|
Keldulas posted:Speculation: Given the heavy time travel and alternate realities overlay we're given here, I'm going to guess the successful four couples from alternate realities end up meeting up through that portal they keep walking through. Seems that the game is setting that up pretty fiercely. The impression I get from the game is that the arc keeps looping back through time every 10000 years, so each of the cycles are successive. However, each of the scenarios we've seen has slightly different versions of the same people, which makes the cycles seem parallel. I hope the story addresses that.
|
#
?
Feb 26, 2013 15:43
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 25, 2024 14:01 |
|
|
 So, we are done with Eluca and Zhamo. It's just us and Ayuta and Mana now...  Interestingly enough, we can actually talk to Vahti directly at this point. This was not the case in previous chapters that we could talk to our partner (except at the very beginning of each chapter).        He was so rambunctious, we often didn't know what to do with him. We've witnessed the birth of so many new lives. And just as many deaths. Vahti... are you crying? Huh? Is something wrong? No, it's just... as these memories washed over me, I couldn't help but begin to cry... ...I understand. We have seen far too much death over the years. Even if we defeat Ayuta, it may only mean more sad memories for us. Yeah... After we defeated Zhamo... our own flesh and blood... I finally realised something. I don't want to live a life filled with nothing but battle. Olgar... And yet, we have already crushed Zhamo's dreams. We can't let ourselves give up. We will get through this alive. And when we do, we will create the kind of a world that Zhamo would have wanted. I agree.So. I guess we could talk to Ayuta and Mana...        I can't keep asking him to protect me. I need to be able to fight on my own as well... How did Escher and Musiea handle their final moments? They were both incredibly strong. No matter how tough things got for them, they never lost their cool, and they fought bravely to the end. They were as close to evolutionary perfection as humanly possible... Unfortunately for them, I simply had more experience. Even after the Executioner showed up, they tried to fight him off... but they were unsuccessful. I see. Olgar, I have repeated this process over and over, for literally millions of years. And yet, I regret nothing. I will reach my destination, no matter how many dead bodies I must climb over to do so... I decided that at the very beginning. If I look back even once... it would all come crashing down. Ayuta. Trust me, Olgar. I will show destiny that humankind will never go down without a fight. (Mana, I'm afraid we will not be going to the same place when we die...) (But if it means you can be reborn into this world, that's a sacrifice I am willing to make.) So, anybody up for a dungeon? Actually, we'll come back to that, but first let's again eavesdrop on Mana and Ayuta.          Olgar and who again?  Well, no matter about that. The dungeon is "Ancient Path of/to Death".  The puzzles are again blocks and switches, except now we have to push the blocks around instead of swapping with them.  They are not hard.  And so here is the forest turtle, for the last time.  Yep.  So, moving on to the second part of the dungeon with crystals we need to break in order to clear the path forward.   Two more puzzles that are not that interesting.  Mana and Ayuta are standing on a hill...  ...just as we approach.        Not sure how obvious this is, since even in the game there is no animation for it, but what happened is that the tremor caused Mana to fall and slide down that slope.     So we need to get to where she is. Actually, on second thought you know what, she'll be fine. We should stop for a chat.    My partner... you mean Theia? Theia... what kind of woman was she? Her genetic rank was only third-best. Technically, that should have disqualified her from becoming part of the First Couple. Genetic rank?I swear, one of these days I will replace Vahti's portrait with that of Snake. In order to determine who should be the First Couple, the people of my world conducted a population-wide test. I was ranked first and Theia was third. I'm guessing the people with the two highest genes are the only ones supposed to qualify.Yes, in fact the second ranked was that Cyllis Mackenzie person that we haven't heard much about so far. That's right. But... I just couldn't bear the idea of spending eternity with someone I didn't love. So, I rebelled. I decided that Theia was more important to me than humanity's future. So I took Theia's hand, even as she resisted, shook off pursuers, took control of the Ark... and travelled 10,000 years back in time to this planet. ...And what happened to Theia? Why, she's here. Here? Sorry, I wasn't being clear. This whole ark is Theia. What do you mean? Her mind was assimilated with the Ark. Why would she do that? For a very simple reason. Our descendants were unable to defeat the Qualia. So she agreed to abandon her body and leave only her hopes for the future. So it is her will that keeps the Ark Arena going. That's right. If her mind is part of the Ark, what happened to her body? We cloned it and put it in cold sleep. Ha ha... you must think me a sentimental fool. And you were okay with that? Of course not. Even now it makes me furious when I think of it. There's no way you could understand how I feel...Well, anyway, soon we arrive to see Mana about to be devoured by two monsters...      We're going to be doing this fight with Ayuta, but it's just an ordinary fight so nothing to worry about really.  Phew, looks like we all survived.     