Part 24: Confrontations

Chapter 7: Confrontations

Hi everyone. This is going to be a very short update, and fairly unconventional at that.



B7 is another Labyrinth level, which means it's randomly generated and contains very little in the way of storyline events. There is a small amount, but only enough for one tiny update. So, we're going to push past it a bit in order to showcase B8, the Sham Sanctuary as well.

No sooner do we set foot on B7, however...

http://blip.tv/michael-h/let-s-play...matsuri-5341784

The samurai you met on the 4th Floor, Matsuri, was standing like a ghost.



- If only I didn't see that crystal... No, I don't believe it! I don't want to believe it!! Why?! Just why...?! Are pure souls THAT much easier to draw into the afterlife?!

It didn't seem like a good time to call out his name. Matsuri continued to yell at the top of his lungs.

- No, maybe I actually knew... The answer was always in me. I was just scared to look. I was scared to admit. It was not just her, but... My... my...

You had a feeling that Matsuri was going to vanish, so you called out his name. However, Matsuri did not respond.

- I'm......

- I'm......

- I'm... ... ...

Matsuri slowly vanished into thin air. Just like the Swordsman who taught you the Allied Actions.

...Poor Matsuri. I liked him.





The Labyrinth is similar in appearance to B3. The enemies are a different color, however, and are much tougher. There's more traps as well, and they're (marginally) harder to disarm. We also have a new dungeon song to navigate to.



It's a little depressing, I'll admit, but fitting. It feels like we're close to discovering the secret of the Labyrinth, doesn't it? And yet, we have miles to go.



B7 has a mix of old and new. We'll go into more detail on that in the next chapter.



Depending on your luck, the stairs leading down are just as easy to locate as they were on the previous Labyrinth floor.



And that's B7!



B8 is a great deal more ornate than the previous levels. It almost looks... new, doesn't it?

Oh, and no sooner do we step on THIS floor before...

http://blip.tv/michael-h/let-s-play...tations-5341758

There stood Kulgan, who was ordered to capture Eugene. It was only Kulgan, without any of his men. Was he working in secrecy?



You took your guard, ready for an encore of the 4th Floor battle. But Kulgan didn't move.

- You're lucky. I don't have time to play with you.

After saying this, he turned his back and walked away. He lacked his usual fierceness. In fact, he seemed like he was perplexed...

As you were lost in thought, the sudden sound of clashing swords and shouting brought you back to reality.



Kulgan was standing off against Duhan ninjas, with his short sword drawn. They were supposed to be under Kulgan's orders.

- What is the meaning of this?

But the ninjas just swung their swords. Kulgan parried the ninjas' blades with ease. The odor of scorched steel filled the air.

- Do you know what it means to oppose me?

The ninjas just raised their swords, moving like puppets. The area became surrounded by a bloodthirsty aura. The ninjas, who appeared wit the wind, slowly surrounded the party. But Kulgan whispered without changing his expression.

- So that's your answer. Sagoon!

Kulgan suddenly called your name. You felt like he called on you like this, some long time ago. He calls your name, then...



You felt a strange feeling of trust inside of you.

You can't lose. You just know it.





They may be Master Ninjas, but they're pretty easy with a Front Guard and a volley of spells from the back row. The only remarkable thing about this battle is...



New combat music!

No matter how many were killed, more ninjas would appear, one after another.

- There's no end to this.

Kulgan whispered as he shook the blood off his blade. Just as everyone was prepared for a long battle, a rich voice echoed throughout. A voice that would make anyone bow down. That kind of voice.

"That is enough. You have done well holding up 2 of the Queen's Guards this long."

The ninjas sheathed their swords and bowed to their knees.

Both you and Kulgan slowly turned your heads with the same premonition.



- Why, Chief?

LeDua grinned at Kulgan's whisper.



LeDua quickly began chanting a magic spell.



When the light disappeared, a giant monster stood in place of LeDua.

(Wait what the fuck is this )

Kulgan sneered bitterly.

- The Chief's specialty was creating magic monsters......

You could hear LeDua's voice from out of nowhere.

- For the sake of Her Majesty! Golem, finish off everyone here.

LeDua is planning to finish you off along with the ninjas. But even being condemned to death, the ninjas didn't let out one cry of despair. In fact, they began to unsheathe their swords. Kulgan didn't look pleased.

- They've become The Chief's... no, LeDua's marionettes. Sagoon, I'll guide my men to an end fit for a human. You defeat that Golem!

You nodded as you turned to the Golem. As if it were a signal, the Golem raised its massive arms!





So remember how I was saying before that the Greater Demon made Incubus look like an Orc? This guy makes the Greater Demon look like a Pixie.



Magic resistance. Nothing new to bosses we've fought recently.



And unlike previous bosses, his more powerful spells are not too severe. Sara could handle healing this by herself in one turn.





That's right. The Golem can kill you instantly with melee attacks. And he gets four swings each time he attacks.

"But Miketopus, you sexy man," you may ask, "Why not simply Restrict Shot and be done with it?" In truth, that's a very sound strategy, and would eventually ensure that the Golem couldn't hurt us with physical attacks at all. Keep in mind, however, that he and his two Undead buddies in the background are all slinging spells at us easily doing around 60-70 per turn, and it's not long before both Orphe and Sara are taken down while I'm trying to heal/buff the front row. In truth, I half-expected to lose that fight.



But, Sagoon's Amazonian party pulled through in the end. Too bad Orphe's missed experience in the past two fights, but eh. She's the highest level anyway. Not a very good knight, though, dying all the time.



The Golem disappeared, melting away.

Turning around, you see Kulgan staring at his men, who have turned into ashes. His clenched fist shook with anger and regret.

- Her Majesty...... The Chief's..... And Sagoon. Everything I believed in... is crumbling before my very hands.

Kulgan bit his lip.

- I'm not going to just sit and watch myself lose everything. Thinking of it, LeDua started acting strange after investigating this floor half a year ago. There must be something here.

Kulgan slowly pointed his sword towards you.

- I teamed up with you because I had no choice. I haven't forgotten your betrayal. When I find some clue, then.........

After saying this, Kulgan disappeared.

I think Kulgan is developing a soft spot for us. He went from "I'll kill you the next time we meet" to "I'll kill you when I get around to it".





Golem's Flesh is another one-time only material with similar usage as the Incubus Wings. When used in battle, however, it casts the Nirvana spell. This seems to double stats (At least, it doubled damage when I tried it) but incapacitates the user.

Anyway, a quick warp back to town...



And a level up for Sagoon!

That'll do it for Chapter 7. Look forward to the next update in hopefully less than a month this time!

Videos:

Matsuri - http://blip.tv/michael-h/let-s-play...matsuri-5341784

Confrontations - http://blip.tv/michael-h/let-s-play...tations-5341758