Part 141: December 15 - Epilogue: She-Who-Invites

U.T. Raptor posted:

You should have dated Marie, because there's no penalty for doing so and so we could see it

In response to the insistence, nay, demands of the people for "more waifus," here's shacking up with Lady Izanami.

-Girl of the Hollow Forest-


It's up to you.
Jerk...Make them with me...Please, I want to make them with you...
...I don't have to worry, huh? Even if I don't have memories, I can make more.
Haha, thank you...I'm sorry, it's just that I'm happy.

> It seems Marie has cheered up...


Still, you really are a weird person. You're so busy, and yet you still take time to take care of me...Why do you do that?

> Marie looks at you with anticipation...However, you are already in a relationship with another girl...

...Why?


That's a lie...I won't believe just words.






I hate that part of you. I really hate it...I thought I hated it.

> You can feel Marie's heart pounding...There's no turning back...

...I gain another memory. Hey, stay like this for a little while longer. So that...I won't forget. It's okay, right...?

> After spending some time with Marie, you escort her back to the Velvet Room...

-Like A Dream Come True-

> You brought Marie to your room...


Hehhh...Huhhh...
These are just more "Hmm" noises. Despite what it may seem, she's not actually about to telekinetically heave Sanzo out the window and then say "The Nose never told you what happened to your father..."

> Marie is looking around your room...

Bored?
I'm not bored. It's just that there's a lot of funny stuff here. What do you use these for? Tell me about them later, okay?

> Marie seems very interested...

Okay...I now have another memory. A new memory that doesn't have anything to do with the old me...
It really does make me happy...
Look...I couldn't remember anything. I was fretting, anxious...I took it out on you...I'm sorry.
But...I'm okay now. Let's make lots of memories...Memories so fun, I won't care about the past anymore.
Leave it to me.
*giggle* Well, yeah. I can't do it without you.
So...You'd better lead the way.

> Marie smiles devilishly...

Oh yeah...Here.
I don't need to worry anymore...So I'm giving this to you.

> Obtained Old Bamboo Comb.

Finding my memories, making new ones...Either way, I'll be with you, right? So...I want you to have this.

> You can sense Marie's passionate love...



-The Path is Open-



See, if a girl's really crazy about you, she'll say "Have a comb, yo."




But...I know you're different. No matter how thick the fog is, even if you're misguided by lies and illusions, I know you can find "the truth"...I'm cheering for you.
That's definitely a better closing for the Social Link than the "Fuck it, Dude, let's go bowling" spiel you get if you're just friends. On the other hand, you miss out on her single best line--"I'm really counting on you, so let me just say: stupid, I hate you."
So...What do we do? You're going to make new memories with me, right? Memories of the two of us...

> You and Marie spent a long time together...

Izanami still vanishes the second you beat down Ameno-sagiri--no Twilight Saga boxed sets on Christmas Eve, no black studded New Year's kimonos with "You laugh because I'm different, I laugh because you're all the same" written on the back.

Speaking of which, if you've been two-timing and you draw a New Year's fortune while thinking impure thoughts, normally the result is "Curse--Limit yourself to one person." The Tatsuhime gods are sex-positive, but they still frown on Goodtime Charlies. Izanami doesn't trip that flag, though, which is predictable, but still a little disappointing. I guess maybe since she's from the shadow world, she counts as one of those "fictive headmates."

There are only a few tiny little changes in the rest of the game: the fever dream...



V-Day...


I want to be with you forever and ever...I love you...I love you so much...

> You smell the sweet aroma of chocolate...You spent some time with Marie...

...and the epilogue.

-Everyday Sunshine-








Uhh...Was that...?
D-Did she just confess her love...on a public news show!?
Haha, I can imagine the complaints flying in right now. Kids these days...
Wait, that was your name. If only you were so lucky, huh? Hahahahaha!
I hope you all have a goooood day tomorrow! Remember, the more you put in, the more you get out!
The more you get out!


The younger ones at the station tell me they feel motivated whenever she does that.
It's just a coincidence!
I-I see. I'm not sure why you're denying it so forcefully, but okay...

I hope this satiates everyone's burning anime desires, at least for the time being.

That leaves Izanami's mean side. Since I kind of tore through the last boss like wet tissue, we didn't get a very good look at what she can do.

Izanami uses standard skills like Megidolaon, Maziodyne, and Hamaon, but Izanami-no-Okami has some neat stuff. She mostly sticks to two different Almighty attacks. She can shred the ground with all eleventy-billion of her beef jerky arms...





...or call down lightning, like she did when Sanzo's bullshit plot powers proved superior to her own.





When her health is very low, she gets serious.











After dropping heavy damage and random ailments with World's End, Izanami-no-Okami will automatically KO anyone who's suffering an ailment.





She sticks to those four abilities until she drops to zero and starts in with Thousand Curses. If you have trouble here, just remember that Guarding prevents ailments in addition to reducing damage.