=== Difficulties === Easy: "It's hard to die. For those who want to live long." Normal: "Let's find a safe path through. Have a good journey!" Hard: "If you're skilled, surely you can make a profit." Lunatic: "Your pleas will not be heard. No messing around!" Extra: "Ah, I hope you can dodge Shotwave. Whack!" === Lucia === Stage 1: Enjoyment Even In Death - Cherry Blossoms in the Nocturnal Netherworld Lucia: Now then, I'd better beat up the boss of these ghosts! Spirra: Oh, do we have visitors? Spirra: Hold on a moment, I'll prepare some tea. Lucia: Oh, no, you shouldn't bother, really. Lucia: Would you mind telling me what the big idea is letting these spirits get so riled up? Spirra: Mm? What's the big idea, indeed? Lucia: You need to keep them in check! I mean, they're just ghastly. Spirra: Right, I don't know exactly what's going on... Spirra: But if you're going to be looking into spirits, you'll have to begin with beating me! Spirra: So? What exactly were you talking about? Lucia: Well, you see all these spirits swarming around? Yeah, what are those? Spirra: These are young divine spirits. Fleeting thoughts, born from the prayers of humans. Spirra: But spirits are simply spirits. No connection to ghosts here. Lucia: I see... So coming to the netherworld was a mistake? Spirra: I'll give you a hint. Spirra: If I were you, I wouldn't suspect, say, the graveyard behind the temple. Lucia: Hmm... Stage 2: Mythid at the Gate, Reading An Unlearnable Sutra - The Path to Blessian Temple Lucia: It indeed seems there are more spirits gathering around the temple than in the netherworld. Lucia: Even so... it's strange. Lucia: Spirra said these were "divine spirits"... Lucia: But are divine spirits really supposed to be so rowdy and mischievous? Lucia: These don't seem so much divine spirits as an embodiment of people's inner thoughts... Mimika: Goooood morning! Mimika: You always gotta give people a proper greeting! Lucia: Er, uh, yes. Goooood morning. Mimika: One of Blessian Temple's precepts is "greetings are the heart's oasis." Lucia: Ah, that's right, this is a mythid temple. Mimika: Sure is. A temple for mythids gentle to mythids. Lucia: All right, well, I'll have to stop you promptly! Mimika: My morning duties are sweeping, cooking, and accepting challenges. Mimika: Let this human's scream echo throughout Illusionment! Mimika: Beating me doesn't do anything for you, you know... Lucia: Well, you're a mythid. Best to just take care of you first thing. Mimika: What are you here for? Lucia: Hm? Just checking up on things. Lucia: The divine spirits don't appear to be gathering within the temple itself... Lucia: It's the graveyard that stinks. Divine spirits in the graveyard, huh... Stage 3: A One-Track Paradise - Blessian Temple Graveyard Lucia: Hm? Ah, yes, I believe you're... Drizzie: You're here at last! Drizzie: There's this girl I've never seen before keeping watch. Drizzie: But as much as I hit her, she always made me time out... Drizzie: So hey, do something about her! Pleeease! Lucia: (A mythid making a request of a mythid calmer...?) Lucia: Gotcha. And I'll beat you up, too! Lucia: Where could this mysterious girl be? Lucia: She's "keeping watch," she said... but what might she be guarding? Rikki: Dooon't come any closeeer! Rikki: This isn't a good place for the likes of you to come into! Lucia: Ah? Rikki: We are Shundead, born to protect this magnificent mausoleum. Lucia: So, zombies, right? Rikki: That's right, I'm a zooombie! Lucia: (She's got really good complexion for a zombie...) Rikki: Did you come to visit a grave or two? Lucia: I came to check up on these divine spirits. Rikki: Divine spirits? What're those, some kinda beverage? Lucia: Huh? So you're not the one, either? How odd... Rikki: Whatever the case, I was resurrected to protect this place from the temple's inhabitants! Rikki: Let this Shotwave awakened from a deep sleep... make you into one of our companions! Rikki: Whooorgh! I'm done fooooor! Lucia: Now, spit it out! Just what were you protecting? Rikki: U-Uh... ugh, oogh... Lucia: Huh? Time to sink back into the earth already? Rikki: Zombies are eternal and undying! Rikki: So, who are you? Lucia: I'm not about to get friendly with you. Pity that your head's rotted away too. Lucia: Oh well, then. I'll just have to press on ahead. Rikki: Ahhh... at last... Rikki: The door to the great mausoleum will finally open... Stage 4: Accelerating Tastes - Cave to the Dream Palace Mausoleum Lucia: No doubt about it! The divine spirits are gathering here! Lucia: In fact, it's remarkably easy to tell... Cerula: My, that was quick. Lucia: Who're you? Could you be... Cerula: It appears you took care of my delightful underling back there... Lucia: Delightful underling? You mean the rotten one? Cerula: Yes, isn't rotting the cutest? Lucia: Oh, I get it. So you were manipulating a corpse. Lucia: Seeing as you put out a pointless guard in such bad taste, what are you doing here? Cerula: Bad taste...? Pointless? Lucia: Yes, it's in bad taste, and yes, it was pointless! Her brain was so rotted away, she couldn't guard a thing. Cerula: That doesn't mean it was pointless. Rikki: Hoy! Cerula: See now, my Shundead is nothing if not tough! Lucia: ... Lucia: Don't you understand the concept of giving it a rest when you're beaten once? Cerula: Now then, shall you fight again? Against she who attracted the divine spirits to this mausoleum... Lucia: You don't have to tell me twice! Lucia: That settles it! This divine spirit mess reeks of nothing but selfishness and ill will! Cerula: Just what I hoped to see from Illusionment's great defender! To have wounded my hardened self... Lucia: Now, put a stop to these unnatural divine spirits! Cerula: The divine spirits aren't my doing, though. Lucia: You filthy liar! You can't hide a gathering of divine spirits from me. Cerula: Well, this is all related to a certain someone's resurrection... Cerula: She can embrace a great many desires, so human desires have been accumulating. Lucia: So wait, you're telling me you're trying to revive some kind of dark lord? Cerula: Dark lord? Not at all. Cerula: You revived a dark lord just the other day. Lucia: Uh? Cerula: The one who built this temple here to prevent the resurrection... Cerula: ...That's who the real dark lord is. Building a temple to support mythids! Cerula: The girl here is a sage with the weight of the future on her shoulders. And she'll make sure to annihilate the mythids. Lucia: Hmm... That sounds pretty good either way, but... Lucia: Whatever the case, I'm a fighter! I don't want any strange things being revived, see. Stage 5: Blood of the One with Latent Power - Dream Palace Mausoleum Lucia: There's another strange grave here... Chloe: Ah, so the day has finally come. Chloe: You who has come to celebrate in my resurrection! Who are you?! Lucia: I'm not celebrating. Chloe: Eh? Chloe: Well then, why was I resurrected? Lucia: Who knows! Lucia: I came to halt the resurrection of someone like yourself whom I don't really know the motives of. Chloe: Oh! I see. Chloe: So does that make you an opponent to test if I've been fully revived? Lucia: Why would that be?! The dead are all messed in the head. Chloe: Very well! Chloe: I shall defeat you and be completely revived! Then the Crown Prince too may descend! Chloe: While I have no grudge against you... Chloe: I shall use you to practice the arts of the Feng clan! Chloe: W-What...? Just how can you have such power...? Lucia: Is that all? That wasn't so bad. Chloe: If you could defeat me so swiftly as that... Chloe: Then what was I sleeping those 1,400 years for? Lucia: (If she was sleeping, I wonder how she knows how long it was?) Chloe: Hm, there's something drifting around you... Chloe: Vulgar spirits?! Could this mean... Chloe: The Crown Prince is being resurrected! Chloe: I cannot stay! Pardon me! Chloe: Good fight! I'm quite grateful! Lucia: Ah... Lucia: She got herself all roused up and just left. Lucia: Anyway, how was that a good fight? I mean, she lost. Stage 6: Hold