Script of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Chapter 6

The sixth chapter of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Choices, concludes the events of the Eclipse and details the party's journey to the Cloudkeep.

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The Endless Now

♫

Those Who Devour Life

Noah's seemingly-dead body lies on the ground. Another Noah stands above it, looking down. Around the (living) Noah, the scene changes to a sea of fog.

?
(young Noah's voice)

Well then, you've made your choice.
Are you happy with how it turned out?

Noah looks around for the source of the voice, then notices that it belongs to what appears to be a child wearing a hood, face obscured.

hooded child

Is this...how you wanted the future to be?

Noah looks around. From within the fog, shadows of Kevesi and Agnian soldiers fight. Silhouettes of Noah and Mio appear within them.

Noah

Where am I?

hooded child

All this time, you've been repeating the same aimless actions.
All to keep the world this way. And yourself.

Noah lets out a concerned breath. Before him, a projection plays of Mio evaporating into motes.

hooded child

Once more today, you've lost the one you cherished most.

Noah's face falls at the memory.

hooded child

Are you sad?
If you could, would you try again?
Or would you rather...
linger in the "endless now"...?

Remnants of Memories

?
(Taion's voice)

Noah...? Noah...! Noah!

Noah opens his eyes to see soldiers dressed in City garb. Despite having Taion's voice, the speaking soldier is definitely not Taion.

City soldier

Look at this!
We've finally managed to activate the Ouroboros Stone!

Sure enough, the opened Ouroboros Stone is sitting on a table. The only two recognisable people in the group are Mio and Noah — or at least it looks like Noah, but he has the lightless eyes of N.

City soldier

Though we don't understand it fully...
Some functions may still remain hidden.
But still, even in its current state, the power it's releasing is more than enough.
With this in hand,
we can fulfill the wish entrusted to us by the Queen!

Noah?

You mean...take back the world from Moebius?

City soldier

Yes! Definitely!

Noah?
(determined)

Three more months... That's all we need...

♫

A Life Become Distant

Noah looks at Mio, who smiles back at him.
After a fade to black, the scene changes to a smoking battlefield. Mio is in Noah's arms, blue motes pouring off her body.

Noah
(distraught)

Mio...

As Mio evaporates into motes, Z walks up to Noah.

Z

So impotent.
Did you really think you could...stem the tide?
With the paltry power that you possess?

Noah
(grieving)

Arrgh...

Z raises his hand.

Z

O you, who floats in the currents.
You must yield. Abandon all you are...

The scene fades to black before the sound of a strike. It fades back in to Noah awaking with a start.

Noah

(gasping awake)

Noah steadies his breath, with difficulty. He's still in City clothing, and still with N's eyes. He walks outside to see a pot of soup on the boil.

Mio

Morning!
You really should've dozed a while longer.

Noah
(still out of it)

Oh... Good morning...

Mio

Wanna eat?
Wait... I forgot you don't like to eat right after waking.

Noah

No, I'll have some.

He walks over to join her, smiling. The two tuck in to soup and bread.

Mio

Tomorrow's the day. The final battle against Moebius.
We've come a long way to get here. Now it'll finally be over...

Noah
(unsteady breath)

Huh...

Noah notices the term mark on Mio's neck. It's almost completely grey. Mio sees him looking, and hides it with her hand, smiling.

Mio

It's fine! I've got three whole days.
Three days is plenty. I'm sure we'll be golden.

Noah remains concerned.
The scene changes again to show Noah and Mio in a dark batlefield. Around them, soldiers colapse into piles of red motes as Z walks through.

Z

O you, who floats in the currents.
You must yield. Did I not tell you?

Noah

Yield what?

Noah holds up a sword against Z. It's the same sword that N used, glowing deep purple. Behind him, Mio is on her knees, fading into blue motes.

Z

How many times has it been now...?

Z's twin Moebius Irises glow. As they do, Noah's sword disappears, and he falls to his knees as he glows blue. He turns his head to see Mio fade away.

Noah
(anguished)

Mio...
Please, no...
I can't...
I won't...

Noah, too, fades into blue motes.
The scene returns to amidst fog, where Noah stands pensively.

Noah

The world...
I wanted to change it...

hooded child

For whose sake?

Noah

I did it for her...

hooded child

But you...
ran away.

A Tragedy on Loop

Noah and Mio gasp for breath as Noah leads them running through a snowstorm. From behind, other people call out — they have the voices of the other Ouroboros, but the audience doesn't see them and doesn't know for sure.

♫

That To Which The Defeated Cling

?
(Taion's voice)

Noah! How can you betray us like this?!

?
(Sena's voice)

You're just gonna abandon us?!

?
(Eunie's voice)

We have the Ouroboros Stone now! What the spark are you thinking?!

?
(Lanz's voice)

We trusted you! We followed you for all this time!
Noah!!!
Noah! Where did you go?! Noah!!!

After some time, Noah and Mio have taken meagre shelter behind a rock. Mio leans against Noah with eyes closed, and both are audibly shivering.

Noah

Mio

(slowly fading breath)

Noah's eyes slowly close as the wind and snow whistle around them.
Back in the fog, Noah's brows are knitted in concern at the vision.

hooded child

Are you sure it wasn't for yourself?

Noah

No! This isn't me!

hooded child

You only cared...about yourself.

Noah
(squeezing his eyes shut)

No...!
I was...
I didn't...!

hooded child

But...with time, you changed.

Torn Apart

♫

Lost Days of Warmth

The sound of a crying baby is heard. Noah bursts into the room, sporting a massive grin. Inside, Mio sits on a bed, the baby held in her arms.

Noah

Strong lungs on that one. Heard him all the way outside.

The baby quiets down as Mio rocks him with a smile.

Mio

He looks just like Daddy.

Noah

I would've said Mummy.

Mio chuckles.

Mio

Our hopes and dreams made into a little person.
You'll lead the way to a new world.
A new way of life.

Noah

Yeah...
What about...his name? I don't think we ever agreed on one.

Mio

Hahah, it's your call. You're good at naming, aren't you?

Noah
(cringing)

Uh?
N-no, I don't think that's a good idea...
It's probably best...if I don't...

Noah looks down at the sword on his hip. Once again, it's unmistakeably the same as N's. Mio laughs.

Mio

I thought you'd say that.
Right, I'll do it.
'Kay?

Noah

Mhm!

Mio

Here's what we'll call him, then...

The audience doesn't hear the name. Noah and Mio continue to chat as the camera pans out of the window to show the midday sun.
The scene suddenly changes to late evening, and the camera pans back into the room to show Mio lying on the bed. Noah sits on a nearby stool, worry etched across his face, with their son — now a young child — sitting on his lap.

♫

The Bereaved and Those Left Behind

Mio's hand lies limp at the side of the bed. She slowly raises it to meet their child's hand.

Mio
(weakly)

I hope...
I hope that...the future will be...kinder to you...

Noah
(distraught whisper)

Mio...

Mio evaporates into golden motes with a contented smile. Noah openly cries, as the child watches the motes rise with wide eyes.
The scene changes to nighttime. Noah walks with the child in a rainy forest, then pauses when he sees a golden mote rise from his hand. His term mark is entirely grey. Noah kneels down to talk to his son.

Noah

Daddy will have to go soon...
All right?

The child appears sad, but nods. Motes continue to rise from Noah as he speaks.

Noah

But you know, your Daddy's and Mummy's love,
our life, will always be within you.
You'll never...be alone.
Things will get tough... You'll be hurt.
You've a whole host of things to go through... as you head into the future.
A time might come...when you'll be on the verge of giving up.
But you have to keep going.
Make friends. Keep them close to you always.
That's what Daddy and Mummy did.

The child sniffles, tears forming in his eyes. Noah hugs him tight, and lets his own tears flow. As Noah's body glows golden with motes, he looks at his son again with a smile.

Noah
(shakily)

We're with you...now and forever...

Noah's motes rise into the sky as he fades away.
Within the fog, Noah sees the memory as a projection.

Noah

Why... Why am I crying?
Why do I look like that?

hooded child

That's another you. That's how he was.

Noah

Another me?

hooded child

You from the past.

Noah
(surprised)

Me, from the past...

hooded child

And then, you made your choice.

Two Paths

Noah comes to with the sound of a projector whirring. He's sitting alone in the Amphitheater. The screen is playing a montage of moments from his previous lives, to his dismay.

♫

Suffocating Reverberation

After the montage finishes with the memory of Noah reaching Homecoming in front of his son, the screen settles on an image of a forking path.

Z

There are two roads set before every individual...

