Part 57: Exit Fate

Welcome back. Last time on Exit Fate, we fought our way through Vanaheim, defeating Leonius and Gudrun along the way. And at last, we found Brunhild in the throne room, whom we defeated for a second time. Following the battle, Brunhild seemed to accept her fate, and offered to exorcise the Hand of Fate from us using a spell found in the Hall of Memories, which would give it a physical form and allow us to fight it head-on. But while the spell was successful, the Hand didn't give us a chance to attack it, and instead rushed into Brunhild and possessed her. There's only one thing left to do now. Let's end this.

Music: Hand - Xenogears, "The One Who Is Torn Apart"




Hahaha, yes! I understand everything now! I, with both Sigrid's spirit and the power of the Hand of Fate, was destined all along! Everything was meant to lead up to this! Look at you now... how pathetic and powerless you are. Now -you- are the unwanted one!
Brunhild! I know you can hear me! Fight against it!



Now we are one. We are perfect. This is the power that could've been yours. The power that you refused to wield. And now, this power will destroy you!
You... You've caused me so much trouble, so much pain. No matter what form you take, I will end this once and for all!
Why resist your fate? You've outlived your usefulness.




At this point, the game pauses and allows us to do pretty much anything we want to prepare. We can change our party, our formation, our equipment... anything that is available in the menu is possible. We can also save, but it should be noted that this save point is a point of no return. If you save here you're giving up a chance to leave and try out the optional content you've missed, so it's best to save to a second file. Once we're ready...

Music: None



FINAL BOSS: Hand of Fate

Music:



And it's time for the final battle. The Hand of Fate is not alone here, and backs itself up with five Fingers, one in each elemental color (aside from light, which is the Hand's own element).





Appropriately for a final boss, the Hand has access to a number of powerful attacks. Before we even get a chance to move, it opens with Holy Explosion, which hits a column for moderate damage.







But then we counter by killing the Black Finger in front of the Hand before any of the enemies get another turn. Each of the Fingers has 1,500 HP, and they're a cinch to take out if you actually decide to focus on them, but there's no point in killing any of the Fingers except the black one. If more than one of them dies, the Hand will eventually cast Resurrection, reviving all dead Fingers to full health. But killing only the Black Finger will leave the Hand open to attack.




The Fingers aren't worth taking out anyway, because they're little more than nuisances. Each of them only has a single technique, the third-tier spell of their particular element, but they have little power behind their attacks. In the rare case that they decide to all attack the same target, the fact that they all get their turns at the same time can be a bit troubling, but for the most part you can just ignore them.




In addition to Holy Explosion, the Hand can also use Psionic Claw to hit a single target for moderate damage.




It also has Fusion Ray, which has a similar effect.





But the Hand's most dangerous attack by far is Invertigo, dealing a good chunk of damage to the entire party.






Like Brunhild, the Hand of Fate has a very high speed, so if you want to get through this battle you'll need to counter it. Haste is obviously a big help here, but having a lot of healing spells around will also help if the Hand starts to overwhelm you with its damage. Your warriors will likely be building up a lot of MP as the fight goes on, so you should have some spells lying around so they can heal the party in a pinch if another one of the Hand's turns is coming up.



And since it's the final battle, there's no point in hanging on to those Diamond Dusts and Purple Herbs you've been hoarding throughout the game. Toss 'em all out if you need to; you're not going to get another chance to make use of them.




Then keep up the attack, and eventually...

Music: None











Music: Tears - Xenogears, "Tears of the Stars, Hearts of the People"




What's wrong? What's going on?
I see... I finally understand now... All these feelings, all those desires... It was frightening, losing yourself like that. I never imagined it would be like this.



I understand what it was like. I understand how it felt. But... You didn't need it. You made it on your own. Now it's only a danger to us.
Enough, Brunhild! You need help! Let's get out of here!








This is... all I can do for you, Daniel. Now please, let me...
No! I won't let that happen! This place has already seen too many useless deaths! If I could resist it, so can you! If I could live with it, so can you! Don't do this, Brunhild.
I'm not like you, Daniel. I can't resist the temptation. It's my own fault. I've always wanted the power that only you were given. I sacrificed so much for this... this curse. If anyone should be doing this, it's me.












Music: None




Jovian appears behind Daniel here. If he's in the party he'll be standing there already, and if he's not, he'll walk in.




Yes... it's all over. We've won, and the Hand of Fate is gone. I should be... happy, shouldn't I?
Daniel...
Let's go, Jovian.




Some time later...

Music: Elysium - Chrono Trigger, "Frog's Theme (Orchestral Version)"






It almost feels like a dream, doesn't it, Daniel?
Yeah, I guess so. Jovian... this is what you've been fighting for too, isn't it? Peace between all three countries.
Yeah, you're right. Things didn't turn out the way I was expecting, but yeah... this is what I've been striving for all my life.





