>>194791
Oh. This thing.

Well, lets get to it then.

>>194791
"Does Rewind count? If I fail, can I just take it back and not try again?"

Cecil 2010/06/16(Wed)23:34 No. 194799 ID: cf68aa
File 127675649168.png - (17.58KB , 600x628 , 1201.png )

>"So Gene, does Rewind count? If I fail, can I just take it back and not try again?"

The letters on the book shift

"... Well that answers it"

>>194799
This isn't worth the risk of permanent death.

>>194791
"Book, what are your rules?
Bear in mind that any rules that aren't explained don't exist, and enforcing rules that don't exist will result in you suffering a fate the likes of which you can't even begin to comprehend."

Ask the book how it got in its current state.

yes, ask it what the rules are.

Cecil 2010/06/16(Wed)23:41 No. 194805 ID: cf68aa
File 127675687543.png - (21.40KB , 600x628 , 1202.png )

>"Book, what are your rules? Bear in mind that any rules that aren't explained don't exist, and enforcing rules that don't exist will result in you suffering a fate the likes of which you can't even begin to comprehend."

"Cecil! Watch your mouth dammit! It isn't going to just let you threaten it!"

Ask how it likes being a book. Not trying to sweettalk it, just curious.

>>194805
Is Maelaes still in effect? Can you sense a soul or anything in it?
"I'm talking to item 112, and the spirit that was bound to it by a force far greater than itself. I am Magi C, and if you wish to intimidate me then perhaps you should identify yourself beyond your trap.
Oh, and I'm not mortal."

@Gene: We're not going to use it. Right now we're coaxing information out of it.

Cecil 2010/06/17(Thu)00:00 No. 194810 ID: cf68aa
File 127675801116.png - (117.12KB , 800x600 , 1203.png )

Cecil attempts to talk again.
Suddenly a red light pours from the pages of the book

CECIL VON CENTRAL III, I DO NOT HAVE THE PATIENCE FOR SMALL TALK. OPEN THE BOOK AND ACCEPT MY CHALLENGE OR LEAVE NOW.

>"What are you!?"

I AM THE KEEPER OF THE BOOK OF WISDOM. I GUARD IT AND MAKE SURE ONLY THOSE WORTHY WILL EVER READ IT'S CONTENTS. NOW CHOOSE, READ OR RUN.

True wisdom is gained from your own experiences; it isn't handed to you on a metaphorical roll of the die. Who the hell is this book to decide if you're worthy or not? Walk away, Cecil.

>>194815
Nevermind; toss it back to Gene and tell him that you'll pass on the shortcut.

I don't like this book's attitude. '-'

Run squealing like a piggy!

I'll say it again: This isn't worth the risk of permanent death.

>>194817
"What kind of person walks blindly into danger? Only an idiot would read from this book. I'll learn on my own, evil-book be damned."

Cecil 2010/06/17(Thu)00:26 No. 194828 ID: cf68aa
File 127675958239.png - (109.94KB , 600x600 , 1204.png )

Cecil turns to leave

"Cecil! Are you sure!?"

LET HIM GO GENE. HE KNOWS TIME IS SHORT YET HE STILL REFUSES THIS CHANCE. HE IS RUNNING AWAY UNDER THE VEIL OF NOBILITY. YOU MORTALS DO NOT REALIZE THAT WHEN THE GODS PRESENT YOU WITH A BLESSING SUCH AS THIS IT SHOULD BE TAKEN.

>>194828
...Is time really that short? Maybe it's worth the risk, then.

Ask the book what it wants you to do.

Its appearance looks evil as hell, it speaks of worthiness like an arbitrary value, threatens death, and calls itself a godsend.

What the hell. Read the damn book Cecil, if nothing else it'll get him to shut up.

>>194828
"In planning you have things you know, things you know you don't know, and things you don't know you don't know.
With Dart I've got plenty of knowns and known unknowns, which gives me a lot to work with.
I have plans that give me a reasonable chance against him without your help.

But you? Almost no knowns or known unknowns, and a massive number of unknown unknowns.
I only managed to goad you into revealing interesting things; nothing useful for passing your challenge. However, the rule against rewind changes the potential damage of failure from negligible to fatal, and the potential gains don't justify that risk.

