Scenario:Caim - Memory's Trigger
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Memory's Trigger
As (Captain) and company prepare to face off against the Inchoate World, he deactivates all the Arcarum primals, then forces the replicated world to converge on him. Caim and The Hanged Man fail to escape with the rest of the crew.
After overcoming numerous trials, (Captain) and company finally reach the Inchoate World.
The being that appears before them exudes a far more menacing aura than the previous time the crew confronted him.
Lecia: That's... the Inchoate World? Why does he look so different from...
Inchoate World: Your resolve has brought you far, foreign elements of the new world.
Inchoate World: And foolish Evokers and Arcarum who dare rebel against your god.
The overpowering air about the Inchoate World almost seems to take physical form.
(Captain) and company are equal parts cautious and fearful.
Caim: I don't like this one bit... I'm really, really scared, (Captain)!
The Hanged Man: Good grief... Guess this might be a bit too much to handle for Caim.
The Hanged Man: Then again, maybe I should stop talking like some casual bystander and act like the pactkeeper I'm supposed to be.
The Hanged Man: Might as well make myself useful.
Inchoate World: Oh? Do tell.
The Hanged Man: I followed (Captain)'s crew here just for this moment.
Inchoate World: How pitiful. The lowly beast has strayed far from the objective of its sublime maker.
Inchoate World: I will show you firsthand the difference in power between creator and created.
Inchoate World: As creator, I hereby issue a decree to the Arcarum.
Inchoate World: You shall all be disposed of. Never will you get in my way again.
The Hanged Man: ...!
The Hanged Man tries to respond with a quip, only to find himself frozen.
Caim: Hanged Man?
The Hanged Man: ...
The primal's usual carefree response to Caim's timid call does not come this time.
Caim: Hanged Man? Hanged Man!
Caim: What's wrong!
Caim finds that while heat remains on The Hanged Man's body, it is also bone-chillingly cold.
Caim: No... You're not sleeping either... This can't be... Talk to me, Hanged Man!
There is no response. The Arcarum primal has come to a complete standstill, as if devoid of life.
Inchoate World: Do not expect it to answer. For I have cast out the Arcarum.
Inchoate World: It can no longer move and will lose shape soon enough.
Vyrn: Wh-what's that supposed to mean!
Vyrn: What exactly did ya do!
Inchoate World: I merely discarded my creation—nothing more, nothing less. It was but a thrall before its creator.
Inchoate World: I was the one who manufactured the Arcarum out of primal beast cores that saw their end during the time of the War.
Inchoate World: It may have developed a sense of self and betrayed me, but it is by my hand that it was given life.
Inchoate World: Never underestimate your maker. The Arcarum lacks the means to resist my commands.
Inchoate World: From the very outset, each of their fates rested within the palms of my hands.
Lyria: But then, that means we...
Inchoate World: Yes. All the time you've spent, bonds you've forged—it was all for naught.
Caim: No... You're wrong!
Still clinging to The Hanged Man with his small hands, Caim raises his head.
Caim: Hanged Man is Hanged Man! There's no way it's okay for anyone to just do with him as they please!
Caim: Who cares who his maker is! He's got a right to his own life!
Lyria: Caim...
Caim: Besides...
Caim's body slightly quivers as he clenches his fists.
Caim: If you made Hanged Man...
Caim: You're practically his dad, aren't you?
Caim: What kind of a dad does this to their own kid!
Caim: It makes no sense!
Caim: You're just crazy!
No matter what accusations Caim throws his way, the Inchoate World retains his composure.
Inchoate World: Well, I suppose you're not entirely without merit. The data you've gathered has proven to be especially valuable.
Inchoate World: I'll make sure that none of it goes to waste.
Inchoate World: Be glad that your efforts will form a cornerstone of the new world long after you have been wiped out.
The replicated world trembles violently as he utters those words.
The fabric of reality twists and bends as the world around them begins dissipating into palish particles that converge on the Inchoate World.
Vyrn: What the—
Choose: That's our cue to run!
