thunder wolf

Agents: A very ordinary occupation. It covers a broad range of jobs, from guarding cities or important people to intervening in international conflict. There are those who earn a living as agents while also belonging to an airship crew. This arrangement is quite convenient, as use of an airship provides a special freedom of mobility. However, agents can operate without licenses or credentials, so their quality is hit-or-miss. Anyone who wants a job well done would be wise to put in a request at the agents' guild in town, even if it costs a little extra.

Airships: As the only real means of travel between the islands, they are the symbol of skyfarers and their crews. Early airships were constructed based on Astral engineering, but advancements in research have been made in recent years. Now airships with all sorts of useful modifications crisscross the skyways.

The Astrals: Long ago they invaded the skydoms, but were wiped from the pages of history after the War and now exist as pure enigma. Not one single thing is known about their true nature other than that they possess a mysterious, overwhelming strength. Today, airships employ the engineering of the Astrals.

Canaan: Canaan is located in a lower layer of the Phantagrande Skydom. It can only be reached through a treacherous passage dubbed the Celestial Strait, to which countless airships and their crews have been lost. As a result, skyfarers far and wide consider Canaan to be unreachable.

Crew of Enforcers: An immense crew of skyfarers found throughout the sky. The Blue Knight of the Seven Luminary Knights serves as their captain. Their activities mainly involve apprehending criminals and escorting VIPS, but they take on an abundance of requests from different lands, including goods transport. Airspace is assigned to different fleets, and the Phantagrande Skydom is overseen by the Fourth Fleet, which includes Admiral Lecia and her adviser, Monika.

Dark Essence: A crystal borne from the Erste Empire's research of Lyria and the primal beasts. Originally designed to mimic the power of the Astrals, it has the power to bestow artificial Astral power unto begins from the Sky Realm. However, wielding powers from a different dimension must not be done without great caution.

The Earthly Realm: The land of the dead. Those who have been to the Realm and subsequently returned exist only in myth. Ever since ancient times, falling to earth has meant death. Even today, there are some funeral rites that include casting the coffin of the deceased to earth. Records exist of curious orders who had set their sights on earth, but each and every one has vanished, so no one can be sure whether or not they were able to reach the Earthly Realm unscathed.

The Four Primarchs: When the Astrals took over the skydoms thousands of years ago, they created the original primal beasts in order to regulate the world. Four of those origin beasts in particular oversee the tetra-elements responsible for natural order: Michael (fire), Gabriel (water), Raphael (wind), and Uriel (earth). They usually remain assimilated into the sky, aiding the supreme primarch Lucifer with absolute loyalty.

Grandcypher: A shipwreck untouched for countless generations on the Angads Highlands of Eingana Island. The image of that ship perched so nobly on the plains is one of Rackam's earliest memories. As a lad, he dreamed of being a helmsman, and so the ship easily captured his heart. It's mid-sized and no more powerful than any other airship, yet it is full of mystery, supposedly responding to the hearts and minds of its passengers.

Grim Basin: An area brimming with miasma that divides the Skydom. Violent winds whip the miasma in the Basin into a frenzy. Crews that sail here have to fight not only countless fiendish creatures, but relentless gales that threaten to tear their airship apart. It's said that the only way to pass through this evil place is to assemble all the scattered pieces of the Sky Map.

Halloween in the Sky Realm: A festival often associated with costumes, pumpkins, and pumpkin monsters. Since times of yore, the gates to the other side are opened on this day, allowing spirits to visit the Sky Realm. Among the visitors is Lost Jack, who wanders between the two worlds. Skyfarers from near and far come to play with Lost Jack; Halloween was made for this very reason, and for many, it's what makes Halloween such a thrill.

Holy Night: Towns across the sky glimmer under festoons of lights as people celebrate the season, indulging in savory roasts and sugarplum cakes with those dearest to them. Santa Claus takes to the skies on this night, giving presents to all good boys and girls. Customs vary for this day rooted in sacred tradition—while generally Santa leaves gifts by the bedsides of children, some towns may prepare a tree for him to leave his goodies.

Island of the Astrals, Eustalucia: The island's existence is shrouded in the same mystery that surrounds the Astrals themselves. Naturally, a great number of skyfarers have set off into the vast blue skies to chase its legend. It's said to be a place of unworldly splendor, and that whoever reaches it will be granted their every wish.

The Lost Royal Families: Bloodlines of royal families from a thousand years ago who ruled a long-lost kingdom, and the ancestors of Societte, Yuel, and Kou. Originally, the sovereign of the first family reigned supreme, but ever-increasing land expansion and population explosion pushed the first sovereign to make eight trusted vassals lords of their own fiefdoms. But many of those lords became drunk with power and abused their authority. Fearing an eventual civil war, the first sovereign established a hierarchy of the families in hopes of long-lasting peace. This system became moot, as they all eventually bowed down to Ninetails, compelled into presenting their dances to her on a regular basis. The first sovereign saw this as a desecration of sacred tradition and conspired with the others to seal away Ninetails for good. Though the plan succeeded, Ninetails let out a lethal miasma, killing all nine sovereigns present before she turned to stone. Leaderless, the kingdom gradually faded into oblivion. (feat. in Forgiveness and Gratitude event)

Magic: The power that governs all things mysterious. Those who master this power are called mages. Unlike primal beasts, this skill has existed in the skydoms since ancient times. There are even schools dedicated to studying the craft. It is possible to achieve power on par with that of the primal beasts upon mastering magic, but those who have reached that level are few and far between.

Malice: Malice is the form of a primal beast that has been subject to excess infusion of dark essence. Though they possess astounding power in this state, the Astrals never designed them to be able to handle such amounts of dark energy. There is great risk of destroying the primal beast itself.

North Vast: A great land mass in the most northern part of Phantagrande. It is mostly unexplored, but some areas, locked in endless territorial disputes between different nations and powers, are occupied by lawless groups. Silverwind Stretch, considered the roughest place in Phantagrande, and the Eoniho Mountains are located here and partially cross into the Grim Basin.

Phantagrande: The area where Zinkenstill, Port Breeze Archipelago, and others drift among the calm breeze. It is encircled by the Grim Basin on all sides, but due to so many prosperous islands, there are few who attempt to leave. However, in recent years the Erste Empire has been in frequent conflict with the peoples of many islands in their quest to dominate the Skydom.

Primal Beasts: The greatest weapon the Astrals used in their invasion. These giant beasts are gifted with god-like power. After the War, they turned to crystal and settled into slumber, melding into every culture. Because these beasts only obey the Astrals, their awakening would be a calamity for the sky world and must be stopped.

Skyfarer: A general term for those who sail the skies in airships. It's said to be the job with the most freedom—and the most danger. Sky travel entails battles with all kinds of sinister creatures on just about a daily basis, so seasoned skyfarers are revered by all. Skyfarers form groups called crews. There are several famous crews in Phantagrande Skydom.

Skymap: A comprehensive guide to the world assembled from the scattered pieces of the Sky Map. It's said that this map will lead whomever owns it to wherever they wish without fail. It's regarded as a thing of legend, part of the mysterious legacy the Astrals left behind.

Skymap Piece: The mighty primal beasts possess these bits of map. The Sky Map can be acquired by gathering all of these pieces together. However, the primal beasts who possess the Sky Map fragments are nearly as powerful as gods, and each piece must be recovered from each beast.

Speedship: A small airship designed for racing. It is lighter than traditional airships and typically only seats one to draw maximum speed. It is not suited for high-altitude flying, but its acceleration and drift surpass similarly-sized skyskimmers. It is also highly customizable.

The War: A war that broke out between the skydoms and the Astrals long ago. Through this drastic conflict, the people were able to gain back rule of their world from the Astrals and change the course of history. Unfortunately, almost all details of the War are now lost, yet its effects can still be seen shaping society even today.

The Moon: A mutable celestial body, considerably larger than everything else in the night sky. The skydwellers look upon it with a sense of wonder, as it is constantly changing form. It was once thought to be just a pale star, but when Zeta discovers a mural on Moon Sliver, the crew believes that it's an island floating in the upper regions of the sky.

Moon Silver: A peripheral island, its geography is reminiscent of the bumpy surface of the moon when seen from a giant telescope. The Society has identified this location as one of the Foe's bases. A direct line of communication remains between those who dwell on the moon and the Foe, but no one knows how it works.

Central Axis: An organization based on the moon, far from the Sky and Astral Realms. Cassius, like many moondwellers, is a member. It is a strictly regimented society where members have no choice of profession and receive their food, necessities, and luxuries in accordance with their ranks. They are at war with strange, nebulous life-forms.

Moondwellers: The mysterious denizens of the moon. They lack a spoken language, communicating instead through electronic tones. They prize logical thought and prefer to deal with the world around them in a mechanical fashion. They struggle to understand and frequently exhibit contempt for illogical decisions and actions. Most moondwellers' lives are controlled by the organization to which they belong.

Seal Weapons: The weapons with which Vaseraga, Zeta, and other Society combatants have made contracts. Named by Alandus. These weapons can absorb a primal beast's power and kill it. They are in fact the dormant forms of automagods created by moondwellers. A command from a moondweller or other triggers can awaken the weapons, causing them to revert to their automagod forms. Like the automagods, the seal weapons have no wills of their own, but it would seem that Embrasque—contracted to Beatrix—is an exception. Embrasque responds strongly to Beatrix's words and emotions.

Site Zero: One of the Society's many bases, at a top-secret location in Phantagrande. Filled with talented scientists and researchers, it is the source of constant advancements in science and technology. It has no combat personnel of its own, so personnel from other bases are temporarily dispatched to Site Zero as needed to protect the noncombatant staff. The facility was obliterated by Versatile and is currently being reconstructed.

Not listing them again, but spoilers, Heisenberg is revealed to be a leader of the Foe and Alandus was more affiliated with the Moon.























DIASPORA

<<< Warning! >>>


Access is limited to those with the highest security clearance in Central Axis, which you do not have. Please abort access immediately and explain to leadership why you are referencing this. Ignore this warning, and you will suffer a severe penalty to your Central Axis rank.


Displaying results for... "Diaspora"


The automagod Diaspora, also known as the Disperser or the Purger, is a large cluster of next-generation machine cells that can disassemble things at the molecular level.


Each machine cell possesses microscopic cilium that act as manipulators, which are directly responsible for the actual disassembly and subsequent bonding of single molecules into any shape or form, allowing the machine cells to roam about freely in the atmosphere.


Diaspora is usually stored in the disassembler located in the underground network of Central Axis. It is responsible for the teardown, storage, and molecular alignment of refuse for the purpose of extracting the basal substances.

It was once used for the repair or machine cell supplementation of damaged automagods as well, but as automagod technology advanced, Diaspora came to be redesigned as the thirteenth automagod. Its ultimate goal is to be deployed in the Sky Realm's atmosphere so that it may disperse at the cellular level in order to disassemble all of mankind, to be recirculated as resources for Central Axis.

(feat. in Home Sweet Moon)

Eustace is introduced in this event and has his first encounter with the Captain's crew. The Erune is following after one of his partners, Beatrix, who had gone off to North Vast on her own against orders and is in line with his own pre-assigned mission. Although Zeta and Vaseraga vouches for the crew's ability, Eustace still challenges them to a fight before accepting their aid. In North Vast, there is a gang called the Odajumoki, and they encounter one of its members, a harvin named Skull. Seeing Skull with Beatrix's beret, Eustace shows no mercy in getting information out of him.

From there they travel on, and when a plan with Skull fails, Eustace still continues on separate from the group to find Beatrix. Upon meeting her, he orders her to quit while she's ahead and to leave, but she refuses. Unable to convince her and not wanting to waste time, he shoots her weapon, Embrasque, out of her hands and takes it as retrieving it is his mission objective. It's the prevent it from falling into the Odajumoki's hands. After taking it, he leaves her to continue on her bullheaded path.

However, when he rejoins the group and he's called out on his actions, he gets angry and it's clear he actually had not wanted to leave her. But because of his mission, he had no choice. While arguing the Odajumoki with two Primal Beasts, Agyo and Ungyo, in tow approach and they hide, but through his transceiver he learns that Zeta and Vaseraga have arrived. Guzaletha, the leader of the gang, informs them that he knows about their "seal contract weapons," and with Beatrix caught by the Odajumoki, they now engage in battle. Eustace is eventually able to throw her her sword and once again tells her she shouldn't rush into things and that she's strong enough as is (Zeta teases him for using his peace and quiet line to cover up his embarrassment).

With Beatrix acknowledged as likely the strongest member of their group, they watch as she charges at both Primal Beasts. While she can significant damage, it's not enough to defeat them, and with the Odajumoki gang outnumbering them, they have to retreat. While healing their wounds and strategizing aboard the Grandcypher, Eustace informs them of his weapons: Flamek Thunder. It's a special weapon capable of raining lightning down a large set area. However, it's indiscriminate and will hit anything in its path, friend or foe, needs a Primal Beast to discharge, and works best outdoors. Skull eventually comes in and offers to help in destroying the hideout while they are fighting the Primal Beasts, and Eustace actually puts his trust in the harvin. Also yes, he can smile. ("It happens every now and then.")

Once ready, the set their plan in motion. While Skull takes out the hideout, Beatrix acts as decoy and engage the Primal Beasts. After getting the signals, Eustace unleashes Flamek Thunder and lightning rains down to defeat everything. The Primal Beasts are severely weakened, but not yet dead—neither is Guzaletha.

Eustace and Skull find him in the ruins of the hideout with a crystal created by the Society—it allows him to control Primal Beasts. Crushing it sets them to self-destruct. While everyone else is scattering, we get the start of the Society plot beginning to unfold:


Before he pulls the trigger, Skull stops him and claims Guzaletha as his kill. Eustace leaves it to him.

These episodes are first set during the Gripping Freedom event while Eustace and the crew are with Skull. Skull tells them about the Odajumoki and how they have a secret: they all love dogs and even ride them. This piques Eustace's interest considerably:


He receives transmission about Zeta and Vaseraga approaching as well as an order to observe the "blue-haired girl" (Lyria). If he deems her a threat, he is supposed to eliminate her, something which he already begins to question.

After the events of Gripping Freedom and while still with the crew, they take a trip to a village that is filled with dogs. Despite being in a place that is like heaven for him, he is off on his own maintaining his gun. Captain actually has the gall to pet his ears, but while surprised he doesn't really react much to it. Soon after they hear that a dog has run off into a forest and the Captain and the others are quick to follow after it. Smiling while noting their softheartedness, Eustace follows and just shoots the monster threatening the dog before anyone even notices it.

Upon returning, Eustace keeps his distance as he does not want to disturb the peace and quiet. He explains that animals never liked him, but Lyria tells him not to worry about it because even if he's scary on the outside, he's gentle on the inside—he just needs to open up his heart more. He decides to try and he is able to meet a dog halfway, petting its head—a first for him. Lyria then comes to an understanding of what Eustace means by peace and quiet.


Everyone is surprised and delighted to see Eustace's softer side. However, the heartfelt moment is ruined when he hears his transceiver and excuses himself. He's told that that it's been decided that Lyria is a threat and is confused since he hasn't reported anything. He's informed that because of her ability with the primal beasts she's deemed a threat and is ordered to eliminate her and her friends—swiftly.

Eustace responds that all he wants is peace and quiet, something that the Society is aware of. It's for that reason he refuses the order. As his contact is shouting at him, he takes the transceiver out of his ear and crushes it in his hand, throwing it to the ground to return to the group. He just sits down next to a dog that snuggled up to him and pets it. When asked about what transpired, he says it's nothing and indulges himself in petting the dog and in the peaceful moment.

Eustace and Beatrix are featured in two Halloween events. While nothing too important happens, there are some references to lore bits to take note of. Tossing in his Fate Episode in this section as well. (Really all of it is fluff.)

In Phantasm Banquet: Carnival of Whimsy, the two are assigned on a mission but they're currently separated and keep missing each other. When Eustace meets the crew, he's dressed as a vampire and Beatrix is a witch. At one point it's suggested he takes a break and actually teases the Captain by leaning close to bare his fangs like a vampire—showing his more playful side. Of course Lyria thought he was going to do something else......


Like I said, pure fluff. Beatrix, on the other hand, is getting run ragged by the trick-or-treating kids.

When Eustace and Beatrix finally meet, he looks at her outfit in disapproval—because they're supposed to be disguised as vampires, not wearing costumes. He's just very disappointed in Beatrix right now. She brings up the fact that he refused an order for the very first time and thought he was going to be kicked out. He admits he planned on leaving, but it seems he still has some use left (or so he tells himself). He tells her not to concern herself about him and Beatrix reacts by saying she's not worried about him. He's just like, "Oh," and actually laughs which just flusters her more.

At some point he gestures to Beatrix's sword, Embrasque, which has changed form. It's something he's never seen before and he wonders to himself about it and Beatrix's abilities. Beatrix later tries to pull a prank on Eustace, but he appears and overhears it. Sensing danger, she runs and he chases after her.

After all that fluff, his Halloween Fate Episodes reveal that the mission involves an investigation to a secret auction said to not only be selling auctions but monsters, people, and beastfolk. It's reported that they are to be sacrificed to a primal beast. Beatrix is not in the Fate Episodes, so it's just Eustace, Captain, Lyria, and Vyrn. They manage to sneak in and then try to enact a plan where Eustace takes the Captain captive so he can get caught to be taken to the rest of the goods. But it kind of fails and he's in a normal cell. The Captain follows soon after also being caught without an invitation. In the end, it turns out to be just a general party, and while Eustace is a bit irritated that he went through all this for nothing, he's also glad that there is no danger to the festivities and can enjoy the carnival without worry.

The second Halloween event they are featured in is the Halloween Party: Lost Jack and the Mystic Pyre, although their roles are more like small cameos and minor. There is a legendary figure named Lost Jack, known as the King of Halloween. No one really knows what he is, but the gate to the other side of the world opens in this area and is wider than usual. Eustace and Beatrix are there to investigate and confirm abnormalities, such an increase in spirits and monsters gathering. This rise in monsters is preventing Lost Jack to go into the village to be part of the festivities.

Seeing this, the two find the cause of the disturbance: the village elder. He used a dark essence crystal to create a huge bonfire that would open the gates to the other side (realm of death, basically) and transform himself into a monster. It was all so he could summon the spirit of his wife who died last year. Having already been stopped by the others, the elder apologizes and drops the crystal which Eustace picks up. The rest arrive and with everything taken care of, Lost Jack is able to enter the village and the festivities continue.

