Script of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Chapter 1

The first chapter of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Ouroboros, introduces the world, unites the main party, and sets them on their quest.

This page is divided into sections based on the Event Theater. Scenes not in the Event Theater (such as story quests or unvoiced dialogue) are shown as italic headers and given unofficial titles.

This page or section is incomplete. In other words, yes we know it's unfinished; we just didn't want to leave it blank in the meantime. You can help complete it. The editor who added this tag elaborates: Unvoiced speech bubble cutscenes

Prologue

The ticking of a large clock a minute away from 6 echoes throughout a busy town square. Several children rush through the crowd: Eunie, Lanz, Noah, and Joran.

Eunie

C'mon, hurry up!
The Queen's Anniversary's gonna start without us, guys!

Lanz

Yeah, move your feet!
Hup, hup. Run like you mean it!

Joran

(pant) Slow down, guys!
Is it true, though? There's gonna be fireworks?

Noah

Yeah! Saw them setting it up yesterday.
There were loads of them. It'll be worth it, promise!

The fireworks begin. Other children are excitedly playing in a nearby fountain. Joran disturbs a flock of doves by running through them, and they take flight around Noah. As the clock strikes the hour, time around Noah seems to slow down and then stop — people stay still, the doves freeze around him, and the splashes in the fountain hang motionless in the air. Noah looks around in confusion, then up in awe at what appears to be another planet bearing down upon the world, blocking out the sun.
In a black void, a blue sphere collides with a yellow-green sphere, erupting into light. Spheres of annihilation race across a landscape, leaving giant spherical holes with rocks frozen in midair around the periphery.

♫

Battlefield - The Scramble for Life

The camera pans to a battlefield overlooked by two Ferronises, titanic mechanical constructs. Two armies, Keves in black and Agnus in white, charge at one another.

Narrator

Two colossal martial nations, locked in war:
Keves and Agnus.
What is it they need to stay alive?
Water? Food?
Certainly.

As an Agnian soldier is killed, his skin solidifies into a grey husk, with red motes rising from it. The motes are absorbed into the Kevesi Ferronis.

Narrator

But what we need most...
is life itself.

As the motes are absorbed, a circular blue flame on the Kevesi Ferronis — the Flame Clock — increases in intensity, and flames in the irises of the Kevesi soldiers increase to match. The two sides continue to slaughter each other.

Narrator

Taking each other's lives,
with the taken flames becoming your own in turn,
while the other, the one whose essence is stolen,
leaves only a husk.

The fight is going well for the Agnians; their yellow-green Flame Clock is absorbing plenty of motes and growing substantially. Kevesi artillery attacks the Agnian Ferronis.

Keves Commander

Bombardier! What are you playing at?!
How can we claim their life if you blow up the whole sparking thing?!
Cripple them! Aim lower!

Keves Bombardier

Y-yessir! Lowering aim, sir!

The next shot strikes the Ferronis's undercarriage, sending it to the ground. The Kevesi charge. A Consul, a helmeted figure dressed entirely in red, can be seen standing atop each Ferronis.

Narrator

Fighting in order to live.
And living to fight.
That's the way of our world,
Aionios.
Cruel irony that it should mean "eternity".

Five Kevesi soldiers charge onto the scene: Noah, Eunie, and Lanz, now young adults, alongside Mwamba and Riku.

Narrator

Because slowly but surely, our world is now dying.
Even though
we have yet to realize that fact.

♫

Tactical Action (Dynamic A)

Noah's iris flashes, and a sword materialises in his hand. His companions similarly draw weapons right as they encounter Agnian soldiers. Noah slices through several instantly, and Lanz takes a hit but remains standing.

Noah

Lanz?!

Lanz

Worry about yourself, Noah!
There's still more of 'em!

Noah

Even so...!

Mwamba

Shut it! Stop flappin' yer gums and move!

Eunie

Yeah, we've got more incoming!

The Colony Sigma Battle

The Agnian soldiers in the immediate vicinity have been cleared, but more advance to either side.

Noah

They outflanked us?!
Lanz! The front line!

Lanz

That Trish's team?!
Eunie! How're things with Kite?
What about our backup?!

A group of Kevesi soldiers are locked in battle with Agnians.

Eunie

Looks like they're busy guarding the artillery. They're not goin' anywhere.
Anyone's moving right now, it's us!

Noah looks at the advancing Agnian forces.

Noah

Let's go! If the front line breaks, we're all dead!

Lanz

But, the position...

Keves soldier

We can handle this ourselves!
Go on, move it!

Noah thinks for a second, then shares a nod with the soldier. The group charges off before being confronted by a large Agnian mech.

♫

Tactical Action

Lanz

A Levnis!

Noah

That's what's hitting us? Well now we know.

Eunie

It's do or die, Noah!

Noah

Got it!

Scars of War

♫

The Exhausted Victorious, The Speechless Defeated

The battle winds down as the last few Agnians are killed. The Agnian Ferronis falls apart and crashes to the ground as its Flame Clock fades away, crushing a hapless Kevesi.

Keves soldier

Victory!

The Kevesi cheer. Eunie and Lanz join in; Noah remains solemn.

Keves soldiers

Victory! Is! Ours!
We won!
We won!
Your lives are ours!
(in unison) Your lives are ours!

In another location, a masked woman raises a staff, and pods rise up around her. Within a pod, an embryo becomes a full-grown human child within the blink of an eye.

Noah
(narrating)

Every one of us is born looking like this.
As soldiers.

A group of children, visibly around 10 years old, march out of a transporter. Noah, Lanz, Eunie, and Joran are among them. Each has a tattoo somewhere on their body — a term mark — with mostly red, while the equivalents on their older bodies were mostly grey.

Noah
(narrating)

As weapons for slaying Agnians...

In an enclosure, Kevesi soldiers spar intensely.

Noah
(narrating)

Yes.
All of us...
live only...
to fight.

♫

Young Warriors

In an adjacent enclosure, the young Noah is fighting a similarly-aged boy, Garvel. Noah dodges most of Garvel's sword swipes.

Garvel

Tch! Cut that out!
Stupid...
Noah!

Shots are fired at Noah's head, and he jumps behind Lanz's Shieldblade. The shooter, Hoope, fires a few more shots against the shield, to no avail.

Noah

Nice one, Lanz!

Lanz

Too early for that!
Look, it's you they're after here!

Eunie attempts to shoot Garvel but her shots are blocked by Layla, another Shieldblade wielder.

Eunie
(all confidence)

Just take out their Attackers and we're golden.
They're gonna get it handed to 'em!

Eunie guns for Hoope, who ducks behind cover.

Eunie

Bah! Flickerin' Hoope... You're as slippery as Noah sometimes!

Garvel
(annoyed)

Eunie... Chick never shuts up.
Kite!
Ranged Arts!

Kite

Easy!

Kite raises his staff and fires a volley of projectiles. One strikes Eunie.

Lanz

Eunie!

Hoope starts shooting at Eunie, but Lanz rushes in to block.

Eunie
(winded and coughing)

Didn't account for Kite... Ugh... I snuffed this up.

Joran runs towards Eunie and hovers his staff over her. Green healing light shines around her. After a couple seconds, she's revived.

Joran
(Worried)

You OK, Eunie?

Eunie

Cheers for that. You're a lifesaver, Joran!

Garvel

Sparkin' deadweight...!

Garvel's gang regroups behind cover.

Garvel

Hey!
Change of plan!
Kite, you keep firing, and don't stop.

Kite

At what?

Garvel

Whatever you want.

Kite

Huh?

Garvel

Go ballistic.
Just draw their attention.
'Cause what we're after here...
is that lame duck.

Noah's team has also regrouped. The camera focuses on Joran.

Hoope

Joran?! But he's bottom of the class.
Why bother?

Garvel

Thing is, the brat's still a decent Healer.
Get it?

Layla
(amused)

Ahh, right. So we're playing by the book here.

Garvel

Pisses me off,
but the fight'll be good as won!

Layla, Hoope, and Kite

Yeah!

Garvel's gang disperses. Kite starts blasting.

Lanz

Eunie! Take out Kite!

Eunie tries to approach, but is forced back.

Eunie

Can't! They've got the advantage, AND they're behind cover!

Lanz

Noah! Can we flank 'em?
Noah!

Noah dashes through fire. Joran is almost hit by a shot. Garvel signals to Layla and the two advance. Noah notices.

Noah

They're not in their usual formation...

Lanz

Wait, what?

Noah gasps and tackles Eunie out of the way of a shot from Kite.

Noah

We're snuffed!
Kite's just a decoy!
So they're really after-

Lanz gasps in understanding. Garvel rapidly approaches Joran and swings, but Lanz gets there first and blocks the attack while he throws Joran behind him. Joran shouts in surprise.

Garvel

Quick thinking, Lanz!

Layla attacks from a different angle, and Lanz twists around to block her too.

Joran

(gasp) Lanz?!

Lanz holds his ground as Garvel and Layla's attacks clash against his ether shield.

Garvel

Tough guy!
But ya can't hold out forever.

Noah

Spark!

Noah tries to approach but is pinned down by Hoope. Eunie is similarly kept away by Kite.

Eunie

Noah!

Joran

Lanz...!

Lanz

Rrgh...! You stay put...
They wanna take you outta the running!

A mighty blow from Garvel shatters Lanz's ether shield, but he continues to block attacks from two angles with the physical blade.

Joran

Yeah, but...!

Lanz

Don't you leave that snuffing spot!

Joran
(abject)

Why would you...

Joran gets up and runs far behind Lanz. Lanz looks back in shock. Layla continues to fight Lanz as Garvel gives chase. Joran aims at Lanz with his staff.

