Cursebreaker
Rosamia regains control of herself after a raid on an imperial research facility. A letter reveals that her family was captured and executed by the empire. Her vow for vengeance is met with melancholic silence.
As (Captain) and company continue on their journey to Estalucia, they run into a solitary swordswoman named Rosamia.Vyrn: It's like she wants to face that monster all by herself! What is she thinking?
Rosamia: I don't need your help. I mean it! Leave!
Vyrn: Yeah, right. As if we'd leave behind someone in trouble!
(Captain), sensing desperation and sadness in the warrior's reckless swings, provides cover despite her earlier rebuke.
Rosamia: The Erste Empire created this mask. The wearer loses all sense of self. It controls them, makes them fight beyond their limits.
Rosamia was once a test subject for this new invention of the Erste Empire.
She has been defying the empire alone ever since she managed to escape. At first, she wants nothing to do with the crew.
Rosamia: Is that my Thunder Rapier? No, it can't be! Why do you have it?
Her parents had entrusted the sword to her, but it was confiscated by the imperial army. Somehow it found its way into (Captain)'s hands.
She never thought she'd see that beloved blade again. Rosamia relents and works together with the crew.
Rosamia continues to travel with the crew while resisting the bloodthirsty call of the cursed mask.
They arrive at a research facility that had conducted experiments on the mask.
Rosamia and the crew infiltrate the lab, hoping to find some clues for lifting the curse.
Monster: Rooaar!
Rosamia: ...!
A fierce battle breaks out as they find themselves caught in a trap. Rosamia fights alone against an imperial-controlled monster.
The monster lunges again and again, but Rosamia parries each blow with her rapier. At last, she unleashes the energy she'd been patiently gathering within her talismans.
Rosamia: ...!
(Captain) and company hurry over to check on Rosamia.
She stands there, stock still, her once bright eyes now drained of emotion.
Lyria: Be careful, (Captain)! Something's wrong with her! She's not our Rosamia!
Vyrn: Huh? Did she lose control to the mask?
Lyria: That's what it looks like. There's a ton of malice swirling inside her right now! What do we do, (Captain)?
Rosamia: ...
Vyrn: Hey, uh... She hasn't moved an inch but she's been eyeballin' us this whole time.
Rosamia: ...!
Vyrn: Yikes! I don't think she recognizes us anymore! Let's get outta here!
Rosamia: Hah!
Lyria: Rosamia!
Rosamia: Huff... Huff... The mask's grip on me just... vanished. Did something happen?
Lyria: It's weird. There was all this negative energy inside you. But now it's gone, like it was never there.
Rosamia: Whatever the case, I'm able to control the mask now, it seems.
Vyrn: Seriously? Didn't you always have a hard time resisting that thing?
Rosamia: Yes, but it looks like I don't have to fight it any more. I don't know what happened, but if we want answers, we'll have to ask the mask's creator.
Imperial Soldier 1: There they are! Over there!
Rosamia: Imperial grunts. I'll start by asking them myself.
Rosamia plunges into the group of soldiers without another word.
Vyrn: W-wait! After her, (Captain)!
Rosamia runs through the facility, relying on her memories to point the way forward. Before long, she reaches a particularly familiar area.
Rosamia: I remember this place. This is where they put the mask on me.
Lab Tech: Gasp! It's you!
Rosamia: Long time no see.
Lab Tech: Don't come near me, you... monster!
Rosamia: I have no intention of letting you leave. What I want is payback. Payback for this curse you put on me.
Lab Tech: B-but we don't know how to remove the curse... yet! Yes, that's it! Please, just give me more time!
Rosamia: You've had plenty of time. So much so, in fact, that I've already gained some control over the mask.
Lab Tech: Impossible! You were able to subjugate the mask on your own?
Rosamia: It would appear that way. I won't bend to its will any longer. That which you fear most is now within my grasp.
Rosamia: And now, I'm going to burn it all. This abominable research lab, your experiments—everything will be torched to ashes.