There are two Platinum Sky events, however the Society group is only heavily present in the first one and just make a one scene cameo in the second. The main plotline is about a the Platinum Sky Cup (PSC), a highstakes race featuring smaller airships called "speedships." The Captain and others are part of the race, with a racer named Meteon as the superstar and Maddie as the big opponent. Zeta and Beatrix are also participating in the race while Eustace and Vaseraga are working behind the scenes to investigate those fixing the races. It would appear that the race officials are behind the race fixing, but they also discover an underground lab developing illegal airships and speedships. There is also a potential connection between the officials and the Society's enemies.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Eustace has concerns. He doesn't always vocalize it, but it's clear through this more subdued expressions and actions. Before the race, Eustace gives Zeta and Beatrix transceivers so that they can communicate during it. These things are extremely expensive and only those of high rank like him have them. But he's that worried about their safety.

It's revealed that the Captain's speedship is made from old technology and there is a theft attempt, but Vaseraga stops them. Later, Beatrix is knocked out of the race, so under Eustace's orders Zeta hands her transceiver to the Captain to include them in their communications.

During the race, Vaseraga informs Eustace that the ones fixing the race were using technology from the research lab. But what is more pressing is Maddie had a falling out with the researchers so they rigged his ship to explode and take down anyone along with it. Eustace contacts the Captain and informs them of the problem. If they back off, Maddie will win and the spectators will be in the line of explosion. Eustace can't come out there himself in time so he asks them with some desperation to stop Maddie on the tracks. The group is able to succeed and the race ends without any issue.

Later, Eustace and Vaseraga clear out the lab and everyone involved with the fixing. However in doing so, they grow suspicious of what the Society is doing. Vaseraga finds a record implicating that the Society was getting intel from the lab, but wanted it destroyed. Given what just happened, Eustace is starting to have doubts about what they're doing.


From this point forward, the group are becoming more suspicious about the Society.

As mentioned, the group makes a brief cameo in the sequel event. The only thing of note is that because they are on a mission, Zeta and Beatrix can't participate in the race and Eustace gives the Captain transceivers. He doesn't really say why, just "Just in case." The group will end up using them due to the events that transpire.

This event heavily focuses on the group and introduces a fifth member, Ilsa. She joined the organization around the same time as Eustace and is currently working as the drill sergeant, training up all the Society recruits. While she does not engage in missions like the others, she is able to provide back-up through the use of troops and powerful weapons. Her seal contract weapon, Nybeth, is capable of sealing other weapons' powers.

While on a mission in a village that had been influenced by the Foe, Ilsa, Vaseraga, Zeta, and a new recruit Lester corner a man who has a similar weapon as theirs. However, the weapon actually devours him and transforms into a strange mechanical being called an Automagod Arianensa. It speaks in a strange mechanical sounding language (in text, it's scrambled letters stylized as commands; ex. Atgert curdeqai = Target acquired). Lester is blown to smithereens and this sets off Vaseraga, who goes into a powerful berserk mode. He's brought down and Ilsa uses Nybeth to seal the weapon's power and try to transform the Automagod back to its original form.

However, while still in the process, Vaseraga reawakens and his own weapon, Grynoth, starts going to berserk and attacks the Automagod as if trying to devour it. Although Vaseraga is able to snap back, Grynoth has already transformed into a new Automagod form and escapes. Unable to do anything further, they leave and regroup with Eustace and Beatrix. Ilsa gives the remaining shard of Lester's armor to Vaseraga. The group is now tasked to finding Grynoth, and if they don't, Isla and Vaseraga will be used as live test subjects. Because of his position, Eustace is forced to put tracking devices on them and he has the sole responsibility and authority to remove them.

Ilsa then explains the current situation within the society. Basically the Foe played the higher ups and it's split into nine separate factions, each one trying to drag each other down. One of the factions is using monitoring them and utilizing their data, and now the group is considered expendable.

Now they must try and figure out where Grynoth is, and along the way notice insect like creature. Vaseraga already has a bad feeling about them. They decide to meet with the Captain and the Grandcypher crew while Ilsa goes off to do her own thing. In the downtime, Eustace shares what he knows of Ilsa and Vaseraga to Zeta and Beatrix. He and Ilsa joined the society around the same time so he's noticed her changed ("She never used words like "crap" back then." "Liar! That's like her favorite word."). Despite her rough and crude demeanor, she's actually an ordinary, average person. As for Vaseraga, he also joined early on because he requested a weapon and it came into his possession. After joining the Society, Vaseraga would focus his entire being so that no one would die. If a comrade does, he conditions his body as penance.

Vaseraga will return with a new weapon, Alsarav (forged by the character, Almeida). It's a normal but powerful weapon that will do until he retrieves Grynoth. As they head to meet the crew, Vaseraga notices the missing woman from the other village. They find her and others over a prostrate man discussing plans to pin kidnapping and rumors. One of the insect drones lands and Vaseraga identifies it as a machine. As the other three run off to chase after the escaping instigators, Vaseraga stays behind to fight the machine, testing the language he had heard before.

As the trio are chasing after the instigators, they deduce that the Foe is targeting the town for some reason and using the machines. They then notice a large object falling and head towards it. Meanwhile, Lyria and Vyrn encounter Vaseraga just as Automagod Grynoth launches to attack them. Vaseraga intervenes and again tries the new commands, armor growing from his body.

Everyone eventually groups up and they try to buy time for Eustace to use Flamek Thunder, but they are overwhelmed and still beaten down. Grynoth takes Vyrn captive and tries to escape. Ilsa arrives in time with her soldiers and they do significant damage—however it automatically heals itself at a rapid rate. Working together, Vaseraga throws Zeta into the air aiming at Grynoth and Vyrn. She aims her spear, the Spear of Arvess, right into Grynoth, but before she can reach Vyrn she is tail whipped to the ground and Vyrn is covered in a strange, purple mucous before Grynoth finally escapes. However, it's not all for naught. With Arvess's fire, she burned enough of her flesh to take the tracking device off and insert it into Grynoth during her attack so they are able to track it.

The group Ilsa has is from another faction so they're kind of wary, but they work for now and they don't have much choice. They discuss how to deal with Grynoth's healing abilities. Since it seems that Grynoth is inside the machine, the plan is to somehow rip through the armor around its chest and take out the scythe.

With a plan set, they track the weapon to an island called Moon Silver, a place Vaseraga now knows due to what happened before with Arianensa. He informs them that ever since that battle, he feels as if his body has been influence and is aware of things despite not having Grynoth on him.

As they trek through, the stumble upon two men water dunking another man trying to brainwash him. They are told they are following the Neutronon, and it's clear they have also been tortured and brainwashed—it's basically like a cult. Treated politely, the group is taken to meet this Neutronon, who is revealed to be an Astral. They learn that Vyrn is okay but under analysis. Grynoth appears wanting to fight Vaseraga, and with the help of the coalition, the draph gets his opening and rips the weapon out.

The team splits up to try and find Vyrn, with Eustace and Beatrix paired together to lead a group. She's clearly worried about the little dragon, and he tries to calm her down.


Eustace is the first to hear Vyrn's voice and they rescue him, but Vaseraga is apparently in big trouble. To save him, Vaseraga was forced to accept a deal to give his body to Grynoth, and now he is an unstoppable beast. However, before he can harm anyone, Vaseraga is able to control himself long enough to actually punch his chest and stop his heart. Ilsa is ready to use Nybeth with Zeta to restart Vaseraga, but Neutronon is able to control the roots in Vaseraga and start things up again.

Society brass suddenly comes in having determined the situation and orders to kill Vaseraga to bring back the weapon. They don't care of the personal thing, calling everyone just quotas. The troops are threatened to be "restructured," ie, be sent to be used as live test subjects, and are about to fire when Zeta intervenes. She is able to force Grynoth out and connect to Vaseraga through Arvess by touching the scythe. Vaseraga is able to regain consciousness and pull the scythe out of his mouth.

Vaseraga relays that Neutronon has been receiving transmissions from the Moon, which is where the Foe originated. More machines crash land and separate everyone. Eustace and Beatrix are with Captain and the rest, Ilsa with the recruits, and Zeta with Vaseraga. The group watches as Ilsa literally slaps the squad into gear and after getting yelled at by her, they quickly move to rejoin one or the other. They manage to thin out the machines and eventually come all together. There is now a large machine called Automagod Pyet-A (Type-A). As they battle it out, Eustace uses Flamek Thunder.

The first time everyone scatters, the second time Beatrix willingly rushes in to deliberately get hit to activate Embrasque and deal significant damage. Ilsa is able to use Nybeth to slow the regeneration. Zeta and Vaseraga rush in for their own blows, are able to pierce through, and Zeta pulls out the sword hidden within it. With Pyet-A defeated, they can relax a little.

Neutronon asks for them to cut his tubes that keep it alive in exchange for information. If cut, Neutronon will mention about how they are hunting their creator (presumably the Foe is hunting the creator of the Astrals). If left to rot, Neutronon laments and wonders when his war will be over.

Unbeknownst to them, Pyet-A, which had been left alone, is actually still active and eating everything around it.

Ilsa calls everyone for a meeting to report. The splinter faction was about to remove them due to the loss of Grynoth, but result of recent events they spared them so they're still in. Grynoth is currently locked under seal for both protection and analysis. Since no one else has exhibited signs of their weapon taking over, they're fine and are able to keep their weapons. This leads them questioning the nature of their weapons.

Another season fluff piece. Really the only thing to note is that this was a New Year event and it was turning into the Year of the Dog. Thus every character who has interests in dogs gathered together. This included Vajra, the new Zodiac Divine General, Eustace, Pholia and Bai Ze, Renie and Wulf (who later leave), Skull with his Odajumoki's North Husky wolf dog Skull Jr., Barawa and his dog Buddy, and Flesselles with his dog Camaro.

It's a fun little party with everyone getting drunk except for Eustace and Flesselles, and he just pretty much enjoys himself, watching everyone indulge with their canine companions.

These Fate Episodes are set before and around the events of Second Advent. Eustace discovers his report on events of Moon Silver have been heavily doctored. The mentions of Automagods, Moondwellers, and Pyet-A are missing and clear that the Society is trying to cover something up. He tries to continue to read more, but a member of a sect opposing contractors interrupts him. Behind the scenes, Society brass are starting to doubt his loyalty due to his recent actions and disobeying orders to eliminate Lyria and the crew. One member tries to argue for Eustace but is clearly outvoiced.

Eustace spends some time with the crew before he has to leave again. He's given orders to investigate Foe activity in a nearby town, but it's given by a different contact than usual. On his way to the target location, Ronan, one of the top Society leaders, meets with him. Understanding the situation must be dire for him to come in person, Eustace asks what's happening. Ronan informs him that his loyalty is in question. The elder Erune reminds Eustace of his desire for revenge against the Foe, and Eustace affirms that he hasn't forgotten.

When Eustace asks about changes within the Society, Ronan confirms that the inner structures are in chaos and that's exactly why Eustace shouldn't be working independently. Ronan warns him to keep away from the blue-haired girl and Eustace understands what's really going on. He turns to leave, giving his thanks. Ronan recognizes the change within him.


Eustace appears in time to save Lyria and the Captain from a trap laid by other Society soldiers. He seems to hesitate when called a traitor by the Society soldiers, but then Ronan steps in to tell them to back off, initiating new orders under his authority.

After discerning that Ronan is on his side and trustworthy, Eustace relays his findings and his suspicions regarding the Society and involvement with the Foe and Moondwellers—how his weapon (and the other contractors) are connected and that conflict will erupt between everyone within the society (higher ups, contractors, etc.).

Eustace gives Ronan an ultimatum that he holds Flamek Thunder and can either work for them, work for him, or he goes on his own. His condition is they leave Lyria and the others alone. Ronan accepts the terms for Eustace to work for him. Eustace then rejoins group, recognizing the warmth starting to grow within him.

The event starts by introducing a new character, Cassius, who is a native on the Moon—yes the actual moon in the sky. He is sent on a mission to the surface and has brought a spear called "Yek" with him.

Back in a Society research facility known as Site Zero, the group has been gathered to meet with one of the top administrators, founders, and developers of Society tech, Alandus. The topic is their seal weapons. They were able to return Grynoth to its "original" weapon form, but there is still risk about the others transforming and they still don't have enough information about them. They are "requested" to turn in their weapons for research purposes with the promise of their return. While Beatrix hesitates, Eustace convinces her to hand Embrasque over.

Although they followed along, it was so they would appear cooperative and not be held back later on. In truth everyone but Beatrix have been investigating the Society's movements ever since the Automagods appearance. They have no idea what the organization is doing anymore or its true objective, especially now that its been splintered into so many factions. They also found that there is no trace Grynoth, Neutronon, or Pyet-A on Moon Silver and they have no idea where the latter two are. While discussing their next moves on the Grandcypher, Eustace receives a report that the machines from before have returned and some show up and attack the airship.

Because of Beatrix's personality posing extreme risk in blowing the investigation, Eustace forces her to travel with the Captain to Moon Silver where the machines originated. He requests the Captain to look after her, knowing she might get upset if she realizes their actions.


On Moon Silver, the Captain's group discover the machines and an injured Cassius. After clearing out the machines and treating him, they leave Moon Silver to meet with the others. Eustace is naturally suspicious of the stranger, especially since Beatrix wants to bring Cassius to the organization to receive medical treatment. However, they are attacked by machine drones and Cassius is able to save them. Before they can move on, Eustace and Ilsa receive reports that Site Zero, is under attack. They head there as reinforcements and are able to quell the attack. Although Eustace is still highly suspicious of Cassius, he is sent to the medical bay for examination.

After slipping away from Beatrix, Cassius manages to find where his weapon is held. However he's discovered by Eustace, and they get into a brief scuffle. Cassius then appears next to Pyet-A, which surprises Eustace as he had not expected to see it there. Cassius waves his spear to activate Pyet-A, but before Eustace can try to take out Cassius, the Automagod moves in a way that makes it lose its head and surprises Cassius. He's flung away and Eustace engages with Pyet-A. The sound catches everyone's attention and they rush in to help.

They are able to bring it down, but before either Cassius or Eustace can grab Yek, Alandus appears to take it instead. The older man reveals that Cassius is a moondweller spy and disappears with the spear to research. He leaves the group to deal with manikins and machines to prevent the group from following. Although Cassius is the reason for the machines, they form a temporary alliance due to Alandus's suspicious movements. Alandus absorbs the moondweller knowledge from Yek and tries to activate Pyet-A's memory, but it's damaged. He turns to the seal weapons to try and repair it.

In trying to find Alandus, Beatrix claims she is able to hear Embrasque's voice, something that Cassius is doubtful but the others end up choosing to believe and follow. She leads them to Alandus's private study. Neither Alandus nor the weapons are there, but they begin investigating the documents and records there. They find that Alandus dissected, experimented, and used Neutronon's body, so what a way to go for that Astral. They learn that he's trying to create a new Automagod fusing a seal weapon and a skydweller's brain, Automagod Versatile. Although they do not know the motive, they can discern that he is seeking to use the advanced moon technology for his agenda, and although this all seems impossible, with Cassius's "Yek" he has the knowledge needed.

While discussing this new revelation, Beatrix is heard falling through a hole from an opened floor near the entrance. She literally stumbled upon it. They travel downstairs to discover an operating room, and Alandus's body is on the table. His head is cracked open and his brain gone, already merged with Pyet-A. They rush to stop him from taking the seal weapons. They are all able to recover their weapons—except for Embrasque. Embrasque is absorbed much to Beatrix's horror.

With everything collapsing around them, they escape and now must confront this new Automagod Versatile. Their attacks aren't enough and Cassius devises a plan to split the three entities within the Automagod apart: Alandus, Pyet-A, and Embrasque. While everyone keeps the Automagod occupied, Beatrix will have to play the key role by reaching out to Embrasque using her unique connection to the weapon. With some support cover from Eustace, she is able to reawaken it, forcing the Automagod to open its mouth and reveal the sword's hilt. Taking it she pulls it out, removing a broken Embrasque. This creates a chain reaction as Versatile begins to break down vomit out more pieces, including Cassius's spear.

Cassius sacrifices his foot to save the others from a powerful attack, and everyone re-gathers for the final assault. Vaseraga already accustomed to activating his weapon tries to teach Zeta how to do the same with her spear, Arvess. Together the two launch on Versatile, awakening their weapons (with Zeta doing it her own way because screw that machine language). They defeat Versatile and are finally able to recover. Cassius remains within Society custody both as a prisoner and guest. Unable to return to the moon and finding the people he's met interesting, it seems he's turned into an ally. Eustace is still suspicious as fuck about him.

A quick mention that in Beatrix's Earth SR Fate Episode, Beatrix had locked herself in her room after losing Embrasque and is now broken after the events of Second Advent. However after several days, she bursts out and demands Eustace to give her a mission. She wants to become stronger and prove herself as a contractor worthy of Embrasque, and after a lot of vigorous pleading, Eustace sighs and tells her he only has stealth missions, which are unsuitable for her. However he eventually relents and allows her to go on one on the conditions that the Captain and the others go with her.


After the mission, Eustace and Zeta are found waiting for them as both had hurried with their own tasks in case they needed backup. However they are both pleased to see it a success—even if the item was just an herb instead of the item stolen from Society. But it gives Beatrix the confidence boost she needs...leaving Eustace with some trepidation as he can see where this is going.

WARNING: This event had a lot going on in it with new characters, plot connections, and build up to the next event so there is a lot more detail here compared to previous events. To try and make it easier, I'm including the chapter headers to try and separate the giant chunks. i'm crying

Before diving into the event proper, a little bit of backdrop is needed. Otherworldly Beings are a known entity in Granblue Fantasy and have been featured in both the main story and other event arcs, notably the Dragon Knights event arcs and Halloween, but for the Society event arc they've only been hinted at through the Halloween events. More prominence was given when the Halloween Vaseraga & Zeta unit and Fate Episodes were released prior to Spaghetti Syndrome. The two encounter a strange woman named Grace who is seen to eat glass, wield wires capable of cutting through armor, and is involved with Otherworldly beings. She is then later seen experimenting on an Otherworldly being. This much is referenced within the event, but it makes more sense to know beforehand. Grace's character story is also included in Yodarha's wind Fate Episode where it's revealed she used to his disciple and was also the one who injured his other disciple, Rhens. This is more relevant in the event after this one, Home Sweet Moon. So yes, Cygames not only introduced a whole new character but also dropped heavy plot development in two unit fate episodes.


