>>945637
Now's a good time to duck, amigo.

>>945637
If she hits you laugh, and say “it’s just like when we first met”

It occurs to me that weapons are forbidden in the orphanage, which means we can't get Eudora those knuckles. A better gift would be barbells or other strength training equipment. She didn't have any in her room that I saw. I guess there could've been something in a drawer though.

>>945741
We had no problem sneaking the knife into the orphanage, so I don’t see how that would stop Eudora from sneaking in those knuckles.

>>945637
Hi Eudora!

I'd recognize that glare anywhere -- it's Eudora! Do be sure to contain your glee at finding her long enough to duck out of the way of her fist. And then do whatever you can to make it absolutely clear that you aren't, uh, turned.

I wonder who that is behind her there.

Ganymede 2019/10/04(Fri)20:17 No. 946507 ID: 11f77a
File 157024547290.png - (309.07KB , 557x496 , ADQ131.png )

I slip and fall backwards in effort to dodge a punch, almost onto my knife when I see her. I hope she hasn’t turned into some brawling undead monster. I roll on the floor a bit—it gives me time to put the knife away while looking stupid.

Ganymede: Eudora! Ack! Don’t hit me! I’m normal!

Ganymede: Unless I’m insane, in which case you might want to hit me because I don’t want to accidentally hurt anyone!

Ganymede: Or you’ve turned too! I dunno!

She is capable of holding her fist back and glares down to me while my eyes adjust in the darkness. With a lunge her hand seizes the collar of my robe and I’m flung into the room.

Eudora: Ugh, it’s you…

Eudora: Well I’m not surprised. I figure I’d run into you eventually. Get in quick and keep your mouth shut!

Ganymede 2019/10/04(Fri)20:23 No. 946508 ID: 11f77a
File 157024580134.png - (333.27KB , 557x496 , ADQ132.png )

I recognize the other two orphans behind her: it’s Gemlik and Naerro. They speak under their breath as Eudora continues looking outside the classroom.

Gemlik: Hey Ganymede.

Ganymede: O-oh, hey. How long have you guys been in here? I’ve been running around looking for other, uh, normal people.

Gemlik: Not long, we just found Naerro hiding here. I only ran into Eudora earlier.

Naerro: W-what’s happening? Why is everyone like this? Where’s Father Aephis?

Gemlik: They’re dopplegangers, Naerro! They look like us but… they’re imperfect. Slowly replacing us. Or something!

Eudora: Ssh!

Gemlik: It’s just all the students so far. I don’t think there’s any one left but us!

After a long pause Eudora ducks her head back in the room, closing the door.

Eudora: I dunno what they are. But we’re getting out of here before it gets worse. We should find sanctuary in the guardhouse in town.

Eudora: Everyone is crawling out of the dormitories. It’s only a matter of time before they spread and completely take over the building. I’m thinking of busting out through the atrium.

Gemlik: No way! We should sneak out back and grab some tools from the garden first! We’ll need to defend ourselves at least! The whole town could be roaming with undead!

A) I’m with Eudora. She can protect us through the atrium! We can see everyone approach us.
B) We should exit out the back through the gardens. We won't be out in the open!
C) >___
Optional: Mention the dagger you’re carrying

A.) Whatever these things are, they are easy to dodge so arming ourselves shouldn't be necessary.

Keep dagger secret.

A and C! Eudora is the strongest, the zombie things seem pretty strong, and we don’t know how to use weapons anyways.

Mention the knife because we trust Eudora, and if worse comes to worse, she can make use of it.

>>946508
A.
Also, honestly these probably ARE the students, just driven mad and physically transformed by their own traumas. Only those who can overcome their past are safe. I mean, have they seen any copies of themselves? Well that or it's a shared dream or vision or something.
Thus, we should not seriously harm them. ...though uh, kyzil might have some burns already due to what happened back there.

Mention the knife but also that you don't want to use it.

>>946508
A) An open space has some risk of being surrounded, but also room to flee.
There's no telling if this is permanent, so we shouldn't do anything permanent to them. They're the closest we have to family, right now.

Dragging around a gardening tool and pretending its a weapon will only encourage us into situations where someone's going to get hurt.

>>946508
A
Mention dagger, ask if Eudora wants it, or if she's good enough with her fists for you to use it to defend yourself.

A. This happened so suddenly, I can't be sure it could end suddenly as well. No pitchforking the zeds!

A. I'm with Eudora on this; I feel like she has good instincts about these sorts of situations. There's no telling that the garden itself isn't overrun, so the best plan for now is to focus on getting away as quickly as possible. If you can get to the guardhouse, then you can probably get real weapons there rather than a bunch of garden tools.

