Part 84: The Light, Awakened

Entry 78: The Light, Awakened

There's one last thing to see before heading to the ending: A third version of Kamiizumi's death scene.



This occurs only if you defeat him after the earth crystal.

Master!

Edea runs over and holds Kamiizumi up.

Ngh... You have already set foot on the path of carnage. No wonder I could not stop you...

...Forgive me, Braev...

The screen blacks out.



Master...

Tough luck for those hoping for more info. We're already well aware of the party being a force of unstoppable carnage.



And that covers it. We're ready to roll.

Holy Pillar, here we come.



It might be dangerous to take Grandship in, though.



Let's take the trusty Eschalot instead.



We had best think of something else.

...All right, nevermind. Grandship it is.



As the Grandship reaches the edge of the light, a loud, steady humming noise fills the ship.



We'll be fine! Let's head on in! But only if everyone is ready. Once we go in, there's no turning back.

I'm not even sure what'll happen. I mean, this is a first for me, too!

So, if you have anything you need to do, now's the time. Well? Everyone ready?



If we delay, Airy will remind us we don't have much time. But no need for that...

We're ready.

Okay, then, here we go!

Ringabel takes the Grandship forward. As they head in, the noise increases in intensity...




It's so beautiful.



The light's faded a soft glow, and the noise has become a gentle, almost melodic hum. Looks like Airy was right.

This light...it feels so warm.

I know. And so gentle, and somehow familiar, too.



If you say so! You be careful now!



Datz, Zatz, and the Proprietress leave. Not that going to another part of the ship will help if something actually goes wrong, but hey.



Once it is completely full, the light will begin to spread across all the world, sweeping away the darkness!

Stay there and keep watch, okay? Oh, and keep steady at the helm! We'll have to start all over again if we move out of the light!

Right! Leave it to me!

I need to start meditating so I can focus. Don't bother me till I'm done!

I mean, who knows what might happen if I lose my focus?

Understood!

Okay, here goes! O wondrous and beautiful First Light, my brooch awaits your divine radiance!



But not long after Airy's brooch begins to shine, the ship starts shaking.

Hm? So much for smooth sailing.



I think she will hold together unless it gets much--

*CRASH*

Worse!?



It almost sounded like something large hitting the ship. But what--

It's getting worse!



It's Datz and Zatz! To the deck, quick!

The party rushes out...



Just as Alternis is cornering the other three.

That noise earlier must've been Alternis's airship ramming Grandship.



Maybe he should've explained this "folly" and why it's considered such--

You know, nevermind, it's a little late for that now.

And I am here to stop you before you bring ruin unto this world!

Alternis! Stop this insanity! It's already over!

Silence! This is not over until I say it is!

*SHUDDER SHUDDER*

Eek!

If anything were to happen to Airy right now...! Ringabel, go back to the bridge!

Right!

First, you must get by me!

The ship's shuddering is getting worse by the minute. If Alternis's plan was to stop our ship by force, it might actually be working.



This is a long time coming. The party couldn't stand a chance against Alternis earlier. But now?



Alternis starts off combat with a little hop to get his footing. Huh.



In the middle of the first turn, Ringabel pauses to worry about the ship.

This ship shall go crashing down along with all on board!

Alternis may be melodramatic, but his method for stopping this Unstoppable Force of a party is...actually decent.



Dark Knights specialize in dark-based attacks, believe it or not. Dark elemental protection is a must in this battle.



Second turn, Alternis pipes up.

You know not the Lord Marshal's mind!

We've already settled the matter between us! You have no business interfering now!

Settled the matter? Nothing has been settled! All you have is a false set of understanding.

Like every other high-ranking person in Eternia, Alternis underestimates Braev's pride and overestimates Braev's social skills. Braev should have been the one to explain what was going on. He had perfect opportunities and still failed. In the end, the party was forced to search out DeRosso and scour the abandoned Everlast Tower for information.

The party knows more than Alternis thinks, but at this point, it doesn't matter. He's not interested in talking with us, anyway.

Now, talking at us, well...



With dark elemental protection, Alternis is easy. Without it... Don't go without it.



At this point there are a few different ways to protect against his attacks, so you can mix and match!



Third turn. Alternis is taking this opportunity to vent.

You have become the bane of Eternia... Nay, all the world! Never again shall you deceive Edea!

I've no interest in your foul, twisted beliefs. It is my sworn task to save the world from ruin. And I shall not fall before my task is done!



