Scenario:Maria Theresa - Judgment Is at Hand
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Judgment Is at Hand
As (Captain) and company prepare to face off against the Inchoate World, he deactivates all the Arcarum primals, then forces the replicated world to converge on him. Maria Theresa and Justice fail to escape with the rest of the crew.
After overcoming numerous trials, (Captain) and company finally reach the Inchoate World.
The being that appears before them exudes a far more menacing aura than the previous time the crew confronted him.
Lecia: That's... the Inchoate World? Why does he look so different from...
Inchoate World: Your resolve has brought you far, foreign elements of the new world.
Inchoate World: And foolish Evokers and Arcarum who dare rebel against your god.
The overpowering air about the Inchoate World almost seems to take physical form.
(Captain) and company are equal parts cautious and fearful.
Maria Theresa: Everything's going to be okay, (Captain). We're not alone.
Maria Theresa: No matter how strong he is, our combined might is sure to be even stronger.
Maria Theresa: And there's no way we're going to let him destroy the world. Isn't that right, Justice?
Justice: My justice lies with you, Theresa. I shall cut down any and all who try to distort your brand of justice.
Justice: I will do what I must to uphold my moniker, even if it means I must render judgment upon my creator.
Inchoate World: How pitiful. The lowly beast has strayed far from the objective of its sublime maker.
Inchoate World: I will show you firsthand the difference in power between creator and created.
Inchoate World: As creator, I hereby issue a decree to the Arcarum.
Inchoate World: You shall all be disposed of. Never will you get in my way again.
Justice: ...!
Justice gasps in surprise, and the light in her eyes flickers out.
Maria Theresa: Justice?
Justice: ...
Maria Theresa: Justice... Hey, Justice! What's wrong? Answer me!
There is no response. The Arcarum primal has come to a complete standstill, as if devoid of life.
Inchoate World: Do not expect it to answer. For I have cast out the Arcarum.
Inchoate World: It can no longer move and will lose shape soon enough.
Vyrn: Wh-what's that supposed to mean!
Vyrn: What exactly did ya do!
Inchoate World: I merely discarded my creation—nothing more, nothing less. It was but a thrall before its creator.
Inchoate World: I was the one who manufactured the Arcarum out of primal beast cores that saw their end during the time of the War.
Inchoate World: It may have developed a sense of self and betrayed me, but it is by my hand that it was given life.
Inchoate World: Never underestimate your maker. The Arcarum lack the means to resist my commands.
Inchoate World: From the very outset, each of their fates rested within the palms of my hands.
Lyria: But then, that means we...
Inchoate World: Yes. All the time you've spent, bonds you've forged—it was all for naught.
Maria Theresa: No... That can't be true... You have to wake up, Justice...
Theresa desperately shakes Justice, who does not budge in the least.
Justice: ...
Maria Theresa: Ah...
Sensing no sign of life within the primal triggers a tragic memory for Theresa.
Charlotte: My dearest Theresa... Stay happy...
Having bit off her own tongue, a velvety stream of crimson flows out of the servant's mouth. Perhaps this is what it means to die—her limbs cold, her face pale, her eyes lifeless.
Maria Theresa: No... Please, no... I'm begging you to get up, Justice!
Maria Theresa: Don't tell me you've already forgotten your promise to lend me your strength and stay by my side so that could we mete out justice together!
Maria Theresa: I command you, Justice! Respond to my call!
Inchoate World: How futile. She has lost all functionality.
Inchoate World: Keep up the charade if you wish, but it changes nothing.
Justice remains motionless, as if affirming those coldhearted words.
Maria Theresa: Ah... Aahh...
Maria Theresa: Aaahhhhh!
Maria Theresa: Why... Why! Justice... Are you going to leave me too?
Maria Theresa: No! Why does everyone have to abandon me! I'm done being alone!
Still clinging to the motionless Justice, Maria Theresa completely breaks down in tears.
A chuckle escapes the Inchoate World, as if mocking the sight.
Inchoate World: Well, I suppose you're not entirely without merit. The data you've gathered has proven to be especially valuable.