Lab Tech: Listen, we know your family's whereabouts! If the mood should strike us, we'll—
Rosamia: You'll what? If anything happens to my family, that's just one more thing you'll have to pay for.
Lab Tech: Gulp.
(Captain) and company find the test room ablaze. The fleeting shape of a woman flits from test subject to test subject, releasing them from their restraints.
Rosamia: Don't worry. Your masks are broken now.
Subject 1: We're saved...
Subject 2: If we hurry, we should be able to escape without them noticing us.
Subject 1: Yeah, I'm coming. Sorry I can't offer you a proper thanks.
Rosamia: ...
Vyrn: Hey, you okay, Rosamia?
Rosamia: Yes.
Vyrn: I can't believe you trashed this entire Imperial lab by yourself.
The crew feel the intense heat of the burning rubble on their backs as they walk away.
Rosamia: How strange. The mask is being obedient. I don't even have to focus on controlling it.
Rosamia: Not that it matters anymore.
Lyria: Huh?
Rosamia produces a single sheet of paper with a large X drawn across the center.
Lyria: What's this?
Rosamia: It's a list of test subjects, and their relatives.
Rosamia: My name is on here. My family is also on here. And this X through their names? Everyone, except for me, has been disposed of.
Lyria: That can't be...
Rosamia: There's no stopping me now.
Rosamia: I got rid of the researcher. But I won't stop there. Not until I've crushed the Erste Empire into dust.
Rosamia: I won't stop until the day I get revenge for what they did to my family.
Lyria: ...
Vyrn: ...
Rosamia: I'm going to my room.
The search for clues yields the worst possible outcome.
Rosamia resigns herself to a fate of never-ending conflict. The crew struggles to think of something to say, but the only thing that comes out is silence.
Rosamia: The fighting never ends. It can't end.
Rosamia: ...
Rosamia: I should rest.
She removes the scabbard from her waist but freezes when her hand touches the mask.
Rosamia: !
She runs over to the mirror.
Rosamia: No! What is the meaning of this?
No matter how hard she pulls, the mask won't come off. It's as if the mask itself is now part of her skin.
Rosamia: Ngh, agh...
Her hands fall listlessly to her sides when she notices blood trickling along the edges of the mask.
Rosamia: I can't take it off...
She thought she had conquered the mask, but that wasn't the truth.
Words fail her. All she can do is stare as the mask's dreadful power heals her broken flesh.
Sugar-coated Lie
The crew finds Rosamia at an imperial garrison that's up in flames. They come under attack from the same test subjects they had freed earlier from the research facility.
Vyrn: Hey, is she over there?
Lyria: No, I can't find her anywhere. Where could Rosamia be?
Rosamia has slipped away and the crew is searching for her in the city. There's no sign of her so far.
They split up to cover more ground. That's when they start hearing the rumors.
Resident: Did ya hear? Someone—or something—attacked the imperial army garrison.
Resident: Whatever it is, they say it's using talismans. Honestly, it sounds like bunk to me.
Vyrn: That's gotta be Rosamia, (Captain)!
Lyria: We have to hurry! She's in danger!
Resident: And would you believe it? There might actually be three of them... Aw, they ran off! And I was just getting to the good part, too...
Rosamia: ...
Hellish flames dance across what was once an imperial outpost.
Vyrn: This is crazy! Rosamia, where are you?
Imperial Soldier 1: Retreat! Don't leave anyone behind!
Imperial Soldier 1: Yaaagh!
Rosamia: Retribution. Yes, this is retribution.
Vyrn: Well, we found her, but she's acting all weird.
Lyria: That's enough, Rosamia! Please, stop this already!
Rosamia: I told you, didn't I? This doesn't end until I annihilate the empire.
Vyrn: No! This is going too far!
Rosamia: I lost my family to the empire's schemes! I'll never get to see their faces again!
Vyrn: ...!
Her anguished cries pierce the hearts of (Captain) and company.
As they look on in silence, they are approached by menacing figures.
Subject 1: Enemies?
Subject 2: Yeah...
