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Hearken, brave warriors, to the tale of Kitasan Black, the ever-radiant beacon of joy, who on the day of her birth was granted a humble yet fateful gift by her father: a handful of yen. Coin that, without hesitation, she carried to her favorite game shop, where destiny awaited her in an unassuming form. There, among countless distractions, her eyes fell upon a peculiar treasure, a world bound within pages and dice, Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. Though she scarcely understood its depths, the promise of grand adventures, heroic deeds, and shared glory stirred her spirit, and so she claimed it as her own, racing back to the Ritto dormitory with uncontainable excitement.
Alas, fate is seldom so kind as dreams would have it. One by one, her closest companions turned her away. Satono Diamond spoke of obligations she could not abandon, Copano Rickey deferred to the will of fortune and the stars, and Cheval Grand, ever gentle, could not summon the courage to join such an uncertain quest. With each refusal, the flame of Kitasan’s enthusiasm flickered and dimmed, until the grand adventure she had envisioned lay dormant, sealed within the box she now held in quiet disappointment.
Yet not all hope was lost, for Special Week, the ever-hungry and kind-hearted, was the first to perceive the sorrow hidden beneath Kitasan’s smile. After training with Team Spica, she listened earnestly to her tale of dashed hopes and unfulfilled dreams, and her heart could not bear it. Thus, she took it upon herself to gather the seven wise maidens of their circle. There stood Tokai Teio, the headstrong; Mejiro McQueen, the noble; Silence Suzuka, the ever-distant; Vodka, the rough; Daiwa Scarlet, the fiercer still; and Gold Ship, the uncontainable.
Together, though armed with little understanding and even less discipline, they resolved to unravel the mysteries of this strange tabletop world. Through misread rules, chaotic debates, and dice cast with reckless abandon, they pieced together what could only generously be called a game. Their purpose, however, was clear and unwavering: to surprise Kitasan Black, and in doing so, transform her quiet disappointment into the grand adventure she had so fervently dreamed of.Gathered around a table in the dining hall after classes, they took their seats one by one, awaiting their young kouhai as though answering the call of fate itself, ready to face imagined beasts, claim stories worth telling, and perhaps, if fortune smiled upon them, sample those famed cookies sent by Kitasan’s father, a treasure none of them had yet tasted but all secretly desired. What they did not know, what none of them could have possibly foreseen, was that this simple tabletop game, meant for but three to five players, would soon place upon their shoulders a far greater burden, one that would see them not merely playing at adventure, but deciding the fate of an entire world
Seated around the table, they had all agreed to bring something from home to better represent their characters, and each of them had taken that idea in their own very particular way. Special Week showed up wearing a crown made of sticks, her cheeks smeared with brown paint to mimic mud, looking far too proud of the result. Silence Suzuka carried a small pendant dedicated to the goddesses, simple but fitting. Tokai Teio brought a plastic katana, casually resting it over her shoulder as if it were real, while Mejiro McQueen arrived with a polished shield she held with complete seriousness. Vodka had a butterfly knife she kept flipping between her fingers, more focused on looking cool than anything else, and Daiwa Scarlet wore one of her finest crowns, sitting with the posture of someone who fully expected to be treated like royalty. Gold Ship, however, had taken things further than anyone else and arrived completely painted green, offering no explanation as she took her seat.
They all remained quiet for a moment, glancing at each other, unsure of where to even begin, until Special Week finally leaned forward, unable to hold it in any longer. “So… I guess you’re playing an orc, right?” she asked, trying to sound certain. Gold Ship looked back at her, blinking in confusion. “Wait, there are orcs in this game?” she replied, as if that had nothing to do with her current appearance.
At that moment, Kitasan Black walked in, still looking down at her phone as she approached the table. “Hey, thanks for texting me instead of dragging me here, but why did you want me to bring the game?” she asked casually, only to stop when she finally looked up. Her gaze moved across the table, taking in the props, the character sheets, and the effort behind it all. Her expression shifted quickly, surprise giving way to something softer as she tightened her grip on the box. “Girls… I can’t believe you did all this for me,” she said, her voice filled with genuine emotion. Silence Suzuka gave a small nod and answered calmly, “Don’t mention it. What matters is that we all have a good time,” while Gold Ship immediately leaned forward with a grin. “That’s right! Let’s go into the dungeon and kill a dragon!” she said with far too much enthusiasm.
Kitasan quickly took her seat and began setting everything up, clearly excited as she looked around at all of them once more. “You’re all amazing, I really can’t believe you read the manual and learned the rules just for me,” she added with a bright smile. No one responded. A few glances were exchanged, hands shifted awkwardly on the table, and the silence stretched just long enough to make it obvious. Every character sheet had been put together the night before, each of them skimming only what they needed, and now that detail lingered quietly in the air.
