Scenario:Helel ben Shalem - Dusky Dreamer
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Dusky Dreamer
Shalem continues to learn about the Sky Realm from the crew, but she still considers this all to be a dream. Lucio delivers a letter containing a job request concerning the excavation of artifacts from the time of creation; taking the job might help Shalem recover her memory.
Shalem: What would you have me do, O Master?
Shalem: Allow me to bring your will to fruition.
???: Inquisition and expurgation...
???: Leave accord and rapture to the Dawn Speaker.
???: Drape this world in surveilling dusk.
Shalem: At once!
Dawn Speaker: Dusk Speaker Shalem.
Dawn Speaker: Come. Together we shall guide the people to create a perfect world.
Shalem: Yes. Your words spread the master's will throughout the world, and I expunge the heretics that invariably arise.
Shalem: Our work isn't complete until the world brims with light.
Shalem now follows the crew everywhere since they're the ones looking after her.
Everyone takes turns getting Shalem up to speed on the history she's slept through. She gradually becomes acclimated to the flow of modern society.
But some things might never change, no matter how much time passes.
Shalem: This is all a dream.
Shalem: That's why I drank the juice that was on the tray. Why should I care who it belongs to?
Vyrn: Look. You can deny it all you want, but this is reality, and you're stuck in it.
Vyrn: I'm sorry we're not in your time anymore, but you still gotta follow the rules of the dining hall.
Shalem: O Master Vyrn. I heed your words—I really do—but aren't I suffering enough because of this mouth binding? Let this juice incident slide.
Shalem: I still refuse to believe this is anything but a dream of the future, evidenced by the great strides made in fruit variations and tasty relishes.
Lyria: Haha... It's nice to see you enjoying yourself, and no one's angry with you.
Lyria: Is there anything else you're having trouble with? I bet things are more convenient now compared to the past though.
Shalem: I'll be the judge of what's convenient and what's not.
Shalem: It's difficult to say whether everything has developed to maturity. The world's civilization may have progressed, but its foundations have deteriorated.
Shalem: According to your version of the creation myth, when god split in two, it may have also caused core components to split off as well.
Vyrn: Foundations? Um, what do you mean by core components splitting off?
Shalem: They used to make life easier in the past, but are no longer present in this future.
Shalem: Consider it god's punishment. What were you mortals thinking?
Lyria: Um, can you give us an example of how it made life easier?
Shalem: An example? Well, to put it in terms you'd understand...
Shalem: ...
Shalem: Have at it, Adventurer. You're good at explaining things. Do it like you always do.
Choose: Are you always this demanding?
Shalem: You dare scold me? Don't lecture me given your own penchant for cheek.
Shalem: Don't give up. The answers are floating around inside your head.
Shalem: Still playing the fool? Enough is enough. You're supposed to be the compass that points us in the right direction.
Continue 1
Vyrn: Sounds like she's still got us mixed up for someone else. Plus she won't give us a solid explanation about this dream business.
Lyria: She keeps calling you Master Vyrn, and her name for (Captain) is Adventurer. I wonder if that person was on a journey too.
Lucio: Hello, everyone. A job request came in for you.
Vyrn: Really? Did a postal skyskimmer fly by?
Lucio: It was actually delivered a few days prior but got mixed up with the other mail.
Lucio: Here you go.
Lyria: Thank you. Why don't you hang out with us for a little while?
Lucio: I appreciate the offer. Unfortunately it's my turn to do the laundry today.
Lucio: Until next time.
Lucio: ...
Shalem: ...?
Shalem: He's always giving me that look. Why does it feel like I'm under observation?
Vyrn: Paranoid much? Lucio loves creation myth stuff, so that could be why he keeps throwing looks your way.
Shalem: Hmm. Then explain why he always keeps his distance from me.
Vyrn: Well, because he's giving you time to get your memories back, or he knows you're still getting used to our time or something? Maybe?
Shalem: ...
Lyria: Gasp! This letter might have the answers we're looking for!
Lyria: It's a job request that's connected to the creation myth!
Lyria: This scholar writes that more artifacts from the time of creation are being excavated, and they need monsters exterminated from a cave.
Vyrn: Ooh! More artifacts! That cave is even on our route too.
Vyrn: Let's take Shalem with us, (Captain). Maybe the scholars will know somethin' about her.
Shalem: Would they?
