Ok why do you want Julia/Brave Heart within our Hivemind?
1. I dont think that Bianca will be happy.
2. We or her dont really gain anything from it.
3. didnt we want to give maybe Ana a few levels?
4. Why do you want to take Strength Eon Crusher? Naturally if we have the HP for it we could ask her to punch us with it. Just the question remains, what we gain from it, besides REALLY big amounts of pain.
BTW Naron is our passive vote of visiting the Yggdrasil girls every day still in effect? (the one a few chapters ago)
1. I'm not sure why not, but okay.
2. I mean, it's a good thing in-story. Mechanics-wise it gives us more xp gain (Even this late in the quest, probably makes up for it's cost, though we likely spend that on her), better teamwork with her, and a somewhat more versatile group composition. Also, she's very experienced and powerful - she can help in a lot of fights, even just via experience or affinity kill. I also doubt there's much to spend XP on besides connection.
3. I believe that was under debate, but my personal inclinations lean towards life sense or complete connection if we do.
4. I don't. Where'd you get the idea I did?
For the purposes of improving our characters, I don't really think we need to invest EXP until we do meet the next challenge.
Because we are already top tier.
It is not even being complacent, it is being realistic - barring a surprise attack on Kibo as a whole we can reasonably expect to survive any challenge long enough to invest EXP. Sun taken alone by surprise has guaranteed 16k damage reduction before her modifier roll, while Ana has her Life Sense.
1: agreed as an option, but some don't want it and veekie's question is relevant.
2: I think you mean Scorching sunlight. If so, yes.
3: no. (They share HSC and sun can buy speed gap eventually)
4: Agreed, but this is more of a thing to buy if we need it.
5: I would just bring it to 15 first. That's already a milestone, and also meets the godlight req
6: I wish.
I also like Event Horizon and Reflected Godlight, but no-one seems that interested, so... More importantly, I think leveling Soothing Moonlight early is a good idea. (because leveling it interferes with training it.)
I also like Event Horizon and Reflected Godlight, but no-one seems that interested, so... More importantly, I think leveling Soothing Moonlight early is a good idea. (because leveling it interferes with training it.)
Yeah. We pretty much all agree on moon and sunlight lvl 15, and there's reasonable support for eclipse.
My disagreement is that you keep having sun scepter levels in your plan as well. IDK what parts others dislike.
Also, I'm slightly more interested in event horizon, but that's another matter.
Scorching Sunlight
Level 14 -----> 15
Base Damage: 327,680 -----> 655,360
Magic Modifier: 335 -----> 360
Affinity: Sun | Balance
Ability: Melt | Armor Removal | Ordnance Can turn the Melt-effect into Unstoppable (False)
Primordial Moon: Spell Upgrade
Soothing Moonlight
Level 13 -----> 14 -----> 15
Base Damage: 40,939 -----> 73,690 -----> 132,642
Magic Modifier: 435 -----> 470 -----> 505
Affinity: Moon | Balance
Ability: Heal | Status Recovery | Target by Level Can unify up to 1 threads to heal the same target
[X] Go find Julia and do something with her
[X] Iron, Mirror, and Igni ought to be around here, it would be nice to tell them Fate is well
You quickly decide how to spend your afternoon, and even faster who you will look for first; between Julia and the Yggdrasil-girls, the latter are more difficult to find and thus your priority.
Iron started helping Winter with Kibo's tech-support over the last few weeks; her being a machine works wonders for her capability to write working code. Mirror works the gardens and Igni... took over teaching while Spring is gone. Strength's group is not back just yet either, though you have the suspicion that Igni will keep at it once they are back.
You find the three of them together at a table outside, ignoring the wind in favour of chatting; Igni actually looks alright by now, a sight that immediately calms your concern and makes you consider jumping her. Then calm settles back in and you remember that not everyone likes being touched.
Iron raises her head once you come closer, prompting the other two to follow her gaze and find you waving at them. ""Hey there!""
Hands are raised in response and the Mementos shimmy aside to make room for you, neither of them transformed at the moment but only one of them with a smile. Igni offers a weak smile of her own, which you match easily upon sitting down. "How are you?"
"Same old," "Same old," "Could be better," is what you get in response. Mirror just looks at Igni with a betrayed look, as she was the one who said something different. Her mock-indignation goes ignored, though the sight makes you snort. A few seconds pass like this before the black-haired girl sighs and turns back to you. "Anyway, good to see you back. How was Africa?"
With how Iron flinches almost unnoticeably, you find yourself wondering if talking to those two right now was really the best idea. They were on the way to Africa when Bianca happened to them, after all. There is no going back now, though; you can only go along and hope for the best, so you start explaining what happened, and the people you met.
At some point you pause, though; leaving out your older selves and going around the topic was easy, but there is something else you meant to bring up. "Say, do you remember Hand of Fate?"
All three nod, though you can see they are confused about why you bring it up. As far as they know, Fate is very much dead and buried under New York's rubble. You are quite glad about having a somewhat useful analogy to describe the situation. "Well, uh... you know how Truth can regrow from her slime even if she dies? Fate has something like that, so she got out of New York alive. Kind of... uh..." "each time she is killed, she reincarnates into another girl who then becomes a new Hand of Fate." "She awakened right in front of me, I was really surprised."
