+------------------------------------------------------+ | _ ___ _ __ | || |/ (_)_ __ __ _ __| | ___ _ __ ___ ___ / _|| || ' /| | '_ \ / _` |/ _` |/ _ \| '_ ` _ \ / _ \| |_ | || . \| | | | | (_| | (_| | (_) | | | | | | | (_) | _|| ||_|\_\_|_| |_|\__, |\__,_|\___/|_| |_| |_| \___/|_| | | |___/ | | __ ___ _ | | \ \ / (_)_ __ __| | ___ _ __ _ | | \ \ /\ / /| | '_ \ / _` |/ _ \| '__(_) | | \ V V / | | | | | (_| | (_) | | _ | | \_/\_/ |_|_| |_|\__,_|\___/|_| (_) | | | | __ _ __ | | (__|_ _ ._ __|_ (_ | | _ ._ | | __)|_(_)|\/ (_)| __)|<\/|(/_| | | / / | +------------------------------------------------------+ by Jeffrey Faden jeffreyatw@portalofevil.com Version 2.8 Last Updated 12.23.2000 ----------------- |Table of Contents| ----------------- __ / \ ( I ) Updates \__/ / \ ( II ) Infrequently Asked Questions \__/ / \ ( III) Battle System \__/ / \ ( IV ) Characters \__/ |------+ |Skyler| |------+ |Skan| |-----+ |Kitra| |-----+ |Deric| |-----+ |Cloud| |-----+ |Zuin| |------+ |Amrick| |--------+ |Ragnarok| |--------+ |Crysta| +------+ __ / \ ( V ) Walkthrough \__/ |------------+ |1 - Newcomer| |--------------------------------+ |2 - Apophis and the System Lords| |-----------------------------------------+ |3 - Skyler's Past and the Legendary Sword| |-----------------------------------------+ |4 - Skyler's House| |------------------+ |5 - The Esper| |------------------------+ |6 - The Engineer's Guild| |------------------------+ |7 - Transformation| |------------------+ |8 - Isolation| |------------------+ |9 - General Crysta| |-------------------------------------+ |10 - Pursuit of the Man in Dark Armor| |-------------------------------------+ |11 - Mikosi the Half-Esper| |------------------------------+ |12 - The Quest for Forgiveness| +------------------------------+ __ / \ ( VI ) Links \__/ / \ ( VII) Thanks \__/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ------- |Updates| ------- v. 0 -- January 5 - January 13, 2000 - Part One is made, Part Two is started, very incomplete. v. 0.1 -- January 14, 2000 - Nifty ASCII art added. v. 1.0 -- January 19, 2000 - Part Two added on to, Updates and IAQ section created. v. 1.1 -- January 20, 2000 - Finished Part Two, and started Part 3. v. 1.1.1 -- February 6, 2000 - Worked on Part 3. v. 1.2 - February 7 , 2000 - Finished Part 3, fixed a few spelling errors, started Part 4. v. 1.2.1 - March 11, 2000 - Worked a whole lot on Part 4. v. 1.2.9 - March 11, 2000 - Added the Poses section and edited Part 4. v. 1.2.9.1 - March 11, 2000 - Added Skan's info. v. 1.2.9.2 - March 12, 2000 - Edited Part 4. v. 1.3.9.2 - March 26, 2000 - Added the Battle System Section. v. 1.4.9.2 - April 1, 2000 - Added the Character Stats Section, with stats for Skyler and Skan. v. 1.5 - April 9, 2000 - Finished Part 4. v. 2.0 - August 17, 2000 - After a long delay, I've edited the IAQ, made Part 5 and Part 6, added Character Commands/Abilities with stats for Skyler and Skan, and made the IAQ viewable for 640x480. v. 2.1 - October 28, 2000 - After another long delay, I added Part 7. v. 2.5 - November 11, 2000 - I merged three sections into the characters section, and added a lot of information. I also fixed up some errors. v. 2.6 - November 23, 2000 - Worked on Chapter 8. v. 2.6.1 - November 26, 2000 - Revamped the Stats and added Deric's. v. 2.6.2 - December 5, 2000 - Finished Part 8. v. 2.7 - December 15, 2000 - Started Part 9, formatted the IAQ for compatibility with RPG Maker 2000. v. 2.7.1 - December 17, 2000 - Finished Part 9. v. 2.8 - December 19 - 23, 2000 - I brought my palmtop on a vacation, and got loads of stuff done... I wrote Part 10 and started 11, changed the format of the menus, and edited some story elements in previous chapters. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ---------------------------- |Infrequently Asked Questions| ---------------------------- Q: Hey, shouldn't it be Frequently Asked Questions? A: Nope. An IAQ is an FAQ of a game that never existed. Q: Why would anyone want to make that? A: For fun, nimrod. Q: How the hell did you think of all this garbage? A: This story was created over the duration of a year, on a roleplaying message board, taking place in the fictional Kingdom of Windor. I created a character, Skyler, and over the year his story evolved with the help of many people (see the Thanks section). If there is anything unclear about the story or how something came to be, please don't hesitate to email me ( jeffreyatw@portalofevil.com ). Q: What's the message board called? A: Hmm. That IS infrequently asked. Well, it's called Ye Olde Tavern, and it is also in this IAQ. Q: Why are there so many things in this IAQ that come straight from Final Fantasy? A: That's because Windor is like a town from a Final Fantasy game. Therefore, it's got similar items, music, magics, and enemies. Q: The plot's sort of strange. Who are all these people who just start coming in and influencing Skyler's story? A: Be realistic, unlike you would be with most other stories. Skyler is not the center of the world, even though he is the protagonist. People do not look up to him as a high authority just because he is the main character. Other characters' own stories and backgrounds will change the story drastically. Think of it as Rue's story from Threads of Fate. Mint is barely described, she doesn't even join your party, and yet she plays a part. The characters are created in real life by fellow roleplayers. Most of the actions they take in this game are written by them. Q: Will this IAQ ever end? A: Yes, the IAQ does have a conclusion. More on that later. Q: Why were some sections recently deleted? A: For compatibility with RPG Maker 2000. After this IAQ is finished, I will make a game out of it using RPGM2K. For more information about RPG Maker 2000, visit http://rpgmaker.chat.ru/ . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ------------- |Battle System| ------------- The battle system in KoW:SoS is similar Final Fantasy's. In and outside of battle, your characters have two gauges: Health Points and Magic Points (indicated as HP and MP). Health indicates the level of well-being in the character. If HP drops to zero, the character needs to be revived with a Life item or spell. If all characters' HP drops to zero, the game is over. Magic indicates the level of ability to summon magic. Spells take up Magic Power. --- Group Battles A cool feature in this game is the group battles. Group battles occur when there are more than four people battling at a time. You can choose who you want to participate in the battle, and sometimes even choose whose side you're on. You will sometimes be prompted before battle to choose three people to battle, and/or on which side you will be fighting. Also, you can press the R2 button during battle to change party members, but you can only do this when all four members' Time Gauges are full. --- Inside of battle, the screen looks like so: ---------------------------------- | | | | | Battle Display | | | | | | | |--------------------------------| |Fight |Name HP 999/999 MP 999| |AutoFight|Name HP 999/999 MP 999| | |Name HP 999/999 MP 999| |Escape |Name HP 999/999 MP 999| ---------------------------------- Battle Display: Shows graphical battle. Fight, AutoFight, Escape: Options to use during battle. Name: Name of character(s). HP, MP: Amount of each. When Attack is selected, a new screen comes up: ---------------------------------- | | | | | Battle Display | | | | | | | |--------------------------------| |Fight |Target |Attack | |AutoFight|Target |Skills | | |Target |Defend | |Escape | |Item | ---------------------------------- Attack: Option to attack with weapon. Skills: Name varies from player to player; Option to list usable skills, like Magic. Defend: Option to half damage. Item: Option to use an item. Target: Name of enemies; one is selected as the target of the attack. The command selection window appears over the character's name. Sometimes the enemy's name appears to the left of the characters' names, depending on which side the enemy is on. --- Ending a battle When all allies are in KO Status, the game is over. When all the enemies are destroyed, the battle is over, and all allies that participated gain EXP and AP. The party gains Gil, too. When enough EXP is gained, characters increase their levels. When enough AP is gained, new spells are learned. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ---------- |Characters| ---------- ******** *Skyler* ******** Name: Skyler Yokotani Age: 18 Height: 5'9" Weight: 132 pounds Date of Birth: December 26 Skyler is a risk-taking adventurer and has friends all over the world. He is a humorous and sarcastic guy, but does not goof off when he has a goal to achieve. Some weak-minded people are stumped by his smart-aleck behavior, since he always seems to have a comeback, thus forming some rivals. He was born from a group of travelers, but has never known who his real parents were. He was kicked out from the group, though, when they found that he could use magic. Menu Commands/Abilities --------------------------------------------------------------------- |Attack: Throw shurikens. During a boss battle, the Atma Weapon is | |used when it is acquired. | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |Magic: Displays a list of usable magic: | | | |Cure | Replenishes small amount of HP | MP Cost: 4 | |Cure 2 | Replenishes moderate amount of HP | MP Cost: 10 | |Cure 3 | Replenishes large amount of HP | MP Cost: 25 | |Life | Removes ally from KO status | MP Cost: 20 | |Life 2 | Removes all allies from KO status | MP Cost: 40 | |Barrier | Damage is halved temporarily | MP Cost: 20 | |Magic Barrier | Magic damage is halved temporarily | MP Cost: 25 | |Wall | Casts Barrier and Magic Barrier | MP Cost: 40 | |Reflect | Magic damage is redirected at enemy | MP Cost: 35 | |Lightning | Small Lightning attack | MP Cost: 5 | |Lightning All | Lightning on all enemies | MP Cost: 10 | |Lightning 2 | Large Lightning attack | MP Cost: 10 | |Lightning 2 All | Lightning 2 on all enemies | MP Cost: 20 | |Fire | Small Fire attack | MP Cost: 5 | |Fire All | Fire on all enemies | MP Cost: 10 | |Ice | Small Ice attack | MP Cost: 5 | |Ice All | Ice on all enemies | MP Cost: 10 | |Quake | Earth attack on all enemies | MP Cost: 15 | |Water | Water attack on all enemies | MP Cost: 15 | |Wind | Wind attack on all enemies | MP Cost: 10 | |Wind 2 | Large Wind attack on all enemies | MP Cost: 20 | |Haste | Speeds up ally's time gauge | MP Cost: 7 | |Haste 2 | Speeds up all allies' time gauges | MP Cost: 14 | |Slow | Slows down enemy | MP Cost: 7 | |Slow 2 | Slows down all enemies | MP Cost: 14 | |Stop | Stops enemy | MP Cost: 15 | |Silence | Prevents enemy from casting magic | MP Cost: 20 | |Drain | Steals enemy's HP | MP Cost: 20 | |Osmose | Steals enemy's MP | MP Cost: 20 | |Morph | Raises stats for limited time | 1x per battle| |Electric Cyclone| Powerful Wind and Lightning attack | Morph Attack | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |Defend: Halves damage. | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |Item: