Script of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Chapter 5

The fifth chapter of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Eclipse, has the party reach Swordmarch and gives them their next quest.

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The Colony Theta of Old

In an Agnian colony, soldiers are training and sparring. A younger Sena practices her hammer swings, alone. After several swings, she sets her hammer down.

Sena

(relieved sigh)

male Agnus soldier
(derisively)

You gonna hit something or not?

Sena

Huh?

She turns around to see three Agnian soldiers watching her, crossing their arms.

male Agnus soldier

What use is swinging that slab, if you ain't gonna swing it at one of the actual targets?

Sena
(downcast)

But I'm just...practicing...

female Agnus soldier
(mockingly)

Say, why a hammer?

Sena

Uh...

The soldier summons a pair of guns and does some twirls with them.

female Agnus soldier

This looks more your style.

Sena

Huh...

male Agnus soldier

Totally!

female Agnus soldier

Right?

Agnus soldiers

(laughing in unison)

They walk away, leaving Sena looking very unhappy.

Sena

Ah...

Agnus soldiers

(in unison) Whoa!

They're looking at the adjacent enclosure, where Mio is handily beating a Duoblade in a sparring match. Sena gapes in astonishment.

male Agnus soldier

Spark me silly... She beat five eighth-termers in a row.

female Agnus soldier

Mio, eh? She that off-seer?

male Agnus soldier

Yeah. She should be the one heading to the front lines, not us.

Sena looks down at her weapon pensively. When Mio walks over, she turns around and goes to greet her.

Sena
(chipper)

Nice one, Mimi!
That was awesome. Poor eighth-termers... You mopped the floor with them!

She hands over a flask, which Mio accepts.

Mio

Thank you, Sena.

Sena

Hahaha!

Mio

Hang on... Where's Miyabi?

Sena

Oh, Miyabi? The commander and Consul wanted to see her in Command.

Mio

Oh... OK.
Hey, fancy a bite?

Sena

Mmm...
Mmm, sure, I'm a bit peckish.

Mio

It's a bit early, I s'pose...

Sena

Nope! I'm ready if you are!

They head off to the canteen.
Once they've sat down, Mio notices that Sena got fish steaks, like herself.

Mio

Huh?
I was under the impression that you didn't like fish.

Sena
(stammering awkwardly)

Huh? Ah... That is true...
But... Can't be too picky! My muscles need protein, y'know!
Hahaha...

Mio stares at her, unconvinced. Sena breaks eye contact.

♫

A Life Become Distant

Mio
(gently)

Hey, Sena...?
There's no need for this.

Sena

Huh?

Mio

Just be yourself.
You know you don't have to do what I do, right?

Sena

N...no, that's not...

Mio puts her hand on Sena's.

Mio

Sena...

Sena
(unsure)

Uh... Sorry.

Mio

C'mon... You say that too often.
You've nothing to apologize for, Sena.

Sena

Uh... OK...

Mio
(gently smiling)

Eat what you enjoy. Never stop being you. 'Kay?

Sena "uhh"s.
The scene changes to the party running from Keves Castle. As they run, Sena stares at Mio, and remembers scenes from the day; taking over the Interlink in the fight against D and J, struggling to break the barrier in the fight against the Queen of Keves. After they've run a good distance, Noah stops and looks back.

Noah
(out of breath)

I think that should...be far enough.

Keves Castle still looms over them, but nobody is giving chase. Smoke is emanating from what is presumably the Throne Room.

Sena
(to herself)

Did I...
...do good out there...?

Lanz

Hm? What was that?

Sena
(didn't expect to be heard)

Huh? What's that? Haha... D-did I say something?

Lanz

Uh... I mean, you just said something about doing good or whatever.

Sena
(forced laughter)

Hah! That's funny, musta just slipped out. Ahaha...

Lanz stares at her, unconvinced.

Lanz

(breath, unsure)
You seem so...lonely.

Sena

Huh?

Lanz recalls memories of Sena's past he saw during Interlinks.

Lanz

(At training, in camp, at night...)
(she's always got friends right by her.)
(But...why's it seem like...)
(she's all alone?)

Lanz

How come...?

Sena
(softly)

So that's the way you see me, huh? A loner.

Lanz

Sena...

Sena
(brave-faced)

I was hoping more...
"Plucky heroine girl", or "one-track musclehead". That's more what I kinda shoot for...

Lanz
(concerned)

Now, look...

Sena
(angrily)

Oh, no you don't.
I think you're just being nosy!

Lanz

Sena... Please...

Sena
(suddenly far too chipper)

I'm fine.
Really. Don't worry about me.

Lanz looks no more convinced than before.

Eunie

...Can you believe we've just had to run all that way?

Taion

I don't know who they were, but had that force not intervened... I shudder to think what would have happened.

Eunie

What would have happened was, it would have been curtains for us.

Taion

Usually a strategy is something you're supposed to prepare beforehand.

Noah

...

Lanz

Noah?
I guess we have no more use for Castles and Queens, huh.

Eunie

We're not going back, I know that much.

Mio

Nope, we're going forward now.

Noah

...You're right.
Not far now before we reach Swordmarch.
Let's go.

Swordmarch

The party is at the Great Sword's Base. The sword now towers above them, and they crane their necks to look at it.

Eunie

Phwoo... Well aren't you a ginormous sparker!

Sena

Whoa... Where's the top?!

Noah

We finally made it, huh...

Taion

Quite...

Mio

(awed breath)

Noah

Let's get to the base of the sword.
Guernica told us to come here. There has to be something.

Lanz

Be on your guard, yeah?
'Cause we've really been pushing our luck lately.

Eunie
(amused)

Whoooa. That's one for the books.

Lanz

Shaddup.

Noah
(chuckling)

Lanz is right, though.
Keep your eyes peeled.

Opposing Moebius

♫

Nearing the Enemy

As the party walks, Mio stops. The rest do too.

Noah

What's wrong? Mio?

Mio

I hear...
a strange sound.

Noah

Sound?

From above, a whooshing noise can be heard, though from no visible source.

Taion

Wh-what is that noise?!

Sena

Something's wrong here! Noah!

Noah's eyes widen as a pair of flying Levnises become visible and land before them - the same style as the ones Guernica used. Soldiers with masked faces quickly exit and surround the party; the party draws their weapons.

Eunie

Wh-what the-?
Who are they?

Noah

Those Levnises...
They're the ones that attacked the Castle.

Taion

Yes, no question.

Lanz

Which means...?

Nobody answers. A pair of unmasked women with eyepatches — one middle-aged, one a young adult — exit the Levnises and eye the party. Noah notices a masked soldier staring at Mio; he interposes himself protectively.

Soldier

Sheathe your weapons. We're not looking for a fight.

Noah

What the-?

Soldier

We are the Lost Numbers.
Sworn enemies of Moebius.

Eunie
(shocked)

What?!

Taion

There are others standing against Moebius?!

The two women approach the party.

Older woman
(sternly)

The name's Monica.
Monica Vandham.
The man who entrusted Ouroboros to you...
I'm his daughter.

Eunie

"Daughter"...?

Noah

You know Guernica?

Monica nods.

Monica

You're headed for the City, ain't ya?

Mio

How do you-?

Monica

That's our base of operations. Come on.

Noah

Wha...?!

Monica turns to the younger woman. She's the same one that's been spying on the group from afar.

Monica

Shania. Take point.

Shania

Yeah, all right.

Shania approaches the group and looks them over.

Sena

Uh?

Shania
(curtly)

Stay close.

She walks off towards the Sword. Noah and Mio share a nod, and the party sheathes their weapons as they follow.

Guernica's Daughter

The party, together with their Lost Numbers escorts, have entered an elevator within the Great Sword. They're now wearing eyepatches covering their Irises.

♫

Indescribable Unease

Eunie

So, Guernica, that's...
That wrinkly guy...? Back then?

Eunie thinks back to Guernica taking off his mask. He, too, had an eyepatch; the twin-fist icon on his eyepatch is also on Monica's.

Noah

Yeah.

Eunie

You said you were his "daughter". What's that mean?

Monica

I completely forgot...
You don't understand the concept of parenthood.
I'll explain later.

Taion

"Later", meaning... In the City?

Monica

That's where the elevator's taking us.

Noah and Mio gasp.

Monica

You'll be needing those eyepatches now.

Noah

And what for?

Monica

Those...put a spanner in Moebius's recon.

Noah

Moebius's?!

Monica nods.

Monica

When you become Ouroboros, your Irises change.
And they start emitting a weak radio signal.
And so...we're blocking that signal.

Noah

With these things...?
What about yours?
Are you...Ouroboros too?

Monica

Eh, we'll go with that.

Noah
(confused)

Sorry...?

Monica

Ya see...
We're bound by Ouroboros blood.

Monica lifts her eyepatch, showing that her Iris is also the Ouroboros ring. The other Lost Numbers have removed their helmets now as well, revealing that they are all wearing eyepatches.

Noah

Just what...are you?

The elevator grinds to a halt.
After the party steps outside, they see a sea dotted with islands, and a white castle floating in the distance.

Lanz
(laughing)

Wahahaha! We're so high up!

Mio

What a view... I've never seen anything like it!

Taion

Certainly takes your breath away.

Shania
(annoyed)

Can you save your observations for later?
Come on.

Journey's End

Shania

Entrance's up ahead.

The narrow path leads to a door in the wall, guarded by soldiers and Automatons.

The City

The party has finally arrived. They look over the City - a town dotted with lights and Levnises, with permanent housing in the background. The entire place is enclosed by the hollow bulge at the hilt of the Great Sword.

Mio

This is the...City?

Taion

It sure took us long enough.
We shouldn't relax just yet, though.

Eunie
(ticked)

Why the spark not?

Taion

We don't even know if they're really our allies yet.
We can't get complacent.

Noah
(smiling slightly)

Still on guard, huh?

Taion
(without hesitation)

Unlike some of you daydreamers, yes.

Noah

I'd like to believe them.
Their eyes...
They look the same as his.

Noah remembers Monica's and Guernica's faces.

Mio
(in thought)

They said they opposed Moebius, didn't they?
It should be OK, then, to trust them...?

Lanz
(satisfied)

"The enemy of our enemy is our friend."
Gotcha.

Taion

Bloody sparks... Why do I bother?

Noah
(appreciatively)

Thank you, Taion. For looking out for us.

Taion
(dismissively)

Yeah, sure, whatever.
I'll follow your lead.
But please, stay vigilant.

Noah

Of course we will.

Growing Distrust

As the party walk through the City streets, its citizens eye them warily and murmur amongst themselves.

female Citizen

Ouroboros...?

male Citizen

Ouroboros, yeah.

♫

Suspicion

older male Citizen

So *they're* Ouroboros?

female Citizen

And they're from Keves and Agnus...?

older female Citizen

But they're just a bunch o' kids!

male Citizen

Watch yourselves! They could be secret spies!

male Citizen

It's over... This place'll be a warzone.

Mio

They're all whispering about us...

Lanz
(slowly)

I feel...we're not exactly welcome here.

Taion

"Uninvited guests", one might say.

Eunie
(miffed)

They're the ones who led us here.

Sena notices an elderly lady.

Sena
(interested)

Oh, hey...
Doesn't she look similar to the Moebius we fought at Colony 4?

Riku

It true... Wrinkly prunefaces abound here!

A pair of children run past the party.

Manana

Manana spy tiny people too!
Is whole undiscovered race!

Noah

No... They must be...humans just like us.

A collection of Lost Numbers intercepts the party.

Lost Number
(contemptuously)

So you're Ouroboros, eh?

Noah

Huh?

The five soldiers are all visibly cross at the party.

Lost Number

You've got what, one or two years left? Some hope you are.

Lost Number

Dunno why Vandham wasted that power on you... What was he thinking?

Mio sighs unhappily.

Taion
(hands-on-hips)

What's your problem?!
Mind your manners!

Monica steps forwards, unperturbed.

Monica

Lemme introduce ya.
These were our Ouroboros candidates.
They trained relentlessly to fight against Moebius... Each and every one of them.
That includes Shania there.

Shania looks away, also visibly displeased.

Noah

Candidates?

Ouroboros candidate

You happy? That you stole Ouroboros from us?

Monica
(addressing the candidates)

All right, that's enough.
Whatever the reason, the old man did choose 'em.
To be fair, they have gone against quite a few Moebius already.
They're the real thing all right.
You heard Shania's reports.

Taion

What reports?

Monica

I had her monitor your actions with extreme scrutiny.
All the way from the valley.

Noah

Huh?

Sena

Since way back then...?

Shania
(scoffing)

Heh.

Monica

Together, we are united in our cause.

Candidate

Ms. Vandham...

Candidate
(calmer)

Uh... All right then.

The Ouroboros candidates head off. Noah gives a dissatisfied sigh.

Monica
(just a touch softer than usual)

Please, it's not their fault.
They're not a bad lot, really.

Lanz
(sighing)

That's easy for you to say...

Eunie

Well, that was awkward as all ash.

Shania leads the party off again.

Monica's Tour

Noah and Monica are conversing as they walk.

Noah

You, uh... You said that you were monitoring us earlier.
So is that why? ...Why you stormed the Castle?

Monica

After the Ouroboros Stone activated, Shania relayed the info straight back to us.
So, I'd been looking for a chance to contact you.

Noah

Oh, really?

Monica
(just a bit of mirth)

We reckoned that you would just head straight here...
What we did not expect was for you to dive straight into the heart of the enemy's base.

Noah

Ah...