» OPENING
The event starts in Agastia with Pommern, a captain of the Erste Empire, is trying to find a missing soldier that had been last seen in one of the old research facilities involving dark essence. (Side note, this is an indication that in relation to the main GBF story, this is after the Erste Empire stopped trying to take over everything.) The lab is overflowing with dark essence radiation, making it risky to enter. Just as Pommern is about to go in by himself at the protest of his soldiers, a mysterious man with a small robot appears. The man, Isaac, introduces himself as a "handy-dandy engineer" who can take care of the dark essence waste. As he's already known to be doing so, they let him pass. Once inside, they find the soldier and cut him out while the robot, Raybury, proceeds to cut down until they have to leave. They approach a large tank producing dark essence, and after Raybury shuts it off Isaac deals with it, removing dark essence in smaller chunks.

After the task is completed, Isaac receives strange communications which is translated to: LOCATE CASSIUS AND BRING HIM BACK TO THE MOON. It is then revealed that Isaac's family are descendants from original moondwellers who had traveled to the surface. They had built a rocket to prepare for their return to the moon while also tasked with dealing with supply drops and other directives. However, this directive to find Cassius (which can be assumed to be from the moon) is indicated to have been to sent to other people, not just Isaac.


» CHAPTER 1: INGESTION
Elsewhere, Zeta and Beatrix are losing their minds that Eustace had taken Cassius out for a walk. It's here that Zeta brings up their run in with Grace and reminding everyone how they are in this town to look for her, thus Vaseraga suspects Eustace is planning to ask Cassius for information. Meanwhile Captain, Lyria, and Vyrn think they're just going to go out to eat.

Turns out, Eustace was indeed taking him out to eat and actually asks Cassius to drop his spear to decide where they should go. At the restaurant Eustace has to explain the menu to Cassius and in the end they both get omurice, a meal that Cassius finds particularly delicious. Eustace does ask him a few questions and is a little surprised that Cassius would freely answer him; however Cassius was never told to stay silent so he'd speak as necessary. They return to the others where Cassius recounts their little excursion with Eustace remaining silent.

Later that evening, Eustace receives a transmission from a different officer than Ronan (note, the voice is female and name is not identified).


Eustace had been tasked to bring in Cassius, but something inside him stops him from carrying it out and he wants to know what that something is. He thinks back on how Cassius has changed, how he's become more like a skyfarer and acclimated to everyone. It's difficult for him to think of him as just a moondweller, a far departure from when he had been highly suspicious of him in the beginning as if he can't think of him as just a moondweller anymore, so he's conflicted.

During the night, Cassius is awakened by machine signals outside his window ("Hello world."):



Getting up to investigate, he follow a shadowy figure before he is greeted by a strange woman named Grace. He questions her, but despite saying she wants to be friends, she attacks him with her nanowires and proves to be a tough opponent that he can't take on by himself. However Grace predicts his consideration to call on the others and actually threatens how dangerous it would be for them. As Cassius continues to evade, Grace eventually falls back and disappears.


Cassius makes his way back and Vyrn is calling out for him. Lyria and Eustace also appear and Eustace isn't happy he went off on his own. Cassius lies, saying he was drawn to looking at the town at night. When they point out his injuries, however, Cassius only says that someone got in a quarrel with him. Eustace counters that Cassius said skydwellers weren't a threat, and Cassius rebuts that his injuries aren't life-threatening so it's true. Still not fully believing him, Eustace shuffles all of them back to the inn, now understanding why Beatrix calls Cassius a child.

Back at the inn, Eustace waits for everyone to go to their rooms before calling out Cassius to ask about his injuries. Cassius answers he doesn't know and Eustace tells him not to jerk him around, but Cassius really doesn't know. He proceeds to give a description and Eustace asks why he didn't say anything earlier and we get a glimpse of how Cassius has changed.


Next day, Eustace gathers the group to discuss what happened. He has a sketch based off Cassius's description and Zeta recognizes it as the woman they're after, just as Eustace suspected. When questioned why the Foe would be targeting Cassius, it's discussed that although they consider anyone from the moon or the Foe an enemy, Cassius is different because he doesn't try to start wars and although a troublemaker in his own way, is harmless. Although the idea of Cassius deceiving is brought up by Vaseraga, they all deny and Eustace senses a change in Cassius and doubts he can fake a personality. Thus he sees Cassius and the Foe as two separate entities. Unfortunately for the group that means more work for them when investigating both parties, but Eustace decides to focus on the woman, Grace, as she seems intent on capturing Cassius with no known motives.


» CHAPTER 2: ABSORPTION
Meanwhile with Isaac, the moon has sent a shipment drop to him and as he's inspecting, Grace appears. Although he knows her, he doesn't really like her that much.



Grace brings up the topic of wanting to marry him, which Isaac vehemently denies as he has countless times in the past and refuses to marry anyone.


Grace then offers stew and when Isaac is suspicious she starts crying, saying her dear pet passed away. Isaac can't deal with a crying Grace and invites her inside. Of course those tears were fake and she starts making food, breaking a jar to have glass shards with her salad. Isaac declines (his stomach is glass intolerant), but it's revealed that eating glass is a tradition from their family roots.

As Grace serves the stew, she talks about Khobe, her pet and talking partner. Through Knobe she was able to learn about the Prince of Wales and the events involved with the Dragon Knights group. When Isaac questions what her pet was, she tells him he could cut open his stomach to find out, implying and later admitting she cooked her pet. Isaac asks Raybury for an analysis but the results are inconclusive. After taking a few guesses, Grace reveals Isaac had eaten...

...an Otherworldly being.

Isaac immediately gets up to try and throw it all up. When asked why she fed him that, Grace cryptically answers that it will be useful for him. Before she leaves, she leaves the scalpel she used to cut the Otherworldly being, saying it gained a "mysterious power." She then asks if Isaac has seen Agent Cassius and he denies. Raybury analyzes the scalpel but couldn't determine the dark matter on it. Isaac warns him to not look into it, saying staring into the abyss could lead to disaster and references various discoveries found by his ancestors. They then go into town to find Cassius.

Meanwhile Cassius is showing the cafe to the Captain and the others. He had invited everyone because he was confident the Captain would like it and that everyone would complain about not being invited, so it was faster to go ahead and bring the whole group. While everyone orders omurice and enjoy the meal, Isaac watches from another table.

Cassius senses this and excuses himself to use the bathroom, Eustace giving him permission to go and come back. Upon meeting, Isaac explains he received a message from Central Axis to bring him back to the moon. He also explains his family is from the moon, bringing in Raybury to convince him as the robot was made using machine cells similar to automagods. Cassius remains suspicious but can't deny the evidence brought to him.

When Cassius asks when he's supposed to return and Isaac says there's no date, Cassius defers to fifty years because he wants to continue to observe the world. Isaac thinks Central Axis won't like it, but Cassius states that the war is a minor scuffle that's been around for over seven thousand years and that the first record was written by a warrior who outranks him and is still alive due to the life extension technology on the moon.

Isaac can't report that he was unable to convince Cassius to return, so Cassius offers an excuse that he lost sight of him and could not be located. He then gives Isaac a cryptic warning about staying put since he's an engineer and unable to fight before running out. It's only after Raybury points out it was all a ruse that Isaac runs out shouting for Cassius and startling the four Society members. They chase after him and after Cassius trips Isaac, Eustace and Vaseraga grab Isaac and drag him away.

Back in the room, Isaac reacts to hearing about Grace and denies being her ally, just acquainted. It's then revealed his ancestry goes back to the moon, but Isaac states he's a skydweller since he's lived here all his life and is separate from his ancestors. He also claims he wasn't part of the autamogod kerfluffle and that they're judging him as a villain for something he has no control over. With Lyria's help they hear out his story.



Because of how far back his family goes, he even tells Zeta it's not impossible they could be distantly related.


» CHAPTER 3: INFECTION
Meeting with Cassius again, who is still not entirely convinced, Isaac explains they would use a rocket he made to get to the moon. For fuel, since the moon can't send him any, he's using an engine that converts dark essence into fuel. Next problem is controlling the steering. The Society group wonders if Cassius will really go to the moon. In the dialogue options, one has Lyria and Vyrn willing to try and convince him to stay. Should they say goodbyes, Eustace steps in to say they should listen to Cassius first.


Although Eustace might also miss him, the narrative implies he's thinking more about the feelings of the Captain and the others.

Their thoughts are interrupted when Isaac shouts upon learning Yek is broken. He explains how they need a device that can calculate flight controls to get to the moon and Isaac had planned to use Yek. Although Isaac balks at the idea of trying to repair Yek as he doesn't believe he has the skills to do so, Cassius pushes Isaac to try and repair the spear. Beatrix asks Cassius if he's going back to the moon, but he denies it. Instead he wants Yek at its full potential to fight Grace as the weapon should be able to jam Grace's and seal its effectiveness.

While Eustace is watching his transceiver goes off and it's the same voice from before. "The Top Brass" wants to talk to the Traveler (Cassius) and Eustace rejects as there's a problem. When the voice repeats its urgent, Eustace just tells her she should have gone to Ronan, but then the voice behaves strangely by repeating the same line over and over: I want to question the traveler. It's urgent. It eventually crackles and seem to glitch out, making Eustace wonder if it's the transceiver before it cuts out entirely.

Almost immediately after, Ilsa calls in and asks him what the hell Hellcat (Beatrix) did to piss people off because everyone is flipping out over at Headquarters. She informs him that an order issued by Central Command (top of the organization; aka CENTCOM) dispatched soldiers to their position and packing anti-primal armaments. After Eustace informs her nothing happened, Ilsa warns him to get out now as they would be arriving any minute.

Hearing the drone of jackboots in the distance, Eustace relays what he was told, and everyone is like BEA WHAT DID YOU DO and she's like ?????. The building is then surrounded and Eustace tells them to stay while he does the talking. Isaac and Raybury should go in a different room and walk out like they don't know anything when given the chance. With Vasera and Zeta around the Captain and the others and Beatrix in charge of Cassius, soldiers burst in demanding for Cassius.

Eustace basically talks shit at them for using such an extreme show of force to bring in someone that he was told wasn't an urgent matter. There's some back and forth before the soldiers brandish their weapons, but that's kind of a big mistake.


Although they hesitate, they continue with their commands and more soldiers bust in. Eustace issues orders and fighting commences. When asked why they are so desperate despite suspecting something is weird, the soldiers only answer they will be "dead meat" if they don't accomplish the mission. Suddenly there's a painful ringing sound and Eustace's and Zeta's weapons react, tumbling out of their hands. Vaseraga and Casssius sink to their knees, rendered useless. With everyone disarmed the soldiers are able to take Cassius away.

Outside Raybury is hit by the signal and reboots. After learning it was likely moon tech that jammed Raybury, Isaac runs back in to help while Raybury analyzes the signal.


After the soldiers take Cassius back to Central Command, CENTCOM calls in and wants to know about the spear. However, they report that it's not on him and after pushed by CENTCOM the soldiers force him awake.

Back with the group, Beatrix wants to know why they're asking about Cassius now and Eustace finally informs them about the order he received to bring him in for questioning, but he doubts their true motive. He says it was designated as low priority but their actions tell a different story. For now, Eustace will go to HQ to file a formal complaint with CENTCOM, and asks the Captain to take him there. He can't stay quiet or he'll lose access to Ronan who has his back, and they'll need that. Raybury suggests they go, too, and Isaac agrees.

When Zeta asks about what jammed their weapons, Raybury explains that they were hit by a signal transmitted by a moon device which jams all devices originating from the moon to cease operation.


Back with Cassius, they question him about the spear and he's cheeky with his answers. When phhysial persuasion is authorized, ie. torture, the soldiers wonder what's going on. Ilsa slips in to check in on Cassius's interrogation before dialing her transceiver to call Eustace and update him on the situation about them pressing about the spear. Ilsa can only stall the soldiers a little since they aren't her men, so he needs to hurry up with that complaint.

After relaying the info, Isaac asks Eustace when the order to bring Cassius in was given. It was two days ago, evening. Isaac confirms it was about the same time he got it. Raybury posits that CENTCOM intercepted the signal, and it wants to go to the moon. When Eustace asks for the proof, Raybury says if they didn't want Cassius to return, they would have killed him. But Yek is registered to Cassius and he's the only one who can use it. The group is then left puzzled why Society even wants to go to the moon and why they, the seal contractors, are not involved when they are the ones who can face the automagods.


Back at Central Command, questioning Cassius is proven useless because he activated painkillers before they begun. They even shove a glass jar in his mouth but instead of being panicked he eats it, claiming it's nutritious for him. As the soldiers up the ante and losing sight of their original directive, a mysterious society brass figure appears and learns from another soldier that CENTCOM has sent assassins out to the Captain's party. He plans to mobilize Ilsa's unit to counter them.

Ilsa contacts Eustace, informing him she can't see a concrete plan to go to the moon. Everything looks clean, including the balance sheets. After informing him that she'll try to keep Cassius out of harms way, she cuts out. But not before Eustace hears her talking to Heisenberg. Eustace knows that Heisenberg is the one who created the unit of soliders that oppose the seal weapons.

With Ilsa's information, Eustace redirects their path to go the long way and instruct everyone to take shifts. Things go slowly as they near Society headquarters, but then Ilsa shouts into the transceiver for an emergency transmission. She yells at them to protect the spear at all costs, and just as she starts to say something about CENTCOM and automagods, there's a loud explosion and the transmission cuts off. The sound is heard by everyone, and when questioned by Beatrix, Eustace isn't sure but he knows she won't be able to transmit messages and they should prepare for the worst.

Raybury pushes things forward, not letting them grieve for too long and points out that what may have attacked Ilsa is heading straight towards them. They think it's the assassins, but instead it's an automagod. Zeta and Vaseraga feel it's familiar and it's because it's the first two primals they fought back in Lognos, the Wind God and Thunder God (Footprints on Sacred Ground event). It's not a true automagod but a facsimile.

After the fight, they discuss why Society even has this. They were given seal weapons to hunt primal beasts and they were always monitored and had data collected during their missions. Was it possible the data was used to create these facsimiles? Could it be the Society's anti-automagod weaponry? Was the Society organization really thinking about going to the moon to start a war?


» CHAPTER 4: OUTBREAK
While Lyria and Zeta reminisce on how they met over fight primals, Isaac works on Yek. It seems possible to fix, but he needs Cassius due to the weapon being registered to work only for him. Zeta likens it to how Arvess burns anyone else who touches it and wanting to learn how to awaken it, she tells Isaac. He informs her that the power release is activated by the moon since many devices there are voice-activated. So he's confused how they're able to utilize their weapons like that, but agrees to take a look.

Upon arriving into HQ, they find it heavily damaged with signs that multiple if not every type of weapon was used. They find an injured soldier who tells them that Heisenberg gathered Ilsa's troops together, informing Ilsa that CENTCOM has betrayed Society and gone rogue.

[The following is a recount told by the soldier to the group, but the narrative presentation is like a flashback, switching to Ilsa's PoV after her earlier transmission with Eustace before she was pulled away by Heisenberg]

When Ilsa referred to Alandus as another who had betrayed the organization, Heisenberg states this founder predates him. They're the one who discovered the seal weapons, the one who created Society, and priority must be given to stop CENTCOM. A soldier appears introducing herself as Murray to inform everyone has gathered. As they march towards CENTCOM, Ilsa talks with her about the advancement of anti-primal weaponry, but due to Murray advocating the weapon development and war, Ilsa doesn't trust her and is now suspicious of Heisenberg for choosing her.

They reach CENTCOM doors and the door is activated by voice, something Ilsa finds unusual as she's never seen anything like it before (hint, refer to what Isaac said about moon technology). At first they are granted permission but then alarms suddenly go off and they are denied entry with CENTCOM's voice is breaking up as it stutters about the traveler (Cassius) and the spear (Yek). Heisenberg loses access, the room is sealed, poison gas fills the room, and oxygen is depeleted.

Just as everyone is losing consciousness, Murray slices through the doors with telltale marks of wars, saying she doesn't want them to die after coming so far and when the thing ahead is what needs to die. Ilsa recognizes the pattern from her cadet that had been killed during Halloween and demands Murray to reveal herself. As she suspected, it's Grace.


Ilsa is about to fight Grace when machine drones appear along with the automagod facsimile. While fighting, Ilsa contacts Eustace with the last emergency transmission and that's when things cut off.

The soldier who escaped and retold these accounts does not know what happened after.


» CHAPTER 5: RESISTANCE
The group heads deeper in, hoping everyone is still alive and fighting. Due to Raybury's insistence, Isaac is pushed to the front to walk with Vaseraga because his armor can resist a lot of things. Upon reaching the blast door, Eustace tries to activate it with his voice, but it states that emergency protocol is in effect and everyone should evacuate. He argues they're here to fix the emergency and to let them through to CENTCOM. He's still refused.

However it opens after Rabyury touches it and his only explanation that it was like shaking hands between machines (and clearly dodging the question). Raybury then informs everyone that he had been told information regarding Cassius, including his location. Suspicion is again aroused as Raybury is able to navigate through Headquarters, and when pressed he knows because of the previous owner's body.


As they hear the sounds of battle growing stronger, Raybury assures them he's on their side and not an automagod.

The scene shifts to Ilsa, who along with her troops are fighting the good fight against the horde of machines. The soldiers with Cassius want to release him to help but CENTCOM isn't giving them the authority. Instead it wants them to bring him to administrative room to extract the information about the spear. They can't even open the restraint because CENTCOM has the control over it.

A soldier desperately pounds on the door as soldiers fall around them. Just as the swarm descends upon them, the door opens, causing everyone to fall forward. The Society group busts through, each one unleashing their attacks. Isaac is able to undo the restraints and with Cassius free, they head up to the Grandcypher.

CENTCOM is shown to have a strong reaction when Lyria summons primal beasts to help the fight. Now regrouped at a safer place, Ilsa relays what she knows. Heisenberg is in contact with the Foe and Grace, and they disappeared when shit hit the fan. Thanks to Raybury they are able to get through the doors, but before he can explain how, the doors in front of them shut tight. Since it wasn't automatic and instead forced, everyone prepares themselves.

Beatrix points out there's no one on either side of the doors, and Cassius suggests they are within the walls, surrounding them from all sides. Machines and cables bust through and it's time to fight. Cassius is surprised since Central Axis doesn't have this much machinery and orders Isaac to activate Yek, but it's difficult. In the meantime Cassius wonders what the drones are after and realizes it's Lyria. He rushes in to shield Lyria from some purple goo that appears and in that moment the cables grab him and drag him through the hole.

