Fandom &nbsp; Homestuck Extended: Recursive Anthology

Orikanyo · Sep 27, 2020

>Dann: be more helpful than the toothache.

You decide, simply, to go explore this place to find progression. Cause god damn guess you gotta do it yourself. In general, you follow your way out, figuring this temple, while a source of pain, is only thus due to it's general inability to actually god damn... yea know... provide anything useful beyond knocking you out with stray green ribbons laying around. Guess you ain't narrator power walking to a destination you're just gonna have to do it the old fashioned way.

Adventurin'.

Cause the only thing you can trust is hard work and ladscampering.

You begin thinking about the big cog door in the temple, you hazard thinking about digging through the wall to bypass it, but the possibility of traps or liquid fucking lava on the other side of the wall dissuades you. In truth, Miki must've lead you down this hall for a reason beyond the god damn window, if she didn't well thats another tick on the "not the brightest bulb" trait for your notes on her. But hey, cross the bridge and keep god damn moving.

Which you do.

> Lads: scamper.(One of two authorizing for scampering, second lad authorization required for maximum scamper efficiency.)

SpectrumCrow · Sep 27, 2020

> Ciel: Oh wow

She's... tall... never mind, get yourself together Sweeney! No time to be intimidated! Besides, this is someone you've spoke to before, so no reason to be intimidated just by her height!

CIEL: How come?
CIEL: I-I was fighting something with *The Corruption* and I think Slevis opened up two of those window things to help me out a bit
CIEL: And obviously since I couldn't actually fight the thing, I went through and Slevis ended up dragging it to... somewhere I've never seen before. It looked all autumn like.
CIEL: I came back to try and figure out where he went
CIEL: I'm not going to make him clean up my mess
CIEL: I have to help him!
EBLI: . stop
EBLI: . you shouldn't worry about hxm
EBLI: . he can handle hxmself
EBLI: . death xsn't as permanent for hxm as xt xs for you
EBLI: . besxdes
EBLI: . he's a dxck < 3<
CIEL: I
CIEL: Huh????
CIEL: Alright... if you say so
CIEL: Even if he's been a bit...
CIEL: Inconsiderate
CIEL: It doesn't mean that I shouldn't help him
EBLI: . he doesn't need help
EBLI: . unless you're talkxng about the monster
EBLI: . you should defxnxtely help the croc kxll hxm < 3<
CIEL: You really seem to hate him....
CIEL: I-I don't mean to pry
CIEL: I just would feel awful if he got hurt because of me
CIEL: Regardless of if he's a dick or not
EBLI: . x do
EBLI: . and for the love of l stop
EBLI: . do you know what he'd do xf he found you here
EBLI: . xt wouldn't be nxce
EBLI: . he's not your frxend
CIEL: No, I can't say that I do
CIEL: But he already saw me here for the record
EBLI: . he also then xmmedxately tackled you out
EBLI: . he doesn't want any of you humans here snoopxng
EBLI: . there's somethxng he's not tellxng you < 3<
CIEL: I see...
CIEL: But
CIEL: I suppose that would make sense
CIEL: But... if you're sure he'll be fine
CIEL: Then I guess I'll have to take your word
CIEL: There isn't much I can do
CIEL: I assume you aren't going to tell me what he's hiding
CIEL: So.... thank you for your help
CIEL: Uh
CIEL: I mean
CIEL: I appreciate the help
CIEL: My bad
EBLI: . no x won't
EBLI: . because he's not tellxng us exther < 3<
CIEL: I see...
CIEL: I suppose if I have to go, then I will...
CIEL: I feel like I'm going to pass out
CIEL: Get all nice and snuggly
CIEL: Maybe leave a little gift for the fae before I do so...
CIEL: It was nice to meet you, Ebli
CIEL: I wish I could have met Miki while I was here
CIEL: So tell her hello and well wishes for me?
EBLI: . yeah no you're not goxng anywhere < 3<
CIEL: What do you mean?
EBLI: . keta doesn't want you snoopxng around
EBLI: . so obvxously that's what we're goxng to do < 3<
CIEL: I
CIEL: Didn't you just say that was very dangerous? Especially for me?
EBLI: . only xf he fxnds out < 3<

Venchi1986 · Sep 28, 2020

>Bart: Follow Dan.

You follow Dann, a bit annoyed that he didn't bother to explain what he meant by repeats but not in the mood to argue. At least without Miki around there won't be any more yelling to alert underlings but you also suspect that aside from your weird Light stuff she was the strongest member of your three man party. Besides that she was more easy on the eyes then Dann.

>Initiate lads scamper. (Second lad authorization confirmed, insufficient fuel for maximum scamper efficiency. )

Doing your best to keep up with your friend you none the less are still a bit too tired to scamper as fast as he does but at least you don't fall behind too badly.

You have an ideas where he is leading you too but quickly realize he isn't going in the direction of the door after all.