Monica
(plainly)

I was flipping out.
Your actions were *so* reckless,
I started to wonder if our "saviors"
were just a buncha ravin' lunatics. It kinda looked that way.

Mio

That's a little...

Sena

Too harsh...

Monica
(smiling)

Heheh, sorry.
Poor choice of words.
How about "hotheads"?

Eunie
(unimpressed)

Yeah, that's not a lot better...

Monica

Still, it helped us complete one of our primary objectives:
Securing a number of growth modules.

Noah

What are those?

Monica
(serious again)

I'll show you.
You'll find it quite interesting.
It's the very reason why we fight.

Shackles

♫

Blade - Those Who Know Fear

Shania has lead the party to a rail, overlooking a titanic window to the snow-covered rocks outside.

Monica

We're now more or less above the sword's hilt guard.
Even this place was once ravaged by war.
By Keves and Agnus.

Innumerable husks cover the rocks.

Taion

Has the war really spread this far...?

Mio

There's even more... More husks underneath...

Eunie winces, and her hands start to tremble. Taion notices; so does Sena, who puts a steadying hand on Eunie's.

Eunie
(softly)

Ah... Thanks...

Sena smiles at her and nods.

Monica
(grimly)

This right here is what the world is really like.
Designed to keep us shackled.

Noah
(to himself)

Keep us shackled...?

The Truth Of Moebius

The party enters an enclosed room.

Mio

Aren't those...

Noah

Cradles!

Sure enough, on the other side of a glass pane is a room with hundreds of cradles.

♫

That To Which The Defeated Cling

Monica

Your so-called "cradles"
are the growth modules that birthed you.
You were conscripted from birth, trained to kill one another ruthlessly
and steal each other's life.
That life energy pours into the Flame Clocks,
becoming the fuel
that feeds Moebius.

As Monica speaks, the visuals flash back to previous scenes - the Kevesi soldiers training, the battle against Colony Sigma, the fight against Moebius K.

Noah

(shocked gasp)

The camera focuses on the cradle containing the yet-to-be-reborn Ethel.

Monica

In order for Moebius to exist, they must continue to claim life energy.
And these "cradles" right here... They're used to recycle your lives.

Noah

Ethel...

Monica

Yeah...
You live your lives in servitude so that Moebius can exist.
And even in death, there's no release. You'll just keep getting recycled.

Mio

No way...

Monica

There's your shackles.

The party takes this in. Scenes of previous battles continue playing.

Monica

Soldiers bound by Moebius's shackles are destined only for mutual destruction.
Those who lose their lives in battle, they're reborn anew...
They wake from a Castle cradle, a blank slate without a scrap of their former memories.

Eunie
(worried)

Wait...
Then...that husk I saw...

Eunie thinks back to the husk on Old Kana Battlefield.

Monica

But...if we keep your lives bound to the bodies, as we're doing here,
they're of no use to them.
This way we can whittle away at their power...

Noah

So you've been doing this... over and over again, then?

Monica
(with narrowed eyes)

That's right.
You don't wanna know for how long, believe me.
And yet... The price we pay to take down just a handful of Moebius...
is immeasurable.

Noah clenches his fist.

Monica

The City's residents? We're all descendants of the first Ouroboros.

Mio

The first Ouroboros?!

Taion

What's a "descendant"?

Monica

Er... Right. That's not a word you'd have any use for either, I suppose.
Better to see for yourselves.
Come, I'll show you.

A New Life is Born

♫

Lost Days of Warmth

The party walks through the entrance to the City's hospital, passing by several heavily pregnant women.

all

(in unison) (gasp)

Mio

Where are we?

Monica
(proudly)

This is a maternity ward.

Mio

"Maternity"?

Inside a room, an elderly doctor is speaking with a young adult man. Monica looks in.

Monica

Doctor. May I?

The doctor looks to the man, who nods. Monica signals for the party to wait outside, and the door closes.
After a while, Mio's ears pick up the sound of a baby's cry. Monica opens the door.

Monica

Come.

When the party is inside the room, the doctor pulls back a curtain.

Mio

(gasp)

Sitting in the bed is a beaming woman, holding a newborn baby in her arms. The party gazes open-mouthed. The man — presumably the father — gestures for them to approach. They look at Monica for confirmation, who nods. Mio leads them as they walk over to the mother's side.

Taion
(with wonder)

It's so...small...

Sena

It's a little...person!

Riku

It so teensy-tiny, but it move!

Manana

Much rejoicing!

Mio
(hesitating)

Uh...

Mother
(addressing Mio)

It's OK to touch her.
Gently now.

Mio gently places her fingers against the baby's temple. Her eyes widen. The baby stops crying as Mio gently cups her head with her hand.

Mio
(in awe)

She's so warm...

Mother

Place...one finger.

The mother holds out her pinky finger, and Mio follows.

Mother

In her palm.

Taion peeks around Sena's head as Mio gently extends her hand. The baby grips Mio's finger as she places it against her hand.

Mio

(big gasp)

The baby coos.

Mio
(excited)

Hey, Sena... Look at this!
You need to try it too!

♫

In the Morning Mist

Sena nods and cautiously approaches. Taion awkwardly tries to look over her shoulders. The baby giggles as Sena extends her finger.

Sena

Whooa, you're right! Mimi, it's incredible!

Taion

L-let me have a turn!

With uncharacteristic enthusiasm, Taion ever-so-gently shoves Sena out of the way and extends his hand.

Taion
(genuinely ecstatic)

Wh-! Hahahah!
This is...incredible, Sena!

Noah and Mio share A Look as Noah has his turn.

Monica

Funny, right?
But this is...human beings' true nature.
If you want the ins and outs, go and ask the doctor.

Monica gestures at the doctor, who smiles.

Doctor

All right then, lads and lasses. Who wants to know how babies are made?

The party's hands (and wings) shoot up, innocent smiles plastered on their faces.

Doctor

Hmm.
Well, you're in for a surprise. Buckle up!

After receiving the talk, the party walks out of the hospital and stare in amazement at the carefree children playing around them. Eunie and Taion watch a man lift his son above his head; Lanz and Sena watch an elderly couple walking together. Noah and Mio stare at a young couple kissing on a nearby bench. The two off-seers make eye contact, then look away awkwardly.

Monica

This is how it should be.
This is human nature.
We are born defenseless, grow up,
then those who find a spouse create new life together...
...age, then return to the earth.

After a fade to black, the party, Monica, and Shania are in front of a set of large tablets with names inscribed on them. Shania hands Monica an eyepatch — the emblem suggests that it's Guernica's.

Monica

Thank you. I mean it.

♫

The Bereaved and Those Left Behind

Monica places the eyepatch on the stones and kneels down, eyes closed in silent reflection. After she stands up, Noah speaks.

Noah

Monica...
What was that word you used...? "Spouse"?

Monica

A partner in romance.

Mio

Rom-?

Monica

The feeling of having someone very precious to you...
That'd be one way of putting it.

At other tablets, various City citizens stand in silent mourning.

Monica

You'll understand too someday.

Noah and Mio look at each other. Monica remembers how Noah stood protectively in front of Mio in their first encounter.

Monica

Or...
It might be that you already do.

Mio exhales.

What are the Ouroboros?

Monica has led the party to an octagonal room. There are statues of six people, surrounding a plinth in the centre.

Eunie

Taion... Look.

The central plinth seems to have an Ouroboros Stone resting on top.

Taion

Mm. It looks the same as the one before.

Noah
(looking around)

Who are they?

Monica

The first Ouroboros.
The Founders, we call 'em.

Noah

The first Ouroboros...?

Sena

That one... She looks a bit like Mimi.

The Founder in question has cat ears like Mio.

Eunie

Look at this. He's got Noah's chin.

The statue shows a man punching one fist into his open palm.

Lanz

And the others...?
Don't look like anyone.

Noah

Tell us about them.

Monica

Long, long ago, they gained the power of Ouroboros. It let them match Moebius blow-for-blow.
The City folk you see here? We're all descended from them.

Noah

Bound...by their blood...

Monica nods.

Monica

It was the Queens... So they say.
Keves and Agnus... Their powers united created Ouroboros.
Ouroboros are the only ones that can take down a Moebius.
Although...there can only be six Ouroboros alive at one time.
By activating the stone's cage here, those with aptitude can become Ouroboros.

Shania, hanging at the room's entrance, frowns.

Sena

Only six?
Why so few of them...?

Mio

I get it... That's why they got...so upset.

Mio remembers the Ouroboros candidates.

Monica

Finally clicked? There's only so many seats and Stones.
The one that my father was moving, it took a long time to be found...

Lanz

Think I'm finally getting the gist of this whole Ouroboros deal...
But the Queens?

Monica

Not those sham figureheads in the Castles.
The real Queens.

Eunie

Yesss, real Queens!
I knew that soulless piece of clockwork junk wasn't the real deal.

Mio

Does that mean...our Queen is false too?

Monica
(nodding)

Mm.
We're still trying to pinpoint the true Queens. They're out there somewhere, sleeping.

Taion

What for?

Monica

Why else?
To take our world back from Moebius, and set things to rights.
The true Queens will help us there.

Lanz

Hang on a bleedin' second.
Ouroboros were born, like, "generations" ago, right?
But you said the Queens are sleeping?
Are there humans who can even live that long?

Monica

Now that, I don't know too much about.

Lanz

Then what *do* you know?

♫

A Life Become Distant

Monica

Well, the legend goes that
both of the Queens, their lifespans are supposed to be incomparably longer than ours.

Eunie

And you're pinning your hopes on that?

Monica

At the moment, that's about all we can do.

The party takes this in.

Noah

All right.
So... When the world is "back to rights"... Then what?

Monica

The people you've seen here? The way they live their lives?
That could be everyone.
Babies, children, adults, the old...
They're all a part of nature's cycle.

Mio

And that would go...for us too?

Monica
(smiling)

Umh...
There'll be more to life than just fighting to survive.
We'll weave the tale...that we were always meant to tell.

The scene flashes back to Guernica's dying words.

Guernica

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...

Monica

Though...some of us around here still ain't too keen on the idea.

Mio

What?

Noah

So those people... From before...?

Monica
(plainly)

They're happy living in the moment.
As long as they can hide away and cover their eyes, they don't give a damn about the rest.

Lanz
(irked)

So our lives mean nothing to 'em?

Monica

If they can't see or hear you,
then as far as they're concerned, you don't even exist.

Noah

Closing their eyes...to what's in front of them.

Monica

Lot o' folks here think that way.

Mio

But that's... That's just like Moebius.
Then the only difference is... whether or not they benefit directly.

Monica

You catch on quick.
I can see why my dad chose you guys.
But the will of the Founders... It lives on in us warriors.
Moebius can't reign forever. If we can continue freeing young folk like you...
maybe life can get back to how it should be.
That would be best for all of us.

Noah
(determined)

For sure. I'm with you.
I think we'd have to be lunatics not to believe you, after what you've shown us...

Monica
(lighter)

Ha...

Mio

I believe it too.
Seeing how you live your lives... It made me feel really envious.
Feeling that warmth...
A part of nature's cycle...
We need to protect that.

Sena
(clutching a hand to her chest)

I agree.
It was so...
precious.

Shania frowns again, just a little.

An Early Start

Later that night, Noah sits by himself in the City Camp, thinking of a conversation he had with Monica.

Monica

N, you say?

Noah

You know him?

Monica
(with unhidden antagonism)

I know of him, definitely.
He's been a real thorn in the City's side.

Noah

Sounds rough...

Monica
(eyes narrowing)

He's slaughtered many of my people in cold blood.

Noah
(soberly)

Oh...

Monica

Why bring him up?

Noah

Ah!
Well... No reason.

Monica

Hmm?

Noah stops and turns to look back at the statue of the Founder with Noah's chin.
Back in the present, Noah exhales.

Mio

What's wrong?
Is it something Monica said? Is there a problem?

Noah

No... Don't worry about it.
It's just a passing thought.

Mio

Yeah?
Oh, I got some news earlier. We're not sleeping in tomorrow, our briefing starts early.
Get some rest while you can.

Noah

Yeah... I'll do that.

Mio

OK. Good night.

Noah

Yeah. Night.

Mio walks off, and Noah goes right back to thinking.

The Next Target

Monica and the party stand together in the War Room.

Noah

OK then.
Sneaking into Agnus Castle, huh...?

Taion

Seems we won't be catching a break any time soon...

Eunie

So this person who knows where the true Queens are...
Uhh... Who was it again?

Monica

You're looking for Ghondor.

Eunie

Ah, that's right!
So then...we've just gotta find this Ghondor, break 'em out of the prison camp and get the spark outta there?

Monica

Mm. Luckily, they don't kill us immediately after we've been captured.
We're held beneath the Castle, in a detention facility.

Taion

To perform forced labor?

Monica

There's that as well.
But mostly, it's to set an example.

Taion

Example?

♫

Suffocating Reverberation

Monica

On the day of an eclipse, once a year,
they hold a mass execution of prisoners at Hope's Rest, a hill on the Castle's south edge.
The whole event gets projected... High into the sky.

The visuals show a recording of dozens of City troops being beheaded by Agnian soldiers, visible from the City. A Consul watches over the scene.

Mio

Oh no... So that's what you meant.

Monica

It's to show us we're powerless.

Lanz

And the place they do this is "Hope's Rest"?
What kinda sick joke is that?

The others stand in silence. Monica pulls up her Iris.

Monica

The next eclipse falls
about a month from now...
So that's our deadline for what we've gotta do:
contact the prisoner and get the intel on the Queens.