“You know what, it doesn’t matter. Why don’t we start by introducing your characters? Teio, do you want to go first?” said Kitasan Black, trying to keep things moving.
Tokai Teio leaned forward immediately, clearly waiting for that moment. “Yeah. I’m Takeo, the greatest samurai in all of the sword coast, and this,” she said, gently grabbing McQueen’s arm, “is my companion, Lord Orion.”
McQueen didn’t pull away. Instead, she straightened slightly, fully committing to it. “Indeed. I am Orion, paladin of justice, and I serve the crown,” she added with complete seriousness, her tone perfectly measured.
A few of the others clapped lightly, amused by how seriously she was taking it. Silence Suzuka spoke next, a bit more hesitant but still composed. “My… my name is Brother Byron. I’m a cleric and healer, and I serve the local church of my hometown.”
Before anyone else could react, Gold Ship jumped in without waiting for her turn. “Yeah, yeah, I’m Ragnar Gold, the barbarian of hyper space chaos incarnate,” she declared proudly.
Kitasan blinked a couple of times, trying to process that. “I like it… but there are no aliens in this system,” she said carefully.
Gold Ship tilted her head. “Oh yeah? Then what can I be?”
Kitasan thought for a second. “How about… an agent of the Underdark?”
Gold Ship grinned instantly. “That sounds cool. I’ll take it.”
Special Week raised her hand next, eager as always. “I’ll be Lunar Bear, chief of the Moon Clan!” she said with a big smile, clearly pleased with herself. Then she turned to the side. “Why don’t you go next, Vodka?”
Vodka leaned back in her chair, smirking. “Heh, nah. Let Scarlet go first.”
Daiwa Scarlet lifted her chin slightly, clearly pleased. “Thank you. That was very considerate of you. I am Princess Johanna, the most beautiful of all mages,” she declared confidently.
There was a brief pause before Vodka spoke again, barely holding back a grin. “Then I’ll be Johanna’s Destroyer 50,000… a rogue tasked with killing anyone named Johanna.”
Kitasan froze. “Uh… maybe pick another name,” she said, trying to keep the game from derailing immediately.
Vodka clicked her tongue, annoyed. “Fine… then I’m Blood Eyes,” she muttered, settling back into her chair.
“Alright, alright, I like the enthusiasm. Let’s not waste any more time and get started,” said Kitasan Black as she opened the book in front of her, straightening slightly before beginning in a more dramatic tone. “Tremble, brave warriors, for your fate has been sealed. You have been tasked with defeating the terrible vampire known as the Black Sun. On this day, you gather in a clandestine tavern within the city of Neverwinter, where you will discuss your next mission. Why don’t you begin, Brother Byron?” she added, pointing toward Silence Suzuka.
Suzuka nodded softly before speaking, keeping her hands together as if already in prayer. “Oh… yes. As a priest, I would be walking while reciting a prayer to my gods. As I enter this place, filled with sin, I entrust myself to them… and step inside,” she said in a quiet voice.
Kitasan followed without missing a beat. “As you enter, you see Ragnar Gold already inside. What are you doing?” she asked, turning to Gold Ship.
“I’d be drinking as much as I can find,” Gold Ship answered immediately, leaning back in her chair.
“Alright… roll for constitution.” A quick roll followed. “Sixteen.”
“You barely manage it,” Kitasan said, nodding as if everything was still under control.
Ragnar grinned and slammed the table lightly. “Argh, is this all you’ve got? This isn’t even entertaining,” she said in a rough, exaggerated voice. Kitasan picked it up quickly. “From among the crowd that starts cheering you on, someone approaches you. Brother Byron has entered the tavern and notices you.”
Byron shifted slightly, still composed, and turned her attention toward Ragnar. “You drink with such intensity… is it devotion, or an attempt to escape something heavier?” she asked softly, her tone gentle but sincere. She paused just enough to let it linger before continuing, her gaze steady. “If your spirit is troubled, I could offer guidance… or at the very least, ensure you don’t collapse before your purpose is fulfilled.”
Gold Ship blinked once, clearly not expecting that kind of response, then leaned forward with a grin. “Hah, I like you, priest, stay and drink with me,” said pushing an imaginary mug across the table.
Kitasan nodded quickly, trying to keep momentum. “Meanwhile, from another table, two figures observe the scene. Takeo… Orion… it’s your turn.”
Orion spoke first, composed as ever. “What a noisy place, Takeo. Are you certain we should be here?” he said with a tone carrying quiet disapproval.
Takeo hesitated for just a moment before answering. “Of course, Orion. It is our duty as warriors… and besides, these people need us.”
McQueen turned slightly toward Teio's character, pressing the moment without hesitation. “And what about me? I am the one who needs you,” he said, his voice lowering just enough to shift the mood.