Joran

All that I am...
is yours!

Joran shoots an intense beam of healing energy past Garvel into Lanz.

Joran
(exhausted but pleased)

Now...you can carry on...

Joran falls to his knees as Garvel waltzes up.

Garvel

You shoulda done that much sooner!

Garvel swings his sword down at Joran.

♫

Lost Days of Warmth

Later, Garvel's gang are decorated. Garvel is deeply smug, while Noah's team watch on, forlorn.
In an alleyway, Lanz throws a punch at Joran, but his fist is caught by Noah.

Lanz

Get off me!
Had to go and play the hero, didn't he?

Noah

You really think
you could've taken 'em?

Noah twists Lanz's arm away. Lanz releases himself and turns away.

Eunie

I think Joran did the right thing.
If he hadn't used his powers back there, you'd have been first out of the running!

Lanz

Yeah, but still...
Didn't have to go get himself killed for it!

Noah

Come on. He was trying to protect you!
He lured in Garvel's gang.
Gave us a chance to turn it around.

Lanz "ugh"s.

Noah

You know who wasn't up to it?
We weren't.

Lanz

Yeah, BUT!

Joran
(interrupting)

Just stop it!!!
No more arguing...
It's my fault.
I should've...just done a better job.
Then we'd have won.

Noah

Hey...

Joran
(sniffling)

So much for getting to the final, huh...
Sorry...
I let us down on your big day...
I'm so...sorry!

Joran runs off.

Noah
(confused)

What big day...?

Eunie

The birth-day.

Noah

What- Whose?

Eunie

Yours, dummy! It's your second term, right?
Remember?

Noah

Ah...

Eunie
(chuckling)

A win would've been a nice surprise.
Lanz was pretty fired up too, weren't ya?

Lanz
(still annoyed)

Cut it out.

Lanz starts to walk away.

Noah

Hey...

Lanz

What?

Noah

You'll apologize, right?

Lanz

...Might do, might not.

The scene transitions back to Noah and co. overlooking the battlefield.

Noah
(narrating)

We each have a lifespan of ten years.
We call them terms. Life begins with our first term, and ends at the close of our tenth.
And over the course of those ten years...
we fight, continually.
Though in reality, there aren't that many who can hold their flame for the whole ten years.
Most lose their lives on the battlefield
before they reach year ten.
But those who do survive to the end
are honored in a special service.
We call it...the Homecoming.

Young Noah, Eunie, and Lanz are chatting. Riku and Joran run up.

Noah

Morning, Joran!

Joran

Hey Noah, morning.
Morning, uh...Lanz...

Lanz
(dismissive)

Hmph.

Lanz starts jogging off, and Joran sighs.

Lanz

Get a move on!
Quick, we're gonna miss the Homecoming!

Eunie takes off after him. Noah and Joran share a nod, and follow.

Eunie

First one they've ever had here, right?

Lanz

Yeah, isn't it awesome?

♫

Shining Aspiration - Inherited Melody

A Kevesi soldier, apparently the age of a young adult, kneels on a stage. Their term marker is entirely grey. A Consul stands before them, and they are flanked by a number of flautists: Off-seers. The Consul walks to the side, revealing the masked woman from before. Noah and co. are watching from the audience.

Lanz

Whoa!
Even the Queen's come out!

Eunie

So that's Her Majesty, huh?

Joran
(whispering)

Wow... I've never seen her before...

Noah "huh"s. The Queen slowly walks towards the kneeling soldier.
The off-seers begin their beautiful tune. Noah watches on, entranced. The Queen of Keves raises her arms, and golden motes begin pouring off the soldier's body.

Lanz

So cool!
I heard the stories, but this is just wild!
That's gonna be me someday!
Just you try and stop me!
You guys, too. You're totally making it with me!

Eunie

Of course!

Joran
(unsure)

Uhm...

Lanz

And you, Noah!
Right?!

Noah
(not paying attention to Lanz)

Huh? Sure...
Yeah, you bet...

The soldier evaporates into golden motes that rise into the sky and surround the off-seers.

Noah
(narrating)

Our lives came from the Queen, and we all lived for a chance to take part in the Homecoming.
The chance...
to return to the Queen's embrace.
Carrying out ten years of service, fighting.
That was our whole world.
Nobody ever thought to question it.
Until that day...

The camera swirls around a blonde off-seer, and the scene fades back into the battlefield, where Noah is now playing his own flute, surrounded by rising blue motes. Fallen soldiers are unceremoniously trod on and run over as the exhausted Kevesi survivors walk home. The husks now all emit blue motes. A Kevesi soldier, carrying a wounded comrade, nods at Noah in gratitude from afar as he finishes his tune.

Lanz

Do you have to?

Noah

Huh?

Lanz

You shouldn't be sending those guys off like that.

Noah

What? Why not?

Lanz
(more tired than confrontational)

Why are you like this, Noah?
It's Agnus! Our enemy?

Noah

Well, yeah...
They don't have an off-seer, though. To send them.

Eunie
(pleased)

Yep, they all bit the dust thanks to us.

Lanz

So what?

Noah

Look, there's no rule not to.

Lanz

Then, what, you're just gonna...keep going?
I don't get you, Noah.

Noah

I know we're putting our lives on the line.
But still...

Eunie

Yeah, yeah, we get it already.

Eunie
(imitating)

"Friend or foe, someone has to lay them to rest."
"For that is my role as an off-seer."

Eunie waltzes towards Noah and lightly punches his chest.

Eunie

Right?

Noah

Uh... Is my voice that deep?

Eunie

Shut it, you. I wasn't trying to be anyone specific.
Right, I've had about enough of all this depressing crap. Let's head back and hit the showers.
I'm all gunked up with blood and sweat.

The party looks back to where the last transport is taking off.

Lanz
(sigh)

Uhh... Bye, transport.
Guess we missed it again...

Eunie

Oh...bollocks!
Ugh, Noah always does this! How many times is it we've had to walk home now?!

They walk off. Noah takes one last look over the battlefield before joining them.

Containers

Riku suddenly stops in front of a container.

Riku

Friends! Wait!

Noah

What's the matter, Riku?

Riku

Oh, Noah. Just because friends are worn out from battle is no excuse to not pay attention to surroundings!
Direct eyes right there!

Mwamba

Oh, hey! An abandoned container.

Lanz

If it's been cast off like trash, is it even worth trying to salvage it?

Riku

Victory can make soldier sloppy. Neglectful of battlefield-aftercare tasks!
Thanks to Nopon rearguard, Noah and friends survive battle, go home with bum-bum in single piece.
Don't friends think friends should heed advice of experienced colleague?

Eunie

...I guess maybe we should.

Lanz

Oh, so you're a badass now, eh, Riku? Maybe next time you wanna join us on the frontline, huh? That sound fun?

Noah

Hey, Lanz, go easy...
Riku's just trying to help us out here.

Husks

Noah

Hey... Is that...?

They approach a corner only to see a husk with red motes rising from it. Eunie analyses the body.

Eunie
(shaking her head)

...Dead.

Lanz

Must've snuffed it en route back to Colony 9. Rough deal.

Mwamba

Yeah... And with all that life left on the Clock...

Noah

...
Just...wait a moment, would you?
I ought to take care of the off-seeing.

Riku

Of course. We have time.

Back to Colony 9

They are back in Colony 9.

Lanz

Ah, made it back at last. What a hike!

Riku

Such long walkings tough on legs of Riku... Riku totally pooped.

Noah

It was a massive battle. But we don't seem to have taken too many injuries, fortunately.

Lanz

Yeah, well, I guess that's the upside of going against a low-rank, no-mark colony like that.

Eunie

On the flipside, we didn't manage to fill up the Flame Clock all that much...

Mwamba

Ah, it's all for the best. At least we've all come back in one piece.

Noah

I agree. And anyway, we should be all right on that front, for the time being.

Riku

Noah, talking out here just waste time. How about friends move chatter into bath?

Noah

Good thinking! Let's do that.

They walk towards the bathing tent.

A Brief Respite

In the Colony 9 bathing tent, soldiers of all genders are showering and bathing together nude. Noah turns off the shower before getting in a bath with Eunie.

Noah
(relaxed)

(sigh)

Eunie

Say...
You know how you became an off-seer... after what happened...?

Noah

Hm?
Uh...
I guess...yeah.

Noah remembers a scene where Joran is crushed by falling rubble.

Eunie

Does it...still hurt?

Noah
(calmly)

No...
I can't say I'm totally over it... but I'm getting there.
I've sent...so many of our comrades.
A lot's happened.
Both for me...and those sent on.

Noah recalls the blonde off-seer at the Homecoming.

Eunie

Mmm.

Noah

Anyway, worry about him.

He turns to where Lanz is showering, wincing at his earlier injury.

Noah

Poor guy. Pushes himself too hard.

Eunie

What can we do?
He's been like this for ages.

They remember the young Lanz helplessly trying to reach out during Joran's death.

Eunie

He never got to apologize. So...
You know.

Lanz appears behind Noah.

Lanz
(clueless)

Hm?
You guys talking about the battle?
Don't worry about the bonus points...
'cause I'll have nabbed 'em all!

Eunie stands fully up and confronts him without a bit of shame.

Eunie
(indignant)

Er, the snuff you on about?
I'll have you know I clocked up a fair bit more!

Lanz stands up too, equally shamelessly. Noah looks between the two of them.

Lanz

Oh, yeah, sure.
I'm the one who took the heavy off its hinges.
They give you loads of points.

Eunie

Ooh, big deal!
If that heal had come a few seconds later you'd be sleeping in the dirt!

Noah leaves them to their bickering and looks up at the gathering stars.

