Arknights story · Somniloquium Serenum
SS-8 Fairytale Beginning
Sakiko returns to the Castle of Dreams to face Morpheus. Sakiko chooses to awaken the members of Ave{@nbs}Mujica with music. In their dreams, the other band members seize their last chance to escape.
2 scenes, 430 lines
1. Before Operation
232 linesFrom the rooftop, dozens of stories high, the cars and people on the ground are like specks of dust.
We've strengthened security around your home, Miss Nyamu. Until the situation is under control, please refrain from going out if at all possible.
With the kidnapper still at large, the agency prefers you scale back your activities for the time being out of safety concerns.
Scale back my activities...?
Just temporarily. We're sifting through new prospective partners to ensure your absolute safety.
But my fans...
Miss Nyamu, you are now one of Lungmen's biggest stars. You need to recognize your own popularity a bit more.
But...!
Use this time to get some well-deserved rest, or do something you enjoy.
—Just stay put.
I'm going to hang up now. The L.G.D. wants to talk with us again.
Stay put, stay home, huh...?
Nyamu looks around her home—
If it could even be called one.
The massive TV in the living room, which only ever has one viewer.
Someone comes to make the bed every day. It never looks anything but factory new.
Suddenly, something catches her eye.
Found you...
Perhaps it was not that she had forgotten them; perhaps she just did not want to look for them.
At some point, she chose to abandon them of her own accord.
A set of drumsticks, lying in a corner of the bookshelf.
You let her go.
You defied my orders.
I broke the terms of our contract this time. Here is the penalty fee.
Umiri pulls out a bag of gold coins, and places it on the table in front of her boss.
...You're rejecting me.
I think it would be best if we stayed hirer and contractor.
I work better as a lone agent. If I want a partner, I have my bass.
No. You want to go back to Francis and his people.
......
I've had quite a longstanding interest in their musical parties. Sorry, but I won't be taking a seat at your bigger-stakes table.
Hahahaha... When did I ever say you'd have a seat?
You've only ever been a chip.
And a chip not in the hand is worth nothing.
With those words, the door slams open, and Umiri finds herself surrounded by multiple burly brawlers.
Umiri turns back to look at the boss, and is greeted by the glinting end of a barrel.
The island is about to disappear into the distance.
......
What's wrong? You've been staring at the island this whole time.
I thought I heard someone calling to me...
Haha! Must be hearing things. Nothing in these waters except the sound of waves and fowl.
(Glances) Lotta luggage there. Headed to the city to strike it rich?
...I'm looking for someone.
Ain't that the damnedest thing. You're not the first one to say that...
What...?
(Loudly) These waves are getting rough...
Above them, darkness has started to creep into the sky.
(Even louder) Watch out... grab... railing...
But it is too late.
A wave crashes down on the deck, and sends seawater flooding into the cabins.
But she knows why full well. A classical guitar could never make the sound of an electric.
(Quietly) It's awful late, Mutsumi-chan. Won't you get some sleep?
(Quietly) Look, at least just unlock the door...
(Quietly) We'll sit by your side and tell you bedtime stories, just like old times.
Well, we don't know either...
Maybe she went off and found her own happiness, somewhere else?
There is no response from outside the door.
Saki won't change so easily. She wants me to return to Ave{@nbs}Mujica—
You mustn't change so easily either, Mutsumi-chan.
Somehow, Mutsumi's mother is standing behind her.
This isn't just your dream. It's ours too.
We are all Mutsumi.
This is our dream, together. Where we can all truly exist, where we all find happiness.
Mutsumi-chan, you don't need Sakiko. You only need us.
No...
Let's be—together—forever—and ever—okay?
No—!
Ten minutes left...
Bye, Miss Iris! Bye, Miss Bena—
We will—
Iris, Bena, all set? In that case, let's—
Wait!
N-Necklace?
In your left pocket—the necklace in the little box that keeps the nightmares away!
What are you talking about, Miss Sakiko? I don't... what?
Iris reflexively reaches into her pocket, and is surprised to indeed find something in there.
Sakiko... you don't actually have precognition, do you?
Center stage. Mutsumi lies in a pool of blood.
My child! Oh, my child!
Help her! Somebody!
What's wrong? Is she hurt?
Poor girl! She's dead! How horrible!
It's all a trick! She's not dead. How could she be dead?
(Noisy chirping)
(Excited chirping)
Cut!
...You're an abysmal actor, Wolff.