Mio
(covering her term mark)

A month...

Noah
(concerned)

Mio...

Lanz
(decisively)

Well, no two ways about it.
We better get started...now!

Noah

Yeah. And we better hurry.
We can't waste a single day.

Eunie

Let's say we make it in without a hitch.
Won't the you-know-what give us away?

Sena

Eunie, I don't think we do know...

Eunie

The red glowing Moebius eye thing.

Sena

Ohh, thaaaat...

Monica

Those eyepatches I gave ya?
There's a special alloy embedded in 'em.
Long as you got that, you'll be near invisible - slip clean under their noses.

Noah

And after we've got the info?
How do we get out?

Monica

You've put the Kevesi Annihilator out of commission.
I'm sure you'll think of something.

Lanz

Even if *we* get out, what about your lot?

Monica

You don't need to worry about them.
They knew the risk.

Taion

That doesn't make it OK.

Monica
(crossing arms)

Yeah, well. That's how we do things.

Taion

But still...

Monica
(coldly)

I'll tell you too. Be prepared to make sacrifices.

The party stands stunned.

Noah

All right.

Mio
(seriously?)

Huh...?

Noah

However... Only as our absolute last resort.
Is that fair?

Monica

That's awfully kind of you.

Monica's eyes soften, but only for a moment.

Monica

But "kind" doesn't win wars.
There's a Nopon called Samon in engineering. He'll be able to find you a way into the Castle.
Get the details from him.

For the script of Castle Access, see Castle Access § Dialogue.

Samon's Ship

The party has found Samon and acquired a number of Ether Cylinders to build a boat to get to the Castle.

Samon

Job well done.
Samon pull all-nighter to install. Expect to be ship-shape by tomorrow morning!

Eunie

That soon?!

Samon
(proudly)

Samon never flounder. Always get job done.

Mio

Thank you, so much.

Samon

Thanking not necessary. Samon is fixer-upper-er by trade!

Noah spies blueprints for a different boat on Samon's desk.

Noah

What's that?

Samon

Ah, this is ultimate vessel.

Noah

Ultimate...vessel?

Samon
(happily flapping his wings)

That right.
Even vortex in raging Great Sea not slow advance. It go down in history as queen of boats!
Still work in progress, but sure to bring to fruition someday.
Is Samon's dream!

Noah

Wow...

Reflecting on Joran

As the party walks in the city, Lanz stops to watch some children huddled together in a green area.

Child

There. All done!

The child stands and proudly presents a wooden sculpture of a soldier. He holds it up for another chlid to take.

Child

Wow! Amazing!

The child takes it and runs off. A third child speaks to the young sculptor.

Child

'Kay, I'll bagsie the next one!
I even brought the materials an' stuff. Make me something mega cool, yeah?

Lanz watches with a wistful look. Noah watches too.

Sculptor child

Sure. What kinda Blade do you want?
Sword? Gun?

Child

Fists!

Sculptor child

Okey dokey!

Lanz
(to Noah)

Hey...

Noah

Mm?

Lanz

If we didn't have to fight each other...
you think...that could have been Joran?

♫

Lost Days of Warmth

The scene changes to one from the Kevesi gang's youth. Joran is in a tent, whittling away at something. Lanz, Eunie, and Noah walk in.

Lanz

Joran...
Didja ditch training again, just to work on this stuff?

Joran
(not looking up)

Did not! I'm not skiving...
I just...had a bad headache. I gave notice, too...

Eunie

'Scuse me? Noah did that for you.
Right?

Noah

(laugh) Eh, I'm used to doing it.

Joran

OK, it's done!

Joran holds up his creation for the others to see.

Lanz

Hold on...
Is that...?

Joran
(nervously)

Ahahaha...

Joran attaches the sculpture to his belt. It's a model of Lanz. Beside it are similar sculptures of Eunie and Noah.

Eunie

Who's that? Lanz?

Joran

This one's Eunie...
...and, this is Noah.

Eunie

Hey! That looks just like me! Good job, matey!

Lanz

Huuuh...?

Noah

I love it, Joran!

Joran

Uh? Yeah...?

Noah

Yeah!
We don't have your talent. All we can do... is slash and shoot each other...
But you create things!

Joran

Hahaha...

Lanz

Hey... So who's this?
We know someone like that?

Hiding behind Joran's hand is a fourth sculpture. It has a Consul-like shirt and cape, and the face has a somewhat sinister grin, but the hair is clearly imitating Joran's.

Eunie

Looks like a real tough fella.

Joran
(turning away)

Umm, that's...
Err... It's me...

Lanz

Eunie

Whaaat?!

Lanz

This is *you*?

Eunie

It looks nothin' like you!

Joran

M...mm.
Yeah... But, like...
That's what I wanna end up like, someday.
Haha...Silly, huh?

Noah
(earnestly)

It's not silly! I believe in you.
I've seen exactly what you can do!

Lanz

You think *he's* got what it takes?
You're talking out your bum.

Noah

No, I'm not!
He can do it.
Right, Joran?

Joran

Uh... Uh...
I'll...try, then.
I'll try really hard!

Noah nods.
Back in the present, Noah and Lanz watch the children play.

Lanz

He looked up to me, man...
Smiling...

Noah

Sometimes it's hard to judge, huh? What we're supposed to be protecting.
It all gets a bit blurry.

Lanz

Yeah...

Noah

Even so...
His smile...was the real thing.
We should cherish that.

Lanz

(resigned sigh)

Lanz holds up a fist in thought. Noah holds his own fist out in front of him.

Noah

Next time, we'll think twice. About... who really needs punching.

Lanz

Yeah...
Yeah... I hear you.

Noah extends his fist for a fist bump, and Lanz meets it.
In the dorms, Eunie lies awake while the others sleep. After a while, she gets out of bed and heads to the cradle room.

♫

Blade - Those Who Know Fear

Eunie stares at Ethel, and thinks of her husk.

Monica

So you saw it.

Eunie
(didn't see her there)

Huh?

Monica

Your husk.
Your own lifeless husk. You've come across it?

Eunie

How did you...?

Monica

Your eyes.
You looked like you were gazing into your own past.

Eunie

That's crazy.
Live long enough, and you learn how to figure out stuff like that?

Monica

Oh, it hasn't been as long as you think.
But, folk do tell me I'm pretty sharp.

Eunie
(more relaxed)

Hah. That all?

Monica walks over to Eunie's side, and they both look over the growth modules.

Eunie

How come you don't wake these guys up?
Couldn't you use the help?
Or is it...'cause they'd just be Moebius fodder?

Monica

They can't be fodder.
If we wake 'em up here, they'll be freed from the shackles of the Flame Clock.

Eunie

So, why then?

Monica

Because this is our fight.
We don't know how long it'll take.
And their lives are short.

Eunie

So you don't wanna get 'em mixed up in everything?

Monica

(snort) That's one reason.

Eunie

And...the other?

Monica

People need to learn who they really are. What they have to leave behind for posterity.
I want them to wake up in a world... that affords them that chance.

Eunie
(mostly to herself)

How do we discover who we really are...?

She looks at her dead self's nametag.

Monica

That from the husk?

Eunie

Yeah.

Monica

You won't find yourself there.

Eunie

Huh?

Monica

You've gotta look to the present and the future only.
The one in the past - it isn't "you".
You didn't make that and it's not yours.

Eunie

Make that...?

Monica

But...look to the future, and you can build yourself up however you like.
You can become whoever you wanna be.

Eunie

I can...?

Monica

You've got the power to do so.
Be true to yourself.

Eunie
(appreciatively)

Thank you, that's...

Monica

Well... That's what my dad always said.

Eunie

Your "dad"...?

Monica nods and turns away.

Monica

But it goes for you too.

She heads off, leaving Eunie alone.

Eunie
(to herself)

True to myself...
We'll see.

Eunie clutches the nametag.
In the morning, Mio stirs a large pot of soup. She takes up a ladleful and blows over it, then puts it to her mouth. She immediately winces.

Mio
(in pain)

Mm... Ahh!

Lanz
(strolling up)

Hah, really?
Did you seriously just burn your tongue again?

Mio
(embarrassed)

Uh... Haha...
Ah, you saw that?

Lanz

Well, your soup *is* one of the highlights of my day.

Mio

Really?!
Whoa, thanks! I'm flattered.

Lanz

It was just the truth...

Mio

Uhm... Want some? To taste-test?

Lanz

For real?! Good thing I got up early!

Mio ladles some soup into a mug. Lanz's smile fades as he picks it up.

Lanz

You enjoy cooking?

Mio

Oh, it's been drilled into me.
It's a ritual now. Can't really start the day without making a pot.

Lanz

I get ya.
Two months, huh? Since that battle...

Mio

Yeah...

♫

Off-Seer

Lanz
(solemnly)

You're tough. No joke.

Mio

Eh?

Lanz

We heard, from Eunie.
That you're just like us.

Mio

Oh. That part.

Lanz
(scowling)

I've been plodding along, playing it all cool...
But when we saw *him* again, I thought...
Nah, snuff all of this.

Mio puts her hands to her chest.

Mio

I'm scared too... Just so you know.
Since Monica told us the whole truth...I've hoped...
No...
I'm sure I'll see Miyabi again.
I'm so sure of it.

Lanz

Hard, wasn't it? Hearing that.

Mio

Yeah.
But...
It sure beats ignorance.

Lanz

That's what Noah thinks too.
You're hard as nails.

Mio

What we don't know, might as well not exist...
It's an obvious way to think, but it isn't right.
Closing my eyes doesn't mean evil disappears.

Lanz

And so... You go on?

Mio

Yeah.
I'll keep going, while my flame still flickers...
to the bitter end.
With all of you.

Lanz
(smiling again)

You said it.

Lanz drinks his soup as a toast.

For the script of The Castle Beckons, see The Castle Beckons § Dialogue.

A Seaside Rest

At Vinisog Holm, the party have made camp, with the Ouroboros candidates in a circle nearby. Mio and Taion go outside to see the view of Erythia Sea. Mio grunts as she stretches.

♫

In the Morning Mist

Mio

It's gorgeous...
I can hardly believe my eyes. Is this real?

Taion
(matter-of-factly)

We don't wage many battles at sea, so...
makes sense the seas would be relatively untouched.

Mio

Aha...

Taion

When people do die at sea, it's usually due to their Ferronis sinking...
They drown.
It's hard to draw out their life with a Blade.
Putting it that way... I guess it's kinda obvious, huh?

Mio

A little ironic.
That that's why it still looks...so pristine.

Taion

The other half of my reason...

Mio

Oh? Are we talking about that now?

Taion

About why I'm here, yes.
Right? I told you there was a second half.

Mio

Mm...?

Taion

It's you, Mio.

Mio

Me? What do you-?

Taion

You want to leave an impression.
On all of us,
and the world.
Don't you?

Mio vocalises noncommittally, looking away.

Taion

I can only hazard a guess at what you'd want it to be...
And even then I'm not confident I'd guess right...
But...let me just say this:
You've only got...a little over a month left.
We can't change that fact.
It doesn't give you much time to leave your mark.

Mio sighs.

Taion
(resolutely)

If...there were anything I could do to give you time...
If it were in my power, I would!
Not just me.
Sena, too.
And Noah.
We all think that way.

Mio turns her head away.

Taion

Mio...?

Mio
(choking up)

Sparks!
You're making me tear up here, man.

Taion
(whoops)

Uh...sorry.
That wasn't my intention!

Mio
(smiling)

No, thank you.
Nimue's doing?

Taion

Huh?

Mio

You were even being nice to Eunie. Stuff like that.

Taion

Oh...oh, really?
I'd never even thought about it.

Mio

Let's give thanks, if we ever see one of those trees of hers.

Taion

A Saffronia?
Right...
I think that's a great idea.

The two turn back to look out at the sea.

Sena and Shania

As the party snoops around the Agnian Balaena ship at Corne Island, Sena stands watch outside. She does a few squats to pass the time.

Shania
(scornfully?)

So, Ouroboros does training as well, huh?

♫

Suffocating Reverberation

Sena

You're... Uhh...

Shania

Shania.
Shania Reid.
About your rescue mission...
Ghondor and I are friends from the crib.

Sena
(curiously)

I don't know that word, "crib"... Does it mean you've known each other for a while?

Shania
(frowning)

I guess you don't use that expression, huh?
Why even use words?
Feels like we're just talking at cross purposes.

Sena

Uh... Sorry about that.

Shania

Uh... Know what, forget it.
Well? Gonna answer my question?

Sena

You mean, about training?

Shania

Yeah.

Sena

That's the thing... Mimi and the others are doing their best.
I need to as well. Anything to help me get an edge. So...

Shania

Aaah... "Mimi" is it? That's what you call her?
The one with the long ears?

Sena

Yeah. We've always been in the same colony.

Shania

You're friends?

Sena

That might be saying a lot... She's kinda like my role model.
She's strong, kind, mega-dependable...

The music fades out as the scene flashes back to Sena's time in Colony Theta. She sits by her lonesome against a fence, looking dejected as people chat around her.

Mio

You're...Sena, right?

Sena looks up to see Mio standing over her.

Sena
(doesn't recognise her)

Huh? Oh... It's... You are...

Mio
(warmly)

I'm Mio, third term.
We...haven't met before...have we?

Sena
(stuttering)

Ahh, I'm sorry...! Your name totally slipped my mind!
But...I don't think... we've talked before...?
Uh... Uhm...

Mio

You know, I was just looking for a training partner.

Sena

For the trial...?