Lanz

Uh, yeah, no, uh-uh.
That was part of the plan. You couldn't tell?
I just felt like giving you the credit. But don't worry, you can thank me later.

Eunie

Huh? You're a right muppet, Lanz...

Later, outside the tent, the gang are once again fully dressed.

Lanz

All right then! Off to bed with me.

Eunie

Yeah... All that walking's really done a number on me!

Noah
(sheepish)

I'm sorry...

Eunie

Hehe! Come on, let's go!

Lanz

Whoop!

Noah
(simultaneously)

Yeah.

Riku
(simultaneously)

Meh-heh!

Hit the sack

They are in front of the sleeping tent.

Eunie

OK! Time to hit the sack, maybe?

Rest in your tent?

Yes

Noah

Sure, let's do it.

Riku

Rest to max! Resting very serious business.

Noah

Indeed.

No

Noah

Actually, I need to take care of some things. Eunie, you and the others go ahead and rest.

Lanz

Yeah, I got a few loose ends to tie up too. Let's hang together for a bit, huh?

Eunie

Let's not take too long, OK, guys?

Emergency Assembly

The next morning, Noah is woken by an alarm blaring through Colony 9. He runs outside to where soldiers are gathering.

Noah

An emergency assembly?

Eunie
(mid-yawn)

It's the crack of dawn, guys...

Lanz
(tired)

Ugh, why...?

Noah

No idea. We'd better take a look.

A New Mission

The colony's soldiers are in formation, facing the commander.

Eunie

Remind me, what're we lining up for here?

Mwamba

Royal decree from the Castle.
They say an enemy armored unit's approaching this area.

Lanz

Come on, man... I just got to sleep and everything...

Riku

Friend's fault for staying up late!

Lanz

And whose fault was it I couldn't sleep?
I asked you to do the maintenance on my power frame...
But you totally messed up my settings!

Riku
(unrepentant)

Oho? Ahh. That probably different frame.
Riku is popular guypon, crushed by weight of fans asking to do favors.
Sometimes mix up orders.
Meh. If configs bamboozle, why not fix by self?

Lanz gets increasingly ticked off as Riku speaks.

Lanz

That's why I didn't get any sleep, furball!

Colony 9 Commander

I'm here to announce today's mission.
You have one target. It's currently on course for the suppression area, here.

The commander's iris glows as he taps the side of his head. The soldiers check their own irises in response. A glowing object appears on a map of the area, with a trajectory.

Colony 9 Commander

Judging from the mass, it's expected to be large in size.
And based on its speed, we estimate it will reach the Alfeto Valley at 0100 hours.
Notably, the target's emitting a considerable amount of ether energy.
As for your mission, deploy at the canyon by the designated time.
Investigate and destroy the source of ether.

Keves soldier

Commander, one question.

Colony 9 Commander

Go.

Keves soldier

About this target... Can we assume it's from Agnus?

Colony 9 Commander

We don't know.
We haven't been able to confirm, but it seems that they're also gunning for it.
This would suggest it should be seen as part of... a different enemy force.
Combat with Agnian troops in the area is also expected.
Details will be sent to your Iris after deployment.
Clear? You are to remain vigilant throughout the operation.
Dismissed!

The soldiers salute.

For the script of Preparing for Battle, see Preparing for Battle § Dialogue.

Colony Rank

♫

Indescribable Unease

The group has prepared for the mission and are gathering at the Colony 9 Front Gate. Lanz spies a group of Levnises.

Lanz

Yeeeeah! Now we're bringing out the big guns!

Noah
(lost in thought)

Hm...

Lanz

What's up?

Noah

Our rank...it *is* Copper, right?

Eunie

Talking about colony ranks? I mean, we did win big yesterday.
It'll only be a matter of time before we make Iron. That'll be it.

Noah

Uh... Yeah, I dunno...about that.

Riku

Oho? Looks like they rolling out Silver rank for this operation.

Noah

Silver rank?!
What would they be doing here...?

Lanz

Orders are orders. Can't complain about the help, though.

Noah

Hm...

Keves soldier

We're moving out!
Wedge formation until Point D! Don't fall behind!

The Levnises walk out, with the soldiers marching close behind.

A call from Roald

Noah recieves a call from his iris.

Lanz

Hey, what's up?

Noah

I'm getting a call from Roald.

Roald

Hey, Noah, sorry to be a pain in the bum, but I was wondering if you'd mind doing me one more huge favor.

Noah

Sure, no problem at all. What's the trouble?

Roald

It's just, I happened to skim over everyone's Collectopaedia Cards earlier, and...
Well, looks like a bunch of people are still a bit behind on preparations for the big mission.
If you happen on anything they could use while you're out and about, would you mind throwing it to them using the cards?

Noah

I hear you loud and clear. When we find the materials, we just register them on the Collectopaedia Cards, right?

Roald

That's right, same way as always. Sorry and thanks again!

Eunie

That Roald sure likes sticking his beak in other people's business. Remind you of anyone else we know, eh, Lanz?

Lanz

Hah! Bang on. Still, at least there's rewards attached to it. I say we go for it. That way everyone benefits.

Riku

How very like Lanz to weigh benefits so careful-like.

Lanz

Whatchu say, furball?!

Noah

All right, all right. Let's get our heads back in the game and be on our way to Alfeto Valley.

The spearhead squad

Once in the Alfeto Valley Mouth, they encounter some Colony 9 soldiers struggling with some Volffs.

♫

Alfeto Valley

Eunie

...Hey! Check it out!

Lanz

The spearhead squad.

Mwamba

Huh, Volffs?
They're not much of an enemy if you take 'em on one at a time. Still...

Noah

The main objective of the op is still ahead. If these guys've hit an impasse, we ought to help them..

Eunie

I thought you'd say something like that.

They get between the Kevesi soldiers and the Volffs while they unsheathe their Blades.

♫

Keves Battle

Colony 9 Soldier 3

Hey! You lot!

Noah

Hang tight, we'll back you up!

Colony 9 Soldier 3

Nice! Together, we'll take them out in no time.

Keep Your Heads Screwed On

The party has defeated the Rood Volffs blocking the way. They watch as the red motes from the Volffs rise into the sky, filling their Flame Clock by a small amount.

Colony 9 Soldier 1

This all we're getting?
Gonna need something a bit more meaty about now.

Colony 9 Soldier 2

Tell me about it.
Colony we fought the other day? Dirt rank. Hardly filled up the Flame Clock at all.

Noah

Lanz, Eunie.

Lanz

Yeah?

Noah

No heroics this time.
Keep your heads screwed on.

Lanz

Pfft, come on man. No one ever tell you? I'm a hero in the making, I am!
Without my heroics, our combat unit would be right up the-

Noah
(dead serious)

Lanz!

Lanz

...creek.

Lanz leans back as Noah approaches him.

Noah

Come on,
stop being so cocky.

Lanz

I-it was just a joke, mate.
No need to glare...

Eunie

Is it that bad?

Noah

Yeah...
Something's...not right here.
Something just feels...off.

Mwamba

Noah's intuition's never wrong.

Riku

Friends better listen to Noah.

Lanz

Got it.

♫

Those Who Devour Life

The Drifter Ropl

Riku stops and takes a strange device out of his pocket, it emits an hologram screen.

Riku

Rendezvous point up ahead!

Lanz

Since Nopon can't use Irises, isn't it a pain to have to keep fiddling with a terminal?

Riku

No fear. Riku take it in stride.
Also if pretend to not look at terminal, can ignore all sort of troublesome and tiresome communications.

Lanz

Whoa, that's kinda smart.

Suddenly, the rock they had in front of them emerges from the ground, showing it was a Drifter Ropl.

♫

Immediate Threat

Noah

Riku! Watch out!

Riku runs behind Noah.

Mwamba

...It was camouflaged as a rock...?

Eunie

We're gonna have to face it!

Noah

Here it comes!

They unsheathe their weapons.

Homecoming

♫

The Bereaved and Those Left Behind

The party has defeated a Drifter Ropl blocking the path. Mwamba looks at his term mark, almost entirely grey, and smiles.

Eunie

So... It's gonna be next month?

Mwamba

Yeah... Just a little longer.

Lanz

You're something else, Mwamba. The pride of Colony 9.

Mwamba

Aww, you guys.
I've finally made it this far.

Eunie

What's up?

Mwamba

Well...
Thing is... I was thinking, after this op,
I think I'm gonna go and put in a transfer to the salvage corps.
You never know what'll happen on the battlefield, right?
You can laugh at me, if you want.

Lanz

I ain't laughing, man.
We've only been alive this long because you've always had our backs.

Eunie

Yep. We owe you a ton.
Just make sure you get to your Homecoming, OK?

Mwamba
(almost crying)

Lanz, Eunie... You guys...

Riku
(bluntly)

Mwamba.
Now not time to relax tear ducts.
Let down guard, and you fill Flame Clock of someone else.

Lanz
(annoyed)

Riku, come on!

Mwamba

Ha ha! Well, you don't mince words!
You *are* right though.

Noah is looking away, slightly sad.

Mwamba

Sorry, Noah.

Noah
(caught off guard)

Huh? Oh, no, it's not that.
I guess I was just thinking about your Homecoming. It made me feel a little sad...

Mwamba

Noah...

Noah

Mwamba, salvage is an important service.
Don't feel like you owe us anything.

Mwamba

Thank you so much, Noah.
Right then!
Let's get this operation done! Next month's a-Homecomin'!

Noah looks down and remembers a conversation with Joran when he was much younger.

Joran

I'd love to make it to my Homecoming - maybe if I'm lucky...
(light pain)

Joran clutches the side of his face and winces.

Noah

Of course you'll make it, we all will.