AiDEE-c0 · Sep 28, 2020

> Anya: Alchemize broken windows.

Settling next to your alchemy tools, you see if you can somehow REPAIR the BROKEN PLANE, or alternatively PASS ITS TRAITS onto something else. In the process, you manage to create such astounding classics as a BROKEN WINDOW MADE OUT OF BANDAGES, a BATTERY POWERED BROKEN WALL, a SHATTERED GLASS BROKEN AXE and a BROKEN BROKEN WINDOW WINDOW.

Nope. This isn't going anywhere.

> Hit up the lab.

First, you take a copy of the original item to the LAB inside your camp. If the worst comes to pass, you'll attempt fixing it with your incredibly below-average mechanics skills.

After dropping the object off, you begin wading back towards the marked TRANSPORTALIZER, arriving in the grid network after a while. You notice your movements are starting to slow down, but for now you pay it no heed.

> ==>

When there, you hop on the platform you've marked previously, appearing in the MYSTERIOUS LABORATORY. It's time to let the bull into the china shop.

Or... the caveman into the high-end lab, strictly speaking. You start messing around.

Eidolon Astronaut · Sep 28, 2020

> Be Bart and Dann.

You cross the TEMPLE BRIDGE. Beyond the bridge is the MINING TUNNELS of the nearby CROCODILE VILLAGE. You remember seeing a RETURN NODE there, if you wanted to head back to Bart's house.

> Be Ciel.

You are about to say something when a sound alerts the two of you: The CRINKLING OF LEAVES from the direction of the FENESTRATED PLANE wall.

EBLI: . he's back
EBLI: . hxde < 3<

Not even waiting for you to do anything, Ebli picks you up, FULLY OVER HER HEAD like some kind of BARBELL, and then chucks you into the PILE OF BLANKETS AND PILLOWS. 3 points. The figure from before, who you can guess is SLEVIS KETA, walks through the PLANE. His clothes are a little messy, and a streak of BLACK FLUID can be seen from his hairline to his eyebrow. You get the impression that DEVIL BLOOD is black. His HAIR is still perfectly styled, however.

He glances through the other PLANES, briefly.

EBLI: . you look lxke shxt < 3<
KETA: Where's Sweeney?
KETA: She's not where I left her.
EBLI: . some mask wexrdo pxcked her up after you left < 3<
KETA: Great, just another wrench thrown into the cogs.
KETA: Ugh.
KETA: Have you found Oatone yet at least?
EBLI: . no
EBLI: . she's probably just txred of you leading her on all the txme < 3<
KETA: Baselesss acccusation.

Keta pauses for a moment, and then punches the nearest WALL.

KETA: URGH!
EBLI: . dude calm down
EBLI: . what's your problem < 3<
KETA: Nothing is going right.
KETA: We're going to have to loop again at this rate.
KETA: Doesn't mattter, because appparently some mysterious force is going to end the sesssion prematurely anyway.
EBLI: . what < 3<
KETA: Carter has some informant or something, I guess.
KETA: Told her that the fifth day is the last.
KETA: But what would bring this iteration to a halt 3 days early?
EBLI: . xt's probably scratch then < 3<
KETA: ...
KETA: You think it's him?
EBLI: . well
EBLI: . he arrxves earlxer wxth each xteratxon
EBLI: . maybe he'll get here when the game xs stxll goxng for once < 3<
KETA: Welll that's just fucking fantastic.
KETA: ...
KETA: ......
KETA: We're fast forwarding again.
EBLI: . what about mxkx
EBLI: . you can't leave her out there < 3<
KETA: Then find her.
KETA: You have ten minutes.

Keta leaves down a hallway. Ebli turns to the pile that has disguised you.

EBLI: . change of plans
EBLI: . you need to get out of here asap < 3<

> Be Anya.

You start messing around the LABORATORY. Various LARGE TUBES are filled with a GREEN FLUID, and have large CHESS-LIKE MONSTERS floating inside. TERMINALS scattered across the room seem to be what's controlling these processes.

You have no idea what you are doing here.

SpectrumCrow · Sep 28, 2020

ciel is a useless gay and i love her.gif

CIEL: You know what?
CIEL: I'm in
CIEL: Let's take a look-

Oh. He's coming back. Lovely. There goes that plan. Before you can move, you feel Ebli grab you and toss you into the blanket pile. Hell yes. Cozy.

You wanna go back to the getting tossed thing for a second. That's the SECOND time today that you've been picked up like you weigh absolutely nothing by a cute girl. While TWO times is not that many times, it is still weird that it happened TWICE in the SAME DAY.

As you listen in on a conversation you really shouldn't have been present for, you can feel your heart race, the adrenaline coming back as you feel more and more awake again. The punch against the wall is enough to almost make you 'Eep!', but luckily, you're able to cover your mouth and not make a sound.

Once Ebli comes and checks on you, urging you to leave, you don't argue.