Why did you come help me? ...? If something had happened to you, who would fulfill your role and-- Mana!! Y-yes? That's enough. And so they go on their way.   Over here is an accessory in a chest. (Notice Mana standing around above the stairs...)  Olgar gets it because he needs all speed and luck he can get...  Now let's talk (again) to Mana.     You're right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. He needs me. Forgive me for saying so, but it doesn't seem that way... Right now, I am the only one who can help him. I see. Have you heard about Theia yet? Yes. We were told that her mind has merged with the Ark. Ayuta still has feelings for her, even after all this time. I knew it. I had a feeling. And you're okay with the man you love being in love with someone else? ...Yes. My father ordered me to marry a duke from a neighbouring country. Regardless of what I felt, I knew that it had to be done to protect our country. But... I still wanted to choose who I would marry on my own. Ayuta the stablehand was the one who took me away from the castle and rescued me. He continued to smile for me, even as he was suffering injuries inflicted by our pursuers. It went on like that for months... And then you were summoned here. Yes. Once we came to this Ark, Ayuta's memory came back. And now he's no longer the man I knew. Ayuta is cursed with an enormous burden... But even so, I feel that it is my turn to support him now. I know how you feel, I would do anything for Olgar. You... know how I feel... huh...Well, at least Mana's behaviour in this chapter now makes a bit of sense.  And finally, finally, we reach the boss of this area.  Bye.  Vahti's a bit tired...     It's kind of strange. We've been immortal for so long, I had forgotten what it was like to worry about injuries. But you know, it's kind of nice. Feeling pain again, having you care for me... Perhaps immortality causes one to forget things that should not be forgotten. Yes, I think you're right.With that said, let's go back to the bedroom to rest up a bit.    Well that's not good. It doesn't look like Ark can last for much longer...  Footsteps are heard outside...   Well, don't know about you, but I think this episode is already getting a bit long and this seems as good a place to stop as any. Next time we'll take a break from dungeons to deal with some (more) plot!
|
|
#
?
Feb 28, 2013 23:17
|
|
|
You can just hear the game developers doing their little "dramatic reveal.wav" right there.
|
|
#
?
Mar 1, 2013 00:00
|
|
|
Psion posted:You can just hear the game developers doing their little "dramatic reveal.wav" right there. Probably reveal.m4a actually. Because, y'know, iOS game...
|
|
#
?
Mar 1, 2013 00:01
|
|
|
Psion posted:You can just hear the game developers doing their little "dramatic reveal.wav" right there. You know, next time when these guys make a game, perhaps we should have Piu-Piu monitoring them, and if they try to do something similar, he could just say this:  Yes, this is a real screenshot, not a photoshop. No it's not a spoiler, despite what it looks like. We'll come to that and it will be clear.
|
|
#
?
Mar 1, 2013 01:45
|
|
|
This game is really interesting, but drat, it leaves me with just nothing to say. Really looking forward to seeing the rest.
|
|
#
?
Mar 1, 2013 02:50
|
|
|
They certainly are switching things up with Olgar's story. I wonder if Mana's going to replace Theia's body or something.
|
|
#
?
Mar 2, 2013 02:32
|
|
|
 Last time when we left off, Mana was about to have an important conversation with Olgar... Footsteps are heard outside... Let's see what this is all about.        What? I know it seems unbelievable. She looks just like Vahti, and she has all of her memories. ...You don't look like you're joking. Do you have proof? Come with me and I can show you. And we are taken to one of the battle arenas...   Vahti looks a little frozen there...      What were you thinking? Why did you tell me like this? I... I just didn't want Ayuta to do anything underhanded. If this is the real Vahti, then who's been with me all this time? That's Theia's clone. Theia...!? Yes. Once Vahti was put into cold sleep, her appearance and memories were copied to last remaining Theia's clone. Why? What reason could--    But of course.      Why on earth would you do something like this? When you and Vahti were summoned here... I became truly worried. If you two won the tournament again, you would produce descendants no stronger than before. And because this is the Ark's final loop, I could not allow that to happen. Then, I realised something. There is nothing wrong with your strength. The problem was with Vahti. And that's why you replaced her... Without a doubt, yours and Theia's descendants would be able to match the Qualia. I've heard enough. Release Vahti now. I will not. Olgar, you still have this Vahti.          You don't know that! So you refuse to fight with a clone. All right then, how about a bet? A bet? If you can defeat me in our last battle, I will return Vahti to you. But if I win, you will agree to return to the past with Theia's clone. How about it? If that's what it takes, then let's get started!      And so, we have one last dungeon left, and no one to traverse it with. It's going to be a lonely journey for Olgar, but what can you do...
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2013 22:47
|
|
|
Wow, Ayuta's become a bit of a hypocrite, hasn't he.
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2013 23:00
|
|
|
Holy what in the actual gently caress I'm pretty sure you lost me somewhere around the end of Ayuta's post-game, but still
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2013 23:06
|
|
|
The plot now involves a guy who decides to pimp out his girlfriend's clone body to save the universe. Let that sink in.