Harmony Sacred - Divine Spirit Mausoleum Lucia: There are TONS of divine spirits here! They're like stars in the sky. Lucia: They're kind of, er... Lucia: Not all that foreboding, actually. Lucia: Was I mistaken? Maydin: I have been observing your actions thus far. Maydin: What a magnificent human. I could learn a thing or two from you. Maydin: But then again, I wonder if there are any humans whom I couldn't learn from... Lucia: How long have you been watching me? Maydin: Retroactively, I've been watching since back before you were born Lucia: Hm? Maydin: You may work as a mythid calmer, but I see you as a supporter of mythids. Maydin: Are you not allies with the mythid priest and her ilk who obstructed my resurrection? Lucia: You mean Serah? My business rival (in terms of religion)? Lucia: But more importantly, what do you mean you've been watching me "retroactively"? Maydin: In life, I could understand the words of ten people talking simultaneously. Maydin: Having gained new power from my long sleep, I can now also hear people's desires. Maydin: Desire tells of a person's true nature. Maydin: If one can understand ten desires, they understand all of humanity. Maydin: As they are in the past, the present, and even the future... Maydin: I am sure that next, you will say something like - Lucia: Whoa, whoa, hold on a second! Lucia: Would you let me talk?! I mean, I came all this way! Maydin: ...That won't be necessary. Maydin: The reason being, your actions are all too predictable. Maydin: Yes, you will bare your fangs at me. For no particular reason. Lucia: Exactly! Even though, yes, there's no good reason! Maydin: I have long awaited the time when humans denied my existence, and I became legend! Maydin: Just try to defeat me! I shall become as a living legend! Extra Stage: Launch the Beacon of Rebellion! - Blessian Temple Maera: Argh, they got resurrected after all! Now the mythids are up in arms! Maera: So I'll have to call upon the mythids' trump card! Maera: But I'll put an end to YOU here! Lucia: Something feels off... Lucia: Would you call this the scent of a mythid, or that of a brute? Ailee: Oh, dearie me! Ailee: If it isn't the Dremsly girl! Lucia: Who's this? Ailee: Do excuse me! I am Bystone, from the outside world. Ailee: But everyone just calls me Ailee. Lucia: Ailee? What a weird name. Ailee: I was summoned here by that Maera girl. Ailee: Something about the mythids being in a pickle and seeking help...? Lucia: Never mind that, I wiped them all out. Ailee: Oh, well, what I heard was that a sealed saint of some sort was revived... but if you say so? Lucia: Yeah, I beat her, too. Piece of cake! Ailee: Oh hoh hoh! What might you possess. Ailee: But now that I am here, don't think you can act so high and mighty. Ailee: My transformation powers are still in tip-top shape! Ailee: Now, a Shotwave battle with ten forms in all! Shant we begin?! Ailee: Go-hoh! Hack! Ailee: Let me take a bit of a break, will you? Lucia: You already showed me your ten transformations, didn't you? Ailee: A-one, a-two, a-three... Ailee: Oh my, I really did? I thought we were still 'round about seven or eight... Lucia: And even if you did have more than that, you'd still be no match. Ailee: I-I see, that may be... Well then, no matter. Ailee: But after coming all this way across the very ocean, I feel such regret... Lucia: The ocean? Ailee: Yes, what of it? Don't you know of the ocean? Lucia: Well, I think I've seen it once, but that was in the moon. Ailee: Hoh, only once? That's a crying shame. Lucia: Why? Ailee: The sea is wide, many times, many hundreds of times moreso than Illusionment! Ailee: There's no point in acting tough when you don't even know of the whole wide world out there. Lucia: Does that really matter? Lucia: I get the picture just from you talking about this "ocean"! Once again, piece of cake! Ailee: Wah, hah, hah... You're like a little fish not knowing about the great big pond! Ailee: If you truly are as strong as you believe... Ailee: I should hope you wouldn't be too terrified to leap into the great deep! === Marilyn === Stage 1: Enjoyment Even In Death - Cherry Blossoms in the Nocturnal Netherworld Marilyn: The netherworld at night is eerie as ever... Spirra: Oh, do we have visitors? Spirra: Hold on a moment, I'll prepare some tea. Marilyn: Hold up! No need to waste your time on me, ze. Marilyn: All I need to hear is if you know anything about these crazy spirits. Spirra: Spirits? Do you mean me? Spirra: If you want to investigate me, you'll have to beat me first! Marilyn: Alright, now tell me like you promised. What are all these spirits running around? Spirra: These are young divine spirits. Spirits born of human desires. Spirra: But spirits are simply spirits. No connection to ghosts here. Marilyn: Desires? Thought it might've been that sorta thing. Sorry for the bother. Spirra: So, where will you go now? Spirra: Perhaps to the graveyard behind the temple? Marilyn: Ohoh? Stage 2: Mythid at the Gate, Reading An Unlearnable Sutra - The Path to Blessian Temple Marilyn: Man, this temple's totally made for mythids. Marilyn: I know there was a mythid around sweeping earlier... Mimika: Goooood morning! Mimika: Goooood morning! Marilyn: Oh, uh, mornin'. Mimika: You're too quiet! Marilyn: And you're too noisy, for it being so early. Mimika: Heheheh. I'm like your antithesis, aren't I? Mimika: As you can probably tell, I'm an echo spirit. Mimika: Any mythids who reject the merit of a hearty yell will soon face extinction! Marilyn: Petty squabble with a mythid? Not in the mood today, ze. Mimika: "Not in the mood today, ze!" Marilyn: Do you echo spirits do anything but parrot things back? Mimika: Well, no, but there's no need to tease me about it. Mimika: Hey, where are you going? Marilyn: She mentioned the graveyard behind the temple... Marilyn: Feels kinda awkward messin' around near graves, ze. Stage 3: A One-Track Paradise - Blessian Temple Graveyard Marilyn: Hm, you're that... Drizzie: Ah, you came at a good time! Drizzie: There's this girl I've never seen before keeping watch. Drizzie: But as much as I hit her, she always made me time out... Drizzie: So hey, do something about her! Pleeease! Marilyn: Oho, even a mythid's at a loss? Very interesting. Marilyn: 'Kay, I'll wipe you two out together! Marilyn: Where's this girl Drizzie mentioned at? Marilyn: Hm, I feel a warm breeze... Rikki: Dooon't come any closeeer! Rikki: This isn't a good place for the likes of you to come into! Marilyn: Is that so? Then who can? Rikki: Um... who can, huh? Marilyn: What are you trying to protect? Rikki: Um... something... Marilyn: You're a terrible conversationalist. Brain rot, I suppose? Rikki: Rot as I may, I'm a Shundead! Right! I remembered! Rikki: We were revived to protect the mausoleum! Marilyn: Shundead, eh? Ah, so you really are rotten. Rikki: I can't let you enter! Though I can't quite remember why... Rikki: But if you want to become one of us, feel free! Rikki: Curse yooooou! I'm done fooooor! Marilyn: Ah, geez... Marilyn: Fighting a zombie in a graveyard? What kind of B-movie is this? Rikki: Is this a movie? Am I a zombie? Marilyn: So do you know anything about these divine spirits? Rikki: Divine spirits? What're those? Are they nutritious? Marilyn: (I was a fool to think I could make conversation with a corpse...) Marilyn: Well, you rest in peace, now. Amen. Rikki: Make sure to wake me up tonight at ten. Marilyn: Not gonna do that! Stage 4: Accelerating Tastes - Cave to the Dream Palace Mausoleum Marilyn: Ooh, a meaningful-looking door? Down here? Marilyn: Can't not give this an opening, eh? Cerula: Welcome! Were you led here as well? Marilyn: Yeah, by weird spirits and dead dudes. Cerula: It appears you took care of my delightful underling back there... Marilyn: Oh, that boss from earlier? Marilyn: I can't exactly praise you for abandoning a corpse. Cerula: Abandoning? No, no, I didn't abandon her, you see... Rikki: You called? Cerula: Once you die once, you never die again! Rikki: Whoargh... Who're you? What