Scenario:Home Sweet Moon - Processing... Overclocked - Chapter 1: Searching in the Dark - Episode 4

Home Sweet Moon - Processing... Overclocked - Chapter 1: Searching in the Dark - Episode 4

The crew strengthens the neighborhood watch and confirms that there are no Otherworlders left. The next day, the contractors pick up their newly modded weapons from Mahira. She reduced the kickback that accompanies seal weapon release. However, the trigger for release remains unknown, which could pose a problem for members who've never released their weapons, like Ilsa and Eustace.

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Farrah and Juri play catch-up with the rest of the crew.

Juri: So that's what happened... We really need to tighten up the watch around town.

Farrah: I'll let Rhens know too! I'm sure he'll be able to help!

Eustace: And we'll put in a word to Ilsa, see if she can spare the town any soldiers.

Farrah: Understood! By the way...

Farrah: What's with those two?

Looters: ...

Zeta: Oh, don't mind them. They're just looters we caught red-handed and are handing over to the guards.

Juri: Looters? How foul!

Juri and Farrah express their indignation at the crooks.

Farrah: From moon weapons to Otherworld forces, there's so many threats from the outside world...

Farrah: This should be a time for all skydwellers to come together to fight the common evil!

Farrah: But what we have instead are looters?

Quaking with fury, Farrah settles down somewhat when Vaseraga pats her on the shoulder.

Vaseraga: As unfortunate as it is, the Sky Realm is filled with people good and evil.

Vaseraga: Not to mention the many shades of gray in between.

Juri: That's a fair point... I often find myself questioning the true meaning of justice.

Vaseraga: Regardless of what we think right now, we've decided to protect the Sky Realm and all that it encompasses.

Zeta: Gives me a funny feeling when you put it that way. I don't exactly feel like I'm cut out for the defender-of-justice role either.

Vaseraga: Same. But you know...

Vaseraga: The view of the skies from the cosmos is a real sight to behold.

Vaseraga: All it took was one look for me to want to protect what's here.

Farrah: I'd love to get a look from up there myself one day.

Beatrix: The cosmos, huh...

Drawn by Farrah's words, Beatrix turns to the cerulean skies.

Beatrix: I wonder how far along Cassius and Isaac are right now.

Lyria: Last we checked, we still couldn't communicate with them...

Beatrix: Sigh, I wish they were back already.

Vyrn: Mahira said they're due to arrive after Diaspora.

Beatrix: All the more reason for us to give Diaspora a good thrashing so that they return safely.

Juri: They're probably looking at the skies right now, wishing they could be here.

Beatrix: Hahahah! I bet Cassius is already thinking of what to eat once they've touched down!

A day has passed since the commotion in town. The crew has gathered at the base by Ilsa's orders.

Ilsa: And what of the Otherworld remnants?

Eustace: After defeating the automagod, we did a sweep of the surrounding area and found nothing. I believe the town's safe for the time being.

Zeta: It seemed to be the last of the Otherworlders that invaded during the earlier conflict.

Ilsa: Good. That means—

Beatrix: Embrasque! What happened to my Embrasque?

Ilsa: Simmer down, Hellcat! I was about to get to that, so just listen.

Beatrix: O-okay...

Ilsa: If you would do the honors, Mahira.

Mahira: Yes, please allow me to explain.

With Flamek, Arvess, Embrasque, and Nybeth laid out before her, Mahira launches into an explanation.

Mahira: To get straight to the point, I've made minor modifications to these four seal weapons.

Zeta: Modifications? They don't look any different to me.

Beatrix: Embrasque is still just the little blade that could.

Mahira: I mainly touched up the parts inside involved with energy flow.

Mahira: Particularly the main circuitry that transforms energy into weapon potency.

Vyrn: Er... So what does that mean?

Mahira: To put it simply, I minimized the devastating recoil that happens when releasing the seal weapon.

Vaseraga: That's brilliant!

Mahira: You'll still feel some kickback, but I've reduced it as much as possible.

Zeta: As amazing as that is, does it also mean the weapons won't be as powerful?

Mahira: No, that won't be the case. On the contrary, the energy output should be much more efficient.

Mahira: Basing my work on Isaac's theory that seal weapons use their wielder's emotions as a trigger...

