. The wolf was corrupted by demonic influence. His sins fostered to his now annihilation. It is our goal to save those corrupted and help cleanse them of this sin. However... To be cleansed is to be redeemed. To be tested and to persevere."

"The wolf is one of many. If the wolf had survived his trials, his mind and soul would have been cleansed of that corruption. His role, then, as leader would be fair and just, now anointed as a first priest of Zir." They gesture vaguely to the air. "It's power, his power. He would have saved this very hell, reigniting the hope within it. And he would be the first of many to spread that hope to the rest of this world."

"He would've saved everyone? He fucked this whole place up. Weren't you enabling him to keep doing as he pleases? Aren't you the reason he did all of that?"

"You misunderstand. Your world, while one of many on our agenda, gained prominence after signs of demonic corruption became clear. We did not enact our plans until a few months prior. Everything the wolf did, as said in your words, to fuck this whole place up, is because of that demon. All by stoking that simple desire for absolute power." They point towards the top of the building. "That demon is well known for this. He has sewn chaos into every world he enters by manipulating those within his sphere into committing acts against their predestinations. His crimes are innumerable in scope. His victims are still being tallied."

Eiko thinks back to Vex's words. If it wasn't me and my goods, Julien would've found another way, believe me, but I won't pretend that I didn't co-sign that check in a way. How much of that was them downplaying their role? How much of this is the angel just painting them in a bad light? She knows Vex is terrible. He acknowledged this outright. She was angry at them for how carelessly they tossed people aside; for getting her to this point, for getting her hometown to this point. No matter how much they're trying to fix things now, does that change what they've done to everyone? That there have been more than one?

No... Even if Vex is the worst person alive, Eiko has to live with that. She has already tied herself to that ship, whether she likes it or not. (Though-- a part of Eiko-- a childish part-- that she knows, knows, knows, is childish and naive-- still feels that sting of betrayal.)

(4/5) OMNI 2026/02/11(Wed)03:09 No. 1120979 ID: ca56f7
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"It is our mission to save this world, though we cannot interfere directly in its natural and untainted subjects, lest we imbalance the already delicate structure... Therefore, those that seek their own salvation are saved."

Eiko tries to make sense of the angel's tangential vocabulary. It sounds... contradictory.

".... I'm from here."

"I do not doubt your claim. Yet... You stand clearly different. Tell me, if not a higher being, was it the demon that toyed with you? Did they make promises? Give you power? Or, heavens forbid, a pact?"

"......"

Their back straightens. Their gaze pierces into Eiko's skin, as if probing her innards for things she cannot see.

"It's alright. That is what demons do. They allure you with tales of greatness. Of imageries of the dimensions beyond. They foster your sins of ambition. Yet, they are careless of your plights. In fact, they relish in the pain of your struggles; past, current, and future. They find that emptiness within you that they can lay bare and promise to fill it."

"........."

Vex didn't want her to choose that. Eiko chose to ride along. And it was her choice to get here. He wasn't just manipulating her....

"I was like you once. My homeworld plagued by constant wars due to demonic influence." The angel curtails, their stance no longer threatening as they rest the butt of their spear on the ground, grip loose. "It was not until the angels came and I tasted food not taken with rot that I believed a better world was possible. Therefore, you have my greatest sympathies."

(5/5) OMNI 2026/02/11(Wed)03:10 No. 1120981 ID: ca56f7
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The Angel of Redemption reveals their face, the metallic shell around their head opening into fourths. Eiko sees a stranger, rather than an alien.

They lay their palm out. Their gaze soft.

"Trust me, when I say that your world is worth its hardship. To leave it is to subject yourself to horrors beyond comprehension. Your mind will break apart. What was once you will then become a monstrous being to be slain. Your world will be emptier for it."

Why do they want me to stay? Eiko thinks. Where the fuck is Vex?


=== FOOLISH GAMBIT ===
Goal: Survive encounter with the Angel.
Challenge: Being dealt a fatal wound or rendered unconscious will count as a failure.

[EIKO STAMINA: 10/18]

Define a temporary aid that cannot be more powerful than Life Transfer.

An element of Interest can also be added.

ability: False Acquiescence
A mild psychic effect that puts a second's delay on information traveling from the eyes to the brain. During that delay, those watching Eiko will see what they expect rather than what is.