Sorry. Acting's not my forte.
(Merry laughter)
Oh, and you think YOU were any better?!
(Panicked crying)
This won't do. I'm still short of actors... I need one more...
Morpheus stares daggers at the center of the stage. There, a blue-haired girl sits, eyes closed, but brow furrowed as ever in struggle.
(Dismayed chirping)
It's a Siracusan play. Caused quite the controversy, in its opening run.
True and false, false and true, why does everyone tie themselves in knots over which is which?
Human beings have too strong a need to know everything down to the core.
Perhaps, it's the very thing that makes them human.
......
I'm sorry. I spoke out of line again.
No... Wolff. You're fluent now.
Maybe it's all the rehearsals lately... Then again, maybe it's not the rehearsals, but the things I've been seeing. The sort of things that grow a heart a size or two.
Can a woven creation have a 'heart'?
The books tell of a metal man who gained one. Perhaps I can too.
Tut. Shouldn't have let you read so much... I liked your stuttering better.
She has no 'heart' anymore?!
I can patch her back up, but without a heart, she'll never leave this place again...
You decide... decide Morpheus's fate.
(Oh, Iris... oh, Bena...)
......
Alas. It would be better if you didn't talk.
If only, if only, everyone was like me...
Morpheus. It's time we ended this farce of yours.
Upon the stage, where a doll slumbered, now a doll stands.
What? Excuse me? How?
This isn't right! No, how could you—
I made myself clear. I will not be leaving my companions until I have awoken them.
Well, I'll give you two choices—
One! Get out of my sight, right now.
Two! I trap you under layers and layers and LAYERS of dreams, and you stay lost in Limbo forever.
I decline.
You think you can—?!
Sakiko reaches into her pocket.
(Yes. It's still there.)
Iris's necklace has accompanied her through layer after layer of dreams, and it has followed her here.
Now, she will save Ave{@nbs}Mujica. She will save everyone.
Our bet is still on.
In their dreams, I saw their innermost thoughts.
Even as their wishes came true one by one, they found no happiness in it.
They are no hypocrites for it. They are simply still in doubt.
As the founder of Ave{@nbs}Mujica, I pledged to them that I would take responsibility for their lives.
From the moment I uttered those words, our fates became inseparable...
My role is to show the path to lost dolls. I will lead them through the fog, for I must.
Center stage, Sakiko Togawa stands. She casts her eye over her slumbering companions, then returns her gaze to Morpheus.
They, and you... are no more than lost dolls.
In the moonlight, the doll takes on a temporal life.
Awaken—
Stop her!
(Terrifying roar)
Sakiko Togawa slowly raises a hand, and her clothing begins to transform.
She recalls the Originium Arts she learned in her dream; the songs she wanted to write.
As she has practiced countless times before, she casts down a firm finger—
Upon a white piano key.
The note rings clear in every corner on and off the stage, and bids the threads holding up each doll fall slack.
No longer puppeted, they fall to the expanse of the stage one by one.
Be assured that in the face of all your efforts, I can hardly rest on my own laurels.
Despite all our hardships, we came back together and put on a masquerade that belonged to us, didn't we?
I want to write a song—
About our struggles, and the possibilities of the future.
We are a band. Our destinies are one.
This is my answer.
Put down the guitar, Mutsumi-chan.
You're our princess. We'll be by your side, whatever you do.
—Cover her ears!
Honestly, what do I do with you?
The 'Mutsumis' throwing themselves at Mutsumi suddenly crash to the ground one by one, as if marionettes whose strings were cut.
I'm on your side, Mutsumi-chan. I'll listen to your deepest desire.
The fully-armed brawlers are closing in on Umiri.
Time we put an end to this, Umiri...
What? What's this song...?
AAAAAAAAAARGH!!!
Umiriiiii!
Francis...?! Where did you just drop in from?!
Sakiko told us all about it! We're all just figments of your dream, ain't we?
Why would you go and believe her nonsense...
No! Don't you see, everything makes sense now!
We trusted you unconditionally because you made us!
Now that I've accepted it, I feel so light, so free. Umiri, I could do ANYTHING right now!
......
There isn't much time! You've gotta get outta this nightmare!
But how am I going to...?
It's your dream! You've gotta know!
But once I leave, you're all going to...
When'd you start getting so hung up on crap?
Don't you worry! Me and my brothers, we'll think of you when we hold our parties!
...Got it!
