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Chapter 25 - Wood Nexus III

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Part 1[]

Chapter 25
Woods Nexus III
Scene - Forest of the Woods Nexus
The blue tree elf, Time Blossom, and Player teleport from the top of Yggdrasil to a small hollow at the edge of a mysterious blue forest
High above them is a floating temple made of light
Time Blossom: (Shatters the mask) Now, the other side.
Player: ...
Player: (Extends the other arm) I don't even know what we fell into. I can't even see the sky.
Time Blossom: (Talks slowly) Three thousand lanterns, and stars in the billions; an immortal splendor bestowed upon you.
Time Blossom summons a whirlwind of blue petals to circle around Player, healing any wounds
Time Blossom: Still trying to look at the view? That was a terrible fall.
Player: No, but I was supposed to be here with them, and I don't see anyone.
Player: (Frowns) I don't know where Martin took them. Everyone's hurt, too.
Player: But like Grancy said, Martin didn't corrupt the Flux Nexus. Was he really waiting for me?
Player: But why?
Time Blossom: Your bleeding stopped.
The blue petals flying around Player gently float to the forest floor and fade away
Time Blossom: It's good that he didn't corrupt any. I mean, why would you hope otherwise?
Player: (Brings arm back) That's not what I meant. I was afraid he would...
Player: (Changes topic) Never mind. Do the other Tree Elves not know about Lan and Haku?
Time Blossom: Yeah, and they're busy with something. They asked me to be quiet, and haven't talked to me much.
Player: This really is a quiet place. I thought it was because of the time...
You look up and realize that you're shrouded in darkness.
Player: This is strange. It looks like every living creature is asleep.
Time Blossom: And dreaming.
Player: How will we get out of this darkness?
Time Blossom: Let's look around.
In the center of the hollow is an arching tree root that cradles a large, paper crane, flapping its wings
Player approaches the paper crane
Voice from the paper crane: Here you are!
Player: The Wood Nexus, right?
Wood Nexus: It's me!
Wood Nexus: Finally someone I can talk to!
Choice 1.1 - How are you doing?
Wood Nexus: I could at least talk to you in the temples before this.
Wood Nexus: Ever since the man with the giant crow hung me under the laurel, I couldn't see anything...
Player: Get to the point.
Wood Nexus: He wants to destroy Yggdrasil. The tree is confused by his Flux, and now everyone is in an illusion.
Player: (Suspicion) Illusion? Martin must have infused Shadow Flux. Are the consequences dire?
Wood Nexus: I don't think so.
Wood Nexus: Humans are weak and they waver a lot, but I haven't seen any that were killed by memories.
Player: Didn't you say illusions?
Wood Nexus: The memories from the past are stored in Yggdrasil. After they're corrupted, they become strange illusions.
Wood Nexus: But Garuda insists on purification. He said the real danger is within.
Wood Nexus: (Pretends to be deep) 'This contains everything you've hoped for, and everything that you fear.'
Player: Did Garuda's purification fail?
Wood Nexus: Shadow creatures are not affected by the illusions. He was sealed away when he was injured from fighting the Bat King.
Choice 1.1.1 - How are you doing?
Go to Choice 1.1
Choice 1.1.2 - How do I get out of here?
Go to Choice 1.2
Choice 1.1.3 - I'll be leaving.
Go to Choice 1.3
Choice 1.2 - How do I get out of here?
Wood Nexus: So you want to get out of here?
Player: Yes, I need to find some people urgently.
Wood Nexus: Ahem. Well, get the nosy old man out, and I'll point you in the right direction.
Player: I don't know if I have time...
Wood Nexus: Don't worry, it'll take a long time before Yggdrasil is completely corrupted.
Wood Nexus: And you want to recharge at where I am, right? I'm pretty high up.
Wood Nexus: How will you get up here if you don't let Garuda's crane lanterns pave the path?
Player: Do you mean that I need his directions to go to the Flux Nexus?
Wood Nexus: Yes, I think he's in a relatively safe temple. So do we have a deal?
Player: Do I have a choice?
Choice 1.2.1 - How are you doing?
Go to Choice 1.1
Choice 1.2.2 - How do I get out of here?
Go to Choice 1.2
Choice 1.2.3 - I'll be leaving.
Go to Choice 1.3
Choice 1.3 - I'll be leaving.
The Wood Nexus opens a path that leads into the forest
Wood Nexus: Over there... (Mumbles) Shelter of the Forest God! Remove!
Wood Nexus: Go through the hole over there.
Player: That must have been you on the branches of the tree at the temple! I tripped on the bushes several times!
Wood Nexus: That was to make sure you didn't fall. Now follow the glowing and curved plants to find the temple.
Conversation continues after choices
Time Blossom: Since this is in direct contact with the Flux Nexus...
Time Blossom: I will be joining the Tree Elves over there. There's not enough of them.
Player: Alright. Be careful.
In the hollow, Player talks to a crane with a string of three lanterns in its beak
A purple, pulsating bubble is on its back
Player: Do you know...
Standing Crane: Yes, I do! Looking for Fox Flames in the mist, and a Cagestar appears in the Eternal Flame of the temple, while the lanterns are found with birds and cranes.
Player: So I need to go toward the light.
Player: I've encountered Fox Flames and Cagestars before, but there are no paths here.
Standing Crane: Lord Garuda, I memorized it now, please don't make me look for more lights...
You see a bubble floating by the crane.
Player: It's probably not talking to me...
Player: I'll search elsewhere.
Before the forest entrance, Player finds a stone with words carved in it
Carvings on the Stone: The land supports my shape, and uses growth to make me work.
Carvings on the Stone: It comforts me with aging, and puts me to rest with death.
Time Blossom: This reminds me of the prophecy.
Player: If 'house and clan alike will fall' refers to the Tree Elves...
Player: What does 'the laws of nature reversed' mean?
Player continues into the forest and crosses a small creek
There's another paper crane
Wood Nexus: Hey, we meet again!
Player: You mean you weren't waiting for me?
Wood Nexus: I have more news for you.
Wood Nexus: The icy face guy wants to relay a message to his brother.
Grancy: I didn't change after I was saved. A bat carried me here, and I got scratched up by branches.
Grancy: This is the first time that my clothes are dirtier than yours. But you don't have the right to laugh at me.
Wood Nexus: Why is he talking about clothes?
Player: Maybe he didn't want the blood to scare Sven.
Wood Nexus: Right.
Behind this crane is a small path that leads to another large paper crane
Wood Nexus: I'm so bored! When will I be released?
Wood Nexus: (Hums) Who will die, and who shall live?
Wood Nexus: Those cities will be destroyed, and these cities will remain.
Wood Nexus: Which worlds will go extinct? Which worlds will return triumphantly?
Wood Nexus: The crow has a point.
Wood Nexus: What does that have to do with me?
Player continues to encounter paper cranes on the path leading deeper into the forest
Wood Nexus: (Deep) You know? In the sea of lanterns, I see that everyone wants a perfect family, a perfect body, and a perfect job.
Wood Nexus: The desire for perfection is the same as the fear of imperfections appearing in their lives.
Wood Nexus: They firmly believe that they will get eternal happiness if they can collect everything on the wish list.
Wood Nexus: It's the same as me looking at the clouds and thinking that when Ka returns, we will enjoy the eternal light.
Wood Nexus: We're all running away from something, aren't we?
Player: Well...
Wood Nexus: Hopes and fears...
Wood Nexus: You're all just stuck somewhere because you don't want to see the reality or go forward.
Player: Is it the Wood Nexus?
Wood Nexus: I'm found. That's what Garuda said.
Wood Nexus: He said that I can't understand the complicated human mind, and that I can't unleash my full potential.
Wood Nexus: And that's also why the corruption of Yggdrasil is dangerous. I'm very curious.
Player checks another paper crane
Wood Nexus: Remember, follow the glowing and curved plants to find the temple.
Wood Nexus: And I have something else.
Wood Nexus: The icy face told me that he thinks he knows what the great crow is up to.
Wood Nexus: (Clears throat) 'The suspicion is more interesting because they're brothers. He doesn't like the situation, but he wants to carry out the experiment on others.'
Wood Nexus: He wants to find out what happens. Just like Garuda...
Wood Nexus: He wants others to experience what happened to him, so he can prove something.
Player: Prove? When Kaigon exploded, he saved Mike. He wasn't shaken up by emotions, was he?
Wood Nexus: What can we expect from someone so... extreme?
Player: (Shakes head) I don't know.
Player continues to follow the winding path that leads directly to a crane statue and the strange floating temple above the hollow
Player: This is it. Why is it in the air?
A sleepy voice comes from the temple.
Garuda: Is it Player, Ka's Hand?
Garuda: Wood sent you, right? Sorry about not giving you a warm welcome...
Garuda: No one comes here, it's just me and the cranes. That's why it's... in the air.
Garuda: Thanks to Ka, there is a mechanism that uses the lanterns to build a ladder for Luk'ur.
Player: The crane statue next to the temple? How do I activate it?