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2013 23:55
|
|
|
Ayuta's a freaky-deaky little guy, isn't he.
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2013 23:59
|
|
|
What… but… if Ayuta defeats Olgar, that would mean Olgar is the wrong man for the job. That's the whole point.
|
|
#
?
Mar 5, 2013 00:33
|
|
|
Overflight posted:The plot now involves a guy who decides to pimp out his girlfriend's clone body to save the universe. A girlfriend that, according to him, wasn't even Top Tier (tm) enough to ensure strong descendents the first cycle around. I think somebody's boarded the crazy train...
|
|
#
?
Mar 5, 2013 00:44
|
|
|
So I doubt the game's going to let Olgar just go solo a dungeon; are we going to see him team up with Mana temporarily or will he just get over his whole clone-phobia?
|
|
#
?
Mar 5, 2013 08:11
|
|
|
Ensis posted:So I doubt the game's going to let Olgar just go solo a dungeon; are we going to see him team up with Mana temporarily or will he just get over his whole clone-phobia? Believe it or not, we actually have to do next dungeon solo! No teaming up with Mana or anything like that.
|
|
#
?
Mar 5, 2013 08:20
|
|
|
Yup, get ready for what is definitely my least favorite part of the game.
|
|
#
?
Mar 5, 2013 23:35
|
|
|
dotchan posted:A girlfriend that, according to him, wasn't even Top Tier (tm) enough to ensure strong descendents the first cycle around. Well, she wasn't top tier with him. Maybe the combination of her and Olgar will create something worthwhile, when Olgar and Actual Vahti would not.
|
|
#
?
Mar 7, 2013 07:05
|
|
|
 It seems that the whole story behind Ayuta's plan was revealed last time; rather than go at it with Vahti's clone, Olgar has decided to do it alone.  Who knows where is Ayuta off to, but at least we can have a brief chat with Mana before venturing forth.     I told you, you have done nothing wrong. This is actually a perfect chance to think about... certain things... I swear to you, I will protect Vahti with my life. Thank you, Mana. But, the other Vahti... The one who has fought with you up till now is... Yes, I know... (Ayuta... are you really ok with this?)Before going inside, we can buy some new equipment for Olgar:    As (almost) always, the last dungeon is Purgatory.  So, as I've already indicated, we really have to this with Olgar alone. Somewhat unsurprisingly, this is in fact not even close to a problem. His attack stat is quite high, so the lack of Vahti simply means that until he gains a few levels, you may have to hit an enemy twice instead of once. Yes, it's really easy to be overpowered in this game--I still think this is on purpose, to counteract somewhat repetitive nature of gameplay.  In any case, there are still four more puzzles to solve. Collect gems and flip the blocks invisible by touching candles. It's not always obvious which blocks are tied to which candle, but on the other hand, all puzzles in this dungeon give you an infinite number of moves, so... whatever.  The first item.  Puzzle #2...  ...and item #2.  Before we "activate" the boss, here is an accessory upgrade for Olgar.  As always, increasing speed and luck is a good thing for him.  And now...   The boss.  No, it is not a problem.  Done and done.  Second part of the dungeon, collecting the three items for one last time!  Puzzle #3...  ...leads to the first item of 3.  Here is puzzle #4. It is in fact, for real, the very last one in the entire game. No more. We are done with these!  Obviously it leads to the second item.  The last item is over here in the chest.  Let's go fight the boss!           So for this boss fight, we actually get the Clone!Vahti back. Not that it makes a difference as far as that goes.     I heard all about it from Ayuta. Though I still can't believe it... Well then, if you are the clone, why are you here? Please don't call me a clone. My memories are exactly the same as the original. Which makes me Vahti too. ... ...I'm sorry, but... you're not the one I have spent 10,000 years with... That's true. I know what you mean... I said something really foolish earlier... I said that Ohm used to laugh a lot... Even though this body has never given birth to a single child... I... I wish I'd never found out about any of this. If we hadn't found out... If neither of us knew the truth, we may have had a very different future. But, now that we do... I don't want to believe it... I can't accept that these feelings for you are just... copied emotions... I'm so sorry... I...    With this, she leaves again.   Ayuta's voice comes from somewhere...         After Olgar's philosophical discussion with himself, we can finally leave.    Of course, one last fight still awaits... As a side note, I think by this point it should be more than obvious why it doesn't make sense to play Olgar's chapter as anything else but the last. Doing it otherwise completely messes up the story continuity.
|
|
#
?