Go!
Don't let her get away—!
Umiri grabs her bass guitar case by the handle, bends her knees and lowers her center of gravity—
I'm—outta here!
Umiri, our sister! Buon viaggio!
Miss Nyamu...!
A song that none of them have ever heard is blaring at maximum volume.
Yet there is nobody in the room.
Call the security firm!
S-She started streaming!
...?
Good morn-nyamu-nyamu, everyone! Nyamuchi here~!
Your girl's soaring through the skies of Lungmen right now! Haha, and I've got a LOT of patrol cars behind me in hot pursuit!
Whoooo! Feeling good!! Now this is one way to remember Nyamuchi the rest of your lives, huh?
And if you do get to hold onto any memories, remember one thing—
Nyamuchi is the drummer of Ave{@nbs}Mujica—Amoris!
(My memories... they're fading, piece by piece...)
(The last trace I had of her... it's being erased...)
(That song... that song...)
(A song of the soul...)
(I say... you're mine... you're mine...)
(Look... you're so close, yet still...)
(Light...)
(You're like light...)
(You always had the power to make people gather around you, basking in your light and warmth...)
(That's who you are... Saki-chan.)
Performing, shouting your heart out, again and again, never to stop.
...I apologize.
I apologize, for the countless times I've hurt you all.
But here and now, I want to see you more than anyone—I want to see you as you really are.
The destinies of Ave{@nbs}Mujica are one. I bear the weight of your lives on my shoulders, and so I will stake my life to protect you.
I beg you... all of you, wake up.
Midnight. The twin moons hang high in the night sky. Now is the hour of the dolls' awakening.
Let us commence the world of Ave{@nbs}Mujica anew.
2. After Operation
198 linesThe ending note settles. Sakiko's hand lingers on the keyboard.
Faint echoes of music reverberate on through the empty castle halls.
Saki... chan...?
From beside comes a voice long unheard, yet one she could not know any more intimately. She slowly lifts her head.
We finally... finally...
...We finally got to meet, Saki-chan.
It feels like I had this long, long dream... and I was this close to never waking up.
Saki-chan, we've been going in circles for so long. We almost missed each other again.
And before Sakiko stands not just Uika, but her entire band.
It was like someone gave me a pull, and then I just showed up here.
Blehhh! Why are we being so serious?
But Saki, you're smiling so happily.
Sakiko has to squint beneath the bright spotlight hanging above. Everything before her feels so unreal, so dreamlike.
But she knows, she knows—
Once more, they have played the music that belongs to them.
The girls of Ave{@nbs}Mujica have finally come back.
Yes! Of course I am, I'm so happy...
Uika... Mutsumi.
Nyamu... Umiri.
I missed you... I missed you so badly.
All of you—welcome back.
(Struggling chirping)
I'm guessing these things put us to sleep?
The dreams... they're not working...
No... no...
You can't leave... you have to... stay here!
(Piercing screech)
—Watch out!
Wolff!!
Morpheus, cut your losses!
Don't you lecture me with words you cribbed from a storybook!
Sakiko, take them and—argh!
Before Wolff can finish, an army of threads skewers through its arms, expelling the cotton within.
Oh, crap! Up there—
Countless Corettons circle above, weaving a massive dreamcatcher.
It begins to press in towards the girls, growing ever larger and larger.
Morpheus... see the error of your ways!
A huge pair of scissors falls from the sky, shredding the dream web into naught but tiny wisps of silk that drift in the air.
(Panicked screech)
Who was that?!
Nngh—!
The girl gives a few twitches in midair before plummeting to the ground, faster and faster—
Are... are we safe now?
What in the world is happening...?
Apologies for our lateness.
M-Miss Iris! We owe a debt to you for your aid... Thank you.
Sakiko is overcome with relief at seeing the familiar fairy. Her exhaustion swiftly catches up, and she feels the strength drain from her as she collapses.
A dull thud echoes through the hall.
Saki-chaaaan!
Sakiko... Sakiko...
(Who is it... now...)
Bit by bit, Sakiko regains consciousness, and is greeted by a faint fragrance.
Her eyes flutter open, and she finds herself lying on a soft velvet sofa, a brown-haired girl sitting by her side.
Ah. Have you come to?
You fainted. Going through dreamland after dreamland like that takes a toll on the body.
Though I'd say it's quite incredible you lasted that long despite never encountering such Originium Arts before.
Are the others...
