[Hunt or be Hunted: Episode 3 - Wounds and Words]

[18:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Hunt or be Hunted: Episode 3 - Wounds and Words]
[18:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> You stand in the burning cathedral over your sisters corpse as she stares up at you, a look of betrayal in her eyes.
[18:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> Blood drips from the blade in your hands.
[18:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> The sound of the blood drops on the marble floor and the crackling cinders of the building as it burns are all you can hear.
[18:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> She says something inaudibly as your vision starts to blur.
[18:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> A sudden wave of blood bursts through the doors of the church and washes over you.
[18:41] <!Emilybroshoujo> You wake up screaming.
[18:41] <!Emilybroshoujo> You're soaking wet from sweat and your entire body hurts.
[18:41] <!Emilybroshoujo> You flinch as you realize there's someone else in the room.
[18:42] <!Emilybroshoujo> A breeze blows in from the open balcony and Julia's hair is blown over her shoulder as she stares, startled by your sudden outburst.
[18:42] <!Emilybroshoujo> The sky outside is overcast... it'll rain soon.
[18:42] <!Emilybroshoujo> It's very cool today and the breeze gives you chills.
[18:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> Or maybe it's the sight of the duchess against the skyline visible from the balcony that does it.
[18:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Good morning, Benjamin." She says with a soft smile.
[18:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> You lower your head. "Lady Aversdale." you says politely as she approaches you.
[18:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her footsteps are delicate, she's barefoot.
[18:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her hair is also unbound and the dress she's wearing is much more casual than the one she wore during the meeting.
[18:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You picked a lovely day to wake up." She says sitting next to you on the bed.
[18:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Day?" You inquire.
[18:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> She places a cool wet towel on your forehead and pushes you gently until you're laying flat again.
[18:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Your clever friend treated your wounds expertly, but you still have much recovery to do. You've been unconscious for three days." She says gently.
[18:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] "and you've been tending to me this whole time?"
[18:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] "I'm fine, I just need to get back on my feet."
[18:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] "Abigail treated me? And Elzia, is she alright?"
[18:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[18:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aussie HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[18:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aussie HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[18:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aussie HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[18:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aussie HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[18:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aussie HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[18:48] <Aussie> Ye
[18:50] <Aussie> Hmm
[18:50] <Aussie> Fuck option 1
[18:50] <Aussie> But two or three...
[18:50] <Imouto> [ ] "Abigail treated me? And Elzia, is she alright?"
[18:50] <Aussie> Yeah
[18:50] <Aussie> [X] "Abigail treated me? And Elzia, is she alright?"
[18:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Abigail treated me? And Elzia, is she alright?" You ask recalling the events that resulted in your injuries.
[18:52] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Yes, and they're both fine. We've been looking after you in shifts because your wounds are so severe." She says as she wipes your face.
[18:53] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Speaking of which, it's time to change your bandages."
[18:53] <!Emilybroshoujo> The duchess pulls down the blanket revealing your heavily bandaged body.
[18:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> She runs her hand across your chest and makes a melancholy expression.
[18:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Do you always end up this injured when you fight?" she asks as she begins to unravel the bandages on your arms.
[18:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Only rarely..." You reply with a sarcastic smirk.
[18:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I've only been hurt this badly twice before, actually."
[18:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Once would be enough to drive most men to retirement." She says as she sees the terrible burns on your arms.
[18:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> She begins massaging them with a light green oil that soothes the pain and provides a cooling sensation.
[18:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] "I don't have any reason to retire."
[18:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] "At least I'm alive."
[18:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] "Don't you think nursework is below your station, my lady?"
[18:57] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[18:57] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aussie HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[18:58] <Aussie> [X] "I don't have any reason to retire."
[18:59] <Imouto> [ ] "I don't have any reason to retire."
[19:00] <Taco_Hell> [x] At least I'm alive
[19:00] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I don't have any reason to retire." You say as you look down at your wounds... they're healing well.
[19:00] <!Emilybroshoujo> You should remember to thank Abigail.
[19:01] <!Emilybroshoujo> Julia stares at you as she dresses your burns.
[19:01] <!Emilybroshoujo> You get the feeling she's seeing something else however.
