Side Episode: Aki Chapter 3: The Other Side of Truth

Ras.

The soldiers told me. You carried me back by yourself after I passed out.

I did.

What about the soldiers and other Heirs who were with us on that mission?

...They're all dead. They sacrificed themselves so we could escape.

Why save just me? Why didn't you let me die there with the others?

Because your power is essential for the next Archdemon War. I couldn't let it be wasted in vain in a... failed world like this.

...A "failed world"? Hold on.

Hey... Don't tell me you're giving up on this Restored World. Just taking what's useful and bailing?

I am merely taking every possible measure to win the Archdemon War. It's not that I take human life lightly.

Rather, to ensure their deaths aren't in vain, I'll give up on a hopeless world and prepare for the next war...

SLAM!

Mmm...

Could you say that to those who were slaughtered today on the battlefield... just to get you to the Archdemon?

A sacrifice, a death, that no one will even remember, because their very existence will be erased!

What value is there in that!

...It's enough.

What?

It's enough if we remember their sacrifice and carry their will forward into the next world.

...!

If it's too painful for you to do that...

...then I will remember everything. I am used to carrying the memories of the dead.

...Been a long time since I dreamed of that past world.

It was hundreds of years ago for me... but the memory is still so vivid.

...

My consciousness drifts on unforgettable memories, and I long to wake.

The thought of making new memories is horrifying... but it's only the burning pain of my body that lets me know this reality is real.

Ugh...

Up already? The sun's high in the sky. It's unlike you to sleep in so late.

...Maybe I overate last night. Had a terrible dream, barely slept.

What a charmed life. Feasting and sleeping in while in enemy territory.

"Enemy territory"? I don't like what these Elves are up to, but they are our allies.

Anyway, why is everyone gathered in my room?

Saria has called for us. She says they're ready for the audience.

Already? After seeing Iseria's condition yesterday, I thought it'd take a while.

I don't know the details.

Anyway, Saria's waiting outside, so hurry up and wash your face or something. Make yourself presentable.

Hmm... Yeah, all right.

Good morning. Did you rest well?

Mmm. Everything one could possibly need for camping was prepared, almost to an excessive degree.

Thanks to that, we were able to rest comfortably.

I'm delighted to hear that.

This is the first time we've deployed on such a large scale... I was worried our preparations might be inadequate.

I'm relieved to know we were able to host you without issue.

Ah, I did have one small complaint. That soy meat isn't really meat...

Ahem.

That's enough small talk.

I have more than a few questions for the Monarch of the Elves who's been crowned for the first time in centuries.

...My apologies. Please, come this way.

...

Lady Iseria. Heir Aki and his companions have arrived.

Welcome, everyone.

To meet the, famous Inheritor of the Flame, and his Guardian in person is an honor.

And the one beside you is...?

...We already introduced ourselves yesterday. You don't remember?

Oh, is that so?

My apologies. My memory has been somewhat poor of late.

She looks better than yesterday on the outside, but her condition is awful.

...

Hecate, Princess of Tartarus.

Hmm. Tartarus... A kingdom I have not heard of.

I am ashamed. Until now, I have paid little heed to the world beyond Dun Blyraia.

SLAM!

...Are you planning to recite the exact same conversation we had yesterday?

Are you going to talk about the banquet next? We didn't come here just to eat.

...My apologies.

Look, Iseria. I heard the rumors. They say you used the Ritual Sword's power to defeat the Acolyte Nilgal.

You had that kind of power all this time... so why didn't you properly respond to the allied forces' requests for aid?

That's...

I know what you're going to say. That you couldn't dispatch troops outside Dun Blyraia because of your duty to protect the World Tree.

So what is this large army doing here, outside Dun Blyraia's territory? Have you been deceiving us all this time?

That is a misunderstanding. The Elves of Dun Blyraia simply follow the revelation of Their Eminence, the World Tree.

The World Tree's... revelation?