CIEL: Alright
CIEL: I'll go back through the window thing
CIEL: Please stay safe, Ebli...
CIEL: I-I hope you're okay with me calling you that since I don't know your last name
CIEL: A-and Slevis seemed a bit uncomfortable giving me his first name since he "wasn't trying to make a pact with me"
CIEL: Alien cultures and all
CIEL: I need to stop rambling
CIEL: Bye

As fast and quietly as you can, you return to the pillar/platform/ back in your game session. From there, you just really want to GO HOME and take a nap.

Orikanyo · Sep 29, 2020

> Dann: Vibe

You point out the return node, figueing Bart would want to head back to do some gearing up.

Dann: Go on ahead, I'mma just take a moment and vibe, recover from shit
Dann: Go ahead and make use of the grist I picked up, god knows I probably wont be able to use to much of it...
Dann: Maybe i'll get an idea, but hey, consider my stores fair game.
Dann: I'll catch up to yea later, hit me with a message if troubles happenin.

Popping out of your capthalogue deck, you take out a pair of ear buds, proceding to plug them into into your wrist mounted phone computer thing which has a name but you really can't be bothered with right now.

With a few more taps... The music finally begins to fill your ears...

Oh yea... your feelin' it...

> Dann: Groove

Venchi1986 · Sep 29, 2020

>Bart: Appreciate Dann's offer.

RR: Thanks, as always I'll post any useful codes on the memo.
RR: Also you use drills? You might wanna look into Tenga Toppa Gurran Lagan, Bioshock, Drill Dozer or Epic Fantasy battle 3.

>Take off.

With that you take off and head towards the village and the node, Rather then head straight home you decide to see if the CROCODILES have anything useful to sell. After all getting your hands on some stuff to alchemize with never hurts.

> Go shopping.

You walk to the first building that looks like it might be a shop and read on the sign that it sells SNOWBALLS, you don't even bother talking to the sales-crocodile and move on. The next shop you find sells PICKAX-HANDLES aka sticks. Not quite ready to give up though you spot what looks like a trading post for BOONBUCKS.

Well, you can't complain about false advertising at least. Turns out that shop trades boonbucks for boonbucks of equal value and denomination. While you're getting the distinct feeling you won't find anything useful here, there are only two shops left in the village and you are curious what they have to offer.

>Check out last two shops.

The next shop has something that in another situation might be somewhat interesting, but even if you hadn't replaced your discarded comics you wouldn't buy A SET OF SECONDHAND WATERLOGGED COMICS.

You have zero hope that the last store has anything worthwhile but you still have to know what they're selling.

AiDEE-c0 · Sep 29, 2020

> Anya: Wreck this lab.

Reminded of all the times you lost yourself in the very similar LAB at camp, you take a moment to appreciate how comparatively spacious this place is. Your eye glazes over as you stare at the displays, terminals and tubes of goo, monsters and monster goo lining the halls, your irregular breath echoing against their greyish walls.

You approach a singular TERMINAL, connected to some goo-filled TUBES and a PLATFORM.

> ==>

Fiddling randomly with a group of KNOBS, the device springs into action, startling you in the way only TECHNOLOGY can. Before you manage to hiss at the thing like a cat with rabies, a conical apparatus squirts out an amount of GREEN GOO, which briefly holds an enigmatic shape, before splattering into a puddle.

Haha, wow! You sure have no idea what that is. Maybe if you watched Nickelodeon as a kid, then you would recognize it for the GAK it is, and potentially even make a funny joke about it. Unfortunately, you didn't, so you just stand there in silence awkwardly.

> ==>

Following a good old THINK, you decide to CAPTCHALOG the slime for reasons incomprehensible to the average human mind. Realizing you are the least suited to do this out of anyone you know, you abandon the mission and return home.

You then proceed to attempt fixing the BROKEN FENESTRATED PLANE for an unspecified amount of time.

Eidolon Astronaut · Sep 29, 2020

> Be Ciel.

You leave the MYSTERIOUS DEVIL ROOM. The WINDOWS disappear, but a split second before they do, you think you catch a glimpse of some THIRD DEVIL crawling through the same window KETA did. You are now alone in the LAVA CHAMBER again, and decide to ride the PLATFORM back up.

> Be Dann.

You chill for a bit, deciding to let the things you've learned stew for a while. Maybe later.

> Be Bart.

Bugs. The last store sells only bugs. These bugs are also the only things you can find that you can actually AFFORD. You decide not to buy any bugs.

> Be Anya.

You have a sylladex full of goo, a fist full of window, and a head full of empty. Time to get to work.

> Be Keta, Miki, and Ebli.

The DEVILS are reunited. After a Ebli > Keta message and a Keta > Miki scolding, Keta begins the process.

