>>233919
@Tikka: Wait, I thought you had never seen her before? And you look different? And your soul has changed?
This is confusing.

Anyway, don't wake her up, but if you're still there when she wakes up on her own then ask her about her shape changing and how you want to become the mother of a half-dragon baby and such.
If not, we'll ask her later.

>>233919
Well that's just fantastic. A friend of Cecil's is in charge over there, so maybe Tikka can get her to help us out if we need it. And we'll check on... well we aren't going to contact Mu anytime soon but her friend Teri should be ok enough with us. Hopefully they aren't even there. We'll just switch over to her for a minute while Tikka does her thing.

[Switch to Teri]
Umm hey... are you two doing ok? We're so sorry for screwing everything up like that. Oh and please don't let Mu know we're here please please please.

I don't know how we can make this right but we aren't giving up yet.

Teri 2010/09/25(Sat)23:48 No. 234060 ID: cf68aa
File 128548371186.png - (64.42KB , 600x600 , 362.png )

>>233931
---------------------
Oh, hey again. I don't blame you guys for what happened, it surprised me too.
We're somewhere in the Dark Elf city.

Mu hasn't said a word to me this whole time. She seems really depressed..

>>234060
She hasn't even drawn in her eyes! Help her with that.

>>234060
She's decided not to talk to us anymore. I think... I think the drive to eliminate Gram is starting to effect her more deeply than before.

@Gram: Stay away from the Dark Elf City for now. Mu's there. We'll try to pick up the item or something so that the tracker resets. Or... what about that other thing we picked up from the guy that had the force orb? Some kind of amulet.

aww, that really is sad. she needs a friend now more then ever.

@gram: no go, they are there, see if the necklace one gives you a different thing.

Teri 2010/09/26(Sun)00:10 No. 234072 ID: cf68aa
File 12854850557.png - (271.48KB , 1219x1105 , 363.png )

>>234069>>234067

Gram uses the amulet. A little dial in the center swivels around a bit then points off.
Gram uses a map.
It's pointing to the Light Elf City.

Teri 2010/09/26(Sun)00:11 No. 234073 ID: cf68aa
File 128548507711.png - (55.88KB , 600x600 , 364.png )

>>234066
I don't know what to say to her. I was never good at these things. I don't think she's even listening anyway..
>>234061
Uhm... I'm not very good at that. You have anything you want me to draw there? I never liked that dot she puts.

>>234073

Dark Elves are creative folk. Pay one of them to draw her up some nice eyes. Who knows? A gift like that might cheer her up a little.

Suggestion 2010/09/26(Sun)01:06 No. 234089 ID: a594b9
File 128548840247.png - (56.46KB , 600x600 , Mudealwithit.png )

She needs to learn to deal with it.

Suggestion 2010/09/26(Sun)01:14 No. 234090 ID: a594b9
File 128548889196.png - (66.39KB , 600x600 , Muuguu.png )

uguu

Suggestion 2010/09/26(Sun)01:21 No. 234092 ID: a594b9
File 128548926513.png - (73.87KB , 600x600 , tictacMu.png )

Here's a reference for you.

Suggestion 2010/09/26(Sun)01:35 No. 234096 ID: a594b9
File 128549014482.png - (92.01KB , 600x600 , Mubluh.png )

And a stupid running gag

Suggestion 2010/09/26(Sun)01:46 No. 234100 ID: a594b9
File 128549078264.png - (63.00KB , 600x600 , Mustache.png )

Mu? Who is this Mu you speak of? I am hot she! I am the great MUSTACHIO!

Suggestion 2010/09/26(Sun)02:02 No. 234101 ID: a594b9
File 128549175873.png - (94.73KB , 600x600 , Mutroll.png )

Problem, Item 7?

Suggestion 2010/09/26(Sun)02:13 No. 234103 ID: a594b9
File 128549240889.png - (71.75KB , 600x600 , Musmile.png )

Give us a smile!

Suggestion 2010/09/26(Sun)02:30 No. 234107 ID: a594b9
File 128549340667.png - (73.25KB , 600x600 , Mutree.png )

THEY'RE BROTHER AND SISTER!

>>234073
What she needs right now is a hug and some comforting words.

