Scenario:Zeta - Unearthing History
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Unearthing History
The morning after training with Gwynne, Zeta searches for a hint that might help her draw out Arvess's true power. Believing that Arvess's origins are that hint, she travels with Johann, (Captain), Vyrn, and Lyria to an ancient ruin. On the way there, she asks the group what they believe her reason for fighting to be, but receives no clear answer. Johann comments that Zeta has changed since he first met her, causing her to reflect on her past.
The next morning.
Zeta: Yaaawn...
Zeta's eyes flutter open as she wakes from her sleep.
Zeta: Something's coming.
She turns her head toward the bedroom door. Soon enough, she feels a somewhat boisterous presence approaching from beyond it.
Beatrix: Zeta! You awake?
Zeta: Nope.
Beatrix: Oh, okay. Guess I'll come back later then...
Beatrix: Waaait a sec! Then who's that answering me?
Zeta: Heh heh...
Zeta: So what're you doing here so early in the morning?
Beatrix: You trained with Gwynne yesterday, didn't you?
Zeta: Hm? Yeah.
Beatrix: That got me thinking. I wanna train too!
Zeta: I don't mind, but what brought this on?
Beatrix: Remember how, even though it wasn't a stable connection, I was able to fight with Embrasque?
Zeta: Right.
Beatrix: After hearing how Embrasque might get better if my mind attunes to it, I've been getting us to do things together. I sleep with it, jog with it...
Beatrix: But I still feel like it's not enough.
Zeta: Uh-huh.
Beatrix: Embrasque and I share a bond, and that bond always got stronger after fighting together, so I figured...
Zeta: Gotcha. That's why you want a partner to train with, huh? Sure, just give me a minute.
Zeta goes to the basin to wash her face and brush her teeth, getting herself ready for the day.
Zeta: (A bond...)
In the midst of the lingering drowsiness, an image of Embrasque from before comes to mind.
Zeta: (Embrasque's form has gone through some changes... Was that part of its awakening?)
Beatrix: Embrasque Sword! Devour the surging karma before me and carve open the path to victory!
Beatrix: Suck on this!
Zeta: (Embrasque's different from Arvess, that's for sure. It's less about emotions, and more about its bond with Beatrix.)
Zeta continues thinking as she and Beatrix leave the room.
Gwynne: Oh, Zeta!
Zeta: Morning.
Johann: Ah, hello, Zeta!
Zeta: Oh, you're here too.
Johann & Gwynne: ...!
Zeta: Gwynne.
Gwynne: Yes?
Zeta: Bea will be your partner today.
Gwynne: Thank you very much! I'm looking forward to it, Bea!
Beatrix: What's that? You wanna train together? Haha, just leave it to me! I'll show you how a professional's trained to handle a sword!
Zeta: Wow... She didn't even blink.
Johann: Miraculously, I was able to come across a certain book, you see. A very important one on the history of...
Zeta: (He just keeps going, doesn't he?)
Vyrn: Hey, Red. What's with all the morning ruckus?
Zeta: (Captain), Vyrn, Lyria. Good morning.
Zeta: Sorry, Vyrn. Lend Johann an ear for a bit, will you?
Vyrn: Uh... What?
Zeta: (Captain), could I borrow you for a minute?
Johann: In that book is a transcription of the text engraved on a stone from almost a thousand years ago...
Zeta: And that's what led you to where Arvess came from?
Johann: Indeed!
Zeta: There you have it. Hear that, (Captain)?
Johann's endless string of words continues, half of it lost to Zeta as she tries to pick out the important points.
Zeta: So you're saying there are traces around here that suggest Arvess was first found in this area.
Johann: That's right! Various texts about this island exist, and all of them share a common account of...
Vyrn: Oh boy... Mr. Scholar is still goin' strong. Once he gets into somethin', that's just about all he sees, huh?
(Captain) and the others are in a forest, accompanying Zeta and Johann on an investigation into a historic site that may be related to Arvess's origins.
Though the forest is located not too far from base, with their recent fight against the forces of the Otherworld, the crew had decided it would be best to move as a group.
Zeta: Are you sure it's around here? Please tell me we're not wandering around for nothing.
Johann: One can never be sure. That's what you have to be prepared for when you chase after legends.
Johann: My theory this time is based on records and stories of a traveler who was said to have appeared out of the blue, as well as an ancient culture whose object of worship was a spear.