Inchoate World: I'll make sure that none of it goes to waste.
Inchoate World: Be glad that your efforts will form a cornerstone of the new world long after you have been wiped out.
The replicated world trembles violently as he utters those words.
The fabric of reality twists and bends as the world around them begins dissipating into palish particles that converge on the Inchoate World.
Vyrn: What the—
Choose: That's our cue to run!
Lyria: R-right!
Monika: Lecia, give the order to withdraw!
Lecia: On it!
Maria Theresa: Why does everyone keep leaving me... I don't want to be alone anymore!
Maria Theresa: Justice, what am I to do if you're gone too...
Vyrn: Uh-oh... Lady Assessment's gonna get sucked in!
Lyria: Come with us, Theresa!
Maria Theresa: ...
Maria Theresa: No... I won't leave Justice...
Maria Theresa: I won't be torn apart from someone precious to me again!
Maria Theresa: She promised she'd stay by my side...
Maria Theresa: Right, Justice?
Maria Theresa and Justice, who lies within the former's arms, begin to distort.
The moment (Captain) touches her shoulder, the bodies of both Evoker and primal transform into particles and meld with the Inchoate World.
Vyrn: Lady Assessment! This can't be happenin'!
Hoping that it's not too late, (Captain) prepares to rush in to rescue the pair.
However, someone grabs the captain's hand from behind before that can happen.
Monika: What are you doing, (Captain)! We need to get away!
Choose: No way am I leaving them behind!
Vyrn: Yeah! What (Captain) said!
Lyria: Theresa was alone for the longest time. She said she was so happy to meet us...
Lyria: And we feel the same way about becoming such wonderful friends with Theresa! We're definitely not leaving her behind!
Monika, looking conflicted, refuses to let the captain take another step toward the Inchoate World.
(Captain) brushes off Monika's hand and turns back around. However...
Monika: Sorry, (Captain).
Feeling a powerful impact from behind...
(Captain) slumps to the ground.
Monika: Hate me if you want, but I can't afford to lose you too.
Moments before losing consciousness...
The captain is able to make out Monika's apology.
Contending with some dizziness, (Captain) slowly gets up from bed.
Lyria: Thank goodness you're finally awake!
Vyrn: You sure had us worried, (Captain).
The captain is relieved to hear the voices of trusted companions.
Monika: This is our frontline base.
Monika: I knocked you out cold earlier and had you brought here.
Now understanding what had happened, (Captain)'s expression is one of shock.
Lecia: Um... (Captain). Please don't hold a grudge against Monika.
Lecia: She was only trying to save you.
A pained expression overtakes the captain's face.
Choose: What happened afterward?
Monika: (Captain)... Follow me.
Monika: It's faster if I show you directly.
(Captain) and company follow Monika out of the room.
Having come outside, the crew looks above to find a giant sphere the size of a floating island.
Monika: That showed up all of a sudden after we escaped from the replicated world.
Monika: According to the survey team's report, there's an entire world nestled within the sphere. A world never seen before.
Monika: And the sphere has been getting larger over time.
Monika: It doesn't show signs of stopping either, which means it'll only be a matter of time before...
All turn pale as they imagine the worst possible outcome.
Lyria: I can sense the Inchoate World's presence from that sphere.
Vyrn: So you're sayin' that thing's basically the Inchoate World?
Lyria: Most likely...
Choose: Theresa must be in there...
Lyria's and Vyrn's expressions cloud at the thought.
Monika: Our world will be swallowed up by that thing sooner or later if we don't do something about it.
Monika: The situation's dire, but that's no reason to curl up and wait for death.
Monika: I realize you're probably still mad at me, but (Captain)... Won't you lend us your strength?
Choose: Like you even need to ask!
Vyrn: Yeah! We're gonna bust Lady Assessment and Justice outta that thing!
Lyria: We promised Theresa we'd all have another tea party again someday. And I'm going to make sure we keep that promise!
Monika: Thank you. We're indebted to you, (Captain).
They look up to the sphere once more.
Their resolve to save their dear friends burns bright.
