MARREND'S PROFILE

It might be possible that "standard" emoji from Discord might not function with the image tag? However, non-standard ones might be okay.

snippet from https://www.rpgmaker.net/forums/topics/27930/?post=950816#post950816
The "bouquet" emoji from Discord isn't being interpreted properly by the image tag. Might not be terribly important, in the grand scheme of things. The other parts of the "memorial"?

So, I might have vastly underestimated exactly how stable RMN was! I was able to make a larger update/session post during the brief time RMN was up, and when it went down again, I was able to complete Disk 1. However, rather than delve directly to Disk 2, with not knowing when RMN would be available again, I took a haitus from this LP.

Suffice it to say, the hiatus was a lot longer than I had anticipated! I eventually decided to just go ahead and do the write-up of Disk 2, even if it comprises one mega-post. The incoming summary is more to refresh my own memory as to what all was going on than any kind of tradition I may have laid out in previous written LPs.

As a further production note, the link that I used for the soundtrack seems to be gone, or otherwise taken down. I'll be using KInsider's site, using either the "Original Sound Best Tracks" playlist, or the "Unreleased Tracks" playlist on that site. I might use both for points of comparison, but will note which is being referenced to regardless if I only use one, or both.



All that aside, last chapter, the party sets out to infiltrate Labyrinthos in order to steal Vessels of Anima to not only power their ES, but to possibly use them in an attempt to return to their original time period. As they retreat, intermittent enemy radio chatter is picked up, and the name of Aoi Uzuki is dropped. This causes Shion to bicker off on her own in a possibly feeble attempt to save her mom, while the others manage to hold their ground against Weltall Omega Universitas. Even after failing to transform to Omega Id (which would be really bad news), and retreating, the party was set upon by throngs of U-TIC machines, and had to make a strategic withdrawal. Meanwhile, Shion gets captured, but the exact identity of the Red Testament has come into question. As a matter of clarification, the Red Testament earlier revealed himself as Roth Mantel. However, perhaps exactly because it would confuse/destabilize Shion, he revealed the face of Kevin Winnicot after removing his mask. With that, let's get...

Chapter 7

...things started. The chapter opens somewhere in Labyrinthos, where Shion is in an interrogation room. Here, she speaks to herself regarding the Red Testament, and makes a wild conclusion while doing so.

Shion: The Red Testament. That was Kevin. Kevin is dead. Was that just an illusion? No Lieutenant Virgil was there, too. People who are dead are revived as Testaments.

The statement "if Virgil is still alive, why can't Kevin" might be a reasonable thing to consider. However, I'm pretty sure there must be other requirements to becoming a Testament, seeing as there are only four of them, and the number of people that have died, even if we limit it to the context of this series, likely dwarves that value by an overwhelming number. I also find it interesting that she doesn't ruminate about the reveal as Roth Mantel from before at all. The relevant database entries for the Red Testament, Roth, and Kevin, will confirm that it was Kevin all along, and I feel no remorse in spoiling this information now. However, I would have liked the game to at least present the possibility that the Kevin reveal could have been a faked one, given the reveal as Roth earlier.

In any event, Marguils invites Kevin Winnicot and Suou Uzuki into the interrogation room with him. He seems to suspect that they were inside men, and even if they weren't, there had to have been inside men for the stealing of the Vessels of Anima to be pulled off so smoothly. The game cuts to the lab that contains the 27-Series Asura. Kevin stands before the pods, considering something. Suou comes in, and demands Kevin to explain the meaning of using them.

Suou: They're still unstable. If they go out of control, we won't be able to reign them in.
Kevin: And? Their combat abilities will be as expected. That's all that's needed.
Suou: That's absurd! They can't distinguish between enemy and ally! Are you planning to use a weapon that can only cause indiscriminate destruction!?
Kevin: When the Song of Nephilim becomes operational, everything will be resolved by the awakening of the Zohar.

Suou would apparently rather not use either the Song or the 27-Series, but, it's too late for reconsideration. Decent troops have already breached the city. Kevin questions why Suou is making a fuss now, pointing out that he's willing to sacrifice his wife for the sake of his daughter. Hell, if he wanted to make an argument about how they are going about this, why talk to somebody like Kevin about it? Talk, instead, to either Professor Mizrahi, or Commander Margulis. I can't say for sure how Joachim would respond, but, I can reasonably assume Commander Margulis is perfectly okay with the plan as-is, and will not move one inch.

A moment later, the two men are called to the interrogation room. Shion continues to refuse to speak, though, her agitation at her father couldn't have gone unnoticed. However, she does let a little bit slip...

Kevin: Listen, we already know you're using the Vessels of Anima as moble weapon reactors. That's top secret research. Even Vector doesn't have that technology yet, much less U-TIC. Where did you obtain it from?
Shion: I knew it. So, it wasn't just Ormus involved in the Zohar research, but, Vector as well.
Margulis: Woman, where did you learn the name "Ormus"!?

...possibly forgetting that "Ormus" hasn't become a household name yet. I might argue it shouldn't be a household name at all, but, I suppose that's beside the point.

Next, Febronia runs up to the Elsa, and MOMO is there to receive her. She's a message to relay, but, it will have to come later. First, a scene with Allen and Jin. He's clearly anxious about Shion, wishing they could have saved her earlier, or in the process of rescuing her right now. However, Jin reminds him that the security of Labyrinthos has increased due to their own actions.

Jin continues to observe that Shion's actions of late are based out of spite. The involvement that their father had with U-TIC has been hidden from her, and has only come to light recently. She blames both her father for betraying the Federation, and Jin for being complacent to that betrayal. Still, what worries Jin the most is the frequency that Shion has been fainting. He also has a very vague sense that there is something here (ie: on Old Miltia during this time period) that Shion must not be allowed to know. This is MOMO's cue to barge into the room, asking them to come to the bridge for Febronia's message.

So, her message is that Shion is being held prisoner in Labyrinthos, and that Commander Margulis is planning to obtain information from her by force. How is this news, exactly? The others likely assumed something like this was either going on, or would eventually happen. However, what is surprising to learn is that there is somebody on the inside that is protecting Shion. How much longer either them, or Shion, can hold out might be questionable. Thus, a decision is made. They will use the details of the descent operation to infiltrate Labyrinthos again, and extract Shion. The idea being that U-TIC will be distracted by the Federation troops, and that they would be able to slip past the soldiers, and save Shion.

We gain control of the party at this point. The Elsa has changed music to "Labyrinthos - Search of Shion" as per the "Unreleased Tracks" playlist, , relaying a sense of necessity/tensity to the action we are about to perform story-wise. If one chooses to open the menu at this time, one will notice that Allen is a playable character, and could have been pushed into the active party. Like Miyuki and Canaan before him, we can't change his equipment, have him perform Tech Attacks, or have him learn skills. Unlike Miyuki and Canaan, however, I've never used Allen as a playable character in any of my previous plays of this game. I see absolutely no reason to start now.

Upon entering the main town, we can now check the lottery console to see the winning numbers. If you invested in the right numbers, you could win as much as 80,000 (50,000 from first place, 20,000 from second place, 10,000 from thrid place). That done, we proceed to Labyrinthos again. As we leave the town towards Labyrinthos, there's a bit of a cut-scene of three ships coming from above. No doubt, this is the beginning of the Federation's decent operation, and the nightmare that will follow in it's wake. Interestingly enough, there's a small-ish cutscene of past Jin making commentary to himself about taking too much time. Following that is one of child Shion, her bed of flowers trampled on. Naturally, jerk-Kevin comes around with what amounts to an "I told you so". Still, Shion is stubborn, and proclaims that she'll get more seeds from Febronia. She runs off before Kevin can do much of anything, and then has a bit of monologue about how it's not possible to lead others to the truth, save by divine power, of some-such.

Margulis enters the control room, the alarms blaring. He proclaims that the staff and test subjects are already being moved to evacuation shelters. This block will be seals, and suggests the staff there (we can see Sellers and Suou) evacuate as well. While Suou is concerned about Febronia, Sellers has concerns on the number of Federation troops, and why their own defensive forces haven't been deployed. Marguils reports that Patriarch Sergius has ordered to use Proto Omega, and a deployment of the 27-Series Asura is being considered. Suou, once again, agues against deploying them, but, Sellers refute him, saying that they will obtain more accurate data if they are used in actual combat. That, and the perpetration for the Song of Nephilim are complete.

Sellers: Once the Zohar is activated, the Federation will no longer be a concern.

This sounds very much like what Kevin was saying earlier. Given what we know of the aftermath, I can only shutter at this display of confidence. I don't know exactly how much of what is about to happen was within the expected outcome. However, to expect the outcome of "this planet will become unavailable for travel in the next 15 or so years" and "gnosis encounters will rise to a genocidal level of danger to all of mankind" is something I cannot comprehend that these people are somehow more than just "okay" with.

Back to the main party, and a small bit of blat from Jr before we take control again. Once we get into the depths, one will note that the roaming announcement has changed.

PA System: Federation decent forces confirmed in city's 11th district. Capital defense forces are engaged with Federation special forces in districts 14 and 17.

If we attempted to move toward the Area 13 door before, the game bounced the player away. This time, no such thing. The areas beyond don't merit much writing about, save for a path to a chest you could see from earlier in the dungeon. The party runs right past the interrogation room, with Shion still tied in the chair. That door is locked, of course, and going through the other door triggers a cut-scene of Suou attempting to get Shion out of there, asking her the favor of saving his daughter. Shion asks why he can't do it, and his response is that if he could, he would. His concern is toward is wife, and gets the odd impression this woman before him might help his wayward and stubborn daughter. Shion would attempt to save her child-self regardless of this request, but, might be a little bit more understanding of the position Suou has placed himself in. A bit of blat on this, under the hide-tag.



After a bit more putzing around, we encounter the next cut-scene. Here, Shion is standing, and Suou is about to open the door out of there. The door fails to respond. Pelligri speaks from the adjoining observation room, and lets it known that his movements in regards to sending the Federation intelligence reports have not gone unnoticed. Declaring that Suou no longer has value to them, she threatens to dispose both him and Shion. This is the cue for our party to intervene in this procedure, with Jin heading up the party. Pelliegri immediately comes to the conclusion that Jin was the one receiving the data. From there, it kinda sounds like Pellegri and Jin once has something going on between them, but, whatever relationship they had is sundered. The boss battle ensues. Cue up "The Battle of Your Soul" from the "Original Sound Best Tracks" playlist!

Pellegri has two soldiers by her side, so, my initial focus was on wiping the board, and remove the minions so I could focus on Pelligi. To that end, I put MOMO on Angel Arrow, KOS-MOS on Cannon I, and Jin on Raging Sea I, with Tech Attacks sprinkled in whenever I could. The soldiers were tougher then I expected, and I ended up getting them into a Break state before felling them. Pelligri, herself, used Overtaker, which induces a state that increases boost gain with actions taken. The enemy boost was already 3 at the time, and I couldn't manage to also break her before she got in two Tech Attacks of her own. Both MOMO and Jin were on the other side of those attacks, but, I was able to revive them before I finally Broke her defenses. Things sorta went downhill for her at that point.

The game changes tunes to "Assult" (as per the "Unlreleased Tracks" playlist) as part of the indication that, yes, we're now, officially, in the middle of the Miltian Conflict! Shion is intent on saving her younger self, so that means we're headed to the church in the forest. That means going through the city, proper. There's a bit of a cut-scene here that's a bit of a continuity nod to Episode 2, where the weapon that Asher drops during the opening cutscene of that game falls practically right in front of the party. Jr has a few words about that, with choas being apologetic.


I mentioned previously about Federal Reports, and there's some can can only be obtained now. I found three in town before the attack, two during the attack, and the last one might be in Labyrinthos? That aside, advancing to the last section of town triggers a cut scene where the Song of Nephilim is activated. Which means things are gonna get complicated very soon.

Once you leave the city from it's southern exit, the game auto-moves the party towards the chruch. It falls to reason there's a cutscene here. Virgil has moved from his bed, at least, though, he's looking quite comfortable lying on Febronia's lap. He says his wounds have healed, but, you'll have to forgive me if I don't entirely believe him. He notes there's some kinda noise outside. Febronia figures there's some kind of battle going on, and Virgil immediately recognizes that the Federation decent operation has begun. Febronia isn't built for combat, but, seems to suggest she knows at least some minimal form of self-defense, should the enemy decide to come here. I suppose the location of the church relative to the city limits might make for a good forward base location, so, there's a non-zero possibility they would come here.

Sure enough, Shion barges in, tripping over herself, and a contingent of realians approach in her wake, sounding like zombies from Resident Evil? As one raises a pipe to strike down at the child, Virgil springs into action, and takes him down. Another smacks his shoulder, then strikes him, sending him off, towards Shion. Febronia stands defiantly before the horde, and asks Virgil to get Shion out of there. He does nothing of the sort, and attempts to stop the battery of blows that beset Febronia. He's stopped by two or three soldiers, and both Shion and Virgil can only watch as Febronia takes blow after blow. She inevitably falls unconscious, and the group seems to go full-on ghoul, as you can hear sounds of growling and chewing as Virgil cries out for them to stop.

He somehow manages to get out of being pinned down, with a sword in hand. He fells a number of them, and takes the body of Febronia in tow. He reaches the end of the pews, and finds Shion covering her ears.