Joran

I wonder...
I mean, I'm not like you guys... I'm so clumsy.

Noah

Come on, you're not!
What about the last match? You did way better than everyone else!

Joran
(fully unconvinced)

We still lost though, right?
It's OK. I've sort of half given up already.

Noah

Joran...!

Joran
(unwaveringly)

Well, at least...
When I do die, I want to at least be of some use.

Noah stands up before him.

Noah

Enough of that!

Joran

Whuh?

Noah

Don't talk like that!
I've always told you we're a team, haven't I?
That means now...and always.

Joran

Aww...

Joran gives a soft smile. Noah's thoughts turn to Joran pushing Lanz out of the way of falling rubble before being crushed.

Mwamba

...Noah.
Noah!

Noah

Huh?

Mwamba

I'm gonna go on ahead.
We got a call - Martha's team has a spot free, 'pparently.

Noah
(back in reality)

Ah. Right.

Mwamba

Do me a favor?
Come along with me. To the office.

Noah

When you apply?
Got it.
The commander can be...intense.

Mwamba
(grinning)

Exactly.
Later!

Mwamba runs off. Noah sighs.

Rest time

The party has made it to the Forward Post Camp

Eunie

We made it to the rendezvous point faster than I thought we would.

Noah

Mwamba did help us a lot along the way.

Lanz

Mwamba's team... They're not here yet.

Noah

Martha's squad was leading the way. They'll be at a different rendezvous point, I expect.

Noah checks his iris.

Noah

The mission hasn't changed.
We'll stand by round here till the scheduled start of the operation.

Eunie

Roger that!
Should we grab a bite to eat?

Lanz

Good shout.

Eunie and Lanz walk off.

Riku

Noah... Something up?

Noah
(shaking his head)

I've just got this uneasy feeling... It won't go away.

Eunie

The thing we were talking about before?

Lanz

Mate, you're thinking too hard, as usual. Think it could just be the pressure weighing on you a bit?

Noah

Heh, yeah, maybe.

Lanz

...Oh for snuff's sake.
We've still got a bit of time. How about blowing off a bit of steam with a quick sparring sesh?

Eunie

Huh? C'mon, we've got the operation soon. Shouldn't we just rest?

Lanz

Nah, this is exactly the sort of time you want to get your heart rate up.
Nothing like going toe-to-toe to get out of your head. Really helps you focus.

Riku

Never mind empty-headed proposal of Lanz, Noah.

Lanz

Shut it, fluff-bag!

Riku

Riku vote for having mindful moment in quiet place. Checking in on state of self!

Noah

OK...
Thank you, Lanz.
Why don't we train a bit now so we can give it everything in the battle?

Lanz

Nice.

Reviewing the operation

♫

Tactical Action (Dynamic B)

Noah
(checking his iris)

It's almost time.
Let's review the details of the operation.
Our mission objective lies in Alfeto Valley.
An unidentified ether source has been reported. We are tasked with surveying it and destroying it.

Riku

Waypoint marked out on map now. Please to have look at waypoint on map!

Everyone nods.

Noah

The advance party should have already arrived at the planned contact point.

Eunie

It's time we headed out too, then!

Lanz

Let's get the snuff out of here.
A royal decree, eh? I don't know about all this...
But let's get out there and square it away as quick as we can!

They start walking off.

Secret Mission

♫

Nearing the Enemy

The party has made it deep into Alfeto Valley. They take cover behind a rock.

Lanz

It's really supposed to be here?
I don't see much.

Noah checks his iris. Agnian Levnises are on the move.

Noah

Shh!
Agnian troops.

Eunie

Seriously?!

Noah

They're still far off. They haven't spotted us.

Lanz

Goin' in?

Noah

We don't have permission to engage.
The only thing we need to focus on...is our target.

Noah tries to use an iris function, but it fails.

Noah's Iris

[Communications down due to black fog interference.]

Instead, Noah signals to a soldier behind their group. The soldier runs over.

Keves soldier

What?

Noah

Heads up. Enemies at two o'clock. Go tell the main force.
I'm worried about Mwamba and the others. I think we'll go on alone.

Keves soldier

OK then. I'll handle it.

The Battle Begins!

♫

Tactical Action (Dynamic A)

Noah's iris receives communication.

Noah's Iris

[Commence Mission.]

Kevesi and Agnian Levnises fire at seemingly empty space. A formerly-invisible object ripples as it is struck.

Noah

Is that it?
It's not Kevesi... Definitely not Agnian either...

Lanz

...The spark is that?

It's a hovering Levnis-like construction. It loses its invisibility and makes a landing, launching robots — Automatons — from its sides.

Eunie

It's comin' down!

The Kevesi and Agnians engage.

Lanz

Started without us!

Noah

We need to keep moving. Head to the target.

Eunie

You got it!

Noah

Our priority is to take down our target. I think we should avoid confrontation with Agnus.

Lanz

That's all well and good, but if there *is* a confrontation, no way am I backing down.

The Flame of Life

♫

Confronting Our Past

The party fights Agnian soldiers and Levnises, and are backed up by Kevesi Levnises. Each of Lanz, Eunie, and Noah take out several soldiers single-handedly, with Eunie supporting other Kevesi soldiers as they fight. Noah checks his Flame Clock after defeating several Agnians.

Noah

My Flame Clock...
It's filling up...but...

Lanz

This op is getting weirder by the minute...

Noah

I know... But if we can only get to the base of that pillar of light...

Attack of the Automatons

♫

Tactical Action (Dynamic C)

An Automaton notices the party and opens fire. Lanz shields the group.

Lanz

Yargh!

Eunie

What *are* these things?!

Riku

There no pilot inside!

Lanz

They're Automatons?!

Another Automaton lands near the party and engages in combat.

Ouroboros Stone

♫

Impending Crisis

The party has arrived within sight of the target. Noah checks his iris; it highlights a green-glowing object.

Noah

Is that it?

They rush towards the source. Meanwhile, the unknown force's troops are fighting Kevesi and Agnian forces on all sides. Among them are a large man named Guernica, together with his right-hand men, Yew and Zuo.

Guernica

Damn it!
Fighting both of 'em? That's gonna be a tough break.
But what did I expect?
They'll do just about anything...
for our precious Ouroboros Stone.

The camera focuses on the Ouroboros Stone, an egg-shaped green-glowing object about a metre tall in the middle of Guernica's defenses. Automatons are destroyed as the troops close in.

Yew

Guernica! That's the last of the Automatons!
We won't last long!

Zuo

The battle unit's still holding.
Go, save yourself!
Get that Stone to the City!

Zuo is hit.

Zuo

Argh!

Guernica

Zuo!

As Guernica counterattacks, Yew is hit too.

Yew

Arrrghhh!

Guernica shoots the last of the surrounding soldiers and rushes over to Yew. He puts his hand over Yew's chest.

Yew

Guernica...
S-sorry...
I should...
have been more...
perceptive...

Guernica grabs Yew's hand as he convulses and dies.

Guernica
(mourning)

Yew!
Yew!!!

Meanwhile, the party reaches striking distance of the Ouroboros Stone. They take cover behind trees.

Lanz

There it is. The ether source.

Eunie

First there was those Automatons. Now another unknown weapon.

Noah

What in the flames...are we even fighting?
No, not just us... Agnus too...

Guernica
(to himself)

So you made it this far.
It'll have to be here.

Guernica looks at the stone. The party takes notice.

Eunie

Noah. Look.

Lanz

Is that...a man?

Noah

He's no Agnian soldier.
What is he?
Was he controlling those Automatons, maybe?

Noah tries to advance, but is forced back by a large number of flying origami birds.

Noah

Uh?!

Eunie counterattacks, firing back at the Agnian soldier controlling them, Taion. Another soldier, Mio, dashes in, and Lanz uses his Shieldblade's turret to fire at her before blocking a hammer swing from a third Agnian, Sena. Noah strikes Sena away, and the two teams of three regroup, staring each other down.

Mio

Kevesi troops...

Sena

Three of 'em.

Taion

It seems...we are just about the only ones left.
And there's our objective.

Taion looks at the Ouroboros Stone.

Eunie

Noah!

Noah

Yeah. We'll have to fight.

Taion

Mio.

Mio

Got it.

♫

Immediate Threat

Clash

♫

The Two Off-Seers

A strike from Noah splits Mio's helmet, revealing her face as it falls apart. Mio is uninjured. The two duel as Guernica watches.

Guernica

These kids are gonna end up stealing each other's life force...
And me...
I've robbed them even of that kindness.

Guernica remembers gunning down soldiers, clenches his fist, and looks to the sky. As Noah fights Mio, Sena runs in from behind and attacks. Her own helmet has also been lost.

Noah

Huh?! Where did...?!

Lanz interposes with a full ether shield before Sena's attack can connect.

Lanz

Call that a swing?
You're way too slow!

The attack is deflected, but the ether shield is shattered, knocking Lanz off-balance.

Sena

He blocked it?!
No way!

Lanz

Gah! For a little munchkin, she sure packs a real wallop!

Meanwhile, Eunie is running from an attack by Taion (who has also lost his helmet).

Eunie

How many of those cards has this geek got?!

Taion

There's no escape!
When my Mondo have you... They'll follow you to the ends of the world!

At a signal, the Mondo form into several larger birds and fly towards Eunie's position under cover.

Eunie

Spark that!
Why don't you back off?!

Eunie sticks her Gunrod in the ground and releases a wave of ether. The Mondo are dispersed.

Taion

(gasp) How did she fool my Mondo?!

Eunie
(pleased with herself)

Creep. Try following that!

The teams regroup once again.

Noah
(panting)

These guys are tough...

