Rom

I came to find my Big Bro and... save this world!

*Rom - A powerful man who has mastered Dragon's Thunder*

*Came to Luxium in search of his friend*

*Taste his Dragon Thunder!*

## Intro

When the Shadows ripped open the barrier between worlds and tried to summon the evil power that only exists in the gap into Luxium, another power traveled through the barrier and landed in the middle of the summoning circle before the evil crossed over. With beautiful blonde hair, a red cape and a smile with a dash of disdain, Alcander, who was fighting the Shadows nearby, called out to him.

"Rom. Rom!"

The Shadows turned their attention to him, but he managed to neutralize all of their attacks. Or, more accurately, he... devoured their attacks.

"Bwahaha! Thank you for the meal!"

He suddenly became serious, and several dark dragon's thunder struck the battlefield, decimating all the Shadows.

The Shadows' scheme was shattered, and old friends reunited. What new drama will Rom's powers bring to this world?

### Forming a Pact

**Rom's rarity:** SSR

**Max Epiphany without Illumination:** Level 6

The player can form a pact with Rom by the following methods:

* Starter Summon
	+ Use 28 Heart Stones to add this Gyee to the Starter Summon pool.
* Limited Summon
	+ You can form a pact with Rom by summoning him on his limited-time banner.

## Skills

### Basic

* [EM Interference]: Healing received is reduced by 25% for 2rounds. Can be purified.

**Skill Level**
1. 66%
2. 72%
3. 78%
4. 84%
	+ [Lightning Strike] restores 10 Mana to the user if the target is above 50% HP. If the target's HP is under 50%, then the skill is guaranteed a critical hit.

### Advanced

* [Thunder Blade]: Can absorb all damage equal to Rom's P.ATK\*[Skill Level] (has 5 times the effectiveness in PvP). Rom deals [Skill Level] more damage while using [Quick Lightning Strike] and Draconic Black Thunder. After using [Lightning Strike] and Draconic Black Thunder, the target will be inflicted with [Thunder and Fire]. Lasts for 2 rounds, and cannot be dispelled.
* [Thunder and Fire]: Increases the character's damage received by 10%. Lasts 2 rounds and can be purified.

**Skill Level**
1. 220%, 11%
2. 233%, 14%
3. 245%, 17%
4. 257%, 20%
	+ Immune to Poisoned and Curse effects while [Thunder Blade]'s shield is active. Physical damage taken is also reduced by 15%.
* **Thunderstorm**
	+ [Thunder and Fire] reduces the character's damage dealt by 15%

### Ultimate

* Power Sap: Reduces all damage character deals by 15% and increases damage taken by 15%. This effect lasts 2 rounds and can be purified.
* Empowerment: Increases damage dealt by 10%. Before each action, restores HP equal to Current Max HP\*6% for Rom. This effect lasts 2 rounds and can be dispelled.

**Skill Level**
1. 295%, 110%
2. 321%, 120%
3. 347%, 130%
4. 373%, 140%
	+ Increases the damage of Draconic Black Thunder by 15%.
* **Draconic Devour**
	+ [Power Sap] reduces the character's damage dealt by 30% and increases damage received by 30%.
* **Heavenly Thunderstorm**
	+ If the target's HP is below 50%, [Draconic Black Thunder] inflicts [Paralysis] on the target for 2 rounds and allows damage in this round to ignore shields.

### Mastery

* Theft Mark: After the character dies, grants Rom 1 stack of Essence Theft. Lasts until the end of battle and cannot be purified.
* Essence Theft: Upon getting this effect, the character recovers 30 Mana. Every stack increases their damage by 10%. This effect can be stacked up to 4 times, lasts till the end of battle, and cannot be dispelled.
* Energy Supplement: After the character dies, grants Rom 1 stack of Backflow. Lasts until the end of battle and cannot be dispelled.
* Backflow: Upon getting this effect, the character restores HP equal to Current Max HP\*30%. Every stack reduces their single skill damage taken by 10%. This effect can be stacked up to 3 times, lasts until the end of battle, and cannot be dispelled.
* Keenness: Every stack reduces character's P.DMG by 10%. Every time damage is taken, 1 stack is removed. This effect can be stacked up to 5 times, lasts until the end of battle, and cannot be dispelled.
* Leonine Fury: Increases character's P.ATK by 10% and base critical strike damage by 10%. This effect lasts until battle ends and cannot be dispelled.
* Swift Thunder: If character's HP is not full before each action, restores HP equal to Current Max HP\*10% and 10 Mana. This effect lasts until the end of battle and cannot be dispelled.