Virgil: Hey, you think you can run?
(no response)
Virgil: Can you run!?
Shion: (nods)
Virgil: Good girl. Now go! Get as far away from here as you can, but don't go to the city. Here, use this key. You can get to Labyrinthos from the forest. Go back to your family. You understand?
Shion: (nods)
Virgil: Good. Now go!

The game cuts to the party, and we can hear rifle shots in the distance. Approaching the church gives us another short cutscene of Virgil being pinned down by realians, and Febronia's body laid out in fron of the alter for older Shion to see. Of course, Virgil asks them to leave this place, but, Shion won't have it, and runs towards the soldiers in full vengeance mode. We engage in combat against three combat realians, but, this fight is nothing to write about. Virgil can only pound his fists into the ground in frustration. Looking at the situation objectively, he was just one man, probably still injured at that, and was up against maybe ten guys. Things might not have been in his favor, but, he still blames himself for allowing harm to come to Febronia.

Shion's sad too, but, will not allow the pity party to last. She asks him to stand up, and to recognize that Febronia died to save him. Virgil asks if realians can share information. After a confirmation, he goes on to say that the younger Shion might be in danger because of that capability. That telling her to go to Labyrinthos through the forest, and giving her a key to that end, is an item of information they would share with each other. He explains further, after a bit of prompting by older Shion, that he wants to save younger Shion because he has a heart, unlike the realians that attacked Febronia. This prompts Shion to hand over the remote detonation code, telling him to only use it as a last resort.

The elder Shion helps Virgil out of the church, telling him that giving up is "not like him". He laughs a bit at this comment, totally agreeing with her, then pushes her out the church door, closing it behind him. Shion frantically calls out to him, but, his decision is set in stone. The explosion throws Shion back, but, she's up within moments. The dust settles within a similar time period and, she's right back into the fray. Except there's nobody left. No realians, no Virgil. Just hunks of debris, and the remains of Febronia lying at the alter.

I'll take a brief pause here, and acknowledge that I have no idea what happened to Vigril between this moment we just saw, and his appearance in Episode 1. If we remove the meddling of the older Shion, it doesn't seem like he rejoined with the younger Shion. At the same time, I find it difficult to believe that he would've chosen to stay at the church, and be overrun by the zombie-realian hordes. Perhaps that detail isn't considered "important", but, it's certainly a hole in the plot that I can, with what knowledge I have on-hand, only speculate upon.

Shion might not have wanted to remember Virgil's action that night. Her mind was occupied with taking cover, and not being noticed, so, she might not have even realized it was Virgil back then! However, now that she does know, she is full of regret. This is the cue for Virgil, the Blue Testament, to make his entrance, and talk down to Shion about the rights of realians, how she's always harping about them, yet still gave his younger self the self-destruct code.

They eventually move to the topic of the Red Testament. They don't say any names, but, it's clear who they are talking about. Eventually, Jin decides to step in, and takes a swing at Blue Virgil, sending a shockwave his way. A monstrous arm blocks it, and the rest of the thing comes into view as the battle ensues. Cue up "Testiment" (as per the "Original Sound Best Tracks" playlist)!

He uses Overtaker to increase his Boost gain, and only needs 1 Boost to activate his Tech Attack. This certainly puts me behind the 8-ball, but, I still focus on Breaking him as much as possible. KOS-MOS on W-FANG, Shion on Break Blow II, and Jin on Gale Blade II. I think he pulled off two Tech Attacks, and that broke both Shion and Jin, with KOS-MOS not terribly far behind in that aspect. However, I managed to break him with a few more attacks, and the damage dealt was enough that he wasn't going to last far beyond that point.

Battle done, neither side looking particularly worse than before? Like, Vigril is just smiling, and Shion might be catching her breath, but, it kinda feels like there could be a round 2 if it wasn't for the spirit of Febronia intervening. Their conversation goes on for quite a bit, but, to summarize, Virgil came to this place because it was a defining moment for him. There's this...

Febronia: We just want to believe that a single thought can change the entire world, and shape the future.

...too, which has been a recurring theme. It's kinda funny, because before, it was Shion that was asking Virgil to be silent. Now, it's Virgil that's asking Febronia to be silent. She will have none of that, though. I can't be certain exactly what happens, but, the pair seem to make up, and disappear in an aura/light that lifts itself to the sky before dissipating? It probably makes more sense in context...


...so here's the scene in question. Either way, both Febronia and Virgil have left the narrative. The way back to the city is blocked off, so we can only move forward. Rather that go through the entire forest dungeon, we're taken pretty much to the younger Shion. After fending off some realian soldiers, the elder Shion tries to calm her down. After a bit more sobbing, the girl gets up, and starts hitting a console. The elder Shion opens the door. To say nothing about what this poor girl has already gone through today, the elder Shion is adamant about not leaving her here, and certainly won't let her go to Labyrinthos alone. Even if she didn't promise Suou earlier, she's gonna do her best to protect her younger self. There's a save point here, and we'll be using it for a bit of a breather.

The corridors within are eerily silent. There isn't even BGM. The encounters here aren't terribly noteworthy. There's a few places young Shion could have used as cover to slip past the U-TIC guards, so, there is some amount of sense as to how she could have gotten by them unnoticed in the original timeline. There's maybe three screens to this tunnel before coming out to the city. The camera pans to show you the city on fire, then a vista of Labyrinthos in the background, lighting striking behind it.


There's a few things we could fight here, and there's Federal Report #7 hidden in the leftmost corner of the map, as well as Fereral Report #8 tucked away behind some rubble on the right side, going in the opposite direction as the exit on said side. Welp, I thought there was only 6? Still, that should still leave one left, and I'm pretty sure it's in Labyrinthos.

Speaking of, that's the only viable location we can go next on the overworld map. Once inside, Shion gets another headache. It's enough to stop her in her tracks, but, she's certainly had worse. The younger Shion bolts forward towards Aoi's room. Story-wise, we likely would've made a break for Aoi's room to begin with, but, the older Shion can't help but to want to protect her younger self from the horrors that have yet to happen this day.

Another shop plate and save plate to restock and recover before moving on. Elevators are out of order, but, there's a fire escape we can use. Labyrinthos has certainly seen better days, as the fire escape only goes up so far before the stairs cut off from damage. This translates to stopping off at various levels to switch sides, and continue the climb up, and getting into encounters on the way. Not being able to use traps in this area is a bit annoying, but, I don't think that limitation applies to any other area in the game?

A cutscene with Sellers and Joachim as we climb. In this scene, Joachim is against the use of their version of Lemegaton, and claims that their research of the Zohar is incomplete.

Joachim: We must determine why it exists in this universe, or there will be no future for us! Surely, even you know what will happen if you use it now, in it's incomplete state?

Now, this just comes across as odd to me. I don't pretend to know what kind of pull Joachim has in the greater Ormus organization, or if that pull would be enough to reign things back, or delay the plan. However, said plan is either moments away from being executed, or already in the process of. It's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to late to make a complaint now. If he had doubts about Lemegaton, or the Zohar, he should have done so in a report. Even if those complaints were ignored, why is he pestering Sellers about it? I feel like the person to pester would be Commander Marguils. He'd be talked down either way, but, I hope you understand my misgivings.

In any event, after that clears off, we get an FMV/cutscene of Suou weaving through a crowd as they run for the exit, him going in the opposite direction. After breaking free, he finds a hall, sees the young Shion beating at a door, and a 27-Series Asura at the window. With no time to think of anything better, he gets Shion into the room, barring the way back into the hall before the door closes between them. Shion switches to beating that side of the door, as Suou frantically pulls out a communicator and calls for his son to no effect. The realians draw closer and closer, the panic in Suou's voice gets more apparent, then a scream as the game fades to black.

Now on the other side of the door, the younger Shion sits by her mother's bed. She cries to her father, then her mother, then hears the door open. She turns, hoping it's Suou, but, only sees his limp body, punctured by the arm-knife of a 27-Series. She hides in the only place in the room where it is possible to hide, under her mother's bed. Three of them enter the room, and see the prone woman on the bed. I don't know if they can detect vital signs, and if so, are mistaking young Shion's vital signs for Aoi's. Whatever the reason, Aoi registers as an enemy, and the three of them attack her. This is certainly one of the things that adult Shion wanted to protect her younger self from. No doubt, it's a small miracle Shion lived through this mess, but, one wonders how the hell it came about that she did. She had Virgil's help at the church, so there's that, at least. As for the 27-Series Asura, the only thing I can figure is that they must have counted the death of both Aoi and Suou as a completed objective, and moved on to whatever they considered was the next objective?

Back to the main party, there's a handy-dandy save point one floor up in the stairwell screen we can access. The room where I thought the last Federal Report was in did not contain said item, so, I'll have to look that up later. For now, we'll visit Aoi's room. When we approach the hall, one can observe the dead bodies. Ziggy makes the obvious statement that there was an attack here, but, the older Shion won't hear it. She asks KOS-MOS if she can detect her younger self. The response is that she detects a life form similar to that of Shion, plus three realians of an unknown type. Those would likely be the 27-Series. Not that Shion has the time or inclination for such thoughts. She rushes forward into the room, and sees the dead body before her. Filled with anger, she summons the modified MWS, and uses it to smack one of the realains. It recovers, and the trio bend their intentions on the newcomers. The battle is on.

Jr, Ziggy, and chaos are who I brought into this fight, and that felt like the right choice. With three enemies, Ziggy's Road Rage II and chaos' Angelic Wave II were our board-wipe break attacks, with Jr going with Rodeo Spike III. At one point during the fight, I was bouncing between characters, and achieving max boost after each board-wipe. They did manage to score a few hits on me before that, but, it didn't stop me at all.

With the 27-Series Asusa out of the way, both Shions have time to grieve. The younger of the two starts babbling about "putting it back", and Jin makes a few attempts to get her back to reality with no success. She just keeps going on and on until she looks up and cries towards the unfeeling ceiling. At which point something happens.


The Zohar awakens. The boundary between real and unreal has been breached. The Gnosis have arrived. Yes, readers. The Gnosis being summoned into this reality didn't start with Joachim Mizrahi, or even U-TIC. However, U-TIC absolutely orchestrated a number of factors for such a summoning to take place. Recall that they had a whole list of individuals that had the potential for such a feat. I dunno how they would feel about the fact that it was a five-year-old girl that was able to pull it off, but, it was only ever about the results, and never about the methods to which they could be achieved. It goes without saying that the elder Shion is confused and in total denial.

Shion: No, it... This can't be happening!
Allen: Chief?
Jin: Shion. You've got to stay calm. Don't let it overpower you!
Shion: Jin, what is going on? It's a... this is a dream, right? I called... I called the Gnosis! I made them appear, didn't I?

She keeps rambling in her own way, going from grabbing Jin then does the same to Ziggy. Jin tries to restrain her, telling her to calm down. Which has the exact opposite effect, as you might imagine, and guess what? Something else happens. With the combined power of two Shions...


...Abel's Ark has resurfaced. Which is definitely something that did not occur 15 years ago. So, uh, we never actually achieved time travel. We are in some kind of location that's been constructed by the memories of Shion, perhaps not unlike a UMN delve. I guess what's happening here is more similar in concept to the Animis of the Assassin's Creed universe in that one experiences the past through a device, and that experience can be taken to the present day?

Whatever is the precise method by which our characters could experience Old Miltia from 15 years ago, and could achieve the summoning of Abel's Ark, we're not quite done here yet. Eventually, the older Kevin Winnicot, in his capacity as the Red Testament, makes his entrance. Again, the previous reveal of the Red Testament as Roth Mantel has gone entirely out of the window. To be fair, the relvancy of Roth Mantel to the story was complete as soon as the decision was made to scrap KOS-MOS waaaaaaaaaay back in Session 3. In that respect, I kinda get why Roth is never mentioned again, and why the game is more willing to allow our cast think that Kevin is the actual identity.

That aside, and I'm certainly simplifying/reducing things here, Kevin tries to convince Shion to come with him. He says he recognizes Shion's symptoms as having the same condition Aoi once had, and that nobody else has the capacity to do anything to treat that condition. Shion is more than willing to go with him, of course. However, Jin is skeptical. Among others, no doubt. He says we can't save Shion from her condition, but, can he save her? All he has is words. This isn't to say that he doesn't have power, thanks to being a Testament, but, his power is that of destruction and harm, not healing.

Jin blocks off Shion's approach, and T-elos comes on the scene. Jr fires off a shot or two, which are easily blocked by T-elos. Shion runs to Jr, holding him off, asking why they are interfering. Is this not the Kevin she knew? Jin says no, he isn't, and shouldn't be trusted. She runs to Jin again, but, he pushes her toward KOS-MOS, asking the android to get her outta there. Which generates a bit of interesting exchange in it's own part, as Kevin attempts to convince her to give up Shion to him.

KOS-MOS: Kevin Winnicot, I am very sorry, but, unfortunately, I am not programmed to follow your orders.
Kevin: Are you trying to defy your creator?
KOS-MOS: The KOS-MOS that was created by you has been destroyed by T-elos, sir. I have different designers. Shion Uzuki, and also Mr. Allen Ridgeley.
Kevin: Impossible!
KOS-MOS:Shion, we will leave now.
Shion: No, KOS-MOS, stop! I don't want to go with you!
(Shion's gut is punched)
KOS-MOS: I must apologize. Action was needed to avoid danger.