Eunie

I hate to say it, but I think you're right.

Lanz

These are no grunts.
That gear... Special Forces?

Eunie

Yeah, deffo. That'll be why they've got an off-seer with 'em...

The camera focuses on Mio, who dashes towards the Kevesi. Lanz fires at her.

Lanz

Well, so are we!
Even-stevens!
Right?!

Taion advances too, with the Mondo being used to block an attack and as a stepping stone for Mio. Mio guns for Noah and the two duel again. Neither can land a solid hit on the other.

Noah

How can she react so quickly?!
Can't seem to...hit her!

A high-pitched noise seemingly comes from Noah's sword. Mio is seemingly affected, and jumps back.

Mio

What's... What's that sound?

The two continue their duel.

Noah

(She's so fast...)
(And yet...her moves are really simple...)
(It's almost...like they have a rhythm...)

Noah gasps in realisation.

Noah

(The Agnian off-seeing tune?)
(I know how that goes...)
(One, two, three, four...)
(One, two, three!)

On "three", Noah manages to push Mio back. She rushes back in at Noah, who is visibly concentrating on something else.

Mio

He's not even looking at me?!

Noah

(One, two, three, four... One, two...)

Noah
(shouting)

There!

Noah's attack lands and swipes a bit off Mio's uniform.

Mio

(He hit me?!)

The next few attacks put Mio on the back foot.

Mio

Why you...!

Mio's attack lands and strikes Noah in the cheek, drawing blood.

♫

Suffocating Reverberation

Time seems to slow down around Noah as he continues to fight.

Noah

(Hang on...)
(The fighting's stopped?)
(When did that...?)

Noah looks to where the other four are catching their breath.

Noah

(At this rate, one of us is going to get killed...)
(No, maybe both of us will...)
(Something strange is going on. We shouldn't be fighting like this.)

Noah
(to himself)

We should run...!

Noah

(Run?)
(Was it...me who just said that?)
(What is this?)
(There's no time to think...)
(Have to trust my gut...)
(This is all too real!)
(I hope I'll be able to...)
(get through...to her...!)

Noah

You are an off-seer! From Agnus, right?!

Mio

What the-?!

Noah

So you are, then! Why are you fighting me?

Mio

As if you can talk?!
You're the ones attacking us!
What, too scared to fight now?
Too late!

Noah
(out of breath)

It's not to do with fear.
It's that sound...
You can hear it too, I know you can!

Mio

We're fighting because there are enemies to kill!
You think we'll just let you go?!

The other four have resumed their fighting.

Noah

(Ugh...! This is bad... At this rate...!)

Noah

Is that all you have to say, Agnus?
I'm telling you-

Mio

Enough!
I'm telling you that you're full of it! Take that!

Noah and Mio strike at each other. Both miss and fall to the ground.

Noah
(to himself)

Do I really have to kill her?
But she's so fast...
If I lose focus for a second, I'm done for!

Mio
(to herself)

These Kevesi off-seers...
I thought they were just window dressing. But he's different...
And there's his sword... What's up with that?

They reengage. Guernica notices Noah's sword too.

Guernica

Uh...? What's that?!

Guernica looks to the stone.

Guernica
(to himself)

Ah I see...
I s'pose this is the reason I'm here then, eh?
Heh!
Guess this is what they call fate.
Fine then.
Time for Guernica Vandham...
to make an entrance!

He fires a flare into the sky. Mio and Noah are about to clash when they're distracted by it, and Guernica uses the opportunity to pin them to the ground.

Noah
(urk!)

What the?!

Guernica

What do you all think you're doing?
Why the fighting?!

Noah

What's this...guy saying?

Guernica
(shouting)

Just why?
Answer me!

The others collect around Guernica, staying a few metres away.

Mio

What do you mean, "why"? If I see an enemy I fight!

Mio releases herself from Guernica's pin and charges.

Mio

So don't you...
interfere!!!

Guernica incapacitates her with a punch to the stomach.

Guernica

Pull the wool from your eyes, kid.
Think about your real target: that thing!

Guernica points to the Ouroboros Stone.

Guernica
(frustrated)

And me!
No, you just have your little scrap.
D'you have any idea
who the real enemy is?
It's over!

He pounds the ground. The shockwave knocks Noah and Mio back.

♫

That To Which The Defeated Cling

Guernica
(slightly calmer)

Now. Is that all you need to fight?
Truly? That's all?

Taion
(spitting the words out)

Of course.
Countless comrades have lost their lives,
thanks to this filth.

Lanz
(quiet rage)

Oh really now? I could say the exact same thing.
What d'you think it's like for us?
Losing friend, after friend...
You steal everything from us!

Eunie

You think we're even just because both sides do some killing?

Eunie's iris lights up, showing the Flame Clock.

Eunie

What good's filling up these flickering Clocks in our eyes! It'll never replace the friends we've lost!
That's why-

Noah
(interrupting, at Eunie)

We aren't fighting because we *want* to.

Eunie
(confused)

We're not?

Noah
(softer)

We can see our lives written before our eyes. Fighting is all we have!
Is it any wonder...we lose loved ones? Or have to take them from others?
All of us...
We have to fight so we can go on living!

Mio gasps.

Noah
(angrily)

Just who decided that this was how it should be?
If I knew who they were, or where, I'd...

Noah stops short of finishing the sentence. Guernica steps towards him.

Guernica

I know who they are. You'll what?

Noah gasps. Guernica looks over Noah's uniform and sword.

Guernica
(poking Noah in the chest)

You're an off-seer, eh?
I guess I can trust you with this.
You better listen up now.
'Cause the face of your real enemy is-

♫

Impending Crisis

Guernica is interrupted by a glowing talon-shaped spear passing through his chest. He falls to the ground, yelling in pain. Taion sends his Mondo in the direction of the source, and the others take combat stances. The outline of a hulking creature can be seen faintly through the trees, in particular two glowing spheres on its torso with red infinity symbols. The first thing that appears from behind the trees is Mwamba.

Noah

Mwamba?

Mwamba
(struggling to speak)

N...Noah!
I...
I messed up...

The creature fully reveals itself, a demonic being several times the size of a human. It's holding Mwamba in one hand and an Agnian soldier in the other.

Agnian soldier

Mio...!
H... Help me, Mio...!

Mio

Hackt!

Noah's sword begins to vibrate and whine intensely.

Noah

My Blade... What the...?

Mwamba and Hackt make pained sounds as the creature approaches.

Noah

Mwamba?!

Lanz

Wh-what is that thing?!

Eunie

Never seen anything like it befo-

Eunie stops as she remembers a remarkably similar creature bearing down on her.

Lanz

Eunie!
Eunie! What's wrong?!
What is it? Seen that thing before?!

Eunie
(far less certain)

No, h-how could I have?

Lanz

Noah?

Noah

No, never.
This is no normal creature... It's something else.

The creature's left iris glows with a firey infinity symbol. It speaks with a distorted, deep voice.

Creature
(casually)

Oi oi!
Don't go stopping on my account.
Get back to killin' each other! Come on.
I thought that was your whole "raison d'être"?

Mio

It's...speaking?!

Guernica

M-Moebius...

Moebius

What's wrong?
Too worried about your buddies to fight?
Can't have that!
...All right.

The Moebius raises Mwamba and Hackt high. They cry out as their chests are crushed. After a second, the Moebius drops them to the ground and loosens up.

Noah

Mwamba!!!

Lanz

Grgh, you scum...!

Moebius
(gleefully evilly)

Oh, wow. This is some entertainment.
Two rival factions, murdering each other over one little rock.

It gestures to the Ouroboros stone.

Moebius

Well! Your objective is staring you in the face!
Try and take it.
'Course, you'll be dead before you can lay a finger on it.

It sits down on a nearby rock and grins.

Moebius

Don't you just love it?
Don't you wanna savor it?
The sweet taste of a life cut short!

Lanz

Ngh... You mudder!

Lanz and Eunie charge. Noah runs after them.

Noah

Wait, Lanz! Eunie!

Mio
(rushing in)

You killed Hackt!

Sena
(following)

Mimi!

Taion
(why are they like this)

Spark!

Guernica, still bleeding from his chest, climbs back into the transporter and starts it up. A talon from the Moebius's hand sends the entire party sprawling. It takes aim at Noah. Lanz interposes himself; the Moebius doesn't care. Before it can attack again, Guernica's transporter collides with it and drags it a good distance across the ground. Guernica yells and attempts to strike with one of the transporter's appendages, but the Moebius catches the strike mid-throw.

Moebius

Hmph.
Well... What did I expect?
That's about...
all you're...
good for!

As it speaks, it swings the entire transporter around by the appendage. The joint breaks and the transporter is thrown a significant distance away.

Guernica

Well, crud.
Helluva throwing arm.
But y'know...
I ain't...
takin' that lying down!!!

Guernica turns the transporter back around and attacks with an attached machine gun. The Moebius casually bats away some of the shots, before firing another talon to disable the attack and leaping right at the cockpit. It tears it open, grabs Guernica, and holds him aloft.

Noah
(weakly)

Leave him alone...

Noah rushes towards the Moebius again.

Noah
(yelling)

Let him go!!!

♫

Immediate Threat

The others rush after him (with some hesitation from Taion). Noah forces the Moebius to drop Guernica with an upwards sword slash to the arm.

Moebius

Tsk!
Don't get on yer high horse.
You're nothing more...
than a grunt!

Power manifests in the Moebius's fist, and Noah is blasted back as it punches the nearby ground. Lanz catches him.

Lanz

Noah!

Moebius

You've got a real death wish.
Maybe I'll take care of you first!
How 'bout that?!