Lyria: R-right!
Monika: Lecia, give the order to withdraw!
Lecia: On it!
Caim: No, wait! Hanged Man's still...
Vyrn: C'mon, Caim! You're gonna be left behind!
Vyrn: Uh-oh... We'd better get a move on!
Lyria: Come with us, Caim!
Caim: No! I can't just leave Hanged Man here! We have to go together...
Caim desperately tries to pull on the unmoving Hanged Man.
But the primal's body proves too large for the boy to lift.
Lyria: Caim, hurry! Give me your hand!
Caim: C'mon, Hanged Man! You have to get up!
Caim and The Hanged Man, who continues to be tugged at by the former, begin to distort.
The moment (Captain) touches Caim's shoulder, the bodies of both Evoker and primal begin the transformation into particles that converge on the Inchoate World.
Lyria: Oh no!
Hoping that it's not too late, (Captain) prepares to rush in to rescue the pair.
However, someone grabs the captain's hand from behind before that can happen.
Monika: What are you doing, (Captain)! We need to get away!
Choose: No way am I leaving them behind!
Vyrn: Yeah! What (Captain) said!
Lyria: Caim's still just a child! And he never recovered his memory...
Lyria: Most importantly, the two of them have always been our wonderful friends! We're definitely not leaving them behind!
Monika, looking conflicted, refuses to let the captain take another step toward the Inchoate World.
(Captain) brushes off Monika's hand and turns back around. However...
Monika: Sorry, (Captain).
Feeling a powerful impact from behind...
(Captain) slumps to the ground.
Monika: Hate me if you want, but I can't afford to lose you too.
Moments before losing consciousness...
The captain is able to make out Monika's apology.
Contending with some dizziness, (Captain) slowly gets up from bed.
Lyria: Thank goodness you're finally awake!
Vyrn: You sure had us worried, (Captain).
The captain turns to hear the relieved voices of trusted companions.
Monika: This is our frontline base.
Monika: I knocked you out cold earlier and had you brought here.
Now understanding what had happened, (Captain)'s expression is one of shock.
Lecia: Um... (Captain). Please don't hold a grudge against Monika.
Lecia: She was only trying to save you.
A pained expression overtakes the captain's face.
Choose: What happened afterward?
Monika: (Captain)... Follow me.
Monika: It's faster if I show you directly.
(Captain) and company follow Monika out of the room.
Having come outside, the crew looks above to find a giant sphere the size of a floating island.
Monika: That showed up all of a sudden after we escaped from the replicated world.
Monika: According to the survey team's report, there's an entire world nestled within the sphere. A world never seen before.
Monika: And the sphere has been getting larger over time.
Monika: It doesn't show signs of stopping either, which means it'll only be a matter of time before...
All turn pale as they imagine the worst possible outcome.
Lyria: I can sense the Inchoate World's presence from that sphere.
Vyrn: So you're sayin' that thing's basically the Inchoate World?
Lyria: Most likely...
Choose: Caim must be in there...
Lyria's and Vyrn's expressions cloud at the thought.
Monika: Our world will be swallowed up by that thing sooner or later if we don't do something about it.
Monika: The situation's dire, but that's no reason to curl up and wait for death.
Monika: I realize you're probably still mad at me, but (Captain)... Won't you lend us your strength?
Choose: Like you even need to ask!
Lyria: Mm-hm! We're going to save both Caim and Hanged Man for sure!
Vyrn: Heck yeah! I've still got a rematch with Caim in that board game, and he better be around for it!
Monika: Thank you. We're indebted to you, (Captain).
They look up to the sphere once more.
Their resolve to save their dear friends burns bright.
Memory's Trigger: Scene 2
Caim awakens in an illusion of his room aboard the Grandcypher and is shown a memory of his past self setting his family's house on fire. Recalling the terrible things he's done nearly breaks him, but the resurfaced Hanged Man helps him retain his sanity.
Caim: Mng...