>>1120981
>you're not demonic, right?
Well, Vex said that the Angels simply label all criminals as Demons, but we don't have much evidence to back that up. However, I know that we are NOT a demon, since the angels detected demonic influence only a few months ago (when Vex arrived) and those like us have been influencing this world for a long, long time. Presumably not just from this one ring you've got.
The main difference is that while we relish in the struggle along the path to victory, we do not desire pain. We are satisfied when the story leads to a good ending, and we are excited when we must overcome obstacles, but we also despair when those we guide suffer losses.
Vex just seems like he's lost his moral compass, not that he relishes in the pain he causes. ...hmm, then again, if demons are strong enough to form Pacts, it's possible that he's hidden his true self from us. It would also explain why we were drawn to him in the first place without an associated item- if he's got that kind of power he might have outright hijacked us to use us for his own ends. That dream he had could've been a lie as well. But at the same time, Haze didn't try to contradict Vex's accusations about the G-0-D cult, and she called all of you "disgusting creatures".

>if you leave you'll go mad
They just said they're from another world. Ask how they left without becoming a demon.

Tell the Angel that contradicts their story. So there must be a way to leave without going mad and becoming whatever they're tasked to kill. Unless... they are admitting they are a monstrous being as well? Didn't they just promise Julien power and glory in exchange for being "tested", to "endure"? How is that anything but a painful struggle?

...but that's beside the point. You don't serve Vex, and we aren't a demon. We are definitely of a higher sphere. If it is possible for us to prevent you from going mad, then we will. If it's not, then you'll just have to stick around.
If pressed, you may have to reveal us to prove you aren't pacted to a demon. We are MUCH older than three months! To save face around your pack, you can say it is an object of power, but it does not control you. Which is, uh, partly true. We have a strong influence but you just resisted us telling you to run away, so clearly we don't truly control you.

>temporary aid
Lie detection. We can limit it to requiring looking at someone's face (or eyes?), to make it stronger or allow it at all considering it has to be weaker than life transfer. Convenient that the Angel opened their helmet, isn't it?

Here's some pressing questions to ask after the power kicks in:
1, ask them if they've lied. Phrase it like you're having trouble believing it, rather than revealing that you can detect lies. Something like "Everything you've said... it's all true?"
2, ask what would've happened if the demon hadn't interfered. Would your brother still be alive, leading the pack? They said something about predestination, so Angels must know what was "supposed to" happen. (I'm wondering if that takes us into account) If Julien couldn't have won without Vex's help then... that's a good reason to break ties with him, isn't it. Oh, if there's no straight answer, be sure to ask directly if Angels can tell what predestined events are meant to happen.
3, why do they want you to stay?
Maybe they wanted to make Julien into someone like your brother, to get things back on track. Maybe that was what your brother was meant to do before Vex showed up? The story fits. I think the Angels know how things were meant to go, but refuse to interfere with anyone who hasn't had direct contact with a demon so they couldn't choose you for the leadership role. They were stuck with Julien until you killed him.
4, what horrors beyond comprehension? Like, cmon, at least try to describe it.

Ultimately keep the lie detection to yourself. My suggested plan for survival is to convince the Angel you are at least mostly free of demonic influence. As evidence, state that if you were allied with the demon surely the Angels would've stopped you killing Julien? Like, that would've been more demonic corruption of the events of the world right?
Oh, and I think... if what the Angel is saying is true, they're on Our side. They don't interfere with Us, but they stop travelers from other worlds from throwing events out of whack. The "demons" are, ultimately, interfering with Our world, regardless of whether they are evil or not. That doesn't mean they're on your side, of course...
Obviously if the Angel lies for question 1 then that throws all my assumptions out of whack, but there still isn't much point in denying you're being influenced by a higher being. I suspect that Angels fear us.
...oh, I just realized. The Angel might truly believe what they're saying, even if it's wrong. The way Vex said it, the Angels are run like a cult, and this person is a recruit from a "rescued" world, so they could have easily lied to them about everything. ...I wish there was some way we could help them realize that, if that's the case, but rescuing someone from a cult tends to be very difficult and this one is powerful on a scale beyond us.

...speaking of which, maybe that's something you can change. Help Us unite the world against the Angel cult, and deal with "demons" on Our own terms. Surely that's a purpose interesting enough to stick around for? Better than following Vex as he randomly hops across the universe as a fugitive. That said, I think we could actually kill this Angel if they've been lying. All you'd have to do is reassure your pack that if any of them take a mortal blow you can save them, like you saved Vi. Then they just dogpile the Angel to immobilize them and you can either use the spear or your life draining to kill them.

>>1120973
No think about it think about it right now! It's crucial to your survival!

If the pack is at a crossroads between glory and disbandment, then there's only one honorable solution: risk-n-reward gameplay!

Send the pack at the angel. Lead the charge, but flee if you get too wounded to win.

The power of an angel is enough to conquer an entire city. Everything that Julien and his stooges wanted was right in front of them, they just happened to be too stupid and obedient to take it. Now that you've sliced them open you can lead the berserkers into a frenzy, right out here in the open with minimal collateral damage. They can have the angel's wealth. But you just want those greasy wings.