## Imprint

### Basic Engraving

* Agility Engraving (P.ATK +0.60% per Engraving level)
	+ Each engraving level requires I.N. Flux - Earth x120 and Gold x25,000

### Imprint Skill

The following Imprint Skill can be equipped on other Gyees and Avatars once unlocked.

## Intimacy

### Date Choices

Dates will give either 500, 700, or 900 intimacy points depending on the choice selected.

* **Advice - Sometimes you just need to listen to the doctor's words.**
	+ **Cue:** Hmm, somewhere fun...
		- (Let's go to the gym!)
		*700 Intimacy*
		- (Let's go singing!)
		*700 Intimacy*
		- (Let's have a cookout outside the city!)
		*900 Intimacy*

* **Night Sky - Instead of the fine wines in the Hottie Bar, Rom loves one kind…**
	+ **Cue:** Now, BeeNic's forgotten about me, and Big Bro is living his own life...
		- (Tell Rom to stop dwelling on unpleasant things.)
		*500 Intimacy*
		- (Accompany Rom.)
		*900 Intimacy*
		- (Take Rom out on the deck to look at the stars.)
		*900 Intimacy*

* **Invincible Power - Rom's vessel can absorb the enemy's power for his own use, even the shadow flux. In that case, isn't Rom invincible?!**
	+ **Cue:** Haha, I'm just joking. I would only absorb the power of bad guys as punishment!
		- You're like a walking nexus~
		*900 Intimacy*
		- So why don't you try to conquer the world?
		*500 Intimacy*
		- I'm envious. I'd love to have a power like that.
		*700 Intimacy*

### Intimacy Blocks

To reach Intimacy levels 7 and 11, Rom needs mementos (found in Darkflux Raid), reiki (found in Extreme Fight or Arcana Tracker), and the following block item:

* **Intimacy Level 7**
	+ S - Arcana Electroplate Gloves
		- Gloves made of special material used by Rom. By wearing it, he can touch others without being affected by flux deficiency. In addition, the gloves feel light and comfortable.
		Used to break through Rom's Intimacy. Obtained in Extreme Fight.
* **Intimacy Level 11**
	+ Flux Deficiency Medicine
		- Rom, with the help of Shadowhunters and the Arcana Academy, developed this medicine to cure flux deficiency.
		Used to break through Rom's Intimacy. Obtained in Extreme Fight.

### Basic Drink Preferences

 25% bonus

 25% bonus

 50% bonus

 50% bonus

*Note: All blended drinks have a base preference bonus of 25% that can be modified by the drink's attributes.*

### Gift Preferences

**50% bonus**

**25% bonus**

**No bonus**

### Views

Unlock views by leveling the intimacy of other gyees.

* **Billy**: Rom... he's always staying over at the captain's room... I know he's doing it for the captain's sake... as the captain needs to be with him. But I'm still... \*sigh\*
*Billy's Intimacy reaches Lv.2 to unlock*
* **Markus**: What an amazing kid Rom is. He would make enemies with the world for the sake of his friend! Hahaha, I like it!
*Markus's Intimacy reaches Lv.4 to unlock*
* **BeeNic**: Rom came from my world... a friend from my former world. Unfortunately, I have no impression of him. I may not be obsessed with the past, nor do I want to return to my original world. Still, Rom would often seek me out to have a drink and pass time together. I... hope I can become friends with him again.
*BeeNic's Intimacy reaches Lv.6 to unlock*
* **Alcander**: Good boy!
*Alcander's Intimacy reaches Lv.8 to unlock*
* **Mona Shadowhunter**: During my previous break, I returned to Never Isle to visit my family and spotted Captain Morgan and that guy entering the Hottie Bar. Then I heard the captain scream! I wonder what they were doing...
* **Never Isle Worker**: He's so handsome! Especially that evil smile of his... Are all otherworlders this great? I wanna go to their world...
* **Arcana Academy Scholar**: Rom's power can absorb Shadow flux and not be corrupted by it! That's so amazing! If Never Isle can unravel the mysteries of this power... the Shadows will not stand a chance against us!