She escapes through the window, and summons her bike to make the getaway. T-elos on on their heels, but, is recalled by Kevin. The Elsa is coasting along the area (why!? how!?), and picks up KOS-MOS. After she successfully gets on board, she informs Matthews that the others are still in Labyrinthos. He says this isn't an issue, and confers with Tony on the matter. As if he would argue that point!

Cut to Sellers and Joachim. Joachim is typing away at a console. Sellers would very much like Joachim to not do whatever it is he's doing, as they would loose control of the Zohar. Joachim is apparently well aware of that, but, seems to think it is worth destroying the planet if it saved the universe at large. Again with the concept of acceptable losses. Sellers attempts to use more proactive and physical means of prevention, but, it's of no use. Joachim escapes his grasp, and then pulls out a gun, and fires at his kneecaps. The wounds were never meant to kill, only disable. Since we never see Sellers walk again, and basically use the in-universe equivalent to a wheelchair, he was right on the money.

At the top of Labyrinthos, Joachim Mizrahi stands and watches the incoming Gnosis weave around him. He proceeds to monologue, starting out as an aside to MOMO, then onto the kind of ranting that we heard in Episode 1, Session 6.

Joachim: Hallelujah! And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them. And they were judged, every man, according to their works! And death and Hell were cast. They were cast into the lake of fire! And with it, came about the second death, and whosoever not found in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of eternal fire!

Compare with the contents of his ranting from the aforementioned Episode 1, Session 6 post:

Joachim: Hallelujah! And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them, and they were judged, every man, according to their works! And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire! Rejoice, all ye! The time for feasting has come!

He does another aside before detecting another presence, but, it's too late. The explosion makes him fall to his inevitable death. We will never learn who it was that triggered it. All we know for sure is that this is how Joachim dies, and that he is largely regarded as a madman for the next 15 years.

Cut back to Labrythos, as the building is collapsing around them. We look at the child Shion, and the moment we take a move to save her, rubble falls from above, preventing such an action. However, the younger version of Jin arrives on the scene, and extracts the child. Which makes sense, because I think Shion might've said something to Jin like, "if you were just there earlier, things would be different!" Given what we know about Episode 2, it might not have been possible for him to be any earlier, but, at least the pieces of the puzzle are fitting together. At this point we can see the Elsa's cockpit window approach from the window. The party gets on board soon enough, and as they leave the planet, the Song of Nephilim glows, and the light surrounds them. Zooming out a bit to see Old Miltia in the grasp of Abel's Ark, the glow surrounds the planet, and, perhaps, even Abel's Ark, itself. Which is an unfathomably large amount of space.

Cut to Wilhelm, very much pleased that the "first awakening" has gone smoothly. Just how many more does he want, and will they need half as much set up? Will any of these question have answers? If nothing else, we get an end-of-chapter save, as well as the prompt to insert Disk 2. I might take some time grinding for levels/Tech Attacks, but, how far into the game will I need to see before I get to that point? Perhaps some of these questions will be answered, next time on the Xenosaga Episode 3 LP!



...Is what I would say, but, uh, yeah. Megapost. Time for Disk 2.

Disk 2

Chapter 8 - Yuriev's Gambit

Disk 2 picks up with the Elsa crusing in normal space, having just barely made it out of yet another catasrophe. The good captain asks Hammer for a damage report, and for their current position. He barely starts either task before Abel's Ark jumps near their location. Matthews is a bit confused, as he was of the belief that it disappeared with the fake Old Milta (or whatever that was) just a few moments ago.

Hammer finally manages to confirm their location. It's the same point where the Elsa came into contact with the hypersphere. This was during Sesson 4, so, game-time wise, it wasn't all that long ago. Given my hiatus, it feels a lot longer ago by a mile. However, we'll have to push any sense of saftey behind, as MOMO detects a shockwave coming from Abel's Ark. The Elsa is woefully unprepared, and is thankfully only whisked away from the kinetic energy produced by the shockwave. The ship is in one piece, albeit in an out-of-control state for a stretch, before they are balanced enough for MOMO to restart her reports about the goings-on in the area.

Abel's Ark initiated a UMN transfer. How it's able to do that, I don't know, and maybe that's not even important. I will note that there was a planet caught in the shockwave, and was disintegrated as the result. So, the Elsa got off relatively easy, with only being blasted away maybe a thousand kilometers, or so. If it was any closer, it, too would be gone.

After that spectacle, Hammer picks up a transmission from the Durandal. It was in the area, and seem largely unaffected by what just happened, and is relays that they'll pick us up. Which is probably a good thing, as assessing/processing what the hell was going on, to say nothing about how we might respond to bring things back to our court, is certainly in order.

Cut to the bridge of the Durandal. As the ship prepares to pick up the Elsa, Juli asks about the state of Abel's Ark. A 100-Series on the Durandal report that it's moving through the UMN, and generating some kind of unique wave while doing so.

Juli: What about the unknown that disappeared moments ago?
100-Series: It's currently moving througth the UMN. A unique wave is being emitted from the columns as it passes through. The disappearing planets are likely a result of those waves!

In other words, the act of it moving through the UMN is causing UMN columns to fail, and quite possibly causing planets within a certain range of those columns to just poof. As if the Gnosis terrorism making planets disappear wasn't bad enough, we've got Abel's Ark doing it too? Is my memory about the events of this game still hazy after such a large haitus?

Either way, regardless of the nature of the waves, the 100-Series reports that at the rate planets are disappearing off the UMN network, if not reality itself, half the Federation-controlled territory will vanish with the next 72 hours. So, what the game is telling me is that the party has all of three days before about half of the known/colonized galaxy just goes up in pyreflies. At least it doesn't take long to figure out where it's going.

Juli: According to the description in Mizrahi's Y-Data, Abel's Ark seeks the eternal circle, Zarathustra.
Mary: Then there's only one place it can be going.
Shelly: Planet Mitchtam.

Maybe it's the large haitus, but, how do Mary and Shelly know that? How does anybody know that, for that matter? Putting my doubts, or lack of memory, behind for a moment, the game switches context to a Federation Fleet, led by Dimrti Yuriev. As I watch this scene, it feels more and more like a fluff/filler peice that tells us nothing new. Still, maybe the rehash can't hurt for a person in my particular position.

Next up is the Ormus fleet, headed by our friendly neighborhood Commander Marguils. It's very rare to see Pellegri angry, even rarer for her to speak against orders Margulis makes. However, the argument that she is making is that he's moving the fleet without being given orders to do so. To Margulis, it is one thing to allow the Federation control of Omega Res Novae. It is, however, a completely different matter for Abel's Ark to have been awakened, and for Orums to take no action in attempting to secure/control of it. There's a bit more blat here about the significance of Mitcham to Ormus, but, I will spare you the details. However, he spoke of Zarathustra as "the blessed Saint's womb", and is a vital piece for the return to Lost Jerusalem. So, it does certainly seem like a vested interest to go to Mitcham, at the very least as a means to protect against those not worthy, or what-have-you.

Next is Shion having another chat wth U-DO. She speaks of her fear of being alone, and wants to know who the hell she is. Which, given the reveals about her summoning the Gnosis, and having the same illness as her mother, might be entirely understandable. After she regains consciousness, Jin makes an attempt to talk to her. As you might suspect, Shion won't let him get too many words edge-wise. Her focus is on Kevin. Why did Jin interfere? If she could be with Kevin, she'd be happy! Jin isn't so sure about this, which is what creates the sparks between them, and Shion eventually shoos him away. Jin bemoans to KOS-MOS his inability to help Shion when she needs him the most, and asks KOS-MOS to help his sister in his stead.

The first query that comes out of Shion when she notices KOS-MOS is there is if KOS-MOS is somehow draining her life force, or whatever. KOS-MOS detects no such functionality active in her systems, however, she also cannot be certain if the words of Kevin can be entirely ignored when it comes to such matters. Shion moves to a separate query, and this exchange has some interesting tidbits.

Shion: Why do you protect me, KOS-MOS?
KOS-MOS: Protecting Vector employees is registered in my program as a matter of high priority.
Shion: That's not it. You try to protect me, specifically. I didn't program any priority like that.
KOS-MOS: Shion, protecting you is registered as my highest priority.
Shion: Is Kevin the one who programmed that?
KOS-MOS: I do not know. I can determine that it is a direct interrupt from my core module, and independent of my control module.
Shion: Your core? Are you saying your heart wants to protect me?
KOS-MOS: My heart? I am unable to determine that.

Shion then goes on a rant. She doesn't necessarily want to give Jin a hard time, and recognizes everyone on the Elsa worries about her. However, she can't help but to think that if she did die, the Gnosis might die with her. She's afraid that there are people that believe this, and in so doing, will end up abandoning her, and she'll be alone and forgotten. She briefly hugs KOS-MOS before Nephilim appears in the room.

Shion: What do you want? Are you here to say a bunch of cryptic things again and confuse me? You're always like that. You just appear in front of me, say whatever you feel like, then just watch without actually doing anything!

Well, Shion isn't entirely wrong, and maybe she's a bit testy about it. However, this is a bit much, isn't it? Nephilim does her best in trying to convince Shion that Kevin doesn't "need" her in the same way she might "need" him. Does Shion care? At this precise moment, no. Thus, Nephilim, after additional warnings, proceeds to tell Shion to "free Abel", and that doing so will allow Kevin to appear before her again. Whatever that might entail.

Cut to an external view of the Durandal in hyperspace, then to the bridge. The game has cut off Mary explaining what all happened in the galaxy while the party was putzing around in a construct of Shion's subconscious memories of Old Milta 14/15 years ago. One of the 100-Series reports that Federation and Ormus forces had begun fighting in Mitcham space some three hours ago. Well, that didn't take them long, now, did it? Those are just the advance forces, so, things could get more complicated as more forces arrive on the scene.

Our three-day clock in regards to Abel's Ark must have also expired, as the very next report relays that half the Galaxy Federation planets have disappeared. It was never specifically implied that Abel's Ark would reach Mitchtam within 3 days. For what it is worth there is another report that it has reached normal space, and is also heading toward Mitchtam. As if the game needed to hammer this detail into our skulls more than it already has. Representative Helmer is contacted to get his take on this situation, and to see what advice he has to give. He seems to think that if Dmitri has brought both the Merkabah and Omega, that he's very likely after the original Zohar that's been swallowed up by the Ark. He also relays that Second Miltia is using a bulk of their ships as escape ships, in the worst case scenario that the planetary disappearance could affect them, and notes that this communication could be his last. As a send-off, he apologizes for asking so much of the Kukai Foundation, even at the very end, and places his trust into Committee Member Mizrahi.

So, our grand plan at the moment is to use the Elsa to weave through the fighting between Ormus and the Federation. Our goal is to get to the Merkabah, disable it, then secure Omega Res Nova and Dmirti Yuriev. A quick scene of the Elsa launching from the Durandal, and the game finally gives us control of the party! Now, granted, it only took 15 in-game minutes to get to this point in Disk 2. However, I request a bit of indulgence on this point, as it has been quite some time since I've played this game.

I managed to remember that I needed to do something about the Federal Reports. Though, I could not remember if it was merely a matter of turning them in, or if there was still one out there I needed to get. Once that was out of the way, I noted chaos could also use a bit of leveling up of his Tech Attacks. I also vaguely remembered feeling that my characters were a bit underpowered during the latter sequences of Old Milita, and revisiting the ES section of the Floating Landmass to improve ES Tech Attacks was on the agenda.


I absolutely set experience gained per battle, but, I didn't want to just be level 99 when they used to be in the mid-30's. I feel around ten levels is enough for now.

That done, it's high-time to infiltrate Merkabah! After a mini-briefing with Canaan, and a cut of the Elsa moving toward Abel's Ark, the game cuts to the front lines. The Merkabah is the main feature in the background as the Federation, Ormus, and Gnosis forces exchange fire, with the Elsa evading and maneuvering towards it's intended target.

There's a neat little semi-controllable sequence of your ES moving through the bulkheads of Merkabah before making a landing, where the controls become normal again.


The BGM in this area is a revision/retake of "A Dark Omen", taken from the "Unreleased Tracks" playlist. Compared to the original version, from "Original Sound Best Tracks", there isn't as many drums, but still very much identifiable as the same melody.

The main room consists of a few doors, and a column, which is rotating. According to MOMO, Dmitri is likely to be up there, but, we must reroute the power supply on the fifth floor first. Our point of entry is a door on the left-hand side. This area eventually loops back to the main hall, and is going to me my new go-to when I want to improve ES Tech Attacks. I perform at least one loop before getting back to the task at hand. On the fifth floor, we can spot the opening where the core area is beyond, but, the rotation of the column is such that the possible path to said door spins with it. So now, our job is to stop the spinning. Back on the first floor, we switch out of the ES, use the save point, then proceed up.

The next area acts very similar to a wind tunnel, in that the further out from the center we are, the more the cintriplicle forces at work send us moving towards the outer edges. Even traps are affected by this force, so, we're on our own when it comes to encounters. Of course, said encounters aren't effected at all, so, it can be difficult avoiding them. Once we disable the locks, we still need to go back to the fifth floor to stop this thing from moving. Which means, it's back to floor 5 in the ES, flick the stupid switch, then back to floor 1 to disembark the ES, then back up the elevator. Once there, one finds a maze of hexagonal rooms where we have to blow up on object in the center of each room to open the path forward. However, those objects are shielded, and the switch to turn off that shield is, guess where, the fifth floor again! There was a force field blocking that path before, and is probably only disabled here, so, I don't think there is a way to shortcut this.

