Part 79: Jacqli's Soulspace, Level 8-Miscarriage

Jacqli's Soulspace, Level 8- Miscarriage

Loading Excerpt- Personal Logs, C. Bartel
We all have choices.

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The cocoon that had been barely visible at the Doll Shop last time now engulfed the whole area. Still, there was a foreboding stillness to it.



Looks like Mother was able to complete something because of you.
Mother's true self is resting in that cocoon. She will be stronger once she wakes up.
True self...?
I affect Mother's actions, and those actions will produce a great power.
Most people don't even know that they're capable of doing this.
Mother's true self is about to awaken. Croix, I want you to accept her for who she is.
...Yeah.

But everything went all wrong.





...! Is that a small opening in the back!?
Jacqli...
Whoa!
...
Jacqli!
......
Jacqli...!? Hey, what's wrong? Answer me...!
...
......
I can't hear her heartbeat... Is she dead!? But why...!?
...
Ayatane! How can I wake her up!?
Croix... I'm sorry, but it looks like she is not going to wake up.
...Why not...?
Mother... is already dead...
...What?
H...how... how can this happen!?

Ayatane had answers.



B, but... how can this...
I'm sorry but you can't save Mother at this point...
Can't I do something!?
...
Ayatane... please, tell me if there is anything I can do...
There is nothing... There may be a way to redo...
Redo...?
Go back to the previous level, and travel through Mother's world once again.
If you make a different choice then... you might be able to come to an alternate result.
Please! Help me do that!
...Okay, but it all depends on how strong your will is.
You might be able to go back and redo, or not... It all depends on your will. Do you understand that?
...Of course.
Alright, then close your eyes and concentrate...
On thinking about Mother. Think of what you want to do, and what you want to correct...
.........
You ready? Here it goes...
Thank you.
Haahhh!

The world went dark, and when things came back into view all the color had leached out again...



...! The gray world... So this means...
That's right. This is the 6th level.
The first real spiritual world. Croix, if you really care about her, I want you to start over from here.
Make different decisions, and watch Mother turn into a new and different person.
......
Well, I'm going to excuse myself now. I'm counting on you.
System Message: Magic Dream Diver: Lv 2 "Onagale" acquired!

Feinne's Fourth Wall Lectures:
So we're back in Level 6 again. This time we need to go choose Jacqli at the end. Note that this would have happened no matter which we'd chosen at the end, if we'd chosen Jacqli first we'd have to go back and choose Miros. I also made one or two other decisions different. I'm going to replicate the important scenes even if unchanged, so you can follow the thread of things.

I was back before anything had started, which meant it was time to go get threatened in the ruined city.



...Croix...!?
Lady Cloche!
...
Luca!
You two... How did you transform without my energy...!?
How long are you going to drag on that fairy tale?
We are the knights of Reyvateilia. I'm sorry... but you are going to die here.
Luca, wait. This man must be taken to Master Miros.
...Oh, that's right. We won't hurt you if you keep quiet. Hold still!
H, hold on! Miros is here too!? And, what the hell is Reyvateilia!?
That, you don't need to know.
For our utopia! Yaaaahhhh!
Wahhhhhh!

Just as before Jacqli arrived to save me.



Jacqli!?
So you appear before us, traitor!
An enemy of Reyvateilia!
Huh... Reyvateilia can't be the real utopia. What can Reyvateils do anyway?
The invincible world.
...Bunch of wussies. You're just running away from your fears.
What did you say...!?
Sister, this is not the best situation for us. This girl is possessed with a power that equals Master Miros'.
...Gh... You're right... We have no choice. We will withdraw this time.
Certainly!
You alright? Are you hurt at all?
No, I'm fine. Are you... different from the Jacqli I saw in a white dress earlier?
White dress? I don't own any such thing. That doesn't match my taste anyway.
...I see.
Anyway, it's dangerous to be here. You never know when you'll encounter the Knights of Reyvateilia.
What is Reyvateilia...!?
I will explain later! We will move to somewhere safe for now.

We pulled back to the boy's dorm.



