Part 85: Everything's Still Not Great
Entry 79: Everything's Still Not GreatIn the depths of a fading consciousness, a single voice speaks out...
We're not done with the LP yet, you nerd.
But what's left? The four heroes of light freed the world from an evil
What more is there to do?
......
You must be exhausted. Rest a while longer if you like.
We're counting on you, though. If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word.
......!?Tiz sits up just as Karl walks away. One moment of realization later and he's out of bed, dashing after the innkeep.
Hmm? Ha ha ha. You must be still half asleep. 
Them? Sadist white mage lady, Mr. Frontal Assault the monk, incel black mage, and marshmallow king kidnapper Heinkel the knight? Nah, we already obliterated them. We've got the asterisks to prove it.
...Right?
The Knights of the Eternian Sky!? Are they back!? Back? Anyway, you've got the whole town behind you!
Oh, how is Egil doing? Egil? Who might that be? Huh? Ah, I left a pot on the fire... I'll let you get some more rest.Karl rushes off to the kitchen.
Oh. Well that's a damn shame.
Tiz turns and stares sadly at the ground.
Entrusting Egil to the innkeep's care... Awakening the four crystals...
Ha ha ha.
Led by Airy to the Holy Pillar...
The airship rocking violently...
Attacked by the dark knight, Alternis Dim...Tiz swivels back around.
That was no dream! Indeed. I still have blisters from gripping the railing as the airship shook...
Then why are we here? This is Caldisla, right? We were at the Holy Pillar.
What happened to us, Airy? Did we seal the Great Chasm!?
Uh...
Looks like the party's all equally lost.
What!?Across the room, a familiar man walks into the inn...
Wait, didn't he get killed by Heinkel way back?
Oh, it's you, Owen. Yes, they're all awake now.Tiz held him in his arms while he died and everything.
He's looking pretty good for a dead guy.
You've got to stay here and protect the king. Stay alert, now. I'll see you later.Owen nods and walks back outside.
Oh my... Perhaps we are dreaming? Wait, let me get this straight. Who could have set the town on fire?
They seemed pretty thoroughly dead last time the party saw them.
If Owen is here, I think it could be that black mage, Ominas.
So we must be remembering what happened back then in a dream. That makes sense. But I wasn't with you here when this took place. I was serving under Ominas Crowe, remember? Huh... You're right.
BravelyDefault.txt
The party is comparing notes when something outside catches Tiz's eye. He breaks away from the others and walks over to the window.
Ah...The others come over to look.
Uh-oh.
What!? But we awakened the Water Crystal!
Something is wrong! Let's split up and get to the bottom of this!The party agrees, and shortly after...
We're back in control.
First off, remember the journal Alternis dropped before falling to his death? D's Journal has a new section called Alternis's Journal.
As with Enigmatic Writings way back, I'll do a separate update to cover its contents.
Speaking of Alternis...
cont: trouble, is also a threat.
I skipped over his gameplay stuff earlier for brevity's sake. Now that things've calmed down, let's get that covered.
The weapon Agnès stole from Alternis. Like Excalibur, the swords of Masamune hardly need an introduction for video game players. Masamune, who lived around the 1300s, is today considered Japan's greatest swordsmith -- his works the pinnacle of beauty and efficiency.
Lastly, we did indeed grab an asterisk from Alternis when we beat him up.
I will not be using Dark Knight onscreen for the same reason I had a problem with Ranger: the outfits obscure the character's faces during cutscenes. Ranger was already enough of a pain to deal with.
To make up for the omission, here are some shots of old scenes:
I call this next pair 'Can You Tell Which One is Ringabel':
'Just What We Need, More Confusion':
'This is Even More Awkward in Retrospect, Yet Also Funny in a Dark Way':
And last but not least, 'Hmmm':
Moving on.
You have no idea, Adventurer.
Or do you? Honestly, it wouldn't be a surprise at this point.
Anyway, the townsfolk are all acting similarly to Karl:
Fending off wizards and such should be our job... I'm sorry. Please... We're counting on you.
I miss all the fresh fish, but with the sea in this state, there's nothing for it.Water's rotted, Sky Knights are attacking and town guard isn't used to actually guarding, etc.