You are now SLEVIS KETA, and you are just about DONE with this whole project. Masked weirdos, the Blue Leagues, and now insubordination? It's almost too much to deal with. You decide to FAST FORWARD the 101st ITERATION by an additional 44 HOURS. Which should drop off at 7:00 AM on the FIFTH DAY. If the session is going to end, you're going to find out how.

> Keta: Accelerate again.

You fast forward.

> Be Anya, Bart, Ciel, and Dann.

Your collective alarms wake each of you up in whatever homes you decided to sleep in. You each take a moment for a quick recap of the past 44 hours.

ANYA has been trying fruitlessly to repair the FENESTRATED PLANE from the TRANSPORTALIZER GRID. She has also had more 'conversations' with beings made of green energy. From what the four of you have shared about them, it's clear that these SPECTERS are the DEVILS in some way. They always seem to be having conversations with some additional party that Anya represents in these pseudovisions. Someone that KETA is 'bros' with, someone that MIKI confides in, and someone that EBLI is in some form of ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP with. They have referred to this figure as SENOLE.

BART has been progressing through the GATE with unrivaled speed. All that remains to do is climb up the the SEVENTH GATE above his house. However immensely powerful UNDERLINGS guard the gate, and he has yet to surpass them. Additionally, they have also reached the TOP of their ECHELADDER, a feat none of their party members have yet to achieve. Turns out playing video games all day turned out to ACTUALLY BE USEFUL. He has also gained the ability to ILLUMINATE on command, but nothing like the LIGHTSPLOSION from before.

CIEL has also been exploring the PLANETS, but rather than going UP, she has been going DOWN, as the four of you have found the the DEEPER YOU GO, the more fruitful SECRETS you can learn. As it turns out, the lore of these planets often refer to a collection of individuals, one for each planet. LODAD has the KNIGHT OF HOPE, LOWAP has the THIEF OF VOID, LODAS has the SYLPH OF TIME, and LOMAF has the PRINCE OF SPACE. Furthermore, the DENIZENS are PANDORA, POLYPHEMUS, HEPHAESTUS, and ECHIDNA, respectively.

DANN has spent quite a lot of time SLEEPING, as doing so lets him visit the VETERAN ACOLYTE in his dreams. After the ATTACK on the castle-turned-monastery, the soldiers-turned-monks evacuated themselves and the still sleeping GREY ROYALS into the caves. He has also learned that the PLANET the houses the GREY ROYALS is none other than the famed SKAIAN BATTLEFIELD. Additionally, he can tell that the other GREY ROYALS are in fact all four of you, though ANYA, BART, and CIEL'S DREAMSELVES are still ASLEEP. Bummer. He also has been having more and more FLASHES OF INFORMATION in his brain. He can't explain almost any of the information bestowed.

Finally, while the DEVILS haven't made an appearance since the THIRD DAY, MASK has. They have visited each of you at least once, though they tend to appear to CIEL and DANN more often than ANYA or BART. Turns out they are the one who planted the GREEN RIBBON underneath the IRON DOOR. They assumed you would have GONE THROUGH IT, but the door was SEALED SHUT without their knowledge. MASK has been rather SECRETIVE regarding the PRIMES, the FIRST ITERATION in general, or even THEMSELVES. But you take what you can get with interdimensional umbrella-wielding wizards.

You are now caught up.

SpectrumCrow · Sep 30, 2020

> Be Ciel

You are now Ciel, sitting with Dann's various MOLE FRIENDS in his home. Having decided to care for him while he sleeps for ungodly amounts of time, you've had a minute to breathe. You almost wish you didn't. Of course, you aren't just watching Dann sleep or anything, just in the area in case of an ambush.

You've had plenty of time to think about what has gone down the past few days, becoming more confused the longer you dwell on it. Why can't you trust Keta? What if you can't trust Ebli? Who is Mask? What about your primes? The time limit?! It's all so much, you don't know how to handle it.

You've done your best the past few days to be supportive and emotionally available for your friends, hopefully helping them process and cope with everything. You haven't really cared for yourself, primarily because you don't know where to even begin.

The main thing that gets you - aside from questions of trust - is that the Devils have gone completely silent. You know exactly why. You hate exactly why. You don't understand exactly why. All you know is that Keta decided to just fast forward instead of helping!

[edit of this panel]

CIEL: ugh!!!!!!!

Venchi1986 · Sep 30, 2020

>Bart: prepare for underling battle.

You are about to enter your last gate but before you even approach the underlings or start you decide to take one last look at your PERSONAL NOTEBOOK. Sick of being out of the loop you've spend the last two days trying to contact and compiling all the info your friends had discovered whenever you weren't blazing through the game, though you still don't like how all the info was given to you. You moved surprisingly fast and have to admit it was due to luck more often then skill.