Mio

I like to think I'm pretty quick on my feet, but...
I'm not really...strong enough.
Our captain...said you would make a good addition.
And that you're super strong.

Sena
(unsure)

Hehe... He's exaggerating. I'm totally average. Totally.

Mio

Wanna try? Teaming up?

Sena

With you?
You sure? I'm a nobody...

Mio

Sure I'm sure, I'm literally asking you right now.
It's your choice.

Sena

Well... If you really don't mind...
Sure.

Mio
(grinning)

Really? Golden!
We're a team then!

Sena

Mmm... Thank you!

The two start conversing. Outside the flashback, the music fades back in.

Shania
(disdainful)

Role model, huh.

Sena

She's the one who's kept me going. I wouldn't be here otherwise.
And after meeting you guys...now I understand what life's really all about.
A part of nature's cycle.
I'd never even thought about it before, but...it's pretty amazing, huh?

Shania
(snapping)

How is it natural?

Sena

Huh?!

Shania

Why should we swing our Blades around without a hope of winning?
Better to die, and be born again inside their cycle.

Sena has no words. Shania suddenly smiles.

Shania

Just pullin' your leg.
Caught you off guard?

Sena
(awkwardly laughing)

Haha... Well, yeah, you kinda did!
How'd you expect me to react to that?

Shania

Hahaha...

Sena

Hehehe...hehehe...

Shania
(suddenly melancholy)

Hey. Do you always work so hard for approval? That fun?

Sena

Huh?
You can...tell...?

Shania

That's right.
'Cause we're just the same.

Shania walks off quickly. Sena gives a sad sigh as she watches her go.
Come nightfall, Shania stands on the beach alone, remembering her collection of Guernica's dog tags. In the memory, as she stares at his eyepatch, a voice calls out to her from the shadows.

Voice

C'mon now.
Be true to yourself.

Shania wheels around. All she can see of the voice's source is a figure with two glowing red eyes and a purple core, and a vaguely butterfly-shaped helmet. The flashback ends, and Shania's expression hardens.
In the morning, Sena stands next to Mio, who is washing dishes, none the wiser. Sena looks over at Shania, standing by herself on the beach.

Sena

Hey, uh... Mimi?

Mio

What's up? Speak to me.

Sena

Ah...uh...ahuh...
Uhm... It's uh...
Lovely...weather we're having!

There's not a bit of blue in the sky.

Mio
(slightly confused)

I don't know I'd say "lovely"... Bit overcast.

Sena

Ah, y-you're right! Silly clouds!
Guess I had my head in 'em. Ahahaha!

With minimum grace, Sena walks off immediately after finishing her sentence.

Mio
(to herself)

Huh?
Huh. What was that about?

Plotting the Break-In

At night on the Boundary, while surrounded by black fog, the party looks up at Agnus Castle.

Lanz
(awed)

It's massive...
That's the Agnian Castle?

Eunie

And it's floating...

Noah

Seen it before, Mio?

Mio

Nope. First time for me too. Unlike you guys,
we never got any special training.

Noah

Ah.

Taion

If our intel's right...
we ought to find a cave if we circle along anticlockwise.

Sena

Is that the one that then leads to the ventilation ducts in the camp?

Taion

Yeah, that's right.

Noah

Quickly. We need to get in, before it gets light.

Li Garte Prison Camp

The party has reached the inside of Li Garte Prison Camp. They watch from behind a large fan as the warden, an Agnian soldier with none of his face visible, addresses the inmates.

Warden
(hamming it up)

Good morning, you snuffin' reprobates!
Beautiful morning today!
If only I could appreciate it. Didn't get much sleep.
Do you know why?
Because the eclipse draws ever nearer!
How many of you are getting made an example of on Hope's Rest this time?
I can hardly contain myself thinking about it!
Couldn't catch a wink of sleep last night, me!

Taion

Nutty snuffer... He's really enjoying this.

Noah scowls.

Warden

Yet, nonetheless, the show must go on.
In order to unite our hearts and minds. To keep the world in balance, in perfect harmony!
This will be your final resting place.
So why not live a little? While you still have some-"body" to enjoy it with!
Hah hah hah hah!

Lanz

Tch!
I'll give *him* something to enjoy...

Eunie

What term is he even?
It's not like he'll have that much longer than them to live!

Eunie suddenly remembers that Mio is standing right next to her.

Eunie

Ah... Bollocks...

Mio

It's OK. I'm not bothered.
I hate people like that.

Ghondor

♫

Quiet Intrigue

The party, including the Ouroboros candidates, waltz with little subtlety into the Central Cell. Nobody pays them any mind; the other prisoners, from the City based upon their garb, are lounging around, and the guards don't seem to react. The gang stops in front of a pair of burly men standing behind a young woman sitting cross-legged on a table.

Woman

The hell'd you come here for?

Jansen

Ghondor...

Noah looks at one of the burly men, then the other.

Noah

Is that...Ghondor?

Woman

I asked you a question.
Gimme an answer, fresh fish!

Noah focuses on the woman as the penny drops.

Noah

Huh?

Ghondor
(impatiently)

"Huh?" Cut the crap.
Any lights on in there, you deadbrain?

Noah

Hold on... Is Ghondor a...?

Ghondor

Is Ghondor a what?
Finish your damn sentence!
What? My name?!
You got a problem with it?!

Mio

So she's...Ghondor...

Ghondor
(to herself, angrily)

Bitchqueen... She musta thought she was being funny...

City prisoner

Eheh!

Ghondor

Ugh!
Oh, so you agree, do you?!

Ghondor hops off the table as the prisoner's face fills with instant regret. Her bodyguards look away.

City prisoner

N-no! I... It wasn't-!
I didn't mean-
Arrrgh!

The prisoner is interrupted by Ghondor dropkicking him in the face. Ghondor hops on the table he was sitting on, and her bodyguards quickly return to her side.

Ghondor

Go die in a ditch, you turd.

Sena

Yikes. Never thought I'd hear someone top Eunie's sweary mouth...

Mio

Don't you go copying her, Sena.

Sena

Nah... Not my style.

Eunie
(hands-on-hips)

Oh wow. Way to talk trash about one of your friends...

Ghondor

So? Where was I?

Bodyguard

Think it was about...why they're here?

Ghondor
(still impatient)

Oh, right, that.
So, what's the idea, sweethearts?

Eunie

Now she's playing nice?

Noah

You're...Ghondor?

Ghondor

What's it to you?

Noah

Monica from the City... She told us about you.
She said you'd know where the Queens are.

Ghondor
(eyes narrowing)

Tch...
So you *are* the Bitchqueen's lapdogs.

Noah

Please, tell us what you know.
We have...good reason to meet with them.
To bring peace...and to set the world to rights.

Ghondor

This shit *again*.

Noah
(shocked)

What?

Ghondor

I'm fed up with hearing that sanctimonious Ardun crap.

Lanz

So you aren't gonna help us out then.

Ghondor

If you're trying to kill the now, then you can just forget it.

Taion
(confused)

Erm, kill the now?

Ghondor

Did I bloody stutter?
Oh, you just don't get it?

Ghondor smiles faux-sweetly, then goes back to scowling.

Ghondor

Maybe this'll hammer it home.
Aggy! Oggy!

The two bodyguards respond.

Aggy

Ma'am!

Oggy

At your command!

Ghondor

Give this lot a bruising and dump 'em in the trash!

Aggy

Ma'am!

Oggy

My pleasure!

♫

Immediate Threat

The screen fades to black and there is a rumbling of tables. When it fades back in, the tables have been rearranged to make for a makeshift combat ring. Ouroboros (and the Nopon) square off against Ghondor, Aggy and Oggy.

Talking With Your Fists

♫

Young Warriors

Warden

Huh?

The warden, finally having noticed the ongoing brawl, slams a red button, and an alarm goes off. Meanwhile, Ghondor slides under one of Lanz's swings and disarms him with a kick, then punches him and jumps up for a flying kick.

Ghondor

Grrraaah!

Lanz is too slow to resummon his weapon, and takes the boot to the face.

Lanz

Urgh!

Ghondor

Hah!
I put all my love into that one for ya.
Ya better appreciate it!

Noah and Mio approach Ghondor next. As they do, the pendant around her neck starts to glow.

Ghondor

(Wait, it's glowing...?)

Lanz
(in audible pain)

Careful.
She packs a meaner punch than you'd think, Noah!

Noah
(winded)

Yeah... No jokes.

The other prisoners, and the Ouroboros candidates, have been watching from a safe distance behind the tables.

Jansen

'Course she does.
She's a pro. That's Monica's daughter for you.

Mio

Huh?!

Noah

Daughter...? You mean...
That she was born from Monica?
Like that baby we saw?

Jansen

That's about the size of it.
Plus, the head Ouroboros candidate.

Shania huffs.

Taion

That too?

Eunie

You don't say.
It all adds up now.

Ghondor

Oi! What are ya prattling on about?
You got something to say, say it to my face!

Noah

We do!

Ghondor

Go on then!

Noah

Why are we fighting each other? It's so pointless.

Ghondor

Piss off, no it's not.

Noah

Why?

Ghondor

Because you dags haven't figured it out.

♫

Suspicion

Noah

About killing the now?

Ghondor

Yeah.

Noah
(getting impatient too)

Then stop holding out, and just tell us!

Ghondor

Tch.
Set the world to rights, you said.

Noah

Yeah... I did.

Ghondor

Not sure if you're just being self-righteous,
but take a look around...
Think about how many lives it's cost,
running after that shit already!

The party doesn't have an answer for that. The wardens finally arrive, and Ghondor, Aggy, and Oggy dismiss their weapons.

Warden

All right, that's enough!
On your knees now, all of you! Hands behind your head!
Disobey me, you'll get time in solitary!

Taion
(dismissing his weapon)

Change of plan.
Sheathe your Blades now!
Let's...just do as he says, OK?

Mio nods, and follows suit together with the rest of the party members. Riku and Manana slide their "weapons" away, and everyone sits down, surrounded by the wardens.

Mio's Resolve

The party has sought out Ghondor at mealtime. She's back on her table.

Ghondor

I'll tell you what we should all do.
Not. One. Friggin'. Thing.

♫

Blade - Those Who Know Fear

Taion
(shocked)

We do nothing?

Ghondor

If we just stay put here...
And the City folk keep a low profile...
No one has to die for smalnuts.

Noah

So that's your..."now"?

Ghondor

Penny finally drops.

Lanz

Aren't they going to execute you next month?

Ghondor

So? It'll be ten people, if that.
They've got over a thousand locked up in here.
It'll barely register.

Taion
(offended)

"So"?! Lives aren't statistics!

Ghondor

I'm saying if you stir shit like what Bitchqueen wants,
you'll have a thousand lives on your conscience!

Noah huffs.

Ghondor

And also...
*You're* gonna set the world to rights?
Then what's that there, on your arms?

Ghondor looks at Sena's term marker, 2 years from exhaustion.

Ghondor

On your chests?

Ghondor looks at Eunie's mark, then walks up to Mio and focuses on her neck.

Ghondor

And then there's the kitten...
Little more than a month left?
You must be the most eager of the lot.

Noah
(genuinely angry)

That's enough!

Mio wordlessly tells Noah not to escalate.

Ghondor

Hmph!
Just shut up about the world already.
All this holier-than-thou crap...
You're only doing it for yourselves!
You just fight out of self-pity,
flailing around thinking you can make a difference!

Mio

When I see off lives...I do it with purpose!

Noah

Mio...

Mio
(anger turning to sadness)

Just one more day... One more minute...
You've no idea how many lives we sent... All the friends we had... Wishing they'd had more time!
That was each and every day for us.
But it was all we could do. It was all we had to believe in... Day in, day out...

Ghondor
(didn't expect that)

You are...
an off-seer?

Mio nods, and looks skyward, remembering the scenes of life in the City.

Mio

And when we finally made it to the City...
I realized there was a whole different world out there.
"They're so lucky."
I really thought that.
I was astounded... Just by extending our years, life could be so different?
I even saw the beginning of a new life...
That tiny little hand...that was grasping mine...
I can understand why you want to protect that.
If that's the "now" you speak of, we'd never kill that.
Still...! That's why! We're trying to protect it for you!
To save our friends!
To build a future that would make us free!

Ghondor
(less cynically than before)

You've got about a month.
That enough? For that?

Mio

I don't know.
My time might be up...before our fight is truly over.
There's...probably not that much I can do.

♫

Hope for the Future

Noah

Mio...

Mio

But...I've got to try!
I'll keep trying...while my flame still flickers!
And after that...

She looks to the rest of the party. Noah nods.

Lanz

Yeah... We gotcha. We'll carry on your will!
Right, Noah?

Noah

Of course.
I don't really want to imagine that.
But...there's just no running away from it.
All we can do is move forward. We have to.
That day... Guernica entrusted us with this power.
And because of that, we made friends with...former enemies.
Believe us. Your "now"...
is safe with us.
As is the future.

Ghondor

So that's your argument?

Noah nods. After a moment's more thought, Ghondor takes the pendant from her neck and drops it in Noah's hand.

Noah

What's this?

Ghondor
(no more anger)

For the Cloudkeep.
Where the real Queen of Agnus is takin' her beauty sleep.
You'll need that to get in.
Kinda like a key.
This thing took a liking to...
Uhhh... Names?

Noah

Noah.

Mio

Mio.

Ghondor
(more appreciative)

Noah and Mio.
I'll remember that.
Mm, anyways.
The doodad reacted to you two when you teamed up.
I think...it was probably, like, telling me to give it to you.

