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Chapter 5x: We All Fall Down

Opening

sandraudiga
(smiling) Ohh, sweet mercy! Kyra! What a sight for sore eyes you are!
kyra
Okay, Demeter, let's turn around and try another way.
demeter
I pinky swear with a cherry on top, this was the best path I could find.
It was this or diving through the molten magma of the lowest circles, while the Seven Agonies are applied to us by the Watchers of the Damned.
kyra
Why didn't you let me choose?!
sandraudiga
Hah! Face it, Kyra. We are destined to be together.
Our bond of hatred is stronger than anything love could ever muster.
kyra
All right, let's just get this over with.
demeter
...Say, what's going on here? Why is this place so empty?
Where's the torture devices and divine guardians?
sandraudiga
They tried a number of avenues to make my stay less comfortable.
I had a lot of fun watching them put their limited imaginations to the test.
Reliving my end, over and over. Being drawn and quartered by angry mobs.
Starvation. Spontaneous combustion. Forcing me to watch terrible plays.
Tickle torture... Oh, that one I particularly enjoyed!
Right now I think they're trying to bore me to tears.
I'll admit, that might've proven effective, given another century or two.
But who should show up to spice things up but you, my dearest archnemesis?
I'm sure you can hazard a guess as to what happens next...
kyra
I figure you want some payback for what went down?
demeter
(smiles) Pffft... For what went down... Teehee...
sandraudiga
(still smiling) Oh, you did a mean thing to me, to be sure. Yes, so mean...
Enduring the agony of my broken body, trapped in suffocating darkness...
No escape. No refuge but my own spiralling thoughts of madness.
Yes... It was positively succulent.
demeter
(frowns) ......
kyra
Please tell me you misspoke.
sandraudiga
A true delicatessen of pain. I would have seconds.
Come, Kyra. Let us have a vaguely homoerotic duel to the death.
kyra
I hate you.
I hate you so much.
sandraudiga
Excellent! Now let me have it!
(Sandraudiga raises her arms, and the room shakes.)

Room Collapses

Battle Start:

sandraudiga
Of course, the bloodbath wouldn't be nearly as fun without a bit of build-up.
Let's make things interesting, shall we?

Those stairs will take you to the next level. Simply get to them and proceed.
Quite simple, is it not? Oh, there's just one small, insignificant caveat.
Do try to get everyone out of there before... Oh, let's say 3 turns.
You may not like what happens after that... Hahahahahaha!

Turn 4:

Sandraudiga
I'll tell you, seizing control over an oneiric prison like this isn't easy.
I still haven't quite gotten the hang of it. Holding up the pieces, it's... exhausting...
(closes eyes) Oohhh, I feel my arms growing weaker from the magical exertion...

(Sandraudiga pretends to stumble.)

Whoops!

(The first room collapses, removing anyone still inside.)
Sandraudiga
Oh, dearie... Me and my butterfingers.
Don't worry, though. Anyone left behind is not lost forever.
I don't have enough power over this place to kill... yet.
Naturally, the more troops you lose along the way...
The less entertaining our final dance shall be.
So do take care, please. For me?
You've got another 3 turns. Make them count!

Turn 7:

(The second room collapses.)
Sandraudiga
Still in the game, I hope? I can't really tell from here if you're all gone.
Don't disappoint me. This is the most fun I've had since...
Well, since the previous time our paths crossed!
Let us put on a show to surpass even that one, shall we?
I'll cut you some slack. 4 turns. Aren't I generous?

Turn 11:

(The third room collapses.)
Sandraudiga
You know, the stairs can be used both ways.
Why don't you use them again and return to the void?
That'd be so funny. I, personally, would laugh.
But don't waste too much time playing around, now.
I'm only giving you 4 turns to complete this one.
You're almost there! C'mon! I believe in you... Hahaha!

Turn 15:

(The fourth room collapses.)
Sandraudiga
That's the last one! No more messing around!
You who yet remain, come hither and confront me!
Let us drown together in an orgy of blood and gore!
Hahahaha... Hahahahahahahahaha!

When Sandraudiga's room is entered

sandraudiga
If you can't handle me at my worst...
(6 Lifewringer Sandraudigas enter the room.)
sandraudiga
You don't deserve me at my best!

Unknown Trigger

sandraudiga
Oh, and I'm going to start moving now.
What, you didn't think I'd sit here and wait patiently, did you?
That's just not like me! Ready or not, here I come!

Conversations

Antiope

Combat

antiope
Projection 52.5 degrees. Nominal wind speed...

Fire!

Combat w/ Antiope

antiope
I did it... I fulfilled my dreams...
enemy
antiope
Wow... I wish I'd get to fulfill my dreams too...
antiope
(smiles) I'm sure you will.
All you need to do is believe in yourself!

