Offer the dragon Elete a la carte! Retreat to the kitchen and let the dragon have its fill!

Also, Briannah's a dragon. That means she's dragon her pussy on the floor. Do that.

Shed a silent tear...
Then charge into battle wielding your bouquet!

>>767854
Maybe you shouldn't have cut the chain. Was that really part of the plan? Anyway tell Bri the more she resists the worse the beast becomes.

You could convince the beast not to eat you by showing it you have the poison. You could even pour a vial onto yourself, so that you become poisonous. If not you're gonna have to try to fight. Or remind the beast that what it desires is your heart. You are Kronos, not Elete.

Great. Brilliant. Why do we bother making plans, again?

For some reason, I've got the idea to douse yourself or your clothes in poison to discourage her from eating you, but I can already hear everyone shouting me down about how dangerous that is, as if getting ripped to shreds by a dragon is preferable.

Maybe follow the runner and get them to open the door?

>>767859
Well it might distract her, for like, two seconds. It might get her to stop chewing on Belseth, too.

We are way out of good ideas, aren't we.

>>767848
>…it’s gone!? Err… is that a good thing or a bad thing?
One of the spears is missing from the wall, also. I guess the armor needed a weapon, since you've got its sword.

>Making a quick jog around this dream, you can’t find it anywhere. Where did it get off too?
Did you try checking over by the hidden stairs that were blocked by that huge stone slab? It might be over there trying to move the stone slab or has already moved the stone slab.

>>767850
>anti-magic zone
..........I've gotta be honest, we really should've seen that coming a mile away, but we didn't. I guess this is what we get for rushing in there without actually carefully looking around for Bri's suit of armor. Because it would be very helpful to have the manifestation of Bri's bravery here right about now.

Maybe if you step back out into the hall, the music will activate again? Or at least make it easier for the armor to come find and save you.

>>767862
>Maybe you shouldn't have cut the chain. Was that really part of the plan?
Kronos didn't cut the chain, Bri broke free on her own.

>>767863
>Great. Brilliant. Why do we bother making plans, again?
Don't look at me, I'm not the one that panicked and said, "Run in there without looking for more clues and coming up with a better plan!" that was someone else!

Since when has anything gone as planned for you when the stakes are high? But it's not like you had any way to check if there was a anti-magic field in here beforehand, nor find out that monstrous dragon Bri has such a raging desire for fresh Vark flesh she'd break virtually unbreakable shackles and chains that should be able to contain her to get at you. ...Maybe if you had knocked and said who you were instead of barging in. Then they would have warned you off. Though, then Dragon Bri would overhear, then break free to chase you down, so that wouldn't have worked either. Welp, can't think of any way you could have entered here without Dragon Bri getting loose. That sucks.

Also keep in mind that now that Bri sees you, time is advancing in the dream. Remember that now that Dragon Bri is free, you have to complete this dream with her dealt with. If you don't, then Dragon Bri'll be at the helm when Bri wakes up. And since you and Zela will wake up after Bri, your lives are in danger from whatever that ravenous beast will do to you.

Rush back out into the hall and slam the door shut behind you. Run to anywhere that isn't here. Try the armory first. Get the shock staff you hid because Bri's Courage may need it if the Myseth sword doesn't work against Dragon Bri.

Okay, there's two possible plans I can think of right now to deal with Big Dragon Bri: First, and preferred, is getting Bri's courage to fight it and help her courage defeat it. From the memories of courage Kronos experienced, Bri's done brave things, except face herself. Her successfully doing that is likely the way to finish this dream mission satisfactorily. Bri's courage will need a weapon that can actually do anything against Dragon Bri, though. Bri's courage took a halberd from the armory because Kronos took the Myseth family sword, so getting the sword back to Bri's courage is important. But first we have to find it. Hopefully it didn't go beyond the stone slab door or out into the Catacomb maze. Considering that Bri's Courage made its way to Kronos' dream when he called her, it might be able to traverse the Catacombs too. But you might be able to summon Bri's Courage to you. It came when you called for Bri while facing off against Xuv, so Bri's Courage might again come if you call for her now. Otherwise you're going to be running around the outer rooms and halls, calling out for Bri's Courage trying to find it.

Second idea is to dose the roasted head of Elete, then lead Dragon Bri to the head so she'll eat it. This should be Plan B because Bri's Courage facing and defeating Dragon Bri sounds like just the way to satisfactorily finish this dream mission. Just make sure that Dragon Bri doesn't get to Elete's head and eat it before you possibly use it.

Make a mental list of every spot in Bri's dream that you saw that is too small for Dragon Bri to pass through, but that you can. You'll be needing them to evade her. Also note the ones that would probably not break or get knocked open by Dragon Bri. She'll also be tracking you by scent, so anything that could knock her sense of smell out would be good. Chucking a big scoop of pepper from the kitchen into her face might work, but something stronger would be better.

You should think about why the Grand Hall had a anti-magic field over it. There is the possibility that it was to keep Dragon Bri from using magic. Like breath based casting of fire or somesuch.

If you get Dragon Bri on your tail, try to engage with the Bri that's trapped trying to restrain and contain it. Ask her to keep talking and tell you things about the part she's trying to keep under control. Things that might help you or someone else deal with it.

>>767859
>Offer the dragon Elete a la carte! Retreat to the kitchen and let the dragon have its fill!
No, it's too valuable as a potential poison vector. Dragon Bri wants Vark flesh, one way to deal with her would be to dose Elete's head and leave it in Dragon Bri's path as she tails Kronos. I'd set that as Plan B, since it'd be far preferable for Bri's courage to take down Dragon Bri, since the memories from it indicates Bri could never face herself. Her courage besting her monstrous side would probably acceptably complete this dream mission for us.

>>767861
That is just plain suicidal. No. Just no.

And just in case anybody else forgot, mirror Kronos warned that any harm Kronos sustains while dreamwalking will carry over into the waking world. This is up to and including death. So no suicide runs on the ill-informed idea Kronos'll be fine when he wakes up.

>>767862
>Maybe you shouldn't have cut the chain. Was that really part of the plan?
Nobody cut the chain. This monstrous dragon Bri broke free just to get at Kronos' succulent Vark flesh.

>Anyway tell Bri the more she resists the worse the beast becomes.
...How did you come to that conclusion? Because I don't see how Bri just releasing her last bits of restraint on this bloodthirsty side of her will weaken the beast.

>You could convince the beast not to eat you by showing it you have the poison. You could even pour a vial onto yourself, so that you become poisonous.
Other than the risk of Kronos absorbing the poison through his skin or eyes, Dragon Bri would probably just rip Kronos apart for denying her her meal of fresh Vark flesh. The poison is far more valuable for dosing food Dragon Bri might eat, like Elete's head.

>If not you're gonna have to try to fight.
The Empress' note stated that conventional weapons would not work against this monstrous form of Briannah. Only the poison tonic and the shock staff would work. Which means Kronos' gun and the Myseth family sword won't work against her. ...The sword might work if wielded by Bri's Courage, but we gotta find it first before we can give it the sword.

>Or remind the beast that what it desires is your heart. You are Kronos, not Elete.
The part of Bri in there that's still Bri can see that Kronos is Kronos. She went "No! NO!" upon seeing him because she knew her monstrous side would want to eat his flesh and would run him down. It'd be one of her worst nightmares for that to happen.

>>767863
>Great. Brilliant. Why do we bother making plans, again?
I'm wondering the same thing. Along with half-wondering why I should even bother to write as much as I do for my posts in this quest. Seriously, how the fuck could we have figured this out ahead of time? ...Goddammit. We could have knocked and said who we were. And then Ravenous Dragon Bri would have heard and broken free for some of that sweet, sweet Vark flesh. Maybe somehow made the leap of logic to figure it out from putting together the stench of blood with Bri's licking of that would-be assassin's blood in the first thread? But, really? REALLY? God, it didn't even fuckin' matter what way we chose to enter the Grand Hall. Only not entering it would have been the right way, but we had "Either way, it feels like your time is starting to run out…" at the end of the update making it feel like if we didn't move then we'd run out of dream-time.

>...but I can already hear everyone shouting me down about how dangerous that is, as if getting ripped to shreds by a dragon is preferable.
Dragon Bri would probably just rip Kronos apart in rage anyway for his impudence of denying her his tasty, tasty flesh, even if she can't eat him afterwards.

And the poison is far too valuable otherwise to just slather Kronos in it. For the primary reason it could possibly be used to dose the roasted head of Elete in the kitchen, which then can be left for Dragon Bri to eat. She is after Vark flesh, after all. She'd probably stop to eat that dish, even if it isn't bloody fresh Vark flesh.

>Maybe follow the runner and get them to open the door?
There's a open door right behind Kronos; The one he came in through. ...At least, I hope there is one and the goddamn dream didn't vanish it away to fuck us over. And that "runner" is probably the Empress, and she's not going to be happy at all with Kronos for him barging in and causing Dragon Bri to break free.

>Well it might distract her, for like, two seconds. It might get her to stop chewing on Belseth, too.
Considering Belseth was the one wielding the whip, she's not going to let him go for that. He's for sure going down Dragon Bri's gullet.

>We are way out of good ideas, aren't we.
Only if you give up and don't put in the work to think of one.

>>767867
>..........I've gotta be honest, we really should've seen that coming a mile away, but we didn't.
...HOW?! A anti-magic zone has never shown up in the damn quest before! And there was no way to to find out that there was one in here without opening the goddamn door a at least holding the music run inside.

>Don't look at me, I'm not the one that panicked and said, "Run in there without looking for more clues and coming up with a better plan!" that was someone else!
You also didn't specifically suggest to do a thorough search for the shining armor instead of going into the Grand Hall. You didn't even suggest to do anything in particular. You only made some observation about the armor's whereabouts. And looking back, at the time of update, there were only two actual suggestions for action; Go in with good memories and the sword, and poison the food. There was a third one, but it came in four minutes before the update and wasn't taken into account. And then a bunch of posts back and forth about the poisoning-the-food plan. So in the end it came down to one suggestion to go in. So perhaps in the future, if there is by some miracle one in this quest, actually suggest actions instead of just pointing things out and speculating, hm?

Disclaimer: I wrote this post after being up for more than 30 hours. My apologies for the quality, and I hope I didn't overlook anything important.

>>767900
>...HOW?!
Through Finagle's Law: "Anything that can go wrong, will-at the worst possible moment."

Anti-magic fields count as anything. The worst possible moment was when Kaktus made us predictably fall for the whole "it feels like your time is starting to run out…" line and made us all panic.

Plus, we really should've known that anti-magic things exist in this world, we just never saw or heard of them until now. I mean, they've got anti-god things, so why shouldn't they have anti-magic for the normal people?

>You also didn't specifically suggest to do a thorough search for the shining armor instead of going into the Grand Hall. You didn't even suggest to do anything in particular. You only made some observation about the armor's whereabouts.
Well, I did say it might be over by the secret stairs. It's not my fault that Kronos' description of "quickly checking the halls" didn't exactly specify if he actually looked by the secret stairs. He probably just skipped over it without actually looking. Or Kaktus is railroading the story because he/she thinks we're taking too long and he/she wanted to force us to move on already.