It was luck that you met a CROCODILE having to deliver a package while on the surface of your planet, it was luck that you ran into Miki twice during a tough battle and that your powers activated for the first time when they did, it was luck that that FUSE BOX PUZZLE on LOWAP was taken straight from one of your favorite video games and it absolutely was lucky that the toughest enemy you faced so far was sitting in a body of water right after you combined your THOR FIGURINE, CHAIN and some BATTERIES into CHAINNIR.

Sick of relying on luck though you're looking for any bit of info that can give you an advantage and there is a good chance you found it in something Ciel said. Apparently she was told about a method that fuses your waking self with your dreamself, but there were complications. It involves your real self dying in a specific spot and even if you knew where that was you have no idea if it works with an unawakened dreamself so that is out.

> ==>

Having taken some lessons from Miki you're carrying a large amount of different weapons to best suit the situation but you're not gonna get time to pick and choose during the battle. Your METEOR HAMMER is out, you finally have the mangrit to wield it properly but it is not strong enough.

Chainnir might still be useful as well your BRIMSTONE HELLCHAIN, and while not weapons you can't forget your HEALING HYBRIDFRUIT for obvious reasons or your latest creation made from a LASERGAME POSTER, a MOTORCYCLE POSTER and your computer chair THE MOTORIZED CHAIR WITH REAL LASERS. Man you wish that thing had a better name.

Before you go out though you want to improve your defenses somewhat so you're currently alchemizing your BATMAN LONGCOAT with an Ironman comic.

AiDEE-c0 · Sep 30, 2020

> Anya: . . .

Two hours. Fifteen Minutes. You feel like you're about to shut down and never wake up again, which you might as well do. You guess it's over? Whoever hit this *yawn* window for sure knew what they were doing, because they destroyed something VITAL. What was it? Who knows?

Two hours. Fifteen minutes. You're so tired. Tired physically, tired of these GHOSTS, you're TIRED and nothing's been achieved. No alarm needs to wake you up, you've been awake this whole time.

> Two entire days.

Short of two hours and fifteen minutes.

You guess it's time, finally.

> To give up.

With sluggish, exhausted motions, you drag your body out of the LAB. Your senses are so very DULL, you barely even notice yourself collapsing into the warm, unmelting snow of your island. "Grow," was it?

Too late, you think. As you listen to the pulsing beat of your heart, your weak stare finds itself fixated on the azure sky. You were supposed to be above it, far above and gone. Instead, BLUE now signals the END OF YOUR RUN.

You really, really don't like games...

Orikanyo · Sep 30, 2020

> Dann: Awaken

Your eyes open to the darkness of your room, this was the day you had been preparing for. The end is nigh, and you have prepared the best you could have. Equipment, mentality, you are prepared for the eventual downfall of all around you.

Its time to collect the crew and push.

You conduct your morning ritual, you waddle over to the washroom, mercifully not destroyed by the construction of your home, you pop a imp on the way, they always seem to spawn here, but hey, whatever. You take a quick shower, brushing your teeth as you do so, spitting down the drain you clean your hair, blow it dry(Out of the shower of course), comb it, and towel off. Just because this is the foretold end of your game, doesn't mean you shouldn't be presentable.

Getting dressed from your pjs, you slowly get into your EXO suit, damn thing is tight but thankfully good for wearing under more concealing clothes. You attach you wrist mounted PDA, check your strife specibi, eat one of those FUCKEN WIERD power fruit that Bart keeps shilling, seriously dude these things are weird. Like a banana that has the taste of a kiwi mixed with an apple. Fucken weird.

With a quick stretch, you open your door, straight into Ciel's yelling.

Its go time.