You needn't fret, I've arranged rooms for them. Bena is with them right now.
Oh, I don't believe I've introduced myself—I am Iris, the present Master of the Castle of Dreams.
We've seen plenty of each other in my dreams... If this is our first time meeting, then who were you before?
Well, as Morpheus demonstrated for you—some fairies of the Castle of Dreams possess the rare Arts to spin dreams.
That said, it's no omnipotent thing. What dreams a caster spins are ultimately limited by their own knowledge of the target.
Morpheus didn't understand you, nor did she regard you as an equal adversary. That is why the dream she spun was so flawed.
As for why you met me, I would suppose... that was Grandmother's work.
Grandmother?
Yes. The Castle of Dreams's previous Master. She spends all her time in a secluded room to convalesce now, owing to her frail health.
She gave me this necklace, you see, and over the last few days, it had been terribly temperamental with its energies. Bena and I scrambled to return just in case something was amiss... What a terrible turn of affairs we found.
I see...
Something just started up over there. You're not safe alone. Go the long way round, quick.
...Thank you for the warning.
I heard from an old woman nearby...
You should hurry home.
The nights are dark here. Now don't you get lost again.
Miss Sakiko. As the Master of the Castle of Dreams, I beg your forgiveness for all that's transpired.
I suppose you could hardly pardon Morpheus, after all she's done...?
Actually... By all rights I should hate her, but I don't feel that way at all.
...What?
She was quite right, actually. Ave{@nbs}Mujica as a group was never very tightly-knit.
When I made that initial bet with her, it was solely because I wanted the band members back. It was an act of rash judgment.
But after entering their dreams only to be rejected by each of them in turn, it finally dawned on me that I hadn't a clue how they felt inside.
Within the dreams she'd spun, we tried to hide our weakest, most fragile parts beneath a beautiful facade.
Yet did I ever attempt to know my companions, with whom I'd spent so many days and nights?
Had I truly resolved to bear the weight of their lives?
As I fell through the abyss of Limbo, these were the questions I asked myself in infinitude.
Miss Sakiko...
But when I finally straightened out my heart, awakened my companions, and stood once again before Morpheus, it wasn't just anger I felt...
It was also a deep, deep sorrow.
In that moment, we looked each other in the eyes. It hit me. My power was frail no longer; I had my friends by my side.
While she stood by herself, alone as ever, with naught but creations that bent to her will and whim.
She was the dreamspinner. She knew better than all of us how nothing in the land of dreams was real.
And yet she still chose to lose herself in such dreams. Surely, she must have had her reasons?
......
Hah-hahahahah-hah! You're a heartless monster!
No wonder your parents don't want you!
You'll never live through the winter!
No! You're lying!
Get lost, all of you!!
Uh-oh—run!
Morpheus, are you alright?!
Oh, Iris, is it—is it true what they said?
They're naughty children, right? The fairies won't bring sweet dreams to them, right?
I'm not a heartless monster, and my parents didn't abandon me, and I can live through the winter, right?!
Morpheus...
Oh, Iris, answer me!!
......
There are reasons that Morpheus cannot live outside the Castle of Dreams.
There is no storybook beauty in these lands. What Morpheus had to endure left her unable to place her trust in the sweet dreams of fairytales.
And I know full well that the Castle's sweet dreams hardly solve every problem...
'In the face of reality, what we can accomplish is so very limited.'
'It is but one thing. We nestle a seed deep in the depths of a child's heart.'
'Likely, it is what they considered the most important event, or thing, to them as children.'
'It usually lies quietly deep within. But at crucial moments—when people are at their weakest—it gives them strength.'
These words...
Are the very words you spoke to me in my dream, Miss Iris. Now, I offer these same words back to you.
I venture that perhaps, Morpheus is awaiting a dream that lets her become 'grown-up', once and for all.
As the moon rises, the doll takes on life—see, have the moons not risen?
Iris looks outside. Pale and gentle moonlight shines down on the two of them through the castle window.
Yes. You're right.
Furthermore, Miss Iris, I do have a request...
Pray tell. I'll do what's in my power.
The five of us have awakened from our dreams, but we don't seem to have returned to our own world...
Being the Master of the Castle of Dreams, I was wondering if you might know a method by which we can go back?
I happened to hear them describe this 'world' of yours while you were unconscious. From what I could gather, it certainly doesn't sound like any city on Terra.
But I've never happened across a case like yours before, and a full trawl of the Castle's archives turned up nothing either.