>Disclaimer: I wrote this post after being up for more than 30 hours. My apologies for the quality, and I hope I didn't overlook anything important.
Good to know I'm not the only one doing that. -_-;;

>>767914
>The worst possible moment was when Kaktus made us predictably fall for the whole "it feels like your time is starting to run out…"
Thing is, Kaktus could really make our time run out if we faf about too much. Though, now that Kronos is observing Bri, the dreamer of this dream, then ,according to mirror Kronos' explanation of dream time, time is advancing continually now. Which means we're in greater danger of running out of time now than before in this dream. And while it appears Bri won't be judged guilty and commit suicide because she broke free, having Bri wake up with this monstrous entity in control will be catastrophic. And probably fatal for Zela and Kronos given that Bri'll wake up before the both of them.

> I mean, they've got anti-god things...
What? I don't remember any things that generate a anti-god field or similar in this quest.

>>767954
Technically, there was the whole Catacombs/Soul Kiln which did successfully capture the souls of gods, but that's none of my business...

>>768061
One god. Xuv.

>>768061
I wouldn't consider a "anti-god" field in the same category as capturing their soul if they happened to die within a place. Anti-god kinda implies it'd block or suppress their powers while alive.

>>768066
Well, one god that we know of. If any of the Five or any other gods perished down there we just don't know. And if any did, then we don't know if their souls have already leaked out of the Soul Kiln. That's why we need to eventually find out where the Five actually died. I'm thinking their corpses were found under the dead spot in the Garden, which would explain why the Archbishop has put so many defenses on the entrance to there. But if they were found there, whether they died their or their bodies were moved there, we don't know.

>>767954
>What? I don't remember any things that generate a anti-god field or similar in this quest.
Well, technically, the Old Man isn't a god, he's an aspect of life. But he can be considered as anti-god. And the infinity rune allows things to hide from the Old Man, so the infinity rune can be considered as anti-whatever the Old Man is supposed to be.

Alright, we need to get Bri to open the secret door. I don't think telling her we- or any other Vark meat- is back there will convince her, given how good her nose is. We'll bait the spot with the music box, then when she gets there, corner her with the shock staff. She'll have no place to go but through the door, whereupon her destructive instincts will take over and she'll deal with the Nightmare's seed on her own, or we can use the pistol to destroy it remotely. If She's too big for the door, we'll have to force her to open it, before letting her back off into one of the side rooms.

>…things are not going as planned…
Wait, We had a plan?

Well, at this point I feel like There is not many actions we can do, so here is the only thing I can think of:

grab the sword and defend yourself, Don't just run away because I think that's what the Nightmare would want you to do. Of course, you are better of dodging than blocking, but try to stay deffensive, give ground if you have to, and make sure to not get pinned or go to a dead end, if you have a chance to attack, try to make hindering wounds (NOT lethal wounds), if it is impossible, just continue your dance with Death.

Meanwhile, Encourage Briannah to TRY to contol it. Say that you Believe in her, and That She has to Be brave and face that thing once and for all, instead of running away. You are staying back because you Believe in Her, She was soldier, never lost herself in middle of combat, that incident with the slavers doesn't count, because it wasn't her fault, Telll her to control herself as She did when she fought., to help you as she always did.

You could also Add: "Also what? Wasn't I the supposed to be the little princess and you the mighty warrior? Or at least that's what you were implying when we met for the first time..."

>>768105
>Nightmare's seed behind secret door.
I'm not even sure if that's what's in there. It could just be some more of Bri's memories or something.

Who knows? Maybe the seed is back there?

>>768140
This sounds like a good idea.

>>768140
This is hardly a good idea. Kronos is untrained with a sword, which is a weapon that wouldn't be able to harm her anyway, and if she knows it, Kronos will be toast. I don't think Bri will be able to control herself as long as the Nightmare seed is exaggerating her bad side.

>>768105
Okay, there are a number of serious issues with this plan. The first of which that comes to mind is that monstrous Bri had such a intense lust for devouring Vark flesh that it drove her to pull apart her chains to get it. And have you heard what she's said. I doubt she's going to be rational enough to stop herself from rushing Kronos even if he is wielding the shock staff.

The second is that there is no "seed" of the Nightmare. The way it's coming in is via Bri's issues. Her fear, self-hatred, and who knows what else. Those issues have to be adequately resolved to kick the Nightmare out. And we also don't have any idea what is down there, so betting everything on it being just what we need is foolish.

>>768140
Do you remember what the note in the armory said about monstrous Bri being immune to conventional weapons? Do you remember that Kronos is no fighter, and has had no training or experience in wielding a sword or dodging? Are you banking on him suddenly being endowed with those skills just because this is a dream? Because both he and Bri know he's no fighter, so it's doubtful that would happen. And do you remember mirror Kronos saying that harm or death inflicted on Kronos in the dream will carry over to him in the waking world? Because he said that back in >>766479. I'll even ask him right now to confirm and clarify that right now. So, are you willing to bet Briannah's and Kronos' lives on your plan, knowing this?

The part about encouraging Bri so she might be able to get at least a bit more control over her bestial side is still a good idea, but getting within striking distance of her beast while doing it is unacceptably dangerous.

The one thing I would seriously suggest after reading your suggestion is that whatever interaction with monstrous Bri Kronos has, he should do it outside the anti-magic field so he can use the music rune. Hopefully it'll sooth the beast and weaken its grip on Briannah so she can get some control over it.

>>768105
>>768149
>On the subject of the Nightmare "seed"
It appears there has been some confusion about where and how the Nightmare is entering into Bri's dream. For one, there is no "seed" of the Nightmare in here; No thing that needs to be physically cut out. According to mirror Kronos back in update >>766480, the Nightmare's foothold into a person's mind is their issues. Their fears, hate and paranoia. In order to "cut" the Nightmare out would require resolving those issues, not literally cutting it out. And I'll ask that part of Kronos to clarify what has to be done to push the Nightmare out of a person's mind and dreams, just so there's no confusion about it.

>>768157
Look, as far as I see, there are only two choices, Run away or stay.

For what I see, At this point I feel we failed miserably already and the only thing we have left is to try to make Briannah's nightmare a bit more tolerable, and if by mere chance it also works in slowing the Nightmare then we are on luck.

The other thing would be run away, in hopes of either finding the Briannah's armor walking around, perhaps that could distract or Help Briannah's situation. The other thing would be to find the path that was blocked open, or perhaps opening it with the shock staff they planned to use on Briannah, and hope there is either something there to help us or is not a dead end at least. We would also Hope that the magic rune still works after the rune was "turned Inert". Sadly, for this plan to work you would need 3 things: That the Nightmare doesn't (or can't) modify the layout of this place, a series of convenient events of which we have no control over to happen, and Time, which as far as I know, isn't something we have to spare.

I guess we could try that, and then try my first plan if everything else fails, but I don't know if we are able to do that.

Also, Kronos if I remember correctly was agile so I think he could try to dodge and be better at it than someone who isn't agile. And as for the fact that he could die, well, If Kronos fails, he is already as good as dead as far as I know, unless we can continue trying after waking, and even so, it would become even harder because then The Nightmare would be actively trying to stop us, if not consume us.

I won't stop anyone with a greater and more effective plan than mine, Hell I hope someone in the suggestions already had a better plan than these, because both of these plans are almost as bad as having no plan at all as they rely too much on many things going right.

>>768163
Those two choices may as well be 'live or die' without a shock staff to defend ourselves. And Kronos was supposed to be smart too, and we can all see how that turned out. If standing and fighting is really the best option, which it never is, at least fetch the shock staff first so we won't be completely outmatched in every way.

>>768159
As opposed to just hoping that the armor re-materializes and saves us? Or hoping that Kronos will grow a pair and change his mind about returning to the kitchen in the first place, much less hoping that Elete will be eaten first? Those aren't plans, they're wish lists. If Bri won't be rational, we'll have to herd her like a lion tamer into opening the door, because even if there isn't a Nightmare seed behind the door, we are not equipped to deal with Bri's problems as we stand and need more options.

>>768163
I'd rather Kronos get out of the Great Hall and its anti-magic field, to check if the music rune is broken, then try and find the shining armor which is probably Bri's courage. We can be pretty sure it's walking about 'cause it took a halberd from the armory. (You can see the third one is missing in the last armory image.) Then I believe Kronos would work best as a distraction for monstrous Bri, hopefully weakening it with the music rune's tune, so that Bri's courage can strike.

...There's also another possibility, but I don't know if Kronos can even try it with monstrous Bri after him. Him painting Bri's shining armor changed things in here, so what if he painted it winning in the fight against Bri's monstrous side? Not killing it, but crippling and disabling the monstrous Bri. He now knows what the bestial self-vision of herself looks like, so he could theoretically do that. Whether it'd work, or if he could do it before Bri's monstrous form caught up with him, I don't know.

Ah, but if a painting could change the dream, then perhaps painting that the stone slab door is open may work as well. Another idea to think of.

Oh, and we should figure that monstrous Bri's sense of smell will be able to track Kronos wherever he goes in this dream. So unless her sense of smell is negated, either by knocking her nose out with a very strong scent or spreading Kronos' or just Vark scent everywhere, she's going to be on his tail continually.

Kaktus 2016/12/26(Mon)12:46 No. 768321 ID: 65a774
File 148278518145.png - (32.30KB , 686x526 , 103.png )

>Why do we bother making plans, again?
To have them horribly crushed by reality time and time again?
>Wait, We had a plan?
We were planning on battling the court and not… Bri herself…
>Seriously, how the fuck could we have figured this out ahead of time?
…you other half did mention that the nightmare would be inside Bri’s problems and… the nightmare infection you had was inside you too, wasn’t it? It was inside the mirror you, no?
>We need to find the nightmare seed.
You’re pretty sure you already found it… it’s the huge ass dragon standing before you.

>You should think about why the Grand Hall had an anti-magic field over it.
Gods, you’re so stupid! Of course it has magical warding… it’s a freaking grand hall in a fucking palace. You’re just so used that all magical wardings are working in your favor… after all, both your apartment and the grand hall in the palace is warded against foreign magic. Heck, the whole palace has a ward on it protecting it from magic cast outside it. But… as everything magical you’ve ever used has always been attuned to the wards, you kind of forget that they are there… thus why it came as a surprise. The better question would be why the music rune wasn’t attuned to the ward? Is it because they don’t want any music played there? …or is all magic blocked in there? …or was it because you’re the one who activated it? …or was it just dream logic!?
>Did you try checking for the armor over by the hidden stairs that were blocked by that huge stone slab?
You took a quick glance inside every room and ran around the whole corridor surrounding the grand hall, which include the hidden stairs, yes… yet it was nowhere to be seen.

