Tower City Lunatic (SI) (Fear and Hunger then Danmachi Crossover)

[JustPlainEdgy]

Wait id this is a danmachi crossover will he pop a cap in a minatour

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Maybe. I would be a tad precious with ammo until I can get more bullets. Logistics are why I'm so Slingpilled and primitive maxing.

Gods are so wacky I think Hephaestus could do it, but bullets lose value as things get tougher.

IMO bullets are probably best for moths...

 

[Natalie_123]

I never imagined I'd enjoy this so much, please keep writing!

 

[JustPlainEdgy]

Forgot to post this here. I think info goes in Appendix?

Watched the new 12 hour Funger Termina video. (video essay enjoyer and lore guy.)

One small snippet of it talks about a slideshow someone made of a theory that souls resemble cosmic phenomena. With the recent Sarko mention it makes perfect sense to me a star god is also a soul/zodiac god.

I was already thinking about how to describe a soul with natural language but I think I got it.

The Submissive Soul if seen, is the soul of 'Alignment' or perhaps more specifically 'Constellation' or 'Syzygy.'

Also I really liked learning the word Syzygy so its a skill now.

(Side note, I have intentionally lived a life of practical preparation but should I have lived differently and devoted myself to my own natural inclination I could have awakened diffrent potential. So these skills are inspired by the particular focuses of studies I might have done. You get a really weird 'Min Max' with me in particular. Olivia wouldn't have learned short circuit because she thought she could soul stone up and awaken her own latent toxicology potential, she would have just done so impulsively. Doing so as a strategy? Weird. But I mean through the natural tide of life non soul skills like lockpick are picked up.)

Syzygy - Inspired by the study of Sarko. Should one dedicate enough time to understand how the contrivance of connected events becomes 'fate.' One can turn this awareness into a tool for greater spell craft.

After casting 3 spells, you create an alignment by creating a connection between three now joined events. (Just came up with the idea so it's vague for now. I haven't played Nightreign but I think the dark skinned witch has a skill affected by her last spell, perhaps like that perhaps not.)

Brother's Grimm - By collecting the folk tales and combing it with knowledge from the other side one can synthesize a ritual with a dirt statue and wooden sticks turned into a cage by twine one can beg the Goddess to Bless their soul for the Freedom granted to her by Nilvan and Cahara of the Endless Soul. (Cahara is who a lot of people want to be the one who took the girl to her ascension and I don't have a dog in the race but its useful to think about the influence of two Endless on her. I imagine this is Funger's version of the Tsetich Table."

(Passive) Immunity to Mind Read, the promise to always ascend from mental influence breaking them after sufficient time relative to the force. (Red Fathers are pretty easily shrugged off, Moonscorching is a diffrent tier. My Brother actually recommended this, and funnily enough Freya is really into this kind of thing. Poetry?)

Scape Goat - Our Christ is a force that has repeatedly seeded lessons where one being suffers to the profit of another. A pattern useful to fashion a shield for fragile humans.

(Pseudo Passive requiring a material component.) The User may carve an idol then bind it to themself with a drop of blood creating a vessel for their own torment. The first instance of damage is redirected and shatters the most recently attuned idol.

Clasp of Eros - Slyvian's love and Human love are fundamentally diffrent. The difference is so stark its like trying to compare love to a spouse and the love one can have for a pork cutlet bowl. Intelligence is not necessary, simply long enough care to prove 'devotion.'

(Out of combat skill.) By sleeping and maintain intimate contact for long enough to another body, aid to heal and regenerate another's lost limbs over a period of significant rest. (I saw some reddit posts where other people thought it made sense for the Submissive Soul to be a healer. I think this is more appropriate then just wizarding up a circle for someone else. Also Yuri on Ice reference intended.)



(Potentially cut idea, extrapolate, create a alternate cast version of a spell. I thought of a cute idea like bloodsword having a alt cast after making it to allow a blood tide aoe skill for more martial characters, but it literally bloats the spell pool by doubling it. Even if its spice forged to only limit it to one at a time.)

(Anyway I think I create a neat arc with other casters where spice forge/danse, occultism, and my own Syzygy are broken up between us.)

 

[JustPlainEdgy]

I never imagined I'd enjoy this so much, please keep writing!

Click to shrink...

I would love to hear more about what you liked, a friend specifically said they liked my 'prose' when I asked.

personally I would say im certainly learning about writing and receiving reactions. In the SB forum someone reacted to discussion on upcoming hijinks and said 'we' were gonna get stabbed. The idea that people would relate to me should have been obvious but i wasnt to me.

yeaaaaaah plap the flatty

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With this qoute I realized I should probably tag my preferences since i called myself out as the submissive soul, im not super into being the 'blessed by slyvian/zeus' harem protag sex master.

but I think I might have to like tag each chapter?

 

[Despacitoleo]

With this qoute I realized I should probably tag my preferences since i called myself out as the submissive soul, im not super into being the 'blessed by slyvian/zeus' harem protag sex master.