Mention the knife. That's important and shouldn't be kept secret from her. (Also mention that you showed it to Father Aephis, just in case Eudora decides this is all your fault -- if it played a role in causing all of this and even an elder didn't see the danger in it, then you can't really be blamed for it.)

>>946508
A

>Optional: Mention the dagger you’re carrying
Tell them about the dagger.

Tell Eudora that the crazy preacher guy you guys ran into earlier was talking about how something was going to happen, but you’re not sure if he’s responsible for causing what’s happening right now. You’ve got the dagger he had and brought it with you in case there’s something we could do with it.

You should also explain what you’ve noticed so far. How everyone that’s been affected has a physical manifestation of a past trauma on them.

For example: Nennekee has literal fire shooting out of her body, most likely from when her parents died in a fire. There’s also a really big guy, which may or may not be Father Aephis, with what looked like a coffin on his back, which might mean he’s carrying the weight of someone who died.

You don’t know why this group are the only people that aren’t affected.

Ganymede 2019/10/09(Wed)14:53 No. 946827 ID: 11f77a
File 157065801322.png - (259.29KB , 557x496 , ADQ133.png )

>No pitchforking the zeds!
>We don’t know how to use weapons anyways.
>They are easy to dodge so arming ourselves won’t be necessary.
>Dragging around a gardening tool and pretending it’s a weapon will only encourage us into situations where someone’s going to get hurt.
Ganymede: NO! We can’t hurt them! These orphans are as real as we are. I don’t know if you’ve listened to them—but they seem to be physically transformed by their own traumas.

Naerro: How are you so sure? What does that even mean?

Ganymede: I—don’t know! I mean I might know! All of us are here because of something horrible or unfortunate. It makes sense their past is manifesting into a real condition. But we don’t need to fight them!

Ganymede: I don’t know why we aren’t affected. I grew up here without knowing much about where I came from. Maybe we’re fortunate to avoid a terrible past or one that doesn't haunt us.

Ganymede: Let’s just go to the atrium like Eudora says. We’ll have room to maneuver and escape if they start surrounding us.

Gemlik: Ugh, fine but… if I turn into one of them I’m eating you first.

Eudora: Deal. Now let’s ready to shut up and move, dweebs.

Ganymede 2019/10/09(Wed)14:56 No. 946828 ID: 11f77a
File 157065817491.png - (282.67KB , 557x496 , ADQ134.png )

>Mention dagger
>Also mention you showed it to Father Aephis […]
>Because we trust Eudora, and if worse comes to worse, she can make use of it.
While Gemlik talks to Naerro I approach Eudora by the door—she looks out to be sure the route is clear.

Ganymede: Eudora?

Eudora: Ugh, what is it now?

Ganymede: I have to get something off my chest first. Remember when that guy stuck a dagger in the ground in our village? I feel it would be better to let you know that I took it without anyone noticing.

Eudora: You… took it?

Eudora: What for?

Ganymede: I’m not sure! I just felt that maybe it would be important. Whatever that preacher guy was about, I feel like what he said could be...

Ganymede: …true.

Ganymede: Look, you can take it away if you want. I hope it wasn’t the reason everything’s so... scary. I don’t want to use it against our family. I talked to Father Aephis about it and he didn’t see any significance in the dagger. Said it was ceremonial, not like a weapon.

I take the blade out. There’s silence as she looks at it in her hands with a frown.

Eudora: …

Eudora: No. You keep it. Maybe you’re right. I don’t know. I don’t always believe in this hoodoo crap but look where we are. We can talk about it later. Right now we must go.

Eudora: Come on! Keep together and let’s start moving!

Ganymede 2019/10/09(Wed)14:57 No. 946829 ID: 11f77a
File 157065827067.png - (196.04KB , 557x496 , ADQ135.png )

There are certainly fewer orphans on the bottom floor since they're just aimlessly finding their way through the building. We move quickly and silently. Despite turning a few heads in our direction it seems none of the orphans pursue us.

At last we reach the atrium and the front doors are in sight. It’s quite a big chamber and there are balconies with lost souls shuffling about. This was the place where we painted the mural by the main steps.

Naerro: W-we’re almost out! I can see the exit! Quick!

What was that, Naerro? Time for a boss fight, you say?

>>946829
Shh, stay quiet and stick together, don't jump the gun.
Careful, there's some on the rafters. I hope we don't inspire them to try to drop down on us.

You know Naerro, the second mouse gets the cheese.

Yeah, try not to attract the attention of those above

I they're just transformed or actual zombies, still a bad idea.

put a hand over his mouth before he lets everyone in the building know where you're hiding. No way all of you would be able to make it to the doors with all those people in front of it. We either need to find a side door that isn't nearly as guarded or find a way to draw those already there away.