Lyria: If you see some of the artifacts in person, it might jog your memory.
Shalem: Using external stimulus to revive my memories. That may work, I suppose...
Shalem: ...
Dusky Dreamer: Scene 2
As (Captain) and company make their way up a mountain to get to the job site, they run into one of the scholars that had requested their help. The scholar is in poor health, explaining that he and his team are suffering from an artifact's curse. When (Captain) suddenly develops symptoms of said curse, Shalem alone ventures into the cave where the artifact was found.
The crew arrive at a village near the cave where their job is set to take place.
But Shalem has gotten cold feet.
Shalem: I'm going back. None of this matters since it's nothing more than a dream.
Vyrn: Wait, wait, wait. The dig team's expecting us.
Lyria: Their camp should be on the summit. Just a little farther, okay?
Shalem: Nnh...
Shalem: Can you hear me, Adventurer?
Shalem: Question.
Shalem: Do you want power?
Shalem: Hehe. Good, good.
Shalem: Then you shall carry me to the top. Use this opportunity to develop your muscles.
Shalem: What manner of sloth is this?
Shalem: You shall carry me to the summit as punishment.
Choose: There's a voice in my head!
Shalem: This is me tapping into your mind. Vocalizing with my mouth restrained is so tedious.
Shalem: Since no one's using your back... Hunch over a little.
Continue 1
Vyrn: Get a load of lazybones, taking advantage of (Captain) like that.
Lyria: Haha... Well, she was cooped up in that Ark for a really long time. Maybe her endurance isn't what it used to be.
History Scholar: Huff... Huff... Is someone out there?
Vyrn: Whoa! You look like you're about to pass out!
History Scholar: Are you the skyfarers? Ah, we're saved! I'm one of the scholars that sent you the—
History Scholar: Cough, cough!
Lyria: You don't look injured. Are you sick?
History Scholar: The artifacts are cursed... I was on my way down to the mountain village to bring back medicine for everyone, but then it got me too.
Shalem: Hm, a curse...
Shalem: You. Take my spot on the adventurer's back, then show us the way to the excavation site.
They quickly hike up to the summit thanks to the scholar's guidance.
Everyone on the dig team exhibits the same debilitating respiratory issues.
Geography Scholar: Cough, cough... We took a calculated risk...
Geography Scholar: Grabbed one of the artifacts when the monsters weren't looking and ran...
Geography Scholar: Then one by one we fell to this mysterious affliction... We decided to wait here for help to arrive...
Vyrn: Ah, okay. That's what you meant by a curse.
Lyria: It looks awful. I hope the medicine can cure it.
Shalem: So you would risk your lives for this artifact? Where is it now?
Geography Scholar: Our colleague who wasn't as affected went into the cave to return the artifact where we found it. We thought that might lift the curse.
Geography Scholar: She... She never returned...
Vyrn: That can't be good! Her condition could've gotten worse inside the cave!
Lyria: We should go find her, (Captain)!
(Captain) agrees, asking the scholar about the layout of the cave.
But then disaster strikes.
Shalem: Adventurer?
Vyrn: Hey, you okay? You're a little wobbly there...
Lyria: Oh no! What if (Captain) got cursed too!
Geography Scholar: How can that be! Why would it afflict someone who never even took part in the dig?
Shalem: Could it be contagious? Lie down and hold still while I examine your faces.
Shalem: ...
Shalem: That's surprising. None of you carry the seventh element...
Vyrn: Seventh element?
Shalem: Sigh... I knew the future was cumbersome.
Shalem: Which means only fire, water, earth, wind, and the ether of light and dark remain in the Sky Realm.
Shalem: Tell me what the artifact looks like, grey one.
Geography Scholar: It looked like any old jar on the outside, but there was a wheel attached inside. I guess it more closely resembles a water pitcher.
Shalem: Mm. Then it's most likely a vehicle for synthesizing the seventh element.
Vyrn: Um... Say that again? And use less big words this time.
Shalem: That artifact is essentially coated in an element that no longer exists.
Shalem: Since you've lost your immunity to said element, your bodies can't deal with its effects.
Shalem: You could call it a virus.
Lyria: Hmm... Is it curable?
Shalem: Yes. The effects will dissipate over time.
Shalem: The artifact will eventually become harmless as well, but returning it to the cave would be the safest option.