>Keep in mind that now that Bri sees you, time is advancing in the dream.
But didn’t the other you say it would take hours before Bri woke up herself? That you wouldn’t need to worry about that?
>Remember that now that Dragon Bri is free, you have to complete this dream with her dealt with. If you don't, then Dragon Bri'll be at the helm when Bri wakes up. And since you and Zela will wake up after Bri…
…gods, you need to… to… you need to do something!?
>Dragon pussy!
DAMMIT MIND! GET OUT OF THE GUTTER ALREADY!


>It might get her to stop chewing on Belseth, too.
OH GODS N-
*Crunch!*
…and dream Belseth is suddenly only half the man he used to be…
>Charge into battle wielding your bouquet!
Err…
>Grab the sword and defend yourself.
Is that really-
Aw, yah’re not even going to run away? …or are yah offering yeself to me? Come closer so I can feast upon ye succulent flesh!
Let’s keep our distance and not become dinner, shall we?

>Offer the dragon Elete a la carte!
BAH! Cooked meat! I WANT IT FRESH! I want it to still squirm! To scream! TO SUFFER!! I WANT YAH TO SUFFER!
>Ask her to keep talking and tell you things about the part she's trying to keep under control. Things that might help you or someone else deal with it.
Don’t try to talk to that false Bri, the pretender, the mask. I am the real Bri… and I am in control now!
>Remind the beast that what it desires is your heart. You are Kronos, not Elete.
Indeed, I desire ye ‘eart. I desire to eat it! Ah, Kronos, don’t yah see? Don’t yah understand!? This is the real me! I never loved yah. I never cared for yah! Ye are just another conquest to be cast aside, like the rest! No, yah are nothing but another meal for me.
>You could convince the beast not to eat you by showing it you have the poison.
Poison!? Yah think that would stop me!? HA! Do yah really think I am afraid of death!? OF PAIN!? As long as yah suffer it will be worth it! I NEED YAH TO SUFFER LIKE THE REST! It’s the only thing I’ve ever been good at… making people suffer… breaking bones, hearts and even minds… it’s the only… It’s what I am… A MONSTER! I AM SUFFERING! AND NOW SUFFER!

The beast starts to move towards you… and you have a feeling remaining here would be rather hazardous to your health.

Kaktus 2016/12/26(Mon)12:46 No. 768322 ID: 65a774
File 148278519469.png - (27.14KB , 686x526 , 104.png )

>Rush back out into the hall and slam the door shut behind you.
The door does little to slow her down, splintering in thousand pieces as she smash through it… but it does disorient her for but a second, enabling you to dodge her claws from catching you.
>Run to anywhere that isn't here.
You throw yourself into the first room you spot… which just happens to be the painter studio. Briannah tries to follow suit, but the small door stops her in her tracks. She smashes into the wall, her head and neck straining to reach you through the doorframe. Her jaw snaps in your general direction, hoping to get a hold of you if just for a second. Thus the bad news is that her size makes her way faster than you… while the good news is that the same size means she can’t get through all the doors.
>Make a mental list of every spot in Bri's dream that you saw that is too small for Dragon Bri to pass through, but that you can.
Well, going by how she can’t get into the painting studio… she probably can’t get into any room with a single door… that would mean the studio, the music halls backstage, the kitchen and the guard station.

>Encourage Briannah to TRY to contol it.
Control it!? I AM BRI! AND I AM FINALLY FREE! This is the real me! I AM A MONSTER AND NOTHING MORE!
>Say that you Believe in her, and That She has to Be brave and face that thing once and for all, instead of running away.
I am nothing but a monster… nothing but suffering. Everyone ‘ate me for good reason! I deserve this! I DESERVE TO SUFFER! I AM SUFFERING! A BEAST!
>Wasn't I the supposed to be the little princess and you the mighty warrior?
Princess!? Yah!? Yah are nothing but a pathetic prince, just another man in distress, waiting for ye knight in shining armor. But too bad, because I AM THE MONSTER WHO FEAST UPON PRINCES! I AM THE DRAGON! THE MONSTER OF THE STORY! I remember ‘ow yah quaked in fear when yah first saw me… when yah first saw the monster who would kidnap yah from ye ‘ome and enslave yah! No, I am not ye knight… and I will never be. I am the monster in this story.


>What if he painted the armor winning in the fight against Bri's monstrous side?
Once again touching the paint brush you… … …don’t feel the sudden moment of clarity you did last time. You’re not sure you can paint anything really good anymore… or that if you tried to do so the painting wouldn’t be ruined completely… should you still try?
>Check if the music rune is broken.
It’s not broken, it was just shut off.
>The Empress' note stated that conventional weapons would not work against this monstrous form of Briannah.
It didn’t state that she was immune, just that you shouldn’t use them against her. She can probably still be wounded by them, but with her size a halberd wouldn’t really do a lot of damage before she cut you to shreds.
>We need to get Bri to open the secret door.
…yeah, no, that’s probably not happening. Besides, you have no idea what’s behind it anyway!

>Dose the roasted head of Elete with the poison, then lead Dragon Bri to the head so she'll eat it.
…that might work… if she can’t get to you she might eat it instead… but it would require you to get to it first… which mean getting past Bri… and leaving this small safe heaven you’ve found.
>Get Bri's courage to fight it and help her courage defeat it. From the memories of courage Kronos experienced, Bri's done brave things, except face herself.
Having her own courage defeat… her own self-hatred? Having her own courage defeat her own inner demons would be the best possible outcome, indeed… but how are you supposed to find it?
>You might be able to summon Bri's Courage to you. It came when you called for Bri while facing off against Xuv, so Bri's Courage might again come if you call for her now.
Right… you can feel it… it hears you calling for aid… and you can feel the warm feeling again getting closer and-

Stop hiding in there and get out ‘ere so I can break all the bones in ye pathetic body, Kronos!

…and like that it’s gone… covered by fear and hate again…

Hmm… it doesn’t have the courage to face this thing alone… can we aid it in some way maybe?

>leaving this small safe heaven you’ve found.
Doing anything that isn't painting the picture will involve you leaving, from fetching the shock rod to poisoning the food.

Let's find out why they didn't want music played in the main hall. Maybe it'll give Courage the cowardly suit of armor the gumption to show up. Once she does, we'll give it the sword- that'll help her more- and then maybe we'll have the opening we need to go get the shock rod so we can finish this.

Sonork, Is Bri going to have to reconcile with herself like we did?

Quick, conjure a baby Kronos and boop the dragon's nose with it! See if Briannah will react to cuteness overlord! (You too, Kronos. Puppy eyes. NOW.)

>BAH! Cooked meat! I WANT IT FRESH! I want it to still squirm! To scream! TO SUFFER!! I WANT YAH TO SUFFER!
Well, on the bright side, that means even though she's a dragon, she won't breathe fire on you.....right?

>It’s not broken, it was just shut off.
Then turn it back on! Even though it's low on power and not very loud, she's so close to you there's no way she can't hear it!

>I remember ‘ow yah quaked in fear when yah first saw me
True, I'll admit, I was scared. But that was before I got to know you!

>No, I am not ye knight… and I will never be.
If that was true, then why did you show up to save me from Xuv when I called for you?

>This is the real me! I AM A MONSTER AND NOTHING MORE!
>I am the monster in this story.
That's not true! In fact, look at this painting I made! This is the real you! You're a knight in shining armor!

And if you really were a monster, then explain why I'm still here! If you really are a monster, then I would've given up on you! But I haven't given up on you! And you know why? It's because you're not a monster!

So, please my knight and soon to be wife.....come and take this sword, your sword, the sword of Myseth and slay this imposter that claims to be the real you!

>>768322
Yeah don't mess with the painting if you have no dream-logic urges with it. I thought it'd make sense to paint the Dragon into the image so that Courage would be facing down the Dragon but if that doesn't "feel right" don't do it. Are there any other blank canvases? Could you, perhaps, try to paint Dragon-bri except in a peaceful context?

Do not purposefully poison Briannah. At best you could threaten to use the shock rod on her, to find out what it means to her. We don't know WHY it would be effective on her so don't actually use it; never use a weapon you don't understand.

Honestly, if dragon-bri can't get into the studio to eat you, use it to talk to her for a while. Tell her you admit you were scared of her, and you still are, but that doesn't mean you hate her. Fear and hate are different things. You know she's not just a monster. She's a bloodthirsty warrior, but that's not all she is. She's a hero. Does she remember when she faced down the Wyvern? Ask her if she remembers the sword you made for her. The flowers, the music- oh, now that you're not in a warded room you can play the music for her.

>>768322
If this dream Bri works like your mirror self, you're needing to get them to accept each other rather than being divisive.

Dammit Briannah that's not true, it's what we were both scared of when we met, yes, but it wasn't true, it wasn't this.
Now your guilt and self-doubt might accept this whole 'I am a monster' bit, but have you seen yourself?

6 red eyes. midnight flesh. recognise the nightmare's influence for what it is. If you're going to own your flaws, make sure they're yours

Remember Kronos "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. And evil cannot drive out evil, only good can do that."
Be positive.

Kaktus 2016/12/27(Tue)12:08 No. 768480 ID: 65a774
File 148286931193.png - (27.50KB , 686x526 , 105.png )

>Quick, conjure a baby Kronos and boop the dragon's nose with it!
No matter how much you want to feed this thing with babies, you can’t just conjure things up from nothing here.
>6 red eyes. midnight flesh. recognize the nightmare's influence for what it is.
This is definitely the work of the nightmare, yeah…
>Yeah don't mess with the painting if you have no dream-logic urges with it.
Right, you’re going to leave it alone for now.
>Are there any other blank canvases? Could you, perhaps, try to paint Dragon-bri except in a peaceful context?
There are several canvases lying around… but you’re not sure you can really paint anything at the moment… especially considering you have a huge dragon breathing down you neck, just waiting for you to get one step too close to it.
>Honestly, if dragon-bri can't get into the studio to eat you, use it to talk to her for a while.
Well… talking is a free action… most of the time…

>Sonork, Is Bri going to have to reconcile with herself like we did?
I’m not sure, but something tell me her problems won’t be the same as ours was.
Ha! Reconcile? With me!? I AM BRI! I am the one who is in control most of the time! Eating that melon in front of you? Going along that sick joke Doxan dreamed up? Insulting you to your face!? LICKING THE BLOOD OF MY FALLEN ENEMIES WHEN YOU WERE LOOKING AT ME!? THAT WAS ALL ME! ME! I commanded her to do that! TO MAKE HER SUFFER! IT IS WHAT WE DESERVE!
>True, I'll admit, I was scared. But that was before I got to know you!
Oh, please, what you know is a mask, a shallow pretender. The real us is nothing but spite and pain! You are right to fear me!
>That's not true! In fact, look at this painting I made! This is the real you! You're a knight in shining armor!
THAT ME DOESN’T EXIST!
>If that was true, then why did you show up to save me from Xuv when I called for you?
Save you!? I was trying to keep that bitch away from my prey! MY PREY! I am the one who will make you suffer, the one to make you despair! NOT HER!
>Does she remember when she faced down the Wyvern? Or the burning house? The Grand River?
HAHA! Do you really think that was bravery!? That we did it because we were a hero!? I WANTED TO DIE! I WANTED TO DIE A HERO! That wyvern was supposed to rip me to shreds! That house was supposed to burn me alive! I WAS SUPPOSED TO DROWN! That way, at least in death, I would be remembered as at least tried to save someone!
>If you really were a monster, then explain why I'm still here! If you really are a monster, then I would've given up on you!
Because you are a fool! Why are you here? WHY!? YOU DON’T CARE FOR ME! YOU DON’T LOVE ME! WHY ARE YOU HERE!?
>Now your guilt and self-doubt might accept this whole 'I am a monster' bit, but have you seen yourself?
Seen myself!? This is who I am! You made me realize it more than anyone!
…I did?
Last night… when you whispered it in her ear… just as you did with me… “I love you…” … Just like… you did with me…
I-
It was like I was struck with a blade, my heart pierced by an arrow… it hurt so much hearing you say that to her…
I’m sorry, I didn’t-
But it made me realize… How many hearts have I broken? The pain was unbearable… but how many times have I inflicted the same wound on others!? I have been throwing people away like rotten meat! I have come and destroyed families, marriages and love then just thrown them away like THEY WERE NOTHING! HOW MANY LIVES HAVE I RUINED!? I AM A MONSTER! I… I finally realized that last night… I am nothing… nothing but… a monster… I deserve this…
>You could threaten to use the shock rod on her, to find out what it means to her.
YES! MAKE ME SUFFER! KILL ME! IT’S WHAT I DESERVE!