Looks like this hasn't changed.
But wait, wasn't this grave Owen's before? Huh.
It's a long shot, but maybe the king has some answers about what's going on.
I have heard that you intend to deal with this black mage that set the town alight. You are a kind young man of spirit, indeed. I saw that in you from the time you drove off that airship.Airship? Did we do that?
Until then, we can do naught but wait. You and the wind vestal are our last ray of hope...It's as though we're right back where we started.
I only wish I could join you... I'm sorry.Once again, the king, Owen, and the rest of Caldisla are putting their hopes on Tiz and co.
But as the party mentioned earlier, there are slight differences.
For example, Caldisla's shop is selling this sweet new sword. A claymore can be stolen from Braev in Chapter 4 as well. The magic shop's also selling the highest level magic in the game. Caldisla definitely didn't have this level of trade earlier!
Anyway, we covered the town and bought a bunch of crazy-powerful magic scrolls, but didn't have much luck explanation-wise. Tiz decides to find Agnès and compare notes, but unfortunately...
She doesn't seem to be around.
Maybe she went to see the Great Chasm.Tiz sees if she's gone back to the inn.
Uh, no. That's not it... Say, do you remember seeing that girl I was with? The one that comes off a bit strong-willed. One of your traveling companions, right? Don't worry about paying for lodging, if that's it. Any friend of yours is always welcome under my roof.No luck here, either. Though for future reference, not sure describing Agnès as the 'strong-willed' girl is helpful, considering Edea's existence.
Ringabel was over in his favorite spot. Let's ask him.
Off to see the Great Chasm, perhaps.Out of town it is, then.
The world looks the same as when Tiz started on his journey, all those months ago.
The way north to Lontano Villa is open, but nobody's around at the moment.
Only one place to go: Norende. Or as it's better known in its current state...
The Great Chasm.
Unchanged. Despite the crystals being saved. Despite all the effort. It's as though everything the party did was...
Meaningless.
Tiz...
Yes... What on earth is happening, Airy? We unleashed the Holy Pillar's light across the world. The Great Chasm should be gone. But...here it is.
Uh, I'm not too sure myself... But take a look at this... Ah! The four points of light...!
We seem to be right back before the crystals were awakened. ...... ......When Bravely Default first released in America, the reviews were overwhelmingly positive, for everything from story to gameplay -- the random battle slider was especially lauded.
But some things are different from back then. Huh? We have grown closer, for one. Do you not agree? Yes. We've been through a lot together. We can do this again if it comes to it!
Of course.But a few reviewers mentioned the game having one teensy-weensy downside: a second act which seemed designed to sap the joy from the player with overwhelmingly repetitive gameplay.
Luckily for all of you, I'll be the one having to put up with said gameplay. As for the story?
Well, Agnès is right. The goal may be the same, but the party's circumstances and experiences are different. But how will things change?
Let's jump down this rabbit hole and find out.
As Tiz and Agnès start hiking back through Norende Ravine, Agnès speaks up.
What if this world had been created a mere five minutes ago? What?
Crystalist doctrine and scripture, historic temples, the rise and fall of nations...even our memories... All that we believe has come to pass may very well have been created a mere five minutes ago. That thought inevitably creeps into my mind when I see the Great Chasm before my eyes. ...That would mean we were created five minutes ago, too. Yet we can remember things before that. Yes, but what if the world had been created five minutes ago along with our memories of what thas come to pass? Created by who? That I do not know, and yet... When you wake in the morning, is your mind not full of events that were spontaneously created in your dreams? So you're saying that our memories of what transpired were created by someone a few minutes ago? Yes, for can you say we truly experienced the events in what we believed to be the past?
...... I...I don't know. But even if the world were created five minutes ago... And even if our memories themselves were created just then... All I know is we have to close the Great Chasm no matter what. Yes, we must close the Great Chasm. And to do that, we must awaken the crystals. Shall we? Yes, let us go.In times of extreme stress, people cling to any bit of stability they can find, no more how nonsensical it might seem in the long run. The party doesn't know what happened. The prospect of everything they did -- all the sacrifices, the trauma, the people met and places saved -- being reversed, or whatever's happened, seems inconceivable. These four risked thier lives continually across the course of months, and for what? Nothing? What now? What do they do? If it's all meaningless, what can they do?