Beatrix is the first to jump with Ilsa and the other soldiers close behind. They land in the administration office and follow the tracks to CENTCOM. A red haired girl is inside with Cassius. She injects him with something to render him unconscious and ignores Beatrix and the others. Instead she continues to repeat something in the machine language.


(Translation: I want to go home go home)

She makes a hole through the ceiling and vanishes with Cassius, leaving Yek behind.


» CHAPTER 6: EXCISION
Returning back up top, they hear from the soldiers that the machine swarm disappeared. Isaac suggests they went to his house because of his rocket and is positive CENTCOM is from the moon. It takes a lot of force to get back to the moon, which is why their ancestors were left there.

When asked why his ancestors came down from the moon to begin with, Isaac posits curiosity, but he has no real idea. As for why the moon abandoned them, he states it just wasn't cost effective. It takes too much fuel to launch up and the moon prioritizes fuel over its people. As for the one he built, it's a one-way ticket; it won't be able to travel back. Eustace then asks why "that monstrosity" (CENTCOM a.k.a. the red haired girl) left Yek behind and Isaac doesn't have good news about it.


The Captain questions whether to trust Isaac's integrity, but they share a goal to save Cassius. So deciding to trust, they race to the rocket.

Cassius is now in purple crystal and asks what the red haired girl (RHG) wants. Her only response (in machine language) is to go home. Cassius tries to warn her from using the rocket, but she just repeats this line over and over. Observing she's malfunctioning, he wonders if she's gone past the time limit to get the life extension procedure.

Seeing the town nearby and knowing they'll have been spotted, Cassius activates the painkillers in anticipation of a confrontation by the locals. He tries to warn the skyfarers as they approach, but they only get angered. Armed with anti-primal rounds from the Society, they fire. Because of the automagod attacks, the Society has profited from everyone's fear. RHG's arm transforms into one similar to Colossus to block the bullets and begins to fight back.

Heisenberg and Grace watch the scene unfold from the distance, pleased with how sky weapon technology has advanced. Before they leave they lament about the sacrifices made but say it's for the best for their revenge against Central Axis and to protect the Sky Realm.


The Captain and the others can see the warzone unfolding as they approach and Raybury directs them to where they should dock, preparing themselves for battle. Ilsa and her soldiers join the skyfarers while the others are with Isaac waiting for him to repair Yek. Raybury warns Isaac the deadline is getting short and then he's out of time. Ilsa gets wounded and Zeta and Beatrix rush in to help. Vaseraga joins in the fray, telling Eustace to keep Isaac guarded. He just quietly checks his gun in response.

When Lyria asks if they should join and the choice options determine what happens. It's a bit weird as both options are two sides of the same battle.


Choose: Let's go help Zeta and the others.

Isaac groans but Raybury approves and there's a short beep from the device in his hands. So Captain and co go off to join Zeta, Beatrix, and Vaseraga. Vaseraga is able to interpret RHG's mutterings and they wonder if the home she's referring to is the moon. Beatrix sympathizes with her a bit, as does Lyria. She thinks she could have ended up like RHG if she was cast aside and lost everything.

Just as they're reaching their limits, Raybury arrives to inform them that Isaac is about ready. As a loud buzzing is heard, Zeta confirms they won't be able to use their seal weapons and Raybury states only momentarily as it's to knock out the machines. He then states they'll need to rely on Beatrix to do her thing to clean house since she's the only one without a seal weapon and is known to excel in dire situations.

Meanwhile Ilsa is checking how much ammo they have left and prepares her troops to evacuate the wounded and to retreat after the next barrage. She sends out a flare, signaling the group. Lyria summons Tiamat to attract RHG's attention, and as they watch and observe her, Raybury says, "Poor Yatima." Beatrix questions but he dodges and tells her it's time. Beseeching Embrasque for its aid, she pulls out the hilt of her sword and sticks it in Raybury's mouth before flinging him towards the tendrils holding Cassius. They fall, freeing Cassius. Beatrix is there to help catch him, but before they can return to the group, the machine horde intercepts them, cutting them off.


[AND NOW WE SWING TO THE SECOND OPTION IF CHOOSE TO STAY, WHICH BRINGS THINGS TO EUSTACE'S PERSPECTIVE OF THE FIGHT]

Choose: We're protecting Isaac.
Eustace tells Captain to mop up any enemies who manage to get past his shots.

Another split dialogue is offered:


Once Zeta, Beatrix, and Vaseraga charge in, Ilsa commands her troops to fall back. Eustace notices the Captain wanting to go in now that the contractors have the enemy's attention and Isaac is touched by how Lyria is worried about everyone. Yek then coughs to life.


RHG realizes Yek is functioning and switches attention to them. Warning the others to cover their ears, Eustace uses Flamek Thunder to unleash a burst of lightning to vaporize the machines. The Captain covers for him as Flamek reloads, and then he's able to fire more lightning.

Lyria notices that Eustace's gun feels different from when they first met. He says it's changed over time, similar to how Embrasque alters its form when needed. Isaac finds this interesting since the weapons are creations from the moon and talks about the voice activations from before, with more powerful weapons needing them for security. When Eustace asks about the seal weapons, Isaac mentions safeguards to prevent anyone other than the contractor from using them. Isaac asks if Eustace ever signed a contract with the moon or something, wondering how they can be used without authentification and adapt. However there's no time to continue as he now needs to jam the machines.

After warning their weapons will go down, the Captain charges in to join Beatrix, Zeta, and Vaseraga charging at RHG, and Isaac activates Yek to jam the signals.

[ end of the choice; goes to next episode ]

The jam is a success, but soon everything is rebooted. Isaac still needs Cassius's help to repair Yek because he needs the authentication. Raybury explains that while it looks like a girl on outside, it's packed with enough machine cells to form its own island. If every soldier here were to pool their collective power together, they still wouldn't come close to being able to destroy that mass of cells. The only way to kill her is to repair Yek and use it to command the kill switch.

They also theorize she merged with an automagod to extend her life. Raybury confirms this, stating she is one of the original moondwellers to be sent here. All she wants to do is go home, and so she used the automagod to extend her life. However over time the automagod has overtaken her entire being, resulting in her current self.

Zeta and Vaseraga are reminded of someone else who had become a shell of their former self. Raybury suggests they put her out of her misery, and when Zeta grips her spear in resolve to do just that, Arvess emits a faint glow as if resonating with her feelings. The same happens with Vaseraga and Grynoth, only there's a craving of rivalry from the weapon.

Beatrix wants in on it but doesn't have a partner as Raybury can't pull of the same trick twice. So Eustace offers himself.


Watching them, Isaac is left to think of his own history before he's urged on by Cassius to continue as they approach the final battle.

The battle is tough with Captain, Zeta, Vaseraga, and Beatrix on the frontline and Eustace providing rear support. When RHG is charging up ready to unleash a powerful attack, Eustace runs in with a fully charged Flamek and releases his own ultimate attack, Dead End Shoot, and disrupts her. With his assistance everyone is able to rally and unleash their own powerful attacks to push back.


» ENDING
Sensing the power of the group, RHG (now called Yatima) goes all out. Lyria summons Yggdrasil to help but it doesn't stop Yatima. Cassius is getting impatient and is surprised by his own emotions. Eustace warns Beatrix to get back and she disengages just as he fires his lightning.

When Cassius asks Isaac he would go so far to help them, Isaac tells Cassius that his ancestors had grown attached to the skydwellers and worried when the moondwellers would attack. It's like they're the ones who created the weapons and they must have snuck hidden features in the seal weapons carefully to not let Central Axis bigwigs know about it. That's how the contractors can use the seal weapons.

When Yatima transforms into some enormous black pillar, Lyria takes the Captain's hand to summon Bahamut. In response, black spikes race towards them, and just as they're about to certainly die, Cassius rushes in and takes the hit in their stead. Enraged, Zeta and Vaseraga attack the black pillar. Even Eustace is enraged. Though he appears calm on the surface, Eustace quietly lines up his shots amid the anger seething beneath.

Their ombined firepower chisel away at the pillar and make it crash to the ground. Isaac berates Cassius for his reckless actions and not waiting for him to finish but Cassius is calm since he avoided instant death. Cassius then grabs the spear, Isaac finishes the repair, and Cassius orders the force shutdown. It works and the pillar disintegrates into soot.

Beatrix wants to take Cassius to a doctor, but Isaac says that's not a good idea. His body is partially mechanized, so magic can heal the skin and bones, but not the machine parts, like his digestive system. Isaac says the moon people would have to look at him. Beatrix is upset because it sounds like a scheme to go to the moon. Isaac admits she's half right, but he genuinely wants to save him and it's the only way. Because of Cassius's condition, they have no choice and prepare for launch.

Everyone is somber as they watch the rocket shoot off into the sky with Beatrix the most upset. Cassius is also remembering his time with everyone, tears forming as memories are brought to the surface. However, it's not smooth sailing as when they approach the moon they are attacked by the hostile moon entities. However before Cassius can go out to fight them, three mysterious people appear. Despite the talks of smashing and eating the rocket, they are welcomed home. Cassius informs Isaac the trio are the strongest warriors on the moon.

Back on the surface, Ilsa has changed clothes and Eustace informs her of the last visual of Cassius and Isaac on their way to the moon. They then discuss how the Society is in shambles but Heisenberg has seized control. Because they are seal contractors, they will be wanted and hunted by the Society. While Ilsa will try to re-raise troops, she commands the four of them to operate in two-man cells: Zeta and Vaseraga in one group, Eustace and Beatrix in the other.

They are now separated with bounties on their head.


[ THE END ]



» BONUS STORY: Blur the Lines of 0 and 1
Vaseraga pays a visit to speak with the Captain and treats them for a meal. They go to the cafe and choose omurice. AS they eat, Vaseraga reflects on his conversation with Raybury who is curious about his symbiotic relationship with Grynoth. Vaseraga uses Grynoth's power and Grynoth uses his body to preserve the shape of its roots. Raybury suspects implementing the hidden feature in the seal weapons was a rush job and could be flawed. Or perhaps Grynoth is trying to make a secret wish of his come true.


Vaseraga says he never wished for anything like that, but Raybury tells him that Grynoth can sense both his fragility and strength. He then tells Captain that the three of them (Captain, Lyria, Vyrn) form the pillar of support for all of them.


» BONUS STORY: SELF REFLECTION
After Isaac and Cassius left, Zeta is zoning out on the Grandcypher. Isaac had looked into Arvess for her and found that Arvess can read her vital signs. Since that's the kind of data it's pulling from her, one of her vitals may be what triggers its awakening. Another way of deducing it is it's reading her emotions.

Isaac has heard moon people have to be rational and can't have emotions, so it reads heart rate and perspiration to gauge them. Thus Arvess will awaken when she needs it most, when her emotions peak. Zeta wonders what her trigger will be; when will she reach the height of her emotions.


» INCOMING PHIDCAST
Time passes and a message from Isaac is sent to the descendents of the moon. However, it's a distress signal and he relays everything that happened after they landed succesfully on the moon. To put it very briefly, the three warriors are identified as Dex (the smasher), Juana (the one who eats everything, and Ellis (does weird time mind shit). They identify Cassius and after some tense discussion they take Isaac and Raybury as well.

Cassius is then taken in by Central Axis to have his brain removed to be studied. Isaac is horrified as Cassius had been turned into a sample to study how a moondweller is affected by living in the Sky Realm (unclear if this might have been the original intent for Cassius to be sent down) and how his own goal to fulfill his family's wishes brought this twist of fate to Cassiu. So he is sending out this desperate plea for help.

This is what sets up the next event, Home Sweet Moon.

In Ilsa's Light version Fate Episode, she's telling MC about her history when she was a cadet. Eustace was recruited around the same time so they were both in the same group (two other soldiers are named, Jesse and Elmer, but they had the stock Society soldier art so not sure if they will have an importance later or not). Their training instructor was named Dylan, and he behaves similar to how Ilsa does now—which is deliberately piss off people and even use physical abuse to test their resolve and make them work harder.

In this flashback, Eustace and Ilsa are known as the top cadets with perfect marksmanship and passing all their exams. However, Eustace and those who scored lowered were graduated to field training. This pissed off Ilsa and she actually breaks formation and argues at Dylan about it. He offers her a chance to prove herself in a 1-on-1, but she is defeated.


Dylan hears their argument and goes over to them. Eustace comes to attention and resumes training while Ilsa remains motionless.

Earlier it's hinted that Ilsa was just picked to join the Society due to her skills, however it's known that Eustace had personally suffered through the Foe's attacks. This highlights a difference between the two and hints at why Eustace was chosen and not Ilsa. This is further proven when Ilsa is actually facing danger with her life threatened. Dylan is able to make her snap out of it (with usual piss off methods), and Ilsa then realizes that she lacks the experience of fear and defeat.

Eustace already experienced this which leads to his strengthening his own resolve.

Afterwards, Ilsa takes the beatings and is able to rejoin the group. Seeing this, Eustace notices the change and wonders what she went through.

Side note, this flashback gives some insight how in Right Behind you, when the group asked Eustace about Ilsa he said how she was completely and didn't used to use such coarse language. This is because before Ilsa was one of those bratty "I am the top and perfect" types until she finally learned her flaws. It's also easy to see that Ilsa took to Dylan's way of teaching when she became a drill sergeant, using her past to train future cadets.

And that's all to add to his backstory. Which isn't too much, but it does flesh out a little of how Eustace and Ilsa associated with one another in the past. Also babies.

Okay this thing was a huge event and the wiki has yet to have a full script of the game out for easy reference. Sooo rip me and anyone who looks at this I guess.

» OPENING

A Society soldier brings the crew a transmission. In it, Isaac explains the grave danger he and Cassius are in and divulges that traveling to the moon by use of automagods may be possible. The crew immediately begins putting a plan into motion.

The one who delivers the transmission is a young woman named Gwynne. She claims a friend of hers had received it and prefers to not be named. She pulls out a roll of paper that is the second part of the message.

In it is a reflection of Cassius and Isaac states he found another way to get to the Sky Realm from the moon. They need to use the remaining automagods to help propel a rocket to the moon, and he'll send the algorithms to them.

They need to save Cassius.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

» PART 1: PROCESSING... BOOTED UP

CHAPTER 1: POWER LVL CHK
Isaac is observing what's going in the Sky Realm using Cassius's memories to help create personal profiles. He's splicing Cassius's memories to make backups

Yodarha is involved because Grace was his former pupil.

Eustace reporting to Ronan at the safe house about the progress of the operation. Ronan wants to make a base of operations for Mahira as the Foe is on the move. Traces of the Foe vanished around the same time Isaac's transmission was intercepted. The bounties on the group have been rescinded. Reports of mages gathering for large-scale ritual. Eustace is assigned to help with the base and work with Ilsa's troops. Before Eustace leaves, Ronan calls to him.

Ronan: Eustace.
Eustace: Yes?
Ronan: I'm not trying to harp on this, but don't fail to recognize the opportunity.
Eustace: I don't waste bullets.
Ronan: See that you don't.
Eustace: ...
Eustace: Understood.
Ronan: I'm counting on you.

Seeing the operations and the mobilizing troops, Eustace observes that it's a full-scale war. He helps carry the boxes and parts Juri and Farrah dropped to the base. When asked, Eustace confirms he's surveying for the best scouting spots and alternate fallback routes mapped out.

Along the way he spots Yodarha and senses he's out for blood.

Upon reaching the base, they discuss Isaac's plans. Only Arvess and Grynoth have awakened with the other weapons not looking like they'll awaken anytime soon and Embrasque still out of comission. They only have two automagods as well, Pyet-A and Grynoth. Eustace asks them assuming they had three automagods, how are they going to rescue Isaac and Cassius? When Beatrix offers a vague answer, he counters he wants specifics. When nothing is offered, he says it's too high risk at the moment.

Eustace: As I thought, the risk is too high at this point.
Zeta: Wait, Eustace. Are you suggesting what I think you are?
Beatrix: What, to abandon the mission? But they'll be screwed without us!
Eustace: The moon has too many unknowns. I don't see the merit in enacting a half-baked plan.
Zeta: You're bringing this up now after the work everyone's put in?
Eustace: The departure date can be revisited. Rushing off into the battle serves no purpose, so just wait.

At that moment Gwynne appears and Ilsa introduces her as a soldier on top of the weapon contractor candidate list. She believes scouting an unknown opponent is valuable and Eustace asks if that's so even if they don't always get the benefit of a second look.

Gwynne: True. But "not always" isn't the same as never.
Eustace: Spoken like a sacrificial lamb.
Gwynne: What! So that's it? You're just gonna suck your thumb and wait? You talk as if we're guaranteed to fail!
Eustace: You shouldn't charge into a duel expecting the first shot to miss.

Things get a little tense and the others try to calm Gwynne down.

Vaseraga: Consider this from Eustace's perspective. His snark is his way not getting you killed.

Eustace tells her to bring him a plan that does'nt include massive casualties but then tells her to prove that she's worth being a weapon contractor and graduate from being an amateur. This sets her off and Ilsa just sighs as Vaseraga again explains Eustace's point of view.

Vaseraga: Don't mind Eustace. That's the type of man he is: always concerned with mitigating risk.

As Zeta states, Eustace just wants everyone to make it back safe and sound.

When Grace is mentioned, Gwynne asks if she's dangerous and Zeta confirms. After Gwynne leaves after explaining her own resolve to protect her family and showing a strange passion to save Isaac and Cassius, Ilsa notes that they need to balance speed and prudence.

Later everyone gathers inside the Society's base. Eustace gives his report regarding strategic mapping of the town in case of enemy attack. He leads the way along with Ronan to Arianensa. Eustace had been able to find and recover it and so they now have all three automagods. When asked by Ilsa, Eustace confirms this is why Gwynne was called to the base, but tells her not to tell her anything yet. Arianensa's core is still missing and could go haywire.

Normally Ronan would ask the other three seal weapon contractors to do the job, but Arvess and Nybeth show no signs of turning into automagods and Flamek is still hibernating. Since they need Gwyennf ro Arianensa, Eustace again reiterates that the departure date can be pushed back since they both need Arianensa's core and the algorithm for controlling Pyet-A.