Vyrn: Those are the prisoners we set free the other day. What are they doing back with the empire?
Rosamia: The empire must be holding their families hostage as well.
Rosamia: Unfortunately, it seems we have no choice but to fight them. Come on, (Captain).
Sugar-coated Lie: Scene 2
The test subjects are repelled but they keep getting back up. Meanwhile, the imperial soldiers take this time to surround both the test subjects and the crew.
Subject 1: Gwah!
Lyria: There's something strange about them, (Captain)!
Rosamia: That's right, Lyria. I suggest you stay back if you want to remain in one piece.
Vyrn: What!
Subject 1: Not yet...
Heavy blows rain down on the test subjects, but they remain upright and unfazed, ready to continue the attack.
Vyrn: They just won't quit!
Lyria: That's not all! It's like they're—
(Captain) already knows what Lyria is about to say.
Nothing is normal about the way the test subjects fight, but (Captain) has witnessed a similar power before.
Rosamia: That's right. They're using the power of the mask, just like me.
Vyrn: You're joking! I thought you destroyed their masks the other day!
Rosamia: Once the mask finds a suitable subject, there's no way to escape its curse.
Rosamia: Getting rid of the mask itself changes nothing.
Vyrn: This uh, kinda isn't funny anymore, Rosamia...
Rosamia: ...
Imperial Soldier 1: There! Those are the attackers! Hey! Bring the reinforcements!
Vyrn: Ack! Imperial soldiers!
Imperial Soldier 2: The three test subjects are the culprits! Melee fighters, do not engage! Are the mages and summoners here yet?
Lyria: The three test subjects?
Imperial Soldier 1: Gwah!
Subject 1: You shouldn't be so chatty when there's an enemy in front of you.
Rosamia: My thoughts exactly. We don't have time to talk either, (Captain).
Sugar-coated Lie: Scene 3
Eugen arrives and exposes the truth that the mask had already taken control of Rosamia earlier. Pushed into a corner, a showdown explodes between the controlled Rosamia and the crew.
Subject 2: Augh!
Vyrn: What do we do? They're just gonna get up again!
Rosamia: We'll just keep knocking them down, end of story.
Vyrn: How can you say that so casually in the middle of an enemy base? Let's hightail it!
Rosamia: Wait!
Rosamia: The mask turns people into mindless, bloodthirsty machines.
Rosamia: (Letting them go will only result in harm to innocent bystanders!)
Rosamia: And I've finally harnessed that power!
Lyria: Huh?
Vyrn: What? Are you all there, Rosamia?
Rosamia: ...!
Imperial soldiers surround the crew while they argue.
Imperial Soldier 1: That's enough, you scoundrels!
Imperial Soldier 2: Cursed lab rats! I'd heard rumors of your ruthlessness, but this is outrageous!
Imperial Soldier 1: We already know your family's whereabouts! If you keep resisting, who knows what could happen to them!
Rosamia: ...!
Vyrn: What? But Rosamia's already lost her family!
Imperial Soldier 2: Hah! Do you take me for a fool? No one gave orders to carry out executions!
Lyria: But there was a list with her family's names crossed out.
Imperial Soldier 1: I don't know anything about that!
Vyrn: Weird, why doesn't Rosamia's explanation line up?
Rosamia: Are you suspecting of me lying? I would never do such a thing!
Vyrn: We don't want to doubt you, but there's too much suspicious stuff going on!
(Captain) unconsciously tilts their head in response to Vyrn's words, adding fuel to the fire of Rosamia's already frenzied state.
Rosamia: Listen to me! We must defeat the empire together!
Rosamia: Ahhhhhh!
Imperial Soldier 1: Argh!
Rosamia: Believe me... Believe me...
Lyria: She's definitely different from before.
Vyrn: Yeah, she even talks like a different person.
Rosamia: Ngh... We're friends, aren't we? So why do you doubt me?
Rosamia: Oh, I get it. You're not my friends. You're enemies.
Lyria: Oh no!
Rosamia points her sword at (Captain) and glares.
Rosamia: (Captain)... Even you are against me!
