Scenario:Sophia - Changing the Past
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Changing the Past
During a return visit to the battle-scarred island, a pair of Zeyen devotees invite Sophia to their outpost. Upon learning that they are followers of the extremist Va'hen sect, Sophia tries to leave but is drugged. The devotees then cast a mind-control spell on her.
Sophia's pilgrimage brought her to the island of war-torn battlefields—one of the most important sites on her travels.
Through conversations with Zooey and Sandalphon, a question that had always stirred within Sophia begins to surface.
In order to tackle the question head-on, she pays the island another visit—alone this time.
Sophia: (Many primal beasts went to sleep on this island after experiencing great hardship...)
Sophia: (I might be able to see the past, but I can't interfere with it—no matter how tragic the events of the past...)
Sophia: (If only there were way to save people I cross paths with from previous trauma...)
Sandalphon: Regret comes in an instant, and you can't shake it off no matter how hard you try.
Sandalphon: Sins committed don't just disappear. Not unless you change the past...
Sophia: (Changing the past... Is that really the only path to salvation?)
???: Those pure white holy robes... You must be Lady Sophia.
Sophia: Why, yes... How is it that you know my name?
???: But of course we do. You're the granddaughter of High Priest Peter.
Sophia: You know my grandfather? Are you two followers of Zeyen?
Va'hen Devotee 1: Yes, we are. This island is considered one of the most important holy grounds to the Zeyen faith.
Va'hen Devotee 2: We do what we can to assist clergy members who've made it all the way here.
Sophia: Ah, I see. Your kindness is much appreciated.
Va'hen Devotee 1: Thank you. We would like to offer you our services as well.
Va'hen Devotee 1: Why not stop by our outpost? It's very close by.
Sophia: I'd like that! Please lead the way.
Sophia flashes the two a smile and follows them further into the island.
Va'hen Devotee 1: (Hehe... Those rumors about her naivete were true after all.)
Va'hen Devotee 2: (Everything's going according to plan so far. She's making this so easy.)
Sophia does not notice the sinister grin on their visages.
After reaching their outpost, Sophia is treated to a meal.
Sophia: Is it really okay for me to have all this?
Va'hen Devotee 1: Why, of course. We prepared it just for you.
Va'hen Devotee 2: Lady Sophia, this tea is made from the island's spring water.
Sophia: Thank you.
Sophia: (Something smells off about this tea...)
Va'hen Devotee 2: Is everything okay? Does it not suit your tastes?
Sophia: Oh, no! It's fine.
Sophia: (It would be rude to turn down such a generous offer.)
Sophia takes a few sips, then digs into her food.
Va'hen Devotee 1: So how is your pilgrimage coming along? Given your reputation, I imagine it's been smooth sailing.
Sophia: Not exactly. I still have a lot to learn.
Sophia: After traveling to so many places to see the past and speak with people, I've begun having doubts.
Va'hen Devotee 1: Doubts? What doubts could you possibly have?
Sophia lays bare her concerns about how to save those trapped in the past.
Va'hen Devotee 1: I see. Such concern exemplifies the great compassion you hold in your heart, Lady Sophia.
Sophia: I mean, anyone can express concern. But I can't just stop there.
Sophia: How do I save the hearts of those stuck in tragic yet immutable memories of the past?
Sophia: As long as the answer to that question eludes me, I don't think I can ever call an end to my pilgrimage.
Va'hen Devotee 1: True. I imagine High Priest Peter would want you to find an answer for yourself as well.
Va'hen Devotee 1: Though there may be an easy solution to all this.
Sophia: Huh? What do you mean?
Va'hen Devotee 1: Lady Sophia, have you ever heard of the relic that can alter history?
Sophia: Yes. The story about it is passed down as a lesson on why the past should never be changed.
Sophia: What of it?
Va'hen Devotee 1: Haha. If you know that much, the rest should be obvious.
Va'hen Devotee 1: Seek out that relic for all of our sakes, and you'll be able to save anyone.
Va'hen Devotee 1: Finding it shouldn't be too difficult, given that you already have the power to see the past.
Sophia: "For all of our sakes"... Oh no!
Sophia rises and pushes her chair away.
Sophia: You must be with the Va'hen sect!
Va'hen Devotee 1: Indeed, Lady Sophia. We've been awaiting your arrival for quite some time now.
Va'hen Devotee 1: As a descendant of High Priest Peter, your ability to peer into past events is especially promising.
Va'hen Devotee 1: To use it only for the sake of gaining Astral knowledge is a tremendous waste! Please lend us your strength in finding the relic.
Sophia: No!
Though often too magnanimous to refuse anyone, this is one request Sophia outright turns down.
Sophia: The Va'hen sect... Grandfather often spoke of you.