>Quick!
No, not quick. We're going to do this quietly and carefully. Everyone sticks together in a cluster, pausing at any cover you can find along the way. (Assuming there's any cover at all.) Keep an eye on any blind spots -- corners, furniture, anything a zombie could pop out from behind. Stay especially quiet when passing under that walkway.

There's also the problem of the doors; we don't have a good view of what could be on the other side, and there's no reason to expect that there couldn't be more zombies outside.

Keep quiet. Don't attract attention.

Huddle somewhat close together as you run through the room. Too spread out makes you each an easy target. Make sure you keep your eyes looking above you just as much as they are in front of you in case one of the monsters decides it'd be a fun time to practice acrobatics.

Have Eudora lead the charge, as she's likely the most physically strong of the group. You lead up the rear, as you're the only one with a weapon.

With the plan decided, RUN.

"I'd rather not inspire our turned friends up there to try their hand at sky-diving, if only for their safety."

Ganymede 2019/10/18(Fri)19:28 No. 947382 ID: 11f77a
File 157145208260.png - (354.21KB , 557x496 , ADQ136.png )

>Keep quiet. Don’t attract attention.
>We’re going to do this quietly and carefully.
>Have Eudora lead the charge, as she’s likely the most physically strong of the group. You lead up the rear, as you’re the only one with a weapon.
>Everyone sticks together in a cluster. Keep an eye on any blind spots – corners, furniture, anything a zombie could pop out from.
Ganymede: Wait, Naerro. We should still take it slow. I’d rather not inspire our turned friends up there to try their hand at sky-diving.

Ganymede: I don’t know if you’ve seen the outside but—we can’t expect there won’t be more of them.

We discuss our method of reaching the front door. Squishies in the middle, Eudora up front, and me in the back. I hold my dagger out—Gemlik and Naerro notice it but are too afraid to make a sound as we shuffle across the atrium. We’re avoiding the orphans pretty well so far. And we’ll make it out the door by the time they shuffle towards us.

“It could’ve been different… I could’ve done something. Why…?”

“…The Flying Rod hath not given us forbearance and goodness, but spirit of idleness. Oh Ndepthteph shalt dispel frailty…”

>There’s some on the rafters. I hope we don’t inspire them to try and drop down on us.
I’m looking up nervously and I feel they are watching us maneuver to the door—but they don’t attempt to jump at least. It’s like they’re too weak to want to do anything with effort. Maybe they know not to jump from a high place.

Ganymede: Eudora, are we there yet?

Eudora: Hold on. I’m trying to open it…

Eudora: But the damn thing... it’s stuck!

Ganymede 2019/10/18(Fri)19:28 No. 947383 ID: 11f77a
File 157145210610.png - (320.66KB , 557x496 , ADQ137.png )

Ganymede: Oh Bhothogoshol…

Gemlik: Well kick it open! Use your martial arts to break the lock or something!

Eudora: It’s not locked though. It’s… gunked! Something’s blocking the other side! Sap is leaking through and it’s not breaking off!

Naerro: Oh no! We’re doomed, aren’t we?!

Eudora: Shuddup. Maybe if—

Ganymede 2019/10/18(Fri)19:29 No. 947384 ID: 11f77a
File 157145214222.png - (320.70KB , 557x496 , ADQ138.png )

Kyzil: Ooooah! Oh oh! Is that yooooou, Eudora? Are you trying to sneak out?!

Kyzil: Whaaat, none of you like it here? K-k-k-k-ke.

Kyzil: Well there’s only one way out Haaack! and you’ll have to come with us to find it!

Ganymede 2019/10/18(Fri)19:30 No. 947386 ID: 11f77a
File 157145224060.png - (365.21KB , 557x496 , ADQ139.png )

Torval: Hehe-HAAAA-hehehehe yeah! Huehuehue…huuuh… God it hurts. B-but it should hurt, yes?

Kyzil snatches Torval’s antennae.

Kyzil: Have your parents taught you to shut up before you were taken away, idiot?!

Kyzil: I swear, Ndepthteph can’t chew and spit us out any faster!

Torval: OooowwwaahhaHAHA! huuuuue—I like you tooooo… Is that okay?

Ganymede: Kyzil!

Kyzil: Hi, sweetie! Whatcha doin’?

Kyzil: Eh, don’t answer. I’ll tell ya what you’ll be doin’~

Kyzil: Huuuueh We’re gonna dance down the Death Worm’s tongue like a red carpet~

Kyzil: Come on, everyone! Party in the atrium!

Ganymede 2019/10/18(Fri)19:33 No. 947387 ID: 11f77a
File 157145239635.png - (379.31KB , 557x496 , ADQ140.png )

Out of the dark a huge wave of orphans stumble towards us. I honestly can’t recognize half of them! Their features are sunken and some shadowy aura hides them. Some of them could be adults too! All Arthocobs, I think. We’re seeing less and less ways to get out of this mob.

