The Journey Never Ends (Original Fantasy Quest)

"I'm going to ask one more time if you'll reconsider wearing something else—"

You shake your head, "No. If we are to have an official meeting with the President, I will represent my people."

Fatoumata sighs but finally lets it go as she finishes brushing your hair. You've adapted and made as little fuss as possible over the many changes in the world, but there are some things you've learned to not let go. Of course, you were never the most formal of elves or sent as a diplomatic ambassador back then, and you didn't need to change that. Even if it's meaningless however, you've adopted the practice of dressing in traditional elven formal wear when it came to official meetings and ceremonies.

For this, you're wearing a dress reminiscent of the ones worn by elves living in the forest villages you've come from. Green fabric of varying shades hugs your chest with one side going to around your thigh while the rest hangs around your hip. Small leaves extend from the dress, looking almost like scales from afar while the asymmetrical side extending down consists of three longer leaves each layered on top of each other with the two bottom layers each slightly extending to the side. Tied around your back and leaving your arms bare, a white flower connects it all together at the center while a crown of colorful plants hangs around your head.

It's in stark contrast to the full suit and tie affair Fatoumata is wearing currently, but most elves didn't care overly much for concealing clothing. Nudity wasn't as taboo for them as it was for certain other races in the first place, and clothing was either viewed as whatever was most comfortable to wear or as a form of art and fashion.

"Are you upset that I accepted the aid of the Advocates?"

The miu shakes her head, "I don't like it, but no. If what you say is true, then I would've called for the entire military to act on this. Maybe the UP as well. I don't know what this… candidate can do exactly, but we all grew up learning of the Incursion. Unfortunately…"

"...they won't take an elf claiming their fairy friend discovered a little known type of demon plotting something in Nokoyo as evidence," you finish, nodding. "I understand. I've experienced such things many times."

"If it helps, I do believe you. Perhaps the President will as well."

You raise an eyebrow at her, "Oh? You're normally so skeptical…"

"I have to be," she rolls her eyes. "But no, this makes sense. Demon worshipers and cultists are actually more common than you'd think, but they're usually impulsive, prone to act out, and often give themselves away. We catch many of them before they even do anything."

Fatoumata stares at herself in the mirror, adjusting her tie, "I can't state this enough. The current situation is utterly unprecedented. Armed tactical units in full gear? Subtle recruitment practices? Multiple warehouses? An actual trained battle mage? Not even a charismatic leader can pull this off in today's age. It has to be something we haven't considered, and I think we've only scratched the surface."

"We demon hunters often work in the shadows with the people unaware of most of our activities, but recent events have changed this," she says, looking towards you. "I know you don't check social media often, but the people of this city and beyond have been noticing. They're frightened and wary despite our successes. I don't doubt that is the cult's intention, so we have to end this today. Ms. Pathstrider, do I have your word that you will work to end this threat, regardless of what occurs on the missions?"

Your jaw clenches as the implications of that last sentence resonates in your mind. It isn't the first time you have heard such requests, and it most definitely won't be the last. How many times will you be asked to carry on if all is lost? You've fulfilled so many last requests, dying wishes, and final messages. You've promised to uphold the dreams, values, and spirits of those who have passed the torch to you.

Yet the chamber of your mind is in flames, and the smoke rises ever higher. One more ember is added to the inferno as you exhale in a futile attempt to ease the burden. No matter how much it hurts though, you can't possibly refuse to carry it. The last flickers of these bright candles can only find a home in your eternal hearth. What use is an unremarkable elf such as yourself surviving if not for that? So you do the only thing you can do and raise a hand to your heart while bowing your head.

"I swear on every elven soul, my gods, and mine honor as the last crusader against the Abyss that I shall perform the most ancient duty entrusted to us."

---

Important political leaders have always had guards and protections around them, but they've undoubtedly been upgraded over the years. After leaving the car the two of you took to arrive at the president's official residence, the Olowo Palace, security almost immediately swarmed the two of you to investigate the car and run various sweepers and devices over your bodies. You imagine they would've been much more discreet for an official, publicized meeting, but a private meeting like this lends them much more ability to check you two. You wouldn't be surprised if more people were hidden around here, and if the rooftops nearby had snipers peering down at you.