You're a book of Wisdom that only a fool would read."

Cecil 2010/06/17(Thu)01:03 No. 194837 ID: cf68aa
File 127676181332.png - (96.48KB , 500x500 , 1205.png )

>"In planning you have things you know, things you know you don't know, and things you don't know you don't know. With Dart I've got plenty of knowns and known unknowns, which gives me a lot to work with.
I have plans that give me a reasonable chance against him without your help. But you? Almost no knowns or known unknowns, and a massive number of unknown unknowns. I only managed to goad you into revealing interesting things; nothing useful for passing your challenge. However, the rule against rewind changes the potential damage of failure from negligible to fatal, and the potential gains don't justify that risk. You're a book of Wisdom that only a fool would read."

WHAT? WHAT!? NEVER BEFORE HAVE I BEEN SO INSULTED! I SHOULD CRUSH YOU!


HOWEVER... YOU INTRIGUE ME MORTAL.

I WILL GIVE YOU A TRIAL. A TEST OF KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION GATHERING.

TELL ME YOUR LOVE'S GREATEST SECRET AND YOU WILL GET THE ARCANE WISDOM.
DO NOT CHEAT AND THE SECRET MUST BE SOMETHING YOU DID NOT KNOW BEFORE.

DO YOU ACCEPT THE TRIAL?

>>194837
Okay.

>>194837
Accept.
@Alex & Nari: Cecil's life is being threatened by one of those items; he needs you to come here.

Cecil 2010/06/17(Thu)01:15 No. 194842 ID: cf68aa
File 127676250454.png - (85.55KB , 365x477 , 1206.png )

>"I accept"

HERE IS A BIT OF WISDOM FROM A GREAT TEACHER AT YOUR OLD SCHOOL 'FRIENDS MAKE A MAN. KEEP THEM CLOSE'. GOOD LUCK

>>194839
Alex
>Mya!? Why would my secrets help Cecil!?

Nari
>Uhm... Uh...

>>194842
...I'd rather talk to Alex. Her secrets are less likely to be incredibly painful for her to even think about.

>>194844
"How long do I have, and can I go talk to them in private?"

Cecil 2010/06/17(Thu)01:27 No. 194847 ID: cf68aa
File 127676326756.png - (77.20KB , 500x500 , 1207.png )

>"How long do I have, and can I go talk to them in private?"

....
I WILL GRANT YOU ONE HOUR. YOU MAY SPEAK TO THEM IN PRIVATE. DO NOT GO INTO DETAILS WITH THEM ABOUT WHY YOU ARE DOING THIS OR YOU FAIL.

>>194847
Better go talk to them quick.

>>194842
@Alex: We can't say, but does it matter? It's not like anything you say would get between you two. If you told him you helped your mother kill and eat your father, then he'd just hug you and say how horrible it must have been for you. No, seriously, we live in his head. Don't worry about that.

He needs you to trust him, and at this point I would hope that's enough.

Cecil 2010/06/17(Thu)01:57 No. 194858 ID: cf68aa
File 127676507439.png - (36.51KB , 500x500 , 1208.png )

Cecil runs back to and tries to find Alex and Nari. He finds them in a room in battle gear

>"Have you two been here the whole time?"

"Yep mya. We weren't gonna leave you behind mya."

>"Alex... Oh! Alex, I need you to-"

"I know mya, the voices told me. Come with me."

She leads Cecil into another room. She hands Cecil her robes and talks as Cecil changes.

"My biggest secret mya... Does it work if the voices know?"

>"No. It needs to be knew."

"........... I didn't stop wetting the bed til I was thirteen mya....."

>...... Did not expect that.

>>194858
Give her a hug, kiss her cheek, and thank her.

Next we need to talk to Nari.

@Nari: So, are you ready to reveal your greatest secret to Cecil? Something you wouldn't share with anybody but him? Also, it has to be something we don't know.

>>194858
Tell her a secret in exchange!

