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Part XXI: The Resolve We Showed
Alone
What just happened?
We were eaten by an earthpulse.
This happened to you before, didn't it?
It's different this time. It looks like our awakened friend Innominat is using the land as his vessel. In other words, this earthpulse is now part of his body. I was able to flee him only because I found a rift in the earthpulse as it formed.
So, Velvet and the others...
...I guess I won my bet. Took long enough.
??? Bravo. You do have a talent, if nothing else.
Oho... Melchior. If you're here, this place must be more important than I suspected.
Move aside. I must close this earthpulse rift.
But if you run, my curse will follow you for eternity!
Biieeeennnn! Y-You got it!
It looks like I just won my bet. If I let you seal this rift now, I'll never collect.
*begins casting*
Illusions won't work on me. You can't break a heart that's already broken.
...That day, I interrupted my arte when your heart broke. I suppose I was taking pity upon my student.
...
But this time, know that I won't hold back. I will grind your heart into dust!
Isolated from the world
Are you all right, Eleanor? What about everyone else?
I'm fine... But...
But he said I was...ugly... Nothing... N-Nothing... All for nothing... I can't... I have to kill... Die... Die...
The whole time, she--
You're awake. Come on. We're leaving. I have to kill them.
But, Innominat is your...
It's just an illusion! A fake! A trick! Or... What if it was really him? Then that means he betrayed me, doesn't it?
You think I can't kill a traitor like him? Why? Why wouldn't I? Just how many do you think I've killed...? You, who watched me do it!
I'm...sorry...
Velvet!
Laphi! Time to wake up.
I told you to stop calling me "Laphi". I'm not a little kid anymore.
Grumble-grumble, huh? You must be feeling good.
Innominat?!
...No, this is different. A... A vision of the past?
*gasp*
See, I killed him! It was easy! I'm used to it by now. All right, we're getting out of here. With your power.
*gasp*
NOW!
We've got to find Eizen and the rest.
*grabs Phi's head* I said NOW!
Enough! Stop it! *slaps Velvet*
*grabs Eleanor by the cuff* THEY'RE the ones who need to be stopped! Isn't that right?! I'll kill them... I'll kill them all...!
*grabs Velvet gently on the shoulders* You must calm down!
*lets go, walks away* ...Fine. I'll calm down and look for an exit. That's what you want, right? *marches off, drops comb*
*she and Phi follow*
Well, I...doubt we'll be getting much productive conversation from Velvet for a while. I am a little curious about that sphere, but no use spinning our wheels here...
Here, huh? Back in this extra-dimensional hellhole. If you've guessed we have a linear dungeon coming up, you'd be right, just like the last time we were in this space. As for exactly where this space is...
Whenever you're in an unusual area, like now, for instance, it's represented as being here, in the far southeast of the normal map. Obviously this isn't *exactly* where we are, but it's a good enough visual shorthand. The other half of this area description is "for the resurrected Innominat". So it looks like he wasn't kidding at the end of the last update when he left Artorius and Shigure. We definitely better get out of here right now.
As for the skit, this is the first in like 6 or 7 skits without Velvet in them, either at all or basically. But again, from that last scene, we're definitely better off not bothering her until she calms down.
As far as enemies around here, they're generally pretty rubbish, except for Hell Ladies. As enemies, they're nothing worth describing, but the problem is that, on the overworld, if a Hell Lady is the figure on the field, they're faster than you can run, and combined with the linearity of this dungeon, means it can be hard to avoid pointless fights with them. I just made a decision that, unless I was explicitly wanting to fight something, I just ran from them.
Oh, and speaking of battles, the area music is the battle music and keeps playing. One of the very few times this game will do that.
As for treasures in this dungeon, they're generally nothing worth describing, except for an inordinate number of Life Bottles. I guess they thought you might have taken serious damage from Innominat? It's a decent amount of time until you can resupply, so I guess they were planning around the player being stuck with too few of them? Either way, I'm full to bursting with them, so it's appreciated, if nothing else.
Also Peach Gels are in high supply, also for unknown reasons. Luckily, as it says here, if there's more than one of a certain item in a chest, it's not all or nothing. But, if I were to confirm here, I would be throwing away 4 Gels. Well, since we're not coming back here (I certainly hope not), no sense in not doing so.
In the next area, a skit about what exactly we saw before. Seems her brother being Innominat is getting to her in a way Melchior never could, so that would be pretty strong evidence he is what he says he is. If that is the case, though, this is only gonna get worse.