Displays a list of usable items. | --------------------------------------------------------------------- Stats --------------------------------------------------------------------- |Note: In Chapter 9, an event increases all Skyler's stats to | |MEDIUM-HIGH. | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |HP |MP |Strength|Vitality|Magic |Spirit |Speed |Luck | |-------|-------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------| |MEDIUM |MEDIUM |MEDIUM |MEDIUM |MEDIUM |MEDIUM |MEDIUM |MEDIUM | --------------------------------------------------------------------- ****** *Skan* ****** Name: Skan Erreden Age: 19 Height: 5'10" Weight: 150 pounds Date of Birth: ??? Description: Skan is a guy who likes to have fun pretty often. He drinks a lot, plays cards, and very often cheats. He is a compulsive gambler, but is actually quite rich, so never really goes into major debt. Though he is friendly with his pals and close friends, Skan simply does not trust or like strangers, and despite his good sense of humor, this usually keeps him from making as many friends as he normally would. Skan is the kind of person who you see with a different girlfriend every month. Skan has the IQ of 180 and has the exact opposite of a humble attitude. He owns the Engineer's Guild, a guild devoted to excavating ancient ruins. Menu Commands/Abilities --------------------------------------------------------------------- |Attack: Physical attack. | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |Machines: Displays a list of usable machines: | | | |Pistol | Small Non-elemental attack | MP Cost: 4 | |Cannister Rifle | Large Non-elemental attack | MP Cost: 10 | |Rocket Launcher | Large Non-elemental attack - all | MP Cost: 25 | |Water Gun | Small Water attack | MP Cost: 5 | |Flame Thrower | Large Fire attack | MP Cost: 15 | |Bomb | Medium Fire attack - all | MP Cost: 15 | |Shocker | Small Lightning attack | MP Cost: 5 | |Shockwave Pulse | Large Lightning attack - all | MP Cost: 25 | |Strength Inject | Increases strength temporarily | MP Cost: 15 | |Vitality Inject | Increases vitality temporarily | MP Cost: 15 | |Speed Inject | Speeds up user's time guage | MP Cost: 15 | |Arm Aim | Lowers enemy strength | MP Cost: 15 | |Chest Aim | Lowers enemy vitality | MP Cost: 15 | |Leg Aim | Stops enemy | MP Cost: 20 | |Head Aim | Instant kill | MP Cost: 25 | |Strafing Shot | Normal attack - all | MP Cost: 10 | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |Defend: Halves damage. | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |Item: Displays a list of usable items. | --------------------------------------------------------------------- Stats --------------------------------------------------------------------- |HP |MP |Strength|Vitality|Magic |Spirit |Speed |Luck | |---------|-------|--------|--------|-------|---------|---------|-----| |MED-HIGH |MEDIUM |LOW |LOW |MEDIUM |MED-HIGH |MED-HIGH |HIGH | --------------------------------------------------------------------- ******* *Kitra* ******* Name: Kitrasina Julianne Rivan Age: ??? Height: ??? Weight: ??? Date of Birth: ??? *Profile coming soon* Menu Commands/Abilities --------------------------------------------------------------------- | Kitra | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |Attack: Physical attack. | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |Magic: Displays a list of usable magic. Kitra's magical spells' power| |increase as her levels increase. | | | |Origari'ta | Lightning magic | MP Cost: 10 | |Flash Flood | Water magic | MP Cost: 10 | |Swift Demise | Fire magic | MP Cost: 10 | |Tower Quake | Earth magic | MP Cost: 10 | |Godfire | Non-elemental magic | MP Cost: 20 | |Nefiros | Powerful non-elemental magic | MP Cost: All | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |Defend: Halves damage. | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |Item: Displays a list of usable items. | --------------------------------------------------------------------- Stats --------------------------------------------------------------------- |HP |MP |Strength |Vitality |Magic |Spirit |Speed |Luck | |--------|-----|---------|---------|-------|--------|---------|-------| |MEDIUM |HIGH |MED-LOW |LOW |HIGH |HIGH |MED-HIGH |LOW | --------------------------------------------------------------------- ******* *Deric* ******* Name: Deric Longbow Age: ??? Height: ??? Weight: ??? Date of Birth: ??? *Profile coming soon* Stats --------------------------------------------------------------------- |HP |MP |Strength |Vitality |Magic |Spirit |Speed |Luck | |---------|-----|---------|---------|-------|--------|-------|--------| |MED-HIGH |LOW |MED-LOW |HIGH |MEDIUM |LOW |HIGH |MEDIUM | --------------------------------------------------------------------- ******* *Cloud* ******* Name: Cloud Rivan Age: ??? Height: ??? Weight: ??? Date of Birth: ??? *Profile coming soon* ****** *Zuin* ****** Name: Zuin Age: ??? Height: ??? Weight: ??? Date of Birth: ??? *Profile coming soon* ******** *Amrick* ******** Name: Amrick, Wizard Adept Age: ??? Height: ??? Weight: ??? Date of Birth: ??? *Profile coming soon* ********** *Ragnarok* ********** Name: Ragnarok Armageddon Gotterdammerung Age: 1,000+ (Actual age unknown; rumored to be as old as Time itself) Height: 6'4" Weight: 168 pounds Date of Birth: April 27? (Actual birthdate unknown) Profile: Ragnarok is a leader of various causes, especially those that may involve people that he knows. He is also kindhearted to most people. He is also a very powerful spellcaster -- those who have fought with him before (and survived) know just how powerful he is. Though not originally an esper (he is rumored to be from the space-time continuum), he had been turned into one after landing in a world where a war was taking place, and was used in that war, later being reduced to a Magicite Shard. Only after the years of fighting from the war did he finally manage to be freed from his prison, and took it upon himself to search for his remaining esper kindred. Menu Commands/Abilities --------------------------------------------------------------------- |Attack: Physical attack. | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |Magic: Displays a list of usable magic: | | | |Cure | Replenishes small amount of HP | MP Cost: 4 | |Life | Removes ally from KO status | MP Cost: 20 | |Barrier | Damage is halved temporarily | MP Cost: 20 | |Magic Barrier | Magic damage is halved temporarily | MP Cost: 25 | |Wall | Casts Barrier and Magic Barrier | MP Cost: 40 | |Reflect | Magic damage is redirected at enemy | MP Cost: 35 | |Lightning | Small Lightning attack | MP Cost: 5 | |Lightning All | Lightning on all enemies | MP Cost: 10 | |Lightning 2 | Large Lightning attack | MP Cost: 10 | |Lightning 2 All | Lightning 2 on all enemies | MP Cost: 20 | |Fire | Small Fire attack | MP Cost: 5 | |Fire All | Fire on all enemies | MP Cost: 10 | |Fire 2 | Large Fire attack | MP Cost: 10 | |Fire 2 All | Fire 2 on all enemies | MP Cost: 20 | |Ice | Small Ice attack | MP Cost: 5 | |Ice All | Ice on all enemies | MP Cost: 10 | |Ice 2 | Large Ice attack | MP Cost: 10 | |Ice 2 All | Ice 2 on all enemies | MP Cost: 20 | |Quake | Earth attack on all enemies | MP Cost: 15 | |Quake 2 | Large Earth attack on all enemies | MP Cost: 25 | |Water | Water attack on all enemies | MP Cost: 15 | |Water 2 | Large Water attack on all enemies | MP Cost: 25 | |Wind | Wind attack on all enemies | MP Cost: 15 | |Wind 2 | Large Wind attack on all enemies | MP Cost: 25 | |Flare | Extreme Fire attack | MP Cost: 50 | |Ultima | Non-Elemental attack | MP Cost: 75 | |Meteo | Omni-Elemental attack | MP Cost: 100 | |Armageddon | Combination of Ultima and Meteo | MP Cost: 175 | |Judgment Day | Instant death to any enemy | MP Cost: All | |X-Zone | Sends enemy to Dimensional Cleft | MP Cost: 100 | |Haste | Speeds up ally's time gauge | MP Cost: 7 | |Slow | Slows down enemy | MP Cost: 7 | |Stop | Stops enemy | MP Cost: 15 | |Silence | Prevents enemy from casting magic | MP Cost: 20 | |Morph | Raises stats for limited time | 1x per battle| |MetaMorph | Turns enemy into item | Morph Attack | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |Defend: Halves damage. | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| |Item: Displays a list of usable items. | --------------------------------------------------------------------- Stats --------------------------------------------------------------------- |HP |MP |Strength |Vitality |Magic |Spirit |Speed |Luck | |---------|-----|---------|---------|-------|--------|-------|--------| |MED-HIGH |HIGH |MEDIUM |MEDIUM |HIGH |HIGH |MEDIUM |MEDIUM | --------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ---------------------- |Part 1: Newcomer | |Boss: Dragon | ---------------------- The intro ends and the scene focuses on Skyler, who's walking into the town of Windor. Enter a few of the houses, and you can talk to a few of the townspeople. But since they don't know who Skyler is yet, they won't let you take any items or enter any other rooms of their houses, like you could in any other RPG. Keep walking through town, and someone will run past you, screaming: Guy: Help! That frickin' Dragon is back again! Skyler: Dragon? Cool! I wanna see the Dragon! Do as Skyler says. Walk one screen forward, and you'll see the Dragon flying around. It will come toward you. Skyler: Hey! Wow, I haven't seen a Dragon in days! The dragon will continue to advance toward Skyler. Skyler: Uh... uh oh... I forgot, they're hostile. *********************************************************************** *BOSS BATTLE: Dragon * *HP: 125 * *Weaknesses: None * * * *The Dragon just performs basic attacks, and you won't have any * *problem defeating it. Just attack a couple times with your sword and * *it's history. There's no need to use magic yet. * *********************************************************************** That guy will come back and thank you. Guy: Hey, thanks! We get a lot of those around here. Skyler: Cool. