Nue Quest 9 - Ascension: A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> "All right."
> Turn to face the crowd. Raise our voice's volume a little to properly address the crowd as needed.
> "Yeah. We're not going to see our big red buddy again. It was a 'primal', a primitive deity. It has been forced back into a sword of foreign make, a sword from which it came in the first place. That sword is currently in possession of one of the goddesses in the shrine at the top of the mountain. Dealing with primals is apparently one of her specialties, and she has the fullest confidence in herself of making sure it doesn't cause any more problems in the short time it has left in this world."
> Frown.
> "I would feel sorry for it if it didn't stomp on me while I fought it earlier. But as things stand, I guess the old adage is true; what goes around comes around. If that ox tries anything funny with the mountain goddess, it's going to be in for a world of displeasure."

>You explain things to the group. You're not sure if they're exactly satisfied with the explanation, but no one has shouted or thrown anything at you yet, so you consider it a success.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "As for the money issue, the culprit has been taken care of. There's no real nice or delicate way to put this, so I'll just come out with it. The culprit had their will broken on a core level. I tell you this because I did it myself. It's a sensation similar to a crystalline shatter, one I hope no one currently gathered here ever experiences on either end. Me calling the sensation "strange" is extremely charitable, and I'm just the one that gave it. Regardless, the spell that had exchanged everyone's money for those gems was forged in and founded on this person's mind and force of will. It dissolved the instant that will was shattered, something confirmed by the same mountain goddess as before. As far as I know, that person is currently little more than an invalid, and while I'm hoping we can find a way to fix that, it means that the threat to Gensokyo's economy has been eliminated."
> Casually hold up our non-umbrella hand with our palm facing outward toward the crowd.
> "And before anyone asks or gets worried, no, I'm not going to do it again. I can't do it again, to anyone. It was a one-shot deal, and is no longer in my ability."

[Hello Purvis]

> "As for the money issue, the culprit has been taken care of. There's no real nice or delicate way to put this, so I'll just come out with it. The culprit had their will broken on a core level. I tell you this because I did it myself. It's a sensation similar to a crystalline shatter, one I hope no one currently gathered here ever experiences on either end. Me calling the sensation "strange" is extremely charitable, and I'm just the one that gave it. Regardless, the spell that had exchanged everyone's money for those gems was forged in and founded on this person's mind and force of will. It dissolved the instant that will was shattered, something confirmed by the same mountain goddess as before. As far as I know, that person is currently little more than an invalid, and while I'm hoping we can find a way to fix that, it means that the threat to Gensokyo's economy has been eliminated."
> Casually hold up our non-umbrella hand with our palm facing outward toward the crowd.
> "And before anyone asks or gets worried, no, I'm not going to do it again. I can't do it again, to anyone. It was a one-shot deal, and is no longer in my ability."

>"So what if it does happen again?" calls one of the people in the crowd.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "The culprit in question is the only one in Gensokyo capable of the feat, due to the nature of the 'magic' involved, and with their will broken they're not pulling it off again, among other reasons. The librarian of the vampire manor explained to me the general nature of what happened, which I'll try to reproduce as best I can. Basically, this person gained the power to do this through extreme faith in a certain concept coupled with sheer insanity. They spent the vast majority of their life operating under the influence of this faith, and probably most, if not all, of that same time suffering from being out of their gourd. They believe they had found and been able to tap into a certain power of the universe they thought no one else had yet discovered, and building up this power over many years is part of what allowed them to pull off what they did. It is worth noting, though, that they needed some other rather important materials, and the one who previously supplied the culprit with said materials has been made aware of the situation. It is extremely likely they will not deal with the culprit again due to lack of trust, and the materials they supplied were rather unique, so it is extremely unlikely the culprit will get their hands on more of said materials."
> "It is also worth pointing out that the money exchange was a means rather than an end for the culprit, and they required more special materials in addition to Gensokyo's economy to execute their greater plan."
> Scowl while visibly gritting our teeth.
> "This...person had my spellcards stolen in a roundabout scheme to acquire them for themselves. They needed my power to see their plan to completeness. Even ignoring the other reasons that prevent this incident from happening again, it is extremely unlikely to the point of absurdity that they will try the money exchange again if they can't see their plan all the way through to the end."
> Take a visibly tighter grip on the umbrella.
> "And this person will stay the everloving hell away from me for the rest of their lives and pray to as many deities as they can that I someday forget they exist, because if they try to get a hold of my power for their twisted nonsense ever again, I will make them wish I was so merciful as to only break their will a second time."

[Hello Purvis]

> "The culprit in question is the only one in Gensokyo capable of the feat, due to the nature of the 'magic' involved, and with their will broken they're not pulling it off again, among other reasons. The librarian of the vampire manor explained to me the general nature of what happened, which I'll try to reproduce as best I can. Basically, this person gained the power to do this through extreme faith in a certain concept coupled with sheer insanity. They spent the vast majority of their life operating under the influence of this faith, and probably most, if not all, of that same time suffering from being out of their gourd. They believe they had found and been able to tap into a certain power of the universe they thought no one else had yet discovered, and building up this power over many years is part of what allowed them to pull off what they did. It is worth noting, though, that they needed some other rather important materials, and the one who previously supplied the culprit with said materials has been made aware of the situation. It is extremely likely they will not deal with the culprit again due to lack of trust, and the materials they supplied were rather unique, so it is extremely unlikely the culprit will get their hands on more of said materials."
> "It is also worth pointing out that the money exchange was a means rather than an end for the culprit, and they required more special materials in addition to Gensokyo's economy to execute their greater plan."
> Scowl while visibly gritting our teeth.
> "This...person had my spellcards stolen in a roundabout scheme to acquire them for themselves. They needed my power to see their plan to completeness. Even ignoring the other reasons that prevent this incident from happening again, it is extremely unlikely to the point of absurdity that they will try the money exchange again if they can't see their plan all the way through to the end."
> Take a visibly tighter grip on the umbrella.
> "And this person will stay the everloving hell away from me for the rest of their lives and pray to as many deities as they can that I someday forget they exist, because if they try to get a hold of my power for their twisted nonsense ever again, I will make them wish I was so merciful as to only break their will a second time."