Teio blinked, caught off guard, returning to the game, Orion continued. “You know that beneath this armor beats a heart meant only for you.”
There was a brief pause before Teio glanced toward Kitasan. “Can I roll to seduce Orion?”
McQueen followed immediately, just as serious. “Can I choose to fail it?”
Kitasan froze, flipping through the book with growing panic. “Actually… no. There are no rolls between players,” she said, trying to hold things together.
“Perfect,” Teio replied, and before anyone could react, she leaned in and kissed McQueen.
The table fell into silence, the game halting completely as everyone processed what had just happened, the tension shifting into something awkward enough that even Kitasan struggled to find a way to continue.
“So, Brother Byron takes a seat next to Ragnar,” said Kitasan Black, trying to keep the scene moving forward. “Do you accept the drink?”
Byron kept her posture straight, hands resting calmly together. “I would prefer to maintain my composure,” without thinking about a proper excuse.
Gold Ship snorted, already leaning too far into the moment. “What a buzzkill. Fine, then I order a beer,” she said, waving a hand dismissively.
Kitasan glanced down at her notes before improvising. “The bartender tells you they’re out. The last one was taken by that man over there,” she said, pointing toward Special Week.
Special Week perked up immediately. “Oh, oh, can I be a bear?” she asked, eyes lighting up.
Kitasan froze for a second, flipping through the book again. “You’re still level five, so you can’t turn into a bear yet.”
Special Week leaned forward, undeterred. “Then what’s the biggest thing I can turn into?”
Kitasan hesitated before answering, clearly making it up as she went. “How about… a giant elk?”
Special Week nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, I like that!”
Kitasan clapped her hands once, committing to it. “Alright, so instead of a man, you see a giant elk casually drinking a beer at the table.”
“I will try to fight it,” said Gold Ship without hesitation.
Special Week blinked, completely caught off guard. “Wait, really? Okay, this is exciting. How do we fight? Do we just… fight on the table or something?”
Kitasan shook her head quickly. “No, no, roll dice.”
Special Week rolled first. “Fourteen.”
Gold Ship followed. “Twelve.”
Kitasan nodded. “Lunar Bear wins. Ragnar tries to grab the elk by the antlers, but it throws you back across the room.”
Ragnar leaned forward, grinning like this had just become personal. “Oh, now it’s serious. I tighten my belt and get ready. Come on, overgrown deer,” she said, fully invested.
Before things escalated further, Suzuka raised her voice just enough to cut through the chaos, still fully in character. “Gentlemen, please, there is no need for conflict. This is not part of the greater design of the gods,” she said trying to restore some sense of order to a situation that had already spiraled far beyond control.
“Alright… while all of that is happening, Princess Johanna, what are you doing?” asked Kitasan Black, trying to regain some control over the table.
Daiwa Scarlet immediately straightened, lifting her chin with elegance as she ran a hand through her long red hair, brushing it to one side with deliberate grace. “How disgraceful. This is no way to behave in front of a lady,” she declared with the intention of getting a reaction out of the group.
Vodka didn’t even look at her. “It would be… if there was one,” she shot back without hesitation.
Scarlet raised her hands slightly, already feeling things slipping away. “Okay, Vodka, I need you to behave at the table.”
Vodka leaned back in her chair, unimpressed. “What? That’s exactly what my character would say.”
Kitasan took a breath and forced a smile. “Right… okay, I like that. Johanna, Blood Eyes, why don’t you explain what you’re doing in this tavern?”
Johanna didn’t hesitate for even a second. “Of course. I am the great princess of this realm, and I have come to greet my subjects,” she said proudly.
Kitasan blinked. “Uh… Neverwinter doesn’t have a princess.”
Scarlet didn’t even flinch. “Well, it does now.”
There was a brief pause before Vodka leaned forward, a grin slowly forming. “Alright then. I’m the leader of the resistance against the new princess.”
Scarlet turned to her immediately, clearly annoyed. “Could you, for once, pretend we’re on the same side? Just for Kitasan?”
Vodka shrugged. “I will when your character stops being annoying to mine.”
What followed was less of a conversation and more of a full argument, with voices overlapping, each of them trying to push their own idea of the story while the entire table descended into chaos. In the middle of it all, Teio and McQueen had completely tuned everything else out, still far too focused on each other to care about the game, quietly continuing their exchange of kisses as if none of this concerned them.
Kitasan watched it unravel in real time, her expression slowly shifting from excitement to desperation as she reached into her bag and pulled out a small metal horn. Without hesitation, she blew into it, the sharp, loud sound cutting through the room and forcing everyone to stop at once.
She lowered it, taking a breath as all eyes turned toward her. “The manual was right… bringing one of these is absolutely essential as a Dungeon Master,” she said, half relieved, half overwhelmed, still trying to hold together what remained of her campaign.