Garuda: The brightness has dimmed over the years. It needs a new lantern...
Garuda: But the cranes are trapped in the illusion, and can't travel to the sea of lanterns.
Player: I can't fly, but I can look around.
Garuda: Thank you for your work. Once you have the right light, hang it onto the crane lantern.
Garuda: When I'm freed, I will wake the cranes, light the bridge and place the ladder.
Player begins to search the forest for a lantern
Player finds the group of Shadowhunters that went with Sven to follow after Grancy
Sven, standing next to a lantern, appears to be staring at a strange purple bubble
A medic thinks he is talking to himself but Player sees a tree elf in front of him
Medic: What do we do about Sven?
Medic: He keeps talking nonsense and doesn't seem to be able to snap out of it.
Medic: My father was an herbalist, but I don't think he could treat this even if he were here.
Medic: Herb? What's this glowing plant?
Invisible Tree Elf: (In a voice that can't be heard) You can watch, but you can't touch!
Player talks to the medic
Player: What happened to Sven?
Medic: He was going to travel to the traitor's location after he decided on a patrol route.
Medic: But the pilots fell asleep as soon as we took off.
Invisible Tree Elf: (Rolls eyes that can't be seen) Because we can't keep up.
Medic: And a crane that looked drunk was taking off slowly.
Medic: So Sven held onto the crane and was dragged for several meters.
Invisible Tree Elf: (With respect) The lit and fluffy creatures look cute, but they're fast!
Medic: They pulled him down, and he started talking nonsense.
Invisible Tree Elf: (Sighs) And the elders blamed it on me.
Medic: Why do I feel a bad vibe around me? Strange.
Medic: Something must be wrong with the Star Woods.
Player: Yes, there are things that you can't see. Let me try to wake him up.
Player: (The light in his hand looks like it can be put on the crane lantern.)
Player: You said the pilots fell asleep. Why aren't you asleep?
Medic: Why us? We didn't stay up all night like they did.
Invisible Tree Elf: Heh, Player, we're good at purifying the air...
Player: I get it now. You mean...
Invisible Tree Elf: Shh! Don't say anything. I want to scare them.
Player checks on Sven
Sven: (Steps back) Don't say that...
Player: Sven? Are you alright? What's on your mind.
He doesn't even look up, and seems to be in a completely different world.
Sven: I haven't thought about that. I'm fine now!
Sven: (Becomes doubtful) I've never thought about having a cheerful and close brother...
The light next to Sven dims. The purple bubble is coming closer.
Player: Is that the illusion mentioned by the Wood Nexus?
Player: Instead of falling asleep because of fear and expectations...
Player: He looks like he's struggling in a nightmare.
Sven: (Murmurs) Having someone so close means you also suffer from their pain...
Sven: Yes, living the same life.
Sven: He was smart, but he couldn't protect himself. He also didn't like to talk, and never consulted me.
Sven: I was forced to accept his sacrifice.
Sven: (Looks up suddenly) Player, just what was on his mind?
Sven: Why didn't he tell me?
Sven: It was unsettling to send him away. I wanted to know more...
Sven: I feel sick to my stomach just thinking about the smallest of possibilities...
Sven: Is he suffering, or am I suffering?
Invisible Tree Elf: (Gestures at you) Tell him something about his brother.
Player: Right, um, don't think too much. I have news about Grancy.
Player: He asked me to relay a message.
Player: "I didn't change after I was saved. A bat carried me here, and I got scratched up by branches. Don't be scared."
Sven: ...
The light beam stabilizes and the bubble fades a little.
Sven: This is him.
Sven: That's him, too.
Sven: (Approaches the bubble again) The thing about pain is that you can't separate what comforts you and what angers you.
Player: Don't go over there...
The bubble begins to waver
Sven: But how?
Sven: He's trying to come to me.
The bubble fades and Sven's expression changes.
Sven: (Wakes up) I can't find my way to the Flux Nexus. Do you have any news on Grancy?
Player: Grancy's fine, and he asked me to relay a message.
You don't tell him what just happened.
Instead, you briefly tell him what Garuda and the cranes told you.
Sven: Alright, take the lantern with you.
Sven: I need to figure out how to get the soldiers out of the illusion. It sucks that we can't go anywhere.
Player: I'll be going first. Maybe let them touch these glowing plants and see what happens.
Sven hands Player the lantern
Not far from the floating temple, Player encounters a strange portal with a paper crane in front of it
Wood Nexus: Ka's Hand, the savior.
Wood Nexus: What are you looking for?
Player: I'm looking for Garuda for you.
Wood Nexus: No, not this. Are you expecting to save Star Woods again?
Wood Nexus: Let me sense it. You do have the key to the illusion.
Wood Nexus: Want to come in?
Player: What's the key?
Wood Nexus: If you feel the same way as the others, you may enter the illusion and see for yourself.
Wood Nexus: If you don't know how they feel, then you can watch from the outside.
Wood Nexus: Come in? Just tap on the portal.
Player enters the portal
Scene - Inside a white bubble illusion floating around the corrupted Yggdrasil
Player: This is...
Wood Nexus: Inside the white bubble...
Beyond the portal stands an illusion of Yggdrasil
To the right is Martin and to the left is Grancy
An image of the Wood Nexus floats behind both of them
Player touches Martin but then his vision shifts
Martin: Martin, families can't be severed...
Martin: If you don't leave completely, this will bring you endless worries.
You're squatting down somewhere...
Mike appears in front of Martin/Player
Player: This is from Martin's view, isn't it?
Mike: What are you doing?
Mike: (Pulls up sleeves) What did they do to you? Let me teach them a lesson!
Player: (Stands up) Something doesn't seem right...
Player: (Uncontrollable) Aren't you going to ask me why?
Young Mike': (Clenches fish) I don't care why. Even if you hit them first, I'm still on your side!
Young Mike': (Anxious) No, it wasn't me. They were... saying bad things about mother. And they said that I wasn't their son...
Young Mike': (Hit) If you keep spreading these lies, we'll keep coming back.
Player: Never mind, there are a lot of them. Do you have any money?
Young Mike': You want to give them money?
Biting his lips nervously, Mike flings the purse to the ditch far away.
Player: This is the opposite of what Martin remembers.
Martin and Mike's father, Paul, appears
Paul: Someone insulted your family, and you gave them money? Martin, I don't understand...
Player: (Tries to explain) I'm not weak, I just don't want him to get into fights because of me.
Young Mike': Smart.
Player: This is ridiculous.
Paul: Mike is too reckless.
Paul: Keep yourself safe and lower your expectations. You will surpass him one day, because you don't give into your impulses.
Young Mike': (Sincere) I see your tactics, and I think our family wealth will be in good hands with you. Congratulations.
Player: (Not sure why, suddenly mentions) What if it's Mike's gold, and I have to fight them?
Paul: (Loving) Protecting the family honor is more important than protecting yourself, son. You're always right.
Martin: This is not right.
Player's vision separates from Martin
Player: This is everything you wanted. Complete trust, recognition, and acceptance.
Martin: But... why do I need him? What does this prove?
Martin: Can't he have his own principles and wisdom, AND accept me for who I am?
Player: Listen to yourself.
Martin: Dreams are just as scary as nightmares. Why?
Wood Nexus: Humans are strange. I already gave you what you wanted, but you're still not happy.
Player touches Grancy and his vision shifts
Grancy: You always say you'll change, but you always come back and start over.
Grancy: Why can't he stop being so proud? I don't need their mercy!
Sven appears
Player: Give it back!
Sven: The badge... 'All hail the current Roderick...'
Sven: G-Grancy?
Player: (Covers ears)
Sven: Why are you covering your ears? I'm not going to laugh at you.
Sven: A birthday gift for your seventeen-year-old self. Not bad.
Player: Yes?
Sven: When you were five, mother gave you a Shadowhunter diary. She must be praising your potential.
Player: But... (tries harder) I actually liked...
Sven: My puppet? I know.
Sven: And we fought over it.
Sven: Then when you used Flux and I pulled, it broke.
Player: Is that what happened?
Sven: Yes, and you were crying so hard that father let you skip morning training.
Player: Wouldn't there be a penalty?
Sven: Don't worry, I'll explain to him for you.
Sven: It's good that we're competing because it helps us grow, but we must do it in moderation.
Sven: However, don't think I'm going to be nice to you because I'm your older brother.
Sven: If you think I can take it...
Sven: Or if there's something you want to try, or you hope to try...
Sven: Then just say it. Or do you not want to do that?
Player: I...
Player: (Whispers) I'm running for Roderick to embarrass you...
Sven: Just like when you were young. You didn't say you like it, but you were looking at the puppet.
Sven: And you used Flux to try to get me to throw it away.
Sven: I think I won for being open and honest.
Sven: One point for me.
Sven: I'm in the lead, but there are plenty of opportunities in the future for you to catch up.
Sven disappears
Player: (Clenches fist)
Grancy: ...
Grancy: What's this? I smell some kind of drink.
Grancy: Why is Sven acting this way? I want to punch someone.