Noah

Thank you...

Mio

You're helping us now?

Ghondor

Still hate the fact that Bitchqueen sent you.
But hey, the wossname did pick you, so.
And I did promise.

Noah

Promise?

Ghondor

In three days, Agnus will be holding a large-scale training exercise on Daedal Isle.
Of course, that means minimal security for us.
That'll be our chance to escape.

Noah

How, then?

Ghondor

Hehe... Well, the only way I know how.
Am I right?! Ya dags!

Ghondor addresses Aggy and Oggy, plus some other prisoners that are standing around her.

Prisoners

Yeah!

Taion

I've got a bad feeling about this.

Eunie

Yeah. The proverbial's gonna hit the fan.

Ghondor

Them's the breaks.
Take it or leave it.

Noah

All right. In three days.

Ghondor

Just do some prison things until then.
Oh, uh... Just try to keep in line, would ya?
We don't wanna draw attention.

Noah

We'll keep that in mind.

Ghondor

Oh and...a quick word of advice.

Noah

Hm?

Ghondor

When all is lost, let 'em hear you roar.
Got that?

Noah

Hear us...roar?

Ghondor

All that power you wield? That's exactly what it was meant for.

Recognizing Your Own Purpose

The party is winding down in their cell, preparing to rest up for a hard day's work. Lanz and Sena are leaning against the wall just outside. Sena wears a melancholy expression.

♫

Lost Days of Warmth

Sena

I'm envious.

Lanz

Of what?

Sena

You... Mimi... Noah...
You're all so incredibly confident...

Lanz
(frowning)

Who's confident?
It's all...a big act.
I don't know about Noah and Mio...
But me, though?
I'm pathetic.

Sena

Huh?

Lanz

I'm just acting tough.
To pump myself up like I'm not a wimp.

Sena looks away, and her eyes narrow slightly.

Sena

You think you're...a wimp?

Lanz

Yeah.
I'm a lot...
like you.

Sena

Huh?

Lanz

But, look... What's wrong with that anyway?
If we're weak...there's room to grow.
Right?

A slight smile forms on Lanz's face as he speaks.

Sena

Huh...

Lanz fully turns towards Sena as she takes this in.

Lanz

Remember the first time you became Ouroboros? You yelled,
"Lanz! Come with me!", ah?

Sena

Mm...

Lanz

You reached out...for the strength you needed.

Sena
(eyes widening)

Ooh...

Lanz
(determined)

Our friend Joran... He became Moebius.
But that... That wasn't him.
That's his life's purpose? Like spark it is.
So I think...
Maybe...I wanna figure out the purpose of my own life.
I wanna get stronger.
And if Joran's surpassed me...
I'll get even stronger than that.

Sena

Oh wow...

Lanz

I won't be doing it for the recognition.
Nor to be liked.
I'll do it for myself.

Sena

Even if people don't recognize it? Right?

Lanz smiles at her.

Lanz

We're here. This is us.
Let's keep being true to ourselves.
What's wrong with that?

Sena

Same old...Lanz?

Lanz

Same old...Sena.

Sena remembers Mio's words to her in Colony Theta.

Mio

Never stop being you. 'Kay?

Sena

Recognizing your own purpose... Huh.
You mind if I...pinch that mindset?

Lanz
(amused)

Whatcha talking about? Friends don't need to ask.

Sena
(surprised)

Huh?

Lanz

Huh?

They stare at each other in confusion for a few more seconds, then burst out in laughter.

Sena

Hahahahaha!

Lanz

Hahahahaha!
Here's to us. The mighty weaklings!

Sena

Yeah!

For the script of First Day of Prison, see First Day of Prison § Dialogue.

For the script of Second Day of Prison, see Second Day of Prison § Dialogue.

The Night Before

It's the evening before the day of the breakout. Ghondor is sitting cross-legged on her favourite table, flanked by Aggy and Oggy. The party surrounds her, listening.

Ghondor

We make our move at 0800,
right after outdoor duties start.
My men'll cause a commotion outside, draw out the guards and jailers.
The guards'll be armed,
so you dags'll need to deal with them. Use the element of surprise.

Noah

And the jailers?

Ghondor
(smugly)

They're small fry. I'll take care of 'em.

Noah

All right.

Lanz

How many guards?

Ghondor

'Bout 30.
Take out 20 or so and we'll be sitting pretty.
Then we break straight through the west gate.
We'll have you lot covered, so just run for it.

Taion
(testily)

And how do we "break through it"?
It's not like it's made of tissue...

Ghondor
(what a stupid question)

Surely you lot can handle a gate?
Why else would the Bitchqueen even send you?

Noah

Why do you keep calling Monica that?
She's your mother.

Ghondor
(ticked off)

I'll call her whatever the hell I like!
Anyways, you all got the gist of the plan now?

Taion
(frowning)

You call that a plan? There's nothing to get.
We don't even have any contingency measures, do we?

Ghondor

Tch.
I bet you're fun at parties. Arsehat...

Taion
(just a little smug)

I'd prefer "level-headed", thank you.

Ghondor

Anyhow.
We'll gather in front of Watchtower 1. After breaching the gate, thin out.
You run and you don't look back.
Clear?

Noah

OK. We'll do that.

Ghondor

Good. You're dismissed!

Everyone except for Noah starts off.

Noah

Ghondor.

Ghondor

Mm?

Noah

Please, just...just be careful.

Ghondor
(all confidence)

Hah. Who d'you think you're talking to?

The party walks back to their cell. Ghondor hangs near the back with Sena.

Ghondor
(appreciatively)

You look like you'd make short work of that gate.

Sena

Huh, me?

Ghondor

That wallop of yours on the first day. One helluva hit.
You sure give 'em a run for their money!
Haha!

Sena
(didn't expect that)

Ah, thanks a lot...

Shania
(snarkily)

Looks like someone's raring to go.

Shania has been hanging out next to a wall, unnoticed until she spoke up.

♫

Suffocating Reverberation

Sena

Shania!

Ghondor
(crossing her arms)

Well, look what the Hox dragged in.

Shania
(flatly)

Nice to see you too, Ghondor.
I've been here the whole time.
You didn't notice?

Ghondor

Oh I'm sorry, want a medal?

Shania

Ugh... Arrogant as ever.

Ghondor

Anyway... Think you're ready for this?

Shania

"Who d'you think you're talking to?"

Ghondor

Oooh, touchy.
Just don't screw this up!

Ghondor starts to walk away. Sena hurries to follow.

Shania
(pouting)

Hmph.

Sena

You and Shania were... "friends from the crib", was that it?

Ghondor

Yeah, since we were kids.

Sena

I didn't realize.

Ghondor
(nettled)

Chick didn't know when to stop following me around.
Had it up to my ears with her.

In a flashback, Ghondor and Shania stand in Memorial Hall, below the statue of the founder of House Reid.

Ghondor
(insensitively)

Heard you bombed the selection test.
And not for the first time.

Shania
(weeping)

Yeah...
I couldn't win,
in the last round.

Next to Ghondor's feet are a pair of cestus — gauntlets, similar to the ones Ghondor uses.

Ghondor

Why'd you use the cestus?
You can barely throw a punch, makes no sense.

Shania

Because...
I thought if I used your weapon, I could capture a bit of the Ghondor spirit...

Ghondor

You know that name pisses me off!
And more excuses, eh?
Stop *copying* me.
You're even wearing my gloves now?
Right! Enough is enough.

Shania, unsurprisingly, does not cheer up.

Ghondor
(annoyed)

Nothing to say for yourself?
Ugh, Peng on a Levnis!
Don't you have any originality?
It's no wonder you lost.
No wonder you never get picked!

The flashback ends. Ghondor remains angry at the memory.

Ghondor

I have my style.
She has hers.
Why doesn't she get the message?
I'm so sick of it!

Sena
(more empathetic)

Hey, now...

Shania has continued to watch them as they walked away. A man with an unseen face walks up to her.

Unknown man
(quietly)

They seem confident... Are we OK?

Shania
(bitterly)

Everything's going to plan.
Everything's fine.
Everything...

We're Outta Here!

While the party is working, an explosion rings out from a nearby building, and an alarm begins to blare.

♫

Tactical Action (Dynamic A)

Noah

That's us! OK guys, take out the guards!

The others nod.

Taion
(sarcastically)

Ah yes, the illustrious "plan"...

Mio

You're still whinging about that?

Taion

Yes, I am!
It's all so messy.

Eunie

You would say that.
Hey, if it gets the job done, what's the problem?

Taion

Assuming it works.

Eunie

It will! We're gonna make it work!
C'mon!

Taion

Whatever you say.

Noah and Mio share a nod, and the gang runs off.

N and M

♫

Young Warriors

Li Garte's main gate is in sight as the party and Lost Numbers dash towards it.

Mio

Sena! You're up!

Sena

I'm on it! Lanz?

Lanz

Right here!

The two Interlink into Sena's Ouroboros form. It raises its hammer.

Sena

Rrraaaagh...!

With a single swing, the gate is blown wide open. Ghondor slows down to admire the handiwork.

Ghondor

Well, shiiiit! Hahaha!
So much for us giving you backup!
Haha... What a joke!
All right! All o' ya!
Let's bust this joint!

Aggy

Ma'am!

Oggy

Aye!

Sena and Lanz rejoin the party as they run out of the gate. Noah looks up in time to spot a powerful energy shot striking the ground before them. The party shields their eyes from the dust it kicks up, then look up to see three giant Agnian Levnises descending. Surrounded, the party enters battle stances.

Mio

That design...
They're the Castle Guard!

Eunie

What the spark?!
I thought they were supposed to be away doing their bloody training?!

Noah

An ambush?!
Ghondor?

Ghondor
(eyes narrowing)

This ain't an accident...
Means one of you bastards...snitched.

As the Levnises land, a number of smaller Levnises and soldiers come out, blocking off escape routes. Some soldiers are dressed in the white garb of Agnians, while others wear Lost Number colours. Among them, walking to the forefront, is Shania.

Sena
(hurt)

Shania...?
No... How could you...?!

Ghondor

You bitch...!
Answer her!

Shania scoffs. Noah's vision flashes white and he puts a hand to his head.

Noah

Hrgh-!

Mio

What is it?!

Noah

Head's...pounding...!

N

...Such foul-mouthed creatures... She was right to sell you out.

N is standing atop one of the Levnises, with the Silver Consul alongside. Mio's vision flashes too.

Mio

Ug-! Agh...!

Lanz

Wait... We've seen him before!

Noah

He's back...
again...

The Consuls teleport to the ground.

N

She made a choice.
Which will result...in one of the best outcomes one could've hoped for.

Shania nods smugly.

Taion

I don't see how...

N

Of course...
it's quite unfavorable
for your little band of heroes.

Lanz

You throwing the levs at us?
Bring it. Been wanting to smash something up!

N

Hah. Not so fast, boy.

Lanz

(growl)

N

Your luck well and truly

N removes his mask, and his Moebius Iris flashes.

N

came to an end.

♫

Impending Crisis

Noah

(gasp of horror)

N

On the day you chose to stand against M and N!

The silver Consul, M, also removes her mask and flashes her Iris.

Mio

(gasp of horror)

Lanz

Noah, and...

Taion

Mio...?!
But how?!

Eunie

Those Moebius were...Noah and Mio?
Wh-what's goin' on?

Sena

How's this-?!

Noah
(still recovering from the headache)

Who is...this guy?
It's not just that he looks like me, but...
He's Moebius...!
And then there's...

Mio

We have...the same face.

Shania
(doing her best evil laugh)

Hahahaha.
Aaahahahaha!!!

Ghondor
(frowning)

Shania...

Shania

Now there's the look I've wanted to see!
The look of a woman buried under the weight of her misguided expectations!

Ghondor

Urgh...

Sena

How could you, Shania?
Why are you siding with them?
You're with the City!
The people here, they're your people!

Shania
(anger showing through)

My people? These pawns? Haha!
People that rush towards an early grave without any consideration for the lives of others...are no bloody kin of mine!

Ghondor

Piece of...
This what you want?

Shania

Oh, you've had it easy, my friend.

♫

That To Which The Defeated Cling

Shania
(bitterly)

The great Guernica was your grandad,
and your mediocre mother, the City Elder.
Oh, and let's not forget your stellar Ouroboros results? Hahaha...
Of course you would have to ask that... You never did care about what I wanted!

Sena

We're not the same at all.

Mio

Sorry?

Sena

You said... You said, that we were the same.
But we're nothing like each other!

Shania

Ugh...
You sure changed your tune.
I'm seeing some newfound determination.
You get a little pep talk from your friends, huh?

Sena

Nobody *gave* me anything.
It's because I'm part of the team.
I'm only just starting to figure it out, now.
But I'm gonna change.
Both me, and this world!

Shania

I won't let you.

Sena

(gasp)

Shania

I'll never let that happen!

Sena

If you stop us, everything's just going to stay the same!

Shania

IT WON'T STAY THE SAME!!!

Sena

Shania...!

Shania

What's so natural about the life you want?
A life you only get one shot at?
At any point, someone could come along and tell you "OK, that's it, time to go!"

Sena

And who are you to say that life's worse?!

Shania

I know more than you!
It's madness wanting a world like that!

Sena

(small gasp)

Shania
(yearning)

The best world for us...
is a world that at least gives us another go!
We fail, we try again!

Shania points at Ghondor.

Shania

We might do even better next time round!

Ghondor

Shania... Enough now...

Sena clenches her fist.