Cecil 2010/06/17(Thu)02:30 No. 194868 ID: cf68aa
File 127676705949.png - (26.72KB , 500x500 , 1209.png )

>>194862
"You'd better not tell a soul! I mean it!"

>"Thanks Alex. And... I always messed with King Rai's roster back at the school so we'd sit next to each other."

"Mya!?"

She kisses her then runs off to find Nari. She finds her in her own room

>"Nari I-"

"When Alex put ointment on my ears I pictured you doing it!"

She looks down to avoid Cecil's eyes and blushes

>>194868
Tilt her chin up, smile, kiss her, thank her, and head back to the book.

Hurry now!

>>194868
You should tell her a secret too.

>>194868
Give her ear a slight gentle stroke.

Cecil 2010/06/17(Thu)02:46 No. 194876 ID: cf68aa
File 127676798946.png - (99.36KB , 500x500 , 1210.png )

>>194875

She gently strokes Nari's ear making her shiver

>"I think your ears are adorable"

She gives Nari a kiss then runs off back to the book.

When she reaches it it turns to face her

WELL CECIL.
ARE YOU READY TO TELL ME YOUR LOVE'S SECRETS?

Wait

Make him promise not to tell anyone else

And make sure gene leaves the room first

>>194876
Yep.

>>194876
Motion for Gene to cover his ears.
"Alex wet the bed until she was 13, and when the burns on Nari's ears were being treated with ointment she imagined that I was the one rubbing them.
Will that be all?"

>>194877
Wait, this too.

We're not going to tell a soul. So Gene has to leave... and I'm sure this thing technically doesn't have one.

Nari's doesn't seem like much of a secret, but there isn't that much hidden to her and we know most of it. Ah well, "biggest secret" is subjective anyways.

>>194879
"As far as my part, I now know that they trust me enough to tell me their secrets just because I ask them to."

>>194877
This. We must do this.

>>194883
"More generally, love is based on trust, intimacy, and selflessness; thus the secret to love is to keep no secrets from, have faith in, and do what it takes to maintain the happiness of your lover or lovers."

>>194939
Which may include not telling others of those secrets.

Let's try to see if he'll just take this lovey dovey crap before we spill the beans about Alex's secret that we promised never to tell a soul.

>>194974
She'd be mortified if Gene or anyone else around knew her secret, and would beat the shit out of us if it ended up in a rumor mill somewhere. But I don't think mr mad magic here is much for gossiping.

Cecil 2010/06/17(Thu)23:35 No. 195189 ID: cf68aa
File 127684290033.png - (98.80KB , 500x500 , 1211.png )

>"Gene, please leave."

"Huh?"

>"Now"

"...."

Gene leaves. Cecil faces the Item.

>"Alex wet the bed until she was 13, and when the burns on Nari's ears were being treated with ointment she imagined that I was the one rubbing them. As far as my part, I now know that they trust me enough to tell me their secrets just because I ask them to."

HMM.... I DID NOT THINK YOU WOULD TELL ME.

DO NOT WORRY. THIS WAS NOT A TEST OF HONOR. US ITEMS DO NOT USUALLY DO SUCH THINGS.
BUT... ALEX AND NARI WILL BE INFORMED YOU TOLD SOMEONE.
THAT IS THE SMALL PRICE FOR MY GIFT.
NOW, LET US SEE HOW MUCH YOUR MIND CAN HANDLE...

>>195189
[Cast Miracle on Cecil via the Red Cell Stone]

>>195192
No cheating!

>>195192
No.

Cecil 2010/06/17(Thu)23:49 No. 195196 ID: cf68aa
File 127684375016.png - (108.26KB , 500x700 , 1212.png )

Cecil feels her mind being ripped apart as new things are stored within

[Cecil has learned
Balle Serithe Isivu Mal Zeeth-Powers up next spell used.
Cereen Malterra Brosem-Creates a healing potion.
Zaren Barusch Garu-Makes a ??? Potion which causes a different effect time drunk.
Mana Mal Serith Pache-Make a magical item/container.
Magistra Mana Matra-Gives your own MP to an ally.
Mal Hydra-Causes a deathlike sleep for the one who drinks it.
Manascir-Detects when Alchemy has been used on something, allowing for the detection of fake objects.
Spike-Allows the user to project a column of rock or dirt. This can be used as a bludgeoning or piercing attack.