You notice their intrigued expressions, though the interest soon fades again; Magical Girls having unusual powers is not really that... unusual anymore for any of those three. It is similar with you, all things considered. All the girls you met have been diverse and interesting, but being super excited about it is starting to lose its novelty to you. Except if it is about Ludger, of course.
"That's good to hear," Igni allows after a while; the Mementos are eyeing her carefully, though she does not show any hints of having noticed. In fact, she just ruffles your hair and gets up. "Anyway, I don't have the time to hear the rest right now, there is still some stuff I have to prepare for tomorrow's lecture. See you around, girls."
"Aww." "See you around!"
One advantage of having two bodies is that you can pout and say goodbye at the same time; Igni waves back at you before vanishing around a corner. However, Mirror sighs once she is out of sight, shaking her head as she gives you an apologeptic look. "Sorry about that, she is... hard to be around these days. Meeting Brave Heart at the training grounds a few days back did definitely not help the matter."
Her admission makes your heart plummet and eyes widen. "They didn't fight, did they?"
That is your first concern, thankfully dissolved immediately by Iron: "There was no fight, neither with their weapons, nor with words. We think that seeing her led to flashbacks, though."
"Oh..."
You can guess that this is not at all good for your friend. Though Mirror just shrugs and gives you a pat on the shoulder. "Not like it's your fault, girl. Don't think about it too much," she offers soothingly before checking her wristwatch and raising an eyebrow. "Huh, time flies. You have to finish the story for me some other time, I have to get back to my work."
"Me too," Iron adds and the two of them get up, as do you. Goodbyes are said and everyone is on their way again.
. . .
Line Break Recognised . . .
Julia is easy to find in comparison; she always spends her free time either in your room or on the training grounds. Seeing that she was not with you before, there is only one place for her to be; you are not particularly surprised to be right. Your friend exercises and practices a lot, though there is a certain agitation to her usually calm swings. Her muscles are tense.
""Julia!""
She does not react to your words just like usual, wanting to finish her sequence first. You notice the tension fading from her body, though. It is the most obvious sign of concern you noticed on her so far; Julia keeps her emotions to herself most of the time, so your experience in reading Bianca helps a bit to guess her moods.
Once Julia is done and lowers her sword, you go over to talk to her; knowing your friend, she has not spoken to anyone by herself while you were gone... again. "I'm back!"
"I noticed. Are you alright? How was your journey?"
"I'm fine, don't worry." "Africa was too warm... but the people are nice."
You take her by the shoulders and lead her away from the trainings grounds, conveniently falling back to the story you told the other girls before to pass the time until you reach the dorms. Julia probably noticed what you are doing, but you will just pretend not to know unless she mentions it. She does not complain, which is a good sign. Or so you think, seeing that she uses the moment you are distracted by Ana to chime in: "Actually, there was something I wanted to do today. I had an idea how we could work together and wanted to test it."
Meanwhile, your sisters are busy sorting through the spare clothes Chi has ready just in case; Ana is still reluctant to interact with Eva and Rico, though they have started to slowly warm up to each other. Not that you can keep your attention on what they are doing, though that sundress Rico holds looks cute. Shaking off the distracting thoughts, you throw Julia a curious look and ask what she has in mind. Anything that might make her go around her self-imposed pledge to only start socialising once she made up for her past deeds is good in your books.
. . .
Line Break Recognised . . .
You should have known.
"Are you absolutely sure, little lamb?", Summer asks once more. All of you are transformed, with a small crowd forming around the field already. You even spy Autumn and Winter a little further to the back.
Your friend just challenged Summer's Dream. The girl who probably still outmatches you in regards of spellpower... and versatility, that is for sure.
"Yes, absolutely sure."
"Alright, your funeral. Do those preparations, I don't mind waiting for whatever handicap you need."
Julia nods in thanks before turning to you with a determined expression. "Okay, please use your strongest spells on me."
"..."
You just stare at her, starting to understand what she has in mind. Just... "Um... I didn't get to mention that yet, but I did some things that block my spellcasting for a while. I can't use any spells, so... uh..." "how about you try hitting me instead?," you offer in the end. It is the best you can do and she thankfully moves into an attacking position. The baffled look on her face is a little funny though, you have to admit that.
"Alright, here I go."
Summer stands there with a smug smirk, though it quickly vanishes when you casually flick the sword aside with your scepter.
(Blade of Judgement: +495 Base Damage, Magical Girl Slayer suppressed, +54 dice, +100 Hostile Story Effect Out of Balance = 549 Total Damage
Intercept!
Moonlight Scepter: +116915 Base Damage, +247 Overwhelm, +58457 Superior Discipline, +146143 Godlike Strength, +23383 Speed Gap, +796 dice, +100 Rebalanced Existence = 346,041 Total Damage
345,492 Difference, Moonlight Scepter Wins!