Defeat

antiope
I-I... still never got to fulfill... my dreams...

Sandraudiga

Combat

sandraudiga
Victory or defeat, I always win!
I love being me!

Combat w/ Kyra

sandraudiga
Are you mad at me, Kyra?
Do you resent me for my mockery and taunting?
For the crimes I committed against the ones you love?
For scarring your face for the rest of time?
kyra
You actually asking that?
sandraudiga
Are you angry enough to step on me, Kyra?
kyra
......
If that's all you wanted, why didn't you just
frigging ASK?!
sandraudiga
Oh, don't get me wrong.
I also get a kick out of being an evil monster.
kyra
Why do you exist?

Combat w/ Mopsus

sandraudiga
Hahahaha! Mopsus! What a surprise!
Is this your new ploy for glory?
Joining the good guys, huh... Not a bad call.
mopsus
(grins) And look at me now!
About to defeat the Grand Inquisitor herself!
I'll go down in history for this!
sandraudiga
You do recall you're already dead, yes?
Ah, but don't let me rain on your parade.
Please, go ahead and give me your best shot.
mopsus
Hah hah hah! You will fear the name Mopsus!

Combat w/ Inquisitor Sandy

sandraudiga
Lookin' good there, hot stuff.
sandy
Oh, I know.
You're looking simply divine yourself.
This is going to be so much fun.
sandraudiga
Gosh, don't keep me waiting.

Combat w/ Lifewringer Sandy

sandraudiga
Lookin' good there, hot stuff.
sandy
You're such a freak.
Then again, so am I...
sandraudiga
Let's be freaks together.

Defeat

sandraudiga
(bleeding and grinning) H A R D E R ...
H A R D E R ...

Ending

sandraudiga
(bleeding and grinning) Ahhh... Yes, oh, yes...
That was wonderful... Thank you, Kyra...
Would it be too much of an imposition if I asked that we do it again?
I could... go for thirds... Hahaha... ahaha...
kyra
I hate her, Demeter.
I hate this woman so much and nothing I do wipes the stupid grin off her face.
demeter
Aww, relax... I've almost got the next portal open.
Soon we'll leave and she can continue to twiddle her thumbs on her own.
sandraudiga
Ohoho... I don't think so.
(Sandraudiga gets up and recovers from her wounds.)
sandraudiga
I have already squeezed every ounce of entertainment out of this oyster.
Why would I remain here, when true elation lies with you?
I have no idea what misadventures have brought you back to me...
But knowing you? You may end up challenging the divine themselves.
Obviously, I want to partake in that. I'm going with you, Kyra!
kyra
What?! Demeter, she wants to join the team! Do something!
demeter
...Do I even dare to propose that maybe this could be a fun--
kyra
After you do, you can pick which arm you'd like me to break.
demeter
Uh huh...
sandraudiga
Heh... You cannot fool me.
You will cherish the chance to have my subservience.
Why, we may become even closer than we already are!
Perhaps we should come up with cute pet names for one another?
kyra
I... I just...
I'm a little tired. I want to wake up already.
sandraudiga
Call me Sandy, Kyra.
kyra
No.
(Sandraudiga bounces insistently.)
sandraudiga
Call me Sandy, my most beloved vanquisher!
kyra
Demeter!! Help!
demeter
(smiles) ...There! Good to go.
(frowns) But before we enter, I must say a few words of warning, Kyra.
(Kyra runs into the portal.)
demeter
We are very near the pulsating core of existence now.
Very scary stuff! That's why we have to be really careful here.
Listen to my directions exactly and never stray from my side.
Otherwise you risk ending up somewhere you don't want to be,
or stumbling into... her. And then she'd be mad at me for bringing you this far!
You don't want to do that to me, right? But nothing bad has to happen,
just as long as we stay cool and collected, and follow instructions.
sandraudiga
She dove right in before you got to sentence three of your speech.
demeter
She did, didn't she.
sandraudiga
It may be my fault.
demeter
...You're the worst, you know that, Sandy?
sandraudiga
Thank you, thank you.
demeter
(smiles) Well, I guess there's only one thing left to do.
sandraudiga
And that is?
demeter
(grins) Panic!
(Demeter runs around in a panic before entering the portal.)
sandraudiga
......
(Lifewringer face) I have a pretty cute smile too, don't you think?
(Kyra finds herself in complete blackness.)
kyra
...I can't see anything... Total, otherworldly silence...
I can't even see any ground, even though I can feel it...
(closes eyes) W-Why the heck is all this happening to me...?

(Kyra composes herself.)