Fatoumata endures it with the patience of one used to it, and even greets one of the guards with a smile on her face.

"Amadi, fancy seeing you here."

The aforementioned guard chuckles, though he remains focused, "Hello, Little Mata. Figured you'd come by to visit your old man once he returned."

"Yes, there's some things I'd like to update him on. Anything I should know beforehand?"

It's only for an instant, but you see him tense up for a second before shaking his head, "...no, and I'm not privy to sharing even if there was."

"Ah, my apologies," Fatoumata says.

"Keep a lookout for the others though and say hi for me. We don't get to talk much these days," he jokes.


The miu laughs, but what you notice is her tapping her fingers on her leg in a specific pattern. She must've noticed something from what Amadi said. Tearing your eyes away from it before anyone suspects anything, you silently stand for the inspection until they back away. You two won't be able to speak freely for quite some time. Taking in the very long building made of a pristine white material using up so much space as to form its own section of the city, you prepare yourself for whatever you might encounter in this ancient structure.

When you're led into the palace, the pressure of the wards pushes down on you. It isn't quite as oppressive as the Advocate's building, but you can feel the intricate layering of the system as it probes and sends tingles through your body. While the former's protections wanted to force everything out and suppress everything within, the palace's were more investigative and meant to alert the people maintaining it for any discrepancies. Still, it isn't a null field, so you stretch your senses and carefully feel out the surrounding area for anything off.


At first, nothing seems to be wrong with the area around you. The mana swirls around you due to the turbulent aether, but that's to be expected in a busy city. With the palace not being too far from the hustle and bustle, a single magic sensor trying to find something in the noise is near impossible. The static of the wards isn't helping you either.

Yet… you notice something amidst the streams and connections of mana. Namely, that there aren't any. Even in the more tempestuous states of the Currents, it isn't impossible to find some semblance of order or patterns in the storm through the connections that form and disappear constantly. All you sense is complete static and randomness however, cleverly hiding in audacity by taking advantage of sensors usually not bothering to look deeply in the teeming environment of a city. Doubled with the normal static that comes with magically warded or ladened areas, and it isn't a surprise you didn't notice it until now.

This probably isn't the first time you ever encountered this, but something about it seems frustratingly familiar. You can't quite recall it however, nor can you pinpoint the source of the disturbance as it simply seems to be everywhere—no. Just as you are about to refocus back on the world around you, you manage to catch a glimpse of one last thing.

A dark, tinkling laugh that slithers and brushes past you from every direction while waving despite not being visible to your eyes… a foul taste fills your mouth as you wrack your mind on what it can be, but to no avail. It is clearly demonic in nature though, and while it isn't clear why you suddenly felt its presence, you wouldn't put it past them sabotaging themselves just to gloat.

Fatoumata glances at you with a slightly raised eyebrow, but you simply stare forward while tapping your own leg to signal that you also found something suspicious, but that it isn't something either of you should act on yet. Experienced as you are with doing this, you manage to proceed without the escort noticing anything.

Despite having seen the palace from afar many times, you can't say that you've ever actually seen the interior of it. Perhaps once or twice in a short visit, but you weren't a significant figure in the Crusades for most of it or even in this city during it despite spending most of the Incursion on the southern front. Looking around at all the paintings, decorations, and structures, you act as the curious visitor even as your mind is rapidly taking in every detail.

Fatoumata and you discussed beforehand who the ringleader might be within the government. They most likely are some influential hidden figure with access to much of the important documents and communications stored here, posing as some normal worker here. In order to organize the operations they've been conducting, they must've left many hints and signs of their influence. After reaching the meeting room, the two of you will discuss with the President everything the investigation has found so far and your suspicions, and then he'll likely lock down the building and conduct a search of everyone within.