Sophia: You're extremists who will stop at nothing to get your hands on that relic and commit the taboo of altering history!
Sophia: We may be of the same Zeyen faith, but I would never join hands with the likes of you!
Va'hen Devotee 1: Brilliant, just brilliant! So strong, so noble, so pure... You couldn't be more fitting as the high priest's successor!
Va'hen Devotee 1: Don't worry—you'll come to terms with our creed soon enough.
Sophia: You sound awfully sure about that!
Sophia: Wha...
Sophia: Why am I... so weak...
Va'hen Devotee 1: Heh, about time those drugs took effect.
Va'hen Devotee 1: Use the mind-control magic on her already.
Va'hen Devotee 2: Right.
Sophia: Mind-control... magic?
Sophia's eyelids grow heavy; she struggles to stay awake. One of the Va'hen devotees begins casting a spell.
Va'hen Devotee 2: ...
Sophia: This... can't be...
Try as she might, her body lacks the power to resist and is struck by the spell.
A dreadful sensation encroaches. She shuts her eyes, unable to stay awake any longer.
Changing the Past: Scene 2
While under the effect of mind control, Sophia learns that one of the devotees wants to use the lost relic that can alter history, in hopes of preventing the house fire that took away his family. Sophia contends that the tragedy taught the devotee an important lesson—a lesson he would not have learned had the tragedy never happened in the first place. The crew shows up with Zooey later to save her from the outpost.
Va'hen Devotee 2: True salvation does not lie in the future.
Sophia: True salvation does not lie in the future.
Va'hen Devotee 2: Controlling the past to cleanse our sins shall lead us to redemption.
Sophia: Controlling the past to cleans our sins shall lead us to redemption.
Sophia: Zeyen... O great Astral wisdom... Grant us your divine blessing. The power to change the past...
Sophia wakes up and mindlessly follows along with what seems to be a prayer.
Va'hen Devotee 1: The mind control worked. All that's left is to instill the teachings of Va'hen into her.
Va'hen Devotee 1: I'll be right back with religious texts and tools for Lady Sophia. Watch her in the meanwhile.
Sophia: ...
Va'hen Devotee 2: I apologize for being rough earlier. How are you feeling?
Sophia: Oh, it's fine. I'm feeling relatively well now that my head is all clear.
Sophia: How foolish of me for not understanding something so simple earlier.
Sophia: The only way to save those trapped in the past is to change the past. Yes, that is the one true path to redemption.
Va'hen Devotee 2: Indeed, Lady Sophia. It pleases me to see we've come to an understanding.
Lady Sophia's empty eyes crinkle at the corners, her lips wearing a compassionate smile.
Sophia: Did you join the Va'hen sect to alter history as well?
Va'hen Devotee 2: Yes. I was blessed with a wife and two daughters...
Va'hen Devotee 2: But I lost all three of them when my house burned down one day...
Sophia: I'm sorry to hear that... Is that why you wish to change the past? So that you may have your family back?
Va'hen Devotee 2: Losing my family filled me with deep regret.
Va'hen Devotee 2: I kept asking myself why I always prioritized work when I should have been making more time for them... And were I home that day, I might've even been able to save them.
Va'hen Devotee 2: I realized how much of a fool I was. History must be altered so that the fire never happened and I have my family back.
Va'hen Devotee 2: I will make amends to my wife and daughters and ensure that we live happily ever after from thereon.
Sophia: You wish to apologize? And live happily ever after?
Va'hen Devotee 2: The Va'hen sect has shown me the way to right my wrongs. That's why—
Sophia: Wait, that's not quite right.
Va'hen Devotee 2: Huh? What's not quite right?
Sophia: You wish to have your family back and apologize for neglecting them.
Sophia: But it was the fire that made you realize you had neglected them.
Sophia: If you stop the fire from ever happening, you will never have realized your abandonment of your family in the first place.
Sophia: Changing the past means reverting back to who you were before all this. Before the fire.
Va'hen Devotee 2: ...!
Hearing the devotee's words, a light begins to stir in Sophia's eyes.
Va'hen Devotee 1: Everything all right here?
Va'hen Devotee 2: Lady Sophia's behavior suddenly changed... She refuted my way of thinking.
Va'hen Devotee 1: Crap, could she have broken free of the spell? Cast it again!
Va'hen Devotee 2: Right away!
One devotee closes in on Sophia while the other chants an incantation.
Va'hen Devotee 1: Don't try anything. Just behave yourself, and we promise not to hurt you.
Sophia: Oh no... Have I said anything that goes against Va'hen's teachings?
Sophia: If I did, I humbly apologize. I will submit to any punishment you deem necessary.