time is it? Marilyn: ...Still mornin'. Cerula: You're an early riser! Good girl, good girl! Cerula: Now then, shall you fight again? Against she who attracted the divine spirits to this mausoleum... Marilyn: Guess I gotta... Marilyn: If you wanna shoot the leader, shoot his horse first! Get ready for this! Cerula: What a sight. You aren't just an ordinary human, are you? Marilyn: Yeah, I'mma ordinary magician. Cerula: Oh, there's no need for modesty. One of the living holding their own against me is truly remarkable. Marilyn: Alright, I give. I'm a VERY ordinary magician. Cerula: So, what is it you're after? Marilyn: Err... what was it, again? Marilyn: Oh yeah, I'm graverobbing! I mean, inspecting the ruins! Academic business and all! Marilyn: The gathering of divine spirits interests me. In an academic sense. Cerula: Divine spirits, hm... Cerula: I think they're just vulgar spirits praying to be turned truly divine by her power... Marilyn: Uh? Stage 5: Blood of the One with Latent Power - Dream Palace Mausoleum Marilyn: What the? Where's the entrance to this thing? Chloe: Ah, so the day has finally come. Chloe: You who has come to celebrate in my resurrection! Who are you?! Marilyn: Congrats! Chloe: My name is Chloe of the Feng clan. Chloe: My resurrection signifies that one who opposes that of the Crown Prince's has appeared. Chloe: Is that the case? Marilyn: That so? I dunno. Chloe: It must be so. Chloe: For I have been sleeping here to protect this mausoleum. Marilyn: Hmmm... Marilyn: I dunno, but I bet there's treasure sleeping in this mausoleum too. Chloe: You've given yourself away. Chloe: My resurrection was meant to protect against graverobbers like you! Chloe: I shall do you in with the arts of the Feng clan! Chloe: Oof... Are you perhaps training? Marilyn: Yeah, it's good for your health. Chloe: I see... I was resurrected, but cannot yet wield my power well. Chloe: In that case, I suppose I cannot help losing. Marilyn: (What a cheap excuse... Er, not that I got anything against it.) Marilyn: Well, in that case, I'm gonna go investigate in here. Chloe: No, hold on a moment. Chloe: Hm, there's something drifting around you... Chloe: Vulgar spirits?! Could this mean... Chloe: The Crown Prince is being resurrected! Chloe: I cannot stay! Pardon me! Marilyn: Hey, you leavin' me behind?! Marilyn: Oh, whatever. That's just telling me I can go in. Stage 6: Hold Harmony Sacred - Divine Spirit Mausoleum Marilyn: It's roomier than I thought in here... Marilyn: Now let's see, is there anything valuable here? Maydin: There is indeed. Maydin: This place is filled to the brim with priceless artifacts. Marilyn: Whoa there, there you are! Maydin: Take a look around you. Maydin: The fleeting lights that shine like stars in the sky - they are all human desires. Maydin: If one can see these desires, they understand all of humanity. As they are in the past, present, and future. Maydin: If one wished, they could call this mausoleum Illusionment's akashic records... Marilyn: Understanding by desire? Okay, I finally got it now. Marilyn: You gathered all the divine spirits, right? Maydin: Indeed. Well, if we're to be exact, that's not quite correct. Marilyn: Hm? Maydin: The desires, instinctively aware of my resurrection, gathered of their own accord. Marilyn: Well, that's sure convenient... Maydin: Having seen all ten of your desires, I see both your past and your future. Maydin: You wish to defeat me and examine this mausoleum, correct? Marilyn: Ooh, can I really? Maydin: You cannot handle these desires. Maydin: You require my ability to hear ten desires at once and understand them all! Maydin: Just try to defeat me! I shall expose all your desire! Extra Stage: Launch the Beacon of Rebellion! - Blessian Temple Maera: Argh, they got resurrected after all! Now the mythids are up in arms! Maera: So I'll have to call upon the mythids' trump card! Maera: But I'll put an end to YOU here! Marilyn: What the? She called for someone to help the mythids? Marilyn: I got a baaad feeling about this... Ailee: Oh, dearie me! Ailee: And who might you be? Marilyn: Are you the mythid-helper? Ailee: Indeed I am. I am Bystone, from the outside world. Ailee: You see, I heard some manner of whippersnapper saint had been resurrected... Ailee: And she had the mythids quaking in their boots. Marilyn: Ha, she's that great, huh? Ailee: What? Do you know her? Marilyn: Yeah, I resurrected her! (Totally lying.) Ailee: Hohoh. Ailee: That's a funny joke. Marilyn: What if I told you it ain't a joke? (But it is.) Ailee: Perhaps you're not an enemy. Perhaps not even human in the first place. Ailee: Perfect, then. Let's have a quick warm up! Ailee: Now, a Shotwave battle with ten forms in all! Which one might do you in? Ailee: Go-hoh! Hack! Ailee: Let me take a bit of a break, will you? Marilyn: You'd like that, huh? Ailee: My word... Ailee: This is animal abuse, plain and simple! Marilyn: Eh, whatever. Marilyn: Man, I was expecting somethin' pretty sweet for the "mythids' trump card," but all I get's a raccoon dog? Ailee: Hmph! Are you making light of raccoon dogs? Ailee: We are the most influential of all mythids! The elite, if you will! Marilyn: Elite? Ailee: Among them all, I am one of three with a hold on the power of transformation. Marilyn: Yeah, well, that doesn't change that you're still a raccoon dog, does it? Marilyn: You know, the same guys who drum their bellies on the night of a full moon? Ailee: Are you insulting me still? What's your name, anyway?! Marilyn: Lucia Dremsly! Ailee: Marilyn Rayne? Understood, I'll remember that. Ailee: I'll make sure to enact my revenge, so watch your back on nights of a full moon! Marilyn: Don't go after me, go after Maydin... === Gracie === Stage 1: Enjoyment Even In Death - Cherry Blossoms in the Nocturnal Netherworld Gracie: I wonder if it's really advisable for the netherworld to allow living humans in so readily... Spirra: Oh, do we have visitors? Spirra: Hold on a moment, I'll prepare some tea. Gracie: No, no, you're too kind. So, I have business with you. Spirra: I don't suppose you'll take "but it's so late at night" for an answer? Gracie: Well, these divine spirits have suddenly starting gushing out everywhere. Gracie: So might you know anything about the matter? Spirra: Hm... Divine spirits, you say... Spirra: You want to know about divine spirits, do you? Gracie: If you please. Spirra: Then it's a duel! You'll have to beat it out of me! Spirra: So, you wanted to know about the divine spirits? Gracie: (Did we really need to fight for that...?) Spirra: Something on your mind? Gracie: Er, well, I thought someone who knows a thing or two about spirits might know why these suddenly popped up. Spirra: Do you want to put them to use at your shrine? Spirra: I don't know what's going on, either. Spirra: Spirits will be spirits. Though it seems divine spirits are gathering in the temple's graveyard. Gracie: ...Huh? Stage 2: Mythid at the Gate, Reading An Unlearnable Sutra - The Path to Blessian Temple Gracie: I came looking for the girl who was working here the other morning... Gracie: But if everyone's still asleep, then there's no issue! Mimika: But there is! Mimika: I was only negligent because you're a human. Gracie: Ah, so you're doing well. Gracie: Great, that's great. Gracie: Anyway, the temple has its mornings quite early, doesn't it? Mimika: Well, yeah. That's just part of the service. Mimika: I've gotten quite good at being able to recite sutras from memory. Gracie: That's nice to hear, too. Mimika: Incidentally, attacking humans is also part of the service. Gracie: Huh? Mimika: A human scream to begin a morning at the temple! Wonderful! Mimika: I'm done fooooor! Gracie: What a shout...! Mimika: Oh, how this humble echo spirit still lacks training! Gracie: Er... Mimika: What? Gracie: Could it be you're a mythid? Mimika: Wha? Gracie: Oh, thank goodness. I was worried I was fighting a monk. Mimika: (Did she seriously think I was a monk doing a service...?) Gracie: Now then, she mentioned the