Sena

We're made to fight!
To kill each other!
Every single day!
Just hoping to see another dawn!

Shania

Either way,
we're still fighting for survival, aren't we?!

Sena

(gasp)

Shania

Am I crazy?
Am I saying something strange?
'Cause I don't think so.
I genuinely don't!

Sena doesn't have an answer. Meanwhile, Noah is eyeing the opponents.

Noah

(Twenty on the right...)
(Twenty on the left...)
(Ten in the middle.)
(The Moebius, too...)
(Patulia Bay...? It's that way.)

Noah

Ghondor!

Noah steps in front of Ghondor, and holds the Cloudkey out behind him, out of sight of the Moebius.

Ghondor

What? What are you...?

Noah

Head for the exfiltration point.

Taion
(hold your Ponios)

Noah... Wait...

Noah

It's us they want to capture.
I'm gonna engage the Levnises on the left-hand side.
You can use that as a diversion.

Ghondor
(upset)

Shut the hell up!
We'll make the diversion!

Noah

You're too slow!

Ghondor

(gasp)

Noah
(resigned)

We can't all make it out.
However... A single unit should stand a chance.

The other Ouroboros nod and smile.

Ghondor

What are you guys gonna do?

Noah

We fight, and worst case, we surrender.

Ghondor starts, but Noah keeps talking.

Noah

Let them hear us roar.
Remember?

Ghondor

N-now hold on...

Noah

Now's the time!
Ouroboros doesn't end with us.
Right, candidate?

Ghondor

Noah... Damn you...

Noah

You'll do great. I know it.

The Ouroboros, the candidates, and Aggy and Oggy all look unflinchingly at Ghondor. After some more seconds of pained deliberation, she snatches the key.

♫

Immediate Threat

Noah

All right!
We're breaking through.
Distract them...however you can!

Lanz

Gotcha!

Not Ready to Die Yet

♫

Confronting Our Past

A Gyrinus goes down in flames. The Ouroboros are hard at work taking out enemies and healing allies.

Noah

Now's your chance! Move it, Ghondor!!!

Ghondor, Aggy, Oggy, and the candidates run in the direction of Patulia Bay. Agnian gunners run to intercept them. Lanz blocks their shots before Taion takes them out. The Lost Numbers stop as a larger group of Agnians gets in their way.

Aggy

Ma'am! We'll handle this!

Oggy

Get through here and you're free! Quick!

Ghondor

What?! Yeah, screw that!
Now I'm supposed to leave you behind as well?!

Aggy

The Ouroboros candidates are our future!

Oggy

Come now... You must move!

Ghondor
(uncharacteristically downcast)

But why...?

Aggy and Oggy strut out in front of the group, sporting confident smiles.

Aggy

Heheh. It's the prison food. Gone and developed a taste for it.

Oggy

And the beds are actually halfway decent. It's fine, don't you worry about us.

They summon their linkstaffs and charge at the Agnians, twirling the staffs to block gunshots.

Ghondor

Aggy... Oggy...

Ghondor starts running again, followed by the rest of the candidates.

Ghondor
(resolved)

Move it! Don't look back!

Shania

Ghondor!!!

Ghondor stops to see Shania standing atop a nearby cliff face.

Ghondor
(to herself)

Shania...
Urgh...

She chooses to keep running.

Shania
(scowling)

This isn't over...
You'll see soon enough!

Meanwhile, the Ouroboros have taken out a second Gyrinus. They grab a quick breather, dismissing their weapons.

Eunie

Ugh... Thought we'd never make it, but this looks hopeful?

Taion

I wonder.

Noah

There's still a few left.

One Gyrinus remains, alongside two Avis and a handful of foot soldiers.

Mio

Oh, yeah, and two Moebius!

Said Moebius are casually strolling to the forefront.

Lanz

And all this without killing...
Doubt we'll have such an easy time with these...

Mio

Yeah...but we helped Ghondor escape!

Noah

Right. And that was priority number one.

Manana

But-but... Other people all got left behind!
This not huge mess?

Aggy, Oggy, and a couple Lost Numbers are still standing, but presumably in no position to successfully escape.

Taion

They'll be fine.
Unlike us fugitives, they're useful assets.
They can still surrender...and be put to work again.

Noah

Still... The more that can escape, the better.

Mio

So...one last stand?

Lanz

Aw, yeah!

Eunie

Bring it!

♫

Against the World

N walks towards the party, chuckling with a smug smirk. M's there too, looking much more serious.

N

Such nonsense. Your idiocy knows no bounds.

Noah

What's so funny?

N

This suits me just fine!
You will make an adequate feast. Moebius will savor every one of you, rest assured!

Lanz
(shouting)

Talking about us like we're food?
Well, sorry mate but we bite back!

Noah

Right! You'll be going hungry today!
We fought so hard for this. We're not giving it up, not ever!

N

Oh? You still intend to resist? Against these odds?

Noah

Yeah.

N
(amused)

You think you can defeat me?

Noah

We will.
For us to move forward, we must!

N

Very well.
I will demonstrate beyond all doubt. There is no possible future for you in this world.

N grips his sword, but M (to Mio's surprise) walks in front of him.

M

Let me handle this.

N

You want to...? That's a surprise.

M

I need to show them.
Make them realize just how powerless they truly are.
Just as *we* were once "persuaded".

Noah
(brows furrowing, to himself)

Who are they...?

N

Hm... All right.
Do as you will.

N walks back away.

M

Thank you...N.

M takes a long moment to look the party over.

Mio

My other...self.

A wave of purple energy shoots out from M in a sphere. The party flinches as it washes over them; the camera focuses on Mio.

♫

That To Which The Defeated Cling

The wave subsides, seemingly with no ill effects. M is left standing still with eyes closed.

Mio

(gasp)

M slowly opens her eyes, and the camera shifts to her perspective, focusing on Mio. A single tear falls from M's face; only Mio notices, and she says nothing.

Noah

I need to know...!

M
(guardedly)

Go on?

Mio is pointedly looking down at the floor.

Noah

Why...? Why do you look exactly like we do?
Who are you people?!

M

Well now.
If...
If you can defeat us in combat,

M summons her weapon — a dark, purple-flaming version of Mio's Dual Moonblades.

M

you will see for yourselves.
The truth!
Why it is we stoke
the flames of war!

Taion

I don't know that I can bear to hurt her.

Eunie
(without a lick of hesitation)

I can, she's Moebius!

Noah
(pained)

We have to win. Even if she does look...
like Mio!

Sena

So then...

Lanz

Gloves off.

M's Power

♫

Moebius

Ouroboros are holding their own. Mid-fight, M's iris glows, and another purple wave explodes out from her. As it passes through Noah, it leaves a faint afterimage before dispersing. Meanwhile, Taion runs at M to attack. Noah turns to look at Taion as he passes, then begins swiping at him without warning.

Taion
(frantically dodging)

(shocked gasp)
N-Noah?!
Wh-what are you attacking me for?
Why would you-

Taion's forced to use his Mondo to defend himself. As Noah jumps away, a purple afterimage — the same one as just before — leaves his body, and his eyes widen in shock.

Noah

(surprised gasp)

Lanz
(angrily shouting)

Noah! What are you doing?!

Noah
(baffled)

What do you-
Huh?

Lanz

You just took a swipe at Taion!
The snuff were you thinking?!

Noah

I went...for Taion?!

Taion is eyeing Noah cautiously. M's power washes over Mio next, who leaps at Noah with a roar and begins attacking. Noah manages to hold her off.

Noah

M-Mio?!
S-stop this! Mio!

Mio stops as the shadow leaves her body.

Mio

What just... What...?

Eunie

I don't understand...

Noah
(turning back to M)

Oh no...
So this is her power?

M
(flatly)

Congratulations.
You figured it out quickly.

Noah

Of course.
In every fight we've had, you've always used some special power against us.

Noah remembers the previous fights with the Moebius — D (and J)'s talons, K's Flame Clock healing, J's mudpuppets, O and P's interlink.

M

Exactly.
I have...the power to override your pitiful consciousness.

Eunie
(offended)

She's using us like bloody puppets?!
Ugh. So that's her game!

M

Once I've taken over your mind, you are absolutely helpless.
A blind passenger.

The power washes over Eunie next. She charges at Lanz, striking with her gunrod.

Lanz
(defending himself in surprise)

Uhh...

Sena

(gasp)

Eunie

Rrraagh!

M's voice echoes through Eunie's as she shouts through firing at Lanz. He blocks it with a yell. M's power leaves Eunie as the dust clears.

Eunie

(gasp)

Noah

How can we stop her?

M

Hahahah...
Well, aren't you putting up a strong front.

♫

Impending Crisis

M notices that Sena is holding her eyes shut in a defensive stance.

M

What are you doing?

Sena
(audibly scared)

Huh?

M
(malevolently)

It's futile.

M takes over Sena next, and runs at Eunie. Eunie's defense is no match for Sena's disarming swing.

Eunie

S-stop it, Sena!

Fortunately, Lanz gets in and blocks before Sena/M can land her next blow. Sena jumps back from the block and M's power leaves her.

Sena

Uh... D-did I...?

Noah
(clearly M)

I was hoping you would have figured it out by now,
but I'm afraid simply closing your eyes...
...is not enough to escape my power.

Sena cowers behind her hammer's handle. Lanz suddenly grins and points his blade at Noah.

Lanz

Just had another brilliant idea.

Noah

Oh?

Lanz

The whole time you're hijacking our bodies,
you ain't moving!

Noah
(tight-lipped)

Hmm?

Lanz points his blade at (the real) M, who has indeed been standing still.

Lanz

Which means...
We've just gotta go after you instead!

He charges, but an energy shot hits his exposed back, and he falls.

Lanz
(picking himself up)

Eu-Eunie...
What the-

Eunie's gun was aimed directly at Lanz.

Eunie
(alarmed)

Huh? No, it wasn't me!

Taion

Too bad. I was over here.

Lanz

What?!

Taion suddenly fires his Mondo at Lanz, who blocks. Noah cuts his way through to Taion and attacks.

Noah
(not liking it)

Sorry, Taion! I need you to stop now.

Taion
(hands up)

N-Noah, it's me!

Noah's swipe stops just short of Taion's torso.

Noah

Taion?!

Taion
(>:3)

I lied.

Noah takes a bunch of Mondo to the face for his troubles. Lanz catches him as he falls back.

Lanz

Well, spark.
This isn't going very bloody well, is it?

Taion
(no longer being controlled)

(huge gasp)

Mio

Hahaha.

Eunie

You've gotta be...

Sena

She's got Mimi!

Mio/M dismisses her weapons and casually strolls towards the others. They stand defensively.

Mio

Come. Cut her down.

Noah

What?!

Mio

It's an easy win.
You need only take her life.

Noah growls. His blade sinks down.

Mio

You see the irony?
Funny how you've slain so many to extend your own short lifespans...
yet your friends' lives now chain you down, dulling your blades' edges.
You can't do it, can you?
Pathetic.
Then your death will be slow and painful.
Your dear friend here shall slice you to pieces
until you perish!

Mio charges in to attack Noah. He dodges, but is caught off guard by Lanz attacking him, who is immediately shot in the back by Eunie, who is attacked by Sena, by Taion, by Lanz, with no time to recover or read the situation. Even Mio's Ouroboros comes in to attack Lanz.

Lanz

Sena!!!

Sena and Lanz interlink in response. It quickly becomes entirely impossible to track who is being controlled, with people changing target, entering and exiting Interlink, and Ouroboros forms being swapped between every moment. The melee ends with Sena's Ouroboros bringing the hammer down on Noah's and Eunie's; when the dust clears, everyone is out of Interlink, audibly winded, and eyeing each other warily.

Taion
(refocusing on M)

We don't know when she'll take over,
or whose body she'll hijack...
Despite that, by the time we detect her attack it's already...

Taion
(lightbulb)

Detect...?
That's it! Detection!

Taion wills his Mondo to surround the battlefield, stationary.

Sena

Taion? What are you-?

Taion
(deep in concentration)

The Moebius...

The Mondo coalesce into a whirling ball.

Taion

is you!!!

They form into avian shapes and fly directly at Noah, striking him down to his knees.

♫

Moebius Battle/M (Phase 2)

Noah
(in pain)

Wh-what's...

Taion

Sorry, Noah!

Noah

Taion? What's...

Taion

Our attacks... They seem to affect her real body as well.

Just as Noah holds his shoulder in pain, so too does M.

Noah

Was she controlling me?

Taion

Indeed, but now I know her secret.
Listen up! My Mondo will mark the target for you!

Lanz

Oh yeah?

Taion

Yes. The only option right now is for us to attack!
Trust me... I can guarantee that it will deal damage to her!

Noah

I hear you.
Eunie!

Eunie

Yeah?

Noah

You're...Eunie, right?

Eunie

Better believe it!
Can't you tell by my smile?!

Noah

Good then.
We'll need you to heal us up, after we take damage. Stay strong!

Eunie

Yeah, I gotcha.
Healing's on me!

Noah

Let's go!

Showdown with N

♫

Suspicion

Both M and the party are out of breath, but standing. During a lull in the fighting, Noah's vision flashes as a shockwave from N's direction cuts across the ground. The shockwave kicks up a cloud of dust that separates M from the party. Once out of sight, M sinks to her knees. N walks up to her.

M

N...

N

That's enough. Get back.

M

As you say.

M puts on her mask, gets up and walks away. N gives the air a one-inch punch with the grip of his sword, clearing the dust.