Sophia falls to her knees and hangs her head in one graceful stroke, tears welling up in her eyes.
Va'hen Devotee 1: The heck? Looks like she might still be under the spell after all.
Sophia: Ngh!
Va'hen Devotee 2: There, I gave her another jolt just to be safe. Lady Sophia, can you tell us what you're thinking now?
Sophia: No matter what it takes... The tragic past must be changed...
Va'hen Devotee 1: Yes, that's more like it. Zeyen forgives any deed committed in the pursuit of that noble goal.
Va'hen Devotee 1: Let us search for the relic together.
Sophia: No, that won't do. There is always a lesson to be learned from the past, no matter how painful it may be.
Sophia: Unless you learn from your mistakes, you will never find true salvation or happiness.
Va'hen Devotee 1: ...!
But you just said we need to change the past...
But you just said we need to change the past...
Sophia: Indeed, I did. But that must never be accomplished through use of the relic.
Sophia: Tragedies of the past are meant to shape who we are today.
Sophia: The trick is to stop perceiving tragedies as such and embrace the lessons that they teach us. That is the true path to redemption.
Va'hen Devotee 1: Lady Sophia's spouting the original Zeyen teachings!
Va'hen Devotee 2: Tch!
Va'hen Devotee 2: You sayin' my family deserved to die? That there's no need to bring 'em back?
Sophia: Well...
Va'hen Devotee 2: All I want is to be with my family again! To be happy again! But instead, you want us to embrace the lessons of tragedy? Screw that!
Va'hen Devotee 2: Changing what the past means? Don't gimme that crap!
Sophia: I...
Sophia: I'm so sorry!
Sophia bows deeply before continuing.
Sophia: If it sounds unconvincing or far-fetched, that's only because of my inexperience.
Sophia: I know it's not easy, but leading everyone to true salvation is my mission... And I remain steadfast in my conviction!
Sophia places a hand on her chest and walks up to the incensed zealots.
Sophia: I take back what I said earlier. I will continue to better myself so that I can save you two as well under the guidance of Zeyen.
Sophia: With my words, my actions, my thoughts, my ideas—whatever I can do to make you see the light.
Sophia: Until then, please give me a bit more time.
Va'hen Devotee 2: Gah! Screw that!
The Va'hen devotee takes out a knife and swings it at Sophia.
Sophia: Eek!
Va'hen Devotee 2: Urgh!
Before he can bring down the knife, gunfire shoots it out of his hand.
Zooey: Are you okay, Sophia?
Sophia: Zooey! The crew's here too!
Vyrn: We came lookin' since you were takin' a while. Guess these goons had you tied up, huh?
Va'hen Devotee 1: So you're the crew that Sophia places her trust in! You're not getting her back!
Va'hen Devotee 1: Rgh!
Zooey: (Captain) and I will handle this. The rest of you head outside.
Lyria: Okay! Let's go, Sophia!
Sophia: Wha? Um...
Lyria and Vyrn bring Sophia out of the cave as the others fight it out.
Changing the Past: Scene 3
Back on the Grandcypher, Sophia explains to Sandalphon and Zooey that she wants to save people not by changing the past itself, but rather the meaning of the past. As part of this initiative, she tries to get over the bitterness of coffee with Sandalphon's help. Meanwhile, the Va'hen devotees are already plotting to capture Sophia once more.
Sophia: I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to cause you all that trouble!
Lyria: No worries. It's a good thing we got here on time! The mind-control spell is no more either!
Sophia: I'm glad someone in the crew was able to dispel that... Although...
Sophia: Ahaha... Grandfather's not going to be pleased when he finds out I spent a bit of time as a Va'hen devotee...
Vyrn: It's not like you went along willingly, so cheer up.
Having escaped the Va'hen sect's outpost, the crew is gathered in a corner of the Grandcypher's dining hall.
Having returned to her senses after the mind-control incident, Sophia abashedly covers her beet red face with both hands.
Zooey: I apologize for not getting you out of there sooner. When I initially spotted you going along with them, I did not think the two to be knaves.
Sophia: It's my fault for not seeing through their deception. I'm really lucky you and (Captain) were there to save me.
Any version of Razia is a crew member
Lyria: Va'hen? I recall Razia saying her father joined up with them.
Vyrn: Yep. She lost family, friends, and so much more because of that dodgy sect.
Vyrn: That's why Scrappy hates the Zeyen faith.
Vyrn: She's had a few close encounters with Va'hen sect members herself, so we're lucky Sophia's back in one piece.
No version of Razia in crew
Lyria: I guess even though you belong to the same faith, some sects are more dangerous...
Lyria: I'm so glad you're safe, Sophia!
Sophia: Yes. Thank you all for rescuing me.