Mar 8, 2013 23:25
|
|
|
 We finished the last dungeon, and now is the time for the last Ark Arena fight too.  Here is Olgar, all alone. We'll quickly just buy some upgraded equipment...   And then...      On that day, 10,000 years ago... from the moment you entrusted her to me... I swore I would protect her to the day I died. That I would do whatever it took to keep her safe, no matter how cruel or barbaric it may be! Well then, let's go in.    So the "real" Vahti still seems to be safely stored in one of those tubes. But... are we going to fight two on one?    Guess not, it's going to be just between Olgar and Ayuta.      And here we go. This is probably almost the easiest of all Arena fights...  ...as you can see, all we need to do is pound on him. Eventually, we are interrupted by a cutscene...   If you return to the past along with Theia, the Qualia's defeat is assured... You said yourself that you would choose Theia over the futur of the world. It is the same for me. Even if the Qualia does destroy this world... I would choose to be with Vahti to the very end. I... I cannot let that happen! Ayuta... Is that really what you want? You really don't care if Theia goes away to be part of First Couple with Olgar?! Mana... what are you saying? Be honest! It's killing you inside, isn't it?! Don't be ridiculous! My whole life, my whole purpose up till now has been to save the world from the Qualia! Theia would want this just as much as I do!! I... I'm sure of it!So the battle continues for a few more moments...    ...until we are done.     I didn't have it in me to kill a warrior's loved one outside of the Arena... But you are right. I was too soft. If I'd killed her when I had the chance, none of this would have happened... It's you... The Ayuta I fell in love with... ...As promised, Vahti is free to go.     Well, we knew this was coming, but what happens to Mana--she was not defeated in battle?   Just take me away like everyone else. Wait! Ayuta! Mana... it's okay. I'm the only one he's taking. I want you to stay here and live... Even if that's just for the short time until the Ark ceases to function... No!!      Okay, this. I really have a problem with this development, because it kind of comes out of nowhere and mostly feels like writers got stuck a bit here and just invented a new "ability" for Mana to be able to keep going with the plot. I don't like it at all.   Also, normal Ayuta is back! So... until the Ark shuts down... I just want to be here... with you... for as long as we have left... Mana... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... it's all my fault you got caught up in this... Thank you... for everything... If, by some chance, there is an afterlife... I would like to spend it... with you... Ayuta... Olgar... I am going to spend my remaining time here with Mana. ...I trust you don't need me to tell you what to do next. No. I know. Then this is goodbye. I doubt we will see each other again. ...Farewell. May you and Vahti live happily for the rest of your days... As always, we learn some skills. We've seen these already many many times. Meanwhile, outside in the big hall...   ...Vahti's clone seems unaware of these developments.  Uh-oh.   Uh, what do you mean by "that power"? A few minutes later... the real Olgar and Vahti arrive back...        
|
|
#
?
Mar 17, 2013 20:59
|
|
|
Wait, Olgar's saying that the Agent is Bizarro Olgar?  It would have been better if Mana had taken the hit for Ayuta and they both bought it, I think.
|
|
#
?
Mar 17, 2013 21:38
|
|
|
I know it's fairly quiet in this thread, but I've been lurking since the beginning of the LP and can't wait to see how they handle the final chapters of this thing. Keep it up, ivantod! By the way, what's the completion percentage right now? Haven't that in a while.
|
|
#
?
Mar 18, 2013 04:11
|
|
|
I would laugh so much if it were like 72% "oh you thought this was the endgame? JUST WAIT"
|
|
#
?
Mar 18, 2013 06:03
|
|
|
Hey, I've been following along and just wanted to ask if you plan on doing the rest of the series? I was considering LPing Chaos Rings Omega in the future.
|
|
#
?
Mar 18, 2013 06:13
|
|
|
waddler posted:I know it's fairly quiet in this thread, but I've been lurking since the beginning of the LP and can't wait to see how they handle the final chapters of this thing. Keep it up, ivantod! Unfortunately I can't really tell you exactly what the percentage is, because I've already gone past this point in playing, but it's definitely higher than 72%. It's probably somewhere close to 90% if I had to guess. Overall, this LP has 38 parts so far; I don't know exactly how many we'll end up with because it depends how I decide to divide the plot, but it will definitely not be more than 45 parts, probably more like 42-43. So there is not much left until the end. But don't forget also that maximum is more than 100% (how this comes about is probably one of the best parts of the whole thing!). Azure_Horizon posted:Hey, I've been following along and just wanted to ask if you plan on doing the rest of the series? I was considering LPing Chaos Rings Omega in the future. I was actually tentatively planning to continue with Omega directly in this thread because it's a fairly short game (I would say about the length of one chapter here) and does shed more light on some parts of the plot that were glossed over in this one so it would not be a major effort to do it.
|
|
#
?
Mar 18, 2013 07:24
|
|
|
Well, that sure was a Deus Ex Manachina. 
|
|
#
?