After continuing on a bit further... A Vision of Meeting
*gasp* Hey! Stay with me! I'll get someone right away!
...It's OK... I'm...tired...
Have you been journeying long, then?
Ten years... My master entrusted everything to me... But I couldn't do anything...
Ten years...
My wings are weak... It... It doesn't matter anymore.
...I see. If you've been working that hard, you surely need a break. I just happened to get my hands on some prickleboar meat. I'll be cooking up a stew for dinner, but would you care to join me?
Huh...? No, I... *stomach growls*
All I have on me now is this apple. Here. Once your belly is full of warm food, you'll be able to pick yourself back up. *grabs his hand* I can feel it. Your body is shouting, "I want to live!"
I'm a disgrace... I don't deserve to live...
Well...
These feelings are natural. You eat when you're hungry, and cry when you're sad. Feeling these things is proof that we're alive.
Alive...
What's your name? Mine is Celica. Celica Crowe.
I'm an exorcist, Artori-- No, Arthur. I'm Arthur.
*slashes the screen* Artorius!
??? ...What in the world WAS that?
*turns around* Rokurou, Eizen!
You saw it too, then?
Sure did. Artorius, and he called himself Arthur.
I've heard of this. The Earthen Historia. They say that events on the world's surface cast imprints on the earthpulse that runs below.
In other words, an illusion of the past.
...It's not an illusion. That was my sister. So, he managed to fool her, too, is it? Yes... Yes, that must be it, that's why she freed me from the prison... *walks off*
Some words of advice from big bro, eh? Nobody had a retort to Velvet's latest crazed speech there, but the party touches base here, and we've got our two scalliwags back in the saddle. Once you're done with this scene, there's a Legless Ring in a silver chest on this platform, one of the few unique treasures in this dungeon, and then you can warp to move on.
Luckily, in a skit on the next platform, Eizen doesn't keep what the "Earthen Historia" is to himself for very long. Basically, as he says here, everything is "recorded" by the earthpulse, and those memories can apparently be dredged up here. By Innominat, no doubt, but regardless, this seems to be Arthur's backstory. Also interesting to note is that Arthur was an alias the whole time, instead of just a nickname Velvet and Laphi used.
Another skit right afterwards where Rokurou and Eizen worry, in their own ways, about Velvet too. Anyone would be...
Continuing past another area where you can find Peach Gels and Life Bottles... A Vision of Happiness
Thank you, sweetheart. With the brigands stepping up their attacks, the town elders have been worried, but this should put their minds at ease.
No. If the brigands turn into daemons, a mere fence won't stop them...
?
Nothing, don't worry about it. I'm pretty confident in my carpentry. And the other two?
Probably at the cape again. I've warned them a hundred times that it's dangerous...
Laphicet probably badgered Velvet into going. Don't worry, she'll watch out for him.
...Yeah. I can only hope that this little one grows up to be as strong as she is one day. *holds stomach*
...Huh?
You're happy, I hope?
Of course I am! I never thought I could ever be this happy!
I... I only wish I'd known earlier. I would have made something even nicer for you.
You made this for me?
Yeah. I put all my heart into it.
I'll cherish it always. It'll remind me of this happy day.
Let this serve as proof of our love. This I swear. I swear to protect you both with my life.
*slashes the screens, pants*
That's Lord Artorius' past...
Heheheh... Ahahahahah! Oh, that's rich! You mean you believed that tripe? It's all a pack of lies. His smile, his promise, everything.
Indeed, the light in his eyes from then totally seems to be gone. I do like, in a darkly comic way, that nobody's asking Velvet what she thinks or if she remembers any of this. Totally pointless to talk to her right now.
Well, while Innominat's scheming is definitely at work here (Eizen believes much of what has happened lately is to get precisely this kind of reaction from Velvet), it's definitely true you'd only be getting this kind of feeling because you know how it all turns out, is how I feel. Further on... A Vision of Beginning
Damn! So many of them! Celica! I'm coming!
It's too late! Take Velvet and Laphicet and run!
*kills more daemons* I can't do that!
I want to have my life with you! With our child!
Celica!
*punches the ground*
Why... Why...?
Why couldn't I? Why couldn't I protect my own family?!
I think that opening cutscene with a very young Velvet and Laphi was just before this scene happened, since that also took place on the Scarlet Night.