I intend to contact Rhodes Island—the Doctor there is quite learned, and should know a way to send you back.
Rhodes Island... the pharmaceutical company?
Indeed. You dreamt of it?
Yes. I'd be keen on visiting again, and I have some 'old friends' I'd like to meet while I'm... um...
Is something the matter?
I... I'm starting to forget what they looked like.
Iris gently takes Sakiko's hand, as though anticipating her confusion.
Miss Sakiko. You've been through so many people's dreams. I'm sure you know the Castle's rules through and through by now.
......
As with all dreams, the memories will begin to blur and fade from the moment you wake up.
Someday or other, you'll return to your 'world', and when you do, you'll forget about me, about the Castle's sweet dreams, about Terra itself.
How could I...!
But what happens here will not simply be for naught.
Perhaps you and your friends will have to confront those recurring problems when you go back... but I trust you'll prevail.
Even if you forget everything that happened here, you'll remember the courage you showed in times of hardship.
Yes. I trust we will too...
And when we return to our own world, Ave{@nbs}Mujica will remain together as Ave{@nbs}Mujica.
And I, Master of the Castle of Dreams, will forever remember you as you are now, as 'children'.
Perhaps I'll show up again one day, when you're all grown up—and when I do, I hope you and your friends will still be writing the story of your lives through music.
We don't have another troublemaker, do we?!
Sakiko hurries to open the door.
Saki-chan—you're awake! Are you feeling okay?
(Half-conscious chirping)
Erm, I'm fine... Can you explain what all the noise out here is about?
We're setting up a new stage, and Miss Bena's making Morpheus use these little creatures to carry stuff around...
A new stage?
Yeah. Who knows how long we'll be here for. Might as well rehearse while we've got the chance.
There are so many songs I still want to work on.
Morpheus wanted to build the stage in a dream, but we and Miss Bena unanimously shot that down.
Yeah, I'll pass on dreams for the next while...
Agreed...
Won't somebody show me a smidge of concern? Why am I being given hard labor?!
(Angry chirping)
Bena, accompanying Morpheus, offers no words, instead simply giving one of Morpheus' fluffy ears a nice hard flick.
Ahkh—ow-ow-ow!
(Pained chirping)
You did the crime, now you do the time, Morpheus...
Oh, you're in this with me, Wolff! Go fit that last light!
I... alright.
Wolff places its hands on the ground, and in a snap, transforms before everyone's eyes into a bestial shape.
With the light's power cord held gently in its jaws, it leaps up to the top shelf, and effortlessly drapes it over.
Well? How's that for a new stage?
It's so pretty—!
Nyamu giddily leaps onstage and darts around set after elaborate set.
Humph. Hardly a challenge for me.
Are you forgetting the most important part? The instruments!
Ighk—stop—flicking my ears, I'll bring them out now!
Each instrument appears on stage while Morpheus is still shielding her ears, and the band takes their places.
Mm. Still feels good in the hands.
(Here's hoping that dream-long blank I had didn't screw up my muscle memory—)
Sakiko, we're all ready. Come on.
Sakiko looks up to see her companions on stage, the spotlight shining on each one of them, as well as a familiar keyboard that seems to call for her return.
I look forward to your performance, Miss Sakiko.
We missed out on seeing the whole thing last time! Now we can make up for that.
(Joyful chirping)
Getting to attend your performance, not as an enemy, but as a friend, makes me happier than anything.
Oh, you people are such goody-two-shoes!
A—Anyhow... I'll be listening closely.
Pft... hahahaha...!
Wh-What are you laughing at? Don't think you can walk all over me just because Iris and Bena are here...
No, nothing... haha! I'm coming now.
Sakiko takes her bandmates' hands, and steps onto the stage of Ave{@nbs}Mujica.
Much as when the last piece of a puzzle falls in place, the picture comes as no particular surprise, but it is the very moment when everything becomes whole again.
Everyone! Upon this land, we shall leave our sound!
In the moonlight, the doll takes on a temporal life.
Beneath their marionette forms, the girls' secrets lie.
Love. Fear. Sorrow. Death. Oblivion.
In a castle of dreams, secrets and sins join together and come alive once more.
Raise your candle high. Be brave through the thorns. Part this fog.
Here, a new fairytale is born.
This is the wondrous adventure story of us, the dolls.
Welcome... to the world of Ave{@nbs}Mujica.