>So, please my knight and soon to be wife.....come and take this sword, your sword, the sword of Myseth and slay this imposter that claims to be the real you!
GRRR! That s-sword!? THROW IT AWAY! I DON’T WANT IT!
>The flowers…
GAH! THAT HORRID SMELL!?
>Let's find out why they didn't want music played in the main hall.
NO! NOT THE- GAH! STOP IT! I CAN’T STAND IT! STOP THAT DAMN SCREECHING! NO! I DON’T DESERVE TO BE HAPPY! IT IS ALL LIES! LIES!!! I. AM. A. MON-

Kaktus 2016/12/27(Tue)12:08 No. 768481 ID: 65a774
File 148286932121.png - (24.74KB , 686x526 , 106.png )

>Maybe it'll give Courage the cowardly suit of armor the gumption to show up.
Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a halberd of pure light plunges itself into the shoulder of the beast, making it scream in pain. Briannah’s courage makes a triumphant return and manages with another swift strike to cripple one of the front legs of the dragon, slowing it down considerably.

YOU! YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE!

Kaktus 2016/12/27(Tue)12:08 No. 768482 ID: 65a774
File 148286933177.png - (18.17KB , 686x526 , 107.png )

The suit tries it best, but the dragon is simply too strong for it to handle. After a quick struggle, the beast managed to knock the armored shape off its feet and disarm it. Given the chance, it quickly crushes the suits weapon under its massive claws, leaving it defenseless.

Err… I don’t think it will be able to handle this on its own…

>we'll give it the sword- that'll help her more.
That’s a start… if you want to try and get past the dragon Bri first... No, giving it another weapon won’t be enough; we need to help it take this creature down permanently.

>>768480
>“I love you…”
What? Kronos did you really say that to the cute mantis girl? If so I am very disappointed in you. You'd have wronged both Briannah and Zela by doing that.
Or was that Briannah having an auditory hallucination because of the Nightmare?

>>768482
I still don't trust the shock rod or the poison. The dragon wants you to use the shock rod, and wasn't afraid of the poison either. Let's head to the armory, keep giving Courage more weapons from it, and use the sword yourself. Once it's beaten down enough we can have Courage restrain it and give her a kiss.

This is the part where Sonork helps her explain that you're BOTH @#$%-ups who should never have been born, except @#$% the universe and all the ungrateful scampering vermin that can't handle a few bright sparks in their powder keg world, might as well make a whole FAMILY of @#$%-ups RIGHT NOW.

>>768482
>No, giving it another weapon won’t be enough; we need to help it take this creature down permanently.
Well, how about both of the weapons you gave each other? Give Bri's courage the sword of Myseth for it to use and you pull out the Singing Dragon gun Bri gave you and you use that. Both are symbols of love for each other, right?

Of course the gun you have right now is the one you got from your brother. That won't do. Maybe if you focus really hard on it, you can change it into the Singing Dragon?

>>768485
>Let's head to the armory, keep giving Courage more weapons from it, and use the sword yourself.
Why? We already know none of the other weapons in the armory will work! Let's just give Bri's courage the sword of Myseth and when it stabs Dragon Bri, Kronos can grab the sword and help push it in!

>have Courage restrain it and give her a kiss.
Sonork already said that Bri's problems are different from Kronos' problems, so don't treat hugging and accepting as something that'll work on everyone! Different problems require different solutions! We need to help Bri's courage beat Dragon Bri!

>>768489
>wrong gun
Well, Krotos' gun might induce fear in the dragon, which would be effective in its own right.

>Why? We already know none of the other weapons in the armory will work!
Do we? Courage just used a spear from the armory. The dragon here might not be the entirety of the Nightmare's influence, and for that matter it's hard to trust Bri's subconscious. She is suicidal, after all, and thinks she deserves punishment. The shock rod may be what the Empress used to discipline her, and it would be very harmful for Bri's subconscious to equate Kronos with that kind of treatment.

>Last night… when you whispered it in her ear… just as you did with me… “I love you…” … Just like… you did with me…
Yeah, did that actually happen? you were snuggled between the two of them, and then Xuv popped in. And I doubt 'gods fucking dammit' means 'I love you' in any language.

Ask if she thinks you're a monster before you get into the things you've done. It'll either show her cognitive dissonance or demoralize her for being a sorry excuse for a monster.

>>768491
>Courage just used a spear from the armory.
Because the sword of Myseth was missing.

But I really don't want to run off because it'll make Bri's courage think Kronos is abandoning it and just give up the fight. And if Kronos tries to tell it he'll be back, that'll just let Dragon Bri know her food is getting away. And if Kronos tries to sneak off before either of them notice, the armor might call for help and when Kronos isn't there to answer, the armor will think he's abandoned it and might just stop fighting and give up.

Okay, two possible courses of action come to mind. First one is you grab one of the fullest cans of paint, pry the lid off and either fling it or swing it at the eyes of Dragon Bri while she's preoccupied with Bri's Courage. Whichever one is more likely to coat the eyes on that side of her head, blinding her from that side. Next you'll chuck the bouquet of lavender on or near to Briannah's Courage such that the scent will momentarily repulse Dragon Bri. That will give you a opening to pitch the Myseth sword to Bri's Courage, and also hopefully allow her to get back on her feet. Then draw your gun and open fire on Dragon Bri, aiming for her center mass where her neck ends. Even with your missing eye screwing your aim up you'll still be able to hit a target as big and close as Dragon Bri. Hopefully you'll at least cripple her other front leg with your shots. And just keep reloading and supporting Bri's Courage by raining shots down on Dragon Bri.

Second idea is to turn your gun into a improvised ice magic bomb by over filling it with arcane powder. However, this idea hinges on there being long enough twine or similar in this studio you could tie around the trigger to enable you to yank it from afar. That and that you can be confident that you can tie the twine in the right way that it'll work. Or perhaps overcharged arcane firearms become explosively unstable on impact, meaning you could just throw it at Dragon Bri. But assuming that you have a way to detonate the gun without having to hold it in your hand, then the way it'd go is that you'd throw the bouquet, which would get Dragon Bri away long enough to chuck the Myseth sword to Bri's Courage. Then you'd have a tiny bit of time while they fight to overload the gun, get the twine and tie it to the trigger, then lob it next to Dragon Bri on the opposite side of her from Bri's Courage and yank the cord. It's all rather risky, both in that you'd have time to execute it, and that Bri's Courage could get caught in the icy blast, but it would take down Dragon Bri in one go... Wouldn't it?

>Last night… when you whispered it in her ear… just as you did with me… “I love you…” … Just like… you did with me…
Oh, no, you didn't... Did you? You don't quite remember. Maybe you uttered it when you were half asleep and your beak just happened to be facing Zela. You didn't say who you loved though, so you're sure it was meant for Briannah. You think that because you don't love Zela. She's cute and innocent and all, but you don't love her. You just wanted to fulfill her desire that she wanted so badly. You didn't want to let her down or crush her dream. You wished to make her first time a good one. One that she'd remember fondly, unlike your first time. And that happened to overlap with your wish to lay with a Hiver. But that desire was also amplified by the overdose of fertility potion, which also clouded your habitually poor judgment with half-blinding lust. It's no excuse for hurting Bri so deeply, but it is a explanation for why you were so oblivious that you did what you did.

>No matter how much you want to feed this thing with babies, you can’t just conjure things up from nothing here.
...What the ever lovin' fuck, Kronos! How can you even think of wanting that?! It's a hideous idea that's wrong on so many goddamn levels! That's the kind of sick shit you'd expect to come out of either Xuv's mind or the most depraved dreams of the Kiln! Where the hell did that idea even come from?!

>>768486
...And would the tiny voice of moonbat crazy, terrible ideas probably seeping into Kronos' head from the Nightmare kindly SHUT THE FUCK UP FOREVER! You are not funny! You are not clever with your random shitty ideas! You are a BLIGHT who muddies everything with your stupid crap! So fuck right off and never return!

>>768485
The i love you has to be the small change the nightmare made to drive the rage

She does have a death woah in general though.
Check with kronid ( that makes you kronego )

Brid has put her worth in being a monster.
Briego is set in being a slayer of monsters

The discrepancy must be fixed between the two

Stories of monsters who are knights and knights who are monsters. A monster prince and a the noble monster it maimed.

Bri needs briego and brid to unite.

The easiest way is to give them a common foe, as they both share violence and only differ in motivation.

More complete way is that all have bad and good.

Like with kronid, we had to admit we have been incompetent.

Periods of monstrosity do not a true monster make.


Ps: your brother might actually help fix the mess he started. Time to give bri a common foe

>>768567
>Kronid
>Kronego
>Brid
>Briego
Who the fuck are you talking about?! I have no idea what you're saying! This is the kind of stuff I'd expect Kome to say! Is that who you are?! Are you Kome with a different ID?!

That's not me! Maybe they have trouble speaking english?

Oh wait I get it, they mean Kronos-Id, Kronos-Ego, Briannah-Id, Briannah-Ego. Classic Freud personality assessment.

>>768564
Both of your plans don't take into account that Dragon Bri revels in violence and wants to be punished. She recoils from nice things, so we should use those instead.

>I DON’T DESERVE TO BE HAPPY!
Neither do I. We can both change, we can both deserve each other. We don't have to let the past control us!
>IT IS ALL LIES! LIES!!!
Oh really? So you never took me picnicking in the garden? Never painted my portrait? Never said you wanted my child? I never stopped loving you, and nobody and nothing will change that!

>>768577
Okay... Sunshine lollipops and rainbows song?