All right, all right. Don't lose your cool.
Sandraudiga's not here. That's already an improvement.
Just keep calm and look for Demeter...

(Kyra wanders the void until she runs into a priestess.)
kyra
Thank goodness, Demeter! I thought I wouldn't--

(Kyra starts.)

Whoa!

???
Fleshling... How dare you bring your putrefaction to the plane of the divine?
kyra
Hey, that's not fair! I bathe regularly--
???
Silence!!
kyra
Y-You think I'm here 'cause I want to?!
I didn't come here of my own volition! It was--!
???
I am aware who it is that set your filth upon this superior echelon.
It is out of deference to her, and for that reason alone, that I shall show mercy.
Leave now, and you may have a chance to avoid a fate worse than damnation.
Or remain, sate your gluttonous curiosity, and suffer consequences most dire!
kyra
Dammit, aren't you listening? I WANT to leave!
If you'll just show me the way out, maybe I could--
???
You DARE speak to me in such an insolent manner!!
Then your fate shall be expedited right now!
kyra
Huh?!
???
You will endure the trials of the soul. Should you succeed...
You shall be granted a reprieve. Rue thy fate should you fail!
Be careful what you wish for, fleshling!
(The unknown figure teleports Kyra somewhere else.)
kyra
...All right, goodbye to you too.
Sheesh, I just wanted to know where the exit is...
Where even am I now? Hello?! Demeter?! Anyone?!
???
Oh, Kyra... What did you do this time?
kyra
Wha...

No... N-No way...!

eupraxia
You show up and five minutes later everything falls apart.
thyone
Are you surprised?
sandraudiga
I must concur, Mother.
You have always known I'm prone to cause problems.
Problem is my middle name, remember?
Sandraudiga Problem Rodriguez.
eupraxia
...I will admit one thing, and one thing alone.
I should've known better than to marry a man called Problem.
sandraudiga
Truly an unfortunate surname. He had problems, all right.
Remember that time someone poisoned him?
And then he died. Big, big problem, right there.
eupraxia
Sandraudiga, you did that.
sandraudiga
Oh, c'mon. Just because my middle name's Problem, doesn't mean every problem in the world is my fault.
Will you accuse me of killing our dog next?
thyone
I found you with the pieces, Sandraudiga.
sandraudiga
Oh, yeah.
That was a tough break. Hadn't expected you to visit so suddenly.
Then again, I didn't quite get what it was about you two at the time.
eupraxia
You were 10 years old. Of course you didn't get it.
thyone
You still don't.
sandraudiga
Good times. Good times.
But hey, after that, I grew up and I always behaved, didn't I?
Everything I did at that point was just what the hierophant ordered.
Just an innocent cog in the machine, I was...
telemus
Do you have any idea how many people I watched flee the country,
after you accused them of the false crime by the name of heresy?
I heard a number of stories in my time as head of the border watch.
Sometimes you'd hound people just because you were bored!
sandraudiga
And where do you get off judging me, General Homewrecker?
(Telemus sputters.)
telemus
Wha-- I-- Why, I... But I didn't...

(Telemus squirms.)

S-She was not married! I really do not see what I did wrong!

phobos'
mother
(smiles) Telemus, sweetheart, don't listen to her.
I know you're a truly wonderful man.
Isn't that right, Phobos?
phobos
......
Is this it? Is this really going to be my role in the postgame?
I went through a whole character arc for this?!
fazang
And let us not forget your flagrant disregard for human life.
You do not merely commit crimes to achieve specific goals.
You revel in the suffering you cause... The lives you take...
eupraxia
In a few words, you are insane.
sandraudiga
Mother, that just speaks of your limited understanding of mental health.
I am perfectly sane and in control of my actions. I am simply evil.
To compare me to people suffering of mental diseases is quite insensitive.
eupraxia
......
fazang
She does have a point.
eupraxia
Perhaps I shall leap from this floating building.
sandraudiga
Gosh, like daughter, like mother, huh.

Character Descriptions

Sandraudiga
The Grand Inquisitor of Tartaros. A fearsome woman known as Heaven's Scythe.

Inquisitor
She who carries out the divine task of expunging heresy from this world.

Personal Skill: Frenzy
For every 4 damage taken, +1 to damage dealt.

Sandraudiga
The fearsome Heaven's Scythe, currently in the middle of making the worst mistake of her life.

Lifewringer
She who toyed with powers beyond her ken, and paid the price.

Personal Skill: Daunt
-5 Hit and Crit to all enemy units in a 3-tile radius.

Antiope
A Tartaran sharpshooter guarding the outskirts of the forest near Percote.

Elite
All hail Sandraudiga!
All hail her new world!