Scenario:Fraux - 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.
Fraux: You seem to be enjoying your little monologue. If I say I don't care, do I still have to listen to you blather on?
Inchoate World: Whether you comprehend my words or not, it makes little difference. Trials exist only to be overcome.
Inchoate World: That is what your existence—your value—amounts to in my eyes.
Fraux: Yeah, I'm starting to see that you and I will never see eye to eye.
Inchoate World: Trials such as yourselves are to be eliminated. You should abandon your ego and offer yourselves in service to the work of god.
Inchoate World: You put others on a pedestal, give them your time, mind, and body, and beg for their love in return.
Inchoate World: You appear devoted to others, but in reality, you are merely forcing all of your decisions onto them.
Inchoate World: And yet you selfishly persist. By your own will, you foolishly oppose me—the god of a new world.
Inchoate World: Words fail to describe the sordidness of your actions. You are a weak and incomprehensible being who can fully devote to neither service nor self-interest.
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. Realizing that their pact is no longer necessary, Fraux and The Devil nevertheless decide to renew their bond and continue their journey with the crew together.
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!
Fraux: Old or new—none of that matters. You were simply no match for my power. That's all there is to it.
The Devil: I shall revel in the sight of you floundering against your certain doom.
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.
Fraux: Ngh... Where are we?
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?
Fraux: Yeah, it seems that way.
What about you, Devil? Do you sense anything?
What about you, Devil? Do you sense anything?
The Devil: Not a single trace. At long last, my desire has been fulfilled.
Fraux: Huh... That must mean it's really over.
Murmuring to herself, Fraux gazes up at the clear, blue sky overhead.
Fraux: I'm so glad everyone made it out safe and sound. And I'm glad you got your wish too, Devil!
Fraux: So how is it? Does it feel like a weight's been lifted from your shoulders?
The Devil: It feels as though things are finally as they should be.
Fraux: I see... Hehe.
Lyria: Um... What are you going to do now, Devil?
Lyria: The two of you are together because of your pact, right?
Fraux: Hmm, good point. With The World defeated, there's no longer any need for me to act as The Devil's vessel.
Vyrn: What! Does that mean we gotta say goodbye now that you've taken down that Inchoate guy?
Vyrn: That's a real bummer...
The Devil: ...
Fraux: What do you want to do, Devil?
Fraux: I have to admit, I feel like this battle strengthened our connection. Thinking of parting ways makes me really sad.
Fraux: But I don't want to keep you on a leash. So I'll leave the decision to you.
The Devil: ...
The Devil: Our pact can indeed be broken without issue. However, I see no need to do so at present.
Lyria: Does that mean...
Fraux: Things will stay the same as they are.
Fraux: Hehe. Thanks, Devil.
The Devil: Such gratitude is unnecessary. I merely determined it to be the most logical course of action.
Lyria: I'm so happy for you, Fraux!
Vyrn: Hey, I just noticed—that Inchoate guy and the sphere are gone, right? So why do you still look like that?
Fraux: Now that you mention it... I guess the power that The Devil absorbed from The World just made itself right at home.
Vyrn: Huh, so basically you guys have seriously powered up! We'll be countin' on ya even more from here on out!
Fraux: From here on out...
Fraux: Yeah, that's right. We'll be together from now on, won't we?
Fraux: (Captain)... Sounds good to me!
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!
(Captain) and the crew smile warmly, as though their life-or-death battle with The World had all been a dream.
Realizing that she will be continuing her journey with these precious companions, free of ill will or ulterior motives, Fraux's face reflexively breaks into a grin.
And this sense of utter joy is only heightened by the fact that The Devil remains by her side.
Fraux: Thanks, Devil.
The Devil: I recognize that you exerted great effort to bring my goal to fruition as well.
Fraux: So... can I interpret that as a "I should be the one thanking you"?
The Devil: ...
Fraux: Aw, I was just kidding! Come on, please don't give me the silent treatment!
The Devil: ...
With the Inchoate World gone for good, the crisis threatening the Sky Realm is no more.
Evoker and primal beast had formed a fragile, twisted connection for the sake of exacting revenge against a self-proclaimed god.
With their enemy defeated, the decision falls upon the pair to decide whether to sever their bond or protect and cherish it.
However, no matter how warped their relationship may be, their path will never end in sorrow.
Because together, they understand that the connection that binds them is now far from fragile.