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a guy in a brown trench coat with blue hair will jump in from out of nowhere. Guy #2: Am I late? Where's the Dragon? Skyler: What, was it yours? Guy #2: ...No, I'm just the one that defeats all the Dragons around here. Who are you? Skyler: My name's Skyler. Guy #2: Skyler, eh? I'm Skandranon Rashkae Erreden, but EVERYONE calls me Skan. Skyler: Hello. Hey, is there a place where I can get a drink around here? I'm thirsty. Skan: Yeah, we always go to Ye Olde Tavern. That's where everyone hangs out. Skyler: Everyone...? Skan will walk away. Just follow him, and he'll enter Ye Olde Tavern. Enter it as well. Talk to as many people as you can, almost everyone will introduce themselves in a long, friendly manner. They'll mention a lot of stuff about Skan, and Skyler will always reply, Skyler: Drunkard, huh? Yeah, I met him. Also, the more people you talk to, the more you'll find out about Skyler's background. Here are a couple things he will say: Skyler: No, I'm not really FROM anywhere, I'm just a traveler. Skyler: Yeah, I've been there. They have clean bathrooms. (He may say "dirty bathrooms" as well.) Skyler: Of course I know him/her! I have been a traveler for almost my whole life, you know... Skyler: Yeah! Of course I know magic! (Skyler then casts Fire on a random person, and the person scrambles out of the Tavern) Skyler: Esper? Zuh? Also, a round gray furball-like creature named Oynx, with cat ears and whiskers, is standing near the bar. Talk to him. Skyler: Why hello, kitty, are you lost? What's a cute little thing like you doing in-- OW! YEEOUCH! Oynx will create a mini-cyclone around Skyler, clawing at him, and jump back to his original position. Oynx: You're new, so I took it easy on you. I'm NOT a cat. Skyler: ...Uhhhh, o-oh... I s-see... Oynx: ANYway, wanna buy something? <> |Oynx will always be hanging around in Ye Olde Tavern, and like Neko |from Secret of Mana, you can buy stuff from him. His inventory will |improve over the duration of the game. And since there's no need to |buy any weapons in this game, he won't supply them. You can also save |your game with Oynx, and you'll meet him to save in some other places |during the game, similar to moogles in FF9. Walk over to the bar, and after a while, the bartender will come over. Bartender: Hey, I heard that someone 'sides Skan slew a dragon today. You know anything about it? Skyler: Yeah. I did it. Bartender: Heh! Well, don't put Skan outta his job. Well, that's not his real job... anyway, what can I get you? You'll be presented with a list of drinks. Choose one, and after Skyler's finished drinking it, you can choose to say either: "...It was okay" OR "I've had better dog food" Even though this doesn't affect the game at all (or make any sense). Spend as much time as you want in the Tavern, open up some chests to acquire 3 Potions and a Life, and talk to people. You won't be able to exit the Tavern just yet, so just order some more drinks. Sooner or later, after one too many drinks, Skyler will say: Skyler: Thadsh shome goood oatmeal, captain... boot! ...and pass out. ------------------------------------ |Part 2: Apophis and the System Lords| |Bosses: MegaScythe, Apophis | ------------------------------------ Looking almost exactly like the beginning of Chrono Trigger, someone will say something in total darkness. Skyler... Skyler! Wake up, Skyler! The scene revels Skyler, face down on the Tavern's bar. Skyler will tumble off the bar stool, get up, and stretch, looking exactly like Crono did, only with blue hair. Skyler was passed out through the whole night. Bartender: It's about time you woke up! Look outside! Skyler: Huh... okay. Walk outside and five giant pyramid-shaped ships hovering over Windor's cathedral are shown. Skyler: Holy boot! What the hell are those? Bartender: Looks like five giant hovering pyramids. Skyler: Well... that's messed up. An image of Apophis, an Egyptian-looking alien, appears on the TV screen in the Tavern. Apophis: People of Windor! I am Apophis, leader of the Guauld. In conjunction with the other System Lords, we are going to take over your city, then your neighboring cities, and finally this pitiful planet you call home. Once we have won, you will become hosts for other Guaulds and serve us, your new gods, forever. Do you surrender? Skyler: Like we're really going to surrender to a giant fleet of alien shi...ps... on the other hand, uh, maybe we should surrender. Bartender: Oh, you don't know the people of this town. They're pretty stupi-- uh, brave. Apophis: Then prepare to die! Those who fight shall be killed, those who hide might live. Start the invasion! The TV screen goes blank. Skyler: Do you guys get this... all of the time? Fighters begin being deployed from the pyramid-shaped ships. Ground and air troops come from the ships and start invading the town. Kitra, Cloud, Skan and Deric will run into the tavern. Cloud: Did you hear that? There are aliens trying to take over the town! Skyler: Yep, we heard. Can we do it alone? Skan: Of course! We're all pretty powerful around here. Skyler: Oh, is that so? All right, let's do it. Skyler, Skan, Kitra, Cloud and Deric run through the streets of Windor until they come to a grassy field. There, alien vehicles will come for them. These battles are pretty simple, they get harder as you go along. Kitra, Cloud, Deric and Skan will battle Scythes and GroundScythes (they're pretty similar). You have a small amount of time between battles to heal your party. Skyler will not be able to fight yet. The last battle you fight is a boss battle. *********************************************************************** *BOSS BATTLE: MegaScythe * *HP: 820 * *Weaknesses: Lightning magic * * * *The MegaScythe is a bit more challenging. It has three attacks: * *Rifle, Ray Bomb, and Scythe Slice. Rifle and Ray Bomb are not much to* *worry about, but Scythe Slice halves your whole party's HP. Kitra and* *Cloud should use Lightning magic, Deric should heal, and Skan should * *attack. * *********************************************************************** After the last battle, the five will look around at the destroyed Scythes, and in the distance, Windor Forest is being destroyed. Skyler: Boy, I came at just the right time, didn't I? Skan: ...There's more coming... Deric: They're destroying the forest! Kitra: We have to be prepared for anything-- Skyler: Kitra! Behind you! Skyler jumps into the air, creating a cyclone with his sword, and attacking two Scythes. But his sword breaks on impact. He stands stupefied for a second, then runs away. Skyler: I'll be baaaaack! Skan: ...coward... The next batch of monsters that comes is not any easier. They're still Scythes and GroundScythes, but they're more powerful. Also, there are AirGuaulds, aliens on hovering vehicles, that you should look out for. Cloud: Will they ever stop deploying these things? Skan: And our city's getting destroyed! After a few more excruciatingly tiring battles, Kitra will say: Kitra: Do you hear that? Skan: Something big's coming. Magitek Armors march through Windor, and come up from behind the four. They shoot at the attacking forces, wiping them out. Skyler waves from the commanding armor in front. Skan: What's that weirdo doing in that Armor? Kitra: How'd he get all those soldiers, so fast? Skyler: Hey, guys! I told you, I've got friends all over the world! Skyler hops from his ship to join the other four and points to the ships. Skyler: All right, men, FIRE! The Armors aim at the five pyramid-shaped ships and start firing. From one ship directly above them comes Apophis, hovering above the five people. Apophis: I warned you before... those who fight... shall be KILLED! *********************************************************************** *BOSS BATTLE: Apophis * *HP: 1000 * *Weaknesses: Lightning/Fire magic * * * *Apophis is an easy boss, with just a bit more HP. He only has two * *attacks, Lightning and Lightning 2 on all allies. Kitra is almost * *immune to magic, so she is very valuable in this battle. * *********************************************************************** --------------------------------------------- |Part 3: Skyler's Past and the Legendary Sword| |Item: Atma Weapon | --------------------------------------------- The scene fades in to a person sitting at a desk. Walk up to the person. The person at the desk mutters, Lazy Idiot: (not looking at Skyler) Hello and welcome to Murray's sword repair shop please take a number and I'll help you as soon as I can m'kay? Skyler: Uh... okay. Walk over to the number dispenser and sit down. Lazy Idiot: Thirteen... thirteen? Fourteen... is there a fourteen? Skyler: (What number am I...? 377? Okay.) Lazy Idiot: Five... does anyone have the number five? The screen fades to black for a brief moment. The scene opens back up, Kitra and Deric walk in and sit down. Lazy Idiot: Two-hundred thirty two... anyone? Two-hundred thirty two? Skyler: Hi, guys. That alien armor must've been hard on the weapons, right? Kitra: Yep. Deric: You guessed it. The screen fades to black once again, and opens back up. Lazy Idiot: Three-hundred seventy eight? Skyler: ...(snore)... huh? Lazy Idiot: Is three-hundred seventy eight here? Skyler: Um, I'm 377. Lazy Idiot: Pay attention next time. Skyler gets up, and unsheathes his broken sword. Lazy Idiot: Ah ha... very good... tell you what. It looks irreparable, so I'll give you this. Skyler: WHAT? But, my sword... The Lazy Idiot reaches from behind his desk and takes out a bigger, sheathed sword. Lazy Idiot: Here you go. It's on me this time. ...Three-hundred seventy nine...? Skyler unsheathes his new sword, and as he does, a strong blue glow engulfs the room. Deric: WOW! What is THAT? Kitra: It's not what I THINK it is... Skyler: This is... the Atma Weapon! Lazy Idiot: Please, sir, you're holding up the line. Skyler walks out of the store, a little confused. Skyler: What an idiot. Oh well, at least _I_ got myself a new sword!... <> |Skyler's only real offense now is using shurikens. His Atma Weapon is |too deadly to use while battling regular enemies, so Skyler can only |use the Atma Weapon while battling bosses. It causes twice the amount |of damage as his old sword. Just remember to keep stocked with |shurikens, which you can get for only 25 Gil each. Walk Skyler over to the Tavern, and sit down next to Skan. Skan: Hey, Skyler. Nice back out there with the aliens. How'd you get to know the general of the Magiteck imperial army? Skyler: I've been a traveler almost all my life. I grew up with travelers. Skan: Oh, that's nice. Skyler: ...huh. I thought you'd be a little more impressed. Skan: Oh, you don't know this town. Everyone here has an amazing story behind them. I mean, I grew up homeless, elves kidnapped my brother, I was adopted by a tribe of the Tokr-Kreen race and given the highest honor possible, forced into the military, and moved to Windor. I soon became rich by founding the Engineer's Guild. You should check it out later. Skyler: Wow. That's some story. Skan: Yeah, thanks. Hey, now that I've spilled my guts, how about you? What's your story? Skyler: Ah, it's not as interesting as yours, but I guess it's worth talking about... A group of ragged, bearded men are shown, riding on horses. Behind one of the men on horses sits a small, blue-haired boy. Skyler narrates: "I never knew where or who I was born from, but I know I was raised by travelers... they sacked and pillaged towns for a living. Great influence, huh? Young Skyler is shown casting a spell on a tree, setting it on fire. "Well, when I was ten, they discovered something strange about me... I could use magic. They were so afraid that I may turn against them that they sent me on my own. Young Skyler is shown walking into a small town. "I wasn't wandering the earth for long, because a man from a nearby village found me, and sort of adopted me. He didn't want to keep me, though, so he taught me basic battle and survival skills. A year later, he sent me on my way, and that's how I became a traveler. I made friends with people in high positions all around the