Alcander-Starflame

Alcander-Starflame
'Desperation... Rage... Pain... Become my strength!'
Physical Information
Height	185cm/210cm
Weight	95kg/135kg
Age	???
Birthdate	August 12
Gender	Male
Identity	Dark Alcander
Like	Body and desire
Dislike	Hunger
Weapon	Fated Rings
Classification
Element	Arcana
Class	Tank
Artist Credits
Artist	Mentaiko Itto
CV	CN: 塗小鴉 (Tu Xiao Ya) EN: Joe Goffeney JP: 新垣樽助 (Tarusuke Shingaki)

Alcander-Starflame

Walking fire of desire, the Alcander of Luxium

Reincarnation of stars, resentment of fate.

Intro

I have seen the end of too many things...

No matter how prosperous the world becomes, there is only pain, desperation, anger, wailing, and suffering left after the fateful day. In the endless galaxy of worlds and time, hope and beauty are just wishful thinking, and the only thing eternal is fate... A fate of death and destruction.

As for my fate.. I shall be lost among the stars while I look for the next world to feel their pain when another cycle comes and goes... Until that day, when he changed me...

'In your roaring flames, I saw a deep and clear river of stars. You shall be Starflame!'

This is no time for nostalgia. The showdown is near, and the demon king that will devour the world is coming. The fated end has shown a glimpse of itself. For the past millions of times, there has only been one ending. But this time...

I shall rip apart the eternal fate!

Forming a Pact

Alcander-Starflame's rarity: SSR

Max Epiphany without Illumination: Level 6

The player can form a pact with Alcander-Starflame by the following methods:

• Limited Summon
  • You must own Alcander
  • You can form a pact with Alcander-Starflame by summoning him on his limited-time banner.

Skills - Half-Beast Form

Basic

	Soulflame Hunting Cost: 10 Mana Cool Down: None Flux: Arcana Type: Melee
Skill Description
Alcander attacks 1 enemy target and deals physical damage equal to [Skill Level] of P.ATK. Also places 1 stack of Soul Burn on the target. Soul Burn: A Burning effect that deals physical damage equal to 70% of the attacker's P.ATK every round before the target takes action, and reduces damage dealt by the target to the attacker by 15%. Lasts 3 rounds, does not stack, can be purified. Skill Level 66% 72% 78% 84% 91%
Passives
Requires 50 Gyee Insight to unlock Souleater Before casting Soulflame Hunting and Soul Pursuit, if the target has a Burn effect, then restores HP equal to 50% of HP lost.

Advanced

	Rancor Soul Cost: 30 Mana Cool Down: 2 Rounds Flux: Arcana Type: Ranged
Skill Description
Alcander attacks all enemies and deals shared physical damage equal to [Skill Level] of P.ATK. Also places 1 stack of Soul Burn on them, and refreshes Rancor Armor on self. Rancor Armor: A shield effect that absorbs damage equal to Alcander's P.ATK*100% (500% in PVP battles). Lasts 3 rounds, does not stack, can be dispelled. Skill Level 106% 112% 118% 124% 130%
Passives
Requires 150 Gyee Insight each to unlock Will Corruption Alcander place 1 additional round of Taunt on targets with Rancor Soul and Terror Burst. Taunt: While the effect is active, the character goes out of control, and automatically attacks the caster when taking action. Lasts 1 round, can be purified. Splintered Mind After casting Rancor Soul and Terror Burst, places Soul Shatter on all enemies and restores 15 Mana. Soul Shatter: Increases the holder's skill damage taken by 15% for 2 rounds. Does not stack, can be purified.

Ultimate

	Beginning of Fate Cost: 90 Mana Cool Down: 1 Rounds Flux: Arcana Type: Ranged
Skill Description
Alcander attacks 4 targets, dealing physical damage equal to [Skill Level] of P.ATK, and gains Accumulated Rancor. If he is not in Abyssal Galaxy when he casts a skill, then he summons Abyssal Galaxy and increases his hatred from enemies significantly. Accumulated Rancor: A Morph status. Reduces Alcander's all damage taken by 25%. In PvE, all of Alcander's damage taken is converted to HP, and stores 100% of the group damage taken (but does not exceed 200% of his max HP). In PvP, if Alcander does not die after taking damage from the skill, then he restores HP equal to 50% of the damage taken (not affected by any healing buff), and stores the same amount (but does not exceed his max HP*100%). Lasts until battle ends, cannot be dispelled. Abyssal Galaxy: Alcander's exclusive domain, where he places Abyssal Protection on all allies, and Meaningless Resistance on all enemies. Lasts 2 rounds, removed when defeated, cannot be dispelled. Abyssal Protection: Reduces the holder's damage taken by 35%. Lasts until Abyssal Galaxy is removed or when defeated, cannot be dispelled. Meaningless Resistance: Increases the holder's skill damage taken by 25%, lasts until Abyssal Galaxy is removed or when defeated, cannot be purified. Skill Level 129% 140% 152% 163% 175%
Passives
Requires 300 Gyee Insight each to unlock Regretful Obsession Increases the damage reduction of Accumulated Rancor to 50%. Destructive Abyss Increases the damage reduction of Abyssal Protection to 50%. Eternal Cycle If Beginning of Fate or Fated End does not kill the main target, then restores 30 Mana. If the main target is killed, then restores HP equal to 50% of the current max HP.

Mastery

	Divine Shackle Cost: None Cool Down: None
Skill Description
Reduces all of Alcander's damage taken by (16.00% + Mastery Bonus). He becomes immune to Deform, Taunt, Stun, and Cover, and he cannot gain Blood Lock or Ablaze. Before he takes action each turn, for every 1 enemy with Burn, he restores 5 Mana. After casting Beginning of Fate, he summons an Abyssal Galaxy and places Will Devour on all enemies within the Galaxy. Will Devour: If the holder has a control effect after taking action each turn, then Alcander gains 1 round of God mode. Lasts until Abyssal Galaxy is removed, cannot be purified.

Skills - Lion King Form

Basic

	Soul Pursuit Cost: None Cool Down: None Flux: Arcana Type: Ranged
Skill Description
Alcander attacks 1 enemy, dealing physical damage equal to [Skill Level] of P.ATK and restoring HP equal to 10% of the current max HP. Skill Level 65% 71% 77% 83% 90%
Passives
Requires 50 Gyee Insight to unlock Souleater Before casting Soulflame Hunting and Soul Pursuit, if the target has a Burn effect, then restores HP equal to 50% of HP lost.

Advanced

	Terror Burst Cost: 15 Mana Cool Down: 2 Rounds Flux: Arcana Type: Ranged
Skill Description
Alcander attacks 1 enemy, dealing physical damage equal to [Skill Level] of P.ATK and gaining 1 stack of Endless Flames. Endless Flames: While the effect is active, each stack increases his P.DEF by 25% and M.DEF by 25%. Lasts until battle ends, stacks up to 4 times, cannot be dispelled. Skill Level 212% 224% 236% 248% 260%
Passives
Requires 150 Gyee Insight each to unlock Will Corruption Alcander place 1 additional round of Taunt on targets with Rancor Soul and Terror Burst. Taunt: While the effect is active, the character goes out of control, and automatically attacks the caster when taking action. Lasts 1 round, can be purified. Splintered Mind After casting Rancor Soul and Terror Burst, places Soul Shatter on all enemies and restores 15 Mana. Soul Shatter: Increases the holder's skill damage taken by 15% for 2 rounds. Does not stack, can be purified.

Ultimate

	Fated End Cost: 80 Mana Cool Down: 1 Rounds Flux: Arcana Type: Ranged
Skill Description
Alcander attacks 1 enemy, dealing physical damage equal to [Skill Level] of P.ATK. He removes his own Accumulated Rancor and gains Soul Rebirth, dealing 100% of the stored damage in Accumulated Rancor. Soul Rebirth: Reduces the holder's skill damage by 25%. Lasts 1 round, does not stack, cannot be dispelled. Skill Level 258% 281% 304% 327% 350%
Passives
Requires 300 Gyee Insight each to unlock Regretful Obsession Increases the damage reduction of Accumulated Rancor to 50%. Destructive Abyss Increases the damage reduction of Abyssal Protection to 50%. Eternal Cycle If Beginning of Fate or Fated End does not kill the main target, then restores 30 Mana. If the main target is killed, then restores HP equal to 50% of the current max HP.

Mastery

	Divine Shackle Cost: None Cool Down: None
Skill Description
Reduces all of Alcander's damage taken by (16.00% + Mastery Bonus). He becomes immune to Deform, Taunt, Stun, and Cover, and he cannot gain Blood Lock or Ablaze. Before he takes action each turn, for every 1 enemy with Burn, he restores 5 Mana. After casting Beginning of Fate, he summons an Abyssal Galaxy and places Will Devour on all enemies within the Galaxy. Will Devour: If the holder has a control effect after taking action each turn, then Alcander gains 1 round of God mode. Lasts until Abyssal Galaxy is removed, cannot be purified.

Imprint

Basic Engraving

• Persistence Engraving (Reduce critical P.DMG by 1.38% per Engraving level)
  • Each engraving level requires I.N. Flux - Arcana x120 and Gold x25,000

Imprint Skill

The following Imprint Skill can be equipped on other Gyees and Avatars once unlocked.

	To be released Skill Type: Class Allowed: Banned:
Stage 1
To be released
Stage 2
To be released
Stage 3
To be released

Intimacy

Alcander-Starflame shares his Intimacy Level with Alcander.

Views

Unlock views by leveling the intimacy of other gyees.

• Vundo: The Dark Alcander... He's not a Shadow, but I can sense the power within him. It's a power darker than the Shadows... the Abyss...
  Vundo's Intimacy reaches Lv.2 to unlock
• BeeNic: Starflame? He's got a hot body! (I would love to take him into the jungle and get it on with him, but will I get burned? Well, I guess I'll find out!)
  BeeNic's Intimacy reaches Lv.4 to unlock
• Rom: He looks like my brother, and he can transform into a furry, but he's not my brother! My brother is much more mature than him!
  Rom's Intimacy reaches Lv.6 to unlock
• Alcander: He was... like my shadow, one that brings nothing but disaster. But now, he's Starflame, the fire that exiles evil.
  Alcander's Intimacy reaches Lv.8 to unlock
• Woman at the Bakery: He used to come gawk at my cakes every morning, and I used to give him a slice every time. He didn't have any money, but I was happy to watch him wolf down my cake.
• Sewer Worker: Just getting close to him makes me horny. Take me now!
• White Cape Spy: A new Flux appeared on Never Isle. Did the Yellow Eyes get help from another world again? When will they stop?

Scripts

Branch

This section contains spoilers for the Branch quest. Please use a desktop browser for the best viewing experience.

Links to Other Worlds

-Part 1

Note: It is recommended to complete Alcander's story before proceeding

...

???: Why is this happening again?

???: Do I have to keep doing this?

...

Player: Who is it?

Player: What is this place?

???: Run!

Player: ?!

Never Isle

Defense Force Warriors direct the citizens to escape towards the docks

Defense Force Warrior: Don't push! Maintain order!

Miles and Eddie reach the fleeing citizens

Miles: Phew...

Eddie: Finally!

Oathblades Warrior: Wolf, half of them are trapped!

Miles: I have to go back! They're... They're...

Eddie: Miles!

Eddie: You won't come back alive!

Miles: Even if I die, I...

Eddie: Calm down!

Eddie: Do you remember what the commander said?

Eddie: And the general?

Miles: ...

Miles: ...

Eddie: As long as we live, there is hope for the Gyees.

Eddie: Let their sacrifices mean something!

Miles: Ahhhhhhhhh!

Alcander drops down from the sky

Alcander: Shut up! I'll stall them. Get out of here!

Eddie: But you're no match for them!

Alcander: At least I can buy you some time.

Miles: You're going to die!

Alcander: At least this is a proper way for me to go out.

Alcander: Miles, Eddie, just go...

Alcander: We can't let more people die!

Miles: ...

Eddie: Umm...

Miles: Retreat! Everyone, retreat! Get on the ship!

Alcander runs back towards the Isle

Fires rage everywhere

Alcander: ...

Alcander gathers his rage and morphs into Lion King form

Alcander: (angry)

In front of Alcander, his foe's power begins to regain

???: ...

Alcander: Rrragh!

Alcander attacks but is rebuffed

Alcander: *Coughs*

???: You can't even stand up. Just give up...

Alcander: Uh...

Alcander: It doesn't matter anymore.

Alcander: I bought them enough time.

The foe Alcander is fighting is none other than Player

Player: Really?

Player: Come...

Alcander: Uh...

Alcander makes one last desperate attack but Player knocks it aside

Player: Don't get so excited. I'm not going to kill you just yet.

Player: (You help Alcander up.)

Player: I just want you to watch this...

Player: Watch how I destroy your hope.

Player: Pay attention!

Alcander: !!

Player concentrates his flux and attacks the ship fleeing the Isle

Alcander: That's their ship! Eddie! Miles!

Alcander: No!

Player: Hahahahaha!

Alcander: No...

Player: Don't worry, you'll be seeing them very soon.

Player brings down a bolt of lightning on the weakened Alcander

Alcander: Grr...eh...

Alcander: ...

Player: Heh...

Player: Hahaha!

Player: Hahahaha!

Player: Hey! Did you hear me?

Player: Is that enough?

Player: (Ugh... What?)

Player looks directly at you

Player: Isn't this what you wanted?

Player: (No...No!)

At the Never Isle harbor, Captain's room on the airship...

Player: Ahhhhh!

Player falls out of bed and rushes out of the room

Player: This...this can't be!

Billy: What's wrong, Captain?

Player: Get out of my way!

Billy: Captain!

Player: Ugh, Billy...

Billy: Calm down, Captain!

Player: Go away!

Billy: Captain!!!

Player: !!

Player: Uh...

When you calm down...

You notice the carnage.

Player: Uh...

Player: Why did I break everything?

Billy: Is everything alright, Captain?

Player: ...

Player: I... I'm fine. I just had a strange dream.

Player: Go get some rest.

Player: I just need some fresh air.

Billy: Okay.

Player heads to the bridge

Player: What is going on...

Player checks the console

Player: At least Never Isle is fine...

Player: ...

Player: That was just a dream.

Player: Ha...

Player: That must have been a dream.

Player: Destroying Never Isle? Me?

Player: No way. Too spooky.

Player: But...

Player: Was I talking to myself in my dreams?

Player: ...

Player: How could this be?

Player: Back to sleep.

A few days later...

Player and Billy head back to the bridge

Billy: Today's work didn't seem that hard.

Billy: I can finally have a nice dinner on the airship, and then...

Player: Urgh...

Billy: Captain?

Player: So... tired...

Billy: Are you alright, Captain?

Billy: You didn't look very good these last couple of days.

Player: Alas...

Player: I haven't been sleeping well lately.

Player: Why don't you get ready to have dinner with Kitty? I'm going to bed.

Player: Busy day tomorrow.

Billy: We don't have any work tomorrow. It's our day off!

Player: Whoa!

Player: You're right.

Billy: Why don't you take this before going to bed?

Billy hands you a candy.

Billy: Kitty heard about what's been happening, and got one of these Arcana candies from Yaen. They help with sleeping.

Player: Yaen's candy...

Billy: Kitty said he already removed the Arcana traps on the candy, so you can eat it.

Player: Really?

Player: Thank him for me, please.

Billy: He's going back to the Arcana Academy for a test tomorrow.

Billy: A coworker from when I used to work at the Red Harbor is coming to Never Isle tomorrow.

Billy: We're going to hang around the island, so I'll be leaving early tomorrow.

Billy: We'll make breakfast and lunch before we leave. Make sure you eat them, okay?

Player: ...

Player: Sure.

Billy: (smiles)

Player heads back to his room

Player: I hope I can sleep well tonight...

Player: I don't want to have any more of those strange nightmares.

That night in Player's dreams...

???: No matter how hard you work, it won't matter in the end...

???: The end will never change, no matter how many times you try...

???: What is the meaning of what I'm doing here?

Alcander: Agh! Stop!

Player: Hahaha!

Alcander: Ughh... Argh....

Alcander: ...

Player: The last obstacle is out of the way.

Player: Die!

Player: Hahahaha!

Player: The world... is mine!

Player: And not yours...

Player: Hahaha!

Player: (Ugh... I...)

Player: (I feel terrible...)

Player: Arghhhhhh...

The next morning...

Player looks out the window of the bridge

Player: ...

Player: Another mess.

Player: The dreams themselves aren't the same.

Player: But I always end up destroying Luxium.

Player: I wonder if there's any significance...

Player: To these dreams.

Player: I remember Alcander once said that in the Luxiums of other parallel worlds...

Player: I was the bad guy and destroyed every Luxium that he visited.

Player: And that he came here because he wanted to protect Luxium.

Player: Come to think of it, Alcander was in every dream.

Player: But I killed him each time.

Player: ...

Player: Are my dreams what Alcander has experienced in the past?

Kitty finds Player

Kitty: Hm? Player?

Player: Yes?

Kitty: You're up early, Player.

Player: Hmm... can't fall asleep.

Kitty: Another dream?

Player: Yes.

Kitty: Not even with the candy I got from Yaen?

Kitty: What do we do now? Hm.

Player: ...

Player: I'm fine.

Player: Thanks to the candy, I slept better last night than the few days before.

Kitty: ...

Player: Don't worry, I was just stressed out because I had a full plate.

Player: I think I'll be fine the next couple of days.

Kitty: Are you sure? Don't hide anything from us!

Player: Yes, don't worry!

Player: You have a test today, right?

Player: I'll go with you to the Arcana Academy.

Kitty: ...

Kitty: (smiles)

Kitty: Okay!

A few moments later in the Arcana Academy...

Kitty: That's where the test is.

Kitty: Thank you for taking me, Player.

Player: Good luck!

Kitty: Sure.

After dropping Kitty off, Player walks around the campus

Player: (smiles)

Player: Maybe the Academy has research about dreams.

Player: I'm already here anyway.

Moments later, in the Arcana Academy Library...

Player: ...

Player: Let's see, this book says that...

Player: Dreams are the opposite of reality, and what happens in dreams will never happen in real life.

Player: Conversely, what doesn't happen in dreams can very well happen in reality.

Player: Is that so?

Player: If it's reserve, then...

Player: I have nothing to worry about.

Player: What about this book?

Player: Let's see...

Player: Your worries and fears will become your dreams.

Player: Worries and fears, hmmm...

Player: I've never worried about myself destroying Never Isle...

Player: This is nonsense.

Player: And this book says...

Player: Dreams of destruction are...

Player: Bad omens?!

Player: Dreams of city destruction will make you moody...

Player: Dreams of destroying enemies will give you bad luck...

Player: And dreams of being destroyed by your enemies will bring you luck...

Player: ...

Player: What the heck?

???: Are you also looking for information on dreams, Player?

Player: Yes?

Player: Um, you are...

???: You don't know me, Player...

Dream Researcher: I'm just a researcher that specializes in dreams and timelines.

Player: Dreams and... timelines?

Dream Researcher: I saw that you were looking at books about dreams, Player.

Dream Researcher: Are you interested in dreams, Player?

Player: Well, actually...

Player: I've been plagued by nightmares for a few days now.

Player: So I wanted to find some books on dreams.

Dream Researcher: I see...

Dream Researcher: You're not going to understand dreams from just reading these recreational books, Player.

Player: Recreational...

Player: But the dreams have significance, right?

Dream Researcher: Of course...

Dream Researcher: The academics have plenty to say about dreams, but one thing is clear...

Dream Researcher: Dreams are pathways to other timelines.

Player: Other timelines?

Player: (Alcander came from timelines where Luxium was destroyed...)

Player: (Could it be...?)

Dream Researcher: Given the current technology level of Luxium...

Dream Researcher: We can only touch a small portion of our own timeline.

Dream Researcher: The real world consists of countless parallel timelines.

Dream Researcher: They are independent, but intertwined.

Dream Researcher: Other versions of 'us' live in the Luxium in those timelines.

Dream Researcher: And dreams are how we connect to the 'us' from the different timelines.

Dream Researcher: It's a window for us to get a glimpse of their lives.

Player: Uh...

Player: So you mean...

Player: Dreams are what other versions of us experience in different timelines?

Dream Researcher: Correct!

Player: Hold on!

Player: You just said that Luxium doesn't have the technology to see the other timelines, right?

Dream Researcher: Yes.

Player: So... how do you know dreams are related to the other timelines?

Dream Researcher: In recent years, we've had many guests from the other worlds.

Dream Researcher: The research on the world, time, and space is at an all time high.

Dream Researcher: And Alcander helped us with some new ideas...

Dream Researcher: So we discovered the link between dreams and the timelines.

Player: Alcander...

Player: (Alcander said that the Luxiums he traveled to were ultimately all destroyed by me.)

Player: (This means the dreams I've been having are the destruction of the other Luxiums, done by 'me' from those worlds.)

Player: (This makes sense, but something doesn't feel right.)

Player: (And whose voice was that in the dream?)

Player: Alright...

Player: It's pretty incredible. I didn't think that dreams connected the timelines.

Dream Researcher: The views in those recreational books...

Dream Researcher: Well, since there are an infinite number of parallel words, so there are infinite possibilities.

Dream Researcher: Anything could happen, really.

Player: Umm...

Dream Researcher: Do you have more questions, Player?

Dream Researcher: Don't worry, they're not related to reality.

Dream Researcher: And they're just fragments that you'll forget about in a few days.

Player: Whoa!

