Scenario:Colossus - Metal Memory

Metal Memory

During the War, the Draphs of Valtz created Colossus, intent on using it to exact revenge upon the Astrals. Their plans never come to fruition, and Colossus sleeps for centuries before being awoken to a fateful encounter with an archduke and his pupil.

---

A primal crystal rises to consciousness through a veil of noise. This might be more accurately termed an operational error than an activation.

Perhaps because its activation process was nonstandard, it has difficulty ascertaining its situation. Despite this, it determines that it is inside of a boiling hot cavern.

Draph Man 1: It's glowing! Did we do it?

Draph Man 2: I think so. Hey, can you hear us?

Two Draph men with faces covered in sweat and grime appear in its view, gazing upon it.

The two Draph seem to be seeking a verbal response, but the crystal lacks the means to speak. In place of words, it flashes its body.

Draph Man 1: You see that? It reacted to our voices!

Draph Man 2: Cough... So the rumors really were true. If you attach a primal crystal to a Sky Map piece, you can alter it.

Draph Man 1: I heard you also need these pieces to open up the Grim Basin. They're one of the few kinds of Astral power that skydwellers can use.

Draph Man 2: Who'd've thought you could use 'em to wake up a primal crystal? Bet those damn Astrals never did.

Draph Man 1: We owe a lot to the Erune on that transport ship for the info. Looks to me like we could actually give this thing instructions.

Draph Man 2: Cough... Guess it's a good thing we were forced to work in this factory for so long.

Draph Man 1: You've got that right. We know the whole command-writing process for all the tech, which is no surprise considering how long they've made us build for.

Machina Soldiers: ...

Draph Man 1: It seems like the other islands are under surveillance by the primal-crystal-powered imitation golems. But that'll also be over soon.

The Draphs' chapped lips twist into grins. Past the dark circles formed by perpetual exhaustion and sickness, their eyes sparkle.

Finally, their eyes drift away from the primal crystal and look up. From the cavern's ceiling hangs an iron giant, still in the process of being built.

Draph Man 2: Once we finish that, we just need to make sure this crystal will obey us before sticking it in.

Draph Man 1: Colossus... With a body that big, we had to get a primal crystal bigger than the ones used in the imitation golems.

Draph Man 2: It's going to be powerful. Even the Astrals will have trouble dealing with it.

Colossus. The primal crystal connected to the Sky Map piece recognizes its name as well as the form that it will one day take.

Draph Woman: Hey. If you do that, will we finally be free? Will we finally be able to leave this factory?

Draph Woman: If that's true, then please hurry! My daughter grows thinner by the day, and her sickness isn't getting any better!

Draph Man 2: Cough... Well, they won't give us enough to eat.

Draph Man 2: And the air quality here is awful. Everyone's got a permanent cough.

Draph Man 1: Right. We have to move fast before there's none of us left. But we can't panic. If the Astrals find out what we're doing, then it's all over.

Draph Man 2: Nobody's gonna mess up! I know I ain't stopping until we get the last laughs over their cold, dead bodies!

Draph Man 2: Since they came here, our rivers have been polluted with iron, and I lost everything! My family and my fields!

Draph Man 1: All our livestock are wiped out thanks to that too. The bastards take advantage of our need for food and treat us like garbage!

Draph Woman: We'll never forgive them...

Draph Man 2: We'll never forgive them!

Draph Man 1: We'll never forgive them.

Everyone's expressions go blank. With wide eyes, they turn their gazes and speak to the map piece and primal crystal.

Draph Man 1: Colossus, you're strong. You were made to fight.

Draph Woman: So please, lend us your strength.

Draph Man 2: Fight against the power of the Astrals. And then...

Draphs: Kill the Astrals! Kill them all!

At last, through the power of the Sky Map piece, the primal crystal receives something resembling an order.

Ready to respond to the Draphs' deep and bitter resentment, Colossus recognizes its first command and sets that as its top-level priority.

After that, Colossus waits patiently for its body to be finished.

All for the sake of the role it was given—to fight the power of the Astrals and kill them all.