## Scripts

### Consolation Letter

Hey, I'm Rom!

Two days ago, a new speakeasy opened in Never Isle. I've been there once. The atmosphere there is quite nice, and the place is huge and packed every day. There're a bunch of hot guys there too! I got some VIP tickets for next week, so let's go together! Fine, fine. I know what you want to say, but you're not allowed to say no! You have to understand how hard VIP tickets are to come by. Don't worry, I've already written the Defense Force's activity application for you, so they'll send soldiers to protect you. Everything will be fine!\nIt's settled then! Next week, in the evening, forget about all your burdens, relax, and enjoy the day!

### Bath Drama

* Towel, hot water, and hot guys... Heaven's not THAT special...
* Hey! Yeah I'm talking to you. Hold on... Want a drink?
* You look a bit listless... Perhaps you might need a little flux infusion.

### Fave Hottie Slogan

Hey, you're here! Just leave your ticket here for your flux infusion later.

### Intimacy Breakthrough

**This section contains spoilers for Intimacy Breakthrough scenes.**

**-Intimacy Level 4**

*Note: Please read Trifle - Dragon Summon before continuing*
*...*
*Ugh...*
**Player**: (Ugh... I feel dizzy...)
**Player**: (Where am I?)
*You try to take a look around...*
*But a strong headache prevents you from making out your surroundings.*
**Player**: (I think...I'm on the airship...)
**Player**: (I'm...back on the airship?)
*You try to move.*
**Player**: (Ugh, my body feels so heavy. I can't move.)
**Player**: (I don't have any energy.)
*A while later, you regain your bearings.*
*You realize your lying on a soft, comfortable bed.*
*You're completely naked.*
**Player**: (Seems like I'm still alive.)
**Player**: Ugh...
**Rom**: Player, are you awake?
**Player**: R...
**Player**: You...
*You want to speak...*
*But you found that you didn't even have the energy to vibrate your vocal chords enough to make a sound.*
**Player**: (Why is my body so weak?!)
**Rom**: Shh!
*Rom gestures you not to talk.*
**Rom**: Don't push yourself too hard. You've got flux...def...
**Rom**: Your body has no energy.
**Player**: (What? What's wrong with me?)
**Rom**: Luckily, I can use my energy to help you.
**Rom**: All you need to do is relax in bed.
**Rom**: Leave the rest to me!
**Player**: (What?)
*By this point, your vision is coming back.*
*You realize you're lying on your own bed and Rom is standing at the foot of it.*
**Player**: (Ugh... Rom's body...)
**Player**: (Very nice...)
*Rom lifts your feet and puts them on his shoulders.*
**Player**: What!
**Player**: Hold on...
**Player**: Ahhhhhhh!
*Your consciousness gradually blurs.*
*You don't know how much time passes, but your body feels warm.*
*The heaviness from before is lightened significantly.*
*You take advantage of this warmth and go to sleep.*