Gemlik: I just need to get this off my chest before I die.

Gemlik: I have a huge crush on Sister Neetha…

Gemlik: And I regret dropping my papers on the floor for her to bend over and—

Eudora: Back off, creeps! You don’t want to be fist magnets!

Her threats can’t make them hesitate for long…

Eudora may have to rough up a few people to get you back to that door. Apply knife to sap.

This is probably the wrong answer, but what about carving the same symbol that the mad man made into the floor with the knife? Or like, maybe an opposite sort of symbol? Something that would be considered holy maybe

>>947388
yeah, try this first. if it doesn't go fast enough though, then try:
>>947389
maybe this'll do something? what do you know about holy symbols and the pantheon, ganymede?

also ganymede, try pinching yourself. maybe your in an elaborate dream?

Cut the sap.
Also tell Kyzil you'll be her friend if she calls off the shamblers. And you mean it. You will help her become a better person, and feel wanted for once, instead of just superior to whoever she's beating up at the moment.
Alternatively, just tell Torval love isn't supposed to hurt. He sought you out before- why? Did he want to be your friend too?

>>947386
>Ndepthteph
So this does have something to do with that crazy preacher guy we ran into earlier! Eudora even said, “I’ve heard villages get ruined when those Worm-Followers move in.” Perhaps this is what the rumors Eudora heard about were referring to?

But I’m still confused on how that preacher guy started all of this!

find where the hoard is thinnest and punch through that spot with everything you have and hope to brake through and run like hell?

>>947387
If the doors don't work, then there's only one thing left to do. Does everyone see those windows next to the doors >>946829 ? Smash through one of them and escape that way!

Try to tell the zombies to stop for a moment, look around and think about what is happening.
If that fails then be ready to use the knife to protect everyone.

>>947412
>Smash through windows to escape!
Do this!

Options, in order of "try this":
1. Break windows. Bonus: Shards of glass are better than no weapon for the unarmed lads.
2. Cut through the sap with knife.
3. Carve the weird symbol into floor.
4. RUN UP, STAB INSECT THOT

Keep them talking while doing any of these, although 4 may present difficulties for doing so. Play on their insecurities. Try and convince them you can help them/give them what they want.

I feel as if carving the symbol won't do much; if anything, that's part of what caused this whole frackus, but we're low on options.

>>947387
Go out the windows!

Ganymede 2019/10/27(Sun)11:38 No. 947928 ID: 11f77a
File 157220148690.png - (393.63KB , 557x496 , ADQ141.png )

>I’m still confused on how that preacher guy started all of this!
>What about carving the same symbol […] or like, maybe an opposite sort of symbol?
I don’t know many symbols or runes—let alone one that can counter the symbol. I don’t even know for certain what it represents! Damn, I wish I checked out the library first…

>Try pinching yourself.
Ouch! Nope, still here. Does pinching ever really work, honestly? It’s hard to pinch chitin.

>Play with their insecurities
>Tell Kyzil you’ll be her friend if she calls off the shamblers. And you mean it.
>Try to tell the zombies to stop for a moment, look around and think about what is happening.
Ganymede: WAIT!

Ganymede: Kyzil, I’ve come to a decision! I know you look for my attention, and you want to be my friend. So I should’ve given you that chance back at the market. I apologize!

Ganymede: I don’t want anybody to be hurt. Call off your friends and I can help fix everything! I really mean it! Can’t you all look at yourselves and see the state you’re in? You’re letting your insecurities control you in an endless cycle of torment and sadness!

Ganymede: It’ll be a slow process, but all of you can learn to accept your flaws and move on as better people!

Kyzil: Oh Gany Gany~! I don't think you understand! tzzz

Kyzil: We’re all born lost and afraid—and Bhothogoshol is only a fairy tale to distract us.

Kyzil: I’ve seen the truth~ We all have! And I couldn’t reject!

Kyzil: You’ll see! I can make you see! We’ll all travel together to his nest hand-in-hand!

I don’t think I’ll take up on her offer. The orphans continue their slow creeping.

Ganymede 2019/10/27(Sun)11:40 No. 947929 ID: 11f77a
File 157220165016.png - (353.87KB , 557x496 , ADQ142.png )

>Cut the sap
>Apply knife to sap
>Eudora may have to rough up a few people to get you back to that door.
Eudora’s shoving them away. They don’t put up much of a fight—but there are tons of them and she needs to protect Naerro and Gemlik at the same time. If she’s not careful one may grab her from behind.

Ganymede: Alright, new plan. Keep them busy, guys! I just need a minute! I'll cut right through!

