Part 108: Beyond Acceptable

Entry 100: Beyond Acceptable

In the third world, the first version of the party broke a crystal and vanquished Airy, saving the day (for now??????) and retiring back to the worlds of their choice to live in peace.



The second version of the party was not so hasty, despite growing awareness of the dangers and destruction involved.





As mentioned in the comments, the party responds the same at the end of Chapter 6 regardless of whether or not the player's completed the Finale. Which makes sense: either way, this version of the party has no way of knowing about Ouroboros' existence.



But despite the party's lack of knowledge, something tells them it's too early to show their hand to Airy. They're going along with her plan until they can learn more...



...or until they reach the end.

And the Great Chasm?

The taint has yet to lift from the sea, if the view from here is any indication.

So, we've been to...um...let's see...

...four worlds now, correct?

Just what is happening to us, Airy?

Sorry, but I can't really explain it, either.

......

Airy's 'sadness' is now transparently slipping into 'overjoyed'. Ringabel maintains his cool.



In the end, what did it mean to disobey?

Was breaking the crystal disobeying since it was going against Airy and Crystalism? Was not breaking the crystal disobeying because we were resisting the urge to stop the repetition of Airy's evil plan and the game itself? Maybe both are true. Maybe the real lesson is how contextually complex the act of disobeying is and how attempting to simplify any instance of it down to a single black vs. white issue is misguided at best, destructive at worst.

Whatever the case, the party's takeaway is that this is a game about having fun bashing heads, not philosophizing.

We'll just have to go awaken the crystals here in this world, too.

Yes...yes, of course.

Ahoy!

Datz appears with our Grandship, so we're all set for another round!



Get this over with?

She's right, Edea. We're trying to close the Great--

I know we're trying to close the Great Chasm!

I know because we've entered the Holy Pillar three times already!

S-sorry.

You're sorry, you say?

I don't want apologies from you, Airy! Just hurry up and do something about the Great Chasm, already!

*sniffle* I'm sorry.

Edea, believe me, I know how you feel. But look, you see that? With the sea gone putrid, fishermen can't put out to sea to earn a living. And people await family members unable to sail home from faraway lands.

Let's clear the taint from the sea for their sake, okay?

Then there's the wind in Ancheim.

And the seething magma in Eisenberg.

...You people are so...so softhearted.

Come, now, Edea. Let us get this over with, so we may help them!

Right, let's go!

In past chapters, there were some plot/character inconsistencies, such as Ringabel's status re:being a sexist moron or Heinkel being admired for being denser than a neutron star. Prepare yourself, because from here, these inconsistencies are only going to get worse.

Take now: During the Holy Pillar, the party knew about their journey causing the Great Chasm. A short time later, they appear to be oblivious. Did they lose part of their memory? If so, why only that? If this is just a ruse they're putting on for Airy, they're doing an uncommonly fine acting job.



The good news is, as the plot loses focus and goes off the rails, it's going to lead us to some very odd places usually found only in outtakes or fan fiction.



To prepare, during this chapter each member of the party is going to wear their own exclusive, special costume. In the original Japanese version these costumes could only be obtained from sources outside the game, but for the Western release they added all four to Norende's shop.



First, Tiz has the Onion Shirt. In the original Japanese release, this costume was given out as part of a Facebook promotion. It's based off the Onion Knight job from Final Fantasy 3. The Onion Knight is essentially useless until leveled to max, at which point it becomes the most powerful job in the game -- a good choice for a farm boy turned demon slayer.



Agnès's Knight Tunic was a bonus for signing up on Square Enix's site. It was designed by Tomonori Fukada, an artist connected to Japanese company 5pb./Mages (Steins;Gate, Chaos;Head). This isn't the only connection to 5pb., as Bravely Default's script was written by one of the writers for Steins;Gate.

Just a reminder the plot is going to continue to be completely normal.



Ringabel's Melodist's Shirt was originally available if you bought a certain Bravely Default music single. This outfit is based on stage costumes worn by Revo, the composer of Bravely Default's soundtrack.



Finally, Edea's Garb was obtained by playing off-shoot sequel game Bravely Default: Praying Brage. No details since it is a sequel.