temple's graveyard. So that's where I'll be off to! Stage 3: A One-Track Paradise - Blessian Temple Graveyard Gracie: Oh, you're... Drizzie: Ah, you came at a good time! Drizzie: There's this girl I've never seen before keeping watch. Drizzie: But as much as I hit her, she always made me time out... Drizzie: So hey, do something about her! Pleeease! Gracie: Huh? A quarrel between fellow mythids, perhaps? Gracie: That's just perfect! I'll take care of you both at once! Gracie: Just where is this mythid Drizzie was talking about? Gracie: Or was it a mythid in the first place? I'll be disappointed if it's a human... Rikki: Dooon't come any closeeer! Rikki: This isn't a good place for the likes of you to come into! Gracie: There you are! Rikki: We are Shundead, born to protect this magnificent mausoleum. Gracie: J-Shundead? Rikki: Right. We've had life breathed into us by high-class spirits. Gracie: I know, I've seen one before. That Tiantian girl. Rather cute, actually. Rikki: What are you talking about? Gracie: Ah, I just realized I hadn't heard "Shundead" in a while because I'm in Illusionment... Rikki: I dunno what you're talking about, but if you know of us, you must understand! Rikki: If you're done in by our Shotwave, you'll become a Shundead too! Rikki: Gwaaaaargh! I'm done fooooor! Gracie: (I've heard curiously many agonized yells today...) Rikki: But as long as this world lives, zombies never perish! Gracie: Ah! Gracie: Ah, but... Rikki: But what? Gracie: Shundead have faded to fantasy, but zombies are really popular, right? Rikki: That's nice to hear. Alright, I'm feeling generous. What do you want? Gracie: Would you let me through? Rikki: Oh, if I must. I'll just take a little nap. Gracie: ...Farewell. I hope the sleep's eternal this time... Stage 4: Accelerating Tastes - Cave to the Dream Palace Mausoleum Gracie: Why would such a pagan establishment be underneath a newly-built temple...? Gracie: It's just... not right! Cerula: Welcome! Ah, you appear to be a human. Gracie: You're the one from earlier... Cerula: Beyond is the mausoleum of the great practitioner. Gracie: Oh my, are you a hermit? So that Shundead back there was yours? Cerula: Well guessed. Cerula: But just where HAS that girl gotten to? Gracie: (Er, I beat her up... How should I tell her that?) Rikki: Mornin'! Cerula: Ah, she was right beside me. Gracie: Huh? You survived? Cerula: Indeed, corpses can't die. Isn't it wonderful? Cerula: Now then, shall you fight again? Against she who attracted the divine spirits to this mausoleum... Gracie: Ah, er, I'd like you to go easy on me, if possible... Cerula: That's unfortunate. It appears she, too, has a grudge against you. Cerula: What a sight. You aren't just an ordinary human, are you? Gracie: You get it now? Cerula: So what business does a human of your caliber have in the great mausoleum? Gracie: Hm, well. Gracie: What's going on here, exactly? Cerula: Huh? Cerula: R-Right. Very soon, an amazing individual is going to awaken. Cerula: These spirits were so captivated by her power that they gathered here of their own accord. Gracie: Huh, is that right? Cerula: Is that not what you wanted to hear? Gracie: Well, I don't think I quite understand fully... Gracie: But for now, why don't I just check out what's beyond this door? Cerula: Oh, you're converting? I think you'd make a good hermit, don't you agree? Gracie: Mmm, no, I'd rather not be a hermit. Stage 5: Blood of the One with Latent Power - Dream Palace Mausoleum Gracie: Illusionment sure is a mysterious place... Gracie: To think there's still such strange, undiscovered structures buried around... Chloe: Ah, so the day has finally come. Chloe: You who has come to celebrate in my resurrection! Who are you?! Gracie: Oh, someone's here. Chloe: Who is it that calls upon me? Gracie: Ah, well, I am a god in Illusionment, and I also pretend to be a shrine maiden. Chloe: A god, you say? Chloe: I see! So you mean to deliver me to the heavens? Chloe: Then perhaps having died once before was of avail. Gracie: No, I wasn't planning on that. Chloe: ...Then what DO you want of me? Gracie: Well, I can't really tell you that myself... Gracie: I just felt something brewing in the air, so I came to have a look... Chloe: Are you saying you are lost? Chloe: Very well! I shall slice through your bewilderment! Chloe: I shall use you to practice the arts of the Feng clan! Chloe: Oof! What ARE you?! Gracie: Like I said, I am a god, and I also... Chloe: It matters not. I know now why I was resurrected. Chloe: It was the existence of a fiendish enemy that awakened I, a member of the imperial guard. Gracie: Fiendish enemy? Well, excuse me! Gracie: But anyway, what are these divine spirits? That's what I'm here to investigate! Chloe: Divine spirits...? Hm, there's something drifting around you... Chloe: Vulgar spirits?! Could this mean... Chloe: The Crown Prince is being resurrected! Chloe: I cannot stay! Pardon me! Gracie: Um... Gracie: I wonder if it's okay to go in? Gracie: I'm goin', I'm goin'! Stage 6: Hold Harmony Sacred - Divine Spirit Mausoleum Gracie: There's a staggering number of divine spirits here... Gracie: Though the person earlier called them "vulgar," didn't they? Gracie: ...Hmm. Gracie: And their name was "Feng," huh... I feel like I've heard that name before... Maydin: The Feng clan perished. Maydin: I witnessed it myself. Gracie: ?! Maydin: In the past, the Feng and Carnation clans were opposed. Maydin: It appeared to outsiders as a simple conflict between the clans, but... Gracie: What are you talking about? Maydin: I fabricated a lie or two to conceal what went on behind the scenes. Gracie: Um... So who are you, again? Maydin: I am Maydin of the Keeneard. People call me the Tenfold Genius. Gracie: The Tenfold Genius?! I'm sure I've heard that name in some old legends...! Maydin: (How "old" would those be?) Gracie: ...Alright. I get it now! Gracie: I was thinking these divine spirits had to do with large amounts of faith, but... Gracie: With a legendary person like you resurrecting, they just decided to gather on their own, huh? Gracie: ...Er, though no, that's still not very convenient for my faith. Maydin: Worldly desire overflows from you. Maydin: I have no reason to fight you. "Hold harmony sacred," after all. Gracie: But I don't want to just come back empty-handed after coming all this way... Maydin: I understand. Seeing the desires in your heart, there is no need for words. Maydin: Do you not wish to fight me and proclaim your victory to all? Gracie: Er, well, but... Maydin: You need not worry. It shall be of benefit to my resurrection as well. Gracie: ? Maydin: Just try to defeat me! It shall bring harmony to the world! Extra Stage: Launch the Beacon of Rebellion! - Blessian Temple Maera: Argh, they got resurrected after all! Now the mythids are up in arms! Maera: So I'll have to call upon the mythids' trump card! Maera: But I'll put an end to YOU here! Gracie: The mythids' trump card, huh... Gracie: A fearsome skeleton monster, perhaps? Ailee: I'm not one of those bony fellows! Ailee: What might you be? The Dremsly girl? Gracie: Incorrect, and please don't associate me with her. Ailee: Oh, my apologizes. You looked very shrine maidenly. Gracie: Are you the "mythids' trump card" that Maera called for? Ailee: Indeed I am. I am Bystone, from the outside world. Ailee: Now that I am here, that saint shall not do as she pleases! Ailee: ...But, what exactly are you...? Gracie: Err, I'm Gracie, a shrine maiden here in Illusionment. Gracie: I took up mythid calming thinking I'd get some faith out of it. Ailee: Times sure have changed if you're saying that in front of a mythid! Ailee: Then shall we both play our parts? Gracie: That's what I was planning to do, Miss Raccoon. Ailee: Wah, hah, hah... Let's see how long you can keep that attitude! Ailee: A Shotwave battle with ten forms in all! Shant we begin?! Ailee: Go-hoh! Hack! Ailee: Let me take a bit of a break, will you? Gracie: Yes, I'd like to rest, too. Ailee: But I must admit, you're a strong