Kaktus 2016/12/28(Wed)13:44 No. 768672 ID: 65a774
File 148296144355.png - (19.15KB , 686x526 , 108.png )

>What? Kronos did you really say that to the cute mantis girl? If so I am very disappointed in you.
You’re… n-not sure if you did. You weren’t exactly in your right mind last night… and you wouldn’t put it past you to say something like that just to feel her quiver beneath you.
>You'd have wronged both Briannah and Zela by doing that.
…you probably did…
>You think that because you don't love Zela. She's cute and innocent and all, but you don't love her.
You… don’t? You’re not even sure anymore… you like her but… you barely know her, do you?

>I really don't want to run off because it'll make Bri's courage think Kronos is abandoning it and just give up the fight.
Right, we need to stand our ground and fight!
>Turn your gun into an improvised ice magic bomb by over filling it with arcane powder.
That’s a terrible idea! You’re not even sure it will blow up! At best it will ruin the gun, at worse it will blow up in your hands, neither is something you want happening!


>Ask if she thinks you're a monster?
YOU!? A monster!? What have you ever done to deserve that!?
I-
You are nothing but a saint for even trying to stay with me! No, it’s all my fault! It’s my fault that harlot was in our bed! It was my fault you said you loved her! Not yours! Not hers! MINE!
>I don’t deserve to be happy either. We can both change, we can both deserve each other. We don't have to let the past control us!
You deserve everything! I DESERVE ONLY DEATH! If you want to make things better, THEN LET ME DIE ALREADY!
>Oh really? So you never took me picnicking in the garden? Never painted my portrait? Never said you wanted my child?
Those were just lies! Falsehoods! No one can ever love someone like me! I AM A MONSTER! A BEAST! I DON’T DESERVE YOU! I DON’T DESERVE ANYONE!

>Grab one of the fullest cans of paint, pry the lid off and either fling it!
You grab a bucket of white paint, tear off the lid of it and… hey, this thing is empty! They are all empty! Damn dream logic!
>Next you'll chuck the bouquet of lavender on or near to Briannah's Courage such that the scent will momentarily repulse Dragon Bri.
GAH! What is that putrid smell!? GET IT AWAY FROM ME!
>Give Bri's courage the sword of Myseth for it to use.
With the dragon momentarily distracted, you throw the sword over her for the suit to catch. The beast notice it a bit just too late and futilely snaps after it with its powerful yaws as it flies overhead. As the knight grabs the sword, the dragon ready itself to bounce, seemingly not willing to give it time to get comfortable with its new weapon.

Kaktus 2016/12/28(Wed)13:44 No. 768673 ID: 65a774
File 148296145485.png - (14.04KB , 686x526 , 109.png )

>Pull out the Singing Dragon gun Bri gave you and you use that.
You pull out the singing dragon from your jacket holster… or is it your brothers gun? It’s hard to tell, as they both seems to be there at once… what you do know is that neither can fire a beam of pure light powerful enough to sunder flesh and bones from a dragon. It howls in pain as your shots hits its back legs, ripping large, bleeding wounds in both of them and stopping it in mid-jump.

Kaktus 2016/12/28(Wed)13:44 No. 768674 ID: 65a774
File 148296146603.png - (22.90KB , 686x526 , 110.png )

>Once it's beaten down enough we can have Courage restrain it and give her a kiss.
With both its back legs as well as one of its front legs crippled the dragon struggle to keep her balance in all the pain. Once again, its focus switches back to you, growling in pure rage and bearing its teeth. The suit takes this opportunity to go in for the killing blow… you scream for it to restrain it, to take her alive, but it simply raises the sword above its head…

Kaktus 2016/12/28(Wed)13:44 No. 768675 ID: 65a774
File 148296148006.png - (26.86KB , 686x526 , 111.png )

…and cuts the dragons head clean off… dammit…

F-finally… some rest…

The suit, happy with its victory, starts looking over the corpse of the dragon closer. It’s probably looking for trophies or trinkets to loot and is so preoccupied it seems to have forgotten that you even existed in the first place.

Thank you for saving me… err… Mrs. Knight?
…
Err… hello?
I don’t think she can hear you. I don’t think she can hear anything for that matter.
Well… what now?

[Briannah’s self-hatred has been subdued… for now.]

All the sudden, it is if a strange, muddy haze engulfs the dream, turning it bleak and gray. All that rage has suddenly disappear… only leaving behind despair and hopelessness. Your work is still not done here… the nightmare is still here, just in another form… now as fear instead of hate.

It seems that unlike your own self-hatred Bri's is much harsher, longer and more well fed with intense self-hatred, and fear of self.

It seems it will take more to help her deal with it.

>>768675
Time to check on the Alone door.

>>768675
>…and cuts the dragons head clean off… dammit…
That's a good thing! Remember, your problems are different from Bri's problems, so using the same solution of hugging and accepting that you used, doesn't mean the same thing would've worked on Bri's problems!

I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to give the armor a hug? It is Bri after all, so maybe that'll help her feel better?

>All the sudden, it is if a strange, muddy haze engulfs the dream, turning it bleak and gray. All that rage has suddenly disappear… only leaving behind despair and hopelessness. Your work is still not done here… the nightmare is still here, just in another form… now as fear instead of hate.
Fear, huh? Sounds like that secret door marked "Alone" on the map is where you need to go. Hopefully, that huge stone slab has either disappeared or is now light enough for you to move it.

And since it's marked as "Alone" on the map and there's a great feeling of fear in the air, I'm guessing the next thing to do is help Bri with her fear of being alone.

>>768677
Bri's self-hatred surpasses Kronos
Kronos' self-hatred comes from his belief that he radiates world-destroying chaos to the point that even as a baby he could cause wars and corrupt his siblings. Briannah's self-hated comes from her belief that she could have been a heroine, an empress, but in the end she chose of her own free will to homewreck and torture so freely that Miley Cyrus would have turned in her wrecking ball and signed up as a Yo Momma joke. There's a serious difference here.

Kronos needs to teach Briannah that she is capable of choosing a better life for herself, and in turn she needs to teach him that he isn't a walking champion of the forces of chaos. Maybe.

>You’re… n-not sure if you did.
Keep in mind this is about the third or fourth time people are accusing you of things you didn't actually do- first when your father thought you poisoned a guard, Then when Sisah said you ordered those assassins tortured, and again when Thalia thought you were attempting a coup or something. It's bad enough that you're catching hell for things you did when you could barely walk, but draw the line at shit that never happened.

Communicate non verbally with the Armor, tapping its shoulder, pointing, leading it by the arm, whatever works. It remains to be seen whether it will go with you or not- maybe it doesn't want to, for some reason, maybe it can only open the boundary for so long or something.

Also, I don't know if now's the time for such a thing, but have you thought to intentionally wound yourself to prove your dream-walking abilities to Bri? Just something that'll draw blood and distinct enough to not be mistaken for anything else.

Looking at the severed head of Briannah's self-hatred, you can't help but feel slightly sick to your stomach. Albeit monstrous, she was and is a part of your love all the same, and seeing her laying dead here like this is upsetting. You worry this was the wrong way, but then you can't think of what could have been the right way. You can't think of what you could you have done or said to sway or stop self-hatred as big and deep as this. You don't see how you could have fixed it permanently here and now. And you know the way it went that it'll be back, eventually. But for now it is gone and maybe that'll be long enough to talk with Bri after you wake and hopefully figure out a way to start to deal with it for good.

Take a moment to turn off the music rune to conserve its charge and pick the lavender bouquet up since it may help with facing the aspect of Bri's fear. Check your gun is charged as well. ...Then touch the severed head of the dragon, and her body next. You saw memories from the shining armor of Bri's bravery when you touched it, so perhaps touching the aspect of her self-hatred will reveal memories related to it and grant you some insight. Especially insight into her origins. Because there had to be some event that set her upon the vicious self-perpetuating downward spiral of self-sabotage. And then she would then add the bad things she did in that sabotage to the list of reasons for Bri should suffer and would sabotage her again. Over and over, without end.

Bri's bravery seems completely intent on gathering trophies from this fallen dragon, which means it'll likely start to skin her hide or, given that it's Sakkilian, carve her heart out. You don't want to be around to see any of that because you know you'll puke. Instead take this time to make a quick run through the rest of this layer of Briannah's dream, including the Grand Hall, and look for changes or any new people. While the "ALONE" door seems like the most likely next destination, Bri's fear might have manifested up here and not down below. Best to be sure it didn't before you try popping that stone slab open. Oh, and the figment of who was likely the Empress is still around, since she ran off when the dragon broke free. Watch out for her because you don't know how she'll react to you now.

Assuming you didn't find anything rechecking this level, it's time to try opening the ALONE door. Give it a pull by yourself to check if it's still as heavy as before before you try and get Bri's bravery to open it for you. If tapping on it then pointing and gesturing doesn't get the message across you'll have to try writing what you need on a blank canvas and showing it that, with the hope it is literate. Oh, and get something to either jam the door in its track or prop the door up before you start trying to open the door. That broken halberd the shining armor was wielding may work to wedge the track, while a couple legs broken off tables in the dining hall may work to prop the door up.

>Once again, its focus switches back to you, growling in pure rage and bearing its teeth.
...Y'know, you might have figured out why Bri's self-hatred dragon was so hostile to you. It's because you brought Briannah genuine joy and happiness, and made her feel loved. And the dragon couldn't stand you bringing that to Briannah. It was driven to stop that, either by killing you or breaking your love for Bri.

>You… don’t? You’re not even sure anymore… you like her but… you barely know her, do you?
Yes, you do barely know her. And the situation that unfolded with her was also while under the influence of a double dose of fertility potion. And there may have been influence from Xuv on top of that as well. Perhaps if you gave it time you could find out if you do love Zela, or if it was more a lust to sate your desire to lay with a Hiver gal. However, you should not pursue Zela to find out either way because to do so after you know how Briannah feels would be intolerably callous to her, not the least because she's freaked out by Hivers. Bri needs your full attention and support now, not divided up trying to juggle both her and other romantic interests.

You also need to put away the visions of polyamory you've had dancing in your head these past few days. Given the mental state Bri is in, you should not romantically pursue anyone else. Maybe once she is in a better state, but it shouldn't be anyone that won't stand Bri or vice versa. No romantic pursuits that take you away from Bri. You want her and you together at the center of any romantic relationship with others. And if you can't be confident Bri can be truly fine you loving another person even in a lesser way than you love her, then you won't pursue anyone else. ...And frankly, chasing after more loves when you have such a love for Briannah seems foolish. Why do you feel you want more loves than just her?

>>768699
>I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to give the armor a hug? It is Bri after all, so maybe that'll help her feel better?
It's a mental aspect of Briannah, not her as a whole. And as we have already experienced we can't assume they'll react the way we expect. I doubt Bri's bravery is the kind that would accept hugging, even if it wasn't encased in armor, or is the armor. I'd rather not bother it while it's preoccupied hunting for trophies either. It seems so focused on that task to the exclusion of everything else that it may not take kindly to Kronos interrupting it.

