Part 52: Skies of Ar Tonelico

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This situation seems less than ideal.



And it just got worse. Again.

What's wrong? Why did we stop?

I remember hearing about a Dome of Light.

Dome of Light?

Yes, it was an ancient defence mechanism...it was able to protect Soltis from the Gigas. Galcian is using it to protect himself from us.

We've got to find a way through it!





Ramirez...I believe the world needs a demonstration of our power!

As you wish.

Valua could use a little rain...





Is that...?! No...





I'm afraid this is another one where you'll just have to watch the video, because pictures can't really do it justice.



Lower City Person: Hey, look at the Moon. Is that an eclipse?



Upper City Person: Who cares about the Moon! We're late for a party, and I simply look ravishing in my new dress.



Belleza...look...look at the Moon!!











Guards! Escort me out of here at once!



Crunch



Don't worry about me! Just go!!! The Grand Fortress is still standing!!! We're trapped!!!

!!!





I have won! Now, all shall bow before me! The world is mine!

…







Ugh...ugh...

Your Majesty! You're alive...

Belleza...Belleza...I...I thank you. Thank you for saving my life.

There's no need to thank me...it's a miracle that either of us is alive.

Valua...what happened to Valua?! Are the people alright?! Belleza...? Belleza, what happened?!



...What?



No...it...it can't be. It's not real...it can't be real!!! Belleza, please...please tell me that this is all just a bad dream...

Prince Enrique...I'm...sorry.

...



Fina...

...Vyse, maybe we should head back to Crescent Isle and take a minute to regroup. We can't do anything to get into Soltis right now, anyway.

...You're right. I really hate to do this, but it looks like we have no choice but to just head home for now.

So, yeah. Galcian is completely insane. Good thing Valua was populated almost entirely by assholes, right?



Lower City Valuan: ...and they broke them out of the Coliseum! It was great...they were such good fighters. Well, I guess you had to be there to understand...



Lower City Valuan: Nah, that couldn't be you...he was a giant of a man and used swords bigger than he was! I swear it!





Little Girl: But, he promised me that he'd come back and get me out of here, too. So, I'm going to wait right here until Marco comes back for me!





Vyse...I...I heard that something terrible has happened...

Moegi...I'm afraid...that...Galcian used the Rains of destruction on Valua...

What?! But...but what about Enrique?! Is he...? No...he...he can't be...

Vyse, if we don't do something soon, Galcian will destroy the world one island at a time. We have to stop him.

I know...I'm working on it.

How are we supposed to stop him?! His base is an entire continent, and there's that shield around it...

Looks like there's not much we can do except take on Galcian himself. But, we can't even get to him...

Damn! There's nothing we can do!







Enrique, you're alive!!!

Enrique!!!



I was so worried about you...

We were in Valua when the Rains hit. Belleza saved me. I owe her my life. My mother, and so many others were killed...we can't let this happen again! We must stop Galcian...

But...how?

Lord Galcian wants to rule the world, not destroy it. Valua was just an example. Now that he's made his example, he can demand allegiance from all of the other countries...he will send his Armada to each of the countries as a show of force, and demand that they surrender. He will most likely go with them.

You're right! Once he's out of his base, we'll have a shot at him.

Vyse, I know that you aren't too keen on giving up, but we need to be realistic here. There's no way the Delphinus can take out Galcian's entire fleet.

He's right. If you fought him alone, you would lose.

But, there has to be a way...we can't just give up...

Dammit!



“No matter what happens, I'll never give up!” You told me that once...or have you forgotten already?!

…..! That voice!





Captain!

Soltis is the root of all of our problems...we've got to send that place back to Deep Sky, where it belongs!

But...

But...we don't stand a chance against the entire Armada.





Clara!







Do I even need to point out why this whole scene is probably my favourite moment of the entire game? I'm a sucker for the old “everyone comes together to face the villain”.

Humph! I can't believe I'm doin' this!





As soon as we kick his arse, I'm coming after ya!



You saved our country...now, it is time to repay the debt of honour!

We, the Tenkou...

...will also aid you.

Vyse...

With this many ships, we may just stand a chance against the Armada!

Aika, just because we're a little late...don't count us out.

Dad!!



If you have this many allies, you must be quite a captain! I'm proud of you, son.

Thank you!

Alright! Captain, we await your orders!

Okay!



Fun fact: From this point on there are no wrong Swashbuckler answers. The game just lets you choose between two correct answers.

We can't let Galcian get away with this! We need to take back the skies and free the world!

YEAH!