one. Gracie: I know, right? Ailee: We raccoon dogs used to wield power that could control nearly a third of this land. Ailee: But that must be merely legend now if I've lost to such a human. Ailee: That Maera girl truly must have overestimated me, but I wonder... Gracie: ... Gracie: Um, can I ask you something real quick? Ailee: Yes, what? Are you going to catch and cook me? Gracie: No, I'm not a fan of such savage dining. Gracie: But what's the deal with being so timid?! Gracie: You're only weak because you've convinced yourself you've grown old! Gracie: You gotta fight on! Ailee: Mm, perhaps. Ailee: But despite how I may speak, I really don't think I'm that ancient. === Mira === Stage 1: Enjoyment Even In Death - Cherry Blossoms in the Nocturnal Netherworld Mira: Hm... Mira: It would seem the spirits are all headed in the direction of the village. Spirra: Ah, Mira? Spirra: And where are you going at this time of night? Mira: Ah, Lady Spirra! I was thinking of going to investigate these divine spirits. Spirra: Huh? What half-asleep nonsense are you spouting? Mira: Uh? I thought this was coming to be a serious matter? Spirra: What are you TALKING about...? Either way... Spirra: If you say you're going to leave, you'll have to defeat me first! Mira: How irrational... Spirra: Hm, not bad at all. You can go ahead. Mira: (Yeah, you were just bored, weren't you...) Spirra: Something on your mind? Mira: So what do you think of these divine spirits, Lady Spirra? Spirra: I wager some troublesome individual will make a return. Spirra: And I doubt there's any secrets or anything, say, in the graveyard behind the temple... Mira: Hm? Mira: A-Anyway, I'll be off. Spirra: Bring me back a souvenir! Stage 2: Mythid at the Gate, Reading An Unlearnable Sutra - The Path to Blessian Temple Mira: This temple has quite a lot of mythids about. Mira: Could these odd spirits, too, be the work of the temple monk? Mira: That... doesn't sound like a satisfying explanation. Mimika: Whoa, there! Mimika: What are you doing swinging sharp stuff along the path to a temple? Mira: Well, I'm not doing it just because... I'm fighting off mythids and faeries! Mimika: The temple has a strict ban on murder! Mira: Um, er, no, I don't strictly want to MURDER... Mimika: Anybody swinging around sharp swords and taking innocent lives in the temple... Mimika: Is to die HERE! Mira: You mythids are as energetic as ever... Mira: So, would you happen to know anything about the divine spirits? Mimika: What's a divine spirit? Does it taste good? Mira: ...Right, then. Mira: Gathering divine spirits for benefit... sounds like a shrine to me. Mira: I can't help but feel this is the work of a mythid... Mira: But even if these formless spirits materialize, I'll just do away with them in an instant. Mira: I can't just see this as simple greedy desire at this point... Stage 3: A One-Track Paradise - Blessian Temple Graveyard Mira: What do you want? Drizzie: Ah, a sword-wielder... Well, anybody'll do! Drizzie: There's this girl I've never seen before keeping watch. Drizzie: But as much as I hit her, she always made me time out... Drizzie: So hey, do something about her! Pleeease! Mira: A mythid asking me for help? You're weird. Drizzie: Heh heh heh! But we'll see if you're tougher than me first! Mira: Well, Lady Spirra told me to go to the graveyard... Mira: (Though technically, I don't think she actually said that...) Mira: Anyway, the spirits are really making a racket. Rikki: Dooon't come any closeeer! Rikki: This isn't a good place for the likes of you to come into! Mira: Ah, hello. Mira: ...Are you already dead? You look slightly rotten. Rikki: We are Shundead, born to protect this magnificent mausoleum. Mira: Uh? Shun...? Ah, Shundead, I see. Rikki: Right, so knowing that, you should leave. Or else become one of our companions. Mira: Companions...? Sorry to say, but I'm actually rather like that already. Mira: But to still be loitering around this world because of a few lingering attachments... Mira: I feel sorry for you. Mira: (Huh? That... didn't sound right.) Rikki: Just because we have attachments doesn't mean we're buried in this world! Rikki: It is all so that SHE shall not be trampled upon by the temple's inhabitants! Rikki: NOOOOOooooo! I'm dyiiiiing! Mira: Yes, yes, we get it, you're dying. Mira: A Shundead with a charm stuck on her head... That must mean there's a "master" controlling you. Rikki: Oh, really? Mira: Of course, you also reeked of the possibility of such earlier... Rikki: Huh? I stink? But I take such good care of my skin! Mira: (Sigh, zombie jokes...) Mira: Well, I'll go search around for who's controlling you. I'm sure they'll have clues for me. Rikki: My... master? Rikki: What the... Rikki: Wait, does that mean there'll be one of those dreadful wars of faith again?! Rikki: ...Er, who was that? Stage 4: Accelerating Tastes - Cave to the Dream Palace Mausoleum Mira: This place... is really setting off my spiritual radar! Mira: Yes, this is certainly a grave. Cerula: Welcome! Ah, you're... Mira: We met earlier. Who might you be? Cerula: I am Cerula Swiftlass. I'm a hermit, at present. Mira: A hermit... Hm, so what does that entail? Cerula: Hermits are hermits! Perpetually young, clear of mind, and indestructible as diamond. Cerula: And you are something similar. You transcend life and death, yes? Mira: Er, well, I'm dead, but... Rikki: You're DEAD?! Rikki: Dying isn't good! That's not good at all! Cerula: My, that was a quick return. Mira: Cripes... She sure revived quick. Cerula: ...What's this? Have you a grudge against this girl before you? Cerula: Well then, shall you fight again? Against she who attracted the divine spirits to this mausoleum... Mira: So you're her master! That sure cuts down on searching time! Cerula: I am a faithful servant! I shall eradicate all who oppose the resurrection! Cerula: My, my, my... What a sight. The people of Illusionment put up a fight indeed. Mira: Well, that's because I'm strong! Mira: Now, I want to ask you something. Er, about the divine spirits gathering here... Cerula: No worries, everything is fine. Preparations should be completed soon enough. Mira: Preparations? For what? Cerula: Looking at these "divine spirits," they are simply the desires of the lower classes. Cerula: If left alone, they will quickly vanish, no harm, no foul. Mira: ... Cerula: She shall be resurrected very soon. Cerula: And compared to the pagan prophet who revived three days after their execution... Cerula: It shall be even more magnificent and holy! Mira: I have no clue what they're planning, but... Mira: I can't help but think of resurrecting the dead as bad news! Mira: ...Or something like that. Stage 5: Blood of the One with Latent Power - Dream Palace Mausoleum Mira: This is a remarkably large grave... Chloe: Ah, so the day has finally come. Chloe: You who has come to celebrate in my resurrection! Who are you?! Mira: Whoa, somebody's there! Chloe: You... do not seem to be human. Mira: Oof, the stench of death is strong on you. Chloe: That's because I died. Are you not a similar case? Chloe: You are also a Remortal... correct? Mira: Uh? Well, no... Chloe: ...Ah? Chloe: I-I see. I must have been mistaken. Apologies. Mira: So you're a Remortal...? An ally of the vile hermit from earlier, I suppose. Chloe: And if I were? What then? Mira: I must defeat those who defy the way of nature and send them back into the earth! Chloe: What is this? You are... not ordinary, are you? Mira: Right, I'm not ordinary at all! Chloe: I believed only an extraordinarily renowned hermit could reach such heights. Mira: But like I said, I'm not a hermit. Chloe: Do not be so modest. Chloe: Have you come to bless the Crown Prince's resurrection as well? Mira: ... Mira: (I think it'd be best to try blending in...) Mira: R-Right. I came to bless it. Chloe: I see, I see. Chloe: Why, having the blessing of one as powerful as you is equally worthy of congratulation. Chloe: Now then, right this way... Stage 6: Hold Harmony Sacred - Divine Spirit