“An old man in a cloak calls for your attention,” said Kitasan Black, doing her best to gather everyone back into the story. “Alright, alright, you’re all here… let me introduce myself. My name is Leblanc, and I am the one who has summoned you today.”
Little by little, everyone leaned back in, rejoining the scene. Kitasan continued, trying to keep the tone serious. “You see, we have received terrible news. The evil tyrant vampire known as the Black Sun has awakened from his slumber, and if he fully rises, it will mean the ruin of everything.”
“It can’t be worse than Johanna’s tyranny,” mutteredVodka, still fully in character as Blood Eyes, just loud enough to be heard, which earned her an immediate stomp on the foot from Daiwa Scarlet.
Kitasan pushed forward, refusing to lose control. “Oh, but it is. He is a being of pure evil who nearly destroyed the world before, so you must eliminate him as soon as possible.”
Special Week straightened, fully stepping into her role. “We will take care of it. I swear it in my honor as Lunar Bear, chief of the Moon Clan.”
“And in the name of the Crown, I, Orion, shall see it done,” added Mejiro McQueen with unwavering confidence, Teio grabbed her arm while saying that paying little attention to the scene..
“And in the name of the Church, Brother Byron will guide us,” followed Silence Suzuka.
“And I, Ragnar Gold, agent of the Underfart, accept this mission,” declared Gold Ship proudly.
Kitasan froze mid-motion. “Underdark.”
Gold Ship waved it off without concern. “Yeah, that.”
“And as for me,” said Daiwa Scarlett, lifting her chin slightly, “Princess Johanna shall lead this realm to victory.”
Vodka leaned forward immediately, unable to let that pass. “And Blood Eyes will make sure that doesn’t happen,” she added with a smirk.
“Excellent… you will need this,” said Kitasan Black, lowering her voice as she leaned slightly forward, fully committing to the scene. “The old man reaches into his bag and pulls out a glowing orb.”
The table went quiet, everyone watching more closely than before.
“This is the Orb of Positive Emotions. Legend says it is the only thing capable of destroying the Black Sun, it has the power to heal any mortal wound, the more intense the positive emotions of the user, the stronger the effect.”
“I take it and secure it,” said Teio without hesitation, clearly enjoying herself as Takeo.
Kitasan nodded and continued. “Good. Now, there is something extremely important you must know. His lair is located…”
She stopped as her hand froze slightly, her expression shifting just enough to signal something was wrong.
“A hand suddenly bursts through the old man’s chest.”
For a moment, no one spoke. Then the scene snapped into motion.
“Six figures step out from the shadows, surrounding you. They laugh as the old man collapses. You won’t lay a hand on our lord.”
The moment the figures stepped out of the shadows, the tavern seemed to shrink around them, the air turning cold as if something unseen had settled over every table and corner. The old man’s body collapsed without ceremony, and for a brief second the only thing that mattered was the orb in Takeo’s hands, he tightened his grip and stepped back, his stance shifting instinctively to pull for his katana, every movement now precise and alert.
Ragnar moved first, not with a weapon but with whatever he could get his hands on, his fingers closed around the back of a chair, dragging it across the floor with a loud scrape before lifting it with reckless ease. He swung it in a wide arc at the nearest vampire, the wood shattering on impact as it connected with a force that drove the creature sideways. Splinters scattered across the ground, but Ragnar only grinned, already kicking aside the broken pieces as he reached for another chair without a second thought.
Bear was already in motion, his massive elk form lowering its head as hooves struck hard against the wooden floor. The space around him barely held as he charged, antlers cutting through the air before slamming into one of the attackers. The impact sent the vampire crashing backward into a table, which splintered beneath the force, dishes and mugs scattering as the body rolled across the debris. He turned sharply, ready to charge again, the weight of his form making every movement feel unstoppable.
Byron stepped forward with measured calm, his presence steady despite the chaos unfolding around him. His voice remained soft but unwavering as he spoke a prayer, and a faint glow spread outward from him, settling over his allies. Their movements steadied, their footing more certain, as if an unseen force was guiding them through the storm of violence.
Orion placed himself between Takeo and the encroaching enemies without hesitation, shield raised and posture unbreakable. One of the vampires lunged forward with unnatural speed, aiming directly for the orb, but the strike met his shield with a sharp, echoing impact. He absorbed it, sliding back only a fraction before answering with a precise counter that forced the creature away, never once leaving an opening behind him.
Blood Eyes moved along the edges of the fight, her steps light and precise, never committing too early nor too late, taking advantage of every weak spot she could find. She watched the flow of the battle, waiting for the moment it shifted, and when one of the vampires faltered under Bear’s charge, she slipped in behind it. Her strike was as quick as it was treacherous, landing cleanly before she disappeared back into motion, never staying still long enough to be caught.