Teri 2010/09/28(Tue)11:28 No. 235226 ID: cf68aa
File 12856985397.png - (67.97KB , 600x600 , 365.png )

Teri uses some ink and gives Mu a new face

...... Somehow this makes her look even more depressed.

"Uhm Mu.... It's okay... You don't have to kill Gram.... Mu?"

I was never good at this stuff

>>235226
Well, you could ask her what's wrong.

By the way, how common is your soul rot problem? And what would the political ramifications be if somebody found a way to cure it?

yeah, ask what's up. if she tries to brush you off then stand in front of her or something and make her talk.

You don't need to know what to say, there probably isn't much that you can. What you need to do is listen, so just ask her to talk to you. Remind her you're her friend and it'll help.

Also, when we healed her it may not have changed how she felt about Gram, bit it probably changed something. That was her mind she had a hole in after all. No way to know what is different until she tells you, though.

Teri 2010/10/04(Mon)20:45 No. 238578 ID: cf68aa
File 128625032152.png - (103.77KB , 700x700 , 366.png )

"What's wrong..?"

>"..... I don't know what to do now. My only enemy does not wish to fight me. I have no master and now no purpose. As a golem I am as good as dead. I just want to run out of magic and shut down..."

>>238578
Tell her not to forget about her desire to bring back her master from the dead.

Gram's purpose was collecting items. Maybe she could too for a purpose. Maybe having little paper golems around one day when we meet up with another nice paper golem boy.

>>238585
Collect them all get a free wish, like bring back your master perhaps.

@Mu
I know that you said not to speak to you, but as a part of this consciousness who would never have condoned the other's command to kill you had I been conscious, I hope you would let me speak. You have much more right than Gram.

You have not lost all Mu, you have life, a friend, though she suffers too, and you have the essence that is you. You are a thing of beauty, your form I feel should be used towards art and sharing of the beauty you exude as a part of you. Your air is that of a regal one, holding it even in sorrow. Do try to let go of that pain, and try to find yourself. There is much like you could do, revenge is far too ugly a thing.

>>238578
Tell her to go resurrect her master then. This is not rocket science, this is basic common sense.

>>238589
[intercept this]
you fool, at this time it would just undermine what we are trying to do, if Mu thinks we are telling her friend what to do she will just get mad and do the opposite just to spite us.

>>238614
and we probably deserve that as a whole for what we did, but your free to intercept me of course.

Teri 2010/10/04(Mon)21:50 No. 238620 ID: cf68aa
File 128625425714.png - (149.81KB , 700x700 , 367.png )

"Mu... what about your master..?"

>".............."

>>238589

Mu stands up. From within Teri's bag paper flies out and reforms Mu's body. Within minutes she's back to her old form.

>"Item 7 is right... This is unbecoming. One should not base their life around one goal. I have other things I wish to do. Teri, we're going to revive my master."

That's the spirit! Now, we're still going to have Gram steer clear of Mu. Even though it may not be her goal I wouldn't be surprised if she attacked him as a target of opportunity.

First thing's first- we need to find a way back to the Master's tower. Let's talk to the I Shop.

wont work, I-shop said he doesn't do anything involving the other continent. just book a ship ride. talking to the I-shop is a good idea, you need a zeroon wand and a Phoenix down.

>>238620
@Mu: WOO-HOO! Lets get reviving! Lets revive the FUCK out of her!
... Although, it would probably be best if you collected her remains and then brought her back here to resurrect her. My understanding is that mages are hated and feared in those lands, whereas here they are an integral part of society.

@Max: Any sign of Cecil? Also, as an angel are you compelled to speak no falsehoods?

@Teri: We need to get work started on a cure... Hrm... What happens if you Soul Jar the decay?

@Mu
As glad as I am to see you back, I do take some minor offense to being refereed to as merely part of this collective! I mean, I guess that makes sense... but...

oh bleh, I'm just glad your alright Mu. Dance the dance of life, be free as the sheets of paper that make your form, and still go with my blessings, as little as that is.

Mu 2010/10/04(Mon)22:25 No. 238632 ID: cf68aa
File 12862563348.png - (128.04KB , 700x700 , 368.png )

Even if the I-Shop won't help me get there I can still buy some supplies from them.

"Teri we're going to the I Shop."

>"Okay."

They head off.