[19:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> You remain silent, so as not to shatter whatever stained glass window she's looking through.
[19:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> "If you had told me you needed room and board I'd have happily provided it."
[19:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I appreciate that, but if I had done that Abigail would be dead." You reply with a smile.
[19:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Do you believe in fate then?" She asks with a grin that suggest she's expecting a specific answer.
[19:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Yes.
[19:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] No.
[19:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] I just play with the hand that's dealt me.
[19:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[19:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aussie HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[19:05] <Aussie> [X] No.
[19:09] <Imouto> [ ] No.
[19:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> "No, the only purpose we have in our lives is the one we decide for ourselves." You say as though you had the answer pre-prepared.
[19:10] <Taco_Hell> [x] I just play with the hand that's dealt to me. Heart of the cards!
[19:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I agree." She says as she finishes your bandages and stands up.
[19:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Would you like me to close the balcony doors?" She asks as she turns to leave.
[19:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> "No... I enjoy days like this."
[19:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> You smile.
[19:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Thank you for all you've done, my lady." You say with a slight bow.
[19:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> She returns your smile.
[19:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'd prefer if you just called my by my name Benjamin." She says with an innocent look.
[19:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm going to tell the others that you've woken up so expect visitors shortly.
[19:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> Get some rest." Julia says as she leaves and closes the door gently.
[19:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> You force yourself out of bed.
[19:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> Your entire body throbs with pain.
[19:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> But you're alive... and so are Abby and Elzia...
[19:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> You recall the speech you gave to Elzia as you make your way to the balcony.
[19:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Thank you...." you whisper softly under your breath as the breeze from the coming rain washes over you again.
[19:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> "For what?"
[19:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> The breeze is interrupted by something standing in front of you.
[19:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> You open your eyes and look up as overwhelming fear consumes you.
[19:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> The stunning red haired woman in front of you looks down at you.
[19:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> Despite her heavy black plate mail she balances on the balcony railing with ease.
[19:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her ear length hair blows in the breeze and her deep blue eyes look down at you.
[19:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> You can't speak, you can't even move.
[19:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> "D-death...." You manage to choke out through your trembling.
[19:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Nice to see you remember me." She says with the same deadpan emotionless expression as always.
[19:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> One of the Horsemen.... Lillith's personal guard.
[19:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> In the middle of the city, without a sound she's appeared in front of you.
[19:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> Images flash in your mind of Julia, Abigail, and Elzia being slaughtered mercilessly.
[19:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> This entire city could be erased in the blink of an eye.
[19:21] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Why are you here?" She asks with a cold stare.
[19:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] To put an end to your wretched master.
[19:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] I... don't know what you mean.
[19:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Say nothing.
[19:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[19:25] <Sanzaru> [X] To put an end to your wreched master.
[19:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aussie HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[19:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aussie HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[19:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aussie HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[19:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aussie HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[19:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aussie HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[19:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> (This is one of them there important votes)
[19:26] <Aussie> Hmm
[19:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> (By important I mean three entirely different branching story arcs to choose from)
[19:27] <Aussie> [X] Say nothing.
[19:28] <Imouto>  [ ] Say nothing.
[19:30] <Taco_Hell> x[] To put an end to your wreched MASTAH
[19:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> Okay fine I'll do both at once.
[19:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> You stare up at Death with a cold stare as you force yourself to stop trembling.
[19:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm here to put an end to your wretched master." You say with conviction.
[19:37] <!Emilybroshoujo> Before you can move, before you can even process it Death steps down and wraps her arms around you.
[19:37] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her soft red hair brushes your cheek.
[19:37] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You'll die if you face Lillith's army." She says in an ice cold tone.
[19:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'll die sooner or later anyway." You retort.
[19:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> She pulls back and looks into your eyes before she runs the thumb of her gauntlet across the scar on your face.
[19:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> There's a heavy, overbearing silence.
[19:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You are full of nothing but bravado. You're lying to yourself." She says in her stoic raspy voice.
[19:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> "So are you..." You say without thinking.
[19:41] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her lips are less than an inch from yours... then in an instant she's gone.