Ah, yes. I'm sorry.



But those days are finally behind us now. The war is over, and it's you brave men and women who have made it possible. Over the course of the war, three nations have ceased to exist. But there is no need to mourn that loss. Instead, we must celebrate the birth of a new country, a country to represent our undying dream of unity.




I will do everything I can to make our dreams into reality. I will ensure that the wishes of every region, every city and every tribe are respected. I want no one in this country to feel like they're being occupied, or that they're second class citizens. I want to form a council of representatives from all former nations to lead this new republic, headed by an elected president. For now, I will stay in charge in order to watch over this fledgling nation and guide the necessary transformations at the upper levels of government. As soon as the country is ready, elections will be held for president. Any citizen who wishes to stand candidate will be allowed to do so.

Music: None




I'm sorry if I'm letting you all down by making this decision, but I don't think being president of the Elysium Republic is the right job for me. It feels almost like... my work here is already done. This may be ironic coming from a man who has always been longing for peace, but I fear I will grow restless very quickly. This country is now on its way to stability and unity, but there are still many places in the world engulfed in strife. I am ashamed to admit how little I knew about Zelmony or Almenga before this war began, and I know it's the same for many of you. And how much do you know about the countries beyond that? There is so much in this world none of us have ever seen. I want to see these things. If I have a natural talent of bringing peace, I want to put it to use, anywhere it's needed.



Hopefully, one day I can come back and tell you about these foreign lands, and do my part to help bring all nations, not just these three, closer together. I would not have made this decision if I wasn't certain that others here could take my place and do just as well, or even better. I have complete faith in Jovian, and I know that the country of Elysium will flourish under his command.






I guess... I just can't sit still. You're fine with running in my stead, aren't you?
If this is your decision then yeah, but...
Please understand.
Just promise me we'll meet again.
I'll come back some day. That's a promise.






Fade to black...

Music:



In the vein of Suikoden and Fire Emblem, we're now treated to short descriptions of what happened to all of our characters. While I'd love to show these in image format, it's impossible to capture them all legibly since some of them fade out as others fade in. So instead, I've transcribed them below, in the order that they appear.