Yes. Their Eminence used Saria as Their voice to deliver a revelation to all Elves of Dun Blyraia...

...and bestowed upon me Their sharpest sword, to cut through the darkness covering this land.

...Then can you tell us what that revelation was?

Of course.

The revelation from Their Eminence...

...is the annihilation of the Shadow Army bringing chaos to this land, and the complete occupation of the continent of Ritania, beginning with Ezera.

Wha... What did you just say?

You must not have heard me well. The revelation from Their Eminence is...

P-Please, stop for a moment!

Your Majesty, it seems you still haven't recovered from yesterday's fatigue.

We should end this audience here. You must rest again.

...

I must apologize to our guests once again... but could you please return to your quarters?

I still have more questions... but it's not polite to hold you if you're tired.

We'll do as you say. We'll be in our quarters, so just call for us when you're ready.

But, Aki?

...Thank you for your understanding.

Now, if you'll excuse us...

...

Aki, what are you thinking? What Iseria just said... I don't think that was something we can just ignore.

You're right. But if I call her out on it now, who knows what'll happen? The atmosphere in there is just... off.

Let's go back to our quarters. We need to decide on our next move.

We have to escape. Right now.

...I thought you were going to decide on our "next move"?

This is the move. We have to run. Dammit, Hecate was right. This is enemy territory.

I walked right into a trap just to check on a new variable. I never thought the Elves would become a bunch of fanatics...

CRASH!

There they are! Get them!

What's going on...?!

...They must have had soldiers lying in wait. No choice, then.

Let's go, Hanien! Break through!

Get them! Don't let them escape the encampment!

*soldiers screaming*

Hah. You Elves are only a threat when you're shooting arrows from the trees...

What do you weaklings think you can do in a brawl?!

SMACK!

Arghhh!

D-Do not retreat! Grab onto his trousers, anything! Just pin him down!

Dammit, they're persistent. And I can't just burn them all...

*drawing scythe*

Hmm?

So you finally reveal yourselves, twig-spawns.

For you, even death is a mercy. I shall annihilate you all right here!

U-Ugh, help...!

SWISH...

CLANG!

Get out of the way, Aki.

Calm down, princess. That's overkill.

Are you really going to kill every last one of these grunts, who are just following orders?

Now that they have their orders from the Sacred Tree, there's no telling what these Alfrs will do.

The only way is to silence them with death... No, death isn't enough.

They'll just come back even if I kill them. I must completely obliterate their souls!

Sacred Tree? Alfr? ...Is this that story from your homeland you mentioned yesterday?

Yes. My homeland, Tartarus, was destroyed because of the knowledge spread by the Sacred Tree.

Do you have any idea what the wretches, who deny the reaper's guidance and selfishly chase immortality, did, backed by the Alfr priests?

Even I was falsely accused of taking innocent lives and sent to the guillotine...

...!!!

...What does that even mean?

I-I mean... I was captured by the devotees, they stole my Tome of Life's End, and...

...with the Sigurd Scythe, my neck...

Aki, Hecate! Watch out!

Agh!

Urk... Hecate!

She's fine. Just knocked over by the blast.

Dammit, what was that? Did they just hit us with an explosive?

...

...

Where are you all going? We had a banquet prepared for this afternoon...

Saria! What is the meaning of this?!

It seems we had a minor misunderstanding during our audience. I have come to resolve it.

A misunderstanding... You're saying there was some other meaning to your Monarch's declaration of conquering the continent?

Of course. The purpose of conquering is not domination, but salvation, to prevent your meaningless sacrifices.

What are you talking about?

Their Eminence knows everything.

The lauded Heir of the Covenant is no longer omnipotent, and your own flame is beginning to fade.

And on top of that, there is the anomaly of the Shadow Army covering Ritania...

Is it not true that victory in this war, the salvation of this world, is now impossible with your power alone?

...!

That is why Their Eminence has entrusted us with the duty of protecting Orbis.