The boy opens his eyes to find a soft, yellow light caressing his face.
Caim: Huh? This is... my room?
Caim wakes up to find himself in his room aboard the Grandcypher.
Caim: I must've been asleep... What a scary dream that was...
As he crawls out of bed, the air around him doesn't seem to be any different.
Caim: That's right—Hanged Man.
He scans the room, but his primal friend is not present.
Caim: Maybe he woke up early... Time to go find him.
Vyrn: Heyo. Morning, Caim.
Caim: Vyrn, good morning. Have you seen Hanged Man anywhere?
Vyrn: Nuh-uh... He's not with you?
Caim: He was already gone by the time I woke up.
Vyrn: "You snooze, you lose," he's probably thinkin'.
Caim: Where are (Captain) and Lyria?
Vyrn: They should be on the deck. The ship's about to land, so they're scopin' things out.
Caim: Oh yeah? I should go up there too then!
Vyrn: Right behind ya!
(Captain): ...
Caim: Ah, there you are!
Caim: (Captain), Lyria!
Lyria: Caim...
Caim: Huh?
Sensing something amiss, Caim comes to an abrupt stop.
Caim: Lyria?
Lyria: ...
Caim: Is something wrong? You're usually a lot more cheerful...
Lyria: Why did you come back?
Caim: Huh?
Lyria's voice sounds eerily different from usual.
Lyria: You make me sick, boy.
Caim: Wh-what are you saying, Lyria...
(Captain): We don't need you.
Caim: ...!
(Captain)?
(Captain)?
Lyria: He's too smart for his own good. It creeps me out.
(Captain): Let's just pretend we never had that monster for a kid.
Caim: Wha... Please... No!
Lyria: And so we tossed you out.
Vyrn: Uh-huh. I don't have a big brother anymore.
Caim: Don't say that!
The Three: Ah... What a miserable, pitiful child.
Caim: Stop it!
Caim falls to his knees and covers his ears as he screams.
Caim: Ngh...
Caim: Why are you all being so mean... I just...
Someone eventually taps on his trembling shoulders.
Caim?: No need to cry.
Caim: Mm?
Caim looks up, his teary eyes widening in surprise.
Caim: You're... me?
This other version of himself helps him up.
Caim?: You have nothing to be sad about. They're the pitiful ones.
Caim?: And there's no need to turn your eyes away when you're the one who's in the right.
Caim: What are you saying? Who... are you?
Caim?: Relax. You have nothing more to worry about.
The edges of this other Caim's lips curl up in sinister fashion.
Caim?: You can just erase everything that's wrong with the world.
Caim?: That way, nobody can blame you for anything. Nobody...
Caim?: Don't let anyone call you miserable ever again.
Caim: ...
A brightly lit torch has somehow found its way into the other Caim's hand.
Caim?: Now then...
Caim: Wha...
Guided by his other self, Caim takes up the torch.
Caim?: It's simple, really. Just erase everything.
Caim?: Like you did once before.
Caim: ...
Too stunned to speak, Caim finds the Grandcypher and his friends engulfed in flames before he realizes it.
Caim: Ah... Aah...
No longer able to reach out to those he once considered dear, Caim watches everything burn down.
Caim: Gwaaaah!
The flickering of the flames mercilessly drowns out his screams.
Caim: No... Please don't go, (Captain)!
Caim: Nuh-uh... Don't blame me.
Caim: I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...
Caim: Someone help me!
Caim: Just deserts for being the fools they are!
Caim: Ngh...
The smoldering Grandcypher is nowhere in sight. Caim is alone, standing with the clear, blue skies above him.
Caim: Mng...
Though his eyes are fully open, nothing is reflected off them anymore.
The Hanged Man: Aww...
The Hanged Man: Let me guess: you remembered?
The Hanged Man speaks in a quieter tone than usual. Caim does not turn to look at him.
A mixed jumble of words pour out from his lips, drained of color.
Caim: No... I don't know anything about that...
Caim: It's not my fault...
Caim: I don't remember anything...