>>1120977
Heal that eye NOW, before the bleeding seeps into your brain and causes a seizure.

>>1120978
Yap, yap, yap. At the end of the day, the Angels have more power, control, and influence than the Demons. And then they let this happen. *pheh* Some guardians.

It's not about redemption. That's just a bonus. It's about waking up one day and deciding whether or not you're going to take all the power you have and do what you meaning to do with it. Julien failed because he made excuses to skirt his own ambitions. His principles weren't worth the shredded confetti they were printed on. Now you've got to decide, here and now, if you're the wolf or the pup. How much power do you have? And is power going to tame you, or are you going to tame it?

...We are held accountable for some of our actions. Just... not all of them.

>>1120979
I won't claim we're the real good guys. We don't know our own side fully, so there might be some @#$%ery if you align with us to a zealous degree. We're mercs, plain and simple.

But damnit, screw this guy. He makes you feel uncomfortable, right? That's the lack of consistency talking.
Power mixed with salvation, impotence mixed with omnipotence, he keeps praising what Julien could have been while he devours Julien's soul right in front of you. His outward perspective is filled with contradictions. You can't trust a side that drives you mad.

>>1120981
"Okay, that's a great argument, but-" pretend to flash the angel "-I wanna breed with a Neumono and you're not gonna stop me. Bye."
Turn around, walk away. If he attacks, switch gears and attack with the full force of a raging balverine, order the pack to try bringing this mountain of light down. But if none of you can win, scatter to the wind.

Oh right, temporary ability

Napoleon's Fury: While you lead a pack, their speed increases by 15% (15% chance to perform two actions in the same turn)

>>1120981
Theres sonething off here.
Cant quite put my finger on it, but there is.

Very real chance this guy actually believes all this. No better person to spread an idea than a convert. They know the point that flips a person to believer having experienced it.
As such, he may well believe hes telling the truth here and if youre good at reading folk youll pick up sincerity from him, but dont take his conviction as proof...
What hes spitting up here may be swallowed lies

>>1120987

To clarify the timeline, Vex appeared/Julien became the WB leader/Akito died roughly 2 years ago. The Angels enacted their plans months ago, but already detected this... abnormal activity and planned counter measures much earlier.

>>1121016
Oh I see. Well, the ring is still older than two years, surely. Vex didn't recognize it so he couldn't have been the one that brought it into the world, and "God Caller" doesn't sound like a name that would be thought up through only a few people using it.

Don't be interested, imagine him being naked. Oh no he is hot!

Yeah, lie detection won't be the best boon here. They might legitimately be sure in their beliefs. No zealot like a convert and all that.

I vote for our ability to be only be perceived a tenth of a second after Eiko actually does something or says something. Like we have a permanent after-image in our favor.

>>1121054
Fair enough. I still think it's a good idea to ask more questions though. At the very least it delays the Angel a bit, which might mean we get Vex's help.

We could also use the conversation to get a little closer, since they've seemingly dropped their guard.

(1/7) OMNI 2026/02/20(Fri)06:46 No. 1121316 ID: ca56f7
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Foolish Gambit's power has been boosted by an audience of more than four. False Acceleration has been temporarily granted. False Acceleration allows Eiko to be visually perceived with a one-second delay after acting. Those in view may be slow to act or confused long enough for Eiko to get another action in. False Acceleration's effects can extend to up to 2 targets.

Eiko exhales and tries to take stock of the new ability on top of the others; taking life, giving life, perceiving wisps of life, big-talk gambling. And now, making people think she's moving fast? A bead of sweat goes down her brow as she tries to keep her cool. Going from a life of no-magic to suddenly having all-the-powers-ever is kind of terrifying. Then again, she likes being terrifying.

>Vex just seems like he's lost his moral compass, not that he relishes in the pain he causes.... it's possible that he's hidden his true self from us.

Eiko can't say she knows enough to decide if Vex's all performance and no substance. With what she perceived in that overwhelming flashback, Vex is... maybe weaker than she thought. Or, perhaps, the Archangel is stronger than she looks. Vex spoke of slaying multiple angels before her, so he had to be a big enough threat in their cult's eyes.

Maybe it's her perception that's warped. To face someone head on that refused to die and would do anything to live...

>The main difference is that while we relish in the struggle along the path to victory, we do not desire pain.
>You don't serve Vex, and we aren't a demon. We are definitely of a higher sphere

That's reassuring. The last thing Eiko needs is to find out that she's signed up for a life of eternal torment. Hopefully.

>No think about it think about it right now! It's crucial to your survival!

Eiko again struggles with the possibilities. Thinking back to her final decision with Vi, how can she back out of it now? Can she deny her choice to be selfish? This gang was her brother's dream. Despite how she feels about being the most fitting to lead, could she really do it?