Tonight, I want everyone to rest up. Tomorrow, we make history!!!

It looks like this is it! I think I'm going to like this!

Alternatively:

Let's send him and Soltis into Deep Sky...forever! Let's show Galcian what we're made of!!



Later that night...



Knock knock

...Who could it be at this time of night?

It's me, Vyse.





I...I've come to say goodbye.

Goodbye?! You're not going to fight with us?

I'm afraid not. You can't expect me to fight my own men. And besides...there's something else that I have to take care of.

Something else?

…..that reminds me. I took a peek into Aika and Fina's rooms earlier. Neither of them were there. Huh? Are you serious? They were probably unable to sleep...you know...the night before a battle...they aren't as tough as they pretend to be...a good captain would find them and comfort them.

Heh, alright. I'll go check up on them.

Heh heh...I figures you would. Well then...I must be on my way. I know you'll grow to be a great leader. And try not to break too many hearts. Goodbye, Vyse.

Alright, everyone can probably see where this is going by this point, so I'll just come out and say that yes, this will be up for a vote at the end of the update. It doesn't make any difference which of the girls you talk to first, but Fina is closest, so...



Vyse...

Can't sleep?

I...I tried to...but...I couldn't stop thinking about Ramirez. I grew up with him...my...my whole life, we were always together...we were best friends...it's it's hard to think that now I'm going to have to fight him...and one of us will die tomorrow...as a Silvite, it is my duty, but...

Fina...

Vyse. I have...I have one thing to ask of you...please...stay by my side...if you are at my side...during tomorrow's battle...I know I'll be able to fight him. You're a great leader...I know you will inspire me...



Again, both get you a Swashbuckler boost. Today Vyse can do no wrong.

Vyse...



...Feel better now?

...Yes. Having you here means a lot to me. Can we stay like this a little longer...?


Meanwhile, in an alternate dimension...

Sure. I'll be by your side.

Vyse...thank you!

Fina, I'll be there for you. This, I promise. We'll fight together!

...Yes.


And now for Aika, up on the balcony overlooking the island.



Oh, hey Vyse. It looked like you were talking to Fina...how's she doing?

She seemed a little worried about tomorrow...

Hm...Fina, too, huh? I don't know...I crawled into bed, but I couldn't sleep. Maybe I'm just scared. Heh...this isn't like me, I guess...



Same deal. Vyse will be walking on water by the time this update is done.

Hey, don't worry about it. I'm scared, too. Tomorrow is going to be our toughest battle yet.

Really? I didn't think you ever got scared.

Just because I've been placed in charge of tomorrow's assault doesn't mean that I'm not afraid of anything any more...

Haha...I'm sorry. We've been through so much. I guess it's hard for me to remember you as the kid next door. That makes me feel a little better...that I'm not the only one who's scared around here...there's a lot riding on tomorrow's battle...I guess it's normal to be scared.

I feel the same way. Hey, I'll bet Galcian is scared, too.

Hahaha! I bet he is! I feel so much better now. Maybe I'll be able to get some sleep.

Alright...I'll see you tomorrow...

...Okay.





Thanks, Vyse. We're gonna make history tomorrow! Good night! You better not oversleep! Your dad's here...remember?





On the flip side...

Yeah, it isn't like you at all. Maybe you should hide under your bed. Hey! I said maybe! I didn't come right out and say it. And you don't have to make fun of me.





...Heh. The only reason why you didn't realise that is because every time I try to talk to you, this is the kind of reaction I get. I'm starting to feel better. Thanks, Vyse. You've always known how to cheer me up. Maybe I'm just feeling the pressure of tomorrow's battle. There's a lot riding on it. Maybe I should try to relax. We'll do our best and whatever happens, happens...

Yeah. Just act like you always do, Aika, and everything will be fine. All we have to do is fight like we always do...we've done pretty good so far.



I feel so much better now. Maybe I'll be able to get some sleep.

Alright...I'll see you tomorrow...

...Okay.

And the scene continues as normal from here with the kiss.

And now it's time to vote on the most important choice of the game, which everyone will have seen coming a mile off: Do we choose Fina, the Silvite space princess, Aika the girl from next door, or do we go for the as-yet-officially-unrevealed third option that everyone will have worked out ages ago? Cast your votes now!

...

Hahaha, no. This game does not have a dating system. It's not that sort of game, and in any case if Vyse wanted to choose one of the girls he'd have to fight the other one off of her first.

I think that'll just about do it for this update. Next time, we show Galcian what we're made of. See you then!

Video List
Before the Battle