The Hanged Man: Sigh...
The Hanged Man: If you're going to push back that hard...
The Hanged Man's hand digs into Caim's neck.
The Hanged Man: Want me to end it all for you again? Like before?
Caim: I... I...
The Hanged Man grunts at the half-hearted response from Caim.
The Hanged Man: How dull.
The primal lets go of the Evoker.
The Hanged Man: Looks like you might not need my help after all.
The Hanged Man: I'd rather not see you stay like that anyhow.
Inchoate World: Hah. So that's the extent of an Evoker, I see.
Inchoate World: Being unable to cope with the unfortunate circumstances put in place by fate and breaking down as a result.
Inchoate World: Tell me. How does it feel to have a broken pactbearer?
The Hanged Man: Shut it, will ya?
Inchoate World: What?
The Hanged Man: Caim might be a bore right now, but you? You just plain stink.
The Hanged Man: And I don't need some stinky loudmouth getting into my thoughts.
Inchoate World: Such seditious words... I believe you do not understand your position.
Inchoate World: You would do well to watch your language before your creator.
The Hanged Man: I stopped moving completely once... Yet here I am acting of my own free will.
The Hanged Man: Means there's a way out of this. Thing is...
The Hanged Man: Caim's way better at figuring out this sort of thing than I am.
Caim: ...
The Hanged Man: Hm, what to do about this...
The Hanged Man reaches out to Caim once more.
He cups the lifeless boy's cheeks with both hands.
The Hanged Man: I got you to wake up last time by reforging our pact.
The Hanged Man: Just goes to show our fates are ultimately tied.
The Hanged Man: Besides...
The Hanged Man: I can't imagine how boring it'd be if you stayed like this forever.
Flashing his usual easygoing smile, The Hanged Man presses his forehead against Caim's while upside down.
The Hanged Man: (Captain)'s not here now. So no permission needed.
The Hanged Man: Right, Caim?
Caim: ...
The Hanged Man: If things end with you just shutting down...
The Hanged Man: And dying in here, you'll be wiped out from the world for good.
Caim: Mng...
The Hanged Man: Knowing (Captain) and them, they'll probably be sad.
The Hanged Man: Pretty sure that sadness won't last long though.
The Hanged Man: They'll soon forget you and continue their adventure in good spirits...
Caim: Ah...
The Hanged Man: Would you really be okay with that, Caim?
The Hanged Man rubs Caim's eyes with his thumbs as if to awaken him.
The Hanged Man: What is it you were really afraid of?
The Hanged Man: I happen to know.
The Hanged Man: And I'm willing to bet it's all come back to you too.
Caim: N-no...
Caim's eyes begin to waver, finally reflecting The Hanged Man.
Caim: I can't disappear... It can't end like this...
Caim: I don't want to die!
The Hanged Man: Good. Way to go, Caim.
The Hanged Man is pleased to see the progress they've made.
Memory's Trigger: Scene 3
In breaking the illusion, Caim seized a portion of The World's power, enabling him and The Hanged Man to confront him again. In danger of being destroyed, The World ejects the two outside the spherical world, where they reunite with the crew aboard the Grandcypher.
Caim: Huff...
The Hanged Man: Caim.
The Hanged Man: You up yet? How you feeling?
Caim: Hanged Man...
Caim: Shut up. Get away from me.
The Hanged Man: Haha. Touchy. Haven't seen you react like that in a while.
The Hanged Man: I just wish you could be a little happier to see me since it's been a long time.
Caim: Heh...
Caim: "Long time," my foot. You're a terrible liar.
Caim: I remember everything that happened while my memory was gone.
The Hanged Man: Good, you won't need an explanation then. Makes things easier.
The Hanged Man: So about what happens now...
Caim: You're the one who said I don't need an explanation. And you're right.
The Hanged Man: Oh yeah?
Inchoate World: What?
The Hanged Man: Heh... I like where this is going already.
Caim: ...
Inchoate World: What are you doing?