Player: You mean... He's nice when talking to you, but his actions show otherwise?
Grancy: Whatever.
Grancy: We've been bound since birth, and we've had to compromise.
Player returns to his own consciousness
Wood Nexus: The wishes are interesting. No one is satisfied, but...
Wood Nexus: Some perfected their expectations, and some got rid of their standards.
Wood Nexus: I wonder if those who don't waver are hoping for better...
Wood Nexus: Or trying to manipulate others into taking care of them.
Wood Nexus: They want happiness without trying.
Wood Nexus: That must have been what Garuda meant.
Player escapes the bubble illusion and returns to the forest
On top of a large tree root, Player encounters a strange portal with a paper crane in front of it
Player: Too easy to get lost here.
Player: If I remember correctly and follow the direction from the plant, the temple should be on the opposite side.
Wood Nexus: Player, did you find the way? Do you need more time?
Wood Nexus: If you're lost, will your companions be in a worse situation?
Player: ...
Wood Nexus: See the entrance to the illusion just across? You'll find your answers there.
Player enters the portal
Scene - Inside a purple bubble illusion floating around the corrupted Yggdrasil
Player: This is...
Wood Nexus: Inside the purple bubble...
Beyond the portal stands an illusion of Yggdrasil
To the right is Martin and to the left is Grancy
An image of the Wood Nexus floats behind both of them
Player touches Martin but then his vision shifts
Martin: Do it while I am injured. Kill me!
Player: Why would you do this?!
Player: Bastard!
Player: (The familiar uncontrollable feeling... Who am I this time?)
Martin: If I don't light my own house on fire, they will light me on fire instead.
Martin: I see it... You're watching me.
Martin: (Smiles) It's fine again. Everything is destroyed, and we're back to the beginning.
Martin: Peter, this is what everyone deserves.
Martin: Do it while I am injured. Kill me!
Peter/Player appears before Martin
Player: Open the door, it's time for good. Did you have a nightmare?
Martin: No, I had a good dream.
Martin: The house was on fire, and the portraits of father's side of the family were reduced to ashes...
Martin: My shoes were burning, and everyone else was a twisted corpse.
Martin: And the only thing I was thinking...
Player: Was not to get that bag of gold. The approval I was looking for foolishly.
Player: Everyone cares about you.
Martin: Family? They only keep me from dying by providing food and shelter.
Martin: Is that all they mean to me?
Player: What's he been blabbering about all night?
Player: It's winter, why didn't you tell us before going out?
Martin: (Shivering) Why am I still here? How many more nights like this do I have to endure?
Martin: On that cold winter night, I was on the ground and avoiding everyone's gaze, breathing in what little freedom I have left under the snow and the night...
Martin: If I'm captured again, I can only keep the terrifying illusion in my heart, and not say a thing to anyone else.
Martin: And I can't sleep. It gets better during the day, but the night comes every day! Every day!
Martin: Endlessly...
Martin: (Shivers) Days become months, months become years... It only ends until I die.
Player: You'll be let out when this blows over.
Martin: Yes, thrown out only to be executed.
Player: Your family won't let the White Cape kill you. We're protecting you.
Martin: No, they can't accept me for who I am. I bring shame to the family, and they will eliminate me one day.
Martin: My father abhors me. He'd rather that they look at me like a monster, a madman.
Player: You know he doesn't think that.
Martin: He abandoned me!
Martin: They didn't let anyone know anything about my brother.
Martin: If they're protecting him just fine, why are they sacrificing me?
Martin: You don't know anything about being imprisoned for being an anomaly, even just for a short period of time.
Player: You know why they put you away.
Martin: Yes, fear.
Player: The same as the fear of torturing you. They're afraid of losing control, which you did.
Martin: ...
Martin: You're not Peter. Who are you?
Player returns to his own consciousness
Player touches Grancy
Sven: The rebellion is over. There is no use for betrayers.
Sven: As far as I know, the poison on the badge gave you a chance to sober up.
Grancy: You can only embrace the darkness when sober, or it will devour you.
Sven: Why?
Grancy: Our competition was real. Their discontent with me was real. My crime was real.
Grancy: Imprisoned, court-martialed...
Grancy: This is where we're at. Must I expect you to fully trust me?
Haku/Player appears
Grancy: Phew.
Player: A fortune, please.
Grancy: I've been waking up at night feeling like I've narrowly escaped.
Grancy: When everyone's asleep at night, I don't know who I can talk to.
Player: (Hands over) Take one.
Grancy: (Opens) Extreme Misfortune: Bloodied
Player: ...
Grancy: Not trusted after all.
Player: Stars, affect your mind only. Your self, not threatened.
Player: Just hide in Star Woods. Difficult to catch.
Player: At the altar, listen to my signal.
Grancy: I don't need to do that just because of a fortune.
Player: (Star Woods, fortune, and this manner of speaking... I'm probably Haku.)
Grancy: I'm afraid of what I might have started.
Player: Situation, fake, won't happen.
Grancy: As long as there is hope, there will be disappointment.
Grancy: I might have escaped being judged, but I will be captured.
Grancy: I'm afraid of my inner darkness being exposed.
Grancy: I know a lot of officers have things to say about me.
Grancy: I thought no one could bear things like these.
Player: You sure talk a lot to the priest.
Grancy: Even my most trusted and close partners don't understand the small things.
Grancy: If I'm not perfect...
Player: You don't have to be perfect.
Player: If they're family, they don't have to accept what you consider bad bout yourself.
Player: But they will suffer for you.
Player: Don't you trust them to do this?
Player: Are they not good enough to be your family and suffer with you?
Player: You're not afraid of not being trusted.
Player: You trust yourself too much, and you look down on others.
Player: Is this how you look at Sven?
Grancy: I've never heard you talk so much, Haku.
Player returns to his own consciousness
Wood Nexus: What they're afraid of is very interesting.
Wood Nexus: Abandonment? Not exactly the same.
Wood Nexus: I can't explain very well.
Wood Nexus: Let's go.
Player escapes the bubble illusion and returns to the forest
Player goes back to the crane statue near the floating temple and replaces the lantern
Light beams begin to forma set of stairs that lead to the floating temple.
Garuda: You can come up now, Player.
Garuda: Ahem... I'm not sure which vessel I'm in, though.
Garuda: You'll have to look around once you're inside.
When Player reaches the temple, he finds two stacks of books and a large jar
Player takes a closer look at the jar
Player: Based on where your voice is coming from, I think it's this one.
The seal on the jar breaks and a gigantic crane emerges
This crane wears a pendant with the icon of Woods Flux attached
Garuda: My gratitude, Player.
Garuda: The cranes are waiting to be awakened. Where will you go next?
Player: I wanted to find my friends and finish charging.
Player: But I got lost, so...
Garuda: The child is used to telling others what to do.
Garuda: You can either go back to looking for your friends, or help the Star Woods.
Garuda: Do as you please.
Player: I don't really know anything, because I just got here.
Garuda: Is there anything you'd like me to explain?
Choice 2.1 - The relationship between the Flux Nexus and Yggdrasil
Garuda: The Wood Nexus is the wind under the stars.
Garuda: The wind blows through the land and touches everything, taking up their memories.
Garuda: The stars light the night, with everyone watching and making wishes.
Garuda: When people pray, we should look at where they came from and where they will go.
Garuda: But the child thinks it's complicated, and only fulfills easy wishes.
Garuda: So he placed everything in Yggdrasil.
Player: No wonder the ritual that Haku mentioned was focused on the initial thoughts.
Choice 2.1.1 - The relationship between the Flux Nexus and Yggdrasil
Go to Choice 2.1
Choice 2.1.2 - How to get out of the illusion
Go to Choice 2.2
Choice 2.1.3 - What will happen if Yggdrasil is corrupted
Go to Choice 2.3
Choice 2.1.4 - How to purify Yggdrassil
Go to Choice 2.4
Choice 2.1.5 - Please light the bridge for me
Go to Choice 2.5
Choice 2.2 - How to get out of the illusion
Garuda: The illusion is a sea of lanterns in a mist. Memories don't usually bring pain.
Garuda: When you get closer to them, you're walking into your past.
Garuda: But if you stay there for too long, it becomes your future.
Garuda: Try your best to see the road under your feet, then take another step.
Garuda: The house of illusions is situated in reality.
Player: Is it possible for someone to repeatedly be lost in illusions?
Garuda: Yes, but if they manage to break out from an illusion, they will not fall for quite some time.
Choice 2.2.1 - The relationship between the Flux Nexus and Yggdrasil
Go to Choice 2.1
Choice 2.2.2 - How to get out of the illusion
Go to Choice 2.2
Choice 2.2.3 - What will happen if Yggdrasil is corrupted
Go to Choice 2.3
Choice 2.2.4 - How to purify Yggdrassil
Go to Choice 2.4
Choice 2.2.5 - Please light the bridge for me
Go to Choice 2.5
Choice 2.3 - What will happen if Yggdrasil is corrupted
Garuda: If Yggdrasil is corrupted, Star Woods will cease to live.