Judgment Is at Hand: Scene 2
Maria Theresa awakens to find herself in the underground prison where she was once held captive. Though she is disillusioned with her own existence when shown her little sister, Marianna, serving as Loma's perfect empress, Justice shows up to shatter this falsehood and urge her to remember her calling.
Maria Theresa: Mng...
Maria Theresa: Where am I... What happened?
Having just regained consciousness, the lightheaded Maria Theresa surveys her surroundings.
The familiar stone walls in this dark, enclosed space trigger a memory, jolting her to attention.
Maria Theresa: This is... the palace's underground prison? But how did I get here...
Maria Theresa: That's right—Justice! Where are you!
Maria Theresa: (Captain)! Lyria! Vyrn! Anyone!
Recalling everything that's happened thus far, Maria Theresa calls out the names of her friends in desperation.
Yet the faint echo of her own voice reflecting off the cold stone walls is the only thing that responds.
Maria Theresa: ...
Maria Theresa: (Calm down, Theresa... Get your bearings first.)
Maria Theresa: (I have full control over my senses, so this likely isn't a dream. Considering the situation before I passed out, The World must have done something.)
Maria Theresa takes a deep breath to calm her nerves.
Maria Theresa: His plan must have been to separate me from Justice and the crew.
Maria Theresa: But I won't let him hurt my dear friends. I have to get out of here somehow to help them!
As strong as Maria Theresa's resolve is, the steel doors are firmly shut, and she can do little about the stone walls without a proper weapon.
As she searches for some other means to escape...
Maria Theresa: ...?
The sound of lively chatter can be heard from somewhere.
Maria Theresa: Huh... Where's that noise coming from?
Maria Theresa looks around before focusing on one particular spot.
Maria Theresa: ...
Though there is not a single window in this secure prison, there is, however, a small crack in the wall.
As she stares at the crevice, it causes an accursed memory to play out in her mind.
She is reminded of the single moment where she was robbed of her identity, her status, the support of her people, and even her sweetheart—everything that Maria Theresa ever was.
Maria Theresa: That's all in the past now. Dwelling on it at this point won't change anything.
Maria Theresa: Yes... the past. I have nothing to fear now.
Maria Theresa utters those words to herself as she timidly approaches the crack in the wall.
Maria Theresa: Huh?
The sight before her is familiar yet entirely different.
Standing beside the ebullient false empress is a servant who dotes on her like a loving mother.
Maria Theresa: Why... Why are you here! This isn't right, Justice!
Maria Theresa's angry outburst, tinged with confusion and panic, does not reach outside the thick stone walls.
The servant's gentle voice amid the cheery banter, however, reaches her ears perfectly fine.
Charlotte: Congratulations, Lady Marianna.
Charlotte: I am truly blessed to have witnessed this wonderful moment by your side.
Marianna: There's no need to be so formal, Charlotte. If not for you, I wouldn't be here right now.
Marianna: You've always treated me as if I were your own daughter, supporting me every step of the way.
Marianna: I hope you and Justice will continue to stay by my side.
Charlotte: But of course.
Here was Maria Theresa's little sister, rather than herself, ascending the throne as empress and being showered with blessings and love from everyone.
Seeing this, what Maria Theresa had thought to be true begins to break down.
Maria Theresa: No... This can't possibly be true!
Maria Theresa: It's an illusion... An illusion meant to entrap me. It has to be—
???: Hey! Lady Assessment!
Already struggling to keep herself together, what happens next comes as an even greater shock.
Maria Theresa: Ah... Aahhh...
Marianna: Vyrn, Lyria, (Captain)! Thank you all for coming.
Lyria: Of course we came! We wouldn't miss such an important day to you, Theresa!
Lyria: Oh, sorry... I suppose I should be calling you Marianna.
Marianna: Haha, don't worry about it. Whatever my name might be, I'm still me in the end.
Vyrn: It's sad to think we won't be travelin' together anymore, but we'll drop by to visit every now and then!
Maria Theresa: No... You have it all wrong, everyone! That's not me!
Seeing the false empress engage in lively chatter with her friends, Maria Theresa clings to the wall and shouts from the top of her lungs.