**-Intimacy Level 5**

*The airship, the captain's cabin.*
**Player**: Ugh...
*You open your eyes and see a face full of fur.*
**BeeNic**: Player!
**BeeNic**: Player is awake!
**Alcander**: What?
**Player**: BeeNic...
**BeeNic**: Great! You're finally awake!
**Alcander**: Welcome back, Player!
**Player**: Alcander's here, too!
**Alcander**: Well, how do you feel?
*You try to sit up.*
*You feel a little fatigued, but nothing to serious.*
**Player**: I think I'm okay...
**Player**: What!
**Player**: Are you okay, BeeNic?
**BeeNic**: Yeah! Fortunately, I wasn't exposed to the poison gas for very long. I rested for a couple of days and was fine.
**Player**: What about the others? Captain Markus? The Oathblades?
**Player**: And the ones the Shadows summoned...
**Alcander**: Don't worry, everyone's all right.
**Alcander**: We haven't detected any abnormal energy readings in the ruins.
**Alcander**: We won!
**Player**: I see... That's great!
*You suddenly remember what happened when you were in a daze.*
*Rom...*
**Player**: !!
**BeeNic**: Why are you blushing, Player?
**Player**: Ah! It's nothing, it's nothing.
**Player**: Where's Rom?
**Alcander**: Rom should be at the Arcana Academy right now.
**Alcander**: He'll probably be here in a little while.
**Player**: The Arcana Academy...
**Player**: (The memory of Rom and I...)
**Player**: (Is probably just a dream...)
*You hear footsteps outside the door.*
*Rom and Principal Vundo walk into the room.*
**Vundo**: Player!
**Vundo**: Thank heavens, you're finally awake.
**Rom**: Hey! (Suavely waves hello)
**Player**: Hey, Rom!
**Vundo**: Don't move, Player. Let me take a look at you.
**Player**: Thank you, Principal Vundo.
*A few moments later...*
**Vundo**: Aye... There's still...
**Player**: Why the long face, Principal Vundo?
**Vundo**: Player, you've absorbed too much abnormal energy...
**Vundo**: As a result, you've contracted a serious case of flux deficiency.
**Player**: Flux...deficiency?
**Vundo**: Your body will continuously lose flux until it's all gone.
**Player**: Is it serious?
*Principal Vundo nods.*
**Vundo**: Anyone else who comes into contact with this poison will develop symptoms, too.
**Vundo**: Normally, when people lose all their flux, they'll feel weak and tired, and simply need a good rest to recover.
**Vundo**: But Player, you came into contact with too much poison, so your symptoms were especially severe.
**Vundo**: Plus, your avatar is a flux entity.
**Vundo**: If you were to lose all of your flux, you'd...
**Vundo**: Disappear from this world!
**Player**: W... what?
**BeeNic**: When you passed out, I tried using my time reset ability to reset your body's state.
**BeeNic**: However, I felt fatigued as soon as I came into contact with your body, and was unable to reset time.
**Vundo**: Yes, anyone who physically touches Player will develop symptoms of flux deficiency.
**Vundo**: But as long as you rest, you'll recover.
**Player**: Then...what should I do?
**Vundo**: Luckily, Mr. Rom can use his power to give you flux infusions.
**Vundo**: As long as there's still flux in your body, you should be fine. However...
**Player**: However?
**Vundo**: We'll need to give you infusions of highly concentrated pure flux in order to maximize the degree to which you absorb external flux.
**Rom**: In my body, only essence that's been converted can meet the concentration requirements.
**Player**: Essence...
**Player**: Argh!!
**Player**: Are you telling me, that hazy memory...
**Player**: Rom, you forced yourself on me...
**Rom**: Huh? That was an emergency...
**Rom**: An essence infusion was the only way to save you.
**Rom**: So...
**Rom**: Heh heh heh...
**Player**: (surprised)
**Player**: What?!?!