Once we have satisfied this exercise brought to you by the Department of Padding, and get into the core room, we find that Dmitri isn't there, but Sellers sure is. Through conversing with this guy, Jr finally figures out that Dmitri has been using Gaignun's body. There's certainly more blattage here, but, the scientist eventually admits that he's here to buy Dmitri time, as one of his objectives is to acquire the Zohar emulators on the Durandal. Of course, by the time Jr understands this, it's too late. I don't think we see Sellers after this, but, I could be wrong.

Cut to the bridge of the Durandal. The escape of the Elsa is confirmed. However, a gate-out is detected. It's... Omega Res Novea? Once the machine finishes it's transfer, it zooms right past the Durandal. Chaos ensues, as Yuriev's men infiltrate the ship. They make quick work of it too, as Dmitri uses his host's body to circumvent any and all possible security measures the Durandal has in place.

100-Series: Enemy forces have invaded blocked 32 and 34!
Mary: Hurry up and close the barrier walls! Close all the walls in each of the blocks!
100-Series: I can't. The locks have all been overridden. The enemy forces have already reached the residential areas.
Mary: Shelly, what is going on!? Only command ranking officers know how open the gates during an emergency! Have we been hacked?
Shelly: No. There is nothing wrong with the system.
Mary: Then what's going on here!? The only ones who can release the locks are Little Master and Master Gaignun, and us!
Shelly: Yes. Peita has acknowledged that the intruder is Master Gaignun.
Mary: No way!

As if on queue, said master, flanked by two guards, appear from the elevator. He approaches Mary, shoots her in the gut, then decides it's time to drop the charade as "Gaignun", and causes his hair to go blonde, and his voice to change. If there was any doubt as to who this guy is, it's gone.


What he wants from the Godwin sisters is the Arbiter Code, and figures that it's "inside" of them. While the sisters claim they know nothing of such things, Canaan makes an attempt at Dmitri. He's intercepted by Citrine, and Dmitri reminds everyone that his host body is, in fact, still Gaignun's, and to injure him now would mean injuring Gaignun.

Back on the Elsa, the situation report focuses on the status of the Durandal. Matthews figures it's probably been captured by the Federation. Hammer has made a number of attempts at communication, but, none have been answered. He can only assume the bridge has been occupied. Jr orders to turn the Elsa around, towards the Durandel. Matthews reminds Little Master that Omega Res Novae is right there, but, aside from not wanting Dmitri to get a hold of the emulators, it is something of his home.

Obviously, we need not go to the Durandal right this second. However, I do so anyway, as I don't feel particularly inclined for any diversion that might be available to me at this juncture. Like, Merkabah was so short, it didn't have any shop points, and the only save point it had was the one in the central column?

Also, has anybody else noticed that we haven't gotten to explore the Durandal in any capacity in this game until now? It's certainly not the first time it's been a dungeon, but I find it interesting that our first instance of being able to walk around the Durandal is in the context of a dungeon. As for our BGM, it's "Survive", as per the "Unreleased Tracks" playlist. Compared to the "Original Sound Best Tracks" version of "Survive", that is used for ES battles, it's certainly more subdued.

From the hanger, the tram allows us access to the isolation area, the park, the bridge, and the third residential area. We can only go so far into the isolation area, possibly due to Yuriev enacting Gaignun's security privileges that even Jr can't get past easily. The park has a Segment Address that we don't have the key for as of yet. Attempting to access the bridge is also a no-go. This leaves the residential district as the bulk of what is explorible. There's a handy-dandy save point right at the tram drop-off. Players wouldn't necessarily visit these locations in the order that I did with this run, but, I will still consider it a point of convenience, at the very least.

At any rate, the private quarters in this block are sealed off. We'll need to deactivate the central lock, located on the opposite site of the block's entry point if we want to open any of them. Most rooms won't contain anything of note, but, as you might imagine, Mary and Juli is inside one of these, with Shelly elsewhere. There's a portion of the block with a door down a set of stairs that might make one think there is something in there.


Sure enough, we can find Shelly and Canaan there. Once Mary, Cannan, and Shelly are rescued, we can now visit the isolation room, and have a face-off with Citrine as our boss for this dungeon. The track used here is "Minor Boss Battle", as per the "Unrleased Tracks" playlist. The party I brought was Jr, Ziggy and Shion. On offense, Jr used Locked and Ready or Full Throttle III, Ziggy was either Heavy Tackle III or Pain Killer II, with Shion using Fallen Eagle III or Lunar Blade II. I must've filled her break meter three times times before she went down for the count. I had Shion use a Break Heal on Ziggy, and by doing so, he didn't break at the same time as Jr and Shion. By the time he did break, Shion and Jr were back in business.

Citrine wonders why Jr still exists despite sacrificing his "brothers". In answer, he says that he's got a promise to keep. Noting that Jr is still haunted by "that woman's shadow", which I assume is a reference to Sakura Mizrahi, she expires. With a little push from Jr, Dmitri blats about how he can use Omega Res Novae and the Zohar to ascend to godhood. The emulators are just a means to get the Zohar to accept his commands, or some-such. The Durandal alters it's course towards Abel's Ark. Jr's plan now is to purge the dock and make an escape to the Elsa.

The escape part isn't an issue, but the purge is. The remote controls aren't responding. Whatever the reason might be, Jr can only suggest purging the dock manually. Mathews is quick to remind him that doing so will mean being in the center of it, and there would be no way to come back from the blast. Cue Hammer picking up somebody outside. It's KOS-MOS and chaos? What are they doing this time?

chaos finishes fiddling with a console, then gives KOS-MOS a signal. She pulls out a pistol, and fires at the hanger's docking clamps, and releases the Elsa. The ship moves away from the scene, as the Durandal, and goodness knows how many other ships, are sucked into a pulsating purple light emanating from Abel's Ark. Well, I guess we can only revisit the Durandal through the EVS.

The purple pulse keeps expanding, eventually surrounding and encapsulating Abel's Ark. Inside, the emulators shine bright, as the original Zohar takes a position into Omega Res Novae's power core. The machine transforms, as well as Abel's Ark, itself.


After our party make a few quips about this new situation, we cut to Wilhelm and Kevin. Wilhelm isn't phased at all that Omega Res Novae has awakened. Kevin states that, if Dmitri's actually desires to shift to a higher dimension, and become a god, he's most likely to attempt to absorb Zarathrusta as well. Wilhelm isn't worried, or concerned, because the information contained in the Y-Data concerning Zarathrusta is incomplete, and that Zarathrusta has more functions than is known. There's a bit more blat here, because of course there is, but, I'll spare you the details. Let's just say Wilhelm continues to be content to just watch as events unfold.

Cut to Marguils, speaking with Heinlein. According to Margulis, they've already sunk 70% of the Federation fleet, and only needs his order to finish the job. Heimlien reminds the commander that he never gave orders to move the fleet in the first place. Not only does Hienlein not permit Margulis to move toward the Ark, he orders a full retreat, and to leave Michtam. Marguils cannot understand this at all. He leaves the audience hall, and meets up with Pellegri, who was listening in. Marguils shares his feelings that something has been off about Heinlien ever since the appearance of Rennes-le-Chateau. He notes that they have not been working for what goals they should be working towards, and performing the will of an external entity. Pellegri reminds him that insinuating the possibility that Heinlien could be betraying Ormus isn't a matter to be taken lightly, and is gravely punishable, even for a person of his position.

Back to the Elsa, our party is at a loss as to what to do. We probably need to enter Abel's Ark somehow to stop Dmitri, but, everyone's drawing a blank as to how. Well, maybe not everyone. Canaan opens a channel to Doctus. Her plan is to gate out inside of it.

Jr: A short jump within the same signal? Can that be done at this short a range!?
Doctus: If it's us, yes.

Once we're inside the thing, Jr should be able to feel out Dmitri, since he's likely still using Gaignun's body. However, I can't help but to notice that we're coming up on our third dungeon on Disk 2, with there being no end-of-chapter save between them? Abel's Ark is also among the most annoying dungeons in this game as well, so, I allowed myself to be distracted by other games for a small while.

Abel's Ark is a hybrid dungeon where there's sections for ES as well as characters. The BGM it uses is referred to as "Abel's Ark" on the "Unreleased" playlist, and presents an air of mystery. The whereabouts and status of the Durandal...


...is not one such mystery for long. The next mystery that's solved pretty quick is the location of Dmitri/Gaignun. It's in the center of a fleshy-looking column, that's being orbited by four colored spheres.


Now, call me crazy, but, this gives off the same vibes as the final fight against Deus in Xenogears? Be that as it may, we cannot progress until each sphere has been taken care of. Thankfully, it's not a boss rush. There's dungeon to explore at each of these spheres with their own theme. The first one I can manage to enter is the yellow sphere, the boss at it's end is Steir Natus Tellus.


If room's name, according to the save point, is called "Arising from the Earth". That aside, this is a pretty tough fight. Like, if it double attacks, whither because it gets a double attack that round, or it's following up on a "revenge" counter attack, the ES on the receiving end is generally just dead. There is a program you can install on the ES to nullify revenge, which might help a bit. For my part, I moved to enabling codes to survive the fight, so sue me. Maybe next boss, I'll try installing that program and see what that does for me.

Next sphere I enter is the red one, where I get the pleasure of fighting Andvari Natus Flamma at it's end, in the room named "Born from Fire".


This fight wasn't half as bad as Tellus. Flamma certainly had counter attacks and double attacks, but, they weren't half as punishing as when I was up against Tellus. I certainly had the program that nullified revenge, so I can't tell if Flamma can perform revenge in the first place, or if it could only counter. You'll have to forgive me if I'm a bit confused on the difference between a "revenge" counter and a "counter" counter, because even if they are not the exact same thing, they do an exceptionally similar thing. I will note that a number of attacks Flamma tossed at me inflicted a state, and I also have a program that removes negative states when I guard/charge, so, I also can't help but to wonder if my increased frequency of guarding wasn't also a factor in Flamma's damage output.

That aside, the next sphere to tackle is the green one. Here, we face off against Fenrir Natus Glacies in "Awaken from Ice".


To be perfectly honest, my experience here was very similar to that of Flamma? Like, it used some abilities to counter Ether attacks, and physical attacks later on in the fight, and while Asher brought physical attacks to the table, Glacies never actually countered. Which means I'm gonna keep this null revenge program installed for the rest of this dungeon, thank you very much.

The only sphere left is the blue one, and our last mini-boss is Renmazou Natus Lumen in "Emerging in Light".


This boss fared about as well as the last three, so I will not go into additional detail. The detail I will get into is that after each of these bosses are defeated, three Zohar emulators break apart. After the last boss, the ES resonate again, and Anima Level 3 is obtained/reachable. Which means I'll be taking some time off in Merkabah to level those bad boys up. For now, we can breach the center of the core, where Dmitri Yuriev awaits us. My party consisted of Ziggy, Jr and chaos. As with other bosses, my initial focus was on break attacks, moving to the biggest damage output I could find when Dmitri's break bar was full. This fight felt more of a long slog than any other fight. I dunno, it just felt like Dmirti recovered from his break state quicker than normal. The game made it sound like the Tech Attack Omega Res Novae could pull off would be fatal. However, it wasn't as bad as the game would lead me to believe. I managed to survive two such attacks, but, the game recommending that I use Heat on Dmitri may have seen it occur less often than it would have otherwise.

However, this is yet another "you didn't actually win" fight, as Dmitri isn't worse for the wear at all. In fact, he somehow fuses with the machine, and that turns into our next boss fight.


Now, maybe I'm crazy, but, it looks like this machine is holding Weltall and Vierge in it's claws?


That aside, the BGM for this fight is "Godsibb", as per the "Original Best" playlist. This is a fairly interesting battle, because the game lets you know you can cancel Metempsychosis' Tech Attack by assaulting it with two Tech Attacks of your own in succession. So, it behooves the player to use Anima Awakening I for this fight, as opposed to breaking out with Anima Awakening III.

Dmitri isn't quite done yet. He's still very much in control, very much not defeated, and very much unaffected by anything we pulled off. After mouthing off a bit more, Albedo, in his White Testament garb, arrives on the scene. He lifts Abel and the Zohar right ouf of Omega with the wave of a hand. They continue to rise up, and appear to be teleported to goodness knows where. It will be later relieved that they are on Mitchtam, because what isn't on Mitcham at this point in the game? Dmitri falls to the ground, his energy sapped from having the wellspring that he was drawing from removed.

As Albedo tries speaking to Gaignun, Gaignun manages to partition himself for just long enough to speak some words to Jr. His request is that Jr kill him, and it should be possible for whatever brief amount of time he has remaining in control. Jr isn't exactly for this, with Albedo supporting Gaignun's position. Though, given Albedo's personality, maybe that level of insanity is expected.

Jr: I can't!
Albedo: Sure you can. You killed me. It's the same thing. It should be easy for you.

Jr continues to protest, but, he eventually submits to the arguments made for slaying Gaignun. Albedo's plan is to use the Anti-U-DO link to hop into Gaignun's body, and have Gaignun's spirit go into Jr. What ends up happening is that Gaignun redirects Albedo's spirit to merge with Jr's instead. The once-conjoined twins are reunited. However, in so doing, he sacrifices his life. Effectively speaking, the game has removed Gaignun, Dmitri, and Albedo from the narrative all in the space of one cutscene. There is also a scene later where we see a grown-up Jr. According to Gaignun, this is supposed to be his "true form". Or, to put it another way, what he might look like if his cell growth was more normal, and not stuck in a status of childhood. I don't know if it's possible for him to ever actually achieve that form, but, since he doesn't do so in the context of the series, maybe it doesn't matter, and it's fluff?

