(4/8) OMNI 2026/01/08(Thu)22:01 No. 1119834 ID: 217993
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Eiko stands paralyzed in awe as the angel descends, wings buffeting downward to soften their landing. A tidal gust clears the smoke and fire in an instant, leaving scarred ground in its memory. When the wave hits Eiko, it nearly topples her, coating her in one last layer of smoke.

Her heart pounds. The angel is beyond description. Beyond anything she has seen before.

In her peripherals, figures start to emerge from all around, the base and the streets.

(5/8) OMNI 2026/01/08(Thu)22:03 No. 1119835 ID: 217993
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The angel stands tall, features alien, otherworldly. A golden halo hovers over their head, wings a polished white. A white linen robe of some kind lays over their shoulder and wraps at the waist.

The angel pauses to fix their tie, their gaze shifting from Eiko to Julien, wings curled around his crawling form.

Eiko clenches her fist.

"'Bout damn time!" Julien laugh yells. "G0D help me angel, I need a blessing."

"Disciple...." the angel speaks monotonously, yet clear as any bell for all within radius. Their wings rise intimidatingly, "Archangel Haziel has informed me that you have been disobedient... To deny an Archangel's word, nevertheless the Archangel of Justice, is to deny the very word of Zir. Do you understand this?"

Julien's maw shuts. He stutters. His body moves to half-stand then stops, winces, and bows his head like a nod.

"That's--"

"And you have not only been disobedient, you have lost your holy symbol. Are you aware of this disrespect?"

Eiko feels the necklace hang heavier in her pocket, now feeling disgust.

Julien opens his maw to respond, then thinks better of it. He hangs his head submissively, voice drawn out low like any sleazy businessman trying to close a deal, "My apologies, Angel of Redemption. Please enlighten me."

It's the first time Eiko has seen such an action in person. It feels contradictory, even in the roll-out-perspective shoved into her mind a few moments ago. To talk all big... then wag his tail for anyone with power....

"Yikes." Vi says beside her.

Agreed.

(6/8) OMNI 2026/01/08(Thu)22:11 No. 1119837 ID: 217993
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The approaching Bites watch with rapt yet cautious attention. A mixture of shock, awe, and confusion sprinkle their faces. They have never seen their almighty Boss brought so low before; wounded or not, something in their perspective changes. Though maybe it's justified, when seeing the angel up close.

"Archangel Haziel is apprehending the demon, so you have not failed in that role." The Angel of Redemption simply waves their hand in Eiko's direction. "You must secure your position, as it is instrumental in It's plan. Do this or we will replace you with another worthy of Zir's grace."

They pause and coolly move their arms behind their back, the posture of a professor, "An ear deaf to Zir's word is unworthy. Redeem yourself through this hardship and you will earn It's blessing once again. By enduring this pain, you will be cleansed by it."

Julien frowns. "So, deal with this on my own, huh? Just me?"

The angel shakes their head. "Use your resources as you see fit. I will heal you afterwards."

He nods and stands. Successful this time.

When Julien looks at Eiko, really looks, his eyes widen in shock. "You can't be serious, crawled right out of your damn grave.. Two for fuckin' two today." He spits. "What a bastard you are."

He tilts his head side to hide, one arm tucked into his jacket, as if to pull a gun, but Eiko can smell the profuse amount of blood he's trying to hide. Can see the dim light around his edges.

Despite this, Eiko feels herself start to panic. Can she handle a fight with this many people? With her new powers?

Julien cocks his head and looks around at the newly emerged gang, teeth shown in his grin, "All of you, tear up that thing."

(7/8) OMNI 2026/01/08(Thu)22:13 No. 1119838 ID: 217993
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Gazes shift uneasily. Vi moves to stand, the coward half-supporting her as she also moves to her feet. Vi shakes her head at them.

Eiko looks back at her in surprise.

No one moves.

Julien's grin falters after silence passes. All movements now paralyzed.

He looks around once again, sharper, eyes narrowed, "You-- What? Scared of a ghost? Go get that damn Onryo! Shoot it for fucks sake! You think it can't take a beating? It did before!"

There's a palpable hesitation as they shift around on their feet, eyes not quite meeting each other. It's not unheard of to be superstitious. It's another to see the former Boss prouncing around still smelling of death.