However...

Machina Soldier: ...!

Whether by treachery or some other means, the Astrals discover the Draphs' plans.

Draph Man 3: Argh!

Machina soldiers are made to suppress defiant skydwellers. Their actions are dictated by the commands etched into their primal crystals.

With the Draphs now branded as rebels, the very machines they were forced to build cut them down one by one.

Draph Man 1: Damn it! We only needed a little more time!

Draph Man 2: Stay calm! We can fight back too! Just hold the line until Colossus is finished!

Machina Soldier: ...!

A Draph alchemist manages to transform some of the machina soldiers into golems, adding them to the rebels' ranks.

With the narrowness of the cavern, the use of large primal beasts is out of the question for the Astrals, and destroying the island would cost them an enormous amount of resources.

For these two reasons, this rebellion is a drawn out affair.

Though the Draphs put up a commendable fight, in the end the technological gap is greater than they can overcome.

Draph Man 1: You, over there! I'm lowering the partition, so hurry up!

Draph Man 4: ...

Draph Man 1: Come on!

Draph Man 4: I can't go on... any further...

There is neither victory nor escape from this conflict. The only choice left is to retreat deeper and deeper into the cavern.

Draph Man 1: ...

Draph Woman: How much longer can we keep going like this?

Draph Man 1: Do you even have to ask? No one's giving up until Colossus is complete, and we can have our revenge!

His words are choked, like he's convincing himself to keep going.

Draphs: ...

Everyone is already exhausted from this endless fight.

Draph Man 2: How did things end up like this?

Draph Woman: Why did they take our freedom from us?

Draph Man 2: I'm done. We were fools to think we could get our lives back.

Draph Man 1: ...

Watching its comrades die one by one had stoked the flames of revenge in Colossus's breast, but all they had to burn was the iron giant's heart.

Now it struggled to kindle even the flame of hatred for Astrals.

Draph Woman: No more fighting, no more blood, no more tragedies... Please...

Colossus: ...

The Draphs' words carve themselves into Colossus's memory core.

Amidst all these retreats, however, the engineers working on the iron body have cobbled together an almost functional frame.

All that's left is to reinforce several areas, clear out the supports, and remove the construction framing.

Before they can add the finishing touches, the last of the Draphs' machina soldiers are wiped out and the final barrier is breached. The war of attrition ends.

Machina Soldier: ...!

The Astrals commanding the soldiers wave their hands, as if telling their subordinates to clear away garbage from their sight.

Orders given, the soldiers fan out and surround the Draphs.

Draphs: ...

The Draphs stand exhausted but devoid of fear, their defiance draining from their forms.

Draph Man 1: This is it, huh? End of the line when the score hasn't even been settled.

Draph Man 1: But it wasn't all in vain. Right, Colossus?

Colossus: ...

Draph Man 1: Colossus. Please. Move.

Colossus: ...

Colossus activates, tearing off its supports and framing.

Movement is possible, but it gauges that it is not at full strength, determining that any long, drawn-out fight would spell its doom.

Time, however, is not something the Draphs seem to care about anymore.

Draph Man 1: I think we're done hoping for freedom. Please, just end it all...

Colossus: ...

As soon as the command is given, Colossus grasps the enormous blade by its side and lifts.

With weapon in hand, it scans the area for targets. There are many vessels of Astral power, but its focus is on the commander leading them.

Next it references the memory of its first command etched within the primal crystal that is embedded in its chest.

Draph Man 1: Colossus, you're strong. You were made to fight.

Draph Woman: So please, lend us your strength.

Draph Man 2: Fight against the power of the Astrals. And then...

Draphs: Kill the Astrals! Kill them all!

Colossus: ...!

Its blade glows red hot. Knowing that a long battle is out of the question, it decides on the most effective course of action.

Colossus: ...!

Colossus swings the blade over its head with all its might...

And hits something in the very fabric of the air.

In that moment, the world grows silent. Then a bright, burning light envelops the cavern.