Kaktus 2016/12/29(Thu)13:01 No. 768830 ID: 65a774
File 148304530878.png - (26.21KB , 686x526 , 112.png )

>Looking at the severed head of Briannah's self-hatred, you can't help but feel slightly sick to your stomach. Albeit monstrous, she was and is a part of your love all the same, and seeing her lying dead here like this is upsetting.
…that is still Briannah… even in that form it’s… her…
>That's a good thing! Remember, your problems are different from Bri's problems, so using the same solution of hugging and accepting that you used, doesn't mean the same thing would've worked on Bri's problems!
…but maybe it was for the best… maybe there wasn’t a better way? Having a positive part of her take care of a negative one is probably the best you could have hoped for.

>It seems that unlike your own self-hatred Bri's is much harsher, longer and more well-fed with intense self-hatred, and fear of self.
It seems like you two faced it in different ways. You buried it in ignorance and became the fool… while she let it grow and lost control over it.
>Kronos needs to teach Briannah that she is capable of choosing a better life for herself.
You need to help her get through this!
>...Y'know, you might have figured out why Bri's self-hatred dragon was so hostile to you. It's because you brought Briannah genuine joy and happiness, and made her feel loved. And the dragon couldn't stand you bringing that to Briannah.
…you made her happy? You really did, didn’t you? …and you will continue doing so!
>You should not pursue Zela to find out if you love her either way because to do so after you know how Briannah feels would be intolerably callous to her, not the least because she's freaked out by Hivers.
Maybe it was a mistake brining her onboard in the first place…
>You also need to put away the visions of polyamory you've had dancing in your head these past few days.
To be fair, it was Bri who planted them there in the first place. Though, you shouldn’t really move the blame to her, should you? No matter… what matters now is what you do next, not what you’ve already done.
>Keep in mind this is about the third or fourth time people are accusing you of things you didn't actually do.
You’ve started to get used to that happening… you’ve been playing the fool for so long that it easier to just blame you instead of trying to find out what actually happened.

>Take a moment to turn off the music rune to conserve its charge.
Its already died on its own… in fact, all the music runes seems to have died as that cloud of despair rolled in.
>Pick the lavender bouquet up since it may help with facing the aspect of Bri's fear.
It’s all withered and dry all the sudden… and it crumbles at your touch. It’s no longer of any use.
>Check if your gun is charged as well.
It too seems to have died. Everything just… stopped functioning all the sudden.
>Look for changes or any new people.
Everything is the same… not counting all the lights giving up, all the flowers withering and all other magic just simply… dying off.
>It's time to try opening the ALONE door. Give it a pull by yourself to check if it's still as heavy as before.
Gnn! It’s still heavy as hell!
>Oh, and get something to either jam the door in its track or prop the door up before you start trying to open the door.
As you reach for a broomstick, it simply falls asunder as if it was rotten to the core. Even things made of stone and metal bends and breaks to your touch. Everything but the walls and doors seems to have just... um… given up?
>Oh, and the figment of who was likely the Empress is still around, since she ran off when the dragon broke free.
You never saw the door she ran to open... and there’s no trace of her anywhere else. It’s like she simply ceased to be as soon as dragon Bri forgot about her. In fact, the corpses in the grand hall are gone too!

>Have you thought to intentionally wound yourself to prove your dream-walking abilities to Bri?
I’m not sure how exactly that would work. I’m pretty sure any flesh wounds will not actually show up on your waking body, it will just feel like they did. But if you would, let us say, lose a finger instead… um… I think you would wake up with a “dead” husk of a finger. One that can’t be healed and will need to be amputated.


>Touch the severed head of the dragon. You saw memories from the shining armor of Bri's bravery when you touched it, so perhaps touching the aspect of her self-hatred will reveal memories related to it and grant you some insight.
…do you really want to witness this? This see the worse parts of her? …you guess you need too… to understand her. As you touch the cold head, you head fills with visions of the past. You can’t stop to feel the outmost glee as you repeatedly smash her head into your chest plate, as you watch her beak become nothing but a pile of red and orange. You can hear her chocking on her own blood as she falls to ground, just like she deserves to do. Oh, how you wish you still had the chance to have a taste of a monster like her… to taste-blood… your gauntlets are covered in her blood. Her delicious blood… the blood of a murderer… a coward… a- OH SHIT, KRONOS IS- Such power… to have someone so… so powerful at your beck and call… to have someone so influential, so important life in your hands… and she wants you to end her… end her in one of the most primal ways there is. She hesitates… maybe you can still talk her out of this? Maybe… but do you want to? You want this… you need this… you want to- their dead faces still haunting you, their pleading eyes waiting for parents that would never come. Oh, how you want to rip these monsters to pieces, how you want to make them pay for all the children whose futures they’ve ruined. Huh? What is going on? An ambush? Where is your sword? One of them is charging and where is… where… teeth… you have teeth… she is a monster… you are… you are a monster as well. They deserve to meet a monster. They Deserve to- the whole town is nothing but ruins… everyone is just… gone… you saw these people just a few days ago and now they are… gone. All the women… even the men and children… everyone is dead. Their bodies mutilated and left to rot in the sun. Their skulls and bones looted as trophies, their bodies defiled because of “honor”. Risavia did this… they are nothing but monsters… beasts… and you let it happen. If only you would have given this mission more respect you… you would… you failed them. You failed them because you wanted ale… wanted meat… how many died to these monsters because you… you… you’re a monster… so many dead become of your selfish desires… you… you’re nothing but a beast…


>Try and get Bri's bravery to open it for you.
Well… first off you need to get its attention…
>I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to give the armor a hug?
You embrace it in a warm hug… and it returns the sentiment by laying one of its hands over your shoulder. Then, when you let it go, it proceed with first pointing at itself, then you before making some very… lewd gestures before giving you a questionable look. It’s Bri alright…

Heh, it thinks you’re the prince in distress, eh? That it’s the knight in shining armor who just saved you from the ravaging beast that kidnapped you… so she’s probably expecting the usual “reward”.

>Communicate non verbally with the Armor, tapping its shoulder, pointing, leading it by the arm, whatever works.
After gesturing a lot to indicate a negative on her request, you managed to lead her to the blocked door. She easily opens it up, but it seems to be designed to only reveal a small hole in the wall… one that leads to utter darkness. There’s no way the suit can fit through that hole… do you need to leave it and venture in alone?

The lack of an inner dragon monster for her courage to fight may cause an imbalance in Briannah's brain. But for the moment, that's okay! Because you've got an entire roster of badass enemies for her to prepare against and right now you need a general, not an ambassador!

Just motivate her courage to prepare for an even greater fight, she doesn't need to pick on civilians because the best is yet to come and you need her focused for this. Inspire the courage, sing to her of gibbering mouthers and interdimensional beasts, of armies made from the desperate and forged in dogma, of life itself coming to pluck her soul like it did the other 10^999999+++ other gullible, haughty saps known as every being that has ever lived.

Make her chest puff out so deeply she grows breasts.

>>768830
Despair will be less physically dangerous to confront, so sure, go alone. It's not like you have a choice anyway.

The visions of briannah's self-hate appear to be in reverse chronological order. The root of her complex started when she failed a mission by wasting time in a tavern. By feeding her gluttony. So she attached gluttony to her self-hate and started eating those she hated. The time when she ate the suicidal royal is a bit of an outlier but maybe the act of cannibalism had become too much of a compulsion by that point, or it became associated with self-hate and thus suicide that it felt appropriate to use it as assisted suicide. Or helping someone else die would be like experiencing it vicariously.

You definitely need to share your insecurities with Briannah when you wake up. They're somewhat similar.

Also give Briannah's courage a big kiss.

Give Bri a pinch on the cheek- preferably an upper one so this doesn't drag out- and go forth. Not like you can make any preparations as long as things just crumble under your fingers.

Actually, see about bringing the sword- it's glowing and it'll be the only weapon you've got.

Kaktus 2016/12/29(Thu)17:20 No. 768892 ID: 65a774
File 148306084750.png - (2.71KB , 686x526 , 113.png )

>The root of her complex started when she failed a mission by wasting time in a tavern. By feeding her gluttony. So she attached gluttony to her self-hate and started eating those she hated.
That… might be it? She’s definitely obsessed with hurting those that “deserve” it… and eating them… and she think she is one of the ones who “deserve” it as well… huh…
>You definitely need to share your insecurities with Briannah when you wake up. They're somewhat similar.
You both definitely need some kind of therapy after all this!
>The lack of an inner dragon monster for her courage to fight may cause an imbalance in Briannah's brain.
You’re not sure what, exactly, you actually just did… but not having that thing in control is definitely a good thing!
>Just motivate her courage to prepare for an even greater fight.
…hard to do when we can’t communicate verbally…
>Make her chest puff out so deeply she grows breasts.
…you know, you’re really going to miss fondling those things… hmm, maybe there’s a potion that… wait, how does breast on a lizard even look like? Are they all scaly and stuff? Hmm…


>Give Bri a pinch on the cheek- preferably an upper one so this doesn't drag out- and go forth.
Both cheeks are covered by heavy armor, so no can do, chief.
>Also give Briannah's courage a big kiss.
You guide its helmet to your face and kiss it on its snout. In return it strokes your check, seemingly promising that you will be safe and it will be back for you later. At least… that’s the thought that goes through your head… is it communicating in some other way or have you just read too many romance novels?
>Actually, see about bringing the sword- it's glowing and it'll be the only weapon you've got.
As you try to take the sword the suit quickly grabs it from your hands. Then it flick you on the beak and makes a “no no” motion. It doesn’t seem to part with it… and you’re not going to fight it over something you can barely use anyway.

>Despair will be less physically dangerous to confront, so sure, go alone. It's not like you have a choice anyway.
Here goes nothing… into the darkness you go.
…
As you enter, you’re engulfed by pure darkness. You’re not sure if the armor behind you closed the stone door or if it just ceased to be, but suddenly you’re standing in nothingness.
…
There is nothing here…
…
Just… vast darkness… there is nothing…
…
No escape…
…
No hope…
…
There is just loneliness… and darkness…
…
…why?
…
Why do you keep- Because of Bri! Dammit, stop it! You are here for Bri… but… where is she? There is just darkness out there…
…
…did you fail? Did you walk into some devious trap set but the nightmare?
…you failed… you…
…
…there is no hope…
…everything is pointless…

>>768892
No. There is a light in the darkness. See that dot down there? How far away is it? Keep strong for Briannah, remember that this is the Nightmare making you feel despair. Go investigate the light.

Also don't forget your gun can fire light. Fire upwards and you'll get a burst of light to see with.

Try calling out or feeling around. And hey, better silent and still than what was happening before.

Keep your thoughts about you. This is despair in its purest form trying to drag you down into darkness to force you to give up. Of the many things Kronos, you've been a fool but you'll do your damnedest to try and ensure people are happy.

The darkness will fight, but you must think of happiness, for yourself, for Bri.

>>768900
What if that light isn't a part of Bri that he can go towards? What if that light is actually Kronos himself?

That would make Kronos the light in the darkness of Bri's life. So, now Kronos needs to shine brighter in order to push away the darkness!