Norende also sells the Plain Tunic, which replicates the look of the Freelancer job so you can have the character's default outfit while playing another job. Ringabel was wearing it during the Finale while he was a Spiritmaster.



Before starting in on side quests, the party visits the Great Chasm.

It's still there, all right.

I was wondering...

Yes?

What if the Great Chasm existed long before we were ever born?

...And by that, you mean...?

I mean, what if the same events have been happening over and over thousands--even tens of thousands of times?

......

And if so, how long must we keep trying to close the Great Chasm?

After all, it's as if our efforts are--

Tiz...!

...Forgive me. It's just, I can't help but wonder when I look upon the Great Chasm.

......

Truth be told, Tiz, I understand how you feel. But I shall never forget how you saved me on that hill overlooking the chasm that day.

You took my hand with no regard for the peril you faced. Of that, I am certain.

So, let us believe. Let us believe in this path we walk together.

...You're right.

The Great Chasm has a way of bringing out the nihilism in people, doesn't it?

Ganbare, Tiz-kun, Agnès-chan! With the power of love and forgetting vital depressing plot points, we'll bludgeon our way to some sort of ending yet!



For their first side quest marker, the party visits the sage. He might have further advice regarding Airy being a multidimension-ending Evil One serving a malevolent, eternal godlike entity.

And who have we here? Oh, my!



The sage is more candid in every world. Here he not only acknowledges meeting Agnès as a vestaling, but also letting Edea stay as a baby/toddler (along with Mahzer) during Braev's war campaign in Eternia.

So I ask, why have you come? Do you wish for me to assess your progress so far?

The above line only triggers if you did the conjurer side quest in chapter 6. Otherwise it's replaced by:



But there is still something of considerable importance you have yet to receive from me.

Oh? Some further advice?

No, child--the conjurer asterisk! But you know very well I cannot simply give it to you.

Our... Wait. You don't mean--

The dialogue tree merges at Edea's line.



So hey, if you want the conjurer job but don't want to waste time on the whole conjurer Alternate Selves storyline, all you need to do is wait a chapter and he basically hands it to you! (for your own health, please don't play this game if you don't want to waste time)

If you choose to battle there's another extra line for non-asterisk holders:

Ah, the ardor of youth. Best brace yourselves. A job--a legend born one thousand eight hundred years past!



Either way, the sage interrupts himself.

???

Mm? And what's this presence? ...Ahh, it seems she found what she was after.

She? Who?

And are we going to fight or not?

Ho ho ho, no need to be hasty, child. My tasty little disciple is nearly here.

Tasty...?

We know the Sage's apprentice was Mephilia the Summoner, whose notes we used to track down the summons. In other worlds, we've also seen Mephilia insane with grief and the use of mind-altering drugs...

Within moments, she arrives.



The party is on edge-- But Mephilia sounds different.

She seems...normal. Calm and friendly, even.

Mephilia!?

You're looking lovely as ever, child. Though it wouldn't kill you to write now and again.

Last I heard, you had abandoned yourself to the depths of despair. But now I sense the power of Susano-o within you. He's not the sort to be tamed by someone in a state of spiritual confusion.

It was a mercy I never found his whereabouts during those troubled times. I'd have failed to claim this power...and quite possibly lost much more.

I take it the fellow outside has something to do with it? Well, don't keep him standing there.

Yes, Master...

Please, come in.

Oh, alright, then. Ahem! Pardon the intrusion!

This is an unexpected pairing until you remember these two share a person in common.



Given what we've learned of Mephilia and Barbarossa's backgrounds, it's a safe guess Suleiman is at the heart of this.

Ahh, but you look familiar.

The name is Hayreddin Barbarossa. Captain Barbarossa, if you like. I sought Susano-o by the dying wish of my dear friend Suleiman.

Suleiman, you say? So, Mephilia's... He is gone from this world, is he?

Losing him was what first plunged me into my spiral of despair... The cruelty in Florem I was forced to play a hand in only made matters worse.

Last chapter hinted at the Venus sisters being decent people in a bad job, but this confirms the Mephilia we met in the first couple of worlds was less evil and more completely mentally gone thanks to Fiore DeRosa's schemes.



