Part 48: Update 46 – Rebuilding

Last time on Skies of Arcadia, everything went horribly wrong and everything we have worked for was for naught.



But hey, that's no reason to give up now, is it?




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I know. Everything that we've worked so hard for is...gone. Our base...it's in ruins.



And we lost all of the Crystals. The Delphinus isn't powerful enough to invade Valua either. What are we supposed to do now?



Only a handful of Swashbuckler choices left in the game! Vyse is at the upper echelons of the Swashbuckler chart by now.

I will not give up!



It's not going to be easy, but we can rebuild our base. As for the Crystals...well, at least we know they're all in the same place. Don't give up, Aika. If we give up, then Ramirez will destroy the entire world. We have to keep fighting. There's always a way!

...Yeah. You're right. At one point, this was a deserted island...and you were stranded here by yourself.

Exactly. That reminds me...how is Fina?

Well...actually, ever since Ramirez left, she's been up in the meeting room by herself...I think everything that happened yesterday was a little too much for her. Vyse, why don't you try and talk to her?

I can't imagine what's she's going through...yeah, I'll go talk to her.

This is pretty much the only break in the cutscene that started at the Sailor's Island in the last update. It only lasts for as long as it takes to ride the lift up to the meeting room, but before we do that it looks like some of the crew could use a little pep talk.







Some of the crew have a choice of responses, but as far as I know it doesn't actually matter what you tell them.

Izmael, you live for this kind of stuff! Here's your chance to make some improvements to the base! Bam bam baaam!!! You want something built, I build it! You don't want something built...

I build it anyway! Thanks, Vyse. I guess I just needed a little reminder. I AM the greatest! Alright then, I'd better get started! You'll love it! Your base is going to be better than ever!





Well, some of the crew members were complaining that out old roofs leaked and stuff. Now's our chance to build a better base!

Haha...I've met some optimistic people before, but Vyse, you put them all to shame. But you're right! We're gonna rebuild our base and it's gonna be better than ever!





We'll just have to rebuild our base. We did it before and we can do it again. The important thing is that no one got seriously hurt. If we all give Izmael a hand, we'll have out base back up in no time. I'm sure Izmael sees this as a chance to improve on the old one.

Yeah, you're right. Everyone is okay. I guess we can just rebuild our base. I'm going to do my best...and I might learn a few more things from Izmael, too!

There's not actually that many crew members around on the surface, presumably because all the buildings are gone now. Everyone who was below ground is fine, but the rest are just plain gone and won't be back until the island is rebuilt.





How long are you going to let the Armada run around blowing things up? Stop wasting time talking to me and go after them!



We were fortunate that no one was seriously hurt.

There's no choices in talking to any of these guys, for for the time being the shops are all shut down. Ryu-kan's upgraded wares had better be worth the wait .



The maintenance of the little girl's ship is already done but...will everything be okay?



I never question my employer's motives. But don't worry, if I think you're making a mistake, I'll let you know.



That Ramirez guy. He destroyed my hometown twice already! He's gonna pay!!





For some reason Belle is the only person underground with a dialogue choice. If you tell her it's her fault for not paying attention then others hobbies you may enjoy include kicking puppies and jumping on sandcastles.

Don't worry about, Belle! They caught all of us by surprise. There was nothing you could have done. You shouldn't be too hard on yourself. The important thing is that everyone is okay.

Yeah, I guess you're right. Well, I should start helping everyone with the base! We'll build it better than before!

That's all the crew members talked to and/or comforted now. The only one we haven't yet seen is the one most in need of comforting.



Knock knock



It's me...I came by to see if you're okay.

Oh...Vyse...I'm sorry, but...could I just be alone for a while?

Fina...



I understand if you still need to work things out. I'll be back later. Fina...don't give up, okay?



What...what am I supposed to do? Who am I supposed to believe?

Alright everyone! Lift on three, okay!





Fina walks off towards the balcony at this point, but due to the camera angle that means she walks directly into the camera, making it impossible to screenshot properly. Just take my word for it that that's what happens.



Hey! I'm a guest here!! Why...why am I stuck...doing this kind of...work?!

Aww...quit...your...griping!



What are you talking about? Everyone is safe! We should be happy that nobody was seriously hurt...

Nothin' lasts forever...that's why we build new stuff. In my prime, I would have rebuilt half of the island already!



they're too quick! Somebody cast a spell or something!

Wouldn't work. There's a spell to increase speed, but not one decrease it .



Crash!









Text boxes? We don't need no stinkin' text boxes.

Meanwhile, elsewhere...





My Lord, if you will excuse me, I must go to the place of which we spoke and finish the final preparations.

Wow, Galcian, I'm impressed. You destroyed Vyse's base and retrieved the Crystals...sounds like it's all under control. I'll be at my ship awaiting further orders...

….