Spirit Spells
Fire-Fire weapons and armor.
Ice-Freezes the ground
Water-Douses you foe in water
Lightning-Shocks your foe
Land-Makes a wall for defense
Earth-Summons golem

Alpha-Gives mana boost. Unlocks Beta
Beta-Gives health boost. Unlocks Gamma
Gamma-Gives defense boost. Unlocks Omega
Giga Dondo-Higher form
Confine-Seals away bigger objects.
Banish-Seals away spells curses and magical objects/beings. Can be disposed of.
Minor Binding-WISOTC
Baraast- Temporarily increases the target's breast size by one cup.
Giga Dondoa- Strongest earth spell.
Reth-Helps to purify a soul

Rewind-Transports the user's soul back in time. No memories are carried over, yet the user gets premonitions of events that are about to happen.
Stop
Haste-Speeds up the caster]

>>195193
The trial is over, and as such so are the rules. It's not cheating to use Miracle now.

TIME MAGIC EXPLAINED Cecil 2010/06/18(Fri)00:03 No. 195204 ID: cf68aa
File 127684461528.png - (11.36KB , 500x500 , 1213.png )

With the spells comes the knowledge of how they work.
Time Magic is unique in that it doesn't run on Mana, it goes by Life Essence.
All beings gain Life Essence by simply living. Time magic eats away at this Essence. This does not wound the being but Essence is finite so be careful when casting Time Magic.
Also Cecil is not yet at the level where he can cast high level Time Magic. He is limited to Haste and Stop until he gain more Life Essence.

Gain more life Essence by living and growing.

Rules for Rewind!
Rewind takes no Essence simply because you Rewind to before you use it. However it does take a lot to cast it. Many beings never live long enough to gain this power.

[the little chart shows how high Cecil is on Life Essence. He can cast either Haste twice or Stop once before he runs out. Rewind is not available yet]

>>195204
Aw man, that sucks.

Well, at least we have Haste or Stop for a panic button.

Alright. Ask the Item if it wants anything more from us or if we can go and beg forgiveness from our two fiancees.

>>195204
Ok, head back to Alex and Nari.

@Alex & Nari: Sorry about that; it was a life or death situation, and the spread is limited to a being that doesn't care enough to spread it around. It was one of the items; like the one that ripped Chel's spells out of her mind, but with higher stakes.

Cecil 2010/06/18(Fri)00:34 No. 195216 ID: cf68aa
File 12768464742.png - (20.80KB , 500x500 , 1214.png )

>>195209
>>195210
Before Cecil has a chance to speak the spirit vanishes

I AM NOW YOURS.

Gene is nowhere to be found. Cecil runs through the alley to get back to Alex.

>>195210
Alex
>YOU TOLD!?!?!?
-------------
Cecil
>.... I think Alex is pissed....

>>195216
I suggest groveling before her, begging for forgiveness, and taking every bit of punishment she can throw at you without complaint. COMPLETE SUBMISSION.

>>195216
@Alex wait no it's our fault we told him to honest

>>195216
@Alex: Yes. We told a demonic being that could erase Cecil from existence with a thought exactly what it demanded to know under penalty of erasing Cecil from existence with a thought.
These are things that make Rai piss himself in fear; keep that in mind.
Also, Cecil feels completely horrible for betraying you like that. His face looks like he's trying to avoid vomiting.

@Nari: Are you ok? Cecil feels terrible about betraying you like that, but he didn't have a choice.

Cecil 2010/06/18(Fri)00:44 No. 195220 ID: cf68aa
File 127684709721.png - (16.89KB , 500x500 , 1215.png )

With her new book in hand Cecil runs into the hotel.

>"Alex I-"

"DIE!"

Alex pounces on Cecil

>"OW! ALEX YOUR CLAWS!"

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU TOLD SOMEONE I WET THE BED! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"

>"I HAD TO!"

"YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW EMBARRASSED I AM NOW!"