Everyone in the cavern—Astrals and Draphs alike—and even this section of the island are wrapped in light as it all vanishes into another dimension.

Colossus: ...

Neither the Astrals nor the Draphs ever expected that Colossus could possess the power to cleave into another dimension.

Many primal beasts receive their form and will from local beliefs coupled with Astral power.

Perhaps for Colossus, the Draphs' deeply held resentment toward the Astrals and the primal crystal was enough to give it a unique power of its own.

Colossus: ...

No matter the source, the consequence of far exceeding its design parameters results in heavy damage to Colossus's frame.

For the primal crystal buried within its sternum, the command to prioritize the eradication of Astrals is judged to be fulfilled.

A long time passes. Not a single soul appears before Colossus in that period.

Only the unchanging heat of the cavern and the sound of flowing iron fill the stores of its memory.

Several hundred years pass.

Out of nowhere, Colossus activates into standby at the presence of an approaching Astral and primal beast.

It senses that the Astral is covered in a form of illusion magic, warping the area around themselves.

Elderly Draph: Impossible... Is this a primal crystal?

But suddenly the presence of the Astral and primal beast vanish, leaving only the single form of an elderly Draph behind.

Elderly Draph: That young boy... Or girl, pehaps? They claimed there was a "source of power" here, and they certainly weren't kidding.

He reaches through a crack in the decaying metal frame, pulls out the primal crystal, and gazes upon it intently.

Elderly Draph: What in the world? This crystal appears to have been tampered with by skydwellers...

Brimming with curiosity, the elderly man takes his newly acquired possession from the factory ruins and brings it back with him to a lively town.

Draph Man 1: Oh, if it ain't the archduke! Lend me an ear, would ya? I've been losing so many customers lately...

Elderly Draph: Hmm... Now that you mention it, there seems to be less people around here than usual.

Child: Oh! Mister Tzaka! I just got rid of the biggest rat ever!

Elderly Draph: Hahaha! Well aren't you a brave one! Did it bite you at all? Let me have a look at you and make sure you didn't catch anything from it.

Tzaka the Great, as the elderly man is called, is stopped at every turn, but he always responds with a smile.

Metal Memory: Scene 2

During the War, the Draphs of Valtz created Colossus, intent on using it to exact revenge upon the Astrals. Their plans never come to fruition, and Colossus sleeps for centuries before being awoken to a fateful encounter with an archduke and his pupil.

---

Considering how he carefully listens to each tale shared his way, it takes him about half a day to finally reach his home.

Assistant: Welcome back. What would you like for lunch?

Tzaka the Great: I'm all right. I had a meal with the orphanage children in their cafeteria.

Tzaka the Great: More importantly, I'd like to know why there are less people out and about. Some of the business owners are becoming concerned about the lack of customers.

Tzaka the Great: And then there's the issue of public health. I heard so many people talk about rats today. Is there no way we can spare more budget for that department?

Assistant: Well...

Tzaka the Great: I was thinking it might be possible to raise money by processing our ores into specialty products for export.

Tzaka the Great: Perhaps we can find a way to regulate the temperature of blistering ores. Then we could market them as hand warmers or heaters for cold locations.

Tzaka the Great: Our budget will go in the red for the short term, but I'd like to spare no expense in researching and developing new technologies for future use. Could we add this to the agenda for our next meeting?

Assistant: As you wish.
By the way, sir. May I ask what you're doing?

Tzaka has been busy organizing various minerals, measuring instruments, and other objects onto his desk.

Tzaka the Great: Heh. Are you curious?

Tzaka the Great: These are remnants from the War. I imagine we might have to change a few history textbooks once they've been studied.

Tzaka the Great: I'll just be tinkering with them for the time being, but if anyone has business with me just send them up one at a time.

Assistant: Sir, I believe you've invited the children over again today. Those should be your visitors for the day, but... May I ask why you've been doing this?

Tzaka the Great: Children wither and wilt without someone to turn to. If they grow up believing that they are powerless, then their futures are bleak.

Tzaka the Great: I simply hope that an old man like myself is enough to change that course.