Julien's fur shifts as he barks, "YOU DAMN MUTTS! KILL THAT THING NOW OR I'LL BE SKINNING YOUR FURS AND POSTING THEM UP ON MY WALL! YOU THINK I PAY ALL OF YOU TO SIT ON YOUR ASSES?! RIGHT! NOW!"

(8/8) OMNI 2026/01/08(Thu)22:14 No. 1119840 ID: 217993
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The gang stirs.

Options:
>Persuade Crowd
>Use Foolish Gambit
>Kick Julien in the Balls
>Run
>____

>Persuade Crowd
"...Look at you. All of you.
Well. Go ahead. Go and obey the whore who tortured me in my own grave. Go ahead and kneel before the coward that swore to tear apart the Titans with his bare teeth yet wags his tail at boring birds. Go ahead and kill these heretics that I loved in the name of your 'loving god'. Go right ahead. What's stopping you? 'Lack of authorization'?
It makes sense, doesn't it? Give in, and become living gods! Follow orders, and live in paradise! Worship G0D until your sight bleeds from your soul, and reap an eternal reward for your obedience and humility! FOR ALL ETERNITY!
Go right ahead, and be the shepherds instead of the wolves! I won't stop you! TAKE THE FUCKING SHOT!"

There's only one thing a tough guy like you (are pretending to be) need say in a situation like this; "Do it yourself"

Then walk right up to him, grab his whiny little muzzle, and drain the dregs of his life. To everyone else it'll look like he just died of fright. The perfect way for him to be remembered.

Kick Julien in the balls

>>1119842
Agreed.
Persuade crowd.

Look at him.
Tell them to really look.
A leader does not show their belly to those who would use the pack, only then to start showing teeth to those they presume to lead.
Tell them to listen to his words.
"Attack" he tells you. "Clog the jaws of my enemy with your bodies." Comes the command from one who remains still.
A true leader does not run at the back of their pack, snapping at your heels. They run at the head.
Ask them to think about him.
A leader is more than authority.
More than an implementation of might.
They are an exemplar of not only what a pack is but what it strives to be.
A leader should give you pride.
Pride in you packmates, your role in the pack and in who you follow.
Do you feel pride here? No.
He only offers fear and shame.
Tell them...
You are who you choose to follow.
Choose better, if only for yourself.

Take out the holy symbol he dropped. Remind him of what the angel said: he must redeem himself through hardship. Having his pack kill you won't be hard at all. Thus, *he* must fight you.

Then kick him in the balls.

>>1119532
Everyone who voted already, I recommend you reconsider and vote for Foolish Gambit. It’s clearly stated to be more effective when impressive to onlookers.

So we can still do some ball kicking, but my point is that right now is quite simply the perfect time to use FG.

I propose:

FOOLISH GAMBIT GOAL: Leave Julien speechless in front of the crowd.
Environmental Factors: The crowd will be enthralled if successful.

>>1119895
I think that would mesh with what I suggested, maybe with more talking to the crowd.

>>1119895
I don't think proudly and uncharacteristically-of-Akito screaming "I'm gonna leave you speechless" will be of any benefit to her persuasion check.

the next update is planned to have a huge deciding impact on the story, so all votes are going to matter here. i'm imposing a deadline to give everyone a chance to add in.

all suggestions will still be accepted until tuesday, 1/13, 11:59PM PST.

(1/8) OMNI 2026/01/17(Sat)15:01 No. 1120099 ID: 43c2d7
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>Take out the holy symbol he dropped.
>Persuade Crowd

Eiko takes it out of her pocket and holds it up to the crowd, the symbol shining in the light and catching their eyes. She holds it out, fist tight, and projects her voice.

"... Look at him. All of you. Really look. You want to follow a leader like that? Kneel for a coward that wags his tail at these overblown birds. Listen to a guy that tells you to do whatever he wants while he sits on his ass? Go ahead! Listen! Clog the jaws of my enemy with your bodies! Kill in the name of some god! And there he stands, still as a stone while all of YOU do the work!"

(2/8) OMNI 2026/01/17(Sat)15:06 No. 1120100 ID: 43c2d7
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"Does a real leader run at the back of the pack, snapping at your heels? Don't you feel any pride at all?!" She yells now, loud, hot, a spark against stone.

Murmurs go unheard to Eiko's ears as she pushes.