Vyrn: Why is this happening?
A gunshot rings out, a puff of smoke rises from the ground. When it clears, there's a bullet hole next to Rosamia's foot. She leaps back, trying to spot the shooter.
Eugen: Hey, (Captain)! Over here!
Rosamia: ...!
Eugen: Shoot. It's progressed further than I thought.
Eugen: I checked with the Knickknack Shack about that mask. It's even worse than Rosamia said.
Eugen: You already know it has the power to draw out the aggression and violence in a person.
Eugen: Rosamia's been suppressing that power with sheer willpower up to this point. She's used to it.
Eugen: But you could say the same thing about the mask.
Vyrn: What do you mean?
Eugen: The mask pretended to lose in order to gain control over Rosamia.
Eugen: It acted like it was listening to Rosamia while it ate away at her, little by little. Probably nothing but a front.
Lyria: That must be why she's been acting so strange recently...
Eugen: Yeah. The mask wheedled its way straight into her subconscious before she even knew what was happening.
Vyrn: So all the weird things she's been saying, all the violent stuff she's been doing... the mask's making her do that?
Eugen: Mm-hm. She probably isn't even aware of the lies she's telling.
Eugen: Right now, the mask's filled her head with one thing and one thing only: the urge to fight. Doesn't matter who, doesn't matter why.
Rosamia: ...
Eugen: Whoa! That was close! Well, what do we do now?
Rosamia: Fight... I need to fight...
Rosamia: (I must have my revenge. All I want is revenge!)
Rosamia: (That's all I can do to lay my family to rest! If you insist on standing in my way, then I'll have to get rid of you too, (Captain)!)
Rosamia: Help... me...
Sugar-coated Lie: Scene 4
Rosamia returns to normal after the battle and wakes up surrounded by the anxious crew. Eugen shows her a letter from her family, proving that they're actually safe as Rosamia bursts into tears of joy.
Rosamia: Huff... Huff...
Rosamia suddenly loses consciousness. (Captain) grabs her and escapes with the rest of the crew.
They somehow make it back to the city and carry Rosamia to her room, but her eyes are vacant.
Rosamia: Huff... Huff...
Eugen: She's utterly drained. Hurts me to see her like this.
Lyria: Can we do anything for her?
Eugen: Well, I don't think her life is in danger. The mask probably doesn't have much juice left, either. She'll be laid up for a while.
Rosamia: Ungh...
Eugen: There, there, Rosamia. It's all right now.
Rosamia: ...
Rosamia: I'm... sorry...
Eugen: Hey, don't let it get to you, okay? It wasn't your fault. Right, (Captain)?
Rosamia: I thought I had control, but I was the one being strung along like a puppet. What a joke.
Rosamia: ...
Rosamia: Look, just forget about me already.
Lyria: Rosamia...
Eugen: Goodness.
Eugen: Ah, that's right. There was another matter (Captain) had me check on.
Rosamia: What?
Eugen: I think this'll brighten your spirits, Rosamia.
Rosamia tilts her head towards Eugen, who pulls out a piece of paper.
Rosamia: A letter?
Eugen: (Captain) wasn't the only one who noticed the inconsistencies in what you said before.
Eugen: So we sought out the truth. Well, it'll be easier if you read it for yourself.
Rosamia: Gasp!
Eugen: Yep. Your entire family is safe.
Lyria: Is that a letter from her family?
Eugen: Siero lent a hand. We had to set up a bunch of different searches. Wasn't easy, that's for sure.
Rosamia: I see...
Eugen: My contact says they're in a safe place. The empire won't be finding them anytime soon.
Eugen: We still need to wrap up a few things, but you should go see them sometime soon.
Rosamia: (No, I can't. If I went now, those lies I told would come true.)
Rosamia: ...
Rosamia: I want to see them...
Rosamia: I really want to see them...
Rosamia covers her face with the letter, but she can't hide her trembling shoulders.
The crew looks on, filled with a renewed zeal to break the mask's curse and reunite Rosamia with her family.