Johanna remained just outside the immediate clash, her composure untouched by the destruction around her. She lifted a hand with quiet confidence, and the air around her tightened as magic gathered, coiling before releasing in a controlled surge of light. The force pushed back multiple attackers at once, disrupting their advance and creating space, her expression unchanged as if the outcome had been inevitable.
Ragnar, undeterred, had already grabbed another chair, dragging it forward before slamming it into a vampire’s side with brute force, the wood cracking again under the impact. He let out a low laugh, scanning the room for anything else he could turn into a weapon, as if the fight itself was nothing more than an excuse to cause more destruction.
The tavern had become unrecognizable, overturned tables and shattered wood covering the floor as the clash intensified. After a few turns, the last of the vampires fell, their bodies collapsing into faint, ashen silhouettes before dissolving into dust, leaving nothing behind but the lingering cold they had brought with them. The sudden quiet felt almost unnatural after the violence, broken only by the creak of damaged wood settling back into place.
Takeo lowered his blade and exhaled, the tension leaving his shoulders as he scanned the room. It was then she noticed the old man, still alive, barely, he moved quickly to his side, kneeling beside him as his breathing came in shallow, uneven gasps. Byron followed immediately, dropping to one knee and placing a hand over the wound, murmuring a prayer as faint light gathered in his palm. The glow flickered, strained, unable to fully take hold against the severity of the injury, he tried again, more focused this time, but the result was the same, the magic simply was not enough.
The old man’s eyes shifted weakly toward them, his voice barely holding together. “He’s… at Dragomir Castle… to the south… if you don’t kill him tonight… the world will be lost…” The words came out fragmented, each one costing him what little strength he had left. His body went still soon after, the light in his eyes fading as the last breath left him.
Silence followed, heavier than before. Even Ragnar, who had been ready to grab another broken chair moments ago, didn’t move. Bear lowered his head slightly, the massive elk form still and quiet, while Blood Eyes looked away for a second, her usual edge softened just enough to show the weight of the moment. Johanna remained composed, but her posture straightened, her expression sharpening with purpose.
Orion stepped forward, lifting his shield with quiet resolve. “Never again will vampires terrorize anyone like this,” he said, his voice steady, carrying across what remained of the tavern.
For a moment, no one spoke. Then the tension broke.
“That was actually really good,” said Teio, dropping the tone and slipping out of character, clearly impressed with Mcqueen´s delivery, both girls looked into each other´s eyes for far longer than usual.
Before anything else could happen, before the moment could shift into something more romantic, Kitasan quickly raised the small horn again and blew into it, the sharp sound cutting through everything and snapping the group back into place once more.
The road to Dragomir Castle was quiet, the kind of silence that made even small noises stand out more than they should. The group moved forward, though calling it a formation would have been generous. Takeo walked ahead with the orb held close, trying to stay focused on the path while occasionally glancing back at Orion, who remained near him, steady as ever but clearly aware that the group behind them was already falling apart.
Ragnar had picked up a long branch somewhere along the way and was dragging it against the ground, letting it scrape loudly over rocks and roots without a care. Every few steps he would swing it at something nearby, testing it like it was a weapon worth keeping. Byron kept walking beside him, posture straight, patience thinning just enough to show in his voice as he asked him to stop, only to be ignored almost immediately.
Off the path, Bear wandered in and out of the group’s line, occasionally stopping to inspect something before returning without explanation. At one point he drifted too close and nearly bumped into Blood Eyes, who stepped aside at the last second and shot him an annoyed look, already on edge from Ragnar’s noise. She kept scanning the surroundings, clearly the only one taking the idea of an ambush seriously.
Johanna walked as if none of it concerned her, maintaining perfect composure despite the uneven ground, though the faint irritation in her expression became more noticeable every time Ragnar made another unnecessary sound. Takeo eventually turned slightly, trying to get everyone’s attention and suggesting they stay together, but the idea didn’t seem to land on anyone except Orion.
By the time they continued forward, nothing had really changed. The group was still loud, scattered, and barely coordinated, yet somehow still moving in the right direction.
Somehow, they managed to reach Dragomir Castle with their necks still intact, though the situation in front of the entrance made it clear things would not be simple. The main gate was sealed by a powerful spell, an invisible barrier that warped the air around the frame and made the stone itself feel unreachable.
Johanna was the first to try, she quickly scanned her list of spells, chose one with confidence, and cast it against the barrier. The magic struck the seal and immediately dispersed, rebounding with enough force to throw her backward. The failed attempt left her momentarily unsteady, and Blood Eyes could not help but let out a quiet, mocking laugh.
Ragnar stepped forward next without hesitation, approaching the gate as if sheer force might solve the problem. She shoved against it, then struck it, then tried again with more weight behind her movements, but the barrier remained completely unmoved. The magic did not react to strength at all, as if it simply erased the idea of force from the equation.