Caim: Heh... You want to know that bad?
Caim flashes a bold grin while making violet sparks glimmer around them.
Caim: Seeing how hopeless you are, I suppose it wouldn't hurt me to take a moment and explain what you've just done to yourself.
Inchoate World: The fool wishes to educate me?
Caim: You know how you put me in this world?
Caim: Well, doing so was like putting a virus into your defenseless system.
Caim: Not to mention you happily absorbed all the data we gathered.
Caim: You practically have everything set up for me to blow you up from inside.
Inchoate World: Wha!
Caim: You bragged about being Hanged Man's creator, but at the end of the day you're just another primal beast—a creation.
Caim: Tell me: how does it feel to know I have your pathetic existence by the throat?
Inchoate World: You insolent mortal!
The Hanged Man: Whoa, slow down there, Caim.
The Hanged Man: Almost sounds like you're bad-mouthing me since I'm a primal too.
Caim: Shut up and don't get in my way.
The Hanged Man: All right, all right.
Amid the witty banter between the two, the Inchoate World is hit with a sudden realization.
Inchoate World: Damn you! You've really done it...
Inchoate World: Rgh!
Inchoate World: (At this rate...)
Caim: ...!
The Hanged Man: Whoa-ho!
The duo is ejected out into clear skies.
True to his name, The Hanged Man hangs in midair and grabs Caim's hand.
The Hanged Man: Too close for comfort.
Caim: Not close at all. This is exactly what I expected to happen.
The Hanged Man: Glad to be a part of your expectations.
Caim: Shut up.
The Hanged Man: Yep, yep.
The sound of a passing airship reaches the grimacing Caim's ears as he holds onto The Hanged Man's hand.
The Hanged Man: Oh! Looks who's come to pick us up.
It is the Grandcypher that approaches.
On the deck are familiar figures waving at them.
The Hanged Man: Whoo, boy are we lucky they got here so fast.
The Hanged Man: Then again, you're light enough that I wouldn't mind carrying you to safety... Except you might be too weak to handle it.
The Hanged Man: So was everything up until now as you expected?
Caim: ...
The Hanged Man: Heh...
Lyria: Caim! Hanged Man!
Vyrn: Good to see you guys are all right!
The two receive a warm welcome from their friends on the Grandcypher.
Lyria: Are you okay, Caim? Being stuck in that place must have been terrifying...
Caim: I'm fine...
Vyrn: You don't seem like your usual self, Caim.
Lyria: You must be hurt somewhere! Please let us know if you're not feeling well!
Caim: I said I'm fine!
Lyria: !
Vyrn: Caim?
The crew is surprised to hear him respond in an unusually curt manner.
The Hanged Man lightens the mood in his typical carefree tone.
The Hanged Man: Nothing to worry about, guys. Caim couldn't be better.
The Hanged Man: Especially now that he's got his memory back.
Lyria: His memory? You mean...
Vyrn: He remembers everything?
Caim: ...
Lyria: That's great! We're happy for you!
Vyrn: Yeah! We ought to celebrate!
Caim: Huh...
Lyria: Teehee, what a relief.
The Hanged Man: To be completely honest, I'm not sure if it's that much of a good thing.
Caim: Hey!
The Hanged Man: Aw, don't look at me like that.
Caim: We can save that talk for later.
Trying to maintain his composure, the Evoker turns to (Captain) and company.
Caim: Knowing you, I suppose you plan on doing something about that primal beast?
Caim: Right, just as I thought...
Caim: Well, I imagine I'd be pretty helpful in your battle against him.
Caim: I'm not fond of getting a question when I ask a question...
Caim: But never mind that for now.
Caim: If you plan on taking him on, I believe I can help.
Continue 1
Lyria: Huh? What do you mean?
Caim: While trapped within that primal's world, Hanged Man and I were able to reclaim and maintain our true selves.
Caim: What's more, I believe he currently holds the backdoor key to access all the data he's absorbed.
Vyrn: Access? Data?