...What is the matter, Belleza? You look like you have something on your mind. Share it with me.

…..



You should really have picked up on some of the subtext right about now.

If we call down the Rains of Destruction, so many innocent lives will be lost. Please...we...we don't need to raise Soltis...

Belleza...will you betray me as Gregorio did?

No! I have no intention of ever betraying you, my lord.



Reeeally should be picking it right by now.



Galcian sure as hell is, after all.

As long as Valua does not resist, there should be no reason to use the Rains of Destruction.



I do not see Alfonso anywhere. He is probably on his way to inform Her Majesty of my betrayal. Belleza, I want you to return to the Imperial Palace and remind the Empress of my loyalty to Valua. Wait by her side, until further orders. Trickery is your speciality. Now, you can use your abilities to stop unnecessary bloodshed.

...Yes, my lord. I will leave right away.



Galcian, you glorious, magnificent, manipulative son of a bitch.

Meanwhile, right here...



Yeah, but it'll be a while before we can get this place looking like it used to.



I remember when we used to watch the sunset on Pirate Isle. You used to always talk about being the Captain of your own ship...

Hahaha...yeah...I remember...and sailing beyond the sunset.

We've...we've come quite a long way since then. And because we've come so far, we can't just give up now, right?

You're right. Our journey isn't over yet.

Vyse...Aika...





I'm sorry...if I caused all of you to worry about me...

...Are you okay now?

Yes, I feel a lot better...actually...I, I have a favour to ask of you. Will you...will both of you come with me to the Great Silver Shrine?

What?!

Ramirez was saying that in order to call down the Rains of Destruction, he needs all of the Moon Crystals. I thought that the Crystals were only used to control the Gigas. I didn't know that they could call down the Rains of Destruction. And I had no idea that my own people were the ones who were responsible for the deaths of millions. I...even have a piece of the Silver Crystal inside my body...everything the Elders told me...my whole life...has been a lie. I want to know...I need to know the truth...about the Crystals...about my people...Vyse...Aika...I'll ask you again like I did so long ago...will you travel with me?



How you're supposed to know that the top answer here is the right one I have no idea. In fact, I wouldn't be totally surprised if both answers gave you a Swashbuckler boost.

Of course we will! Even if you didn't want us to, we'd go with you anyway!

No matter what happens, Fina, we'll always be your friends!



Hey now...you guys weren't planning on leaving me behind, were you?



Gilder!



You didn't think that I'd just sit back and let you have all the fun, did you?

Heh...well, it looks like we've got a party again.

Alright...let's rest up for today. We leave for the Great Silver Shrine tomorrow!

Yes!

Also meanwhile, in a different elsewhere, the cutscene keeps on a-rolling.





Of course...I am your loyal servant, Your Highness. And those personal matters of which I spoke?

Hahahaha...very well, Alfonso. I shall grant you what you wish.

Mother!



Enrique?!





Admiral Galcian has betrayed you and is planning on taking over the world. We must try to stop him!

Yes, my boy, I know. Alfonso here was kind enough to inform me of Admiral Galcian's plans. It seems that he is gathering the Moon Crystals in order to call down the Rains of Destruction.

What?! So...that was his plan all along! Mother, we must act quickly! We need to get all of our people to shelter!

Enrique, please, calm yourself. We must think of the situation at hand. If we can get the Moon Crystals in our possession, our dreams of ruling the world will come true at last! I have made Alfonso the new Commander of the Valuan Armada and we shall fight Galcian.

Mother! This is not to be taken lightly! You can't...he's too powerful!



You can imagine a dynamic shot of Belleza's legs running up if you like, because that's all the game shows you here. It works a lot better in motion than it stills.

Do not fear, Your Highness. All of my failures up to this point were by Lord Galcian's orders. If I act of my own accord, I shall bring Galcian to justice.

Hahahaha...good Alfonso...good...

...I see. Very well, then. You leave me no choice...

What?







Aaahhh!!

Enrique, sheath your sword at once!

Bonk!



There's a lot of moments in this two-update-long cutscene that are impossible to convey via screenshot. Hopefully you can work out what happened here for yourself.



Imprison him in the Grand Fortress until he comes to his senses!

Please! Your highness, wait! I, I...

As the new commander of the Valuan Armada, I order you to take the prince to the Grand Fortress and lock him up.



Grr...

It's over! Freedom from the tyranny of the longest unbroken cutscene in the game at last! I think I'm going to celebrate by taking the next update as far away from anything plot-related as possible. Not that I don't enjoy the plot-related stuff, mind, but two full updates taken up entirely by cutscene is a little excessive. See you then!

_{Oh, and if you're wondering why the update schedule has slowed right down, it's because the game script I was using ran out at Yeligar. Everything since then has been transcribed from the game by me.}

Video List

Ruins of Crescent Island