Noah notices that Z is now sitting in a previously-empty seat across the aisle.

Z
(slowly and deliberately)

The left. The right...
What lies down the road you choose?
Is it hope? Or despair...?
It repeats, and repeats, as you make countless, endless choices.
You too, like everyone, have been making them all along.

Noah notices that the hooded child is looking at the two from the boxes.

Z

If the results satisfy, that is well and good.
But...if they do not satisfy... What then?
Will you weep, battered by grief?
Or howl, seething with rage?
Have you never prayed that time would simply stop?
Have you wished the "now" would last forever...?
Your two lives, thriving and persisting far beyond Homecoming,
surpassing the system of the world.
I was fascinated, even beguiled by you.
My name is Z,
the ruler of this world.
I shall grant...your desire.

Z turns towards Noah, twin Irises burning. Noah's eyes widen. Then he is standing on stage, looking up at the projected fork in the road.

Z

So you have chosen, then.
The "endless now".

Noah's Ouroboros Iris glows and morphs into the Moebius lemniscate. As it does so, his hair and armour change to that of N. N steps into the screen, where M now stands before him down one path. N sets off towards her, and the two walk together into the distance. Z expressionlessly watches the scene from the Amphitheater seating as they go.
The scene returns once more to Noah and the hooded child amidst fog.

hooded child

And so, you became Moebius.
So that...you could live an eternal now together.
Is this still your wish?
Do you want...to ask one more time,
for time to stop?

Noah takes a shaky breath, deep in thought.

hooded child

Why is it that you are here?
Why did you split from your other self?
Why is it that you exist?

Noah

I thought I...wanted to know.

hooded child

Know what?

Noah

I became an off-seer...
...because...I wanted to know the meaning behind the smile.

hooded child

Tell me.

Noah

...I had a friend.
As important to me as... As Lanz and Eunie, or Joran.

The projection now shows the first Homecoming Noah saw, and the blonde off-seer who inspired — and, later, taught — him.

♫

The Bereaved and Those Left Behind

The scene shifts to a flashback of a battle. Noah and the blonde off-seer watch from afar as the Kevesi forces clash against Agnians. The off-seer's term mark is almost exhausted.

Blonde off-seer
(with an uneasy expression)

Noah, will you keep moving?

Noah

Huh?

Blonde off-seer

Me, I'm good here.

Noah

Crys... What do you mean, you're good...?

The off-seer — Crys — turns and looks at Noah with a hint of a smile on his lips.

Crys

Thank you.

Noah's brows furrow in confusion, then he starts in alarm; Crys has presumably run into the fray. Once the battle quiets down, Noah finds Crys's body and sees his flute lying on the ground. He picks it up and clutches it to his breast in silent mourning. The flashback ends.

Noah

Crys... I wondered...why he smiled back then.
And not just him...
Joran, too.

The projected memory shows Joran smiling in the instant before he is crushed.

Noah

I wanted to know why.

hooded child

That's why? Why you continued as an off-seer?

Noah nods.

Noah

For the longest time...
I thought they pitied those of us left behind.
"Sucks to be you". "Sorry, guys".
"I'm checking out early". "It'll be tough, but keep your chins up".
I figured...that's what the smile said.
But now...
Mio, too,
was smiling.

The projection now shows Mio smiling back at Noah as she faded away under the eclipse.

Noah

I think I get it now... The meaning behind the smile.
I think they were all content.
With the way it ended.
Like they were putting us in charge,
of the future.
Telling us to make a world where... everyone can smile...

Noah looks down at his hand, with bloodied knuckles and a term mark with 2 years remaining, and clenches his fist.

Noah

But it just breaks my heart, that... *that* was the only smile they could choose...
And it really shouldn't have been...
The world we have now...
It doesn't give us the choice to smile.

The scene now shows memories of Ethel and Cammuravi's blissful final moment, and Joran and Shania proudly showing off their new Irises.

Noah
(angry determination)

If the world won't let us choose
outside these narrow bounds...
I want nothing more
than to rip this world apart.
I want to repay those smiles.
That's why I'm here.

hooded child

And you won't choose...
the same path as your "other"?

Noah

...Who can tell?
I may end up doing that.
But...
I'll change it.
No matter what...
Because...that is the legacy that Mio left me.

hooded child

Even if you're left alone?

Noah
(resolutely)

Even if I'm alone.

hooded child
(with both young Noah's and Mio's voice)

In that case...

The hooded figure extends a hand. Noah's eyes widen in shock — the figure has become Mio.

Mio

Let us walk together.

The scene fades to white.
It fades back in to reality, as N is swinging his sword down at Noah's neck. As he does so, a purple wave of M's power washes over them and enters Noah; N pauses his sword just above Noah's neck, looking none too pleased at the interruption.

♫

Feelings Risen to the Sky

M picks up Mio's white flute and walks down to where Noah and N are.

N

M...

N silently yields, stepping away as M approaches Noah. The Agnian guards holding him let him go, and M removes her mask. She picks up Noah's flute, which had clattered to the ground before him, and considers the two flutes before kneeling down and holding out the white flute to Noah.

M
(with Mio's inflection)

I'm sorry...

Noah looks up in surprise.

M?
(apologetic happiness)

My hair, it's gotten kinda long.
Will you still...walk alongside me?
Noah...?

A memory flashes of M taking over Mio's body during their fight. Joyful tears form in Noah's eyes as the realisation sets in.

Noah
(hopeful)

Mio...?

M — Mio — nods. Noah wipes his eyes and accepts the flute, taking Mio's hand. Meanwhile, N is looking more and more confused by the second.

N

Wh-what...!
Impossible... You're...!

Mio looks at N, Iris glowing. It's now a combination of the Ouroboros ring and Moebius lemniscate.

N

Ouroboros?!

N, too, remembers the battle, and how M took over Mio's body.

N
(penny dropping)

...Does that mean...?
Back then, the two of you...?!
So...
the one who died is...?

Unsteady on his feet, he looks up at the altar. Mio's clothes lie empty on the floor.
N screams.

N
(anguished)

Why, Mio...?! Why would you do this to me?!
You said you'd be by my side!
Mio! All I did, I did for you...!

Mio

You must have known.

N turns to Mio with a choked gasp.

Mio

The other me...
She couldn't follow you any more... She couldn't go on!

The scene flashes back to the first time M used her power against the party, before the fight began. As the power reverberated around Mio, M appeared with Mio in her Interlink memory space. Scenes from M's past lives project onto the walls.

M
(sombrely)

What you see... Those are our memories.
Continuing uninterrupted, since the world was taken captive, a long time ago.
Memories of me and him...

Mio

Why are you showing me this?

M

You are...
No, all of you are my repentance.

♫

Blade - Those Who Know Fear

Mio

Repentance?

M

How I wanted us to be.
You embody all our hopes...
Our dreams of how this world should be.
Even though you and your friends should never have existed,
the fact you are here is proof enough.

Mio

So you'll...let me live?
But, if you go through with this, you'll be...

M

To my Noah,
the time with me is everything.
I just want it to...end.
Moebius, like me... We can exist only by taking the souls of those that grace this world.

Scenes of Moebius from Mio's and M's memories are now projected on the walls — K drawing life out of Colony 4's Flame Clock, N cutting down Anton, V and R treating a battle as a game.

M
(spitting the words out)

Nobody pays the slightest mind to the thoughts,
and dreams those many lives espouse.
We gorge ourselves, covet every ember,
just to delay our inevitable ruin.

Mio

That's why you want to disappear?

M

If I die, maybe he'll see... Maybe he could somehow...realize what it is that I wish.
That would be enough...

Mio thinks about this with a cheerless expression. M smiles slightly at her.

M
(longingly)

Afterwards, it'll be up to you two...
to walk the path *we* ought to have walked...he and I.

The flashback ends. Mio has presumably explained all this.

Noah

The path they...ought to have walked...

Meanwhile, the rest of the party is still staring wide-eyed.

Taion

So it's confirmed...
N and M are...other versions of Noah and Mio.

Mio addresses N, whose anguish has turned to anger.

Mio
(sternly)

The other me... She passed all of her memories on to me.
So that I could share...everything with you.

N

"Share everything"?

Noah steps towards N.

Noah

I have to know.
How could you do this?
Why are you on their side?

N

What are you talking about?

Noah
(emotionally)

I felt him, with these hands...
That sensation, the emotion...
It was no illusion.
And yet, you still became Moebius!
Harvesting people, without even batting an eye!

N lets out a shaky breath.

Noah

I want to know why.
Isn't there a trace left inside you? Of your old feelings?
Because if there was, even a little-

N
(interrupting)

Feelings, you say? You dare...

