Makai Kingdom: So it shall be written, so it shall be liveblogged

@Endark: Since Salome's caught a nasty case of the Imabouttodies, my guess is that she only has X number of days to get her wish before either she or Zetta bites it.

Or perhaps she was shot in the head by one too many Dying Willpower bullets...

edited 29th Nov '10 2:06:05 PM by WillyFourEyes

Stage 9-3: Salome's Emotion

Zetta and his lackeys continue to press forward against the opposition. Vanessa hops into the Hellpha and uses a Cyclone attack on the Specter and Muscle Demon that greet them upon landing.

"Ohh...I feel dizzy..." she says. The Hellpha responds by converting the energy it stole from the enemies it attacked into nanomachines.

Graz hisses as a Mimic approaches, and strikes it down with his nunchaku.

"Hey!" Io yells. "That monster had some sweet treasure on it! You should have let me steal from it first!"

The group eventually reaches a dead end, realizing that they still have more enemies to kill. They try to get around this by having Satan toss Zetta a few yards to the south and summon Miyako into battle, only to learn that the ground is haunted by restless spirits, who punish the group for treaspassing by using powerful magic against them.

Stage 9-4: Salome's Battle

The group finds itself at an enemy outpost, guarded by a group of powerful Demon Soldiers, a Factory on the north side and an Academy on the south side. The heroes begin by cleaning out the initial riff-raff, drawing out a pair of Justice Gears and a pair of fast-leveling Watchers. The heroes demonstrate that they are not to be toed with, as they use some of their most powerful techniques against the defenders and win easily.

After the battle, Seedle comes by to mock Zetta for pursuing Salome, and then claims that he wants to be the one to kill her. Zetta asks why he hates Salome so much, and Seedle tells him that it was because she killed him, a once-famous samurai, for not submitting to his "desires". Zetta calls him a bastard for admitting that he was willing to "take her by force". Seedle says he won't rest until he's gotten his revenge. Alex comes down and interrupts their fight, still angry at Salome for interrupting his "fated final confrontation" with Zetta.

"Geez," says Meredith. "How much longer are we going to have to put up with this in-fighting? I'm ready to retire."

Steve scratches his head. "Oh, I'd guess about five or six more levels."

New Map Effects

• So it is: Summons a group of Ghosts.

Poor Steve. He's like head nurse of an asylum run by the patients.

Don't worry...we're not that much further from the end. The next few stages were done in continuous succession, since there are no cutscenes between them.

Stage 9-5: Salome's Decision

An angry mob forms around the Sacred Tome once it hands.

"Oh, boy..." says Nabiki. "We're in trouble now! Just look at their power levels!"

"What about their power levels?" asks Lucca. "They're barely over 70. Nothing we can't handle."

Steve grins sinisterly, and leaps into the fray! Slashing furiously, he leads a charge to try and get rid of as many enemies as he can.

"It doesn't look like a one-turn victory is in the cards," he says, "but I think we did a pretty job, don't you?"

The enemy fighters ar eall collapsed on the ground, moaning "You bastard..." over and over.

"A bit sloppy, yeah," said Meredith, "but it got the job done. Good work, boss."

Kashiwa puts her hand to Meredith's forehead. "Are you feeling all right? This amount of gratitude is unusual, even for you."

"Hey...just because I can be a bit boorish at times doesn't mean that I can't express gratitude when it's called for, you know."

"Right. My apologies. Let's move on. We don't have much time."

Stage 9-6: Salome's Psyche

The group reaches a desolate courtyard, where a group of professors come by in new and unfamiliar war machines.

"TX-5 Hopsters and FX-7 Skydivers? In this part of the Netherworld?" Bob yells. "I've never seen anything like it!"

"It would be nice to have something like that in our arsenal," says Lucca, "but since we don't, we'll just have to smash them to pieces so that they can't be used against us."

The jumping and flying machines approach Zetta's base camp rapidly.

"What are you waiting for?" says Io. "Crush them!"

"Hold on," says Steve. "We don't know what they're capable of yet. If we go in rushing too soon, they'll tear us apart."

The delaying tactic works, as Zetta's army's strength in numbers overpowers the machines of impending doom, leaving the soldier women to grumble amongst themselves, blaming each other for their loss.

"We'd better warn Lady Salome," says one. "It doesn't look like Zetta's going to give up as easily, either."

Stage 9-7: Fearless Salome

An eerie calm surrounds the wasteland near Zetta's position. Everyone wonders if they finally have Salome on the run, but groups of angry demons on the west and east sides give them pause. Steve and Meredith use this opportunity to try to build their mana power to absurd levels.

Stage 9-8: Salome's Soiree

"Four straight battles without breaks?" says Nabiki. "I feel exhausted just watching you guys."

She "accidentally" drives over an enemy Watcher to try to vent her frustration. However, there are about a half-dozen more lying in wait. Two of them trick Miyako into playing "catch" with a bomb. Since she's built up her strength so high, she doesn't suffer any permanent injuries.