The more unlikely scenario is someone within this region's parliament or legislature currently staying in the capital, in which things will likely become more complicated. Still, the president has broad powers when it comes to investigating demonic influence. Having been a plague on Sumeri's politics as a whole for millennia, it stands to reason that there are measures in place to bypass the usual red tape and bureaucracy in order to combat cults and demons.

As you make another turn, you are suddenly approached by a miu wearing a typical assistant's clothes and glasses. Pristine white fur and expressive eyes greet you along with a bright smile. For many reasons, you don't really find yourself drawn by physical beauty alone anymore. Neither are you usually one of the substantial number of elves back then fascinated by other races in… more ways than one. Yet, you can freely admit that this miu is striking and clearly one that takes care of her appearance.

"Ah, Fatoumata. There you are! It's so nice to see you again."

"Safa," the miu to your side says flatly. "Is something the matter?"

She tilts her head, "Hm? No, I was just sent to greet you once your visit was called in by security."

Fatoumata nods stiffly, "Ah, well, thank you for coming by. You can go notify the President that I'm here."

"Of course," Safa replies, not looking bothered by how brusque the other miu is acting. "He's been looking forward to seeing you again, why, I feel like I've known you for a lot longer from how much he speaks about you in private."

The demon hunter merely nods and stares her down until Safa bows slightly and leaves. Seeing her disappear into another hallway, Fatoumata exhales and the two of you move on.

"Someone you know again?" You ask.

Fatoumata shrugs, "Not as well as Amadi. She's someone the President hired not too long after winning the election as his assistant and secretary. I'm not fond of how overly familiar she acts with me, but I trust the President's judgment. He has an eye for talent and understands people well as a former demon hunter."

You wait for a hidden signal of some sort, but it seems like the miu is talking sincerely here. Frowning a bit, you stare back ahead at the hallway. Someone like that seems like a person worth investigating or suspecting, but the demon hunter didn't bother to even signal to you whether she's safe or not. You suppose it makes sense to trust the President in this, but it seems uncharacteristically careless of Fatoumata.

There's no more time to think on it further as you come to a grand entrance with more security crowding it. As they go to announce you and the miu's presence, she pipes up from next to you.

"You know, I didn't see any familiar faces here besides Safa. Must be on leave, I suppose. That's probably why Amadi hasn't seen them."

"Hm, that makes sense," you respond, understanding the implied meaning of what she just said. There must be something or someone removing those loyal to the President here.

The security gestures for you to walk in, and the two of you step into a surprisingly humble room with few decorations. Of course, everything made here is of the finest quality, but it's clear that it is a room dedicated towards working. A few portraits stand on the paper-covered desk before you, and there are a few banners and flags surrounding the room. Other than the large window showing a wonderful view of a courtyard and garden however, there's little else present here.

Except for the most important person in the region sitting on the other side of the desk smiling genially at you two. The President is a miu with graying fur and tired eyes, dressed in an immaculate suit but strangely with his tie askew. Despite his age clearly affecting him, his eyes are sharp as he looks you up and down. It is a strangely intent gaze, though you suppose it isn't every day you see an elf dressed in what you're wearing.

You give a curtsy, "Mr. President."

The old miu chuckles, "No need for that. It is a pleasure to meet one as esteemed as you. Imagine my surprise when I heard my little Mata befriended you!"

Fatoumata has a very neutral expression on her face as she lowers her hat, "Mr. President. I don't believe this is the best time for this."

"Nonsense," he says as he stands and shakes your hand when you approach him. "Mata, I swear you've learned all the wrong things from my career. What happened to the girl who begged to join in on water pistol fights?"

"I'm sure she's grown up to be a capable markswoman," she shoots back. "Da—Mr. President, I'm sorry, but we came here to update you on the cult situation here. It's gotten really serious."

He sits back down with a more subdued expression, "Ah, yes. Forgive me, it's just… well, I haven't seen you in quite a while."

Fatoumata purses her lips, "After this is over, maybe we can catch each other up on our… duties. You know already, but let me formally introduce you to Deirdre Pathstrider. She has been an incredible help for the investigation, and I suspect we wouldn't be in a position to cut the head off without her."

