Fallen Maiden
The crew recovers Jeanne from the remains of a small village. In utter shock and despair from her failure to save the village, she hears a voice bestowing upon her the true revelation.
Jeanne senses in Vyrn a presence similar to that which showed her the revelation, telling her to save the world.In search of a way to accomplish this, she has departed from her hometown, Orleans, and now travels with the crew.
Jeanne later learns that comrades from her hometown have set off to save a small village, prompting her to return to Orleans.
(Captain)'s party had agreed to reunite with her in this village on a promised day, but when they head there to meet her...
They find injured Jeanne in the middle of the village that has been reduced to ash.
Lyria: She still hasn't opened her eyes... I wonder if she'll be all right...
Vyrn: She was hurt real bad after all. We've done the best we can...
Jeanne d'Arc: Uh... uhhh...
Lyria: She's been fidgeting the whole time. It's like she's having a nightmare...
Jeanne d'Arc: Wh-what happened to me?
That's right. I had gone with my companions from Orleans to save the folk of the tyrannized village...
Jeanne d'Arc: But the baron refused to parley... and turned his forces against us...
Jeanne d'Arc: They set fire to the village... Ambushed us in the cover of darkness... Razed everything to the ground.
Jeanne d'Arc: It's all... gone... And I couldn't save a single person...
Days later the crew is out on deck doing laundry while Jeanne gradually recovers.
Jeanne d'Arc: ...
Vyrn: Oh, Jeanne! You're awake! I hope you're feeling much better now.
Jeanne d'Arc: My apologies for causing you distress.
(Captain), you have my utmost gratitude for saving me.
While in mid-flight on the Grandcypher, (Captain)'s party spots a blaze arising from a village below.The crew rushes to the aid of the village only to find it reduced to ashes.
(Captain) and company find an injured woman and nurse her back to health aboard their ship.
Lyria: She still hasn't opened her eyes... I wonder if she'll be all right...
Vyrn: She was hurt real bad after all. We've done the best we can...
???: Uh... uhhh...
Lyria: She's been fidgeting the whole time. It's like she's having a nightmare...
???: Wh-what happened to me?
That's right. I had gone with my companions from Orleans to save the folk of the tyrannized village...
???: But the baron refused to parley... and turned his forces against us...
???: They set fire to the village... Ambushed us in the cover of darkness... Razed everything to the ground.
???: It's all... gone... And I couldn't save a single person...
Days later the crew is out on the deck doing laundry while the young woman still recovers.
???: Excuse me, but where might this be?
Lyria: Oh! You've woken up! Thank goodness!
???: You have my gratitude. I presume it was the captain of this distinguished skyfaring crew who saved me?
Jeanne d'Arc: My name is Jeanne... Jeanne d'Arc. Pleased to make your acquaintance.
Continue 1Jeanne d'Arc: Ugh...
She staggers, prompting (Captain) to support her.
Jeanne d'Arc: Oh... I'm sorry. It seems I'm still not my rightful self...
Jeanne d'Arc: Hee hee... your shoulder feels strong and supportive, (Captain)... and so warm...
Jeanne nestles against (Captain).
- Glad you're alive.
- Shall I carry you to bed?
Choose: Glad you're alive.Jeanne d'Arc: You're thankful... I'm still alive? (Captain), you...
Jeanne d'Arc: You're so kind... Look, my hands are still trembling...
Jeanne d'Arc: Will you not hold me... at least until it stops? I'm so scared—I can't bear it...
Choose: Shall I carry you to bed?Lyria: Th-that's right! Jeanne, if you aren't feeling well, then you should get some rest...
Jeanne d'Arc: No, I... I'd rather stay for a while... in the comfort of everyone's loving warmth...
Jeanne d'Arc: For that village, it was full of death and despair...
Lyria: !
Jeanne d'Arc: Hee hee. What's the matter, (Captain)? Your face has gone red...