>>238624
-Max
I don't see Cecil anywhere. And are you asking if I can lie? Yeah, nothing stopping me.
-Teri
Splitting my soul into pieces does 'not' help my condition.

They soon arrive at the I Shop.

There's no one inside

hmm, is there a note on the desk? he may have said where he is.

@teri: he meant using the spell to rip the infected part off. with no more infection regular soul heal would work.

>>238633
I meant more along the lines of ripping it off and then destroying it completely. Using it as a Dark Mana source to power a boosted soul heal.

Mu 2010/10/04(Mon)23:12 No. 238660 ID: cf68aa
File 128625913284.png - (61.97KB , 700x700 , 369.png )

-Teri
Dark Mana stuff is illegal so that's a no go. Don't want the royal army on my ass.
---------------------------------------

Mu examines the shop. There's no note anywhere and it looks like the shop was damaged in some places.

>>238660
Huh, he might be in the middle of a duel. Check nearby, or behind the counter.

who in the world would attack the i-shop?

Mu 2010/10/04(Mon)23:17 No. 238668 ID: cf68aa
File 128625947263.png - (56.26KB , 700x700 , 370.png )

Mu checks around the store.
The grass nearby is stained with a dark red blood

>>238668
See if you can find a trail of blood.

just one splotch? any more around? a trail would be good.

>>238660
Oh, that. Yea, I wouldn't worry about the legality of it.

@IShop: Are you ok? We're in the area and both willing and and able to render aid.

Mu 2010/10/04(Mon)23:25 No. 238673 ID: cf68aa
File 128625992956.png - (81.90KB , 700x700 , 371.png )

There are no trails around... It seems like he left the area...

Without it's owner supporting it the I Shop crumples into itself.

>>238671
-I Shop Owner
Nothing I can't handle stranger. Just a rowdy customer. I've taken this fight to Hurrikane mountains.

huh, says he is fine, just dealing with someone who didn't like the prices and got rowdy.

just start heading north. use a different stall later.

>>238673
@Mu&Teri: The I Shop owner is in the middle of a fight. He took it to the Hurrikane mountain range.
He said he can handle it, but I don't know for certain if that's the case. Sadly, there's not much we can do to help him.
We can worry about this later. Take a sample of the blood and start walking towards whatever port brought you to this continent.

>>238673
Well... nothing else to do until he's done. So, try to get a bead on any nearby items.

@I Shop
Well ok we won't bother you then... unless you'd be cool with us switch over to you for a bit. Bet seeing you in action would be awesome.

>>238673
...
Ah, screw it. I really want to see this.
Everybody: This is now a sneaking operation. NO TALKING!

[Switch to I Shop Owner]

I Shop Owner 2010/10/04(Mon)23:56 No. 238686 ID: cf68aa
File 12862617943.png - (175.78KB , 700x700 , 372.png )

--------------------------------
>"You're quite..... powerful for a half demon.. You can mold darkness..... fairly well."

The I Shop Owner is fighting another dark shadowy man.
The Owner swings a blade made out of shadows at him and the other man seems to simply melt into the ground

"And you're quite strong for having no soul stranger"

>"I do.... to have a soul. It's just a little different...."

He snakes along the ground and swipes at the Owner. He jumps up and blasts the ground with a ball of energy.
When the dust clears the shadow man has already moved to a different spot.
He crawls along the ground and strikes again

Hmm.... none of my spells are working.
Soulless... Quite powerful.
Not sure if I can win..

Almost out of mana too. Can't let him see that.
If he crawls along the ground my best bet is to try to leave him without a ground to cling to.
But Greater Alter Land might be a bit above me in my current condition.

>>238686
@Max: The soul-less-people-things have made a move. They're attacking the I Shop owner. If you're still in central, head to the castle and tell them that they can see what kind of monster plans to invade via the dark world portals if they hurry head to the Hurrikane mountains. Tell them that if Rai or Norue go then they MIGHT stand a chance at defeating it.

>>238688
*might stand a chance of defeating it and saving the person it's trying to assassinate.

I Shop Owner 2010/10/05(Tue)00:21 No. 238692 ID: cf68aa
File 128626328638.png - (209.24KB , 700x700 , 373.png )

>>238688
-Max
WHAT!? They're attacking now!? I need to tell the others! Oh man oh man this wasn't supposed to happen! Arcelo needs to know! I need to get permission to go back down! I need to do other things!!! AHHHHH!
---------------------------------
Out of mana....
Do or die now.