Player: Fragments, huh?

Player: But the dreams I've been having are surprisingly complete.

Player: And they were so real...

Dream Researcher: Whoa!

Dream Researcher: Realistic dreams...

Dream Researcher: I've never heard of those.

Dream Researcher: Player, will you tell me more?

Dream Researcher: This will help me with my research tremendously!

Player: Well, alright.

You summarize your dreams and feelings.

Dream Researcher: Incredible!

Dream Researcher: Realistic dreams, with unknown and mysterious utterances...

Dream Researcher: And you communicated with the different versions of yourself inside the dream.

Player: Why am I having these dreams?

Dream Researcher: Umm...

Dream Researcher: My recent researches have shown that the closer the dream gets to the dreamer...

Dream Researcher: The stronger the link between the dream and the parallel timelines is, and the clearer the dreams are!

Player: The closer a dream gets to the dreamer...

Dream Researcher: Sounds crazy, right?

Dream Researcher: We're still developing this theory, and we don't have any evidence yet.

Dream Researcher: If we can find real evidence, it'll be a huge discovery for the research of dreams and parallel timelines.

Player: Right.

Dream Researcher: There are more possibilities with the unknown and mysterious utterances. Could be anything from people out of view or even meaningless interference.

Dream Researcher: But... communicating with yourself in the dream...

Dream Researcher: That's impossible!

Player: Impossible? Why?

Dream Researcher: Because the links are on a consciousness level, and not an interactive level.

Dream Researcher: Umm...

Dream Researcher: Sorry, I got a bit carried away because it's an interesting question.

Dream Researcher: Player, what you shared with me today is tremendous for my research. Thank you so much!

Player: You're welcome. I'm happy that I can contribute to Luxium's timeline research.

Dream Researcher: Anyway, I have an important seminar coming up, so I should get going.

The researcher's comm crystal rings.

Dream Researcher: Yes, it's me.

Dream Researcher: What?

Dream Researcher: Alright, what a shame.

Player: Um, what happened?

Dream Researcher: Alcander was supposed to give a talk at the seminar that I'm going to.

Dream Researcher: But he never showed up.

Dream Researcher: And we can't reach him over the comm crystal either.

Dream Researcher: Maybe he got caught up in something.

Player: ...

Dream Researcher: Well, since the seminar is canceled, I'll head back to the lab.

Dream Researcher: It was nice talking to you, Player.

Player: My pleasure, too.

The researcher leaves

Player: Those dreams...

Player: Nah, I don't want to think about them.

Player: Kitty's test should be over soon.

As Player is thinking, Kitty spots player in the library

Kitty: Player!

Player: I see you're done.

Player: Are you hungry? Let's go get a bite.

Kitty: Sure.

Player and Kitty prepare to leave but get interrupted

???: Mr. Player!

Player: Did someone just say my name?

Defense Force Warrior: Here you are, Player...

Player: The Defense Force? Looking for me?

Defense Force Warrior: Captain Izumi sent me to find you.

Defense Force Warrior: Please come to the Defense Force right away.

Player: Hm?

Player: What happened?

Defense Force Warrior: Billy was involved in an assault. He has been taken away for interrogation.

Player: What?!

Kitty: Assault? Billy? No way!

Defense Force Warrior: He hit the victim with a wrench, and there were witnesses.

Defense Force Warrior: Captain Izumi knows that Billy is your friend, so he sent me to get you.

Player: Many people witnessed the incident...

Player: Uh...

Kitty: Billy can't hurt anyone. This must be a misunderstanding.

Player: Where's Billy?

Defense Force Warrior: In the detention room of the Defense Force

Player: Let's go!

A few moments later...

Underground visit area, Defense Force...

Player and Kitty talk with Billy while Izumi and many Defense Force warriors observe

Billy: I... hurt him.

Player: What?

Kitty: Billy?!

Billy: ...

Player: What happened?

Billy: I don't know...

Billy: We were just eating, and then...

Billy: I felt hot, and I couldn't breath...

Player: Hot...

Billy: I also felt anger, desperation, and pain...

Billy: And then...

Billy: I had a wrench in my hand, and he was down on the ground in front of me.

Kitty: ...

Player: ...

Billy: What happened? Why did I do it?

Billy: Am I a bad person?

Defense Force Warrior: It's time, Player, Kitty...

Defense Force Warrior: The suspect must go back now.

Player: Billy is not a criminal!

Billy: ...

Player: Stop dwelling on it, Billy. Just stay safe here at the Defense Force.

Player: I'm sure someone is behind this, and I will find the truth to get you out!

Billy: ...

Billy: Will you check on him for me?

Billy: And... apologize to him for me, please?

Billy: We were friends...

Billy is lead back to his cell

Player: ...

Kitty: Even Billy said that he did it.

Kitty: What do we do now, Player?

Player: Let's go talk to Izumi.

A few moments later...

Izumi: It looks really bad for Billy.

Izumi: They found the victim's hair on the wrench.

Izumi: And all four waiters saw it happen.

Player: ...

Kitty: So... What do we do now?

Izumi: We should probably apologize to the victim first.

Izumi: He's being treated at the Kaism Church. I'll tell them to let you in.

Izumi: If he doesn't press charges, Billy will be freed in a few months.

Player: Alright...

Player: Please take care of him.

Izumi: Don't worry.

Player: Kitty, go get some money from the airship, then go to the Church to check on the victim.

Player: I want to check out the scene. I believe in Billy, and I'm sure something is not right.

Kitty: Got it!

After a while, at the restaurant...

Player talks with the owner about what happened with Billy

Restaurant Owner: This is where it happened.

Restaurant Owner: They looked like they were having a good time.

Player: Umm...

Player: (Doesn't look like anything's wrong...)

Player: Were there any other guests when the incident happened?

Restaurant Owner: No, they came pretty early, so they were the only diners at the time.

Player: Just one table...

Player: Uh...

Player: Are any of the waiters friends with either of them?

Restaurant Owner: Friends with them?

Restaurant Owner: What are you trying to say?

Restaurant Owner: Are you suspecting my employees?

Player: No, that's not what I meant...

Restaurant Owner: Whatever.

Restaurant Owner: Just do what you need to do and get out.

Restaurant Owner: I have a business to run.

Player: Uh...

The owner storms off

Restaurant Owner: Get out of my way!

Waiter: Uh...

Player: (He's unusually angry...)

One of the workers walk up to Player

Waiter: I'm the hall manager. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Player: Oh... thank you.

Waiter: I'm sorry, he's not usually like that.

Waiter: It happened out of nowhere, so everyone is a little shaken up.

Player: I get it.

A few moments later...

Waiter: So that's how it happened...

Player: Thank you.

Player: (Looks like Billy did tell me everything.)

Player: (No one here knows Billy.)

Player: (And they were the only diners here.)

Player: (So no one drugged him, that's for sure...)

Player: (What made him violent all of a sudden, though?)

Suddenly, your arcana comm crystal rings.

Player: Uh...

Player: Izumi? What's wrong?

Arcana Communication: We have the test results on the samples from the restaurant.

Player: And?

Arcana Communication: No traces of Arcana potions.

Arcana Communication: But we detected strong residues of a unique twin flux.

Player: A twin flux?

Arcana Communication: The main flux is human, and intertwined with a powerful Furry flux.

Arcana Communication: Based on the residue level, someone used Arcana at the scene.

Player: Arcana!

Player: (So someone cast a spell on Billy! Was it some sort of charming spell?)

Player: (But there were several waiters in addition to Billy. If someone were to cast Arcana, how did the culprit avoid everyone?)

The owner shouts at the staff

Restaurant Owner: The Never Isle Security Officers are here to check our sewers. Can someone take care of it?

Waiter: I got it!

Waiter: Sorry, I need to go take a look at the sewers.

Player: Did you just say sewer?

Player: Wait, I'll go with you.

Moments later, under the restaurant...

Waiter: We're right below the dining area.

Player: Wow, I had no idea such a space existed.

Waiter: This is a branch of the Never Isle sewer system. No one comes here...

Player: Did anyone see any suspicious figures here around the time the incident happened?

Waiter: Suspicious figure... I don't think so.

Waiter: A coworker did say that they saw someone big, and on fire...

Player: Someone big?

Waiter: Maybe a Furry Gyee.

Waiter: The rest of us came down to check, but we didn't see anyone.

Player: A Furry Gyee, on fire...

Player: Twin flux of Gyee and Furry...

Player: (Could it be Alcander?)

Player: (But why did he set Billy up?)

Player: (No, that's impossible...)

Waiter: Did you find anything?

Player: No, I'll look around some more. You can go back to work.

Waiter: Oh.

Player checks out the area

Player: So this is right below Billy's table...

Player: ...

Player: Flux residue, of course.

Player: This feels like Alcander.

Player: But...

Suddenly you sense something familiar behind you.

Player: Hm?

Player: This feeing...

The feeling leads player to a raging blue flame

Player: What's... this?

The flame flashes and a naked half-man, half-beast stands before Player

He looks like Alcander but has a white tail instead

Player: Whoa!

Player: Alcander? No...

Alcander?: ...

Player: W-Who are you?

Alcander?: Hehe!

He transforms back into a blue flame and heads further into the sewers

Player: Hm?

Player: Wait!!

Player follows but loses sight of the flame

Player: Where did he go?

The flame sneaks up behind Player

Player: !!

Again the flame transforms into the naked Alcander

Alcander?: Come play with me!

Player: Whoa!

He runs off

Player: Wait!

Player chases after him

Player: Where are you?

Alcander?: Hahahahaha!

Player: Over here!

Player chases the naked Alcander into a dead end

Player: That's a dead end! Wait!

Player: Is that you, Alcander?

Player: What are you doing here?

Alcander?: Heh heh.

The naked Alcander changes back into a blue flame and goes through a sewer grate

Player: Did he... walk through a wall?

Player: How... How is that possible?

Suddenly, footsteps echo down the sewer

Player: Someone's here!

Player turns around to find Alcander

Player: Hm?

Alcander: Player?

Alcander: What are you doing here?

Player: Alcander?

Continue to Trifle - Mist of Tyranny and Rancor

Trifle

This section contains spoilers for the Trifle. Please use a desktop browser for the best viewing experience.

Mist of Tyranny and Rancor

A chain of violent events disturbed the peace on Never Isle. Are they just a chain of accidents, or the beginning of a conspiracy?

-Part 1

Beneath Never Isle, near the restaurant where Billy had his incident.

Player: Don't run! Wait!

Alcander?: Hahaha! Let's have some fun!

Player chases the naked Alcander into a dead end

Player: That's a dead end! Wait!

Player: Is that you, Alcander?

Player: What are you doing here?

Alcander?: Hee hee!

The naked Alcander changes back into a blue flame and goes through a sewer grate

Player: Did he... walk through a wall?

Player: How... How is that possible?

Suddenly, footsteps echo down the sewer

Player: Someone's here!

Player turns around to find Alcander

Player: Whoa!!!

Alcander: Player?!

Player: Alcander?

Alcander: What are you doing here?

Player: Billy's gotten himself into some trouble...

Player: I discovered someone suspicious during my investigation.

Player: I chased him here, but he transformed into fire and escaped through a wall.

Alcander: Through a wall?

Alcander examines the sewer grate

Alcander: This wall?

Player: Yeah!

Alcander: ...

Alcander turns back to leave

Player: Alcander?

Alcander: Sorry, I'm a little busy right now...

Alcander: Let's talk later!

Alcander runs off

Player: Huh? Hold on!

Player: ...

Player: What...

Player: What is Alcander doing here?

A few moments later...

Never Isle, at the Defense Force headquarters.

Kitty: ...

Kitty paces outside HQ when Player comes out

Kitty: How did it go, Player?

Player: I told the Defense Force about what I found during my investigation.

Player: But they refused to let Billy go.

Kitty: What?

Kitty: What are they thinking? Clearly, the mysterious guy who controls blue flames was the culprit.

Player: Well, I was the only one who saw the mysterious man. I'll be happy so long as the Defense Force promises to conduct another investigation.

Player: There's not much else we can do about it.

Player: Anyway. How are things going with you?

Kitty: Things have been going well on my end.

Kitty: The victim is a good friend of Billy's, and he doesn't intend to sue him.

Kitty: At first, he didn't want me to pay for his medical bills. Naturally, I waited until he wasn't paying attention to pay them all. I've still got plenty of gold left.

Player: Great!

Player: One more thing: did you ask him how the attack went down?

Kitty: Of course! It happened more or less as Billy described it, but...

Kitty: He said that when the first dish was put on the table, he suddenly felt gloomy and was in pain...

Kitty: He said that he felt an irresistible desire to hit someone.

Player: Whoa!

Player: Isn't that what happened to Billy?

Player: Now that you mention it...

Player: The waiter at the restaurant said that the restaurant owner also became very irritable after the incident...

Player: Coupled with the underground space beneath the restaurant and the mysterious man who looked like Alcander...

Player: ...

Kitty: This just keeps getting stranger and stranger.

Player looks back at HQ

Player: Maybe Billy wasn't the target of the incident.

Player: Perhaps someone used an arcana beneath the restaurant that affects people's moods.

Kitty: Uh...

Kitty: But who would do such a thing?

Player: I don't know...

Kitty: But as long as we catch him, Billy will be okay, right?

Player: Of course!

Kitty: That guy's hiding underground. If we scour the sewers, I bet we'll find him!

Player: Yeah!

(Rumble, rumble)

Someone's hungry...

Kitty: (embarrassed)

Player: (surprised)

Player: (I need to relax. It's been a busy day...)

Player: (Besides, we don't know who our enemy is yet. Fumbling around in the dark trying to find them is useless, not to mention dangerous...)

Player: (Haste makes waste. Billy's in trouble, but I need to take care of Kitty first!)

Player: Come to think of it, we didn't eat lunch.

Player: Let's go eat something first.

Kitty: Who has time to eat?

Kitty: We have to catch the culprit as soon as we can and save Billy!

Player: Don't worry, Kitty...

Player: There's no need to work yourself to death trying to save Billy!

Player: Let's get something to eat and then get some rest. We'll put a plan together tomorrow!

Kitty: But... (Rumbles...)

Kitty: Uh...

Kitty: (embarrassed)

Player: All right. Let's get something to eat, then we'll figure out what to do!

Player: Don't worry, I've asked Izumi to take good care of Billy.

Kitty: Alright...

...

...

That night in the Captain's room...

In a sea of flames on Never Isle, Alcander faces Player

Player: Don't struggle, it's pointless!

Alcander: Ugh...

Alcander: Even if...you kill me a thousand times...

Alcander: I will never give up...

Alcander: Ugh...

Alcander dies

Alcander: ...

Player: (Alcander!)

Player: (Ugh... It feels like my chest has been crushed by a boulder.)

Player: (This is...Alcander's pain? His regret? His malice?)

Player: Humph! What boring last words...

Player: This Alcander is dead, but there's still another threat.

Player looks at you

Player: (Looks up at the sky)

Player: I know what you're looking at...

Player: (Oh!)

Player: (This evil version of me from another world... How does he know I'm watching him?)

Player: This world will perish by my hand...

Player: You don't stand a chance!

Player: Hahaha!!!

???: You've failed again...

???: All of this world's inhabitants...

???: Will die...

Player: (This voice again...)

Player: (Who are you?!)

???: Is this the ending ordained by fate?

Player: (The ending ordained by fate? What does that mean...)

Suddenly, a powerful thought floods into your mind...

Player: (Ugh... My head...)

Player: (This is...the wailing of countless dead people...their regrets...)

Player: (I can't take any more of this!)

Early morning, on the bridge of the airship.

Player: Ahhh!!!

Player: This damn nightmare!

Player: Go for a shower, take your time...

Player tries to enter the bar but the door won't open

Airship System: The Hottie Bar is undergoing regular Auto Maintenance and cannot be used for the time being.

Airship System: One hour until the bar is open. 55 minutes until the bar is open...

Player: Uh...

Player: Pause maintenance. I want to take a shower!

Airship System: Command cannot be executed. Auto Maintenance cannot be paused.

Player: Ugh...

Player: You stupid thing! I want to shower!

Player: I'll blow this damned door right off the hinges...

Kitty: Player?

Player: Oh! Kitty, it's you...

Player: I want to shower, but this stupid thing is in the middle of a two hour maintenance...

Kitty: It's five past five...

Kitty: This is when the Hottie Bar usually does its self-cleaning and maintenance.

Player: Oh... You're right...

Player: What's going on with me?

Player: Getting angry at a machine...

Player: I haven't yelled at you, have I?

Kitty: Nope. I got up to use the restroom, and I heard someone up here on the bridge, so I came to take a look.

Kitty: It's still early, Player. Get some rest.

Player: Okay!

Kitty goes back to his room

Player: ...

Player: I have to calm down... Billy and Kitty both need me...

Player: Take it easy, take it easy...

Player: (Breathes deeply) Phew...

Later that night, at Never Isle Harbor.

Kitty: After we've eaten and gotten some rest, let's go scour the sewers!

Player: Hold on, Kitty!

Player: We don't know anything about the enemy. If we go charging into the sewers, we might scare them away.

Kitty: So...what should we do?

Player: Since he's on Never Isle, the Defense Force ought to have a record of when he got here.

Player: I saw him transform into blue flames and then pass through a wall.

Player: The Order of Equality would definitely have information on a person with such a special ability!

Player: Kitty, you go to the Defense Force headquarters and find Izumi, and have him look into all of Never Isle's arrivals and departures over the last month.

Player: I'm going to go find Eddie!

Kitty: Got it!

Later, just before the Order of Equality meeting...

Outside of the Order of Equality HQ, Eddie directs some of the staff for the upcoming meeting

Eddie: Make sure to clean the first floor meeting room and reception area ahead of time.

Eddie: Also, go to the restaurant we made the reservation at, and confirm the evening menu. Don't mess this up...

Order of Equality Director: Yes, sir!

The staff leave to make preparations

Eddie: Hmm... Just to be safe, I'll take another look at the meeting procedure for this afternoon...

Player: Eddie!

Eddie: Oh...

Eddie: It's Player.

Player: Are you busy, Eddie?

Eddie: I've got some time now. How can I help you?

Player: Can I use the Order of Equality's intelligence network to investigate something?

Eddie: You want to use the Order of Equality's intelligence network?

Eddie: You must be in quite a pickle.

Player: Yep. Otherwise, I wouldn't be troubling you.

One of the staff comes back and interrupts the conversation

Order of Equality Director: Sir, something happened to the samples we were going to present at the meeting.

Eddie: Understood. I'm on my way.

Eddie turns back to Player

Eddie: Take my ID card and go to the basement floor of the Order of Equality's headquarters.

Eddie: The guards will let you in.

Eddie: My hands are full here. I need to go.

Player: Thank you so much. I'll let you get back to your work now.

Eddie: You're welcome.

That afternoon...

Player: ...

Player: It's not use, even with the Order of Equality's intelligence network.

Player: Just who is that mysterious man?

Kitty finds Player at their meeting spot

Kitty: Sigh...

Player: How are things going on your end, Kitty?

Kitty: (Shakes head)

Kitty: There's nothing suspicious in the entry and exit records.

Kitty: I also asked the students and teachers at the Arcana Academy...

Kitty: They don't know anything about arcana that uses blue flames and can move through walls.

Kitty: The teachers said that the only possibility is an illusion-type arcana.

Player: No... It wasn't an illusion.

Kitty: I told them, Player can't even see illusions...

Player: In other words... This type of arcana doesn't even exist.

Player: The Order of Equality's intelligence network couldn't find him, either.

Player: This guy is bad news...

Kitty: What do we do now?

Player: ...

Player: Since we don't know who he is, we'll need to start with his motives.

Kitty: His motives...

Kitty: You mean, why he cast an illusion beneath the restaurant...

Kitty: And made Billy and the others lose their minds?

Player: Yeah...

Kitty: Ugh... Nothing's coming to mind!

Player: Brainpower alone won't be enough to figure it out.

Player: First, let's find our friends on Never Isle and have them keep an eye on the sewers.

Player: Maybe they'll find some clues.

Kitty: Yeah! Good idea!

At dusk...

Kitty: We've talked to so many people...

Kitty: It's been several hours and we haven't found anything.

Player: Don't be impatient. Maybe...

Suddenly, your comm crystal rings.

Player: Oh, it's Izumi...

Player: Hello, Izumi. This is Player...

Player: ...

Player: Oh...

Player: What did you say?!

Kitty: ?

Player: Understood. I'm on my way!

Kitty: What's wrong? Did something happen?

Player: The Order of Equality...

Player: Something happened to Eddie!

Player: We need to go ASAP!

In front of the Order of Equality headquarters.

A group of merchants and their guards scolds Eddie and the Order of Equality

Izumi and the Defense Force try to keep the peace between them

Merchant: When I first came to Never Isle, I was astonished by what a prosperous place the Gyees had created.

Merchant: I thought that in such a prosperous city...

Merchant: It would be possible to hold a civilized meeting.

Order of Equality Director: Calm down, sir. There must be some misunderstanding...

Merchant's Assistant: Misunderstanding?

Merchant's Assistant: You provided the security, the venue, the catering. Yet you attacked me...

Eddie: I'm truly sorry!

Merchant: My consultants and my directors all warned me not to do business with Gyees...

Merchant: Now I understand why.

Eddie: I'm very sorry. Let me take care of your medical bills.

Merchant: That won't be necessary...

Merchant: I just want to leave.

The merchant group leave

Eddie: Send an escort anyway, and be quiet about it. We can't let anything else happen...