He grimaces for a moment, shifting his worn body, but offers you a grateful smile soon after, "Our nation has always been plagued by threats preventing us from ever improving and moving forward, Pathstrider. Rest assured that we will remember this."

"I never need a reward to stop demons and their wretched followers," you say, bowing your head. "I vow to see this matter through."

The president laughs, "Haha! That's reassuring. I see why some hold you in such high regard. Why, Mata was—"

"Moving on," Fatoumata cuts in. "We sent most of the reports on our operations to your staff, but there's one thing we left out since it's something that needed to reach your ears only."

He frowns and leans in, quick on the uptake, "You suspect a spy among my circle?"

The demon hunter nods, "It's what makes the most sense. You've seen the reports. No random cult can obtain the amount of resources and operate on that level of secrecy without a backer orchestrating things from a position high up. Someone is intentionally trying to destabilize the region and nation."

You watch as the old miu leans back in his chair when Fatoumata finishes speaking. Rather than a worried or angered reaction… he seems pensive. Considering. A strange reaction from someone who appeared to be a more spontaneous and active figure. As he prepares to speak once more, a strange glint seems to spark in his eyes. Perhaps it isn't too suspicious for him to not either laugh off or react strongly on matters of treason, but what you've discovered so far on this trip has made you more keenly aware of any discrepancies. Something is wrong.

"Fatoumata," he intones. "What do you think constitutes a traitor of this nation?"

The miu beside you blinks, "Someone actively working against the interests of the state and its people. A person whose loyalties lie with foreign powers and influences and willingly sabotages the side they pledge allegiance to by aiding those outside forces."

"Not wrong, exactly. Those are indeed aspects of a traitor. But it is a broad definition as well. Is a politician constantly advocating for the separation of our confederacy and independence for their state a traitor for supporting such a clearly detrimental course of action? Is an influential figure who flirts with another nation and prefers it to the other regions a traitor for undermining our confederacy and causing division? Are the many corrupt and lazy figures in positions of authority treasonous for stifling any potential change for the better and not acting in the best interests of the people and nation?"

Fatoumata tilts her head, "Well, it depends, but I don't—"

"Listen for a moment," he interrupts, his hands clenching. "How many times in history has someone with a grand vision for their home been labeled a villain and scourge? How many times have tyrants and elites cried out as the status quo they've benefited from is disrupted, citing the blood spilled by a few and ignoring the ocean of blood they sail on top of?"

She shakes her head, leaning back with widened eyes, "I don't see what this has to do with anything—"

The miu slams a fist down on the table, "Damn it, Mata! It has to do with everything! Look at our nation and the utter failures it calls its leaders. Even with them, our people manage to shine as bright as they can. Decades, no, centuries have passed and little has changed about our situation. We still bicker, we still fight amongst each other, and we're all still blinded by our own short-term interests. Someone must stand against this and be the spark that flips the board and changes everything. They may be viewed as a traitor or terrorist, but their actions will be necessary to ignite change."

You tense, rising a little from your seat as something becomes increasingly certain in your mind. Glancing to the side, the slowly growing horror on Fatoumata's face shows that she's also finally starting to realize what exactly her father is saying.

"Mr. President… what are you saying? Please tell me you're just joking. Has your most recent meeting not gone well?" Fatoumata perks up as a desperate smile forms on her face, the sudden change in expression looking terribly off on her. "Oh! You've figured out the ones behind it all? It was someone outside the city after all. I see why you're so upset…"

For a split second, you see the President's expression soften as he looks at his panicking daughter before his eye turns hard and he sets his jaw.

"I am not joking, but yes. I have found someone in the way of a greater future for Sumeri. They will be removed."


Somehow, someone manages to sneak past your senses until they're already launching a spell at you. If you weren't already primed to react to something, it would've surely hit you, but you manage to push yourself out of the chair and leap towards Fatoumata. She yelps as you push her to the ground and away from the explosion that destroys the desk you were all on milliseconds ago. Heart thumping and blood running, you immediately crouch over her and scan your surroundings.