After a few turns, a Night Gaunt lumbers forth to attempt to attempt to ruin the party's fun, but the leaders come out just in time to break up any attempts to even the odds.

Stage 9-9: Determined Salome

Zetta's army draws closer, as they reach the front gate of Salome's castle. A group of determined guards (mostly consisting of priestesses and spear-wielding slimes) try to block the entrance.

"None shall pass," says one of them.

Tessa pulls in front of them riding the Justice Gear. "Oh yeah? Well, Our boss wants to have a chat with your boss."

"Did you not hear me? I said, 'None shall pass'."

"And didn't you hear me? Take us to see Lady Salome, or you're going to have a date with Mr. Omega Laser."

Salome's priestess nods, and lays down her arms as Tessa uses the laser cannon to vaporize every last one of them.

Zetta breaks out into his loudest, most boisterous Evil Laugh yet. "I told you...I'm the baddest freakin' Overlord that ever lived! You think a few measly grunts is going to stop me, Salome! You were my pupil once. You should know better than this! Now, it's time to end this foolishness!"

Nabiki parks her doom buggy outside of her shop, right before falling asleep in front of the wheel. "Can we do this tomorrow, Lord Zetta?" she says sleepily. "I'm...ready to...count some sheepies..."

"NO!" Zetta booms loudly. "You can't just up and quit now! We're at the end game! Salome's temple is just within reach. All we have to do is kill her and this will be all over with...I think."

"You don't sound 100% certain, Lord Zetta," says Steve. "Are you sure there's not something else we need to be prepared for?"

"O-of course I'm sure! Now prepare your best weapons and armor and move out!"

"SIR, YES SIR!"

The others get behind Steve and follow him toward the Death Temple where Salome is waiting for them, red carpet, wedding dress and all. Zetta is freaked out by Salome's absurdly quick preparation, and tries to formulate a plan to stop her. She is steadfast in her determination to have her last wish granted. Since they're both dying, there's little else she wants at this point. Zetta says that he'll never choose death. Disappointed to hear this, Salome sheds her wedding dress and dares him to kill her.

Stage 9-10: The Death Temple (Final Battle)

Salome is severaly weakened from her encounter with Alexander, but still rather powerful, with about a dozen demon soldiers flanking her. Her demon retinue is equipped with powerful artifacts that the group hasn't seen much of until now.

Steve comes out first and tries to eliminate the magic-using Liches first (with some assistant from Chef Mugen), as Omega-level magic is one of the last things he wants to worry about at the moment. Some of the other party members pitch in and take out most of Salome's vanguard.

"I'm waiting, Zetta...my love," says Salome. "Why won't you come and get me? It's obviously what you really want, isn't it?"

"No way, Lady!" says Meredith. You come first."

Steve and his party wait for the guards to wade through the blood-stained carpet, and right into range of a combination strike from the crew.

"Oh God, oh God, oh God..." says Meredith.

"What is it, Merry?"

Steve looks ahead and sees Salome staring right at him, flipping through the pages of her Note of Death. Her wizardly assistant makes one last ditch effort to stop them, but is wiped out by Tessa's favorite Omega Laser.

"Ha! Now you're defenseless, Salome!" says Steve. "Just cut it out and let us end this game already."

Salome laughs. "A game? Do you think I'd waste my final wish on some silly little game? I was once one of Zetta's greatest pupils. You would be surprised at how much pain I can inflict on all of you. When I'm finished, you'll be begging for someone like Zetta to destroy the Sacred Tome again."

"You talk too much," says Astral. "If you're so willing to die, then stand still as I—"

"—try to cast cast Omega Fire on me? Pfft. I've seen brighter fires on matches," she sneers as Astral's fireball bounces right off her and into parts unknown.

Tessa tries to shoot her with another Omega Laser, but the Justice Gear breaks down. "Oh, man...ran out of juice."

"Forget about magic..." Zetta shouts. "Just dogpile on her...quickly! And most importantly, DON'T LET HER TOUCH THE SACRED TOME! If she damages that, we're all going to die."

"You heard the old dood!" says Charlie. "Beat her down so that we can all go home!"

Salome attempts to zap them with an Omega-level magic spell, but is frozen in shock as, like a bolt of lightning, Steve and his elite team come rushing toward her all at once. Steve finishes her off with a Moon Slash from the distance, and then twirls his sword around triumphantly.

"Pretty cool, huh?" he says.

Everyone begins to cheer and celebrate their victory as Salome falls to the ground, coughing up even more blood than she did previously.

"Don't worry...this is exactly what I wanted..." she says. "When I found out I was dying, it frightened me. It wasn't death that I feared...I was afraid that I would die without telling you...I wanted to die in the arms of my beloved. My wish was to die in your embrace..."