"Where's the pride in fighting for this coward?! All for what? For some reward, some paradise out there? Fine. Kneel then. Go right ahead, and be the shepherds instead of the wolves! I won't stop you! TAKE THE FUCKING SHOT!"

A few guns are drawn. Eiko stands tall. Prepared for the shots. Prepared to die and come back again. Her cards all bet on YOU and everyone that's helped her get this far.

The gang looks at her; her visage, her lack of fear. And feels respect.

She drops the symbol onto the ground. The angel's feathers ruffle.

"Come and fight me yourself. If you were a real leader and not some coward, you would."

Julien's head lowers, his eyes ablaze in fury as the gang continues to circle closer, but does not pounce.

"Tch... What's all this bullshit?" Julien growls.

(3/8) OMNI 2026/01/17(Sat)15:08 No. 1120101 ID: 43c2d7
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"Alright. Alright." He shakes his head, chuckling to himself, as if this is all a joke. "You all want to feel some pride. That it? Alright, my bad shitheads. Let me remind you all, what speeches like this gets you.... Nothing."

He takes a fat wad of cash from his pants pocket.

"I'm the one that pays you, remember that. Let's start with 100k--"

(4/8) OMNI 2026/01/17(Sat)15:09 No. 1120102 ID: 43c2d7
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"--to whoever--"

(5/8) OMNI 2026/01/17(Sat)15:09 No. 1120103 ID: 43c2d7
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"--gets this--"

(6/8) OMNI 2026/01/17(Sat)15:11 No. 1120104 ID: 43c2d7
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Eiko misses as she tries to grab Julien's whiny little muzzle. He steps to the side as he dodges out of the way.

[-1 STAMINA]

"HahA, you missed!" He laughs.

She knew she would.

(7/8) OMNI 2026/01/17(Sat)15:11 No. 1120105 ID: 43c2d7
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Her left foot pivots, the ball of her foot grinding onto the ground as she brings her right leg back...

(8/8) OMNI 2026/01/17(Sat)15:12 No. 1120106 ID: 43c2d7
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... And ends his ancestral line.

The wad of cash flies into the air as the crowd winces in pain.

Next move?

>>1120106
Stunned opponent! Grapple grapple drain! Wrestle him into a pin, wrap your limbs around him, anything to maintain your grip. Endure his blows if you gotta; I'm sure he won't be able to outpace your drain.

>>1120108
Agreed.
Take back every ounce of life hes stolen.
Just enough left to let him crawl.
Then, an ending.

Use the wrestling move on him and let it be a German suplex!

Bear hug him while ripping his throat open and make sure you roll around the whole time. Drain his life away, but don't bother to gloat; your real fight's with the feathers, for the feathers.

>>1120099
My choice for next move goes not to Eiko, but someone else.

Julian, listen to what she is saying.

She's right!

You have been bossing others to do what you commanded while doing nothing yourself.
You may think it is too late to change your ways, now that you are standing on death's door and you might have literally being gelded, but I'm telling you, it's not true! You can still mend your ways!

....

You gotta lead by example! Kill in the name of some god by clogging her jaws with your body!

You'll probably still die, but the fact you decided to do your own dirty work at the end my earn you 30 respect points with Eiko and company.
It'll still add up to below zero points, mind, but hey, you can still almost save some face, at least!

Stomp on him to hold him in place. Point at the angel and ask if they want their pet back.

>>1120208
Oh I like this a lot.

Just laugh at him while he is in pain, a little bit of aura farming can't hurt you in this battle.

(1/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:12 No. 1120638 ID: 43c2d7
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>Stunned opponent! Grapple grapple drain!
>Take back every ounce of life hes stolen.
>Drain his life away

As some of the gang jumps to grab at the wad of cash, Eiko jumps to grapple Julien. Round 2 ensues as limbs are flung this way and that. The ball-kick stunned him just enough for Eiko to get a good arm wrap around his middle, her hands grip-locked to drain as much life juice as possible.

[+1 STAMINA]
[+1 STAMINA]
[+1 STAMINA]

The burns recede from Eiko's skin. She waits for the numbers to pop up in her mind... And gets nothing. No indication of her progress, or proximity to Julien's demise, as she once did before. Great. She'll just have to guess.

"LET GO!" Julien howls, wounds crawling up his body.