Mar 18, 2013 20:45
|
|
|
ivantod posted:Unfortunately I can't really tell you exactly what the percentage is, because I've already gone past this point in playing, but it's definitely higher than 72%. It's probably somewhere close to 90% if I had to guess. Overall, this LP has 38 parts so far; I don't know exactly how many we'll end up with because it depends how I decide to divide the plot, but it will definitely not be more than 45 parts, probably more like 42-43. So there is not much left until the end. But don't forget also that maximum is more than 100% (how this comes about is probably one of the best parts of the whole thing!). Alright cool. It gave me install errors on my phone so it's for the best.
|
|
#
?
Mar 18, 2013 20:47
|
|
|
Jalathas posted:Well, that sure was a Deus Ex Manachina. I'm not even really sure what the point of Mana doing that in the first place. It's not like Ayuta is going to help since he's staying with Mana.
|
|
#
?
Mar 19, 2013 04:50
|
|
|
 So, hey, no more arena fights! Olgar won the last one, and in the process got Vahti back. But what will happen to the clone? Oh and also, turns out Mana has some kind of Deus-ex-machina power...  A quick chat with Piu-Piu... one of the few these days that have something to say we haven't heard before...   And then of course we buy some new weapons.  For Vahti, there is actually two tiers of weapons available since she was not around last time when we were shopping. Of course this does not matter and we'll simply buy the strongest one (which is actually the one that is NOT highlighted on the image...).  Same situation with clothes.  Also a new weapon for Olgar.  ...and finally an accessory for Vahti.  Well, let's go on then.    She means this somewhat literally. Gameplay-wise, Vahti is still a few levels behind Olgar where we left her. She will be able to mostly catch up, although of course never 100%, but she will be to within a level of Olgar which is perfectly fine.  When humans strive to protect those they love, that is when they generate the most power. In that moment, they become truly formidable beings. That is why the warriors have been summoned together with the member of the opposite sex that they cared most deeply for. Now, it is time for you to demonstrate that power for the last time. Uh, what is he doing with the CloneVahti?           Before we fight, the Agent has some philosophical questions, again...      Of course. Then you can understand. No matter what may happen... I will not leave Vahti behind. I am sure Ayuta said the same thing.And now we can go and destroy him...  After a while...     And finally...  And we're done here. Now the typical scene starts, as always...     The land it is your destiny to reach... The Promised Land... Even if that be nothing but a seed, planted in a time long since passed... Carve your desires... Your mother's entreaties... The memories of this land, into your genes... Will we... Will our descendants... be able to stand in this place someday...?And we're back...     Vahti, I have a request... What is it? Just this once... let me call her by your name. That is the only thing I can do for her now. Okay.        It's time to go shopping for weapons again...       Nothing of special interest here, just slightly stronger weapons, as always. But, now it's again time to go through the Original Door and see the 'fake' ending of a chapter.   Let's go!     And we hear the familiar voice coming from above...   The ark is quite literally falling apart at this point...     Well.   Do you think we made the wrong choice? No... The only problem left... is how to spend those 10,000 years. Then let's throw away our weapons and take lots of time to think about it. Throw away our weapons... I like that. Even if we will all be destroyed eventually... I want to create a world without fighting or war in the meantime.      Next time, of course, we will see the 'real' ending of this chapter where we DON'T go through the Original Door...
|
|
#
?
Mar 24, 2013 22:01
|
|
|
Ah, one more fakeout ending. It wouldn't be Chaos Rings without like 847 fakeout endings before the Real True Ultimate Ending We Mean It This Time.
|
|
#
?
Mar 24, 2013 22:11
|
|
|
drat, we're finally getting to the end of all things. I'm excited to see how this is all going to end.
|
|
#
?
Mar 31, 2013 02:38
|
|
|
Glazius posted:drat, we're finally getting to the end of all things. I'm excited to see how this is all going to end. This is certainly true. Just wanted to let everybody know that the next update is probably going to be around Thursday or so. Reason for the delay from the usual "schedule" of 1-2 updates a week is the fact that I am spending a few days visiting family over the long weekend. I am planning to finish the next update when I return home. In the meantime, I hope everybody is having a good time (and a good Easter for those who celebrate it this weekend)! 
|
|
#
?
