Scenario:Grimnir - Sealed Memories
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Sealed Memories
Hoping to end a war between two nations that was orchestrated by a third party, Grimnir and the crew head for the front lines, where they encounter a winged woman who calls Grimnir a traitor. Her report leads to the arrival of the primal beast Odin, who refers to Grimnir as his other half before piercing him with his spear, forcing the crew to retreat.
Soldier: Hyaaah!
On a hilltop overlooking a battlefield where two armies are engaged in fierce combat...
(Captain) and the crew square off against a formidable foe.
???: Behold the spear of absolute annihilation... Gungnir!
Grimnir: ...!
Grimnir: That move... No, stay focused!
Grimnir: Unleash your fury, my cyclone—
Grimnir: Ngh!
The enemy's spear pierces Grimnir's body with great force, sending him hurtling backward over a nearby ledge.
Vyrn: Windy!
(Captain) leaps off after to catch him, and they plummet toward the ground.
???: You would protect my other half, skydweller?
???: ...
Grimnir, blessed be the path before thee...
Grimnir, blessed be the path before thee...
The figure mutters to himself, slicing through the air with the same spear that had been lodged in Grimnir's side only moments before.
Several hours prior, (Captain) and the crew make their way toward a remote island.
Grimnir: I see... So a pair of nations battling over territory both requested your help.
Grimnir: It seems the winds have carried word of (Captain)'s ability to even the most remote reaches of the sky.
Lyria: But we don't want to help them fight—we want to put an end to the fighting.
Vyrn: (Captain) did a little digging, and apparently the two countries used to be on friendly terms.
Vyrn: But suddenly there was a surge of shady activity around the border...
Lyria: Both sides grew increasingly suspicious of each other until the conflict erupted into a full-fledged war.
Grimnir: In other words, this battle may have been orchestrated by a third party.
Vyrn: Bingo. So we wanna get to the bottom of what happened and stop the fight!
Choose: For that, we need the God of War.
Grimnir: Heh... Of course.
Grimnir: To the God of War, Grrrrrimnir, admonishing mortals over such disputes is a simple task!
Choose: Think you could lend a hand?
Grimnir: Aw, don't look so nervous, (Captain)!
Grimnir: Just leave it to me! I'll stop this silly scuffle!
Continue 1
Grimnir: And besides, I couldn't bear to sit idly by and allow them to continue hurting each other like that.
Grimnir: There's no time to lose! Let's be on our way—(Captain), Girl in Blue, Red Dragon!
Grimnir: My mighty tempest shall bring a swift end to this war swirling with tragedy and intrigue!
Thus, (Captain) and company head for the remote island in hopes of defusing the situation.
Upon their arrival, they survey the battlefield from a small hill overlooking the two armies.
Lyria: Oh no... We've got to hurry and stop them..
Grimnir: Girl in Blue, are you all right? You can look away if you need to—
Grimnir: ...!
What's that?
What's that?
Grimnir glances up at the sky, peering at something in the distance.
(Captain) and company follow his gaze to see a winged woman observing the battle from overhead.
???: ...
As she prays, glowing spheres arise one after another from across the battlefield and gather before her.
???: Come, souls of the fiercest soldiers. I shall lead you to Valhalla.
Grimnir: What are you doing?
???: ...!
Spotting Grimnir, the woman swoops down and lands before the crew.
Grimnir: You're no mortal... Are you the mastermind behind this conflict?
???: It's you... Grimnir!
Grimnir: Indeed! I am none other than the Mad Cyclone, Grrrrrimnir—
Grimnir: Wait, huh? You know me?
???: Traitor! How dare you show your face here!
Grimnir: T-traitor?
(Captain) and the crew are bewildered by the woman's overt hostility toward Grimnir.
Seemingly indifferent to their reaction, she raises her voice to the sky as though speaking to an invisible presence.
???: This is Skuld, reporting in.
Yes, my lord. No... We have encountered some... interference.
Yes, my lord. No... We have encountered some... interference.
Skuld: It's Grimnir.
All at once, the clear skies around them are filled with dark clouds and violent lightning.
Vyrn: Th-the heck did she just do?
Lyria: Something's coming! It feels like...
With a roaring crash of thunder, a spear-wielding figure appears on horseback.
Lyria: A-a primal beast!