Noah nods. N gives an unstable chuckle.

N
(maniacally)

My feelings...
My feelings have never changed, they're the same as they've always been!

N points his sword at Mio.

♫

Words That Never Reached You

N

They're for you, Mio!
The time I had with you meant everything to me!
But now...it's all gone...

N emits something halfway between a chuckle and a sob.

N

If she truly is gone, I'll have to redo it all!
Watch me! Rewind our clocks, back to the start!

Mio gives a pitied gasp.

N
(enraged)

Noah... My long shadow...
You have stolen her away from me...
I will extinguish you, and take her back!
Mio is MINE!
She's not yours, she's mine. You are nothing. She belongs only to ME!

N puts his sword by his hip and begins charging up power. Noah, having been thrown off by N's speech, recovers and clenches his fist.

Noah

Words won't cut it... I can't get through to him...
Mio...!

Mio nods, and her Iris glows. The bonds shackling the other party members disappear, and they dispose of the nearby Agnian guards with varying levels of difficulty.

Sena

Mimi!

Taion

Mio!

The two run towards Mio, who still has M's clothes and hair.

Sena

Are you... Are you really my Mimi?

Mio

I'm sorry I worried you.
This was the only way.

Sena

N-no, it's fine...
You're here...

Sena and Mio hug it out. Mio shares a happy nod with Taion. The others run up too.

Lanz

Might wanna leave the teary reunion till later.
The mudder's glaring and he looks pissed off.

N is still charging up power. Lanz's description is spot on. The party squares up.

Taion

I can more or less grasp what's going on here,
but you'd better explain the details later.

Noah

Yeah, absolutely.
If words won't get through to him,
there's only one way left to us.
No... We can't let this go on!
Mio!

Mio

Yeah!
I'm ready when you are!

Noah and Mio's Irises glow, and they Interlink into Noah's Ouroboros form. It takes its time drawing up to its full height.

X
(Ugh!)

They're Interlinking?!
No way!

X points her glowing staff at them, to no avail.

X

No... Can't be!
Why isn't Z's power doing its thing?!

Noah and Mio take notice, and in an instant Mio's Ouroboros form is bearing down upon X. It grasps the staff in one giant hand.

Mio

You've gotten ahead of yourself, X.

With a squeeze, X's staff is shattered.

Lanz

Let's get stuck in!

Lanz and Sena Interlink into Lanz's Ouroboros. Eunie and Taion follow with a wordless smile at one another, taking Eunie's Ouroboros form. Noah and Mio leap back to the others, retaking Noah's form.

X
(petulantly)

N! Come on, destroy them!
Make it so they're not reborn...
Pound their souls into the dust!

N
(furiously)

I don't take orders from you.
But...
Moebius are the world itself!
There can be but one me... and I am it!

The Sword of the End

"The Sword of the End" redirects here. For the sword itself, see Sword of the End.

♫

Life's Fading Flame - Holding These Thoughts

An attack has thrown N backwards. Noah's Ouroboros stands tall and puts its hands to its chest. With a grunt of exertion, it wrenches a new sword from its core, not unlike Lucky Seven but with a glowing core in the guard.

N
(aghast)

The Sword of Origin...!
You are going to end it all?
To end Moebius, the pinnacle of life?!
This very world?!

N leaps into the air and strikes from above, but Noah's Ouroboros blocks with the new sword. The swords spark with energy as they clash.

Noah
(adamantly)

If the world holds our lives back, I will end it!
It's as simple as that!

N

It is impossible!
I tried... We tried to walk that path, and failed!

The fork in N's road shows on-screen briefly.

Noah
(angrily)

You're full of shit! You never tried, you're just a coward!

Noah's Ouroboros breaks the blade lock, flinging N into the air.

N

What did you...?

Noah

If you meant it, you'd've found a way!
But you didn't even try to make the effort...did you?!
So what do you know, of the world and of life?!

Noah's Ouroboros leaps up to meet N in the air. N tries to block with his sword, but Noah's strike knocks it out of his hands and decisively strikes N. N yells in pain and lands in a heap on the ground, his sword clattering behind him. Noah and Mio cancel their Interlink.

Mio

N. Do you know why she traded places with me?

N gasps for breath in response. The screen shows scenes of Mio — who the audience now knows was actually M — in prison.

Mio

She felt imprisoned.
And you...
You put her there.
Shuffling lives pointlessly back and forth... for an eternity of control.

N

You call it...control?

Mio
(sorrowfully)

She never really wanted anything like that.
She just, she wanted to live out her precious days together with you.
You should've been able to give her that!

N
(still angry)

Is that...why she handed her life to you?
Is that why she rejected me?!

Purple-tinted black smoke appears to leak out from N's chest where he was struck.

Mio

It's not rejection!
She understood, she always knew your reasons!
All she wanted was to end your misery...
That's the reason she gave this body to me.
By leaving this world behind,
she wanted to tell you - she didn't want "forever"...
She wanted to be there with you...!

N

And so she left me behind? She wouldn't do that!
How can we be together now?!
With her gone from the world, what's the point of it all?!

Mio

It's you that drove her to this!
Wake up already!
You're Noah, right?
Why...?
Why does nothing seem to get through to you?!

N doesn't respond; he's too busy angrily gasping for breath, chest still smoking.

X
(seemingly to herself)

...Damage to his Core?
Tch... Useless lunk...
Although...
N is the wielder of the Sword of Origin...
It'd be a problem to have him croak here.
Don't you think,
Z...?
Oh well. In that case...

X's Irises burn, and the Queen of Agnus yells.

♫

The False Queens

Eunie
(alarmed)

Look! The Queen!

Her throne begins to morph, revealing clawed hands and large cannons. The "Queen" stands within it, unmoving.

Taion

Is that...
Is that what she really was?

Sena

Knew it! It's the same as with Keves!

X

We've got a winner!
In Keves's case, it was all a bit toothless, huh?

The Queen's mech flies forward, shooting wildly and moving to block the exit.

X

But this time, there will be no escape!

The party runs at the Queen and engages in combat.

Shania the Traitor

The Queen is charging up a shot from its central cannon. Noah and Mio dash right at it, Interlink, and slice straight through its Flame Clock with the Sword of Origin. The throne collapses with a small explosion, and the Flame Clocks on Agnus Castle and in the eyes of the Agnian guards go out. Guards fall to their knees and faces.

X
(to herself)

W-with one blow...
That sword...
Guess there's no mistaking it.
Where did a brat like him get that...?

Riku grins, wiggling his eyebrows furtively. Noah and Mio have cancelled their Interlink and approach X.

Noah

Don't waste your time on petty tricks.
The Castle...is in our hands now.

X

Petty tricks, huh...?
Hehehe...
You think you've won?

X's Irises flash. Noah's brows furrow, then his eyes widen as the Castle begins to shake. A cannon emerges from its face.

♫

Moebius

X

Tell me, do you know the phrase "last laugh"?
Admittedly you probably won't find this very funny...
But I will. See how you like THIS!

The cannon's casing opens to reveal a barrel of purple lightning, just like with Keves's Annihilator. The cannon begins charging.

Taion
(panicked)

An Annihilator?!
There was one in Agnus too!

X

We have another winner!

Eunie

Wait! What are you even gonna shoot?

X

You wanna know the target?
It's right here!

X's Irises flash as she sends something to those of the party. A spot on the Great Sword is glowing blue — right where the City is.

Noah

The City?!

Sena

How'd they even find it?

Sena gasps in realisation and looks up to where Shania has been standing.

Sena
(hurt)

You didn't...

Shania cackles.

X
(giggling)

I suppose that's that mystery solved.

Lanz

You scum... You've even sold out the City?

Shania
(suddenly angry)

Just what the hell do you know?
You dream of living out your days in peace?
You wanna protect the natural way of life?

Shania scoffs.

Shania

All that shite
is a right afforded only to the powerful!

Noah exhales, affected by the speech.

Shania

What about those who can't live in peace, huh?!
Are they meant to survive in all this chaos,
until the very day they die?!
I have not one thing to my name. I don't even have the power to choose!
Screw it...
For all I care, all of this can go to hell!!!

♫

That To Which The Defeated Cling

Sena
(pleading)

Shania, please...!

X

Whichever way you lot wanna slice it, your lives are in our grasp!
I will teach you the meaning of regret,
and reap you like so much rotten grain!

The Annihilator fires its bolt of black fog. The party has to shield their eyes.

X

Z!!!