Johann: Honestly speaking, moondwellers are not within my field of specialty so I don't have much confidence!
Johann: However, unraveling the mysteries of ancient times is all about observation, repetition, and inspection!
Zeta: I gotta give it to you scholars for being so honest while staying positive.
Johann: Aah, I simply cannot wait! Just what will become of this investigation?
As Johann continues to revel in the wonders of the unknown, the others follow closely behind.
Zeta: (Let's hope we find the ruins. Then maybe we'll know why the people from the moon decided to leave Arvess in the Sky Realm...)
Noticing Zeta's silence, (Captain) asks if she is okay.
Zeta: Hm? Yeah, I was just doing some thinking again. The reason I'm fighting, and why I don't wanna lose.
Zeta: Can I ask you for your opinion, (Captain)? What do you think is my reason for fighting?
Choose: To protect your friends
Zeta: You think I'm that much of a softy?
Vyrn: I'd say you are pretty good at lookin' out for other people. You're always keepin' an eye on Vaseraga too, aren'tcha?
Zeta: Well... I think that's more me getting annoyed at him for being such a stick in the mud. I just want him to depend on me a little, you know?
Vyrn: I guess that stubborn side to you becomes kinda like a sense of duty.
Zeta: My pride, huh? You could be right. I hate losing and that really fires me up sometimes.
Lyria: To me... I think you're a really nice person, Zeta, and that's why you're fighting. To protect everyone around you.
Zeta: Gotta admit, it's kind of embarrassing to hear it put that way.
Zeta: I guess I just don't want anyone getting hurt because I was too weak to do anything about it.
Continue 1
Johann: That's somewhat surprising.
Zeta: Y-you think? Wait, you were listening?
Johann: I thought you were the type that'd be willing to plow through anything without batting an eyelash, if the price was right.
Zeta: Hey, come on... I mean, I am getting compensated for the work I do, but it's not like I don't feel anything when I'm doing it.
Zeta: Mm...
Vyrn: So you don't think it's either of those reasons?
Zeta: No, actually, I think both are right to a certain extent. But I feel like there's more to it.
Johann: I see... Very intriguing indeed.
Zeta: What's so intriguing?
Johann: When I first met you on Lognos Island, Zeta, you were hunting primal beasts on your own hoping to add some achievements under your belt.
Johann: You didn't hesitate to do things for yourself. That's how I saw it anyway.
Zeta: That sure brings back memories. You weren't a saint yourself with your research and everything.
Johann: Yes, and that's exactly why I thought the results of my research were equivelent to how you saw compensation and prestige.
Zeta: Are you saying you'd be willing to do anything for your research?
Johann: Isn't that obvious? Of course. But it appears you're different, Zeta... Or rather, you're different now.
Zeta: Is that right...
Vyrn: Come to think of it, Mr. Scholar might be on to somethin'. I don't remember Red being so nice the first time we met her.
Lyria: Really? Zeta's always seemed kind and positive to me...
Johann: There will always be things that change and things that don't, no matter where in the skies you are.
Johann: After all, everything has its own history. The same can be said for people.
Zeta: A history... Don't tell me you already have my life figured out in chronological order, Johann.
Johann: Not yet, unfortunately. But it is evident that who you are now is the result of the history you carry with you, Zeta.
Zeta: You better not be saying all this off the top of your head.
Johann: Haha. Is that the way you see it? How fascinating.
Zeta: Why you...
Zeta: (A history, huh?)
Zeta ponders over the idea of her own history as the conversation continues.
The crew proceeds deeper into the forest, in hopes of finding the truth behind Arvess and how it came to be.
Unearthing History: Scene 2
The group finds a shrine hidden between the trees, and after investigating it, Johann concludes that it is the final resting place of the moondweller that once owned Arvess. Zeta searches through the shrine as well and discovers an old hand mirror, which she takes with her.
Johann: Hm?
Johann is leading the others down an unmarked path when he comes to a sudden stop.
Zeta: What's the matter?
Johann: According to this old map, the path we're walking on right now should go further than this...
Vyrn: All I see are trees and more trees.
Johann: Which means this path must have a long history behind it. I suppose it became overgrown as time passed.
Johann: There was once a settlement a short ways from here, though it too eventually disappeared many years ago.
Zeta: Could that settlement be...