Player: This is not what the Wood Nexus told me.
Garuda: If the illusion persists, or if they fall into nightmares or fear, or even intoxicated by perfect expectations...
Garuda: Who will sustain their lives?
Garuda: And the soil under Yggdrasil will become corrupted, too.
Garuda: Then the corruption will reach the Elysiann River through the soil, and touches everything along the river.
Choice 2.3.1 - The relationship between the Flux Nexus and Yggdrasil
Go to Choice 2.1
Choice 2.3.2 - How to get out of the illusion
Go to Choice 2.2
Choice 2.3.3 - What will happen if Yggdrasil is corrupted
Go to Choice 2.3
Choice 2.3.4 - How to purify Yggdrassil
Go to Choice 2.4
Choice 2.3.5 - Please light the bridge for me
Go to Choice 2.5
Choice 2.4 - How to purify Yggdrassil
Garuda: This is my first time encountering something like this over tens of millions of years. I heard that Tree Elves can purify Yggdrasil to a certain degree.
Garuda: And the four lanterns under Yggdrasil collected the spirit of the forest throughout the seasons.
Garuda: Not unlike the crane lanterns. They're both legacies of Ka, and they should have similar solutions.
Garuda: Maybe it's some kind of hope toward Luk'ur?
Player: The humans?
Garuda: Yes, did you see the records of my birth and the forest's birth in the temple? The answers might be in there.
Choice 2.4.1 - The relationship between the Flux Nexus and Yggdrasil
Go to Choice 2.1
Choice 2.4.2 - How to get out of the illusion
Go to Choice 2.2
Choice 2.4.3 - What will happen if Yggdrasil is corrupted
Go to Choice 2.3
Choice 2.4.4 - How to purify Yggdrassil
Go to Choice 2.4
Choice 2.4.5 - Please light the bridge for me
Go to Choice 2.5
Choice 2.5 - Please light the bridge for me
Garuda: Cranes, take flight!
Cranes begin to emerge from the forest and circle around a spot near the creek
Light beam steps take shape and lead high into the sky to a floating island
Garuda: They belong to the skies, not in nightmares.
Garuda: You may continue, Player.
Player: Proceed to the ladder.
Scene continues after choices
Before going to the floating island, Player thoroughly examines the forest
At the floating temple, Player examines a book from one of the stacks of books
It looks like a play called Hall of Cranes.
Hall of Cranes: Life fades like smoke.
Hall of Cranes: Illusion bubble, looks like the morning dew and lights.
Hall of Cranes: Everything is connected.
Hall of Cranes: You will bring a calamity, but things will get better.
Hall of Cranes: The fairy puts on a feathered garb and flies away.
Garuda's Notes: If there are no gods that grant wishes, then there are no Shadows worth risking your lives to fight against.
Garuda's Notes: What are illusions like in the mortal realm?
Player finds another interesting book on the floating temple
Looks like a book called the Legends of the Crane.
Legends of the Crane: When the first star was born in Star Woods, Ka blessed Star Woods with millions of Everlasting Lights.
Legends of the Crane: "Where will you shine?"
Legends of the Crane: The nascent Wood Nexus blinks in the dark forest.
Legends of the Crane: "I shall stay in the sky freely, and shine down on the forest."
Legends of the Crane: "Then I shall go to the forest."
Legends of the Crane: The purified crane guardian descends. "I know those beasts who do not wish to be purified."
Legends of the Crane: Ka pets the crane's feathers and says, "The power of the stars have been bestowed upon the Flux Nexus." Then Ka points at where the light meets the darkness.
Legends of the Crane: "Three thousand lanterns shall assist you, but not now, and not from me."
Legends of the Crane: "Then who? Who has such power besides Ka?"
Legends of the Crane: The crane guardian and the Flux Nexus ask with surprise.
Legends of the Crane: "There is light at the apex, and darkness in the abyss. It's our only choice."
Legends of the Crane: "But to them, it's not obvious like two sides of a road."
Legends of the Crane: "They may change sides at any time."
Legends of the Crane: Ka leaves Star Woods. "This is Luk'ur, the child I created..."
Legends of the Crane: "Your stars and lights must shine on the child."
Player talks to Garuda one more time before leaving the floating temple
Garuda: I don't believe that anyone is born evil. Even those who are not from our tribe can try to blend in.
Garuda: You heard about what happened at the temple on the branches, right?
Garuda: I tried to separate his memories and power, so he may have a new identity.
Garuda: But is he going back to his old ways?
Player goes to the light beam staircase that leads up to the floating island
Player: We've explored the area. Let's go.
Garuda: In the night sky, the ladder is unstable and the lantern is fragile.
Garuda: Please walk with us.
Player: Okay.
Continue to Part 2


Part 2[]

Scene - High above Star Woods
The light staircase transitions to large floating lanterns as Player follows the cranes ever higher
Eventually, he climbs above the clouds and sees a vast night sky above
Garuda: That's it, Player.
You follow the lanterns and climb up...
Then suddenly you realize...
That you're among the stars.
Player: (surprised)
Garuda: Bats are all over the sky, this is as far as we can take you.
Player: It's already incredible that I got here without my airship.
Player: The soldiers arrived, but because of the illusions, they're stuck in the areas where the Tree Elves are.
Garuda: Once you exit here, you'll see Yggdrasil where the Wood Nexus is, and charging is nearby.
Player: This is?
The lanterns create paths between large floating islands covered in vines that wrap around in a basket shape
Garuda: This place is called Six Springs. You encountered some cranes, right?
Garuda: This was where they trained to catch lanterns above the river of stars.
Garuda: But since you can't fly...
Garuda: This might be a maze to you.
Player: Am I going to be lost in there?
Garuda: You will be guided by the stars, because this was designed to simulate how the lanterns hide in the river of stars.
Garuda leads Player inside one of the islands with hedges that form a large maze
A green column of light appears
Garuda: The green spot in the northeast corner is where the Wood Nexus is. That's the exit.
More different colored columns of lights emerge
Garuda: The Earth is water, to the south. The yellow star is metal, to the west. The brown star is earth, in the middle, and the red star is fire, to the northwest.
Player: Right, like the directions that the Flux Nexus are in.
Garuda: (Nods)
Crane Servant: Lord Garuda...
Garuda: (Nods at you) The rest is up to you.
Garuda flies up into the sky to intercept the giant pigbat, Dracula
Garuda: Another day with shooting stars, Dracula.
Player: The Bat King is here again? I can't help with aerial combat without my airship.
Player: I can purify Yggdrasil, so Sven and his troops won't be restricted.
Player: But how?
Player: Anyway, let's go through here first.
Before entering the maze, Player examines a large paper crane along the path of lanterns
Wood Nexus: Where did the others go after the recharge?
Wood Nexus: They... no longer talk to us after you visited them.
Player: Maybe they fell into a slumber after the Flux was sucked away.
Wood Nexus: Are there on exceptions?
Player: Only Triton, who became a god and worshipped by people.
Wood Nexus: (Mumbles) What? Part of the Forest God's power comes from me, but they're not me, after all.
Player: What are you talking about?
Wood Nexus: Nothing. Come soon! I'm waiting for you to rescue me.
Player talks to the crane at the entrance of the maze
Crane Servant: This is place is called the Six Springs. It's used to search for lanterns, and it got his name from the lanterns.
Crane Servant: Six... that means there are six crane lanterns inside.
Crane Servant: (Thinks of something and flaps wings) This is where we train for the difficult stuff.
Crane Servant: We can't pass unless we can connect the lights of lanterns in pairs.
Player: How do you connect the flames of two candles?
Crane Servant: Lord Garuda uses lanterns that can turn left or right to simulate how wishes travel.
Crane Servant: Human wishes are interesting in that they proceed differently even in the same situation.
Player: This is the second time I've heard this...
Crane Servant: You take care. I'm going to help the Elves with fighting the bats.
The crane flies away
Player enters the maze and follows the right wall, past a crane statue
He sees two pigbats chatting with each other
Bat A: Grancy and the Bat King are having a great time. He's been a savior of our kind.
Bat B: Who's eavesdropping?
Player: What did you say about Grancy?
Bat A: We can't tell you, because we're loyal...
Bat B: (Whispers) That's you, I...
Bat B: Don't kill us. We heard that Grancy retrieved some strength shards for the Bat King.
Bat A: But there seems to be a time limit, and green leaves appear...
Continuing along the right wall leads to a dead end
Wings are heard flapping not far away.
Dracula: Give me back my strength!
Garuda: I don't have it.
Garuda: Your past memories, which have been enhanced, created your identity now.
Garuda: You can be a victim, you can be abandoned, betrayed, or unloved. But you can also be trusted, expected, loved, and free.
Garuda: Why can't you stop Ingram from appearing?
Dracula: That's a nice way to describe being imprisoned.
Dracula: If Ka chose me, I could have been up there. You shouldn't think of yourself as a victim after your tribe was wiped out.
Garuda: I still think it's unfair, and I want revenge.