Alternis tries -- and fails -- to attack Agnès at this point. The Wind Vestal remains serene.



Fourth turn.

These traitorous scum have deceived you! Join me now in defeating the vestal!

How could you say such a thing!? Agnès has become a dear friend of mine.

Rgh!

Alternis cares about Edea a lot, we've picked up that much. But for all his concern, does he understand Edea at all?

He treats her like a little girl -- Braev's darling daughter, who needs to be reprimanded and sent home. But what he fails to understand is that what he sees as childish misbehaviour is actually Edea being an adult with opinions formed from her own experiences. And unsurprisingly, most adults -- especially proud, stubborn ones -- do not enjoy being treated like children.



Fifth turn has Ringabel warning about the ship. The game really wants you to feel rushed this battle, which is funny for reasons we're about to find out.

She won't hold up much longer!

We're not done here yet. A couple of turns later, Alternis has more to say.



...I survived on muddied waters and gritty sands. But what choice does one have when abandoned soon after birth!?

Hatred for this accursed world had been my sustenance. That is, until the grand marshal saved me! He took me in and raised me as if I were his own! To help him fulfill his ideals became my purpose...my will to live!

And now, you fools...you have...!

Ah yes, the perfect place to put tragic backstory: seven turns into a battle that you're encouraged to rush and can easily be won in half the time.



Adding insult to injury, the Wind Vestal takes advantage of Alternis's monologue to steal his spare sword.

This is really not Alternis's day.



The next turn, Alternis's desperation hits its peak.

Did we not grow up together!? Did we not enjoy the closeness of family!? I...I had thought that once I had proven myself...



"Take" her? What, did he think Braev would hand Edea off, and Edea would blush demurely and swoon at the prospect of being Alternis's wife?

Alternis is not in love with Edea. He's in love with the idea of Edea. The idea of idealized Edea Lee. It's as ridiculous an idea as that last sentence was.

Don't be a fool! Now's not the time for such rubbish!

Rubbish...? ...Arrrgh!!

Point proven. When Alternis comes face-to-face with reality and discovers not the idealized-waifu Edea in front of him, but Edea the person, he loses it.

It should go without saying that this reaction is unacceptable. Turns out the edgy dark knight was the immature one all along.



Minus Strike is the one attack to watch out for. As shown, it's pretty much guaranteed to one-shot any character.

Also, for some reason, Alternis has decided he really hates Ringabel.



He tries to pull the same move on Agnès the next turn, but no go.



And then he's taken down by the very woman he just confessed to. This sort of thing happens when you take rejection badly and get violent, man.



After the battle ends, he backs away, severely injured.



The ship is shaking near-constantly now. By the look of it, we've drifted back to the edge of the Pillar of Light.

A-Alternis.

Ngh...gah...

The ship shakes again, hard enough to knock apart Alternis's damaged helm.

And with a dull clank...

The helmet finally comes off.





Wait, how does he maintain his pompadour under--



Nevermind. Not the time.





Edea turns back to Alternis.

Alternis, your face...



Alternis gets to his feet, hobbling backwards.



As Alternis backs into the side of the ship, it shakes again--



Sending the weakened Alternis overboard before he can catch himself.

Alternis!



Edea takes a few steps forward to try and save him, but it's too late.



Tiz notices something on the ground and grabs it.

He dropped this journal.



It looks identical to Ringabel's.



The ship shakes again, harder than ever.

Eeek!

The ship cannot withstand much more of this!

Back to the bridge! We'll talk about this later, Ringabel!

Right...

Agnès and Tiz run back inside, followed by Ringabel. Edea starts to follow, then turns back.



Things didn't have to turn out this way. But Alternis was unwilling to talk, unwilling to be open to change. The ideals that saved him from a terrible childhood ended up becoming a crutch which he was unable to leave behind. In the end, he left himself no choice but to fail.

Edea finally turns to head in after the others.



Luckily, Airy's managed to maintain her concentration. Looks like we returned just in time.

The ship has never shaken like this before! What's happening!?

The ship won't respond! She's out of control!

How can this be!?

It's as if we're being drawn in by an invisible force!

Drawn in!?

Airy! Airy, what's happening!? Can you not sweep away the darkness!?

Answer me! Airy!












--

Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
The Holy Pillar
Into the Holy Pillar
The First Light
Dark Knight Alternis Dim
The Man Behind the Mask
The Second Journal
Out of Control

Sub-Scenario:
The Swordmaster's Fate - C