Johann: Yes. The text speaks of a traveler from afar, who came and gave the people a vessel of prosperity which allowed the land to flourish...
Johann explains the local myth detailing a villlage that rescued a mysterious traveler in the forest.
Zeta: And these villagers were rewarded by the traveler with the power of fire and knowledge, huh?
Johann: The settlement was able to use the knowledge granted to them by the stranger to develop their civilization and advance to other parts of the island.
Johann: The traveler mentioned in the text was deified and worshipped at a shrine after.
Zeta: Let me guess. This traveler was a moondweller, and the vessel of prosperity was Arvess.
Johann: The likelihood is high. Aside from the passage on the power of fire and knowledge...
Johann: The text mentions flames called upon with words, as well as a symbol of worship cloaked in gold and blue. And how the stranger came to smile after their initial encounter.
Zeta: I see... It does sound like Arvess. Is the shrine what we're looking for now?
Johann: Yes! If your seal weapon is an excavated artifact, then I believe there is a chance we'll find a clue on its deification inside the traveler's shrine as well!
Johann: Though the location of the shrine has been lost, from my various observations, we can calculate an approximation by looking at the position of the moon at the time the people and the traveler had their encounter...
Zeta: Hrm...
The crew continues to push aside the surrounding shrubery as Johann rambles on.
Zeta: Hm?
Suddenly, Zeta feels a strange sensation growing inside her.
Zeta: (What is this feeling? Like deja vu... or a sense of nostalgia.)
Her palms grow hot, and her vision narrows to a certain spot in the forest.
Zeta: Hey, Johann. Why don't we check things out over there?
Johann: You mean that wall of rock? Let's see...
Johann: Ah... Aaah! Yes, there! That must be what we're looking for!
And sure enough, through the sea of branches, they catch a glimpse of a small shrine melting into the shadows of the trees.
Johann: Aaah, yes, so that's how it is! If we were to assume that this design was taken from the moon, then the origins of the ruins could also be...
Zeta: Think we can get any hints about Arvess from this?
Johann: I don't know yet! Let's take a closer look at it!
Johann opens the doors of the small shrine excitedly, revealing a tiny room inside it.
Countless pieces of decaying machinery and rusted ironware lay scattered about the dimly lit space.
Johann: Hrm... Ah! Hm? No, perhaps not... I suppose timeline-wise it wouldn't be out of the question for skydwellers to have used these...
Careful not to touch any of their findings, Johann continues peering around the shrine, trying to come up with various theories.
Zeta: Is this really where Arvess was first found?
Vyrn: I dunno... The rest of us don't have a clue about ancient relics and stuff like that. We just gotta wait for Johann to do his thing.
Zeta: Guess so...
Looking around at the timeworn remains scattered about, Zeta unconsciously reaches out to touch a tapestry hanging on the wall.
Zeta: Oops. Sorry, Johann. I might've just—
She stops mid-sentence as the crumbling tapestry reveals a pattern on the wall behind it.
Zeta: Hey, this cross-shaped dent in the wall... Is it just me, or does it match Arvess's shape perfectly?
Vyrn: Whoa, you're right! I could recognize that shape anywhere. Bingo?
Johann: Indeed. There's no doubt that this shrine is connected to the traveler from the moon.
Johann: I believe that this place once served as the traveler's residence, and now their resting place.
Lyria: R-resting place?
Johann: Yes. Behind what looks like an altar over there is a casket—though I haven't opened it, of course.
Johann: The artifacts in this room might be comprised of burial items or momentos.
Johann: Either that, or they were the subjects of research.
Zeta: Hm, you sounded pretty confident in that last statement.
Johann: The person this room belonged to and I are very similar. Both daily necessities and ritual items are organized neatly into categories.
Johann: Traces of glue can be found on these items, which means the person must have also labeled everything they used.
Zeta: A researcher's room... Now that you mention it, it does kinda seem that way.
Johann: Judging by the wide extent of artifacts in this room, the traveler must have been a scholar of folklore or the like, as I am.
Zeta: Folklore buddies, huh? Do you think the research had anything to do with Arvess?
Johann: By the looks of it, most likely.
Zeta cautiously steps closer to the spear-shaped cavity in the wall.
Zeta: I wish we could ask whoever lived here what they wanted to know, and what they wanted to do with Arvess...
As she lays a hand on the wall, something like an ornament falls from its place.
Zeta: Whoops! Phew, that was close.