Ugh, the sap is less getting cut and more getting stuck to my blade. I can break a few strings but there are definitely chunks with some resistance. I just need a little more time!

Ganymede 2019/10/27(Sun)11:42 No. 947930 ID: 11f77a
File 157220172110.png - (307.75KB , 557x496 , ADQ143.png )

Naerro: Nonononono GASP!

Naerro: Did you see—?! It can’t… be. It can’t!

Naerro: Not now! Not again!

Ganymede 2019/10/27(Sun)11:42 No. 947931 ID: 11f77a
File 157220174452.png - (404.19KB , 557x496 , ADQ144.png )

Naerro: He’s… he’s found me! I can’t believe he’s found me!

Ganymede 2019/10/27(Sun)11:43 No. 947932 ID: 11f77a
File 157220180151.png - (384.71KB , 557x496 , ADQ145.png )

Naerro: I have to go! I’ve got to get out of here!!!

Gemlik: Wait! Who?

Eudora: Naerro, get back here you idiot!!

Naerro: I can’t be here! It’s too late!!

Okay, I think she was looking outside the window when she turned, so the trigger might be outside. And seeing how the stars were sort of leading to a certain spot in the sky when Gany looked out before, the cause might be there.

Don't have a clue as to WHAT though! perhaps some sort of stellar phenomenon that causes mass hysteria in this species?

Anyways, present time. Since they're not being violent with you, perhaps with Eudora's help you can push through to another exit?

>>947931
There's a tall one in the back. Who is that? Maybe that's the source of all this.
We may need to move around the crowd. Don't try to push through the middle.

>>947932
rip Naerro

Pretty sure it's time to give up on going out the door and time to try and break through the windows!

Tell Naerro not to give in, he's turning.

>>947932
WINDOWS IT IS, LADS
BE GLAD YOU'VE GOT CHITIN, NOT SKIN!

Ganymede 2019/11/11(Mon)16:48 No. 949286 ID: 11f77a
File 157351968315.png - (372.59KB , 557x496 , ADQ146.png )

>Tell Naerro not to give in, [she’s] turning.
>There’s a tall one in the back. Who is that?
I try to calm her down and let her know what she sees isn’t real! But she’s already lost in the crowd. I could see her fade in the gray. Her panic is now a faint whimper. I survey the mob to find the source of fear—yet the shadows beyond shifts in obscurity and lost souls keep coming in to the erratic tune of Kyzil’s delirious hum.

Gemlik: Naerroooo!

Gemlik: Ganymede we lost Naerro!

>WINDOWS IT IS, LADS
>Pretty sure it’s time to give up on going out the door and time to try and break through the windows!
Ganymede: Come on, Gemlik! Help me break the windows! It’s our only way out now!!

I stab. I shove. He joins and makes a running start only to bounce off the glass. Gemlik and I don’t have much else to break the thick crystal, but our fists pound against it. Our yells synchronize for help in terror. I jab the blunt handle into the window and I can see a little crack forming. But it’ll take a lot of effort.

Eudora gets a bit more aggressive—injuring the orphans with gut punches. They collapse moaning and crying. Some grab her antenna or arm but she whips around to sock them in the mouth.

Eudora: I’m warning you! I’m not playing nice anymore!

Kyzil: Ooooh Eudoraaaa~ What to do with you…

Ganymede 2019/11/11(Mon)16:49 No. 949287 ID: 11f77a
File 157351976103.png - (364.66KB , 557x496 , ADQ147.png )

Kyzil: Why must you resist? Why must you be so angry with the world? It doesn’t owe us anything!

Eudora: Kik gorgk uuar yst thosc*

Kyzil: Bhothogoshol promises so many things! Love. Happiness. It’s all with a price! These are luxuries that could be taken in an instant! —hehek— You can’t have anything good unless you risk torment to follow…

Kyzil: And when everything good is used up, when you’re back to square one, you still feel worse off in a deeper hole!

Kyzil: Dread. Sadness. It envelops the true Arthocobs. It envelops us.

Kyzil: You gotta take what you can in the moment! Hekeke Follow your instinct. Your id! Like the old Arthocobs! HACK—hekk

Eudora: Your belief. Not mine.

Kyzil: Is that why you refuse to love Gany? GASP! Have you been hurt before? The Eudora? The straight face? The boxing bug? Who was the lucky guy?! Tell me! Tell me! Who was the one to break your heart?

Kyzil: Hmm. What has Bhothogoshol promised you here?

*Translation: Save your breath, thot.

Ganymede 2019/11/11(Mon)16:53 No. 949288 ID: 11f77a
File 157352000641.png - (312.65KB , 557x496 , ADQ148.png )

Kyzil: Whatever it is--you won’t find it. None of you will.

Kyzil: And even if you think you have… when it’s there in your hands to hold and give it a death grip—!