Vyrn: What!
???: Ah, how long it has been. Grimnir—my other half.
Grimnir: Wh-what are you talking about? I have no idea who—
Grimnir: Ngh!
Grimnir clutches his head as it suddenly erupts with pain.
Grimnir: (What the!)
???: This battlefield is a hunting ground created to seek out mighty warriors and invite their souls to Valhalla.
???: Do not interfere with our selection.
Vyrn: Hunting ground? Does that mean you're the ones pulling the strings behind this war?
Lyria: How could you force them to fight like this! That's awful!
(Captain) and company stand to face the primal beast and his apparent subordinate, Skuld.
Grimnir: They're right. If you intend to needlessly increase mortal suffering through such meaningless battles...
Grimnir: I—the God of War and Tempest Incarnate—will stop you here and now!
???: Then you leave me no choice.
???: Grimnir. If you insist on another audience, I shall grant you death.
The armor-clad primal beast extends his spear in Grimnir's direction, prepared to strike.
???: Behold the spear of absolute annihilation... Gungnir!
Grimnir: ...!
Grimnir: That move... No, stay focused!
With a flash, the enemy unleashes a swift attack.
Had it been launched from an ordinary weapon, Grimnir would have had no issue repelling it.
Grimnir: Unleash your fury, my cyclone—
Grimnir: ...!
The blow is deflected by Grimnir's winds, an absolute defense against all attacks.
But the next moment—as though it was inevitable from the beginning—the spear pierces his body.
Grimnir: Ngh!
Grimnir is sent hurtling backward over a nearby ledge, spear still lodged in his side.
Vyrn: Windy!
(Captain) leaps off after to catch him, and they plummet toward the ground.
Lyria: Please help them, Tiamat!
Tiamat slows the pair's fall, and together they make a hasty retreat with the rest of the crew.
???: You would protect my other half, skydweller?
???: ...
Grimnir, blessed be the path before thee...
Grimnir, blessed be the path before thee...
The man gazing down at the battlefield mutters to himself, showing no intention of pursuit.
Grimnir: ...
Odin...
Odin...
His consciousness fading, Grimnir utters the familiar name that floats into his mind.
Sealed Memories: Scene 2
Born as Odin's alter ego centuries prior, Grimnir learns about war and skydweller culture, while also helping to oversee Valhalla—a land where the souls of departed warriors are trained. But through his interactions with skydwellers, Grimnir decides to pursue the possibility of coexistence with them, and Odin grants him his freedom.
Several hundred years ago, when the Astrals still ruled the skies...
Odin: Awaken, my other half.
???: Huh? Where... am I?
Odin: It seems your consciousness has been successfully separated.
Odin: This is Valhalla—a land under my rule where the souls of great warriors gather.
Odin: And my name is Odin—God of War and Thunder Incarnate. You are my alter ego, formed from a portion of myself.
???: Alter... ego?
Odin directs the man toward a nearby palace window.
He looks outside to see a horde of ghostly soldiers training single-mindedly.
Odin: I was created by the Astrals and given my own unique role to fulfill.
Odin: Namely—to gather the souls of fierce warriors as a means of ensuring the continued supremacy of the stars.
Odin: I bring them here to Valhalla and forge them into even sharper and stronger weapons.
Odin: To carry out this duty, I keep abreast of the ever-changing circumstances of the skies and guide the chosen ones from the battlefield.
Odin: Occasionally it becomes necessary to fan the flames of war myself. After all, heroes are not born in times of peace.
Odin holds out a single spear to his still rather stunned alter ego.
Odin: You will become my eyes and limbs and storm the skies as my other half—my shadow.
Odin: I trust that you understand?
???: ...
Odin: I shall bestow upon you a name. You are the raging tempest that leads the thunder—
Grimnir: Odin! You called?
Odin: Grimnir... Yes, I did.
Odin: You are to make your way to the site of the skydweller uprising in the southwest, as mentioned in your report.
Odin: Skuld, I will have you accompany him.
Skuld: Yes, my lord.
Grimnir: Aww, you're not coming, Odin?
Grimnir: But you were so cool when we fought together on the battlefield last time! Let's team up again!
Odin: That was a special case. There was a soul present that I simply had to obtain at any cost.
Odin: My role is to oversee Valhalla. For what purpose do you think I created you?