A quick cut to the Elsa, where the Godwin sisters detect the passing of their former master. Then, a cut to Wilhelm, noting that "his" wish has come true, and that the awakening of the remaining Vessels of Anima will come soon. However, it sounds like he's actually going to switch to a more hands-on approach this time!?

Weilhelm: Then let us, too, step out onto the stage. It's time to go, Joshua.

The ES Joshua has stood in silence as the Dammurung's main power supply for goodness knows how long. It now activates, and launches itself towards, presumably, Mitcham. The Dammuring has a wide-spread black-out, but, they at least have a secondary reactor, or other backups. How long those can last, I dunno. I've doubts they were designed to be active for extended periods of time, but, Wilhelm might not care either. However, it is at this point, that we get an end-of-chapter save. I have a bad feeling about next chapter, though.



Chapter 9 - Stand Tall and Shake the Heavens
The Elsa evades the Ormus and Gnosis exchanges, and approaches Michtam. Shion notes that the planet appears to be shining, which likely isn't a good sign. However, being in the middle of a battle zone proves dangerous. Matthews orders to make a landing on Michtam, and while Tony voices a complaint, still complies to that order.

Marguils kneels once again before the column of light that has been his point of communication with Cardinal Hienlein. You will have to forgive the quote-block, but, I feel this exchange is pretty important.

Heinlein: What are you doing, Marguils? Did you not hear my order to leave?
Marguils: My apologies, Your Eminence, but, we cannot let our birthplace be destroyed by Gnosis.
Heinlein: That's unimportant. Everything has existed for this day.
Marguils: But Zarathustra is here. Without that, our dream of returning to Lost Jerusalem, to return to the land where our Lord sleeps, cannot be fulfilled. Isn't that what you said?
Heinlein: Urgh!
Marguils: Your Eminence!
Wilhelm: It seems you've had a great misunderstanding.
Marguils: What!?

Surprise! Cardinal Heinlein is none other than Wilhlem, and he's been manipulating Orums, and by extension, U-TIC and the Immigrant Fleet, in the shadows for an unfathomable amount of time. The line about Orums being the true inheritors of the Zohar? The return to Lost Jerusalem? Zarathustra being the means by which Ormus could return to Lost Jerusalem? All convenient lies to stir faith in those willing to believe them. Unfortunately for Marguils, this includes him. Marguils is stunned by this revelation, and for the first time in his life, he doesn't know what he should do.

Back to the Elsa, it's still very much in one piece. We can't detect the location of the Zohar, but, there is a mass of Gnosis that we can point ourselves towards. Jr believes the Elsa should stay where it is, and that proceed in the ES.

Well, folks, this is it. This is the final strech of the game. Even the BGM of the Elsa thinks so, as it's swapped to a track called "To the Last Place", as per the "Original Best" playlist. I'll note that most of my party members have three Tech Attacks, but, "most" is not "all". KOS-MOS is missing hers, as is Jin. They are obtained through story events, so, that's fine. However, I will do as I said earlier, and level up my ES Tech Attacks, as well as maxing out my character's levels, and maybe do some work on character Tech Attacks as well. There's also the matter of checking out what Segment Addresses I can open as well. So, yeah, a bit of side-questing time!

There's still a number of Segment Addresses I can't open as of yet, and there is a pace in the Floating Landmass that I can explore in the on-foot section of that area was I couldn't get to before. Maybe it's the months-long haitus, but, I'm kinda eager to get to tackling Mitcham sooner rather than later?

Our BGM on this broken, abandioned planet surface is "Memory of a Tragedy", as per the "Original Best" playlist. Our very first encounter is the mook squad that consists of Richard and Hermann. There's an exchange before engaging in the enemy, but...

Jr: Enough with the speeches already. Let's fight!

...yeah, that sums my feelings on the matter pretty succulency. Not much to say about this pair, but, I did have to look out for Richard's Anima Awakening, as it could deal almost 90% of a non-guarding unit's HP. The in-combat help text says that I could cancel Richard's Tech Attack with an ambush attack, but, I'm not exactly clear on the conditions that must be met for an ambush. So, I end up loading my state in an attempt to preemptively guard/charge, or at least throw around some healing items to be able to survive this fight.

When we get the what one can presume was once the heart of the city, Ziggy recognizes one of the buildings from his past when he was human. We cannot enter said building, but,this planet is where Jan Sauer (reminder that this was Ziggy's name back when he was a human) met Voyager with disastrous results. Eventually, we make it to an emergency platform, the vehicle it once housed had already been launched. Maybe it's just me, but, I feel the game is heavily suggesting this is the self-same location we saw in the opening FMV of this game. The party is not allowed to investigate further, as Pelligri comes to the scene ready to take them down.

There's an exchange between Pellgeri and Jin concerning the nature of Ormus, but, from the words she's speaking, I can't help but to think that she's parroting the same kinds of lies fed to her that was fed to Marguils. Yet, she seems to realize that everything she's been told was a lie, but is here regardless? This fight fared about as well as last one, where guarding after Pellegri's Anima Awakening was the best move I could feasibly do in response before she pulls off the Tech Attack off. There was no help text regarding cancellation, but, was told that using my own Tech Attacks would increase Pellegri's Anima gauge. I generally held off until I could activate Level 3 Anima to begin with, so, I only pulled off a total of two Tech Attacks throughout the fight, one of them being a Finish Strike.

After Pellegri's death, Ziggy's memories kick in again, and believes the Zohar is in an underground research lab located in the Archon Cathedral. Which, incidentally, is the next area we come across. There's a few more areas before the BGM changes to "Forgotten Sanctuary", as per the "Original Best" playlist. There's both a shop and save point here to rest and resupply.

The main entrance is locked, but, there is a side-entrance we can enter from. The central room looks very much like a church, with a huge stained glass window in the back, and an alter on an elevated dais. It is on this dais that the next cut-scene, this time with Voyager, the Black Testament. Apparently, Ziggy had been offered to become a Testament, but turned said offer down. According to Voyager, everyone in our party have the qualifications to become a Testament. He then further reveals that "he" has been using a certain program to observe the party, and it is in short order that the program in question is none other than Program Canaan, sometimes also known as Program Lactus. We can likely presume "he" refers to Wilhelm, and as for Program Canaan/Latcus, that's certainly more straightforward in who that is referring to.

A boss fight against the ES Dan, ensues. This one fairs about as well as the others here. It's kinda getting super-annoying that any time the AI decides to use an Anima Awkening, it means death, if not very close to death, for any unit that didn't guard/charge during it's last turn. That's not even counting the Tech Attack, because I know it's coming the turn after the Anima Awakening, so I can kinda see that part coming. Just not the initial Anima Awakening, and the two attack actions it offers. After a non-zero amount of save-state shenanigans, I come out of the fight without casualty. Not that it matters, because this is another "you didn't actually win" scenario, but, considering the opponent, one might have seen that coming.

Ziggy lashes out at the Testament with his handy-dandy rocket launcher. Thankfully, Voyager only teleports out of the way, and the rockets hit the ground that was behind him. The two struggle for a bit, but, Canaan/Lactus intervenes with an offer. According to Voyager, himself, he became a Testament to overcome his fear of death. Canaan suggests that if the one responsible for his condition/power were to perish, so, too, would that power. Voyager isn't buying that, logic, as Wilhlem (no reason to think it's anybody else) won't die, and that his immortality is assured. Canaan attempts to place doubt, not by suggesting that Voyager is wrong, but by suggesting that Wilhelm will betray Voyager's trust, and can make him mortal again at a whim.

Canaan's offer, then, is to use Program Canaan, as it's linked to a specified location as the point where it both sends and receives information. Voyager assumes he means the Compass of Order, and Cannan affirms this assumption. In exchange for this access, he wants to become a Testament? Both Jr and Ziggy have to question this. Canaan responds by saying regardless of what he has done for them, he's still a traitor, even if his traitorous actions were entirely unconscious on his part. This proves to be a trap, as attempting to access the Compass does not grant the power of god, as Cannan promised, but utter annihilation. It's one thing for Voyager to be removed from the narrative, but, it hits a little different to see Cannan go. He may have only been in two of the three games, but, he proved a pretty good ally at times.


I make a quick withdrawal to the save/shop point, as my ES weren't in the best shape after that boss fight. When I come back, I notice that we can disembark on the dais, and that there is a switch that would likely activate the elevator behind us. However, it's out of power. There's a console further in that will activate the subreactor, but, that, by itself will not enable us to move that elevator. There is another one we can use that lets us go down to the isolated research facility, which kinda sounds like the place where we want to go anyways? It's certainly creepy down here, as there isn't an accompanying BGM in this area. In the lower portions of this area is a data room with background info on Voyager, or his subjects. After we unlock all the data, the mainframe console can be accesses, and by accessing that, the entries become viewable in the database.

There's another section that's blocked off by a sealed door, and it kinda looks important. There's a switch that will open a different door, so, down that path we go. This intersection includes a handy-dandy save point, as well as a shop point, which are services I will not turn down.

The path I mentioned before has a puzzle at the end, which is something of a color-matching puzzle. The key is an image above a sealed door, indicating which objects/lights to destroy on either side of said door. When the puzzle is complete, the message indicates that the door we just opened was the Zohar storage room. There is a slab in the back of the room where it's pretty obvious that it's where the Zohar would be. It's clearly not here, but, you know what is? Marguils. Why is he even here, if he realizes that everything he's been working for is a lie?

Jin: Why do you still fight up if you know that?
Marguils: Even a fool has his pride. But, after being betrayed and rejected by all I've believed in there is still one thing left for me. You, Uzuki. My showdown with you is the only thing that will not betray me.

I kinda sense Pellegri may have felt the same way. That, despite being lied and used, the only thing she realy had left was to fight Jin. Either way, the BGM for the fight against Marguils is "Fatal Fight" as per the "Unreleased Tracks" playlist, and this absolutely fits. Acala's Moon is pretty deadly without being specifically guarded against, much less a double action that includes it. Forget about not guarding the turn after it Anima Awakens too. It takes some doing, and some save-state shenanigans, but, I come out of it alive and in mostly one piece. I have neglected to mention that my ES are all installed with programs that nullify both counter attacks and revenge counters since I entered this dungeon, so, things could have feasibly gone a lot worse.

Marguils is stubborn to the last moment, and commits suppoku, rather than let Jin get the killing blow. After this, Shion's pendant shines, doors open, and Shion feels as if someone is calling for her. It seems the Zohar is even further down, and whatever sensation Shion is feeling will lead us to it, for good or ill. Before we do that, we can recover Marguils' sword to unlock Jin's third Tech Attack, then hit up the handy-dandy save point at the intersection. However, for the rest of the way, we'll be on foot.

We move through a bog-standard cave but are ultimately lead to a bright light...


...that is best viewable from this vista. There was a shop/save point on this platform, which I used to rest/resupply. We take the tram down, and move into the light, only to come up...


...this gigantic puzzle-room. The BGM here is "Zarathustra Dangeon" (I'm just going with the spelling on KInsider, though, I suspect "Dungeon" is correct) as per the "Original Best" playlist. This might be one of the more annoying puzzles in the game, as it concerns various intersections where walls are placed at a 45 degree angle. There's places just south of each of these intersections that flip the walls, which is how one can progress to the exit.

The area that follows is a more straightforward, though, there is a handy-dandy save point that I use to take a bit of a breather before proceeding to the area ahead. Which includes...


...this door. Approaching it triggers our next cutscene. Despite the indications of a door, and that KOS-MOS is detecting a large energy mass behind it (likely the Zohar), there doesn't seem to be a way forward. Shion's head aches not once, but twice, and keels over. It has been some time since that happened, hasn't it?

Shion is in dark space again, talking with U-DO. Except this time, Shion's perception of U-DO has given it Abel's form.

Abel: This form is what you have defined me as. If you call this form Abel, then, I am Abel.

This conversation is a little awkward, as it starts off with U-DO wanting to know why it is that people seek pain, and that leads to what could heal said pain, which, in turn, makes Shion think of Kevin. When Shion wakes up, Nephilim appears behind her. This blat goes over...

Nephilim: Shion, what you seek lies ahead. If you wish to go forward, you must open the door by your own hands.
Shion: What?
Nephilim: This room was sealed by the will of a woman who was able to call upon the power of God. She did this to prevent what lies ahead from falling into the hands of mankind. If her consciousness does not awaken, you cannot reach the truth that lies ahead.
Shion: A woman? Who?
Nephilim: Someone you know well. In the distant past, she laughed and cried together with your. She is your other half.
Shion: My other half?
Nephilim: Now, in order to save this universe, she must awaken, but, this will force you to make a painful choice. Her awakening will erode and chisel away your life. If you were to turn back here, no one would blame you. Everyone knows your pain.

...probably about as well as the other blats from Nephilim, to be honest. It goes on for a bit longer, with some really biting remarks to Allen, when he attempts to intervene.

Shion: You saw what happened. I summoned the Gnosis. I caused the destruction of the universe, and everything.
Allen: That doesn't mean you have to take on everything by yourself! I, I mean, we, we're all - if we put our heads together, we can find another way!
Shion: You're so naive. The situation is already far beyond that. Allen, what power do you have? Can you save me? Can you save my life?
Allen: I...
Shion: You don't have any power at all. If you can't do anything, then just shut up!