"But didn't you just say—"

"'Die in your embrace', yeah, yeah, we got that part," says Meredith. "But why go through all that trouble?"

"That's screwed up!" says Zetta.

"I know it sounds crazy..." Salome continues, "but, I can't pretend I didn't want that. That's just how much...I love you."

"Shhh!" says Io. "It looks like they're having an 'Overlord moment' right now, if you know what I mean. Maybe we should sit this one out. We're not the heroes, after all."

"'Overlord moment'?" says Steve. "I don't get it."

Salome musters enough of her remaining energy to lift her head and ask, "Tell me, Zetta...do you love me?"

Zetta says nothing.

"That's my Lord Zetta...The invincible Overlord that I...loved." More blood starts to drip from her mouth. "Zetta, I see it...I can see your body...manly and strong, just like always...Fight the curse, my love. Please...live on, for me... I love you, Zetta. I always will... This is the last thing that I can do for you..."

With what appears to be Salome's dying breath, Zetta feels a powerful surge of Mana energy welling up within him...the same feeling he got when he became the strongest Overlord.

When he goes back to meet with the other Overlords once again, he is shocked to find out from Pram and Trenia that Salome is really, truly dead... Pram, for the first time during this whole conflict, is worried for him, worried that he hasn't been himself. She now blames herself for rewriting the Sacred Tome. Zetta asks her what he should do next - either remove the curse or restore his old body. He chooses neither, and pleads for Salome's life, for he forgot to tell her something before she died.

Pram is convinced that "something" is really "I love you", but Zetta vehemently denies it. Reviving Salome is out of her hands, and she admits that she only knew what was going to happen because she cheated and read ahead. After that brief moment of reflection, she demands to use the Sacred Tome. Zetta realizes that though Salome was only human, she was still an Overlord-class being, and restoring her life would take a colossal sacrfice. Pram offers to write the wish, but it disappeared from the tome shortly after writing it...she couldn't muster enough Mana power to make it come true. She gets angry and busts open the gate of the dead by...apparently turning Super Saiyan 3. Zetta and Trenia are able to faintly see Salome's spirit, but Seedle comes out of nowhere and sneak-attacks Pram, closing the gate. Seedle knows that Salome had been feeding Zetta all of her mana power ever since she left everyone behind, and implies that it's all Zetta's fault she was dying in the first place.

"Salome loved a man who was too caught up in his own power to realize she was dying! What a tragic ending...Was it worth it, Zetta?! Was all that power worth it? The only reason you're the strongest Overlord is because you've been stealing Salome's power!"

Alex comes to...Zetta's defense? (!!!) and tells him to kill Seedle and shut him up...and then says "screw it" and smashes Seedle with a Bolt of Divine Retribution.

Zetta can't believe Salome had been giving him her power all this time...and chooses not to forgive her because she didn't ask him first. He threatens to give her a "stern talking to" should he be able to wish her back to life, but then laments his existence as "a stupid book that used to be a fake Overlord that a dead human woman created..."

Trenia has had enough, and can't believe that she's stuck walking among the Overlords. She says that "he's done well", and it's time for her to change back...into the Sacred Tome, for she is its spirit and was pushed out when Zetta confined himself to it. Of course, this means that she had total knowledge of everything that was going to happen, but couldn't - or didn't - do anything about it (For the Lulz, naturally). In a strange turn, Trenia thanks Zetta for freeing her from the book. She didn't like him at first because all he cared about was being the strongest Overlord, and wanted to see what would happen if he lost it all. As an "apology", she prepares to Confine her soul back to the Sacred Tome...

...and everything appears to be back to normal...kinda. Trenia...er, the Tome implores him to write his wish down. His last memories of Salome come rushing back to him as he ponders his final wish:

"...You haven't changed at all."

"...Don't you love me, Zetta?"

"Can you...do me a favor?"

"My love... Won't you die with me?"

"Soon, the curse will end your life. Let's die here, and stay together for all eternity..."

"Heh...I knew...you wouldn't answer me..."

The last page in the tome reads...

My beloved Salome will be revived in my name, Lord Zetta.

Roll credits and GOOD ENDING marquee.

After the credits, Zetta meets with Pram, Alexander and Salome in the Forbidden Library.

"Two days to live? How can I still be alive?"

"The One's curse should have taken effect by now," says Pram.

Alex notes that it's actually been five days since Zetta was cursed by The One, and really should have died. Pram thinks "The One" was a fake.

"Will the real The One please stand up?"

Says Ophelia: "It's a secret to everybody! ...Micky and Dryzen don't even know...Oh ho ho ho ho ho!"

edited 1st Dec '10 6:37:23 PM by WillyFourEyes

And so, another wonderful Liveblog has reached its conclusion. Perhaps the adventures of Steve and friends has come to an end, but the journey along the way was a wonderful one. Way to go, dood!

Everything is, in fact, cuter with penguins.