Endgame Posted September 25, 2014 Author Posted September 25, 2014 Mortimer frowns at Masson, teeth grinding. "Paradise. Quiet world. Yeah. Hell of a thing to want," he mutters. "I told you, though, that I was a... fan of chaos, was it? This world is trash. Rotten to the core. Terrible. But there's beauty in life-- beauty only realized when compared to trash-- compared to the stark contrast that is this world. The Regret's better world ideal can piss right off, and so can you-- though is that... hesitation I smell? I didn't think you were the type." "I'm not hesistant, they're holding my child hostage!" "Masson, sorry to disappoint you, but this is Boomingham after all... Not to mention, I really don't want to have to kill you. But if you leave us no choice..." "...Nrrgh." "I can heal people just as well as Karie. Besides, she'd be fit as a flute soon enough. The only person in danger is the one who's not a hero. Besides, I came here with the mission of killing Masson Cour. You are not Masson Cour, so any steps I can take to returning Masson Cour to this plane will benefit my mission." "You're wrong. She would never allow you to kill our child." Quote
Emjajoas Posted September 25, 2014 Posted September 25, 2014 "Better him than you," Mortimer spits, staring Masson down. "Though it's not hesitation. Fear, perhaps? Oh. Hmm... Perhaps it's the stench of humanity?" Quote
joeshmoe554 Posted September 25, 2014 Posted September 25, 2014 Jeaux watches the situation unfold. It seems clear that Karie and Boomingham are trying to manipulate Masson's emotions to break whatever control the Regret has forced upon him. Jeaux's own lack of feeling makes him unsuited for the task and as such he chooses to stay out of it until someone else in the party makes the decision to abandon hope of restoring Masson and begin the process of destroying him. Quote
Endgame Posted September 25, 2014 Author Posted September 25, 2014 (edited) "Better him than you," Mortimer spits, staring Masson down. "Though it's not hesitation. Fear, perhaps? Oh. Hmm... Perhaps it's the stench of humanity?" "BE QUIET!" Masson recoils backwards. "I just... Neeed time to..." "You're... almost there, I think, nearly complete. You've already attacked his sense of love, his paternal instinct, his loyalty to The Regret.... You're doing well, very very well. Well, there's only one thing that's left, and that's deconstructing his logic behind his obedience. All it would take is perhaps just one non sequiter, or perhaps not even that, perhaps even a fallacy, and you may get to him... You're doing... a Very good thing here. Thank you, heroes, thank you." "I suppose a father would know his son, hmph." "Well, we all know who here is the logician." ---------------------------------------------------------- ELSEWHERE... "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice..." The Regret slams an angry fist onto the cold stone of his inner sanctum, the sound echoing several times over through the cavernous space. The light from the Lifespark casts an ominous shadow from him. "They cannot be allowed to keep throwing things into disarray like this! I need to make absolutely sure they are fit for their purpose..." "They've more or less proven themselves already, sire." "No, the plan is risky enough. The second stage is a gamble, and I cannot risk anything on the first. ...Hm. Speaking of gambles, what did you do with the ambush of Oculoids you had stationed earlier?" "They're closing in on Alatreon's chamber right now." "And if, I recall, Alatreon is very messy when snacking on the Oculoid invalids. The remains should be enough, along with the troops we're sending now... Perhaps its time to see just how large an Oculoid Amalgam can get." --------------------------------------------- Edited September 25, 2014 by Endgame Quote
Kintobor Posted September 26, 2014 Posted September 26, 2014 (edited) Everything happened so fast Karie had little time to react to Lawrence's sword to her stomach and Masson's outcry for their child's protection. She looked at Lawrence but decided to say nothing. As much as she hated having his blade to her stomach, she was glad he stepped in. Edited September 26, 2014 by Kintobor Quote
Endgame Posted September 26, 2014 Author Posted September 26, 2014 "Are you just going to stand there as he threatens the child...?" Quote
Zepher Posted September 26, 2014 Posted September 26, 2014 "A move and the child dies. She knows it." Boomingham keeps his eyes locked on Masson. "Either that, or she's willing to go to any lengths to return you to your normal self. Listen, this is decision time. What matters more to you, your puppet master, or your wife and child? Surely you, of all people, should know that someone who's brain has been turned is no longer themselves. Masson is not dead, only buried. I will stab her shortly if you do not return to us, or at least leave this Citadel and remain outside until the Regret is dead. What matters to you most?" Quote
joeshmoe554 Posted September 26, 2014 Posted September 26, 2014 (edited) "I give you the same offer I have given to all the regret's soldiers so far. Stand aside and no harm will come to you. Our mission is to kill the regret, there is no reason for you to sacrifice your own life or the life of your child to protect him." Edited September 26, 2014 by joeshmoe554 Quote