Her time with them did not bring out compassion. Only a burgeoning realization that she doesn't entirely hate them. That, in a way, she started to understand why her brother did what he did. Their carefree demeanors. Their easy acceptance of her cold exterior. Their attempts at buying her beer to try and get her to warm up to the moment...

Or, a part of her fears, would she turn into something like Julien? Power hungry. Paranoid. Sadistic. (She's already felt those inclinations).

>It's about waking up one day and deciding whether or not you're going to take all the power you have and do what you meaning to do with it.
>Help Us unite the world against the Angel cult, and deal with "demons" on Our own terms.

There's the alternative. A grandiose plan to fight against a cult that spans worlds. It's... a lot. If she has to, to survive, then she will. But as of now, sticking to Vex (who already has been surviving) and learning how to navigate this Unknowable Everything might be the best course for now. He did say she didn't have to stick with him forever.

And... She can't do this alone. As comforting as having the voice and power of a higher being is, she's one loss of the God Caller away from being toast.

(2/7) OMNI 2026/02/20(Fri)06:46 No. 1121317 ID: ca56f7
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>imagine him being naked. Oh no he is hot!

Gauuaahhhahh???

No, no, nope.

Nope.

Nuh uh....

.....

Eugh... No.

Eiko would rather take a long walk off a short pier.

(3/7) OMNI 2026/02/20(Fri)06:47 No. 1121318 ID: ca56f7
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>Very real chance this guy actually believes all this. No better person to spread an idea than a convert.
>What hes spitting up here may be swallowed lies
>He makes you feel uncomfortable, right? That's the lack of consistency talking.
>You can't trust a side that drives you mad.

Eiko considers just how brainwashed this angel could be. She needs to buy time for Vex and she's curious to learn from a different source on what's out there.

"Is that true? What do those horrors even look like? Why aren't you a monster?"

The angel pauses and seems to look off somewhere. "The mind is a fragile thing. As you are now, your state is unnatural. Have you used the full extent of your magical abilities? Can you imagine creatures you have never seen before, acting in ways you could never understand? Frameworks of what you understand to be no longer applying?"

They handwave. "To encounter worlds that are not yours, without blessings, is to exist in perpetual unnaturality. It will become a race, depending on how fast your mind will degrade, versus that reality rejecting you."

"What if I have been blessed." Eiko raises the hand with the ring. "And that's where my power is from."

"Then you would be the same as I. Zir's blessing has allowed me to transcend my previous station. I can only hope yours had the same good intentions."

Well... Fate, conceptually, didn't inspire warm fuzzy feelings when she first heard it.

"They do." Eiko glances at the ring. "Is there a problem with that? How do you even know that I'd want to leave?"

"... Your verse was not spoken of." They pause, as if they'd been caught. "There are two main verses from beyond. What is predestined and what has occurred. The creator determines what is and what could be. Great Zir, and others, determine what has truly occurred. It is the will of the beyond to dictate those below."

(4/7) OMNI 2026/02/20(Fri)06:49 No. 1121319 ID: ca56f7
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"Unwelcome, unpredictable changes, the changes made by demons, are the blasphemous verse. They act against their predestinations. Going against the will of the beyond. Their mere presence within a world that is not theirs can corrupt it with sins. Therefore, they are better off eliminated."

"... Is that right?"

"It is just. It is one thing to be ignorant. It is another to place yourself as equal. The way you spoke to your crowd, it is clear you have an opinion that borders blasphemous, even as one blessed from above. I would merely wish to save you from that corruption. Before you get any... ideas."

(5/7) OMNI 2026/02/20(Fri)06:51 No. 1121320 ID: ca56f7
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"You don't know me. And you're making a lot of assumptions." Eiko tries to exert her new power, foot stepping back so she can watch the track of their pupils. "Why try to help me?"

Their gaze follows the delayed afterimage. "It is through Zir's will that I act, that I serve, that I live. It is through It's guidance that we are able to save."

Oh...

"And it is through spreading and living It's will, It's verse, that all soon may live in harmony and earn the right to Paradise." The angel gets more and more wound up as they preach.

"To be rid of all that causes suffering! All that causes pain!" They moan out.

"That is the promise of Paradise. Our great reward from Zir! And all we must do is listen. Obey. Repent. Prevail. Redeem. These are the holy tenants of G0D." They huff, the fit of passion finally unwinding them down to their core as they sprawl their arm out, wings aspread. "Is it not beautiful? Inspiring? Appealing?"

Eiko feels her skin crawl.

(6/7) OMNI 2026/02/20(Fri)06:53 No. 1121321 ID: ca56f7
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"I'm not interested." Eiko says disgusted. "You said something about predestinations. What was supposed to happen, if the demon didn't happen?"