Click to shrink...

dont worry I just wanna fuck loki and dont expect a mega horny blessed mc who conveniently fucks all the women in thr world and they all fall for him, even though most of the time its fate or some other thing that draw them to the mc (if there important if not them yeah there just bimbos)

 

[JustPlainEdgy]

dont worry I just wanna fuck loki and dont expect a mega horny blessed mc who conveniently fucks all the women in thr world and they all fall for him, even though most of the time its fate or some other thing that draw them to the mc (if there important if not them yeah there just bimbos)

Click to shrink...

Oh it was not a problem, I was just thinking with smut I should set expectations so people can abstain if it isn't to their taste.

I think there is a little bit of people throwing themselves at others that just 'has to happen' for side stories to stay compact but with Freya in the main thing there will be lots of breathing room for more fidelity to people acting having opinions and relationships.

 

[JustPlainEdgy]

AN - How much is Lire worth? I can't really say some of the bigger Lire coins seem to be silver and like 100 Lire is a bit of gold. Even if I could figure that out to compare a soul stone I would have to convert it to shillings so I went with a modest number, I would say it's due to there not being a tragedy right outside, and I'm not really tracking resources to that degree. Side note, the Vatican in our real world had their own Lira mint? Kind of neat how important the Vatican is, I think in Funger there is no difference and the Vatican set the standard even if they don't operate the only mint anymore.

—

February 20th 1942
7 months before Termina
Vatican City - Curio Shop

"Nothing on Sarko then?" Who would even buy a desiccated bug in a jar? Man, I am really sad this place seems to be a 'healing crystal' scam type shop rather than a place of real arcane import.

I was hoping just from proximity, some real nuggets of wisdom or power trickled down into the local shops.

But that has never been in line with the true nature of humans.

Places like Hogwarts or magic schools where sharing of magic is normal and equal to all parties, at least notionally with mud bloods and such, are a thing of 'fantasy.'

Humans gatekeep, withhold, and create monopolies on knowledge and skill.

If things worked like how I wished, Le'garde and his experiments would be common instead of an exceptional stain on the world. That is kind of the word I dream of, a mageocracy type civilization that weaves the stories of their lives to touch the tapestry of the cosmos. Yet, would I even be happy if I had my way?

Would those magic loving humans I imagine being 'more' have plumbing?

The grass is always greener, especially when you are the one defining the fence and the other pastures.

"Is that really the quality of passing occultists? Pressing old women over dusty old names." Alongside the bell at the door, its chime was joined by a snarking voice.

As I turn I see a woman with a white dress shirt that was covered by a modest sleeveless black dress, she had dreary drab sort of brown hair falling around her shoulders and in her face was piercings around her lips.

I recognized her, oh, had I met Marcoh instead I suppose I might have been tempted to try and worm my way into his trust and help him with his gangster problem. But although she isn't as 'valuable' to me or perhaps 'vulnerable' to a lore guy with an angle.

I am quite curious about how to enjoy this 'random encounter' with someone with the makings of an occultist of startling skill.

"I am unsure if I would be welcome, my last dalliance with the church was on their invitation, and I wasn't that receptive to an offer beyond business. If you could liaise, or perhaps I could impose on your time directly I suppose that could be a fine way to pass the time." Really, over the months you really push what you can think of preparation wise, I went out of my way to make a homemade pinecone pig and got some chain clippers since I doubt the debug patch of grass translates to there being random useful items in the bushes near the tracks.

I could use more things to do than push ups, side jobs, and idle reading time even though I suppose I should treasure the opportunity to have free time, I can't help but feel the immediacy of threat weighing on me.

Despite how cognitively I want to really savor the moment, I can't let myself off the hook except on an excuse like a rest day. I feel accountable I suppose. I will be held to account soon enough.

"Well I suppose I have been studying the matter of the Divine for almost my whole life. I suppose you must have some opinion or learning on the matter to be seeking 'Sarko' here of all places." Marina snarks although I suppose her interest is warring with I suppose skepticism regarding who she must have had for company all this time.

"I will do my utmost to be mindful of Brother Emanuel's pitfalls. Then I suppose as at least the son of a Gentleman I should offer a place of your choosing, a cafe or some such to delightfully juxtapose the modern era's new dictation of the divine." Poor bastard, I rather liked him though who can say if this will score me or lose me points? I hedged my bets to not be insulting while acknowledging the power of the unrestrained 'yapper' engaged in his special interest.

Her eyebrow however the winds may be turning shoots up. "He wasn't bad, well, he could certainly get ahead of himself. Hmphm. As for your 'gentlemanly' offer I suppose I can take you up on that, so long as you measure your expectations buddy. Let's get out of here and I will show you around the nicer parts of town."

"Allow me a moment to finish my business here." might as well pick up some chalk while I am here. "Excuse me proprietress but this orb…" pure purple, dull and seemingly inert while remaining a perfect sphere.

The crone manning the counter smiles; the look feels almost exaggerated. "You are indeed a discerning customer, a soul stone is a well regarded object of power to many practitioners; some say that merely holding one can grant new strengths to its holder! I will let it go for say 40 Lira including the chalk, I presume from your talk with the lady you have the money of our Vatican?"