The Ouroboros Awaken

♫

Converging Emotions

The party is struggling to stay fighting, while the Moebius is having no difficulty. A shot sends Sena rolling over to Eunie, who heals her.

Sena

Uh... Thanks for that.

Eunie
(impatiently)

Pfft... If you're done thanking me maybe you can get up!
We have to beat him together or we're dead in the mud!

Meanwhile, the Moebius bats Lanz's Shieldblade away and rears back with an attack. Taion blocks it by forming a shield with his Mondo.

Taion

Get out the way! You're just slowing me down!

Lanz

Tch... The nerve on this guy!

As they fight, Guernica approaches the Ouroboros stone, audibly in pain, and performs percussive maintenance.

Guernica

Start working...!
Wooork!!!
Ugh... If you don't start up soon...
Those kids...!
And the world!

After a few knocks, the egg opens to reveal a cylinder extending upwards from the core.

Guernica
(laughing)

That's what I'm talkin' about.
Looks like it wasn't all for nothing!

Meanwhile, the Moebius manages to knock Mio off her feet.

Moebius

One down, good start!

It takes aim at Mio, but Noah bats its arm away and jumps an inconsequential distance away with her. The Moebius is unperturbed and rears back to attack them both.

Moebius

Two for one!

Guernica

It's not over yet!!!

♫

Ouroboros Awakening

Guernica slams the Ouroboros Stone's cylinder into its core. As he does so, a blast of green-blue energy fills the surrounding area. A ghost-like image of Guernica is seemingly thrown out of his body, and likewise for the party members. Noah's iris glows, and his Flame Clock is replaced by a blue firey depiction of a snake eating its tail.
Noah's vision changes to the inside of an orange hazy sphere. Projected on the 'walls' are a multitude of transient videos, primarily of Mio, Sena, and an unknown brown-haired girl. Noah looks around the space in confusion, his iris aglow. The visuals are accompanied by a jumble of audible sentences from Mio — "An off-seer? Really?!" "Miyabi...?" "This is all... such a waste..." "You know, I was just looking for a training partner." "You've nothing to apologise for, Sena." Mixed in is an unknown voice, perhaps belonging to the pictured girl — "Mio... Is that why you're here, for recognition?" "Mio. Take this... I'm giving you my whole self. So please... Live life in my stead." The final line overlaps with Mio screaming "Miyabi!!!"
Mio stands vertically reversed in the same space, her feet against Noah's, her iris similarly aglow. She looks around at images from Noah's past, accompanied by the voices of the younger Noah and his friends: Noah shouting "For now, just run! Run with all the breath you have!" and "Stop crying, Lanz! It won't change anything!", while Lanz's voice screams "We can take care of ourselves!" and "Joran! Joooraaan!!!" As the voices speak, light swirls around Noah and Mio, and their bodies become two balls of light that combine into a single glowing core. This core appears where Noah and Mio stood, and a dark-coloured giant manifests around it. The Moebius is blasted back, toppling a tree in its trajectory.

Noah

What did I just...do...?

Noah's apparent hand is massive and deep purple, with glowing lines along it.

Noah

What...? This hand...

Noah

Mio

Is it...mine?

Noah looks over to the other party members, who are eyeing him warily in defensive stances.

Noah

Mio

Huh?
H-how are you inside me?!

Their body has a glowing spherical core in the torso and a helmet-like face. Its eyes glow when they speak.

Noah

Mio

Inside...?
Hold on... Are we...?!

Noah and Mio's new body draws itself up to its full height. It's about as tall as the Moebius, and speaks with a similarly distorted voice. Meanwhile, the Moebius tosses the fallen tree off of itself.

Moebius
(chuckling)

Well, you sure catch on quick.
So you got yourselves an Interlink going, eh?
Guess I've gotta give the old fool credit where it's due.

Noah

Mio

Interlink?

Moebius

Well, whatever.
That form you just merged into?
It's called "Ouroboros".
Sear that into yer skulls.

Noah

Ouroboros?

Moebius
(showing himself off)

Oh, and...
Me, I'm Moebius.
We look a bit alike, don't we?
When Keves and Agnus come together in unity,
you're practically one step away from being on the same level as us.

Noah

So we're...

Mio

one being...?

The Ouroboros's right eye lights up when Noah speaks, and the left eye when Mio speaks.

Moebius

Ehh, to put it bluntly, you're failures.
Fact is, the two of us are mortal enemies.

Noah

Mio

Enemies?

Noah and Mio's new form gets into a fighting stance.

Moebius

You got the picture?
No further questions?
Then let's get back on the dance floor!

Inherited Hope

The Ouroboros launches the Moebius high into the sky before slamming it back into the ground. The Ouroboros's skin colour has changed to an incandescent red, and a shrill alarm-like beeping can be heard. The Moebius's highlights have likewise changed from blue to yellow-white. The others look on in awe.

♫

Against the World

Moebius
(dusting itself off)

Pretty good!
Weeell, what a tough'un.
Enough.
We'll say I lost this one, yeah?

Mio

Who is he talking to?

Noah

No idea.
But...

Moebius
(chuckling)

Got a parting gift for you.
Don't worry, there's plenty to go round.

A searchlight-like beam is emitted from the Moebius's eyes and forms a blood-red infinity symbol on the clouds. Several consuls, including one in golden armour, take notice.

Moebius

And now, the whole world will be your enemy.
I wonder how your lives will turn out.
I'll enjoy watching you.

The Moebius vanishes in a cloud of purple motes. The sky brightens in a cloudy dawn.

Noah

Who in the... Who even was that...?

The Ouroboros vanishes, and Noah and Mio's bodies reform in its place. They check over themselves, and look at one another.

Eunie

N-Noah!

Lanz

W-was that... Was that you guys just now?

Eunie and Lanz jog over to Noah and Mio. Taion and Sena approach from the other side.

Taion

Mio, what's happening here? What's going on?

Mio

I...don't...

Eunie, Taion, Lanz, and Sena suddenly notice each other, and quickly get back in battle stances.

Guernica
(struggling to talk)

Hold it right there!
You guys...
Put away your weapons.
You aren't-
You're not enemies...
now...

Sena

We're not?

Lanz

Then...

Guernica falls to his knees. The group runs over, and Noah and Mio prop him against the transporter. Riku and an Agnian Nopon, Manana, have joined them.

Guernica
(panting)

Thanks...

Guernica removes his mask. He's reaching old age, and has an eyepatch covering his left eye. The others are taken aback.

Lanz

His skin's all wrinkled.

Eunie

Yeah...

Guernica
(chuckling)

It's called getting old, this.

Noah

Old...?

♫

A Life Woven Together

Guernica

Well...
Must be your first time, huh.
Seeing a human...like me, I mean.
Well then.
Looks like my plan was a success.

Eunie

What plan?

Guernica

You six... You're now Ouroboros.
Check the Flame Clocks in your Irises.
Do they look different to you?

They check each other's Irises. The circular flame has been replaced by the snake eating its tail.

Noah

Ah! Huh. Now you mention it...

Mio

Our Flame Clocks have changed shape?!

Guernica

You see it? That's the Ouroboros Ring.
Guess I did good...
Entrusting this power to you...

He looks at Mio's term mark. It's almost fully grey.

Guernica

That mark there... Late tenth term, eh?
Three months left. Till your Homecoming - that about right?

Mio gives a vocalisation of confirmation and her hand moves towards her term mark, but stops short.

Guernica

As for the rest of you...
You're probably about two years off, right?
Me? I've been alive sixty years.
Or should I say sixty terms, by your counting.
Yeah. I've been alive six times longer than you lot.
This is how people are really meant to be.
Listen, folks...
That's not all.
There's still...something else that needs to be done.
You guys... You wanna survive?
Live on? Hold the torch?

Mio looks away, unsure.

Guernica

You kids don't need to be fighting each other.
Not...
any more.
But...that doesn't mean you get to relax.
From this moment on,
those Moebius bastards are never gonna leave you alone.
Because now, kids... You share a common destiny.
They'll hunt you constantly, relentlessly, without rest.
Even so...
There's one place that might give you a chance:
Swordmarch.
The land pierced by a great sword.
You gotta find our hope...
Our City...
It's the only way you're gonna defeat the real enemy...
And reclaim what was lost...
The way the world, and life...
should be.

Golden motes begin to fly off Guernica's body.

Guernica

And listen.
Don't give up. Ten years? You kids deserve better.
The only thing that can change all this...
is the will of Ouroboros...
You kids, and you alone...

He evaporates into motes. Mio exhales, then pulls out her flute.

Eunie

Hey. Is she...

Lanz

Yeah. An Agnian off-seer.

Mio begins to play.

♫

A Life Sent On

Guernica's golden motes turn blue. After a few bars, Noah joins in, and Mio pauses, but resumes after they share a look. The Kevesi and Agnian off-seeing tunes harmonise as blue motes fill the area and rise into the sky.

Lanz

Mwamba...

Eunie

So close to making it...

Taion and Sena sigh. The piece ends.

Mio

Thank you.
For doing this with me.

Noah

Well...
This is what we're meant to do.
To send on the voices of the departed, is an off-seer's purpose...

Mio recalls a time with the brown-haired girl Noah had seen during the Interlink.

Unknown girl

To send on the voices of the departed
is an off-seer's purpose...

Mio

Right.

Lanz says something inaudible to Eunie, then addresses Noah.

Lanz
(matter-of-factly)

We're leaving.
Noah, Eunie.

They begin to walk off, but stop when Noah doesn't follow.

Noah

What's up?

Lanz

The mission's over. We've got an obligation. Need to report the sitch.

Taion
(ordering)

As do we. Time to withdraw. Mio, Sena.