Don't get so picky. You should be thankful to have a place to hide.
So, what kind of world is this? Seems like an extension of the previous levels, but different at the same time.
Some factors from the previous levels still remain, but this place is real inside my mind... without a doubt.
So Reyvateilia isn't made up?
It's not. Though, it's funny to say that this place was real in the first place...
Reyvateilia is the utopia made by and only for Reyvateils.
In other words, it's the world after the extinction of all mankind.
Those Reyvateils earlier, along with Miros, are hunting humans to create their utopia.
I'm going against them. Miros and the Reyvateils, and us pro coexistence fighters are at war.
However, my power now is only enough to keep the hands of Miros away from our land.
This... sounds like the same story from the 5th level...!?
...You're right. It might seem that way to you.
Anyway, Miros wishes for the extinction of all mankind. You will be attacked again if they find you.
This is me... Jacqli's deeper mind. The world filled with hatred.
I'm sure you get what I'm trying to say by now. Leave now. Return to reality.



First of all, why does Miros want to destroy the humans?
Plus, what are you? Why did you save me?
I... I'm the Jacqli who wishes to coexist with humans.
Then I want to help you out. What is it htat you want to do? Let me help you.
Don't be such a fool. Now, go back to where you came from!
What I really want is for you to leave! If Miros catches you, everything will come to its end!
What!? ... What do you mean...
Whoa!
...! What...!?
...Can they be... after the Horn again!?
Horn!? What the hell is a Horn?
Gh...! They know it doesn't even work... Why are they still trying...!?
I really need to go... Make sure you get back to reality! You're just causing more trouble here!
Hey, Jacqli! Hold on...!
What was that...!?

And time to return to the Silver Horn.





So... what is this...?
It's the Silver Horn that can rule the entire world by using all the power it can absorb.
...Lady Cloche.
Jacqli is not coming to get you. Luca is on her way to stop her.
...! ...W, wait! What are you doing to do with me?
I'm going to take you to Master Miros. You are the key to everything. This world will lose its balance.
It will lean toward Master Miros' dream, the utopia, Reyvatelia.
Reyvateilia! I heard about that. How can it be called a utopia, if it requires so much sacrifice!?
Shut up! You human! You humans were the first to betray us, Reyvateils!
...What...?
You threatened, and forced us to surrender our identities... You created us yourselves, only to fear our power.
We never will forget what you have done to us, Reyvateils.
I didn't have any part in that!
You might not be directly related, but human souls are bound to fear. We never know when it will start again.
...
Going back to where we were, I am taking you to Master Miros.

Ayatane said to do things differently, so I decided to change things up a little.



Jacqli! I'm right here!
...! Won't work! Stop fighting it!
Jacqli! I'm right here!
Shut up! Stop yelling!
Dammit... so this is it?
I thought I told you that Luca was on her way to stop her.
Looks like you don't know what you have gotten yourself into. I'll have to show you physically.
W, wait...!
I decline!
...!
I knew I shouldn't underestimate you humans...

That didn't go so well...



......
...! I... I was captured by Lady Cloche...
A... classroom!?
Used to be...
...Miros!
Yes, I am Miros.
Play time is over. This is not the same classroom you used to have fun in.
Just tell me! Why are you trying to destroy the humans!? Why do you have them so much?
There's no need to explain it to an inferior being like yourself!
An inferior being...!? Who said...
You all admitted it yourselves. I wasn't the first one to say that.
I'm just calling you what you call yourselves. I am doing it out of respect.
...Who... would say such a thing?
I will do this quickly before I change my mind and kill you.
What is it that you want to do...?



It would be too regretful to kill you because of what you possess.
You, help me and I will tell you everything you want to know in exchange.
What is it that I want to know?
The reason for my hatred toward the humans... Didn't you say you wanted to know that?
...!
So, which do you choose? To help... or end your life here.

I was pretty sure it would be a bad idea to change my answer here.



...Fine, I will help you. Tell me why though, why you hate us so much.
I'm not like humans, I will do as I promised. However, my concern comes first.
What is that?
Go crystallize that "Harmonius" power that you possess.
Harmonius!? What...
"Harmonius" symbolizes the light of hope. You possess such power within yourself.
And that power needs me right now. I need you to crystallize it first.
How could I do that?
Well that's where you're starting. Do your best to find that out.
Come to Silver Horn when you are done. I will pay my dues then.
H, hey!
Damn... where do I start...