"Let's not haggle too much, it would be rude for me to keep the lady waiting after all, since this one is unfilled and the 'hard work' has to be done by me, why not let me have it at a discount. Only have so much petty cash on me after all." I cast a meaningful glance at the door and Marina, hoping that the circumstances will help me rather than drawing out negotiation.

The smile seems to become genuine at seeing me squeezed. "Very well, wouldn't want to welch on a promise made to a lady.~ 25 Lira, I am feeling generous." I nod and quickly sort the cash and stow my purchases as Marina begins to purposefully walk the cobbled streets towards where the roads begin to be more paved.

"So what are you looking for, really. Not very 'conventional' to seek out the occult like you seem to be." How interesting, how honest should I be exactly, I am not used to lying but my circumstances are so unique it's hard to believe.

"Lots of reasons, it is difficult to really pin down, I suppose the problem is there are two 'honest' answers. One is I feel let down by the mundane, the other is a… 'Practical' need for power. Unfortunate need, and fortunate to be curious by inclination?" I suppose that is vague enough to give a rough vibe.

"Power, you really think you're the next Alll-mer or something?" I sigh, I can't help but concede I have my own doubts, but well, I look at the future 'Termina' through the eyes of a 'Meta Gamer' or a 'dirty min-maxer' since the only point to show up is to rifle through the God's pockets.

Since I have a choice. If I can allow myself to be at the whims of others, I can just live a life should I allow myself.

But like a devil on my shoulder a certain JJK character's quote whispers in my ear like a devil on my shoulder.

'But, that's how losers think!'

"How do you even define the 'Strongest Mage of the Modern Age.' To simply deal the most damage? I am not satisfied with such an answer personally, I want breadth and versatility too. To me, the desire for power is a desire to erase insecurity, if not in totality then in so far as I can cover physical needs." Water walking, Simple Transmutation, Blood Portals, all these things add more tools.

Black Orb, Danse Macabe, and Spice Forge might create the strongest 'punch' but my desires are not limited by… Simple 'DPS.'

"Holy shit, ahaha I haven't heard this kind of thing since I was 11!" Despite my sincerity I somehow find my face flushed faintly. "You're serious! Ha! You are interesting most of the boys got over their 'powerful sorcerer' phase. Especially after I excelled where they didn't."

"It's a man's romance." I say it flatly. It's a phrase I picked up reading something, probably mecha related... But 'Romance' is what I am searching for in a world seemingly bereft of it. I will probably reuse it, I just like the phrase.

"It's cute, in its own sort of way. Maybe, I guess it is sort of honest. The right word is endearing I think." As I sigh she seems to cut me a break and talk about the city. "Anyway with shipping harder with the armies about that would sink shipments not going to them, some rationing is inevitable, but the ecclesiastical class have the power to look after themselves. There is a bakery that the church prefers, so as a generous ambassador of the Vatican I might as well extend some grace to a visitor."

"Well you certainly have a flair for portraying the disinterested casual Princess." Really though extending someone else's corruption or soft power as her own, it has some flair, if she was a mafia heiress I could imagine her leading me to one of those tax front pizza places that are really good since they exist for mafia guys. "For your next birthday, you hoping to be gifted your own private army?"

With a soft chuckle she trills "Off with their heads~ mmm, I think it does suit me."

How strange.

Two magicians in the same city, talking about seemingly nothing at all.

No, talking about us, as people.

But this is not a world where one can really understand magic by understanding a person.

Perhaps it is simply a sign of Marina being 'spiritually attuned' or perhaps having a high wisdom or something.

"Got lost in your own head Gloomy, anything to share?" Marina teases me as we enter and I begin to peruse.

"Less sourdough than normal, I guess sourdough is 'common' huh. Also I have little experience in discussing the greater mysteries outside of Emanuel, so I am not sure how to do it? Emanuel was very happy to carry a conversation himself." I idly comment, before realizing what I am talking about, I can't figure out how to even begin discussing something like that.

"Yeah, yeast is hard to get with the war I guess." I nod at Marina as I feel a little dumb for not knowing even the basics of baking.

"I've mostly eaten from forage or hunting. Perhaps I would have an easier time in the war the most." I recall a faint impression from the original movie, All Quiet on the Western Front. What was most striking to me was the scene about the farm boy reacting to the horses getting hurt, but when the boys first got assigned an old guy looked out for them. Saw them fed in what ways he could.

It's been so long. Yet I think about another world war and the sad desperate justification of a boy arguing they should take the boots lest let someone else scavenge them.

"You'd also have more reasons to brood Gloomy." Marina helpfully lines the soldiering life with a bit of silver for me.

I get a sandwich and Marina orders a small shortcake. We walk to a secluded water fountain in a small plaza before she begins. "Well, do you have a preference? Is Sarko your favorite, or do more conventional faiths appeal more to you."

"Fear and Hunger." Title drop, but seriously knowing the world that comes in her passing. "There is this Edo art thing where you fix something that was broken with gold, channeling bad things into something of value is admirable. It is something anyone can strive for rather than just 'being good' or 'born better.'"

"With you being bent on power I am surprised you don't idolize the destroyer." Marina idly comments.