The power of the Ritual Sword bestowed upon us is infinite, and can be used without limit, as long as we have "offerings".

So... you may rest now.

We, the Elves, will handle the Archdemon War from now on.

...We can "rest"? Hah. How kind of you to offer to fight in our place.

But I decline. I don't know who you really are, but this proposal doesn't sound like it comes from a good place.

Hmm? What do you mean? I am Elder Saria of Dun Blyraia.

...As if.

Setting aside the fact that you know way too much about this world's secrets...

...the Saria I know would never, ever call Iseria an "offering".

Hrmm.

Surprising. I thought you were an indifferent man... But you remember your bonds from the past world quite clearly.

I just keep track of persons of interest.

A shame. I had hoped to part with you peacefully, if possible.

...Iseria.

...! Dammit, everyone, back away!

Don't tell me... that explosion from before was the Ritual Sword's...

Ack!

Even if you are a variable created by the brothers' "consideration," I cannot leave you be now that you've shown hostility.

I won't kill you... but I will lock you away until this is all over.

Please, do not resist capture.

As decreed by the World Tree,

I bestow upon you the revelation of radiance.

...

*panting...* I'm dying here.

I hate running. Would it kill you to let me ride on your back?

It would. Your body is always on fire somewhere, Aki. Are you trying to burn all my fur off?

C'mon...

The Elbris Ritual Sword... That's some absurd power. It wasn't that strong when I saw it in the last Archdemon War.

It must have been accumulating power all this time it was hidden from the world.

You saw Iseria's condition. Her body was breaking apart because it couldn't handle the sword's power.

Iseria... If she continues to handle such unnatural power like that, her body might just disintegrate.

...Stop being so depressing. Is this really the time to worry about someone else?

I'm the one who's upset. I just had to waste a little more of the power I barely have left.

Ugh...

Let's get out of this forest while the flames are keeping those guys busy.

If we keep getting into fights like this, I might not have enough fireworks left for the finale.

We've completely lost the pursuers. We'll be safe for the time being.

Phew... Finally a chance to breathe. Hecate, are you all right?

You haven't said a word since we started running.

...

...Hecate?

I sense the aura of distorted death.

It's so powerful and close... I'm amazed I didn't sense it until now.

This way!

*sprinting away*

...

Unbelievable... She's running off like that again? Doesn't a Reaper ever get tired?

Hanien... I'm begging you. Just this once. Can't I please ride on your back?

*sighing...* Just follow slowly. I'll go catch up to Hecate.

Whoosh...

Hanien!

*panting*

What's this now? Why is it suddenly so foggy here?

Shh! Aki, get down!

Huh...?

Grrr...

Gaaah...

Shadow monsters... Why are they here...

I feel an intense aura of death coming from beyond that horde of the dead.

Without a doubt, the one controlling these shadow monsters is just ahead.

...If we hadn't wasted a day at that Alfr encampment, I would've fallen for the deception and continued a pointless pursuit.

Then... the Shadow Army heading south into Ezera is...

...a diversion to hide their real goal, and a slaughter to replenish their ranks.

...It's getting hard to pretend I don't know what's going on.

Just as I thought. The shadow monsters' target must be the World Tree.

I was wondering why those lazy Elves would finally leave Dun Blyraia and go on an expedition...

Their revelation to save Ritania was just an excuse. They were trying to stop these things before they reached Dun Blyraia.

...I don't understand. Is Noias really doing something this horrible just to reach the World Tree?

They may have been a spectator in the Archdemon War until now, but they're still a Spirit Lord of Orbis.

Surely there was a more peaceful way than covering the continent in a wave of death... What do you think?

Hah... How should I know? Maybe they've just lived so long they finally went crazy.

I don't care what the reason is. I'm just sick of it all.

Aki?

I've been through five Restored Worlds, prepared for many situations... and it still ends up like this.

I'm just an empty shell after falling for Kayron's trick and wasting my power...

...and to top it all off, the World Tree and the Spirit Lords, who I thought were on my side, are stabbing me in the back...

