Scenario:Magus - Lost in the Skies

Lost in the Skies

After the deadly battle with the Phoenix comes to an end, Magus leaves Port Breeze to start once again on her quest to revive Lord Astaroth. She travels far and wide across the Sky Realm chasing each and every rumor about resurrection, only to be bitterly disappointed each time. As the pressure takes a toll on her, Magus recalls the abundance of resources the singularity possesses and heads for the Grandcypher.

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One day, some time after the Phoenix incident at Port Breeze...

The origin primal beast Magus has made an appearance in the remote countryside.

Magus: This isn't it either.

Magus: How unfortunate. Where should I go next...

Wishing nothing more than to resurrect her revered Lord Astaroth, Magus decided to play along with Phoenix's plans.

Her goals, however, remain unachieved.

After losing her original path to resurrection, Magus is now on a new journey.

Magus: Tch, these cursed skydwellers and their strange habits of passing down suspicious folktales...

Magus: I doubt any of these questionable stories will lead me to the answer, but I may find something of value.

Various lands throughout the great expanse of the Sky Realm have stories about resurrection.

Magus has been investigating each and every one of these stories meticulously on her travels.

Magus: I know this village has it... The legendary secret treasure, the "Bell's Recant."

Village Elder: Huh? What'd you say? Belly dance? You are?

Magus: As if I would do such a thing! There's no good in hiding it from me.

Magus: Now hand it over to me! I know what the stories say—it's a treasure capable of bringing back and storing departed souls!

Village Elder: Oh! That was a random story my great-great-grandfather made up to sell a stone to a traveler!

Magus: Wh... What!

Magus: I heard that this island harbors a power that can bring back the dead. Tell me everything you know, now.

Townsperson: Ohh, that bit of gossip that's been going around. Wait, you actually believe in it?

Magus: It's just gossip!

Magus: At long last, I've found it! This is the sign that points me to the shrine of resurrection!

Magus: Huh? Wait...

Magus: Enough with this nonsense! It's not a shrine of resurrection—it's a shrine of recreation!

Magus: Why is there so much baseless folklore! Do skydwellers have nothing better to do with their time!

Contrary to Magus's hopes, the skydwellers are not familiar with methods of resurrection.

Magus: I suppose I'd best head off to a large town and gather information there...

Exhausted, Magus looks around and scans her surroundings for more hints.

Magus: Dammit! This cursed light!

Magus: What a wretched ball of fire! Whenever I see it, my mind can't help but to recall the Phoenix...

Magus: I bet it's watching down on me from somewhere, laughing! Aghh, I shudder just thinking about it!

As Magus glares at the sun with an intensity to rival its rays themselves, she remembers her showdown with the Phoenix.

She never even had the chance to chase after Phoenix when it flew away.

Later on, when Sandalphon asked about her intentions, Magus replied honestly.

Sandalphon: Not so fast. Do you mind telling us where you're off to?

Magus: Hmph, got any recommendations? I've finally taken my first breaths of fresh air after being holed up in Pandemonium.

Sandalphon: ...

Magus: Calm yourself. The affairs of the Sky Realm are none of my business—for now.

Magus: I lost to the singularity in Pandemonium and failed to obtain the Phoenix's tears.

Magus: Although I've adapted to the Sky Realm for the most part, I've yet to find any information on resurrection.

Magus: It's impossible for me to comb through every single area alone, but I cannot simply sit back and do nothing.

Magus: Ahhh! At this rate, I'll fail Lord Astaroth!

As frustration mounts, Magus's mind wanders back to the immortal bird when an idea pops up.

Magus: The singularity...

She pauses for a moment, thinking about the fated crew of skyfarers.

For better or for worse, the singularity leads a group of powerful individuals and has built a reputation of being both respected and feared.

Magus: Tch... If anyone has the resources to bring back Lord Astaroth, then it's that one.

Magus: I believe they called it the Grandcypher...

And so, Magus sets course for the Grandcypher and flies away.

Magus: (What's with this airship? It feels even more intimidating than before. How many dangerous people are on board?)

Magus: (I better quickly find the singularity and negotiate...)

???: Guess who!

Magus: Of course, it's you again.

Turning around, Magus sees the familiar face of a skydweller who fought against Phoenix.

Magus: The genius, adorable alchemist Cagliostro!

Cagliostro: Heh, good answer. You may act the bad girl, but I see you know your manners.

Cagliostro: So? Why are you here?

Magus: Do all alchemists assume they'll get an answer just because they asked?

Cagliostro: Oh my! Magus, you're such a meanie!

Cagliostro: But maybe you should change your tune, because I know you've got your hands tied.

Cagliostro: This world is full of fake information—enough to make your head spin. Especially when you're going through it all solo.

Cagliostro: Which brought you to the singularity... You realized your best shot of gathering information is with the crew.

Magus: You little...

Cagliostro: Oooh, goodness! You don't have to get so mad at little ol' me!

Magus: Hmph, I'll acknowledge your deductive skills. However, it was part of my plan to be discovered.

Cagliostro: Then I'm sure you also planned for what's about to happen next. Don't try anything funny, and we won't either.