Order of Equality Director: Yes, sir!

As the Order of Equality leave, Player and Kitty reach Eddie and Izumi

Player: Eddie, Izumi... What happened?

Eddie: We were at a business meeting, and I hit the other party's boss...

Player: Whoa!

Kitty: You hit someone, Eddie?

Player: This is just like what happened with Billy...

Player: Izumi, seal off the sewers. Seal all the exits!

Izumi: Beat you to it! They've already been sealed.

Eddie: The other party obviously isn't happy about all this. Hopefully, the Order of Equality will spare no expense...

Eddie: That said, every business negotiation has its snag. It shouldn't be a problem...

Eddie: But I don't understand what happened!

Eddie: We were taking a break, and we were getting ready to treat the other party to dinner...

Eddie: Suddenly, I felt very irritable and angry. Then I...

Eddie: Sigh...

Eddie: When the bodyguards saw me attack them, they surrounded me...

Eddie: Then the other guys from the Order of Equality saw the other party fight back...

Eddie: In the end, things got out of hand...

Izumi: Luckily, the Defense Force got there in time and got everything under control. Only a few of bodyguards and members of the Order of Equality were hurt.

Player: Don't beat yourself up over this, Eddie. It wasn't your fault...

Eddie: ...

Eddie: But these business negotiations are very important...

Eddie: If we can reach an agreement...

Eddie: Then the Order of Equality's business in the south will expand.

Eddie: The mundanes will get a better feel for the kinds of products that the Order of Equality puts out.

Eddie: The mundanes will shed their misunderstandings.

Eddie: The president has high hopes for these negotiations.

Eddie: But I...

Eddie: ...

Eddie: Sorry, I just want to be alone for a while.

Eddie leaves

Player: ...

Izumi: Eddie...

Izumi: First Billy, now Eddie...

Izumi: I'm gonna catch the guy behind this, whatever it takes!

Izumi: (Takes out comm crystal.)

Izumi: Teams, status report!

Izumi: ...

Izumi: What?

Izumi: We've got him cornered! All teams, head to the southeast corner of the sewers!

Player: What's up?

Izumi: The warriors we tasked with sealing the sewers found someone suspicious...

Izumi: Tall and sturdy, surrounded by floating blue flames...

Player: That must be the mysterious man!

Player: His power is unfathomable.

Player: I fear that the Defense Force warriors won't be able to stop him. Let's go!

Meanwhile...

Three Defense Force warriors chase the naked Alcander deep in the sewers

Defense Force Warrior: Target spotted. We need backup!

Defense Force Warrior: Block the exit!

Alcander?: Ugh... I'm hungry...

Defense Force Warrior: Identify yourself!

The naked Alcander gets closer to the warriors

Defense Force Warrior: Stop right there! Don't come any closer!

Alcander?: So many people...

Defense Force Warrior: Are you the one who cast an illusion to sabotage the Order of Equality's business negotiations?

Alcander?: ...

Defense Force Warrior: Ugh... He's not responding. Brothers, draw your swords! Prepare for battle!

Alcander?: Huh?

One of the warriors attacks but the naked Alcander dodges

Alcander?: ?!

Defense Force Warrior: Tell our other brothers to get over here. We can't let him escape!

The naked Alcander turns around to run but is blocked by more Defense Force warriors

Alcander?: Ugh...

Defense Force Warrior: Get him!

Another warrior attacks and manages to hit him

Alcander?: Ugh...

Alcander?: You...

Alcander?: Stay away from me!!

The naked Alcander engulfs everyone in blue flames

Defense Force Warrior: Ugh... It hurts...

Defense Force Warrior: Ahhh!!!

The naked Alcander transforms himself into a blue flame and flies past the warriors

Defense Force Warrior: Ugh... Oh... Ow...

Defense Force Warrior: Go to hell!

The blue flames begin to warp their minds

Later...

Izumi leads Player and Kitty into the sewer

Izumi: Wait!

Player: What's wrong, Izumi?

Izumi: There should be someone stationed here, but...

Kitty: Don't tell me they were...

Player: No, there are signs of fighting here...

Player: It seems that for some reason, they left.

Izumi: This is Izumi. All underground blockade teams, please respond.

Izumi: ...

Izumi: Someone, answer me!!

Izumi: Ugh...

Player: Something happened...

Player: Whoa!

Kitty: Player!

Player: The flux is getting stronger!

Player: Something's coming this way, and fast!

Izumi: What?

Player: Ugh...

Player: Everyone run!

A blue flame rushes past

Player: This dark blue flame...

Player: It's him!

Player: Let's go after him!

???: Don't run...

???: No one... Can escape...

Behind the flame come the Defense Force warriors, engulfed in blue flames

Defense Force Warrior: Go to hell!

Izumi: What are you guys doing?!

Izumi: Stop!

Two of them attack Izumi

Izumi: What do you think you're doing?!

Player: There's something wrong with them...

Izumi: Ugh... It's just like... Eddie described...

Kitty: This has got to be the work of that guy!

Izumi: Player, Kitty, I'll stop the Defense Force warriors.

Izumi: You chase after him!

Kitty: But, Izumi...

Izumi: Don't worry, these are my people. I know how to pull a punch!

Izumi: Don't let him get away!

Player: Let's go, Kitty!

A few moments later...

Player: The flux residue is getting stronger. He can't be far now...

Kitty: Let's catch up to him!

Player: Take it easy, Kitty...

Player: He's got some strange abilities. We can't let him transform into a fireball and escape through the wall.

Player: I'll flank around him and get him from behind.

Player: You put some pressure on him head-on.

Kitty: Good idea!

Farther in the sewer...

The naked Alcander wanders around

Alcander?: Ugh...

Alcander?: ...

Alcander?: I feel awful...

Kitty: I finally found you!

Alcander?: (surprised)

Alcander?: You're a real pain in my neck!

The naked Alcander runs away

Kitty: Don't run!

The naked Alcander runs towards a large room but Player and Kitty flank him

Player: Haha, you won't get away this time!

Alcander?: Whoa!

Alcander?: Ugh...

Player: Don't resist!

Alcander?: Ugh...

Alcander?: You...

Alcander?: Get out of my way!

Player: Whoa!

Player: Take cover, Kitty!

The naked Alcander begins to gather his blue flames

Alcander?: Ahhhhh!!

He morphs into a silver, humanoid lion

Furry King Alcander?: Roar...

Kitty: Whoa!!!

Player: Whoa! He' s...become a furry!

Furry King Alcander?: Get out of my way!

Kitty: Ugh...

Kitty: Not a chance!

Furry King Alcander?: ...

He approaches Kitty

Player: Kitty!!

Player launches multiple bolts of lightning on the Furry

Furry King Alcander?: Huh?

Player: Run, Kitty!

The Furry turns around and uppercuts Player

Player: Ugh...

Furry King Alcander?: ...

The Furry then calmly leaves

Kitty: Player!

Kitty: Ugh...that bastard!

Player: Wait...don't chase him!

Player: His power is unfathomable.

Player: If he wanted to kill me, I'd already be dead...

Kitty: Damn...

More sounds of raging fire echo down the sewer

Player: Whoa!

Kitty: I hear something, from the direction that guy ran off in!

Player: Don't be rash. Take it easy...

Suddenly from the direction that the Furry left, Alcander stumbles upon Player and Kitty

Kitty: Whoa! Alcander?

Player: What are you doing here?

Alcander: There's something I've been meaning to ask you...

Alcander: Player, why do I keep running into you in the sewers?

Alcander: Why are you still hurt?

Alcander gets closer to examine Player

You notice a small arcana scar on Alcander's body.

Player: ...

Player: Kitty and I have been helping the Defense Force clear some monsters out of the sewers.

Player: I was attacked by a sewer rat. It's just a little flesh wound...

Player: Don't laugh.

Player: Don't worry, I'm fine.

Player: But I just heard the sound of fighting...

Player: In the direction you just came from...

Player: Did something happen?

Alcander: (smiles)

Alcander: It was nothing. I ran into a sewer monster myself...

Alcander: But I took care of it.

Kitty: ...

Player: I see...

Player: Kitty and I are heading back. It's been a while since you stopped by the Hottie Bar, Alcander...

Player: Why don't you come to my place and have a drink?

Alcander: Haha. I'll take a rain check. I've got some business to take care of.

Alcander: Next time. Promise.

Later, at the northeast exit of the sewers.

Kitty: ...

Player: What's wrong, Kitty?

Kitty: Player, don't you think that mysterious man...

Kitty: Kinda looked like Alcander?

Player: ...

Kitty: You guys are old friends, and he's no pushover. Maybe the guy he defeated was the mysterious man...

Kitty: But Player, you didn't tell Alcander what we were really doing down there...

Kitty: Player, don't tell me you suspect...

Player: Yes... It's not just a faint resemblance.

Player: Two days ago, while I was investigating Billy's incident beneath the restaurant...

Player: I came across a unique flux trail that only Alcander has...

Player: The mysterious man I was tracking that day disappeared, and Alcander suddenly showed up...

Player: ...The same thing happened today.

Player: And, as you saw, the mysterious man not only looks like Alcander...

Player: He can even transform into furry.

Player: Finally, the arcana scars on his body look like the ones I left on the mysterious man when I attacked him.

Kitty: But Alcander's been such a big help to us and Never Isle...

Kitty: Why would he hurt Billy and Eddie?

Player: I don't know.

Player: I don't believe Alcander is responsible for that. There's no direct evidence...

Player: But I do think that Alcander is somehow involved!

Kitty: Then what should we do?

Player: Alcander doesn't want to talk about it, so there's no point asking. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Player: I'm going to get in touch with Izumi and see how things are going on his end.

Player: (Takes out comm crystal) Izumi, this is Player.

Player: Well... I lost the target. He was too much to handle.

Player: Okay... All right, got it!

Kitty: Well?

Player: The Defense Force Members who were out of control have regained their senses. Several people have suffered minor injuries, but nothing too serious.

Kitty: That's great!

Player: There's no point in hanging around here any longer. Let's get out of here!

A while later, on Never Isle.

Kitty: Look at the time!

Player: Yeah. The night markets are all open...

Kitty: Great. Never Isle wasn't affected...

Player: Yeah!

Player: Come on, let's have a late night snack!

Kitty: Okay...

???: Player?

Player looks around to see who called him and finds Markus out with some Oathblades warriors

Player: Whoa!

Player: Commander Markus!

Markus: Player, what are you doing here this late? Out for a walk?

Player: I was just investigating a case. Now I'm grabbing a bite to eat.

Markus: Investigating a case? The business with the Order of Equality?

Player: (Nods)

Player: It's not just the Order of Equality, it's also Billy...

Markus: ...

Markus: Well if there's anything I can do, just let me know...

Markus: The Oathblades would be happy to lend a helping hand!

Player: All right. Thank you, Commander.

Markus: You're welcome!

Markus: You're going to get a late-night snack, yeah?

Markus: There's a new barbecue restaurant at the eastern corner of the market. It's pretty good!

Player: Oh?

Markus: (Shakes takeout bag)

Markus: We got a lot of takeout for Miles and the other guards on duty tonight!

Player: Well if you think it's good, Commander, it must be tasty!

Player: Let's go check it out, Kitty!

Kitty: Okay! I could really go for some barbe-

Suddenly...

Player: Whoa! This feeling...

Player: It's the mysterious man!

Markus begins to hold his head as if in pain

Markus: Ugh...

Player: !!

Player: Commander! What's wrong?

Markus: Something... Something's trying to get inside my head!

Markus: Ugh...

Player: Commander!

Player: Kitty, run...

Kitty: ...

Kitty: There's no...escape...

Player: This can't be!

Markus turns to his warriors

Oathblades Warrior: Death...is the only way this ends...

The warriors attack Markus

Markus: Ugh...

Oathblades Warrior: Death...is the only way this ends...

Player: Everyone's being affected by the illusion...

???: Mmm... Tasty...

Player looks to see the naked Alcander

Player: It's you!

Player: Stop...

Player: Don't move!

Alcander?: Whoa!

Player: Don't run!

The naked Alcander runs away as Markus and his warriors fight each other

Onlookers: Whoa! Something's going on over there!

Onlookers: Let's go have a look!

Player: This isn't good. The warriors who have lost their senses are going to hurt the civilians.

Player: And the Commander...

Markus: Roar!! It's dangerous here, get out!!!

Onlookers: Uh... This is a little scary. Let's get out of here!

Player: Commander!

Markus: You...go find him. I'll take care of them...

Player: ...

Player: ...

Player chases after the naked Alcander

In a Never Isle side-alley...

Player: Don't move!

The naked Alcander gets trapped in a dead end

Alcander?: How scary!

Player: You bastard! Put your hands up!

Alcander?: Ugh...

The naked Alcander transforms into a blue flame

Player: Up to the same old tricks, huh? Let's see where you run off to this time!

The blue flame sinks into the ground

Player: Whoa! He went straight into the ground! He can do that?!

Player: Damn!!!

Player: This bastard is so cunning!

Player: ...

Player: Uh oh, this isn't good. I'd better lure him to a more advantageous spot.

A while later, on the outskirts of the Never Isle night market.

Player: Commander, Kitty... I hope you're okay!

Player runs back to Markus to see him knocked out on the ground

The other Oathblades warriors and Kitty appear to be in a daze

Strangely, Alcander is with them

Player: Whoa!!

Player: Alcander...

Alcander: Hey, Player! Fancy seeing you here!

Player: ...

Player checks on Markus

Player: ...

Player: (Phew... That scared me for a second. Looks like the commander's only unconscious.)

Player: Alcander? What are you doing here?

Alcander: I...was just passing by.

Player: Passing by?

Player: What the hell is going on?!

Alcander: ...

Alcander: Player...

Alcander: I would never do anything to hurt Never Isle. I'd never do anything to hurt the people of this world!

Alcander: Trust me!

Player: ...

Alcander: I really was just passing by!

Alcander: Well, it seems like everyone's okay. I'll be on my way!

Alcander runs off as Bidziil and Miles arrive

Player: H-hold on!

Bidziil: Commander!

Miles: Old man!

The next day, in the auditorium at the Arcana Academy.

Vundo calls Izumi, Miles, Will and Player to a meeting

Miles: ...

Will: ...

Izumi: ...

Vundo: I assume you all know what we're here to talk about today.

Vundo: The past few days, there have been a series of violent attacks on Never Isle.

Vundo: First, Billy attacked a worker from Red Harbor at a restaurant.

Player: ...

Vundo: Then, Eddie attacked the boss of a company he was having a business meeting with.

Vundo: Thanks to this event, the reputation of the Order of Equality among mundanes suffered greatly.

Will: ...

Vundo: Immediately afterwards, Commander Markus and his guards were...

Miles: Someone has provoked the Oathblades by attacking the commander!

Miles: I'll make him pay!

Player: Take it easy, Miles...

Miles: (angry)

Vundo: Captain Izumi, please explain the current situation...

Izumi: Okay...

Izumi: It's been several days since we started our investigation...

A few moments later...

Izumi: According to the information currently available, the target's primary modus operandi is illusion...

Izumi: People who fall for the illusion lose their minds for a short period of time, during which they become unruly and violent, and attack the people around them indiscriminately...

Izumi: People who have strong willpower and flux power can resist the illusion, but only to an extent.

Izumi: In addition to casting illusions, the target can also transform into blue fireballs and move through physical objects.

Izumi: In addition, the target is so strong that even Player doesn't stand a chance against him!

Vundo: Incredible... An illusion so powerful, it can affect people's minds and turn them against one another.

Vundo: I've never heard of an arcana like this before.

Izumi: Well, there's nothing like this in the Defense Force's records.

Izumi: The Defense Force believes these incidents are more than just mere attacks...

Izumi: We believe that there is a conspiracy behind them!

Will: I agree!

Will: For someone so powerful to slip onto Never Isle undetected...

Will: Surely they plan to do more than drive a few people crazy!

Miles: So what is he trying to achieve?

Will: Okay...

Izumi: Uh...we're still looking into that.

Miles: There have already been three attacks!

Miles: We can't let him hurt anyone else!

Player: That's right! We need to figure out how to predict where the next attack will take place!

Will: Calm down, everyone. If we put all the clues together and analyze them, maybe we'll find something!

Player: Okay...

Player: The target of the first incident was Billy, who injured his friend in Red Harbor in broad daylight.

Player: The second incident targeted the Order of Equality. Eddie attacked the boss of a company he was in negotiations with.

Player: The Oathblades were the target of the third incident, in which their commander did everything he could to stop the Oathblades Warriors from harming innocent civilians at the night market.

Player: So what do these three incidents have in common?

Choice 1.1 - (All were violent incidents with no clear purpose...)

Player: Yeah...

Player: But that doesn't tell us anything...

Player: I should think about it some more.

Choice 1.1.1 - (All were violent incidents with no clear purpose...)

Go to Choice 1.1

Choice 1.1.2 - (The victims and potential victims tried to attack innocent third parties...)

Go to Choice 1.2

Choice 1.1.3 - (Alcander...)

Go to Choice 1.3

Choice 1.2 - (The victims and potential victims tried to attack innocent third parties...)

Player: That's right... Each of these three incidents involved innocent people...

Player: What if the culprit was using Billy's incident to test his powers of illusion?

Player: Then, when that was a success, he attacked the Order of Equality and the Oathblades...

Player: ...

Player: No, that's not very likely.

Player: If the Order of Equality and the Oathblades were the real targets...

Player: Then General Will and President Jonas would've made better targets than Eddie...

Player: By the same token, it would've been silly to attack the commander using just a few warriors.

Player: I don't even think Kitty and I working together could take him out.

Player: No, the attacks on the Order of Equality and the Oathblades may be diversions intended to cover up the culprit's true purpose.

Player: Or maybe... They're means to an end!

Player: But then, why get innocent mundanes involved?

Player: In the first incident, it was Billy's friend, the worker from Red Harbor.

Player: In the second incident, it was boss of the company composed of mundanes...

Player: In the third incident, it was the Never Isle residents who were visiting the night market.

Player: Hmm... Feels like I'm onto something...

Player: What exactly is the mysterious man trying to achieve?

Choice 1.2.1 - Terrorism...

Player: That's...not possible!

Player: If these were acts of terrorism, he could've attacked the downtown area!

Player: These attacks have certainly had an impact, but they're not large-scale by any means...

Player: That's not like terrorism at all.

Player: Think, think...

Choice 1.2.1.1 - Terrorism...

Go to Choice 1.2.1

Choice 1.2.1.2 - Random violence...

Go to Choice 1.2.2

Choice 1.2.1.3 - He intends to tarnish Never Isle's reputation!

Go to Choice 1.2.3

Choice 1.2.2 - Random violence...

Player: No... That doesn't seem too likely.

Player: First Billy, then the Order of Equality, then the Oathblades.

Player: Each attack had a clear target - they weren't random at all!

Choice 1.2.2.1 - Terrorism...

Go to Choice 1.2.1

Choice 1.2.2.2 - Random violence...

Go to Choice 1.2.2

Choice 1.2.2.3 - He intends to tarnish Never Isle's reputation!

Go to Choice 1.2.3

Choice 1.2.3 - He intends to tarnish Never Isle's reputation!

Player: Could it be...?

Choice 1.3 - (Alcander...)

Player: Alcander...what is he hiding?

Player: I don't believe Alcander is behind this.

Player: But it's strange how he always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Player: Ugh...

Player: I should think about this some more. This isn't going to help me figure out where the next attack will take place.

Choice 1.3.1 - (All were violent incidents with no clear purpose...)

Go to Choice 1.1

Choice 1.3.2 - (The victims and potential victims tried to attack innocent third parties...)

Go to Choice 1.2

Choice 1.3.3 - (Alcander...)

Go to Choice 1.3

Conversation continues after choices

Vundo: Did something come to mind, Player?

Player: Yes, a terrifying possibility...

Player: Suppose the victims of Billy's incident made a fuss...

Player: Suppose that Eddie had seriously hurt the boss he attacked...

Player: And suppose that Commander Markus had failed to stop the frenzied warriors.

Player: What would've happened?

Vundo: Whoa!!

Will: Never Isle has never faced...

Will: Such a crisis of trust!

Miles: Crisis of trust?' What does that mean?

Will: Imagine if all the mundanes in the world hated us...

Miles: I mean, isn't that the way things are now?

Will: If the residents of Red Harbor viewed the Oathblades as enemies... If even the residents of Never Isle didn't trust us...

Miles: But...why would they do that?

Vundo: What General Will is saying is, if the events of the past two days had gotten out of hand...

Vundo: Then our future...

Miles: Whoa!!

Player: The mysterious man...

Player: Intends to tarnish Never Isle's reputation.

Will: Never Isle would implode from the inside, without a shot fired.

Vundo: How sinister!

Miles: Hmm... So is this the work of the Shadows? Or the White Capes?

Player: Right now, it doesn't matter. All that matters is finding that mysterious man as soon as we can!

Player: Will Never Isle be holding any major events in the near future?

Player: Especially events where mundanes will be present?

Vundo: Whoa!!

Vundo: The Arcana Academy's going to hold a symposium on Luxium's arcana in three days!

Vundo: All of Luxium's major academic institutions will send scholars to Never Isle.

Player: That's gotta be it!

Izumi: The Defense Force will do everything in its power to make sure that the conference goes off without a hitch.

Will: While you're ensuring the conference goes smoothly, don't forget to strengthen inspections and control at the port.

Will: Don't give the enemy any openings to take advantage of!