Shalem: The rest of you tend to the afflicted mortals. I'll go make sure that the artifact is properly sealed.
Vyrn: Ah! Not so fast, Shalem!
Lyria: She should be okay by herself, right? There doesn't seem to be any monsters from the looks of it, but...
As Shalem ventures into the cave, the scholar carrying the artifact arrives in the inner sanctum of the mountain cavern.
Magic Scholar: Cough... Huff... Wheeze...
Magic Scholar: This is the place... Just gotta put it back...
Magic Scholar: That should heal everybody up... Wouldn't mind if I got a clean bill of health too...
Magic Scholar: Aagh! I can't see!
Magic Scholar: ...
Dusky Dreamer: Scene 3
Shalem encounters an acquaintance from the time of creation, the Dawn Speaker, and she pesters him for information. It turns out the supposed Dawn Speaker is actually an Otherworldly being in disguise who is about to attack Shalem for her power. Lucio and company arrive in time to fight the Otherworldly being.
Shalem ventures into the cave by herself in search of the missing scholar.
All is quiet except for the echo of her own footsteps.
Shalem: Is this the place?
Shalem: There's nowhere else to go, and the traces of the seventh element seem to have vanished.
Shalem: If the source of the seventh element leakage has already been blocked, then the scholar should be able to return without my help.
Shalem: Hm?
Shalem: You there. Are you a scholar? I'm with the crew of skyfarers you asked for help—
Shalem: ...
Shalem: ...!
Dawn Speaker: Hahaha. Why do you look so surprised?
Shalem: Sahar? Is it really you?
Dawn Speaker: In the flesh. I've been waiting for you to open your eyes again.
Dawn Speaker: In order to make the Sky Realm's sheen shine even brighter, I need you to use that power.
Dawn Speaker: By which I mean the power bestowed upon you by our master.
Shalem: ...
Dawn Speaker: You appear unhappy, Shalem.
Shalem: Hmph. You're not even going to ask how I am after all these years?
Dawn Speaker: Must we adopt customs practiced by the mortals?
Shalem: Not really, but I'll take an explanation instead.
Shalem: You left me to rot in that coffer.
Dawn Speaker: Ah, so that's why you direct your anger at me.
Dawn Speaker: The Ark remained hidden for many dawns and dusks. Even I had difficulty pinpointing your whereabouts.
Shalem: Fine. Explain to me the creation myth then. Our master split in two because of a feud with the ancient mortals. Is that correct? Were you off lollygagging this whole time?
Shalem: For what reason did the mortals challenge god—
Dawn Speaker: You wish to know the myth behind the creation myth?
Dawn Speaker: It's quite a long tale. Come walk with me.
Shalem: No. Answer me first.
Dawn Speaker: You haven't changed one bit. It's been so long, my memory might not be what it used to be—
Shalem: I don't care.
Dawn Speaker: ...
Dawn Speaker: This is a waste of time. I can just carve what I need out of you.
Shalem: What are you—
Otherworldly Being: Dusk Speaker...
Otherworldly Being: Whatever bindings kept you hidden for so long may have withered your power more than I anticipated.
Otherworldly Being: Be that as it may, the value your power holds cannot be overstated! You will give it to us!
Shalem: ...!
Lucio: Haaah!
Otherworldly Being: Nrrgh!
Vyrn: Nice one, Lucio! Just in the nick of time!
Shalem: Master Vyrn! Adventurer!
Lyria: Lucio said the cave didn't feel right. We came as soon as (Captain) felt better!
Lucio: To tell you the truth, I had a premonition when I first laid eyes on that letter.
Lucio: This Otherworldly being manipulated the scholars' subconscious in an attempt to lure Shalem into a trap.
Shalem: The Otherworld? Are you—
Lucio: Godly powers dwell within you. With nowhere to call home, you are a priceless commodity ripe for the plucking.
Lucio: Stand strong. You mustn't allow that power to fall into the wrong hands.
Otherworldly Being: Hmph. You again.
Otherworldly Being: Why must you insist on preserving the will of god to this day? Why do you fraternize with the Dusk Speaker's enemies?
Shalem: What did you say?
Otherworldly Being: Kahaha! Have you forgotten why these mortals have embarked on their journey?
Otherworldly Being: Then reopen the gates of the underworld if you must! Curse the causality that enslaves you to providence!