Maria Theresa: The real me is right here, not that phony you're talking to! What can I do to make you realize this!
Maria Theresa: ...!
Feeling a sharp pain in her fingertips, Maria Theresa looks down to see her hands dug into the stone wall.
Her chipped nails reveal grazed skin and red fingertips underneath. The edges of her clothing are also completely frayed.
Maria Theresa: Ah...
Maria Theresa: It hurts... It's cold... So cold... Is this... not a dream?
Maria Theresa: Could this be reality? And everything I've experienced up until now has been an illusion?
Soiled rags. Painful fingertips. Pallid skin. And the sensation of cold.
Everything mercilessly points to this being reality.
Maria Theresa: No, no, no... I won't accept this!
Maria Theresa: Someone tell me this is a lie!
Maria Theresa: Aaahhhhh!
Faced with the harsh possibility that everything she's ever known has been a lie, something snaps within Maria Theresa.
Inchoate World: How frail. Bold of you to think you stand a chance against me yet fall apart so easily.
Losing interest in Maria Theresa, the Inchoate World turns to the figure next to him.
Justice: ...
Inchoate World: Justice lies everywhere if you look. Anyone could just as easily take up the mantle.
Inchoate World: The weak will be purged one way or another. Her true purpose was to gather data for me anyhow, not to exercise justice.
Inchoate World: And she's done a fine job of it. If anything, I am the true face of justice for creating a new world.
The Inchoate World stretches out his arm to access Justice's core.
Justice: Justice, you would call this? Do you mean to say your brand of justice is the only true one?
The primal remains silent no more, glaring balefully at the Inchoate World.
Inchoate World: I see you've regained consciousness. Quite the surprise, as I'd meant to shut you down entirely.
Justice: Answer me. Would you define your own actions thus far as "justice"?
Inchoate World: I need not respond. Do not think that you and I are of equal standing.
Inchoate World: Moreover... Is the answer not obvious? You fell, while I remained. That's all that matters.
Inchoate World: Fate has proven that justice is mine. I am inculpable.
Justice: ...
Inchoate World: Do not try your sophistry on me. For the only one capable of defining "justice" is I—victor and creator of the new world.
Inchoate World: You, however, turned against me and attempted to disrupt my plan.
Inchoate World: If anything, I should be the one questioning you.
Justice: Well...
Inchoate World: Admit it. And remember what it is you are supposed to represent and stake your entire existence on.
Inchoate World: Yes, you are the arbiter of "justice." Now act like it.
Justice does not respond and simply looks in Maria Theresa's direction.
Justice: Even if your word is the true definition of justice, abandoning Theresa to follow you would go against my own personal sense of right and wrong.
Justice: I am Justice in every way, shape, and form. As such, I cannot go against my namesake.
Justice: Though this may lead to a contradiction of my role as a primal beast, I shall prioritize my approach to justice.
Inchoate World: What are your intentions?
Justice: To act as one called "Justice" should!
Justice: To cut down all who would dare trample upon justice!
The moment Justice swings her blade after making the ringing declaration, a bright light fills the world.
Maria Theresa: The world ruled by Marianna was perfection—as beautiful as the future I had envisioned for myself.
Maria Theresa: She gave birth to a proper male heir for the Loma Empire—something the previous generation had failed to do.
Maria Theresa: She signed a peace agreement with enemy nations, ending a long-standing stalemate. Her name came to be known far and wide...
Maria Theresa: In addition, she was extremely popular with the masses for providing ample support to those who'd lost their jobs following the economic collapse of allied nations.
Maria Theresa: ...
Listening to the conversation on the other side of the wall, she bites her lip in frustration.
Maria Theresa: "Maria Theresa" is an alias that Marianna uses to escape public scrutiny.
Maria Theresa: The individual known as "Maria Theresa" never existed... In which case, what am I?
The Evoker mutters to herself as she watches Marianna and her little boy basking in each other's company.
Blessed with a male heir and a fulfilling family life, loved and respected by her people—the perfect empress.
Taking this all in from the cramped stone prison, Maria Theresa no longer cries nor screams.