world. That's how I got the Magitek imperial army to help out in yesterday's battle. "And then, I decided to settle down here. So... that's my story. Skan: Hmm. Typical. Skyler: WHAT?! Oh, thanks... ----------------------------- |Part 4: Skyler's House | |Bosses: Goblin x5, DragGoblin| ----------------------------- Bartender: Skyler, you hang around this tavern ALL day. Skyler: Well, I haven't really gotten myself a house yet... I'm a newcomer. Heyyy... I just got an idea. Since I'm just settlin' down here, I guess I should be building myself a house. Bartender: Hmm, by yourself? Skyler: Well, I would need help... anyone care to help me build a house? ... I SAID, ANYONE WANNA HELP ME BUILD A HOUSE?! Nobody responds, and one guy throws a boot at him. Skyler: Ouch! One man in black clothes, with dark long hair walks up to Skyler. Man: I don't have much to do at the moment. I'll join your entourage to build your house, but if you take me for granted, I'll burn it to the ground. Skyler: Um, sure! Thanks! Man: I'm Zuin. Skyler shakes Zuin's hand. Skyler: Nice to meet you... Let's have a drink to start things out. Zuin: Sure, why not? Skyler and Zuin sit at a table near the bar. Skyler and Zuin: I'll have a Flaming Sparrow. The bartender prepares their drinks, leans over the bar, and says: Bartender: If you're really going to build a house, let me know how I can help you, and I will. Skyler: Hmmm, if I could offer people free drinks courtesy of this tavern, I might be able to get more help. Bartender: What? Yeah, right, nice try. Skyler: Hey, you don't want to lose a CUSTOMER, do you? Bartender: Oh boy... I hope there's something in this for me... Skyler stands up on his chair. Skyler: Attention, everybody! I'm planning to build a house for myself! Is there anyone brave enough to help?... No one responds. Skyler: Oh, and anyone who wants to help, drinks are on me! Everyone in the tavern runs to Skyler's table, crowding him. They all shout out their orders. Skyler jumps onto the table, and yells, Skyler: People! PEOPLE! You're going to WORK if you want the DRINKS! People: We have to work? Damn! As the huddle masses begin to go back to where they had been, the drunkards remain. Drunkard: Can we do a drink first, work later policy? Eh heh heh heh. Skyler: Free DRINKS, but you hafta WORK, got it?! The drunkards sigh and sit back down. Cloud walks over from the bar. Cloud: I'll help if you need me, but I couldn't charge you. Do you have any supplies? It just doesn't seem natural to 'poof,' housing material out of thin air. Zuin: I was kind of wondering that myself... what supplies are you going to use? Stone? Wood? If it's stones, there's a ton of rocks near the uh, um er, Mulan's Ancestral Shrine, but uh er, there's a Great Stone Dragon guarding the place. Drunkards (coughing): RipOFF! Zuin: If you want wood, there's tons of it in the forest, but there is uh, an army of infernal Goblins in that area, controlled by an evil Dryad. I heard they even had some Malboro's too, but I haven't seen them for ages. If you can get them, they'd be great for rope or vine to tie the wood together or whatever. A man bursts in through the door. Man: Free Drinks?! I'm in! Zuin: Oh, hey, Amrick. Skyler: All right, so it looks like we've got a crew. Now all I need to decide is what I want to get, should I go with wood, or should I try stones, even though I'll have to bother with that pesky dragon? You are able to make a choice, but if you choose wood, Skyler will say Skyler: Nah... on second thought, let's do stones. Lousy lazy programmers... Upon choosing stones, a few people groan, but a few stupid people say, Stupid People: Good! I didn't want to smoke Malboros anyway! (Hyuk! Get it? Malboros? HaHa!) Skyler: All right... I'd hate to see this forest get cut down... anyway, what's with this Stone Dragon? Is he big? Is he, uh, made of stone? What would we have to equip? Aren't you sick of having to answer so many questions at once? Have you ever had a dream about a giant pair of pants chasing you? What if All-You- Can-Eat restaurants took on a French theme? How much han could a Hanpan pan if a Hanpan could pan han? What is the capital of -- mmph! Zuin claps a hand over Skyler's mouth. Cloud: All right already! Let's get stoned then... erm, stones. Zuin: (pulls out a map) The shrine is just outside of Windor, near the beach. Remnants of a destroyed castle are all around there, with tons of stones, rubble, and stuff everywhere. Zuin pops Amrick upside the head. Zuin: PAY ATTENTION! AHEM! Few people venture there to enjoy and see the black-sanded beach and clear water, because of the Stone Dragon. After the debriefing of where they have to go, Zuin folds up the map and puts it in his sack. Zuin: I don't think we'll have too much trouble. So let's get going! The four walk outside the tavern and see a man with a wagon strolling by. Zuin: You there! The man whom he's pointing gives him a questioning glance. Zuin: Yes, YOU, we need your help. You have been chosen by uh, er, your destiny to come with us! Bring the wagon. (to Skyler:) We'll need it to put the stones on. Man: Really, oh-OKAY! The four board the wagon, and begin to head for the shrine. Soon, the man perks up. Man: Did you hear that? Skyler: Huh? Distant Voice: Help! Help! Cloud: Amrick, see if you can use your magic to see anything up ahead! Amrick: I'm on it! Amrick begins weaving his hands around in a circular motion and energy balls begin to emanate from them, revealing an image. There is a close- up on the image. It shows a plain field with blood-covered bodies laying everywhere, and a fuzzy image of a person calling for help. Skyler: Good God! Cloud: Man! Speed up on the double! Man: I HAVE a NAME, you know! Soon, they arrive at the scene Amrick depicted. Skyler, Amrick, Cloud and Zuin jump off the wagon and a figure draws towards them. Cloud: What's that? Zuin: Looks like a chick. Slowly the woman gets up closer and they see what it really is; a goblin in drag. Skyler: GAH! Amrick: ...the hell? Goblin in Drag: Ahaha, do you like my outfit? Cloud: I've worn better. Others: ...Huh? Goblin in Drag: Enough talk! Goblins, attack these worthless piles of scum! Skyler: What goblins? The bodies of the "dead" women covered with blood rise up from the ground. Quickly they pick up their weapons, and from all directions they run towards the four. Goblins: Gyah haha, it's red paint! Wahaha! Die, humans, die! Skyler: Boy, almost anyone cross-dresses these days. Well, let's attack! *********************************************************************** *BOSS BATTLE: Goblins x5, DragGobin * *HP: Goblins: 250, DragGoblin: 1000 * *Weaknesses: All Black Magic, except Lightning * * * *This is a long, tiring battle, but it's not THAT hard. The Goblins * *use physical attacks, and DragGoblins use stronger ones. Physical * *attacks won't kill the goblins, they'll revive themselves. Don't have* *Skyler use Lightning magic. When Skyler does, the Goblins die * *instantly, but they are replaced with two more. Cloud does some major* *magic damage here with his personal powerful magic skills. After half* *of the enemies die, The remaining Goblins all turn into DragGoblins * *at full health, though, so you definitely should use him. Have Zuin * *attack, Skyler use Lightning, have Cloud use weaker magic attacks * *since his MP is limited, and Amrick has many neat water and ice-based* *attacks. * *********************************************************************** Zuin: Wow... that was a long battle, good thing we had tons of magic or else we might've been screwed. All right, let's get out of here! Man, take us to the Stone Dragon! Man: MY NA-- The man's speech is abruptly cut off by a blazing lightning bolt and crackling thunder, smashing at the ground before them. As soon as the bolt dissipates, a strange man wearing a black velvet robe, lined with silver appears. A hood hides his facial features. Skyler: Wh-who are you? Robed Man: Who I am is of no consequence to you at the moment. But know this, there is great danger ahead, ten times that compared to those goblins. Beware, and most of all... He slowly raises one arm and points to the Man, Robed Man: Protect this man. We shall meet again, fare thee well! Cloud: Wait! Who are you? But the man vanishes. Amrick: Probably a mage, I could've taken him. Skyler: C'mon Man, let's get out of here! Man: Won't they ever learn my name? Before reboarding the wagon, heal the party. After some traveling and a couple battles with RedHawks and EvilTravlrs aboard the wagon, the five arrive at Mulan's ancestral shrine. Amrick: Would'ja look at that! Cloud: I didn't think it really existed. Man: Well, it does, and that only means one thing... Zuin: The Stone Dragon is real. The Stone Dragon comes out from a dark cave and growls. Stone Dragon: WHAT DO YOU WANT? Skyler: We want to take the stones from the castle, to build a house! Stone Dragon (to the Man): YOU? YOU'RE... YOU'RE FINALLY HERE! Cloud: What're you talking about? Stone Dragon: YOU ARE FREE TO COLLECT ANYTHING YOU WANT HERE, JUST DON'T GO IN THAT SHRINE. ALL I ASK IN RETURN IS PRIVACY WITH THIS MAN. Skyler: (drawing his Weapon) No WAY, he's one of us, we stick together. Zuin: (grabbing Skyler's arm) Dragons do not tell lies, and as far as I can gather, this dragon means no harm to him. I'll stand watch. You, Amrick, and Cloud get what you came here to get. Skyler: ...Okay. Be sure to save and rest by Oynx. Then, walk over to the cave. Skyler, Cloud, and Amrick will start gathering rocks. Stone Dragon: WISE DECISION. Man: What do you want with me? Stone Dragon: YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY FATE. IT IS YOUR DESTINY TO STOP THE ONCOMING THREAT THAT IS RAPIDLY APPROACHING. FEW WILL STAND WITH YOU AND MANY WILL HATE YOU. All of a sudden, a bright sparkle of light appears, and a figure begins rocketing downward towards the Stone Dragon and the Man. Zuin: Something's coming! Skyler, get back up here! Man: What is that? Stone Dragon: ...THAT IS BUT ONE OF THE REMAINING GENERALS IN ARCHMAGE'S DEFEATED ARMY. Zuin: Even after we defeat them, some of them keep fighting?! Skyler: Huh? The general smashes into the ground, tossing your party everywhere. Skyler: Hey, it's that robed guy! Robed Man: I am Vangelese! All who get in my master's way will perish! Skyler: Let's waste this guy! *********************************************************************** *BOSS BATTLE: Vangelese * *HP: 2500 * *Weaknesses: None * * * *Amrick will use his Hydro Blast spell, and Vangelese will be healed. * * * *Vangelese: Fools, I absorb magic and can redirect it! * * * *Vangelese absorbs Amrick's Hydro Blast power, and shoots ice crystals* *toward the Stone Dragon. The Stone Dragon roars and collapses. * * * *Amrick: Ugh, sorry you guys, I can't help you with this one, I guess.