Jeanne d'Arc: Listen... Can't you feel my heartbeat? It confirms whether or not I have returned from that hellish battlefield...
Continue 2The carnal atmosphere exuded by Jeanne perplexes (Captain), who nonetheless can't ignore what she's gone through.
That night Jeanne looks down upon the sleeping face of (Captain) in the bedroom.
Jeanne d'Arc: You people betrayed my trust... I had believed traveling with you would help me find a way to save the world, but...
Resentment burning in her eyes, Jeanne recalls the nightmare she had while she was sleeping.
Resentment burning in her eyes, Jeanne recalls the nightmare she had while she slept. Continue 3Villager: We believed you would save us... Why did we have to perish?
Orleans Soldier: Jeanne... Jeanne... we trusted you to protect us...
Jeanne d'Arc: Agh... Aah...
Villager: Ngh... It's hot... Help meee!
Orleans Soldier: No... I don't want to go... I don't want to die yet!
Jeanne d'Arc: Why... why has it come to this? Was I not given a revelation that I could save that village?
Jeanne d'Arc: You told me so... You said that I would be able to accomplish this!
Jeanne d'Arc: Then why has this happened? Answer me! Please...
Please!
Jeanne d'Arc: You told me I could do it, did you not? It was clear as day... Even clearer than when you tasked me with saving the world!
As the grieving Jeanne sinks to her knees in supplication, a soft voice sounds in her ear.
Otherworldly Being: You must surely understand now... the one who granted you the revelation is the poison that would destroy this world.
Jeanne d'Arc: ?
Otherworldly Being: If that were not the case, then why was that village engulfed in the flames of war? Why did it have to undergo such suffering?
Jeanne d'Arc: That cannot be! Are you saying that great person was...
Otherworldly Being: You poor, frightened child... It is unavoidable that you should be deceived—deluded by such a great power...
Otherworldly Being: But now I shall bestow unto you a true revelation...
Jeanne d'Arc: A true... revelation?
Otherworldly Being: Yes... That you may stray from the path no further and truly save the world...
Jeanne d'Arc: Save the... world...
Villager: You chose the wrong one to abide by, and because of that, we perished... It was terrifying... Oh, the horror of it all!
Orleans Soldier: You stole our future from us... Led us down the wrong path... into despair...
Jeanne d'Arc: Ah!
Aaah!
I'm sorry! I'm so... sorry...
Jeanne d'Arc: I... I'm sorry... It's my fault... I am to blame... Forgive me...
Jeanne d'Arc: Sob... Ugh... Uhhh...
Otherworldly Being: Come... Take my hand, and regain your way...
Otherworldly Being: Beware the power of the girl in blue and the small dragon, for they shall lead the world to destruction.
Otherworldly Being: Lead these two demons to me, and I shall seal them away for eternity!
Jeanne d'Arc: !
Jeanne d'Arc's eyes snap open, and her hand moves toward (Captain).
Vyrn: Mm... Zzz?
Hm... is that you, Jeanne? What's up?
Jeanne d'Arc: Oh, nothing... (Captain)'s blanket had slipped off, so I thought I'd adjust it.
Vyrn: Oh... Yawn... Gotcha. You better get to sleep too...
Jeanne d'Arc: Heh heh... Yes, I will. Soon.
Vyrn: G'night...
Jeanne watches over Vyrn as he falls back asleep, a mischievous smile twitching at her lips.
Sleeping peacefully the crew is yet unaware of the darkness that has come to swell in her heart.
Invitation from Darkness
Jeanne finds herself conflicted when it comes to following through with the true revelation to save the world. But after much deliberation, she casts away her doubts and resolves to eliminate Lyria and Vyrn.
After failing to save a small village, Jeanne d'Arc is lost in despair.
She yields to the urgings of a mysterious voice, targeting Vyrn and Lyria as commanded.
Jeanne d'Arc: In order to bring peace to the world, I must doom the malicious power of those two to the bottom of the skies...