Maria Theresa: A trapped, nameless girl unknown to the world who can do little more than look out from a little crack in the wall.
Maria Theresa: No matter how much she waits or screams, no one ever notices. They can't see her. They don't know she exists. Ah, woe is me.
Maria Theresa: Why continue living this miserable existence into my old age? I may as well end it all now.
With that, Maria Theresa makes to bite her own tongue off.
???: Is this what you would call justice?
Maria Theresa: ...?
Surprised to hear the nostalgic voice, the Evoker slowly raises her head.
???: ...
Maria Theresa: Charlotte? How is this possible...
Maria Theresa: The real you has been by Marianna's side all this time... You're obviously a figment of imagination.
???: ...
Charlotte: I'll ask again. Is ending your life here truly what you would call justice?
Maria Theresa: Justice, huh... Feels like a long time since I last considered the notion.
Maria Theresa: I've lost everything that ever mattered—from my position in the empire to my friends to my very existence. Why would I still care to uphold justice?
Maria Theresa: I've turned into an empty shell—one with no place in this perfect world.
Maria Theresa: It's only fitting that I'd want to end it all. Surely you can understand.
Charlotte: Are you certain of that?
Maria Theresa: What?
Charlotte: No matter how genuine a falsehood may seem, it can never become the truth.
Charlotte: Every imitation has a blemish somewhere. You just have to find it.
Maria Theresa: ...
Charlotte: Lady Theresa. Please take another look. Would you really call what you see ideal?
Maria Theresa: ...
With light restored to her eyes, Maria Theresa takes another peek through the crack in the wall.
This time, she sees something that shouldn't be visible from the underground prison—her own private chambers.
In the room is a forlorn, dispirited woman—not very empress-like—surrounded by the imperial council.
Councilman: What is the meaning of this! You should have conveyed our proposals to the messenger exactly as we laid them out!
Marianna: Um, well... When I heard what the messenger had to say, I found their ideas for enriching the empire to be quite sound...
Councilman: Do you not know what it means to follow orders! Ugh, you meddlesome little...
Count Eugene: Sigh... I look away for a few minutes, and this is what happens. You may just be a figurehead, but you could at least do the bare minimum asked of an empress.
Marianna: ...
Maria Theresa: ...
Maria Theresa: No... What of the ideal future that I saw earlier?
Charlotte: Lady Theresa. This is the truth of what you perceived to be the ideal empress.
Maria Theresa: You're saying that's what goes on behind closed doors?
Maria Theresa: Good sovereigns do everything they can to guide their people and defend their lands! For them to be controlled by others turns the government into a farce!
Charlotte: Yet earlier you were willing to accept this as reality—the perfect empress based solely on outward appearances.
Charlotte: As a result the cogs eventually spin out of control, and your beloved empire meets a pitiful end.
Charlotte: Open your eyes and see this false world for what it truly is, Lady Theresa. Let it beguile you no more.
Enlightened by Charlotte's words, Maria Theresa sees the view before her transform at dizzying speeds.
Upstanding citizens who suffer from abject poverty in back-alley streets.
Unscrupulous authorities who scorn those citizens and care only about padding their own pockets.
Rebellions all over the empire.
Maria Theresa: ...
A silent rage brews within Maria Theresa as she regains her senses. The air around Charlotte begins to change.
Charlotte: Lady Theresa, I shall ask one last time.
Charlotte: Are you certain about wanting to end your justice here?
Maria Theresa: ...
Maria Theresa: My, how could I have lost my way so easily. The truth lied before my eyes this entire time.
Maria Theresa: A false empress leading a sham of an empire could not be further from ideal!
Maria Theresa slams the wall with all her unbridled rage.
Pebbles fall to the ground from the resulting dent in the wall.
Maria Theresa: My justice is to fulfill my role, to lead the Loma Empire as its empress. It is for that reason I was born into this world.
Maria Theresa: From the expectations of others, to the empire's ludicrous and outdated traditions, to the crooked aristocrats who care for little more than their own profits—damn them all!
Maria Theresa: I am the one true empress of Loma in this world. Loma's justice lies with me.