Forget variables. This has been outside my control for a long time. I'm giving up.

Aki...

At this point, it'd be better to just move on to the next Restored World. At least then I can use what little power I have left.

...Wait, Aki. What are you saying? You're going to abandon this world? Abandon the comrades you've fought beside?

...

I am merely taking every possible measure to win the Archdemon War. It's not that I take human life lightly.

Rather, to ensure their deaths aren't in vain, I'll give up on a hopeless world and prepare for the next war...

SLAM!

Mmm...

Could you say that to those who were slaughtered today on the battlefield... just to get you to the Archdemon?

A sacrifice, a death, that no one will even remember, because their very existence will be erased!

What value is there in that!

Dammit. Was my dream today prophetic? Now our roles are completely reversed.

What are you muttering about now?

...Listen, Hanien.

Even the great Heir of the Covenant abandoned a hopeless world without a second thought.

The situation now is even worse than it was then, and I've literally only got a handful of power left.

Why are you so much harder on me?

I'm not being "harder" on you! I'm talking about the responsibility of an Heir!

Then what more do you want me to do? I've been dragged through the mud. Haven't I done enough?!

Or what, you want me to survive alone on a destroyed planet for "117 years" again?!

...

...

Staring at each other again.

What on Orbis are you two talking about?

T-Talking? What do you mean? I didn't say a word.

...Why are you so flustered? She caught on a long time ago.

It's a personal matter. Sorry.

Hmm.

If you don't wish to speak of it, fine.

I... will simply fulfill my duty as a Reaper. I will resume the pursuit, even if I must go alone.

...Dulling my scythe with pointless anxiety or worry is a luxury I cannot afford as the Princess of Tartarus.

...Hecate.

Sorry. We just formed an alliance, and I've already caused you concern.

You're right. Instead of whining about giving up, I should just do something.

You snapped me out of it. Thanks.

*sprinting away*

...

Guess she wasn't trying to comfort me, just saying her line and leaving.

We should hurry and follow her. The fog is thick, so we might lose her.

This fog... It's getting thicker the deeper we go into the forest. I can't see a thing in front of me.

Wandering around defenseless like this isn't good... Hecate. Are you sure this is the right way?

Yes. I can feel the aura of distorted death clearly.

We should be able to catch up to the one commanding the Shadow Army soon.

...Wait. I hear something.

Human footsteps... They're coming this way.

"Human"? No way. It's probably just another one of those shadow monsters.

All right. I'll go take it down. Princess, be ready to finish it.

SWISH...

H-Huh? A human?

What?!

Kyaa!

D-Damn. That was too close. I barely managed to pull back...

Who are you? What are you doing wandering around in a forest like this?

What?! What's going on... Huh? Aki?

You know me?

Ah... I'm a farmer from Mayer Village. You wouldn't know me, Aki, but I've seen you from a distance a few times.

...Mayer?

Huh? Wait a minute. That village... around this time... it was supposed to be hit by bandits...

Get a grip, Aki. That man is not alive.

W-What?

*drawing scythe*

Urk?!

Wh-Why are you doing this?

You can stop pretending to be alive. I will grant you your final rest.

Krgh... ugh... Aki...

Ghhh...

...I'm sorry.

Hecate. Where is it?

I've found it. The center of the distortion... is that giant black wolf over there.

...

*rumbling*

Wh-What is this presence?

Foinyx, inside me... is stirring.

It's the same as when I first met Malicus...

That overwhelming pressure you feel when facing a superior being.

It can't be...

Huh? What's wrong, Aki?

The one leading this army of corpses... It wasn't some rampaging dark spirit.

Th-That wolf is... the Spirit Lord of the Darkest Night, themselves.

That's impossible. The continent of Ritania is surrounded by a mana barrier right now.

How could Noias, who's secluded on Erasia, be here...?

I can feel the energy of a contract from the girl standing next to them.