* *Skyler: Let's take him while he's distracted with the Stone Dragon! * * * *This battle is very hard, since Vangelese casts Reflect on himself. * *He's also pretty smart, since, if he's fast enough, he casts Stop on * *anyone trying to Dispel him. So you have to use physical attacks * *(which is why Amrick isn't in this battle, he can't use physical * *attacks). When Vangelese's HP is gone, Cloud lunges for Vangelese, * *his sword pierces through his back. Vangelese then controls Zuin's * *sword and makes him stab himself. * * * *Zuin: Skyler...! Quick! Do something! * * * *You gain control of Skyler once more. Attack, and Vangelese will die.* *********************************************************************** Amrick: Oh, God... who to cure first... Zuin... Amrick concentrates curative energy and cures Zuin, but he still doesn't move. Stone Dragon: DAVENTHALAS... Daventhalas (formerly "Man"): Wow! You know my name! Stone Dragon: DAVENTHALAS... IF YOU WISH TO HEAL YOUR FRIEND... Daventhalas: Me? Stone Dragon: ASCEND THE HILL, DAVENTHALAS... WALK TO THE SHRINE AND ACCEPT THE POWER OF THE... ANCIENTS... Daventhalas quickly runs up the hill, and when he walks to the altar, a blue light surrounds him. Skyler: What the hell? Cloud: You said it... Stone Dragon: NOW... BEFORE THE POWER OF THE ANCIENTS LEAVES YOU... TOUCH ZUIN'S WOUND AND IT SHALL BE HEALED... Daventhalas runs back down to Zuin, kneels, and touches his wound. The same blue light surrounds the wound, and it disappears. Zuin lifts his head. Amrick: Whoa... I've never seen anything like that before... Daventhalas: It actually worked! Stone Dragon, please, what is my destiny? Stone Dragon: DAVENTHALAS... YOU MUST FIND THE OTHER DRAGONS, FOR THEY HOLD THE KEY TO UNLOCKING YOUR TRUE POWER. YOU MUST STOP THE EVIL THREAT THAT HAS AWAKENED! OTHERS WILL HELP YOU ON YOUR QUEST... Daventhalas: Wait! Stone Dragon: TAKE THESE DRAGON WINGS... THEY WILL FLY YOU... ANYWHERE YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN... BUT DO NOT DEPEND ON THEM... FOR THEY MAY NOT ALWAYS WORK... GO BACK TO YOUR VILLAGE FOR NOW... AND WAIT FOR ZUIN TO FULLY RECOVER... FOR HE... WILL... HELP... YOU... IN... YOUR QUEST... GOODBYE. The Stone Dragon disappears, tiny dragon wings appear in the air, and float into Daventhalas's hands. Daventhalas closes his eyes. Daventhalas: Let's go. Zuin: Skyler, bring the wagon over here, and we'll warp back to Windor. Skyler: Why should I have to?! Zuin: It's your house. Skyler: Oh yeah, good point. Walk over to the cave, and pull the wagon back to the other three. In a flash of light, the group transports back to Windor. ----------------- |Part 5: The Esper| |Boss: Ragnarok | ----------------- Skyler's house is very speedily built, while Skyler and Skan look on. Skyler: Wow, Daventhalas must have had a big day today. But what does he have to do with me? I'm the main character of the story, dammit! Skan: Skyler, just because you're the "main character," whatever that means, it doesn't mean that other people don't live their own lives! It may be on someone else's quest that even you find your... destiny. Skyler: ...Meaning that that probably will happen. Skan: Sorry, I got carried away with cheesy Star Wars philosophy. Zuin: Skyler, what the hell are you doing just sitting around talking about philosophy? There's work to be done! Skyler: ...But I'm the architect, so I already completed the hardest job! Quit complaining! Zuin: Oh... okay then. The scene changes to Skyler, Skan, Amrick, Daventhalas, Zuin, Cloud, Biggs and Wedge sitting in Skyler's finished house. Biggs: Glad that's over with. Wedge: Now, about those free drinks-- AARRYYYEEEAAAAGGGHHH!!! Light engulfs the room, as a large sword pierces through the ceiling and kills Biggs and Wedge. Skyler: Oh my God, they killed Biggs and Wedge! Skan: You bastard! *********************************************************************** *BOSS BATTLE: Ragnarok OR Skyler, Skan, Zuin, Cloud, and Amrick * *HP: Ragnarok: N/A * * Skyler and others: Enemy HP is same as Ally HP * *Weaknesses: Physical Attacks * * * *Don't expect to win this battle if you're on Skyler's side. You will * *be able to cause some damage with physical attacks, but magic will do* *nothing. You will not get a Game Over if, no, WHEN you lose. * * * *If you're on Ragnarok's side, you can test out his wide variety of * *black magic spells in this extremely easy battle. His inventory is * *packed full of powerful items as well, including X-Ethers and * *Elixirs. Ragnarok also has a Transform command. You may not have * *enough time to use it, but if you do, he will morph into a man in * *golden armor, with the sword he appeared as as his weapon; his magic * *power will decrease, but his attack will increase. You'll kill off * *Skyler's group with one or two spells. * * * *This probably will not happen in this battle, but if Ragnarok's MP * *falls to zero, he will die. * *********************************************************************** Ragnarok casts a spell, and the three battlers are revitalized. Ragnarok: Skyler... please do not think of me as a threat. You must help me. My name is Ragnarok. I am an esper, and a legendary being who has existed since the beginning of time. You must stop the oncoming threat-- Skyler: (sound of record scratching in background, halting dramatic music) Wait a second. Where have I heard this before? Skan: Ha! Told ya, Skyler! Your... destiny... is approaching... Skyler: Quit with that stupid voice! Ragnarok transforms into his human form. Skan: (over-enthusiastically) Welcome to Windor, Ragnarok! It seems you've come a long way to get here! How'd you like to go for a drink? It's on me! Ragnarok: ... Skan: Seems you're not interested. So... an esper, eh? I don't think I've heard about your race before. Care to tell us about it? Ragnarok: I would be glad to. Espers are powerful magical creatures. We have lived in a world parallel to this one for thousands of years. Espers are said to be even more powerful when they die. Skan: How's that possible? Ragnarok: When we die, we condense into a crystal called Magicite. The Magicite can be summoned, and the soul of the esper comes and aids in the Magicite holder's cause for a limited time. Skan: Is there any way the esper's soul can be released from the Magicite and turned back to life? Ragnarok: I am not sure. I believe that information rests safely with the esper god, Bahamut. Skan: Okay, one more question. Why do you look like a human? Ragnarok: Several espers have the ability to change to human form. I have made a sacrifice by transforming into human form, though. If I am condensed into Magicite, my soul will have forgotten all the memories of my life as a human, like any other human soul. Only the esper memories will remain. Skan: Ah... interesting. I study about ancient races like yours... this will help greatly with my research. Now... how about that drink? Ragnarok: ... Skan: To hell with you. I need one. Who's with me? Zuin, Amrick, Daventhalas and Cloud: Aye! Skan, Zuin, Amrick, Daventhalas and Cloud leave. Ragnarok motions for Skyler to stay behind. Ragnarok: Skyler. Soon you will understand why I need your help. I know it must be stressful for me to ask you for help on such short notice... Skyler: No problem! You don't need a reason to help people! Someone walks by and throws a boot through a window at Skyler. Guy: (coughing) RipOFF! ---------------------------- |Part 6: The Engineer's Guild| |Boss: Skan or Skyler | ---------------------------- Ragnarok: Thank you for listening to my request. I will see you soon. Ragnarok walks out the door. Go out the door, as well. Since you're a full-fledged citizen now, you can go walk through the town and explore peoples' houses. You can find many Potions, Ethers, Shurikens, and Lifes. In Ye Olde Tavern, you can now buy High Potions from Oynx. Also, there is a new person sitting at the Tavern. You can greet her. Skyler: Hello there... what's your name? Crysta: Why, hello. I'm new here... my name is Crysta Aragaron, elite soldier of the Empire. Skyler: The Empire? I've been to the imperial capital before; you look a bit familiar. Nice to meet'cha! My name's Skyler, I guess I'll see you around. Go to the large, black, gear-shaped building at the east of Windor. Once you enter, Skan will come up to you and greet you. Skan: It's about time you came, you lazy bum! Welcome to the Engineer's Guild! The Engineer's Guild, or the Guild, as I like to call it, is a group of several dozen people who have little in common except one thing: the love to work with machines. So here, we build, we restore, we design machines. All or none of the above; it's all up to the imagination. And in the Battle Arena, we put many of these machines into serious combat to see who's is the best. Stay around as long as you like. And if you want, you can also become a member. It's free! Skyler: Thanks for that... very formal introduction. Skan: Yeah. I say that exact same thing to everyone. Skyler: So... this Battle Arena sounds interesting. But... I'm not really into machines. Think I could give it a try, though? Skan: With what... or who? Skyler: Hmm... how about... you. Skan: Hah! Me, eh? This is the Engineer's Guild, ya know! We use machines in battle here! Skyler: How's this... when you feel like I'm beating you to a pulp, you can use one of your little... machines. Skan: Fair enough... heh heh heh. You can make your preparations for Skyler. When you are finished, you can also make your preparations for Skan. You'll be prompted to save your game, too. *********************************************************************** *BOSS BATTLE: Skan OR Skyler * *HP: Skan: 2000 * * Skyler: 1500 * *Weaknesses: Skan: Ice * * Skyler: Fire * * * *If you're on Skan's side, try casting Fire spells and healing. If * *you're on Skyler's side, attack, cast Ice, and heal. This battle is * *very lengthly, but it shouldn't be too hard. Skyler is stronger than * *Skan, but Skyler has less HP, so I don't suggest one character over * *the other. * *********************************************************************** When the battle is over, Skyler looks at his hands, which are growing and darkening. His muscles begin to bulge and rip through his clothing, as his hair grows and covers his face. Skan, tired as well, presses a button on his trenchcoat. Machinery begins to surround him, and eventually, he has become a giant robotic suit of armor. The two clash, with Skyler blindly clawing away at Skan's armor, as Skan shoots at the beast with a rifle attached to the suit. Skan jumps and charges at the blood-covered Skyler from above, and the scene goes black. After a few seconds, the scene slowly fades in to a hospital room. Oynx walks into the room and jumps onto the hospital bed, looking at Skyler wrapped up in bandages. Oynx: Hey, man! I just came to see how you were doing. Man... you got it pretty bad back there. Anything you need? Skyler: Give these sunglasses back to Skan for me, and tell him that he really won that battle. Thanks. The camera follows Oynx as he jumps off the bed and walks into the next room. He sticks the glasses on Skan's face. Oynx: Here you go... these are from Skyler. And he told me to tell you "he really won that battle." See ya later! Skan: *cough... cough...