Byron took a slower approach, he studied the structure, the flow of the enchantment, and eventually pointed out a side window that did not carry the same magical pressure. It was locked, but unlike the main gate, it showed no visible protective spell. That small detail shifted the group’s attention.
Blood Eyes moved immediately. She pulled out her tools and worked the lock with careful precision, her movements steady and controlled until a soft click confirmed it was open. The window gave just enough space for them to slip inside, and one by one the party entered the castle.
What none of them noticed was the almost invisible thread that snapped the moment they crossed the threshold. It was subtle, barely a change in the air, too small to be perceived at the time, but the terrible vampyre was already aware of their intromission.
The moment they stepped deeper into the castle, the corridor seemed to tighten around them, the dim light barely enough to reveal the stone walls ahead. There was a faint click beneath their feet accompanied with thousands of infernal hizzings, and before anyone could react properly, sections of the floor gave way. Ragnar lurched forward on instinct, barely catching the edge as the stone beneath him collapsed into darkness, his grip straining as debris fell past him. Blood Eyes moved immediately, grabbing his arm and pulling him back up with a sharp motion forcing him onto solid ground just as more of the floor cracked away.
The sound that followed came from below, a low, unnatural hiss that grew into something worse as pale figures began to climb from the pit. Their movements were wrong, limbs twisting at angles that should not have worked, fingers digging into the stone as they pulled themselves upward. Takeo reacted first, stepping forward and striking one as it reached the edge, forcing it back before it could fully rise. Orion moved in sync with him, positioning himself between him and the others, his shield catching the next creature that lunged toward them, stopping it cold before pushing it away.
Ragnar did not wait for space to clear, he tore a loose piece of a broken torch stand from the wall and swung it with full force, knocking one of the climbing figures back into the pit, but the hit was clumsy and a debris hit Johanna in the head, making her lose a considerable amount of hp for her character, the metal bent from the impact, but he kept using it anyway, turning every movement into a wide, aggressive strike that made it difficult for anything to approach him directly. Bear charged next, his elk form filling the narrow space as he lowered his head and drove forward, slamming into one of the creatures and sending it crashing into the wall hard enough to crack the stone. The force of the movement nearly threw off the balance of the group, forcing Blood Eyes to adjust her footing as she slipped past him or else be run over, using the opening to strike quickly at another before pulling away again, still the massive movement that Bear forced her to do leave her without an option to retreat.
Byron stepped forward into what little space remained stable, his focus steady despite the chaos unfolding around him, his voice carried through the corridor as he called upon his magic, a faint glow spreading across the group, reinforcing them just enough to keep their movements controlled. Johanna followed with her own approach, her expression tightening as she raised a hand and released a concentrated burst of magic that struck the edge of the pit itself, collapsing part of it and dragging two of the creatures back into the darkness below, as both mages used their magic, their spells clashed reducing the effectiveness of both.
The fight lacked any real coordination, each movement overlapping with the next. Bear’s charges forced constant repositioning, Ragnar’s wide swings created as much danger for his allies as for the enemies, and Blood Eyes wove through it all to take advantage of whatever openings appeared without consideration of their peers. Even so, the pressure they applied was relentless, one by one, the creatures were forced back, losing ground until the last of them slipped and disappeared into the pit below.
The corridor fell quiet again, but they knew it wasn't the end, as the floor no longer felt stable. Half the floor was gone, the remaining stone fractured and uneven, forcing them to stand closer together than before. Dust still drifted through the air, and far below, something continued to move, faint but present.
Back in the real world, Kitasan Black reached into her bag and pulled out a cup filled with grape juice along with a makeshift bat-like cape, throwing it over her shoulders as she straightened in her seat. She lowered her voice as much as she could, forcing a dramatic tone that carried across the table. “Filthy mortals… do you still believe you stand a chance against the great Black Sun?”
Inside the game, the voice came from below deep, echoing through the broken corridor, the remaining vampires froze for a brief moment, then began to retreat, their bodies crumbling into dust as they moved, flowing backward toward the pit as if being pulled by something unseen. The ones that had fallen before did not stay gone, their remains lifting from the ground in faint, drifting particles that followed the same path.
The movement did not stop at the edge, the dust gathered, thickening, condensing, until it began to take shape. What had once been separate forms merged together into something far larger, a towering humanoid mass built from shifting ash and fragments of shadow, its presence swallowing the space around it into the form of a man.
At the table, Kitasan leaned forward slightly, clearly enjoying the moment as she committed fully to the role. “The Black Sun will eclipse everything tonight.”
The corridor seemed to darken in response, as if the very light was being pulled inward toward the forming entity. The fight they had just survived suddenly felt small in comparison to what now stood before them.