??? Remember this moment well, Artorius. Humans are weak. Filled with sin.
The people of this village offered you and your beloved family up to the daemon brigands. A sacrifice so that they could escape and hide.
No... They wouldn't...
It happens often. The "reason" people act on is burdened by the weight of their sins. However...
I have found a method to adjust their reason.
A domain...?! What is this incredible power?! Don't tell me the Empyrean we've been searching for was here this whole time!
Th-These malakhim...
Why... Why must fate be so cruel...
It appears that Innominat's resurrection is incomplete. We must guide him until we understand why. I'll be taking these malakhim.
Wait! *stands up, walks over*
...I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise. I'll make things right. I'll abandon who I am. Nameless malak. I will forge a pact with you.
Do you have it in you? You, who abandoned my friend's ideals and fled?
On the souls of my dead master, wife, and child. This I swear.
I have inherited the will and the strength of Claudin Asgard, former head of the exorcists.
And that was the night the wheels of fate began to turn...
A big skit right afterwards. If that malak next to Seres, formerly Celica, looked familiar, yep, that was Phi. Presumably Artorius didn't know the full scale of power that his reborn child possessed, which is why he was given to Teresa. Also presumably to not have to look at his face to remind him of that night, one would think.
Indeed... It would certainly take a man that familiar with tragedy to go this far. In spite of all that, the only way we'll win is to match that resolve.
In the final area, a skit about reborn humans (apparently no one knows how this happens or why), and destiny. It certainly seems like this is the way things had to happen.
Well, it was a rough trip, but looks like the warp that Magilou was protecting. Should be home free. A Vision of Truth
Look! Over there!
An earthpulse point! We may be able to get out from there!
??? Arthur... There's something I'd like to speak to you about, alone.
...Ah, yes. The ceremony to resurrect Innominat. You read my book?
*nods* I haven't fully mastered the ancient tongue yet, but I have read your notes. You wrote that if Innominat is resurrected, we can make a world free of daemons.
Seven years ago, a soul with strong resonance...my own unborn son...was sacrificed for that purpose. Now Innominat's resurrection is half-complete.
Because of that, everyone's resonance has grown stronger, enabling them to see daemons.
Yes. That's the truth behind the Opening.
So if one more person is sacrificed...
Innominat's resurrection will be complete, and his power will spur the creation of many new exorcists.
And there is another Scarlet Night very soon. Arthur, I must ask.
Laphicet? *looks away*
Tell me, why do you think that birds fly?
I think that birds fly because they must. Why else would they have wings if not to embrace the sky?
If we miss this Scarlet Night, the next won't be for another three years. By then... I won't be alive.
Laphicet, why would say such a thing?
The "Twelve Year Sickness". That's the name of my disease.
*looks away* ...So, you know.
I'm not afraid of being sick. But I don't want to just be a burden on everyone until I die... I couldn't take it.
Your wings are your will. And they are strong.
[
Please... You can't tell Velvet about this.
*kneels down* I promise.
*yells, slashes screen*
Don't talk to me about will! About wings! Both of you... Together, you... You betrayed me!
(in flashback) Whoa, hey. What's everyone apologizing for? We're a family, right? / Hurry back. I'll make you a quiche just the way she taught me. / No kidding. I think you'll be an exorcist to rival even him.
*back in the present*
Shut up...
(in flashback) He fell further than this back at the shrine. / I will have my revenge... Revenge for Laphicet! / Laphicet knew so much more pain than I ever will... And still, I... I couldn't do anything for him... I'm sorry... I'm sorry...
*back in the present*
Shut uppppppp!
*continues smashing orbs* All of it! It's all their lies! And I believed it! Die! Die, die, dieeeee!
Get out of my way, you disgusting monster!
This uh...absolutely disgusting beast is a Chimaera, an amalgamation of multiple daemons. And none of them lookers, that's for sure. Despite its grotesque form, it doesn't have that many attacks. Its Break Soul is Wild Barrage, where it'll rapidly attack with its...legs? The big green ones, I mean. As it gets lower on HP, it'll add new attacks like a spore attack where it throws up clouds of damaging spores that hover in the air around it for a few moments, and Flame Knuckle, where it swipes forward with its top right paw. Its attacks are fairly powerful, all of them, but this is a very slow boss and it's easy to kite it around while you focus on taking advantage of gaps in its attacks. Fast attackers like Rokurou and Velvet can more or less run circles around it.