The Great Chasm is still there. The Great Chasm is bad. The crystals must be awakened. The world must be saved. They're the only ones who can do it.
Try again.
Next: Taking a breather to read Alternis's diary.
--
Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
A New Morning
A Mystifying Morning
Deja Vu
Looking Back on Yesterday
Sub-Scenario:
The King's Encouragement
The Innkeep's Recollection
Party Chat:
A Recent Genesis
D's Journal: Ringabel posted:
The dark knight's helm was knocked to the ground, revealing a face identical to mine. He went overboard moments later. Despite the shock I felt, something clicked in my mind. Tiz retrieved a journal that appeared the same as the one I carry. Just then, the ship began to shake more violently. As we returned to the bridge, we were bathed in bright light...
D's Journal: Tiz Arrior posted:
We awakened the four crystals, and approached the Holy Pillar as Airy had bid us. A deadly struggle took place when we were attacked by the dark knight. Upon our victory, I caught a glimpse of his face... As I stood confused and shocked, Grandship began to shake, and we were enveloped in light!
D's Journal: Agnès Oblige posted:
After awakening the Earth Crystal, the Holy Pillar appeared. Led by Airy, we breached the pillar aboard Grandship to begin the ritual to seal the chasm. The dark knight intercepted us under orders from Braev the Templar, but we bested him. I caught a glimpse of his face... It mirrored mine, and he carried the same journal. Confusion followed, then we were taken by the light...
D's Journal: Edea Lee posted:
We entered the Holy Pillar, but as Airy began to meditate the deck started shaking! The dark knight had come to do battle with us at the templar's behest. A desperate struggle ensued, but we emerged victorious. Alternis Dim lost his helm in the melee, revealing a face identical to mine. He then fell from the ship. Before we could take stock of the situation, a light enveloped us...
D's Journal: Airy posted:
With the awakening of the Earth Crystal at Everlast Tower, we had unleashed the power of all four crystals on this world. The Holy Pillar appeared as Airy foretold, and she went into a state of meditation to perform a final rite that would close the Great Chasm and save the world from darkness. After fending off an attack by the dark knight, we were enveloped in a bright light...
Though we had entered the Holy Pillar and performed Airy's rite, when we awoke, the Great Chasm was still there. What is more, the seas once again festered, and the light had gone from Airy's brooch. Airy says she remembers nothing since she began meditating at the Holy Pillar.
D's Journal: Captain Owen posted:
We entered the Holy Pillar, Airy went into a trance. After fending off an attack by the dark knight Alternis Dim, we were surrounded by bright light. We awoke to find ourselves back at teh inn at Caldisla, at the time before we had set off to take on the black mage Ominas Crowe. Captain Owen was still alive...
D's Journal: Karl the Innkeep posted:
Upon entering the Holy Pillar, we were beset by the dark knight Alternis Dim. We defeated him, and were then enveloped in a bright light. We awoke at the inn in Caldisla, before our journey to take down the black mage Ominas Crowe. We told the innkeep we would go and defeat the scoundrel who set the town alight, and he showed his stalwart support.
D's Journal: Alternis the Dark Knight posted:
As Airy begain to meditate at the Holy Pillar, an impact shook the deck. It seems the dark knight had been ordered by the templar to attack us, and was waiting for his chance. As he met his tragic end, the face of Alternis Dim was revealed, and it was like looking into a mirror. Then Grandship shook violently, and we were surrounded by light before we could talk.
D's Journal: Pillar of Light posted:
Pillar of Light:
It is said that when all four crystals have been awakened, a pillar of light will appear somewhere in this world. Known as the Holy Pillar, it radiates with the First Light, divine source of life and the origin of this world and the heavens above. Airy claims that if she brings her brooch within the Holy Pillar, its divine light will sweep away all darkness and banish the Great Chasm from this world.
D's Journal: D's Journal posted:
Alternis's Journal:
Dropped by the Dark Knight Alternis Dim as he fled, it looks exactly like D's Journal from the outside. Even inside, many of the writings are strikingly similar. It's almost as if...