The angel goes silent. Still. Hand moving back close to their chest. Their eyes narrow.

"Takahashi. Takahashi. Akito Takahashi" They recite. "Yes. Yes.. He was the ideal candidate for priesthood, if his verse had rung true. His influence was calculated with a very high success rate for conversion. He would have brought peace to this area, then the country, perhaps the world. What was once filthy made clean."

They sigh in disappointment. "Another tragedy to blame the demon for... Hm.. Eiko.. Yes.. Your mention did escape me until now. Unworthy of-- Ehem. The catalyst in his verse."

"Catalyst?"

They lift a finger one by one as they seem to recite. "The wolf was not meant to betray the candidate for many years. A foolish, jealous, villain that would hardly garner enough support for his campaign, until he sought the ones outside his peers. Then, the tension would build, desperation made fruit. As the one whom the candidate thought to be his friend and close confidant had tried to strike him down, instead, his only family would close their eyes one final time in his embrace... Yes, a perfect catalyst for his arc and evolution. Righteous justice would ensnare him. The villain would have gotten away. A war would ensue. Then... We would of course come at his time of need, his call for help answered. It would have been perfect."

Eiko... does not really understand what they're saying. An ache seems to seize her mind as she tries to process it. An implication creeps along the fur still stuck in her teeth.

(7/7) OMNI 2026/02/20(Fri)06:55 No. 1121322 ID: ca56f7
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BOOM-BOOM- BOOM- BOOM!

A multi-explosion above rocks Eiko out of her thoughts, ears popping. Windows shatter as everyone looks up and sees another round of glass and debris raining down. No one comes into view, but it knocks the gang out of their trance. Wolves bolt as survival instincts take over. The pack thins.

When Eiko looks back, she sees Vi still supported behind her, expression grim, yet determined. Eiko looks down at her hands, then the spear, then remembers the gun in her pocket.

The angel stands unperturbed.

"Any other questions?"

Options:
>Continue Interrogation
>Assess Surroundings
>PERSUADE or INTIMIDATE remaining pack to Charge
>Shoot Angel
>_____

>>1121321
The angel is saying you were meant to die, and that would've motivated your brother to wage war against Julien. The angels would help at the right moment, and then steer him further towards conquering the world in their name.
Which of course, contradicts the policy of non-intervention without demonic interference. It seems the angel has let slip the cult's true intentions.

Can you draw the pistol and shoot accurately within 1 second? If you can get a headshot like that, the battle's over before it starts.

Let's stack the deck. Guide the conversation back towards G0D or Zir. Are they the same person? What happens to a world once the angels have control? What happened to their world, specifically?
See if you can get them lost in devotion again. That's a perfect time to attack.

Yah, they're saying you were meant to die, which they would allow to happen, so that your brother would be desperate enough to let them gut him and wield his face as their puppet prophet.

Ask this shell what differs them from their peers. Is there anything of who they were left, or are they just the mindless repetition of a verse.

Waste their time, and if they take their eyes off you for even a moment shoot them in the head.

>>1121323
Accurate assessment.
They will dismiss this as non active interferance.
Whispering ideas into pliable minds but not manifesting.

Kinda funny that the angels modus operendi sounds more like an archetypical demon at work with all the manipulations.

It seems demons are a grit in the gears of their so called prophecies.
An unseeable factor as its not part of the song of this world.
Songs which they seem to be able to see from the outside and tweak without entering the world.
Theyd be able to see the effect of vexs presence in the discordance and misplayed notes, but not specifically his position. The way theyre observing only shows what is of this world.

Im ruminating over this in part to see if i understand it right and, if that is so, then the angels may be unaware of vexs exact position. Which makes him, even in abscence, a good distraction.

I agree an attack has to happen. This arsehole has told eiko he is part of the gang that authored all their pain and that she should be grateful for it.

Getting him evangelising again is good, but to improve her chances... while they're mid sermon, looking behind them and saying "vex" or just indicating a unknown presence will likely elicit them turning to defend against a dangerous foe.
they know a demon is here, but cannot be sure where as their verse reading only seems to give them sight of local elements.

>>1121320
War eats souls.
And that's what these @#$%ers wanted.

They were going to turn your brother into a Templar. When that failed, they tried with the guy who murdered him.
They don't care who their converts are, only that they eventually become pawns of G0D.
They'd mold Julien into the exact same person, down to personality ticks, as they were planning to mold Akito into, on principle.

What is the worth of suffering?
I don't know.
But the concept of suffering is, at least, the minimum price of a functioning identity.

@#$% this prissy gentrification. Let's rip the past out of her and make her see what she's become.