Johann: You... you nearly scared me to death! These are precious historical materials! Could you please try to keep them intact?
Zeta: Ahaha... Sorry about that.
The item Zeta managed to save appears to be a moon artifact.
Zeta: What is this? A rusty hand mirror? Something's engraved on it.
Johann: Ah, it's written in an old form of the language particular to this region.
Johann: Let me see... "Unaffected is my visage within the looking glass, though I wane not the less. By what means is one to perceive such anomaly?"
Johann: In more familiar terms, it says something like "Although my face appears unchanged in my reflection, something is different. But how can I see what has changed?"
Zeta: Is that like some wise saying?
Johann: Hm... Nothing of the sort comes to mind. I am inclined to believe that this is a personal message the owner decided to leave.
Zeta: I see...
Zeta: ...
For some reason, Zeta finds herself unable to peel her eyes away from the mirror.
Johann: Are you curious?
Zeta: Mm... Yeah. It feels somewhat different from all the other things here.
Johann: Since you found it near where Arvess was kept, it may have some sort of special connection.
Johann: Very well. Let's take the mirror back with us.
Zeta: Huh? You sure that's okay?
Johann: I'll make sure to return the item to its place after we're done looking at it, of course.
Johann and the others spend a little more time investigating the ancient shrine.
But with no further clues to be found, they eventually decide to return to base for the time being.
Unearthing History: Scene 3
Upon returning to base, Zeta is brought to a bar by Vaseraga for drinks and conversation. He helps her realize that she has multiple reasons for fighting, and each and every one is valid. Later that night, she gazes at her reflection in the hand mirror, contemplating how she and its original moondweller owner changed in ways that were invisible to the eye.
Zeta: I'm back.
Vaseraga: That's a sour look you've got there. Did you find the historic site you were looking for?
Zeta: Yeah, we did. Johann was over the moon about it.
Vaseraga: But you didn't find any clues on how to awaken Arvess.
Zeta: Nope. You're lucky your weapon has a switch. You just turn it on with some kinda weird spell, right?
Vaseraga: Sabet odem. Moon gear is generally voice-activated.
Zeta: You say it like it's nothing, but I wouldn't be able to pronounce that in a million years.
Zeta: I'm not sure I actually got anything from going to the shrine today... Argh, this is so frustrating.
Vaseraga: ...
Vaseraga: Got some time to spare, Zeta?
Vaseraga takes Zeta to a quiet pub in the middle of town.
Zeta: Whoa... Do you come here a lot?
Vaseraga: Every now and then.
The two of them take a seat at the bar counter and order some drinks and food.
Vaseraga: (Captain) and the others were worried about you, saying you've been thinking about things by yourself.
Vaseraga: Don't think too hard about it. You're going to get exhausted in a battle against yourself even before we get to face our enemies.
Zeta: Oh... Right. It is pretty tiring, thinking over things like this... It's not really my style, you know?
Vaseraga: Finally growing up, huh?
Zeta: Hey! Not funny.
Their drinks arrive, and the two down them at once before ordering another round.
Zeta: Do you think I've changed?
Vaseraga: Well that came out of nowhere.
Zeta: Come on, just answer the question.
Vaseraga: Just confiding in me like this already makes you a completely different person than when we first met.
Zeta: Right back at you. Who'd have thought that you'd actually invite me out for a drink?
Vaseraga: That makes the two of us then.
Their nonchalant bantering eventually leads them to the heart of the conversation.
Vaseraga: I heard from the others that you were brooding over your reason for fighting.
Vaseraga: For someone as experienced as you, you sure think like a newbie sometimes.
Zeta: Tch... Cutting to the chase as always, huh?
Zeta: Well, what I've been thinking about could be related to awakening Arvess too.
Vaseraga: Oho?
Zeta: Sure, I fight for the money, my pride, my friends... and from the anger and hate I feel.
Zeta: None of those are wrong, but then again, people aren't exactly consistent, you know? The way I think changes, and that's what gets me.
Vaseraga: ...
Vaseraga takes a sip of the soup in front of him, taking a moment to think before answering.
Vaseraga: Then that means everything is the answer.
Zeta: Huh?
Vaseraga: Have you ever made broth before?
Zeta: Wha? What does that have to do with anything? Well... Yeah, at some part-time job I had when I was a teen.
Vaseraga: What's the most important ingredient in making broth?