Izumi: But the Defense Force's manpower is limited. There's no way we can manage both...

Will: Don't worry about that. I'll have Elysiann's Light of Purity dispatch half of its forces to help protect Never Isle!

Miles: The Oathblades will also pull back some of its forces to Never Isle.

Vundo: But...what are we going to do about that mysterious man's illusions?

Miles: Hmm...

Miles: That's easy enough to address. That guy's illusions have a limited range.

Miles: Put warriors in groups of three and have them spread out as they stand guard and do their patrols.

Miles: The second someone gets into trouble, the people nearby can respond swiftly.

Miles: This will help minimize the impact of the illusions on our forces!

Will: Good idea!

Will: The enemy can no longer be given free rein to do whatever he wants. We must capture him at the academic conference in three days!

Player: Okay!

After the meeting...

Player thinks to himself

Player: ...

Player: Based on the clues we have...

Player: The mysterious man's next target should be the academic conference they're holding in three days.

Player: But there's another problem...

Player: ...

Player: Alcander...

Player: What exactly is Alcander's role in this whole situation?

Player: I'd better get in contact with him soon!

Player: (Takes out comm crystal.)

Player: ...

Player: Hmm... Still can't reach him.

Izumi spots Player

Izumi: Player, what are you still doing here?

Izumi: Oh, I forgot to mention - the Defense Force has decided to release Billy!

Izumi: There are just a few more procedural things to take care of, then he'll be free to go!

Player: ...

Player: (surprised)

Player: Oh, that's great!

Izumi: You look like you've got something on your mind, Player.

Player: ...

Choice 2.1 - (Tell Izumi about Alcander...)

Player: Sigh...

Player: Regarding the recent incidents, there's a...well, I don't know if they'd be considered a suspect...

Izumi: Oh? Who is it?

Player: Alcander...

Izumi: Alcander? But Alcander is...

Player: I know!

Player: But every time an incident has occurred, Alcander has been nearby.

Player: I think it's quite suspicious.

Player: Of course, we all know Alcander, and there's no direct evidence that proves he is the mysterious man.

Izumi: Well, Alcander isn't a suspect, but if he was near the scene of each incident, maybe he saw something...

Izumi: I'll look into it too.

Choice 2.2 - (Don't tell Izumi about Alcander...)

Player: Okay. Something just occurred to me...

Player: The mysterious man's illusions don't seem to have an effect on me.

Player: I'd like to join the security team that will be present at the academic conference.

Player: If something happens, I can help!

Izumi: That's great!

Izumi: With you helping us, Player, we will all be able to rest a little easier!

Conversation continues after choices

Player: Although these incidents do seem to be the opening moves of a larger plot...

Player: At least Billy will be getting out of jail.

Player: We have to take good news when we can get it!

Player: I'll go to the Defense Force headquarters and bring him home!

Three days later, in the sewers beneath Never Isle.

Player leads a group of warriors patrolling the sewers

Player activates his comms crystal

Player: This is Player, reporting in.

Player: I've checked the three southeastern districts. Everything is normal.

Communicator Message: This is Miles. Message received. Stay safe down there!

Player: How does the venue look, Izumi?

Communicator Message: This is Izumi. The conference is almost over.

Communicator Message: The scholars at the conference are getting ready to go to a restaurant for a luncheon.

Communicator Message: I'll be going to the restaurant with them.

Communicator Message: Huh? What did you say?

Player: What's wrong, Izumi?

Communicator Message: The target has appeared. I repeat, the target has appeared!

Communicator Message: He's at the luncheon restaurant. I repeat, he is at the luncheon restaurant!

Player: The mysterious man has appeared! Everyone, cordon off the area beneath the luncheon restaurant!

Never Isle Warrior: Got it!

A few moments later...

Player: This is Player. The south exit of the sewers beneath the restaurant is blocked off...

Communicator Message: Miles here. The Oathblades have blocked off the northern exit...

Communicator Message: How is the situation at the scene, Izumi?

Communicator Message: Luckily, we managed to disperse our warriors just as we planned.

Communicator Message: The warriors nearby were quick to respond. Those affected by the illusion are under control.

Communicator Message: Good! Everyone's ready. In 15 seconds, we'll be rushing in!

Player: Roger that!

Player: Warriors, move!

Player leads his group to intercept the enemy

Player: You bastard! Put your hands up!

Player: Whoa!

Player's group and Miles' group manage to flank Alcander

Alcander: Huff, puff...

Miles: Alcander?

Miles: What are you doing here?

Alcander: Huff puff...

Alcander: I was just passing by...

Player: Huh?

Player: This again...

Oathblades Warrior: We've checked it out, Brother Wolf. There are traces of strange illusions here...

Oathblades Warrior: There are no traces of anybody else being here, except Alcander!

Player: No one else was here?!

Miles: ...

Miles: Understood. Tell everyone to stay frosty. Do not let your guard down!

Oathblades Warrior: Yes, sir!

Miles: Since you're here, Alcander, did you see or hear anything?

Alcander: Uh... I don't think you're going to believe me...

Alcander: There was a strange guy here just now...

Alcander: I fought him...

Player: So where is this 'strange guy?'

Alcander: He disappeared into thin air.

Miles: ...

Miles: ...

Player: ...

Alcander: That's it... I knew you wouldn't believe me.

Izumi finally gets to the intercept point

Alcander: You here too, Izumi?

Izumi: ...

Izumi: Mr. Alcander, the Defense Force hereby arrests you on suspicion of the sabotage and attempted overthrowing of Never Isle!

Miles: ...

Miles: You know the rules, Alcander...

Miles: Don't resist...

Alcander: I know. I'll go with you. I won't put up a fight.

The next day, at the Defense Force jail.

Alcander: ...

Player and Izumi look over at Alcander standing in his cell

Player: ...Alcander hasn't said anything?

Izumi: That's right...

Izumi: If he keeps this up, it's only going to get more difficult for him.

Izumi: We don't know what his goals are, we don't know if he has accomplices ...

Izumi: We don't even know if there will be more attacks in the future!

A Defense Force warrior approaches Izumi

Defense Force Warrior: It's happened again, Captain Izumi.

Player: Huh? Don't tell me...

Defense Force Warrior: No... Not another illusion.

Defense Force Warrior: There have been several incidents of food theft on Never Isle the past couple of days.

Alcander turns his attention to the conversation

Defense Force Warrior: Captain Izumi wanted us to investigate...

Defense Force Warrior: But the recent incidents of food theft have been strange.

Defense Force Warrior: We couldn't find a single clue. We didn't find anything at all!

Izumi: Well what are you doing here, then?!

Izumi: If you don't have any clues, then keep working till you find one!

Izumi: Can't you see I'm busy? I don't have time for this!

Defense Force Warrior: Uh... Yes, sir!

Izumi: (angry)

The warrior turns to leave

Izumi: Wait!

Izumi: I'm sorry. I know you guys have done your best.

Izumi: I'll be there in a moment...

Defense Force Warrior: Understood!

The warrior leaves

Player: Izumi...

Player: Izumi, let's take a walk outside.

Player: Maybe it'll clear your head!

Izumi: (smiles)

Izumi: Okay!

A while later, at entrance to the Defense Force jail...

Izumi: Thanks, Player!

Player: Take some time to relax. You don't want to push yourself too hard!

Izumi: Okay!

Defense Force Guard: Stop right there! This area is restricted to members of the Defense Force only. You can't go in!

???: Let me in, I just want to see my older brother. I won't be long!

Defense Force Guard: You need to make an appointment in advance if you want to see a prisoner!

Izumi: Whoa!

Player: Something's going on. Let's go check it out!

BeeNic and Rom try to enter the jail but are held off by the Defense Force

Izumi: What's wrong?

Player: Rom? BeeNic?

Rom: Oh good, it's Player! We need your help!

Rom: Alcander's been arrested. They won't even let us go in to see him!

Rom: Do you know anybody from the Defense Force? Can you convince them to let us in?

Player: Uh...

Izumi: Sorry, but Alcander is involved in the sabotage and overthrowing of Never Isle.

Izumi: No one is permitted to visit him!

BeeNic: Alcander wouldn't do something like that.

BeeNic: There must be a misunderstanding!

Izumi: Misunderstanding or not, the Defense Force will get to the bottom of it.

Izumi: For now, Alcander is not permitted to have any visitors!

Rom: Huh? Why not?

Player: ...

Player: Izumi, can I have a word with you?

Izumi: Huh? Oh...

Player takes Izumi aside

Izumi: Player, what's the matter?

Player: Maybe you should let BeeNic and Rom meet with Alcander.

Izumi: No. Alcander is a major suspect. No one is allowed to see him except myself and Mira.

Player: Don't you think this might be an opportunity?

Player: BeeNic, Rom and Alcander have a good relationship. They're always spending time together...

Player: If they meet, Alcander might let something slip.

Izumi: Hmm... That is possible.

Izumi: In that case, I will permit them to meet with Alcander - with strict Defense Force supervision, of course!

Player and Izumi go back to Rom and BeeNic

Player: I've got some good news.

A few moments later...

Rom: Brother!

Alcander: Oh! Rom! BeeNic! You're here!

BeeNic: ...What's going on, Alcander?

BeeNic: They're accusing you of 'the sabotage and attempted overthrowing of Never Isle.'

BeeNic: What happened?

Alcander: Oh, BeeNic. It's so nice of you to come here and visit...

BeeNic: Hey! Cut it out! Don't dodge the question!

Alcander: I didn't do anything, it's just a misunderstanding...

Alcander: I just had the misfortune to show up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Alcander: Don't worry about me.

Rom: Huh? That's it?

A few moments later...

Izumi: This isn't working. Alcander's still beating around the bush.

Alcander: You guys can go on back. Don't worry about me~

BeeNic: ...

Rom: But, bro...

Alcander: Well, it's been a nice talk, but I'm tired now.

Alcander: I'm going to go back to my cot and lie down for a while. Bye!

BeeNic: Let's go, Rom. We're wasting our time here.

Alcander: (smiles)

Rom: ...

Rom: Alright...

Rom and BeeNic leave

Alcander: ...

Player: Is Alcander looking at me?

Izumi: No. This wall is a one-way mirror. He can't see through to this side.

Alcander: (smiles)

Player: This again...

Player: (...I'm sure Alcander was looking right at me.)

Player: (Could it be...?)

Later that night, at Alcander's cell.

Alcander: ...

Someone comes to visit Alcander in the middle of the night

Alcander: (smiles)

Alcander: What are you doing here?

Player: What's going on?

Alcander: I've said everything that I need to say. I was only passing by, honest.

Player: I snuck by the Defense Force to talk with you. It's just the two of us.

Player: Is there anything you want to tell me?

Alcander: That's just like you, Player...

Player: What happened?

Alcander: This is all my fault.

Alcander: It all started with me, and it should've ended with me.

Player: With your ability, the Defense Force may not be able to keep you locked up in here forever...

Player: But Never Isle's got its sights on you. You won't be able to do anything!

Alcander: You're right...

Player: So, what happened?

Player: The mysterious man who looks like you and can transform into furry, where did he come from?

Player: Tell me, so I can help clear your name! Never Isle needs to know!

Alcander: ...

Alcander: About him...

Alcander: The less you know, the better!

Player: What?! You don't trust me?

Alcander: No! I'm doing this to protect all of us!

Player: ...

Player: All right. But you can at least tell me. You can tell me anything!

Alcander: You've seen that guy, right?

Player: Yes. He's very powerful. He uses a kind of blue flame arcana that I've never seen before.

Alcander: I'm guessing you aren't affected by his pathos radiation. Is that right?

Player: Pathos radiation? You mean...his illusion?

Alcander: It's not an illusion. It's one of his powers...

Alcander: He influences the people around him with his powerful negative emotions. No one can withstand that kind of pressure...

Alcander: That's why those affected become extremely violent and attack others indiscriminately.

Player: Then why am I not affected?

Alcander: It's because of you...

Player: Huh?

Alcander: I mean the 'you' behind the name Player!

Alcander: Because 'you' observe the world's power, you are not subjected to the power formed by the overlapping compression of multiple timelines...

Player: Multiple timelines... What?

Alcander: There is no time to get into the details. In short...

Alcander: Just know: that guy is extremely dangerous!

Alcander: He might look like me, but he isn't me.

Alcander: If you see him, remember: you must kill him! Do not hold back!

Player: But I did fight him, and I couldn't beat him.

Alcander: You're the only person in Luxium who can defeat him.

Alcander: If you can't stop him...

Alcander: His pathos radiation will affect all of Luxium...

Alcander: And when that happens...

Player: ...

Player: I see...

Alcander: Player...

Alcander: It's all up to you!

A while later, at night...

As Player exits the Defense Force, he runs into BeeNic, Rom, Billy and Kitty

Player: Huh? What are you guys doing here?

Billy: We're waiting for you, of course!

BeeNic: You were the only one who noticed Alcander's actions...

BeeNic: All I can say is, if something big is happening on Never Isle, you'll need our help!

Rom: Let's work together to catch that mysterious man and clear Alcander's name!

Player: Guys...

Kitty: No matter how bad the situation is, we can't deal with it on empty stomachs.

Kitty: I went to the shop the commander recommended and picked up a bunch of late night snacks.

Kitty: Let's go back to the airship and hash out a plan while we eat!

Player: Okay!

A bit later, at the port...

Player: Whoa!!

Kitty: (angry)

Billy: Huh? Who is this?

The group sees the naked Alcander standing in their way

???: You smell familiar...

???: Let's eat!

Continue to Trifle - Regretful Flames

Regretful Flames

Intoxicating spells, nightmares that lead to another world, a powerful yet innocent 'culprit'... When the conspiracy is shattered, the truth reveals itself...

-Part 1

Nighttime on Never Isle.

After Player has talked to Alcander in the Defense Force jail, he heads back to the airship with BeeNic, Rom, Billy and Kitty who is holding a healthy amount of takeout food

As they reach the port, they're stopped by the naked Alcander

???: You smell familiar...

???: Let's eat!

Player: Spread out, everyone! Be careful of his pathos radiation!

The others back away

Player gets between the group and the naked Alcander

Kitty: (angry)

???: Whoa!!

???: Don't go...

Player: Hey! What are you looking around for? I'm the one you're after!

???: Ugh...

Rom: Billy, Kitty, go get help.

Rom: BeeNic and I will help Player hold this guy off!

Kitty: Y-Yes, sir!

Billy and Kitty take off

Rom: Let's do this, BeeNic!

BeeNic: Okay!

Player, Rom and BeeNic have the naked Alcander surrounded

Rom: It's over!

BeeNic: Surrender now!

Player: (angry)

???: ...

???: This again...

???: Let's play!

Player: He's coming at us!

The naked Alcander attacks and easily defeats the three of them at the same time

Player: Ugh...

Rom: So strong...

BeeNic: We're just stalling for time... And we can't even do that much?

???: I'm done playing with you!

Player: (Damn, this guy is strong...)

Player: (At this rate, we're going to be in trouble soon...)

Player: (I need to find a way...)

???: Whoa!

???: Where did the cat-eared boy go?

Player: (He's looking for Kitty?)

???: Ah...

???: This isn't good. I have to catch him!

The naked Alcander leaves

Player: Ugh...

Player: BeeNic, wait for my order...

Player: Send me and that guy back to where we were 19 hours ago!

BeeNic: What are you going to do?

Player: I've got a plan.

Farther inside Never Isle, the naked Alcander continues to search for Kitty

???: Hmm... He's not close by.

???: Where did he go? If I don't find him...

Player: You're not going anywhere!

Player: (Grabs onto mysterious man.)

???: Huh? What are you doing?

Player: BeeNic!

BeeNic: Understood!

BeeNic: Hrrrraahhh!!!

BeeNic sends the naked Alcander and Player back in time

Rom: Where did Player and that guy go?

BeeNic: I don't know...

BeeNic: Wherever Player was 19 hours ago...

Rom: 19 hours ago... It was early morning, around dawn.

BeeNic: He's usually still asleep then...

Boom...

BeeNic: That's Player's airship!

Rom: The airship took off and flew away from the island!

Rom: But Billy and Kitty went to get help. They're not on the airship!

Rom: Then who is flying it?

BeeNic: It's Player...

BeeNic: Player is getting him away from Never Isle!

Rom: If he's alone with that guy on the airship, he's in big trouble!

Rom: We need to get on that airship!

BeeNic: Ugh...

Meanwhile...

Inside the airship, Player confronts the naked Alcander

???: Ugh...

Player: The airship has taken off and is leaving Never Isle.

Player: Lake Bliss is right below us.

Player: I don't suggest turning into flames and going through the floor!

???: Ugh...

???: That yellow lion hit me as soon as he saw me...

???: They're always doing that...

???: Why?!

Player: This flux... It's pathos radiation!

Player: Give up. Your pathos radiation has no effect on me!

???: Ahhh!!!

The naked Alcander morphs into his Furry form

???: Anger, violence...

???: If this is how it has to be...

???: Ahhhhh!!

Player: I'm done for...

The Furry rushes at Player but doesn't attack

???: ...

Player: (surprised)

Energy spent, the Furry morphs back into naked Alcander

Player: Huh?

???: Ugh...

???: I'm starving...

His stomach growls

Player: What?!

???: Ugh...

Player: He fainted...

Player: He got so hungry, he fainted?

Player: What's going on?

Player remembers what Alcander told him back in the prison

Alcander: If you see him, remember: you must kill him! Do not hold back!

???: ...

Player: (Now's your chance to take him out!)

Player steps over naked Alcander's body

Player: ...

Player: No!

Player: Sabotaging Never Isle's reputation, completely overthrowing Never Isle...

Player: There's no way he's working alone!

Player: There has to be an organization behind all this. They've been on Never Isle this whole time, plotting from the darkness.

Player: He's the only clue I've got.

Player: ...

Player leaves the naked Alcander and checks the airship's current position

Player: We're already over the north shore of Lake Bliss...

Player: At least Never Isle is safe.

Player: Now I just need to figure out what this guy is all about.

A bright flash of light emerges inside the airship - BeeNic and Rom have traveled back to Player's location

BeeNic: Player, are you okay?

Player: Yeah, I'm fine.

Player: The airship's already flown past Lake Bliss. How did you guys get here?

BeeNic: I brought us here, of course.

BeeNic: It's been a while since Rom and I visited the airship.

BeeNic: It took me a while to find the right spot.

Player: What about Billy and Kitty? Are they okay?

Rom: Don't worry. They had warriors from the Defense Force, Oathblades, and Order of Equality seal off the port.

Rom: They're waiting for us to come back with him...

Rom looks at the unconscious naked Alcander

Rom: Huh? Where did he go?

Rom: Whoa!!

Rom: Player, you...

Rom: Did you kill him?

Player: No...

BeeNic: Then why...

Player: Well...

You tell Rom and BeeNic what just happened.

BeeNic: He...

Rom: Got hungry and fainted?

Player: Seems that way...

BeeNic: Hmm...

Rom: So...what are we waiting for?

Rom: Let's tie him up and bring him back to Never Isle!

BeeNic: But what if this is just a misunderstanding?

Rom: Huh?

BeeNic: Would a real conspirator just let himself get hungry and pass out like this?

BeeNic: Perhaps the truth...is more complicated than we think.

Rom: Humph. He's definitely pretending!

BeeNic: But what if he's not?

BeeNic: What if we take advantage of his weakness, bring him back to Never Isle for interrogation, and he's innocent?

Rom: Hey, hey. If we don't tie him up now and he wakes up, you think the two of us can take him?

BeeNic: Let's let Player decide.

Player: Hmm...

Player: We're in a serious predicament. The enemy is planning to overthrow Never Isle.

Player: At times like these, it's better to imprison a thousand innocents by mistake than let a single real culprit get away!

Rom: That's right! Let's tie him up and take him back to Never Isle!

Player: We can't go back to Never Isle just yet!

Player: Our top priority right now is to figure out who this guy is.

Player: And who is behind him.

Player: If we bring him back to Never Isle before getting to the bottom of what's been going on...

Player: And someone on the island comes to get him, then we'll really be in trouble.

Player: Even if no one does come to rescue him, given his power, we can't guarantee that we can suppress him.

Player: So for now, it's best for us, and for Never Isle, that he stays here.

Rom: Since we're not going back to Never Isle, are we going to interrogate him here?

Rom: What if he doesn't cooperate? If he tries to use force, we might not be able to restrain him.

Player: We're in the sky. He can't simply turn into fire and travel through a wall.

Player: And even if he tries to take the whole ship down, BeeNic can get us out.

BeeNic: I see... Understood.

Player: So for now... I'm going to head to the kitchen and find some food.

BeeNic: All right. Rom and I will watch him!

A few moments later...

Player: Luckily, we've still got some fried chicken left over from the past couple of days, and there's still some bread.

Player: Wake up! It's time to eat!

???: Ugh...

???: !!

???: Food!!

Player: !!

???: Thank you!

???: (Scarfing down food) Mmm...yum...

Rom: Hey, hey. Just how long has it been since this guy last ate?

BeeNic: Humph! It's almost cute, in a way...

???: (Scarfing down food) Mmm...nom...yum...

Player: Hey, take it easy...

Player: You don't want to choke...

???: Mmm...mmm...om...nom...nom...

A few moments later...

Player: Wow. Full yet?

Player: There's nothing left to eat on the airship.

???: Thank you, I'm full.

The naked Alcander gets up to leave

Rom: Don't move!

???: Uh...What do you guys plan to do with me?

BeeNic: Now that you're full, it's time for us to get down to business...