[19:42] <!Emilybroshoujo> You close the balcony doors and turn to leave the room.
[19:42] <!Emilybroshoujo> You need to discuss some things with Julia... for her plan to succeed she needs to fully understand what you're up against when facing Lillith... and nobody knows better than you.
[19:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Intermission]


[20:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Intermission Out]
[20:21] <!Emilybroshoujo> You head down the stairs and enter the main hall of Julia's mansion.
[20:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> As you reach the bottom you run into Elzia who's carrying a box, which she immediately drops and leaps into your arms.
[20:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> Through her frantic sobbing you pick out a few lines such as "I'm so glad you're okay" and "I thought you were going to die"
[20:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> You pat her head as she sobs into your chest.
[20:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> It seems she's somehow become very attached to you.
[20:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Are you alright?" you ask her with a smile after she's calmed down a bit.
[20:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> She nods.
[20:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Abby's medicine made me really sick for a couple days but the priest says it prevented the corruption from taking hold of me.
[20:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> I do have a weird scar though." She adds.
[20:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> "A scar? Can I see it?" You ask, curious what she means.
[20:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> She turns red in the face.
[20:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> "N-no." She says with a stern expression.
[20:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Ah... noted." You say as you pat her head and drag yourself back to your feet.
[20:26] <!Emilybroshoujo> "So what's in the box?" You ask her as she picks it up... she bend over in front of you to do so and you tilt your head trying to imagine where her "scar" might be.
[20:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> "My things. Julia is letting me live here since I don't have a house and we spent all the money we got from Abby's Nana on healing supplies for you." She says happily.
[20:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I see, that's nice of he-" "I know what you're planning... the fight with Lillith." Elzia says cutting you off.
[20:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm going to help." She insists.
[20:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Absolutely not.
[20:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Sigh and head pat.
[20:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] I understand. Thank you.
[20:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose
[20:30] <Aussie> [X] Sigh and head pat.
[20:30] <Taco_Hell> [x] PAT THAT HEAD LIKE IT OWED YOU MONEY
[20:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> You sigh and pat her on the head.
[20:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> There's no point trying to talk her out of it.... hopefully she won't get hurt.
[20:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Where is Abigail?" You ask.
[20:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> "She's out in the garden, she's been out there a lot. I think she planted some herbs to make medicine and things with."
[20:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> You nod and head out to the garden to thank her for treating you.
[20:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> It'll be interesting to see her not in a state of distress, you recall thinking to yourself she was pretty despite her ragged condition.
[20:34] <!Emilybroshoujo> You step outside and you see her using a shovel to dig a large hole.
[20:34] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's wearing a light blue trench coat and a matching hat.
[20:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> Bottles of colorful fluids dangle from her belt and her blonde bangs hang in her face, which is still rather dirty.
[20:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> When she sees you she drops the shovel and walks over.
[20:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her slight limp indicating her legs aren't fully healed.
[20:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> She takes off her hat as she approaches you.
[20:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her eyes are a gorgeous sky blue now that they're not sunken in and bloodshot.
[20:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Thank you for healing me, and for what you did for Elzia. you really are an amazing apothecary especially given your age." You say.
[20:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> She continues walking towards you without responding.
[20:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> "What is it, is something wro-" you embraces you and presses her lips to yours.
[20:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> She hols the kiss for a solid 10 seconds before she pulls back.
[20:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I felt like I owed you that." She says before she turns and puts her hat back on.
[20:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Babble like an idiot.
[20:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Say nothing.
[20:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> [  Collect yourself and say something not retarded.
[20:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose
[20:41] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Aussie HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[20:41] <ants> [X] say nothing
[20:41] <Taco_Hell> [x] Collect yoself before you check yoself
[20:42] <Aussie> [X] Say nothing.
[20:42] <Aussie> We going stone cold as fuck
[20:42] <!Emilybroshoujo> You stand there speechless as she picks her shovel back up and continues working.
[20:42] <Aussie> Disregard wenches, we've got a demon queen to murder the fuck out of.
[20:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> "As far as the healing you thing, I wasn't about to let you die when you've got such an important job to do." She says as she get's back to work digging the hole.