"It appears it won't be that easy to be rid of you, elf," the president says as Safa floats towards him with a smirk on her face. "It would've been easier for you if you just accepted being shocked by the spell."

Fatoumata stirs from beneath you, "What are you doing, Dad!? She's done nothing but help dismantle the cults."

Perhaps she's realized it deep down, but you can only sigh in pity as the miu grasps at any potential reason for this.

It's Safa who responds, "Oh, Fatoumata. You're usually so sharp and aware, yet your blind spot is painfully clear for everyone to see. Isn't it obvious at this rate? This elf has been trying to stop the beautiful future we have in store for Sumeri."

"No…" the demon hunter utters, at a complete loss for words, "No! How could you? Don't you… what… how dare you dishonor her—"

"Enough," the president snarls. "I see you don't understand, but there will be time to fix that later. We will take our leave now. Don't resist the next few seconds or it will be much more painful for you, Mata."

"Wait!"

You try to leap forward before they can escape, but Safa teleports herself and the president away before you can even go for them. Metal shielding blocks off the window and other parts of the room suddenly and your heartbeat quickens as you spot strange multi-colored gas pouring into the room. Loud clicks sound off after as sections of the wall move to reveal firearm barrels hidden behind them.

"Come on, Fatoumata! We have to move!" You say as you make for the door.

Your heart drops though as you don't hear footsteps behind you. Looking back, you catch sight of Fatoumata staring in shock at something on the floor as she lies unmoving on the floor. Cursing, you turn back and run to drag her away.



The sound of the firearms isn't explosive, but you hear it anyway as you rush towards her. Without time to drag her away, you nearly fall on top of her to cover her body with your own. You hiss as needles pierce your skin, protected only by your body's natural toughness. Instantly, you feel a sense of weariness fall over you as the gas begins to fill the room, but you grit your teeth and push past it.


Thankfully, the sound must've knocked Fatoumata out of her stupor. You get back up as she immediately begins to stand and turn for the door. Resisting the urge to take a breath, you catch sight of a picture showing the president, a white-furred miu, and two small miu children on the ground before turning away.

Readying yourself, you rush forward shoulder-first and slam into the door with everything you have. Despite the reinforcement, the door gives way easily and allows the two of you to escape being knocked unconscious. Stumbling as you struggle to shake off the effects of the tranquilizers and gas, you don't have much time before security begins to stream in.

"Kill the elf, but knock the miu unconscious!"

Without the need to hold back and protect others, you dash forward before they can even pull the trigger. Grabbing a guard, you whip him into several others around him, using him both as a shield and bludgeon. Dispatching everyone in the room with ease, you drop the guard without ceremony and gesture for Fatoumata to follow, whose previous shock must've been mitigated by truly seeing you in action.

You run through the hallways and take down everyone who gets in your way. Fatoumata manages to pick up a firearm and begins shooting at anyone you don't catch with precise shots that disable them. Neither of you hold your main weapons, but you're both experienced combatants who know how to adapt. As you reach an exit however, a familiar human face blocks it off with three others surrounding him.

"Fatoumata!" Amadi yells out, "What is the meaning of this?"

The two of you come to a stop. You're ready to leap at him if you have to, but you'll give Fatoumata the chance to talk with him here. Perhaps it'll jolt her out of the mental state the sudden revelation left her in.

The miu shakes her head, "Amadi, you have to listen to me! I know it sounds unbelievable, but the President is the one behind the increased cult activity in Nokoyo!"

Amadi flinches, mouth open at what she just said. Fatoumata's eyes widen as well once the words leave her mouth as if she can't believe it either. The two stare at each other for a moment before the human shakes his head.

"That's ridiculous, Mata. I don't know what happened here, but just stop this and maybe we'll figure something out."

Fatoumata hisses, "Please, you have to let me out. I checked the faces of everyone inside like you asked. I didn't see anyone familiar. Safa came in, launched a spell at Deirdre, and then teleported the president and herself out! I know what I saw, and I have to warn everyone. If you don't move… then we'll do what we must."