>You get the feeling that you may have confused many of the people there. However, many seem to be fairly satisfied with the last part.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Look over at Byakuren.
> "Anything else I should cover? Preferably something that doesn't make my blood boil just from thinking about it."

[Hello Purvis]

> Look over at Byakuren.
> "Anything else I should cover? Preferably something that doesn't make my blood boil just from thinking about it."

>"No, you've told us everything, I think," says Byakuren. "If you'd like to speak more, I'll meet you inside, alright?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod.
> "Yeah, I'd like that. See you when you're all set here."
> Turn back to the crowd and flash them a thumbs-up and a small smile.
> "Thanks for bearing with me, folks. You all deserve credit as a group, too; other places around Gensokyo were going completely out of their minds over everything, but you folks did well to maintain your composure."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod.
> "Yeah, I'd like that. See you when you're all set here."
> Turn back to the crowd and flash them a thumbs-up and a small smile.
> "Thanks for bearing with me, folks. You all deserve credit as a group, too; other places around Gensokyo were going completely out of their minds over everything, but you folks did well to maintain your composure."

>You agree, then give some final words to the crowd. They seem to take them rather well, allowing a couple moments before Byakuren picks up the slack.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Beckon to Mamizou again and head on into the Temple.

[Hello Purvis]

> Beckon to Mamizou again and head on into the Temple.

>You make your way inside, Mamizou at your heels.
>"I suppose humans and youkai really do get along here," says the tanuki as she removes her shoes.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Remove our own shoes and place them where appropriate.
> "Yeah, this place is pretty nice. Byakuren had a good eye, setting up shop here."

[Hello Purvis]

> Remove our own shoes and place them where appropriate.
> "Yeah, this place is pretty nice. Byakuren had a good eye, setting up shop here."

>You set your own footwear aside. You can hear Byakuren easily, as she reassures people that everything is alright and they can go about their business without any more caution than they usually show.
>"I imagine I'll have to get something that can let my tail breath, then," she says.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Do we know anything about any relationships between tanukis and kitsunes?
> Raise an eyebrow with a small smirk.
> "Does that mean what it seems to suggest?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Do we know anything about any relationships between tanukis and kitsunes?
> Raise an eyebrow with a small smirk.
> "Does that mean what it seems to suggest?"

>You know that Mamizou does not enjoy the presence of foxes.
>"It may, it may," says Mamizou.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> How measurably close are we to Mamizou?

[Hello Purvis]

> How measurably close are we to Mamizou?

>You're about a yard away.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Unsheath the trident and gently toss it on the floor to the side.
> "Then we just have to make sure what's about to happen is never made public."

[Hello Purvis]

> Unsheath the trident and gently toss it on the floor to the side.
> "Then we just have to make sure what's about to happen is never made public."

>You unsheathe your trident and toss it aside.
>"That sounds rather like you should consider restraining yourself," says Mamizou.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Put our purse down on the floor next to us.
> "Come on now. When have I ever done that?"
> Leap right at Mamizou and tackle her with a hug!

[Hello Purvis]

> Put our purse down on the floor next to us.
> "Come on now. When have I ever done that?"
> Leap right at Mamizou and tackle her with a hug!

>You set your purse down, which hits the floor with a meaty metallic thump. Then you remind her who she is dealing with before pouncing on her.
>Mamizou squawks as you nearly bowl her over and pin one of her arms to her side in a fierce hug.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Give a good laugh of happiness. After two full days of near-endless aggravation, something finally went well and truly right for us.

[Hello Purvis]

> Give a good laugh of happiness. After two full days of near-endless aggravation, something finally went well and truly right for us.

>You laugh happily, and while Mamizou squirms. "It isn't that funny, you know!" she cries.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Oh, but I missed you so! And now you're all mine again!"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Oh, but I missed you so! And now you're all mine again!"

>"Don't you try to sweet talk me!" Mamizou says.
>Despite her words, you feel her free arm go around your back and squeeze.
>"Though I must admit, I had written you off completely as well."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Squeeze back.
> "Hah! As if anything could ever get either of us for good. You know damn well we'll be cheating death itself when the time comes."

[Hello Purvis]

> Squeeze back.
> "Hah! As if anything could ever get either of us for good. You know damn well we'll be cheating death itself when the time comes."

>"Speak for yourself!" says Mamizou. "You may cheat, I fully intend to indebt it."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Of course, of course. Regardless, it doesn't stand a chance against us."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Of course, of course. Regardless, it doesn't stand a chance against us."

>"Just so," says Mamizou. "Now, if you're quite done..."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Pout.
> "Do I have to?"