Mahira is granted permission to take a look at Arianense to study it. As everyone else leaves for the hangar, Eustace asks Ilsa her assessment of "the amateur." Although Ilsa vouches for her skills, Eustace still has his misgivings and asks Ilsa to inform him if she gets impulsive and causes a scene again. Ilsa notes it's unusual for him to be so involved and he responds he's doing so to stop the moon's schemes. If they lose her they're done for.

As Eustace runs down his checklist of things to do, he thinks about the seal weapons and his own.

Eustace: (Seal weapons...)
Eustace: (I've seen them respond to their wielders to unleash untold power many times before.)
Eustace: (So what is Flamek waiting for?)

Meanwhile, Gwynne wants to improve herself and seeks out Yodarha, but he's too busy hunting Grace. She hangs out with Juri, Farah, Rhens, and Captain and the others. Yodarha flashes past but only those who are able to sense him can feel the bloodlust oozing out from the harvin. Rhens then closes his stall and offers to train her. While doing so, Rhens notices her style is similar to Yodarha's.

Yodarha later meets with Rhens to discuss Gwynne's skills. They both agree she must have learned from Grace, so Yodarha decides to wait and have Grace come to him. When Gwynne meets with Grace, she learns Grace learned from Yodarha. Gwynne asks Grace why she reached out to her and Grace's answer is her usual "World peace." Gwynne is determined to not let Central Axis get away with what they've done to Isaac and Cassius.

=================
CHAPTER 2: BOOT SEQ START
Ship is finished, but Mahira still isn't sure how the automagods will function as the engine. More time will be needed, but in the meantime Mahira thought of a way to reduce the risk like Eustace wanted. Isaac had scribbled notes involving the awakening process triggering a neural acclimatization and mind-body resonance and if that range extends to the moon. To explain, Mahira asks for Vaseraga's assistance.

While preparing, Eustace asks about "the amateur" (Gwynne) and Ilsa reports she's training with the others. Gwynne is their only option so they can't mess up. Next on the list, Ilsa will work on prepping the remote piloting Mahira was talking about.

Jury, Farrah, Captain, and the others are milling about Rhens stall uncertain what to do in the downtime and feeling a bit low spirited as they can't do anything at the moment. As Rhens is serving them and getting ready to train Gwynne again, Grace makes a surprise appearance. She states their little trip to the moon means a problem for "us." Yodarha enters and everyone ducks as Grace engages battle.

While fighting she talks about how she has a problem and soon Otherworldly beings in the form of automagods appear. They are searching for the guide beacon to the moon and attack. As the group finds themselves surrounded, the Otherworldly beings are attacked by Grynoth. Zeta and Beatrix join in right after. They notice Zeta got a new outfit and the Otherwordly being is able to tell the resonance has grown stronger. Fight starts.

With the Otherworldly being apparently knowing about their progress, they disappear and leave the others questioning what's happened. Vaseraga and Zeta explain their side.

Mahira has Vaseraga activate Grynoth remotely. This is her plan to send only the automagods to the moon while the pilots remain safely at the base. She references the manuscripts that those from the sky realm would die in the cosmos. She then gives new outfits made from automagod parts which should boost the seal weapon connection. Although Beatrix doesn't get a new outfit, she does get a small version of Embrasque.

With Grace still on the loose, Captain and the others split to give Yodarha support. Vaseraga also requests Ilsa to send them reinforcements. However her response indicates that something is happening at her location. On Ilsa's side, the Otherworldly automagods are attacking the base with the ship. She sends one team out and then explains what's going on. She tells hm to clear out the enemies in town and then join them. Before cutting out she asks if a "sour-looking marksman" with them who "goes by the name Eusless."

Ilsa: Wait. Stay on the line. Is there a sour-looking marksman with you? Goes by the name Eusless.
Vaseraga: Nope. Haven't seen him.
Ilsa: Copy that. You give that mangy stray this message when you see him.
Ilsa: "When you go out for a walk, you tell one of us where you're going and when you're going back!" Repeat that back to me!

When Zeta wonders where Eustace is, Vaseraga notes that Eustace likes keeping a low profile so he can aim for the killing blow. He suggests he went off to strike at the heart of the enemy.

Heisenberg is watching everything from a distance. As he's ruminating over things, a bullet mashes into the ground, narrowling missing his feet. Ronan appears and explains how they found him. Heisenberg then understands the warning shot came from Eustace. Heisenberge offers Ronan to team up, which he refuses.

Another warning shot is fired as Heisenberg talks, and Ronan regrets turning a blind eye all those years. Eustace eventually cuts in and appears, aiming Flamek at Heisenberg's head. Ronan orders Eustace to put him in restraints so he can be questioned about the moon's threat. Eustace obeys and cinches Heisenberg's arms behind his back. Heisenberg tries to talk with Eustace, telling Eustace while he's there with him others are dying to the Otherwordly beings. Eustace rebuts there are enough personnel to take care of it. Heisenberg agrees but states that his absence raises the number of casualties. It only results in Eustace twisting his arms.

With the conversation over, Heisenberg whips his head forward and grabs something from his front pocket with his teeth. The flash from the grenade forces Eustace to let go and momentarily disorients him and Ronan. Blood is left behind, revealing Heisenberg now has a large injury. Heisenberg then Eustace a transmission. He says there were only thirteen automagods ever made and asks if they knows why they stopped at thirteen. He mentions it's trying to activate but the line cuts before he can say more. Ronan states he seems to imply there's a force greater than the automagods and the seal weapons as they know.

They need to secure more firepower and Ronan asks Eustace about Flamek. Eustace denies. He looks down at his gun with a heavy heart, clenching it so hard it draws a trickle of blood from his fingers. Ronan then orders him to regroup with Ilsa, Captain, and the others. Ronan will go after Heisenberg.

Yodarha and Grace are in a fierce battle. Otherwordly beings then appear taking the forms of those she's killed (including the mother of Percival, Agloval, and Lamorak). They demand for the guiding beacon and when she refuses they say she deceived them. She thanks for collecting Isaac's transmissions for her.

She leaves one boy alive as Ilsa's reinforcements arrive. Their armor has been reinforced with automagod plating which should provide adequate protection. Yodarha will have them lead the charge. He then asks Captain and the others to stay behind and look after the dead. Of course they won't do that and Gwynne would like to take Grace in alive under the guise that she might have information. Rhens laments on not being able to use his sword arm.

Isaac is watching over everything when Omega-3 appear. Cassius's memory data have been organized sequentially and can pinpoint when a behavioral variation occurs. Dex tells him his contributions should allow him to receive the moonside conformity surgery. Isaac asks for more time before that happens and to analyze the sample. He puts up a front of an interested researcher, but after they leave when Raybury asks if he'll continue, he says he has no choice.


=================
CHAPTER 3: HARDWARE CHK
Mahira is studying Arianensa and the automagod is starting to react and twitch despite being powered off. She hypothesizes its missing core is nearby.

Back on the battlefield, Grace is impressed by the soldiers' automagod plating being able to withstand her nanowires. An outer patchwork of self-regenerative fibers stop the wires from slicing flesh. Yodarha and Grace have some former mentor and disciple talk and flashback to when Grace learned under him ensue. Grace is able to do the million swings to receive Yodarha's teachings, spiking ire amongst the other students. She first tried to help Rhens by offering to teach him but he declines. He asks her what her motivation is and her answer is world peace. When she asks him in return, his answer is domination of the skies. Grace then manages to turn his other disciples against each other by teaching them despite them not being ready. Yodarha faced her then but was unable to kill her.

As the battle ensues, Juri, Farah, Captain and the others help the soldiers evacuate the remaining townspeople while Rhens tries to figure out a way to help Yodarha.

The townspeople had fled the city when the Otherwordly automagods attacked and now are heistant to return despite reassurance from the soldiers that the threat has been pushed back.

Yodarha and Grace continue to fight, but when she attacks a vulnerable soldier, Yodarha gets in the way and is hit. Farrah, Juri, and Gwynne provide covering fire for Rhens as he goes to Yodarha. He barely manages to dodge Grace's wires while also carrying Yodarha, and is able to deflect another with his sword. He's figured out that if he sees the wire gleam he has to swing hard, using the air pressure to dodge the wire. He then takes a frontal hit before throwing cooking oil on Grace. Specifically it hits the device controling the firing and spooling of the wire, affecting its stability and slowing it down.

Captain then joins in the fight, able to see the wires. Grace is impressed and expresses relief. She then engages everyone in one final battle.

In her final moments, Grace attacks indiscriminately, slashing through trees and anything in her path. Rhens charges at her, her wires cutting into his sword. Sparks fly and ignite the oil on her wires. The fire spreads and in that moment Rhens rushes forward to slash Grace. He then tells everyone to wait as he finishes her off. Hearing her whisper, Rhens leans down to hear it, only to have her wires wrap around his arm.

Back in town, the Otherworldly beings are behaving strangely and the leader asks the Society group if they could give them the moon-bound ship. That's an obvious no. But as soon as the Otherworldly beings begin their assault, wires appear to destroy them. Surprised, the group turns to find the Captain and the others with Rhens wielding the nanowires. With that the Otherworldly beings disappear. They then explain what happened with Rhens relaying Grace mentioning Arianensa. The fire spreads and they can only assume the fire engulfed her body.

Eustace and Ilsa join in the conversation to discuss that this must be Arianensa's missing core. A new weapon contractor can be born and they now have three automagods. Eustace lets Ilsa explain and they return to the base. Mahira confirms that the device would fit Arianensa. Rhens is happy to take it off and then asks if Gwynne can take it since she was training for it. Eustace is still uncertain if Gwynne has what it takes, but Rhens continues to defend her potential. With Gwynne pleading, Eustace compromises by saying she needs to succeed in making the pact and they'll go from there.

That leaves Pyet-A, and Ilsa asks the Captain to be its pilot. They accept, and Eustace states they need to pick up the pace and shift to the next phase of the operation. Once they confirmed the three automagods are ready to go, they will go to the moon. They have two objectives: 1) rescue Cassius and Isaac; 2) investigate Heisenberg's claims about the creation of the automagods and why it stopped at thirteen.


=================
CHAPTER 4: OS VERIFICATION
Captain gets a new wardrobe change with armor that will resonate better with the automagods. Captain and Gwynne make their pacts and are successful. Isaac sends the populsion algorithm to input into Pyet-A, but when Mahira tries to input it she has problems. When they wonder if Pyet-A needs a core, Zeta recalls the old sword that came out and she chucked it off the island. Eustace asks if it's possible to replace and Mahira states if they could perfectly manufacture automagod components, but it would take a lot of time.

Suddenly Grace appears.

Everyone is on their guard as Grace shows the fallen sword that's Pyet-A's core. She offers an alliance for revenge. Rhens and Gywnne call her out and the Otherworldly being reveals itself along with others in the form of Society soldiers. After neogiations fail, the Otherworldly being confirms that Grace is dead. Seeing the Society soldiers being impersonated by the Otherworldly beings, Ilsa calmly tells Captain, Vaseraga, and Gywnne to escort Mahira and the workers to the hangar.

Beatrix: Drill Sergeant?
Eustace: Stand down.
Zeta: ...

The group leave, the others left behind to witness Ilsa's wrath.

Ilsa's eerily calm demeanor sends them racing out of the room. What's boiling inside her is the stuff of nightmares.
Ilsa: Back to the matter at hand. It seems we've already lost a few good soldiers. That's a reality of this war—sacrifices will be made.
[ . . . ]
Otherworldly being: Therefore—
Ilsa draws her gun in the blink of an eye and fires a bullet through the creature's leg.
Ilsa: Therefore what?
Otherworldly being: We should—
[another shot]
Otherworldly being: Urgh!
Ilsa: I didn't give you permission to speak.
[another shot]
Ilsa: Shut your mouth and keep it shut.
[another shot; Ilsa recounts the names of every soldier impersonated there]
Ilsa: Eleven warriors who died with honor until your kind defiled their memories! They can't rest until you've paid the ultimate price!
Ilsa: All units, open fire! Send them back to hell!

While the Society group fights above, below the group wonders why the Otherworldly beings want the ship. Gwynne wonders if Grace had managed to plan so far ahead so that the Otherwordly beings would bring Pyet-A's core to them.

Society group is fighting strong when Otherworldly beings makes a series of unusual gestures and an ominous miasma billows across the floor. They creepy, fleshy key that opensthe gates to the Otherworld appears. However, Ilsa just stomps on it. Everywhere around the skies have activated defenses to counter this.

Ilsa: My boots are dirty. Better wipe them down.
Ilsa stomps the Otherwordly being in the gut, grabs its gaping mouth with an ironlike grip, and proceeds to berate the hapless creature.
[ lots of Ilsa shouting ]
With a mighty roar, she rips the head of her enemy clean off.

Everyone but Eustace is surprised.

They all head down to the hangar where Mahira is inputting the algorithms. Automagods never forget something once committed to memory. Vyrn suggest holding a launch ceremony. Lyria remembers the one Beatrix used during the Platinum Skies race. Vaseraga even mentions how sailors would do it before traveling. Eustace comes in with paint and brushes.

Ilsa: Wow, you brought us brushes. How uncharacteristically proactive of you.
Eustace: I'm just bored out of my mind.

Everyone then grabs a brush and writes a message on the automagod.

Eustace: "Best of luck."

Beatrix then offers her pencil case to give to Pyet-A. Everything is then complete and ready for launch. The pilots take a seat in their chairs and then connected to their respective automagod via cables.

After testing the neural connections, the cosmoship launches successfully into the skies and into space. Isaac and Dex admire their ingenuity and ability to build a cosmoship in such a short time. Regarding Cassius, Isaac wants to test various points of memories to see how the brain responds. Namely when Cassius protected fossildwellers during the battle again Yatima and if he employed anti-stress measures when leaving the sky. When Dex asks if they can get rid of the original after all the copies, Isaac requests keeping it.

The disassembler is mentioned in regards to Agent Cassius. It's where everything is broken down to a molecular level so that its components can be reused by Central Axis. Isaac asks if he can see but he doesn't have clearance, not even Omega-3 can. However Dex thinks he should be able to receive clearance to inspect and even oversee it. After Dex leaves Isaac proceeds to delete various memories on the sample brains.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

» PART 2: PROCESSING... SYSTEM LOADED

CHAPTER 1: OS ACTIVATED. cmd?
The flight is successful and after detaching from the ship the trio pilot the automagods to the moon. Lunar gunfire blasts them and they opt to shield as they land rather than evade.

Ellis doing his creepy prophetic thing saying he can see the destruction of all automagods will come. During the conversation, Ellis glitches out, saying the noise Isaac produces interferes with him from time to time. The Otherworldly flesh Isaac ate seems to broadcast white noise into Ellis's head. Ellis voices his displeasure by telling Isaac to hurry up and discard his body.

After Ellis leaves, drones are sent out to attack the automagods. Since Grynoth is the heaviest, Vaseraga orders them so he's in front, Gwynne in the midddle, and Captain in the back. They use the fight as a way to get more practice in controlling the automagods.

Juana appears with Isaac and after he requests not to damage any muscles or nerves, she takes out a bite out of his arm. When she asks if she can eat the "returnee" (Cassius) Isaac says no, he's still being examined. She asks when he'll be dropped into the dissambler and Isaac guesses two to three years.

After taking out the drones, Gwynne fires a cable of light with Arianensa down the hole they came from. They jump down and the system IDs them followed by Isaac's greeting. When Vaseraga asks where to meet him, Isaac replies he can't since he's ordered to intercept them. Central Axis is interested in the "potential" in fossildwellers, and Isaac's job is to collect data and retreive the automagods. Gwynne interrupts and Isaac doesn't recognize the voice. Gwynne tells him they came to save him, he responds they did by bringing the automagods and data. When she mentions the pod to bring him back, Isaac suspects the air seal integrity and says he'll arrive dead.

Gwynne: So you tricked us?
Isaac: I did what I had to do to earn the moon's approval.
Isaac: Otherwise I would've been disposed of immediately, and I really didn't feel like being recycled after making such a long trip—no, thank you.

He then sends in the first group to be revealed as Cassius clones.

Only having audio, everyone back at Society base is surprised by what they hear. When asked for clarification, Isaac explains it's exactly as it sounds. Cassius's body and mannerisms were duplicated in a large enough quantity to form a combat unit. He also explains that Cassius's original body is being kept in storage. Zeta calls him out for talking about Cassius as an object and he hesitates.

After taunting the trio, they fight the clones leaving them all incapacitated but not killed. However the sight of the fallen clones unnerve them even as the next wave approaches. Vaseraga suggest they take another route, but Eustace orders them to locate the fakes and engage. Ilsa rebukes, but Eustace had noticed the sound of footsteps in the background while Isaac was speaking, indicating they're coming from his position.

Eustace: I'll be sure to report you were only following my orders.
[ after the fakes appear and the trio stand by ready to engage ]
Eustace: You too, Captain?
Eustace: Do it. You can hate me later.

The automagods engage in battle.


=================
CHAPTER 2: sl rm -allf *.*
Observing the clones, Isaac notes that despite being equipped with the latest reflect drivers and not aware they are fighting the Captain, their performance lags behind the original. The clones aren't showing variations like the original. Dex says they should terminate the project as there's enough evidence to justify utilizing Diaspora. Dex will beat the automagods, throw the Cassius samples into the disassembler, and then Central Axis will send Diaspora to Fossil. Then Isaac will be able to undergo the moonside conformity surgery. Isaac hesitates and Dex points out his stress levels are risking him to suffer an irreversible decline in functionarlity. Isaac asks if that's why Dex had his adrenaline synthetic circuit implemented and he confirms.

Isaac still wants to do one last thing with the project by confirming performance with the original. However in order to do that, Isaac must do a complete memory wipe due to the threat Cassius poses. Otherwise he'll be sent to the disassembler.

Isaac agrees to the terms and tells Dex to have the surgery ready for after the test. Isaac then asks Dex to go to the leadership to get permission. When Dex asks him what he'll do with the automagods, Isaac says he's an engineer and will think of something. Raybury asks Isaac asks if he's really going to go through with it.

Isaac: It's the second best option I've got.

Confirmation of Cassius's memory wipe is reported to Dex. As he walks to the leadership and hears the sound of battle engaging, he notices he feels his adrenaline consumption is neutralized and feels oddly relieved. It's a phenomenon that always occurs after being with Isaac.

The automagods approach and more clones are sent out. Again Eustace orders them to continue ("Do it.") and although the words chill the pilots to the core, they barrel through the formation. Theyare greeted by Isaac with Cassius's original body in the tank behind him.