Moonlight Scepter: +345492 Intercept Damage, +172746 Superior Discipline, +431865 Godlike Strength, +922 dice, +100 Rebalanced Existence = 951,125 Total Damage
Brave Heart: +600 Base Resilience, -300 holyshitwtf, +146 dice, +100 Story Existence Out of Balance = 446 Total Damage Reduction
950,679 Total End Damage Heroes Never Die: Damage Negated
No Damage Absorbing Aegis total: 950,679)
Even Julia is shocked when your swing sends her flying, the force of your blow shattering the concrete below; she is sent up to the city border's transparent screen, where she bounces back and lands on her feet right next to Summer... who is openly gaping at you.
"That's the best I can do for now, sorry," you note with an apologeptic look while inwardly snickering at the alienation over what just happened. Julia takes a deep breath before getting up and taking a stance, her sword appearing in her hand once more. You can tell she is still shaken by what just happened, but will bring it up later. "I am done. Shall we?"
A shroud of magic washes around your friend now, not as bright as your own but incredibly intense; it runs through your every fibre like static even from twenty metres away, making Summer shudder. You watch how her posture straightens after a moment and she gives her opponent a nod. "Very well. It honours you to not exploit my moment of distraction, but there is no honour on the battlefield. Fallen Ember!"
Julia is moving the moment Summer shouts, but does not manage to reach the older girl before a wave of near-blinding light surges over the battlefield from Summer's scepter.
Brave Heart: +600 713834 Base Resilience, -356617 Unstoppable (False), +102 dice, +100 Story Existence = 357,419 Total Damage Reduction
No Damage)
While everyone else covers their eyes, you can see how the light harmlessly vanishes into Julia's already powerful shroud after trying fruitlessly to tear through it. It is less radiant than your own sunlight now, but even that would have trouble passing through.
Summer does not have time to start another attack or take to the air, seeing that Julia already reached her. Your friend swings with the flat side of her blade.
(Blade of Judgement: +495 951174 Base Damage, Magical Girl Slayer suppressed, -903615 I'm Not Killing Today, +132 dice, +100 Hostile Story Effect, x2 The Mighty Have Fallen Equality! = 47,791 Total Damage
Summer's Dream: +5000 Base Resilience, +5643 dice, +500 Legendary Existence = 11,143 Total Damage Reduction
36,648 Total End Damage The Peasant's May Crawl (-5x400 = -2,000): 32,648 Total End Damage
Summer's Dream Health: 25,000 - 32,648 = -7,648
Summer KO Avatar of Regency: DoT applied to Brave Heart)
Everyone can see it; how Summer's attempt to get out of the way affords nothing, how surprise grows on her face... and how it contorts in pain when the blade actually hits her abdomen and smashes her over the field until she comes to lie on the ground.
The shroud around Julia writhes and wobbles, being held under control born from countless hours of practice; she held back near all of the offensive power you just provided her with, though you helped out by suppressing her magic when it wanted to act up.
There is cheering for the victor while Autumn helps Summer to her feet; you can tell by their expressions that much teasing will happen once they are alone and feel a little bad for having caused that. Summer is proud but nice... and a good teacher to boot.
(Curse of Summer: +11500 Damage Heroes Never Die: Damage Negated)
Julia just nods to herself after a few moments of her shroud acting up, then turns and wanders to Summer. They shake hands and Autumn even ruffles her hair, which she takes... much more composed than you used to.
After that, you drag her off to watch that movie after all. No escaping the relaxation!
. . .
Line Break Recognised . . .
Star Wars is an interesting movie; the vast space up above always interested you a bit, though never all that much. It is interesting to imagine all the things one could do with a spaceship, though. You are even more thrilled to hear that there are two more movies playing after the one you watched; each following afternoon is spent with one of those, and Julia, and Ana, and the twins, and Ludger. Watching movies together is fun, you decide.
A few more days pass and the week is soon full; your magic is once again useable and you are ready for whatever may come... except that Bianca has yet to call and seems busy... and you noticed your thoughts wandering. It has been months now since you left home, but everyone back there still exists. Their lives went on just like before, which makes you wonder what they would think if they heard of all the things you did. You ponder how meeting Bruno or Elisa or anyone would go, maybe even with Ana by your side.
It is on that evening that you decide, knowing that Kibo is already above Europe. You will pay a visit to Verona before this journey ends. Nobody should mind that for as long as you keep quiet about what is currently going on.
That particular evening is thus spent planning the trip... sadly, Autumn already said she does not have time to bring you. You do not really want to bother Bianca about it because she is so busy, either. Which means you have to find another way to go.
But you will!
[X] [Group] Primordial Sun, Primordial Moon
-[] Write-in group members, no limit
[X] [Travel Plan] How do you get to Verona?
-[] Fly there
-[] Write-in
(you will travel 666km (~414 miles), do not bother thinking about stealth)
[] EXP-Plan
-[] Write-in what to buy
-[] Save it
=====
+25xp Helped With Stomping Summer (Only Pris)
+5xp Helpless to Big Sister's Teasing (Only Ana)
EXP gained: 25 + 25 + 5 = 55
Total EXP: 3,764
=====
Fun Fact: due to the war starting in 2001, Star Wars' prequel-trilogy never reached its second installment in Libra's reality. Make of that what you will.