Zeta: Um... everything? You need meat, vegetables, water, seasoning...
Vaseraga: Exactly, it's all necessary. If you could pick out something just like that, then it wouldn't be so hard to make.
Vaseraga: You simmer a variety of meat and vegetables to produce a rich and complex taste.
Vaseraga: In the same way, experience and emotions come together in a complex way in order to give form to something concrete.
Vaseraga: You can't just take one aspect and be satisfied with only that.
Zeta: Wow... I didn't think you could talk poetry.
Vaseraga: Who knows, maybe it's the alcohol talking.
Zeta: Just out of curiosity... What're the ingredients in your soup?
Vaseraga: Good question. Mainly the regret and resolution from my younger days... and the gratitude I have now for (Captain) and the crew.
Vaseraga: You're probably in the mix somewhere. Not entirely sure about the flavor though.
Zeta: I didn't think you'd answer me so seriously.
Vaseraga: It's the alcohol.
Vaseraga picks up his bowl and drains the soup in one gulp.
Zeta: Well... You might be right—there isn't only one answer. Yeah, I can work with that.
Zeta: Though I still don't have any clues on how to go about awakening Arvess.
Vaseraga: About that—you reminded me when you mentioned changing...
Vaseraga: You've managed to awaken Arvess twice before. Do you remember if anything had changed between the two times?
Zeta: Changed?
Vaseraga: When Arvess first awakened during the fight against Versatile...
Vaseraga: Your armor got blown away from the immense power that overflowed from your weapon.
Vaseraga: But when we were going up against CENTCOM the second time it awakened, you didn't suffer any damage.
Zeta: That's true. I was so absorbed in the moment that I never noticed...
Vaseraga: You may not be aware, but your own skill in handling Arvess's awakening is improving.
Vaseraga: It's a sign that you and Arvess are attuning to each other, better than ever before.
Vaseraga: You already have the answer within you. You just need to figure out how and when to bring that out.
Zeta: So you mean, I just need to let the ingredients simmer.
Vaseraga: You got it.
That night, Zeta lies on the bed in her room, staring at the hand mirror the crew had taken back with them.
Zeta: ...
Zeta: My face appears unchanged, but what's changed doesn't appear in my reflection... or something like that.
Zeta strokes the small letters engraved on the mirror.
Zeta: Something you can't see in a mirror...
She can't help but feel that her cloudy reflection in the mirror is somehow connected to her recent worries.
Zeta: It'd be nice if the me in the mirror could answer all my questions.
Zeta: Then I wouldn't go blabbing about my problems to...
But the longer she looks at the text on the mirror, the more she feels a sense of desperation from the roughly carved letters.
Zeta: I wonder if whoever carved this was worrying over something too.
Just then, she catches a gleam from Arvess out of the corner of her eye.
Zeta: Does that mean... I'm right?
Zeta: Could the person who carved these letters... be the one that brought Arvess from the moon?
Zeta: If that was the case, I guess they'd have plenty to worry about. It's completely different from the moon here...
Zeta: I mean, it took Cassius a while to get used to things here too.
Zeta: ...
Zeta: Getting used to something doesn't change how you look. It's not something you can see in a mirror.
Zeta: Adapting to things... Changing... Maybe the owner of this mirror was hoping to see what was changing inside them.
Zeta: I guess they wanted to know how and why they were changing. That's also why they went on to research skydwellers...
Zeta: I wonder if that's connected to how Arvess reads my body temperature and feelings...
Zeta: You decide which ingredients to add depending on the taste of the soup, right? Haha, I guess it's the same with me.
Zeta: That's some pressure. Are you listening, Arvess?
Spear of Arvess: ...
Zeta: I don't know if I can give you the answers you're looking for, but just you wait.
Zeta: I'll show you what I can do when the time comes.
Spear of Arvess: ...
Zeta: Or... something like that. Look at me, talking to my weapon... Bea must be rubbing off on me. Or maybe I had a few too many drinks.
Zeta: Guess I'll call it a day, now that I know there's no point racking my brain over it.
Zeta: Looking forward to another day with you tomorrow, Arvess.
Spear of Arvess: ...
Zeta leans over and blows out the candle in the lantern. Snuggling into her covers, she soon falls fast asleep.
Spear of Arvess: ...
In the dark, Arvess glimmers ever so softly, watching over its wielder in her slumber.