Part 29: Taking on the Demon.


Hashs old sword is extremely nice, and the one he started with will make a good hand-me-down for Oersted. Our young knight also steals the helmet, and swaps their other gear.


Like so. Cant have anyone getting confused about who the protagonist is, right?


While we trek down the mountain again, lets examine Hashs moveset. We know the first three, and Jump Shot is a simple high-damage instant move that can only be used at a range of exactly three.

The other four all have charge times, so heres some angelic healing while we wait.

Death Trail is an Evil Tech, which apparently means that it will do a lot of damage, but lower Hashs level after use. Much like Aylas Dodegesden, this makes it most useful as a finisher.

Dragon Sword hits foes on the diagonal up to three spaces away, which can be handy if enemies line up correctly.

Hash also has a nice 5x5 move in Razor Sonic. All in all, a pretty good moveset.
...Oh right, Spindle. It doesnt do much damage, but it does turn enemies and Hash can instant-cast it as a counter. And free damage is never bad (when youre the one dealing it).

The new generation of heroes have been picking up some tricks as well; Straybow learned Purple Mist at level 6, which delevels and lowers the IQ of a target while dealing damage. Oersteds level 5 was Sword Wind, which gives him a decent ranged option.

Encage is a 5x5 attack centred on Oersted, capable of locking hand and foot techs on any survivors. Its great for clearing out fodder.
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Back down in the forest, theres a secret on the south side. A ways east of Familia village, theres a path hidden among these trees.

Weaving through them brings us to this secret grove, where ten Naorigusa await us. (AlphaKretin helpfully told me that means healing grass.) The nice thing about these particular plants is that they respawn whenever you exit and reenter the screen, so we can stockpile a whole bunch of the things. That makes this chapter much, much easier.

Ah, such a classic phrase. 14th century even.

Imposing. Question is How do we get in?




Ah, of course. Using the sword as a key.

...Okay, that .gif is funnier to me than it should be.


Enough of that silliness though. Lets head inside.


Skull lanterns, creepy music, dark cave. Yep, its a Demons hideout alright.
Its not very long though if you arent going down all the side paths for treasure. For progress, we want to start going west.

Devils Peak has its own set of encounters, with EXP values of 4-9. Lesser Dragons are pretty meh unless you stand on the diagonal, where they can slaughter you with their fiery breath. They can at least take some punishment with their 196 HP.


Avoid the opening off to the side and head up the stairs, which takes us through a door into the next screen.

...Sure, game. Whatever you say.

Oersted hits level 7, and learns a bit of crowd control with Moon Down. Its alright.

Next intersection, were going through the northern opening.

Bypassing a whole bunch of other paths, head for the far right.

Through a little adjoining room.

And into somewhere thats starting to look more like ruins than just a cave. Heading left again

And again. (Sorry if this part is rather dry. Offering directions without having new random encounters or something to sprinkle in is eh. Im not sure how people who regularly LP JRPGs do it.)

Ah, here we go. Were nearly at the end of the dungeon. Just right, up and around

Show off Straybows other charged tech, Blue Squall (Have you noticed they all start with a colour yet?)

Oh, and heres Spindle kicking in as a counter. Speaking of counters, Oersted learns one at the end of this fight. Its called Mirror Drive.

Alright, now were ready to take on the Demon! Lets go!

...Well now. Doesnt this look familiar?

And in the next room, the Demon awaits.



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So, this goofy-looking beastie is the Demon Lord. He hits like a truck, throws around status effects and takes very little damage.
Unless you know the secret to this fight, that is.

That secret is using Death Trail. It wont do much damage to him the first time.

But it will prompt him to use Barrier Burst. Uranus can cure the Stone effect, and using it absolutely cripples the Demon Lords defences.

It does nothing to blunt his offence, but you have to take what you can get.

Oersted and Straybow dont actually have much to contribute to this fight; just let Hash deal all the damage and have Uranus keep him healthy. A second dose of Death Trail can do 400-600 damage, and the Demon King only has 720 HP.

The only way this can really go south is if Uranus bites it too early, because we only have the one Joshua Seed. But you may well still be able to power through with Hash.
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What do you mean, not the Demon?

...And why are you suddenly clutching your chest?








Oh, right














Rest in peace, Hash.






But

Crap!




So, to summarise We did not kill the true Demon. We did not rescue the Princess. And we did not make it out without losing half our party.
We are the worst Heroes.
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...I dont think Oersted feels very mighty right now.




Thank you, your Highness.

Perhaps a little rest will help
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Hey, wasnt that Straybow?


Its no use. Well have to go after him alone.

!!!

Have at thee fiend ?

Oh.
Oh God.







Well, fuck.







Oh, come on now

They scream as Oersted takes even a single step toward them, and back up again.

Which wakes Uranus.




This this is quickly going from bad to worse.







Youre really not helping our case here, Uranus! He is right, though Theres nothing Oersted can do but run.

Oersted has become a victim of some vile deception.



Branded as a Demon.


Dont open the door!

Please, leave us alone!

Hurry, hide our daughter!

Feared and hated by those who had believed in him.


Cast out
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Where can he go now?

Royal soldiers still pursue him.



Self-reflection offers little comfort.








It seems that all have abandoned him.



Really What else is there to do?