Grimnir: Tch... Okaaay...
Grimnir: There've been fights breaking out all over the place lately, so I might as well go check that one out too.
Odin: Very good. I entrust this task to you.
Grimnir: Take good care of Valhalla while we're away!
Odin: ...
I realize that I instilled my most sociable aspects into you for the sake of gathering information...
I realize that I instilled my most sociable aspects into you for the sake of gathering information...
Odin: But at least fix your manner of speaking. It carries not the slightest bit of authority.
Grimnir: Wait, really? Everybody says I'm easy to talk to though...
Grimnir: So you're saying I should use cooler-sounding language like you do, then? Hmm...
Skuld: ...
Odin looks on with a pensive expression as Grimnir wracks his mind for the answer.
One evening, Grimnir is summoned to Odin's study.
There, the thunder god hands him a book.
Grimnir: Is this written by a mortal? Looks like the author's name is Dostoepsky...
Odin: That is called literature. It is the most efficient method for familiarizing yourself with the language of skydwellers.
Grimnir: Crime... Punishment... Good deeds...
Grimnir: Whoa, you read some really complicated books! So this is how you got to be so cool!
Grimnir: Hey, can you tell me what this one's about?
Odin: Oh, very well...
In this way, Grimnir gradually increases his literary knowledge under Odin's instruction.
Grimnir: Say, Odin. What's the deal with—ahem. What I mean to say is, what drives you consume so many books?
Odin: I do so to study the culture of the skydwellers.
Odin: By assessing their thoughts and ideologies, as well as the principles that govern their behavior, I can perfect the tactics to be used against them.
Odin: Furthermore, the souls of warriors invited to Valhalla are no different from skydwellers.
Odin: Although they become obedient soldiers when selected as a result of my power, they still retain their mental capacity.
Odin: All that I do is for the sake of training and leading powerful champions.
Grimnir: Huh... Okay...
Grimnir: In that case, I'll try reading more too!
Grimnir: After all, I'm your other half! I've got to be able to do at least that much!
Odin: Very well...
Odin: Now, this treatise describes strategies and formations that have proven their worth across a myriad of battlefronts in the region.
Grimnir: Ooh, a myriad! Wow!
Thus, on top of learning about the art of warfare...
Grimnir: Check it out, Odin! I found a book by a mortal near the battlefield...
Grimnir comes to understand more about culture and language of mortals through perusing countless texts.
Odin: What is this book? There appears to be a dreadfully large amount of spoken dialogue...
Grimnir: Oh! That one's all the rage among the mortals these days.
Grimnir: It's a story about a powerful wizard who has an accident and ends up traveling to another world...
While simultaneously aiding them in their duty to wage battle, their reading also serves as an enjoyable form of entertainment...
Grimnir: The time has come for me to depart. 'Tis my mission to storm the battlefield and seize victory.
Grimnir: Never fear. My winds will not allow a single soul to excape—
Grimnir: Nooo, I flubbed it! And it was going to sound so cool, too!
Odin: Your speech has been corrupted by the words of that book you brought here before.
Grimnir: Hey! I know you liked that one too!
Grimnir: There's supposed to be a sequel coming out soon! I'll make sure to snag a copy!
Grimnir: Well, I must be on my way. Blessed be the path before thee...
Odin: ...
Blessed be the path before thee.
Blessed be the path before thee.
The signature phrase that Odin comes to share with Grimnir, too, is nothing less than a line taken from a book.
The culture of mortals has begun to take root in Grimnir's heart—a fact he is not unaware of.
Some time later...
Skydweller: Gwah!
Grimnir: ...
The skydwellers rise up to free themselves of Astral rule, and the War begins.
As Grimnir wields his spear upon the battlefield amidst the escalating conflict, he begins to have doubts.
Grimnir: (Through traveling the Sky Realm and being exposed to skydwellers and their culture, I've come to understand something.)
Grimnir: (Skydwellers are amazing. I mean, sure, they're not as strong as Astrals or us primal beasts...)
Grimnir: (But they're filled with emotions, adept at thinking, capable of creating interesting things, and able to live together hand in hand.)
Grimnir: (Couldn't Astrals and skydwellers work together and find a way to coexist like that too?)
Grimnir: (But according to Odin...)
