Honestly, I’m really glad that you’ve found something to love and protect (the coast), Salieri. I think awhile back we wore really worried that you’d burn yourself out in pursuit of death, yours or ours. But now you have friends and people and a whole place.. We’re happy for you. Don’t forget about us, yeah? You two better be texting us!!! Unhinged texting style like Giuseppe or not, heh. I’m glad you trust us to stay alive still, we’ll do our best to not let you down.
SALIERI: "Hmph. Don't give me that much credit. There is nothing more to me than death, and this is all still a part of my vengeance. They say Charlemagne is one loved by God, and so he will be a worthwhile substitute the Gottlieb as I march forward. I am simply moving at a slower tempo for now in order for my rage to simmer, so that it becomes more potent when it truly boils over."
KUKULKAN: "If you say so, 'Avenger'."
KUKULKAN: "Well--"
KUKULKAN: "--Right! Let's get moving!"
She bounded off, as SALIERI sighed, shaking his head slightly as he followed behind.
SALIERI: "Come. Knowing her, she'll make it all the way without us if we don't keep pace."
[ KUKULKAN and SALIERI have temporarily joined the party! ]
You had to race a bit to catch up with her, watching as she bounded through the city in a blur of jade green.
Eventually, you caught up with her. If most of the programs before with THEO and KOYO were avoiding you but staying close and watching... traveling with KUKULKAN seemed to result in the fact that none of the programs were even daring to glare at you as you walked through the jungles.
KUKULKAN: "Nobody's bothering to attack. Boooo."
SALIERI: "Is that any surprise? As the now-official Lair Servant of this place, the amount of ambient magical energy you create within this territory is too high for normal Attack Programs to even dare to challenge."
KUKULKAN: "I suppose so…"
SALIERI: "Besides, what are you whining about? You'll get to play around soon enough."
KUKULKAN: "Ah-- that's true…!"
You texted NIKITICH.
{NIKITICH} - "Port is still fine. I have killed that rare program by the way. It was very strong. You did not ask but it felt prudent to tell you, also because nothing else interesting has happened."
Seemed like things were going fine.
You continued forth, before reaching a large cave structure. You walked through, pushing through before you felt a shift in the air, the jungle humidity becoming dry and arid as you approached the other end of the tunnel...
And were faced with massive, open air. The trees disappeared, the grass gone.
Only a massive, whirling sandstorm.
The space sprawled outward, as the sandstorm billowed. No more were the lush, protective jungles- simply an expanse of harsh desert and whirling rocks that seemed to operate like small planetoids and moons, orbiting around whatever existed within the center. You could see monstrous shadows moving through the sands, distant roars swallowed by the raging storm.
You watched as KUKULKAN cracked her knuckles, her smile widening as her magical energy flared.
KUKULKAN: "You ready for a trek?"
SALIERI: "Here's where all the dangerous Programs are."
KUKULKAN: "Haha! The fun part! Are you ready, Masters?"
SALIERI: "If you're wondering if there's a less dangerous option, there isn't. All of the programs here are scaled to be training challenges for Quetzalcoatl and her disciples. Not just anyone can brave this."
As if on cue, you heard a massive roar as a large shape stormed through the sands. You saw it, a massive draconic entity, wings spread as it charged closer before losing its footing in the shifting sands, tumbling over with a shaky roar before slowly shrinking in size.
From the shrinking shadow of the dragon emerged the silhouette familiar young woman approaching, squinting towards you as she tried to protect herself from the sandstorm.
BISCIONE: "Ack-- gahhk! Pbbtt--! I hate sand… I'm a grass snake, a grass snake!"
BISCIONE: "Huh? Founders? Mr. Anto? Ms. Kukulkan? What are you doing here? Especially you, Mr. Anto! You need to be resting!"
KUKULKAN: "It's big sis! Big Sis Kukulkan! Anyways, we're heading to the lake! Wanna join?"
SALIERI: "And I'll be fine. Besides, you can tell us about your findings on the way."
BISCIONE: "W-Well… if I'm not a bother… besides, the more the merrier, the enemies are particularly agitated today!"
-
[ BISCIONE has joined the party! ]
--
Your group learned new Combo Attacks to be used against dangerous foes!
COMBO ATTACKS:
WINGED SERPENT'S DANCE
{REQUIRES: KUKULKAN + BISCIONE, -3 MP EACH} --
The two winged serpents boost their mana to the limits, rushing forward in a two-pronged attack that consumes all enemies in a destructive burst of magnificent energy. All surrounding allies gain +1 mana as well, as they stand in awe in the power of a dazzling entity from beyond the stars and a magnificent phantasmal beast that roamed the Earth. Can be used once per battle.
SONG OF THE STARS
{REQUIRES: KUKULKAN + SALIERI, -2 MP EACH} --
The Grey Messenger and the Invader Spider reveal their true power, creating a haunting melody of the horrors beyond the stars. Minor enemies scatter from the battle in fear, and major enemies find themselves stunned for a brief period of time (1 turn). Can be used once per battle.
