Duet Night Abyss story · Side stories
The Gone Girl
Chapter Noctoyager
6 scenes, 242 lines
1. That kind-hearted stranger seems to have something to say
39 linesAnnie... Annie!
Ah, you're back, my dear daughter!
(A woman stops you. Her dry, vacant eyes roam over you, as if desperately searching for something inside of you.)
I knew you'd come back! How could you leave me like that!
(The woman is lost in her own world, and no matter what you say, it's futile.)
You just said you're not Annie...
It's all my fault! I pushed Annie away... She's all I have, it's been just us two all along. I'll do anything for you if you find my baby!
Thank you. Thank you so much...
I'm counting on you...
Excuse me, have you seen a...
Oh, I saw the whole thing. She thought you were her daughter, didn't she? Listen, if I were you, I'd steer clear. She's... well, you know...
(The woman taps the side of her head, giving you a knowing look.)
Poor thing's not all there, if you get my drift. Been standing around this spot for over a year now.
That's not fair. She's grieving, losing a child would break anyone.
Maybe so. But that girl's been gone for ages. If she were still around, someone would've found her by now.
Thanks for the heads-up. But I gave her my word, I'll look anyway, just in case.
A missing girl, huh? Not too sure... but I did see a young lass near the city gates yesterday.
She looked a bit off, to be honest. Might be who you're looking for, or not. Hard to say.
The girl across the street, heard she was rescued by a doctor, right?
The one who seems a bit out of it? Yeah, Dr Elinor brought her in a few days ago.
Do you know where Dr Elinor is now?
She's not from around here. A travelling doctor. Bad timing, you just missed her. I saw her leaving the city this morning. You might catch her if you head towards Lamenting Lake.
Thank you, kind soul. You've saved my life. I must be going, my patients in Vivar are waiting.
You're a doctor? Would you happen to be Dr Elinor?
That's me. Are you looking for me?
I heard you rescued a girl in the northern mountains recently.
Ah, yes. You've seen her in Icelake, then? Is she doing all right?
Physically, she seems fine. But... she's lost her memory. I was wondering, did she have anything on her when you found her? Something that might help figure out who she is?
She did, actually. I'd been meaning to follow up after this house call. If you're willing to help, that would be wonderful.
Here, this was with her.
I need to get going. Thank you again for saving my life.
Item Acquired: Torn Diary
(If the words in this diary are true... then the truth is clear at last.)
(Not only has the lost girl's real identity come to light, so too has the fate of Elsa's daughter, Annie.)
(...Annie has tragically passed away, while the other girl, Alice, who ended up with Annie's clothes, has survived. Although Alice made it through the ordeal in the snowy mountains, the severe fevers she suffered afterwards took away her memories.)
...Annie, what are you talking about? Mum's made your favourite, Borealberry Salad and Cream Pudding...
Come back home, sweetheart. Mum won't be hard on you anymore, no more forcing you into being a lady of high society. All I want is for my baby to be safe...
(The woman appears deeply distressed, seemingly having lost her daughter. Try to gently calm her down.)
(You're merely humouring her. Now, better gently coax her into calmness. It appears she has lost her daughter.)
2. Try asking someone else
39 linesAnnie... Annie!
Ah, you're back, my dear daughter!
(A woman stops you. Her dry, vacant eyes roam over you, as if desperately searching for something inside of you.)
I knew you'd come back! How could you leave me like that!
(The woman is lost in her own world, and no matter what you say, it's futile.)
You just said you're not Annie...
It's all my fault! I pushed Annie away... She's all I have, it's been just us two all along. I'll do anything for you if you find my baby!
Thank you. Thank you so much...
I'm counting on you...
Excuse me, have you seen a...
Oh, I saw the whole thing. She thought you were her daughter, didn't she? Listen, if I were you, I'd steer clear. She's... well, you know...
(The woman taps the side of her head, giving you a knowing look.)
Poor thing's not all there, if you get my drift. Been standing around this spot for over a year now.