Einheria is the lynchpin for the sisters. When we've encountered an Einheria who placed the Duchy above her and her sisters' wellbeing, her sisters went insane. When Einheria placed her and her sisters' own wellbeing first, all three retained their sanity.

It was just as I'd regained some measure of sanity that I received word from Barbarossa.

Aye, I misread the words Suleiman left me, I'm ashamed to say. And in grand fashion... I'd been sailing waters so misreckoned as to make a man's head swim! Heh hah hah!

Barbarossa took me aboard, for all my haste, and delivered me to the anchorite of war.

Only managed to set a wrong course two or three times along the way!

He then bravely offered to guard me from the anchorite's ordeal.

Yah har har! Weren't anything more than anyone with a big axe would've done.

That is how I mastered Susano-o. Alone, I would surely have failed... But with Suleiman's strength, my sister's thoughtfulness, and Barbarossa's support...

The aid of others does not diminish the scale of one's achievements. Indeed, for one who so closed her heart to others, seeing such cooperation is wonderful. A greater accomplishment even than taming Susano-o's fury. And one that I pray will be a greater strength to you than any spell.

Ah! But speaking of trials...

Oh, no no, don't let us disturb the heart-warming reunion.



Uh-oh.

I would have you, Mephilia, and that gentleman there assist these tired old bones of mine.

What!? B-b-but!

Hee hee, with delight! Summoner Mephilia Venus is ever ready for a challenge!

Yah har har! Likewise Hayreddin Barbarossa, First Mate of the Black Blades!

Likewise weak, tired, old conjurer Yulyana! Ho ho ho...

You may have noticed earlier that our world map had less blue side quest markers this chapter.



The good news is that this is because there are fewer boss battles. The bad news for those unprepared is why: more Eternians have learned to team up.



It wasn't that long ago the game pitted us against Yulyana alone, though this time the Eternians have slightly lower health.



Mephilia will show off her shiny new ultimate summon, but aside from that the boss tactics this chapter are largely the same as earlier, just combined.



And you, Sage. You're quite formidable for a man of your age.

Ah, that was fun... Had to make this count, given I doubt I'll have much of a part in the coming days. Not until the time is ripe... Ho ho ho.

And you, Mephilia, and your magnificent axeman there--my thanks for your assistance. Now, the vestal and her followers here are wanted by the duchy. What will you do? Give chase? Report them to the authorities?

I intend to leave Eternia for a time. ...There's something on my mind of late.

Is there, now? I have an inkling of just what that might be. Very well, but do be careful, child.

I'll be begging your leave as well, sir. My thanks for the excitement! A mighty fine battle, it was!

Indeed. Your prowess in combat is as much a breath of fresh air now as fifteen years ago.

Gah hah hah! So you remembered that, eh? You're too kind!

Heh heh, come visit again anytime you please. Farewell, one and all.

Barbarossa gives a winners gift to the party:



This is the final helm in D's Journal. Yulyana also hands over this companion piece:



Crystal gear is top defensive armor and can only be gotten as drops from the Chapter 7 Eternians. There's one last piece we'll get soon.



After Mephilia and Barbarossa leave, the party stays with the sage a short while.

You simply must hear this! That sage is just terrible!

Sage Yulyana? What on earth happened?

He pestered me to cook him a meal until I couldn't stand it anymore.

I gave in and spent half a day in the kitchen preparing a roast bitter melon rice bowl!

(Ack, not that...)

And do you know what the sage did with all my hard work!?

He fed it to a dog when I wasn't looking!

Actually, that dog left it for a cat to eat.

Yes, and then that cat left it to a crow.

......

That's what you get for insisting on outdated gender biases, sage! I wager Tiz is actually the best cook in the party.



This version of Yulyana appears to be completely uninterested in the Evil One prophecy.

The party decides to head back to Caldisla and systematically clear out the Eternians, since apparently they're our enemies. Again.



No idea! Ha ha



This grave has belonged to Owen, Til, and Tiz in turn. How about this time?

Ah!

The Norende Village memorial... No one... No one survived.

Every iteration of Tiz does a massive gamble when Airy travels through worlds. Some, like our Tiz, win. Others aren't so lucky.

Caldisla's king is his normal self, and the conversation with him is the usual formalities, ending with one new line:



The duchy? Say no more. There's only one blue marker in Caldisla, in the ruins of Centro Keep.