Jin attempts to chide her, but, Shion's resolve cannot be shaken so easily. She asks Nephilim to open the way, and she suddenly finds herself whisked away to... Rennes-le-Chateau? There isn't much to do here except to move into the tomb. The place looks almost new, as the graves are still in one piece, and there's candles lit to signify that it's being taken care of in some capacity. In the back is the tomb, proper, and by the crucifix is... chaos? What's he doing here?

chaos: Since you are here, it must mean that you have come for her.

When Shion asks where she is, he only points to the tomb before her. She then asks who's in there, but, he's gone. She manages to move the top, and sees a woman lying there, and her immediate response is to exclaim "KOS-MOS!" Except she soon realizes that it's not KOS-MOS, nor T-elos, but a human. She figures Kevin must used her as a baseline for their models. She goes to touch the dormant woman's forehead, and her eyes open. We see a number of scenes with her, and chaos, while a man who looks suspiciously like Jesus makes a speech we cannot hear. After a bit, the scene changes to the woman kneeling on the ground, perhaps in petition, to the retreating figure of probably-Jesus. After another bit, he's in her arms as she weeps, very likely after his death. After another small bit, she stands alone in a field of flowers. The form of KOS-MOS flashes in and out before Shion, and she makes some observations.

Shion: KOS-MOS? Are those... are those tears? Why? Why are you crying? I see. You've lost sight of yourself, just like me. You don't know who you are anymore. You don't even know where you stand, and you feel alone. I understand. Let's find out, together. Alright? Let's try and find out who I am, and why you are here. Let's look for the answers together, KOS-MOS.

When Shion comes to, there is the normal bout of "Are you okay?", which includes KOS-MOS. KOS-MOS' eyes have become blue, which is certainly notable in that every instance when this has happened before, she's done something impossible/incredible. However, when Shion observes this, the color of, she understands that she has "awaken". However, T-elos is here to crash the party, and have her own turn at the Department of Blat. To put this as succulency as possible, the will/soul of Mary Magdalene had somehow been infused into KOS-MOS, and is the reason her eyes turned blue on those occasions. The body that T-elos is using is, somehow, that of Mary Magdalene, and is here to absorb the will/soul that KOS-MOS has to become the "true" Mary Magdalene. Whatever, exactly, that means. Not even KOS-MOS knows what might happen a "true" Mary Magdalene surfaces. However, KOS-MOS isn't going to simply stand by, and let it happen, no. We get to fight T-elos as out next boss fight.

If you expected this fight to have some epic boss music, you might be sadly disappointed. The BGM here is "Hepatica (KOS-MOS)", as per the "Original Best" playlist, and is certainly a more somber theme. Of course, this is yet another instance where winning the fight doesn't have any impact on the story. T-elos and KOS-MOS exchange fire once again, and while T-elos is legitimately surprised she could neutralize her attack with one hand, she uses the same attack with greater power. KOS-MOS follows suit with the same move, and not only cancels T-elos' attack, but overpowers it, and sends T-elos to the ground for once. She then approaches the enemy unit, and the two start to resonate gold light. KOS-MOS kneels down, and lifts T-elos' body. It then dissipates, as KOS-MOS absorbs and becomes a fully awakened Mary Magdalene, for good or ill.


After KOS-MOS assures Shion she's fine, we get a scene with Kevin and Wilhelm. That Kevin gives any pause at all might be interesting, but, Wilhelm takes that pause to mean that he's surprised that it was KOS-MOS that awakened as Mary, as opposed to Kevin's "script" of having T-elos awaken as her. Does it make any difference? Perhaps, in the end, it doesn't, and Kevin starts speaking again as he has when facing Wilhlem.

After they finish speaking, a large object in the background fires up. Zarathustra? Maybe. What the following FMV tells us, along with a follow-up scene on the Elsa, is that a number of people are turning into Gnosis, and that Abel's Ark has realigned itself with Mitcham at it's core. At this point, 80% of the Federation has, at the very least, ceased communications. With this setting, it might be a little difficult to tell the difference between planets having their UMN connection severed and being wiped out of existence, but, either could be possible as well. After the events clear, the game notes that KOS-MOS' third Tech Attack, D-TENERITAS, has been unlocked. I make a tactical withdrawal back to the save point to rest/recover, since I don't recall where/when the next save point is.

We traverse the area, breaking apart crystals to move forward, with one of them making a path to...


...a building of light, which absolutely has that "end goal" feel to it. There's a save point on the next screen, with a cutscene with Kevin not far beyond that point. Part of the conversation is a flashback of child-Kevin speaking with Wilhelm concerning the inevitable death of the universe. I'll note that Wilhelm is of the belief that the crisis of the universe's demise cannot be answered. It can only be avoided, and the best way to do that is through something he calls "eternal recurrence".

Wilhelm: If we are fated to die, then, we shall stop our history at a certain point and restart it. And we shall repeat that process eternally.

The question one would have to ask is how can one "restart" history to begin with? One might imagine that there would be a great deal of setup that might include various factors that have to be aligned. It is in this answer that explains Wilhlem's actions. He's been manipulating people, events, and organizations precisely to align the factors needed to set up the ability to press the universe's reset button. It's heavily implied that he's been successful in doing it enough times to be confident in the outcome, and in process/manipulations he's used in setting up said outcome.

To put it another way, the events that have occurred in this series to lead us to this point have all happened before countless times. The destruction of Mitcham by the Gnosis? Wilhelm needed/wanted a valuable aid, and generally finds one in Kevin Winnicot. It would not surprise me at all if he found himself using the same words over and over to recruit young Kevin.

In order for Kevin to truly ascend to being a Testament, he needed to "die". So, he, or Wilhelm, maybe both, manipulated U-TIC into triggering the archetype KOS-MOS to go haywire, and kill Kevin in the process. If I recall the flashbacks in Episode 1 correctly, Commander Cherenkov was part of the U-TIC cell to infiltrate Vector. This feels somewhat too coincidental, though, I doubt who was in charge of that unit was a detail that was of any concern. It's somewhat interesting to note, regardless of manipulations, or no.

We've gone over this already, but, Wilhelm needed Shion to use her powers to summon Abel's Ark. However, at the time of the Militian Conflict, her powers probably hadn't developed enough, and she was only able to mass summon the Gnosis. That Wilhelm resorted to using some kind of mental construct of Shion's memories to be able to call upon the power of two Shions may have been necessary in previous resets. However, I can also imagine that it was possible that Shion was able to pull it off on her own without further intervention in other instances of the reset. I think this is one of those instances where he's experienced an "either way" scenario often enough to anticipate both needing to intervene, and also not needing to intervene.

There is also this joining of the body and soul of Mary Magdalene. Given his facial expression and comments toward Kevin, this is likely another instance where Wilhelm has experienced an "either way" scenario often enough as to anticipate/expect either KOS-MOS or T-elos being the host body for the combined/true Mary Magdalene. It's only surprising to Kevin because he can only experience it once before he gets reset with the rest of the universe.

How many of these details does he go into? Well, he very succulency...

Kevin: He'd been preparing for this since before the loss of Lost Jerusalem. Ormus, Vector, even the Federation all existed under his will.

...admits that Wilhelm has been manipulating things behind the scenes. Shion wants confirmation that Kevin actually died, and for his part...

Shion: Kevin, when you died, was that all just an act?
Kevin: No, it was real. I died on that day. In order to obtain power, it was nessessary to cast aside my physical body. I needed to deepen your bond with KOS-MOS for Mary's awakening by removing myself from your life.

...what he says more or less checks out to me. It at least doesn't contradict my thinking above, about the manipulations needed/done for Kevin to die, and the reasons he states for why they were necessary still generally align with Wilhelm's plan of eternal recurrence. However, he moves the conversation to a very specific direction.

Kevin: Shion, I'm sorry about what I've done to you. But, I want you to understand. To save you, and the world, I had no choice. With this power, I can free you from the terror of death. I can spend eternity with you. I want to save you, Shion.

There has certainly been quips to Kevin's statements so far by various party members. So, who do you think has a comment on these statements? Jr? Nah. Jin? Maybe he should, but nope. KOS-MOS, MOMO, and Ziggy have been silent so far, but, they aren't the ones to speak up. No, of all people to speak out against Kevin, it's Allen.

Allen: How can you say that?
Shion: Allen?
Allen: You try to make it sound good, but, in the end, all you were doing was using her!
Kevin: It's to protect her life.
Allen: You think you're allowed to do anything you want if you think it'll protect someone's life? That it's all right to ignore the Chief's feelings? I refuse to accept that way of doing things!
Kevin: You refuse to accept it? Do I need to request your approval? The fact is, she will die. Are you saying that you will accept Shion's death? That you will abandon Shion to her suffering?
Allen: No, I... that's, but...
Kevin: Pathetic. If the world could be saved through passion, all of this would have been unnecessary.

This seems enough for Shion to be convinced to be with him. Though, I think she was already most of the way there already. Jr steps forward to take a shot, but, Shion blocks him with her MWS. It likely wasn't necessary, but, it was more about the intent behind the action. Jin, then, steps forward, and tries to talk her out of it.

Jin: Shion.
Shion: Jin?
Jin: Shion, you know what he's trying to do. There is a shadow in his heart, and yet, you still intend to go with him?
Shion: I don't know. I don't know what I should do. I'm tired. I don't want to hurt anymore. None of you saved me. Only Kevin has made a place for me.
Jin: Shion, none of us want you to suffer. Don't you understand that?
Shion: I do understand, but, that's why I hate it! I've had my fill of pity. And isn't it already too late? It's not like you understand other people's feelings. If you had, Pellegri might not have had to die!

Both Jr and Allen attempt to interject, but, Jin draws his blade in defiance instead. Jr, being the hothead that he is, also seems more than willing to use force to prevent Shion from going with Kevin. Thus, the next boss fight occurs, against Kevin and Shion. I don't know, maybe it's because my character levels are so high, but, it really doesn't take long before Kevin breaks, and goes down for the count. Shion doesn't last long, either. After the battle, Allen pleads for us to stop, and attempts to be the voice of reason.

Allen: Chief, guys, everyone get a hold of yourselves. What are you all trying to prove by fighting like this!? I've had enough! I didn't come here to do something meaningless like this! We're all fighting to protect the universe so we could all survive, right!?
Kevin: You still don't understand? The cries of the powerless is what's meaningless. Your pathetic voice will reach no one.
Allen That's enough, Kevin! Are you saying you're the only ones that can save the world!? Are you saying it's impossible for us!?
Kevin: Exactly. You cannot save the universe, or Shion.
Allen: That's not true! Everyone here is resolved to face this fight. No one can laugh at that resolve!

This goes on for a bit longer, but, suffice it to say, Kevin attempts to test Allen's resolve by firing a beam of energy at him. Allen is already kneeling over, and breathless. Aside from that, he doesn't seem all that worse for the wear. So, Kevin fires a second beam, and Allen is thrown a few feet, and lands on his back. He still has the wherewithal to attempt to stand up, so, a third shot is fired, and he's thrown high into the air, and lands, head-first, right into one of the pillars. Even after that, he still attempts to get up, though, it's quite the struggle for him to do so. Cue commentary from Kevin.

Kevin: Look at you. You're pathetic. You think you can save Shion?
Shion: Stop it.
Kevin: Shion!
Shion: Just leave him alone. Please, he can't even stand up on his own. He can't do anything else now.

Excuse me, Shion, while it was certainly a struggle, he did manage to stand up on his own!

Kevin: You really are pathetic, Allen. How does it feel to be pitied by the one you love? Do you really want Shion's sympathy that much?
Allen: Sympathy? You don't understand Chief's suffering like I do. I understand her feelings, her pain, and her sadness. And, despite that, she stuggled alone, to do everything she possibly could! You don't have any idea how much she's been hurt, or how she's suffered. How could anyone like you understand? You have no idea how much she's cried!
Shion: Allen, please, that's enough!

For a guy who openly agrees with Kevin's assessment that he's a weak and pathetic person, whose voice can't reach anybody, I think he might be getting to Shion.

Shion: It's all right. You've done enough! Why do you have to suffer like that!?
Allen: You see, I wanted to cry in her place. And I wanted to be the one to feel her pain. Because... I wanted to spend my life together with her. I know that I may not be able to do much in this world, but, I would do absolutely anything for her!
Kevin: So, then, do you think you can take her away from me? Shion may find your feelings to be too much of a burden for her.
Allen: Even if that was the case, the feelings I have won't ever change for her. Like you said, I'm a pathetic man. All I could ever do was watch her from afar. But, there's no way I would ever abandon her! I won't loose to someone like you, who has only run away! I'm taking Shion back, no matter what happens!

Good to see you two talk about Shion as if she wasn't there. Though, good on Allen for calling Shion "Shion" instead of "Chief" this time. Either way, Kevin fires off another beam, probably intending to finish the guy off. However, KOS-MOS intervened, and reflected the beam instead. Allen was still affected, as his slumped form is being held by KOS-MOS, but, I can imagine that resolve he spoke of is still there.

KOS-MOS: You're almost there, Allen.
Allen: KOS-MOS!
KOS-MOS: It's all right, Allen. I, too, understand your feelings. I can feel your pain, and I can also feel Shion's pain.
Allen: KOS-MOS. But, I...
KOS-MOS: Let's go now, Allen. Let's go to Shion.