???: What business?

Player: Why?

Player: Why did you try to sabotage the Order of Equality's business meeting?

Player: Why did you attack Commander Markus?

Player: Why did you try to sabotage the arcana conference?

???: (surprised)

Rom: You'd better answer our questions. We're 10,000 meters in the air, so don't try pulling any of your tricks!

Player: ...

BeeNic: ...

???: Uh... What are you talking about?

???: I don't understand...

Player: ...

Rom: Playing dumb, huh?

???: What...

???: You're the one who's dumb!

Rom: ...

Player: All right. Let's try a different question.

Player: Who are you working for?

???: Working?

???: What do you mean?

BeeNic: ...

Player: ...

Player: Fine. Who are you? What is your name?

Player: How did you come to Never Isle?

???: My name... I don't know...

???: Never Isle? Is that what that town's called?

???: When I woke up, I was in a tunnel. It smelled awful...

Player: (A smelly tunnel... He's talking about the sewers!)

Player: (Is he saying that he suddenly appeared in the sewers out of nowhere?)

Player: (That would explain why the Defense Force never saw him go in or out.)

Player: (But is he just playing dumb? Or is he telling the truth?)

Rom: Why, you...! Start making sense!

Rom: If I don't apply a little pressure, you're just going to keep taking us for fools!

Rom smacks the naked Alcander

???: Ow...

???: Hey! Why are you hurting me...

???: How dare you!

Player: Ugh...

Player: Calm down, Rom...

Player: I'm sorry. I'm very sorry. Please accept my apology on his behalf.

Rom: Hey, Player!

BeeNic: (Pats Rom on the shoulder)

BeeNic: Trust Player, okay?

???: Ugh...

???: You seem different from the others...

???: All right. I forgive him. For now.

???: Seeing as you fed me.

Player: Phew...

Player: To make it up to you, let me treat you to some tasty drinks.

Player: There's a bar on the airship - how about I make you some special juice?

???: Juice!!

???: Gimme, gimme!

Player: Follow me!

???: !!

A few moments later...

Player speaks with Rom and BeeNic on the bridge

Player: Phew... Finally...

Rom: Where is he?

Player: He's drinking juice at the Hottie Bar.

BeeNic: He seemed very happy.

Player: Yes, he seemed very happy, indeed!

Rom: He's definitely pretending!

BeeNic: If he's just pretending, then he's one hell of an actor.

Player: I'm going to fly the airship to the woods at the north of Never Isle and see what he does!

Player: If he wants to pretend, we'll just play along...

Player: Sooner or later, he'll reveal the truth!

Rom: Good idea!

BeeNic: But what if he keeps up the act?

BeeNic: You can't play along with him in the woods forever.

Rom: Let's notify our friends on Never Isle.

Rom: While we stall him, they can conduct a thorough search of the Never Isle.

Rom: If they can find his accomplices, then there will be no point for him to keep pretending!

Player: All right. That's what we'll do!

A few moments later...

Player talks to the naked Alcander

Player: About that misunderstanding just now...

???: It's okay, you've already treated me to juice...

Player: It's getting late. I've cleaned up the airship's guest room...

Player: Why don't you get some rest?

???: Okay!

Player: Oh, before I forget!

Player: I still don't know your name.

???: I don't even know my name.

Player: Hmm... I've got it!

Player: You look a lot like a friend of mine...

Player: In your roaring flames, I can see a deep river of stars.

Player: So why don't we call you 'Starflame?'

Alcander-Starflame: Starflame? Haha, okay!

Player: From now on, just call me Player, okay?

Alcander-Starflame: Okay!

Late night, inside the captain's room on the airship.

Player: Ugh...

Player: Ungh...

Player: Ahhhhhh!

Player: This damn nightmare!

Player: Will it ever end?!

BeeNic: What's wrong, Player?

Player: Get out of my way!

BeeNic: Whoa! It's me, Player. It's BeeNic!

Player: BeeNic...

Player: Sorry...

On the bridge of the airship.

Rom: What's wrong?

BeeNic: Player was awakened by a bad dream.

Player: Sigh... I'm fine. I've been having a lot of weird dreams the past few days.

Player: I got violent and almost hurt BeeNic when I woke up.

BeeNic: Don't worry about it.

Rom: Wait a second... Player? Violent?

Rom: Maybe it's because of that guy!

BeeNic: But isn't his pathos radiation useless against Player?

Player: It wasn't him...

Player: I hid a sensor crystal in the guest room.

Player: There was no movement in the guest room at the time.

Rom: However, it does seem that Player was influenced by negative emotions...

Player: Now that you mention it...

BeeNic: Hmm... It doesn't make any sense. Starflame didn't move.

BeeNic: Maybe the nightmare was a coincidence?

Player: ...

A week later, in the woods on the northern part of Never Isle...

Alcander-Starflame: Hmm...

Alcander-Starflame: (Stares at a boar up ahead)

Boar: !!

Alcander-Starflame: Roar!

Starflame chases after the boar but it gets away

Alcander-Starflame: Ugh...

BeeNic: Failed again?

Alcander-Starflame: Yes.

BeeNic: Better luck next time!

Alcander-Starflame: No, I've been trying all week. I can't catch anything!

Alcander-Starflame: Ahh! It's driving me crazy!

Alcander-Starflame: Humph! This is pissing me off. I'm going to throw a fireball.

Player: You're too strong. If you throw a fireball, there will be nothing left to eat.

Alcander-Starflame: I know...

Alcander-Starflame: Ahh! Hunting is so hard!

Player: So, are you going to give up?

Alcander-Starflame: No way!

Alcander-Starflame: You've been hunting food for me the past few days, it's time for me to repay you guys!

Alcander-Starflame: The tastiest boar is the one you hunt yourself!

Alcander-Starflame: But they're really hard to catch...

Player: In that case, just keep trying!

A few moments later...

They find another boar

Player: Calm down. Control yourself. Not too fast...

Player: Not too fast...

Player: Let it get a little closer. Just a little closer...

Player: Now!!

Alcander-Starflame: Hya!

This time Starflame catches the boar

Player: !!

Alcander-Starflame: I did it!

Alcander-Starflame: Hahaha!

Player: (smiles)

Rom and BeeNic watch the hunt a short distance away

Rom: ...

BeeNic: It's been a week already. Starflame is just like a child...

BeeNic: To be honest, I don't think he'd have gotten this far if he was just pretending!

Rom: Starflame can indeed radiate negative emotion, that much is for sure...

Rom: But, if Starflame really doesn't know anything...

Rom: It just doesn't make any sense.

BeeNic: Hmm...

BeeNic: Let's wait a little longer to see how the investigation on Never Isle goes.

Rom: Yeah, that seems like the only thing we can do.

Player: Come here, BeeNic, Rom.

Player: Starflame caught a boar!

BeeNic: Wow! Nice!

Rom: (smiles)

...

...

Player continues to have nightmares...

Panicked Resident: Please, spare us...

Player: ...

Panicked Resident: Whoa!!!

Panicked Resident: Y-you're a demon!

Player: Everyone on Never Isle who knows how to fight is dead.

Player: Even Alcander has died by my sword.

Player: Hahaha!!!

Player: Look no more... This world is already in my pocket.

Player: (Ah!!)

Player: You're too late!

Player: (What is he talking about?!)

Player: Foolish world...

Player: Burn!!!

With a bitter wail...

The dream Luxium once again turns into a sea of fire...

Player: (Ah...)

Player: (It happened again... The endless suffering...)

Player: (The hatred of tens of millions of people...)

Player: (Ahh! I can't take it anymore!)

???: So it's true... There is no escape...

???: The end of fate...

Player: (Ah! Who...are you?)

Player: Rrragh!

Player: Aaaaaaaaaaah!

You grab the lamp next to your bed and prepare to smash it against your head.

Alcander-Starflame: Player!

Player: Huh? Star...Starflame... What are you...?

Alcander-Starflame: I sensed that there was something wrong, so I came over. Are you okay?

Player: No, I'm not...

Player: I can't take it anymore!

Alcander-Starflame: ...

You sense strong flux converging.

Starflame morphs into his Furry form

Alcander-Starflame: Come here! (Embraces you...)

Player: Oh...

Player: (I can't do this... I don't even know who he really is...)

Player: (This could be a trap...)

Player: (Must...resist...)

Player: Ah...

Starflame's chest is thick and warm.

The anxiety and resentment you felt in the dream dissipates.

Player: Starflame... You...

Alcander-Starflame: Shh, don't speak.

Alcander-Starflame: I understand how it feels...

Alcander-Starflame: Resentment, helplessness, despair...

Alcander-Starflame: The resentment and despair of countless people, the endless wailing...

Player: (surprised)

You return his embrace, as if you are helpless not to.

Player: Huh? How... How did you know what was happening in my dream?

Alcander-Starflame: The things you saw... I've seen it, too...

Player: ...

Alcander-Starflame: When I'm angry, when I'm asleep...

Alcander-Starflame: I don't know why, but I always have those visions.

Player: Starflame...

Alcander-Starflame: Whenever I see such misery, I always hope that someone will appear by my side.

Alcander-Starflame: So don't worry...

Alcander-Starflame: I'll be by your side, Player.

Alcander-Starflame: Don't worry...

Player: Starflame...

Lying upon his soft yet thick fur, you instantly feel at ease...

Your body feels hot...

Soon, you feel your heart begin to pound, and your breathing quickens.

Even the man who is normally so soft becomes turgid with energy.

Player: Whoa!!

Player: (I can't do this. Why am I feeling this way...)

Player: (Restraint, restraint, restraint...)

Player: (I need to sleep!)

3 days later...

At Player's camp in the woods...

Rom: Today it's my turn to go hunting...

Rom: Boil up some water and get ready. I'll be back soon.

Alcander-Starflame: I want to go with you! Can I?

Rom: You stay here in the camp, Starflame. I can handle this on my own!

Alcander-Starflame: I've learned how to hunt. I want to come with you!

Player: All right, all right. Take him with you, Rom!

Player: You go too, BeeNic. Bring back lots of meat!

BeeNic: Okay!

Alcander-Starflame: Hehe!

A few moments later...

Player: Everything here is more or less ready.

Player: Starflame and the others should be coming back from their hunt any minute now.

Suddenly, your comm crystal rings.

Player: Oh...

Player: This is Player. Oh, Izumi!

Player: How is the investigation on Never Isle going?

Player: Hmm...

Player: Oh...

Player: Got it. I'll keep observing Starflame for now.

Player: Hmm... The Defense Force, the Oathblades, and the Order of Equality have worked together to investigate the identities of everyone on the island.

Player: They found several Shadow and White Capes spies, but no one related to the recent incidents.

Player: Never Isle isn't in trouble for the time being. Starflame...he's like a child.

Player: Things just keep getting weirder and weirder.

Player: What should we do now?

Suddenly, you sense a strange flux wave coming from the direction in which Starflame went hunting.

Player: Whoa! This feeling...

Player: It's Starflame's pathos radiation!

Player: This isn't good. Something's wrong!

A few moments later...

Starflame, in his Furry form, stands before a troupe of fallen Shadow warriors

Alcander-Starflame: That should be the last of them.

BeeNic: Rrragh! Endless...

Rom: Suffering... Death...

Something is trying to take control over Rom and BeeNic's mind

Alcander-Starflame: BeeNic, Rom, what's wrong with you? Snap out of it!

Rom: Roarrrrrr! Die!

BeeNic: Ahhhhh!!!

Alcander-Starflame: Oh...

BeeNic: Ahhhhh!!!

BeeNic and Rom begin to attack Starflame

Alcander-Starflame: Oh...

Alcander-Starflame: Calm down, you guys!

Player finds them

Player: What's wrong, Starflame? Did something happen?

Alcander-Starflame: We were following a herd of wild boars when we ran into a group of men wearing strange clothes.

Alcander-Starflame: They started attacking us without even saying anything.

Alcander-Starflame: I can't stand people who attack others unprovoked...

Alcander-Starflame: So I got angry, and those strange guys started fighting amongst themselves.

Alcander-Starflame: And then BeeNic and Rom attacked me...

Player: (Pathos radiation...)

BeeNic: Die!

Rom: This is our only way out...

Player: Careful! You get BeeNic under control, and I'll handle Rom...

Player: Let's take them back to the camp for now. We'll talk then.

Alcander-Starflame: Okay!

A few moments later...

Alcander-Starflame: ...

After taking care of BeeNic and Rom in the camp, Player goes back to check on Starflame

Alcander-Starflame: BeeNic and Rom...

Player: Don't worry, they're fine...

Alcander-Starflame: That's good...

Alcander-Starflame: ...

Player: Phew...

Player: (What happened...)

Player: (They ran into some Shadows. Were the Shadows here to save Starflame?)

Player: (But if they were here to save him, why didn't Starflame kill BeeNic and Rom, then leave with the Shadows?)

Alcander-Starflame: Am I a troublemaker, Player?

A few moments later...

Rom and BeeNic have recovered

Rom: Where's Starflame?

Player: Starflame is blaming himself for what happened on the hunt, for the encounter with the Shadows. He spent all morning torturing himself for it.

Player: He finished eating and went to sleep...

Rom: That's good...

Player: Never Isle contacted me this morning.

Player: They haven't found anything yet.

Player: The people in charge of the investigation are all from organizations that we can trust absolutely.

Player: So I think everything is okay there.

BeeNic: I see...

BeeNic: I've been keeping an eye on Starflame lately, both openly and from the shadows.

BeeNic: Starflame is so simple and pure... It's almost like he's not from this world.

Rom: I hate to admit it, but he really doesn't look like someone who would try to 'overthrow Never Isle.'

Player: I get the same feeling.

Player: But it's strange...

Player: It goes against everything we speculated.

Rom: Maybe we've been headed in the wrong direction this whole time.

Player: Direction?

Rom: Yeah. At the very beginning, we assumed that Starflame was part of an enemy plot to overthrow Never Isle.

Rom: We assumed that he's part of a secret sleeper organization...

Rom: Maybe our assumptions were wrong!

Player: But...the negative impact of all these incidents indicates that someone is trying to overthrow Never Isle.

BeeNic: And yet, the assumptions we were operating on are no longer tenable in light of the information we've recently obtained.

BeeNic: Actually, if you think about it...

BeeNic: We never found any direct evidence proving someone is trying to overthrow Never Isle!

Player: Whoa!!

Player: Now that you mention it...

Player: A sabotage of Never Isle's reputation, a plot to overthrow Never Isle...

Player: I was the one who made those assumptions.

Rom: Let's not get hasty. First, let's summarize the intel that we currently have. Maybe we'll find something new!

Player: Okay!

BeeNic: Based on today's events, I think that Starflame's pathos radiation may not be consciously controlled.

Player: Yes. It is possible that Starflame radiates negativity when he's influenced by strong emotions.

Rom: If that's the case, then the incidents that occurred on Never Isle were not deliberately planned - they were accidents!

Player: Accidents...

Player: Why didn't I consider this back on Never Isle?

Player: I must have missed something.

Player: The target of the first incident was Billy, who injured his friend in Red Harbor in a restaurant.

Player: The second incident targeted the Order of Equality. Just as they were about to have a lunch meeting, Eddie attacked the boss of a company he was in negotiations with.

Player: The Oathblades were the target of the third incident, when the commander and a few of his men were preparing to return to the Oathblades headquarters with some late-night snacks they'd just bought.

Player: The Arcana Academy was the target of the fourth incident, which occurred in the cafeteria during an academic conference.

Player: We were the targets of the fifth incident, when we were getting ready to take a late-night snack back to the airship and discuss our next operation.

Player: Am I forgetting anything?

BeeNic: Hmm... I think we need to consider more than just the incidents directly related to Starflame.

BeeNic: All of the strange things that happened on Never Isle during this time period must be taken into account!

Player: That makes sense!

Player: But what were the strange things that happened on Never Isle during this time?

Choice 1.1 - Alcander was mysteriously absent from a lecture at the Arcana Academy.

BeeNic: Well... I don't know how strange that is...

Rom: Alcander was probably busy with something else.

Rom: You know how much he travels!

BeeNic: But I'm talking about stuff that is doesn't seem related to Starflame or the recent incidents...

Player: You're right. Let me think some more.

Choice 1.1.1 - Alcander was mysteriously absent from a lecture at the Arcana Academy.

Go to Choice 1.1

Choice 1.1.2 - There have been several incidents on Never Isle in which food has gone missing...

Go to Choice 1.2

Choice 1.1.3 - I've been having awful nightmares lately.

Go to Choice 1.3

Choice 1.2 - There have been several incidents on Never Isle in which food has gone missing...

Player: I just remembered that not too long ago, there were several incidents on Never Isle in which food mysteriously disappeared.

Player: At the time, Captain Izumi was busy investigating the violence caused by the pathos radiation...

Player: Someone else was in charge of investigating these disappearances. I remember they said that it was strange...

Player: The culprit didn't leave any clues behind. Only the food went missing, and no money was stolen.

Rom: Oh! You're saying...

Rom: Whenever Starflame turns into fire and escapes, he doesn't leave behind any clues, either!

Player: That is an important piece of information!

Player: Then, supposing the disappearance of the food is connected with the pathos radiation incidents...

Player: What all of these incidents have in common is...

Choice 1.2.1 - Food!

Player: Whoa!

BeeNic: Did you think of something, Player?

Player: Food! All of the incidents are related to food!

Rom: Food?

Player: Check it out: the first incident occurred in a restaurant, the second incident happened before the luncheon at the business meeting...

Player: When the third incident happened, the commander was taking a late-night snack back to the Oathblades headquarters...

Player: The fourth event took place at the restaurant where the academic conference was eating...

Player: And that last time, at the port, Starflame was looking for Kitty. Remember?

BeeNic: Whoa! And Kitty was carrying our dinner!

Player: That's right! Plus, Starflame got so hungry on the airship that he fainted.

Rom: In other words... Starflame's only objective all along has been to find food?

Player: It sounds crazy...

BeeNic: But I think that's what happened.

Rom: That can't be! With his ability, even if he were only working as a security guard, he could still make enough to put food on the table.

Rom: Why would he steal food?

BeeNic: Ah, that's impossible...

BeeNic: Starflame doesn't even know what a security guard is - how could he work as one?

Rom: Well, therein lies the problem...

Rom: Just who is Starflame?

BeeNic: We don't have any way of knowing!

Player: No!

Player: I think I have an idea...

Player: This whole time, I've suspected that Starflame is somehow related to my nightmares.

Rom: Starflame is related to your nightmares, Player?

Player: Hmm...

Player: I once met scholar who studied dreams...

Player: He said dreams are links that connect parallel timelines, and the reason why my dreams are so clear...

Player: Is because someone from the parallel timeline in the dream has appeared in this world, strengthening the link between the two.

BeeNic: So when Player woke up from his nightmare, it was just like he'd been affected by the pathos radiation.

Player: You're right. That can't be a coincidence!

Rom: But Player dreamt about the apocalypse.

Rom: The people in the dream were dead, so...how did they come over to our timeline?

Player: No! Not all of them were dead!

Player: And...

Choice 1.2.1.1 - Alcander!

Rom: That's right. Alcander has tried to save Luxium many times, to no avail...

Rom: Luckily, he's got the ability to jump across timelines!

Rom: When his life is in danger, he can flee, entering another reality.

BeeNic: But Alcander's already been in Luxium for a long time...

BeeNic: He got here even before Rom and I did...

Player: That's right... And my nightmares only started happening recently!

Player: Which means that Alcander didn't cause my nightmares directly.

Player: I'll think about it some more... There's someone else who is suspicious, too!

Choice 1.2.1.1.1 - Alcander!

Go to Choice 1.2.1.1

Choice 1.2.1.1.2 - The mysterious whisperer from my dream!

Go to Choice 1.2.1.2

Choice 1.2.1.1.3 - Me, from the parallel timeline!

Go to Choice 1.2.1.3

Choice 1.2.1.2 - The mysterious whisperer from my dream!

Player: This mysterious whisperer is just like me...

Player: He can also sense the crying and wailing of thousands of people when the world is destroyed...

Player: The resentment and anger that arises when countless lives are lost...

Player: And judging by his whispers...

Player: He has experienced that kind of destruction many times already.

BeeNic: He's experienced it many times?

Rom: But that destruction was just a dream!

Rom: What kind of person can survive the destruction of the world, let alone multiple times?

BeeNic: Well, someone with the ability to travel across parallel timelines.

BeeNic: There's only one man who can do that: Alcander.

BeeNic: Which means that this mysterious whisperer should not exist!

Player: Well, common sense would dictate that this mysterious whisperer person cannot exist...

Player: However, a nightmare of destruction that crosses parallel timelines...

Player: The simple yet extremely powerful Starflame's sudden appearance on Never Isle...

Player: The pathos radiation that makes people lose their minds and go insane...

Player: We left 'common sense' behind a long time ago, didn't we?

Rom: Ha! Now that common sense is out the window, the unthinkable, the unbelievable...

Rom: Has become the possible!

Player: Yeah... Don't be limited by conventional thinking.

Player: Besides Alcander, what else is capable of crossing parallel timelines in a nightmare?

Choice 1.2.1.2.1 - Survivors of the end of the world...

Player: Ugh... That's not possible!

Player: Not many people could have survived the vision I saw in my dream.

Player: Even if there were survivors, there's no way that survivors from different timelines could be connected...

Player: There's no way they can be survivors!

Choice 1.2.1.2.1.1 - Survivors of the end of the world...