Dusky Dreamer: Scene 4
After the Otherworldly being is defeated, Shalem remembers that she had once journeyed with an "adventurer," but her memories are far from complete. She voices her desire to continue traveling with the crew, to see the Sky Realm as it is now so that she may someday regain her memories and learn the secret behind the creation myth.
Shalem: Hey. I said hey.
Shalem: Wake up. Your heart still beats. You don't intend on dying here and now, do you?
The adventurer's eyes fly open from an icy pinch.
A young girl stares down at the supine mortal with a bemused smirk of superiority.
Shalem: I hope you realize the massive headache you've caused me.
Shalem: Speak up. What brings you to the land where mortals do not tread?
That's a good question, one that the adventurer doesn't seem to fully know the answer to.
As the grogginess from losing consciousness subsides, the adventurer remembers the reason for coming here.
The adventurer struggles with how best to answer, but the girl's eyes grow darker with each muted second that ticks away.
Shalem: You simpleton. Have you never heard of an inquisitor? I could interpret your silence as antagonism.
Shalem: Let me use words deemed comprehendible to a mortal mind. If you harbor any thoughts of upheaval, then my duty as expunger takes effect.
Shalem: I advise you to answer me quickly. Obstructions to this world's completion must be—
Shalem: Huh? Are you making light of your predicament?
The adventurer hastily refutes her claim; traveling around this vast world must've caused the intrepid traveler to faint from extreme hunger.
Shalem: You're on a journey to see the ends of this world?
Shalem: ...
Shalem: That's absurd. You left a warm, safe home for such a purpose?
Shalem: I question the fruits of your labor. All I see on the ground is a half-starved carcass that makes a fine snack for predators.
Laugh all you want, but I want to see it. So burns the passion in the adventurer's eyes.
Shalem: Do I classify this trait as heresy, or is it worthy of providence?
Shalem: More observation is required.
Shalem: Tell me more about your journey, Adventurer. I want to know the path you've walked.
After defeating the Otherworldly being, the crew finds the missing scholar, unconscious but unharmed.
This job may have veered off course, but what matters is the crew got it done.
The Grandcypher takes to the skies again, with Shalem gazing at the sky from its deck.
Shalem: It's not a dream.
Shalem: This is reality. A continuation of the world I used to know.
Shalem: Everyone I knew, the adventurer and our fellow travelers, have long departed...
Vyrn: She's been pretty down lately...
Lyria: It must be hard for her. I wish there was something we could do to help.
Lucio: ...
Lucio: (Shalem in her current state is an unpredictable variable.)
Lucio: (Careless prodding may trigger an event.)
Lucio: (I must keep a close eye on this situation.)
Vyrn: Hey, where you goin', (Captain)?
Lyria: To talk to Shalem?
Shalem: The hidden side of the creation myth... The reason behind the rift between god and mortals... My stasis in the coffer...
Shalem: It's all connected to the adventurer—to a fate found at this journey's end.
Shalem: If I could only remember, I might be able to piece something together.
Shalem: Although what would I stand to gain from understanding this future?
Shalem: Oh. Adven—no, your name is (Captain).
Shalem: I'm sorry for confusing you with someone else. You're both so much alike.
Shalem: ...
Shalem: Do you think I could stay on your ship for a while longer? I'd like to see more of today's world.
Shalem: The planes of the living and the dead... Sky Realm, Astral Realm, and the Crimson Horizon...
Shalem: I don't care if it's pointless, but I want to learn more about myself, the adventurer, and the comrades that followed us.
Shalem: Thank you. You're unique in your own way, but your similarities to the adventurer are striking.
Shalem: Hm. I hope you're right.
Choose: I wanna learn about you too.
Shalem: Is that so? You're quite the curious one.
Continue 1
Shalem: Hahaha!
Shalem takes to the skies again after a long hiatus, wanting to know more about her past and the past of the world.
What is the secret behind the creation myth? What is the commonality between (Captain) and the adventurer? There's no shortage of mysteries for the crew to solve, both new and old.
Categories:
- Scenario Character: Shalem
- Scenario Character: ???
- Scenario Character: Dawn Speaker
- Scenario Character: Vyrn
- Scenario Character: Lyria
- Scenario Character: Lucio
- Character Fate Scenario
- Scenario Character: History Scholar
- Scenario Character: Geography Scholar
- Scenario Character: Magic Scholar
- Scenario Character: Otherworldly Being