Isaac again says they won't be able to help him escape, the pod they brought not capable for the return flight. When Beatrix yells at him, Isaac again reiterates he did what he had to survive by contributing his engineering skills to study the potential found in fossildwellers and recovering the automagods. He informs them that in the end none of the studies was useful, whatever changes occurred the moon doesn't have the tech to prove it, and the decision to dispose of Cassius was approved.

Lyria and Vyrn shout out but Cassius does not recognize them. Isaac reveales he erased his memories, saying it was the last thing he wanted to do before Cassius was destroyed. At that Gwynne lashes out, breaking the machinery and the tank. Cassius falls out and Isaac stabs his neck with a syringe. Everything is on high alert now and drones appear to attack.

The automagods defeate the drones as Cassius injects another tool into Cassius. As they fight, Isaac explains how memories work for moondwellers, saying they organize them by tagging them with flags—figuratively (referencing computer data flags). Flagged items are kept, non-flagged items can be wiped and overwritten. Because Cassius posed as an unknown threat, Isaac had to erase everything or Cassius would be recycled. So all he did was remove the flags, making it look like his memory was wiped, and has now put them back, restoring his memories.


=================
CHAPTER 3: All Memory Cleared
Isaac explains he had been pretending so Central Axis wouldn't suspect him as a traitor. Isaac dresses Cassius in some cool new clothes. When Cassius opens his eyes and recognizes Isaac, Isaac starts having an emotional breakdown, feeling guilt and disgust for everything he had to do.

Isaac: How is this what I wanted!? Tinkering with and making copies of someone's brain, only to manipulate them? It makes me sick!
Isaac: In mere seconds they can make the decision to recycle a life, yet it takes them three hundred years to file an application form? These people are insane!

With Raybury's support, Isaac tries to calm himself down to prepare for the next part. The threat level has increased and they will soon be on lockdown. Seeing the escape pod still intact, Isaac picks up Cassius to carry him while the others will protect. Gwynne will lead with Arianensa, Vaseraga on rear and Captain as anchor.

[Side observation: It's kind of not as obvious, but I suspect Eustace may have realized or began to suspect what Isaac was up to as he doesn't make any real reaction to the confession like the others do. It does show him separate after the dialogue, but it's the usual "..." line and in terms of voice direction it sounds like one of those "I knew it" sighs. It's not very conclusive, however, and it could just be like an "I see" kind of understanding.]

With threat level upgraded to Alpha, the best warriors will be coming: Omega-3. Dex Krak, Juana Stone, and Ellis Stamp.

Isaac: Dex, male, has short hair. He uses a device that regulates his aggression. He's probably the most battle-hardened of the trio.
Isaac: His combat data serves as a blueprint for the fighting style of the Cassius clones. Personally I'd avoid fighting him at all costs.
Isaac: Juana is a woman whose appetite knows no bounds. Her special digestive organs allow her to absorb nearly any consumed material for use as part of her own body.
Isaac: In other words, she can infuse her skin, flesh, and bones with metal, ores, and who knows what else, making her a tough nut to crack.
Isaac: Ellis, on the other hand, has the gift of hyperdimensional perception, which allows him to "see" things in the t-axis in addition to the x-, y-, and z-axes, or something like that.
Isaac: The t-axis uses a crystal oscillator to assign relativistic values, creating a virtualized field. Honestly, I have no idea what that means.

Captain notices something strange with Cassius and Isaac explains it's the effects of deleting and restoring his memories in a short period of time. It should reoragnize itself by the time he's back on the surface. When Gwynne asks the plan for getting back, Isaac answers he had include a flight back to the sky in the automagod propulsion algorithm so it's all set.

They open the door, but the first thing they see is Isaac greeting Grace as if they were married. Raybury is included but in his original human form. There is even a young child acting as their daughter.

Of course it's an illusion of a perfect loving family with Juana acting as the daughter and Ellis, who hijacked their minds, as Grace.

Back in Society base, the pilots are unresponsive. Because they only have audio they have no clue what's going on. The connections are still there and they can hear voices. As they're trying to figure it out, a noise rips through the base. Ellis voice is heard and he can see them. The pilots scream as Ellis pushes more noise out having hijacked the automagods. It's so strong Ilsa and Eustace collapse to the ground. Zeta manages to swing Arvess down onto Vaseraga's head, and it's strong enough for Ellis to feel it through the automagod.

Juana states she's hungry and after posing for dinner, she chooses Arianensa to start eating.

[Side observation: Only Ilsa and Eustace are noted to have collapse with Beatrix not as affected and Zeta managing to also stay conscious. The other Society soldiers which are presumed human also seem to be able to function. This makes me wonder if the noise affected the two more because they were erunes and may have been more sensitive to the sound...]

Gwynne is screaming and upon Eustace's question the soldier reports she is experiencing massive pain feedback from the damage done to the automagod. She's supposed to be insulated from any pain, but her arm begins to bleed which is impossible. Ilsa commands to cute the connection, but Eustace informs her they already cut the power to the three of them. As they wonder how they can still be connected, Ellis answers they're secured by the t-axis cables.

Wondering what to do, Lyria suddenly asks Eustace to reconnect Captain to Pyet-A.

Back on the moon, Juana explains she chose Arianensa for its scanning abilities so she can easily find things to eat. Suddenly Pyet-A begins to move. Ellis goes in to take a look.

Lyria is using the life link with Captain to try and move them. While Ellis is peering through the link, he's suddenly kicked out due to a massive data overflow that forced him to reboot. This causes everything to disconnect, releasing everyone. Battle ensues, and Cassius is jolted awake in time to avoid getting hit. He then stomps a hole through the flooring, scoops up Isaac and Raybury, and jumps in. Meanwhile, the trio fight Juana and Ellis.

Juana suffers a cerebral contusion while Ellis has a punctured lung. A wall barrier drops down, cutting Captain from the fight. Ellis and Juana focus on the remaining two and destroy the vital components to escape the moon. Behind the wall, Pyet-A tries to cut through before its too late.

Arianensa uses the nanowire, but Juana had consumed to automagod and has the plating now, nullifying the attack. Ellis distracts Grynoth and Juana uses the nanowire to coil the two together. Just as Vaseraga is about to unleash a devastating attack, Isaac's head pops out from the floor, forcing him to stop. But that, too, is just an illusion. Just as Pyet-A breaks through the barrier, Juana uses the wire to cleave the bound automagods in two.

Medics are called to treat the pilots, although their wounds are shallower than before.

The two prepare to engage and attack, Juana sending Arianensa's body into Pyet-A, stunning it. Ellis hijacks the datanet and orders it to dismantle itself. Before it ceases functionality, it pulls out the core which Juana eats...

Except that's not what happens at all. Juana asks a non-responsible Ellis if they're attacking at the same time. As soon as Captain had entered through Pyet-A, the moon base suffered a blackout. Based off the jibberish from Ellis, it's clear he's hallucinating. Before Juana can attack, Pyet-A turns off the lights and an automagod attacks her in the dark. In the hallucination, Ellis believes the mission is now completed.

Isaac had used the scalpel from Grace to hijack the datanet and the noise from the scalpel disrupted Ellis's abilities. He informs Captain that they're above the disassembler and they need to chuck him in. As Isaac hesitates, there are dialogue options. If choose to leave Ellis, Isaac is surprise saying he'll cause trouble if left alone. Ellis affirms and releases a safety limiter, bright light collecting in his hand. It fires off at Pyet-A, which barely manages to dodge it as it strikes the ceiling. Due to the recoil, Ellis fell throgh the hole into the disassembler and they hear the splash of his body hitting it. If encourage Isaac to do it, Isaac steels himself. But before he can do it, Ellis spouts gibberish and takes off running, likely from the hallucination, sprints to the open panel, and dives through headfirst.

After turning on the power, they discover Juana completely bashed up by Arianensa. Grynoth picks up its pieces and they reconvene with Cassius, who they'd lost sight of during the ordeal. [IMPORTANT NOTE: sprite for Cassius used is his old one, not the new one.]

Isaac straps Cassius into the pod, reconfigures Pyet-A for launch, and then putting all three on autopilot. After that, he closes the pod and states that's as far as he goes. As the wall partition falls between the groups, Gwynne shouts, unable to do anything. Again Isaac reiterates he can't survive in the pod due to the imperfect air seals. If he had his hazard suit he probably could have made it, but it was turned it a while ago. As he speaks, Dex appears.

Gwynne continues to yell at her and Isaac thanks her for showing so much concern despite not knowing who she is. Just as Gwynne is about to answer, Pyet-A's engines kick in and they launch, drowning her voice. Once in orbit, the automagods power down, the site of the pod and Cassius in it the last thing it sees. After giving Cassius the first welcome back to the skies, Dex arrests Isaac and Raybury.

Back on the surface, the Society soldiers find the pod and bring Cassius back. Isaac is able to monitor this through a transmitter. But when they return to base, Cassius only repeats certain words: strawberry jam, yukata. Isaac worries he might have put data into the flagged areas and therefore damage some of the data. Hopefully it'll resort itself over time.

The automagods only have a half a day's worth of energy lift but are not consuming it as they drift. Pyet-A is usable, but the other are no condition for heavy combat. That means they only have a single machine to reinfiltrate the moon for information...and rescue Isaac and Raybury if possible. Assuming they're still alive. But they still try to devise a rescue plan before they're out of time.

Meanwhile, Dex orders Isaac out of the cell as it's their judgment day. Despite the situation, Isaac isn't as stressed, perhaps in part that he got to hear everyone's voices due to the transmitter Dex had managed to haggle for him. They hear Beatrix try to feed Cassius strawberry jam, but he ends up choking. Dex then says he'll suggest they not toss Isaac into the disassembler as it might be more useful to study the "alteration" they've all gone through. So he'll suggest memory wipe instead of recycling.

Suddenly Cassius's voice is heard clearly between the dialogue happening on the surface.

???: Isaac. You and Raybury aren't destined to be recyled or repurposed.
???: You're destined to return to the skies.

Cassius's voice is coming from both the sky and the moon.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

» PART 3: PROCESSING... INITIATED

CHAPTER 1: Unexpected Error Has Occurred
Just as Isaac realizes that Cassius's voice through the transmission was transmitted from the moon, not the skies, Cassius crashes through the wall and engages Dex. Cassius uses a panel and spear as a diversion and takes Isaac and Rayburry down into the duct system. Although Cassius's speech is a bit muddled, it is realized a clone was sent into the pod, but before they can discuss further Dex's attack breaches the duct some distance behind them. Using his gun, he blasts through the ducts to flush them out, his adrenaline energizing his instincts to search and destroy. He hears Isaac asking Cassius why he stayed and Cassius answers he would do the same. Dex leaves.

Isaac has Cassius and Raybury connect with one another, allowing Raybury to act as a makeshift crystal radio receiver. Hearing the plans with Diaspora and destroying everything in the Sky Realm. They head to the disassembler, the moon's sewer system, to make a means to contact everyone.

Using the automagods as connection line, Isaac is able to transmit messages to the Society group. Cassius reveals that he is still on the moon. With the clone still repeating its gibberish and realizing the truth, Eustace opens a hatch in the floor and unceremoniously stuffs the Cassius look-alike inside the storage compartment. After getting scolded by Vyrn, Isaac quickly tries to relay his messages before his makesfhit transmitter cuts out.

First, they are doing fine. Second, the moon has put a plan to exterminate everything in the Sky Realm in motion. Last he asks if Pyet-A is operational and asks for a rendezvous. The transmitter then cuts out and Ilsa asks Captain to pilot Pyet-A again and Gywnne and Vaseraga join in. Ilsa then issues the command to recommence the rescue operation while preparing for the attack.

From the automagods floating in orbit, the pilots can see their planet, the Sky Realm, and are determined to stop the moon. While Cassius is digging through the trash to find another weapon, Isaac is able to make another transmitter. Cassius eventually reemerges with a spear and they take a moment to rest while they wait for the pilots to rendezvous with them and observe the disassembler, a massive pool of liquid capable of dissolving anything to bits and then recycled.

Noting that its capacity seems larger than the moon would ever need, Raybury senses familiarity and thinks it's made with a type of machine cells. While they're having a touching conversation of returning home to the Sky Realm, Cassius pulls out Isaac's old hazard suit he had found in the heap. After checking its condition, Isaac puts it on only to be interrupted when drones suddenly appear. However before they can attack or run, the fluid from the disassembler rises up and sucks in the drones.

Above, the surface of the moon shakes and the pilots see a pillar of light blast through.

The fluid continues to spew up like a geyser and the trio down below flee after Isaac gets into the suit. As they run, Gwynne yells at them to survive, specifically calling Isaac "Droopy-Eyes," an old nickname from his past. When Isaac asks, Gwynne introduces herself and reveals that she's his little sister he left behind. Cassius now prioritizes Isaac's survival and returning home over defeating the enemy.

Within the geyser of fluid, a shape takes form.

=================
CHAPTER 2: Error Fix Failed
On the surface, the pilots witness the beam of light curving back down and crash into the crater, making it look like an ominous glowing lake. Below, Cassius says he heard the fluid announce it had finished initializing, but it's not just to kill them. It was set in motion before they existed for a greater purpose. Diaspora.

A giant wave cuts them off. The nanomachine cells in the fluid take form into a giant automagod. Cassius and Isaac fight to fend off the automagod.

Cassius is hit by the fluid and Isaac is able to use scorching plasma to set fire on the fluid and fry the machine cells before it can cause damage. Cassius tries to figure out a way to defeat it, but regardless of his own high spec processes, he can't find a way. At that moment Raybury steps in with his own card and goes out to the fluid. After telling Cassius to get Isaac home to his little sister, Raybury is swallowed up by the fluid. But as he melts away, there's a red flash and red luminescence metastasizes over the wave, flash freezing it into a crimson crystal.

Isaac shouts in agony before Cassius grabs him and dashses up the crystal to escape before the fluid breaks out. They are in an empty container meant for transporting scrap, escaping the disassembler. There they discuss Raybury's actions, hypothesizing that he was able to overide the machine cell's movements by crystallizing the outer cell layer and trapping the fluid. When Isaac built Raybury with scrap components, that included automagod parts. Cassius believes Isaac used some of the armor and part of its core, giving him powerful access permissions almost like the first prototype automagods. Worn out from all the stress, Isaac falls asleep and Cassius no longer hears the static noise.

Gwynne checks in on them and Cassius reaffirms he won't let Isaac die and have him return. She tells them they may not be able to meet at the rendezvous as there is some river on the moon with enemies gushing out of it. Thinking it's the automagod, Isaac asks where it's heading and Gywnne describes the chimney-like tower. It's called a mass driver and launches large quantities of mass. Thus the automagod will be sent piecemeal; an automagod as big as a river.

It's a tough call, but Isaac and Cassius decide to take out the moon driver even if it means they cannot return home.

When questioned about Diaspora that will be large enough to blot out the sun, since it's made out of the disassembler fluid it's likely the moon plans to dissolve everyone. The moon had been planning to emigrate into the Sky Realm for tens of thousands of years, subjugating the skydwellers and transform the Sky Realm into a more hospitable environment to suit their own lifestyles. But because of the action of the skydwellers, the moon realized they could never defeat the skydweller's greatest strengths: potential. Variability. Being able to see the limitless posibilities goes outside the computations and zeroes and ones the moondwellers are used to.

Each part of Diaspora will rest along the outer limits of the sky and once all have arrived will recombine to enter the sky as a whole. They make the plan to destroy the mass driver even though it will prevent their own launch home. Cassius still tries to reassure Gwynne by telling her that Isaac looks terrible and lower her expectations.

Drones appear and they attack.


=================
CHAPTER 3: Everything is OK
The idea to increase Pyet-A's power is discussed and Mahira comes up with a plan to use Lyria, Beatrix, and Zeta as secondary pilots. Recalling how Lyria was able to push Ellis back, she wants them to sit on the laps of the pilots and see if they can inject themselves into the automagods. Lyria would have the established life link with Captain. Zeta would be with Vaseraga as a pair who have formed strong affinity with their seal weapons. Beatrix and Gwynne are only connected by the fact they're both contractors. Zeta is the one who is most heistant about this setup. Beatrix meanwhile is the most supportive and encouraging with Gwynne, holding her hand as she connects with the idea of being with family.

They are able to successfully connect and reach out to Isaac for the next step in overriding the automagods.

In figuring out how to overwrite the commands, Isaac suggest using voice. The three try to cheer on the automagods with little success. Leaving the automagods to deal with the drones, Isaac and Cassius make their way to the cannon. As they discuss on how to take it down, two calibration shots are fired, indicating it's almost time for launch.

Hearing the warning, the pilots try to get closer but the drone attack intensify. One catches Arianensa, and at first Gwynne is unable to shake it off. But Beatrix shouts out Embrasque and its blades appear from Arianensa's arms. At Mahiru's prompt, Zeta summons Arvess for Grynoth. By injecting another weapon contractor, the machine cells communicate with each other to create any needed functionality, allowing the two automagods to transfer their remaining their power to Pyet-A through Embrasque and Arvess.

Sensing the change in Pyet-A, everything on the moon reacts, with Diaspora blasting geyers up through the surface and missing them by margins. Without anymore power, the two automagods detach and are obliterated by the fluids. On its way to the tower, Diaspora itself appears and engages with Pyet-A, the mission changed to take it out first.

Pyet-A is able to morph into Bahamut to blast Diaspora, but it's not enough as what they saw was only a fraction of the true form, which comprises approximately 15% of the moon's mass. It grabs Pyet-A and knocks it towards where Isaac and Cassius are and fall into the disassembler fluid below. Pyet-A tries to rescue but is launched back out by Diaspora. It's exhausted all its power and Lyria and the Captain are left to report what happened to the group.

With the threat eliminated, Diaspora disengages its battle form to return as a river towards the cannon tower. Batches of Diaspora are launched into orbit toward the Sky Realm. At the current rate, all pieces will arrive at the sky's edge in roughly to years where it will become Diaspora proper and destroy everything. Or so that was the plan until everything exploded in red light and crystal.

Welcome home, Yatima.