Mio

Huh? But-

Taion

"But", what?

Mio
(annoyed)

Come on, Taion. Don't be rude.

Taion

It's hardly the time for pleasantries.
We lost a great many of our comrades. We have to inform those still in the Colony.

Lanz
(galled)

And we're any different?
If you snuffheads hadn't come charging in...

Taion
(fully confrontational)

Indeed? Well, why don't we settle this here, right now?

Eunie

Yeah, bring it! I reckon I could go for some payback!

Noah steps in front of Lanz and stops him before they step any closer to one another.

Noah

Lanz.

Lanz

Yeah?

Noah
(calmly)

That's enough.

Lanz
(not calmly at all)

What d'ya mean?!

Noah

There's no point.

Lanz

Seriously?!

Noah
(hesitating)

Before, when she and I transformed,
I felt her thoughts...or maybe her memories.
There were so many. And then they were a part of me.
There were so many different fragments... Hard to tell them apart.
But even then...I understood.
She's...
She's lost a lot fighting us... Keves took away so much.
She's experienced a lot of grief.

Mio looks unsure. Taion and Sena remain glaring.

Lanz
(calmer)

Transformed... You mean...the big'un?

Noah

Yeah.

Mio

...I felt it as well.
Your grief... It was like mine.

Taion

Yeah, well-

Mio
(pointedly continuing)

And in one of those memories...!

Taion

Mio...

Mio

Is something that could be our fault.
That's what it's like...in war, I suppose.

Taion

Hm...

Taion looks away and pushes his glasses up in concession. Riku walks up.

Riku

So, what is plan from here?
Sun kind enough to show face, but will hide again if this drag on.

Manana
(jumping up and down)

True, true! Time is wasting itself.

Noah

You're right. Let's go.
A lot's happened, but that seems best.
You made the right decision, Lanz.
Sorry. For confusing things.

Lanz

Ahh, don't worry 'bout it.

Taion

Mio. Shall we leave it at that?

Mio

Um. Yeah.

Taion
(dripping with sarcasm)

There you have it. I sincerely hope for your safe return.

Lanz

You take care too.
Take care not to die in a ditch somewhere, that is.

The Kevesi start to walk off.

Taion

The next time we meet, it will be as enemies. Don't forget that.

Lanz
(not looking back)

Hah! Don't worry, I've got a good memory.

Taion

Hmph.

The Agnians walk off in the other direction. Noah and Mio look back at one another before following.

♫

Quiet Intrigue

Meanwhile, back in Colony 9, the soldiers' Irises are glowing red.

Colony 9 Commander

It's the enemy...
The enemy's approaching.
Our sworn enemy...

A Consul stands menacingly behind the commander.

Heading to Colony 9, again

Noah thinks deeply looking at the ground.

Eunie

Hey. You OK?

Noah

Huh?

Eunie

I mean, you and the Agnian off-seer transformed into that weird thing.

Noah

Yeah... Well, for what it's worth, that didn't seem to do any damage or anything.

Lanz

Hey, Eunie.
Go ahead and take point looking for hostiles, will you? Until we make it back to Colony 9.

Eunie

Gotcha.

Noah

Lanz, that's not really nec-

Lanz

You're the most depleted out of the lot of us, mate.
It's a long way to Colony 9. If you wanna make it back in one piece, you'll need to be careful.

Riku

Much fighting on way back, probably.

Noah

Yeah... You've got a point.

Eunie

So, we done? Can we head on?

Former Allies

Riku
(yawning)

Riku so sleepy...
Could do with long soak in bath.

Eunie
(amused)

Oh, to be a carefree Nopon.

Lanz

Just hold out a little longer. We'll be back soo-
Oh!
Look, friendlies!

Colony 9 soldiers are approaching them, Irises aglow.

Lanz
(calling out happily)

Hey! It's me!
Lanz from-

He's interrupted by the "friendlies" shooting at him.

♫

Hostile Colony (Dynamic)

The party dashes behind a rock to escape fire.

Lanz

Cut it out!
We're your friends here! From Colony 9!

A shot clips the rock near Lanz's face.

Eunie

They're not listening, Lanz!

Lanz
(angry and confused)

The spark? Don't they recognize us?
Noah, erm...

Noah turns away in thought. Swordfighters in the Colony 9 contingent advance.

Lanz

Noah!

Noah

We'll just have to fight back!

Lanz

Fight back? You crazy?!

Noah

Just...don't kill them.

Eunie
(sarcastically)

Oh, is that all?!

Riku

Easier said than done.

They dash out to confront the soldiers.

Noah

Whine later. It's time!

Enemy of the World

♫

Hostile Colony (Dynamic)

The enemy swordfighters have been incapacitated. Gunners shoot at the party from afar, and Lanz shields.

Lanz

Crap, what is going on?! We're on the same side!

Eunie

They keep coming, Noah!

More soldiers are advancing. The party runs back behind cover. Noah remembers the scene at dawn.

Moebius

And now, the whole world will be your enemy.
I wonder how your lives will turn out.
I'll enjoy watching you.

Noah
(processing it now)

The world our...enemy...?

Eunie

Huh? What was that?

Noah

If we get any closer to Colony 9, we're just going to end up getting surrounded.
We've no choice. We're gonna have to head back!

The others nod, and the party runs back towards Alfeto Valley. Meanwhile, the Agnian Special Forces are experiencing similar issues with their own colony, whose Irises are glowing as well. They run behind cover as the troops advance.

Sena

How are they so good at finding us?!

Mio

What's going on here? Taion?

Taion

I...

He takes a moment to observe, and sees the Irises.

Taion
(realisation)

That light...
Is that...?!

Mio

What is it?

Taion

I'll explain later. Right now we need to focus on getting out of here.

The others nod, and the group runs off.

The Gamma Soldier

After a while walking, they are surprised by a Gamma Soldier.

Mio

Oh no!
Guess they knew we'd come here...

Gamma Soldier

You're the ones that raided the Colony! I ain't lettin' you get away!

He draws his Blade.

Manana

Oh! Someone having real bad mood...

Sena

But why...? It's like nobody recognizes us...

Taion

As of this moment, the point is moot. Clearly, we ought to prioritize our physical safety.

Sena

But-

Taion

Sena! Come on. You don't want to get slaughtered by our allies, do you...?

Mio

I don't get it at all...
But we can't go back to Colony Gamma with things like this.
Taion. Is there somewhere we can hide out?

Taion

I suppose where we bade farewell to our new "friends" might do.

Mio
(drawing her Blade)

Understood.
Let's try to slow him down at most.

Taion
(drawing his Blade)

Exactly my thoughts.

Sena
(drawing her Blade)

...(sob)

Reunion

Back at Gura Flava Lowlands, where the Ouroboros Stone was used, the Agnians arrive to find that the Kevesi Special Forces are already there. Everyone's clothes are dirty by this point.

Noah

Huh?

Sena

What?!

Lanz
(making no effort to engage)

You lot...

A camera shot of the sky, before cutting into a shot of both Kevesi and Agnians.

Taion
(dryly)

Much as I love a friendly reunion...
What exactly are we doing here?

Lanz

Yeah. Beats me.
I'm starting to get antsy here.

Eunie

Mm, what he said.

Taion

And how do you suppose we feel?

Sena

Taion, don't be like this...
Reel it in a little.

Noah remembers Guernica's last words.

Guernica
(in Noah's head)

("You guys... You wanna survive?")
("Live on? Hold the torch?")

Noah
(to himself)

Good question...

Mio

What?

Noah
(standing up)

Guys... Let's live.
Let's survive.

Eunie
(confidently)

What kinda pep talk is that?
'Course we're gonna survive!

Noah

Well then...
We know where to go. The City.

Lanz

The Cit-?! What are you even...

Noah

In the eyes of the world at large... we're outlaws now.
We can't...go back to the Colony.

They recall being shot at by their former companions.

Taion

The soldiers... Their Irises glowed blood red.
Just like his did.

Taion remembers the Moebius's lemniscate Iris.

Mio

Right, I remember.

Taion

This is just conjecture,
but what if...those soldiers are perceiving us as enemies?

Mio

Because of the red Irises?

Taion

Correct.

Lanz
(still confused)

But...what's even up with the Colony?
Did that freak do that?
How?

Taion

We don't know the method, but it's logical to think he did something.

Noah
(enthusiastically)

That's exactly right. That's it.
So, instead of going off our separate ways,
we stand a better chance... if we all work together.
Right?

Taion
(reluctantly)

I suppose I can't deny that.

Noah

If we are gonna be running, we might as well have some kind of aim, right?
People on opposite sides, working together.
Do you see?

Eunie

You're saying we can survive that way?

Lanz

Dude... What are we doing about the Homecoming?

Noah

Lanz. Are you being serious?

Lanz was being serious. He makes an offended noise.

Noah

Come on. You have to understand.

Lanz exhales.

Noah

If you still want to go after all this, I won't stop you.
But...before you do...
You'll have to kill our friends here.

Taion

(gasp)

Taion, Sena, and Manana start. Mio remains calm.

Noah

Is that even...
how our lives are supposed to go?

Lanz

Remember that ceremony, long ago?

Noah

But after our Homecoming, what's left?

Lanz
(yearning)

Think of the praise they got, up there!
Up on that shining platform.

Noah

To me, it was like a pillar of husks.

Lanz

(gasp)

Noah

A terrible altar...built upon countless lives...

♫

Off-Seer

Noah

You want that as your legacy? You're really OK with that?

Mio exhales deeply. Lanz looks away.

Lanz

Well...what d'you want me to do?

Noah

I can't...answer that for you.
I don't know everything.
But we need answers.
I say we go out...and find them.
I want to know... Why were we entrusted with these powers? What did he mean by the "real enemy"?