Maria Theresa: And in the name of justice, every single traitor shall be punished accordingly. A just ruler who loves every citizen of Loma equally and will guide the empire toward everlasting prosperity...
Maria Theresa: That is I—Maria Theresa von Osterreich!
With her defiant proclamation, the part of the wall she had smashed earlier comes crumbling down.
The intense white light shining in from outside consumes the darkness of the prison.
Judgment Is at Hand: Scene 3
In breaking the illusion, Maria Theresa seized a portion of The World's power, enabling her and Justice to confront him again. His plans at risk, he ejects the two outside the spherical world, where they reunite with the crew aboard the Grandcypher.
The blinding light from outside has subsided.
Maria Theresa opens her eyes in surprise to her own transformation.
Maria Theresa: Power surges from within me. And I look... different now.
Justice: Earlier, you took charge of your own emotions and destroyed the false realm created by The World.
Justice: It appears that in doing so, your strong force of will drew some of The World's power toward you, placing it under your command.
Justice: Your current form reflects your inner self... In other words, this is your true form as it reflects the strength you've always held within.
Maria Theresa: My true form...
Trying to get a grasp on her new power, Maria Theresa closes her eyes once before facing Justice.
Maria Theresa: Justice... Thank you for helping me come to my senses.
Justice: No. I did little more than ask you questions.
Justice: It was your force of will alone that allowed you to distinguish between fact and fiction and regain control.
Justice: As such, I am proud to have sworn my fealty to you as my one true pactbearer. My justice lies with you.
Justice: Welcome back, Lady Theresa.
Maria Theresa: Haha... I could say the same of you, Justice. Thank goodness you're okay.
The two are given only a moment to rejoice in their mutual safety, for a murderous intent lingers in the air.
Inchoate World: How?
Maria Theresa: The World!
Inchoate World: How did you manage to escape my trap, despite your lack of skill in both the physical and magical arts?
Inchoate World: Bested by a mere mortal with little more than a claim to the imperial throne!
Looking straight at the irritated and confused Inchoate World, Maria Theresa retains her composure.
Maria Theresa: I would never yield to the likes of you.
Maria Theresa: I am the proud empress of Loma. I have survived to this day shouldering the lives of every citizen of my homeland.
Maria Theresa: No matter who you are, it only stands to reason that your attempts to subjugate a true ruler who vows to do right by her subjects and empire would fail.
Inchoate World: What a farce this is. An absolute farce!
Inchoate World: My justice will not waver against a mere mortal and primal beast alone.
Inchoate World: Only I, god and creator of the new world, can be absolute justice.
Maria Theresa: No. There is no such thing as absolute justice in this world.
Inchoate World: ...
Explain yourself.
Explain yourself.
Maria Theresa: Justice is the resolve to stand by your beliefs no matter the situation. In a way, every living person fights for something they believe in.
Maria Theresa: Just as you contend that your justice is absolute, I contend that my justice is absolute. At which point, there is more than one brand of equity.
Maria Theresa: What you deem to be absolute may be perceived as a mistake in the eyes of others. Take us two, for instance.
Maria Theresa: There is no one in this world who can claim their definition of justice to be superior to everyone else's. That is why conflict occurs. We each fight for what we believe in.
Maria Theresa: As a skydweller myself and as one born to protect my people and my lands...
Maria Theresa: I hereby reject your claim to justice—one that attempts to destroy and recreate the world—so that my own justice can shine!
Responding to Maria Theresa's impassioned rhetoric, Justice glows with an incandescent aura.
The Inchoate World slightly flinches at the tremendous power emanating from Justice's luminosity.
Inchoate World: What nonsense... Failures and the false righteousness they harbor should fade into the oblivion where they belong.
Inchoate World: I am going to rip apart that clamorous beak of yours so that you may never defy me again. May you rue your foolish choices with your dying breath!
The incensed Inchoate World unleashes an attack on Justice and Maria Theresa.
The pair do not back down, looking their opponent straight in the eye.
Inchoate World: Urk!
Maria Theresa: As I said, no matter who you are, your attempts to subjugate me will fail.
Justice: The scales have lost their balance and now tip toward an evil that must be punished.