**-Intimacy Level 6**

*The airship, the captain's cabin.*
**Player**: Hold on, wait!
**Player**: Let me get this straight...
**Player**: Because of the poison, I contracted flux deficiency. I will keep losing flux until I die.
**Player**: But the only way to ameliorate the symptoms is to let Rom give me...
**Player**: Essence injections.
**Vundo**: Don't worry, Player!
**Vundo**: The Arcana Academy is working as hard as it can on studying these symptoms.
**Vundo**: Trust me when I saw that we'll devise a treatment very soon!
**Player**: ...
*A while later, that night.*
**Player**: Alas...
**Billy**: Are you okay, Captain?
**Player**: Billy...
**Player**: Yeah, I'm fine.
**Billy**: I'm very sorry this is happening to you.
**Player**: Why do you need to be sorry?
**Billy**: All I can do is worry, there's nothing I can do to help you.
**Player**: It's all right, you don't need to worry on my behalf.
**Player**: Principal Vundo said that as long as I recharge flux at fixed intervals and don't come into physical contact with others, everything will be okay~
**Billy**: ...
**Player**: All right. It's getting late. You'd better get some rest!
**Billy**: Oh...
**Billy**: Captain, if there's anything I can do, be sure to...
**Player**: I'll be sure to let you know!
*Billy hesitates, but still walks out the door.*
**Player**: ...
**Player**: I'd better get some rest, too.
*You turn over and get ready to sleep.*
*Just then, you hear some movement by the door.*
**Player**: Did you forget something, Billy?
**Rom**: Hey! It's me!
**Player**: Rom?
**Player**: I thought my next recharge was the day after tomorrow...
**Rom**: Yeah! I know!
**Rom**: I'm just here to check on you.
**Rom**: After all, so much has happened.
**Player**: Haha, indeed...
**Rom**: (embarrassed)
**Rom**: Hey, don't give me perverted looks like that!
**Player**: Uh... I'm not giving you a perverted look.
**Player**: Seems like there's something you want to say.
**Rom**: Aye...
**Rom**: Forget it, arguing is pointless.
**Rom**: After all, when you lost consciousness, I did things...
**Rom**: Even though I had good reason to...
**Rom**: There's no denying you were going to think I'm a pervert for doing them.
*Having finished what he had to say, Rom turns to leave.*
**Player**: Wait!
**Rom**: ...
**Player**: I don't think you're a pervert.
**Rom**: Ha! Whatever!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Thank you...
**Rom**: Oh!
*Rom turns back around.*
**Rom**: Why?
**Player**: You saved my life. Of course I need to thank you.
**Rom**: You're right about that, but...
**Player**: Ah... It's impossible for me not to care about it, at least a little bit.
**Player**: But if you touch my body, won't you get flux deficiency, too?
**Player**: Flux deficiency may not be fatal to you, but...
**Player**: The experience can't be that great.
**Rom**: You're...worried about how I feel?
**Player**: (smiles)
**Player**: Rom, if my treatment is putting too large a burden on your body, there's no need for you to force yourself.
**Rom**: It's fine.
**Rom**: The power of my vessel is very adaptable. Not only can it absorb external power and convert it into my own, it can also take my own power and store it in a vessel.
**Rom**: And the flux deficiency can't affect the power stored in the vessel!
**Rom**: So flux deficiency doesn't have a big effect on me!
**Player**: In that case, I have a lot of stuff that I still need to do in Luxium, Rom.
**Player**: I can't afford to die right now.
**Player**: So until my flux deficiency treatment is finished...
**Player**: I'll need your help.
**Rom**: (surprised)
**Rom**: Sure. Leave it to me!