It does have a pretty big damage reduction passive applied to it, but it's a fairly simple boss. Sure is ugly, though. The boy's real strength
I-Is that...?!
I... I'm dead... I'm dead...
Calm down, Velvet! This farce is just another of Innominat's illusions!
"Farce"? How callous. That "farce" is the true face of my sister.
*flashes back to various moments very quickly*
She hates, resents, devours, and kills. She tramples people, cities, everything, living only by her emotions... What an ugly, tainted soul.
It's not like that!
Nothing you say will matter. She knows. She knows it's the truth.
*continues quaking* ...He's right. *goes down on knees* Just think. Everything I did was baseless, arrogant... And even so, I still...
You hurt so many innocent people, didn't you?
More than I can count... I devoured and killed so many...
Without even knowing Arthur's true aims...
I destroyed people... I destroyed whole towns...
And worse yet, you didn't even show mercy to your own sister's reincarnation.
I...ate her...
And despite all of that, I still love you, Velvet. That's why I chose to become a sacrifice. For you, sister. But think, if you try to stop the resurrection, wouldn't my death be all for nothing? To tell you the truth, I was terrified of dying. It was so dark...
I'm sorry... I-I'm so sorry...
You'll accept it, then? That everything you've done up until this point, all of it...
Yes. It was all for nothing, for no one. I hurt so many people, all for no reason. I'm a monster.
If you've accepted it, you have to atone for your sins. *floats high up into the air* Once I eat the final two malevolences inside you, I'll fully awaken. Give them to me. Give me your hatred, your despair. If you do, I can cleanse this world of all its pain.
I had hoped...that you could live in a world without pain and sadness... But you're a monster now. You don't belong there.
Velvet! *grabs her hand*
Let me go... I have to go...
No...!
If you don't... You'll die too for no reason.
No!
A twisted monster like me doesn't deserve to live... Don't you understand?
You're the reincarnation of the first sacrifice. Part of me. Don't worry. I'll devour you too.
Please, let me go...
Huh--?
No, I don't "understand"! You snap at people! You're scary! You--You tried to eat me! But...you're also kind... And you're filled with life! I don't understand a single thing about you! But you gave me a name, when I was a number! You gave me that compass! You taught me what it meant to be alive! That's why I care about you, Velvet! I'll protect you for my own sake!
Phi...
I don't care if you're malevolent! Or if it was pointless! If the world says it's a mistake to love you, I'll fight the whole world! I don't care HOW much pain you feel! It doesn't matter! A world without you, Velvet...
Gggnngh...is the one thing I couldn't bear!
Let me go... My hand will... *digs her hand further into Phi*
Eat my arm. I don't care. Just...leave me the other one. I need it to clobber the jerk who made my Velvet cry!
I...I loved them all... I loved Laphi, and Celica... Arthur, everyone...
It hurt so much!
Your despair... How is it gone?!
...I finally understand how you felt. But the only one I can fight for...is myself.
That's good enough. That's proof that you are truly alive.
The big step forward
M-Miss Magilou...!
Don't... Don't worry... If Velvet could do it... There's no way I can't...
How many times do you plan to destroy and rebuild your own heart, Magilou?
We're on a hundred and seven... Or was it a hundred and eight...? I lost count... Heh... Not that I really care.
Pathetic fool. Did I not tell you it would require an iron will, as indomitable as the very trees that live and die across millennia? *blasts her with more magic*
Gnngh... Like you, I suppose... Or that boy over there...?
That is the foundation of an ideal world, one free from man's sins.
Heh... An ideal world, huh?
*blasts her again*
Chasing a terrifying daemon girl, he has learned the immensity of the seas and weathered the dry wastes of the land. Those people... They're different from us... Despite the pain, the anguish, they embrace the life they've been given. *stands back up during that last line* They live, undaunted by the ugliness of the world!
*muted response*
So you're doing this all for them? Is that what this is?
Hehe... Not even close. The aggravate me to my wit's end. Like stabs in teh chest, over and over and over. And that's exactly why... That's why... I intend to see how all of this ends... I won't be satisfied until I do!
Words bereft of meaning. You truly are my greatest failure.
Gosh... Funny just how little I care...
No! Please!