You tense, waiting for the slightest sign of an attack from the four guards before you. Amadi stares into the demon hunter's face, mind going a mile a minute as he is forced to make a choice that might define the rest of his life. Then, as his hands tighten ever so slightly around his firearm, he relaxes and sighs.

"If you force yourself out, you'll be shot down by the snipers," he says, slowly moving a hand to his ear. "I still say we can figure things out, but I'm not going to kill anyone here. Do I have your word that you'll not run off if we escort you out?"

"Sir?" A nearby guard asks, but Amadi waves him off.

"I swear on my mother's memory." Fatoumata says.

Amadi flinches, but the older human nods his head and begins ordering the snipers outside to stand down. With alarms blaring and lights blinking, it's difficult for you to calm yourself even as you all slow down and walk out. Fatoumata seems to have found herself again though as she begins explaining the investigation and everything leading up to the current situation. Once you all are a fair distance away from the palace, the guard runs a hand down his face and sighs.

"It's still hard to believe… but it's not like anyone's calling in to contradict you. When we received the order to apprehend you and kill your friend here, we were all a little confused. Even if some of the others outside here don't know you, they've heard about you. Since I've told everyone to stand down, there hasn't been anyone else sending out orders on the comms."

Fatoumata nods and begins fishing her own tablet out, "I need to send out some orders of my own. The people I've stationed around here should already be on their way, so I just need to call Amin. They started their operation a lot earlier, so they should be just about done."

Amadi chuckles, trying to shake off his surprise, "That boy handling a rescue operation of that scale? You've all really grown up, haven't you…"


The miu makes a distracted noise as she brings the tablet to her ear. After a few moments of waiting, the call goes through, and a voice begins speaking on the other side. Fatoumata almost immediately frowns though as she hears it.

"Who is this… Noor? What are you doing with Amin's tablet? If you've stolen it for…. What?"

The miu breathes out that last word, his grip on the tablet slackening as the demon hunter looks just about ready to collapse. She breathes a sigh of relief a few seconds later though as Noor continues speaking on the phone. Gripping the device with newfound strength, the miu thinks for a moment before giving out her next orders.

"Alright, bring everyone back to the Olowo Palace. Alert everyone you wish to, this is an emergency that I'll have to call in to the central government. The…" Fatoumata swallows. "The President is compromised. He is the one behind the cults here, and we believe he is trying to bring a demon candidate into Orbis."

---

A long perimeter is set up around the palace as the mana in the air becomes more and more frantic. Police, the remnants of the palace security, temple members, and Advocates all gather together to block off the area and serve both as the first and last line of defense against anyone coming in or those leaving. A few helicopters fly above the area, but it will take a while for a heavier response from the central government or the UP. Time no one has if the ritual is nearing completion.

Fatoumata and you are dressed in full combat gear now, having stashed them nearby with the others on the operation. The miu has been running around ragged organizing everything and delegating various tasks to others, but now she's standing with you in a small crowd looking pensively at the palace. From what you and the others have sensed, the cult has moved underneath the structure. It should be easy enough to find the entrance now with everyone here, but the implications are unsettling with how close it is to the Well of Orishas.

"Everyone. We have found the person behind all this and made him rush his plans," Fatoumata starts, eyes and voice cold. "We have him cornered and ready to be finished off, yet it will be a dangerous operation. More dangerous than most of us have ever gone through."

You take a look at those around you. Amin is there and standing with a stoic expression on his face, yet you can tell that he's injured himself somehow by how stiffly he's maintaining his composure. A paladin is a hardy combatant however, and you don't doubt he's still able to fight well. Noor hefts a strange polearm-scepter hybrid on her shoulder, two black gauntlets covering her hands with some devices attached to them. Unlike the coldness that has swept over Fatoumata, the Advocate stares furiously at the palace with eyes promising vengeance and destruction as a clear target for them reveals himself.

Amina… despite the struggles you've heard occurred on their mission, the human stands tall in full plate armor with a defiant expression on her face. She rests the head of her mace on the ground while keeping her shield strapped to her left arm. There are some blood splatters on her face and a dent on her armor, but she looks ready to charge in at any time.