Lyria: Backdoor?
Caim: Sigh...
The Hanged Man: To put it in layman's terms, The World's got a weak point dangling inside of himself.
Caim: This is a chance for us to get the upper hand, and we should absolutely take it.
Lyria: That's really good to know!
Vyrn: Yeah, we're gonna sock it to that primal!
Vyrn: Hate to ask you guys when you just got back, but we're countin' on your help!
Caim: I find that a rather strange thing for you to say.
Caim: I had no intention of leaving him be to begin with.
Caim: Though it's true that we'll able to accomplish the task with greater efficiency by using each other...
Caim: Even if you weren't around—
Lyria: But we are around!
Lyria: We're friends, so we should do this together!
The Hanged Man: Hahaha, doesn't sound like your point's getting across.
Caim: Eh, won't waste my time explaining myself.
Caim: Not like there's much time anyway.
Vyrn: You think so?
Caim: If we wait too long, he may get the chance to fix the bugs of his new world.
Lyria: Urgh... And that means...
Caim: The sooner we act, the better.
Caim: I hope you can understand at least that much.
Vyrn: Sounds good to me!
Lyria: Same here!
And so the crew hardens its resolve to challenge the Inchoate World.
Memory's Trigger: Scene 4
The crew reenters the sphere to stop the Inchoate World once and for all. He sees the appearance of the crew as a trial to be overcome before world creation can happen and awaits their arrival at the center of the sphere.
The crew steps inside the floating sphere to settle matters with the Inchoate World.
Vyrn: Whoa... What's with this place...
Lyria: The many different colors mixed together is making my eyes go round...
The wild color scheme is extremely unsettling, violently distorting the captain's perceptions.
Vyrn: Urk, this is makin' me sick...
Lyria: Me too... How are you feeling, Caim?
Caim: Fine.
Vyrn: Yeah? Any chance it's got something to do with the advantage you got over the inchoate guy?
Caim: You could put it that way.
Lyria: And, um... I was also wondering why you look a bit different now.
The Hanged Man: This is Caim all powered up.
Lyria: Powered up?
Caim: You can forgo your sketchy explanations, Caim.
The Hanged Man: I'm not wrong though, am I?
Vyrn: Whaddya mean?
The Hanged Man: It's basically the visible effect of Caim connecting to the Inchoate World's power.
Vyrn: Uh-oh... I hope that doesn't mean trouble for Caim.
The Hanged Man: Nah. If anything, The World's the one who has to watch out.
The Hanged Man: It wouldn't be a stretch to say this is Caim's ultimate form.
Lyria: Well, that's reassuring.
Vyrn: We're countin' on ya, Caim.
Caim: ...
Caim: Enough chatter. We need to move.
Bracing themselves for what may come, the crew proceed onward to the center of the multicolored world.
Inchoate World: You lot again.
Vyrn: Gwah! You got us good last time, and now we're gonna get payback!
Inchoate World: What more could you want from me? I have no more business with you. You nuisances are a waste of time—
Inchoate World: No, wait... I see how it is. Defeating your group is the final trial I must overcome before the new world comes to fruition.
Caim: You tried to wipe us out earlier because you thought we were a threat.
Caim: Yet here you are being perfectly calm... I don't get it.
Inchoate World: A birth becomes that much more meaningful after successful completion of a trial. And a trial exists to be overcome...
Inchoate World: Very well then. I welcome you all to be the final sacrifices to mark the true completion of my task.
The Inchoate World seems to disappear, blending into his multicolored surroundings.
The crew's march toward the center of the sphere continues.
Categories:
- Scenario Character: Lecia
- Scenario Character: Inchoate World
- Scenario Character: Caim
- Scenario Character: The Hanged Man
- Scenario Character: Vyrn
- Scenario Character: Lyria
- Scenario Character: Monika
- Character Fate Scenario
- Lvl Cap Fate
- Fate Gender Check
- Scenario Character: (Captain)
- Scenario Character: The Three
- Scenario Character: Caim?