KOS-MOS helps Allen walk, taking one small step at a time, and Shion is bewildered. Why is KOS-MOS doing this? Even Kevin wants to know what the heck is going on. Is she acting on Mary's will? Is this act not in defiance of Wilhelm's will?

KOS-MOS: I must protect Shion no matter what. His will is irrelevant to me.
Kevin: I see. Then, you truly are a failure. Mary's consciousness changed inside you, and awoke as something different. You're not the will of Mary as it should be.
KOS-MOS: Shion, please tell me. Is this what you really want? Do you really want to betray everyone? Doesn't this make you sad?

Suddenly, Kevin yells for Shion to stand back, and fires off another beam, the strongest one yet. After the dust clears, it becomes apparent that Shion redirected Kevin's blast, and the blow landed on the ground instead of towards the obviously intended targets of KOS-MOS and Allen. As she lets go, she goes on to admit that all she ever wanted was to be with him, even if it meant she was being used, deceived, and what-not. However, she's only now beginning to see that, maybe, she was wrong in thinking this.

Kevin: But, Shion, what are you saying?
Shion: I do love you, dearly. I'm sure we would be happy together. There's nothing I would want more. But, I can't stand the idea of being the only one that finds happiness. If I can't share it with everyone, then, there's no meaning to happiness. And, I don't want to be alone anymore.
Kevin: Shion, no! Are you... are you leaving me?
Shion: If you force me to choose, I won't hesitate. I stand with them to save with universe!

Kevin is stupefied for a moment before making another attempt, but, may have forgotten that Shion is stubborn.

Shion: Kevin. Listen to me. I cannot be with you. I am no longer your tool to play with.

Once again, Kevin finds himself stupefied, but, makes a decision...

Kevin: I see. But I will not hand you over voluntarily. Instead, I will eliminate those who confuse you!

...to become the next boss fight. However, before we get into that...


...here's the FMV of that scene. I must say, it's strangely refreshing to see Allen do something proactive for a change, even if that "something proactive" is getting beat up. While getting an assist from KOS-MOS was no small factor, it was this small sacrifice that opened Shion's eyes. Not Jr's words, and certainly not Jin's, but Allen, the guy who's been little more than a background character this entire series. Clearly, he is the smallest of waves and has, indeed, caused a ripple. Only time will tell is the ripple he made was enough to change the future.

Kevin in his Testament form is a touch harder to take down, but, doesn't prove as difficult as the ES fights. He did manage to kill KOS-MOS, but, unlike ES battles, I can use an item, or cast a spell, to revive said character. Either way, once the battle concludes, Kevin makes yet another attempt to get Shion to his side, but, of all the people to stop him is... Wilhelm? Kevin has run out of time? I make a tactical withdrawal to the save point before proceeding.

Ahead is Abel, Zarathusrta, Kevin, Wilhelm, and the next cutscene. Here, Wilhelm transfers in the ES, and removes their Vessels of Anima with little effort on his part. The Vessels join with the others as they orbit Zarathustra. The only ES left standing is Joshua. Wilhelm is pleased by the strength of Shion's will, and plainly states that he will make use of that power. Kevin attempts to interject, but, Wilhelm will have none of that.

Wilhelm: I told you to stand down, Kevin. KOS-MOS failed, and you lost T-elos as well. Even the Maiden with the Key has left you. Acknowledge the truth. You were unable to fulfill your role.

Wilhelm cannot help himself from referring to people as the roles they are supposed to fulfill, and objects to be used. The next bit is...

Ziggy: You're Wilhlem? What is Vector's CEO doing here?
Wilhlem: That is one of the phrases that defines me. However, words give people many forms. Vector's CEO, head of Hyams, Ormus Patriarch, the Federation Executive Committee Director. All of those are nothing more than phrases that define me. They each define me, but none of them are me.

...kinda interesting, in it's own right. He really has gone under those titles, if not more. He then tells Shion that he'll be using the Key she holds to start Zarathustra. Shion refuses, and he expected that.

Wilhelm: But, unfortunately, your life doesn't matter to me at this point. All I need is your power as the Maiden, the Key, and Mary.

He goes on about how he gave Zarathustra the role of recurring wills, and mentions that once Shion activates the Key, Mary would work with Zarathustra to dissipate the wills, and cause the reset. Shion once again refuses to have anything to do with this, and says that nobody wants what Wilhelm is seeking. Wilhelm smirks, as he asks if we're sure about that statement, and that there are already a number of wills gathered to this place. Jin figures it out first. He's talking about the Gnosis.

Wilhelm: Yes. Gnosis are the form of people who have rejected others and the world. They seek salvation. Faced with being overcome with loneliness and fading away, they chose instead to return everything to the beginning. Mary and I will give them what they seek, the eternal recurrence! Are you ready to help now?

Shion is obstinate in her refusal, but, Wilhelm barely reacts at all. While having Shion's full consent would make things easier, it's not necessary. The only thing that is necessary for Wilhlem is Shion's desire to use the Key, and he's more than willing to torture Shion for that to happen. A sphere appears upon his palm, and Shion is lifted into the air. Then, burst of energy envelops Shion, very similar to what Kevin was using on Allen earlier. A separate force makes the party go to the floor, unable to get back up. Of the party members, only KOS-MOS still stands. I doubt her still standing has anything to do with mercy. My guess is that he's leaving KOS-MOS alone for now because she's currently the host of Mary, and he needs to use Mary's power to diffuse the wills through Zarathrustra. However, one might consider the possibility that he will not show mercy should KOS-MOS provide an obstinate refusal to comply as Shion.

As KOS-MOS looks on, one senses an inner conflict. It took mere seconds of mental calculus for KOS-MOS to make the call to sacrifice Virgil to protect Shion back in Episode 1. Here, there's obvious consequences to Shion if she does not act, but, there are also could be consequences to Shion if she does. What if, by attempting to save Shion, KOS-MOS activates Mary's will at the same time as Shion's desire to use the Key? Would that not benefit Wilhelm? On the other hand, Shion is not in danger of dying. Yet, to do nothing, and to allow pain to be inflicted on her without end, might be a fate worse than death.

We see a brief flashback of Shion and Kevin while the latter was still alive before the scene returns to the present. While Shion's voice is weak, she cries out for Kevin to help her. I don't know if Kevin ever had any emotional attachment to Shion, or if the time he spent with her was supposed to facilitate her bond with KOS-MOS. However, Kevin defies his master, and cuts Wilhelm's arm. Wilhlem takes this development as any other, and takes it in stride.

Wilhelm: Kevin, are you satisfied now?
Kevin: Nhah!
Wilhelm: Why act surprised? Everything as occurred as expected. Including your act of betrayal.
Kevin: You knew?
Wilhelm: Of course. What you seek is not order for the universe, but only for your own personal desire. An eternal world for the two people in love.
Kevin: That's right. I have no attachment to this world. But, I cannot loose Shion!
Wilhelm: For love? Ridiculous. That has no value.

It's at this point, that the surge of energy envelops Kevin as well as Shion. She still refuses to use the Key. Wilhelm just kinda shrugs it off, and tells Mary/KOS-MOS to bring Shion over. At this point, KOS-MOS must act. She approaches Shion, with Shion backing off as much as she is able. However, she cannot move very much, and KOS-MOS scoops her up from the floor, and starts to carry her over. At some point, KOS-MOS places Shion down, and tears the pendant off of her, all the while Wilhelm gloating to Shion, asking her how it feels to be betrayed by the one she trusted most, and how "Mary" will ignore her will, and activate Zarathrustra with the Key.

Funny he should mention that, because what KOS-MOS does is crush the pendant with her hand. He's actually surprised, and, dare I say it, emotional? One gets the impression that, never, in however many resets he's experienced, has Mary went against him. The game does it's damnedest to not let the player see KOS-MOS' eyes until she returns to Shion to help her up. They are back to being red.

KOS-MOSI am not Mary. I am... KOS-MOS!

Kevin takes this cue to attack Wilhelm from behind, which concludes...


...this FMV. Wilhelm might sound composed...

Wilhelm: Humans? Mere humans are rejecting me? Impossible. It is unthinkable.

...but I still hold that this is the most shocked he's ever been. There's a bit more fluff here, but, ultimately, Zarathusrta is out of control. Wilhelm is stubborn in his own right, saying that the only way to stabilize this situation is to allow the eternal recurrence to occur, and makes another plea to Mary. Kevin does... something, I'm not sure what. It looks like he's sending out some kind of wave towards Zarathustra. According to Wilhelm, if he keeps doing it, his body would perish.

Wilhelm: How foolish of you. Kevin, don't you know that your body will perish from this world if you continue to do that?
Kevin: I won't be the only one! You will perish as well, Wilhelm.
Wilhelm: So, you do this with full knowledge?
Shion: No, Kevin!
Kevin: Shion! I'm suppressing the system's energy. Hurry! You must destroy Zarathrustra!

There's a bit more to this, but, I'm inclined to spare you the details. It's time, folks, for the final boss of Xenosaga Episode 3....


...Zarathustra. While I absolutely have a boost code enabled, I do my best to not totally and completely abuse it for this fight. The BGM for this fight is "Promised Pain" as per the "Original Best" playlist.

Every so often, it shifts elemental properties so only two out of the five elements will have any effect. It also has a single-target ability that deals a significant amount of damage, and generally ended up killing whoever it hits. As such, somewhere around three Revive Ms were used over the course of this fight. Aside from that, my overall strategy of using break attacks first, then pile on the strongest damage output abilities I can find that align with it's current elemental properties has not changed that much?

After the battle resolves, Wilhelm has some parting words for chaos, reminding him that Abel's controlled by the system, and he's the operator. Should he disappear, the universe will inevitably die. Again, let us remind the reader that Wilhelm never seeks an answer to the universe's demise, only the prevention of it by way of pressing the reset button. He firmly believes there isn't an answer. chaos wants to believe otherwise. That there is an answer, and it will come from the light of human will. When Wilhelm dissipates, there is a cutscene, where Shion and Kevin part ways for the last time. I'm absolutely cutting details here, but, one will have to excuse me on this point.

After both Kevin and Wilhelm leave the narrative, Zarathustra gets back up, the system still out of control. chaos is unfazed, telling them to not worry. The camera centers on Abel, right in the center of the thing. It moves to white space, where Nephilim appears before him. She asks if that is his wish, and he nods. The pair walk up to the party, surrounded by light. Then we learn what I presume this wish is.

chaos: So it's decided?
Nephilim: Yes.
Shion: Haah!
Nephilim: This phenomenon is being caused by the wills, the Gnosis gathered in Zarathusrra with nowhere to go. Together, with Abel, I will gather all those wills into me, and dimensonally shift this entire region of space to the land of origin.

I'm reading this as transporting the planets that are in the Mitcham system to be in the Sol system. There is also...

Nephilim: We cannot stop the universe's accelerating dissipation, the true destruction of the universe.

...this lovely gem. Thanks for agreeing with Wilhelm?

Nephilim: But the potential brought about by the light of your will is unlimited. If you, if mankind, has enough time to build upon your feelings, then, perhaps...
Shion: And you will provide us with that time?
Nephilim: Yes. I, Abel, and...

Hey, you're supposed to list yourself last! Well, regardless, chaos and KOS-MOS nod. chaos then explains that it wasn't Shion that started the spiral of inevitable destruction for the universe. No, it started way before she was born. What started the spiral of destruction was actually chaos, and his power of Anima.

Shion: Your power of Anima?
chaos: To prevent the destruction of the universe, and to save me, Mary separated the power of Anima into the Vessels, and sealed them, costing her life. Sealed by her, I lost my power, and became a spectator. All this time, I didn't know what the meaning, Anima, this power, held, or why I had this power. But now, I finally know what it means for me to wield this power. You taught me that.

chaos eventually gives the party a heads up that, you know, maybe you should think about ditching this place?

chaos: Everyone, this region of space will soon undergo a dimensional shift. Unfortunately, I don't have the power left to help you escape. I want you to get away somehow, before this region is destroyed.

He also says that, at best, they can give them another few thousand years. Apparently, chaos is also of the opinion that the destruction of the universe is inevitable? Gee, thanks again for agreeing with Wilhelm. However, if humanity can make it to Lost Jerusalem in that time, the key to saving all will be there. Shion nods, then turns to KOS-MOS. KOS-MOS' voice changed to a more softer/gentler tone when she became blue-eyed Mary, but that trait has not changed now that she identifies as red-eyed KOS-MOS. Either way, KOS-MOS is going to stay behind, along with chaos, to facilitate the dimensional shift in her own way. It's a somewhat heartfelt parting. The vibes the game gives is similar to Kevin's parting, but, without the black mark of manipulating Shion that Kevin bears.

The remaining party, which now consists of Shion, Allen, Jin, Jr, Ziggy, and MOMO, board Asher, the only ES capable of functioning without a Vessel of Anima, due to the reactor the Professor built for it. Jin is piloting it, while the others take refuge in the one hand it has left. Once they get some distance, chaos requests that KOS-MOS releases his power. She consents, and starts glowing red. The figure of Mary Magdilne in ghost form appears from her, and the spirit rises before Zarathusra, and extends her arms outward. The orbs that the Vessels of Anima have become fuse into a ghostly form of chaos, and that figure moves towards it's owner. Meanwhile, the figure of Mary does not fuse back into KOS-MOS, but fuses into Nephilim instead. Both Nephilim and chaos raise their hands, and Nephilim begins a chant. The Zohar shines, and lifts itself apart from the rest of Zarathusrta. This causes the entire planet of Mitcham to glow, with there being an external shot of Abel's Ark where the glow has spread across it's core. The camera pans, as the glow spreads even further out, the white in stark contrast to the darkness of space. It grows further and further, encompassing Abel's Ark itself, and in short order, the surrounding system, if not further out. Isn't this too fast?