>>195220
D:

@Alex please come on I had the same problem this isn't cool I know we weren't supposed to thell but oh god we're going to need those potions aaaaaa

>>195220
[Switch to Alex]
[Show Alex the thing that popped out of the book]
>WHAT? WHAT!? NEVER BEFORE HAVE I BEEN SO INSULTED! I SHOULD CRUSH YOU!

Would you please stop murdering Cecil now?

@Nari: Hello? Please, talk to us.

>>195222
@Cecil: Don't fight her, just say "I love you".

>>195220
"Fine, kill me. I probably deserve it. Just bring me back afterwards."

Alexis 2010/06/18(Fri)00:57 No. 195229 ID: cf68aa
File 127684785959.png - (19.80KB , 500x500 , 1216.png )

>>195221
>>195222

>Oh..... Uhm....
>Oops...

>>195229
He's still alive, right? I mean it would be weird if we could still talk while he was dead.

[cast Zeroon on Cecil via the Red Stone]

Never piss off a species with cat or cat-like ancestry.

EVER.

>>195229
[Cast Zeroon on Cecil via RCS]
It's ok, although in the future you might want to avoid making your fiancee spurt blood like a fountain. Go for bludgeoning damage, not slashing or piercing.

Could you go check on Nari? She's not answering, and that worries us.

Alexis 2010/06/18(Fri)01:16 No. 195243 ID: cf68aa
File 127684898067.png - (23.28KB , 500x500 , 1217.png )

>>195236
>... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt her that bad mya. I forgot about my claws.

>I'll make her feel good later.

The Red Stone casts Zeroon. Alex gives Cecil a kiss on the forehead and goes to check on Nari

>Oh, she's napping mya.
>She looks so cute! And all her scars are almost gone. One more treatment should work.

>>195243
Better wait until she's awake.

>>195243
Bleh, so much work to do.
So, I've been wondering, do you think you'd be able to go through with your duties as Alex Sils Von Central and, er, provide Cecil an heir?
Do you think ReWriting the memory would let you do it?
Do you even want to have kids?

@Cecil: Go to Chel and ask her to teach you her new spells; let her know that we need to do that before we can cure her curse. Heal the Red Cell Stone, too.

@All: Eronen is dead, everybody is fine. He died within five minutes of showing up, didn't land a hit on Cecil, and spent everything past the first 20 seconds or so incapacitated and being milked for information.

@Felix & RJ: Have you arrived at Temple?

Alexis 2010/06/18(Fri)01:40 No. 195260 ID: cf68aa
File 127685041135.png - (10.77KB , 600x600 , 1218.png )

>>195252
>Yeah. Wouldn't want to molest a sleeping elf ~

>>195254
>MYA!? Kids!? No no no...
>I mean... Cecil would have to put his thing in me...
>I can't do that mya. Not without a ReWrite..
------------------------
Cecil
>On it.
---------------------

Felix
>Yeah... We made it.. It's been destroyed though.

>Well.. Destroyed isn't the right word.

>It's just gone.

@Felix: Raise one fist, shake it at the heaves, and shout DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAART

>>195260
Oh god. Master L's glasses!

@RJ: Quick, try to locate Amy Sky!

>>195260
@Felix and RJ: What are those red things? Go get them.

@whoever has the watch: Check Amy Sky's location. Right now. If you know the names of any people who live in Temple, check them too.

[Cast Light on Rai's Cell Stone]
@Rai, when he picks up: Temple is gone. Just... Gone. There's empty field where it was.

Felix 2010/06/18(Fri)02:01 No. 195273 ID: cf68aa
File 12768516851.png - (13.78KB , 500x500 , 1219.png )

>>195267
[Rai does not reply]

>We've already searched for Amy. The watch points off somewhere but it sure as hell isn't anyway around here.

>This is exactly what happened back at the hospital..

>>195273
I think that's pointing to Dart's fort. I can't remember... does it show a spiral of life like that when the target is alive?

>>195273
@Felix & RJ: Ok, memorize what direction the watch is pointing in and mark it down. On a map, if you have one. Then take the red things and head back to Central. Once you're there use the watch again and compare the two directions on a map. This will give you Amy Sky's location. We need to find out what happened here, and fast.