Cagliostro strides off through the ship with Magus in tow.

When she finally stops, it is before them.

Cagliostro: We've got a guest.

Vyrn: Huh? A guest? Who—

Vyrn: What the!

The Group: Magus!

As Cagliostro pushes Magus forward, the shock on (Captain)'s face is clearly visible.

Magus: I assume none of you thought you would receive the honor to gaze upon my visage so soon again.

Magus: It brings me no joy to see your foolish expressions, however.

Raziel: Uhh...

Vyrn: Wh-what're you doin' here! You got business with (Captain) or what!

Magus: What other reason would I possibly have? Do you really think I came because I missed you?

Sensing a different dynamic than in her conversation with Cagliostro, Magus makes a show of crossing her arms and looks directly into (Captain)'s eyes.

Magus: Now, listen, Singularity. As you know, it is imperative to resurrect Lord Astaroth.

Vyrn: Yeah, for you maybe...

Magus: However, the modern world has far too many leads about resurrection.

Magus: It is impossible to comb through all that information by myself. In fact, most of them are nothing more than rumors.

Lyria: By yourself?

Vyrn: Hey, hey... Don't tell me you're askin' us for help now?

Magus: Not primarily.

Raziel: So you are, then?

Magus: All sorts of information and resources find their way into the singularity's orbit. And if that's the case...

Magus: Keeping an eye on you is my shortcut to finding leads on resurrecting Lord Astaroth. Perhaps even something to aid in his plans of domination over the solar system.

Magus: I can't let this golden opportunity pass me by.

Magus: Hence, I have decided to observe you all from a close distance!

Vyrn: So you want a spot on the Grandcypher?

Vyrn: Ugh...

Magus: Don't groan at me!

Vyrn: Sure, we might've been on the same side fighting the Phoenix, but aren't we still enemies?

Magus: And? Your point?

Vyrn: That was my point...

Magus jabs her finger in a certain direction.

Magus: There's another enemy right there, no?

Raziel: Eek!

Raziel's hope of avoiding any attention on this particular subject is brutally dashed.

Magus: What's different between me and her?

Raziel: N-no, well, I've been reformed... And I was tricked to begin with...

Vyrn: Now that you mention it, I suppose Magus and Raziel aren't that different.

Raziel: Woe!

Lyria: P-please calm down!

Cagliostro ignores the commotion and instead looks straight to (Captain).

Cagliostro: So? What's the call?

1. She's in!

Choose: She's in!

Magus: Hah! I figured you'd disagre—

Magus: Wait, what?

Lyria: Umm, if that's the case... Welcome aboard, Magus!

Vyrn: You're killin' me, buddy...

Cagliostro: Did you expect any different?

While (Captain) and Lyria chuckle, Magus's mind swirls in confusion at the easy-going atmosphere.

Magus: Why are you all so defenseless! How did you come to such a quick decision? Do you have an ulterior motive?

1. I understand how you feel.

Choose: I understand how you feel.

Magus: What?

While Magus glares at (Captain) suspiciously, Raziel timidly raises her voice.

Raziel: There's someone that (Captain) wants to see, right? Just like you, Magus... and me.

Magus: ...
Fine. Well, that took the wind out of my wings.

As Magus mutters quietly, she suddenly lurches to the side, barely catching herself from falling to the floor.

Lyria: Magus!

Magus: Enough with the ruckus...

Magus: I just lost my balance. Probably thanks to all your foolishness making my head spin.

Raziel: A-are you sick? You look a little pale...

Among the buzz of the crew's worried voices, Cagliostro sighs in exasperation.

Cagliostro: Well, I'm not surprised. I bet you've been flying around by yourself nonstop since last time.

Vyrn: Since last when? Wait, that last time? Geez, and all alone too?

Lyria: Is there not, maybe, any other origin beasts or someone you could talk to?

Magus: The other origin beasts all tasted the steel and lead of your angelic little pals. Ugh, wretched.

Magus: Not that any of them were something I'd ever call a friend to begin with.

Lyria: ...

Vyrn: I guess you were in Pandemonium that entire time, huh. That mean there's nowhere for you to go home to either?

Magus: ...?
My home is wherever Lord Astaroth is.

Magus: And since Lord Astaroth isn't currently here, I don't have a designated place. It doesn't matter where I sleep either.

Lyria: That must be so tough... I think it's better if you rest for a bit.

Magus: Until Lord Astaroth returns, rest is unnecessary. Not that I plan on taking a break when His Lordship does come back.

Vyrn: Shucks... Well, ya leave us no choice!

Vyrn: You're not the first workaholic to move in here—we'll get you relaxin' like a pro in no time!

Magus: Alchemist. Does this organization actually serve any purpose?

Cagliostro: The purpose of an organization is what it does, and what it does reflects its leadership.

Cagliostro: In other words, you better prepare yourself.

Magus: For what?

And so Magus joins the Grandcypher crew. Everything is going according to plan.

Or so she thought.

Magus: Why...

Magus: How did this happen...

Magus's journey through the skies in search of a way to resurrect her lord continues.

Specifically, it continues on a sparkling sandy beach under the sunny blue skies of Auguste.