As X calls out, she teleports away. N follows. The Annihilator's blast finally dies down after some seconds. Shania smirks, and turns around in time to see the City's location in the Great Sword become a spherical pile of void and rubble.

Sena

Please, no! The City...

Lanz, Eunie, and Taion wordlessly stare in shock.

Noah

It's all my fault...
I didn't think they'd have an ace up their sleeve... I got careless...

Mio
(remarkably calm)

It's OK.

Noah

What...?

Mio just nods and looks up. The whirring of engines is heard, and Shania turns around in surprise to see City transporter Levnises approaching.

Manana

Levnises from City incoming!

Eunie

Who the-?

Ghondor

Ahooooooy!
Ya dags!!!

Ghondor can't be seen, but her voice unmistakably rings out from a Levnis's speakers.

Noah

That voice... Ghondor?!

Ghondor
(joyously)

Guess who's back, bitches!

After a cut to black, the Lost Numbers have disembarked. Ghondor struts up to the party, flanked by Aggy and Oggy.

Noah

Ghondor! You're all right?!

Ghondor

Damn, that was gonna be my line! Heh...
Looks like things worked out over here anyway.

Noah glances at Mio.

Noah

Did she...?

Ghondor

Yep.
If she hadn't clued us in, we'd be up shit creek now.

A brief flashback displays of the Moebius teleporting into the City. It was Mio (as M).

Noah

Right... Mio...

Sena

Monica and the others?

Ghondor

Bitchqueen's fine, too...
The City's currently right about...here.

Ghondor sends something to the party via Iris. It's an image of a massive Ferronis hanging below a ceiling of rock.

Noah

Underneath the world?! How is that possible?

Ghondor

The City itself is actually a massive bloody Ferronis!
If we feel like it, we can move it to anywhere in the world.

Taion

Simply astounding...

Lanz

I thought it was just like an oversized Colony.

Ghondor
(voice darkening)

That wasn't exactly common knowledge.
The Bitchqueen and I knew... and a handful of others, that's it.
We had to be sure...so that some slimy traitor wouldn't drop us in it.

Sena
(whispering)

Traitor...

♫

A Life Woven Together

The party slowly turns to face Shania.

Ghondor
(quiet rage)

All right.
I'm not gonna ask "why".
I suppose I know the reason.
But if it's what I'm thinkin', then I don't get it at all.
If we'd made one mistake, the City woulda been wiped out.
Before we're done, you'll tell me everything I wanna know,
Shania.

Shania stumbles back, fist shaking.

Shania
(furiously)

It's your eyes, that look!
You've always looked at me that way!

Ghondor's expression softens into slight confusion.

Shania

Why did it have to be like this...?!
Why's it always me, standing here on my own?

Ghondor

Shania...

Shania gives a short maniacal chuckle.

Shania

I've had it...
I've had it up to here!

Shania summons her Blade — a gun. Ghondor gasps, and Aggy and Oggy immediately move to cover her. Lanz, Eunie, Taion, and the Lost Numbers draw their Blades too. Shania levels the gun at her own head.

Ghondor
(alarmed)

Shania!
Drop it!
This isn't what I meant by "done"!

Shania

Don't misunderstand...

Ghondor had been scrambling forward, but halts. Tears form in Shania's non-Iris eye.

Shania
(yelling)

This is...
This is the beginning!

The camera pans up, and the sound of a gunshot is heard.

Sena

Shania!!!

The camera follows Shania's vision, fading out and falling to the floor as Ghondor and Sena rush towards her.
After a cut, the party has collected around Shania's body. Sena is on her knees, and the others look morose. Noah places a hand on Sena's shoulder.

Noah
(gently)

Are you ready, Sena?

Sena

Noah...

Noah

This is the fate that Shania chose.
It isn't the end.
Like she said herself, this is the beginning.
Come on. Up you get.

Mio wordlessly places a hand on Sena's other shoulder. Sena holds it with a pained expression, and stands up.

Noah

I don't know if it'll reach her...
But still... Sena, we'll do all we can.

Sena
(softly)

Mhm...

After a cut, the scene shows Lost Numbers and Agnian soldiers working together to clean up and treat the wounded.

Breaking the Never-Ending Curse

Noah

Huh?

The party is on a balcony overlooking the Agnus Castle Barbican.

Noah
(not looking at Mio)

I can't help but wonder... Would I have been able to save you?

Noah remembers M (as Mio) fading into motes.

Noah
(hurt)

I wanted time to stand still...
More than anything.
I felt completely powerless,
I wished time would stop.
If the moment could have lasted forever, we...
I wished for the unthinkable.
Just like N.
I proved to be just like him...

Mio takes Noah's hand.

Mio

For my part, this is all I need.

Noah

When did...you two...?

Mio

It was when we first fought against M.
Ever since then, M and I were swapped around.

The scene shows a flashback of M first using her power against Mio.

Noah
(slightly lighter)

I see... I honestly thought you were M, back there.
You had me fooled.
...Maybe that's a bad way to put it.
In any case, I didn't realize at all.

♫

A Life Overflowing

Mio

I did try my best. I couldn't afford to fail.
If anyone suspected me, you'd have all been executed on the spot.
But her feelings...
I couldn't simply let them go to waste.

Noah

M's...feelings...?

Mio nods.

Mio

She wanted to give you everything that she knew about N,
to help us escape...
to break this never-ending Moebius curse...
To lose, and lose, and still stand back up,
even in the depths of despair...
She wanted you to have the strength to defeat those at the root of that despair.

Noah
(self-consciously)

She sure had a lot of faith in me. Uhh...

Mio
(resolutely)

She believed, that if anyone in the world could make it possible, it would be you.
That's why...she merged our wills so we could act, to further our goal.

Noah remembers M on the night before her execution, and as she faded away.

Noah

Earlier, you said "it was fun"...
But it wasn't you, it was M...

Mio

I really think she meant it.
It was brief, but... Being who I am now...
Passing my thoughts along, on to you,
and receiving yours in turn...
She was...grateful.

Noah

I see...

Mio

From that moment, M's words were my words,
and my words were now hers.
Her life was scattered on the breeze, but her memories, and her will
live on inside my heart...
Come.
I have something to show you.

Mio walks away. The others follow.

At Hope's Rest

The party has arrived at Hope's Rest, a cliff overhanging above Erythia Sea. Below, the rusted remains of ancient structures poke above the waves.

Noah

Here?

Mio

M was still unsure to the very last... whether to show you the memory of this place.
But, I think it would be best.
This place... It was everything to N.

Noah

What do you mean...?

Mio

Well, you see...
This is where the City once stood.

Noah

It did?!

Mio

It was long ago.
The City back then, it was much more prosperous than now.
It positively teemed with people.

Taion

So then, it must've drawn Moebius's ire even more than now?

Mio nods. The scene transitions to the Amphitheater — a memory, where the body of Mio (dressed in her City garb) lies motionless on the stage.

♫

That To Which The Defeated Cling

The Noah which became N — or maybe which was already N — jerks towards Mio's dead body, alarmed.

Z

There it lies before you... Your heart's desire.
There is no life within.
You must breathe it into her yourself.

Noah stares as Z whispers something unheard by the audience.

Noah
(shocked)

Life from the people of the City...?!
You want me to end every one of them?!

Z
(eyes narrowing)

Why the hesitation?
Existing in "this place" is by itself a result of your own choices.
You are the one who chose the "endless now", are you not?
Your response should already be predetermined.

Noah looks indecisively between Mio and Z.

Z

Such a shame...

Z's Irises flash, and Mio's body begins to glow, evaporating into blue motes from the feet up.

Noah

Ah! Wait, please!

The projector now shows N heading down his path towards M, as Z sits alone in the audience. N's footsteps change from the forked road to the floor of the City; its citizens turn to face the intruder.

Mio
(narrating)

The City's inhabitants were the descendants
of M, N, and others who became Ouroboros in the past.

N moves to draw his sword.

Mio
(narrating)

In exchange for the lease on life they would get as Moebius,
Z ordered N to kill the City's people.

The scene is now one of destruction — N standing within the flaming remains of the City, with nobody around. M approaches.

M
(horrified)

Oh no...
Tell me! Tell me why!

N
(haunted?)

I didn't...want to lose any more.

M

What do you mean, "any more"?!
Everything we held dear is gone! You took them all away, and you dare talk about your feelings of loss?!

N
(ignoring her cries)

Now, you...will continue to exist as Moebius.
The same...as myself.

M
(heartbroken)

So you did it. Sealed our fate...
Now we can live forever.
But this future's been stamped out before its time.

A tear falls down M's face.