The presence of the Black Sun crushed the space around them the moment it fully took form, the corridor darkened as if the light itself had been swallowed, the towering mass of ash and shadow shifting with a slow, unnatural rhythm. There was no hesitation this time. It moved first.
Takeo stepped forward on instinct, blade ready, but the moment he closed the distance, the creature reacted and with a single motion,a wave of force slammed into him, throwing him backward across the broken stone. He hit the ground hard, the orb barely staying in his grasp as the impact knocked the air from his lungs.
Orion tried to intercept, raising his shield and positioning himself between Takeo and the entity, but the difference in scale was immediate. The next strike came down with overwhelming force, cracking against the shield and driving him to one knee. The impact echoed through the corridor, and for the first time, his stance broke under the pressure.
Ragnar rushed in without thinking, gripping what remained of his bent and broken weapon and swinging with everything he had. The blow connected, but it barely mattered. The mass absorbed the hit, shifting slightly before lashing out in return. Ragnar was caught mid-motion and sent crashing into the wall, the stone behind him fracturing from the force.
Bear charged next, lowering his antlers and committing fully to the attack, but even his weight meant nothing here. The creature met him head-on, stopping the charge abruptly before throwing him aside as if he weighed nothing, his massive form skidded across the floor, struggling to regain footing and losing his wild form.
Blood Eyes tried to adapt, circling as she had before, searching for any weakness in the shifting body. She moved in for a precise strike, aiming for a point where the form seemed thinner, but the moment she committed, the surface shifted again to face her head on. The counter came instantly, catching her off guard and sending her sliding across the ground, her momentum broken.
Johanna stepped forward, frustration cutting through her composure as she gathered her magic. She released a concentrated blast, stronger than before, forcing the creature to recoil slightly, the form destabilizing for a brief second. It was the first sign that anything they did could have an effect, but it wasn’t enough. The mass reformed almost immediately, denser than before, as if adapting to her attack.
Behind them, Byron was already struggling, he had been casting continuously, reinforcing, stabilizing his party and trying to keep everyone standing, but the glow around his hands had grown weaker with each attempt. He tried again, focusing on Orion first, then Takeo, but the light flickered and failed before it could fully take hold. His breathing grew uneven as he looked at his hands, realizing there was nothing left to give. “I… I can’t heal anymore,” he said, the words quieter than he intended, but heavy enough to settle over the group, and that was when everything began to fall apart.
Takeo tried to stand again, forcing himself forward despite the pain, but the next strike came faster than before, knocking him down before he could even reach the creature. Orion pushed himself back up, raising his shield once more, but his movements had slowed, the weight of repeated impacts catching up to him, the last hit left him on the verge of death. Ragnar attempted another charge, reckless as ever, but this time there was no follow-through, only another brutal hit that left him sprawled across the fractured floor.
Bear struggled to rise, his elk form unsteady now, while Blood Eyes attempted to move again, only to be forced back before she could find another opening. Johanna remained standing the longest, her magic flaring one last time in defiance, but even that was swallowed, her final attack dispersing against the mass before a crushing force sent her to the ground.
Back in the real world, the tension broke almost immediately.
Scarlet leaned forward, clearly annoyed. “This is all Vodka’s fault, she said. “You’re the one who refused to take healing spells”, said Vodka with anger.
Scarlet shot back without hesitation, arms crossed and completely unapologetic. “Don’t look at me, that’s Suzuka’s job.”
The argument started to build from there, voices overlapping as everyone tried to assign blame, the frustration of the loss spilling out all at once. Before it could escalate any further, Kitasan Black grabbed her little horn and blew into it again, the sharp sound cutting through the noise and forcing everyone to stop.
“Girls, don’t fight. This encounter is designed so you can win with what you already have.”
That line made them pause.
“What we already have…”
Back in the game, Takeo forced himself up, his body still heavy from the impact, and reached into his bag. His hand closed around the orb, its faint glow pulsing weakly as he stepped toward Orion, who was barely holding himself up.
“My love… I can’t lose you. I’ll use the Orb of Positivity on you.”
Orion looked at him, still steady despite everything, and shook his head. “Don’t be foolish. We have to save these people, you said it yourself.”
Takeo’s grip tightened. “I don’t want to go home without you, you’re everything to me.”
At the table, Teio and McQueen were still holding hands, and almost without thinking, they leaned in and shared a brief, quiet kiss.
Kitasan’s eyes lit up the moment she saw it, she didn’t hesitate to incorporate this moment into the narrative.
“The orb reacts to the love between Takeo and Orion.”
Back in the game, the faint light of the orb surged suddenly, expanding outward in a warm, overwhelming glow that pushed back the oppressive darkness of the Black Sun, the energy spread across the entire party, wrapping around each of them, restoring what had been lost. Wounds closed, strength returned, and the weight that had kept them down vanished all at once.
“All your characters gain one level. Your health and magic are fully restored.”