Cut to the Asher, where traffic has increased quite a bit. There's certainly Gnosis flying right past it. Jr figures that whatever Nephilim is doing, it must be working for so many Gnosis to be here. Yet, Ziggy feels something is off, and MOMO senses it too. She senses that the Gnosis are either objecting to becoming as one, or are afraid to do so. Which means chaos and KOS-MOS might be in danger. Shion asks for Jin to go back, but, Jin refuses. They have a duty to perform that they entrusted them with. Shion eventually accepts this, after some additional support from Jr.

Meanwhile, at the Zohar, the Gnosis revolt has not gone unnoticed. Nephilim and chaos need more time, and the only one on hand that can provide such is KOS-MOS. She acknowledges this, and starts going to town with her trademark gatling gun.

The Asher drops off it's load onto the upper platform just before the entrance to Mitcham's underground ruins. Wait, Jin, why are you backing off with Asher? Where are you going? Despite his talk about fulfilling duty, or perhaps because of it, he's willing to go back alone to assist KOS-MOS in protecting Nephilim, chaos, and Abel. Shion has more than a few words about this, but, he is a characteristically hard-headed Uzuki, after all.

On board the Dammurung, they've detected the waves coming from Mitcham. The UMN columns throughout the affected regions of space are disappearing. Which, for all intents and purposes, was already happening, and has already happened to, what was the number? 80% of the Federation? The UMN columns enable FTL travel, and is how long-range communication is possible. So, having them disappear, or disabled, severely cripples this setting's civilization. If my memory is right, such functions are very similar to the functions of Mass Relays in the Mass Effect series, but, I might be getting a bit off-track here.

After that small interlude, we're back with Jr, Shion, Allen, Ziggy, and MOMO. As they make their way towards the Elsa, they do what they can with the Gnosis in their way. Jr fires off in almost any direction, as does MOMO. Shion moves a bit ahead to cheer them on, but, a Gnosis jumps behind her. Ziggy calls out, but, of all people, Allen responds faster, finding a stray rifle on the ground, and jumps forward to beat the thing with it. The faces Jr and MOMO make when he does this is solid gold.


Even Shion is taken back by this, completely not expecting Allen to ever step forward. I think everyone somehow missed that non-zero amount of character development he had when facing Kevin?

Cut to KOS-MOS doing her damnedest against the Gnosis threat on her front. Just as a larger Gnosis moves towards chaos, Jin, in Asher, is there to back him up, and finds a sword embedded in the wall. This likely belonged to Reuben when Wilhelm transferred it over, and allows Jin to use a fighting style he's more familiar with.

Jr and the others have successfully arrived at the Elsa, and Jr orders him to take off now. Matthews, initially agrees, but then notices that a few people are missing.

Jr: It's all right. Don't worry about them. They have things that they have to do, and so do we. Now, let's go.

To this, Matthews can only tip his hat in respect, and orders the emergency take-off. Back to the Zohar room, KOS-MOS looses her gatling gun, but, she's not done yet. Her arm becomes a blade instead, and tears down on a rather lengthy flyer. However, that arm gets broken off, and Jin goes to support with Asher. The Gnosis proves durable, so, Jin ejects, and detonates Asher remotely. KOS-MOS lands, and Jin does what he can with his blade before the ES-sized blade that became loose somehow falls right smack into him, piercing through his right side leg included due to the stance he was using. Ouch. Even with this, he's not done yet. He somehow pulls that sword out of himself, and duel wields against a Gnosis for a time. However, he's pierced straight through yet again, and he dares to claim that he's alright when chaos asks. However, he's definitely not all right. It took everything he had to slay that Gnosis, and the sounds of battle start to fade. He notes that it's never been this quiet before, and that such quiet is what he has sought. Yet, now that he recognizes that he's come to an end, he yearns for the noise of the past.

Nephilim and chaos have nearly completed their task. chaos calls out to Jin, but, it's no use. He's gone. chaos thanks him, posthumously, and continues. A Gnosis appears from above, and looks like it might disturb the process, despite it being so close to completion. KOS-MOS appears before chaos, and merely nods her head as if to say, "I'll take care of it." chaos nods back, and refocuses on the task at hand.

KOS-MOS gets an internal monologue. First she thanks Shion, the apologizes for not acting sooner when she was under the influence of Wilhelm's attack. Then, as she fires up D-TENERITAS, she vows to protect her this time, and will leave everything to her as she launches herself toward the offending Gnosis. This generates a spectacular explosion, with chaos crying out for the poster girl of this series. Thankfully, all that sacrifice was enough for Nephilim and chaos to complete the gathering of Gnosis. Nephilim steps forward and begins another chant. When she finishes, her form changes to a more grown up version.


You know, I'm getting more of a Mother Sophia of Nissan vibe from this form than the instance of Elly that we played as in Xenogears. Though, by that game's own account, they are all the same woman, but, I guess it's just the air she seems to have. Which is kinda funny, because on Disk 2 of Xenogears, Elly was proclaimed the second coming of Sophia, but, I'm getting off track here.

chaos starts to glow blue, stands next to Nephilim, then reaches out his palm towards Abel. Some kind of connection is made, and they, presumably, shift dimensions and go to Lost Jerusalem. Another wave emanates from Abel's Ark, initially gold, then gray-ish. Meanwhile on the bridge of the Elsa, it's having a hard time attempting to outrun the latest wave. Hammer is quick to question how they are supposed to hurry when there are no columns left. Matthews comments to stop whining and just floor it. Tony reports that the logical drive is already maxed out. Shion panics rather vocally, but, gets some kind of mental message from chaos. She then reports that there's a column at 11 o'clock. This is an understandably doubtful report, but, MOMO is, in fact, picking up a singular column pulse, and the ETA when they get underway is sixty seconds. However, it seems like the Elsa doesn't even have that much time, as it's aft side is already cracking from the shockwave.

Matthews: Little Master, have you ever listened to Wagner? This ship is a Lohengrin-class passenger-freighter. It's form is like the "Knight of the Swan". Tony! OVERBOOST!

This reference is not well-known to be, but, regardless of this, the Elsa sprouts frigging WINGS, and it's speed increases dramatically, easily outpacing the shockwave. Hammer cautions that we have no idea where we'll end up if we use this column. Matthews argues that anywhere is better than here. MOMO starts a counts down for their ETA, and as they hit 0, the Elsa disappears in a blue light, just in time before the rest of the screen is swallowed by darkness.

A brief pause before Shion comes around, and might notice she's floating in zero gravity. The Elsa undoubtedly used a good chunk of it's power on that last push, so, this is no surprise. The bridge crew does their best to go back to their positions, and the first question that Matthews asks is where the heck are they? MOMO can't make any determinations. There is no EPR radar readings, nor data from the UMN. Those systems are down for the count. Allen asks if they are in the far reaches of the universe. A moment later, the noise of static is heard.

Matthews: What's that? A transmission?
Jr: No way. There's no UMN, so, how can there be a transmission?
Hammer: Talk about obsolete communication methods. This is an electromagnetic type transmission.

I'm certainly no expert on the matter, but, are they talking about a radio transmission?

Ziggy: Can we respond?
MOMO: Yes, I'll give it a try.
(static for a bit, before one can make out a "Shion! Can you hear me?")
(more static, Miyuki cutting in and out)
Miyuki: (over radio) Hello! Are you guys all alive?

Shion gasps, then kicks off a wall paneling to float over to the window on the opposite side to peer out. The Dammerung! Looks like they're safe as can be. This is a fourty-ish minute FMV, and took quite a bit to transcribe, but...


...there ya go. Cut to a port on the Dammurung, Shion ready to part. She's got a promise to fulfill to chaos, Nephilim, and, perhaps, KOS-MOS, to get to Lost Jerusalem in time before the universe destroys itself. However, the only clue she might have as to it's location is fragmented data left behind in the Y-Data. Not only that, but, with the UMN no longer operable, the only method she has to reach it is normal flight. So, we're talking about getting to a system that is most certainly measured in light years and we can only go speeds measured in, at best, probably three-digits worth of kilometers per hour. I don't pretend to know if the Elsa can break four digits with the overboost trick, but, even if that was a speed that could be maintained over a long periods of time, which it isn't, we're still likely measuring the amount of time it would take to get to Sol in decades, most certainly spanning multiple generations in the process. That same trip might take anywhere between several minutes to several hours with the UMN still around, depending on how many column transfers would be necessary.

Yet, somehow, Shion "knows" that, despite all this, she'll reach Lost Jeruslalem. One gets the impression that she's not talking about putting herself into status here. I don't know where she's getting this confidence from, of if it's just wishful thinking on her part. However, making the attempt to find Lost Jerusalem is something she promised chaos, and she's going to follow through with that promise as much as she is able. With her is Jr and Allen. MOMO wants to go too, but, Shion tells her that she should focus on making a brand new network with Scientia. Which is to say that she'll be on the dev team to develop FTL and long-range communications that do not require the UMN.

I can think of no better person well-suited for this task. This is not to depreciate the men and women of Scientia, nor the help the men and women of Vector that might give to support this effort. However, as a person with as keen in observation as her, regardless of her status as the prototype 100-Seres realian, would undoubtedly be an asset for such a vast undertaking.

As for Ziggy, Jr asks him to look after Juli and MOMO for him while he's gone. To this, he accepts, and tells Jr to concentrate on his mission. Yeah, that sounds like Ziggy. After this, Shion says a final farewell before boarding the Elsa. Presumably repaired, and resupplied, it makes for Lost Jerusalem. Or, at least, the best approximation for where they think it is. MOMO has a small internal dialog saying she'll be waiting, and that she'll keep waiting until they finally come back. How hopeful is everybody that FTL will be figured out so quickly when they barely understood how FTL worked with the UMN to begin with!?

As MOMO finishes her good-byes, and the Elsa is seen in space, "Maybe Tomorrow ~ Ending Melody", as per the "Original Best" playlist plays. On the bridge, Tony is relaxed, watching a video on his console. Hammer yaws, having very little to do as far as navigation is concerned. Matthews kicks his head rest for good measure. Mary and Shelly are on the opposite console, and on that console's screen is... Representative Helmer? There is just no way they could have established long-range communications with video capabilities this soon. I've also doubts the Dammurung is in any kind of reasonable range of Second Milita with the means of communication they do have. Either way, Jr just stands in the center of it all and just smiles.

Meanwhile, Shion and Allen are in the Elsa's diner, watching the slowly retreating figure of the Dammerung from one of the windows there. Shion has one last internal monologue, as various scenes play out. Said scenes are largely fluff, so, I'll spare you the details on those.

Shion: Jin, now I think I understand what Wilhelm wanted to do, just a little bit better. His methods may have been wrong, but now, I think I understand the logic behind his reasons. Living the same life over and over again, but, living those lives without any regrets is what really matters. That's probably what the ideal vision of being human is about. However, we humans are really not that strong. And we know that we can't live like that. We're creatures that are much more flawed, weak, and smaller than that. We hurt others, we lie to ourselves, we hate, we blame others, we regret, but, even if we are weak, and even if it is our fate to disappear entirely, I think the will to change the future is still and important one. We must try to change the things around us, little by little.

Okay, this is fluff I cannot easily ignore. Shion's hand has been angling towards Allen's and while you can see Allen hesitate, at the precise moment Shion finishes her "little by little" line, he joins hands with her at that moment.

Shion: Even if it is one step at a time, and even if everything is already predetermined, it's not something for us to be sad about. No. On the contrary, the future is overflowing with hope, and we have infinite paths to choose from. Isn't that right? chaos? KOS-MOS?

It is here that the credits start to roll. This time, there are no accompanying scenes. We sorta just had them, plus, there isn't another game in the series to tie into. However, as the credits roll, you can see what's left of KOS-MOS floating about. She's missing all her limbs now, but, she still seems to be able to function to some degree, but, only enough to power herself down in preparation for the long wait ahead. Once the credits finish rolling, there is one last scene of KOS-MOS floating towards a planet that one can only presume to be Lost Jerusalem. There isn't a good screencap that encapsulates this moment, but, hopefully...


...this video should suffice. With the title card dropped, the game prompts us to make a clear game save. My time-stamp of this save is 28 hours, 36 minutes, and 15 seconds. The benefits of playing from a clear save, outside of completing any tasks you didn't accomplish in-game before, includes, "Swimsuit mode" (you can press square to have characters wear their swimsuits during a cutscene, if you have them unlocked) and a few bonus swimsuits to go along with that. However, for the intents and purposes of this LP, I am quite satisfied with calling this game done. It's been quite a journey covering this series, and I hope those who read these procured at least some of the enjoyment I had in playing these games. For the sake of reference, the date of my completion was the 16th of November 2024.

The server being down for an entire month did see some play of this game. Ultimately, though, I decided to drop it. I kinda feel bad about dropping the game, but, at the same time, doing so allowed me to give more attention to Xenosaga Episode 3, and having a blast there.