♫

The Bereaved and Those Left Behind

M
(to herself)

And... I can't even disappear.

Back in the present, the party stares at Mio, wide-eyed. Noah looks at his hands.

Noah
(struggling to accept it)

Only two things were important to him...
Impossible...
How could one ever choose between them?
Surely he couldn't...
do it...

The scene shows N joining and walking with M on the forked path.

Mio

And yet,
he did make a choice.
No one can truly judge him, for the things he did.

Noah remembers his past self's final scene with his son before fading away.

Noah

Repentance.

Mio

Mhm...

Noah

The intentions they left behind... They turned into us...

Mio

Mhm...
Of course it's heartbreaking, but...

Noah

But still, she was smiling...

They recall M's smile as she faded away.

Mio

We have to change things.

Noah

Yeah...
And this time, we'll succeed.

They turn back to the rest of the party.

Noah

So it's set. Our new goal.
Agreed?

Taion

Yes...
He can't get away with this.

Lanz

I'm not feeling...very forgiving, either.

Eunie

But guys,
now we know there's an even bigger bad behind that snuffer.

Sena

Z...
Making someone choose the impossible...? It's so cruel!

Noah nods and looks to Mio, who nods as well.

Noah

Thanks, everyone.

Ghondor
(waltzing up from offscreen)

Looks like yer minds're made up.

Ghondor digs the Cloudkey from her pocket.

Ghondor

'Ere, this is yours.

She tosses it to Mio, who catches it.

Ghondor

By the by...
Who is that Z sleazebag?

Noah

He's something like the head of all Moebius. Or so it seemed...
I've only met him in...the memories that M showed me, though...
We now know his power is vast, far greater than any of the others in Moebius.

Ghondor

Damn, so he's...

Mio

Yes. He is our true adversary.
The one who formed...the world we know.

Noah remembers his words to Guernica, months ago.

Noah
(angrily)

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

Meanwhile, Z watches the Amphitheater screen with an unreadable expression.

Helping Out with Repairs

♫

Lost Days of Warmth

Cleanup is progressing nicely. Ghondor gives instructions to Lost Numbers; Lanz and Sena help move rubble; Mio, Noah, and Manana assist injured soldiers. Taion stands after looking over a broken structure.

Taion
(sigh of relief)

Ahh...

Eunie

Feels like we have one less worry now, eh?

Eunie walks over from offscreen.

Taion

Agreed... They should be able to start on repairs now.

Eunie

Not what I meant, though.
I meant this whole thing.

Eunie taps her neck, where Mio's term mark once was.

Taion

Mio, that's right...
At that moment, everything just felt so utterly hopeless that it hurt.
There wasn't a thing I could do.

Eunie

But it still worked out, right?

Taion

Heh...
Thanks to all of you being there.

Eunie
(pleasantly surprised)

Ahhh...

Taion

What?

Eunie
(not unkindly)

Surprised you didn't choke on those words.

Taion
(frowning)

Well, of course not!
I can express some emotions.

Eunie laughs.

Taion

There has to be...a reason we met...hmm?

Eunie

Say what?

Taion

It's something that Noah said once.

Eunie

And you found a reason?

Taion
(nodding)

We've seen one wish granted...

Eunie

True.

Taion

Still, we've got a way to go.
This isn't nearly the end.

Eunie

No rest...for Ouroboros.

Taion

At least we've won ourselves an extension.

Eunie

Ah, it'll work out somehow.

Taion

Eunie, am I sensing a streak of optimism?
I thought you were one to worry about the details a bit more.

Eunie
(softly)

Now I've got a reliable guy...
to stand by me, so.

Taion
(caught fully off guard)

Oh!
Wh-wha...? And who...m-might that be, then?

Eunie

Hehe... That'll be my secret.

Eunie walks away with a smug grin.

To the Cloudkeep

♫

Everyday Life

Manana is cooking something in the Agnus Castle canteen. Mio, Eunie, and Sena are chilling with her.

Eunie

Uhhh?!
You wanna cut off those locks?!

Sena

No! But it's so pretty!

Manana
(adamantly)

Hair is like lifeblood of girl!
Not to be chopped like so many noodles!

Mio
(guiltily)

Not exactly! I can't decide...
Should I cut it, or just leave it alone...?

Eunie

Why ask? Just do whatever you like.

Sena
(looking pointedly at Eunie)

You gotta keep it long! It'd be a crying shame!

Mio

Well, this body, it's been granted to me by my other self, right?
I dunno if it's fine for me to just... "Snip".

Sena

Yeah, that's a big question for sure.

Mio
(nodding)

Mm... The hair doesn't...just belong to me...
But it's...

Eunie

It's what...?

Mio
(snapping)

It's...such a pain in the arse to wash!

Eunie

Huh?

Sena

Whuh?

Manana decides she's had enough of the conversation and goes right back to cooking.

Mio
(exasperated)

I just can't sparking deal with it! How she'd ever have the patience...!
The washing takes ages, and the bedhead's a nightmare,
and don't get me started on the latrine...!

Eunie
(TMI!)

Ohh, say no more, love.

Sena

Oh, Mimi...

Mio

So, what do you think?

Eunie
(much less decisively)

Uhh, well...
Look, why don't you just ask Noah?

Mio

This has nothing to do with him! It's my problem and mine alone.

Eunie

Is it just that...you're looking for permission?

Mio
(unamused)

I'd also settle for a no.

Sena

Hmmm...

Sena and Eunie share a look. Sena nods, and Eunie "tch"s.

Eunie

Right then, let's sort this out.
We'll decide for you if you want.
But afterwards, you'd better not come crying, got it?

Mio
(cheerily)

Mm! I won't, I promise!

Please choose a hairstyle for Mio.

After Eunie (read: the player) has made their decision, the party convenes with Ghondor and her retainers at the Agnus Castle Barbican. Mio is out of M's clothing, and if Eunie so chose, her hair is now back at its original length.

Noah

The Cloudkeep, you say?

Mio

Yes. It's where the Queen of Agnus lies sleeping.
And this is the key we need to get there.

Mio holds up the Cloudkey. A flashback plays, presumably from M's inherited memories. It's a foggy, rainy night; M stands above the Hope's Rest precipice.

♫

Blade - Those Who Know Fear

Queen of Agnus
(empathetically)

You could throw yourself off,
but it wouldn't be enough...
Such is the fate of a Moebius.
You should know by now.

M turns around — the Queen of Agnus has approached her from behind.

M

I-it's you...!

Queen of Agnus

We've met before, when you were still human.

Judging by the lack of a mask, this one's the real Queen. Set in her chest is a crystal glowing almost identically to M's and Mio's.

M

Your Majesty, m-my Queen...!

Queen of Agnus

I will go to sleep, for a good long time indeed.
That should keep me out of Z's claws...
Take this.

The Queen holds up the Cloudkey. M takes it.

Queen of Agnus

Whenever it is I wake up again,
the world...will be ripe for a change.
Until that time, keep it safe.
You should give it to those who deserve it.

M

How will I know who...?

Queen of Agnus

They'll come before you. Of that, I have no doubt.

M

But why choose me?

Queen of Agnus

Because you...
Nay, the two of you, one day...
You will certainly meet
your true selves.

The flashback ends.

Noah

Our true selves, huh...?

Taion
(checking his Iris)

I must say, I'm surprised by the location.
It's right in the vicinity of Gamma and 9.
How has it escaped detection for all this time?

On the Iris map, a blue structure is highlighted, connected to the mainland by a thin bridge.

Mio

The area around the keep... It's absolutely swimming with black fog.
And there's optic camouflaging on the structure itself.
So that'll be why.

Sena

Is that all from M's memories?

Mio

Mhm, all stuff she passed on to me.

Sena

Crazy...

Noah

Ghondor, you knew M?

Ghondor

Yeah, from a pretty long way back.

Ghondor looks at the key in Mio's hand.

Ghondor

She's the one who gave me that bloody thing in the first place.

Another flashback plays, this time in the Eagus Wilderness. Automatons and transport Levnises surround a City encampment. Ghondor keeps watch from a nearby overhang, and turns around when M teleports behind her. The two say no words, but share a look before the flashback ends.

Ghondor
(relatively reverently)

She said you lot were our last hope.
Asked us to lend you our assistance and junk.
She musta been guarding the Queen's words.
Yeah... For proper yonks and yonks, and no mistakin'.

Lanz

And that's also the reason that you were waitin' for us?
Cooped up there, all that time?

Ghondor
(cheerily)

Busted!

Eunie
(still confused)

And the "thousand lives" thing? What...was all that?