Raybury, now fused to Yatima's head, explains that he brought Yatima's core to the moon to perform funeral rites, but she was revived instead after coming in contact with Diaspora's machine cells. With the mass cannon destroyed, Diaspora which had looped around the moon had become metallized and one end of the loop pops back up above the surface. It transformed into a huge spring to escape the moon's gravitational pull. Although it's flight is erratic, it will shed its mass to adjust the trajectory. With Yatima's help, they are able to get word out. Yatima is also able produce a launch driver for Cassius and Isaac to get them home. However, she doesn't have a calculator to make the trajectory. Beatrix offers the one in her pencil case she had stowed in Pyet-A. By luck she had extracted it and tucked it in her ear. But instead of a standard calculator, it's a slide rule, meaning Isaac has to do everything by hand. Go go, engineer.

Isaac is able to make the calculations that will hopefully get them there (and land on an island so they don't fall to their deaths). Yatima and Raybury stay behind to protect them from the drones, both of them happy and grateful that their dreams came true.

Isaac: Even though you guys double-checked my math, the worst case scenario keeps playing out in my head.
Isaac: But I'll never forget the three laws of engineering passed down in my family.
Cassius: What are they?
Isaac: "Law one: always meet your deadlines no matter what. Law two: always triple-check everything beforehand."
Isaac: "Law three: Don't cut corners."
Isaac: And law four—
Cassius: I thought you said there were three?
Isaac: "Always be ready to make exceptions."
Cassius: ...
Isaac: "There will be times when you can't adhere to the first three laws, no matter how hard you try."
Isaac:In those situations, do what you can, cobble together whatever's available, slam the power button..."
Isaac: "And pray!"

As Yatima fights off the drones, she offers the homeword-bound pod a small bow of thanks.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

» PART 4: PROCESSING... OVERCLOCKED

CHAPTER 1: Searching in the Dark
Cassius and Issac have successfully left the moon so all focus is on Diaspora. When figuring out how long it would take for it to reach the Sky Realm, there are two options. If choose Mahira, she does the calculations and states a few days. At Ilsa's prompting, she narrows it to 3-5 days standard shipping. If choose Ilsa, she only states that the conditions will be different from Cassius's pod and Mahira takes over with her calculations from there. Beatrix continues to worry about Cassius and Isaac, particularly when the comms are down, but everyone redirects her focus to the problem they have at hand.

Without much direct information about Diaspora, they can only make guesses from the observations. It's a conglomeration of nanomachines and capable of changing forms. Eustace posits it may be the thirteenth automagod which leads to discussion on Heisenberg knowing about it and the possibility that they need to find him to get info on how to counter it. However they don't know his whereabouts and are waiting for Ronan before they can move on that lead.

The topic then switches to the seal weapons as their only option at the moment. Arvess is ready to go, but with Embrasque still in its dagger form, Beatrix can't go on the frontlines. That leaves Nybeth and Flamek. However Nybeth was never tuned for combat to begin with. Flamek's bullets alone are also not enough, meaning awakening the weapons is their only option. However it can be risky with death as a possibility, but Zeta declares her determination to Vaseraga regardless.

Mahira requests to see their seal weapons as after studyin the automagods she feels she might be able to figure something out. Before touching them, she asks if it's koay for her to do so after hearing Arvess had burned someone before. Zeta assures her that it's fine as long as they allow it. Studying the weapons, she finds they share the same basic structure and technology of the automagods, confirming they share the same lunar roots. Eustace mentions that the weapons can change to adapt to their wielder and Zeta offers her own experience how Arvess reacts to her emotions. Mahira continues to ponder when they are interrupted by someone looking for Ilsa.

A soldier arrives under orders from Ronan with boxes from Alandus's research facility from Site Zero. Fortunately Alandus researched the seal weapons so there are a lot of boxes filled with information that Mahira gets to work on. Eustace asks Ronan's whereabouts, but they don't know as he had gone off alone after giving his orders. Ilsa and Eustace suspect he's chasing Heisenberg. Surprised that he's alone, Ilsa informs the others that Ronan was one of the strongest among the Society's top brass and in a way was Eustace's mentor. Eustace believes he'll be fine and turns their attention on Diaspora's countermeasures.

As Mahira flips through the documents, references to past events (Second Advent and Platinum Sky) are made. Particularly the speedships make them wonder if they were trying to develop engines that would take them to the moon, however Mahira finds the documents seem to indicate something along the lines of man and machine. She once again requests to see their seal weapons.

As they wait, Ilsa issues out various orders to the groups. Ilsa's group and Ronan's soldiers will handle weapons and rations; Captain and co will do supply runs; the rest of the Society group will assist in reconstruction efforts.

As the three leave the room in a leisurely fashion, Ilsa turns to Eustace.
Ilsa: That goes for you too, Eustace.
Ilsa: Don't think I'm just going to let you brood in the corner while you polish your gun—which you can't anyway without Flamek on you.
Eustace: ... Understood.

Beatrix and Eustace are bickering as usual when Captain and co arrive. Lyria reports that Gwynne is with Ilsa and then asks if they can help. Beatrix says yes and berates on Eustace for goofing off, with Eustace countering she's only talking instead of working.

Beatrix: C'mon, Eustace! You haven't lifted a finger since we got here!
Eustace: Speak for yourself. Don't you have better things to do than watch over me?
Beatrix: So that's how you wanna play it, huh!
[Captain and co appear]
Lyria: How about you two? Is there anything we can help with?
Beatrix: You sure can! Get this lazybones to give me a hand, will you, Captain?
Vyrn: What's up with Sourpuss?
Beatrix: We were clearing the streets of debris, like broken glass and scattered bricks...
Beatrix: But Eustace keeps goofing off whenever I take my eyes off him!
Eustace: Look who's talking. You're only good for moving your mouth.
Beatrix: Not true! I'm the one who picked up all the trash from there to here!
Vyrn: Guys, stop fighting.
Lyria: We'll help, too, so why don't we do it together?
Beatrix: Humph. There you go letting Eustace off the hook as usual...

Their fun is interrupted by a scream and they rush off to help to find looters attacking a townswoman. Eustace is quick to grab one and Beatrix takes the other. Zeta and Vaseraga arrive, but before they can take the looters to the authorities, more screams erupt and Otherworldly automagods appear. With Vaseraga the only with a seal weapon, he takes the lead, but Eustace and Beatrix assist with a pincer attack. Eustaces lands another attack before Vaseraga lands the final blow, the automagod crumbling. However, the tail lunges at Eustace who doesn't notice. Captain jumps in to chop it off in time.

To dialogue options:

You okay?
Eustace: I'm fine. Sorry you had to get your hands dirty.

Why'd you freeze up?
Eustace: I...
Lyria: Is everything okay?
Vyrn: It's pretty rare to see you in a tight spot, Sourpuss.
Eustae: Yeah... I guess I was too focused on the automagod's torso.

Before they do a sweep, Zeta stops the looters from escaping and Juri and Farrah appear.

The group report what happened to Juri and Farrah. The next day they gather at the base by Ilsa's orders. No other automagods were found. Continuing on, Mahira presents their seal weapons with some modifications. She's touched up the parts inside involved with energy flow, particularly the main circuitry that transforms energy into weapon potency which will minimize the recoil when releasing the seal weapon. The energy output will also be more efficient as it will convert the emotional energy into weapon power. This will allow Zeta to stay in battle longer while Arvess is in its released form.

Vaseraga asks if there are risks of it turning into an automagod, but Mahira denies, saying the chance of them changing are zero. This is because the weapons have adapted to their wielders to the point they can no longer be called automagods. On how to release their weapons, Mahira is still not sure. They discuss if emotions may apply to the other weapons and not just Arvess. It's uncertain, but when studying Embrasque, Mahira thinks it's likely experienced a release state numerous times already and most resemblers an automagod out of all of the weapons. Although it maintained a sword form, the others agree it had shown ability to change its form and that Bea could even hear its voice. Embrasque is still damaged, but Mahira gives hope as she saw signs of it recovering even if she isn't sure how long it will taking.

Continuing with Flamek and Nybeth, they received the same modifications and are actually already in their awakened state and primed for release. They just need to figure out the emotional trigger.

Eustace: Then it's not a weapon problem but a user problem.
Ilsa: Sigh...
Ilsa: The weapon itself was ready this whole time, while I was the one lagging behind. How embarrssing.

Gwynne laments that she couldn't have become a weapon contractor sooner as she could have helped, and everyone soothes her as she did play her part in piloting Arianensa. Still wishing she could do more, Eustace again comes down hard on her and leaves.

=================
CHAPTER 2: Point of No Return
Begins with a flashback to when Eustace first contracts with Flamek. In Ronan's office, Ronan congratulates him and Eustace being the broody angsty teen is being exactly that, saying he didn't come there to receive any blessings and presses Ronan what he really thinks. As a commanding officer, he's glad to have his talents, but as his mentor, he's bothered that it was Flamek Eustace chose.

Ronan: There's a lot we still don't know about seal weapons, but we do know that Flamek's always been one of solitude.
Eustace: Solitude, eh? Suits me to a tee.
Eustace: I could always use more peace and quiet.
Ronan: I know. But there were other paths open to you.
Ronan: I've taught you all types of combat styles, as you wished. You're proficient in so much more than guns.

Even though he can hold his own in closer-quarter combat just fine, Eustace refers to his impairment—his right eye. Ronan expected as much and continues to say that a contractor can't just pick their favorite, the weapon also has to choose them, just as Flamek has. With Eustace's elevated status, Ronan stays he no longer needs someone watching over him all the time.

Eustace: Never needed one since the day I joined as a trainee...
Ronan: Heh, as endearing as ever.
Ronan: Our relationship is now officially that of officer and soldier...
Ronan: But I'll be watching you, Eustace.

After Eustace leaves, Ronan sighs.

Ronan: Is the peace and quiet you seek really the same as solitude?

End flashback.

Back in the war room, the group discusses Eustace's behaving, noting it seemed a bit odd and Gywnne observes that he acts differently whenever it comes to Flamek. Vaseraga believes it's because he's getting desperate and Ilsa can relate. The two have to surpress their emotions as part of their jobs, making the trigger based on emotions difficult for them. Eustace in particular is a difficult case as he doesn't act true to his feelings.

More importantly, they need Flamek's power to take down Diaspora. Even if they blew a hole or sliced it into parts, the nanomachines would kick in to recover it. Their only option is to torch its entire length so hard and fast it can't recover. Flamek's wide area attack and anti-air capabilities make it the perfect counter. Everyone needs to make sure the nanomachines don't scatter so Eustace can have a clean shot.

Everything is riding on Eustace releasing Flamek.

The group continues to discuss how Eustace doesn't show his emotions.

Gwynne: He can be really calm... Or more like cold, to the point of being a bully sometimes...
Gwynne: I have trouble imagining him bursting with emotion.
Zeta: You're not alone. He keeps a poker face on even when he's pissed.
Beatrix: Wow, I can already feel his quiet fury! You could say he's the silent but deadly type!

Vaseraga quips that he doesn't need an "explosive" kind of emotion and Vyrn agrees that Eustace has plenty of emotion, he just doesn't show it. Zeta states that it's thanks to Captain, Lyria, and Vyrn that Eustace has become more social. In the past he was more self-centered showing little interest to anyone else. Ilsa goes on further that Flamek has changed because of him as well.

Ilsa: Flamek was originally meant to be used in large outdoor spaces, as a weapon that could take down powerful primal beasts in a single shot.
Ilsa: Eustace handled all his first missions solo, so that no one would get hurt in the cross fire.

When Beatrix boasts his attacks never bothered her, Ilsa reveals that because of Embrasque's very nature where adverity makes Beatrix more powerful. So the two were paird together as a test case. Because of him working with others, he's learned to control the power output and scope of attack. However, Flamek was never meant to provide cover fire in group battles, and that could be working against him. The more he tries to control Flamek, the more it strays from its original destructive power. It's ironic that his hard work is backfiring, but Vaseraga reassures Lyria and the others to not lose hope.

Captain then brings up Eustace's right eye, recalling his slow reaction back in town when the automagod attacked. As far as Ilsa knows, he can see just fine, but there might be something he's not telling them. They know next to nothing about him, aside that he has a grudge against the Foe.

Outside, Eustace tries to reach Ronan through his transceiver but receives no response. He then reaches for Flamek and draws his weapon to point toward the brush behind him. Heisenberg appears and Eustace intends to bring him back to the base. Heisenberg complies, but he wants a one-on-one conversation with Eustace. Eustace doesn't want any part of it, telling him to go to Ronan instead, but Heisenberg insists, gambling that Eustace would see the bigger picture. He then goes on to talk about Diaspora and how he has a way to destroy it. Eustace is skeptical and Heisenberg pulls out a bundle to set on the ground. Eustace immediately goes into a more offensive stance, but Heisenberg continues, reaching into the bundle and pulling out a metallic fragment the size of his palm that is a piece of automagod armor. He then unwraps the bundle entirely to reveal a strangely shaped machine. When he activates it, a bright flash of light appears and the plating crumbles away.

However, Eustace reacts in horror upon seeing it.

There's an unmistakable activation sound before the plating is engulfed in the light and crumbled into tiny pieces across a depression in the ground. It rejects the bonding of physical matter and has the power to dissolve. However Heisenberg's voice grows distant as memories surface in Eustace's mind. A snow landscape, burning village, young boy searching through the destruction. As Heisenberg talks about how it can nullify the automagod's armor regenerative capabilities, Eustace interrupts him asking where he got it. Heisenberg reveals they had developed it through their own research, conducting countless experiments. Hearing the word "experiments," Eustace starts to lose it. In a low, cold, trembling voice, he recounts everything to Heisenberg.

Eustace: Experiments?
Still somewhat shaky, Eustace lowers his gun and takes a step toward Heisenberg.
Eustace: It was eighteen years ago... on a cold winter day. The ground was blanketed in snow.
Eustace: Do you remember?
Heisenberg: I have no idea what you're talking about.
Eustace: It happened on a small island in the northern reaches of Phantagrande. It's deserted now.
Heisenberg: An island, you say...
Eustace: It was home to a village so remote I doubt any map knew of its existence.
Eustace: Tell me...
Eustace: Is that why you chose it?
Heisenberg: No, you couldn't possibly be...
Eustace: That activation sound, that flash, the people and homes that crumbled like ash.
Eustace: I remember it all like it was yesterday!
Eustace turns his glare toward the dust that was once automagod plating.
Eustace: Though it seems back then, you hadn't yet perfected the technique to eliminate the target this quietly and efficiently.
Eustace: Your "experiments" must have been very fruitful.
Eustace: Especially the experiment that wiped out my homeland!
Met with Eustace's piercing glare again, Heisenberg breathes a deep sigh.
Heisenberg: ... I'll admit it was fruitful indeed.
Eustace: Damn you!

Eustace grabs Heisenberg by the neck and slams him against a tree, completely losing it. Heisenberg continues to try and calm him down by saying it was the greater good and that this weapon will be able to save everyone now, including his friends. Eustace let's him go in anguished anger, pissed.

Heisenberg: Do you really want a repeat of the tragedy your village faced?
Eustace: You're the last person I want to hear that from! My home's destruction was your doing!

However Heisenberg believes that's exactly why he can speak and tells Eustace he can hate him or even kill him, but he needs to take the weapon, calling his village a noble sacrifice. Yeah that only pisses him off even more as more memories of that day flash before him. His pregnant mother, older sister, little brother, best friend, little sister, father. He shoves Heisenberg to the ground then points Flamek straight at his head.

Eustace: My father, mother, brother, sisters, friends... You slaughtered them all!
Eustace: You took everything from me!

Again Heisenberg talles Eustace to take the weapon, but he's had enough. Flamek responds to his furor, emitting an intense spark. But just as Eustace is about to bring down the full wrath of Flamek down on Heisenberg, Ronan enters and stops him, knocking Flamek's muzzle away from Heisenberg. Obviously Eustace is pissed about it. Ronan then tackles Heisenberg to the ground and restrains him before ordering Eustace to stand down. Eustace counters that he's no longer his superior and has no obligation to take his orders anymore and demands why he's trying to stop him.

Ronan knows Eustace did everything for revenge, but makes him see that that is no longer the case because he found something more valuable. Hearing this, Eustace is unable to move, conflicted.

The conflicted man grits his teeth so hard that blood seeps out. He grips the tuft of hair covering his right eye.

Later, everyone gathers at the base and Eustace shows the weapon and explains what it does. He tells them not to ask him for specifics, but they press and he has no choice but to reveal he had seized it from Heisenberg. He doesn't give the true, full details and just states he realized it was something they could use it and seized it for themselves. He also confirms it's usage and efficacy.

As the group discuss the weapon and it's likeness to Diaspora, Mahira notes it must be handled manually and Eustace clarifies it's like a laser cannon, affecting the target using light emissions, thus shooters should protect their eyes. As Ilsa starts to move on in discussing how to incorporate the weapon, Beatrix interrupts reminding everyone it's a Foe made creation and the lives it must have taken to be made. She's against it after suffering her own loss due to the Foe, but Zeta tries to calm her down as they won't be basing everything on the weapon. Ilsa affirms, saying it's more insurance.

After the discussion, Eustace leaves and another flashback appears. Young Eustace is running off away from his home towards the forest but is caught by his sister asking if he chopped the wood and nagging him for not helping their mother more. He runs past his friend into the forest before calling out for "Vitty." While he's searching, he hears a loud sound followed by an explosion of bright light.

The flashback ends and Eustace is alone by the embankment. Captain, Lyria, and Vyrn had followed him and call out to him. They can tell something is bothering him. Lyria then tells Eustace that at first he was "really scary" and apologizes, but Eustace says it's fine since he knows. She then continues to tell him that over time they learned that he was a kind person and could thus tell he was sad.

Lyria: The thought of you trying to handle things alone and go off somewhere for good scares us.
Eustace: Relax, I won't be going anywhere. I'll be fighting alongside you guys.
Vyrn: That's not it! IT's hard to put it into words, but it's like you're in a dark headspace and not really here with us!
Vyrn: That's why we're worried...
Eustace: ...

Captain notices that rare of hint of emotion and asks for the story behind the machine. He says it's as he said, but Lyria presses, trusting him but believing he's not saying something else. In the end he says he can't, staing they're too nice to handle it.

DIALOGUE OPTIONS:

It's your choice.
Eustace: Hope you'll forgive me for this, Captain...
"It just means we'll have to toss out the machine," says the captain with a shake of the head.

...
Eustace: ...
The two briefly stare at each other in silence.
Putting on an unusually stern expression, Captain remarks that they'll have to toss out the machine.

Eustace: Do you have any idea what you're saying!

Lyria and Vyrn agree and again Eustace protests against it. They say they can fighting without it, but Eustace tells them to look at the bigger picture. They need it if they're going to stand a chance. But Captain rebukes "What matters is how you feel about it."

