Scenario:Nier - Beginning of the Descent

Beginning of the Descent

Nier reflects on her past while watching the crew battle. Though born of a prestigious family of mages, Nier lacked magical talent herself. When her little sister Corrie's spellcasting prowess begins to blossom, Nier's parents and the servants begin distancing themselves from her. A desperate Nier enters the family's forbidden archive in search of a solution to her problems.

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Vyrn: Here comes the next one!

The crew fights primal beasts in the world of memories.

Nier: Heheh...

Nier watches the crew mirthfully from a distant hilltop.

When the red jewel she wears abruptly glows, an apparition comes forth.

???: Do they love yoo? Acknowledge yoo?

Nier: Yes. I can definitely feel their love... And they do accept me for who I am.

Nier: I mean, just look at how desperate they've been in trying to protect and help me. Teehee...

???: ...

Nier: That's why I'm sure this'll go well...

Nier: They'll make my wish come true...

Nier looks at the crew affectionately as they continue battling with primals.

Nier: Hey, Death... Why don't we bring those people to the new world we create?

Death: ...

Nier: But they'll be all we need...

Nier: Anything or anyone that rejects me... deserves to be erased...

Nier: Like my parents...

Nier shuts her eyes and reminisces on the past.

A past that defines her... A past in which her parents wouldn't accept her.

Father: Humph, to think that you struggle at even such a basic step...

Nier: I-I'm sorry...

Father: Don't let it get you down.

Nier: But as your daughter, it's embarrassing to not be able to use the most elementary of spells...

Father: Nier. Our lineage is one that has produced skilled magicians in each generation.

Father: And you carry that blood.

Father: Although you have not yet bloomed, your time will surely come eventually.

The father lovingly pets his daughter's head.

Mother: Indeed, you only need to be patient. There's nothing to be worried about.

Nier: Father... Mother...

Father: Nier, don't let it get you down too much. All I ask is that you try your best.

Nier: Okay! Mom, Dad, I promise to give it my best shot!

Father: Attagirl.

Mother: Haha. You're going to be an older sister soon, so hang in there, okay?

Nier: Me? An older sister?

Mother: Mm-hm. You'll have a younger sibling soon.

Nier: R-really?

Mother: Yes. You'll have someone who looks up to you.

Nier: Ah... Ehehe, I can't wait to see if it'll be a boy or girl...

???: Father, Mother, look!

The girl casts a spell in front of her parents.

Father: What a surprise. It's no easy feat to use such magic at your age...

Father: Most impressive, Corrie.

Mother: Yes... You are truly remarkable. I'm proud to call you my daughter.

Mother: You, on the other hand...

Nier: ...

The mother shoots a disgusted look at Nier, who is speechless after witnessing her sister's magical prowess.

Father: You need to try harder. It's embarrassing to lose out to your little sister.

Nier: Yes...

Though Nier responds with an acquiescent nod, she turns to her little sister with a look of resentment and envy.

Nier: I-I wonder where Father and Mother could have gone...

Nier wanders around the mansion, searching for her parents.

Servant 1: Nier? Is everything okay? I have cleanup duty here, so...

Nier: Um... Do you know where my parents are?

Servant 1: The master and mistress of the house went to see a play with Corrie.

Nier: I... didn't hear anything about that...

Servant 1: Is that so?

Servant 1: Your father mentioned the play quite a while back. I was under the impression you had known about it all along.

Nier: So I'm the only one who's been left out...

Nier turns on her heel and walks off with unsteady steps.

Nier: Why did they take only Corrie...

Servant 1: Could it be that our masters have forsaken Nier?

Servant 2: That sounds about right. But it can't really be helped, can it?

Servant 2: After all, Nier can't produce a shred of magic to her name.

Servant 2: It's only natural that the all-talented Corrie is given preferential treatment.

Servant 3: Who knows—they might even just throw Nier out into the streets.

Servant 2: I can see that happening.

Servant 2: Sounds like something the master might actually do, given his fixation with magical abilities.

Servant 1: With that in mind, it makes all the more sense for us to prioritize Corrie in all matters.

Servant 2: It would lead to better treatment for us, too, in the long run.

Servant 3: Agreed. I wouldn't want to get the shaft the way Nier's been getting it.

In shock at the exchange between the servants, Nier shivers and crumples to the ground in a lifeless heap.

Nier: How can that be... I'm going to be tossed to the wayside?

Nier: No... I don't want that...

Nier: I promise to do my best... So please don't throw me out into the streets...

Tears falling from her face, Nier heads toward the family library.

Upon arrival she flips open a book and begins studying magic in hopes that her parents might see her in a different light.

Nier: Father, Mother, about that new spell...

Nier: I spent a lot of time studying it, and I think I can finally pull it off now.

Father: Sigh...

Nier: Father?

Father: Are you so naive as to be content with that meager level of spellcraft?

Nier: Huh...

Father: Corrie reached that stage long before you did.

Nier: ...

Father: Even with the extra time and effort you put in, to think that is the extent of your capabilities...

Father: I'm starting to wonder if you really are my daughter.

Mother: I didn't imagine her to be this inept.

Mother: I think we've heard enough from you, Nier. You needn't say another word.

The parents turn their backs to Nier and shuffle off toward the mansion.

Nier: No...

Nier: Why, why... I worked so hard to get here... You used to praise me...

Nier: I'm here too. Corrie's not the only one... Why won't you give me any attention...

Nier: I swear I'll keep trying... So please...

Nier sinks to the ground and lets out a stifled sob.

Nier: What should I do...

In the dead of the night, Nier wanders the mansion with a blank expression on her face.

While doing so, she happens to hear the voices of her parents and sister coming from the living room.

Nier: They're still awake? Maybe I can talk to them for just a bit...

Nier gently pushes against the door of the living room.

Mother: Nier will soon be of age... An age ripe enough for us to banish her.

Father: Hm, you make a good point. Now that we have Corrie, Nier is essentially worthless.

Corrie: Speaking of... Father, Mother, I wonder if you know...

Corrie: Every time she goes out to town, boys come fawning all over her.

Father: Oh? This is the first I've heard of it.

Corrie: She is quite the beauty after all... Not to mention the numerous riffraff who would love to marry into our wealthy family.

Corrie: What I want to say is even if we do cast her out, I'm sure she will manage just fine.

The conversation that Nier overhears is a shocking one.

Her knees buckle, and she sinks to the ground.

Nier: They... want to cast me out? No...

Nier: No... No... I won't believe it...

Nier: I have to get them to accept me for who I am somehow...

Father: Are you so naive as to be content with that meager level of spellcraft?

Father: Corrie reached that stage long before you did.

Nier: Magic's the key...

Nier: If I can master a spell so amazing that even Corrie can't use, they'll definitely want me to stay...

Nier makes her way to the family's forbidden archive where the highest-level spellbooks are kept.

Nier: Please... Look at me... Love me... I'll do anything to make that happen...

Nier mumbles with hollow eyes.

Her heart torn with agony, Nier now only seeks to fulfill a singular goal.