Endgame Posted September 26, 2014 Author Posted September 26, 2014 "A move and the child dies. She knows it." Boomingham keeps his eyes locked on Masson. "Either that, or she's willing to go to any lengths to return you to your normal self. Listen, this is decision time. What matters more to you, your puppet master, or your wife and child? Surely you, of all people, should know that someone who's brain has been turned is no longer themselves. Masson is not dead, only buried. I will stab her shortly if you do not return to us, or at least leave this Citadel and remain outside until the Regret is dead. What matters to you most?" "...I..." "I give you the same offer I have given to all the regret's soldiers so far. Stand aside and no harm will come to you. Our mission is to kill the regret, there is no reason for you to sacrifice your own life or the life of your child to protect him." "No... No reason to..." The inky parasite on Masson's back begins to squirm in displeasure. Alatreon reacts quickly, suddenly pinning Massond down with one of his mighty talons. The Harvester clatters out of his hands. "Now, listen! I could roast that detestful thing off of him, but unless you want this man back charred, hurry and peel it off!" Quote
Zepher Posted September 26, 2014 Posted September 26, 2014 Boomingham steps forward confidently and attempts to peel the parasite off. "Do not cross me, Dragon," he says. Barty pops into existence to keep at eye on the dragon while Boomingham is lowered over Masson. The little angel crosses his arms and glowers menacingly. Quote
Endgame Posted September 26, 2014 Author Posted September 26, 2014 (edited) With a mighty lurch, the paraiste tears off from Masson's back, tiny little holes of ink spread up and down his spine. Boomingham tosses the horrible creature away, grazing it midair with his sword for good measure, the man it was attached to stirring. Masson draws a sharp breath and throws off his mask quickly before vomiting. He rolls over, shuddering, quickly assembling some words. "Huhhhhh.... Hufff... What... What's... Happening..." His skin was a few shade paler, but it seemed like his color was already returning in blotches. "We... We *cough* freed him...!" "You... You... You actually did it, you actually... Thank you, heroes. Thank you so much!" With a relieved sigh and a solemn nod, Royce's phantom dissapates. "The deed is done." Edited September 26, 2014 by Endgame Quote
Kintobor Posted September 26, 2014 Posted September 26, 2014 Taking advantage of Zepher not being here... Karie quickly moved to Masson's side and began to heal him, particularly his back. A flurry of emotions were trying to take hold, herself feeling short on breath, but she tried to act professionally while tending to her ailing hubby. "It's okay, get the crap out of your system. I'm here for ya, just take it easy." "Someone want to make sure that parasitic gunk is actually dead?" Quote
Emjajoas Posted September 26, 2014 Posted September 26, 2014 "Stupid bastard," Mortimer mutters, carefully, oh so carefully making his way over to the parasite. He fires an arrow at it for good measure, crouching down next to it if it doesn't seem alive. Quote
Endgame Posted September 26, 2014 Author Posted September 26, 2014 (edited) Taking advantage of Zepher not being here... Karie quickly moved to Masson's side and began to heal him, particularly his back. A flurry of emotions were trying to take hold, herself feeling short on breath, but she tried to act professionally while tending to her ailing hubby. "It's okay, get the crap out of your system. I'm here for ya, just take it easy." "Someone want to make sure that parasitic gunk is actually dead?" Purple sparks dance across Masson's spine as he pants out a reply. "I'm... sorry. I'm so sorry." "Stupid bastard," Mortimer mutters, carefully, oh so carefully making his way over to the parasite. He fires an arrow at it for good measure, crouching down next to it if it doesn't seem alive. Mortimer blasts the parasite with an arrow, the odd inky being's large tnedrils curling up before it rolled into a ball. It began to bubble and dissolve, dead. Edited September 27, 2014 by Endgame Quote
Kintobor Posted September 27, 2014 Posted September 27, 2014 "Good riddance." Karie states as the ectoplasm dissolves. Purple sparks dance across Masson's spine as he pants out a reply. "I'm... sorry. I'm so sorry." "About what? Look, you need to relax. I don't know the extent of what that creep Seerus has done to you, and I need you to take deep breath's while I at least try and get you able to walk." Karie works away at Masson, talking as she does so. "You know, I'm... the one who should be sorry. There were moments I doubted being able to get you out of this, there were moments I doubted what was happening around me to be real. I'm... sorry I doubted us getting back together." She hugs Masson briefly before realizing others are watching. Karie blushes, trying not to make a scene. "Er... right. Em, we really need to get a move on. What's our next course of action?" Quote
Emjajoas Posted September 27, 2014 Posted September 27, 2014 "If we can't free Alatreon, we move on. He's an invaluable ally, though," Mortimer replies. "Masson, do you think you can break his chains?" Quote
The_Customizer Posted September 27, 2014 Posted September 27, 2014 "I'm glad that I didn't have to kill you. Let's try to free this dragon, then time to move on." Quote