CIEL: Oh
CIEL: Um
CIEL: Sorry
CIEL: I didn't mean to wake you up
Dann: You didn't, been up for abit.
Dann: Plus Bart can attest to my ability to sleep underpressure.
Dann: Put mummies in their tombs to shame
Dann: That said, whats up buttercup?
Dann: You look worse for wear.
CIEL: that's good, then...
CIEL: I guess you're right
CIEL: I
CIEL: Ugh
CIEL: There's so much going on and I
CIEL: I don't know how to process it
CIEL: I-I didn't really say before... But Slevis isn't the only devil I met
Dann: oh? Been awhile since they've talked.
Dann: Figured they must've given up or something.
Dann: God knows we got shit on the horizon i've been preparing for.
Dann: Figure may as well do that while kicking some gates.
Dann: But whos this devil?
CIEL: Ebli
CIEL: She was really tall a-and - heavens that's another thing that I can't stop thinking about; a fucking identity crisis because she was really cute and does that mean I'm gay??
CIEL: That's beside the point
CIEL: But she told me I couldn't trust Slevis and he was hiding something
CIEL: And I overheard a conversation they had and I just
CIEL: I don't know who to trust and I HATE IT!!!
CIEL: I want to trust them!! But....
Dann: Well... To be honest with you...
Dann: I've kinda been waiting for them to pull something for awhile now.
Dann: To say the least... They have been about as helpful as a toothache...
Dann: And I generally see them as folks trying to get something out of us.
Dann: Any info we gotta pry outta them.
Dann: And now... On the fifth day, we got a thing coming to cull our game...
Dann: So...
Dann: Shits about as clear as mud and generally not fun.
CIEL: Oh....
CIEL: I suppose that's fair.....
CIEL: I know why they haven't been helping either!!!
CIEL: At least the past few days
CIEL: Their machine thingy they check on us through let's them skip through time
CIEL: And Slevis decided he'd just fastfoward instead of
CIEL: I DUNNO
CIEL: HELPING US?!
CIEL: what a PRICK!!!!!!!!
Dann: Legit fucking pile of shit.
Dann: He obviously doesn't care for us, only that he gets what he wants
Dann: And he forces us to go through this all again and again right...?
Dann: I... Can't help but wonder just how many times we've done this.
CIEL: Basically
CIEL: I think he basically creates new versions of us
CIEL: We're like... The 100th version or some nonsense. But there are other versions of us around I think
CIEL: Maybe Ebli was right!!!
CIEL: Maybe he is a dick!!!!
CIEL: She lied to his face about where I was
CIEL: She hid me when he came back so
CIEL: I dunno
CIEL: Maybe I trust her more than him
Dann: Something is definitly fucked about this...
Dann: Perhaps the best way is the most direct...
Dann: Ciel, my dear sweet friend.
Dann: Lets gather the crew and kick down their doors...
Dann: Actually, more like a window.
Dann: Mask says we should escape, maybe we should.
Dann: Lets confront Keta.
Dann: Nothing is worth unending torture like this.
Dann: This is our life.
Dann: This is our freedom.
Dann: Just because our game is fucked doesn't mean we should be.
CIEL: I... I think we should definitely escape
CIEL: But
CIEL: I don't know about confronting him
CIEL: He seems... Very strong
CIEL: He was able to deal with the croco-beast and come back relatively unscathed
CIEL: I still think the whole god-hood thing he mentioned to me is worth looking into
CIEL: It can't hurt to check it out before we leave
CIEL: I've been trying to look into it and I do have info ABOUT IT
CIEL: Still don't know how to do it
Dann: Well, confronting doesn't mean fighting.
Dann: A serious chat more like.
Dann: Perhaps after getting the two other devils on our side.
Dann: If Ebil helped you, it means shes close to being so, and likely when shit hits the fan, will, over Keta.
Dann: Miki, no idea, but shes key to getting to that place you were in.
Dann: I just want to talk to him without all these smoke and mirrors bullshit...
Dann: But i'll give it a try on my phone.
Dann: Least I can do is be gentlemanly about it.
CIEL: Alright
CIEL: You never know how he might react, though
CIEL: So we should prepare with that in mind
CIEL: I'm going to go try and find how to become god or whatever
CIEL: Um
CIEL: Thanks for hearing me out, Dann
CIEL: I love you, platonically of course
CIEL: Stay safe, please...
Dann: Love yea too, you're like a god damn sister to me.
Dann: we'll get outta this safely, I swear.
CIEL: Hehe
CIEL: I feel the same
CIEL: Another big bro~
CIEL: It's a promise, then. Message me if anything comes up
Dann: Gottchyea.
Dann: Find Anya, poor girl is probably still in that lab.
Dann: That girl shouldn't be there, needs to be free.
Dann: After that, Bart probably could use a hand or two, hes strong but he sometimes forgets hes got back up.
Dann: Easier to accept your and Anya's help, its a guy thing, don't question it to much.
CIEL: Alright
CIEL: Sounds like a plan
CIEL: I'll go find Anya, then Bart, then god-hood!
CIEL: See you soon, Dann

And with a brief hug, Ciel leaves go go off and look for Anya, hopefully they will hit up Bart later before he tries at the underlings again. What a kind girl, if anybody deserves out of this unending cycle of torment, it's her.

And thats exactly why you're gonna shoot a message to EA...

Its time to stop this masquerade.

abberantAbilation [AA] has begun pestering eloquentAdvocate [EA]
AA: You there?
AA: Tossing this shit out into the void usually ain't my style, but god knows we're about to end up in some deep shit.
AA: So, whatever.
AA: Don't know if ya'll just saw that, but Ciel is in a bad place, better for now, but girl is in need of some comforting answers.
AA: Or at least direction.
AA: Sent her off to look for the others.
AA: A focused mind is a stable one.
AA: This brings me to my point.
AA: I don't know what you guys want from us.
AA: But ever since i've touched that ribbon, i've been getting flashes of memories, sometimes I can understand them, sometimes I can't.
AA: Don't trust the mask guy as far as I can through him, but he said he put it there...
AA: Fuck it, if your there, just say something.
AA: Do I gotta sacrifice a goat to talk to the devil!?
AA: Cause i'm fresh outta fucken goats.
AA: You're not having one of my moles.