Despite Fatoumata regaining her composure, she has been focusing on a multitude of different matters while you've been left to think on your own. While she'll make the final decision, your voice holds much sway at this moment as both the strongest combatant here and the one with the most experience with matters such as these. The choice here is simple, but difficult.

Not everyone will be coming along for the final confrontation. Someone needs to stay out here and take charge of the situation. They don't necessarily need to manage everything, but they need to be a figure for everyone to rally behind and be able to calm any panic that threatens to spread to the rest of the populace. Additionally, they'll act to defeat any opponents trying to come in. While it would be ideal for there to be a second team that sweeps in and handles the grunts while the main group focuses on the main objective, there isn't enough firepower for that.

The operation left some dead and many injured, and the police and everyone left aren't equipped to deal with the dangers within. They'll be killed in droves without a proper defensive line. Therefore, a small elite strike team will be sent to stop whatever is occurring before it can be completed. Amadi and some palace guards will help guide you in and cover the entrance, but they simply aren't on the level of those who have dedicated their lives to combat on this level.

Amin is injured but still very competent and deadly. He would be the most capable of combating the demons and cultists inside, though a mistake will be costly. While he'll be capable of leading the effort outside, it's clear that combat is his true focus. Noor is mostly fresh and seems to be an able combatant. There may be friction however, and even without it, she hasn't worked with the temple for long. She might be good at organizing the effort outside as well, but is it truly better for her to be the public face and leader in reassuring the public as an Advocate?

Amina looks ready to go, but you know that despite her eagerness and physical strength, she is most probably the worst combatant here. Additionally, you caught sight of the other members of their group, and they did not look good. Dan looked exhausted, Rowan was nursing an injury, Aya was unconscious, while poor Kiran looked to be in some mental shock as he stared emptily at his hands. You've seen it many times, people like her can rise to the occasion against overwhelming odds… but she would also be an encouraging voice and beacon of positivity to those outside here, and does a hero abandon her friends?

---

Fatoumata is coming with you no matter what, but which two do you advise coming along with you? This is the final confrontation, and the most dangerous yet.

Choose Two:

[] Paladin Amin, lay down the wrath of Heaven
(Great Martial, Bonus Against Demons, Decent Charisma with slight Paladin bonus, Slightly Injured)
[] Noor Maamoun, an Advocate always pays their debts
{Good Martial, Decent Magic, Angered Boost, Good Charisma, Full Health)
[] Amina, a new hero rises...
(Decent Martial, Great Physicality (combat will have both added together and divided by two), Great Charisma, potential boost in either choice)

Additionally, should you bring Ophelia with you? It's asking a lot out of her, and the favor may be moderately more costly, but her help could be invaluable.

Choose One:
[] Call on Ophelia
[] Don't call on Ophelia

---

AN:

Edit: Extending the vote. Probably will take me a bit to finish writing certain stuff anyways. I'll update again in next 12 hours.
Well then, this looks to be really close. Thinking of closing the vote around 12 hours, but might extend it another day after depending on how I'm feeling since it's an important vote. I'll edit here/say when I close the vote. For those who haven't voted yet/are open to changing their vote, I've made a post giving a few more details slightly above this in its bottom paragraph. But basically, whoever remains behind also has an important job that will involve charisma, and that I didn't include the details of each choice just for flavor.

Derpmind said:

[X] Paladin Amin, lay down the wrath of Heaven
[X] Noor Maamoun, an Advocate always pays their debts
[X] Call on Ophelia

It feels really weird to be voting for the 2/3 to bring with us, rather than the 1/3 we want to leave behind.

I don't want to bring Amina since it looks like her group is exhausted.

Click to expand...

Click to shrink...

...you're right, haha. I think I was still stuck in what I previously had in mind for this vote. It was originally going to be a plan vote where you guys would form a plan of who will handle the perimeter, who will handle all the grunts inside, and who will come with you to the final confrontation. Then I started writing it and it kind of started to not make the most sense in my head, then that dice roll happened and well, yeah. I then thought it would be cool to give a little description for each choice, and then I was all in.