He writhes like a wolf possessed.

>Wrestle him into a pin, wrap your limbs around him, anything to maintain your grip.

[+1 STAMINA]
[+1 STAMINA]

Eiko clings onto him as much as she can. It's as she's maneuvering to wrestle him that she realizes... She's only taken 3 classes in jujutsu. Total. In her life.

(2/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:14 No. 1120639 ID: 43c2d7
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>German suplex!

Thankfully, one of the classes taught the Germanic suplex!

With a grunt, Eiko hoists Julien backwards. His melon nearly cracks on the dirt as he lets out a howl of pain.

The gang flinches or facepalms as they watch.

[-2 STAMINA]

Her concentration on Life Transfer breaks. Dizziness follows as Eiko realizes she used bad form. Emphasizing the importance of practice, before testing out complicated wrestling moves outside of professional settings.

(3/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:15 No. 1120640 ID: 43c2d7
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Julien attempts to flip out of her hold.

Eiko latches on.

Limbs fly once more.

(4/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:16 No. 1120641 ID: 43c2d7
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Their bodies struggle, one running on pure adrenaline, the other running on pure grit.

Dirt cakes clothing, blood mattes fur, and both think to themself:

You won't last any longer.

Eiko attempts a chokehold.

Julien's maw sinks into her arm once more.

(5/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:17 No. 1120642 ID: 43c2d7
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"GET OFF OF ME!"

An elbow to the face nearly knocks Eiko cold.

(6/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:19 No. 1120643 ID: 43c2d7
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>Endure his blows

Eiko endures. As her vision swims, oscillating between colors, she makes out Vi's voice in the cacophony of her own buzzing head.

"Grab him!"

Eiko's hands shoot out as he attempts to push up to stand. Her right hand finds his jacket and grips, using it as an anchor to push herself up and him backward.

Julien yelps in surprise. He makes a swipe at her face. She dodges. They're both back on their feet.

Something flashes in his expression.

"You-- you goddamn monster. The both of you. What's all this even for? Don't you want to pass on?"

[+1 STAMINA]

Eiko tries to drive him back down to the floor, but he keeps stepping back.

"You're gonna stay like this forever if you do this. Killin' me won't help you."

[+1 STAMINA]

"Alright! I'll take your bones right out of the closet! Light some incense! Will you find some peace that way?"

Eiko's grip lapses.

Julien swipes again, and hits, bloodying Eiko's face and ear. He grins to himself, until he sees her lack of reaction.

In a flash, she's gripping his other arm hard enough to break the bone. Panic surges in him.

(7/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:20 No. 1120645 ID: 43c2d7
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Ba-bum.

Her maw opens as she shoves him backwards.

[TEMPORARY CONNECTION MADE]

>Julien, listen to what she is saying.
>She's right!...

What?

(8/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:22 No. 1120646 ID: 43c2d7
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Ba-bum-ba-bum

"WAIT!" You scream.

>You may think it is too late to change your ways, now that you are standing on death's door... You can still mend your ways!

A memory comes to your mind.

(9/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:24 No. 1120647 ID: 43c2d7
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It was a surprisingly difficult fight. More people than he expected had been on the Boss's side. Suppose it made some sense, if he got them all together in the first place.

But they endured. Superior firepower always wins out. The big, bad, Boss, finally brought to his knees. That too, took a while. The bastard wolfed out hard, until you put some silver in his leg. He got all docile after that.

"You don't know what you're doing." He said.

"I'd say the same to you too, Boss! But it ain't me on my knees right now."

"I have family." He said again.

"I heard you the first time." You walked closer, at an even pace, to savor the moment.

He looked back around, to his old buddies, trying to find one sympathetic face.

"There's no honor following him! Can't you all see that?!"

"There's no point in that, Boss. Honestly, it's pathetic." You smacked the butt of the gun against your hand. "They all see what I saw. You had all this power, all this money, and you just let it go to waste. Givin' out money to whoever begged for it. Got everyone takin' blows for all those ungrateful bitches. Day in and day out. All to warm your heart for some dream about growing this city. We're sick of it."

Nods of agreement passed. Sure, it took some bribes. Sure, it took some lies. In the end, you got what you needed. And what you need, is to stand at the top. You have dreams too after all. Simple ones. Achievable, realistic, ones.