Garuda: Can I really not put this spawned Furry away to prove that we are above the signs from the stars?
Player goes back to the crane statue he passed earlier
The crane statue can move and Player turns it to the left
Suddenly, a beam of light forms from a crane statue behind him connecting to other crane statues in the maze, creating a trail of light to follow
Player follows the light trail but hears a voice
Faint Voice: I did my best...
Player: I can hear Lan nearby.
Player goes down a side path and finds Lan
You try to help Lan get up from the corner.
Lan: I've done my best. Don't take it away.
Lan: I can only stand behind you...
Lan: Because my arm is bleeding and I can't pick up my sword.
Player: Why do you mention it now? We understand what happened when you were walking with a branch and took a long time.
Lan: You gave your apprentice the Skybreaker. You can take it back, of course.
Player: I don't think he's talking to me.
Lan: Without it, the swordsmanship I've trained for years becomes nothing.
Lan: What is the meaning of my life without a sword?
Player: Lan has always been bold and open-minded. What happened?
You look around and see a purple bubble floating behind Lan.
Lan: I'm nothing. I'm useless.
Lan: I didn't say anything, because I was afraid of looking like a coward to you, and that you wouldn't teach me anymore.
Lan: But the narrow ladder was my only help when I was trapped in a difficult and dark space.
Lan: I only knew where I was by the steps I climbed.
Lan: Now that you've taken your sword back, I am completely useless. I have nowhere to go.
Player: He looks like he's trapped in a nightmare where he feels useless without his sword. What should I say to him?
Choice 3.1 - Don't worry, it'll get better.
Lan: Easy for an outsider to say. What's wrong with thinking about it?
Lan: Why won't you entertain the idea that it's my own fault?
Lan: Well, probably because I can't do something that everyone else can do so easily.
Player: The bubble behind him is growing. This is bad.
Player attacks the bubble and pops it
Choice 3.2 - You don't need a sword, because your existence means something.
Player: When I first met you, you were a swordmaster...
Lan: (Lost) Master? What are you talking about? You're my teacher!
Player: Um, an apprentice...
Player: But we've come so far, and we didn't expect you to protect us the whole time with your swords.
Player: If we only thought of you as a bodyguard, then we're not really friends... teacher and student, are we? We'd be your client.
Player: Don't worry, you don't need to prove yourself.
Player: You are you, even when you're buzzed, and just feeling the world through cherry blossoms.
The bubble behind Lan struggles.
Scene continues after choices
Lan: What are you doing here, Player?
Player: (Tries to not embarrass Lan) I saw you down on the ground when I passed by, so I woke you.
Lan: That's it? I thought a light beam guided my way out from a nightmare.
Lan: Anyway, that's the exit. Let me check out the road ahead for you.
Lan: It's already so late. I walked over a bridge of lanterns on my way here.
Lan: That was worth it.
Player: I even read the birth of the Wood Nexus in the temple.
Player: The immortal splendor was a gift. Did you know that?
Lan: Yes.
Player goes back to the light trail and continues following its path through the maze
It eventually leads to another crane statue that he turns to the left to continue the light trail
Player follows the light trail but hears another voice
Faint Voice: Don't leave the forest.
Lan: That's Haku's voice.
Player goes down a side path and finds Haku
Haku: So I have to let her go?
Lan: Who did he catch?
You see a shadow behind Haku, too.
But unlike the case with Lan, the shadow behind Haku is white.
Player: (Whispers) He's probably talking to someone in his illusion. Keep listening.
Haku: No, Bergsen.
Haku: (Frowns) In an instant, loved, but not owned, and unable to repeat. That's wrong.
Haku: I can be close to you like this forever...
Haku: A loving mother and a strict father.
Haku: We're the happiest family in the world.
Haku: A loving couple, a kind father, an understanding son.
Haku: Mother and child, both safe.
Player: What does that even mean?
Lan: Maybe he doesn't know anything more about families.
Lan: What should we do now?
Player: We can draw him out with words. I'll play one of the characters, and you the other.
Player: (Tries not to laugh) The strict father or the loving mother?
Lan: No.
Lan: According to you, the key to breaking the illusion is... Having opposite characters.
Player: I see. A loving father and a strict mother.
Choice 4.1 - Bergsen father
Lan: Haku, I can't lose my claws and my fangs because I have to fight the other beasts for survival in the forest.
Lan: You were just misunderstood and hurt occasionally. How did you raise the boy if you weren't kind and loving?
Haku: (Confused) But they said a mother should be kind, and a family should be completely...
Haku: You can't return to the forest. You have to become someone else.
Player: Child, even if you were in the same world, time will eventually separate you.
Player: And that day will come for me, too.
Player: We're just your adoptive parents, and we're not even married.
Lan: (Looks at the sky) ...
Player: How can your happiness be defined by the childish words of others?
Player: Look at yourself and try to remember! How did you understand your family and relationships?
Player: You're a child of Star Woods. You know that even when we leave you, we're still with you forever.
Choice 4.2 - White Fox mother
Player: Haku, I can't lose my claws and my fangs because I have to fight the other beasts for survival in the forest.
Player: You were just misunderstood and hurt occasionally. How did you raise the boy if you weren't kind and loving?
Haku: (Confused) But they said a mother should be kind, and a family should be completely...
Haku: You can't return to the forest. You have to become someone else.
Lan: Child, even if you were in the same world, time will eventually separate you.
Lan: And that day will come for me, too.
Lan: We're just your adoptive parents, and we're not even married.
Player: (Looks at the sky) ...
Lan: How can your happiness be defined by the childish words of others?
Lan: Look at yourself and try to remember! How did you understand your family and relationships?
Lan: You're a child of Star Woods. You know that even when we leave you, we're still with you forever.
Conversation continues after choices
Haku: Player, Lan.
Haku: I thought I saw two people I knew.
Player: (Changes topic) Ahem, let's go. Grancy needs your help.
Player goes back to the light trail and continues following its path through the maze
It eventually leads to another crane statue that he turns to the left to continue the light trail
The light trail ends at a final crane statue standing at the exit of the maze
Player turns the crane statue to point to the exit and the barrier blocking the exit disappears
Player, Lan and Haku exit the maze to the other side of the floating island
Another hole through the vine basket exterior leads to a path made of floating leaves that lead to another floating island
Player: That looks like the corrupted Yggdrasil up ahead.
Continue to Part 3


Part 3[]

Scene - Yggdrasil's floating island
As the three get closer to Yggdrasil, they can see it covered in a dark miasma with many white and purple bubbles floating about
Haku: There, Yggdrasil...
Player: (Nod) I was just going to charge and didn't want to get tangled up in others.
Player: But the bats have been wreaking havoc along the way, and you...
Player: The soldiers need Tree Elves to stay awake.
Player: The situation in Star Woods might get worse.
Player: If you want the charging to go smoothly, maybe...
Haku: You should hide first.
Player: What?
Sven drops down from the sky
Sven: Are you alright, Player?
Player: (Holds head) I bumped my head and I feel like I'm seeing stars...
Lan: We wouldn't have to go through the maze if it fell closer to the destination...
Sven: (Helps them up) Lan, Haku, are you alright?
Sven: They dug several glowing plants and barely made it.
Haku: Tree Elves?
Sven: I can't see them. They're rough, but they're good when it comes to taking care of plants.
Sven: Keep talking.
Player: Maybe purify Yggdrasil first if you want the charging to go smoothly.
Lan: According to you, as long as Martin stays with the corrupted Yggdrasil, he can't lose.
Lan: So we need to get him to go somewhere else to give you a chance.
Sven: That sounds easy. Didn't my brother say he wanted to see what we're up to?
Sven: (Looks out) I see a platform over there. Let's go show them what we're up to.
Sven: A brotherly fight at a high place, leaving the troops without a leader. That ought to be interesting.
Lan: (Nods) We'll bait Martin to the platform nearby. You go purify and charge.
Lan, Haku and Sven leave
Player: Wait, I don't know how to purify Yggdrasil...
Player: Just go first.
Player steps on the floating island and catches up to the three next to a large wooden gate
You hear a faint conversation a little further away.
Sven: Can we trust Martin? Just look at how many members pretended to join.
Sven: Even ordinary people will doubt those who suddenly jump ship, right? Let alone Shadow generals.
Lan: Maybe not others, but Grancy.
Lan: Because Martin is arrogant and thinks his decisions are the best.
Lan: If others in the situation make different decisions, he'll feel rejected.
Lan: He finds it unacceptable.
Sven: So he's not trying to reflect because Kaigon saved his brother.
Sven: He wants to be reassured that what he did was right through the actions of others.
Haku: (Nods) The antidote circle is ready.
Sven: Let's go. Keep in mind that we're supposed to be on opposite sides.
Sven: (Repeats) It's really Martin that I'm trying to hurt when I'm berating Grancy.
Player leaves them alone and walks around Yggdrasil
Player spots a giant paper crane
Wood Nexus: Here you are. Where's Garuda?
Player: Fighting against Dracula.