Kyzil: Well… it doesn't last. it seeps through the fingers...

Ganymede 2019/11/11(Mon)16:54 No. 949291 ID: 11f77a
File 157352007857.png - (339.11KB , 557x496 , ADQ149.png )

Kyzil: It’ll hit you like a brick wall!

Gemlik: Ganymede!

Ganymede 2019/11/11(Mon)16:56 No. 949293 ID: 11f77a
File 157352018623.png - (338.32KB , 557x496 , ADQ150.png )

That creature just about knocked the spit out of me. I can’t stop wheezing after I’ve been thrown against the mural; that was some distance. I don’t think my carapace is cracked though.

I don’t want this to be the end. But what do I have to fear here? I can't turn into one of them--can I? What do I have that brings me down? I’m not depressed.

I know nothing of my parents.

No troubled past.

No difficult upbringing.

Just because Eudora rejects me, I keep trying. I’ve been alone my entire life, but I’ve never felt alone.

Why am I here then? What did Nennekee mean before this all happened?

Ganymede 2019/11/11(Mon)16:57 No. 949294 ID: 11f77a
File 157352024118.png - (332.68KB , 557x496 , ADQ151.png )

No time to wallow in it. I have to help Eudora. Just——

Just when—

The room. It’s shaking. Something is wrong. The front doors crack. Chewing up. Eudora and the rest are trying to stay on their feet while this tremor happens. Kyzil is overly excited however.

Kyzil: Oooooah~ Do you feel that? It’s happening. I can’t believe it’s finally happening!

Ganymede 2019/11/11(Mon)16:58 No. 949296 ID: 11f77a
File 157352028034.png - (392.69KB , 557x496 , ADQ152.png )

Kyzil: Yes! Oh I could just cry~ It's time!

>>949293
A glimmer of hope. There is light behind the mural!

>>949296
Call the others here, you found another way out! Start chipping away at the wall with the dagger.

>>949296
Whatever that thing is, don't look at it. It probably will mess with your mind.

>>949296
LIGHT BEHIND MURAL
SMASH-SMASHY

Hey, that's what all the cool kids were talking about. You should totally join them!

Or, ya know, stick by Eudora and try to escape behind the mural.

what the fuck

Stick with Eudora!

>>949296
Help Eudora, that thing looks like is going to eat her.

>>949296
It is the avatar of Bhothogoshol! Drag Eudora back to the mural, your only hope is in the light that seeps through!

Ganymede 2019/11/16(Sat)13:30 No. 949642 ID: 11f77a
File 157393985193.png - (333.60KB , 557x496 , ADQ153.png )

Kyzil: Come oOoOoOoOoOon, guys~! Together now~!

Several orphans stare down the infinite maw of this tunnel to Hell. The bloom of hellfire is mesmerizing—and the orphans cease to attack. Eudora doesn’t run either, and tries to understand this monstrosity. There’s an eerie melody of people howling in its throat as it lures the orphans to take a step forward. Words crescendo which I can’t make out.

Kyzil: Eudora, Eudora.

Kyzil: You don’t…

Kyzil: …actually think you would have a chance to be ‘saved’, do you?

Kyzil: Do you use such fierceness because you believe you have to?

Kyzil: Do you fight to suck up to the Great Rod?

Kyzil: To pay back for a horrible, horrible regret in life?

Ganymede 2019/11/16(Sat)13:31 No. 949643 ID: 11f77a
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Paled they be before the horrors of the maw they’ve the temptation to listen than to run. Under an obedient incantation whether it influences their anxiety—their curiosity—or sense of obligation—or auto-hypnotism—they shamble towards the grim channel of sprawling teeth.——

Kyzil: What do you know about the true followers anyway?

Kyzil: Because they liberated your village?

Kyzil: Punished those most deserving close to you, the liars?

Ganymede 2019/11/16(Sat)13:32 No. 949644 ID: 11f77a
File 157393993692.png - (427.31KB , 557x496 , ADQ155.png )

——The fragile bodies shudder with clenching jaws. Thrill muddies their effort to weep coherently. They savor their last breath teetering down Ndepthteph’s hungry chasm. I can hear familiar melodic notes I conceptualized as a child: a chime attuned to me unexpectedly as a haunting interpretation by an unknown siren.——
——The Path of Bogn

Kyzil: You think you’ve escaped your mistake all those years ago?

Kyzil: This isn’t Hell, Eudora. It’s relief. Join your family.

Kyzil: I can’t wait until we all melt into one!

Ganymede 2019/11/16(Sat)13:33 No. 949645 ID: 11f77a
File 157393998067.png - (244.26KB , 557x496 , ADQ156.png )

>A glimmer of hope. There is light behind the mural!
>Stick by Eudora and try to escape behind the mural.
>Your only hope is the light that seeps through!
>Call the others here.
The light? The light!!