* These aren't my glasses... stupid "Rye-Bun" brand... that... bastard... ---------------------- |Part 7: Transformation| |Boss: Zuu | ---------------------- The Kindgom of Windor is displayed in all its beauty, and the scene scrolls down to show Skyler, sitting in an opening in the forest, back to his normal self. Skyler: (How could I have done that? It's happened again... I can't believe it... those transformations can really scare a guy... I wonder if...) Huh? Who's there? A noise comes from nearby shrubbery, and out run a pack of wild dogs. You can try to blast your way through them, but you're stuck in the opening, and you can't run. Say goodbye to your HP. Skyler drops from the battle. The wild dogs near in on him. Could this be the end of our hero? A great growl comes from Skyler as he flies up above the dogs. He has transformed into the beast again, and he generates a cyclone of wind himself. A lighting bolt strikes down from the darkened heavens above, striking Skyler, who surges with light, and annihilates the dogs. Skyler stumbles through the forest, wildly clawing at approaching monsters. He collapses. The scene changes to Skan and Kitra, who are enjoying a leisurely walk through the forest. Skyler's growl is heard in the background. Skan: What the hell was that?! You heard that, right? Kitra: Who couldn't have? C'mon, let's see what it is... Skan: You sure about this? We could get ourselves killed! Kitra: Come ON! Kitra grabs Skan's hand, and they run through the forest, until they find transformed Skyler, fainted. Skan: Holy crap! This guy sure got the sense knocked out of him! Kitra: What a ferocious beast! What is it? Skan: Wait a second, I've seen this before... Skyler?! Kitra: What do you mean, Skyler? This isn't Skyler! Skan: Whatever it is, it had me hospitalized for weeks! Kitra: Well, we've got to do something. It's still breating. Skan: Goddamn it! I don't want this thing to wake up and tear me to pieces! Kitra: Trust me, Skan. A ball of healing light comes from Kitra's hand, and she directs the energy towards Skyler. Skyler: ..............?? Wha? Skan: AAAAH! It's alive! Run for it! Skyler: It... Skan... I... Skyler engulfs himself in light, and transforms back into his regular form. Kitra: It is Skyler! But how could he do that? He's just a human! Skan: Yeah right! He's probably a demon, like you! Kitra: Excuse me!? Skan: Erm... sorry. Kitra heals Skyler again. Skyler: Kitra? Thank you... I'm not dead... what happened? Kitra: I'm not sure, Skyler. Let's go back to town. You now control Skyler. Walk head back toward Windor. The battles here are not too hard. Skyler cannot use magic, it seems he's too scared to. After finding Oynx, a giant bird will fly from an overhead perch. Skan: Dammit! Let's get this overwith! *********************************************************************** *BOSS BATTLE: Zuu * *HP: 3000 * *Weaknesses: None * * * *This is a pretty easy boss battle. This is a good opportunity to see * *some of Kitra's powerful magic spells. Fun. Skyler should keep on * *attacking, since he can't use any magic. When the Zuu's HP becomes * *low, Skyler will transform (in battle!) and destroy the bird with * *????, a powerful wind/lightning attack. * *********************************************************************** Skyler: I can... control it?! Skan: Skyler? You're totally scaring the s#!% out of me! Skyler hovers into the canopy, shakingly flying around. Skyler: I can fly, and... Why is this h-happening to me? Skyler flies off to Windor. Kitra: Come on, Skan! Let's try to find Skyler before he tries anything stupid. Skan: Let's go! You can save with Oynx again. Keep on walking towards Windor. ------------------ |Part 8: Isolation | |Boss: ???? | ------------------ You will arrive in Windor. Find your way into the central square, and you will see Skyler flying around uncontrollably. Kitra: Skyler! What's happening to you? Ragnarok runs out of the tavern. Ragnarok: I knew it... he's a... Skan: He's a... WHAT? Don't turn so dramatic that you can't finish your own damn sentences for the rest of us! Skyler flies out of the square, and out of Windor. Ragnarok: He will be back. Skan: What the HELL is going on here?! Ragnarok, Kitra, and Skan walk back into the tavern. They take a seat. Ragnarok: I have predicted this. This is why I have come to Skyler in the first place. Kitra: What happened to Skyler? I thought he was human! Ragnarok: It is no secret; he is not a human. Skyler doesn't even know it himself. He is-- Skan: He is... WHAT?! TELL ME, ALREADY! Kitra: Put a sock in it, Skan. The scene changes to a dark cave. A large figure huddles behind a large boulder. Skyler: My hands... my face... my body... what did I do? I am saved from death by transforming into a monster. I don't want to be a monster... I would rather die than be something I've hunted... and I will be hunted... is it worse to live and await a slow death, or die when my time has really come? Voice: Do you await an answer to your questions? Skyler: What? Voice: Come to me... You are now in control of Skyler in his esper form. Make it through the cave maze. You'll find some Potions, Shurikens, and a High Potion or two. Watch out for the Goblins, but the Bats won't be too big a deal. Save with Oynx. Hmm, something tells me there's a big event coming up. ????: Skyler, you have been contacted by someone... Skyler: ...I have? Who? ????: You know who... Skyler: Ragnarok? ????: You're smarter than I thought, Skyler. Skyler: You sound familiar... who are you? ????: You will have no need to find out soon enough. The dead do not ask much of me. *********************************************************************** *BOSS BATTLE: ???? * *HP: 2000 * *Weaknesses: None * * * *This is a hard battle. Cure, cure, and cure. You'll probably only * *survive if you cure every other turn. But Skyler's attack power is * *much higher than normal, and his magic power is even higher. Use * *Osmose if you have it, for it never misses, and works like a charm. * *********************************************************************** ????: ...I am surprised that you even bother to challenge your ultimate fate. Fare well, Skyler, I hope we meet again... perhaps at our next family reunion! Skyler: Our... family?! Come back! The figure flies out of the entrance of the cave. Skyler tries to follow, but is too slow. Skyler: ...I guess I'll fly back to Windor... the only one I can talk to now is Ragnarok. Skyler flies back into Windor. He is back in his human form, but has learned how to control his transformations, and has decided to keep his wings out. Go to the tavern, and talk to Ragnarok. Ragnarok: Hello there... Skyler?! Is that you? Skyler: I have returned! But Ragnarok, please tell me, what the hell is happening to me? Ragnarok: I am surprised you haven't found out. Skyler, you are an esper. Being an esper myself, I was able to sense it when I first arrived in town. Skyler: I'm a...?! But I was born into a group of travelers! Ragnarok: That must not be true. Maybe you were too young to remember your real past. When espers first transform into human form, they forget everything that they've ever learned or known. Skyler: Human form?! Then the group of travelers were... Ragnarok: They must have found you. I expect it was for your own good that your parents... Skyler: My parents? You know of my parents? Ragnarok: I know not of your parents, but of a war that broke out between espers and humans 17 years ago. Many esper families saved their children by casting them out into the human world. Skyler: My real parents... Ragnarok: I did not only come here to find you. I seek another, it is a girl. I have sensed her prescence here as well. Skyler: Is she also an esper? Ragnarok: Yes. Skyler: Why do you seek her? Ragnarok: I have been searching for my esper kindred for millenia... I must warn them of an oncoming threat... and it is my duty, because in a sense, I am the threat. Skyler: This is just too much for me for one day. I've got to get some rest... Ragnarok: Yes, please rest. I will continue my search for the girl... After you rest, you can walk freely around town. ---------------------- |Part 9: General Crysta| ---------------------- Oynx will now be selling Ethers and Remedies. You can begin recruiting people into your party. First, go to the Engineer's Guild. You can battle some random machines and level up a bit, for a fee of 50 gil per battle. If you win, you will get your 50 gil back. Go to the end of the hall in the guild, and a few engineers will tell you about the boss. Skyler: Hmm... that must be Skan. I've got to talk to him... Enter the room at the end of the hall, and you will see Skan working on a machine. Skan: Hello? Can I help you? Skyler: Skan, it's me! Skan: AAGH! What happened to you? You've got these big ol' wings comin' outta your back! Skyler: Yes, Skan, I've noticed. Skan: So, you're an esper, Ragnarok says. Skyler: Yeah. I guess that's spread all around town by now. Skan: Well, just so you know, no matter what you are, I'll be behind ya all the way. I gotta pay you back somehow for bustin' you up back there a while back. Skyler: Uh, sure, Skan. Thanks a lot. Skan will join your party. Head to the other largest building in the town. This is the Miscellaneous Magic User's Guild. Kitra will greet you. Kitra: Hi, Skyler! Welcome back! I guess you've finally found some time to settle down and wander around town... Skyler: Yeah... so this is the Miscellaneous Magic User's Guild? I'd fit right in. Maybe I'll join some time... Kitra: Go right ahead. You'd be a natural, with your strong magic ability. Skyler: Thanks. Kitra: By the way, did Ragnarok ever find that other person he was looking for? Skyler: I don't think so; not yet. Kitra: I heard that Ragnarok will need your help, and the girl's help, too. I wonder what for? Well, if you need any help, you know I'll be there for you. Skyler: Thanks a lot! Kitra will join your party. At Ye Olde Tavern, talk to Deric. Deric: Is that you, Skyler? I didn't notice you had wings. Skyler: I recently found I had them. Deric: Uhh... If Skan and Kitra have joined your party, Deric will say: Deric: Hey, Skan and Kitra told me about Ragnarok's problem. Skyler: Yeah. He needs some help with something... I think I may know what it is. Deric: Would you like me to help you with it? Choose Yes or No. > No Deric: Ah, okay. I'll see you around. > Yes Deric: All right! Ragnarok's over there, should we talk to him? Skyler: Sure. Kitra and Skan will enter, and sit down with Deric and Skyler, talking to Ragnarok. Crysta, over at the counter, overhears the conversation. Skyler: Ragnarok, when I was inside the mountain, getting used to my new abilities, I was attacked by a man in dark armor. Ragnarok: You were? Please explain. Skyler: He tried his hardest to destroy me, but I fended him off with my new abilities. When he left, he said I was a family member of his. Skan: How would he know that if he grew up with travelers his whole life? Skyler: I can't remember seeing his dark armor before, or that voice... but his face