???: But is this... is this truly the right thing to do?
???: I know those two have kind hearts...
???: I owe them my life. Will they truly bring about the suffering of others during my travels with them?
Jeanne d'Arc: ...
Jeanne d'Arc: What point is there in wavering now? Even if their hearts are pure... the power they possess is a poison to this world.
Jeanne d'Arc: For the sake of the weak, I must protect and save this world... And to that end, there is no other way but to seal those two.
Jeanne d'Arc: Therefore I must first seal away my own doubts...
Begone, oh foolish hesitance!
Invitation from Darkness: Scene 2
Jeanne leads the crew into a dark cave to finish them off. But when monsters show up, she suddenly finds herself fighting to save Vyrn. With her actions belying her intentions, Jeanne d'Arc is at a loss on what to do next.
The morning after Jeanne d'Arc dispels her doubts, she shows up while (Captain) and the others are having breakfast.
Jeanne d'Arc: (Captain), Master Vyrn, Lyria. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to ask you to accompany me today.
Vyrn: Oh? Is there somewhere you wanna go?
Jeanne d'Arc: I know of a place with an excellent view. I was wondering if we might picnic there together.
Jeanne d'Arc: It will also serve as my thanks for you having looked after me these past few days. How about it, Master Vyrn?
Vyrn: Shucks, we all gotta help each other out in tough times—I don't need any thanks! But I do have a thing for picnics!
Lyria: Yes, it'll be fun if we all go together! Right, (Captain)?
Accepting Jeanne d'Arc's proposal, (Captain) and the others set out for their picnic.
Lyria: Ohh noo... it's pitch-black in here... I bet there are ghosts...
Jeanne d'Arc: The place we're heading to is on the other side of this cave. Please bear with me a little longer.
Jeanne d'Arc: Hee hee, (Captain). If you're scared of the dark too, you can lean on me. Here.
Guided by the light Jeanne holds, (Captain) and the others are led into the depths of the cave.
Progressing slowly so as not to stumble, (Captain) comes under a sudden attack.
Monster: Grrr...
Lyria: Eek! Monsters? (Captain)! Are you all right?
Monster: ...
Vyrn: This is bad! We couldn't see a monster in this darkness even if it danced in front of us!
(Captain) tries to engage the monster while protecting Lyria, but the monster is adept at concealing itself. It forces a defensive battle.
Vyrn: Aaah!
Jeanne d'Arc: Look out!
Monster: Groaaghh!
Jeanne d'Arc: !
Vyrn: Whoa! You sure saved my skin there, Jeanne! Thanks!
Jeanne d'Arc stands dumbfounded after being thanked by Vyrn.
Jeanne d'Arc: (I... I saved him? Why did I...)
Jeanne d'Arc: (My body just acted on instinct... I can't keep doing this... From now on, I must...)
Lyria: Oh! Jeanne, watch out behind you! There are more monsters!
Invitation from Darkness: Scene 3
Awaiting the crew at the inner sanctum of the cave is the Otherworldly Being who bestowed upon Jeanne her true revelation. When its true objective to take over Lyria and Vyrn's powers is revealed, Jeanne immediately turns against it.
(Captain) and the others successfully fend off the monsters. However, Jeanne d'Arc is again torn within herself.
Jeanne d'Arc: ...
Vyrn: Heh heh. Boy, you sure are reliable to have around, Jeanne!
Lyria: Yes! But I'm just glad (Captain) and Jeanne weren't badly hurt back there!
Vyrn: That was a pinch—no doubt about it! But now that we're through it, I'm even more ready to get to this picnic place!
As Lyria and Vyrn exchange innocent banter, Jeanne d'Arc stares at (Captain).
Jeanne d'Arc: (I'm... I'm betraying them... Their earnest faces... I...)
Jeanne d'Arc: (No! Do not waver, Jeanne d'Arc! This is all for a greater cause... for the sake of the world!)