Mahira: I reduced the likelihood of currents backfeeding through the circuitry as your emotional energy gets converted into weapon power.

Zeta: Wait, let me see if I understand this...

Zeta: Instead of that wasted energy always biting me in the rear, it's now gonna enhance my attacks?

Zeta: Did I get that right?

Mahira: Yep. That's what it means.

Beatrix: Congrats on following all that, Zeta...

Zeta: Eh, just barely, but that's amazing if it works!

Zeta: Releasing Arvess always drains my batteries. I basically only have enough juice for one attack.

Zeta: But thanks to Mahira, I'll be able to stay in the released state and keep fighting for longer.

Vaseraga: While that sounds like a good thing, what about the trade-off? Is there a higher risk of succumbing to the automagod form?

Mahira: From what I've gathered, chances are these seal weapons can no longer turn into automagods.

Beatrix: Huh? Why not?

Mahira: Remember what we said about seal weapons adapting to their wielders?

Mahira: Arvess, Flamek, and the rest have adapted to a point that they can no longer be called automagods.

Lyria: This is complicated...

Beatrix: Like, seriously! I don't get it!

Mahira: Hrm... Try to picture a tree branch and see if that makes it easier to understand.

Beatrix: A tree branch? Okay... Now what?

Ilsa: Despite originating from the moon, the automagods and current seal weapons have split into their own separate branches.

Ilsa: And those branches can neither return to the trunk nor fork into other branches.

Mahira: Exactly. That's why we ought to assume the four weapons have nearly zero chance of transforming into automagods again.

Vaseraga: Then my own experiences with Grynoth and the roots that took hold inside me are also a branch of evolution?

Mahira: I think you could say that.

Ilsa: Thanks to Mahira's research, we have one less thing to worry about. Now as for actually releasing the weapons...

Eustace: ...

Mahira: I'm still not on 100 percent sure how to trigger their release.

Mahira: I'm sorry I can't help more in this regard.

Zeta: Don't say that! You've done more than enough for us.

Zeta: You've gotten us this far; we gotta step up and figure out the rest.

Ilsa: Well, we still have Isaac's hint about emotions.

Eustace: Does that bit about emotional triggers apply only to Arvess? Or to all seal weapons?

Mahira: I'm not certain about that one either. But...

Mahira: Comparing the other weapons to Arvess has revealed interesting tidbits.

Mahira: Take Embrasque for example...

Beatrix: Oooh! What about it?

Mahira: Embrasque has likely experienced a released state numerous times already.

Beatrix: Huh?

Beatrix: Embrasque!

Eustace: ...!

Zeta: Bea! What are you doing? You're gonna get zapped!

Beatrix: Augh!

Lightning strikes Beatrix, but she ignores the pain and swings her electrified sword.

Beatrix: Nnngh... Eeeat zisss!

Beatrix: Embrasque Sword! Devour the surging karma before me and carve open the path to victory!

A blue light emanates from Embrasque's bladeless hilt.

The glow settles into a new form: that of an even larger blade.

Beatrix: Suck on this!

Beatrix: Wait, that was actually its released form?

Mahira: Another thing I found interesting is that Embrasque most resembles an automagod out of all the seal weapons.

Beatrix: Huh? What makes you say that? It's still in the shape of a sword.

Vaseraga: That does make sense, on multiple fronts.

Zeta: Embrasque always did seem to have a strong will of its own. Sure, it kept its sword form, but you could see small changes in how it looked.

Zeta: You've even said yourself that you could hear its voice, Bea.

Beatrix: I'm not sure I fully understand, but does that mean Embrasque will end up just like Grynoth and Arianensa?

Mahira: No. As I said earlier, there's no need to worry about that happening.

Mahira: It may be the closest to an automagod, but it's ultimately something else entirely.

Beatrix: I see... Can I get the old Embrasque back at least?

Mahira: Sorry, I don't have an answer for that.

Mahira: Embrasque's core is in an imperfect state as is.

Beatrix: Isn't the core the most important part? That means my Embrasque is...

Zeta: Bea...

Beatrix: Embrasque...

Mahira: Just so you know, Beatrix... While the sword's core may be damaged...

Mahira: I did see signs of recovery. Meaning its current state is a result of partial recovery.