looked familiar. Ragnarok: You are an esper. As a relatively new race compared to humans, we can determine how espers are related, and who had common ancestors. When I came into this dimension, I decided to become an esper. So I share blood with you and all other espers. Skyler: You're in my family... so would that mean that the man who attacked me is also an esper? Ragnarok: I would assume so. Cloud will walk into the tavern. Cloud: Kitra! I have recieved word from Ayndrill that they are under attack! Skyler: Ayndrill? Skan: Kitra and Cloud are the founders of the neighboring town of Ayndrill. It is run by a democratic government, though. Their jobs are located here. Cloud: We must do something! Is anyone willing to help fend off the town? Skan: I'll do it. I can get reinforcements from the Engineer's Guild. Deric: I will do what I can. Crysta: Um... I may be of some help. I've got an extensive knowledge of magic... Kitra: Great! Thanks, you guys! Skyler, do you want to help? > No Kitra: Oh, that's a shame. I guess you need some more time to settle down in town. > Yes Kitra: Great! Are you ready to come with us? > No Kitra: All right. Make your preparations. This would be a good time to save and buy what you need. > Yes Kitra: All right! We're off! Cloud: The easiest route is through the Windor Forest. Let's go. Deric, Crysta and Cloud will join your party. You've been here before. The baddies are stronger, but with your stronger party, you'll find it equally as much of a challenge. Crysta is a pretty powerful character, with more of a knowledge of magic as Skyler, and as much Strength as he with his Atma Weapon. Use her as much as possible. After you get to the opening where Skyler was earlier in the game, Crysta falls to the ground. Skyler: Hey, Crysta, you okay? Kitra: What happened to her? Skyler: Looks like she needs some help. You guys go on ahead, you're in a hurry. I'll stay and help Crysta. Skan: You sure about that? Skyler: Yes... I may know why this happened. Skan: All right, man, see you later. After the rest of the group leaves, Skyler kneels before Crysta and closes his eyes. Skyler: Wait... what's happening? In a cool-looking flash (talk about description!), Skyler begins to read a flashback inside of Crysta's mind. Crysta is shown running out from Windor and into the snow. The man Skyler met in the cave is shown turning two draining two espers' energy and turning them into Magicite. The man flies away. Crysta sees herself being cast away from the gates of the esper world, as punishment for turning her own parents against them. Crysta keeps running, and sees herself casting magic spells on imperial soldiers. She then sees herself in a lab, having power being drained from her. She keeps running, and witnesses two young espers being expelled from the esper world and transformed into humans. Skyler: Crysta is an esper, also? Is she the one that Ragnarok is looking for? And that young esper... why does he look so much like me? Crysta opens her eyes. Crysta: Skyler? What are you doing? Where are the others? Skyler: After you fainted, I decided to stay behind, and see what was wrong. The others've already gone ahead. What just happened? It was like I could read your thoughts! Crysta: You could? And I thought that... hmm... Skyler: You're not in any mental condition to keep going. Cloud and the others will be fine; Skan's got the Engineer's Guild on his side, and Kitra has the Miscellaneous Magic User's Guild. Crysta: I guess you're right. Let's go. Crysta and Skyler return to Windor, and enter Ye Olde Tavern. Ragnarok is seated with two other people. Skyler: Ragnarok, I'm glad you're here! Who are these two? Ragnarok: This would be a splendid occasion to introduce my two good friends. Meet the scientist, Excalibur, and his sister, my fiancée, Illumina. They have been searching for me for years, and they have finally found me. Skyler: Your fiancée! I'd never expected such a relationship out of someone like you! No offense, I mean. Illumina: Yes... he's a bit too serious at some times to ever show his kind, caring interior... Ragnarok: Heh, heh... er, anyway, this would be a great time to say I have found the other person I was looking for! Skyler: It's Crysta, isn't it? Crysta: I... what? You were looking for me? Ragnarok: How did you know, Skyler? Skyler: When we had gone off toward Ayndrill through the Windor Forest, Crysta fainted. Something happened between us, and it was like I could read her thoughts! Crysta: I had never told anyone since I had left my position as general of the Empire, but I am an esper. Ragnarok: Here is something you two do not know. In Crysta's mind, you may have seen someone who looks just like you. Skyler: Well, it was just a child, but he did look like me... was that me? Ragnarok: Yes, it was. Do you remember when I told you about when the esper families cast their children out into the human world to save them? Crysta: Skyler... I think I see what he's trying to say... you're my brother. Skyler: I'm your... brother? Ragnarok: It is amazing that I found you both in the same town, but what Crysta says is true... you two are siblings. Skyler: Why do you need us to help you? Ragnarok: You both remember in your past a man in dark armor with long black hair and a staff? Crysta: He killed my parents! Skyler: What? Your-- our parents? I-I've only met him once, in a cave! Crysta: That man turned our parents into Magicite, and turned them against the esper world. I couldn't stop him. Because of that, I am banned from there until my parents are returned. Ragnarok: I also have a score to settle with him. This is why I've seeked all four of you - Excalibur, Illumina, Skyler, Crysta, to help me find this man. Excalibur: I will help you... to find the exact coordinates of this man on the earth, you may find tracking equipment necessary... I have some for such an occasion. Illumina: Now that I've found you, I will follow you always... Crysta: He killed our parents and turned them against our esper world... I seek venegance, and forgiveness! Skyler: ... Ragnarok: Skyler, I know this is a bit much for you, but if we do not act soon, he will turn your own parents against the esper world! Will you please help us? You're prompted Yes or No, but it's an infinite loop if you select no. Aww, come on, help the guy, for God's sakes. Ragnarok: I thank you deeply, Skyler. Let's get a night's rest, and we will set off first thing tomorrow morning. ------------------------------------------------ |Part 10: Pursuit of the Man in Dark Armor | |Boss: Garn or Skyler, Sibelius, Abadus and Emana| ------------------------------------------------ A boy walks out of his house and takes a breath of air. Garn: It's a nice day out... I think... hard to tell with all the mist. It's my 14th birthday today... it's time I left home... The scene changes, and Skyler, Crysta, Illumina, Ragnarok, and Excalibur are shown preparing to find the man. Excalibur: Well, I have pinpointed the coordinates of this man. We can set off as soon as you would like on some jetbikes I have prepared. Skyler: Umm... Excalibur, no offense to your inventions, but I don't partcularily enjoy using machines if I don't have to. I wanna put my wings to the test. Excalibur: That is fine with me, Skyler. But be careful of heavy winds, if you can. Skyler: I'll try. Crysta: I have tamed a method of air travel, myself... Ragnarok: "Tamed?" Crysta takes out a flute and plays it. An orange dragon lands near her. Crysta: Meet Kiop, my dragon. I tamed him as a miliary assignment, and he proves very useful for one- or two-man air travel. Illumina: So, bro, where to? Excalibur: He appears to be seeking refuge in the town of Kohlingen. Ragnarok: Kohlingen... I have been there before. I wonder why he is there... Excalibur: Remember to steer away from the mist that surrounds one village. Its name, coincidentally enough, is the Village of Mist. Skyler: We'll be sure to do that. Crysta: Then, we're off! To Kohlingen! In a mini game, try to keep up with the three jetbikes and Kiop in the air. After a while, Skyler will lag behind, and get lost in mist. The scene switches to Garn, who is inside his house, talking with his parents. Mom: Garn, now that you are 14, it's time that you set out to find a job. Garn: Unless I catch Called Monsters! I'll be a genuine Caller if I can catch them! Mom: Honey, espers, or Called Monsters, are scarce and hard to catch. We don't want you to risk your life going of and trying to do the impossble... A noise is heard outside. Garn: Whoa! What was that? It sounded like something fell from the sky! Garn and his parents run outside to see Skyler, kneeling. Skyler: My wings... so tired, and the mist... Dad: Garn, do you know what that is? It's an actual Called Monster! Skyler: I-I am? And where am I? Is this the Village of Mist? Garn: Yes, this is... how would you like to oin me? Skyler: Join you? Sorry, I can't do that... Why'd you want me, anyway? Skyler starts to turn and walk away. Garn: STOP! I can't let you leave without a battle. If you win, I will let you go on your way. If I win... you join me. Skyler: Heh... all right, kid, you have a deal. The scene changes to Ragnarok and the others on their jetbikes. Ragnarok: I think we have lost Skyler! Excalibur: He must have been pulled into the mist. Crysta: Let's get him out of there, before that man escapes from our reach... Garn: Are you ready? Say your name! Skyler: My name is Skyler Yokotani. Let's get this over with. Garn: I am Garn Balboa, and I'm training to become a Called Monster master! You will be the highlight of my collection! Skyler: Oh, brother. *********************************************************************** *BOSS BATTLE: Garn OR Skyler * *HP: Garn: 1500 * * Skyler: 2000 * *Weaknesses: Garn: Lightning * * Skyler: Fire * * * *The fight's easy. Garn is weak, but Skyler has low HP, and Garn has * *even lower HP. First, Garn attacks. * * * *Skyler: Cute sword, kid, but it'll take more than some fancy designs * *to impress me. * * * *Once you win the battle, Garn will summon Titan. Skyler is * *unaffected. * * * *Skyler: Earthquakes don't affect me, smarty. I can fly. * *Garn: ...Then take this... my most powerful attack--oops! * * * *Garn accidentally casts Fire. * *********************************************************************** Skyler: Right, kid. Powerful, my foot! Garn: All right, you win. Just go... Garn turns to go back into his house, but Skyler stops him. Skyler: Wait... you were pretty good; we could use your help. Would you like to come with us? There are a few more of my kind... it would increase your little "collection..." Garn: Wh-what? You really mean it?! Wow, sure! Hold on a sec! Mom: (What's this Called Monster thinking? He's just asking for it!) Dad: (Garn will do what's right. I believe he'll be in good hands... or at least his hands will be filled with a good collection...) Ragnarok et al appear through the mist. Skyler: Hey, guys! We've got some new help! Garn runs outside. Garn: I'm ready, Skyler! Ragnarok: Skyler, please come