The Owner strikes again at the ground again then falls to the ground, completely out of energy.
The shadow man notices and rises from the ground.
Once he get's close enough the Owner leaps up and slashes him right in half.
The Shadow man falls to the ground and screams in pain

I win.. Might as well seal him within hell..

I Shop Owner 2010/10/05(Tue)00:21 No. 238693 ID: cf68aa
File 12862632982.png - (108.54KB , 700x700 , 374.png )

Why did he attack me though?
And who sent him?

you may not like that we are in your head but trust us, RUN.

Stranger danger!

Fucking run the king of the dark world is right behind you!

@Maxine
I think this is just preparations, taking out people of power. The I Shop Owner won the fight but now the king opened a portal right behind him. We'll let you know how it goes...

>>238693
Intruder to the right. Just flee; they'd squash you like a bug even at your best.

You just fought one of the Dark World soldiers, or at least the shadow of one. Specifically it was The Creeper Lord, their weakest member.
They're planning on invading this world within the next 30 years or so, and intend to conquer it as a stepping stone to other worlds.
They probably targeted you because you count as infrastructure, although from what we know of their operations this was intended as a simple scouting action.

Yea, it's bad. Worse still, we believe that they've taken Cecil and Alexis captive.

Sorry for barging in on you like this, but you left blood behind at your tent which collapsed right before our host's eyes. We watch out for our friends.

I Shop Owner 2010/10/05(Tue)00:40 No. 238701 ID: cf68aa
File 128626441944.png - (147.13KB , 700x700 , 375.png )

>>238694>>238696

What!?

The Owner tries to run but stumbles. With his mana and stamina depleted he doesn't even make it a few feet away before a Soul Stealer catches him.
The King of Darkworld, John, walks up to him

>"Avernis, the I Shop Owner. I underestimated your power. Maybe I should have come myself in the first place."

"John, long time no see."

>"Indeed. I'm afraid you must come with me."

"No can do st-John. I got a shop to run."

>"I'm afraid it'll have to close down. We can't have you selling things to our enemy now can we? You've helped the humans so much that without you they would crumble."

"John, you're making a mistake. If I went missing right now you may trigger something bigger then you can handle."

>"I'm aware. I want it to happen."

"You're a idiot."

>"And you are a bastard child."

"...... How's your daughter doing these days?"

>"! ........"

He tosses the I Shop Owner into the portal to the Dark World.

Strangers, if I leave this world you have a minute to grab whatever you want from my shop. Do so now before it dissolves. There's a latch on the floor leading to my stock.
I'll be fine strangers.

>>238700
@Maxine: This isn't the invasion, this is a scouting and targets-of-opportunity action. Take Gram and Su with you when you head back to Celestia; it's unorthodox, but we're attached to Gram (who is attached to Su) and we need to go with you in order to provide logistical and tactical information beyond your capacity. Beyond that, if that thing left any nasty surprises attached to your soul then we'll need to be there to relay the information in the event that you are unable to do so.

@MU: in the tent is a trap door, you have one minute to get as much stuff as you can, RUN!

>>238701
@Teri & Mu: "Strangers, if I leave this world you have a minute to grab whatever you want from my shop. Do so now before it dissolves. There's a latch on the floor leading to my stock.
I'll be fine strangers."

Grab EVERYTHING YOU CAN and start throwing it out the door!

@I Shop Owner: Message sent. What's your disappearance going to trigger? This is important.
Also, we'll stick with you as long as we can. We need information more than anything.

Dammit is there anything else we can do? How do we screw up their plans? What will happen with you gone? ...WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME, WE CAN FIND YOU!

@Mu & Teri
QUICKLY! GO TO WHERE THE SHOP STOOD AND CHECK THE GROUND FOR A LATCH! OPEN IT UP AND THERE IS THE I SHOPS STOCK, HE'S CAPTURED AND HE'S LETTING YOU LOOT IT YOU ONLY HAVE ONE MINUTE GO GO GO!