Eunie

Now it's Noah we're dealing with?

Noah
(offended)

That's not me.

Eunie

I know that!
Just sayin'.

Lanz

You know, this is getting ridiculous.
I don't get any of this nonsense!

Taion

M's only stepping back.
She could still use her powers.
Just keep an eye on how the Mondo act.

Sena

Yeah, will do!

Noah

(A Moebius with my face...)
(Is it something to do with how Moebius and Ouroboros have fought...over the ages?)
(Need to stay focused.)
(One little mistake, and it's over.)

♫

Moebius Battle

Taken By Surprise

♫

The Two Off-Seers

While fighting N, Eunie's Ouroboros flies up and switches to wing mode, unleashing a torrent of feather projectiles. N leaps up, and stabs straight through and past the Ouroboros.

Eunie

Aw, come on...

At the apex of his jump, N sheathes his sword. As he does, the Ouroboros's wings are diced by dozens of unseen slashes.

Lanz

Eunie!!!

Sena and Lanz change to Lanz's Ouroboros and leap up to meet N. N barely moves to meet its incoming punch, simply blocking with the sheathed sword at his hip. Twisting his body, he flings Lanz's Ouroboros' right arm clean off, then pushes right through the Ouroboros' shield with the sheathed sword to knock the other arm off. N finishes off by chokeslamming the Ouroboros into the ground before landing himself. Meanwhile, Eunie's Ouroboros gets up, regrowing its wings, and switches to Taion's.

Taion

Try some of this!

Countless Mondo fly from Taion's Ouroboros. N makes no attempt to dodge as they surround him in a sphere and carry him several metri off the ground.

Taion

Eat it!

As the Ouroboros clenches its fist, the Mondo explode.

Taion

Did it work?!

When the dust and singed Mondo clear, N is standing in the middle, completely unperturbed.

Taion

Can't be...
Not a scratch?!

Before Taion can react, N runs right through his Ouroboros with sword out. As he sheathes, all four of the Ouroboros' limbs fly right off.

Noah

Taion! Eunie!

Sena's Ouroboros swaps in, and it charges with Noah's at N. Sena's Ouroboros swings its hammer at N, who blocks simply by holding up his sword's handle; the hammer crumbles like clay, and the Ouroboros goes rolling from the momentum. Noah's Ouroboros jumps in next; N easily dodges some sword swipes and blocks others. One swipe manages to push N backwards a ways, though he stays on his feet. They switch to Mio's Ouroboros form as they charge in to follow up, but N immediately slices off one of its legs, and it tumbles. As N sheathes his sword, Noah's Ouroboros swaps back in and shakily stands up.

Noah

After all that, he hasn't even had to transform... That's insane...!

Noah's Ouroboros begins to glow red and steam, and the alarm-like beeping begins.

N

Ouroboros and Moebius both... manifest outwards from their core.

Taion's and Sena's Ouroboros are lying on the ground, limbless. They, too, are glowing red-hot.

N

So long as the core is intact...you can slice off as many limbs as you like. They will keep growing back.
...Yet, at the cost of vast energy consumption.
Of course, this cuts down the time you can stay in that form.
You're at your limit.

N rockets towards Noah's Ouroboros, pauses for a second beside him, and continues past. For a second, nothing happens; but as N sheathes his sword, the Ouroboros is launched up. Noah cries out as both legs and both arms fly off in turn; at the apex of the trajectory, the Interlink breaks, and Noah and Mio fall to the ground. M closes her eyes as they fall and don't get up.

Noah
(starting to despair)

H-how...?
Our power...
There's really nothing we can do to beat him?!
Mio...
Everybody's hopes and dreams...
They die here?

N

Your hope is a fool's hope.
And I will end your dreams...now!

Right as Noah manages to slowly get to his feet, N launches an energy wave at him, sending him skyward.

Eunie

N-Noah!!!

N
(forcefully)

Power is for those who face reality.
And I, having witnessed countless realities, preside in a world beyond your ken!

Noah
(weakly)

Reality,
you say?

Mio yells as she charges at N. She is launched clean across the battlefield for her troubles.

♫

Life's Fading Flame - Holding These Thoughts

Noah

Mio!

Noah gets up and runs to her.

Noah

Mio!!! You OK?! Mio?!

Mio

I...I'll live...

N stares down at the two, iris aglow. From across the field, Sena's Ouroboros looks up at them.

Sena

Mimi...

Sena remembers her earlier scenes with Mio - being accepted as her training partner, being reassured as they eat lunch together, carrying her through the desert, her sorrow when considering her time left. She speaks to Lanz through the Interlink.

Sena

Lanz.

Lanz

Mm?

Sena
(gravely)

Sorry.
Could I ask for some help here?

Lanz
(understanding)

Yeah. No problem.
This is the time, huh?
For us to really shine.

Sena

Yeah.
Right.

They switch to Lanz's Ouroboros, red-hot with Interlink alarm blaring, and get on its marks.

Lanz

Let's go!

Lanz's Ouroboros sprints at N and throws a haymaker. N casually dodges, and the punch lands on the ground, kicking up dust. They repeat this several times; N dodges the blows as if he's teleporting, and clouds of dust fill the air.

Lanz

Fire and sparks!
Quit it with the bleeping!

Noah
(desperately)

Lanz! Sena!
Cancel the interlink!!!
You're at your limit!

Lanz

Oh, believe us.

They jump in the air above N, and switch to Sena's Ouroboros.

Sena

We knew that from the start!

N jumps backward to dodge a hammer blow from above.

N

Hmph.

N's jump sends him right into Lanz's Ouroboros' grip, obscured from all the dust.

Lanz

Got you now, scum!!!

As soon as N lands in the Ouroboros' chokehold, it rockets high into the air, taking N with it.

Noah

Lanz!!!

Lanz
(apologetically)

Sorry.
This sorta stuff...
It's about all I'm good for really.

Noah

What are you talking about?
What are you going to-?!

Mio

Sena!!!

Sena
(proudly)

Mimi, remember what you said?
You always told me to never stop being myself.
I finally get it. What you meant by that.
This is me.
So don't give up yet.
This'll buy you some extra time... Use it!

Mio

Stop this!
I don't want any of your time!!!
Just come back, Sena!!!

Lanz
(to Sena)

We're too close.
Take us outta here!

Sena

OK!

The two yell together as the white-hot Ouroboros goes higher and higher, flying up past Agnus Castle.

N

What are they-

Black fog begins to coalesce around the Ouroboros.

Sena
(tearing up)

Thank you,
Mimi.

The screen fades to white.
And immediately fades back in, as Sena and Lanz's Interlink is cancelled, to their shock. Consul X appears in the air between them, twirling a glowing staff.

X

Aww, too baaad.
You were so close.

Sena and Lanz scream as they fall out of the sky. Taion's Ouroboros regrows its arms just in time to cushion their fall with a bed of Mondo. Taion and Eunie's interlink cancels almost immediately afterwards, and they fall flat on the ground. Lanz and Sena harmlessly fall too as the Mondo disperse.

N
(none too pleased)

X... What are you doing?

♫

Against the World

X
(sassily)

Hey, I just saved your life!
Could I get just a little gratitude here?

X's staff glows bright purple with an orb of Moebius energy at its tip.

N

Z's orders?

X

Pretty much.
Heheh.

Z sits silently in the Amphitheater, presumably watching the scene unfold. Taion and Eunie stand up.

If the party has already met X in Side Story: Eunie, this is Taken By Surprise (B).

Taion

That Moebius...

Eunie

X.

Otherwise, this is Taken By Surprise (A).

Taion

Another Moebius?!

Eunie

X, is it?

Eunie

The Interlink...
So this is her doing?

Noah and Mio run over to Lanz and Sena.

Noah

Lanz!

Mio

Sena!

Noah

Are you OK?!

Lanz
(barely acknowledging Noah)

Sparks' sake...

Mio
(full of relief)

Sena...

Sena

Sorry, Mimi...
I couldn't...pull it off.

Mio

It's OK... Forget about that...

N strolls back over to the party.

Sena

(gasp)

N
(drier than Dannagh Desert)

Well now.
I apologize for that little disturbance. It won't happen again.

Noah half-scoffs, half-gasps.

N

You'll notice your powers have now been fully sealed.
Give it up. Your chances of victory are nil.

N resummons his sword. Noah gets in position to do the same, but midway through, his Iris shows that it fails.

Noah
(alarmed)

Ngh...
Wha... My Blade...
It's gone!

Eunie

Wh-what? How?!

Sena

Impossible... Never heard of a Blade failing!

N swings at the air in front of him. The party flinches as the shockwave passes through them. From behind comes a cry of pain.

Lost Number

Urgh...!

Noah

(gasp)

One of the few remaining Lost Numbers is now lying dead on the ground.

Aggy

Anton!

Eunie

Piece of sh-!

N
(darkly amused)

Hahahaha...
Ah, it seems you were hoping they would escape.
Sadly, things didn't quite pan out your way, did they?

Lanz
(raging)

Because you cut him down!

From a distance away, M watches the scene with narrowed eyes.

Aggy

Sorry, Noah. Guess we were dead weight after all!

N

Did I not tell you? There's no hope.
Now witness the result.

N is back in his battle stance. The bladeless party ineffectively braces themselves, but N closes his eyes and stands back up straight.

N

A sideshow...!

Noah
(not liking where this is going)

What...?

N
(smirking)

I've just thought of the most wonderful little amusement.

N stares right at Mio. The scene fades to black.
It fades back in to show Agnus Castle, patrolled by many Agnian soldiers.

♫

Suffocating Reverberation

Noah is tossed into a small jail cell, together with Eunie, Taion, Lanz, Sena, Riku, and Manana. The bars swing shut and are locked. Mio is left alone in her own cell.

It's Been Fun...Noah

Noah attempts to punch through the bars locking the group in their cell. They make no sign of yielding.

Noah
(in obvious distress)

Sparks! It's just a metal grate. Why can't I break it?!

After seeing that Noah's not stopping, Taion stands up.

Taion

Cool it, Noah!
They've stripped us of our powers. There's no way for us to break it!
Just give it a rest.

Noah continues to throw himself at the bars.

Noah

How can I "give it a rest"?!
We have to get through!
We have to get Mio out...!

♫

That To Which The Defeated Cling

As a punch lands, the scene jumps to the evening, with a low sun. Noah is now sitting still on the ground with his head low. He looks up, scowling, to see N approaching the cell.

N
(mockingly)

Surprisingly well-behaved.
I half-expected you to have blown a hole in the wall by this point.
Or what? Have you resigned yourself wholly to your plight, knowing the extent of my power?

Noah
(quiet rage)

Did you come to gloat?
Where's Mio?

N

The girl, you'll find...is in the cell beside you.

Noah

Huh?

N

Call out her name, why don't you?
Your voice, at least, should reach.

Noah growls, refusing to rise to the instruction.

N

Oh, I see. You still cling to a sliver of hope.
You recall...I wanted to stage a little sideshow.

Noah

You expecting applause?

N pauses for effect.

N

It's the Homecoming.

Noah

Huh?!

Noah's jaw drops, together with the rest of the party.

N
(pleased with himself)

Hrmph... I'm glad you catch on quick.
With the eclipse...one month from now. The girl will meet her long-awaited end.
Why don't we honor it at the Castle? Make it a day to remember?

N turns towards the party, allowing himself to showboat.

N
(cackling evilly)

Well?! Does that not please you?
What a magnificent sideshow it will be! Muhahahaha!

Noah rushes at him in a rage, but is stopped by the cell bars. N strolls up to him.

N
(dangerously quietly)

Oh, yes... I almost forgot to tell you something.
You are now aware of the cycle of rebirth, yes?
There is an exception.

Noah

Huh...?

N

Those whose flame is snuffed out during a Homecoming...
will not return.

At this, the party all stands in shock. The camera momentarily shows Mio, standing alone in her cell, looking cheerlessly up out the window. Noah's eyes are wide with shock, quickly turning to open rage.

Noah

You monster!!!

Noah tries to grab at N through the bars, but is sent to his knees with a jab from the pommel of N's sword.

Noah

Urghhh...!

N

Hahaha... So weak.
Amusingly so...
Right now, all of you put together... don't have the strength of a single soldier.
Not even these flimsy iron bars... yield to your efforts.
Try all you like, but you cannot escape. No amount of toil will help you there.

Noah takes in a shaky breath, still winded from the blow but still glaring. N leans against the bars and stares down at him. His lips are turned upwards in a smile that falls far short of his dead eyes.

N

You feel the anguish? Crippling despair?
That is the hubris.
Of fools who cling blindly to their hopes... only to find them dashed on the rocks.
Of dreamers, crushed under the sheer weight of reality.
Of abject failures.

The scene has changed back to night. Noah is once again desperately attempting to break through the bars, though his energy comes in fits.

Noah

Come on! Come on! COME ON!

As Noah rears his hand back, Lanz grabs his wrist. There are scabs on his knuckles.

Lanz
(sternly)

That's enough!
You're just gonna break your hands!

Noah
(pulling away)

I don't care!
I'll shatter every bone in my body... if that's what it takes!

Mio's voice interjects from the next cell over.

Mio

Just stop! Please!

Noah immediately stops and presses himself against the door.

Noah

Mio? A-are you OK?

♫

The Bereaved and Those Left Behind

Mio
(with resignation)

Don't worry about me.
I'm...totally fine.
I've made...my peace.
Even if I can never leave here,
I'm content. I'll live on in others.
Knowing that is enough for me.
Please...don't worry.