Eidolon Astronaut · Sep 30, 2020

> Be Bart.

You create something that while surely IMPROVES YOUR DEFENSES, is fairly CLUNKY to move around in. The kind of thing you'd only put on right outside of a fight.

> Be Ciel.

You head to LOWAP. When you arrive you see a strange sight. ANYA lying in what remains of the SNOW on her island.

> Be Anya.

Your skyward gaze is interrupted by CIEL poking her head into your LINE OF SIGHT.

> Be Dann.

EA: I don't want your stupid hooofdemon.
EA: Would it killl you to not be the worst for 5 minutes?
EA: What do you want.

Orikanyo · Sep 30, 2020

> Dann's brow: Crease

AA: What I want?
AA: I want this cycle of bullshit to end.
AA: news travels, and i'll tell you right now.
AA: You can fuck with me all you want.
AA: But you fuck with my friends?
AA: Then we got a problem.
AA: So no doubt you can emphasize with that fact, when I hear that we have been through this existential failure cycle
AA: For a HUNDRED times.
AA: I'd want to put a stop to it, not for my sake.
AA: But for those three others I care about.
AA: So please.
AA: For the love of all that is holy and unholy.
AA: With whatever is coming to rid this god damn game of any traces right on the horizon.
AA: Tell me what you fucking want from this cyclitic bullshit of a worthless game.
AA: Fuck rules.
AA: Fuck "You gotta do this on your own" shit.
AA: The sky is falling and I want out of this hellscape you lot made.
AA: Cause if one more reset happens I will haunt you.
AA: Or better yet, I'll go to your friends, ask them. Over and over.
AA: Miki was a darling, certain she'd love nothing more than to chat.
AA: Maybe i'll come over for tea.
AA: Discuss how exactly you have been repeatedly shoving a hot metal iron rod up our collective assholes for a hundred unfinished playthroughs of THIS FUCKING APOCALYPTIC PILE OF SHIT.
AA: please and thank you.

Fuck this guy, seriously.

Venchi1986 · Oct 1, 2020

>Bart: It's go time.

You have several more alchimezation ideas but since you don't know how much the will cost you have decided to work on them after taking care of the large group of UNDERLINGS. You put on your new armor and ride THE MOTORIZED CHAIR WITH REAL LASERS out of your apartment. You decide not to go at full speed since you don't want to drive off of any of the ramps.

> ==>

The second you're outside though you run into your first obstacle, your ride cant climb ladders or stairs. You really didn't plan things out. Oh well nothing another upgrade or two can't fix, you hope.

> Abandon chair.

You got up and take off your armor since it is only going to make the climbing difficult. Deciding to let your friends know what you're going to do you open the memo and leave a post.

RR: About to confront the underlings.
RR: Gonna try to sneak up on them and get a few surprise hits in, so it might take a while.

Doing your best to make as little sound as possible and to use the environment to stay out of the UNDERLINGS' line of sight you slowly make your way up the platform below the 7th gate.

SpectrumCrow · Oct 1, 2020

> Ciel: Check on your friend

Leaning over Anya, you give her a small wave.

CIEL: Anya!
ANYA: Ciel..?
ANYA: You... *yawn*
ANYA: Are corporeal. Yes?
CIEL: Huh?
CIEL: Yes, of course I am
CIEL: Are... you alright?
ANYA: I.
ANYA: Couldn't do it.
ANYA: Our only way out.
ANYA: Still. Broken.
CIEL: Oh...
CIEL: Hey, it's okay
CIEL: Dann and I have a plan of sorts
CIEL: So we aren't screwed yet.
CIEL: But you look like you really need to get some sleep...
ANYA: *yawn*
ANYA: Plan?
CIEL: Mmhm
CIEL: He's looking into contacting the devils right now.
CIEL: Oatone or Slevis, that is
CIEL: Since they can activate them and all, they could probably just open one up and have us go to it
CIEL: Besides... Slevis has been....
CIEL: A jerk
CIEL: To say the least
CIEL: So... not fully sure how that's going to go?
CIEL: But while he was doing that and figuring that all out
CIEL: I came to find you so we could go help out Bart
CIEL: I think if we could manage figuring out the godhood mechanic and doing that, we could definitely get out of here
CIEL: It's still a work in progress
CIEL: But it's better than nothing

Anya turns over, now laying on her stomach. Her face is buried in the snow, muffling her words now. With a small frown, you crouch down and offer a hand to help her up.

ANYA: Emfchemlaffdderms.
CIEL: You obviously aren't feeling well...
CIEL: Come on, let's get you home or something
CIEL: You can take a nap for a while
ANYA: ...
ANYA: Mnmo.
CIEL:.... No?
ANYA: Mmno!

She pauses, then pulling her head back and then forcing it into more snow, as if to wake herself up.