Assistant: Is that why you teach them about engineering and magic?

Tzaka the Great: Indeed. I hope people can understand this is for the benefit of everyone in Valtz. I know some are upset that I take time away from meetings to spend time with them.

Once the assistant leaves, the elderly Draph begins to attach pins to the wiring that links the primal crystal to the Sky Map piece. The pins are then connected to an analyzing apparatus.

Tzaka continues his analysis between other tasks. The glint in his eyes is quite different from that of the Draphs who had known Colossus's true purpose.

Time flows by until there's a knock at the door.

Girl's Voice: Master? Can I come in?

Tzaka the Great: Of course, Io. I see it's your turn today.

Io: Why do you sound surprised? You knew I was coming today! And why is your face all covered in grease?

Tzaka the Great: Hahaha. I'm sorry, I was doing a bit of experimentation here. Let me get cleaned up.

Io: Really now... You're the archduke, you know? You've gotta look the part too. I mean even Almeida laughed at you.

Io: Anyway, what are you teaching me today?

Tzaka the Great: Now, now, Io. What do we say before we start?

Io: Okay, okay. "I swear to use magic only to make everyone smile."

Tzaka the Great: That's right. Magic exists to make people happy but can just as easily be twisted to harm people. That's why we have to be careful how we use it.

Io: You don't need to make me say it every time. I'm never going to use magic for that.

Tzaka the Great: Heh, I know that. Just think of it as a routine of sorts. Now then, where did we leave off last time?

Io: Geez, you forget everything right away. Two lessons ago was light magic. Last lesson was about creating little chunks of ice—

Tzaka's experiments proceed as he takes care of governmental duties and spends time with the children that visit.

Night falls, and his government duties end.

Tzaka the Great: Now I can finally sit down and concentrate on this.

With a smile, he rubs his hands together and gazes down at the primal crystal laying atop his desk.

He starts to pour over the data coming out of the analyzer that is attached to the Sky Map piece.

As he does so, he makes a grave blunder.

Tzaka the Great: ...!

His hand accidentally brushes against Colossus's memory sector, and his body shudders.

Tzaka the Great: Argh!

Draph Woman: We'll never forgive them...

Draph Man 1: We'll never forgive them!

Draph Man 2: We'll never forgive them.

Memories of the Draphs who constructed Colossus and a part of the crystal's power flow into Tzaka's head.

Overwhelmed, he collapses to the floor unconscious.

He awakes at dawn. His expression is hollow, perhaps as a side-effect of the crystal's power.

Tzaka the Great: I have to protect them... I have to protect the people of Valtz... Fight against the power of the Astrals...

Colossus's memories become jumbled with Tzaka's own, eroding away at his sense of self.

Eventually Tzaka uses the War relics to bait the Erste Empire into a research partnership, after which he steals their technology and vanishes altogether.

For the sake of fulfilling his ancestors' wishes, he starts reconstructing Colossus's body in the old underground factory.

This all happens a little prior to (Captain) and the crew's arrival onto the Valtz Duchy.

Machina Soldier: !

Vyrn: Seriously? More monsters incoming!

Tzaka the Great: Machina soldiers! Hold the line until Colossus is complete! For the sake of Valtz! For our country!

Colossus: ...

This is a familiar scene for Colossus—its body nearing completion, machina soldiers falling.

Draph Woman: How much longer can we keep going like this?

Draph Man 1: Do you even have to ask? No one's giving up until Colossus is complete, and we can have our revenge!

Draph Woman: No more fighting, no more blood, no more tragedies... Please...

Colossus: ...

Lyria: That iron giant is crying. It slept for such a long time, and it was only woken up to do such sad things...

In that moment, the girl peers sadly up at the iron giant.

Lyria: ...

An Astral, or perhaps someone who can use their power, has appeared before Colossus once again.

Colossus: ...

Io: Master... It's time to wake up. Your nightmare is over already!

Tzaka the Great: Never!

Tzaka the Great: Not when it's come to this!

Tzaka the Great: Colossus! Rise! Carry out my ancestors' will!