That's not fair. She's grieving, losing a child would break anyone.
Maybe so. But that girl's been gone for ages. If she were still around, someone would've found her by now.
Thanks for the heads-up. But I gave her my word, I'll look anyway, just in case.
A missing girl, huh? Not too sure... but I did see a young lass near the city gates yesterday.
She looked a bit off, to be honest. Might be who you're looking for, or not. Hard to say.
The girl across the street, heard she was rescued by a doctor, right?
The one who seems a bit out of it? Yeah, Dr Elinor brought her in a few days ago.
Do you know where Dr Elinor is now?
She's not from around here. A travelling doctor. Bad timing, you just missed her. I saw her leaving the city this morning. You might catch her if you head towards Lamenting Lake.
Thank you, kind soul. You've saved my life. I must be going, my patients in Vivar are waiting.
You're a doctor? Would you happen to be Dr Elinor?
That's me. Are you looking for me?
I heard you rescued a girl in the northern mountains recently.
Ah, yes. You've seen her in Icelake, then? Is she doing all right?
Physically, she seems fine. But... she's lost her memory. I was wondering, did she have anything on her when you found her? Something that might help figure out who she is?
She did, actually. I'd been meaning to follow up after this house call. If you're willing to help, that would be wonderful.
Here, this was with her.
I need to get going. Thank you again for saving my life.
Item Acquired: Torn Diary
(If the words in this diary are true... then the truth is clear at last.)
(Not only has the lost girl's real identity come to light, so too has the fate of Elsa's daughter, Annie.)
(...Annie has tragically passed away, while the other girl, Alice, who ended up with Annie's clothes, has survived. Although Alice made it through the ordeal in the snowy mountains, the severe fevers she suffered afterwards took away her memories.)
...Annie, what are you talking about? Mum's made your favourite, Borealberry Salad and Cream Pudding...
Come back home, sweetheart. Mum won't be hard on you anymore, no more forcing you into being a lady of high society. All I want is for my baby to be safe...
(The woman appears deeply distressed, seemingly having lost her daughter. Try to gently calm her down.)
(You're merely humouring her. Now, better gently coax her into calmness. It appears she has lost her daughter.)
3. Ask around about the doctor's whereabouts
39 linesAnnie... Annie!
Ah, you're back, my dear daughter!
(A woman stops you. Her dry, vacant eyes roam over you, as if desperately searching for something inside of you.)
I knew you'd come back! How could you leave me like that!
(The woman is lost in her own world, and no matter what you say, it's futile.)
You just said you're not Annie...
It's all my fault! I pushed Annie away... She's all I have, it's been just us two all along. I'll do anything for you if you find my baby!
Thank you. Thank you so much...
I'm counting on you...
Excuse me, have you seen a...
Oh, I saw the whole thing. She thought you were her daughter, didn't she? Listen, if I were you, I'd steer clear. She's... well, you know...
(The woman taps the side of her head, giving you a knowing look.)
Poor thing's not all there, if you get my drift. Been standing around this spot for over a year now.
That's not fair. She's grieving, losing a child would break anyone.
Maybe so. But that girl's been gone for ages. If she were still around, someone would've found her by now.
Thanks for the heads-up. But I gave her my word, I'll look anyway, just in case.
A missing girl, huh? Not too sure... but I did see a young lass near the city gates yesterday.
She looked a bit off, to be honest. Might be who you're looking for, or not. Hard to say.
The girl across the street, heard she was rescued by a doctor, right?
The one who seems a bit out of it? Yeah, Dr Elinor brought her in a few days ago.
Do you know where Dr Elinor is now?
She's not from around here. A travelling doctor. Bad timing, you just missed her. I saw her leaving the city this morning. You might catch her if you head towards Lamenting Lake.
Thank you, kind soul. You've saved my life. I must be going, my patients in Vivar are waiting.
You're a doctor? Would you happen to be Dr Elinor?
That's me. Are you looking for me?
I heard you rescued a girl in the northern mountains recently.