Mar 31, 2013 13:15
|
|
|
 One last "real" chapter ending... Of course, first the optional bosses. I did some grinding and found the following equipment in the process:  A weapon for Olgar.  And one for Vahti. Trimurti (त्रिमूर्तिः) is the "Great Trinity" of Hindu deities: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. "Murti" is actually a physical representation of a god (such as a statue, but it doesn't have to be). Lingam (linga) however, is typically Shiva's murti, so I'm not sure how this name even makes sense, but... Fun fact: like most other Indo-European languages, English too gets its words for numbers from Sanskrit, so "tri" (त्रि) really does mean "three"!  Some clothes for Olgar.  Larme Déesse is bit of an ungrammatical way of saying "Tear of a goddess" in French language (it should be "larme de la déesse" but who's counting) And so after the bosses were defeated, I got a new set of equipment:    "Propateer" is a bad transliteration of Greek word προπάτωρ (propator) meaning "forefather". So this name makes sense in the context of the plot. It also has a special meaning in Gnosticism.  And another one for Vahti, with a somewhat symmetrical name. Actually I preferred the equipment names from the previous chapter, those were more fun to figure out with their wacky translations.  Well, anyway, we need to get moving to the real ending of this chapter...     You may be right. Does this mean we've proven our eligibility? I can't believe this has happened... That this path even existed... The Ark can't have much time left. Let's go end this.I agree. This has been going on for a while now, and it really is the time to start moving towards the finish.   Inside, as always, we have three elevators to take in turn.        It's time for the boss gauntlet, one last time. First is the executioner.  Let's see...  Um... he just healed and negated all damage we did!  Let's try again...  Nope, does not work. What's happening?    There is one thing. Hit him with enough power to overcome his regeneration. Can you do that? I'm not sure. If I can build up my strength to its max... I just might. But, in order to do that... I know. I'll keep him busy while you build up your strength. Can you do that? Just watch me! So, Olgar has gone away for a while, and the idea is that now we need to survive several turns (about 5-6) with Vahti alone. We can't damage the Executioner so this is just a matter of staying alive. Of course at our level, it doesn't even matter, but even otherwise, it would just be a thing where you heal constantly in between turns. Finally, Olgar returns, and...  That's better!         Uh-oh, this is not so good.   And what do you know, here is the familiar corridor with infodump terminals! ------------------------------------------------- THE AGENT > An organically-grown lifeform programmed to ensure that the Ark Arena proceeds smoothly. Loaded with advanced A.I. to assist in guiding participants. > Follows commands given by the Almighty. Objectives: > Guide participants to proper destination. > Execute insubordinate participants. > Judge participants' eligibility to open the Final Door. ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- THE EXECUTIONER > An organically-grown lifeform programmed to ensure that the Ark Arena proceeds smoothly. > Follows commands given by the Almighty. Objectives: > Execute insubordinate participants. > Judge participants' eligibility to open the Final Door. ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- THE FIRST COUPLE > The two participants that win the Ark Arena will be sent back 10,000 years to become the First Couple. Their superior DNA will be used to reconstruct humanity and create powerful warriors. Currently discovered special abilities: Toughness: Loop #768 Pyrokinesis: Loop #782 Magic: Loop #1737 Psychokinesis: Loop #1979 Teleportation: Loop #2001 Warning: > The act of sending living matter back in time has a high probability of being noticed by the Qualia. Should that happen, the Qualia's interference is predicted to speed up the end of timespace. > Therefore, only two people at a time will be sent back in order to keep this risk as low as possible. -------------------------------------------------    And yet, you have become even stronger than them over these last 10,000 years... Yes... but that is far from usual. Most people stop growing after a few decades. What about Ayuta? He must be one of the very first humans. How can he be so strong!? Either he continued to grow over the years, like me... Or he continued to modify his genes...------------------------------------------------- IMMORTALITY > A means of ensuring that the First Couple can continue to produce a predetermined amount of descendants. > Their bodies will be boosted to superhuman levels using the principles of transhumanism. This will allow their cells to increase their divisiions at a vastly increased rate, even upon taking damage, resulting in automatic regeneration. > Simultaneously, telomere reduction will be employed to prevent their cells from aging. Warning: > These effects will likely be neutralized in the presence of the Qualia's energy (Quintessence). -------------------------------------------------  We never needed to live this long... Civilisation has always had its ugly sides. Even if the rest of the humankind were to die, we could still rebuild it as long as you and I survived... Perhaps that's what they were thinking...Eventually, road takes us into the Arena again...          What! I thought the Agent worked for you! His programming... malfunctioned. He now seeks the strongest power he can find, for his own purposes. And... he found out about Mana's ability to convert her lifeforce to power. We got it. Don't worry. We'll get her back! Please... take me with you! I can't. Your injuries are-- I can't lose Mana like this! ...Grab on to my shoulder.  Next elevator, of course, brings us face to face with the Agent!    I am the one who tests the warriors' strength. If a warrior were to be stronger than me, it is only natural that I would need to surpass them. So, I will seek power for as long as it takes. As long as it takes, as long as it takes, as long as it takes, as long as it takes... This is... awful. The ark's collapse is even starting to affect this area. We don't have time for this!      