Wood Nexus: (Mumbles) Why doesn't the old man just give them the forest?
Player: With the cranes helping him, he might be fine. And the soldiers can help after Yggdrasil is purified.
Player: Do you know how to purify Yggdrasil?
Wood Nexus: Why are you trying to do something else when you should be charging?
Player: Can I charge now?
Wood Nexus: The cranes are just my avatars. I'm still trapped under Yggdrasil!
Wood Nexus: There's no one in the black fog.
Wood Nexus: I'll tell you since it won't cost me anything.
Wood Nexus: I found that the flowers on the tree and the lanterns under the tree are all corrupted by the bubble.
Player: Does that mean the four lanterns that purify Yggdrasil are affected by the number of the bubbles above?
Wood Nexus: Yes. (Low voice) They go bright and go dark like seasons.
Wood Nexus: They contain the light and dark powers within plants during the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, and the Summer and Winter Solstices.
Wood Nexus: My guess is that it has to do with Ka's favoritism of Luk'ur.
Player: Seasons and brightness? They should be equal for spring and autumn. Summer is brighter, and winter is darker...
Player: I can try every one of them if I have to.
Wood Nexus: Just be careful. I see nightmares around Yggdrasil, and you might get into trouble if you're reckless.
Wood Nexus: You should only go ahead once you've checked out the lantern and its surrounding bubbles.
Walking around the giant tree, Player finds four lanterns, two made of stone and two made of wood
Player lights the two stone lanterns, representing the spring and autumn equinoxes, and goes back to the base of the tree
Player: These are the Equinoxes, with equal lengths of day and night.
The lanterns begin to focus their light towards the tree, dispelling the dark miasma around Yggdrasil
Player: (Relaxes) Now Sven's troops are finally useful again.
Voice from Under the Tree: Over here!
Player talks with the paper crane again
Voice from Under the Tree: Um, look at the memories I took down for you.
Voice from Under the Tree: Once you're done, pull my wings out!
Player sees a glowing spot near the tree
Wood Nexus: Found it. Time for playback.
Scene - Flashback, Up in the night sky above Yggdrasil
Garuda: I gave you an opportunity, but that turned into permanent damage.
Dracula: Don't expect a full merge if you don't think the two are the same.
Dracula: You wouldn't have been able to suppress me all these years if I figured it out.
Garuda: After all, resistance and sacrifices are needed for freedom and separation.
Garuda: Does the other child within you agree with this?
Dracula: Ingram?
Dracula: Why wouldn't he...
Garuda: A Tree Elf has something to say to him.
Dracula: He doesn't want to.
Dracula: Huff, puff...
Ingram: Lord Garuda... You gave me a new identity, but you didn't give me any powers.
Garuda: He said that he never wanted you to become someone famous. He just wanted you to be happy.
Garuda: Is respect what you're after?
Ingram: It's the only way I'll be happy.
Garuda: Just do it, don't look back, and don't feel bad.
Garuda: He'll perform his duties as a Tree Elf, and accept his fate.
Dracula: What are you doing? Don't fight with me...
Garuda: (Worried) The power is being freed...
Wood Nexus: The wind is too loud, I can't hear anything.
The flashback ends
Player finds another glowing spot under Yggdrasil
Wood Nexus: There it is. Playback starts now...
Scene - Flashback, near Yggdrasil on a large mirrored plain
Sven and Lan stand across from Martin and Grancy
Sven: I know what you're thinking.
Sven: You expect us to trust you fully, but I can't.
Sven: I want to, but military prestige requires evidence.
Martin: Ridiculous. Evidence? You don't want to protect, but you what the results, huh?
Grancy: So you're going to take me to the military court. What's next?
Sven: I...
Grancy: How will you explain everything?
Sven: You're my family, after all.
Martin: (Chuckles) Whatever.
Martin: What if he turns around? What will you say?
Grancy: That's the worst part. When there was a conflict, you treated us like enemies.
Grancy: After it ended, you still treated me like family, and left him out there.
Grancy: Then you came all the way here and put on a disgusting show.
Grancy: I have a bright future with Martin.
Grancy: Why don't you just let me be?
Martin: They want you to go crazy from the expectation and fear. And they call themselves your family. Gross.
Martin: But if we give up, then none of your tricks will work.
Grancy: (Looking for help) Lan...
Player: Where is Haku?
Lan: Don't get angry, Grancy. Outsiders can see better than those who're caught in it.
Lan: I know you want to ask your family what's more important. You or the others?
Lan: Yon don't have what it takes to ask, so you obliterate the other option and take it upon yourself.
Martin: (smiles)
Grancy: Is that what you care about?
Sven: (Walks up) Yes. Grancy, come with me, we'll find the Wanderlight crystal, and everything will be fine.
Martin: Do you think so, Grancy?
Grancy: It's not about whether things will be fine or not.
Grancy: It's what you said. Why is someone else deciding my fate for me?
Grancy: I don't need your approval to make my choice.
Grancy: Get out of my way.
Martin: (Relaxes) Ha, look at you.
Martin: The poison is not doing anything. He's making his own choice.
Martin: (Takes out the Wanderlight crystal) Is this what you're looking for?
Martin: What say you, Grancy?
Grancy: Blow it up. I want to sever my ties with them for good.
Sven: You know what will happen if you blow it up!
Grancy: I don't need the Shadow Flux on me after entering the Shadowland.
Lan: And Star Woods!
Grancy: I thought you cared about me for a moment there.
Grancy: It's none of my business. After I blow it up, though, this place will also be devastated.
Martin: You're a smart one.
Grancy: (Bows and extends his hand) But, Lord Martin, I'd like to do this myself.
Martin: Anyone can do it.
Lan: (Looks at you and whispers) Compare it to Martin.
Sven: Bastard! How's that different from Martin setting his own house on fire?
Martin: (Frowns) You're right for once...
The flashback ends
Player goes back to the paper crane
Player: Pulling...
Wood Nexus: I'm ready!
Player pulls on the two wings of the paper crane, releasing an even bigger ethereal paper crane
The Wood Nexus is finally free
The Wood Nexus looks around then turns back towards Player
Wood Nexus: Why are you the only one here? Where's the old man?
Wood Nexus: Where's Garuda and your friends?
Player: Garuda is still fighting the bats, and the others went to the platform nearby.
Wood Nexus: (Looks around) I see.
Player: (Takes out the Wheel of Fate) Let's charge now.
Wood Nexus: You saw what happened over there, did you?
Wood Nexus: Let me show you something else from the tree.
Player: Sure.
Wood Nexus: Don't worry, feel free to roam around.
Player: I don't want to watch this, let's charge.
Wood Nexus: Hold on, ahem. Wait.
Wood Nexus: The tree is still being purified.
Player: How come...
The paper crane flaps its wings and a purple bubble falls from the tree.
Player: What's this?
Player examines the bubble
As the bubble moves, you start to feel...
Like you're a boat on the ocean.
Scene - Flashback, On a wooden boat floating in a misty ocean
???: I just want to leave that world. I don't need destruction and revenge.
Martin: They need to become complete failures to prove our point.
Martin: Why do we have to run away with our tails between our legs?
Martin: (Scoffs) We need to let their failure and pain prove that paving a path for us was a foolish decision.
The fog conceals the figure on the other side.
You can't see who's standing across from Martin.
The voice sounds familiar, but you can't tell who it is.
???: This is too cruel and brutal.
Martin: Cruel? Brutal? It's called getting things done.
Martin: Mortals are stupid and their lives are worth nothing, but they think they're special enough to be cherished.
Martin: You lived with your old identity for decades, and you didn't choose to lose your powers for fake relationships.
Martin: (Extends hand) I knew you were one of us.
???: (Shakes hand) I was afraid to believe.
Martin: Welcome to our world...
Martin is about to say a name.
Player: (Clenches fist)
The flashback ends
Player: Why did it stop here?
Player: (Thinks back) The sea of clouds, the gates, and Star Woods...
Player: (Anxious) But who was talking to Martin?
Player: Was Martin recalling a conversation with Grancy, or was he...
Player: Talking to me in the future?
Wood Nexus: (Walks away from you) You woke up already?
Player: You haven't charged, why are you leaving?
The Wood Nexus flies towards a wooden gate in front of an area enshrouded by fog
Wood Nexus: (Moves quickly) I need to get some fresh air after being trapped for so long.
Player: I'll come find you after I verify the purification.
It waits until you're further away.
Wood Nexus: Phew, finally safe.
Wood Nexus: (Turns around) Why do we have to give the accumulated Flux to you for free?
Wood Nexus: Don't even think about charging. I don't want to fall into a slumber like the others did.
Player: Another unwilling Flux Nexus...
The Wood Nexus takes off
Wood Nexus: What do you mean? Is saving the world that important? Are we obligated to help you?
Wood Nexus: Am I not important? Am I not allowed to just be here and look at the clouds and the lanterns?
Wood Nexus: (Turns around) I don't even know if your broken device can really bring Ka back!