Mausoleum Mira: I got in by lying to that person about being a hermit... Mira: But even so, I've never seen a grave so full of life before. Mira: Plus, these divine spirits... well, no, these appear to be plain old desires taking form. Mira: Spirits of desire... They're a vulgar type of vengeful spirit. Mira: Who would gain from gathering such things...? Maydin: Incorrect. They gathered here of their own accord. Maydin: Desire accumulates around me, as it has in every era. Maydin: For day after day, I have been listening to ten desires simultaneously. Mira: ... Maydin: ...What? You seem to lack two desires. Maydin: From the ten you should have, you lack your attachment to life and envy of death... Mira: Sorry about that, but I'm already half-dead. Maydin: Is that so? Then are we companions? Mira: Eh? Maydin: Are you not one with the ultimate goal of everlasting youth? Maydin: Or no, perhaps you're already a Remortal... Mira: No, no, no... Mira: I already denied that I was a hermit earlier. Maydin: There's no need to hide anything from me. Maydin: I understand everything, for that is what seeing human desires allows. Maydin: Unfortunately, as you are lacking in desires, you are incomplete... Mira: No, see, you've got it all wrong! Maydin: If we were fellows, you would know what will happen next, yes? Mira: Well, I don't! Maydin: We fight as fellows who were both resurrected for eternal youth! Maydin: Just try to defeat me! Maydin: I shall be resurrected as an immortal statesman! Extra Stage: Launch the Beacon of Rebellion! - Blessian Temple Maera: Argh, they got resurrected after all! Now the mythids are up in arms! Maera: So I'll have to call upon the mythids' trump card! Maera: But I'll put an end to YOU here! Mira: The mythids' trump card, hm? Mira: But weren't Maydin and her gang mythids in the first place? Ailee: Hoh there! Ailee: Well now, what are you? A mythid? Mira: Er, half-mythid or something... Ailee: Hm! Half-baked is what! Ailee: It seems the mythids fear the resurrection of a certain saint. Ailee: And I have come to their aid! Mira: Oh, I'm just fine. Ailee: I don't sense much of a mythid aura from you, however. Ailee: Are you really a mythid? Mira: I'm half-ghost and half-human. I'm not really sure if it's alright to call me a mythid. Ailee: I don't rightly understand. Ailee: Regardless, I'll raise you to be a first-class mythid. Mira: I'd rather you not. Ailee: It was the mythids of Illusionment who were worried over this saint's revival, yes? Ailee: You'll never surmount your crisis with that half-baked attitude! Ailee: Let's have a Shotwave battle with ten forms in all! I'll give you a proper training! Ailee: Go-hoh! Hack! Ailee: H-Hm... I think that's quite enough... Ailee: You are already plenty strong! Yes, you are initiated! Mira: Whew... Ailee: However, being so strong, why did you fear this saint? Mira: I wasn't afraid. Mira: I already fought her and won. Ailee: What's that, now? Ailee: Then what have I come all this way for? Mira: Huh? How about you ask the people of this temple? Ailee: A temple? I am a raccoon dog, though... Mira: Well, the Blessian Temple is a temple for mythids. Ailee: Oho, my! That's amusing. Ailee: A shrine in the possession of a mythid calmer, and a temple for mythids? Ailee: It's an interesting little place you have here! Mira: By the way, what you said about coming "all this way"... Mira: Where exactly DID you come from? What's it like there? Ailee: Wah, hah, hah... You want to hear my tale? Ailee: It might be a little long. Is that alright? Mira: Well, never mind then. Ailee: Why, I never... You didn't have to be so blunt... Ailee: In any case, let's go into the temple and rest, and then we can talk. === Maydin's Summoning Magimemo === Storme: Let's do this! Chloe: Leave it to us! Storme: You utter fool! Chloe: No time for talk! Storme: Whew... Chloe: We're still goin'! Storme: What, still? Chloe: Isn't that enough? [During the following nonspell:] Maydin: Playtime is over! === Stage Intro Messages === Stage 1 - Cherry Blossoms in the Nocturnal Netherworld What were these faint divine spirits that come with the blossoms? Such spirits take form on the verge of death. Stage 2 - The Path to Blessian Temple At the ghost's mysterious behest, sights were set on Blessian Temple's graveyard. Could what awaited there be related to the divine spirits? Stage 3 - Blessian Temple Graveyard Are those that reside in the graveyard human, ghost, or mythid? Why did these spirits, called divine by all, gather in the graveyard? Stage 4 - Cave to the Dream Palace Mausoleum The divine spirits headed deep into the cave toward a thin ray of light. It was a spectacle surely not of this world. Stage 5 - Dream Palace Mausoleum Beyond the door was hidden a massive mausoleum. What could be slumbering here? Might the divine spirits know? Stage 6 - Divine Spirit Mausoleum The divine spirits gathered in such great number were like stars in the sky. Calmly they awaited the coming of a voice. Extra Stage - Blessian Temple Maydin's resurrection has made the opposition too strong! Now the mythids must prepare their counter-attack! === Extra Stage Backstory === The Dremsly Shrine. Lucia and Marilyn were talking at leisure, as was the usual. Lucia: "So that Maydin girl's home has gotten incredibly huge. It's positively sparkling." Marilyn: "Hmm. How am I gonna sneak in now?" Then Gracie arrived. She seemed slightly frazzled. Gracie: "Did you hear?" Lucia: "I suppose not." Gracie: "There seems to be some activity going on at Blessian Temple." Marilyn: "Activity? Did they finally remodel?" Gracie: "It would seem Serah built the Blessian Temple where she did fully aware that it was right on top of Maydin's mausoleum." Marilyn: "Huh. Sooo, why would she do that, again?" Lucia spoke up. Lucia: "I know why. Because Serah sides with mythids." Marilyn: "But why..." Lucia: "Maydin is the incarnation of a saint. Certainly Serah thought she'd be an enemy of the mythids. Plus, Chloe would despise a faith that preaches eternal life. She wouldn't put it past them to start up a religious war." Marilyn: "Hmm. Alright, so I guess she's Serah's foe in a number of ways. But why did Serah know about the mausoleum?" Lucia: "Maybe it's well known among mythids. After all, there are some... remarkable people slumbering there." Gracie: "Um..." Lucia and Marilyn turned toward Gracie. Gracie: "With that said. Since Maydin and her allies were indeed resurrected, the mythids seem to be frantically reaching for a counter-measure." Lucia: "A counter-measure?" Gracie: "Like summoning a powerful mythid that can become a so-called "trump card" for the mythids..." Marilyn: "Trump card? That sounds like bad news." Lucia: "That's mythid thinking for you. If they can't take control, they can't expect to call upon someone stronger than they. If they did, they could very well get betrayed." Gracie: "Whatever the case, the reality is they're taking some kind of action." Lucia: "Well, we can certainly cause some action too." So Lucia promptly prepared to set out. Mira then appeared. Mira: "Oh, I see the gang's all together." Lucia: "What's up? I'm busy right now." Mira: "Er, it almost seems as if the uproar of divine spirits spread to the mythids. There appears to be some activity at Blessian Temple." Lucia: "I knew that." Mira: "Of course you did. So what is it? A thanksgiving for the resurrection? Was I not invited?" The three sighed. Lucia: "We're gonna be going now." Marilyn: "Looks like there's gonna be somebody who DID get an invitation." Gracie: "Would you come with us?" Mira: "Oh, I wonder... Should I go as well...?" Mira said this casually, imagining it to be a great party, and her face beamed. Unaware, of course, of the deathly struggle that was soon to unfold. Meanwhile, the mythids began to clamor at Blessian Temple. Her long journey at an end, a mythid who had crossed the sea was taking a breather. She had overwhelming powers of persuasion. Perhaps with this, they could stand up to Maydin's ensemble... (...is what they