**-Intimacy Level 7**

*Note: All date scenes take place before this scene*
*Airship bridge...*
**Player**: You're saying if we equip the device that you developed...
**Player**: The airship will be faster by half?
**Billy**: Correct!
**Billy**: Also, when you need to, you'll be able to manually put the device into overdrive.
**Billy**: In overdrive, our max speed will more than double!
**Billy**: That said, if you put it in overdrive for too long, it will explode.
**Player**: A 50% speed increase should be enough. I can't imagine we'll find ourselves in a situation where we'll need the overdrive.
**Billy**: Now we just need to take it for a test flight.
**Player**: Yeah! You can do it!
*A while later, as the airship makes a safe landing...*
*Billy's new kinetic energy conversion device is a big success.*
**Billy**: It...it worked!
**Player**: This is great!
*Naturally, you want to celebrate with a fistbump.*
*But before touching Billy's fist, you quickly pull your hand back.*
**Player**: ...
**Billy**: Uh, Captain?
**Player**: Uh...Billy!
**Player**: How about we have a big feast tonight, in celebration of your accomplishment?
**Billy**: (surprised)
**Billy**: Okay!
*Nighttime at the Hottie Bar.*
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Aye...
**Player**: ...
**???**: Yo, drinking all by yourself?
**Player**: ...
*Rom enters the bar*
**Player**: Rom, what are you doing here?
**Rom**: Oh, I was just taking a leisurely stroll on Never Isle.
**Rom**: I just happened to pass by the port. I saw your airship and thought I'd come up for a drink~
**Rom**: Why, is that not okay?
**Player**: Why wouldn't it be okay?
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: A glass of Night Sky?
**Rom**: Thank you!
**Player**: Hottie, one glass of Night Sky! And I'd like a glass of Sunriset!
**Hottie**: Making one Night Sky, and one Sunriset, coming right up.
**Hottie**: Safety warning, Mr. Player. You have already consumed a lot of alcohol this evening.
**Player**: One more, just one more.
**Rom**: (smiles)
*A few moments later...*
*Rom is the first to break the silence.*
**Rom**: Another hard day.
**Player**: Hard...
**Player**: Ha!
**Player**: It was all right!
**Rom**: You always do that, don't you?
**Player**: Huh?
**Rom**: Put all the burdens on yourself?
**Player**: Burdens...
**Rom**: If you're not going to say it, then I will...
**Rom**: Due to your flux deficiency, you can't do anything that would require flux.
**Rom**: You need a full set of armor just to go out, and you have to wrap yourself up on hot days.
**Rom**: Not only that, but you need to be protected by the Defense Force and Arcana Academy everywhere you go on Never Isle, to make sure nothing happens.
*You take a sip of alcohol from your glass.*
**Player**: Well, it's a unique situation, isn't it?
**Rom**: But when something good happens, you can't give your buds fistbumps in celebration...
**Rom**: When a friend is feeling sad, you can't give them a hug...
**Player**: ...
**Rom**: I don't know how it feels.
**Rom**: But I know that if it were me...
**Rom**: If Big Bro couldn't pat me on the head during good times, and during sad times...
**Rom**: If I couldn't rub his furry arms...
*Rom shivers.*
**Rom**: Ugh, I don't even want to imagine.
**Player**: ...
*You pick up your glass and take a large gulp.*
**Player**: You're right. It's not easy to go out, and I can't start up my flux to use arcana.
**Player**: I need to maintain a safe distance between my friends and my brothers.
**Player**: That's the worst part.
*You lean your head back and finish off the glass of liquor.*
**Player**: Even if it makes me sad, there's nothing I can do about it. I just have to bear it.
**Player**: I'll feel better once I get used to it.
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: That day underground, when you used your power to absorb all the toxins...
**Rom**: Do you regret it?
**Player**: I don't!
**Player**: If I had to do it again, I would make the exact same choice.
**Rom**: !!
**Player**: I can't simply stand by and watch in a situation like that.
**Rom**: Aye... You are noble to a fault.
*Rom reaches into his pocket and pulls out a glove.*
**Rom**: Here, this is for you~
**Player**: A...glove?
**Rom**: It's no ordinary glove!
**Rom**: Using my knowledge from my homeworld and combining it with what I've learned at the Arcana Academy...
**Rom**: If you put on this glove, you can use it to touch someone else, without spreading flux deficiency.
**Player**: What!
**Rom**: It's made as thin as possible to guarantee tactility. Of course, it's not as good as actually touching something, but...
**Player**: No, no, it's great!
**Rom**: Another thing... I haven't thanked you yet for what you did that day.
**Rom**: That day, underground... You saved Big Bro, you saved BeeNic, you saved everyone...
**Rom**: You even saved me...
**Rom**: This glove is but one small token of my gratitude!
**Rom**: Put it on and try it out!
*You put on the glove. It is very thin and comfortable.*
*But there's only one way to really try it out...*
*Choice 1.1 - (Put away the glove)*
*You put the glove away.*
**Player**: Thank you. Thank you so much!
**Player**: You didn't need to repay me, though.
**Rom**: It's nothing...
**Rom**: Now that you have your gift, let's drink.
**Rom**: Let's go!!
*Scene ends*
*Choice 1.2 - (Touch Rom)*
**Rom**: There's nobody here. Try using the glove to touch me.
**Rom**: Don't worry. Thanks to the protection of my vessel power, even if the glove doesn't work, flux deficiency won't have a huge effect on me.
**Rom**: Flux deficiency can't affect the flux in the vessel.
**Player**: Oh...then...
*Choice 1.2.1 - (Touch Rom's Hand)*
*You touch Rom's hand.*
*You want to quickly pull your hand back, but Rom grasps it in his.*
**Rom**: I don't feel fatigued or dizzy at all.
**Rom**: It's just like holding hands normally!
**Player**: R-really?
**Player**: Thank you. Thank you so much!
**Player**: You didn't need to repay me, though.
**Rom**: It's nothing...
**Rom**: Now that you have your gift, let's drink.
**Rom**: Let's go!!
*Scene ends*
*Choice 1.2.2 - (Touch Rom's chest)*
*You place your right hand on Rom's chest.*
**Rom**: Oh...
**Rom**: Didn't expect you to touch me there.
**Rom**: Well... I understand. After all, you've been hands-off for so long, it must feel great to finally get hands-on again.
**Player**: Oh, sorry... I don't know why...
**Rom**: Don't worry about it~
*Rom grabs your right hand and presses it to his chest.*
**Rom**: Well? How does it feel?
**Player**: It feels strong and supple!
*Rom embraces you.*
*He leans his head next to your ear.*
**Rom**: Your magic hands are awakening something inside me...
**Rom**: You'd better...
**Rom**: Take me all the way!
*Scene ends*