"Second favorite. Not for nature but for acts, giving blood magic to humans, being curious enough about us to try living as a human." Grogoroth in his boss fight mentors and freely speaks on the nature of the divine I think.

'Nice Guy Grogoroth.'

"You are quite complimentary of the Gods, do you have dislikes?" Marina poses an interesting question, I have gripes with how magic seems to exist, but would I beef with the Gods if given a chance?

"Maybe. I would say there are two I potentially dislike but I also grant that the Gods are alien and inscrutable, so while it is easy to ascribe humanity to them their minds are unlikely to even resemble ours. Before it was consumed by Fear and Hunger did the Depths have any 'hatred' or 'malice' unlikely I think. Humans are more loathsome than the Gods, so I feel like it's rather unfair to even judge them." That is without really getting into Sulfur and "Rher's deals. But I also could know more about them.

One theory I saw online once was about Rher being a protector as well with his ever watchful eye. A guardian from things that exist beyond the universe.

Perhaps my insertion to this universe would have been contested once upon a time.

I can't tell if I hate that or not.

"So it's like how you can't blame the cat for ruining the rug?" Water bottle spritzing Sulfur but a cat is certainly a mental image. The Human Mind is a real treat, glorious pattern recognition.

"More so that a carnivore's nature is to hunt. Is it sad that a rabbit got mauled to death? Yes, but can we assign blame? Blame is the sticking point for me, since that is a question that is a bit beyond our grasp. Even if we could in some way identify their natures, we would then have the question of the context of their creation." Do I hate Rher? I think 'Rher' is being pointed as a weapon, no volition, thus no blame. I might have sore feelings after Termina, certainly for his nature to be such a pain in my ass.

But cognitively, my ability to comprehend also allows me to take a wider view of the situation. That view is ultimately… Distancing I suppose.

"I guess that's why most studies are focused on Alll-mer and Fear and Hunger. Human minds, latching onto fundamentally human concepts. We also know their 'story' the Old God's mystery is less 'clean' for us."

"Ambiguity makes a certain degree of shape, how do you have humans or even a world without a creator deity, at least if you subscribe to the mystic. Nowadays it wouldn't be surprising if people just say the 'world' is a chemical reaction if they have never seen the mystical with their own eyes."

"Do you believe in a divine hand in creation or the creation of humans?" Marina asks and that actually is a very interesting question.

"They say Abyssonians believe the world existed before the Gods and they are mere powerful interlopers. I can't really say, personally, with Grogorth taking human shape that implies he liked us well enough, perhaps enough to have had a hand in making us…"

The conversation draws on, we discuss theory and personal belief on who, what, and why of the Gods even long after both of us had finished eating.

—

May 11th 1942
4 months before Termina
Unassuming accommodations

"YOU! W-WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS WITH MARINA?" Her black hair almost reminds me of Jotaro Kujo of how it seems to disappear around her back, and down near her nonexistent chest.

It's almost funny, when I'm confronted at where I'm renting an attic, like she is a jealous lover who has finally made will meet karma.

"Did you know Brother Daimon? You got the same unnatural sort of look." I idly fish for information as I control myself and create space.

"T-This! I! It's! Not about me or- him!" her face flashes as she bites at her lip and darkly leers as she forces herself into my door so I can't slam it on her. "W-what are you doing you- playboy?!"

Playboy? I had braced for an awful lot, but not that.

"Really? I always saw myself as something of a hermit or nerd?" I haven't really been at the center of anyone's attention. Even as a kid it wasn't really positive attention for the most part.

"SHUT UP W-With your fake modesty! Y-you have m-muscles and hair!" I can't help but laugh as I realize how juxtaposed my outside is with my internal self.

I have been hiking, fighting, and growing stronger my whole life.

I hadn't ever really internalized that growth, I always just pushed myself, my mind twisting under threat of- What is Coming.

The male/female gaze version of myself, a 'play boy,' well at least that's how- The Stalker sees it. I never wanted to buff up personally, though ending up a little buff isn't bad, it's just I suppose my ideal form is lithe and lean. Though that takes less work I suppose.

"I will take that as a compliment. But uh, what do you even get out of this… Do you want me to say that I will politely let you take your shot? It will only make her curious if I suddenly break ties." I suspect she doesn't even have a plan for what she wants. What her 'end game' could even look like, I understand her intentions I suppose.

Although I am not that attached to people as I share her struggles to piece together how to 'interface' with people.

"W-what e-even are you?! Urgh it's like I'm talking to a brick wall…" Samarie complains at me after seeking me out to harass me. I am almost offended by the entitlement, I'm not, I acknowledge I'm not making things easy for her.

"Well I am not Marina's keeper. You can settle things with her, instead of me, and maybe actually get something out of it. But that would include an element of risk no? You would have to reveal yourself, and BE seen." Unfortunately rather than reflect at my provocation they draw a fucking knife.

I move under the immediate threat, the blade scrapes against my arm as I pin her arm to the door frame as I undergo a dramatic transformation as I glower while trying to control myself.