Beatrix: That means...

Mahira: The small blade it currently sports was likely formed as part of that process.

Mahira: As long as that recovery continues, Embrasque's original form may see the light of day again.

Beatrix: Really? How long's that gonna take!

Mahira: Um... Well...

Beatrix: Tell me, tell me! I can't wait to swing my Embrasque in all its glory again!

Ilsa: Cool it, Hellcat!

Beatrix: Gweh!

Ilsa: I know you're excited, but let the little lady speak!

Beatrix: But, Sergeant...

Mahira: I'm sorry, Beatrix. I don't have a definite answer for you.

Mahira: Be it seal weapons or automagods, the creations of the moon are far beyond anything I'm accustomed to.

Mahira: It's thanks to the advice and records of Isaac and Alandus that I managed to figure out as much as I did.

Mahira: I wish I could tell you more. But I'm completely clueless about Embrasque's self-recovery mechanism.

Mahira: Whether the core is fully restored by tomorrow or in ten years...

Mahira: Or whether the repairs will even continue if we just let it be... I couldn't tell you.

Beatrix: I... see...

Mahira lowers her gaze, commiserating with the dejected Beatrix.

Mahira: I'm really sorry.

Zeta: You've done so much for us, Mahira. There's no need for you to apologize.

Mahira: Oh, I just happen to know how Beatrix feels.

Zeta: Cheer up already, Bea.

Zeta: You could always bring it up again with Isaac when he gets back.

Beatrix: Yeah... I guess I could do that.

Mahira: I have a few questions for him myself. Let's continue the conversation when he's safely back.

Beatrix: Yeah... Sorry for being a downer, Mahira! And thanks a ton for all the help! I'm gonna keep pushing on with my Embrasque!

Ilsa: Sigh... Hellcat can be such a handful.

Eustace: Mahira, please continue.

Mahira: Right. On to Flamek and Nybeth...

Mahira: Like the other weapons, I've reduced the kickback when they're released.

Ilsa: Except we haven't gotten to the point where the two of us can release our seal weapons...

Eustace: ...

Mahira: About that...

Mahira: Both weapons are primed for release.

Mahira: In other words, they're already in their awakened state.

Ilsa: You can't be serious!

Mahira: That's the conclusion I came to when comparing them with Arvess and Embrasque.

Ilsa: Meaning if we could figure out how to pull the emotional trigger...

Mahira: Yes. You should be able to draw out enough power to face off against an automagod, just like Arvess.

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 embarrassing.

Eustace: You have our gratitude, Mahira.

Mahira: Please, it's nothing. I'm just glad I could be of help to everyone fighting to protect the skies.

Mahira: Well, that's about it from me.

Having returned the seal weapons to their owners, Mahira thanks everyone for their attention.

Gwynne: ...

Vaseraga: Gwynne? What's wrong?

Gwynne: Oh, I'm just... a bit frustrated with myself.

Gwynne: If only I'd been quicker to become a seal weapon contractor, I'd be able help too in the battle to come...

Zeta: Heh, that's our Gwynne. Always climbing that ladder.

Beatrix: Don't you think you're pushing yourself too hard? I mean, how many people get to brag that they piloted an automagod to the moon?

Gwynne: True... Still, I can't help but think there's more I can do...

Ilsa: Don't worry your pretty little head about it. Hellcat makes a good point for once.

Ilsa: Consider this operation an invaluable training exercise. I've no doubt what you learn here's going to come in handy someday.

Gwynne: Some day? But I... I want to be useful now!

Lyria: Um... Is it Isaac you're worried about, Gwynne?

Gwynne: If I don't take a stand now, who knows if I'll ever have the chance to do so again when this is all over...

Eustace: Already thinking of life after the aftermath? Aren't you the optimist.

Gwynne: I...

Eustace: This problem's bigger than just Isaac and Cassius.

Eustace: If we lose, the Sky Realm as we know it is gone for good.

Eustace: And it's not like we can afford to spend what little time we have listening to the grievances of an amateur like you.

Gwynne: ...

Gwynne: I know full well that I'm not up to par...

Gwynne: But I'm still going to do what little I can.

Eustace: ...

Eustace leaves the room without saying another word.