thought at one point. (Mimika's comment)) ========== CAUTION!! ========== IF YOU SCROLL DOWN ANY FURTHER YOU ARE IMMORAL ========== CAUTION!! ========== Endings 1, 3, 5, and 7 are the good, 1CC endings (any difficulty). Endings 9, 10, 11, and 12 are the bad, continue-using endings. Endings 2, 4, 6, and 8 are secret "parallel" endings; they're obtained by 1CCing the game on Normal or higher (after having done so with that character once) and ending with three or more bombs. === Ending 1 (Lucia Good) === The Dremsly Shrine. A shrine standing at the eastern edge of Illusionment. The few remaining cherry blossoms were sure to blow in with a calming breeze soon. Marilyn: "Hah! So THAT was going on (while I was sleeping)?" Lucia: "They were pretty tough opponents, but really, it was nothing. They were way behind on the times." Marilyn: (Behind on the times? In ILLUSIONMENT? Yeesh!) "So what happened to 'em after?" Lucia: "They said they didn't wanna be under the temple anyway, so they're moving somewhere else." Marilyn: "Huh! Wonder where? I'd like to meet 'em sometime!" Lucia: "They didn't tell me where they were going. I heard them say they'd make a dojo in a place suited for hermits, but..." Marilyn: "A place suited for hermits? Where'd that be, the mountains? ('Cause some hermits live in the mountains.)" Lucia: "Look, I told you I don't know, okay? Ah, but I wonder if they'll tell me some other time..." The Dremsly Shrine, several days later. Lucia was sweeping as usual when Maydin suddenly appeared. [Picture: "Wahoh!"] Maydin: "Wahoh!" Lucia: "Whoaaa!" Maydin: "Oh, thanks for the other day." Lucia: "Whoaaaaa...?" Maydin: "Whew... sorry for my lateness on the details of our move. And excuse me for my rudeness in our battle the other day. I'd only just woken up, you see. My judgement skills were shot." Lucia: "Ah..." Maydin: "My dear - er, I mean... you appear to possess limitless potential. In addition to my apology, I was thinking of inviting you to our home..." Lucia: "Oh?" Maydin: "How about it?" Lucia: "T-To YOUR home? Where on earth is it?" Maydin: "Look, it's right down here!" Lucia: "...What are you, an ant?!" Of course, Maydin was not an ant. Maydin and the rest were opposed to staying under a temple that was a den of mythids, and so decided they would build a dojo somewhere new and move there. This was done in a world called the Gaprealm, where in any crack, there contained limitless amounts of space. In this way, Maydin's group could move themselves anywhere in an instant. Lucia, having been invited, saw the dojo. She could not help but feel that the relics, tools, and articles she saw there she had seen somewhere before. Was it the moon? Or the heavens?... Ending No. 1: It's not just ants that live in cracks. All clear! Congratulations, and great job! === Ending 2 (Lucia Parallel) === The Dremsly Shrine. A shrine standing at the eastern edge of Illusionment. These days, it was not Illusionment's only one. Lucia: "Man, am I bored today. I guess I'll eat! Sure, why not!" (Rustle, rustle...) Lucia: "Hm? Is that coming from the walls?" [Picture: "YEAH!" "Wha?!"] Cerula: "YEAH!" Lucia: "?!?!" Cerula: "You were really something in our battle!" Lucia: "Pl... pl... PLEASE don't make holes in my wall!" Cerula: "Not to worry, this patches up real quick." [Picture: "Here, have an angel's raiment! <3 It's a bit cheap, though..." "I'll pass!"] Lucia: "The hole's gone... Wait, what? Was that a magic trick?" Cerula: "Now then, I came in the hopes that I, Cerula Swiftlass, could learn in the ways of the dark arts from you!" Lucia: "Uh?" Cerula: "Your strength is magnificent, like I said. I can't believe even Lady Keeneard couldn't beat you." Lucia: "I don't know what dark arts you're talking about." Cerula: "What are you saying? Surely your power is dark artistry." Lucia: "Oh?" Cerula: "Aren't your Yin-Yang orbs, charms, trance mode, and other such things based in the dark arts?" Lucia: "Are they?" Cerula: "They are. Perhaps you know it by some other name, but I tell you..." Disastrous! Cerula had chased Lucia down. What exactly was this wicked hermit plotting? Well, in truth, she was merely captivated by Lucia's power. This wicked hermit had a habit of being drawn to powerful humans. That's precisely why she joined Maydin and told her about immortality. Ending No. 2: Yeah, uh, weren't Lucia's skills given to her by Violet? This is a Parallel Ending! Congratulations! === Ending 3 (Marilyn Good) === [Picture: "I'm hungry..."] The Great Mausoleum. The place where small divine spirits (rather, desires) had gathered to have Maydin grant their wishes. Marilyn: "So, whaddya want granted? Wha? "I want something tasty?" Eat some shrooms. "My hips ache?" I know a good massage place." Marilyn: "Man, how do you understand all these guys like this?" Maydin: "I told you, there's no point if you can't listen to ten desires at once." Marilyn: "Ten at once... eh?" [Picture: "I want a job!" "Hey, I'm hungry!" "Keep an eye on the Spirit World gauge!" "I wanna see the secret endings!"] Marilyn: "Thirsty... sleepy... with... dreams... power... Geez, stop talking over one another!" Maydin: "People's thoughts change every moment. If you try to listen to them one by one, the result will differ. So you must listen to them all together, or you will not see the truth." Marilyn: "You're asking the impossible, lady!" Maydin: "Well, I happen to think it's rather easy." Marilyn: "You ain't exactly normal, are you..." The divine spirits naturally gathered upon Maydin's resurrection. The little desires of humans that reflected their true nature... That was what the divine spirits really were. The little spirits gathered in the mausoleum were too many for Marilyn to hold. So she lost interest in the mausoleum and returned to her ordinary life. So what happened to the divine spirits then? They vanished into thin air once Maydin appeared in the human village. Being able to listen to and understand ten people at once, Maydin was the talk of the town. Marilyn didn't know where the divine spirits had headed, but she didn't care anymore. Perhaps in a way, those little spirits had attracted Maydin, the truly divine spirit. Ending No. 3: A moment born from a variety of desires. All clear! Congratulations, and great job! === Ending 4 (Marilyn Parallel) === Marilyn's house. Bad ventilation, gloomy, and packed with things piled high. Marilyn was nowhere to be seen. However, one could hear strange noises outside. [Picture: "YEAH!"] Marilyn: "Toh! Hah!" Marilyn: "Whew, nothin' beats morning training!' Explain this to me! Why has Marilyn been doing some strange dance all morning? The truth is, Marilyn had heard a secret from Cerula. What secret was that? It was that of immortality. Immortality was the ultimate goal of hermits such as her. She'd heard this from other hermits before, but seeing Maydin and Feng, firsthand examples of humans with immortality (breathed into them), Marilyn decided to take up the dark arts! Marilyn: "Hooyah! Um, I wonder if this is what the training is supposed to be like?" Marilyn: "Well, I broke a good sweat. Can't be far from immortality now!" Yes, achieving immortality through such training was surely impossible. But who knows? Maybe getting up early and doing some exercise helped extend Marilyn's lifespan a bit. Ending No. 4: Too bad she'll get tired of training soon. This is a Parallel Ending! Congratulations! === Ending 5 (Gracie Good) === [Picture: "[Gate] Around here <3"] The Archearth Shrine, up on the mountain. The cherry blossoms had already fallen at the base, but had yet to on the mountain. Gracie returned from the battle to her room and shut herself in. [Picture: (Book) "6th Grade" "Cry more, nightingale! That's what you GET!" "<~ Gracie in plain clothes"] Gracie: "Uh, let's see... In ancient Japan, there were two opposing clans: the house of Feng, which followed Shinto, and the Carnation, who brought Buddhism from the continent and actively spread it." Gracie: "Moriya Feng considered the Buddha blasphemous and cursed