CIEL: Anya
CIEL: I'm worried about you
CIEL: If we run into anything and you fight in this condition
CIEL: You'll get hurt

She's quiet once more, eventually rising off of the ground, clearly exhausted.

ANYA: If I sleep now.
ANYA: I would've failed. A second time.
CIEL: Self care isn't failure
CIEL: We'll have better chances if you rest a little
ANYA: Better chances.
ANYA: When.
ANYA: When the legions start firing?
ANYA: Ciel.
ANYA: I have. *yawn* Wasted enough time.
CIEL:.....
CIEL: I guess there's no convincing you otherwise, huh?
CIEL: Fine....
CIEL: But I'm keeping an eye on you
CIEL: Nothing is going to stop me from making sure you're as okay as possible
CIEL: Deal?
ANYA: Go find Bart.
ANYA: Keta is an obstacle.
ANYA: He is a scientist and we are his fairies.
ANYA: Unreal to his eyes.
ANYA: There are no rules. yawn In survival.
ANYA: Be ready to shed blood. If it has to happen.
ANYA: I am going to.
ANYA: Protect everything left.
CIEL: Anya
CIEL: Where are you going?
ANYA: Hunting,

Well. Shit. Checking the memo quickly, you see Bart is about to go fight. Double shit. Well...

> Ciel: Who will you go after?

With a deep, shaking sigh, you stare down at your phone, back up at Anya's now distant figure, back to your phone. You can't just leave Anya OR Bart... You're worried about Anya desperately, but Bart is in more immediate danger. Thus

> Ciel: Find Bart

While running through the land towards Bart's location, you send Anya a message.

RA: Anya
RA: First of all
RA: Be safe
RA: Please
RA: I care about you a lot
RA: Second of all
RA: This can still be resolved peacefully so...
RA: If you're going after the devils
RA: They might be... not the best
RA: But don't hurt them if you don't have to

RA: I'm coming

AiDEE-c0 · Oct 1, 2020

> Anya: Axe of Justice

Breaking your state of stupor, you begin sprinting through the shallow waters. A cornered animal fights the fiercest, is willing to sacrifice everything for that last chance of survival. You're no lesser than an animal, and your DETERMINATION can still outbeat the EXHAUSTION.

In the end, the window wasn't the ONLY thing you were working on.

> Anya: Axe of Justice (Dual Mix)

> ==>

> ==>

Weapon in both hands, you barge into the TRANSPORTALIZER NETWORK, causing a thud as you descend on the platform. Following your markings, you make it back to the ECTOBIOLOGY LAB, where you managed to conjure a DEFORMED CHESS MONGREL some hours prior.

Without hesitation, you IMPALE the creature on a wooden pike, throwing its SLIMY FORM over your shoulder like a WANDERSACK. You then proceed to rock a TRANSPORTALIZER to LODAD.

> Anya: ~~Murder~~ Strife!

Like an olympic athlete throws a javelin, you LOB your experiment into the distance as bait. Through the whispering of dead trees and cold fog, loud footsteps begin thundering. It doesn't take you long to notice the lumbering forms of THREE (3) creatures marked as HYPHAE ACHERONS, turning inquisitively towards the source of ruckus.

You're a weapon down now, but plenty are LEFT TO GO. Throwing the other axe-piece aggressively at the farthest enemy, you draw two hatchet-sized versions of ANTIGONE'S RAZOR, lunging with all of your remaining force into the back of the nearest giant. You've learned since last time, and you've made a lot of axes in preparation for battle. Just HOW MANY?

SO, SO MANY.

-- arcticRecluse [AR] began pestering radiantAgate [RA] --
AR: The devils are not my target. Yet.
AR: I do not seek vindictive action.
AR: But.
AR: I have to make up for the time I wasted.
AR: Echeladders.

Eidolon Astronaut · Oct 2, 2020

> Be Dann.

EA: I want what I've said I want this entire time.
EA: For you to win.
EA: That is, and has always beeen, our singular goal.
EA: I haven't been personallly throwing you into death over and over and over again.
EA: It's beeen going on it's own, looop after looop.
EA: It's recursion, you idiot.
EA: The cycle can only be broken by finallly gettting it right and sending it up the chain.
EA: I'm not some malevolent demiurge with a vendettta.
EA: I'm the only one keeeping you from dying you ungrateful piece of shit.

> Be Bart.

You reach the TOP FLOOR of your now impossibly tall house. You spot the FINAL FIGHT. No IMPS or OGRES, but rather GICLOPSES, ACHERONS, even a TITACHNID, end-game level underlings.

They haven't noticed you yet, and it seems CIEL is on her way.

> Be Ciel.

You ascend through the GATE CHAIN until you reach Bart's house, and climb.

Man, this thing is TALL.

> Be Anya.

You go to fucking town on the HYPHAE ACHERON.

The DEFORMED CHESS MONGREL was slain in battle. A great flaming nautical pyre carries them off to the FIELDS OF GROSSPHODEL.