Playing along with this like I didn't know what was going on was the only way through, of course.





Hello Croix, it's you. That was surprisingly fast. I thought it might take a little longer.
...What are you talking about?
Weren't you told to go crystallize your power, "Harmonius"?
So you know everything. Tell me, what is the power of "Harmonius"?
"Harmonius" is a memory from the past. It's Mother's only song of hope.
A song of hope...?
That's right, and the power of "Harmonius" will become a tremendous power to this world.
That is because whoever possesses the power is Mother's light of hope.
If you want, I can help you with it. What do you want to do?
It should be obvious. I'm counting on you.
Okay, just remember one thing: the power of "Harmonius" holds absolute power in this world.
Your one decision will greatly affect Mother's mentality. Don't forget to be responsible for the choices you make.
The more thoughts you put in, the stronger the crystal will be. Put everything you have into it.
Alright, are you ready?
This is it. This is the crystal of "Harmonius".



Okay, thanks for everything.

Time to head back to the Horn.





I crystallized the power of "Harmonius".
I see... well done.
So tell me, why do you hate us so much?
...Sure.
Well, give me your hand.
Alright...
Whoa! The crystal is glowing!
W, what did you do! Was this all a trick!?
Shut up, you inferior being! Don't think I'm like you all! I will never lie!
I'm just preparing to show you all my hatred that I hold.
...Preparing...?
One more thing, I will not take any responsibility in the things you will see from this.
It was your choice to do this. You must take the responsibility for yourself.
You can deal with it yourself, even if your feelings toward me change from this.
...Do you understand?
...Yes. Of course!

The Jacqli who wanted to coexist arrived.



You're too late! The world is already losing its balance. It will just collapse from here!
I won't let it happen!
I'm going to kill you!
Wait! Jacqli!
Why are you stopping me? You're on the Reyvateils' side, even though you're a human?
No!
If that's true, bring that crystal over here!
Your power can make or break this world. Use that power to defeat Miros with me.
...
Don't you understand that Miros is using you? Don't you understand what human extinction means!?
Miros...
Don't you want to see my everything?
Stay here. Otherwise, I will consider you as the other humans.

There was only one way to restore balance in this world, to help the Jacql who wanted to coexist.



I... I can't trust you...
Miros... You hold so much hate toward the humans. You may never lie, but...
That's just between me and you. I will have to help destroying this world in exchange.
I just can't do that!
Croix! Come over here!
I won't let you!
Yaahhhh!
Jacqli...
You made the right choice. Stay with me and let's defeat Miros together!
...I knew I shouldn't have trusted a human. Humans are filthy beings after all...
The advantage is on our side. Just stop the whining already. You are going to die soon...
Don't you want to die purified, anyway!?

I know I wanted to change things, but how can killing Miros be the answer?



I will punish you for the crime you have committed! Yaaahhh!
...Gh... Y... you.. If only I... had the power... of the crystal...
Miros!
Croix! Don't get near her!
...
Croix... You're guilty of tempting to commit a great crime... but I will let it go this time.
I'm glad you still had some good intentions left in you.
Jacqli... Even though she was your enemy, she is still you. Was it the right thing to do to kill her...?
What do you mean...? I just did what she deserved to get...
That... crime she committed 300 years ago...

And that was it...



Looks like your decision has cemented the priorities in Mother's mind.
...The priorities...?
That's right. There is no more confusion in Mother's mind. Whatever the outcome is going to be...

I have a terrible feeling that this is just the calm before the storm.



Thank you... Now the world has leaned toward the side where everyone can co-exist.
Oh... I'm glad.
Isn't it good for you too?
Yeah, you're right...
A Paradigm Shift happened from this too. I'm now free from the curse for the first time in 300 years. Thanks.
...Jacqli, what's going to happen in the next level?
Who knows... I wouldn't know either.
...Alright.
Well, I'm going now...
......

Time to try this again...