Player: Bring Ka back? What did you see in Martin's memories?
Sound From Farther Away: I don't want to be a great hero. I'm out of here.
Haku: (Rings a bell)
Voice that Stopped Suddenly: I smell something!
Voice that Stopped Suddenly: (Turns) The familiar shiny aura... Wanderlight...
Player: (Catches up to the Wood Nexus)
Player goes towards the wooden gate and through the fog
Clouds and mist obscure your vision ahead.
Further in, the Wood Nexus has stopped at another wooden gate that stands before a large mirrored plain
You reach the hesitant figure.
Player: This looks familiar...
Player: Hold on, we'll talk later.
Wood Nexus: Hush...
Grancy: Why don't I destroy it myself?
Sven: Grancy!
Wood Nexus: The sparkle is out! I haven't felt its aura in forever.
Player and the Wood Nexus look out over the mirrored plain
In the middle of the plain, A Shadow Demon guards a floating crystal next to Martin and Grancy
Lan and Sven are close by
Martin: (Looks at the Wanderlight crystal) You mean this?
Player: ...
Martin: Am I granting the final wish for my new companion?
Grancy: Apologies, my lord. I was too impulsive.
Martin: But you can take it this time. Let us look at it together...
Martin: Put the shiny conspiracy on display to instill more fear in them.
Grancy: (Prepares to take over) I shall keep it safe.
Player: (Changes tone) The one with the Wanderlight is bad. He blew up the Essence of Light!
Player: Ka doesn't have a lot of objects left in this world. Stop him!
Wood Nexus: How did you catch up with me? I don't want to sleep forever!
Wood Nexus: Even the crow is better than you. I'm getting away from you!
Martin continues talking to Grancy
Martin: You may have the Wanderlight, but you need to watch for opportunities.
Martin: We'll have to wait if the charging fails.
Martin: (Looks at you) After all, you're the one who will open the door to the new world for us.
Martin: Since you're here, Player, why don't you come out?
Player: !
Player: Over there.
Player and the Wood Nexus go over to Martin
Martin: (Looks around and smiles) Everyone's here.
Wood Nexus: (Gets away) You can't see me!
Martin: Even the Flux Nexus doesn't want to help you.
Wood Nexus: It's none of my business. The illusions don't kill.
Grancy: Let's go back to the door to the new world.
Grancy: The Wanderlight...
The Shadow Demon receives a telepathic message then goes over to Martin
Shadow Demon: Lord Martin, we have news.
Martin: (Carelessly brushes it away) Let me finish...
Martin: (He stops smiling)
Martin: Impossible.
Martin: (Looks at Grancy) Another choice? You don't hate him?
Sven: What?
Martin summons a crow then sets it off as if sending a message
Martin: Then we'll watch it now.
You hear bats coming out from every corner of the forest.
The lanterns above the clouds burn, and fall into the forest...
The forest and the stars are separated by the clouds and the mist that function as a mirror...
In the mirror, you see...
The Tree Elves throw themselves down and they bubble away.
Garuda shouts from the sky
Garuda: There's only so much they can do, and I must help them. If you don't want to, then about charging...
Wood Nexus: What will you do down there? Are you trying to get burned?
Garuda: The forest is on fire, and it will not last much longer.
Wood Nexus: How long will you last?
Wood Nexus: Tree Elves... They're sentient beings gifted by Star Woods.
Garuda: But other lives care. Are you hearing the cranes?
Garuda: The cranes that fetch the lanterns for you all have friends.
Wood Nexus: Don't go! Listen, it's raining!
Garuda: (Closes eyes) It's the sound of the Tree Elves' masks falling.
Wood Nexus: No...
Wood Nexus: There will be rain.
Some lanterns fall on the mirrored plain causing some small fires
Player: What's happening to him?
Lan quickly extends his hand and catches something before it falls into the fire.
Lan: (Reads quickly) Lord Sven, here is some critical information.
Lan: The Flux residue found on the dead Shadowhunters is not the same as the Flux residue on the puppet.
Lan: But the Flux residue on the dead bodies matches that of the badge. There is a third party involved.
Lan: Grancy is not the only suspect.
Sven: He only saw this. How much did he guess?
Grancy: At least he knew. I made the opposite choice in the same situation.
Grancy: And you didn't do what he expected.
Player: No wonder...
Martin begins to gather Shadow Flux near the floating crystal
Lan: Stop Martin!
Lan: Do something to stop him!
Sven: He wants to detonate the crystal like Kaigon!
Player: Like Kaigon...
Player goes over to Martin
Choice 5.1 - Aren't you concerned that I'm not done charging?
Player: Aren't you concerned that I'm not done charging?
Martin: Ha, your mission means nothing to me.
Martin: What shouldn't have existed in the first place will now be destroyed with Star Woods!
Player: I don't think he cares about this anymore. What does he care?
Choice 5.1.1 - Aren't you concerned that I'm not done charging?
Go to Choice 5.1
Choice 5.1.2 - (Let Sven make Martin angry)
Go to Choice 5.2
Choice 5.1.3 - (Let Grancy stall Martin)
Go to Choice 5.3
Choice 5.2 - (Let Sven make Martin angry)
Sven: You sound angry.
Sven: Well, that's to be expected. You had the best reactions to the show that we put on.
Martin: I should have seen through it.
Martin: (Speeds up) Your brotherly love was fake, too. Disgusting.
Sven: (Whispers) Never mind. You stall him while I bring up my people.
Lan: Good thing Player purified Yggdrasil. Or it would have been a nightmare just to fight this bat otherwise...
Choice 5.2.1 - Aren't you concerned that I'm not done charging?
Go to Choice 5.1
Choice 5.2.2 - (Let Sven make Martin angry)
Go to Choice 5.2
Choice 5.2.3 - (Let Grancy stall Martin)
Go to Choice 5.3
Choice 5.3 - (Let Grancy stall Martin)
Grancy: (Intentional) Everyone's been through hard times...
Grancy: It's because you felt insecure for a few days.
Grancy: You could have gritted your teeth, and things would have been different.
Grancy: What happened?
Martin: It's not something that can easily be forgiven. You know it!
Martin: They said you can't.
Scene continues after choices
Martin: (Calms down suspiciously) What a shame. I didn't think he'd discover the badge first.
Martin: You should know that my primary target was you, Grancy.
Martin: Transferring the poison on Sven to save him?
Martin: That was your fate anyway.
Grancy: !
Player: (Oops, I think that might be the first time he hears about it.)
Martin: Oh, he didn't tell you, did he?
Martin: My guess is that he got poisoned because he suspected that your badge was tampered with.
Martin: It was your fault all along!
Player: Don't listen to him, Grancy. The one who placed the poison is the real culprit!
Grancy looks confused.
Martin gets serious, even forgetting to detonate the Wanderlight.
Martin: Think about it. If it happens again, do you have another choice?
Martin: You were lucky to have told them everything first this time.
Martin: (Grits teeth) And accidentally dropped something that could prove your innocence.
Martin: If it happens again, and they still don't fully trust you, what will you do?
Martin: It happened to you, and you won't be able to look at it like a story.
Grancy: (Hesitates) No, not a story. We... went through it together.
Grancy walks closer to Martin
Lan: (Alert) Grancy...
Grancy: (Hesitates) Yes, an abyss of loss, anger, jealousy and tears...
Grancy: (Walks up) So not everything has a beginning, a story, and an ending.
Grancy is right next to Martin and the crystal
Grancy: (Determined) No one knows what these things mean to us. They will never know.
Martin: That's right. We think alike, after all.
Martin: We did our best to not cast any doubt when we needed care the most, but we were put under watchful eyes instead.
Martin: To the spectators, this was just a sad resistance, and the feeling of loss only lasted hours, or maybe even a day.
Martin: But to us, it was the darkest time of our lives.
Grancy: We almost died on that day.
Martin: Those who died in a merchant family fighting for interests.
Grancy: Those who died in a military family fighting for power.
Martin: The night is long, and the only choice we have...
Grancy: Is to...
Martin: Keep ourselves safe after complete destruction.
Grancy: We do our best, and maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
Grancy suddenly pushes Martin, and the Wanderlight casts an arc in the sky.
Grancy: The powers we seek might even hurt us.
Grancy: Player, catch!
Martin strikes at the sky.
Player: !
Grancy: !
Martin: Heh.
Suddenly, time stops
Wood Nexus: You, over there. Come here.
Player: Did you stop the time?
Wood Nexus: If I have the same power as the fish, I wouldn't be afraid of you.
Wood Nexus: I didn't do it on purpose. I just... used Flux by accident.
Wood Nexus: I didn't want the sparkle to break.
Player: Why are they not moving?
Wood Nexus: I pulled you into an illusion of peace.
Wood Nexus: Just take out the Wheel of Fate. What are you waiting for?
Wood Nexus: Since we're here, I'll even let you charge. I'm going to take a nap, and I won't burn.
Player: And it's raining...
Garuda: You...
Wood Nexus: (Interrupts) The Flux in the forest becomes the wind with the vibrations, and that's enough to knock the crystal off its axis.