here. Skyler: Yes...? Ragnarok: Skyler, do you know what Garn is? Skyler: I think he called himself a 'caller..." Ragnarok: And do you know what callers do? Skyler: Uhhh... Ragnarok: They kill espers and use their Magicite to aid themselves. Skyler: ...Oh. That's okay, he lost a fight to me. He wouldn't try anything in front of all of us. I trust him. Ragnarok: ...Do what you wish, Skyler. Crysta: All right, Garn, hop on Kiop! He can take another passenger... Excalibur: We must hurry. The man will not be in the city forever. Garn: Bye, Mom, Dad! I'll be back soon! The group takes off into the sky, and soon, they arrive in Kohlingen. They walk through the Excalibur: At the speed this man is going, he is probably using magic to propel himself. He has probably drained his MP... Illumina: Excalibur, what are those colored specks on the ground over there? Excalibur: Those specks? Excalibur walks over to them, and takes a sample. Excalibur: These specks are the after effects of a Warp spell. The man must have left the city. I will attempt to find him with my tracking equipment-- Skyler: Hey, guys! We've got trouble! One of our jetbikes are gone! Garn: He must be trying to stall us... Crysta: One more person will have to ride on Kiop... Excalibur: He is quickly heading southeast. Let us make haste. The group takes off from the town. Excalibur: He must be very low on MP... he has not warped far away. Skyler: There he is! He's stopped! They land near the man and face him. Man: You little idiots... what do you want from me? ...Y-YOU! Crysta: I've come back for what is rightfully mine. Give us the Magicite, or we take your life. Skyler: Ragnarok... this isn't the man who attacked me in the cave... Man: No, no, no, Crysta... quite the contrary. I take your life, and take you as Magicite! I am Sibelius, leader of the empire's secret service. You will regret trying to challenge me. *********************************************************************** *BOSS BATTLE: Sibelius * *Hp: 6000 * *Weaknesses: None * * * *Illumina is crucial in this battle. She has VERY high defense, and * *after a while, Sibelius runs out of MP, so attacking is all he can * *do. It's best to use physical attacks in this battle, so I suggest * *bringing along Skyler, Excalibur, and Illumina, along with Crysta to * *heal. You may want to start off the battle by having Skyler use * *Osmose. * *********************************************************************** Sibelius: You fools... you have asked for it... Crysta: Will you give us the magicite now? Sibelius: Yes, I will. Spirits from within this Magicite... Abadus and Emana... I SUMMON YOU! Sibelius disappears, and in his place is the magicite of Skyler and Crysta's parents. The magicite radiates light, and Abadus and Emana appear. Skyler: Those are our parents? There's something wrong with them... Crysta: Sibelius must have cursed the magicite. They will not come to their senses without a fight. Skyler, Crysta... help us... you must rid of our powers... Skyler and Crysta morph into esper form. *********************************************************************** *BOSS BATTLE: Abadus and Emana * *HP: N/A * *Weaknesses: N/A * * * *Sit back and enjoy the show. Through the battle, Skyler and Crysta * *will do some twin attacks. At the end of the battle, Abadus and Emana* *cast Twin Meteo, killing Skyler, and weakening Crysta. * *********************************************************************** Crysta: Mom! Dad! SKYLER! Crysta turns into human form, and runs to Skyler, who is sprawled on the ground. Crysta: Get up, Skyler! Please... get up! She tries casting curative spells on him, but it does not work. Skyler, along with Abadus and Emana, condense into Magicite. Crysta: Skyler... he's dead... after spending my whole life searching for my family, I make one wrong move and end up killing them all... Ragnarok: Not all hope is lost, Crysta. I did not expect this to happen, but there must be a last resort for dire occasions such as these. Most espers accept when their time has come, but I believe that a situation like this must be taken care of properly. We will visit the esper world to gather information on revival of Magicite. Crysta: But I have been banned from the esper world! I am to bring my parents back alive before I am forgiven... Ragnarok: I am highly respected among the elders of the esper world. They would most surely, under the consequences, find some other way you could prove your worthiness to them. Crysta: This is true? Thank you, Ragnarok! I am forever indebted to you for helping me. But why are you giving your time and risking your life to help me? Ragnarok: The man Skyler encountered is my interdimensional twin. Crysta: Your interdimensional... twin? What does that mean? Ragnarok: Let me try to explain... A picture of two different worlds is shown. Ragnarok: There are two different dimensions. In one dimension, our dimension, there is balance. In the other dimension, there is darkness. Every living organism, though, exists in both dimensiona. About three years ago, these two dimensions merged into one... for an instant! And then they separated. Nobody noticed a thing. But I, originating from neither dimension, noticed. And so did my interdimensional twin. My twin found that opportunity to warp into this dimension. He has been seeking me ever since. His name is Entanebex. Crysta: So basically, Entanebex is your evil twin. What does Sibelius have to do with him? Ragnarok: Sibelius... I know not why he goes by that name. I was almost certain that he is the man who I have been battling for the past few years, but he is so different than the last time I confronted him. And the last thing Skyler told me was that he was not the same man that he encountered in the cave he took refuge in... Crysta: And what does either man, no matter if he is the same person or not, want with Skyler and me? Ragnarok: I, first, have a question to ask... where did you get the staff you hold? Crysta: ...I must admit, having lived in the military almost my whole life, I got into some mischeif. I pinched this staff from a restricted area... perhaps it belonged to Sibelius...? Ragnarok: That is the only reason I can think of why Skyler was approached by Entanebex... to catch your attention. Crysta: ...I see... Garn approaches Crysta. Garn: Crysta... that really, uh, is terrible about your family and such... what are you going to do with the Magicite shards? Crysta: I guess I've got to keep them in a safe place until we do something with them... Garn: Well, do you think I could hold on to them? 'Cause I'll be hangin' around you guys, and they would be safely kept with the rest of my collection. Crysta: ..... ------------------------------ |Part 11: Mikosi the Half-Esper| ------------------------------ A girl walks into Windor, and falls to her knees. Girl: What is happening?! In her mind, she sees Skyler dying. Girl: That man... who is he? Why did I have to see him die? His name was Skyler... The scene changes to the tavern. Ragnarok and the rest of the group has returned to Windor. Crysta: What you all do not know is that I was the one who used the Magicite against the esper world. It was an order. I couldn't believe that the beings I summoned were my own parents... Garn: The esper world... that's... the land of Called Monsters? Ragnarok: The same. We espers are given many names... some call us Eidolons, some call us Guardian Forces, and some call us Called Monsters. these names are given to us by humans that use our spirits for battle. The girl enters the tavern. Crysta: So, you say, we may have a chance of reviving Skyler and my parents if we go to the esper world... Girl: Skyler?! Excuse me, did you just mention a man named Skyler? And... an esper? Crysta: Do you know Skyler? I am his sister, Crysta. I'm sorry, but I bring bad news... Girl: He's dead, is he not? Crysta: Where... and how did you hear that? Girl: I just entered the town, and the image of his death entered my mind... I never met this Skyler before... why did I see this? Crysta: I'm sorry... I don't know. What is your name? Girl: My name is Mikosi. Ragnarok: We are trying to find some way to bring Skyler back from his untimely death. If you are concerned with this vision you have had, which I would not be surprised if you are, you can help us try to bring him back. We seek help from Zrycor, the head elder of the esper world. Mikosi: Z-Zrycor? It must be another Zrycor... Garn: Doubt it. How common of a name is Zrycor? Mikosi: Zrycor is... my father! (More coming soon. Keep your pants on, yeesh!) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ----- |Links| ----- Here are some links to places that will let you better understand this IAQ. The Kindgom of Windor http://www.geocities.com/isleofoblivion The online community of roleplayers! Check it out, and join if you want. Everyone hangs out at Ye Olde Tavern, the message board there. I used to roleplay there as none other than Skyler himself. It's also a good place to meet nice people. Mundi Noctem http://www.mundinoctem.com Where Skyler goes in this IAQ after the game ends. This is a roleplaying town started by Mikosi and me, and we both currently roleplay there. Check it out, it's worth a visit. I hope. The Engineer's Guild http://www.angelfire.com/al2/Skan/Guild It's also featured in this IAQ, so here's a link to the real thing. GameIAQs http://come.to/gameiaqs The OFFICIAL site for IAQ's. There's a pretty nice list of them there. The IAQ Elite http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Portal/1043/ An unofficial IAQ site, but a good one. It's my personal favorite. The Midgar Swamp http://www.midgarswamp.com Hoo hoo hoooo! This is a page I work on, along with my good friend Serpent231. He used to go to Windor, too. Jeffrey Faden's Home Page http://come.to/jeffreyatw It's my page. Not much there, just stuff about me, and, uh, that's all. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ------ |Thanks| ------ The members of Windor -- Skan, Kitra, Deric, Cloud, Razynne and many others... thanks for the good times, you guys! Zuin -- He really, really helped me with part four of the walkthrough, by saving the roleplay it's based on, and not only that, but turning it into story form! BobCFed08 -- A.K.A. Skan, he supported my IAQ, made a similar one, and let me use his Poses section idea! I also stole the introduction to the Engineer's Guild from, well, the Engineer's Guild! aRkRiSt MeRkAvA eNeMiA -- Creator of the IAQ Club, and great writer! Ragnarosen -- Creator of two really well written IAQ's. They're humorous and serious at the same time, a bit like this one. He's given me inspiration. He composes MIDI's just like me, too! Serpent231 -- My best friend, and I know him in real life as well. He's got a really funny IAQ. Crysta, Mikosi, Ragnarok, The Raven -- Thanks for roleplaying and helping Skyler's story evolve and become the greatest story on the planet! And everyone else at the IAQ Club! If you want your name on this list, I'll put it here, and think of SOME reason to thank you!