Endgame Posted September 27, 2014 Author Posted September 27, 2014 (edited) "Good riddance." Karie states as the ectoplasm dissolves. "About what? Look, you need to relax. I don't know the extent of what that creep Seerus has done to you, and I need you to take deep breath's while I at least try and get you able to walk." Karie works away at Masson, talking as she does so. "You know, I'm... the one who should be sorry. There were moments I doubted being able to get you out of this, there were moments I doubted what was happening around me to be real. I'm... sorry I doubted us getting back together." She hugs Masson briefly before realizing others are watching. Karie blushes, trying not to make a scene. "Er... right. Em, we really need to get a move on. What's our next course of action?" "We... We'll talk later. But... Were you telling the truth when you said you were, uh, pregnant?" "If we can't free Alatreon, we move on. He's an invaluable ally, though," Mortimer replies. "Masson, do you think you can break his chains?" "Not break, though... But I was relatively high ranking in The Regret's legion, for a brief time. I.... I think I have the clearance high enough to release him..." Masson squirms over to the post holding down Alatreon's chains, and sets to work to releasing the chains. His fingers feebly dance across a number pad, before the chains begin to hiss and steam. Before long they detach from Alatreon's harness, the dragon throwing his head back in joyous laughter! "A hah hah! Never thought I'd see the day! Thank you, humans, thank you. Never was I expecting to see a human in this Citadel, and now you have done me an excellent service. Perhaps I will obtain my title of "The Brilliant Black Flame" once more! My days of looting are long gone, though. Perhaps I shall rejoin my family in Dastan." "I'm glad that we *wheeze* freed you, Mr. Alatreon... And Masson, too. Things are looking *cough* up, now!" "By all of the gods, I never thought I would see a living dragon, and certainly not here. What a day..." "About what? Look, you need to relax. I don't know the extent of what that creep Seerus has done to you, and I need you to take deep breath's while I at least try and get you able to walk." "A creep? The word you are looking for is "genius", my old adversary." A horde of oculoids began to drift into a room, led by a familiar Oculoid Chief. "It's been too long since our last encounter, heroes. To think, you went from trying to get documents on the Lifespark to marching your way up to the damn thing. You can't escape fate, though. You weaselled out of my ambush, and freed the Commander, but... I am not going to be so easily trumped. I wasn't last time." Edited September 27, 2014 by Endgame Quote
Emjajoas Posted September 27, 2014 Posted September 27, 2014 "Spare us the idle talk, worm," Mortimer spits, swiftly drawing his bow in one fluid motion and firing an arrow at the oculoid leader. Quote
Endgame Posted September 27, 2014 Author Posted September 27, 2014 "Idle talk, oh, no." The party realizes that the Cheif's underlings were drawing odd runes on the floor, the trails of ink glowing ominously as the remains of the Oculoids Alatreon had executed beginning to squirm towards the Chief. "We're just preparing a delightfully destructive spell for you. Do you know what an amalgam is, by any chance?" Quote
Emjajoas Posted September 27, 2014 Posted September 27, 2014 (edited) "Can't say I care," the warden replies, bow still pointed at Seerus. He knocks another arrow. "If it's anything to do with you, the damn thing should be an easy kill." Edited September 27, 2014 by Emjajoas Quote
Endgame Posted September 27, 2014 Author Posted September 27, 2014 (edited) "Hmm, I'm noticing something odd in your cadence, and more specifically, your mind. Don't forget our mind reading abilities. I'm not Seerus. I'm an old enemy of Johon and Karie - I go by my rank, the Oculoid Chief. There are others of the same rank, but I suppose I am... Definitive, in a way. They murdered me in the Eubric Forest, but I'm back. The memories of all rank-and-file eventually end up in The Regret's mind somehow. It is how he has achieved nigh omniscience. All he had to do was create an Oculoid body with no mind, inject my memories in, and just like that... Back from the dead. Neat trick, huh? I'm honored you thought I was Seerus, though. I am not an Oculoid of his caliber, but I also don't fight my wars alone." "...You're the bastard who scarred my wife." Edited September 27, 2014 by Endgame Quote
Emjajoas Posted September 27, 2014 Posted September 27, 2014 Mortimer's stance slacks and he squints at the Oculoid chief. Purple eye. Black body. It was... far away, wasn't it? Then... It had to have been Seerus. He frowns, glancing over at the party. "That's not Seerus?" Quote
Endgame Posted September 27, 2014 Author Posted September 27, 2014 "I am of his ilk, if that makes you feel any better. In the times where Seerus hand crafted every Oculoid, I was created." Quote
Emjajoas Posted September 27, 2014 Posted September 27, 2014 Mortimer furrows his brow, slightly startled by his inability to tell Seerus and the Oculoid chief apart at that great a distance. He grinds his teeth. "Tch," he mutters, tightening his grip on his bow. "You'll die either way." Quote
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