Go to Choice 1.2.1.2.1

Choice 1.2.1.2.1.2 - Me from a parallel timeline...

Go to Choice 1.2.1.2.2

Choice 1.2.1.2.1.3 - Resentment and malice...

Go to Choice 1.2.1.2.3

Choice 1.2.1.2.2 - Me from a parallel timeline...

Player: Ugh...

Player: What am I thinking...

Player: Even though I destroy Luxium in every dream...

Player: It's clearly a different version of myself in each dream.

Choice 1.2.1.2.1.1 - Survivors of the end of the world...

Go to Choice 1.2.1.2.1

Choice 1.2.1.2.1.2 - Me from a parallel timeline...

Go to Choice 1.2.1.2.2

Choice 1.2.1.2.1.3 - Resentment and malice...

Go to Choice 1.2.1.2.3

Choice 1.2.1.2.3 - Resentment and malice...

BeeNic: Resentment and malice?

BeeNic: Huh?

Player: Think about it. The pathos radiation Starflame unleashes when he's under extreme emotional stress, especially when he's angry...

Player: And the effects of the pathos radiation...

Player: These are both closely tied to negative emotions.

Player: And every time the world is destroyed, it is accompanied by the wailing of thousands of innocent people...

Player: The negative emotions of countless souls are generated at the moment of their demise, and they converge...

Rom: If negative emotions can also have power, then this power...

Player: Would be extremely strong, right?

Player: So what about the negative emotions generated by the destruction of multiple worlds?

Rom: Oh...

BeeNic: But there's no direct connection between the different timelines.

BeeNic: This resentment, though endless in its own timeline, would stay within that timeline.

Player: Have you guys forgotten? There is someone who can travel between different timelines...

BeeNic: Alcander?

Player: Correct!

Player: Back in the Defense Force's jail, Alcander said...

Player: "This is all my fault..."

Player: What's more, this immense negative emotion, in addition to coming from the tremendous loss of life resulting from the end of the world...

Player: I think it has another source.

Rom: Whoa! You mean, Alcander?

Rom: Alcander tried to save Luxium thousands of times, and failed every single time.

Player: That's right! In nearly countless timelines, thousands of defeats, thousands of battles, thousands of deaths...

Player: The pain and the anger he must feel in the midst of all this is immeasurable.

Player: Add to that, with each timeline jump, the resentment each world generates due to its destruction follows Alcander into the next world...

Player: So, after building up this resentment countless times...

Player: The negativity is immeasurable!

Player: Even if he came away with only a small portion of such a powerful force...

Player: It's only natural that he would lose control.

BeeNic: Hmm. If that's the case, then this pathos radiation would make sense...

Rom: But it is Starflame himself who radiates the malice!

Rom: Then Starflame, when all is said and done...

Player: With regard to Starflame, I have a crazy theory!

BeeNic: Haha, as if this isn't crazy enough already!

Rom: Yes. I think I've lost all capacity to be surprised at this point.

Player: Starflame...

Player: Is the manifestation of that immeasurable negative energy.

BeeNic: !!

Player: Alcander is worried that Starflame's pathos radiation will affect all of Luxium...

Player: And Starflame emits pathos radiation when he gets emotionally agitated.

Player: So the grief of countless souls and Alcander's hatred coalesced to form negative energy...

Player: And that negative energy is Starflame!

Rom: Okay... I'm usually pretty open-minded, but I'm having a hard time making sense of this.

BeeNic: It sounds ridiculous, but it's the only explanation.

Player: Starflame's very essence is negative emotion. That's probably why he can pass through solid objects like walls, floors, and ceilings.

BeeNic: Starflame once said that he woke up in smelly tunnel...

BeeNic: Which means that he was 'born' in the sewers beneath Never Isle.

Player: All of the incidents that occurred on Never Isle were related to food.

Player: Starflame was just following his instincts.

BeeNic: So Starflame really is just a child?

Player: Perhaps because of the strong negative energy...

Player: Starflame's mind developed much more quickly than the average person's...

Player: So, you're right! He is essentially a child in a man's body.

Player: Everything I've seen in my dreams is just a drop in the bucket compared to Starflame...

Player: He is burdened with the resentment and hatred of countless people...

Player: Sigh...

Player: This kind of heavy burden...

Rom: I see...

Rom: So it would seem that everything that happened on Never Isle...

Rom: Was just a misunderstanding!

Player: Yeah!

Rom: Great! That explains everything!

Rom: Let's hurry back to Never Isle and explain the situation!

Rom: We can clear up Never Isle's misunderstandings about Alcander!

BeeNic: Hold on, there's still one more thing!

Choice 1.2.1.3 - Me, from the parallel timeline!

Rom: You're right...

Rom: However, the parallel timeline version of you is evil!

BeeNic: If the parallel timeline version of you came to Luxium...

BeeNic: He'd be a lot more dangerous than Starflame.

Player: Indeed. He may not have died...

Player: But I don't think that's who Starflame is...

Choice 1.2.1.3.1 - Alcander!

Go to Choice 1.2.1.1

Choice 1.2.1.3.2 - The mysterious whisperer from my dream!

Go to Choice 1.2.1.2

Choice 1.2.1.3.3 - Me, from the parallel timeline!

Go to Choice 1.2.1.3

Choice 1.2.2 - The victims and potential victims tried to attack innocent third parties...

Player: (The common element of the first few incidents was that they all targeted innocent civilians...)

Player: (However, the fifth incident was directed at us, and no civilians were involved.)

Player: (I should think about it some more.)

Choice 1.2.2.1 - Food!

Go to Choice 1.2.1

Choice 1.2.2.2 - The victims and potential victims tried to attack innocent third parties...

Go to Choice 1.2.2

Choice 1.2.2.3 - They're all violent incidents!

Go to Choice 1.2.3

Choice 1.2.2.4 - (They're echoes of the pathos radiation incidents...)

Go to Choice 1.2.4

Choice 1.2.3 - They're all violent incidents!

Player: (No, none of the food disappearances were violent in nature...)

Player: (So that can't be the common element.)

Player: (Think, think!)

Choice 1.2.3.1 - Food!

Go to Choice 1.2.1

Choice 1.2.3.2 - The victims and potential victims tried to attack innocent third parties...

Go to Choice 1.2.2

Choice 1.2.3.3 - They're all violent incidents!

Go to Choice 1.2.3

Choice 1.2.3.4 - (They're echoes of the pathos radiation incidents...)

Go to Choice 1.2.4

Choice 1.2.4 - (They're echoes of the pathos radiation incidents...)

Player: The target of the first incident was Billy, who injured his friend in Red Harbor in a restaurant.

Player: The second incident targeted the Order of Equality. Just as they were about to have a lunch meeting, Eddie attacked the boss of a company he was in negotiations with.

Player: The Oathblades were the target of the third incident, when the commander and a few of his men were preparing to return to the Oathblades headquarters with some late-night snacks they'd just bought.

Player: The Arcana Academy was the target of the fourth incident, which occurred in the cafeteria during an academic conference.

Player: We were the targets of the fifth incident, when we were getting ready to take a late-night snack back to the airship and discuss our next operation.

Player: Also, there have been multiple instances of food disappearing...

Choice 1.2.4.1 - Food!

Go to Choice 1.2.1

Choice 1.2.4.2 - The victims and potential victims tried to attack innocent third parties...

Go to Choice 1.2.2

Choice 1.2.4.3 - They're all violent incidents!

Go to Choice 1.2.3

Choice 1.2.4.4 - (They're echoes of the pathos radiation incidents...)

Go to Choice 1.2.4

Choice 1.3 - I've been having awful nightmares lately.

BeeNic: Hmm... Player, your nightmares...

BeeNic: While they are indeed strange...

Rom: I don't think analyzing your absurd dreams are going to help us.

Player: Indeed...

Choice 1.3.1 - Alcander was mysteriously absent from a lecture at the Arcana Academy.

Go to Choice 1.1

Choice 1.3.2 - There have been several incidents on Never Isle in which food has gone missing...

Go to Choice 1.2

Choice 1.3.3 - I've been having awful nightmares lately.

Go to Choice 1.3

Conversation continues after choices

BeeNic: Even though everything that happened on Never Isle was just a misunderstanding and an accident...

BeeNic: And Starflame is naive, good-natured, and means well...

BeeNic: There's the little matter of his pathos radiation.

BeeNic: We may know where the pathos radiation comes from, but we don't know how to deal with it yet!

BeeNic: Starflame doesn't emit this radiation on purpose...

BeeNic: But when he gets emotional, especially when he gets angry, he still radiates negative energy.

BeeNic: Never Isle would never allow this kind of threat to exist in their midst.

Player: ...

Player: Yeah... You're right!

Starflame finds the three talking in the camp

Alcander-Starflame: Hey... BeeNic! Rom!

Alcander-Starflame: Are you guys okay?

BeeNic: Yeah!

Rom: We're fine...

Rom: But you helped me block the Shadow's arcana. Doesn't your back hurt?

Alcander-Starflame: Haha, it doesn't hurt. I'm fine!

Rom: I owe you one, brother!

Later that night...

Starflame finds Player placing wards around their camp

Alcander-Starflame: What are you doing, Player?

Player: Oh! Starflame.

Player: You guys ran into Shadows today, right?

Player: I'm deploying a sensor arcana. It'll let us know if any enemies approach.

Player: It'll keep us safe from enemy attacks while we sleep.

Alcander-Starflame: Oh, interesting...

Alcander-Starflame: Can you teach me?

Player: Okay! If you're willing to learn, I'd be happy to teach you!

Player: But the Arcana Academy would be able to teach you a lot better than I can.

Player: It's the best arcane research institution in all of Luxium!

Alcander-Starflame: Wow...

Player: Rom and BeeNic should be asleep by now.

Player: What are you doing here this late?

Alcander-Starflame: Heh heh...

Starflame takes two cocktails out of the box beside him...

Alcander-Starflame: This one's for you, Player!

Player: Whoa, a cocktail! I've never seen one like this before...

Alcander-Starflame: I learned by watching Hottie, then made it myself!

Player: You made it yourself?

Player: Not bad for your first time!

Alcander-Starflame: Player...

Player: Huh?

Alcander-Starflame: Thank you!

Player: Huh? Why are you...

Alcander-Starflame: Oh, it's nothing. It's just that for as long as I can remember...

Alcander-Starflame: No one's been nicer to me than you have, Player!

Alcander-Starflame: You fed me delicious food and put me up in a warm bed, Player.

Alcander-Starflame: You also made me a delicious drink!

Alcander-Starflame: I didn't know how to repay you...

Alcander-Starflame: But I saw that you love to drink cocktails at the Hottie Bar, so I took the opportunity to make you one myself.

Player: Starflame...

Player: (smiles)

Player: You're too kind...

Player: That day, I'd woken up from a nightmare. If it weren't for you...

Player: I would've been wallowing in misery all day long.

Player: But because you were there, I still got a good night's sleep.

Alcander-Starflame: (smiles)

Player: Since you made this drink for me, Starflame, don't mind if I do!

Alcander-Starflame: Yeah! Cheers!

You take a small sip of Starflame's cocktail...

You feel a wave of heat wash over your body.

Player: Oh...

Player: (He put a lot of liquor in this... One sip and it went right to my head.)

Player: (But he mixed several high-quality spirits together. It tastes pretty good, and has an ineffable layered texture...)

Player: (Could it be? Is he some sort of bartending genius?)

Starflame takes a sip

Alcander-Starflame: *Cough* So strong!

Alcander-Starflame: How did you drink it so quickly, Player?

Player: The first time you drink alcohol, you're going to feel that way.

Player: Take it easy, give it some time, and you'll start to feel the richness of the liquor.

Alcander-Starflame: It's true! That's amazing. My body feels so hot...

Alcander-Starflame: (Takes another drink)

A few moments later, your glass is already half empty.

Player: Starflame...

Player: Luxium's a pretty big place. There must be a lot of places you want to visit.

Player: The past few days we've been in these woods, I've been by your side the whole time. You must be getting pretty tired of me, huh?

Alcander-Starflame: Not at all!

Alcander-Starflame: I love having you by my side, Player!

Alcander-Starflame: You're a good friend to me, Player. With you by my side, I have nothing to worry about!

Alcander-Starflame: With you around, Player, I manage to stay out of trouble!

Alcander-Starflame: I...

Alcander-Starflame: Like you a lot, Player.

Player: (surprised)

Player: Really?

A while later, your glass is almost empty.

Player: (Whoa... I feel a little dizzy...)

Player: (Making a drink with strong liquor really takes it up a notch...)

Player: Thank you for the cocktail, Starflame...

Alcander-Starflame: ...

Player: It's... It's getting late. It's about time to hit the sack...

Alcander-Starflame: ...

Player: Starflame?

Alcander-Starflame: Player...

Alcander-Starflame: Your scent...

Starflame gets closer

Player: (Whoa... It's the first time I've seen him up close like this. He's got a nice body!)

Alcander-Starflame: You smell so good...

Alcander-Starflame: You're...you're so handsome, Player!

Before you know it, Starflame is kissing you.

Player: Whoa!

Player: Starflame...

You know you should resist...

However, perhaps because you've finally made progress on your investigation, your nerves are finally untensing.

And your body cannot refuse Starflame's advance.

Player: Wow...

Alcander-Starflame: What's... What's happening to me?

Alcander-Starflame: My body feels so hot. All I can think about is you, Player...

Alcander-Starflame: I just want to hold you, Player.

Player: Starflame...

Player: I was just thinking that it's a little cold out here...

Alcander-Starflame: Oh, Player!

Starflame pounces on Player

Starflame's immense power knocks you down.

Alcander-Starflame: Player!

Player: I'm okay!

You put your hands on Starflame's shoulders.

Alcander-Starflame: Player...

Starflame morphs into his Furry form

Alcander-Starflame: I'll make you nice and warm, Player.

You feel furry Starflame's body press down on yours.

In an instant, every inch of your skin is enveloped in stelliferous fire.

At the same time, you feel flux that is both familiar and strange...

Player: (Oh! This feeling... It feels like pathos radiation!)

Player: (But at the same time, it doesn't...)

Furry Starflame's massive, strong, warm, and yet also supple body obliterates all reason from your mind.

By the time you regain consciousness, the sun is already high in the sky.

You are lying upon Starflame's thick, massive chest.

Player: Huh? What am I doing outside?

Alcander-Starflame: You're finally awake, Player.

Player: Oh! I remember everything!

Alcander-Starflame: I had a lot of fun with you last night, Player!

Alcander-Starflame: I slept really well. In fact, I had best sleep of my life!

Alcander-Starflame: Why is that?

Player: Uh... We can talk about that later.

Player: BeeNic and Rom are probably looking for us right now.

Player: Help me find my clothes. All I can find is a sock.

Alcander-Starflame: Oh, I see them! Your underwear is hanging from that tree over there, Player!

Alcander-Starflame: I remember!!

Alcander-Starflame: Last night, I hung you from a branch, then I...

Player: Ahh!! Don't say it! Don't say it!

A moment later, inside the camp...

Player: Huh? BeeNic and Rom still haven't gotten up yet?

Alcander-Starflame: Oh, I know! They must be sleeping in!

Player: Hmm... I doubt it...

BeeNic and Rom return to the camp

Rom: (Yawning) Good morning, Player and Starflame...

BeeNic: Good morning! Sorry we're up so late.

Player: Wow! What...what's wrong with you guys? You look terrible!

Rom: Oh, I'm okay. Had a dream, that's all...

Player: A dream? Don't tell me...

Rom: It wasn't a nightmare, it was...

Rom: You know... Men on man... At night... But it was just a dream.

BeeNic: Oh...

Player: And you had the same dream, BeeNic?

BeeNic: Yes.

Rom: You too, BeeNic?

Rom: Haha, did you get recharged in your dream, BeeNic?

BeeNic: Hey...cut it out!

Player: But those sound like good dreams. So why do you look so tired?

BeeNic: Doesn't matter how good the dream is, if it lasts all night long...

Rom: Who wouldn't be tired?

Suddenly, you remember what you and Starflame did the previous night. What you'd felt then was similar to pathos radiation, but its flux was unusual...

Alcander-Starflame: Man on man at night?

Alcander-Starflame: Recharge? A whole night?

Alcander-Starflame: What are you guys talking about? It sounds like fun! Let me in on it!

BeeNic: Huh?

Rom: Uh... You'll figure it out when you're good and ready.

Alcander-Starflame: Huh? When I'm good and ready?

Player: (Whispering) Actually, he's already got it figured out. And he's quite good at it...

Player: Starflame, can you go to the communal bath and get some hot water running?

Player: I want to take a shower in a moment.

Alcander-Starflame: Okay!

Starflame leaves

BeeNic: Phew... I've never had such wild dreams before.

Rom: Yeah, it was so strange!

Player: I might know why you guys had that dream...

You tell BeeNic and Rom about what happened the night before.

Rom: Hahaha, it all makes sense now...

Rom: It seems Starflame has really taken a liking to you!

BeeNic: (surprised)

BeeNic: (sad)

Player: BeeNic, what's with the surprised and sad look?

BeeNic: What are you talking about?! Why would I be sad?!

Player: It's written all over your face.

BeeNic: Anyway. Let's get down to business!

BeeNic: You said that you sensed a kind of flux that was similar to pathos radiation?

Player: Yeah. Couple that with the dreams you guys had last night...

Player: It must have been eros radiation, also unintentionally emitted by Starflame!

Player: Since Starflame can radiate love, that means he can radiate not only negative emotions, but also positive emotions!

Player: I think that if it could be properly channeled...

Player: Then the essence of Starflame's pathos and his resentment could be transformed into a positive emotional force!

BeeNic: Then Starflame would no longer be a threat! Never Isle would accept him with open arms!

Rom: Great! That would not only solve all our problems, but it would also allow Starflame to become our companion!

Player: Yeah! I'm going to contact Never Isle...

Player: Get ready, everyone. We're going home!

Continue to Trifle - The Fated End

The Fated End

The ending might have already been decided, but fragile mortals will resist the torrent of fate!

-Part 1

On the bridge of the airship.

Alcander-Starflame: Whoa... We're going back to Never Isle?

Alcander-Starflame: ...

Player: You don't like Never Isle, Starflame?

Alcander-Starflame: It's just that...

Alcander-Starflame: The people of Never Isle can't be reasoned with...

Alcander-Starflame: As soon as they lay eyes on me, they attack...

Alcander-Starflame: I don't mean any harm. It's annoying...

Player: Hahaha, that was only because they didn't understand you.

Player: The people of Never Isle thought that you were their enemy, Starflame. That's why they misunderstood you.

Player: As long as we explain the situation to them, they'll embrace you with open arms. Starflame.

Player: Don't you want to make more friends like BeeNic and Rom?

Alcander-Starflame: Okay, okay...

Player: Besides, Never Isle is one of the biggest cities in Luxium...

Player: There's so much delicious food, tasty drinks, and fun things to do!

Player: You came to this world, Starflame, and you'd really be missing out if you didn't go to Never Isle!

Player: You'll have me by your side. You won't be in any danger!

Alcander-Starflame: Hmm...

Alcander-Starflame: Well if you're going to be there, Player, I'll go.

Player: I've already made an itinerary.

Player: First we'll go to the market and shop around, then we'll go get something to eat. Then...

A few moments later...

Player stands at the console on the airship's bridge

Player: We've convinced Starflame to return to Never Isle. Now we just need to explain to Never Isle what happened.

Player: (Opens comms, contacts Never Isle...)

Player: This is Player...

Player: We have thoroughly investigated the 'conspiracy' that attempted to overthrow and sabotage Never Isle.

Player: Here's what happened...

Over the comm, you give the Never Isle officials a brief overview of your findings and conjectures.

Player: I know it's hard to believe, but it's true!

Player: I've been observing Starflame for many days now, getting to know him...

Player: I assure you, Starflame is a kind, simple man.

Player: With our help and guidance, his negative energy will not be a threat!

Player: Yeah... I know...

Player: Wow!

Player: Uh-huh! Great! Thank you, Principal Vundo. Thank you everyone!

Player: We're coming home!

Player: Player, over and out!

Player: Hmm... Never Isle was a little too easy to convince.

Player: ...

BeeNic and Rom come over to here how Player's call went

BeeNic: What did Never Isle say, Player?

Player: They've promised to let Starflame return to Never Isle!

Rom: Great! Now we'll be able to free Alcander!

Player: Let's pack up camp and get ready to go home!

Rom: Yeah!

The two leave to get things ready

Player: Never Isle... Are they...

Player: No... What am I thinking? I've been so busy looking for conspiracies lately...

Player: I'm being overly suspicious.

Later that night, at Never Isle Harbor.

An arcanist meets Player's group at the dock

Academy's Arcanist: Mr. Player...

Academy's Arcanist: Principal Vundo has fast-tracked your entry onto Never Isle. You do not need to pass through inspection.

Rom: Oh? That's great!

Player: Thank you, Principal Vundo...

You sense something unusual about the arcanist's flux.

Player: This feeling... Do arcanists always take artifacts with them when they go out now?

Academy's Arcanist: !!

Academy's Arcanist: Oh, this is just a little artifact I developed myself. It's nothing.

Academy's Arcanist: Please come with me!

At Never Isle's entrance.

Vundo stands at the gate with many of the Academy's arcanists

Vundo: Good work, Player, BeeNic, Rom.

Player: Anything for Never Isle.

Rom: Now that everything's sorted, what about Alcander?

Vundo: Don't worry. The Defense Force released Alcander a few days ago.