Ghondor
(proudly)

Nice spiel, right? I wrote it!

Eunie

Are you serious? Snuff, that's a letdown...

Ghondor

You what?!

Noah smiles, then addresses the group.

Noah

Let's head out as soon as we're ready.
Moebius are still out and about...
We don't have to worry about Mio's lifespan any more, but we can't just sit around.
OK?

Mio

Yeah, definitely.
Erm, guys...?

The group gives a chorus of "Mhm?"s.

Mio

There's a place...other than Cloudkeep, that I really need to go to.

Taion

"Really need"...?
It seems you're rather troubled.
Are you certain it's really that vital?

Mio

It's Colony Omega.

Sena

Omega? Wh-?
No way... It's still there?!

Mio nods.

Mio

The Colony I lived in with Miyabi...
It was under the control of Moebius Y.
I learned something important from the other me.
Miyabi's...still alive.

Mio clutches her hands to her chest pensively. Noah remembers Miyabi from Mio's memories.

Noah

This Miyabi... She clearly means a lot to you, then.

Mio
(nodding)

I'm happy to leave the decision to you. Of course, we can head for the keep first.
This is something personal for me.

Noah

Right, I hear you.
OK. To Omega.
If Mio's saying she has to go there,
then we will. We'll make it high priority.

Mio
(appreciatively)

Thank you, Noah.

♫

Against the World

Meanwhile, in the Amphitheater, N sits curled up on stage under a spotlight. His head is bowed with depression. Z and Y sit watching. X teleports in to an empty seat.

X
(holding her head in her hand)

Hmph...
This stinks... Frickin' Sword of Origin thing...
You made me look like a complete idiot.

Y
(seemingly unperturbed)

The unexpected doth come to pass.
Deeply fascinating.

X
(annoyed)

Yeah, but what's the plan?
You're not gonna wanna let it slide, surely?

Z
(definitely unperturbed)

We acknowledge and accept.
Whether outside...or indeed within, all is part of the flow.

X

Maaan, you're like a broken record.

Z
(drily)

It is, after all, part and parcel of my being.

X gets out of her seat and walks out down the aisle.

X

I'll just do things my way, then.
Ouroboros...
They're nothing without what we gave them.

Y teleports in front of her.

X
(Hmmph!)

...Got a problem, Y?

Y

I shall claim primacy.

Y teleports out. X does too, leaving Z to watch N alone.

Talking With Riku

Outside Agnus Castle, Noah looks at the Veiled Sword as he chats with Riku.

Noah

So, I...just pulled it free.

Riku

Noah mean Lucky Seven?

Noah

Mhm.

Riku

Well, seem like it.

Noah

It's not changed one bit.

Riku

Well, obviously.
Shape just cosmetic.

Noah

Pardon?

Riku
(sagely)

People and Ouroboros also not change.
Before pull free, Moebius power not affect it either.

Noah

Right, mm.

Riku

Lucky is simple contraption.
What actually matter, Noah-

Noah

The will of the...wielder.

Riku

If understand, then why ask?

Noah
(smiling slightly)

Just who...are you?

Riku
(without hesitation)

Riku just Riku, common variety Nopon.

Noah
(amused)

And how's a common Nopon get his wings on this?

Riku

As said, received from masterpon to keep safe.

Noah
(not convinced)

Really?

Riku

What Noah possibly think? Riku mustard up some big fancy lie?

Noah tries to hide a laugh.

Riku

What Riku say funny?

Noah

Nah, all good. We'll say I believe you.

Riku

Meh-meh? Riku bothered by that wording.

Noah

Don't worry, I think I get it now.

Riku

Oh?

The two look to the others, who are busy doing camp things.

Noah

Nonetheless, Lucky Seven is something we'll have to cherish as we go on.
Riku...thanks a lot.

Riku allows himself to smile as he looks out at the view with Noah.

♫

Off-Seer - Miyabi

Meanwhile, in a darkened forest, Miyabi — indeed alive and well — plays the flute while several soldiers fight a Gogol. One of the soldiers is clearly Cammuravi; the other two have helmets on and can't be identified. Miyabi stops playing as the beast falls.

♫

Quiet Intrigue

Y
(walking up to Miyabi)

Marvelous!
Deft motions with nary a sign of hesitation. The footwork... Remarkable.
Thee especially...
Oh, how gladdened I am to have awoken thee.
Miyabi...
My most valuable puppet...
Guide them forth, with thy inimitable melody.
These waifs, these immaculate strays...

The Iris eyes of the Soldiers and Miyabi glow blood red with Moebius control. Their faces are entirely expressionless.

My Days with Miyabi, Part 1

The introductory camera sweeps over Captocorn Peak play. The party stands at its entrance.

Mio

(soft concerned breath)

Mio has a flashback of her times at Colony Theta. In training, she deftly clears an obstacle course, leaving other Agnian trainees in her dust. Sena runs up once she's done.

Sena

Whoa, nice one, Mimi!

Meanwhile, Miyabi is having much more difficulty crossing the balance beam.

Miyabi
(falling off)

Nghah-!

Theta lieutenant

Can't even get through that obstacle, Miyabi?
Shouldn't have slacked in basic!
20 laps of the Colony! And pick up the pace!

Crowd

(crowd) Hahahaha!

Miyabi stays on the ground. Mio and Sena watch, making no effort to assist.
Later, Mio stands in the commander's tent.

Mio
(indignant)

An off-seer? Really?!

Theta Commander

That's right.

Mio

But why?
I was top of the rankings, in all the training categories!

Theta Commander
(firmly)

It's done.

Mio

But sir-!

A knock on the door interrupts her.

Theta Commander

Enter!

Miyabi enters the tent.

Mio

Miyabi...?

Theta Commander

As of now, consider yourselves our official... Colony Theta off-seers.

Mio

But Commander!

Theta Commander

Understand. This decision is final.

Mio

Urgh...

♫

A Life Become Distant

Outside, soldiers are training. Mio sulks on a bench alone, holding her flute.

Miyabi

So did you...learn the score?

Miyabi approaches.

Mio
(still cross)

Mhm, I guess...

Miyabi
(impressed)

So you can play it?

Mio

More or less...

Miyabi

That's so cool!
And your part's so much harder than mine as well...
I've been trying,
but I'm struggling a bit with the start of the 12th bar...

Mio

Can we please just...drop it?

Miyabi
(finally reading the room)

Oh...!

Mio

We play tomorrow...
I just wanna get it over with.

Miyabi

Y-you're right, yeah. Sorry...
Ah... Well then!
I'll practice, and make sure I've got my part down pat.

Miyabi walks away quickly. The flashback ends.

Noah

Shall we go, Mio?

Mio nods, and the group heads off down the mountain.

Side Story: Mio

Main article: Side Story: Mio/Script

M's Memories

The party is approaching the Cloudkeep's location at Captocorn Peak. Eunie walks next to Mio.

Eunie

Psst... I said, psst!

Mio
(whispering)

What's up?

Eunie
(quietly)

So, erm...you've got...
M's memories?

Mio

Eunie, why are we whispering?

Eunie

Roll with it.

Mio

I do, yeah. Why, though?

Eunie
(impatiently)

So tell me stuff.

Mio

Tell you what stuff?

Eunie

Stuff about the Queen and Moebius. Anything you got.

Mio

But, like what, exactly?

Eunie

Like how the two are connected,
any secrets,
or where they are...

Lanz
(loudly)

Oi, no giving out exclusives!

Lanz has noticed the conversation.

Mio

Lanz?

Lanz

We wanna know this stuff too!
Right?

The others have stopped walking.

Taion

Well, I suppose...
But still...

Sena

Yeah, I trust Mimi. If it was important, I'm sure she'd tell us everything.

Noah

And since she's not saying, there's a reason. Right?

Mio
(nodding)

Mhm...
If it's about the Queen, you shouldn't hear it from me, but rather from Her Majesty herself, I think.
The Queen's bound to know things that M didn't...

The others nod. Eunie looks unimpressed.

Eunie

Ugh, so that's it then?
You're just gonna pass the buck?

Mio

Well, I suppose so?

Eunie

Feels a bit stingy, that's all.

Mio
(apologetically)

Hey, no grumbling. I'm in the same Levnis as you, OK?

Eunie

All right, all right.
I'll yield.
Might as well save my appetite for the main course!

Eunie starts off walking again, and the others follow.

Where Queen Nia Slumbers

The party has reached the supposed location of the Cloudkeep. In front of them is a sizeable cloud of black fog, and seemingly nothing else.