>>238704
@Maxine: I don't think you quite understand the severity of this. We need an angelic army to fight these things, but you have no idea what the scale of these creatures power really is.
The angels may need to be prepared to become fuel for a Dark Mana spell to obliterate the dark world they call home in the hopes that some of their elite forces will die.
Also, it would be great if you can get your god to do something about this, since a god might be able to go toe-to-toe with their king.

Yea, not kidding. That dark world exists because their king wills it so. We're looking at a potential M.E.L.E. here.

Mu 2010/10/05(Tue)00:59 No. 238710 ID: cf68aa
File 128626557422.png - (61.81KB , 700x700 , 376.png )

>>238707
I can't just do things like that! I'm a low ranking angel dammit! GAH!
I'll see if I can talk to god okay!? I'm trying dammit! And I'm also seeing if I can bring someone more powerful with me down there.
---------------------------

The I Shop owner struggles weakly to free himself.
A small punch on the head from John knocks him out.
---------------------------------------
$!#%$@^%#&^*&&&^$^%$#$%^&*
???? You're back.
I went into the latch but it was already dissolving.
I managed to grab Phoenix Downs, Teleport Stones, 4 books in a odd language and a small glass sphere.

the books are probably magic books of some kind, can you get a good look at a page? we are pretty good at decoding things. also, NO idea what the orb is.

DAMMIT. Well, at least it's something. Better ration those things, it's all that's left. Get a better look at that stone.

@Gram
Just a heads up, don't waste the items you have left from the I shop, he's gone. The king of the dark world took him away. And for all we know he has Alex and Cecil too.

>>238710
Ok, great. Have Teri look these things over to see what she can identify. Your next stop is Cecil's place to regroup, since we just stumbled across the impending end of the world.

[Switch to Maxine]
Ok, so we can jump around between these two planes. Great.
The I Shop Owner - a powerful half-demon by the name of Avernis - was just defeated and captured. This is a major problem, since he's actually a rather nice person and has been supporting mortals and nudging them away from disaster from the shadows. He was also a key player in their infrastructure, and without him the game-changing power houses of the mortal forces are going to be crippled.

Oh, also, you should ask somebody about curing Dark Elf soul rot, and getting some leeway you can use to intimidate their king into promoting its use.

If you can get some face time with your god then we have a few things that need to be discussed.

Yea, we're overloading you, I know. Sadly we can't get more helpers without one of the gauntlets.

What the hell man I sleep for a couple hours and the supposedly most powerful man on the planet or one of them just up and gets captured?

What are we supposed to do about it? It's a matter of degrees of power. If

I shop > us, then Attackers > I shop, then Attackers > us by a fairly wide margin. That wasn't even a close fight, for goodness sakes, or they wouldn't even have had the capture option. They would have had to kill him. How the hell do you fight something that took down the most powerful person here?!


FUCK THE WAR WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN THIRTY YEARS FROM NOW

THAT LYING PRICK

wait, i think we need someone to get to the Hurrikane mountains and finish off the guy, he is currently own but not out. need to blast his symbol with a high power light spell. or seal it until you can.

>>238717
I know what we're supposed to do about it.

Collect all 10 of the main items, that's what. Then we shall have the power of a God.

>>238731

Garm: Find the ten Items.

Mu: Seek out your Master.

Tikka: We need her to find, or help find the Goldeon Dagger. I thought Cecil had it, but starburst sait it was lost?

Maxine: Continues as she is.


Gentlemen, we don't HAVE thirty years. This is the first act of war, and we must prepare for more. Therefore, we must gather all resources we can, and when the time comes, pull out all the stops... including the various spells Cecil isn't supposed to ever use.

>>238732
Lead a regiment of angels into the dark world.
Use their souls to power a Meteor shower.
Flee with whichever ones survive.

>>238805
... let's call that plan ZZZ.

Maxine 2010/10/05(Tue)19:52 No. 239068 ID: cf68aa
File 12863335419.png - (135.63KB , 700x700 , 377.png )

>>238713
Gram
-What!? Oh god dammit... What the hell am I gonna do for Telestones?
-----------------------------
>>238714
"Arcelo please! We need more people on the earth right now! The Dark World is planning to destroy everything!"

>"The Oracle states that such a thing will not happen for 30 years. We will prepare for such an attack. Sending men in now will only speed up the problem as it will seem as if 'we' were making a move as well. also your request to see god has been denied. Sorry."