**-Intimacy Level 8**

*On the airship, outside the Hottie Bar.*
**Kitty**: Hey Billy, lately I've been hearing some pretty good music in the Hottie Bar.
**Kitty**: It's a kind I don't usually hear. It's really good!
**Billy**: Alcander's band has been rehearsing. Even the captain has joined in!
**Kitty**: Rehearsing? Are they going to put on a performance?
**Billy**: That, I don't know.
**Kitty**: Wow! Sounds even better than the Rupor Show! If they're going to put on a performance, I wanna go, for sure!
*At the same time, inside the Hottie Bar.*
**Alcander**: Hmm... I feel like the melody at the end can be adjusted a little.
**Rom**: I think that's right. The tempo of the B section can be changed, too. I think it's a little rushed.
**Morgan**: Really? I think it sounds pretty good.
**Rom**: It does sound good right now, but it'll sound even better after we fix it!
**Player**: I had no idea Rom had such an ear for music!
**Rom**: Haha, in my world, Big Bro played lots of music with me!
**Player**: I see...
**Alcander**: I adjusted the score. Let's practice some more!
**Player**: Of course!
*A few moments later...*
**BeeNic**: Wow, that was great!
**Player**: You may not have any musical skills, Captain Morgan...
**Player**: But that raspy voice of yours is incredible!
**Morgan**: Haha, oh yeah?
**Morgan**: I dunno. It's just a feeling.
**Alcander**: Captain Morgan's musical sense is great!
**BeeNic**: Also, the wild feeling goes really well with electronic metal!
**Rom**: This is real music!
**Rom**: Luxium doesn't have enough of this kind of electronica, the kind that gets you sweaty!
**Rom**: Whoa!
**Rom**: Big Bro, Player, you guys have been practicing for so long!
**Rom**: Why don't you put on a show on Never Isle?
**Player**: A show?
**Rom**: Yeah! Music needs to be shared. The more people that hear it, the better!
**Alcander**: ...
**BeeNic**: ...
**Rom**: Why are you guys giving me that look?
**Player**: Okay! Okay! I'll hold up a neon light for you guys when that happens!
**Rom**: Player...hold up a neon light? But you're a critical part of the band!
**Rom**: It's because of the flux deficiency, isn't it?
**Player**: Right now, it's for the best that I don't take part in crowded events.
**Morgan**: I heard about your situation, Player...
**Morgan**: I've already asked the arcanists at the Mona Altar to go to Westhold and find the necessary materials and see if they can help at all.
**Player**: Thank you, Captain Morgan!
**Rom**: ...
*At night, in the captain's cabin.*
**Player**: And thank you for today, Rom.
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Player, let's be careful at the show.
**Player**: You're really intent on holding a show, aren't you, Rom?
**Rom**: I've been in Luxium for several months already.
**Rom**: It was only a few days after I got here that I fought the Shadows alongside Big Bro.
**Rom**: Now it's been a long time since we've seen any trace of the Shadows. Every day has been so carefree!
**Rom**: I've done all of the interesting stuff that there is to do on Never Isle.
**Rom**: I wanna find some new fun.
**Player**: Haha, I see.
**Rom**: What about you? I heard you were really busy before. Whenever the Oathblades, Order of Equality, or Shadowhunters needed help, they'd call on you.
**Rom**: Now because of your flux deficiency, you struggle just to get out the door.
**Rom**: It must be hard to relax!
**Player**: Yeah. I spend every day on the airship just looking at the sky. I'm bored out of my mind!
**Rom**: In that case...
**Rom**: I'll take you to go have some fun.
**Rom**: We'll need to be careful. We also shouldn't alarm the Defense Force and Arcana Academy!
**Player**: Ha! Ha! Ha!
**Player**: No way!
**Rom**: What?
**Player**: I've already got your gloves, and the past few months, you and Alcander have been coming by all the time to hang out.
**Player**: We sing songs and put together a band. That's enough for me!
**Player**: But forget going out! If I bumped into somebody, the consequences would be disastrous.
**Player**: Even though it sucks being stuck inside the airship, it's not a big deal.
**Player**: Let's wait till I get better, then we'll go out and have some fun! Luxium's got lots of stuff to do!
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: (smiles)
**Rom**: Okay! You're a stubborn one.
*Rom tears off his clothes.*
**Rom**: You don't wanna go out, then don't go out. But official business...
**Rom**: Cannot be delayed any longer!
**Player**: Hold on, let me put on my flux gloves...
**Rom**: There's no time.
**Player**: Ah! Hold on...!