Well, that didn't work.     Olgar, Vahti. Well done on defeating the Executioner and making it this far. You monster... You will pay for what you did to Ayuta and Mana. (*gasp* *gasp*) (This is bad... I've lost too much blood... But I can't let myself die... At least until this fight is over...) Our earlier battle was to judge if you were worthy of becoming the First Couple. Now that you've come here, I will judge whether you are worthy of proceeding beyond the Final Door. The Final Door? Is that where the Qualia is? If you wish to know the truth you will need to seek the Final Door. Our master is waiting for you there. She will tell you all you need to know. Heh heh... Come on Vahti! This is our chance to finally break free of this damned loop! ...Okay. Those who seek the Final Door must prove their skill to me. In order to judge the Final Couple I will hold nothing back.So it's one more fight with the Agent...  A few hits, not very different.           Yes... Why didn't you tell me?! If I had... you wouldn't have kept going... Even though... We've finally found a way out of this loop... I don't care about breaking the loop if you're not there with me! Now come on, we need to treat those wounds. There's no need. I can tell... I'm not going to last much longer... Don't say that! Don't worry about me... Finish the Agent... Vahti... Stay with me! Don't leave me!! Please... Olgar... ...    Yes, really. We need to fight him one more time, but now with just Olgar. It's still not a problem.               I'm glad... it worked... Mana, I can't thank you enough. ...Olgar. I want you and Vahti... to live long and happy lives that Ayuta and I can't... If there really is an afterlife... I'm sure we'll see each other there... Please take care of our future...          Well, that was a bit dramatic, but now is the time for more...  ...infodump terminals. ------------------------------------------------- THE ARK > Can travel up to 10,000 years in the past using the principles of timespace navigation. > While the first couple uses that time to propogate, the Ark will hide inside the time axis, to avoid altering history. Contents: > Contains records of multiple Earths. 1. Re-creation and preservation of Earth's past and historical artifacts. 2. Lifeform preservation (both sexes). > Synthesized monsters created from existing animal DNA will be placed around the Ark to serve as level counters for participants. Curent number of voyages: 2003 Newest Companions: Vieg Valma (Olgar) Vahti Pauwell -------------------------------------------------   The only explanation I can think of is, they either wanted to ensure that culture and the environment would continue to progress in a predictable way... Or they wanted to be able to rebuild the world if the humankind were ever wiped out. Rebuild the world... Did they really think that spirits would ever allow such an unnatural thing? Perhaps they figured that the Ark itself was already a great crime towards both the spirits and nature? If so, I am sure that the ones that built this Ark, including Ayuta, were prepared for whatever consequences it may entail.------------------------------------------------- THEIA LIEBERG > One of the First Woman candidates for the Ark Project > Genetic Rank: 3 > The original First Woman ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ALEXANDER PIULITZER > The founder of the Ark Project > Widely acclaimed for his work on timespace. > Famously succeeded at preventing plant and animal extinction by controlling their time axes. The first to discover the existence of the Qualia through his research on how lifeforms become extinct. > Known during his college days by the nickname "Piu-Piu". -------------------------------------------------    So... that's what we'll look like in the future? ...How cute. Yes. It's cute. But with those proportions, you'd no longer be able to reach your head. Washing your hair would be difficult. Though, perhaps, in the future that will be completely unnecessary... Really? So the reason you haven't washed your hair at all over the last few decades is because you're preparing for the future? No. I just don't like taking baths.Okay then. Time to visit the control room now!  It contains the last three terminals... ------------------------------------------------- THE ALMIGHTY > A system used to ensure the Ark continues to run smoothly. > Connected test subject Theia Lieberg's cranial nerve directly to the Ark central nervous system in lieu of A.I. Objectives: > Produce a human race capable of matching the Qualia. > Judge participant's ability to open the Final Door. -------------------------------------------------     We began this journey with just the two of us. Perhaps it's fitting that we end it the same way. Then let us also be the last ones to suffer. Once we defeat the Almighty, and make our way to the Qualia... we will never be able to come back. Then it is our task to create a path that our descendants can follow. They have grown up by now. They no longer need us to protect them. Indeed. So let's go end this. Not because the Almighty forced us to... But because it's what we want!------------------------------------------------- PARALLEL TIMESPACES > Separate timespaces that exist in parallel. Theoretically, these individual timespaces should never cross paths with each other. > Beginning with the Original Couple, the Ark has helped spawn countless new timespaces. Of these, 99.99% have been confirmed to have been destroyed by the Qualia. Warning: > It is predicted that the Qualia will even cause separate parallel timespaces to converge. -------------------------------------------------       And finally...  ------------------------------------------------- THE QUALIA > A conceptual being of pure energy. Its only determinable purpose is to distort space, consume everything and bring about nothingness. > Once it appears in a timespace, it consumes everything until that timespace is destroyed. Confirmed Data: > Millions of attempts to destroy the Qualia have been undertaken over thousands of timespaces, but a powerful corrective force always brings the timespace back to destruction. > Confirmed timespaces destroyed: 64,762. The Singularity: > After a long and exhaustive observation, a single point in timespace, though to be the Singularity, has been confirmed to be capable of enabling a sufficiently powerful force, in theory, to destroy small amounts of energy. > The primitive human race that exists in the Singularity has been confirmed to be incapable of producing even the smallest amounts of this energy. The Ark will be used to help this race develop their ability to produce this energy. -------------------------------------------------        Ugh... my head feels like it's falling apart... And all from a mere image... I never would have imagined it was this powerful... C-can we really fight this thing on our own...? ...Is that what the Almighty expects of us? That "something might happen" when we attempt to defeat it...!? Whether something happens or not... ...we have no choice but to try. We cannot turn back now... No matter how slim our chances for victory may be. Echer, Musiea. Eluca, Zhamo. Ayuta. Mana. If we were to give up here... We could never face them again! We have an obligation to create a future for our children... And a right to dream of a better one! The time break this chain of chaos is at hand! Everything we've loved and lost over the last 10,000 years will give us strength against the Qualia!       Ha ha, ok. There is one more elevator to deal with...   Ayuta said she had been assimilated into the ship... That means our final opponent is this entire Ark... Remember how the Agent had broken down? It's likely that Theia's mind is... ...nearing it's limit... Even if we don't defeat her now, the ark won't last much longer... So many warriors have died there... including Dante and Rachael... Father... Mother... Our children... I refuse to let anyone else suffer like this again. It's time to see what lies beyond the Final Door and end this once and for all. Well, we already know what's there, of course.    Olgar and Vahti. You have triumphed over the other combatants in the Ark Arena. The Agent has kept me closely informed of your progress. Now that you have come this far, you must make your way to the Final Door. Only then will humanity's hopes be answered. You must have tested us enough by now. How can you still not know our strength?! The Qualia's strength surpasses anything you can imagine. You must become stronger than you ever thought possible in order to defeat it. This is why I came to this planet. What gives you the right to choose? If you want to defeat the Qualia, you should have done so yourself. That is impossible. Only humans have the chance of defeating the Qualia that appears in this timespace. You are talking about the Singularity. Correct. Now, show me your true power. Once I am satisfied, I shall open the path that leads to the Qualia. But, if I determine that you do not have the sufficient strength for this battle... Who are you to determine anything! You say you want to save the universe? Do you think that then gives you the right to whatever you please? Think about all the horrible things you've done! We are not your slaves! I have no interest in your feelings. All I wish to know is if you are strong of if you are weak. Well, we are sick of living just to do your bidding. Are you saying you do not mind being destroyed by the Qualia? Of course we mind! We're just not going to fight it for you! We will defeat the Qualia of our own free will! However you wish to view it is of no concern. But if you cannot defeat me and the Qualia, you will be destroyed, along with this Ark. So, fight, I guess?         At last... at long last, the time has come... After nearly eternal despair... your genes have provided a glimmer of hope... You two... are the Final Couple I have been waiting for... Once you pass through that door... not even we know what will happen...      I guess now the portal will open again...    I always thought that our DNA wouldn't be enough to defeat it. That our only choice was to return to the loop and await destruction... ...But I was wrong. Thanks to our battles with our descendants and with Ayuta... we've become stronger than ever. It's all thanks to them that we've been able to come this far. I know now that our potential is not set in stone when we're born. Nothing is beyond our reach if we truly put our minds to it. There was a point to all the fighting I've done over the course of my life... This next battle will determine the fate of all life...        One more time... the closing credits.   And yes... the trusty "To be continued" message. Do you think we'll be seeing it again? You never really know with this game...  * * * Before we finish the chapter, let's not forget the optional boss fight against our characters' dark selves.    Nothing special about it this time either.    And our reward is two diamond accessories. So that's all there is to do in this chapter. It was considerably more messy than the other three, what will all the clone business and all that, but what can you do, right?  So... uh... what happens now?
|
|
#
?
Apr 7, 2013 19:05
|
|
|
 Is there more? It would be such a troll to end with the exact same cliffhanger after all that. Glad you're doing this, I never had the patience to play through the same game over again (and again…), but it was fun enough the first time through.
|
|
#
?
Apr 7, 2013 19:52
|
|
|
So, now we do the final battle with the Qualia, using all four parties, yeah?
|
|
#
?
Apr 7, 2013 22:38
|
|
|
Next, is the Theia and Piu-Piu chapter, then you go through with the Agent and Executioner, and then... !
|
|
#
?
Apr 7, 2013 23:08
|
|
|
I think we need at least one more fakeout ending before The Real Ending. Which will also probably have a fake-fakeout ending.
|
|
#
?
Apr 7, 2013 23:09
|
|
|
zidane13 posted:Next, is the Theia and Piu-Piu chapter, then you go through with the Agent and Executioner, and then... ! I thought I said no spoilers?
|
|
#
?
Apr 7, 2013 23:15
|
|
|
ivantod posted:I thought I said no spoilers? And then, right before you fight the Qualia, Garrick and Alto show up, just to die again.
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2013 00:48
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 25, 2024 14:01 |
|
|
I realize the game can't very well be entirely serious when it comes to Piu-Piu, but it seems like that's the only time it ever lightens up.
|
|
#
?
Apr 12, 2013 00:47
|
|