Ah, yes. You've seen her in Icelake, then? Is she doing all right?
Physically, she seems fine. But... she's lost her memory. I was wondering, did she have anything on her when you found her? Something that might help figure out who she is?
She did, actually. I'd been meaning to follow up after this house call. If you're willing to help, that would be wonderful.
Here, this was with her.
I need to get going. Thank you again for saving my life.
Item Acquired: Torn Diary
(If the words in this diary are true... then the truth is clear at last.)
(Not only has the lost girl's real identity come to light, so too has the fate of Elsa's daughter, Annie.)
(...Annie has tragically passed away, while the other girl, Alice, who ended up with Annie's clothes, has survived. Although Alice made it through the ordeal in the snowy mountains, the severe fevers she suffered afterwards took away her memories.)
...Annie, what are you talking about? Mum's made your favourite, Borealberry Salad and Cream Pudding...
Come back home, sweetheart. Mum won't be hard on you anymore, no more forcing you into being a lady of high society. All I want is for my baby to be safe...
(The woman appears deeply distressed, seemingly having lost her daughter. Try to gently calm her down.)
(You're merely humouring her. Now, better gently coax her into calmness. It appears she has lost her daughter.)
4. Speak with the woman surrounded by Filthoids
88 linesBerry, I...
Yeah.
Get some more sleep. I won't leave, I'll be right here when you wake up.
It's okay. We should get down the mountain and head to the village.
You wanna go back? There've been roars coming from there for days...
I was thinking, if we could make it home and grab our weapons...
And with your strength, you'll find a way out.
No one's going to save us no matter how long we stay here anyway.
...Let's go then.
Take it easy.
Watch your step.
You're not fully recovered. Are you sure you can do this?
I'm okay. It's just a few scratches.
Don't push yourself too hard. We still have to save some strength for those Filthoids.
Take that sword with you. It might be helpful one day.
Keep yourself safe. I'll take care of these Filthoids.
Is this place... a temple?
...Yes.
Someone once left that flying ship here.
And... a "key."
Listen, thrust your sword right in there.
Like this?
Is this your idea of "accurate intel," Randy? You gave me your word.
The soldiers did their best with the Filthoids. These are indeed unforeseen circumstances. But we did find something valuable on this island today...
Alchemical tools she has used and an airship with a Legion serial number on it.
You realise we're looking for "No. 0," not this useless junk, right?
We've been searching for over a decade... But our maritime unit intercepted several of the villagers' vessels. They might be able to dig up some...
Were those gunshots?
Randy.
Yes, ma'am!
...That's how it happened.
The Filthoids attacked you "for no reason" after you came here, and you managed to open the hidden path "by chance"... Is that really your story?
We're telling the truth! Let her go!
...!
Chief Sibylle, we've checked her spinal structure and confirmed that...
She's the "No. 0" we've been looking for.
Remember... Vita, you must remember...
Your power... the power of Resonance...
If you wish to save all this...
Hang in there! I got you...
Berry!
Give it up, No. 0. Even the toughest blade has its breaking point.
Come back with me, and you'll live, so will this kid you care so much about.
Otherwise, she will...
...Give me your word.
Hmm?
I'll go back with you, but you have to promise to let her go.
Give me your word! Or, you can take two corpses back!
Perhaps I wasn't clear, This is not a negotiation, it's an order.
...Berry.
...?! You...!
Get out of here, and live.
I've got this, Berry. Three quick blinks means...
"Even if left all alone, you should be brave and live on."
"Until the day we meet again."
Run!
You can't get away!
Quest failed. Try again
Quest failed. Try again
This is my first time in the Cocytus Province. Is this how the people here show their hospitality?
I don't want to bother you, I just want to... strike a small "bargain."
I'll pay you whatever you want, and all you have to do, well, it will be a piece of cake.
The ship is at the mountaintop. After a short break, we'll push on.
...Can't believe we'll be saying goodbye to Purgatorio Island soon.
