Keine Quest (Part 4): Broken History

[Hello Purvis]

>Make a left at that mighty pillar.

[DracoOmega]

>Make a left at that mighty pillar.

>You take a left at the pillar, and work your way through another, somewhat narrower tunnel that descends in a very loose spiral. After traversing a few more nondescript passages you emerge in a large, low-roofed chamber. A moderately sized body of water occupies much of the chamber, with a river continuing off into the gloom. You can hear the sound of rushing water in the distance. The whole place feels rather damp.
>There are several passages leading out of this chamber: one in the wall ahead of you, where the river runs, two to your left, one narrow and craggy, another somewhat larger, and one to your right, rounded and smooth.

[Hello Purvis]

>Make a right.

[DracoOmega]

>Make a right.

>You walk around the lake and enter the right passage. This continues in a mostly straight fashion for a time, then eventually opens into a very large chamber, split down the middle by a deep fissure. A sturdy and rather old-looking bridge spans the fissure, made of wood with iron reinforcements. You can see a river moving swiftly in the depths below it.
>There is a blond-haired woman standing nearly the middle of the bridge, gazing over the side. She doesn't seem to have noticed you yet.

[Kasu]

> Head for the bridge.

[E-Nazrin]

>greeneye lasers pew pew pew
>"Hello?"

[DracoOmega]

> Head for the bridge.

>greeneye lasers pew pew pew
>"Hello?"

>You head for the bridge, and greet the woman standing on it. She turns her head towards you, a faint scowl on her face.
>"Well, don't you two look lovely together," she says. "Traveling to the Ancient City? It's been a long time since someone from the surface came down here."

[Hello Purvis]

>"We are, yes."

[DracoOmega]

>"We are, yes."

>"What reason do you have for being there?" she says. "It's not the kind of place people should just come and go from as they please."

[Hello Purvis]

>"We just need to talk with someone, it won't be an issue."

[DracoOmega]

>"We just need to talk with someone, it won't be an issue."

>"Oh?" She tilts her head. "And how does someone from up there know anyone down here?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"We came in through the back way yesterday, actually. Given we're coming this way now, I think you can see how eager we are to repeat it."

[DracoOmega]

>"We came in through the back way yesterday, actually. Given we're coming this way now, I think you can see how eager we are to repeat it."

>"Back way?" She frowns. "There's no back way. This bridge is the only way in there is, and I should know. Not much point in guarding an entrance if someone can just walk in the back door."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, you know what happened with the Hell Raven, right? She left a hole to the surface from Blazing Hell. The problem is, there's also hundreds of evil spirits in the way..."

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, you know what happened with the Hell Raven, right? She left a hole to the surface from Blazing Hell. The problem is, there's also hundreds of evil spirits in the way..."

>Parsee grins darkly. "Serves you right for trying to be clever." Then she pauses and frowns again. "Still in one piece though, lucky bastards; waltzing in and out wherever you want. Such a show-off."
>"Hey!" Mokou says. "What's your problem?"
>Parsee turns to Mokou. "And someone to stick up for you, too. How quaint," she adds, dryly.

[Hello Purvis]

>"No, we're not going to be waltzing back in that way any time soon, we got lucky last time."

[Blitzer]

>Note that this woman may shank you later.
>"I wonder. What's with your attitude?"

[E-Nazrin]

>"Do you get free texting?"

[DracoOmega]

>"No, we're not going to be waltzing back in that way any time soon, we got lucky last time."

>"Oh, it's just that fate smiles on you." Her eyes narrow. "I suppose you think that makes it better?"

>Note that this woman may shank you later.
>"I wonder. What's with your attitude?"

>In fact, you seem to have a faint memory of her shaking you before. Which is odd, since you've never met her....
>"I could say the same to you," she says. "Have a little respect, why don't you?"

>"Do you get free texting?"

>"Whaddaya think I'm doing right now?"

[Blitzer]

>"Well, what makes good luck good or bad?"

[E-Nazrin]

>"We're here to speak with Satori about something very important to her."

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, what makes good luck good or bad?"

>"What kind of question is that?" she says, giving you an odd look. "Of course good luck's good and bad luck's bad. Just because you have good luck doesn't mean you have to flaunt it."

>"We're here to speak with Satori about something very important to her."

>"Ok, now that I don't envy you for. Downright creepy that woman is sometimes. Well, they're your secrets. Have fun losing them."

[communist unity (comm-unity)]

> "I respect those who respect themselves. Respectable people don't make their living guarding over a bridge."
> We shouldn't waste any more time here, continue on.

[E-Nazrin]

>"By and large already lost. Good day."

[DracoOmega]

> "I respect those who respect themselves. Respectable people don't make their living guarding over a bridge."
> We shouldn't waste any more time here, continue on.

>"By and large already lost. Good day."

>Parsee shanks you.
>You decide to stop bothering to converse and continue over the bridge.
>Parsee shrugs. "Do what you want. Not going to waste my time trying to stop you at this point."

>You carry on past her without incident, and eventually arrive in the large chamber that your detour with Suika started in. You can see the Ancient City ahead of you.

[Hello Purvis]

>Head in, and try to avoid the more crowded spots; make way toward the Palace of the Earth Spirits.

[DracoOmega]

>Head in, and try to avoid the more crowded spots; make way toward the Palace of the Earth Spirits.

>You move into the city, trying to avoid the oni as best you can on the way to the palace. The city is substantially less rambunctious than it was the other night. No giant parties, and fewer crowds in general, although there are still plenty of oni going about their daily affairs. The glances you get seem to be less openly amazed or pushy, although some curiosity still trails in your wake. Perhaps word spread about your encounter with Suika?
>You reach the palace without incident, its ornate gothic door looming in front of you. There is a heavy-looking iron knocker set in the middle of it.

[Hello Purvis]

>Tap that knocker.

[DracoOmega]

>Tap that knocker.

>You tap the knocker several times, making a dull, resonating sound. After a little while, the door opens.
>"What're you back for?" Orin says, scanning behind you for any other companions that might not be readily visible.

[E-Nazrin]

>"Shit just got real"