Lyria: It's not that we don't care what happens to the world. We just trust you more.

They recall how Flamek is the key to operation and Lyria states they believe he can do it. Of course they're not trying to push all the responsibility on him because he has plenty of back-up. Eustace understands their sentiments, but he'll still use the weapon.

Eustace: To protect everyone.
Vyrn: You sure about that?
Eustace: Yeah.
The fierce resolve in Eustace's eyes makes a return.

He thanks them and says that after this is over he'll consider telling them about his past.

=================
CHAPTER 3: Extinguishing the Blue
Day of the battle has arrived. They're all on the Grandcypher heading towards the projected landing point: Port Breeze. Before then, everyone got an equipment upgrade. To counteract the damage from Flamek's release, Mahira will incorporate insulators into the armor. It won't be a complete defense as she doesn't have enough time to make everything from scratch, but she can replace parts of their current armor to make lessen the damage. Eustace will have a bigger overhaul as he'll be using Flamek. He then asks for some kind of protection for his right eye to block out the light. It's then that reveals to everyone that it's vulnerable to light. Normally it's not a problem and his eyesight is about the same for both eyes, but bright lights are especially painful to his right eye and needs extra time to recover. When Zeta brings up the incident with the automagod, he explains Heisenberg had used a flash grenade and his eye hadn't recovered yet. Zeta and Beatrix then nag at him for not telling them sooner so they could have covered for him. When he apologizes, they are left speechless. Confirming she can make it, she'll also ad a transceiver functionality.

They also brought along the Cassius clone since they couldn't leave him behind in a deserted base. As it starts repeating the words, the group reminisce on the assocations. Mahira wonders if it's trying to tell them something, but they dump him in a cabin for now.

Fortunately everyone in Port Breeze were safely evacuted, the endeavor made easier thanks to the good connections the crew had made with the people. Ilsa and her troops have arrived and set up a base of operations, and they currently hold Heisenberg's weapon, code named Yama, a deity of the underworld.

As they approache Port Breeze, Vaseraga notices something falling from the skies. They make the guess that it's Diaspora, but Mahira notices something smaller detach from it. It's a pod and after crossing out Isaac and Cassius, they realize it must be a warrior from the moon and likely the last member of Omega-3. Eustace requests for them to land so they can engage.

Once on the ground and after the pod lands, Vaseraga tells Captain and Eustace to go to Ilsa as backup. As they leave, Dex steps out and the three remaining Society members engage in a difficult battle.

Their attacks do next to nothing against Dex, but they at least took out his weapon. Shrugging off the attacks, Dex makes his way to the base. Eustace and captain return, but not to offer backup. They've come to report that Mahira's calculated Diaspora's exact landing spot and it's the very edge of the island, far away from where they are currently. They only have thirty minutes.

Vaseraga tells the others to go ahead and deal with Diaspora while he deals with Dex on his own. Mahira had made modifications to Vaseraga's armor so that the energy flow is reversed and his body not affected by Grynoth. However, because Grynoth's roots are infused with his body, it could be dangerous. She's not sure what kind of reaction will occur if their resonance goes over the threshold.

Hearing this, the group is alarmed and Eustace realizes Vaseraga plans on going out if he has to. Asking if he's sure about it, Vaseraga reminds Eustace that he's the key to defeating Diaspora. After one last assurance to Zeta, the group dash off and Vaseraga whips out his scythe to take on Dex.

At Ilsa's base, it's too late for Gwynne to take Yama to Diaspora and she's figured out that Dex has realized they have a threat to Disapora. She commands everyone to defends the base at all costs and notes they may have to use Yama on Dex.

Vaseraga manages to keep Dex at bay, but Dex is done playing and about to sprint to the base. Vaseraga leaps at him to put him into a submission hold. However Dex is able to drag the large draph with ease. At this point, Vaseraga offers all of himself to Grynoth for the sake of protecting everyone. Grynoth's roots pierce through Vaseraga armor and wrap around Dex's body. Seeing the stalemate, Ilsa calls in to check on him and Vaseraga tells her to use Yama on them.

As Ilsa hesitates, Vaseraga makes her think of her men, their families, and all the skydwellers, forcing her to weigh his life against everyone else. As Ilsa remains conflicted, Dex injects an ampoule into his body, increasing his power enough to make his slow way to the base.

After a struggle, Ilsa draws Nybeth and orders Gwynne to prepare to fire Yama. She then reaffirms her vow: to not let a single person die. It's what she fights for. Responding to her emotions, Nybeth releases as it's fired on Vaseraga. Subdued, Grynoth loses its grip as Vaseraga falls to the ground. Dex should be free but he's frozen in place for a second. In that moment Ilsa orders Gwynne to fire Yama at Dex. It hits and his body starts to fall apart. Despite that he injects another ampoule and charges toward the base. The soldiers fire but Dex leaps in and knocks aside Gwynne before setting his sights on Ilsa.

Vaseraga is able to grab and hold onto him, however the breakdown spreads to Vaseraga. Eustace then arrives and activates Flamek. Thin, chain-like threads of lightning shoot out and coil around Dex and Vaseraga, paralyzing them. They quickly drag Vaseraga away and find he's not deteriorating anymore. Eustace doesn't know the specifics, but it seems electricity quells the effects of that weapon.

Dex suddenly stands, but his body is completely falling apart, unable to move anymore. He looks at Vaseraga and acknowledges their "splendid battle" and his adrenaline's spent. He then crumbles completely away.

When asked by Ilsa, Eustace informs her they have time, but he needs to get back. He asks about Yama, but the energy is spent. Everything is now on Eustace.

Back at Diaspora, the remaining crew engage it to stall for time until Eustace returns. Lyria summons Bahamut to strip away the rock surrounding Disapora, but the rocks rain down on them. When dispersed, they form a glowing mist that makes it difficult for them to move on their own, as if something is controlling them. Against her will, Beatrix swings down on Lyria and Zeta is able to intervene, but destroys the blade in the process.

Beatrix then takes out tiny Embrasque. After she pleads it to awaken and shouts out, Embrasque shines and Raybury's voice comes out as a recording inside the sword. As Beatrix somehow as a conversation with a recording, Raybury explains Embrasques core was lost when it was consumed by Versatile, but it was returned when it was used with Raybury. How it was returned is not specified. The repair program is activated and Embrasque returns to its original form.

Rejuvenated Beatrix and Zeta clear the mist and everyone is able to move freely again. While everyone else focuses on the mist, Lyria calls upon the primals to deal with Diaspora. The girls are in high spirits and when Diaspora starts changing tactics, they take it head on.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

» ENDING

Although they've inflicted some damage, Diaspora is still standing. As Zeta and Beatrix continue to fight, they express their heartfelt hope and optimism in beating Diaspora so they can all return to their normal lives. Mahira listens in on their conversation and picks out key phrases that were also said by the Cassius clone. She rushes to its room and as it starts repeating the words, she answers with each member of the group:

Strawberry jam: Beatrix
Yukata: Zeta
Alcohol: Vaseraga
Omurice: Eustace

But when it mentions "sky" she is confused, unable to immediately guess, and it starts over again.

Back at Diaspora, it suddenly ascends to the skies and slowly dissolves its form to spread out across the skies. In the distance, Vyrn spots something falling from the skies and they realize it's Isaac's and Cassius's pods. However, drones are swarming it. In that moment, Eustace arrives. He informs them that Yama is out of commission and that Vaseraga, although injured, is safe along with everyone else as the base. He then asks if they had their transceivers off and they nervously laugh. Eustace then tells everyone to get back as he'll now handle Diaspora.

Eustace: It's fine. I'll take it from here.
Eustace: You guys stay back.
Zeta: You've got this handled?
Eustace, full of confidence, looks at every face present.
Eustace: That's what I'm here for.

When Beatrix brings up Cassius's pods, Eustace hesitates. However Isaac's voice comes through the tranceivers. Cassius explains the shock from Flamek should knock out the drones. When asked about the pod, it's already at its limits.

Cassius: Even if we get flung out of it, we'll find a way to land. We didn't come all the way to the Sky Realm just to mess up the landing.

Cassius tells Eustace to not hold back. He then tells Captain that he misses the Grandcypher, and at that moment Mahira figures out the last password.

Sky: Captain

Diaspora's charge is at 94% and again Cassius tells Eustace to go for it. He acknowledges and runs his fingers across Flamek's barrel, electricity sparking. The rest of the group quickly run off, but not before Lyria ensures Isaac and Cassius will have a safe landing. Eustace warns he can't wait for them to get completely clear of the blast radius, so they need to prepare themselves.

After confirming that the others are at a safe enough distance, Eustace aims high with Flamek.
Eustace: Releasing...
Eustace: Flamek Thunder! Your hour is nigh. Rend the clouds apart and scorch the heavens!

Eustace unleashes the full power of Flamek, a large cannon like blast of lightning erupting from its barrel. It causes significant to Diaspora.

Disapora: [TRANSLATED BECAUSE EFF SCRAMBLED WORDS] Sustaining persistent damage from high-voltage electricity. Unable to determine [uroditna]. Execution of purge in jeapordy.

When it tries to move away, Eustace fires another shot and continues every time it tries to move for a total of three shots. The giant automagod is now half-melded into the ground as an unsightly black mass. The devastating force of the lightning had even blown the surrounding clouds away. However, he sees the pod had been knocked off course.

Inside, Isaac and Cassius can't open the door as the lightning must have melted part of it shut. While still falling, Cassius speaks through the transceiver to Mahira, mentioning how his clone has opened up and if she would have it ready for them when they land. Cassius then kicks open the door and takes in the scenery. He then tells Isaac they're jumping to the island. In that moment a wind blows up against them and Cassius grins at Tiamat who had blown them onto the island. They land safely.

Eustace greets him, but Cassius denies saying he's back just yet. By then the others had started running to see if Eustace had succeeded. But Cassius just walks past Zeta and Beatrix, and even briefly only greets Vyrn, Lyria, and Captain. He stops beneath the Grandcypher and Mahira throws the item he had requested earlier. He grabs it and then throws it into Diaspora, which registers as mission complete. What Cassius had thrown was the scalpel Grace had initially given to Isaac and had been used against Ellis. The noise tricked Diaspora into thinking the mission was complete and self-destruct. Cassius wasn't sure if it was still running, but they had no need for it anyway. He just made certain it no longer exists.

Eustace gives Cassius his thanks.

Eustace: You have my thanks, traveler.
Cassius: No.
Eustace: Huh?
Cassius: My trip is over.
Eustace: Ah, so it is.
Eustace: Then you have my thanks, Cassius.

However Cassius gives half the credit to Isaac. When Zeta offers her shoulder, she shouts at how much he reeks. With Eustace and Cassius on either side, they help him to the Grandcypher.

Later, Isaac and Vaseraga are sharing a room, recuperating from their injuries. Captain, Lyria, and Vyrn stop by to visit and learn they will be discharged that day. Gwynne has also tagged along, and the siblings have their first reunion. Isaac then explains how after she was born she would be better off not knowing their family mission and entrusted her to a close friend. His friend and his wife didn't ask questions and agreed to take her in as their daughter. Gwynne confirms they never broke their promise and that it was Grace who told her that she'd find him if she joined the Society. Gwynne had always wondered how she joined the family, and with Isaac expresses surprise she can't believe him.

Gwynne: I always wondered how I ended up as a kid in that family.
Isaac: So you figured out they weren't your real parents, huh...
Gwynne: Are you kidding? Do you remember what they look like?

When Isaac says he remembers them as a couple who ran a restaurant, Cassius chimes in wishing to visit as he's looking for a particular dish to satisfy his palate. Once Isaac and Vaseraga are cleared, they head to the restaurant.

Gwynne's parents are draphs. Isaac please. Gwynne is surprised no one finds it odd that her family consists of draphs as parents.

As a callback to the last time they ate together (Spaghetti Syndrome), Eustace tells Cassius to direct any questions about the menu to Beatrix as he had to go through it last time. However to his surprise, Cassius had already decided: meat sauce spaghetti. Everyone is enjoying their meal with Beatrix mothering over him like usual. Commenting on how happy Isaac looked over eating spaghetti, they talk about cravings and he mentions something he saw there gave him an intense craving.

Cassius: I saw my brain.

Needless to say, everyone almost lost their appetite. Eustace however began to laugh and Cassius followed suit.

Eustace: Heh.
Beatrix: Huh?
Eustace: What a tasteless joke.
Cassius: Hah.
Eustace: ... [chuckling]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THE END.....

Except we have a couple of Bonus Stories that I am going to completely gloss over because I am dying. The first one, Incoming Phidcast is brief one that starts with Grace listening in on Central Axis. They discuss a traitor named Maxwell, and in that moment "Grace" turns into the Otherwordly being named "Maxwell," who says he died a really long time ago. Yes that is the same Otherwordly being featured throughout the event.

In the second Icnoming Phidcast, this one features Raybury, who sends a message to be sent to Captain and the others, including Cassius and Isaac. He relays an update that Central Axis still has plans to purge the skies someday as they reconstruct the disassembler and have begun the recovery process of Omega-3 based on their memories. In the meantime, a new warrior is being considered: Yatima. He's still stuck to her head. Before he cuts off, he states that Disapora's recovery shoudl take roughly twenty thousand years and Omega-3 six hundred years. Yatima's induction will be four hundred years. After the transmission, Yatima asks Raybury about their time together and it ends with her smile.


/wheezes on the ground vowing to never do this ever again until the next event

more in-depth write up to be had but important notes (all post-Home Sweet Moon):

» PART 1: PARTING SHOT

• Mostly told from Ronan's PoV as he faces Heisenberg in jail after Diaspora is destroyed
  
• Flashback to when Ronan first encounters Eustace staggering through the blizzard of his homeland
  
• Soldiers are confused because map does not indicate a village
  
• They investigate the carnage remains of Eustace's village
  
• Heisenberg appears
  
• Ronan is here because reports from ships traveling nearby of a mysterious light coming from the island. They arrived afraid that it could be primal beasts on the loose
  
• Heisenberg says his troops are here for military drills. He implicates primal beasts could have done the damage
  
• Ronan brings up the rise of a suspicious group, the one Heisenberge describes as the one that "tries to breed conflict through unscrupulous means"
  
• Ronan had believed Heisenberg had felt remose but now he's not so sure, especially since Heisenberg is all "it was all for the sake of the skydwellers"
  
• When questioned what he plans to do with him now, Ronan draws his blade. But Eustace cuts in through the transceiver to stop him and arrives
  
• Eustace had figured out Ronan's plans and was able to track him down. He then tells Ronan to step aside and Ronan tries to make him stand down, but he refuses.

As it fades to black, a gunshot rings out.


» PART 2: YESTERDAY'S MIRAGE

• Eustace takes the Captain, Lyria, and Vyrn to his homeland, and island so small and far away that it might as well not be on any map
  
• He tells them his backstory:
  
  
  • He had a father, pregnant mother, older sister, and a younger sister and brother
    
  • He was ten and instead of helping around the chores he ran off to the woods to find and play with a wolf cub he had raised, Vitty
    
  • While looking for Vitty, he heard a sound from the village followed by a hot flash of light that damages his right eye
    
  • Despite the pain he manages to return home and discovers everything ablaze and destroyed, mangled corpses everywhere
    
  • His house was completely decimated with only ash in its place
    
  • He runs to the barn in hopes to find anyone alive, but as the barn starts to collapse, Vitty appears and knocks him out of the way
    
  • The pup critically injured, he carries Vitty out in hopes of finding someone despite knowing they were the only settlement on the island
    
  • He runs into Ronan who had been with his troops upon hearing unusual activity and Ronan saves him
    
  • Vitty dies while he was evacuated

After the story, his littler brother Savini makes an appearance, however Eustace knows it's not his real brother but an imposter. His brother is dead and would have been in his twenties were he alive. He points Flamek at the figure and there are two options. Either Danchou will kill the imposter or Eustace will shoot it. Either way, upon destruction it is revealed to be an Otherworldly being in disguise.

Eustace will tell them some small stories about his childhood, like how his father was a hunter and had promised to take him hunting the next spring. Not only would he get his own rifle, they would make clothes for the new baby out of the furs he caught. With other little tidbits he shares, it can be gleaned that a lot of the knowledge he has about the wildnerness is rooted back to his days as a child.

In the end he gives his final farewells to his long buried home. Ronan had already performed the funeral rites decades ago so he had never had a reason to come back. Now although he will always consider this place his home, it's not the on he will return to, implying the Grandcypher and the people he's come to grown close to is now what he considers home.

Beatrix is throwing a party for having Embrasque fully returned to her and is baking up a table full of sweets. While she and Zeta are in the kitchen, Eustace enters looking for her but finds Captain, Lyria, and Vyrn instead...and a completely empty table. When Beatrix and Zeta return, they're all confused until Beatrix suggests that Embrasque is the one who ate everything. No one believes her, but seems to be the only explanation. He then joins in to "humor" her.


Eustace actually joining in at the table (while smiling!!) AND holding off telling important matters until after is a huge change for him. However, perhaps he did it out of consideration given his purpose for being there.

Of course Eustace didn't come to find Beatrix to stuff his face with desserts. He informs her of some suspicious activity on a nearby country where Otherworldly beings disguised as automagods have been spotted. Although some would have thought they would have lain low after their defeat earlier, several have been spotted around the skies with no clear sign of their purpose or motivation. Needless to say, they can't be left to run amok so he's come to assign Beatrix a mission. He also informs Zeta that she has her own mission in relation to them so she won't be able to help Beatrix with hers.

However, Eustace hesitates in detailing the mission and it's only after Beatrix prompting that he continues. There was a well-known family of nobles hat used to live there before their house fell into ruin. They were doing well before they took on a lot of debt around the time Otherwordly beings were reported. After the family lost everything, they were killed by unknown assailants. This information shocks Beatrix and Zeta because that is exactly what happened to Beatrix, which Eustace is aware of.

Zeta is against Beatrix going on her own as it's clearly a trap, and Eustace also seems to have some hesitation. However he wouldn't have approached her if he didn't believe she could do it, or perhaps he was considering going with her. But it's all settled when Beatrix co-opts the Captain in as her partner instead, and while both Zeta and Eustace are still a little concerned, they agree that the Captain is the best partner she can have.

(note: this is similar to her Earth SR fate episode wherein Eustace assigns Beatrix a mission and the Captain joins her.)