A light through the craquelure! I can see right into it! Right through is a bright mote!

Ganymede: Guys! Get over here quick! I think I may’ve found a way out!

Ganymede: Eudora! Gemlik! Hurry!

Ganymede: Guys?!

Ganymede 2019/11/16(Sat)13:34 No. 949646 ID: 11f77a
File 157394004319.png - (427.35KB , 557x496 , ADQ157.png )

Eudora isn’t moving. She glares at the howling glow far in the gullet of the Death Worm’s yawn. Kyzil and the others start to disappear as an infinite crowd hobbles along.

Ganymede: Eudora don’t look into it! Look at me! Take my hand.

Eudora: …

Ganymede 2019/11/16(Sat)13:37 No. 949648 ID: 11f77a
File 157394027215.png - (436.18KB , 557x496 , ADQ158.png )

Eudora: No, Ganymede.

Eudora: …

Eudora: I…

Eudora: …can’t go with you.

Eudora: Not now.

Eudora: I… just have to deal with something first.

Eudora: Or try...

Eudora: You have to leave while you can. Before She loses you too.

... yeah, I think it’s time to go. Sorry, Eudora.

Well Gany, it's time to ask yourself:

Are you willing to go to hell to save your love?

Get in there and save Eudora, even if it means a chance of oblivion.

>>949648
If she has to deal with something, that's fine. Going in there though, that's not dealing with anything. It's giving up. Giving in to pain and suffering, losing the will to fight.
Tell her she can still be saved. You can save her, if she lets you. All wounds can be healed in time, with the proper care.

If she has no plans to enter the maw, I guess you can go.

>>949648
This is the part where you REALLY gotta talk some sense into her. see if you can get her to resist, before she's gone.

>>949648
Grab her and pull her away from the giant mouth full of teeth! You are not giving up on her!

>>949648
Don't let Eudora go in there! If you let her leave, then you'll lose her forever!

>>949648
Alright lover boy it's time to be a hero! Pull out the most powerful scripture or prayer you've got and speak it to Eudora!

Make sure you also hold onto her as tight as you possibly can and never let her go!

>>949646
Oh good, she looked away and still seems like she can comprehend you. You have a shot. Remember when you talked to Nennekee and kind of made her feel better? In a soulfelt one-to-one? Kyzil interrupted and needled out her wrath and her worst fears. Well, Kyzil's gone now. Bye Kyzil! You were a bad influence.

So! Even if it's just one at a time, you can get through to someone in this place.

>You fulfill me.
"Eudora! I'm a little too studious to batter open this mural any time soon! Can't you help?"

>I like you, unconditionally.
"At least, before you go I just want to say... it's fine, even if you reject me. I'll still keep trying to appeal to you unless it really bothers you, in which case please say so and I'll stop, but I hope we can still be friends," because... I think you're worth it."

>You're stronger than the sum of your fears.
"Because you're strong and brave, and showed me that persistence can be a virtue even without those traits. It's why I think you've got so much to give, even... even if it might not be to me."

>You're kind. You care.
"Something got to you, though. Something about your past. Don't go down that god-awful gully along with everyone's most awful fears and feelings, at least not just because you have to 'deal with' some past mistake that you did, what, when you were still a kid? If you feel something like that, then who does that really help? You? Me? Them? What will going resolve? That's the hook, isn't it? That doing this is 'right', because you need to make up for something. But will it, really?"

>I trust you. I owe you.
"I don't know. I don't know your pain, your fears, your history, all the things that influence you - I wish I knew more - but what I can say is that I've known you a long time still, and you don't belong in there. It's the only case I can make... and it hurts to leave you, but if it's what you want, I will get out of here. And and... thank you. For being you, being there, in front of me. For protecting me from bullies like Kyzil."

>You helped me stand up for myself - and others.
"Haha, I even punched Kyzil earlier myself, at long last. She was needling Nennekee, like she focused on you. It must've been her... thing. To lash out. To make others hurt, from mistakes made or imagined. So she wouldn't be alone with her own hurt. If anything she said got through to you, then they were the most twisted, hurtful lie one could make of true-seeming statements."

>So if you go... give them hell.
>And if you can... please come back.
"But if you can't let this go... I can only believe in you. That you can make it. That if anyone could claw their way out of hell it'd be you, Eudora. Not for me. Not for love. But because I've never ever seen you give up that easily. Bhothogoshol bless our efforts. S’dhaquacama."

Finish the weirdest speech/internal prayer you've ever made, give Eudora your bravest face, then turn back to the mural. You want to let her see you be strong for her for once. Glance at the ritual knife, then toss it aside. If it's to serve a ceremonial purpose, let it be the discarding of a madman's tool. Then batter at the mural crack. Pray with your knuckles. Pray hard.