"That was fucking really rude." I growl as I slam her arm, bending her wrist forcing her to drop the knife. "Not to say that I am 'nice.' But I was keeping things 'civil.'" Her own civility only implied to be lacking as begin to breathe calmer, my intensity fading as the danger fades.

"I-i-i you-uou." As she stammers I sigh and look at her.

"What happens after I let you go?" It is probably valuable to recent the conversation.

"I-I'll leave?" The Stalker sounds hilariously uncertain, which is rather funny considering my own thoughts on the matter.

"I WOULD have been fine with that before you tried to cut me." Not to be mean or exploitative, I certainly would feel sore just 'letting bygones be bygones' with someone who attacked me. I am usually a pretty even keeled and ambivalent guy. "I would say you owe me, especially if you want this staying a private matter between us, and you didn't want me complaining to Marina you fucking stabbed me. You aren't getting that knife back, by the way" Not that I know exactly what to do with her owing me one yet.

"------" Samarie mumbles something, I patiently wait but as she doesn't try again I sigh.

"A little louder please." Today is such bullshit.

"I-its my ritual knife." Ok, fucking and? She looks at me like I am supposed to intuit something.

"Did Marina give it to you or something? Are you seriously demanding the knife you stabbed me with." Stalker nods making me sigh, as I am just supposed to believe that I guess.

"I-I need it…" She mumbles again as I stare at her incredulously.

Is it seriously so important you be 'blood besties' that use the same knife? Fucking nuts. "I will let you go, I will hold onto the knife for now. You will sit down. I will bandage myself. We will have a polite conversation where we discuss how you are going to earn this knife back, which won't be today unless you offer me some other form of collateral." As she nods I kick the blade toward myself and let her go, watching her for a moment before I pick up the knife and head inside keeping an eye on her.

It's certainly awkward as the silence lingers on as I tightly coil the bandage to stem the flow, fuck now I need more bandages too. I should perhaps invest in a bit more of that and antibiotics.

"Now, let's talk, from the top. Let's see, I am Erik, I have met Marina occasionally these past few months. Addressing your previous concern, I guess I am not in a great time of my life to pursue a relationship. Not to say I wouldn't have one I guess. I would be open with Marina that I wouldn't be able to stick around, which I am not going to be telling her apropos of nothing with since a relationship isn't my express goal. Concerns? Ideas for how to earn your knife back?"

"S-Samarie. I-I am rather deeply connected to the Vatican…" She turns her gaze to the floor boards.

I tap the hilt of the knife with a finger, Samarie might be a road to something valuable or valuable herself.

"Perhaps, my time is limited, personal instructions from you over a period of the next few months might be valuable. Would you like to schedule it so they overlap at least once with Marina so you just so happen to meet a mutual acquaintance, say we write the lesson off that day and perhaps spend some time together as 3 young scholars?" Not that she deserves me to wing man for her, but I don't hate her despite how glaring she can feel to my own flaws.

"M-Marina. I-I would… I-I don't… W-what would I even say…?" my mouth twitches into a frown, before a scoff lightly.

"What you normally say, or 'sorry for intruding, I must have got the day mixed up.' Or have you even met her?" It's a very curious case of attachment, supposing you aren't generous to call it love.

"Y-Y… I haven't. I-I care for her, but w-we weren't ever in the same circles, s-so I would've had to force it to happen! It, I mean it as in uhm meet her." Occult secrets might not be fucking worth it.

I hate 'will they won't they' bullshit in stories, why would I like trying to interfere personally. "Look." I sigh bluntly, "I can facilitate, make the meeting casual, introduce you, fill space, but connection isn't something you can force or fashion for someone else. Fuck I can even give dating advice I guess. But if you ask that, some onus to make it 'work out' is on you."

The utter mess of a woman seems to burn with a blush "I-i, t-that's a lot of pressure. W-what if-"

I sigh, interrupting her. "They say the things in life worth doing are hard. It's maybe even 'good' to get some bumps early in a relationship so you have that level of trust that you both can work through things."

"I-I wouldn't mess things up with her… I-I'd protect her…" So. Not. Worth it.

"Let's say I am Marina. Here is an example of a crisis." I feel almost like 'The Spy' helping 'Scout' as I let a girly affectation enter my voice. "Samarie, I want to have a life outside of you, you are suffocating me by insisting to be part of everything I do." I don't shout, I don't reassure but I firmly state the point like I am firm on this.

Samarie's face pales her eyes dart from side to side "I-I can just make myself, less noticeable, disappear, that's the same as not being there..."

Oh Lord. Give. Patience.

—

AN - Samarie 100% the type of freak to steal Marina's engraving knife, and use it on herself for occult rituals.

Oddly, I can be kind of fair to Rher knowing what's coming, something I would have a long time to accept as a kind of devil's bargain. But Samarie coming around unannounced and uninvited would make me a tad snippy at the moment. Humans are just weird I guess.

What can you get out of Samarie? I think Masturbation is easy, a skill we should all have in theory. Her blood ritual is probably just a mundane technique performed over and over until affinity increases. In Termina it only takes one as the boundary to the Green is thinner. So I would say both.