Colossus: ...!

Lyria: ...!

Lyria: Please help us, Tiamat!

Tiamat: ...

Draph Man 1: Colossus, fight against the power of the Astrals... And then with your strength...

Draphs: Kill the Astrals! Kill them all!

Colossus: ...!

Obeying its top-level priority command, Colossus turns its aim toward the blue-haired girl.

Vyrn: W-watch out! That thing is targetin' Lyria!

Lyria: I-I'll be fine! Tiamat is with me!

It resists the primal beast's storm, its movement only slightly impeded as it pushes to execute its orders.

And steadily it marches forward with blade glowing in hand.

Colossus: !

Io: (Captain)! Lyria! Are you guys okay?

Vyrn: Holy smokes, that gigantic sword is trouble! It cuts and melts through anything, even stone!

Io: Why, you! Stop right there!

The human girl sends out a blast of ice but realizes quickly that it has no effect on the armor.

Tzaka the Great: Ha, hahaha! Behold! Not even a primal beast's power could possibly leave a dent in its armor! As if your useless magic would have any effect, my idiotic pupil!

Io: ...!

Tzaka the Great: Now all we need is to complete Colossus! And then we shall be freed from our regrets, my ancestors!

Io: ...

Io: I don't know what the Draphs went through in the past!

Io: But I won't let anyone say that the magic you taught me is useless—not even you!

Io: Lyria! (Captain)! Please buy me some time!

The girl closes her eyes and plants her staff on the floor. A swirl of magical energy starts to gather around the center of it.

Colossus: ...

Colossus calculates that the little mage's magic is vastly inferior to that of a primal beast's. Thus it chooses to continue advancing on the girl in blue.

Io: This is the magic you taught me, Master! The greatest and strongest magic meant to bring smiles to the people! And I'll save you with it!

In that moment, the girl's magical energy spikes past Colossus's initial estimates.

The wave of ice the girl unleashes pierces deeply into its chest and freezes even its blade that can melt stone.

The primal crystal regulating its body and controlling its movement is shattered into pieces, and Colossus collapses to the ground.

Even skydwellers can display feats of power beyond expectations, like the Draphs who rebelled against their Astral masters.

And for a brief moment, the strength of this girl's anger and magical prowess wasn't far from that of a large primal beast.

The girl runs to Tzaka, who has fallen to his knees. As tears spill from her eyes, a smile adorns her lips as he pats her head.

Watching over them from a little ways away is the blue-haired girl.

Colossus: ...

Though its primal crystal is broken, Colossus retains a small portion of its ability to move.

It judges that the cavern will soon collapse as an aftereffect of their conflict, and once the walls and ceiling come down, there will be no escape.

Draph Man 1: Colossus, fight against the power of the Astrals... And then with your strength...

Obeying its top-level priority command one more time, it forces its body to move with the last of its strength.

Lyria: ...!
Colossus is...

For the sake of fulfilling its purpose, it reaches its arm out.

Tzaka & Io: ...!

And in its final moments, Colossus shields Tzaka and the girl with its body, protecting them from the falling debris.

A few days pass. (Captain) and the crew visit the recovering archduke in his home.

Tzaka the Great: I must apologize. It seems I've caused quite a lot of trouble for you all and my pupil.

Lyria: Don't worry about it. We're just glad you and Io are okay.

Io: Thanks to Colossus... I was so surprised when it protected us.

Tzaka the Great: Mm-hm... I've been thinking about that.

Tzaka the Great: It was commanded to "fight against the Astrals and destroy them," and yet...

Lyria: ...

Lyria: I think Colossus finally understood what you really wished for, Tzaka. I'm sure of it.

Tzaka the Great: What I really wished for...

Lyria: Yes. I think it understood its last order... No, its true duty and chose to protect you.

Tzaka the Great: Colossus... A machine capable of choosing...

A single mystery remains, but the deep resentment of the Draphs of Fremel's past is gone.

For a machine that had dutifully followed its orders to eliminate the Astrals, what did Colossus see in its last moments?