>>949648
Hmmm... something rather unexpected is in order, and we know Eudora doesn't have the longest of tempers. Let's do something both very out of character to shock her and piss her off.

Shout "WELL THEN FUCK YOU, EUDORA!" and throw something at her!

Ganymede 2019/12/19(Thu)12:26 No. 951892 ID: 11f77a
File 157678716571.png - (430.54KB , 557x496 , ADQ159.png )

>Get in there and save Eudora, even if it means a chance of oblivion.
>Grab her and pull her away from the giant mouth full of teeth!
>She looked away and still seems like she can comprehend you. You have a shot.
>This is the part where you REALLY gotta talk some sense into her.
>Make sure you also hold onto her as tight as you possibly can and never let her go!
I lunge and grab her wrist pleading her not to go down that path!

Eudora: Ganymede, don’t…

Ganymede: No, Eudora. Going in there, it’s not dealing with anything! It’s giving up. It’ll drain you and you’ll lose your will to fight. You have to let me help!

Ganymede: Something got through to you. I may not understand your pain or fear, history, or all the things that made you who you are. But I’ve known you for a long time--long enough to know you don’t belong in there!

Ganymede 2019/12/19(Thu)12:26 No. 951893 ID: 11f77a
File 157678719267.png - (472.31KB , 557x496 , ADQ160.png )

Ganymede: The way she taunts, she’s blind like the rest who preach Ndepthteph’s word. It must’ve been her comfort; to make others hurt. To bring them down. And to feel superior above them all while making the most twisted, evil lie to feed their demons.

Ganymede: But they all end up the same in there.

Ganymede 2019/12/19(Thu)12:27 No. 951894 ID: 11f77a
File 157678723572.png - (404.09KB , 557x496 , ADQ161.png )

Ganymede: Don’t go down with her along with everyone’s worst fears! Who does it really help to walk in there alone?

Ganymede: You?

Ganymede: Me?

Ganymede: Everyone who knew you? Those who looked up to your persistence?

Ganymede: You have enough strength to stop and listen!

Ganymede: Just follow me into the light and we can talk through this piece by piece!

The orphans seize Eudora, yet some are repelled by a blooming light behind me as the craquelure of the mural takes form.

Ganymede 2019/12/19(Thu)12:27 No. 951895 ID: 11f77a
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Eudora: I… wish I could, Ganymede.

Eudora: But I don’t think you will ever understand--

Eudora: --this gut feeling inside--

Eudora: --how we’re destined to Him no matter what.

Eudora: It’s too late for me. Maybe not too late for everyone else…

Ganymede 2019/12/19(Thu)12:28 No. 951896 ID: 11f77a
File 157678730835.png - (368.45KB , 557x496 , ADQ163.png )

Eudora: But you--

Eudora: You’re special. You have a chance.

Eudora: She’ll need you. Before it’s too late--

Ganymede: Eudora--wait!

Ganymede: Too late for what?!

Ganymede: Who needs me?

Ganymede: EUDORA!

Eudora: You’ll see soon enough.

Eudora: S’dhaquacama, Ganymede…

Ganymede 2019/12/19(Thu)12:28 No. 951897 ID: 11f77a
File 157678733544.png - (296.93KB , 557x496 , ADQ164.png )

My fingers unfurl as I see my peripheral brighten with a searing yellow mote--as the last thing I see is Eudora looking back into the mural. The orphans cry at a godly presence as the aperture gets smaller and smaller. Somehow I feel inclined to be at ease as I struggle to return to the opening.

Ganymede 2019/12/19(Thu)12:29 No. 951898 ID: 11f77a
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I’m coasting along into a foreign Voxxus as warm colors branch out. Light tears through me as I traverse backwards—sinking in no direction. Flying over an ocean of stars.

Now it feels like a dream as everything folds into itself. I think I hear singing.

Ganymede 2019/12/19(Thu)12:29 No. 951899 ID: 11f77a
File 157678737804.png - (159.76KB , 557x496 , ADQ166.png )

Everything warm. Heat rising. Embracing.

Ganymede 2019/12/19(Thu)12:30 No. 951900 ID: 11f77a
File 157678743143.png - (45.61KB , 557x496 , ADQ167.png )

And everything felt good.

S’dhaquacama.

Wake up, Gany

Game Over?

>>951900
Say hello to Bhothogoshol. Ask what you can do to save Eudora.

Those last few posts kinda reminded me of the start of Calliope, mostly in color style.

...uh
...
...
...
...gg?

EZ PZ LMN SQZY
GG NO RE

Next chapter: https://questden.org/kusaba/quest/res/952647.html