Eunie
(sarcastically)

Glad I made this journey.

Manana

There nothing special here...

Riku

Friends sure we come to right place?

Mio

We're good. You'll see!

Mio walks up to a pedestal and holds the Cloudkey over it. Wind starts to whip around the area, obscuring the party's view. Manana and Sena gasp.

♫

Nia - Toward the Heavens

When the wind has died down, the Cloudkeep comes into view — an elaborate white structure, not unlike Agnus Castle, with blue-glowing pillars and a pool of water in the centre. The structure hovers in midair off the side of the mountain. The party stares wide-eyed.

Taion

Is this real...? That's the Cloudkeep?

Lanz

Whoooaaa...
Fantastic bit of tech.
Amazing how they kept it hidden.

A previously-invisible bridge appears, extending from the Cloudkeep to the mountain where the party stands.

Sena

So is this where the Queen's been sleeping, then?

Mio

Yes. Right at the very top.

Noah

Right, let's move. Not far now.
A few more stairs... We might finally discover the way to free the world... End Moebius's reign.

D and Joran Return

♫

Nia - Toward the Heavens

The party has arrived at the doors to the Cloudkeep's sanctum.

Noah

We're here...

Mio

Yes.

Another use of the Cloudkey in Mio's hand, and the doors open. Inside the sanctum, a large structure with industrial-looking pipes stands out from the intricate architecture. Close to the water feature in the centre is another pedestal; Mio uses the key once more, and the water evaporates, revealing a pod from within. Inside the pod, the Queen of Agnus sleeps. The pod opens.

Lanz

She's really pretty...

Noah

It's her. That's the real Queen of Agnus...

Eunie

She's sleeping and not...dead, right?

Mio

Don't worry. She'll awake soon enough.

The Queen's hand twitches, and her eyes open.

Sena

Ah! She's up!

As she moves to sit up, a glowing talon shoots from above.

♫

Impending Crisis

The Queen gasps in pain as the talon pierces clean through her and the pod she rests in, burying itself into the floor below. Her eyes close again.

Taion

What?!

Sena

Your Majesty!

Eunie

She's been killed!

Moebius D

Hehehehe...

The party looks up and behind them to see that D and J, in non-Interlinked Moebius form, are sitting on a structure high on a wall.

Moebius D
(looking right at the camera)

How delicious...!
I can taste your despair already!

Moebius J

I'm afraid you won't get your way.
We worked hard to make this world ours...
No way that we'll relinquish it now.

They teleport down to the party's level.

Noah
(frustrated)

Joran...

Eunie

You rats, how'd you find us?!

Moebius D

I don't get your surprise.
That one's still half-Moebius.

D looks at Mio, whose joint Moebius-Ouroboros Iris glows for good measure.

Moebius D

You didn't seriously think we'd lose her, did you?
Or did you think...you're all that just because you managed to defeat N?
Well, thanks to you, I got to end that aggravating old bat.
Fulfilling Z's orders in the process...

Noah

Looks like we got played...

Noah remembers Z convincing N to join Moebius. Lanz runs up to J.

Lanz
(consternated)

Joran...
Are you...seriously...

Moebius J

Seriously what?

Lanz

Teaming up with this creep?
You've killed her...!

Moebius J
(proudly)

Wasn't that clear?
You know I am Moebius.
I was reborn, and on that day, J surpassed you all.

Lanz

That day...
Right. Then tell me.
Why did you do it? Trade your life for mine?!
You coulda ignored me, got away safe!

Moebius J
(sarcastically)

Well gee, I have no idea.
Hrmm...
Let's see, there might be something in one of my memories...
"Maybe if I die instead of him, I'll please him?"
Perhaps that's what I was thinking?

Lanz

One of your memories...

Moebius J
(darkly)

Since I couldn't do anything else right, you know.
Must be nice to be you, Lanz. Just being yourself.

Lanz
(taken aback)

Nice to be...me...?

Moebius J

You couldn't fathom how hard it is to be useless.
You'd never understand, unless you'd seen yourself in that light.
Oh! Here's a thought! How about you try Interlinking with me, for a lark?
I bet you'll cry, at the state of me!

A number of brief flashbacks play, most of which the audience has not yet seen: Joran being hit while he's down in training, being pushed around while running exhausted, collecting his possessions from the floor, a second from being crushed by a Levnis wheel.

Moebius J

Fun fact, you know...
when you become Moebius, you're "treated" to all the memories of your past lives.
I got to see all the different "me"s.
Although they all pretty much met the same sad end.

The flashbacks conclude with Garvel's gang lording over Joran, and the young Lanz standing angrily above him, presumably having just hit him.

Moebius J

Dead weight will always be that...
I am...nothing but myself!

Sena looks affected.

Noah
(struggling for words)

Those were all just coincidences! We know different!

Lanz

That's right! We thought...
No, I knew for sure, that you were awesome-!

Moebius J
(not buying it)

Whatever, bet you were well and truly fed up with me.

Joran again remembers dying saving Lanz's life.

Moebius J
(elated)

Although, back on that day, I still managed to surpass you!
I can still be here, feel this rush!
And now, I'm having the time of my life!

Noah looks pained. D and J enter combat stances.

Joran's Soul, D's Darkness

♫

That To Which The Defeated Cling

D has been blasted back against a wall. J is similarly down.

Moebius J
(dejected)

Must be nice to be strong like you guys!
And me? I was just a worm, crawling in the dirt.
But what I wanted was to fly...
With every single new day, I looked up to admire the birds, free-wheeling above... But I was a worm.

Eunie

Joran, cut the crap...!

Moebius J

The stuff you guys said was like, if those birds went...
"But Mister Worm, you do such great work tilling the soil!"
"It's really important you keep at it for the sake of the world, you know!"
...Do you see what I'm trying to say?

Lanz dismisses his Blade.

Lanz

And what's so wrong about that?!

Moebius J
(shouting)

I wanted my wings, you bastard!
I thought if only I could earn your approval, it'd be like an updraft I could soar on!
But birds... What can they possibly know of how a lowly worm feels?!

Lanz closes his eyes in self-annoyance. Noah, too, dismisses his Blade.

Noah

Joran... J-just how could you possibly think like that?
You wanted approval, so you...

Moebius J

How could I not!
That's why I became Moebius!
So I could be what I always aspired to be!

Noah remembers the previously-seen flashback of Joran's woodcarvings, with the model Joran angry in the clothes of a Consul.

Lanz

Whaaat?!
This is *you*?

Eunie

It looks nothin' like you!

Joran

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

As the flashback ends, Noah's expression changes to angry.

Noah

Liar!
If you think you're satisfied being this way, you're lying to no one but yourself!
I know you can't be at peace with this, so drop the act!
And yeah, maybe to you we were like birds...
but that has nothing to do with strength,
only lack of choice!

Moebius J

Lack of choice...?

Noah

Just look at how the world is for us.
It wouldn't... It would never allow us to take any other form.
So we have to change it!
For weak people like us...

Moebius J
(in disbelief)

Weak?
You're weak?

Noah nods and remembers Joran's last moments.

Noah

On that day, weren't you smiling?

Moebius J
(insisting)

Oh yes, I sure was smiling!
Because it was the moment I rose above you!
It was a grin of victory!

Noah

No it wasn't!
On that day, you...
That was the real you!
Our friend, Joran!

Moebius J

...Stop mocking me...

♫

A Life Woven Together

Noah

Look, you'd made it, Joran!
You spread your true wings!

J exhales.

Lanz

Joran...
Your death, it changed me.
Fighting isn't everything...
I learned that if I chose, I could change myself, become anything.
Joran... I'm grateful as spark to you.

The other party members dismiss their weapons as they speak up.

Eunie

Ain't you the same, Joran?
Maybe, if you had the choice too...
In a world...where nothing has to be like this...!

Sena

And that's exactly the kind of world we want to create! We want choices!

Mio

Remember, you're Moebius! You should have other, nice memories as well!
You have to try and remember them, anything at all!

Noah

I... I've seen all kinds of death.

Noah remembers the deaths of Guernica, Crys, Shania, Ethel and Cammuravi.

Noah

Taken a long hard look at myself.
So let me tell you:
Joran, you're...
You're more than this!

J sounds increasingly affected in his wordless vocalisations.

Lanz

Joran, you've given me so much.
You helped me find the will, to endure these ten hard years!

Eunie

Come to us please, Joran!
Let's all stand together...
You don't belong with them... You just don't.

Moebius J

Was that also...me?
That day, it was like...my body just moved.

As J looks at his hands, D suddenly lands on top of him, pushing his face into the ground.