Justice: The time for your judgment has come, World!
Justice brings her broadsword down to bear on the Inchoate World's head.
Inchoate World: Humph! As if a mere blade could actually hurt me!
Maria Theresa: Oh, but it will!
Another pair of hands, those belonging to Maria Theresa, also grips the primal's sword. The pactbearer shouts at the top of her lungs.
Maria Theresa: The two of us can do what one can't! Consider yourself outmatched...
Maria Theresa: Justice!
Justice: Together, Lady Theresa!
Inchoate World: Ngh... Where does this power come from!
Maria Theresa: Haaah!
Justice: Raaah!
Inchoate World: Rhg!
A flash of light bursts forth from the broadsword. The sound of cracking glass accompanies the Inchoate World's pained groan.
Carved on his chest is a cut deeper than he'd ever expected.
Inchoate World: Urgh... To think you've gained the power to intervene to this extent...
Inchoate World: But this is not over! I will eliminate you all before you encroach upon the new world any further!
Fierce, torrential waters swirl around the Inchoate World.
The muddy current engulfs both Maria Theresa and Justice, sweeping them away.
Maria Theresa and Justice are swept out of the sphere by the muddy current.
Justice: ...!
Lady Theresa!
Lady Theresa!
As the two are sent plummeting through the air, Justice catches Maria Theresa and brings her in close to check on her.
Although the Evoker is unconscious from the impact of the raging waters, she appears to be breathing soundly enough.
Justice: How fortunate. She remains alive and well.
Justice: (But she's exhausted both physically and mentally from the events thus far. We need a place to rest...)
Hovering in the air, Justice quickly surveys their surroundings and spots the shadow of a familiar-looking ship.
Vyrn: Huh? Wait a sec, isn't that Justice and Theresa over there?
Lyria: Oh, good! They made it out of the Inchoate World!
Vyrn: Hey! You two all right? We'll be right there to pick you up! Just give us a sec!
The Grandcypher rushes ahead, securing the safety of the pair.
Maria Theresa: Mng... Where—
Lyria: Theresa! Please tell me you're okay! Are you injured anywhere? You're not in pain, are you?
Maria Theresa: Lyria? And Vyrn, (Captain)...
Maria Theresa: Oh no... Am I trapped in that illusion again?
Justice: Relax, Lady Theresa. This is reality. And the crew members here are real as well.
Maria Theresa: Oh? Good...
Contrasting Maria Theresa's relief are the looks of confusion on the others' faces.
Maria Theresa: Well, this may be a bit difficult to explain, but...
Taking a deep breath as if to gather her memories, the Evoker describes the events that had transpired within the sphere.
Lyria: That couldn't have been easy...
Vyrn: There's no way the real us would mistake someone else for ya, Lady Assessment!
Lyria: Yeah! There's only one Theresa we've traveled with, and that's you!
Maria Theresa: Haha... Thank you, Vyrn, Lyria.
Maria Theresa: Your reassurances give me the strength to continue moving forward.
Raising her head, Maria Theresa gazes far into the distance.
Maria Theresa: In order to break the bonds of my past and prevent a repeat of the same tragedy, I must forge ahead with my vision of justice in my heart.
Maria Theresa: I must settle things with The World for good.
The Evoker's eyes remain fixed on the sphere that had entrapped her earlier.
Vyrn: Yeah! You can count on our help too!
Maria Theresa: No. The sentiment alone is enough.
Lyria: Huh? But why not!
Maria Theresa: I don't want to put you all in any more danger than I already have.
Maria Theresa: Defeating The World isn't such a simple matter. I can't guarantee you'll all survive.
Maria Theresa: And I don't want to take that chance. That's why—
Choose: Too late. We've already decided.
Vyrn: What (Captain) said! You wouldn't believe how many dangerous battles we've been through.
Vyrn: And we sure ain't gonna count ourselves outta this one! We go in together, Lady Assessment!
Vyrn: Besides, it's only natural to wanna help out friends in need, right?
Choose: All the more reason for us to help.
Lyria: (Captain)'s right! If it really is as dangerous as you say, we can't let the two of you go alone!