Jovian: A few months after the war, he won a landslide victory and became the first ever President of Elysium.
Angel: Received a promotion and became general of the old royal third legion.
Ayara: Stayed as an officer of the Elysium army. A year later, she announced a surprise wedding...
Beau: Appointed attorney-general in the new Elysium parliament.
Shiro: Returned to Blackwater and picked up his duties as mayor again.
Bast: The war over, he returned to his quiet home on Mt. Bosch.
Keyser: Retired from the army and lives out his days in peace. Frequently visits Bast for a game of chess.
Eander: Unable to leave military life behind him, he took charge as commander-in-chief of the Elysium army.
Fitch: Restless as ever, embarked on another journey to see more of the world.
Ljusalf: Returned to Alfheim after Daniel's departure, happy to have brought the story to a good end.
Col: Politely declined all offers from the army, choosing instead to go study at Faraday University.
Joe: Vanished not long after the war. Coincidentally, so did a significant part of the national treasury.
Ryan: Became official representative of Zelmony in the new Elysium republic, and remained popular until his death.
Erin: Stayed at Ryan's side as Captain of the Matrech Guard.
Jasper: Worked within the Matrech Guard for closer cooperation with the old Kirgard army, marked by his marriage not long after...
Merrick: Lost his temper one time too many and was laid off. Now spends his days writing depressing poetry.
Cid: Wrote an epic ballad about his adventures. Departed on an equally epic journey to find someone who cared.
Teej: Propelled by his connection to the Elysium army, went on a massively successful tour and attained instant stardom.
Tiffany: Stuck with Teej and finally achieved world fame.
Klaus: Tried to start a feline rebellion, but failed and proclaimed himself "misunderstood". Wrote an unsuccessful book about it.
Luther: Settled down in Kirgard and turned the old Levier orphanage into a school.
Vanrushal: Volunteered as part-time teacher at Luther's school... but his subject matter is questionable.
Bartolli: Opened up a whole chain of item stores all over the country and inadvertently became one of the richest men in the world.
Meiko: Briefly worked on a book about the war, but returned home to report on a rebellion within the Fairwind Republic.
Carson: Became the youngest minister in the Elysium parliament, and went on to have a highly successful political career.
Sally: Used her savings to buy a merchant vessel and grew up to become a crafty maritime trader, often doing good business in war zones.
Outsider: Using the money he earned during the war, he retired from the mercenary business and opened a restaurant in Mayfall City instead.
Mike: Became a cook in Outsider's new restaurant. His Mercenary Steak is now renowned all over the country.
Alex: Returned to the sacred circle, where he was chosen as the new elder druid.
Richard: Enjoys a quiet life at the forest once again.
Naja: With Ljusalf's help, managed to restore the water spirits and continued living at the lake.
Hawk: Gave up his farmer's life and decided to try studying linguistics instead.
Harvey: Started a profitable business as private military consultant. His first client was none other than Pereious.
Shadfork: Set off on a pilgrimage to become an even greater warrior.
Tong Wu: Left in the opposite direction of Shadfork on a quest to improve his skills.
Sormaus: Currently practices his eccentric martial arts on the peak of Mt. Ea.
Stromgaard: Having finished his exploration of the Elysium republic's territory, he moved westwards into Cayeska.
Mandala: Annoyed with the lack of decent treasure left in these lands, she traveled onwards.
Johnny: Opened a casino in Matrech and amassed a fortune.
King: Never left his master's side ever again.
Nomad: Anxious to get back to work, he began investigating a city reported to have sunk into the ocean.
Marian: Resumed her activities as headmistress of Faraday University, but takes some time off to help her brother every now and then.
Darwin: Finished his thesis and became professor of the magical arts at Faraday University.
Venkal: Continued painting, but refused to sell any of his works, instead giving them away for free to charities.
Deus: Returned to Cento Temple, where one day he would succeed Galius as head priest.
Orlando: Reluctantly moved in at Cento Temple and became an instructor for young warrior monks.
Ice: Considerably shocked by his encounter, he disappeared only to emerge years later as a grizzled dragon hunter.
Avelion: Took on his original form again and became guardian of Valduz.
Sef: Embarked on a journey to the Holy Empire of Rocaine, where he would play a significant role in a later war.
Soth: Stayed at Cento Temple in an attempt to cleanse himself of his sins.
Shin: Vanished from the face of the earth the day the war ended.
Francesca: Grew out of her gothic phase and started dressing casually again. Since then, no one recognized her anymore.
Frore: Stayed in Elysium for a few years before returning to Issuria on a quest to find Kella and destroy the Brotherhood.
Griever: Came to terms with her past, and started calling herself Freya again. Worked tirelessly to restore peace in Almenga.
Tarlia: Agreed to become official representative of Almenga in the Elysium republic.
Bruce: Took Leonius's place as general of the royal fourth legion.
Deke: Attempted to combine his teleporter and the portal key, but his first experiment transported him to another continent.
Marcello: Discreetly moved his activities abroad after he became the target of a police investigation.
Myst: Shifted his focus onto the secret of immortality, and would not be seen again for fifteen years.
Derek: Wrote a bestselling novel about being dead, but disintegrated into dust before he could reap the rewards.
Rock: After some negotiation, Highland joined the Elysium republic, with him as its representative.
Paris: Stayed with the Highland division of the Elysium army.
Nikolai: As head blacksmith for the Elysium army, he would ensure the country had the best possible equipment for years to come.
Petra: Disgusted by the fact that a man was chosen as president, she moved out of the country.
Gilbert: Rebuilt his ninja school somewhere, but its exact location is a closely guarded secret.
Rorschach: Is rumored to have returned to his old ninja clan.
Yomiko: Disappeared together with Gilbert and Rorschach, somewhere in Kirgard.
Reod: Said something about "owing a lot of people" and ran off.
Mai: Founded a new magic school, but felt that her abilities were not sufficiently appreciated and left it behind in a huff.
Wilona: Stayed in the employment of the Elysium republic, where she worked on holding an annual census.
Midian: Tired with the restless life in the army, he returned to his island to spend his final days.
Royston: Remained at Elysium Castle for the rest of his life and regularly leads tourists around.
Yan Angwa: Left the Elysium republic with an unknown destination, and would not resurface for almost three decades.
Nashal: Returned to her native country of Gojistan and served the khan until an invasion by the Rocaine Holy Empire, fifteen years later.



Fade to black...

Music:










And that, ladies and gentlemen, is Exit Fate.

Thanks first and foremost go out to SCF, for making the entire game in the first place as well as being a generally cool dude in the thread. Thanks also to my girlfriend (who has been posting in the thread, but whose name I will not reveal because she'd kill me), for helping me get over the hump when I hit the first-LP wall three updates in and was considering stopping. But most of all, thanks to all of you who have been reading and posting in this Let's Play thread. You guys are the reason I stuck with this LP until the end, and I hope you all had as much fun reading and following this Let's Play as I've had creating it.

Oh, and by the way, there's also one last scene after the credits...






Thanks for reading!