You have not failed, Kronos! All that you feel right now, this despair, this yawning hopelessness, is the doing of the Nightmare. The amplification of your love's fear and depression into a all enveloping darkness. You know this is the Nightmare's insidious power, for you have felt it touch you before. And by knowing that what you're feeling is a falsehood woven by it, you can push back. You will push back against it because out there is Briannah, your love, lost within its dark depths for what must feel an eternity. You know in the depths of your being there must be a way to find her, and you will find it.

Thinking on what could fight the darkness here, it's quite possible that it's you that are the weapon against it. Your deep, if previously unfocused, optimism, now alloyed, tempered and honed by reconciling with your more pessimistic side's wisdom. Your hope for the future and drive to always try, many times even when it looks like you can't or shouldn't. Your free spirit that shakes failure off like water off a duck's back. Yes, it is you that is analogous to the shining sword and armor in the layer you left.

While the music rune was sapped of its power, you still have your own voice, right? Start humming the rune's tune and don't stop. As you do, continually play it back in your mind as well and remember all associated with it, branching out from there. Remember the night of you first made love to Briannah, the best night of your life. Remember everything about Briannah that you love. Her cleverness, her beauty, her strength, her bravery, her wit and forthrightness. The way her tail flicks and waves when she's happy. The sweet taste of her skin and lips. Remember how in every future you want, she is there by your side. Remember how much you want to have a family with her. How deeply you want to live a life with her; To forge a future with her. How you wish with a deep desire to bring her joy and contentment and peace. How you will turn all your being towards bringing about the world this can and will happen in. This is why you are here. And this is why you will never give up. Why you can never give up.

If you look about you will see there is a solitary light in the darkness. It must be Briannah's strongest memory of hope and joy to be able to shine through such oppressive darkness. It shall be your guiding star through this void. Move towards it, arms outstretched to feel your way. Call out to Briannah as you go, and never take your eyes off that light.

>…you know, you’re really going to miss fondling those things… hmm, maybe there’s a potion that… wait, how does breast on a lizard even look like? Are they all scaly and stuff? Hmm…
Well, you could still hire courtesans to come to bed with you and Bri when you really miss fondling boobs. Or perhaps Thalia instead. Or another Vark gal who has a interest in sharing your bed. Just as long as it's only a sexual relationship and not romantic, and Bri takes part in it with you and clearly agrees beforehand, it probably won't upset Briannah.

As for what breasts on a Sakkilian would look and feel like... They'd have no nipples, same as a Vark gal. And Sakkilian hide is tough, so they likely wouldn't sag as much as human or Vark, staying up without a bra at larger sizes. Probably would feel firmer when squeezed as well. And you know from personal experience with Briannah whether Sakkilians have scales all over or not and how they vary, so you be the judge of whether their hypothetical boobs would be covered in scales like Bri has on her chest or if it'd be otherwise. ...You'll also have to remember to look into whether there's such a thing as a temporary breast enhancement potion out there, and if and how it effects Sakkilians. ...Perhaps look into temporary butt enhancement potions as well. If those exist you know the Sakkilians would have been the ones to invent them.

>>768900
>Also don't forget your gun can fire light. Fire upwards and you'll get a burst of light to see with.
Unfortunately, Kronos said that his gun's charge was sapped away by the same wave of despair that rendered all the other magic items outside inert, so it won't work right now. Maybe once he's driven the fear and hopelessness back some he can fire it again, but he probably can't now.

>>768995
>Remember everything about Briannah that you love. Her cleverness, her beauty, her strength, her bravery, her wit and forthrightness. The way her tail flicks and waves when she's happy. The sweet taste of her skin and lips.
You forgot to mention her gigantic ass and hips! XD

Kaktus 2016/12/30(Fri)09:41 No. 769121 ID: 65a774
File 148311970935.png - (9.37KB , 686x526 , 114.png )

>Well, you could still hire courtesans to come to bed with you and Bri when you really miss fondling boobs.
…but you’ve never really liked hiring someone for something like… that…
>Or perhaps Thalia instead.
…hmm… well, you did almost have a threesome with her last night… Bri would… if she is still as… open as she was… she wouldn’t… um…
>Just as long as it's only a sexual relationship and not romantic, and Bri takes part in it with you and clearly agrees beforehand, it probably won't upset Briannah.
…hopefully that’s still the case. Wait, hopefully? Why are you even… don’t hope for something like that, Kronos, hope for Bri to get better instead!
>You'll also have to remember to look into whether there's such a thing as a temporary breast enhancement potion out there, and if and how it effects Sakkilians
There is bound to be something that can… can… um…
>...Perhaps look into temporary butt enhancement potions as well.
…good gods… your pretty sure Briannah drinking something like that would just… collapse the universe into itself! You can’t perfect perfection! But perfection itself is an impossibility and- dammit, brain, stop thinking about breasts and butts for moment! You have more important matters to deal with!


>Don't forget your gun can fire light. Fire upwards and you'll get a burst of light to see with.
Your gun is dead… just like everything else… everything is just pointless in the end… everything ends… there is no point in trying…
>And hey, better silent and still than what was happening before.
The sound of silence is screaming in your ears, drowning out everything else.
>You have not failed, Kronos! All that you feel right now, this despair, this yawning hopelessness, is the doing of the Nightmare.
…it’s… it’s so powerful. Did you ever have any hope of ever overcoming it? Did you even have chance in the first place to fight back… no… no, everything is… pointless.
>You will push back against it because out there is Briannah, your love, lost within its dark depths for what must feel an eternity.
…but… but even if it is… even if it is all pointless. Even if you don’t stand a chance. Even if there never were any hope to begin with… you need to fight. For your family… for your friends… for Briannah. You will not give up.
>The darkness will fight, but you must think of happiness, for yourself, for Bri.
No. You will not give up! NOT NOW! YOU HAVE COME SO FAR! No… Bri… you are coming. You will find her… and save her.

>Try calling out or feeling around.
Every sound you make is drowned out by the silence… and there is nothing there to feel but pure nothingness.
>Start humming the rune's tune and don't stop.
Like silent raindrops your tunes feel, simply echoed in the wells of silence… you can’t remember how it sounded anymore… you can’t remember hearing anything at all anymore… music… voices… sounds… all are but silence…
>As you do, continually play it back in your mind as well and remember all associated with it, branching out from there. Remember the night of you first made love to Briannah, the best night of your life.
You try your best to remember but… everything is just falling away. You can’t remember how she looks anymore… the sound of her voice… her laugh… her dialect… it’s all… gone…
>Remember everything about Briannah that you love. Her cleverness, her beauty, her strength, her bravery, her wit and forthrightness. The way her tail flicks and waves when she's happy. The sweet taste of her skin and lips.
…was she clever? How did she look like again? Was she brave? Did she even have a tail? ...was she ever happy?
>Remember how in every future you want, she is there by your side. Remember how much you want to have a family with her. How deeply you want to live a life with her; To forge a future with her.
Future… is there one anymore? Everything is so… so… bleak…
>And this is why you will never give up. Why you can never give up.
You… you can’t… but…
>You forgot to mention her gigantic ass and hips!
Dammit, brain! Stop going into the gutter! Ah, fuck it! You’ve had enough of this! I might not be able to remember her anymore, but that will not stop you! You will fight! You will win! AND YOU ARE NOT STOPPING ME, KROTOS! DO YOU HEAR ME!? I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE UP!

>No. There is a light in the darkness. See that dot down there? How far away is it?
For what seems like ages, you wander toward the singular point of light. A star of solitude, all alone in the never ending darkness, it doesn’t seem to get any closer no matter how long you walk. For what seems like hours… or days… or weeks… months… years… eons… for eons you walk through nothingness… and all the sudden you are there. The light… you found it. It’s a small… dragon? A small white dragon, curled up on the ground and… crying…

…it doesn’t seem to react to your presence…
…you call out to it but it doesn’t answer…
…you touch it but it doesn’t respond…
…it just lies there… crying… all alone…

IS THAT THE POTENTIAL FUTURE OF YOUR HYBRID BABY?! Or is it one of your enemies in weakened form?

Either way, grab it.

>>769121
Now THIS situation calls for hugs and kisses and reassurances that she is not alone, you are here, and you love her.

Suggestion 2016/12/30(Fri)11:09 No. 769132 ID: c1ba17

>>769121
Comfort the entity

And for the record, using sexual thoughts to counter mental/emotional attacks/influences could be a future trick in the dream walking arsenal. Or a meditation or mantra. Something to passively focus on during those tasks.

Hug it even if it doesn't appear to notice you, you will be there for it even if you have to hold it for eternity.

Hold and comfort it

>>769121
apply hug, for you as much as it.
as long as there's something around to hold onto that isn't empty despair, you can endure.

It's Briannah! You've finally found her! ...And she's so small and scared and afraid and alone. So, so alone. This must be the center of her deep fear of being alone, born of her father's death. And looking at her, you feel with your whole being a unstoppable need to embrace her. To hug her tight to your chest and close to your heart, same as she did to you before. To curl up around her completely to protect her from the darkness and whisper with your heart and soul that it'll be okay. That she's not alone. That she won't be alone. That there is hope. That there is a way out of the darkness. That she is cared for. That she can be loved. That she deserves love. That she is loved. And that you love her, completely and forever. And you'll say these and all else you feel in your depths over and over and over in the undying hope this tiny, precious piece of Briannah will be comforted after her ages trapped here.

...But perhaps what you need to do is not just stay and try and comfort Briannah until either of you wakes, for once you're gone the darkness will once again envelop her. Perhaps you need to bring her out of this endless pit of sorrow, back out the way you came. Yes. Yes, that is what you need to do. You will bundle her under your jacket and find a way back. Even if it takes countless eons, you will deliver Briannah from darkness.

>…hopefully that’s still the case. Wait, hopefully? Why are you even… don’t hope for something like that, Kronos, hope for Bri to get better instead!
Right, it would be too selfish on your part to hope for that. Especially when you don't know if Briannah's saying she's fine with a open relationship/marriage is a symptom of her self-hatred and her trying to sabotage herself. You'll have to be content with only Bri, but that is hardly depriving yourself. She's more than you've ever wanted or deserved. ...And maybe Doxan as well, since he's almost joined at Bri'd hip. And you never did find out if Agissa is one to seek out Bri's sexual compan- Okay, bad libido! Stop dragging Kronos' brain into the gutter!

>>769132
Y'know, thinking lewd and sexual things might be a useful tool. It seemed to cut through the Nightmare's mental fog when Kronos thought of Bri's stupendous ass and hips, making him remember that part of her. Maybe his metaphorical loins are beyond its influence on memory.

Be careful, don't let it collapse or crumble like the other stuff. Pick it up and take it with you. Maybe wrap it in your jacket if need be.

>>769121
Hold on to her and never let go. Maybe even kiss her.