Sandalphon: The coffee's ready. Lyria, Vyrn, the cafe au lait is yours.
Lyria: Yay! Thank you!
Sandalphon: Sophia... Here's the black coffee you wanted... Are you sure you don't want sugar or milk with that?
Sophia: Mm-hm, it's fine. You know, I was wondering for a long time...
Sophia looks up at Sandalphon while bringing the mug closer to herself.
Sophia: About how, as a Zeyen priestess, I should go about saving people who feel trapped by their past.
Sophia: I'm sure everyone has experienced some tragic event that they wish had never happened.
Sandalphon: ...
Sophia: But if you ask me, everything happens for a reason. The point is to learn from the past.
Sophia: I realize some events are so traumatic that getting over them is incredibly painful... But therein lies the lesson.
Sophia: I want to help everyone, mortal or primal, to embrace their pain and learn what they can from it.
Sophia: That is my wish, or rather my mission, as a priestess who treads the path of Zeyen.
Sandalphon: Hm, I do see what you mean.
Sandalphon: My sins resulted in tremendous loss. But some things were gained as a result.
Sandalphon: Don't get me wrong—I'm not trying to justify the messed up things I did. I'm just saying there's a positive side to look for in even the bleakest of moments.
Zooey: "Mortal or primal," you say... So you wish to save primal beasts as well.
Sophia: It may seem brazen for someone as young as I to say such a thing, but...
Zooey: No, it's fine. The wishes of mankind contain great power. Just like I manifested in the Sky Realm from those wishes.
Zooey: While surveying the war-torn island, I tried to think of things that I can do.
Zooey: I haven't found an answer yet, but I see that you've found yours. So I'll be cheering you on.
Zooey: I pray that your wish comes true, Sophia.
Sophia: That's very encouraging. Thank you.
Reflecting on her own words, Sophia lifts the coffee mug to her mouth.
Sophia: The past can be changed... simply by changing the way you look at the past.
Sophia: Just like this bitter coffee isn't so bad if you approach it from a different perspective!
A determined Sophia chugs the fragrantly bitter coffee.
Sophia: Ahem... It's delicious! Very much so!
Sophia: It's... not bitter! Not at all!
Sandalphon: What are you doing?
Vyrn: Is that how you're gonna practice changin' the past?
Sophia: Uh-huh! I have to first change myself before I can work on others!
Sophia: I haven't experienced any traumatic events that changed my life entirely. At the very least, if I can just overcome the bitterness of this drink...
Sandalphon: ...
Sandalphon: Hahah.
Vyrn: Huh? What's so funny?
Sandalphon: Oh, it's nothing. Just felt a bit nostalgic.
Sophia: Nostalgic? Did you previously dislike coffee yourself?
Sandalphon: It was a long time ago. But never mind that...
Sandalphon: Coffee isn't meant to be enjoyed while scrunching up your face.
Sandalphon: The type of beans used, how they're roasted, and how the coffee is poured all have an effect on its taste.
Sandalphon: Why not try a a few different types of coffee to see what taste suits you best? I'll help.
Vyrn: Awfully cooperative, aren'tcha?
Sandalphon: I just want everyone to enjoy coffee—even those who can't stand its bitterness.
Sandalphon: I've been using milk and sugar all along to mask the bitterness. This is a valuable chance for me to test out other potential solutions.
Lyria: That's a good point! Some foods I usually dislike aren't so bad depending on how they're cooked.
Lyria: And once you've eaten the food in a more pleasing form, it becomes that much easier to stomach in other forms.
Sophia: Oh, I've had that experience myself.
Sophia: It just goes to show tackling things straight on isn't always the best answer.
Sophia: Finding a different approach to accomplish the same goal is oftentimes invaluable.
Sophia straightens her posture and turns to Sandalphon.
Sophia: I'd be happy to take you up on that offer, Sandalphon.
Sandalphon: Okay. I have a few ideas. Be right back.
Lyria: I'll take this chance to try black coffee too!
Zooey: I'm interested as well. May I also have some?
Sandalphon: Of course... Just don't force yourself.
Having his barista curiosities tickled, Sandalphon gets to boiling some hot water.
And so begins Sophia's adventures in coffee taste-testing as part of her training.
Meanwhile...
Va'hen Devotee 1: Lady Sophia got away. She stood for her beliefs even while under mind control. She's not High Priest Peter's granddaughter for nothing.
Va'hen Devotee 2: So what now?
Va'hen Devotee 1: We'll just need another way to get Lady Sophia back in our camp.
Va'hen Devotee 1: (Captain), was it? The leader of that crew. We'll have to keep an eye out on their movements as well.
Despite what just happened, the Va'hen devotees are already plotting something insidious to recover Sophia.