♫

Moebius

Moebius D

Hey hey hey HEY!
Dontcha think you're gettin' carried away there?
Urgh, what a loser.
You good-for-nothing shit-for-brains!

J cries out as D forcibly Interlinks with him.

Lanz

Joran!

Taion

An Interlink...?
He's taken him over...!

Eunie

Grr... He's a real piece of work...!

Noah

D...! You scum!

Moebius D
(sinisterly)

Ever...had dreams?
Dreams of dying, of being slaughtered...?

Eunie gasps and steps back.

Moebius D

Ah, well, most people forget soon as they wake.
No harm done.
But tell you what...
They're all completely true.

Eunie
(recovered)

And so snuffin' what? What if they were?
The past is past, and the present is now!

Moebius D

I wasn't finished!
Dreams, y'see...
They're little traces of intense memories from your past lives, that didn't get purged before rebirth...
Little harmless bugs in the system, let's call 'em.

D gestures emphatically in the Interlink space.

Moebius D
(euphoric)

However!
Not so with Moebius.
Just like the runt said, when you become Moebius,
in that very moment,
all your past memories come rushing back to you.

The scene transitions to one where D was still human — an Agnian soldier grinning as he mercilessly struck down Kevesi, both fighting and surrendered, with claw-like weapons on his hands. In one memory, he encounters a Kevesi soldier bearing down on an Agnian — he runs the Kevesi through, and follows through with the Agnian as he pretends to help them up. In another, he pulls a fellow Agnian soldier out of his tent, and kills him in front of his horrified comrades. The present D revels in the memories.

Moebius D

To put it mildly...it's...
It's transcendent.
Before coming here,
I went to visit the Ferronis where I keep my collection.

Taion

Collection, you say?

A flashback plays of D, now as a Consul, entering a darkened room. Inside the room are jars containing heads.

Moebius D

There they were...
Staring back at me!

Mio

He's mad...

Moebius D

Well? Huh? Doesn't it make you tingle?
As long as I am Moebius,
I can enjoy this superlative feeling forever and ever!
I'll bury the world in my sweet collectibles!

Eunie
(retching)

I think I'm gonna hurl...

Lanz
(yelling)

Push through it!
First, we gotta save Joran...from this shitbag!

Sena

Yeah Eunie, what Lanz said!
This punk needs a whoopin'!

Eunie

All right...
OK, will do!
We'll thrash this shitbag, save Joran...
And get me...some payback!

The party draws their weapons.

Moebius D

If you fancy your chances, take your shot.
I'll be more than happy to rip your bloody pelts off
and add them to my collection!

♫

Moebius Battle 2

D strikes at the floor. It crumbles, and the party falls with him to the floor below. They land on their feet and begin to fight.

Spreading His True Wings

Noah's Ouroboros lands a mighty strike on D & J's chest. It's sent flying back into a pillar.

♫

Suspicion

Moebius D
(bewildered)

I... I lost...?
Impossible!
I won't accept it!
I am D of the Moebius!
The man who was Blackblaze Dirk!
I won't be beaten by some idiot upstarts!

The Moebius struggles to walk towards the party. Noah and Mio have cancelled their Interlink.

Taion
(to himself)

Blackblaze Dirk...

Noah

You've heard of him?

Taion

I read about him in a textbook.
An Agnian soldier from long ago who'd gone mad.
Rather than take lives with his Blade,
he'd behead his enemies with talon-like swords,
bring them back, and add them to his collection.

Mio

So that's who we're dealing with...

As Taion speaks, the Moebius lumbers towards the party, entirely lacking its typical agility. D "tch"s, and speaks to J in the Interlink space.

Moebius D

Is this your doing,
J?
What're you tryin' to pull?!
I can't crush these fools if you hold your strength back!
Give it to me, you no-good dead weight loser!

Moebius J
(to himself)

Dead weight loser...

Moebius D

Who else, kiddo?!
So give it up! Go on, give!

J remembers Noah's words from just prior.

Noah

Look, you'd made it, Joran!
You spread your true wings!
So let me tell you:
Joran, you're...
You're more than this!

♫

Converging Emotions

Moebius J

I can be...more...

As J remembers Joran's final smile, his hair similarly momentarily reveals his glowing Moebius Iris. Light begins to surge into D and J's core.

Lanz

Whuh-? What's going on?

Moebius D
(flexing)

All right! That's what I'm talkin' about!
With this much power, these chumps are...

J stands motionless in the Interlink space. Power continues to surge into the core, and D winces.

Moebius D

H-hey, that's enough now.
I've got more than enough juice to-
Hey! Are you listening?! J!

The power flowing into D and J's core turns inky black.

Lanz

The black fog!

Sena

I knew it!

Taion

Joran's...doing that?

Noah
(shouting)

Stop it, Joran!
If you don't stop, you're gonna die!

The Moebius takes two steps towards the floor's edge, seemingly struggling against itself.

Moebius D
(angrily)

Mrgh-! I can't move...!
C-c-cut it out! J!
Cancel the Interlink, now!
Move your arse! Do what I say!

Moebius J

...I will not.

D's expression turns fearful. When the scene cuts back to J in the Interlink space, he is no longer in the armour of a Consul, but his old clothing as a young Kevesi soldier.

Joran
(resolutely)

I've decided.
It's my choice.
I will be different.

Joran takes a step, and the Moebius steps with him, right next to the edge of the Cloudkeep.

Noah
(screaming)

Joran!

The camera pans behind Noah's body, obscuring the Moebius from view momentarily. What comes back into view is not the Moebius, but Joran standing alone.

Joran

This is who I am.
Isn't it?
Noah, Eunie...
Lanz.

With a smile on his face, Joran lets himself fall off the edge.

Moebius D

J, stop-!

D screams as the Moebius tumbles into the clouds below, black fog pouring into its core.

Moebius D

If I die here, I won't-!
Noooooo!!!

The screen fades to a featureless white location. Joran stands facing Noah, Eunie, and Lanz, all in their appearances as young soldiers.

Lanz
(without malice)

Snuffing idiot...
Always putting others ahead of yourself, ya moron.
You should've just...looked out for number one...

Joran
(apologetically smiling)

But you were so scary I didn't really feel like I had that option.

Lanz

I suppose...

Lanz pauses.

Lanz

...I'm sorry, Joran.

Joran

Maybe...if we meet again...?

Joran holds out his fist for a bump. Lanz's eyes widen, and he successfully holds himself back from crying.

Lanz

Yeah...
And next time,
we will win.

The two fist-bump. Joran smiles as he fades into white.
Below the cloudkeep, an annihilation thunders through the air. The Kevesi trio look down where they fell. Everyone silently reflects.

Lanz

That was...Joran.

Eunie
(quietly)

Yeah. Sure was.
I swear, he hadn't changed one bit.

Noah
(still upset)

But this... This isn't OK.
People shouldn't have to make such heartbreaking choices.

Lanz
(standing up)

Yeah...
That's exactly why...we gotta move forward.

Eunie

Yeah, well...

The party has returned to the sanctum, where the Queen still lies motionless.

Sena
(voice breaking)

What do we do...?
The Queen's... She's gone now ...

Lanz

What do we do? What can we even do...?

Taion

This was supposed to be how we'd take back our world.

Manana

Meh-meh...

Mio

I'm so sorry...
I knew I was half-Moebius...
I should've been more careful, but instead...

Noah

Huh...
(gasp)

Noah gasps as he sees the Queen stirring.

Queen of Agnus

Ow ow ow ow...
That bastard... Stuck me good, he did.
Two cetris to the side and things'd've been a sight worse...

The party

(stunned stuttering)

The Queen finally notices the party gaping at her.

Queen of Agnus
(suddenly with royal airs)

(shocked gasp)
A-ahem!
Oh, you must be...

Taion

Impossible...!
I saw it. I saw her being stabbed directly through the heart!

Eunie

And all that blood everywhere!

♫

Nia - Toward the Heavens

Sena

But now...
Now she's alive! Alive and kicking!

Noah

Yeah...!

The Queen smiles as she looks at Mio.

Queen of Agnus

You are...?

She gets out of her pod and walks toward Mio.

Queen of Agnus
(to herself)

Oh, that's good...
So it worked after all.

Mio

Your Majesty...?

The Queen nods.

Queen Nia

My name is Nia,
and I am the Queen of Agnus...
...one wing of Aionios.

N and M.
Another version of us...

What are we, really?
Why do we exist in the first place?

The answers are within me,
together with her hopes and dreams.

I will give them a voice.

I will make him hear *our* truth...