>>1121321
"...Did you just tell me that leaving me to die at Julien's feet would have been a sacred act, and you're still trying to convert me? WOLVES! Rend."

Ah, one issue with shooting the angel is that you'll probably only get a couple shots off. They can make a forcefield that stops bullets.

(1/3) OMNI 2026/02/24(Tue)06:51 No. 1122571 ID: ca56f7
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>you were meant to die..
>.. that would've motivated your brother to wage war against Julien.
>... which they would allow to happen...
>They don't care who their converts are, only that they eventually become pawns of G0D.
>They'd mold Julien into the exact same person, down to personality ticks, as they were planning to mold Akito into, on principle.

Eiko doesn't know what angers her more; that that was her original fate, a footnote in her brother's story, or if it was better that he died, unabused by a being that he'd be unable to deny. Spikes tear at her throat as she swallows her growing anger at the world.

>Distract in conversation

Eiko slowly backs up towards the closest person, keeping her gaze on the angel as she plots. She needs to heal her eye to get a better shot, but she needs to keep them distracted.

"You would have let me die?" Eiko says bitterly.

The angel tilts their head, as if looking down at her. "It is no longer applicable. Your role has been taken up by a higher calling."

"You talk and preach about saving people and helping us, but it all sounds empty. What does your god really want? Zir or G-0-D?"

"Zir is G0D." They say offended. "They go by many names, many titles, as others do. Speaking It's name invokes It to witness us. Though, of course, Zir will not always respond with words."

"Zir desires that all worlds remain in balance with one another. Zir understands that it is unrealistic to rid every world of its problems, so those that believe in It's mission to rid every world of demonic interference are welcomed. It simply acts in service to the other... higher beings beyond."

"But you said you would've tried to conquer this place, demons or not."

"It is above me to try and question Zir's plans. There are things I cannot hear that It may. I simply act as I am instructed...."

As the angel proselytizes, Eiko grabs the arm of the nearest guy, whispering as he startles. "Hold still and don't yell, I need your help."

She activates Life Transfer and waits for her eye to heal, keeping it closed as he suppresses a yelp of pain, cowed by Eiko's domination.

[+1 STAMINA]

"Zir merely wishes the best for us. Not only in Its grace does It help the many, It blesses those that fulfill Its agenda... " The angel continues to drone on to everyone's vastly deafening ears. "It even redeems those who may stray from Its path. Those that show guilt and wish for redemption can still be blessed. Even someone as vile as that wolf.... Is that not merciful?..."

(2/3) OMNI 2026/02/24(Tue)06:53 No. 1122572 ID: ca56f7
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>Shoot within a second

Eiko's hand goes to grab her revolver as she steadies her breath, pulling the hammer back as quietly as possible. She only has so many shots....

False Acceleration activates...

She draws.

BANG!

BAN-BA-BA--BANG! BANG! BANG!--

Multiple shots ring out as the angel screeches in pain. Some shots are not from her, she realizes, and sees the other wolves with guns followed her example.

The angel's halo reacted, but not fast enough, as they grasp their face in pain. Some shots went through its wings (a shame) and another hit their center mass. Oozing green blood flows out. Their head is down as the helmet envelops them once more.

"Disgusting, filthy, creatures."

Eiko feels all her fur stand upward. She nearly falls as the angel buffets their wings in a circular fashion, knocking back those not expecting the gust of wind. Their halo follows the motion, extended, and shields them from another round of bullets.

Eiko tries to shoot within the gap and catches dirt.

As they right themself, the angel's free-hand makes a motion, crossing their fingers as their spear pulls back.

Trahere

The closest wolf to Eiko gets caught by a sudden icy blue rope, missing her, as it propels him forward to kebab straight onto their spear.

"Demons, all of you." They rip the spear out as it swallows another light.

(3/3) OMNI 2026/02/24(Tue)06:54 No. 1122573 ID: ca56f7
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Eiko nearly skids the grip off her heels as she dodges back, acting off instinct as the spear strikes right where she stood, an afterimage of her head still present where it would've struck.

Her heart skips.

The angel's halo retreats into its normal shape, revolving around their head, as if recovering.

They cross their fingers once again, pulling their spear back in Eiko's direction.

Act Quickly.

[EIKO STAMINA: 9/18]
[AMMO: 1/6]

>>1122573
Never be where the angel thinks you are. Move erratically. Try not to make much noise. False Acceleration covers only visuals.
I think the best thing we can do is get in fast, grab their arm, and shoot their hand to make them drop the spear. Then take it, and use it to kill them.

If you miss your shot you can throw your gun at your pack members to use them to reload it. Or hopefully one will throw you a loaded gun without having to instruct them. In that case you'd also want to try to keep the angel busy by targeting joints, especially if they try that rope trick again.