Ominas is lurking around there, alone as usual.

Villains! You'll g-go no further! Men! F-f-f...fall in!

...What? Where are you useless apes!? F-fine... So be it! Come forth, my f-faithful servant! I summon you, Bahamut! Incinerate my f-f-foes with your all-consuming fury! Ah he he ha ha ha!

Geez, Bahamut? I thought Mephilia was the summoner!



What's a top-notch (except FFXV, screw him) Final Fantasy summon doing in this world of demonic trains and washing machines, anyway?



...Hmm... Bahamut. A lot rounder than I expected. True to its shape, this version of the legendary dragon-god uses a level of the Flare spell unforseen in Final Fantasy: Pico Flare. In mathematical terms, pico means one-trillionth of a unit. In gameplay terms, this means instead of having a world-ending Megaflare, we get a tiny little fireball that goes _pew.

Ominas is his normal paranoid self here and repeats lines from earlier worlds.



He takes breaks from fighting to heal up his buddy. Turns out it's less a real Bahamut and more that Ominas is a fanboy who named his pet after Bahamut.



Once you down Ominas, the fight ends. If you knock out Bahamut first, Ominas becomes very sad.

F-f-flee! You've done enough, boy!

Fiends! Your f-f...FOE is right here!

This game is an odyssey, all right, but not that systematic.



Ominas goes down easily on his own, but there is no victory screen...



Because more Sky Knights appear before the party can celebrate.



Ominas! Get up, fool! Stand, man! Bahamut will live to brawl another day!

And Barras? What're you t-two doing here?

You've fought alone for long enough, Crowe. You did well. But now you have a shield. Cast as much fira as you like. Heck, go for firaga! I'll make sure there are no interruptions!

Burn 'em to a smoldering crisp! Fire, man! Fire!

You guys...! Heh heh... I don't t-take orders from you, Barras. You're younger than me. Learn to respect your elders!

This is more like it.



We're getting all the Sky Knight officers out of the way at once, sans Holly.



The only trick here is Heinkel taking any single-target hits intended for his companions. Afterwards:



So far, the theme for Eternians in this world seems to be 'has more redeeming qualities'. Good for Heinkel, not throwing himself on his sword at the closest opportunity.



Hell, even Ominas has a tender spot named Bahamut this time around.

Barras, I'll bring up the rear! You take Ominas and Bahamut and fall back!

What? You saying the battle's over? I barely got to punch anything!

Holly isn't here to patch you up. Just who do you expect to haul your giant carcass out of here if you go down!? That's an order! Fall back to the rendezvous point!

Rgh! Come on, Ominas. And no squirming!

I said I don't take...orders from--Yowch! You insolent lummox...

I'll be right behind. Try to play nice, you two.

Gah, that hurts! Hey, Ominas!



The party watches the men of the Sky Knights honorably stumble away.



Heinkel drops the third type of crystal gear, which is our final enemy steal/drop/treasure-sourced item entry in D's Journal.

How about we celebrate freeing Caldisla from the Sky Knights by looking at some Norende shop items?



Norende got hold of a rich person's BDSM toy, yet somehow it still cuts better than almost every sword in the game. Okay!

Tiz has this equipped this chapter; you can see it in use during the two earlier battles.



The final piece of the Heike set. We are now missing only one item in D's Journal, which we won't get for some time.

Norende does, however, have more weapons not listed in the journal. Without the journal there isn't much to show aside from the weapons themselves, so here are the best looking ones:



Fox Tail, said to be the weapon of a fox god.



Labrys, an "axe of beast-slaying".



And the useful Falcon Knife, which raises the wielder's agility.

The other weapons are the Magic Knife, which greatly increases magic attack, and the spears Donnerschlag and Silver Glaive.


Next: Unexpected friendships among the Eternians.

--

Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
Morning All Over Again
A World of Endless Echoes

Sub-Scenario:
Yulyana's Test of Skill
When the Time is Ripe
Norende Village Memorial
Another King of Caldisla
Bahamut, King of Dragons
Such Insolence
A Crisp Retreat

Party Chat:
Get This Over With
A Never-Ending Cycle
The Great Brussels Sprouts Giveaway