Rom: Oh? Great.

Vundo looks over Starflame

Vundo: You must be the one burdened with all that negative energy, Dark Alcander, I presume?

Alcander-Starflame: ...

Alcander-Starflame: I have a name. My name is Starflame!

Vundo: Well, Mr. Dark Alcander, welcome to Never Isle.

Vundo: But just to be on the safe side...

Vundo: We need to put you all in temporary quarantine to check your flux levels.

Vundo: After all, we've never seen such negative energy before.

Player: ...

BeeNic: If it's just for safety's sake, check away!

Player: Uh, if you're going to put us in quarantine, I'd like to be with Starflame.

Player: He hasn't been in this world very long, and he's unfamiliar with his surroundings. I'd like to stay by his side.

Vundo: I'm afraid we can't allow that. The Arcana Academy needs to know the status of your flux.

Vundo: Results are accurate and trustworthy only when people are examined individually.

Alcander-Starflame: Oh... I can't stay with Player?

Player: ...

Player: Starflame, can you go with Principial Vundo for your quarantine inspection?

Player: Principal Vundo is a friend.

Player: Principal Vundo just needs to know that we are not a threat to Never Isle.

Player: Let's prove it to him together, okay?

Alcander-Starflame: Since he's a friend of yours, Player, I'll go with him.

Alcander-Starflame: I'll cooperate, and I won't get angry.

Alcander-Starflame: After the quarantine inspection, we'll go shopping at the market and get some delicious food to eat!

Player: Okay!

Vundo: ...

Vundo: Arcanists, take these men to their quarantine labs.

Academy's Arcanist: Yes, sir!

A few moments later, in the Arcana Academy plaza.

Academy's Arcanist: Mr. Player, your quarantine room is inside the Arcana Tower.

Player: Oh... But Starflame went to the Arcana Academy. Even the quarantine areas are different?

Academy's Arcanist: I don't know the specifics. I'm just following orders.

???: Mr. Player!

A familiar voice calls out to Player

Dream Researcher: Long time no see, Mr. Player!

Player: I remember you. You're the scholar who studies dreams.

Dream Researcher: Yes, that's right. I'm surprised you remember me...

Dream Researcher: Are you still haunted by nightmares, Mr. Player?

Player: Thanks to my friend's help, I'm much better.

Dream Researcher: Oh? That's good to hear.

Dream Researcher: My most recent findings confirm that people in dreams are totally unable to communicate with people in reality.

Player: Oh? Why's that?

Dream Researcher: It's because the dream scenario depicts events from random points in time in the parallel timeline.

Dream Researcher: In our dreams, we are merely observers.

Player: Oh, I see...

Dream Researcher: I just want to reassure you, Mr. Player - you needn't worry about what happens in your dreams.

Dream Researcher: It would now seem that it is no longer necessary.

Player: I'd like to thank you. There's a bar on my airship, it's usually parked in Never Isle Harbor.

Player: If you get a chance, you should come visit.

Academy's Arcanist: It is time to go, Player.

Player: I'm sorry, I have somewhere to be. Good-bye.

Later, at the Arcana Tower.

Academy's Arcanist: I'm going to inject you with an arcana potion now, Mr. Player.

Academy's Arcanist: This potion is totally safe. I'll be done in just a second.

Player: It's okay, I'm quite familiar with the process. Let's get it over with!

Academy's Arcanist: Just a moment.

The arcanist begins to prepare the injection

Player: ...

Player: Huh?

Player: (This feeling...)

Player: (This isn't an arcana potion for detecting flux. This is a...)

Player: (A sedative!)

Player: (But...why?)

Player: (Hmm... Maybe I'm being paranoid, but everything that's happened today has been so suspicious!)

Player: (First, the conversation I had with Never Isle. Despite their misunderstanding of the events that have happened over the past few days...)

Player: (They didn't take much convincing.)

Player: (Plus, Principal Vundo personally met us at the harbor just now.)

Player: (He was escorted by arcanists carrying some kind of special artifact I've never seen before.)

Player: (And just now, that arcanist was mixing a sedative...)

Player: (Am I really being paranoid?)

Player: (Or is there really something going on?)

-Choice 1.1 - (I'm being paranoid...)

Player: (What the hell am I thinking?)

Player: (This is Never Isle!)

Player: (There's no safer place in all of Luxium!)

Academy's Arcanist: Relax, Mr. Player!

Player: Okay!

Player: Hmm...

Player: ...

Player loses consciousness from the sedative

A while later, in the room where Starflame is isolated.

Alcander stands in the room, alone

Alcander: Phew... Disaster averted.

Player breaks in

Player: Starflame? Starflame?

Player: Alcander? What are you doing here?

Player: Where's Starflame?

Alcander: So you're calling him Starflame...

Player: I can feel his aura, though it's a bit weak.

Player: Where is Starflame?

Alcander: He went back...

Alcander: To his own world.

Player: !!!

Player: Alcander...

Player: What have you done?!

Player: Hrrrraahhh!!!

Player grabs his head

Player: This pain... This sadness, this despair...

Alcander-Starflame: Why?

Alcander-Starflame: Player... why?

Alcander-Starflame: Why did you lie to me?

You have betrayed Starflame's love, his trust...

Try again!

The truth is so close...

Bad ending

-Choice 1.2 - (Something's definitely going on!)

Player: (This is definitely a trap...)

Player: (But...why are they trying to hurt me?)

Player: (No, I'm not the target.)

Player: (This is Never Isle. No one here wants to hurt me.)

Player: (Then...who are they trying to hurt?)

Choice 1.2.1 - BeeNic? OR Choice 1.2.2 - Rom? OR Choice 1.2.4 - Vundo?

Player: (No, it couldn't be him!)

Player: (That would be ridiculous...)

Choose again

Choice 1.2.3 - Starflame?

Player: (Starflame! That's it, it could only be Starflame!)

Player: (I knew the Never Isle officials were too easily convinced!)

Player: (Having me bring Starflame back to Never Isle was the first part of their trap.)

Player: (But the Never Isle officials wouldn't have done that on their own. There must be someone who convinced them to set up this trap...)

Player: (And use Starflame's trust in me against us.)

Player: (But who? Who would want to frame Starflame and try to have him killed?)

Player: (Who? Who has been trying to get Starflame killed all along?)

Choice 1.2.3.1 - Alcander

Player: (Huh? Could it be?!)

Choice 1.2.3.2 - Billy

Player: (No. No, that's not possible.)

Player: (Billy's not that kind of person. He would never do anything so extreme!)

Choice 1.2.3.2.1 - Alcander

Go to Choice 1.2.3.1

Choice 1.2.3.2.2 - Billy

Go to Choice 1.2.3.2

Choice 1.2.3.2.3 - Eddie

Go to Choice 1.2.3.3

Choice 1.2.3.2.4 - Commander Markus

Go to Choice 1.2.3.4

Choice 1.2.3.3 - Eddie

Player: (Starflame's pathos radiation has put the Order of Equality through the ringer...)

Player: (But Eddie is a calm and rational person who uses dialogue to solve problems - he'd never restore to violence.)

Choice 1.2.3.3.1 - Alcander

Go to Choice 1.2.3.1

Choice 1.2.3.3.2 - Billy

Go to Choice 1.2.3.2

Choice 1.2.3.3.3 - Eddie

Go to Choice 1.2.3.3

Choice 1.2.3.3.4 - Commander Markus

Go to Choice 1.2.3.4

Choice 1.2.3.4 - Commander Markus

Player: (That is simply impossible.)

Player: (Although Commander Markus was a victim of Starflame's pathos radiation, ultimately, no one in the Oathblades and no one on Never Isle were hurt.)

Player: (The commander is a generous and open-minded man who would not bear a grudge over a minor incident like that.)

Choice 1.2.3.4.1 - Alcander

Go to Choice 1.2.3.1

Choice 1.2.3.4.2 - Billy

Go to Choice 1.2.3.2

Choice 1.2.3.4.3 - Eddie

Go to Choice 1.2.3.3

Choice 1.2.3.4.4 - Commander Markus

Go to Choice 1.2.3.4

Conversation continues after choices

Player: (My god...)

Player: (angry)

Player: (When you eliminate all impossibilities, what's left is the truth!)

Player: (Alcander, Alcander...)

Player: (Oh! Come to think of it, he said something to me before!)

Player: (He told me to kill Starflame, without hesitation, as soon as I laid eyes on him!)

Player: (Alcander also said it was all his fault...)

Player: (Which is to say, Alcander knew from the very beginning that negative energy formed Starflame's essence!)

Player: (That means, he must have known that Starflame's mind had just been formed and that he didn't understand anything.)

Player: (But since there's a way to control and transform the negative energy in Starflame's body, why go to the trouble of setting a trap?)

Player: (Oh!)

Player: (Starflame cannot release pathos radiation on purpose, only when he is overcome by emotion...)

Player: (Then the only possible reason that pathos radiation was emitted during the incidents affecting Billy, Eddie, the commander, and the academic conference...)

Player: (Is because of Alcander! He was hunting Starflame at the places where those incidents happened!)

Player: (His sole purpose is to kill Starflame!)

Player: (This isn't good!)

Player: (Principal Vundo said Alcander's already been released.)

Player: (Alcander must have been the one who convinced the Never Isle officials. Plus, he is all too familiar with Starflame's abilities and his nature.)

Player: (The arcanist at the harbor was probably carrying an artifact that can be used to restrain Starflame!)

Player: (Starflame is in danger!)

Player: (I have to find him!)

Player looks around the room for an escape route

Player: (There are too many people here. I need to find a way to stun them, without giving them a chance to notify anyone else.)

Player: ...

Player: I've got it!

Player: Ahh!!

Player pretends to be hurt

Academy's Arcanist: What's wrong, Mr. Player?

Player: Ugh... My chest... I can't... I can't breathe...

All of the arcanists gather around Player

Academy's Arcanist: Mr. Player!

Player: Ahh... Hoo... It's like... There's a stone pressing down on my heart...

Player: Ahhhhh!!!

Player falls to the ground

Academy's Arcanist: Ah! Is it a heart attack?!

Player: Actually, I was just faking.

Player: Sorry!!!

Academy's Arcanist: Whoa!!!

Continue to Part 2

-Part 2

Later, at the Arcana Nexus.

Multiple arcanists surround Starflame

Alcander-Starflame: Ugh... Why do I suddenly feel so dizzy?

Alcander-Starflame: Is this normal?

Academy's Arcanist: (Huh? I gave him enough sedative to knock out a horse, why's he still awake?)

Academy's Arcanist: Yes, relax, do not worry. This is all quite normal...

Player: Everyone, freeze!

Academy's Arcanist: Whoa!

Player rushes into the room

Alcander-Starflame: What are you doing here, Player?

Academy's Arcanist: Mr. Player, we're just performing some routine...

Player: Cut the crap! I know what you're trying to do!

Player: Get out of here now, before I force you to!

Academy's Arcanist: Uh oh... Player, you've been brainwashed by the Dark Alcander!

Academy's Arcanist: We don't want to hurt you. Please get out of the way.

Player: Humph! Not a chance!

Academy's Arcanist: Then have at you! For Never Isle!

Rom runs in

Rom: Use your head!

Alcander-Starflame: Rom!

Rom: No wonder I felt strange. They're up to something!

Rom: Now's our chance, BeeNic!

BeeNic: Hya!

BeeNic zaps into the room and knocks one of the arcanists away

Academy's Arcanist: Huh? He's gone!

BeeNic: All we wanted to do was take him home to rest...

BeeNic: But then you guys got in the way!

The team takes care of the rest of the arcanists

Player: Starflame, are you okay?

Alcander-Starflame: I was feeling a little dizzy, but I'm fine now!

Player: Phew. Thank Ka.

Player: (Hugs Starflame tightly...)

Alcander-Starflame: Oh...

Alcander-Starflame: It hasn't been that long. You already miss me?

Rom: (smiles)

BeeNic: All right. We've taken care of everyone standing in our way.

BeeNic: Let's get out of here before they pull themselves together!

Player: Okay!

???: Wait!

Everyone turns to see who just entered

Player: !!

Player: I knew you'd be here.

Alcander: ...

Alcander-Starflame: The yellow-haired lion!

Alcander-Starflame: This guy just won't stop, Player. The second he lays eyes on me, he attacks!

Player: Yeah, I know!

BeeNic: So you've finally arrived, Alcander. Care to explain yourself?

Rom: Alcander...what's the meaning of this?

Alcander: I knew Player would figure out what I've been up to.

Alcander: But I didn't expect BeeNic and Rom to come along!

Player: What are you doing? Are you going to kill all of us?

Alcander: ...

Alcander: ...

Alcander: We've been through a lot together, Player.

Alcander: BeeNic, Rom... You don't really think I intend to hurt you, do you?

Rom: I don't think you intend to hurt us, brother...

Rom: But you are here to fight Starflame, aren't you?

BeeNic: Why? We need an explanation!

Player: ...

Alcander: You think I like being the bad guy?

Alcander: I have no choice...

Alcander: It doesn't matter what you guys think of me. It doesn't matter what I have to become.

Alcander: To ensure Never Isle's survival, to ensure that catastrophe does not befall Luxium...

Alcander: Even if I have to become the bad guy, even if I have to become a demon...

Alcander: I will kill him!

Alcander-Starflame: !!

Player: Alcander, Starflame's negative energy can be controlled, it can be transformed!

Player: He does not pose a threat to Never Isle or Luxium!

Alcander: Negative energy? If only things were that simple...

Alcander: Starflame's very existence will draw the attention of the Cataclysmic Demon King. And when the Demon King arrives in Luxium...

Alcander: That destruction will end fate itself!

BeeNic: What?

BeeNic: Is that the real reason why you intend to kill Starflame?

Player: Cataclysmic Demon King? You mean... Me, from the parallel timeline?

Alcander: (Shakes head weakly) Even 'you' from the parallel timeline are no match for him...

Alcander: He's far more terrifying than 'you' could ever be.

Alcander: He has destroyed so many worlds that his existence has transcended the boundaries of spacetime.

Rom: Hey, hey! How is that even possible?

Alcander-Starflame: You mean, if that guy comes to this world...

Alcander-Starflame: Player, BeeNic, Rom... Everyone in this world...

Alcander-Starflame: They'll all die?

Alcander: Player and the others call you Starflame, correct?

Alcander: They're your friends, right?

Alcander-Starflame: Yeah...

Alcander: You've experienced so much destruction in Luxium already.

Alcander-Starflame: ...

Starflame morphs into his Furry form

Alcander-Starflame: Yeah...

Player: Starflame...

Alcander-Starflame: The past few days, Player has done a lot for me, I know.

Player: ...

Alcander-Starflame: Ever since I released the pathos radiation in the wild and affected BeeNic and Rom...

Alcander-Starflame: I've been observing, feeling, and comforting the resentment I feel in my heart.

Alcander-Starflame: To my surprise, I'm not a child anymore!

Player: Humph! I found that out last night!

Alcander-Starflame: (smiles)

Alcander-Starflame: Alcander, I sympathize with everything you've been through.

Alcander: ...

Alcander: Then you should know how determined I am to protect this world!

Alcander: You didn't do anything wrong, Starflame.

Alcander: I know it's not fair to sacrifice you!

Alcander: But your sacrifice will save millions of people in this world!

Alcander: It will save Player, BeeNic, and Rom!

Alcander-Starflame: ...

Rom: ...

BeeNic: ...

Alcander: There is so much beauty in this world, Starflame. There are also the people with whom we share our lives.

Alcander: We cannot let Luxium fall victim to such an awful fate!

Alcander-Starflame: ...

Player: ...

Player: (Is sacrificing Starflame really the only way?)

Player: (Sacrificing an innocent person in exchange for the safety of this world...)

Player: (Is this really the right thing to do?)

-Choice 1.1 - (If this will protect Luxium...)

Player: Oh...

Alcander-Starflame: Player...

Player: Starflame!

Alcander-Starflame: Thank you for looking after me.

Alcander-Starflame: Now, it's my turn to help you, Player!

Player: There's got to be another way, Starflame.

Alcander-Starflame: (Shakes head...)

Alcander-Starflame: This annihilation is the end ordained by fate. I've experienced so much already...

Alcander-Starflame: But I won't give up!

Alcander-Starflame: I'm going to tear that damned fate to shreds, even if I have to give my life to do it!

Player: Starflame...

Rom: Starflame!

Starflame stands next to Alcander

Alcander-Starflame: It has been the greatest honor of my life to know you...

Alcander-Starflame: Thank you. You have taken my heart, so full of despair, fear, and resentment...

Alcander-Starflame: And you've shown upon it the light of happiness.

Alcander: Thank you, Starflame. All of Luxium will forever be in your debt.

Alcander-Starflame: Enough chit-chat. Let's do this!

Alcander prepares to kill Starflame

BeeNic: Ugh! This is...

BeeNic: Wait...

Alcander: ...

Alcander dispels the negative emotions that formed Starflame

He blinks out of existence

BeeNic: No!

Rom: We have no choice, BeeNic.

BeeNic: Shut up!

Player: !!

Rom: BeeNic?

BeeNic grabs Alcander

BeeNic: Now I remember what happened...

BeeNic: It was you, Alcander!

Alcander: ...

BeeNic: You killed my master!!!

Luxium will be saved, but Starflame will be gone forever...

Is this truly the right thing to do?

No! There's got to be another way!

Bad ending

-Choice 1.2 - (No! It's not right!)

Player: Starflame...

Alcander-Starflame: Player...

Player: No!

Player: Alcander, tell us everything you know about this Cataclysmic Demon King!

Player: I can't simply take your word for it that this 'Cataclysmic Demon King' exists!

Player: Who is the Demon King? Why did he become the Cataclysmic Demon King? What are his powers? Is there any way to fight him?

Alcander: ...

Alcander hesitates for a moment.

Alcander: I can't say.

BeeNic: What?

Rom: Why not, Alcander?!

Alcander: ...

Alcander: Everything I do, I do for this world...

Alcander readies his fists

Rom: B-brother?

BeeNic: ...

BeeNic: These are pretty serious accusations.

BeeNic: I'm sorry, but this time, your word isn't enough!

Rom: ...

Rom: Starflame saved my life, Alcander.

Rom: If you kill him today, then you will become my enemy!

Alcander: Ugh, you...

Alcander: If this is how it has to be...

Alcander: I have no choice...

Player: (How? How did it come to this?)

Player: (Alcander used to be such a gentle and reliable man. Now he is willing to make enemies of us in the name of sacrificing Starflame.)

Player: (Is the Cataclysmic Demon King that Alcander speaks of real?)

Player: (Or has he simply been driven mad by his desire to kill Starflame?)

-Choice 1.2.1 - (Believe Alcander's claims about the Demon King's existence.)

Player: Wait!

Player: BeeNic, Rom! Don't attack him!

BeeNic: !!

Player: Calm down...

BeeNic and Rom stand down

Player: Is it really as bad as you say, Alcander?

Alcander: ...

Alcander: Do... Do you trust me?

Player: Alcander, we've been through a lot together.

Player: I'd believe the truth of your words sooner than I'd believe you've gone crazy because of some jealousy over Starflame's power.

BeeNic: If what he says is true, why is he being so tight-lipped about it?

Alcander: ...

Player: Um... About this Cataclysmic Demon King that's supposed to destroy the world...

Player: I think I can prove he exists.

Rom: What?

Player: (The countless Luxiums that have been destroyed, the final extinction, the Cataclysmic Demon King, Starflame...)

Player: (The key to fixing all of this must be in my dream!)

Player: (Speaking of which, there is still one puzzle in my nightmare that has not been solved.)

Choice 1.2.1.1 - (The mysterious whisperer...)

Player: (I already figured that out!)

Player: (I need to focus!)

Choice 1.2.1.1.1 - (The mysterious whisperer...)

Go to Choice 1.2.1.1

Choice 1.2.1.1.2 - (The version of 'me' that destroys Luxium...)

Go to Choice 1.2.1.2

Choice 1.2.1.1.3 - (The conversation that the dream version of 'me' was having with himself...)

Go to Choice 1.2.1.3

Choice 1.2.1.2 - (The version of 'me' that destroys Luxium...)

Player: (No, that's not it...)

Player: (I need to focus!)

Choice 1.2.1.2.1 - (The mysterious whisperer...)

Go to Choice 1.2.1.1

Choice 1.2.1.2.2 - (The version of 'me' that destroys Luxium...)

Go to Choice 1.2.1.2

Choice 1.2.1.2.3 - (The conversation that the dream version of 'me' was having with himself...)

Go to Choice 1.2.1.3

Choice 1.2.1.3 - (The conversation that the dream version of 'me' was having with himself...)

Player: The mysterious words I said in the nightmare...

BeeNic: Well, you said that 'dream you' believed that by capturing and destroying a world, he could stop you from invading it.

Rom: At least, I think I remember you saying something like that.

Player: That's assuming that 'dream me' was talking to real me.

Player: However, the scholar that studies dreams has already proven that this isn't possible.

Player: So who is 'dream me' referring to?

Rom: Whoa!

Conversation continues after choices

Player: I've had all these nightmares, and yet 'dream me,' like Alcander, does not mention his name.

Player: There can only be one reason!

Player: Saying his name will hasten his invasion!

Alcander: !!

Player: Is that right, Alcander?

Alcander: Incredible, Player...

Alcander: You're right. No matter what, I cannot say his name!

BeeNic: But what does this have to do with Starflame?

Alcander: ...