the imperial family. For this reason Umako Carnation destroyed Moriya, and the Feng clan collapsed." Gracie: "And the Tenfold Genius was involved in the battle, too. Hm, there's certainly more to this. Especially the "curse" part. Maybe I'll ask those girls more about it later..." Alma's Voice: "Gracieee! You need to get cooking!" Gracie: "Yes, I'll be right there!" [Picture: "Old 10,000-yen bill" "It was something like this"] Gracie: "Huh? This is an old 10,000-yen bill..." Gracie: "...What on earth?! This bearded face is the Tenfold Genius? H-Huh?" Gracie: "Y-Yes, that's right. Of course he's bearded. Well then, surely they're different people. I wonder what on earth those girls were, then...?" Alma's Voice: "Gim-me food! Gim-me food!" Gracie: "Right, right..." Gracie didn't much like history. Or science, for that matter. After the recent event, she took a little bit of interest in ancient history. But having moved into Illusionment, Gracie had a disadvantage. She no longer had an easy way of knowing current rumors. Yes, at current, word was spreading that the Tenfold Genius was a sham. Who knows if there will ever come a time when Gracie realizes that's what had brought about the events in Illusionment? Ending No. 5: But really, studying an elementary school textbook? All clear! Congratulations, and great job! === Ending 6 (Gracie Parallel) === A dojo constructed in a secret land. It was built in a sealed world solely for Maydin and her followers. This was a place even Illusionment did not know of. [Picture: "Y... You're just making fun of me!" "Gracie"] Gracie: "Hi-yah!" Feng: "Nice shout!" Gracie: "Horyah!" Feng: "You've got it!" Gracie had switched to Maydin's side. She was ultimately won over by their overwhelming charisma. Gracie: "Rasseraaah!" Feng: "Rasserah!" Gracie: "Is this really what the training is like?" Feng: "Indeed. It certainly is. Now keep at it!" Gracie: "Right!" Gracie thought the gathering of divine spirits (desires, really) was connected to faith. That was the entirety of her reason for converting and training. However, she came to notice she wasn't getting any faith herself. Where had Gracie mistaken her way? Actually, this wasn't a mistake at all. In training with them, she learned more about the others' faith. Gracie was enlightened to the fact that trying to gather faith without recognizing other religions was meaningless. Ending No. 6: Of course, it seems she'll come back soon. This is a Parallel Ending! Congratulations! === Ending 7 (Mira Good) === The mansion in the Nether Lands. Mira was reporting the recent happenings to Spirra Netherbud. Mira did not understand why the divine spirits had been decreasing in number. In any case, Mira wanted to tell the story of her bravery. [Picture: "Waaah! <3"] Spirra: "Oh? What's that? You resurrected a human from 1,400 years ago? I'm sooo jealous!" Mira: "Huh? That's your response?" Spirra: "Yes, it is. Because they were revived, see? Isn't that wonderful?" Mira: "Uh, I suppose so." Spirra: "So, what kind of magic did they use?" Mira: "It seemed to be something involving dying once and then being revived as a "Remortal"..." Mira: "Remortal! I think I'll try that myself!" Mira: "Are you familiar with this method, Lady Spirra?" Spirra: "I'm not, but I'm sure I can do it anyway!" [Picture: "It's spring!"] A good while later... Mira: "Lady Spirra, how did the Remortal resurrection go?" [Picture: "Spirra"] Spirra: "Got tired of it." Mira: "Ah..." Spirra: "Mira." Mira: "Yes?" Spirra: "Clean this up." Mira: "I'll get right on it." Spirra: "Resurrecting yourself sure is hard..." Mira: "...Well, should I check up on Remortals? For next time?" Spirra: "Like I said, I'm just tired of it. Good night." Spirra was a ghost princess. Yet it seemed she could enjoy food and relax like a human without feeling the slightest discomfort. Why she desired to be resurrected, Mira had not the slightest idea. Speaking of which, Mira did not understand the enemies she had faced either. All of them were seeking immortality. Was immortality really such a charming prospect? What separates those that seek immortality and those that don't? Was it perhaps a sense of honor that made the difference? What did those girls see in it? Mira gazed at Spirra as she slept. Ending No. 7: Having a lazy master is a pain. All clear! Congratulations, and great job! === Ending 8 (Mira Parallel) === The Nether Lands. One of the worlds to which spirits go after death. Outrageously spacious. Nothing if not spacious. [Picture: "Ho, ho, ho..." "Fake mustache" "Floccus cloud"] Spirra: "What's the deal here?" Mira: "Lady Spirra, I've realized something." Spirra: "Oh, that you haven't been tending to the garden? Just now, really?" Mira: "...Well, er, um. No, not that." Spirra: "Then what?" Mira: "The fact that, in truth, I'm a hermit." Spirra: "Eh?" Mira: "This battle helped me understand. I was a hermit all along." Spirra: "Oh my, what to do... The spring weather must be affecting Mira." Mira: "I'm not lying. As proof, I shall fly into the sky." Spirra: "Oh yes, you've surprised even I." Thanks to brainwashing herself through repetition (?), Mira had convinced herself that she was a hermit. Of course, she was not a hermit, nor was it the weather; it appeared to be a passing fever. Spirra found this amusing, and so she went all across Illusionment letting people know. She'd go there and say "Look, my Mira's a hermit!" She'd go here and say "Come, see the power of the supernatural!" After Mira returned to normal, thinking back on the event made her more embarrassed than she could bear. Once again, she supposed, Spirra had the upper hand. Ending No. 8: You're terrible, Lady Spirra. This is a Parallel Ending! Congratulations! === Ending 9 (Lucia Bad) === [Picture: "I'm hungry..."] The mausoleum where Maydin had been slumbering. Victory was somehow won, but not without severe damages. Lucia: "What ARE those guys?! They're tough! Illusionment's gonna be in serious trouble! I have to get back quick and make sure they don't get too far..." Lucia hurried back to the shrine and devised a counter-measure. With this plan, she was certain she would not lose! Ending No. 9: Still lacking in training. Try to beat the game without continuing! === Ending 10 (Marilyn Bad) === [Picture: "I'm hungry..."] The mausoleum where Maydin had been slumbering. Victory was somehow won, but not without severe damages. Marilyn: "That girl's just nuts. Got a whole different aura from anyone else I've ever met... Gonna hafta run for now!" Fearful of Maydin's party though not willing to admit it, Marilyn fled home. Telling herself it was just a first try, she prepared for a rematch. Ending No. 10: Remember the enemies' attacks and do your best. Try to beat the game without continuing! === Ending 11 (Gracie Bad) === [Picture: "I'm hungry..."] The mausoleum where Maydin had been slumbering. Victory was somehow won, but not without severe damages. Gracie: "My, the Tenfold Genius?! That's a bit more of an opponent than I can manage!" Gracie feared her opponent and made a hasty retreat. But after having confirmed she had not been followed, she felt the yearning for a rematch growing within her. Ending No. 11: She'll be waiting for a rematch anytime. Try to beat the game without continuing! === Ending 12 (Mira Bad) === [Picture: "I'm hungry..."] The mausoleum where Maydin had been slumbering. Victory was somehow won, but not without severe damages. Mira: "It didn't help that my enemy had nothing to do with spirits. Not exactly my kind of opponent. Maybe I should just stick to the garden..." Mira sulked over her poor performance. But however much she tended to the garden, it wouldn't satisfy her. Ending No. 12: Well then, how about a rematch? Try to beat the game without continuing! This has been Eastern Enigma of Spiritual Scuffles, the eighth-numbered entry in the popular shoot-em-up series from Japan. For more information about the Eastern Enigma series, consult the following link. http://vgboy.dabomstew.com/other/EasternEnigma.txt