Mio

So...the City?

Noah

Yeah.

Sena
(stuttering)

What did he say? "A land pierced by a great sword"?

Eunie

Oh, right. *That* sword. Y'know, that massive one, way down south.

The camera focuses on said sword. It is indeed massive, towering over the nearby landscape.

Mio

(Defeat the real enemy,)
(and restore the world to order.)

Mio raises her hand.

Mio

Well, then... I guess you can count me in!

Taion

Mio?!

Mio

I think...I'd like to trust that man.
Besides, how can we even fight any more, after all we've been through?

Mio puts her hand down.

Taion

They're the enemy!

Mio
(emphasis on "were")

They were the enemy.

Taion remembers blocking an attack meant for Lanz, and Eunie healing Sena. He looks away. Off-camera, Sena raises her hand.

Sena
(pointedly at Taion)

OK! I'm with Mimi on this one!

Sena puts her hand down and she and Mio smile at Taion.

Taion
(still reluctant)

I-it may be to our advantage. I'll admit that, at least.

Everyone looks to Lanz.

Lanz

Oi, what's that look for?
Don't just stare at me. It's creepy.

Noah

We're gonna need an answer soon.

Lanz

Do I even have a choice?

Lanz still scowls, but raises his hand in agreement. Noah looks to Eunie, who raises her hand too.

Eunie

Guess there's nothin' for it!

Noah

Good!

Noah hops onto a nearby case.

Noah

My name's Noah.
Colony 9, Special Forces Unit.
As you know, I'm an off-seer.
These three, Lanz, Eunie and Riku, are my long-term friends.

He pulls out his flute.

Noah

Oh, and... This is my passion.
Someday I'd like to play my own melodies. Not just...the same old music that I learned in training.
OK!

Lanz

Uh, what is this? Feels like a surprise inspection or something...

Noah

It'll help. In the long run.

Lanz

Come on, man... Really?

Mio stands up.

Mio

I'm called Mio.
I'm an off-seer in Colony Gamma's musical unit.
Erm.
I can do the hundred metri in seven seconds. Pretty quick on my toes, I guess.

Eunie
(appreciative)

You go, girl.

Mio pulls out a white-bound book.

Mio

And...I keep a diary.
I like writing down what happens. I never miss a single day!

Eunie

Eunie's the name.
Special Forces Unit, Colony 9. We act as Noah's escort.
Me and the boys? Inseparable since we left the pod.
My special move's Group Heal.
It's great at healing my allies all at once.
My hobby...
Collecting Fourtune Clovers, I guess.

Sena

And I'm Sena!
I've been Mio's roomie, uhh... ever since I was posted to Colony Gamma!
My special move...
I'm just crazy strong...I guess?

She flexes her arm.

Sena

I don't look it, but I can lift far more than my own weight!
My hobby is...
lifting!

Eunie

Oh! There you go Lanz, got a muscle-buddy!

Everyone looks to Taion.

Taion
(matter-of-factly)

Tsk.
Well...I'm Taion.
I'm part of Operations and Planning in Colony Gamma's survey branch.
For this mission, I was assigned as support for the off-seer.

Sena

And...? Go on! Your special move...?

Taion

I don't have a special move!

A Mondo appears over his shoulder and seemingly looks at him expectantly.

Taion
(to the Mondo?)

Urgh... What's the point? Why share details like that?
I don't have...hobbies.

The Mondo flops down.

Eunie
(smirking)

Wow, Colony Dull.

Riku

Riku!
In Colony 9, Riku was head of maintenance and crafting.
And...these are attendants of Riku.
They at your disposal.

Lanz

What's this "attendants" crap?

Manana

I Manana.
Manana was cookypon in Colony of Mio and others!
Manana master of food: stews, baked goods, fry-ups...
Can even cook up a mean Gonzalez eyeball!

Eunie
(disgusted)

Eyeball...

Sena

I didn't realize both Agnus and Keves assign Nopon to their off-seer squads. Weird coincidence, huh?

Manana does a little dance.

Taion

Yeah. Wouldn't have expected similarities there.

The party looks to Lanz.

Lanz

Hmph...

Noah

Come on.

Lanz
(irritated)

Uh, my name's...Lanz.
I'm from the same Colony as Noah.
I work as the unit's defense.
My special move...
Ah, you figure it out!
Urgh!
Do we have to do this rubbish?

Noah

Just bear with us.
We can plan, now that you've joined.

Lanz

So you're acting like we're a team already?
...Urgh, sparks alive!
Fine then, I'm with you.

Eunie

You totally sure?!

Lanz

What else do I do? Not like we've got much choice.
So, what's our angle?

Noah

We have made some distance, but we're still in the colony's search zone.
Luckily, we don't have any colonies south of here.
And you?

Eunie starts to root through the crates.

Mio

We shouldn't have any colonies mobilized either.

Sena

So we...go south, then?

Noah

Yeah...
Um, what are you...doing there?

Eunie

Hm? Well our clothes...*are* pretty filthy.
Just wondered if there was anythin' to change into.
Oh!
Fashion and utility!

She proudly displays a black and green hoodie.

Sena

I need a change of clothes too.
'Cause these are, uh...yeah.

Noah

Don't stop at clothes.
Have a look around. Take anything that could come in useful.

What Remains (A)

Eunie walks towards Guernica's empty clothes and notices his dog tags.

Eunie

Are these his dog tags?

The other Kevesi approach.

Noah

Guernica...Vandham...
I guess that's his name.

Eunie
(mirthlessly)

That's great...

Noah

Huh?

Eunie

I kinda hated the idea of not even knowing who he was.

Noah

...Right, yeah.
Let's remember him...
...as the man who gave us a goal, and the ability to choose.

Eunie

Yeah...

Mio's Diary

♫

Everyday Life

Noah opens a crate. Clothes are inside.

Noah

Hey...these are all clothing containers.

Manana
(delighted)

Cooking ingredients here!
Itchy to get at these!

Lanz

There's one with equipment too.
Not exactly equipped to match our setup...
Eh, we'll just have to deal.

Taion harrumphs, holding a pair of trousers.

Sena

What's with the frown? Have they got nothing in your size?

Taion

Well... This fabric is awfully thin. It doesn't seem very reliable.

Mio

You can't expect luxury, can you?
Bound to be better than nothing.
Unless...you're happy with what you have now?

Taion
(reluctantly accepting)

N-no, I'll wear it! We all have to make sacrifices.

Sena, Mio, Lanz, and Noah inspect some tops.

Sena

Ooh! Y'know, I might be able to rock this jacket!

Mio

Maybe I'll go for this one? I like the colors.

Lanz

Not exactly the freshest threads, eh?

Noah

Maybe it's on the old side, but there's no tears. It'll be fine.

Sena

They've got lotsa funny designs here, huh?

Eunie

They sure do.
Some of the stuff's like... How do you even put it on?

When Noah turns back around, the ladies have changed.

Eunie

Pretty easy to move in this! Score.

Sena

Oh yeah? Are there any more of those?

Eunie

Sorry. Just this.

Sena

Aww, shoot...

Mio
(noticing Noah staring)

What is it? Not gonna change?

Noah
(suddenly very awkward)

Huh?!
Um, y-yeah, I... Hang on!
Still gotta...uh - change my boots, I guess...?

Lanz
(equally awkward)

Y-your boots? Uhh... You'll need a hand with those, yeah?

The two gather up their clothes and dash off behind cover.

Taion

W-w-wait, I can help!

Taion runs off to join them. Mio makes a confused noise.

Eunie

What spooked them? They could've just changed here.

Sena

They went pretty far off, huh...

Mio vocalises with the inflection of "I dunno". Manana and Riku have busied themselves emptying a crate of potato-like vegetables.

♫

The Bereaved and Those Left Behind

At night, the party winds down around a campfire. Sena and Lanz are doing press-ups, Taion is enjoying a mug of tea, Eunie is chilling on her sleeping pad, Manana and Riku are chatting, and Mio is writing in her diary. Noah walks over to her.

Noah

Is that...?

On the right page is a series of boxes. All up to a certain point have been crossed through.

Mio

Yeah. My time left.
Heh. Think about it. Wouldn't wanna lose track of time, and just run out.
Today, it's exactly three months.
Three more months...and then I'll be gone from this world.
I've thought about this a lot.
About what I can achieve... What I'll leave behind... (sigh)
I've sent off so many...
who felt the same.

Noah

I see... So, that's why you trusted that guy?

Mio nods.

Noah

You hope to...live more?

Mio

I dunno.
Doesn't matter.
But...
You and me, just talking like this...
I think that's kind of amazing.
And if there really is hope... in that place that the man mentioned...

Noah

Is that...what you'd want for a legacy?

Mio

Heh.
Weird question.

Noah softly smiles, and goes to sit beside her. They wordlessly stare into the fire for a while.

Noah

Those who can leave their legacy...
Are they content at the end?

Mio "Huh?"s.

Noah

And the ones left behind...
Can they really come to terms with that?

Mio

That's food for thought. Huh.

Noah

I think about it all the time.
What we leave...when we're gone...
What that connection truly means.

Mio

Connection, eh?
Heavy stuff.

Noah

Yeah.
That's life, I guess.

Later at night, an unknown young woman approaches Guernica's remains.

♫

Quiet Intrigue

She picks up his eyepatch. As she walks away, the top of the Ouroboros Stone spits out a key-like piece of metal.

Agnus and Keves, working together as a team...

Taion seems a little dissatisfied, but at the time,
*his* thinking was quite aligned with mine.

Finding a path that lets us all live...
I will make that my mission.