Jeanne d'Arc: (They represent... a poison to this world... They are the enemies of peace!)
Jeanne d'Arc: We're losing time. Let's proceed.
Led by Jeanne, (Captain) and the others press still further into the cave.
Lyria: I feel a strange kind of presence. How should I put it... it's kind of cold and unsettling...
(Captain) stops, suddenly vigilant. Seconds later the darkness that had enveloped them clears.
Vyrn: Yikes! It got bright all of a sudden!
Lyria: Huh? Th-this place is...
Weren't we in a cave just now?
Vyrn: Jeanne! What's going on?
(Captain) and the others turn in confusion to question Jeanne, who has led them here.
However, the one to respond to them is not Jeanne...
Otherworldly Being: So you have come, girl in blue and small dragon. Two with the power to change the world.
Vyrn: What the? What in the skies are you anyway?
Otherworldly Being: Jeanne d'Arc, oh holy saint... You have done well to lead them to me.
Jeanne d'Arc: ...
Otherworldly Being: I shall take their power from them, that the eternal desire for peace may be granted!
Vyrn: W-wait! What does it mean, Jeanne?
Jeanne d'Arc: Master Vyrn, Lyria... Your powers are a menace that will drag this world into disorder and chaos.
Jeanne d'Arc: You must be sealed away at the bottom of the skies... for all eternity!
Vyrn: Seal us away? Is that why you brought us down here?
Jeanne d'Arc: Correct. It is all for the greater good! You shall, at the very least, be able to rest in peace without having to suffer!
Lyria: Please wait! Why would we even think of dragging the world into chaos? We'd never do that!
Vyrn: Yeah, you can bet my apples on that! This thing's been deceiving you, Jeanne!
- Did it say seize away our powers?
- I won't let you have them!
Choose: Did it say seize away our powers?Jeanne d'Arc: ...!
Indeed it did.
Jeanne d'Arc: I thought you planned to seal away their power?
Choose: I won't let you have them!Otherworldly Being: If you wish it, you may return to the sky with their soulless husks.
Otherworldly Being: I desire but their power... That is all.
Jeanne d'Arc: Wait! What is the meaning of this?
Continue 1Jeanne d'Arc: Do you mean to say that you covet their power to change the world?
Jeanne d'Arc: If that is the case, then this malign power would merely change hands—nothing more. How would that save the world? Answer me!
Otherworldly Being: ...
Jeanne d'Arc: Do you purpose to betray me, as did the other voice from before? That is unforgivable! I'll not allow it!
Fueled with anger, Jeanne points her sword at the ominous presence.
Vyrn: (Captain)! Whatever's going on, that thing is definitely our enemy!
Vyrn: Let's take it on with Jeanne, and then we can get outta here!
Invitation from Darkness: Scene 4
Jeanne launches a full-on strike at the Otherworldly Being, but she and the crew are transported back to the darkness of the cave before her sword can hit. With the great cause she believed in so fervently being nothing more than a ruse, Jeanne's heart remains confined to the darkness.
Otherworldly Being: !
Jeanne d'Arc: Be gone!
Jeanne launches a blow with the full force of her body, attempting to pierce the bizarre creature.
But before her sword can reach, the surrounding area suddenly distorts, and her opponent vanishes.
Jeanne d'Arc: Huff... Pant... Th-this is...
(Captain) reignites a light to reveal their surroundings.
Lyria: Have we... returned?
Vyrn: It looks like it. Right, Jeanne?
Jeanne d'Arc: ...
Seemingly unable to hear Vyrn's words, Jeanne d'Arc collapses to her knees.
Jeanne d'Arc: I... I...
Jeanne d'Arc: What am I supposed to believe in anymore?
Jeanne mumbles to herself in a daze, heedless of the words (Captain) and the others are saying to her.
With her belief in the great cause tattered, will she be able to recover and walk her path once again?
Like the cave in which they stand, her heart is confined to the darkness.