I don't know how they did it, but it seems they sent an alter ego, made a contract, and have been transferring power bit by bit... but...

...Wait a minute. You've got to be kidding me.

...

Why are you... in a place like this...

...looking... like that...

I want to see the "tomorrow" of this world.

And to make that happen, I'll do everything I can. Even if it means forsaking my own humanity.

The tomorrow... of this world? What's that supposed to mean?

The sun rises after you wake up, doesn't it? You go through all this trouble just to see that? Are you dumb?

Diene...

Aki! What's wrong?

...

Do you know that girl? ...Forgive me, but I cannot miss this chance.

If you will not act... then I will subdue that being myself.

Noias... Why have you done this...

...

Guardian Hanien. And the Inheritor of the Flame, Aki. This is the first time I've seen you in person.

I wish it hadn't been like this.

...Huh? Uh... Mis... Ter A, ki...?

I aaamm... Dien...

...Agh.

Urghh...

Noias... Why have you done this?

Give me an excuse. Anything! ...Just make me understand!

What excuse is there for such a clear act of evil? This is merely the result of struggling for the best possible outcome.

The "best possible outcome"...? This?

This act of devastating Ritania and defiling a child's death?!

I defiled death? Hah... What nonsense, coming from you, the Final Heir.

For you, who knows the truth of the Restored Worlds better than anyone, to say such a thing.

Besides you, there is no one left on this land who is truly alive.

They are merely imitating life, thanks to the Goddess's blessing.

We are nothing but puppets on the stage of a grand, cruel destiny!

Clack...

Clatter...

You...!

How dare you raise the dead before the eyes of a Reaper! Stop disrupting the cycle of life, blasphemer!

You, whose very existence is a contradiction, dare to speak so loudly, visitor from another world.

If you have discontent... then try and stop me with force.

Noias! I'll incinerate you right now!

FWOOSH

Ahh... Ugh...

...Kgh!

Aki, snap out of it! Why have you been so off your game?!

Hahaha... What pitiful self-delusion.

Why are you acting so shocked?

Diene is in this state because you chose the battlefield over saving her village. Is that not the truth?

...! How did you know...

I have seen everything you have done, and everything you have forsaken...

I was watching, hidden in the darkness, all along.

Waiting to find a suitable Inheritor, so that I could one day return to this land.

What...? But why go to such lengths?

Even if this continent was sealed by a mana barrier, you could have asked the other Spirit Lords for help!

...Because there was interference.

Every time I tried to reach Ritania, to reach the World Tree... I was stopped by a hunting dog sent by the Tree of Genesis.

By that very Reaper. Hecate.

I have no idea what you're talking about. This is the first time we've met, is it not?

In this current Restored World, yes. But you...

Enough. Whatever you say, you cannot delude me, blasphemer.

However... I see now that if I sever your contract with this girl, you will no longer be able to set foot in this land.

What? Wait...!

Dear child, trapped in an illusion.

Ah... Ugh...

Let me tear away the curtain that covers your eyes. To know the truth is your right.

Ah...?

...No matter how painful that reality may be.

No, Diene!!!

Ahh... AAAAAAAH!!!

Aaaah! Please, someone, help me!

Oh Goddess, oh noble Covenant, I beg you for salvation, AAAH!

Aki...! Help us...!

N-No... Everything's on fire. My hometown... my neighbors...

I have to go save everyone.

Huh? But... why isn't Noi with me?

I... I'm sure I made a contract with them just a minute ago...

Think. The curtain that covered your eyes is gone now.

Before I saw the village burning, what was I doing?

What happened... in front of the house?

Oh, she's actually quite pretty up close. We could get a decent price for her on the slave market.

...Pretty? Nah, she's just a kid.

Hey, Mark. I know that damn fire-freak crossed over to Taranor, but...

The border patrol is just around the corner. Are you really going to waste time fooling around here?

Heh, you've gotta make some extra coin when you can, no?