...You creatures just can't give us a break, can you?
But up until now, there has been no answer. Only endless flowing quicksand covering my vision, and...
him.
No...
Don't... take her...
No chance we're leaving by sea. Guess we'll have to count on that thing...
Listen, there's actually another "ship" on this island, up in the mountain ruins.
A ship... on the mountain?
Yes, a "ship" that flies. Now follow me.
Remem▇▇... ▇▇, you must ▇▇▇...
Your ▇▇... the power of ▇▇...
▇▇▇ wish to ▇ all this...
Wait, I can't hear you...
This is my first time in Cocytus Province. Is this how the people here show their hospitality?
I don't want to bother you, I just want to... strike a small "bargain."
I'll pay you whatever you want, and all you have to do, well, it will be a piece of cake.
5. Inform the amnesiac girl of your latest discoveries
21 linesYou've returned safely. Did you find anything?
(The girl standing before you is all alone, and Ms Elsa has been driven to the brink of madness by her daughter's disappearance... You find yourself wishing she were Annie.)
...What's this...
...It's all coming back to me now...
My name is Alice, I'm an archaeology student from Aethyrie...
I was conducting a survey in the Vidofnir Mountains when I got caught in a snowstorm that lasted for days, and soon I lost my way...
Later on, I met Annie, who was clinging to life by a mere thread. Together, we struggled to live on for several days. We encouraged each other to try to survive, and she invited me to visit her home in Icelake after the storm...
But... she was too badly hurt. She didn't make it. Before she passed, she gave me her coat. Said it might keep me warm enough to get through...
Annie...
Thank you... I will always remember Annie.
(Alice gently strokes the clothing which is a testament of one girl protecting the other. You bid farewell to Alice and get ready to tell Elsa the truth.)
As soon as I'm back in form, I'm off on another adventure.
Your name is Annie. I've found your mother, and that letter you're carrying is meant for her.
Thank you! She must be worried about me.
Once my mother gets better, I'll take her to see the beauty in the great outdoors!
(Recalling Elsa's words about how she and her daughter were the only two in their family, a dreadful thought crosses your mind, if you had never seen Alice's diary...)
(Then the girl would have a warm hearth to return to, and Elsa would have her "daughter" back. This seems like the perfect ending, except, they both have the right to know the truth...)
(The dilemma stands: to unveil the harsh truth or perpetuate the comforting falsehood?)
This is... something I wrote...
Annie... So that's my name. Has a strange ring to it...
Sorry, I really don't remember a thing... Thank you, really, thank you so much! Could you take me to my mother? She will definitely give you a ton of thank-you gifts!
6. Inform Elsa of what happened to Annie
16 linesI'm counting on you...
My goodness! Have you found Annie?
...
Nonsense... That's utter nonsense!
How do you think a child can manage without her mother...
(She thrusts the coin pouch into your arms and walks away, as if spellbound. Tears and a smile mingle on her weary face, flickering faintly before she disappears into the distance.)
(A gentle lie might bring comfort for a time, but in the end, truth must be faced. Time will mend what it can... and perhaps, someday, she'll heal.)
I've been a terrible mother, how could I just wait here for others to help me? My Annie must've waited for me for so long... It's okay, I'll set off to find her now... I'll find my baby on my own...
My Annie... My sweet Annie, she'd never leave her mother like this! You're lying, you dirty liar!
I'm counting on you...
Oh my God, miracles do happen...
Let Mum have a good look at you, sweetie... I've missed you so much that I almost lost my mind! Hm? You seem a bit different... Much thinner than before...
It's okay, I've made your favourite Borealberry Salad and Cream Pudding; let's go home, my baby, everything's okay now...
Bless you, kind soul. This is for you. I thought I'd never see my Annie again. Thank you, thank you so much...
My precious daughter... As long as you don't leave me, I'll do anything for you...
(Tears of joy stream down the woman's face as she utters her gratitude repeatedly. After the tears dry, a mother and a child will live happily ever after... hopefully.)