Odin: Don't be absurd. Have you forgotten the meaning behind your very existence?
Odin: We are weapons created by the Astrals for the purpose of strengthening their reign. You need only think of fulfilling your role.
Odin: Skydwellers are fragile, weak beings that are inferior to the Astrals in both physical strength and technological prowess.
Odin: Thus, it follows that they exist to be ruled over. It is the joy of the weak to be led to greatness by the strong.
Grimnir: ...
Grimnir: (There are fewer soldiers here than before. They must have been sent to subdue the skydwellers again.)
Odin: I see you have returned, Grimnir.
Grimnir: Oh... Odin.
Grimnir hesitates momentarily before pulling out a book from his pocket.
Grimnir: I borrowed another book from a mortal today! The expressions in it are hard to understand, but it's really interesting!
Grimnir: You should read it too! I just know you'll—
Odin: Nietzel, is it?
Odin: I perused it long ago. It was a collection of poems with no research value whatsoever.
Grimnir: ...!
Odin: The war is taking longer than anticipated. We must supplement Valhalla's forces with more soldiers. You are to revisit the battlefields tomorrow.
Grimnir: Odin...
And so, near the end of the War...
Grimnir eventually finds himself unable to ignore the doubts growing within him.
Grimnir: Odin... I refuse to take part in this war against the skydwellers any longer.
Odin: ...
Grimnir: I have no regrets over having fulfilled my role—as your other half, as well as a fellow primal beast.
Grimnir: But I honestly don't know if it's right for the Astrals to keep ruling the skies.
Grimnir: So... I'm sorry.
Grimnir: (Oh man, I actually said it! Odin's going to be so angry! What do I do?)
Odin: ...
I never imagined that you would acquire an ego so different from my own.
I never imagined that you would acquire an ego so different from my own.
Grimnir: Huh?
Odin: Very well. If you wish to leave Valhalla, then so be it.
Odin approaches Grimnir and reaches out for his head.
His hand ruffles the hair of his alter ego, much like an elder brother's show of affection to his younger kin.
Grimnir: O... din?
Odin: Farewell, my other half.
Odin: Blessed be the path before thee...
Sealed Memories: Scene 3
Shortly after Grimnir awakens on the Grandcypher, Raphael arrives to heal his injuries and inform him that his true power and a portion of his memories were previously sealed away by Odin. In order to recover them, Grimnir agrees to face Raphael's trial.
Grimnir: Mngh...
Lyria: Oh, Grimnir! Thank goodness you're awake!
Grimnir: (Captain)... Girl in Blue...
Grimnir: Is this... the Grandcypher?
Vyrn: You keeled over when we were runnin' away from that primal, Windy.
Grimnir: Oh. Sorry for giving you more work...
Grimnir: You know, I just had the weirdest dream... I was spending time with that primal beast, Odin...
Lyria: That was... Odin?
Grimnir: Anyway, I'm glad you guys are safe.
Grimnir: But now that we know that primal is the one responsible, we've got to hurry and stop him!
Grimnir: Ngh!
Vyrn: Whoa, hold up! You gotta stay still after that beatin' you took!
Grimnir: But...
Grimnir frantically attempts to stand as (Captain) tries to hold him back.
Just then, a gust of wind suddenly sweeps into the room.
Raphael: Acting in haste will do nothing to better the situation.
Before them appears Raphael, the primarch who once governed the element of wind.
Grimnir: R-Raphael!
Raphael: I had intended to avoid interfering and entrust everything to the winds of fate, but it seems that is no longer an option.
Raphael holds his hand over Grimnir's wound, calling forth a gentle breeze to envelop him.
Within moments, his injuries have healed enough that he is able to sit up.
Lyria: What brings you here, Raphael?
Raphael: I caught wind of the fact that something was ailing my disciple, Grimnir.
Vyrn: Oh, yeah. He really got banged up...
Raphael: No, I am referring to something else entirely.
Raphael: The seal that was placed upon you is on the verge of coming undone.
Grimnir: What!
Raphael: A portion of your memories have been sealed away together with your power. By your other half—Odin.
Lyria: Wait, Odin?
Vyrn: That primal we saw earlier is Windy's other half?
Raphael: During the War, I heard rumor of two so-called war gods traveling from battlefield to battlefield.