Again, not to interrupt the flow of this scene too much, but the song playing over this scene is more or less the main theme of Berseria, True will, which also plays if you highlight the Berseria icon in the PS4 menu and go to the Detailed View or whatever they call it. It's actually pretty memorable. Obviously it's much quieter in the game, because this song would completely drown out the dialogue if it was played otherwise.
Let me guess... We came at a good time?
You're late! Because of you, I had to have a really boring conversation!
So, you came face-to-face with Innominat. If so, then you must know that your quest for revenge is utterly meaningless.
Yeah, I did... I know why sadness fills the world, and I know how deep are the burdens of sin. I tried to abandon my memories of Arthur and Laphi, to cut myself off from it all, and end this tragedy. It's... It's what they would have wanted.
Exactly. You do well to know your place.
But that's exactly why I can't forgive them... Not Artorius, not Innominat... I know my heart is ugly and full of contradictions.
There's the Velvet we know and love. Her eyes are so much brighter now.
Velvet!
Don't be a fool! Just give up and die like you ought! It is your destiny to wallow in despair!
You take my family, turn me into a monster, and you want my soul, too? *unsheathes arm* Now who's being the fool? Remember this well. The Lord of Calamity never gives up, not even in the face of death.
Have you no shame for your sins, you unholy monster?
*stands up, laughs* Let me in on this! I lost a bet, and I've got some anger to work out!
You sure you can fight in your condition?
Who do you think I am?!
Now face the wrath of Magilou Mayvin!
Wait...Melchior is Magilou's...father or grandfather?? Well, we can dwell on that later, I would think.
*summons an orb* Fools, all of you!
So this fight is actually pretty damn fun, or at least, it was for me this playthrough. Here we have a rematch against Number One (remember, we fought him last on the Hellawes Docks) and Melchior, the last legate we have yet to fight. First priority is absolutely KOing Number One. He has little HP compared to Melchior, it goes down very quickly, but he has plenty of annoying spells to support the old man. I was able to take him out in about a minute, which I think is a pretty good time. I just found it funny Eizen yelled "That's all, huh?" to a kid he just punched into the stratosphere.
As for Melchior himself, he has a pretty wide array of abilities. In addition to malak artes, as you'd think he would have, he has Warp, allowing him to quickly escape from getting surrounded, and Shifted Space, shown here, that helps attack enemies all around him. Among a few other attacks, of course. Problem is, like Number One, he doesn't have that much HP, and he's a [Person] enemy, so Velvet's Discord can absolutely shred him, especially combined with Mystic Artes. Another negative he has is that, due to being an old man wearing some heavy ceremonial clothes, he can't move very fast, so it's easy to escape from / surround him, as necessary. I actually did do a run of this game all on Chaos mode, the hardest difficulty, and I remember this fight being particularly difficult, if my limited memory of this game before this LP serves. Maybe I'll switch this playthrough to Chaos mode just for the final battle. We'll see.
Tell Artorius and Innominat. They took something precious from me. I'll never forgive them for that.
...The annals of history are stained with evil people like you. You spread havoc and destruction, all to satisfy your own ends, a dark font of malevolence. You're a daemon lord, the irredeemable embodiment of sin!
The Lord of Calamity.
*stands up* It is the exorcists' duty to destroy you!
You talk a lot. How about you keep talking, and tell us where Aifread is.
You'll regret this...
*chime*
I can feel Innominat! He's coming!
We can fight here no longer!
Bienfu, close the rift!
I can't!
Carelessness will get you killed.
Zaveid!
*sighs* ...You ruined the moment.
Huh? Don't you mean "Thanks for saving us, Zaveid, you're my hero and role model"?
Thank you for saving us, Zaveid.
Where exactly are we now?
We're in an Abbey facility on Hexen Isle. I heard Melchior was in charge here, so I snuck in. I hadn't expected an extradimensional space.
Is there a way out?
There is now that I busted my way in.
Let's head outside. We can talk then.
Who's that?
A friend. His name is "Number One".
*walks over, kneels* Hey, wanna come with us? If you stay here alone, a dragon might getcha. I bet you wouldn't like that.
...Yeah. That sounds scary.
Great! C'mon, kid!
What are you doing?
We can't leave him like this. I'll get him a vessel, somehow.
*sighs* ...Do what you like.
Phew. That was quite a lot of plot for a single update, eh? I think this also beat the record for number of screenshots for a single update, beating out Part I. Quite a way to start the third act. Next time...we figure out how to get out of...wherever this is.