What to do about mind reading, KOTOR and I think Young Justice? Used the same 'trick' of creating a wall or a kind of meditative preoccupation. Rather than ripping that my method is to internally reference a 'zip file.' Termina becomes capital letters 'What is Coming' in the same way certain shows have villains just say 'we're going to have to use that.' It's purposeful ambiguity that still brings to mind relevant information. Perhaps it wouldn't work against a jedi but it suits the needs of workable writing that respects mind reading as a power. Also progression, from Pocket Cat to now Erik has had a long time to categorize things.

 

[En-men-lu-ana]

Being a wingman to a yandere? The brain cells lost by Erik during this might actually be worth it.

 

[JustPlainEdgy]

Being a wingman to a yandere? The brain cells lost by Erik during this might actually be worth it.

Click to shrink...

Samarie is a creep, but I suppose I'm very even keeled about everything so I wouldn't say she is 'unlovable.' It really is more a matter if Marina minds, which I dunno maybe...

 

[En-men-lu-ana]

Samarie is a creep, but I suppose I'm very even keeled about everything so I wouldn't say she is 'unlovable.' It really is more a matter if Marina minds, which I dunno maybe...

Click to shrink...

If Erik isn't planning on romancing Marina, there's no true negative to trying to be a good wingman to Samarie, as having both of them working with him during the events of Termina would be worth whatever brain cells he will have lost helping her.

 

[JustPlainEdgy]

AN - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwTMoW7qaYo recommended listening.

Also not to steal Fabled Webs gimmick, but did you know a caterpillar eats itself to become a butterfly? Just figured I would mention that for no reason.

—
September 28th 1942
Twas the night before Termina
Vatican City Train Station

Since the Midnight Gazette printed its peace paper I have been spending my evenings at the train depot.

Fastidious, waiting for the 'official' start just in case.

I COULD have shown up to Prehevil early notionally, but with the mystic situation being what it is, would I show up with the Bremen army and be part of the 'Second Festival,' because yes Termina actually takes place as a third consecutive Festival of Termina.

Some miss able dialogue you probably never even read in game, that I picked up thanks to internet theory or lore nerdery.

I am taking a bet that the final festival is important, cosmically significant, and not just a chance to say kill O'saa and take his skill and perhaps even Nah'shrah.

Despite having consciously decided all this, despite living in fear of it for all this time and striving in the expectation of becoming ready for today.

I feel like I am marching to death row anyway as I approach the ticket lady.

"Got tired of watching?" I can't help but laugh too much at such a polite joke.

"Something like that, do I need to pay for additional luggage? I have my passport here, seems like it's about time to move on from the Vatican. Bohemia probably isn't nice this time of year with the war and what not. But hey, why wait for history to come to me in the papers I guess." It feels so stupid talking about this, making polite idle conversation before I step into the ring of champions and put myself in a rock and a hard place just to 'save myself' later. In some future universe I have been teased with.

Life feels patently absurd for me.

"It's not primarily a passenger train, but yeah with military occupation of the capital of Bohemia, you should be fine with your baggage and cart. It's rather empty, well for people getting on, it has some passengers already in it from previous stations but I heard it's rather sparse right now." Speaking of absurd, I have the strangest sympathy for this woman manning the counter, she is probably rather bored and yet.

"Well at least I will be lucky enough for some conversation on the rails it seems, sorry but I would like to get settled, do I need baggage tags or something?" Just like that I enter the limbo between passenger and pedestrian.

Name attached, stowed, inventoried, and put in the trains compartment.

This is the most I'll be unburdened for the next 3 days.

This is the lightest, freest version of myself that will exist from this moment to what might very well be the rest of my life.

Absurd, the rest of my life, spending it on this vague promise.

It is a choice, just turn around, just walk away from the horror and madness.

It sounds… Impossible to come so far and reject the call of the hero's journey.

I think of a story, I always do, the best Pokémon fan work to maybe ever exist.

Festival of Champions, there was a moment where Gary was going through it and… Karen called him out on what was going on with his head.

A 'curse,' from… The start I hadn't been cursed. I had 'cursed' my own life to meet the expectation of an alien's, of a monster's, of a Random Omnipotent force's promise.

Conditioning, I had conditioned myself, I repeated the story to myself and created a truth within myself that no magic needed to enforce.

How hadn't I seen it? How could I have been so blind?

Submissive Soul, huh. I was vulnerable to it. I was pushed into this flow, and I didn't let myself see it until the threat was so close I could feel the prickle of the reaper's scythe against my skin.

What a fool, what a fool I've been.

I sadly chuckle as I enter the train car, a valuable opportunity. As well a chance to get out of my own head.

Tanaka, O'saa, Karin, Levi, and Daan can already be seen, alongside a Maroch I had spotted on the train platform now seated in a corner seat.

O'saa… A man likely to be a victim of my greed, from his perspective of the meeting Nas'hrah whispers about each person that introduces themselves.

If I was a paranoid old wizard, I would be less suspicious of someone that tried to openly manipulate me. I had played a character that was like that in a DnD, a level 20 'World of Strength' paladin.

"Mind if I join you? Perhaps have a conversation before the… momentous arrival?" I smile faintly as I place a hand on the cushioned train seat.