The group processes this sadly and silently. Noah closes his eyes, sullen.

Noah

Mio...

More time passes. A plate of food slides underneath the cell bars. Manana brings it to Noah, who looks up, then shakes his head. A long moment of silence passes.

Lanz

Hey... Why d'you think it is,
that they look like Noah and Mio...?

Eunie
(low-energy snarkiness)

Like I know!
Why don't you ask 'em yourself?

Sena

When we kick the bucket, we're reborn in those cradles, right?
Maybe it's...somehow connected to that?

Lanz

You think they're the same people?
Is that even possible?

Taion
(resentfully)

It's strange.
Regardless, why would they do this?
What possible purpose could all this serve?
It's almost...
like they're toying with us just for kicks.

Eunie

You know, they've all been like that.
When they took away lives... it was like they were enjoying it.

Riku

That really true?

The party looks up at Riku, with some measure of audible surprise.

The party

(surprise)

Riku

It seem natural to laugh when happy.
And yet...N had sadness in eyes...it seemed.

Noah

Huh...

Noah considers this, but Lanz stands up angrily.

Lanz
(bitterly)

Like spark he did.
He's Moebius.
Our sworn...enemy.

Later, Eunie slides the empty meal trays back out under the cell door.

Eunie

Hmph... We really are hopeless.
Can't believe we're stuck in here, behind these snuffin' bars.

Taion
(low-energy pedantry)

It wouldn't be much of a prison if they didn't perform that function.
Come on.

Eunie

Hmph.

Sena

Was there even any point in all this? In everything we've done?

Noah

Course there was.

Sena

Huh?

Noah stands up and walks over to a skylight to look out at the night sky.

Noah

At least... We gave them hope.

Noah's momentary optimism dies, and he pounds the cell wall.

Noah

Urgh...

Lanz

At first...
even when Guernica said...he was six times older, it didn't click.
Past ten years was pure greed, I thought.
But now...
I'm scraping...
for whatever I can get.

The party is silent for a moment. Noah remains standing with his head against the wall, visibly on the verge of tears.

Noah

(wavering breath)

Meanwhile, back in the City, Ghondor is giving instructions to a small collection of Lost Numbers, including the other Ouroboros candidates. At her word, they disperse toward a transportation Levnis. Monica walks up.

Monica

*What* are you doing?

Ghondor
(dismissively)

Huh?
Oh, the Bitchqueen herself.

Monica
(eyes narrowing)

Where do you think you're going?

Ghondor
(mockingly)

Where d'you think I'm going?

Monica

You know I can't allow this.

Ghondor

'Scuse me?!

Monica

That's a direct order.
Don't be stupid!

Ghondor

Whatever... Up yours.

Monica
(furiously)

Look, the Castle is on maximum alert now. Are you in that much of a hurry to get back behind bars?!

Ghondor

Tch...

Monica

This ain't like the time we ambushed Keves, when we had the element of surprise.

Ghondor
(shouting back)

After all they did for me, I can't just leave 'em!
We don't have time for this!

Monica
(through gritted teeth)

And I'm telling you it's suicide!

Ghondor

(shocked breath)

Monica's eyes soften, just a bit.

Monica

Noah entrusted everything to us.
Hope...
The future...
Get that through your skull!

The camera focuses on the Cloudkey, safely fastened around Ghondor's neck.

Ghondor
(acquiescing)

Ugh...

Behind Ghondor, a swirl of particles signals Moebius teleportation.

Monica

You...?!

♫

A Step Away

Back in prison, Mio rises and walks to the skylight in her cell, where a first-quarter moon is visible in the sky. A montage plays of the other Ouroboros trying everything over the next month to break out: pulling at the bars, punching the walls, even boosting Sena up to pull at the grate over the skylight. The passage of time is shown by the moon changing phase to waxing gibbous, and to full. Gradually the party resigns themselves: first Eunie, then Sena, the Nopon, and Taion. As the moon begins to wane, only Lanz and Noah still attempt to break through the bars. Even as Lanz succumbs to exhaustion, Noah continues, knuckles bloodied and broken, until he too gives up in despair. By day, the party members stand or sit silently; Eunie stares at her other self's nametag, and Noah gives no reaction when Manana brings him food.
One day, Shania walks by and looks smugly into the cell.

Sena

Shania...

Lanz
(flatly)

What are you doing here?

Shania
(teasingly)

Got a little update for you.

Eunie

This'll be good...

Shania

The day your friend departs this world...
What did you call it? Homecoming...?
That's the day...I've decided to have myself killed too.

Shania points to the newly implanted Flame Clock Iris in her right eye.

Sena

Shania... Your Iris...!

Shania
(triumphantly)

Yep. This right here is proof that I've joined their ranks.
And your little friend will vanish from this world forever.
But...*I* will be born once again!
Just the way I should be!

Emotion fills Shania's voice as she finishes her monologue.

Noah

Hurgh!

Noah rises and presses his face to the bars, glaring at her.

Shania

Ahahaha.
That's just the reaction I was hoping for.
Ahh, it's beautiful.
I hope I can make that face too...
when I meet my enemies on the battlefield.

Taion
(tired)

Piss off, eyesore.

Shania

Oh, don't you worry, I'll be gone soon.
Pretty much as soon as your friend will.
Hahahaha.

Shania walks away laughing to herself.

Sena
(berating herself)

It was so obvious, looking back.
I knew that something was off about her.
I knew deep down.
I just... I didn't want to believe that we were the same...

Mio

You're not the same.

Sena's eyes widen as she hears Mio's voice from the adjacent cell.

Sena

Is that Mimi...?

Mio

I was watching you.
Trying so hard.

Scenes flash by of Sena fighting against K, Lambda Ferronis, O and P, and the Queen of Keves.

Mio

You saved us so many times... never giving up.
You helped us get here.
Sometimes...you can be really hard on yourself.
I think...that's why you've always been so hungry, always striving for more.

Sena
(welling up)

Yeah...

Mio

Come now... I know you've touched so many lives.
I think...we've all seen that.

Sena
(beginning to cry)

Yeah... Yeah.
I know. I see it now...
I'm sorry.

Mio

Come on. You really need to stop saying that you're sorry.

Sena

Yeah... Sorry!

Mio

It's all right. Don't give up.
Because time...
is still on our side.

As Mio speaks, she looks out at the moon, down to its last quarter.

♫

A Life Overflowing

It's now nighttime. Eunie and Taion sit together against one wall, while Lanz and Sena sit against another. Riku and Manana have huddled together in a corner. Noah sits alone, against the wall dividing their cell from Mio's. Taion idly pushes a Mondo, dead as a piece of paper, against the ground.

Taion

So then... Tomorrow.

Noah
(weakly)

Do you think an off-seer...
can ever reach others?

The others slowly turn their heads to Noah.

Noah

You know... I thought...
our lives were like our music...
Always in our hands, under our control...

Noah slowly, painfully opens his hand and looks at it.

Noah

I wasn't facing the truth.
Even if I could reach people, I wouldn't be able to save them.
I should've known that.

Noah takes a shaky breath and clenches his fist, with an anguished face.

Noah
(voice breaking)

It's unbearable...
seeing lives slip away from you...
Even though they're right there...
What am I even doing... (sob)

Noah sobs silently to himself for a few moments until he hears Mio's voice.

Mio
(casually)

It's dark out, huh...? No moon.

Noah

Huh?

Mio

But...the starlight... It's so nice and warm...

Noah

Mio...

Mio

Hey...
When the two of us first met...
You asked me if I wanted to survive.

Noah

Yeah.

Mio

I replied...I didn't mind either way.

Noah

Yeah...

Mio

I'll correct that.
Now I...want to live.
To live, and learn...
a whole lot more...
Noah... There's so much for us to see...

Noah
(smiling slightly)

Finally.
You called me by my name.

Mio

Oh yeah... Sorry.

Noah's face falls again as the realisation kicks in.

Mio

I guess I felt that...if I did...
my heart would downright break.
Because...I'd be admitting the truth.

Noah

Mio...

Mio

But you know, these feelings that grew within me...
They're thanks to you.
That's why...
you're not allowed to say it's been for nothing.
You've enriched my life, Noah. That's clear now.

Noah

Mio...

Noah looks distressed. On the other side of the cell, Eunie starts sobbing. Taion uselessly slams his fist on the ground.

Taion

Urgh!

Sena is crying as well. Lanz closes his eyes and clenches his teeth. Manana is holding Riku, who for his part is stoic as ever.

Mio

You know... I don't want this to be it.
If I were given the chance...
If this road I've walked...were to keep on going...
I'd like to spend that time...with my Noah.

Noah breaks down in tears. Mio calmly gazes out the window at the moon.
The next morning, to the sound of birdsong, Mio produces her diary and solemnly crosses off the final day.
Later, the Homecoming ceremony has begun. The sky glows orange as the moon partially eclipses the sun. All party members except Mio are paraded in front of a crowd of Agnian soldiers before being forced to their knees in sight of the throne. Noah looks up to see X, Shania, N, and M standing on stage, flanked by off-seers. Suddenly, the audience begins to cheer.

male Agnus soldier

My Queen!

♫

Homecoming

female Agnus soldier

Your Majesty!

Agnus soldiers

(chanting) Queen Nia! Queen Nia! Queen Nia!

The Queen of Agnus emerges from the shadows and stands on her hovering throne, silencing the crowd with a gesture.

Queen of Agnus

Trace our ancestry back a thousand years,
and you will find an off-seer, carrying out the first Homecoming.
Now, in Agnus, no fewer than nine hundred and ninety-nine lives...have returned themselves to me.
It is an auspicious day.
I believe such is your view.
Yet for me, it is a day that brings heartache.
I wish...nothing more than the safe return of all life born of me.
Such is my eternal hope.
To come home is to find comfort.

The queen continues to speak in the background as the party talks among themselves.

Taion

Quite the elaborate production.

Queen of Agnus

It is but a single teardrop brought back into the stream.

Lanz

Fancy. Another puppet on display.

Eunie

Assuming Monica's intel was true.

Sena
(sorrowful anger)

It's all been so pointless... Fighting for that thing.

Queen of Agnus

And yet...though the grief in my heart cannot subside...

Eunie
(through clenched teeth)

She's a phony, that's what she is.
Even if it's her in the flesh up there,
I'll rip her off her high horse!

Queen of Agnus

Today...for this brave girl... I choose to smile.
Yes, for she...is the one thousandth soul to welcome her day of Homecoming.

Eunie
(more sombre)

You think, uh... They're gonna execute us too after this?

Lanz

Guess so.

Queen of Agnus

You hear it, do you not? Here, and now echoes her voice.

Eunie

So it's...back into the cycle.
Back into the same old crap again.
Wish we could've gone a little further.

Queen of Agnus

She was born of me, and now returns. Listen to her cries of exaltation!

Lanz

Same here.

Queen of Agnus

Listen well. Lest we forget...who she once was.

Taion
(solemnly)

The key's in Ghondor's hands now.
I think we've done enough.

Queen of Agnus

She whose life expires with the hour of the eclipse!

Sena

Yeah, we've passed the torch.
Now...it's up to the City.

Queen of Agnus

Engrave this onto your hearts.

Agnus soldier

Shut up! Keep it quiet!

Eunie
(turning away)

Tch.

Queen of Agnus

As she...now returns to me. Ad perpetuam rei memoriam!

The off-seers begin their terrible tune. Noah can do nothing but sigh in defeat.

Riku

Noah giving up? Now of all time?

Noah

I don't want to give up.
But we're...trapped here.
Our Blades...
I hope at least...
she can go in peace...

Riku
(urgently)

(sigh)
Of course Noah trapped.
Noah still not tried to draw Lucky Seven!

Noah

Huh?

Riku

Remember? Back when Riku give wisdom?
When need of true power, sword will appear.

Noah
(not understanding)

Yeah... I remember.

Riku
(earnestly)

Today is day of need.
Even at edge, facing sheer drop,
must never give up!

Noah

Riku...

A set of double doors on the side of the parade ground open to reveal Mio, also bound and escorted by soldiers. The party turns to her with wide eyes.

Sena

Mimi!

Mio willingly proceeds to the stage.

Noah

Mio!

Mio doesn't turn to him, silently continuing up the stairs to the podium.

Noah

Mio!!!
MIO!!!

Noah scrambles to his feet, only making it a short distance before he's tackled to the ground by his escort. Mio, now at the top, is forced to her knees. N walks toward Noah, and as the bonds on his wrists suddenly break, N callously tosses Noah's black flute to the ground.

N

Pick it up.
You're an off-seer. So send her.

Noah gapes in shock at the order.

N
(in cold amusement)

What's wrong?
Go on, send her.
Isn't that your role?
Isn't she your Mio?!

Noah crawls toward the flute and picks it up, cradling it in his hands. Before he can play, he looks up to see that golden motes are already pouring off Mio's body.

Noah

(horrified gasp)

Noah drops the flute. The eclipse has reached totality, and the other party members all look on in various stages of grief. Mio slowly turns back to Noah with a smile.

Mio

It's been fun...Noah.

Noah

Mio...

Mio fades away, her clothes falling to the ground in a heap.

Noah

Miooooooooooo!!!

The other party members cry, unheard by the audience. M closes her eyes and the Queen of Agnus stands with raised arms as Mio's golden motes rise into the sky.
The sky lightens as the eclipse exits totality. Noah cries lying on the ground, and does not struggle as he is held up by the Agnian soldiers. N walks to Noah's side, aligns his sword with Noah's neck, raises it up, and swings.