>>769179
>Y'know, thinking lewd and sexual things might be a useful tool. It seemed to cut through the Nightmare's mental fog when Kronos thought of Bri's stupendous ass and hips, making him remember that part of her. Maybe his metaphorical loins are beyond its influence on memory.
If that's the case, then maybe if Kronos has sex with her it'll somehow help? Think about it like this: This is Kronos' chance to literally fuck her brains out! XD

>>769193
>If that's the case, then maybe if Kronos has sex with her it'll somehow help? Think about it like this: This is Kronos' chance to literally fuck her brains out! XD
Dude, no. Just no. This is almost the very absolute definition of "not the time, not the place." So a thousand times no. And that goes for after Kronos gets out of this pit of despair as well. Not only does he not have the time, and he's not going to be in the mood, his two choices are a animate suit of shining armor and a child-sized or smaller white dragon. The first is either sealed in or just a suit of armor, and the second feels like pedophilia. So that'll be a massive "NOPE" all over.

Once the Nightmare is done for and Briannah isn't in such a bad mental state, then Kronos can join her in her dream and they'll make glorious, passionate love together. With Bri's advance permission to enter her dream, of course. But that night is at least a fair bit off from now. Still something to look forward to, though.

>>769243
>Still something to look forward to, though.
I'm not hearing a "no". All I'm hearing is a "wait until a better time", which is perfectly fine with me. Because that is something that's definitely worth waiting for. ;D

>>769249
If it's even possible to do at all, anyways.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Kaktus 2016/12/31(Sat)06:56 No. 769313 ID: 65a774
File 148319621198.png - (19.83KB , 686x526 , 115.png )

>For the record, using sexual thoughts to counter mental/emotional attacks/influences could be a future trick in the dream walking arsenal.
…it did seem to work, didn’t it?
>It seemed to cut through the Nightmare's mental fog when Kronos thought of Bri's stupendous ass and hips, making him remember that part of her. Maybe his metaphorical loins are beyond its influence on memory.
It might be because your memories of those parts are rather… err… livid…
>If that's the case, then maybe if Kronos has sex with her it'll somehow help? Think about it like this: This is Kronos' chance to literally fuck her brains out!
…yeah, no… for some reason that sounds like a horrible idea right now. You’ll refrain from fucking her brains out until after you’ve dealt with all this.
>Right, it would be too selfish on your part to hope for that. Especially when you don't know if Briannah's saying she's fine with an open relationship/marriage is a symptom of her self-hatred and her trying to sabotage herself.
…it’s going to be a mine field, but if you tread carefully and observe… you will both make it out in once piece…


>Pick it up and take it with you.
When you said it was small, you meant small compared with the other dragon… or Briannah herself for that matter. This one is about the size of you… maybe a bit smaller than you…
>You will bundle her under your jacket and find a way back. Even if it takes countless eons, you will deliver Briannah from darkness.
…but you might be able to drag her out of… here… err… where did you come from again? Is there even a way out? The sea of darkness seems endless… is there even a way out?

>Hug it even if it doesn't appear to notice you, you will be there for it even if you have to hold it for eternity.
You lie down beside it a let your arms embrace it. You give it a soft kiss on its neck before just lying there with it, listening to its heartbeat and breath. It seems so loud… loud enough to drown out the sound of silence around you… then suddenly, a weak voice, one that almost disappears behind the beat of her heart, speaks out…

…why?
…huh?
…why? Why are you here? Why did you come here…?
…because I love you… because I care for you.
…why?
Because you are a wonderful-
Go away… flee while you can… you deserve someone so much better than me… you deserve someone who will love you for your whole life… you don’t deserve me… you deserve so much more.
But I don’t want-
Please… I beg you… leave before it’s too late. I am destined to be alone… everyone who gets close to me are hurt or killed… the same thing will happen to you!
Briannah… I don’t-
PLEASE! I BEG YOU! I can’t… I won’t be able to handle losing you as well… I… I… I can’t… you need to leave… run… I… you will be hurt if you stay… please… there is no future with me… I have no future… it’s all… pointless… please… leave…

hmmm... I wonder

Ask her why, why does she care about you?

ask why now is she telling you that she's going to toss you aside because she's afraid that she might lose you? why she choses to lose you herself because it is somehow better to rip her own heart out then to let someone else do it? Bri, if you walk away now you WILL lose Kronos, however if you stay with him their is a chance that the two of you can live happily together, and now you're going to tell me that the fierce warrior that is Briannah is going to let something as small as fear stop her? Bri, don't let your fears control you, you can let them tamper your resolve, let them put cation in your actions but never let them control you or you'll never find anything that will make you happy. I mean if I gave into my fears I never would have got to know you.

Besides, you've already messed up in your plans to get ride of me, you got me to like you back and now I've decide to stick by you. And don't try and tell me how much of a bad idea that is, you've know me long enough to know how much I love bad ideas. So face it, you're stuck with me, through thick and thin.

(then hug her tighter and don't let go)

There is no future I would want to be in if it didn't involve being with you.

If there is no future ahead, then we shall both share in it regardless of the consequences.

>>769313
>I won’t be able to handle losing you
And you think I'll be able to handle losing you? The answer is "no", I can't handle losing you either.

>you will be hurt if you stay…
I'll be hurt even more if I leave. So I'm staying right here with you.

>there is no future with me… I have no future… it’s all… pointless…
That's right, the future is pointless, but only because you're not there with me.

I'm not leaving without you, I'm not going to let you push me away, I'm not letting you go, and I won't let this darkness consume you. You've saved me from my fear of Sakkilians, now it's my turn to save you from your fear of being alone. After all, that's what husbands and wives are supposed to do, right? We're supposed to help each other through the darkest times of our lives. So please, let me help you. Let me love you. Because I love you.

Briannah, will you marry me?

>>769319
They're already getting married sherlock

As for the situation at hand, it's simple as reaffirming that if you seperated, you'd probably stiffer yourself

As such, the two of you need to stick together

>>769322
>They're already getting married sherlock
Duh, I know that! However, Kronos never officially asked. The only thing he did that was close to asking was fixing Bri's broken sword.

>>769326
Which is the Sakkilian version of accepting a marriage proposal. And they also exchanged marriage bracelets, which is the Risavian/Vark version of accepting a marriage proposal. And they're arranged to marry already. If Kronos never actually asked Briannah to marry him, it was because there were so many other unspoken ways he said it and it was otherwise apparent.

>>769313
Remember the story of the Dragon and the Phoenix. Together you can defy destiny, change fate. Spit in the face of time and say your life is your own!

Reach up and gently wipe away the tears from her cheek and tell her that you won't leave her, ever, before holding her even tighter. That there is no future you want without her by your side in it.

Ask her if you leave her, or she leaves you, isn't that the same as losing you? She won't be able to handle it either way, would she? And you couldn't handle losing her either. So you will stay with her, for both your sakes.

She says you deserve someone so much better than her, and you say there is no one better than her. She says you deserve someone who will love you for your whole life, and you say it's her. That she is that person if she but allow herself to be, and you have faith she can.

She says she's destined to be alone, and you say that there is no destiny, only possibilities and our choices. That the future is that which we choose. And you felt this before, and you know it now because you met Dreamer, the opposite counterpart to Chronicler. The one who dreams all possible pasts and futures. And it said that our fates are not written in stone. That we can pick our futures. And you know there are many possible futures with Briannah and you because it said there were. Ones filled with love and family. The way to those futures is there if we but take it.

She says everyone who gets close to her is hurt or killed, and you say the past is not the future. That she is not cursed or fated because there is no fate, no fixed destiny. Those who were hurt by no choice of her own were not by just being close to her. And if there were ones hurt by her own choice, perhaps by her pushing them away to save them from the fate she believed would befall them, then the solution is just choose not to any more, and you and nobody else will come to harm. And you'll be there to help her, to listen, to support her, always.

>>769335
Yeah, but those unspoken ways were all done when Kronos still felt like it was his job to marry Bri in order to unite their people because he was being forced by his father to marry Bri. Now that he's actually developed feelings for her, I think it would be nice for him to actually say it out loud to her.

I don't think there's a person in the world that thinks as highly of you as Bri does... Could the reverse be true too?

Bri, I need you to promise me something. It might not make sense now, but just say the words, okay? Promise me you'll be there when I wake up.

How about you tell her that if she really wants you gone, she's going to have to stand up and carry you out of here on her back because you are not letting go of her. Say you know there is a way out of here because you came in that way. But even if she doesn't stumble upon the exit she at least tried something, and in here any action is better than laying about in despair.

Kaktus 2017/01/01(Sun)10:42 No. 769545 ID: 65a774
File 148329612355.png - (9.73KB , 686x526 , 116.png )

>I don't think there's a person in the world that thinks as highly of you as Bri does... Could the reverse be true too?
…probably… which is kind of sad…

>Reach up and gently wipe away the tears from her cheek and tell her that you won't leave her, ever, before holding her even tighter.
No… p-please… leave… I will hurt you… I will only… hurt you…
>Ask her if you leave her, or she leaves you, isn't that the same as losing you? She won't be able to handle it either way, would she?
The longer you remain, the harder it will be… the more it will hurt… I can’t get close to you… I can’t get close to anyone… it will only hurt in the end… it will only… hurt… p-please… leave before it’s too late… before it hurts to much…
>And you think I'll be able to handle losing you? The answer is "no", I can't handle losing you either.
…then I am sorry… I’m too late already…

>Ask her why, why does she care about you?
Because… because… you… you didn’t leave… because you cared… because you listened… because you were there when… no one else was…
>She says you deserve someone so much better than her, and you say there is no one better than her. She says you deserve someone who will love you for your whole life, and you say it's her.
I’m not the one you deserve… if you think so… then you are a fool…

>Briannah, will you marry me?
… … …haven’t we already been forced to… we were forced together… and… we can’t…
>That's right, the future is pointless, but only because you're not there with me.
The future is pointless, because you won’t be there… you can’t be there… that is my destiny.
>She says she's destined to be alone, and you say that there is no destiny.
There is no… destiny?
>Remember the story of the Dragon and the Phoenix. Together you can defy destiny, change fate.
I… but… we can’t… we aren’t even… there is no future for us… us of different species.
Yes there is. And we won’t be meeting it alone.

You rub her stomach and you can feel her shiver under your touch…

Even if Xuv magic won’t work, then we will find a way… even if we have to find a surrogate… even if we have to adopt… we will have a future together, you and me.
Kronos…

Kaktus 2017/01/01(Sun)10:42 No. 769546 ID: 65a774
File 148329614231.png - (16.43KB , 686x526 , 117.png )

I will always be there for you… always…
…


[Briannah’s dispair has been subdued… for now.]


>Bri, I need you to promise me something. It might not make sense now, but just say the words, okay? Promise me you'll be there when I wake up.
… … …wake up? But I’m not… sleeping… I… feel so… so sleepy…

Kaktus 2017/01/01(Sun)10:42 No. 769550 ID: 65a774
File 148329617371.png - (2.59KB , 686x526 , ___.png )

Thank you… Kronos… … …and yes… the answer is yes… I will… marry…

>>769550
Time to wake up. You did something right, Kronos.

...so are we still sleeping or is that it for the night?

>>769623
That's it for the night. When you fall asleep in the dream, like Briannah just did, you wake up for real. The next day and thread starts over here >>769571.