After a long moment he finally meets my gaze with those deeply yellow eyes of his. Strange how I had forgotten that, so strange… Oddly, anime in its aesthetics to me. With a dismissive rich deep voice that seems to reverberate slightly "I very much prefer my mind uncluttered, it is a man's strongest weapon." His face is excessively neutral; it feels like he is giving me the cold shoulder until he follows up. "I care not where you came from or the name of your Mother. Should you be capable of respecting that, come and join me."

"Well the Gods help those who help themselves." I casually sit but I can't help but feel a creeping edge of tension, at what is to come.

"How cliche. You glimpse the grand scheme and yet have the audacity not only to approach an intellectual and scholar with the mere folk wisdom of a drunkard." O'saa is ever so composed as he is casually dismissive.

"Sorry, I simply didn't know what to say. What would you say is the greatest act a practitioner of magic can do?" I probably have too much on my mind, a dangerous habit. But at least in this moment we can perhaps engage a bit of sophistry.

"Magic is a well trodden path even if memory of it has left the world, I suppose the 'best' a practitioner can do is strive in other fields. The founder of the Yellow Mages was a Sultan of old." Very even keeled, I suppose we are both the same that way.

But the very thought sets me on edge. I kind of want to blow my lid and ask if perhaps he is the way he is because he feels magic has let him down. It doesn't honor commitment, or well act like humans would like I suppose.

"Mmm. I always kind of liked the idea of leaving a mark on the art itself. Passing on new magic. Bringing novelty to the art if possible. Though I mean, I would have to live long enough." I had figured I would end up in the bunker since long ago

It was always more of a 'wouldn't that be nice' sort of thought. Oh I wonder what I would do with all this time to be alive with?

It is kind of depressing, to live past my peak and have no challenge worthy of me when I become the strongest mage of the modern day, for no one to ever know my name.

But if I were of my own volition make myself the sacrifice, no one would have to die. Because strength is the objective, people are certain to die.

I might kill them.

"My, a rather audacious notion to imply you could do what countless priests, and mages have failed to do." O'saa snarks coolly.

"Is it? Humans are jealous and we hoard our advantages. I had always had a private suspicion that magic had become lost until it's now the realm of fraudsters and fakes. I had figured that spells were lost, that the body of knowledge is intentionally fractured."

"Have you considered it is merely your own assumption that 'Magic' could be whole?" O'saa plays the philosophical opposing dialectic. Perhaps playing Funger Plato and intentionally using dialogue to open ideas?

"Do you believe humans are capable of creating magic without the assistance of the universal conceptual power of the gods?" One of the first interpretations or perhaps misinterpretations I heard about O'saa or perhaps made up based on something I heard in a video. Was that their particular enlightenment in their solo survivor ending had them eventually lead an organization to create an expansion of magic for humans.

"Well, the force of magic is limited by the human mind, whatever you call it, willpower or ego its all the same. A more honed mind is a more dangerous one. The human will fights and tries to assert itself over the 'higher powers.' By accessing the forces of the Greater Scheme of things you can do anything, well supposing you had foolish and firm unstoppable 'faith' that it was possible. So yes, I do believe so insofar as rationally we can understand the Greater Scheme if motivated can do so on our behalf." Interesting, it also really twists some of the ideas I have stewed on for a long time. Like Kaiser's asterisk spell, learning that would be kind of cool, but I would need a belief the same as him to pull the right lever.

"Huh, I never really considered magic as a force of the 'greater scheme' or even as separate from the Gods really. The only magic humans ever seem to attempt is built on their crutches." at my thoughtful tone O'saa seems to laugh.

"Well, who is to say? Human record is as faulty as the minds and hands of the humans that made them. It is a rather intense theological debate, the nature of the divine that is. We can agree they are conceptual forces, that at least is indisputable fact, but their source and nature are merely interpretations of shadows."

Very Platonic, it's actually rather charming. I'm so introverted I have never had a strong sense of how different people of this era can be from the 'brain rot' modern era I'm from. O'saa kind of pings that sense of a person that is… Classically educated…?

"Well, human cognition or 'belief' can seemingly even be predated upon by things 'beyond' our world like Ronteals. Perhaps despite accessing this conceptual force, the human belief to straddle it is too vast, so I allowed the easy path the God's made to take up too much space in my own head." Belief being a core part of magic clicks in a certain way, I just hadn't read Nas'hrah making a spell as him channeling his own belief he has to conquer Grogorth's Traces.

A belief so strong it looped right around to destroying him.

It would almost be a shame to kill him, O'saa is more than his skills, he is a scholar and a wealth of lore. He is the key to certain lore points, like talking to Daan about Sulfur.

"Could I sway you into an alliance with me?" Despite it perhaps not being in my interest, I should be open to the idea.

"I am certain I could do better than a whelp who doesn't appear to have even endured his first decade of hardship." Fucking dick… Considering the amount of idiots that died in the Game Termina to stupid shit like jumping down the toilet I can't say I blame him.

But his smug aura offends me.

Perhaps it's just not the kind of world where we overcome the darkness by uniting threads of light, into a scattered colorful party to stand for hope.