Raphael: They were known as Thunder and Tempest Incarnate—Odin and Grimnir.
Grimnir: Th-then that dream I just had...
Raphael: I presume that your memories are slowly beginning to return as a result of your clash with Odin.
Raphael: When I first encountered you wandering the Sky Realm, I noticed that a seal had been placed upon you.
Raphael: Thus, I accepted you as my disciple in order to keep watch over the future course of your winds.
Grimnir: Ah... That's right...
Raphael: To stop Odin, the power sealed within you must be fully restored.
Raphael: It is within my capability to release the seal, but should you be unable to control the immense power that will undoubtedly be unleashed...
Raphael: The elements of wind could go out of control, leading to a collapse in the balance of the tetra-elements.
Grimnir: I see... Say no more.
Grimnir: You want to ascertain whether I have the ability to handle the power raging within me.
Grimnir: I could ask for nothing more. The God of War is capable of overcoming any trial!
Lyria: B-but Grimnir, you only just recovered from your injuries...
Grimnir: Thanks for worrying about me, Girl in Blue!
Grimnir: But... I've decided to use my power to protect the vulnerable.
Grimnir: And that's why I want to stop Odin from starting any more conflicts.
Grimnir: I'll do whatever it takes to make that happen!
Grimnir: So just sit back and watch me in action this time around, (Captain)!
Fully trusting in Grimnir's words, the captain nods.
Grimnir: Heh, thanks!
Raphael: Your eyes are unclouded by doubt. I acknowledge your resolve.
Raphael: Now then, Grimnir—my disciple. I shall confer upon you the trial of wind...
Sealed Memories: Scene 4
Grimnir succeeds in overcoming the trial, allowing him to break the seal placed upon him. Remembering the true name of his spear—the Vortex of the Void—as well as his memories of the past, Grimnir resolves to put a stop to Odin's ambitions.
Grimnir: Surging storm and piercing gale—blow forth! Haaah!
Raphael: Such magnificent winds. It appears that your interactions under (Captain)'s guidance have served to enhance your growth.
Raphael: Now, the time has come to break free of the seal that binds you...
After overcoming the trial, Grimnir's body is enveloped in a dazzling light.
Grimnir: ...!
Odin: The name of that spear?
Odin: It was merely the result of dividing my own weapon, Gungnir. Therefore, it has no name.
Odin: Gungnir was split in two at the moment that I created you from myself. Therefore, the power of your spear is also—
Odin: What? You wish for me to join you in thinking of a name for it?
Odin: If you insist...
Vyrn: H-hey... Windy?
Grimnir stares at the spear in his hand.
Grimnir: Ah, I remember now. Odin...
Grimnir: The ruler of Valhalla and wielder of Gungnir—the spear of annihilation that never fails to hit its mark.
Grimnir: My other half... who exiled me.
Grimnir: And this spear...
Grimnir: It's none other than the counterpart to Gungnir—the Vortex of the Void!
The moment Grimnir calls out its name, the spear releases a gust of wind, causing (Captain) and company to reflexively shut their eyes.
Lyria: Eep!
They reopen them to see Grimnir standing before them, his weapon surrounded by howling winds.
Raphael: The seal has been safely released, and the winds are stable.
Grimnir: Indeed. Now I can combat that spear of annihilation.
Grimnir: Behold, (Captain). At long last, I have attained my final form as the True Cyclone and God of War...
Grimnir: Perrrfect Grrrrrimnir!
Vyrn: R-right...
Lyria: W-wow...
Grimnir: Hey! Why won't you two look at me!
Grimnir: Come on, (Captain)! Wasn't I super cool just now?
With Grimnir acting like his usual self, (Captain) and company breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Lyria: But if Grimnir can stop Odin now...
Vyrn: Yeah! There shouldn't be any more pointless fights poppin' up like the war between those two countries!
While the crew basks in a newfound sense of hope, Grimnir mulls over his memories.
Odin: Blessed be the path before thee.
Grimnir: (Back then... Odin let me walk away.)
Grimnir: (Even though he had chosen to fulfill his role as a weapon... he still respected my own will.)
Grimnir: Then I'll give him everything I've got!
Having regained his memories alongside his true power, the God of War raises his eyes to the sky with renewed determination.
The chance for a rematch is almost upon him.