At the table, Special Week leaned forward, eyes wide. “Wait… that means…”
Kitasan smiled. “Yes, you can turn into a bear now.”
Back in the game, the shift was immediate, Bear’s form changed again, larger, heavier, the presence of the great beast replacing the elk with something far more imposing. This time, when he moved, it carried real weight behind it. He charged without hesitation, crashing into the Black Sun with a force that finally pushed it back, the mass of shadows breaking apart slightly under the impact.
Ragnar grabbed the nearest piece of debris again, this time a chunk of broken stone, and hurled it forward before rushing in behind it. His attacks were still wild, still unrefined, but now they landed harder, each strike forcing the creature to react instead of simply ignoring him.
Blood Eyes moved with sharper intent, no longer trying to impress the party, she slipped through the shifting edges of the creature, striking at the moments where its form destabilized under the others’ attacks, each hit precisely, building on the openings created by the chaos around her.
Johanna raised both hands this time, no longer holding back, her magic gathering into something far more concentrated. When she released it, the blast tore through part of the Black Sun’s form, scattering fragments of shadow and forcing it to recoil further than before.
Byron stepped forward once more, the light in his hands restored, his voice stronger now as he called upon his magic again. The glow returned to the group reinforcing them, keeping them standing as the fight regained momentum.
At the center of it all, Takeo and Orion moved together again, no longer struggling to keep up. Orion held the line, absorbing the creature’s strikes while Takeo pressed forward, each attack aimed with renewed confidence. The orb’s light still lingered faintly around them, as if the bond that had awakened it had not fully faded, the Black Sun lashed out again, but this time the group did not break, they pushed forward, and for the first time since it had appeared, the creature was no longer in control of the fight.
The Black Sun gathered itself for a final strike, revealing his true demon-like form, “Fools, your intromission will not go unpunished ”Orion stepped forward without hesitation, placing himself directly in its path, shield raised and stance unyielding. Takeo moved with him, close enough to feel the steady presence at his side, the orb in his hand beginning to glow brighter with each passing second.
When the creature struck, Orion met it head-on, holding the impact in place through sheer resolve, the force pushed against him, but he did not move, creating the opening Takeo needed. Without breaking stride, Takeo stepped past him, the light of the orb surging forward as his blade cut straight into the core of the monster, ensuring his demise.
The moment the strike landed, the light broke through, tearing the Black Sun apart from within. Its form collapsed rapidly, releasing enormous amounts of infernal energy.
Silence settled over the corridor, Takeo turned back to the orb, the glow fading from his hands. Orion was still there, steady as always, there was no need for words between the two of them. Takeo stepped closer, closing the distance between him and his loved one, and rested his forehead gently against Orion’s chest, a quiet breath escaping him as everything finally caught up, Orion lowered his shield with one hand finding Takeo’s, holding it firmly as if to make sure he was truly there.
For a moment, they stayed like that, close, grounded, untouched by anything else, before Takeo leaned in just enough to steal a soft kiss, fulfilling the promise of returning back together.
Back in the real world, everyone at the table watched as McQueen and Teio shared yet another kiss, this time without even trying to hide anything. It was the third time, and at this point it wasn’t subtle anymore. Kitasan cleared her throat, trying to regain control of the session while still smiling. “Well… the Black Sun is dead, so… congratulations. You’ve saved the Sword Coast.”
The moment was broken by applause, light and amused, which finally made McQueen and Teio pull back, both a little embarrassed but clearly not regretful. Spe leaned back in her chair, still excited about the epic final encounter. “Alright… so what is our prize?”
Kitasan paused for a second, then reached into her bag again. “Well… I brought cookies. They’re really good.”
There was a brief silence as that answer settled in. One by one everyone took a cookie. They were, in fact, very good, but there was a shared feeling that the journey had been a bit more intense than the reward suggested. Still, no one complained out loud.
Kitasan, still riding the excitement, leaned forward slightly. “So… do you all want to play again next week?”
They exchanged glances, some more hesitant than others. McQueen answered first saying what everybody else was thinking “How about if we do this once a month?”
Kitasan nodded quickly, accepting it without hesitation. “Yeah, that works.”
Chairs shifted as everyone began to stand, the energy of the game slowly fading into the quiet routine of the evening. Gold Ship stretched and shook her head. “Next time I’m not painting myself green. That was too much, even for me.”
McQueen and Teio walked out together, still holding hands. Before leaving completely, Teio glanced back at Kitasan with a small smile. “That was fun, can Takeo and Orion stay together next session?”
Kitasan didn’t even need to think about it. “In my book, the greatest heroes of the Sword Coast lived happily ever after.”That seemed like a good enough answer. The three of them lingered just long enough to make sure everything was in order, turning off the lights before heading out, leaving the room quiet again, the echoes of the adventure settling into memory.