Oh so long ago… The first JJK thing I think I ever watched, it had a thumbnail, something like the world was evil, or built on evil…

A frayed thread from a lifetime ago, yet I hold on so tightly.

"Erik?" from over my shoulder I see Marina in her canon outfit, Samarie meanwhile isn't really a fashion or accessories sort of gal she wears the same blouse as usual.

"Excuse me, it seems other conversations must be shared. I will leave you to your peace." I stand leaving the rather stifling and imperious O'saa and walk with Marina and Samarie to an empty seat and join across from them. "So Prehevil huh, not exactly the nicest place to visit this time of year." I idly snark, I can't help but feel all sorts of strange.

If there were a time to waver it is now I suppose.

"Family business, but you-why didn't you tell us, why are you leaving, what has happened?" Marina is pressing as Samarie's eyes flick between us, well that is indeed a wrinkle to being friendly I suppose.

"Was just sort of waiting for the right moment. I suppose I have belonged to the road most of my life anyway. My friendship was always more of a passing acquaintance deal, at most I would send you letters like how I send letters home." Although in their case I suppose my usual standoffish attitude was somewhat suspended.

Samarie stumbles, in her clumsy all too honest affection. She flinches as I think that.

Anyway I took, and shared advice I once heard that a date with a third wheel didn't matter. The blurring between a 'date' and a normal social outing doesn't have to be a rigid thing with no overlap. Samarie needed me to be a little more engaged, I guess I responded without thinking of what comes after.

"Erik, you seem out of sorts. The man who insulted you, made you quiet?" I sigh as Marina presses me, it feels like I have a winding Escher painting staircase to interpret to even attempt honesty.

"Suppose… I also have some 'family business.' Marina, I have someone I intend to kill. It might be best if you avoid Prehevil all together." Crazy, am I going soft or something.

"Erik, w-what's going on?" Samarie finally breaks her silence as I chuckle sadly.

I stand up and grab the seat and lean on it for a long moment. "I… As I said, it's a bad time of year to visit. Excuse me, I think I need to clear my head."

I drift in my loneliness over to a lone chair so I can suffocate whatever is gripping my heart, so the plan can be executed.

Damn myself yet again, curse myself to restrict myself to the path of power lest I tremble and weep begging my unkind God for another chance at power, to overcome the helplessness my kindness would inflict.

Whatever Solipsism that is necessary to make myself the protagonist of this world, author of my own story, I must embrace it.

I had grown so much, but August had always seen this hadn't he?

Tears spill in the silence, and I let out a ragged breath.

My heart was always too soft.

Woe betide the contestants, a darkness is coming, because I want to live.

I want to live. I want to live, and that means I will seize the means if I have to.

I chuckle softly, I feel oddly like Philip from Library of Ruina, an sublime coward who cannot even face himself! He dresses his actions and beliefs in pretension to fool themselves and to give them freedom to kill or to run away so long as the reasons are 'just.'

'The most dangerous kind of person.' One that screams 'for the sake of others' as he stabs you.

I sink back into the seat as I mournfully look out the window, as the train rattles on, the world of the veiled night blurs dimly.

After some time the heaviness of my mind seems to finally come over me, and I sleep at last before the morning of the first day.

—

AN - This is the first direct acknowledgement of how my brain probably would tangle itself into a knot. The specifics aren't really able to be seen, in what specific ways this tendency can make me a 'worse' version of myself without even Moonscorching. It is probably the beginning of bad things to see it then say 'nah let it rock.'

O'saa is not likely to be very prominent since he has Spice Forge, Meditation, and Danse Macabre but he is rather contradictory; he has so little to say and yet has so much character!

I obviously dig him, I played as him. But also he is such an asshole, even if he thought I was useful we see that it takes him being arrowed, met with kindness, and for you to assert your interest in tech/bunkers to join. He has a lot of locks to get on side.

Also talking to my brother there was this meme we both laughed at he reminded me of for O'saa. Someone on the train gets approached reading Plato or something and gets asked "Are you an intellectual?" I forgot the reader's response, probably no, but it's followed by "you're reading Plato, that's why you're not an intellectual."

It's like, not even a performative reading joke, it's a diss for being at the level where you read Plato, like its kindergarten stuff. O'saa is 100% that kind of guy, so it was useful to keep in mind for tone.

I think just like when Erik cries on his birthday, we are both distant people, but people like Marina and Samarie closing the distance doesn't leave us unaffected.

 

[Oglymogly]

This is your best chapter yet! As a person who knows little of Funger I'm excited to see where you go from here.

 

[JustPlainEdgy]

This is your best chapter yet! As a person who knows little of Funger I'm excited to see where you go from here.

Click to shrink...

thank you! I certainly struggle with the feeling of what moments I need to commit to page.

honestly when I think of TTRPG games and think of running I can never really feel like I wrangle my ideas or the game well...

At best I have like a scene or idea of a thing in my head.

With this story I wanted to explore how Termina would mess a person up, The story that inspired me had a yellow mage in Frieren and they were too 'normal' to me. Also the cross over is to explore how that complex mess recoils and changes when it meets Freya's mess.