Scenario:Alanaan - Beyond the Trial
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Beyond the Trial
The Inchoate World unleashes his full power to overcome the trial that is the crew. A final showdown ensues.
Inchoate World: You've come.
By tracking the aura of the Inchoate World, the crew finally reaches the center of this realm.
The Inchoate World looks down on the crew as he speaks, a hint of surprise in his breath.
Inchoate World: How strangely comforting... Though you obstacles in my path normally fill me with disgust...
Inchoate World: Seeing you as a trial meant to be overcome fills me with pride and joy.
Inchoate World: The face of fate changes depending on your interpretation. And my interpretation has led me to birth a new world.
Inchoate World: You are nothing but nuisances now—stepping stones on my path to world creation... That is how I define your fates.
Alanaan: Yep, whatever ya say. Ain't like it's gonna change a thing.
Alanaan: Just as long as ya don't try to push yer crap on us.
Alanaan: Everyone's got their own beliefs and gods to place their faiths in.
Inchoate World: One's fate can be decided only by their creator. Though that's not something you blaspheming wretches would ever understand.
Alanaan: Well, look who's talkin'. You just love puttin' on airs, don't ya.
Inchoate World: To be incognizant of your failings is not a sin. Your inability to see the bigger picture is simply a sign of your lower status.
Inchoate World: As long as you're willing to accept the new world, perhaps enlightenment shall strike you as well.
Alanaan: Doubt we'll ever see things eye to eye no matter how much we jabber away. Guess we were never meant to get along.
Inchoate World: The time has come to bury you all as wretched artifacts of the old world!
Fierce winds begin to blow around them, causing the various colors to converge on the Inchoate World.
As he is encased in what appears to be some sort of cocoon, Lyria audibly gasps.
Lyria: Watch out! The Inchoate World is getting stronger!
Inchoate World: You antiquated relics will become the cornerstone of the new world. For that is your fate; that is providence.
Inchoate World: You have no future beyond today. Your destinies end here. I shall wipe away your very souls from existence!
Beyond the Trial: Scene 2
The crew finally defeats the Inchoate World and returns to the Sky Realm. Though Alanaan had intended to return straight to his journey of redemption, (Captain) convinces him to first make a trip back home.
Inchoate World: Rgh!
Inchoate World: Impossible! I should be the one who decides destiny!
Inchoate World: All trials succumb before me... Your defeat here was supposed to mark the celebration of the new world's creation...
Inchoate World: But yet... how is it that mortals of the old world have bested me!
Alanaan: Bless yer little heart... May ya see reality for what it is one day.
The Sun: Would it kill you to show a bit of humility, World? That arrogance doesn't help you any.
Alanaan: Phew... No mercy even for the fella who's practically yer dad, huh?
The Sun: My dad? That sore loser? Please, not in a million years!
The attack unleashed by the pair pierces through the Inchoate World.
Inchoate World: Gwaaah!
Inchoate World: Damn you... Damn you all! How could I lose...
Inchoate World: What of my new world!
His hands reach out, only to grasp at thin air. Cracks begin to form all over the Inchoate World's body.
Inchoate World: Guuuuh!
With a deafening roar, the Inchoate World lets out a flash of light followed by a harsh noise that stains the world white.
Alanaan: Phew... Looks like we were unconscious for a while.
Vyrn: What happened to us? The Inchoate World's...
Now that the white light has subsided, the crew find themselves collapsed on the Grandcypher's deck.
The ominous sphere is no longer in sight, replaced by pristine blue skies stretching in every direction.
Lyria: I don't sense the Inchoate World anymore. And with the sphere gone, I guess it's all over?
Alanaan: Sounds about right to me. Whaddya think, Sun?
The Sun: My connection to The World's been severed. That much is clear.
Alanaan: Oho...
Alanaan: So without that metaphorical needle around to prick your skin anymore, you're finally free, eh...
Alanaan: How's it feel?
The Sun: Not bad, I'd say.
Alanaan: C'mon, ya can do better than that! Tell me ya feel like yer on top o' the world—no pun intended!
The Sun: I suppose you're right... This sensation is sublime.
Pleased to see The Sun's lips curl into a grin, Alanaan playfully pumps his fist.
Alanaan: Keep that pretty smile on. That usual gloom-and-doom frown of yers does ya no favors.
The Sun: You could've stopped at that first sentence...
Lyria: Um... Alanaan?
Alanaan: Yeah, little lady? Somethin' on yer mind?
Lyria: Now that we've defeated the Inchoate World...
Lyria: What do you think of going back home for a bit?
Vyrn: Good idea, Lyria! I bet the folks at the church would love to see Preacher Man again!
Alanaan: Aw shucks, how do I put this...
The Sun: Just tell it to them straight. Especially if you consider them family.
Alanaan: I know, I know...
Scratching his head, Alanaan turns to the crew with a serious expression.
Alanaan: This is something I've been mullin' over throughout this whole journey of redemption...
Alanaan: A priest is someone who teaches people to be righteous, yet I—havin' committed murder—am far from righteous myself. My grievous sins will never go away.
Alanaan: 'Course they won't. Just like the people I killed won't ever come back.
Alanaan: I've got no right to ask for forgiveness all of a sudden...
Alanaan: I owe it to myself to keep bearin' the shackles and weight of my guilt.
Alanaan: And to devote the remainder of my life to helpin' any lost sheep I cross paths with.
Vyrn: Wait... Ya mean you don't ever plan on goin' back, Preacher Man?
Alanaan: Yep, that's the idea.
Lyria: But you have to!
Alanaan: Whoa now... This is the conclusion I came to.
Lyria: But the people of the church need you!
Lyria: You have to go back for them!
Alanaan: This puts me in a real bind...
(Captain) asks Alanaan if the followers of Renatus back home are not also lost sheep.
Alanaan: Good point... Difference is, they know where to put their faith. Even without me, they'll...
Alanaan: Afraid? Hm...
Alanaan: I suppose I wouldn't rule that out... They did see me at my worst, after all...
The Sun: You're being awfully honest with the crew.
The Sun: Is it because you see them as family?
Alanaan: Why d'ya keep bringin' up family—
Alanaan: Oh, I get what yer tryin' to say...
The Sun: Exactly.
Lyria: I also understand where The Sun's coming from!
Lyria: The church is a place for everyone... In other words, the people of that town are family!
Alanaan: Guh... I've got no words. I ain't so sure anymore...
Alanaan pinches both of his cheeks to regain his composure.
Alanaan: Guess this means I'm headin' back home to talk things out with everyone.
Lyria: Great!
Alanaan: And just so we're on the same page...
Alanaan: It's only gonna be a short visit; I'll be back here travelin' with you guys right after that!
Alanaan: Thanks, (Captain)!
Monika's Voice: Hey! Is everyone okay?
An echoing voice calls for the crew.
Turning to the voice reveals Monika and Lecia leaning over the deck railing of their approaching airship.
Vyrn: Guess those guys came to check things out now that the sphere's gone, huh.
Lyria: Mm-hm! We're all safe and sound!
Alanaan: Always glad to have you around, Sun.
The Sun: Like I said before...
The Sun: I am the light that shines upon all things.
The Sun: I confer my blessing upon everyone in this world and pray for their success.
Alanaan: Heh, what would we ever do without ya.
Though the primal first formed this pact with Alanaan out of a calculating desire to defeat The World, their pact is now more akin to a bond.
No matter what trial and tribulations await in the journey ahead...
They will not be caught off guard, for they no longer have a blind spot.