The cut we'll get from robbing a dump like this is gonna be just a few coins anyway.

Cut the crap and let's wrap this up.

Boss said he'd smash our skulls in if we were late again.

Tsk... Fine. You win.

Well then, little girl. Since it's come to this... don't make this any harder on yourself. Let's go quietly.

Pupper tried to help me, but it wasn't enough.

I was so scared I'd be stabbed by that bandit's knife.

But in that moment, Noi...

Huh? But... why isn't Noi with me?

...They have to be here.

Ah... S-Stay away...!

Whoa there, don't move.

That'll just make this hurt more...

I-Is anybody there? Mom? Dad!

I said, don't move!

Ack!

Ugh, got blood all over me. What a mess...

Mom... Da... d...

Noi...

...Do not forgive me, Diene.

I exhausted my power crossing the mana barrier... There was no other way.

I waited for your soul to cross into the realm of darkness.

It is through death... that you were completed as my Inheritor.

But rest assured.

You will never have to face all this death.

What?! The dead ones are getting back up?!

H-Help me! Boss!

No... It can't be.

The villagers... I became a Spirit Lord Inheritor and... I saved them all.

The bandits attacked, but miraculously, no one died.

Uncle Sam...

Mom...

Dad...?

No... no. No. NO.

This... This isn't real.

Th-That's right! We traveled together as a family! We had festivals in every new village...

It's a fes-ti-val!

Diene, try some of these pancakes! They even have whipped cream!

This is so extravagant...

Ghhh... ugh... uh...

Di... en...

Hhhh...

Huh...?

Aaaargh! No, my village... my family!

Run! Everyone, get to the west gate!

W-We can't! The monsters... they're already there... Aah!

Gyaaaaaaaah!!! You monster!!! Get away!

S-Someone! Anyone! Please, save us!

Waaaaah! Mommy, what's happening?

I... Um... uh...

S-Stay back! Get your hands away from me!

Ugh...

You'll have to kill me before you lay a hand on my child!

Ah, ugh... uh?

...

That's right... What came into the kitchen then... it wasn't a monster.

Diene! Are you all right? I heard a loud noise...

...

Diene?

Urghhh...

Kyeeek!

Agh!

Ah... Ahh... Mom...

...

I am sorry, Diene. I could not keep my promise.

Noi...

Why did you do that?

You promised... you'd protect me and the villagers... my family... from death.

But you let us die... and that wasn't enough. Why did you hurt all those other people?

Every being in this land is already shadowed by a predetermined fate of death.

...A painful destiny, repeated time and again, carved into their very souls.

I gave you and your family the gift of a dark curtain, so you would not have to face that cruel fate.

Though, due to my own foolishness, that illusion has been shattered...

Diene. You will become the hero you always wanted to be.

A great hero who will reclaim true freedom for all life in this land.

...No. I, I don't want this... This isn't... what I wanted...

*sobbing*... I'm scared... Mom... Dad...

This is a nightmare. It's not real.

When I wake up, everything will go back to the way it was.

...

Sleep for a while, Diene. When this is all over... I will let you see your family again.

...I was certain I removed the curtain that bound her soul. Why has the bond... strengthened?

Arrogant Reaper. You do not understand the frailty of mortals.

Forcing them to face a reality they've shunned... only makes them sink deeper into the darkness.

Thanks to you, I've been able to take full possession of this body.

...The spiritual energy is amplifying. They've drawn almost all of their true power.

That thing... it's not Diene anymore. It's Noias, wearing her face.

The presence of shadow monsters is growing, too. I think we're surrounded.

...I'm sorry, Hecate. Because I hesitated...

What good will it do to blame the past?

...Right. As long as I'm still breathing... let's see this through to the end.

Wait. Your resolve is admirable...

But would you not spare a moment for conversation first?

...Suddenly you want to talk? You're the one who's been attacking without question.

Well, this is partly for my own amusement... but must we truly be enemies?

Perhaps, through conversation, we can understand each other's positions... and even find a way to cooperate.