Wood Nexus: Don't be so reckless over a little shiny object.
Wood Nexus: I'm going to sleep now. You'll wake me up, right?
Garuda: Yes, you'll see me when you open your eyes.
Wood Nexus: I like this feeling. I think now I remember why I became a paper crane.
Wood Nexus: So this is what mortals feel like when they make a wish.
Wood Nexus: Don't forget to charge up here when you exit the illusion.
Player: (Takes out the Wheel of Fate) Let's start.
The Wheel of Fate floats to the Wood Nexus
A giant wheel appears out of the dice
The runes for Arcana, Earth, Metal and Water Flux shine brightly in the spokes of the wheel
The Wood Nexus begins to glow and another spoke glows with the rune for Wood Flux
The Wood Nexus and the giant wheel fade away as the dice returns to Player's hand
The stars of Star Woods go dim for an instant as they return to the morning light.
Garuda closes his eyes and spreads the feathers on his tail.
Garuda: Player, we should return to the battle.
Garuda: I can hear the soldiers coming up.
Garuda: The rain is useless when compared to the airships.
Player: How about you?
Garuda: (Flies into the scattering galaxy) They don't like to be convinced, so I guess we'll have to do it the hard way.
Garuda lands on the mirrored plain
Garuda: As Ka expected, the era of the gods is coming to an end.
Garuda: The Luk'ur era, started by you, is the future.
Garuda: Return to the battle.
Garuda flies away and time begins to flow again
Martin: Stubborn mules!
Martin: (Changes mind) You think you have options? Did you forget something?
Grancy: What did I forget?
Martin: (Scoffs) I didn't want to rely on external things...
Martin: But since words cannot shake your helpless thoughts...
Martin: (Casts) Then the Shadow Flux will make the choice for you!
Martin gathers Shadow Flux around Grancy
Grancy: (Nervous) Uh...
The sound of a bell rings from afar.
The Shadow around Grancy dies down for a moment
Player: Haku? I wonder where he went.
Martin: A mere child can't remove what I've planted.
The Shadow swirls around Grancy once more
Grancy stands in front of Martin.
Grancy raises his icy spear
Martin: In the end, we're the same.
Martin: Who can escape the cage of darkness?
Lan: Player, dodge!
Player battles Martin and wins
Player: You lost, Martin.
Martin: Ahem. Lost? Impossible.
Martin: Look at the devastation. Just like Kaigon, heh.
Martin: And you shouldn't show off your success to me. You should thank me for everything.
Martin: Your glory from Ka's Hand is built on the disasters that I created.
Player: You made your own choices.
Martin: If you keep charging and trying to save the world, you'll become one of us.
Martin: Those who created your era have abandoned this place.
Martin: In the new world, no one will be hurt, and no one will be betrayed.
Martin: What do you want me to do, then? What do you think I want to do to you?
Martin: Your identity and your prestige depend on whether you win your bet against me or not. Pathetic.
Choice 6.1 - He's just trying to shake me up, and his words aren't true.
Martin: Really?
Martin: You think I'm lying to you, and that the truth is something else.
Martin: So simple, so foolish.
Martin: But I won't do that for you.
Martin: You escaped because of it, and you became a sinner because of it.
Martin: It's meant to be.
Player: ...
Choice 6.2 - He's trying to use me to get what he wants, and I'll become a sinner.
Martin: Are you scared of being judged?
Martin: The feeling of you against the world, and having weapons pointed at you...
Martin: Must you go down this path?
Martin: Because that's what awaits you.
Martin: You escaped because of it, and you became a sinner because of it.
Martin: It's mean to be.
Player: ...
Scene continues after choices
Lan: Player, who are you talking to?
Player: I thought I was talking to Martin...
Lan, Haku, Sven, Grancy and Player stand in the middle of the mirrored plain
Player: Where is he?
Sven: He ran away while you were in a daze. Are you hurt?
Player: (Frustrated) How did I mess up when it mattered the most?
Sven: We couldn't have come up if you didn't purify Yggdrasil, and Star Woods would have been burned down.
Haku: We didn't expect that.
Lan: No one thought he could craft an illusion with Flux in just one night.
Lan: But we were lucky that you didn't fall for it, and that you weren't hurt.
Player: Illusion...
Player: (Mumbles) You escaped because of it, and you became a sinner because of it.
Player: Is it my Wheel of Fate...?
Grancy: (Holds up the Wanderlight crystal) Don't dwell on it. Look at this.
Grancy: We did end up with something, so our work was not in vain.
Player: Um, it's a little embarrassing with everyone standing around me...
Player: I'm done charging anyway.
Lan: Is it... time to say goodbye?
Sven: Oh, our airship is over there.
Sven: Before you go...
Grancy: (Nods) There's a place for you.
Lan: (Taps shoulder) We came together, so we will leave together.
Lan: Shall we?
Player: It's getting brighter.
Player talks to Garuda who has come back
Player: I'm leaving Star Woods.
Garuda: I pray that as Ka's Hand, may you overcome all the obstacles naturally.
Garuda: The kid is going to call me old again.
Garuda: Let me think about this. If you were an ordinary person...
Garuda: May you have a safe journey ahead, with friends that are close to you even with flickering lanterns.
Garuda: May you receive their light when you travel through the abyss.
Player talks to Haku
Haku: Right.
Haku: Mortals shouldn't stay too long in the sky or the abyss.
Player: They're beautiful, but not for staying.
Haku: (Points at the chest) Intention.
Player talks with Grancy
Grancy: Our troops should negotiate with the forest tribes about garrisoning.
Sven: So that new troops aren't tricked by the Tree Elves.
Grancy: And we need to remember the Tree Elves that sacrificed by their masks.
Player: With Arcana?
Grancy: Certainly.
Player talks with Sven
Sven: Why don't you throw that embarrassing badge away?
Sven: I'll get you a real one later.
Grancy: Don't cry in the corner when I bring one back.
Sven: Tch.
Sven: Have you seen a different version of me somewhere or something?
Grancy: It still gives me goosebumps.
Grancy: This is enough.
Sven: Right.
Sven: (Whispers) Everyone's strange in some ways, not bad.
Sven: I was hurt when you shoved me.
Grancy: (Frowns) I haven't cleaned up the Flux. Who's the patient now?
Finally, Player speaks with Lan
Lan: I heard you lit your way up. Aren't you tired?
Lan: It was dark when I got here. Pretty spooky, actually.
Player: At least you and Haku are both safe. I'm really relieved.
Player: I can light all the lanterns in Star Woods if I have to.
Lan: Hahahaha.
Lan: One more would be enough.
Lan: It's getting brighter.
Lan: I'll wait for you over there.
Player decides to leave the Star Woods
Scene - On the airship
En route to Red Desert...
You stare int the night sky.
Billy: We've been here for days. When will we start again?
Player: Has it been that long since we left Star Woods? It felt like a dream from last night.
Player: Let's wait until it's bright.
Billy: Oh, a message on your fixed channel.
Player: Coming.
Player picks up the communicator
Haku: The wishes aren't always fulfilled these days in Star Woods.
Haku: But the wishing ritual is still there, and everyone likes it.
Haku: I told the tribe during the day.
Sven: I didn't think you'd talk to people.
Grancy: If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it. How's your election speech?
Lan: You need to come to Never Isle for that, right?
Lan: I have some new sword techniques. When Player comes back, we can spar under the cherry blossom.
Sven: And take Haku, because children need fresh air.
Grancy: Player?
Player: Sorry, I was thinking about something else
Lan: What Ranmaru said?
Sven: Will you share it with us?
Player: Yes.
Player: He said that the chance of finding Ka through the Wheel of Fate is less than ten percent.
Player: When the Wheel of Fate is infused with energy, it opens the passage between worlds.
Sven: What did the Shadowlord want when he opened the passage?
Player: It might affect Earth, and I could become a sinner if I took the wrong step.
Player: After all, there is only Fire Flux left.
Player: Anyway. Did you solve the question you had for Ranmaru?
Lan: I did learn a thing or two about swordsmanship when I talked to Ranmaru.
Lan: But my obstacle, well... because of you, Player, and others...
Lan: I found my answer in Star Woods
Sven: Why are you laughing, Player?
Player: The connection is pretty bad, let me go somewhere else.
Player walks out to the deck of the airship and next to Billy
Haku: Was that a slogan?
Player: Yes, on the stairs of the deck.
Player: "Please do not stop here."
Billy: Captain has a lot of friends, and they always congregated around this area.
Billy: I put up the sign. It needs to be said, right?
Lan: Player, don't think so much. Just keep going.
Grancy: We know you.
Haku: Worst case scenario... I have the medicine.
Sven: What are we talking about, anyway? Time for sunrise on the deck!
You look up and think about the seasons, the days, and the nights in Star Woods...
The expectation and the fear you experienced and lost...
If you keep going forward, you will not be stuck in illusions.
Player: It's bright now. Let's get going.
Billy: Yes, captain!
Continue to Chapter 26
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