>>239068
Okay good, we can stop panicking, and get back to the item collecting business.

[switch to gram]

The Oracle can shove it! You and I and everyone in this goddamn gauntlet knows that future sight is about as reliable as badly edited camcorder videos. It's entirely likely the Dark World king has engineered it to appear that way to the Oracle.

He has already begun making moves against us. Doing anything but marshaling forces now is playing into his hands!

ouch. ask if you can at least get someone to assist you. also if you can get a note or something that says gram needs item 3 from temple it would be great.
[switch to gram]
looks like it's walking unless it's important.

>>239068
"What are you talking about? Did the Oracle happen to mention that THEY JUST ATTACKED AND TOOK-OUT VITAL MORTAL INFRASTRUCTURE?"

>>239089
Of course not, because the Oracle 1: can't see the present, most likely, and 2: the Dark King is limiting his actions to those things which the Oracle can't see until the final moment.

Maxine 2010/10/05(Tue)20:30 No. 239109 ID: cf68aa
File 128633584684.png - (82.66KB , 700x700 , 378.png )

"What are you talking about? Did the Oracle happen to mention that THEY JUST ATTACKED AND TOOK-OUT VITAL MORTAL INFRASTRUCTURE?"

>"It is not our duty to interfere every single time something goes wrong. We attack only if he does, one life does not mean we should wantonly toss in everything we have."

He turns his back to her and walks away.

>"However if you feel that your presence is needed you may go, take a trainee with you as well. You have my blessings, may god be with you."

>>239109
A trainee?! Well, it's something. Let's get our kid and get back to Gram. He'll need all the help he can get.

>>239109
Facepalm.
"Did I forget to mention that their leader is the source of the soul-devouring monsters I was sent to investigate?"
So, how exactly would they do about keeping you from seeing god anyway? Is god always really busy, or is it that they dislike disturbing him?

man. grab the trainee, only hope now is that those items work amazingly. and having an angel should make convincing some people to hand it over without fighting easier. we'll see you later.

[switch to gram]
sigh, looks like heaven isn't gonna help. Maxine may be coming back down though. hopefully having an angel with you will make some people more likely to give the items to you without a fight.
@Mu and teri: shit, heaven says they wont help yet. sigh, just get you master mu, just take things one step at a time.

>>239115
Send the trainee to meet with Gram and touch his gauntlet. We'll direct them from there.
Meanwhile, you go to Cecil's house to get the other gauntlet then return here - do NOT put it on!

Maxine 2010/10/05(Tue)20:47 No. 239134 ID: cf68aa
File 128633684545.png - (61.81KB , 700x700 , 379.png )

Find a trainee...
Problem is there's different kinds of trainees..
Healers, fighters, summoners.
And they all suck!

Sigh....

Well, at least it didn't go 'that' bad.

>>239134
Is that

Is that a dark world hole

turn around and be ready to go straight to god as fast as you can.

>>239134
Well, find one that specializes in Dark Mana, treating soul diseases, or rapid movement.

Soul Diseases because there's a soul-destroying disease that's killing one of our allies, rapid movement because we need somebody we can send around for things, and Dark Mana because our Plan Z involves sacrificing portions of many peoples souls to unleash a world-destroying apocalypse on the Dark World.
Oh, don't worry, we know at least one person who would be willing to cast the spell. The hard part is getting enough people together so that the caster can leave enough soul behind in each for the Dark Elves to heal them back.

>>239143
There's a black tear in the air behind you. If that's not supposed to be there then run straight for god. Ignore all guards, ignore all shouts, crash through all doors, and don't stop to help anybody you knock down. Just. Run.

Gram and Mu's Tale, End of Book 3 Maxine 2010/10/05(Tue)20:58 No. 239154 ID: cf68aa
File 128633751168.png - (138.46KB , 800x700 , 380.png )

Run...?
She turns around and sees the rip in space.
Her eyes go wide and she flies off to see god.
The last thing she hears is a deep scratchy voice.

>"Well men.... Ready?

>>239154
FUCKING FUCK I TOLD YOU SO SO HARD IT HURTS

JUST FUCKING RUN TO THE BIG MAN!! MAYBE YELL THAT THEY ARE ATTACKING HERE FIRST!!