Alcander: The Cataclysmic Demon King's goal is to destroy Alcander in each and every timeline.

Rom: !!

Alcander: For some reason, perhaps because I'm not from Luxium...

Alcander: The Demon King cannot use me alone to determine Luxium's location. That's why Luxium has been safe from him so far.

Alcander-Starflame: But your negative emotions are a part of me.

Player: !!

Alcander: Yes...

Alcander: Because of my repeated failures to save other Luxiums, my negative emotions and the negative emotions of the world as it was destroyed both converged...

Alcander: Starflame has become the Alcander that belongs to this Luxium.

Rom: You're saying the Demon King will use Starflame to find Luxium?!

Alcander: That's right, and the more that Starflame interacts with this world, and the stronger his relationship with you becomes...

Alcander: The easier it will be for the Demon King to find Luxium!

Player: ...

Alcander-Starflame: ...

Alcander-Starflame: ...

Alcander-Starflame: I see...

Player: Hold on!

Player: We're really going to sacrifice a friend for our own safety?

Player: You've got to be kidding me!

Alcander-Starflame: Stop, Player.

Alcander-Starflame: I can use my life, to ensure that you and everyone else is safe.

Alcander-Starflame: I want to do it!

Player: No, Starflame!

Player: You're not the problem!

Player: The real problem is that Demon King bastard!

Player: Maybe today he only wants to destroy every world in which Alcander exists.

Player: But what if tomorrow, he sets his sights on BeeNic, or Rom?

Alcander-Starflame: ...

Player: Are we going to kill BeeNic and Rom then, too?

Alcander: ...

Player: Sacrificing one of our own is only going to buy time, it's not going to avert annihilation!

Alcander: But the Demon King is too powerful...

Player: Heh...

Player: You underestimate the people of Never Isle - the people of Luxium!

Player: Against all odds, Luxium has survived two Shadow Wars.

Player: Why should this battle be any different?

Alcander-Starflame: ...

Alcander-Starflame: I see!

Alcander-Starflame: It's like hunting wild boar...

Alcander-Starflame: Running away and giving up won't solve the problem...

Alcander-Starflame: The only way to solve the problem is to destroy it!

Player: Okay!

Alcander: ...

Alcander-Starflame: We've seen too much destruction, Alcander.

Alcander-Starflame: With my own hands, I want to...

Alcander-Starflame: Tear this awful fate to pieces!

Alcander: !!

Alcander-Starflame: Not just for us, but for Player, for Luxium...

Alcander-Starflame: For every world that the Demon King intends to destroy...

Alcander-Starflame: For all the innocent people who live in those worlds!

Rom: Yeah, Alcander! Let's kill him together!

BeeNic: Uh... The Cataclysmic Demon King, yeah?

BeeNic: All we need to do is kill him?

Player: If the Cataclysmic Demon King were unbeatable...

Player: He would've already destroyed the entirety of spacetime by now, right?

Player: He must have a weakness. There's got to be a way!

Alcander: You guys...

Alcander: Hahaha...

Alcander gives you a hug.

Alcander: In theory, there is a way!

Alcander: But I've never tried it. I don't know if it will work.

Player: All we can do is try, right?

Alcander: (smiles)

Alcander: Okay!

Later, you explain the situation to Never Isle.

With the help of everyone on the Never Isle...

The Arcana Academy develops an array to help deal with the Demon King.

Alcander estimates where and when the Demon King will arrive.

Never Isle evacuates its civilians and constructs defenses in the Arcana Academy Plaza.

Go to Part 3

-Choice 1.2.2 - (Don't believe Alcander, and stand with BeeNic and Rom!)

Player: ...

Player: Come on, Alcander!

Alcander: ...

Alcander: Whoa!!!

Alcander: Ahhh!!!

Alcander drops his fists

Alcander: ...

Alcander leaves

Rom: B-brother?

Alcander-Starflame: Where's he off to?

Player: Wow...

Player: Don't worry about him. Let's get out of here!

Player: We need to explain the situation to Never Isle.

No one has seen Alcander since that day.

Until one day...

The end ordained by fate has arrived.

One day, outside the Never Isle market.

Player: Nice! I finally got my hands on the limited-edition Priapus figure that I've been waiting for!

Player: What did you buy, Starflame?

Alcander-Starflame: A big box of K-Y Jelly.

Player: Whoa!

Alcander-Starflame: I just wanna make you feel good, Player!

Alcander-Starflame: Let's pop it open and try it out tonight! I've got some very interesting ideas about what we could do with it!

Player: Oh...

Player: Starflame, shh!! We're still outside, keep your voice down!

Alcander-Starflame: Hee hee!

Alcander-Starflame: Whoa!

Suddenly, you feel a great sense of oppression that you've never felt before...

You are like a frail slave who's been put up for sacrifice by a priest.

Your legs tremble uncontrollably.

You are afraid that just by breathing, you will invite death's arrival.

Alcander-Starflame: That's...

Player: Oh...

Starflame morphs into his Furry form

Alcander-Starflame: The power seems to be coming from the Arcana Academy Plaza...

Alcander-Starflame: Stay here, Player. I'm going to go check it out!

Player: No! I'll go to the academy's plaza.

Player: Starflame, go find BeeNic and Rom, then contact Never Isle and have everyone evacuated!

Alcander-Starflame: But...

Player: Just do as I say! Go!

Alcander-Starflame: Okay, fine! You don't need to yell!

At the Arcana Academy Plaza...

Alcander stands in the middle of the plaza

An evil, negative energy seems to radiate out of his body

Player: Alcander?

Alcander: ...

Player: Ugh. This aura...it's so evil...

Player: You're not Alcander!!

Alcander?: (smiles)

???: Rrraghhhhhhhhhhh!

Another Alcander, this time in his Lion King form, drops down from the sky and attacks the evil Alcander

Lion King Alcander: Your fight is with me!

Player: Alcander?

Lion King Alcander: The Cataclysmic Demon King is here. Take Starflame and get out of here! The farther away, the better!

Lion King Alcander: Since you've decided to protect him, you need to protect him to the very end!

Player: (surprised)

Player: Starflame is safe.

Player: You can't beat such an unbelievably evil force by yourself.

Lion King Alcander: And you think you're going to make a difference? Get out of here! Don't die in vain!

Markus: Maybe we can help!

Markus and Will join

Will: This is Never Isle - you won't get away with this!

Player: Haha! Our reinforcements are here!

Player: You're done for, you bastard!

Alcander?: ...

Alcander?: (smiles)

Lion King Alcander: He's gathering energy - he's going to reach his final form! Be careful, everyone!

The evil Alcander morphs into Lion King form and attacks the four but they are no match

Alcander: ...

Markus: ...

Will: ...

Player: (Spits blood) Cough!

Player: This...can't happen...

Player: ...

Player dies

Alcander?: (smiles)

Alcander?: How anticlimactic...

Starflame gets to the plaza and sees the carnage

Alcander-Starflame: Player, no!

Alcander-Starflame: No, no, no!

Alcander-Starflame: I'm going to tear you apart, for Player!!!

Alcander-Starflame: Rrraghhhhhhhhhhh!

There's got to be a way to avoid this ending...

Try again...

Bad ending

-Part 3

The day before the end ordained by fate...

The Never Isle military supply station.

Player and Starflame open up the last packages they've ordered

Player: Nice! The limited-edition Priapus figure that I've been waiting for is finally here!

Player: What did you order, Starflame?

Alcander-Starflame: A big box of K-Y Jelly.

Player: Whoa!

Alcander-Starflame: I just wanna make you feel good, Player!

Alcander-Starflame: Let's pop it open and try it out tonight! I've got some very interesting ideas about what we could do with it!

Player: Oh...

Player: Starflame, shh!! We're still outside, keep your voice down!

Alcander-Starflame: Hee hee!

Player: ...

Alcander-Starflame: Player, what's the matter?

Player: Tomorrow's the big showdown.

Player: Are you scared, Starflame?

Alcander-Starflame: I'm not scared!

Alcander-Starflame: Because I know I've got you by my side, Player!

Alcander-Starflame: And there's something else I know!

Alcander-Starflame: Tomorrow, we will win!!

Player: Yeah! When you say it that way...

Player: I'm not scared, either!

Alcander: Starflame, Player!

Alcander-Starflame: Alcander!

Alcander: Player, can I borrow Starflame for a few minutes?

Alcander: I want to talk to him...

Player: Huh? Oh, okay...

Alcander-Starflame: I'll be right back, Player!

Alcander leads Starflame away

The next day...

At the Arcana Academy Plaza...

The Demon King, looking like an evil Alcander, descends on the plaza

???: ...

???: (smiles)

Vundo: Now! Activate the defensive enchantment!

The arcana activates, surprising the Demon King

???: !!

Vundo: The enchantment has been activated. General! Commander!

Markus: All ships, fire on your targets!

Will: Fire at will!

The bombardment drowns the plaza in a sea of flames

???: ...

Rom: Don't give him a chance to catch his breath. Arcanists, let's go!

The arcanists call multiple bolts of lightning to rain down on the Demon King

Player: How's it looking? Is it over?

Rom: With this kind of firepower, I don't care what he is, he's been blown to ash!

???: (smiles)

As the flames and smoke dissipate, the Demon King still stands

Player: Whoa!!!

Alcander-Starflame: This guy...

Alcander: ...

Player: Don't panic. Execute the evacuation plan.

Player: Rom helps BeeNic evacuate all the personnel, and the warships evacuate Never Isle airspace.

Player: Starflame, Alcander! It's our turn!

Alcander-Starflame: Rrraghhhhhhhhhhh!

Starflame and Alcander morph into their Furry forms

Player: It's not over yet, you monster!

Player: Come on, let's annihilate him!

Lion King Alcander: He's releasing energy - he's going to reach his final form!

Lion King Alcander: Don't let your guard down!

The Demon King morphs into an evil Lion King Alcander form and attacks

Player, Alcander and Starflame manage to hold the Demon King at bay but can't defeat him

Player: Ugh... We can hit him, but it's not nearly enough!

Alcander-Starflame: Damn!!!

Lion King Alcander: Ugh... Still not enough?

???: Die...

The Demon King attacks one more time but Starflame intercepts the blow

Alcander-Starflame: Ugh...

Player: Starflame!!!

Alcander-Starflame: I'm fine, but don't forget that negative energy is my very essence...

Alcander-Starflame: It'll only take a little energy to heal these wounds...

Player: But I already used a lot of it in the battle just now!

???: (smiles)

Lion King Alcander: Ugh...damn!

Alcander-Starflame: Alcander! It's time for Plan B!

Player: Huh? What Plan B?

Alcander-Starflame: If we don't, everyone will suffer!

Lion King Alcander: I understand!

Alcander-Starflame: Alcander! Help me create space!

Lion King Alcander: Hrrrraahhh!!!

The two combine their powers and transport everyone to an alternate dimension

They hold the Demon King trapped in a restraint arcana array

Player: Uh...what just happened?

Alcander-Starflame: This is an alternate dimension that Alcander and I created.

Lion King Alcander: In this alternate dimension, the Demon King's link with Luxium is especially weak.

Lion King Alcander: We're going to banish the Demon King from Luxium!

Player: Banish the Demon King? But sooner or later, he's still gonna...

Lion King Alcander: Player! We've already lost the battle!

Lion King Alcander: But our restraint array is still in effect! Only thing is, it's not enough...

Lion King Alcander: As long as we can drive him away, we still have time - we still have a chance!

Player: I see!

Suddenly, everything before you begins to blur.

Player: ...

Alcander-Starflame: What's wrong, Player?!

Player: I... I saw it...

A vision enters Player's mind

The day before.

Alcander-Starflame: How can I help you, Alcander?

Alcander: About tomorrow...

Alcander: If my array doesn't work...if the plan fails, and we can't kill the Demon King...

Alcander: We have to do whatever it takes to keep Luxium safe.

Alcander-Starflame: Yeah, I know. Don't worry. If we can't defeat the Demon King, I will isolate myself to save Luxium!

Alcander: !!

Alcander: You can't! If the Demon King comes to Luxium, you won't be able to stop him, dead or alive...

Alcander-Starflame: Then...

Alcander: There is another way to banish the Demon King from this timeline!

Alcander: But there's a price... We will need to erase all traces of 'Alcanders' from this world!

Alcander: At the same time, you and I, lost in the gap between time and the physical world, may forget everything. We may...never come back!

Alcander-Starflame: Whoa!!!

Alcander: I know. But if it comes down to this...

Alcander-Starflame: Don't hesitate!

Alcander: Starflame!

Alcander-Starflame: If our plan fails, no matter what the cost...

Alcander-Starflame: We must protect Player!!

Alcander: (I never imagined that even in such a form, my desire to protect him would be so strong.)

Alcander: (Tiger, even though there isn't a way to defeat the Demon King in this world, our efforts will not be in vain!)

The vision ends

Player: W...what?

Player: You guys want to erase every trace of your existence from Luxium?!

Player: Are you serious?

Lion King Alcander: ...

Alcander-Starflame: ...

Player: Answer me!!

Lion King Alcander: Player, this is the only way!

Lion King Alcander: If we don't, everyone will suffer!

Player: But I'll forget you... I don't want to forget you.

Alcander-Starflame: We once were strangers.

Alcander-Starflame: But now, we have become lovers who fully trust one another.

Player: (surprised)

Alcander-Starflame: I believe that even if we forget everything, even if we go back to square one...

Alcander-Starflame: There will still be a special place for me in your heart, Player!

Alcander-Starflame: Oh...

Lion King Alcander: This guy...

Lion King Alcander: Even though he's already been weakened by the array, the cannon attacks, the arcana, and the alternate dimension...

Lion King Alcander: He's still able to withstand our all-out attack!

Lion King Alcander: Player, if this keeps up, Starflame and I will lose! Then it's game over!

Lion King Alcander: We need Player's power!

Alcander-Starflame: I promise you, Player!

Alcander-Starflame: Whether we remember each other or not, I will definitely come back for you!

Alcander-Starflame: Hey! There's still half a bottle of K-Y Jelly left from yesterday. Hold onto it for me!

Lion King Alcander: We need your power, Player!

Player: ...

-Choice 1.1 - (Give your power to Starflame...)

Player runs over to Starflame

Player: Starflame, don't you dare break your promise!

Alcander-Starflame: (smiles)

???: (surprised)

???: ...

Alcander-Starflame: Rrragh!

Lion King Alcander: Arghhhhhh!!!

Some time later...

Somewhere near a Shadow base, Player gets ambushed by multiple Shadows

Player: Ugh, this isn't good...

Player: Ugh... I didn't expect to fall into the enemy's trap.

Player: This is bad. Is this how it all ends?

Suddenly, a loud noise rings in your ears.

It was the sound of something moving at high speed and unleashing a sonic boom.

A blue flame appears and burns the Shadow to a crisp

Player: Whoa! This...burned egg saved me?

???: Sorry, sorry...

A half-dressed man with a flaming tail and four ears runs over next to Player and the blue flame

???: Ahh! Sorry, sorry. Are you okay?

Player: No, no. On the contrary, you saved my life.

Player: What's your name?

Traveler: Just call me a traveler!

Player: Thank you so much. I've got some gold. Take some.

Traveler: (Waves hand) That's not necessary.

Player: Come on... Surely there's something I can do for you?

The traveler turns to the blue flame

Traveler: In that case, help me take care of this guy!

Player: Whoa!

Traveler: This is a friend of mine. He's in a sorry state because of what just happened.

Traveler: He tried his best to save you just now. Seems like you two were destined to meet.

Traveler: So... I'll leave him to you!

Player: You did me a big favor. I'll do my best!

Traveler: That's a relief!

Traveler: Until next time!

The traveler leaves

Player: (surprised)

Player examines the blue flame

Player: Whoa! This is a different dimension!

Player: There's someone inside! He looks like he's trembling!

Player: Is he cold?

A few moments later...

Player moves the blue flame to a sunny field

Player: Hmm... He seems to be doing a little better in the sunlight, though he still looks cold.

Player: (Hugs...)

Player: Maybe if I use my body to warm him up a bit...

Crack...

Player: Whoa! Sounds like something just cracked!

The blue flame bursts in a flash of light

In its place stands a naked man with a white tail

Player: Whoa!

???: ...

???: So you're the one who woke me up...

Player: Yeah, I think so...

Player: Hello. My name is Player.

Player: Not so long ago, a traveler asked me to take care of you.

Player: And you are...

???: I... I don't remember.

Player: In that case... Hmm...

Player: In your roaring flames, I can see a deep river of stars.

Player: How about I call you 'Starflame?'

Scene ends

-Choice 1.2 - (Give your power to Alcander...)

Player runs over to Alcander

Player: Promise me! Promise me that you'll come back to me!

Lion King Alcander: I will!

???: (surprised)

???: ...

Alcander-Starflame: Rrragh!

Lion King Alcander: Arghhhhhh!!!

Some time later...

Once again, it is the time of year when blossoms and trees flourish, when flowers and bees reunite.

Kitty drags Player by the hand

Kitty: Player! Player, quickly!

Player: Slow down...

Kitty: A traveler has come to Never Isle. Let's go listen to his story!

Kitty: If we're late, there won't be any front row seats left!

Kitty runs off

Player: (embarrassed)

Player follows

They reach the area where this new traveler is supposed to be

The whole area is filled with people all vying for the attention of the man in the back

Player: Wow... It's really crowded.

Kitty: Ah? We're late...

Kitty: I can't even see what the traveler looks like...

Player: Whoa!

Player stands on his tiptoes and manages to spot the man

The half-dressed man has a flaming tail and four ears

Player: (This man... I've never seen him before...)

Player: (But when I look at him, it feels like there's a warm fire burning in my chest.)

Player: (Wow, he's looking at me!)

Traveler: (smiles)

Player: (Is he smiling at me?)

Kitty: Let's go. I can't hear a thing from here. Sigh...

Player: ...

Kitty: Player?

Player: ...

Kitty: Hey... What's got you so love-struck? Did you see something?

Traveler: Sorry, everyone. Let me through!

The traveler walks over to Player

Traveler: Are you here to listen to my story too?

Player: Y-yeah!

You instinctively reach out with your hand and touch his face.

Kitty: What are you doing, Player?!

Player: Whoa!

Player: I... I'm sorry!

Player: You had a petal on your face. I was trying to help you take it off...

Alcander: (Embraces you tightly)

Player: Whoa!

Player: (How forward of him...)

Player: (And yet, I don't want him to let go. I want him to hold me like this forever...)

Player: (His body is so warm and so familiar...)

Traveler: I finally found you again!

Player: Huh? Again?

Player: (Could it be? Did we know each other in a past life?)

Alcander: Hello. Allow me to introduce myself - I am Alcander, a traveler...

Alcander: Nice to meet you!

Scene ends

Gallery

Skins

Default Skin

Model human
Default
Front	Back
Right	Left

Model furry
Default
Front	Back
Right	Left

Speech

Normal

Surprised

Happy

Embarras

Angry

Funny

Arrogant

Photos

Title: Chains of Desire Artist: Mentaiko Itto Unlock requirements: Alcander-Starflame's Intimacy reaches Lv.7 to unlock

Audio

Note: Skins will use the audio from the basic skin unless indicated otherwise.

Alcander-Starflame's Basic Skin - Half-Beast Form

• Butler Interactions
  • Before Intimacy Level 7
    • Head: Um, it's boring here. Can I go outside?
          ENG     CN     JP
    • Torso: I'm hungry!
          ENG     CN     JP
    • Waist: No! Fire here! Watch your hand!
          ENG     CN     JP
  • After reaching Intimacy Level 7
    • Head: I'm coming up. Lie down and don't move!
          ENG     CN     JP
    • Torso: Mmm... you smell good!
          ENG     CN     JP
    • Waist: Wanna taste this delicious fire? Come and enjoy~
          ENG     CN     JP
• Skills
  • Basic: You're mine!
        ENG     CN     JP
  • Advanced: Your body, your soul, all mine!
        ENG     CN     JP
  • Ultimate: Abyss falling!
        ENG     CN     JP
• Arrival: You? You summoned me, now you can't get away.
      ENG     CN     JP
• Display Voice 1: We are not the same one.
      ENG     CN     JP
• Display Voice 2: You want the power of the fire? Come, feel it with your body!
      ENG     CN     JP
• Hit: *grunts*
      ENG     CN     JP
• Dying: This is... the only... ending.
      ENG     CN     JP

Alcander-Starflame's Basic Skin - Lion King Form

• Butler Interactions
  • Before Intimacy Level 7
    • Head: I did say I would help you, but this is rude.
          ENG     CN     JP
    • Torso: Hug? No, your mind will be affected.
          ENG     CN     JP
    • Waist: You cannot withstand the abyss of resentment.
          ENG     CN     JP
  • After reaching Intimacy Level 7
    • Head: Had enough? Now it's your turn to satisfy me.
          ENG     CN     JP
    • Torso: It's getting cold. Come here, I'll keep you warm.
          ENG     CN     JP
    • Waist: Since this is your obsession then come and taste it!
          ENG     CN     JP
• Skills
  • Basic: Hollowness!
        ENG     CN     JP
  • Advanced: Annihilation!
        ENG     CN     JP
  • Ultimate: Endless desperation!
        ENG     CN     JP
• Arrival: Desperation, rage, pain... become my power!
      ENG     CN     JP
• Display Voice 1: You hear it? That's the wailing of millions of souls.
      ENG     CN     JP
• Display Voice 2: I will help you to stop the fated ending.
      ENG     CN     JP

Videos

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