>>195275
Dart's castle is north of Temple; that's pointing in the direction of the tigerfolk city and Resad.

>>195287
Let me clarify: It is far west, and slightly north. The direction the watch is pointing in is West/South-West, meaning that she could not be at Dart's lair.

Felix 2010/06/18(Fri)02:46 No. 195294 ID: cf68aa
File 127685441781.png - (54.80KB , 1444x1105 , 1220.png )

The two of them teleport back to Central City.
RJ checks the watch again and Felix marks where they could be with a map

>Well there are a bunch of possibilities...
>But honestly I think we know where they are.

>Though Master L and Amy are strong. I'm sure they can get out.
>I'm glad no one else we know was taken..

>>195294
Felix, check the names of people you knew in Temple. I really hope Dart just stole the town...
Anyway, after that you should head to the castle and see if they would be interested in exchanging information.

@Norue: Temple is missing, and we suspect that Master L has been taken captive by Dart.

>>195296
Actually, check your parents.

>>195294
[switch to Dart]

>>195299
[COVERTLY via BLACK CELL STONE NETWORK]

Felix 2010/06/18(Fri)03:32 No. 195302 ID: cf68aa
File 127685713986.png - (20.07KB , 500x500 , 1221.png )

>>195297
>There's no point in doing that..

>>195296
>>195299
------------------------------------
Gaia
"... Is something wrong my Lord?"

>".... My plan is almost complete.. You know what this means right?"

"Yes."

>"I must admit I did not expect it to end so soon."

"Are you sad?"

>".... A little."

>>195302
@Felix: Somebody else you knew from Temple, then. We need to know if Dart took the city as a whole, or just a few select people.

[Show this scene to Norue]
[Detect locations of all Dark Cell Stone holders]
[Send those locations to Norue]
@Norue: Doing some espionage. I trust you'll handle this information properly.

So, could RJ and felix teleport back now?

And where's Gene?

Cecil is now the most powerful magic user alive, thanks to somebody who we saw dead that inexplicably came back to life, handed this miracle item to Cecil, and promptly disappeared.

Cecil is now going to have go and meet Dart.

We've very recently been told that Dart wishes to control Cecil, because of her capability to become the most powerful magic user in the world.

All this seems just a bit too convenient. As a contingency, I would suggest not telling anybody what you have learned, and, if Gene asks you, telling him you failed the trial the Guardian pulled a trick or something.

>>195436
shaddap, we're spying on Dart right now, so you'd be saying all that to him!

So hey, before anyone goes and pushes Cecil into Final Ultimate Showdown, did I miss any bits where ripping off yon magic garter belt won't lead to instant Game Over, or for that matter confirmation since the last time it was chucked aside that she won't go all wobbly-knees upon seeing him?

>>195504
You mean the orb? Cecil got rid of that already after Rai sealed the mindslave away; we're cool. The Shoujen curse is totally harmless now.

HEY GUIZE I CAN DO THIS TOOOO!

>>195510
OH WAIT NO I CANT

[spoiler]Guys, the dark stone network is already deaf to us, that's how Alex set it up.

But just in case...[spoiler]

keep watching, see if they do it.

END OF CHAPTER 9 Sevi 2010/06/18(Fri)22:40 No. 195680 ID: cf68aa
File 127692605511.png - (30.72KB , 500x500 , 1222.png )

>>195303
>>195436

Dart walks on. He steps past what looks like a giant alchemy circle in the ground.
A man wearing a mask approaches him

"My Lord, operation Divine Judgment has failed.."

>"I am aware.."

"What are your orders?"

>"I was hoping for there to be more chaos and destruction.. It matters not. If it fails that means we must make some ourselves..."

"My lord?"

>"Get everyone together... We're attacking each of the lands ourselves. Call off all other projects and pull our men from Talimere and the Mermaid lakes. We'll save those places for last."

He grabs his staff.

>"We're fixing this world now."

>>195680
@Felix: It looks like Dart stole Temple. Check the names of people who live there to make sure.

http://tgchan.org/kusaba/quest/res/195685.html

ah fuckit, just meteor them