Aki. The presence of the shadow monsters... they're actually backing off.

It seems they weren't lying about talking.

...Fine. Let's hear what kind of nonsense they're going to spout.

You asked me before. You told me to give you an excuse... to make you understand why I've done this.

As you wish. I will tell you exactly why I did it.

Hundreds of years ago...

...a tree grew from the traces of the Primal Light that fell upon the continent of Erasia.

The tree called itself the Tree of Genesis, and it reached out to me.

At first, I was wary, unsure of its intentions...

But the Tree of Genesis built my trust by granting me celestial knowledge, and full control over the Shadow Elves.

For a time, everything seemed to be going smoothly.

I believed that by using the Shadow Elves and celestial knowledge, I could be of great help in the Archdemon War.

But... the reality was completely different.

Infighting among the Shadow Elves, persecution of the humans... Erasia quickly became a continent of endless war.

For a while, I believed the cause to be impure elements that occasionally appeared among the Shadow Elves.

But... that wasn't the problem.

One day, the Tree of Genesis circumvented my control and contacted the heads of the three families, awakening them as Vampire Lords.

Hecate. This must sound familiar to you.

A similar thing happened in your homeland of Tartarus, after all.

The blasphemers, incited by celestial knowledge, who rejected death...

...All the misfortunes that happened in Tartarus... you're saying it was all the Sacred Tree's doing?

You expect me to believe such a thing?

Believe me or not... the proof is undeniable.

Proof?

You.

You, who should have found your rest with the fall of Tartarus... Why do you exist here on Orbis?

...!

You were recorded by the Sacred Tree, and then regenerated by the Tree of Genesis.

With your memory of death excised... so you would move as it willed, without feeling anything was wrong.

Memory... of death...

Yes. My homeland, Tartarus, was destroyed because of the knowledge spread by the Sacred Tree.

Do you have any idea what the wretches, who deny the reaper's guidance and selfishly chase immortality, did, backed by the Alfr priests?

Even I was falsely accused of taking innocent lives and sent to the guillotine...

...!!!

Kgh...!

Hecate, are you all right?!

I... now remember. Everything.

Yes. My life... however miserable it was, it reached its conclusion in death.

But to be given a false life by the Sacred Tree, only to be used as its puppet...

As a Reaper, as the Princess of Tartarus... how could I possibly endure such shame...

Hecate...

The Tree of Genesis... No. The "Tree of Omniscience" that goes by countless names, "gifting" forbidden knowledge to sentient beings.

On every planet where they take root, great wars invariably follow...

And soon after, they are destroyed by the arrival of the Dark Star.

Doesn't that story sound familiar, Aki?

...

Are you saying... the reason the Archdemon constantly invades Orbis... is because the World Tree is here?

To be precise, I suspect they are targeting the traces of the Primal Light... or rather, fragments of Prima from which the trees grow.

In the end, we have been dragged into a war between higher gods, forced to bleed in their stead.

...

If that's true...

...then even if we win this Archdemon War, this world's "tomorrow" will never come?

I've... I've been burning my life away for this... this meaningless charade?

It is not too late, Aki.

Come with me to the World Tree. Will you not uncover what plans the fragments of Prima are plotting in this land?

Uncover them... and then what?

Who knows. Banish it from Orbis, seize the power they have accumulated... We won't know until we get there.

Whatever we decide, this heinous atrocity must be stopped.

To save Orbis from this destiny of endless war.

...

I...

Ack!

I see... So the Shadow Army that attacked Ezera was merely a diversion.

You've managed to sneak this far already. Noias.

Lapdogs of the World Tree...

Saria!

A pleasure to see you again, Aki. You won't be escaping so easily this time.

My army has this entire area completely surrounded.

...Their Eminence has spoken. "Dark, foul maiden... Be riven aflame by Their sharpest blade."

Nngh...

You were so close to your goal. What a pity.

Now... then. Might we join this conversation?