[20:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> She grips the middle of the shovel's shaft and points it at you.
[20:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Kill that bitch and put that shitty guild out of business." She says with a cocky smirk.
[20:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> You smile and nod.
[20:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Have you seen Julia? I need to talk to her about something." You ask.
[20:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> When Abby shrugs you turn and head inside to find her yourself.
[20:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> You do just that, she's in the library where you first met her.
[20:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> When you take a seat across form her she looks up at you and smiles.
[20:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I see you completely ignored my suggestion." She says with a pout.
[20:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm not a big fan of downtime." you reply.
[20:50] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You look like you have something you want to talk about." She says picking up on the somber air around you.
[20:50] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Do you know what we're up against, really?"
[20:50] <!Emilybroshoujo> She closes her book and gives you her undivided attention.
[20:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Lillith commands the armies of hell. All of them with the exception of a few rogue Demon Lords vying for her throne."
[20:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> "666,666 immortal demonic soldiers, plus their thralls."
[20:52] <!Emilybroshoujo> "At the top of the Army Lillith counts herself as one of the Seven Sin Commanders, her role obviously being the Commander of Lust."
[20:53] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Each of the other 6 represents another sin, and none of them have had their nature changed by Lillith's influence when even the mightiest Dragon's in our world have."
[20:53] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Do you know why?"
[20:53] <!Emilybroshoujo> Julia shakes her head.
[20:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Because each of them is more powerful than her, yet they still serve her unconditionally."
[20:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Why?" She asks with a look of apprehension.
[20:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Because they fear the Horsemen."
[20:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> "The Horsemen are Lillith's personal guard, there are 4 of them and each one commands power enough to strike down any Demon Lord that challenges Lillith. It's their power that united Hell under her rule."
[20:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> "How do you know all this?" Julia asks with concern in her eyes.
[20:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> You continue rather than answering her question.
[20:57] <!Emilybroshoujo> "When the previous Demon Lord was slain, Lillith was freed from her prison. She was his personal slave, bound by magical chains."
[20:58] <!Emilybroshoujo> "In the confusion and chaos that flooded Hell she escaped to the Seven Heaven's seeking Sanctuary."
[20:59] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Of course it was just a ploy so that she could initiate her plan to gain power, but the Angel's of the City of Light would never turn away a former sinner seeking absolution."
[21:00] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Once she gained entry into the City of Light Lillith drained the power of the Lightwell and gained immense strength.
[21:01] <!Emilybroshoujo> In the process her corruption spread across Heaven, polluting the angels just as it would eventually pollute all the monsters in our world and all the demons in hell."
[21:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Among those Angels, most of them were utterly corrupted becoming the Dark Angels that serve as Lillith's personal attack force."
[21:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Only 4 Archangels were powerful enough to resist Lillith's pollution, but not entirely."
[21:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Each of them become cursed, in one way or another, that would ultimately allow Lillith to gain control of them despite her inferior strength."
[21:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> "She enslaved them by offering them something they desired more than freedom, and used their power to force all of hell the kneel before her."
[21:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Are you telling me Lillith's most powerful soldier are Angels? Uncorrupted Angels?" Julia asks with an expression of disbelief.
[21:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Gabriel the Archangel of Valor, Dimiel the Archangel of Growth, Lureal the Archangel of Justice, and... Azreal the Archangel of Fate. Yes."
[21:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Now they go by the titles of War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death."
[21:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> "And any one of them could easily Raze Hell alone, but the hold Lillith has on them is too strong."
[21:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Benjamin.... I need you to tell me how you know all of this." Julia says sternly.
[21:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] I can't do that.
[21:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Alright.... it's a long story.
[21:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] I need you to trust me.
[21:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[21:08] <ants> [X] Alright.... it's a long story.
[21:09] <Imouto>  [ ] Alright.... it's a long story.
[21:11] <Sanzaru> [x] alright... it's a long story...
[21:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Alright but... it's a really long story." You say after a moment of contemplation.
[21:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'll make us some tea." Julia says with a smile. She seems relieved you're not keeping secrets from her.
[21:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> She'll regret that shortly... probably.
[21:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Episode Three - End]