Just a note here, after the fight try to heal anyone that got speared.

>>1122573
One bullet. Some pain.
The pack is with you but hurting too.

We need to take a risk here, but it's what's shes all about...

The spear.
Next time he lunges for your after image, erratically dodging as already advised, dont attack him.
Grab the haft, let him pull you towards him.
He pulls that spear back as swiftly as he stabs.
Less than a second.
By the time he realises the weight he feels isnt your dead bodymon then spear but your very live one closing the distance, you'll be under his reach.
A spear that isnt being used to keep its opponent at a distance is just a shitty club.
Once your in there...
Rip and tear and drain until its done.

You still have ammo in your gun, wait until he does his attack avoid it and then shoot him. Maybe it will get him to be in a stunned state and that will leave him open for more attacks.

Harvest life force from the dying. The angel will likely stab their heads anyway if you leave them there... would that absorb their souls?

Make it look like you're faster than you appear, get them to exhaust themselves and lay down fire each time they're stunned. Use the gang's reams of bullets to lay down attrition, that's what they're for.

(1/2) OMNI 2026/02/27(Fri)05:36 No. 1122677 ID: ca56f7
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She hears the angel mutter, "Trahere."

The magical rope manifests from their crossed-finger-hand once again.

>Move erratically.

Eiko dives to the side, empty hand shooting back to catch her fall as she dodges. The magic skims by her ear. She flinches.

As the angel pulls another body forward, Eiko hears a familiar yelp of surprise follow.

Oh no.

>[Action 50/50 Flip: Grab/Shoot]

Instinctively, Eiko shoots. The metal surges passed the angel's spear arm and hits their other shoulder instead, knocking them off balance as they screech and stab. The magical rope dispels. Vi's collar snags at the spear, protecting her neck, as she scrambles to ground her feet.

(2/2) OMNI 2026/02/27(Fri)06:22 No. 1122679 ID: ca56f7
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Damn you! Damn you!" The angel screeches again.

They step back and flex their spear arm, gripping it with both hands as they send off a barrage of stabs at her.

>Get them to exhaust themselves

Eiko struggles to stay patient, feeling the mental exhaustion taking its toll. She tosses the gun aside to clear her hands; her eyes searching for an any opening to end the fight as they stab relentlessly at her afterimages. With each movement, there's longer pauses between the retractions. Movements sloppier. More hasty. The spearpoint eventually grazes Eiko's shoulder and she nearly howls from the way it burns.

[-1 STAMINA]

The pack can't lay down another round. Now afraid to hit Eiko or Vi.

As Eiko lunges to grab the shaft, a strong hand grips and twirls her to the side. She gazes back at Vi's face with wide eyes as the spear rushes between the gap of their heads.

"How did you--"

"Smelled you." Vi says.

Vi steps and pulls Eiko back, out of the path of the spear's reach, as if they're dancing. She looks oddly calm. Nose scrunched in concentration. It emphasizes the bags under her eyes.

"Reload?" Vi asks.

Right. She has the two other guns. And some type of future smell? Vi explained it to her, but it feels like days ago since. Maybe Vi could get her the opening she needs or act as back support.

How do you direct Vi?

[EIKO STAMINA: 10/18]
[VI STAMINA: 2/9]

>>1122679
Vi: get loaded guns into Eiko's hands. Stay out of the angel's range.
Eiko: start shooting at body parts of opportunity. Hitting the spear arm would be great, but really anything that slows them down is good so that you can try to get a lethal shot in, or fully disarm them. If you can manage it, shove some health into Vi so she isn't so close to falling over, and direct the pack to flank the angel. At some point *someone* is going to have a clear shot, and if they get stunned even for a moment more bullets will fly in.

...guess we should've used some downtime we spent talking to transfer health from a mook to Vi, but I guess we didn't know Vi was this scrappy.

>>1122680
Agree with directing Vi to get guns into Eiko's hands.

You've got the angel riled up, now feign seduction to really throw them off with rage!

Stick your tongue between two fingers while grinning, add a corny one-liner for extra insult.
"You're gonna have to get your other spear if you want to penetrate me!"

>>1122685

Also, add "Oh, what long spear you wield."

Being seductive just plays into his superiority complex with eiko and vi being lowly beasts.
Thatd have little effect.
Hit what he cares about.

Brainstorming taunts:

"I guess zir decided you have to fight like youre having a seizure too, huh?"

"Zir foresaw THIS performance and he sent you anyway. Dude has a sense of humour. The choir must be pissing thrmselves laughing."

"Now now. Zir is the god of serenity, not frothing impotent rage. Hed be soooo disappointed in you."