Lyria: Also, we're just as worried about you as you are about us!
Vyrn: Besides, it's only natural to wanna help out friends in need, right?
Continue 1
Maria Theresa: Friends...
Lyria: Mm-hm! You and Justice both are very, very precious friends to us!
Lyria: That's why we're going to fight together, Theresa!
Lyria, Vyrn, and (Captain) each reach out to Maria Theresa with a hand.
As her eyes dart between their outstretched hands and caring expressions, Maria Theresa nearly sheds a tear.
Maria Theresa: Okay... Thank you, everyone.
Maria Theresa: Well then... Please lend me your strength.
Lyria: We'll stop the Inchoate World together, Theresa!
Vyrn: Yeah! We've got this in the bag!
With that, (Captain), Vyrn, and Lyria take Maria Theresa's hand.
Feeling the warmth of their hands wrapped around hers, the Evoker grows more resolute than ever.
Maria Theresa: Let us go and end The World's machinations once and for all, everyone.
With a firm determination in their hearts, the crew make for the sphere where The World awaits.
Judgment Is at Hand: Scene 4
The crew reenters the sphere to stop the Inchoate World once and for all. He sees the appearance of the crew as a trial to be overcome before world creation can happen and awaits their arrival at the center of the sphere.
The crew steps inside the floating sphere to settle matters with the Inchoate World.
Vyrn: Whoa... What's with this place...
Lyria: The many different colors mixed together is making my eyes go round...
The wild color scheme is extremely unsettling, violently distorting the captain's perceptions.
Maria Theresa: Is everyone okay?
Vyrn: Urp, think I'm gonna barf... You're tellin' me this doesn't make your stomach churn?
Maria Theresa: Yes, I'm feeling fine. I suspect having absorbed a part of The World's power may have something to do with it.
Lyria: Huh? Theresa, something's different about you. Your clothes too...
Maria Theresa: Ah... I suppose I forgot to explain myself.
Maria Theresa: This is, in a manner of speaking, the shape of my heart. A reminder to myself that I should act as the true empress of Loma should.
Maria Theresa: Justice told me it must be a side effect of having taken in The World's power.
Maria Theresa: When I was swept out of the sphere, I returned to normal, so I guess the effect lasts only within this realm.
Vyrn: The World's power, huh... You sure you're okay? Not feelin' lightheaded or anything?
Maria Theresa: Yes, I'm perfectly fine. In fact, I feel like I can do anything right now!
Maria Theresa: Though I'm not exactly battle-hardened, with this power, I'm confident I can take on The World.
Maria Theresa: And with the three of you by my side, I have nothing to be afraid of!
Maria Theresa: But enough talk. We must stop The World before his plan comes to fruition.
Bracing themselves for what may come, the crew proceed onward to the center of the multicolored world.
Inchoate World: You lot again.
Vyrn: Gwah! You got us good last time, and now we're gonna get payback!
Inchoate World: What more could you want from me? I have no more business with you. You nuisances are a waste of time—
Inchoate World: No, wait... I see how it is. Defeating your group is the final trial I must overcome before the new world comes to fruition.
Maria Theresa: Believe what you will. Let this battle decide which one of us is truly just.
Maria Theresa: Because no matter what you say, I have no intention of subverting my justice.
Inchoate World: A birth becomes that much more meaningful after successful completion of a trial. And a trial exists to be overcome...
Inchoate World: Very well then. I welcome you all to be the final sacrifices to mark the true completion of my task.
The Inchoate World seems to disappear, blending into his multicolored surroundings.
The crew's march toward the center of the sphere continues.
Categories:
- Scenario Character: Lecia
- Scenario Character: Inchoate World
- Scenario Character: Maria Theresa
- Scenario Character: Justice
- Scenario Character: Vyrn
- Scenario Character: Lyria
- Scenario Character: Charlotte
- Scenario Character: Monika
- Character Fate Scenario
- Lvl Cap Fate
- Scenario Character: Marianna
- Scenario Character: ???
- Fate Gender Check
- Scenario Character: Councilman
- Scenario Character: Count Eugene