As you stood in front of him, Akito looked up at you with that same defiant glare. As if he's the one holding the gun and not one shot away from it.

It always pissed you off.

(10/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:24 No. 1120648 ID: 43c2d7
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"Even after I die, the pack will remember." Akito spoke as if to curse you.

"Yeah, the pack's all here to watch. We're gonna pop some bottles after this." You laughed and raised the gun. "Any last words?"

"... Choke on it, you fucking bast-"

BAM

(11/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:25 No. 1120649 ID: 43c2d7
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>Kill in the name of some god by clogging her jaws with your body!

Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba--

(12/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:26 No. 1120650 ID: 43c2d7
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CRUNCH.

[TEMPORARY CONNECTION TERMINATED]

(13/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:29 No. 1120653 ID: 43c2d7
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The gang pries Eiko off of Julien in a panic. A chunk of his neck goes with her.

He tries to speak. His dying words are lost to a gurgle in his now spraying throat.

Julien collapses. Choking out on his own blood.

(14/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:32 No. 1120655 ID: 43c2d7
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Eiko feels the effects of Ranma 1/2 start to wear off, her face and body changing back to her own. A part of her feels comforted by this, as if Akito's spirit passes with it.

>Laugh at him while he is in pain

Eiko spits the chunk out of her mouth, face and tongue coated in iron, and laughs a laugh she hasn't felt in her entire fucking life. 3-parts mirth, 4-parts glee, and 99-parts pure manic triumph.

Not only is that bastard on the ground bleeding to death, she gets to know that she did it herself.

Chills run down spines. The multi-grip on her goes slack, as she maneuvers to stomp on Julien's still warm body.

(15/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:33 No. 1120656 ID: 43c2d7
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"Do you want your pet back?" Eiko mocks.

The angel stands still. Then sighs.

"What a waste... To perish to your own trials. Well, if it is as Zir commands. We can simply find another."

They mumble to themself words that Eiko cannot hear. She isn't sure how to feel about their... nonchalance.

There's a flash of light.

(16/16) OMNI 2026/01/31(Sat)20:34 No. 1120657 ID: 43c2d7
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A shiny spear of some kind appears in their hands. They step back, wings fluffing up with the movement.

"Though, you and your petty slights have interested me. You have powers none here should... Perhaps there is a foreign entity upon you."

... Shit?

"Identify yourself, acolyte, are you friend or foe?"

Options:
>Call Vex
>Use Foolish Gambit
>____

>>1120657
I think we'd better use Foolish Gambit here. There's gonna be a fight for sure, and you're gonna need power to win.

Boast that if you fight, you will survive. Or something like that, the important part is that you do not want to boast that you'll kill the angel. Considering Vex has been fighting the same angel repeatedly, I think it is very difficult indeed to kill an angel, but winning a fight, or at least surviving one, is possible. Maybe "You're not killing me today"?
I'll be honest, considering Boasting gives you a permanent upgrade I wish we had done a decent Boast for the fight against Julien. Winning with one hand behind your back, or something like that. Still could've used kicks and bites.

For the power, we need something anti-Angel. Something that would make it hard for an Angel to see you? Or something that would get that spear away from it, so you can use it against them? I think Vex killed an angel once by using its own weapon against it, but be warned he burned his hands badly doing so.

>>1120647
We looked into Julien's mind. It was so tiny.
You needn't worry about orphaning anyone with your revenge. All he cared about, in his words, were 'simple ambitions' - power, money, sex.
My question is... who made him this way?
Because a man with a mind this small being anointed by literal angels by sheer coincidence is ludicrously illogical, the odds are tinier than winning a lottery. Or maybe the bleached harpies just love people who are too stupid to understand how monetarily profitable socialism is.
Demand to know how many people the angels and their proxies hollowed out.

Foolish Gambit: "I'm leaving."
Objective: Escape the angel.
On Success: You gain a 5% increase to speed (5% chance to move twice in one turn)
On Failure: Traumatic leg injury (At the start of combat, you can't move for one turn. Does not trigger during a stealth ambush.)

Fight the angle completely naked. That will throw them off their game, or it will be extremely hot for us, so it is a win win.

oh god i think it sees us, i say run. sounds like there's a whole order behind this one and if we kill this one somehow it will attract more to investigate.