"Hey listen! His Zirness is singing a new verse just for you! *sad trombone noises*"

Just a few quick options.
Whatever we pick, target his object of devotion and his inadequecy in serving them.
There, he is vulnerable as in his mind he is the heroic crusader, not a target of mockery.

(1/4) OMNI 2026/03/04(Wed)05:00 No. 1122971 ID: ca56f7
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>Take Guns

"Reload." Eiko says and makes a gimme gesture as they dance around. "And stay out of hurting range, you're supposed to be safe."

Vi looks at her in a way that has her teeth grit. She grunts an affirmative and dips Eiko, body shielding her as her paw shifts to press the guns into her open hands. Eiko stares, eyes drifting to Vi's muzzle.

Nope. No. Not the time.

Vi flinches. Eiko panics and roughly shoves Vi aside, quickly transferring some life into her as she gets out of stabbing range.

[-2 STAMINA]

As she turns her attention back to the angel's frenzy, a stab left in their wake, she notes them suddenly pulling back. Their wings retreat inward.

"Greatest apologies for my behavior, Archangel." They speak to the air.

(2/4) OMNI 2026/03/04(Wed)05:09 No. 1122973 ID: ca56f7
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Eiko looks around but sees no one. She readies the pistols in both hands. It's not something she's tried before (in fear of the recoil) but the angel's distracted.

Damn does it feel good when she starts to fire.

Metal tears through the angel's carapace, white clothes staining an even darker green as they screech. Their halo swiftly moves down to shield them again.

Eiko stops and keeps her distance as she mentally counts her bullets. 4 bullets left on her right. Her left gun jammed in the fire. Eiko curses and discards it.

"We can do this!" Eiko yells. "Flank!"

The pack-- now realizing that the angel will likely come for them next-- shift forward, moving to surrounding them both in a tighter circle. The angel breathes hard, stance still, their shoulders shuddering as they recover. Eiko can make out the light around them start to dim.

Victory lies just another hair away.

>Taunt

As any younger sibling does, she taps into the fine art of rage-baiting.

"Oh! What a big spear you have! Are you sure you know how to use it?" Eiko calls out. "Or are you overcompensating?"

The angel stays still, but she can feel their heavy venomous gaze.

"Zir must have a real sense of humor, sending out someone like you to embarrass yourself. No way it didn't see this coming." Eiko moves to circle them, looking for an opening. "The choir must be pissing themselves laughing, cause' it looks like these lowly beasts are kicking your ass."

Someone snorts. One laughs. The angel's head twitches. Eiko points, bullets raining down that are quickly shielded. Her ears fold back in irritation. 3 bullets left.

"Pain is necessary for redemption." The angel recites to themself. "It is the body being made clean. It is what we must overcome. Repent--"

"What the fuck kind of nonsense are you talking about now?" Eiko quickly shifts back.

"Prevail. Redeem. I feel this pain because I must." They ready their spear again. "Zir has deemed it."

"Hey! Hey! How's this next verse from Zir?" Eiko blows a loud raspberry. More start to laugh.

"Repent."

Eiko fires and clips their wing, but they show no reaction.

Their halo shield suddenly rushes forward--

(3/4) OMNI 2026/03/04(Wed)05:10 No. 1122974 ID: ca56f7
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-- And bashes Eiko straight on, knocking her off balance. Gunshots ring in the air.

The shield flies away as Eiko lands hard on her back. She tries to bounce back onto her feet.

The spear lunges forward.

(4/4) OMNI 2026/03/04(Wed)05:24 No. 1122976 ID: ca56f7
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Eiko's hand burns as she catches the spear before it can pierce, surprised at herself. The point ghosts at her throat, fur standing on ends. What surprise she feels is quickly replaced by scorching pain.

She shoots at the angel's spear arm as they run it forward. The bullet hits their helmet and ricochets, their grip going weak as Eiko tries to pull it away.

"Prevail." Their weight shifts, stepping forward, the spear inching down with renewed vigor.

Blood seeps from Eiko's hand as it starts to shake. She wont be able to disarm them with one hand on the spear. She has two bullets left.

Can she risk them enduring two more bullets? Can she risk disarming them from the ground? Or, can she risk holding them in place long enough for the pack to act?

Options:
>A) Fire
>B) Disarm
>C) Endure

>>1122976
This is it.
C, with both hands. Throw the gun to Vi if you have a general idea of where she is.

C) both hands, if you can shift it to the side just enough that he goes past your head and plunges it into the ground then he's finished.

>>1122978
Yeah! This!

As you hold the spear with both of your hands, use your tail to throw the gun at Vi. Or try to hold the spear with your teeth and throw the gun with your free hand.

They all have it.
C.
Gun to vi.
Both hands.
Hold the bastard in place.

Hopefully the pack will start shooting too because as much as you are held in place, so is he.