**-Intimacy Level 9**

*Never Isle, at a certain bar.*
**Defense Force Captain**: Team one, clear a space! Maintain a buffer space with a radius of ten meters!
**Defense Force Captain**: Team two, protect the target! He is not to come into physical contact with any civilians!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Understood!
**Bar Patron A**: Hey hey, what are these Defense Force guys doing?
**Bar Patron B**: Who's here? Why do they have such a big protection detail?
**Bar Patron A**: It's gotta be some big wig...
**Bar Patron B**: This is too much, even if it were somebody like Principal Vundo of the Arcana Academy!
**Bar Patron A**: What's wrong?
**Bar Patron B**: The person the Defense Force is protecting - I've seen them at the Arcana Academy before...
*Meanwhile, in the center of the Defense Force encirclement.*
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Sigh...
*Not far away, Rom grabs two glasses of alcohol.*
**Defense Force Warrior**: Stop right there. This is a protected area. You cannot enter.
**Rom**: All right, Mr. Defense Force. It's me, Player's physical therapist.
**Defense Force Warrior**: ...You may pass.
**Rom**: Thank you~
*Rom walks over to you.*
**Rom**: Let's drink, Player!
**Player**: Rom...
**Player**: You know why I didn't want to come out?
**Rom**: Oh?
*You point to the large, conspicuous crowd of people nearby.*
**Player**: We had to arrange so much protection, and now we're disturbing the normal customers of this establishment.
**Rom**: Haha, well at least we don't need to worry about getting a seat~
**Rom**: Besides, they're lucky.
**Player**: Huh?
**Rom**: Nevermind. I was just worried about you being cooped up in the airship all day every day!
**Rom**: We're here now, so don't give me that face.
**Rom**: This bar's cocktails are really good. Come on, let's try something new today!
**Player**: (Picks up a glass of alcohol and raises to touch glasses)
**Rom**: (Lightly touches glasses)
*You take a small sip.*
**Player**: Wow! This is pretty good stuff!
**Rom**: I know, right?
**Rom**: After the drink, let's go relax on the dance floor!
**Player**: Of course!
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Phew. I haven't been this happy in a long time!
**Rom**: Yeah...
**Player**: It's just too bad this is an old song.
**Rom**: Says who?
*Right as Rom's voice drops...*
*The lights on the dance floor go dark.*
**Player**: Did the electricity go out?
*The next moment, a single light hits the front part of the dance floor.*
*Rom stands in the center of it, holding a guitar.*
**Player**: Rom? When did he...?!
*Then, he starts to play a familiar song.*
**Player**: That's the song we've been rehearsing!
*Suddenly, several additional figures appear.*
**Player**: Alcander, BeeNic, Captain Morgan?!
**Rom**: Ladies and gentlemen!
**Rom**: Welcome the Alcander Band to the stage!
**Player**: !!
*After the first song, the whole bar explodes with excitement.*
**Bar Patron**: Wow! That was great!
**Bar Patron**: Encore! Encore!
**Rom**: We love your enthusiasm, everyone!
**Rom**: It's just too bad we can't keep playing new songs for everyone.
**Bar Patron**: Huh? Why?
**Rom**: There's one critical member of our band who is missing. Without him, we can't keep playing!
**Rom**: Luckily, he's here at the bar today.
*The spotlight shines on you.*
**Player**: !!
**Rom**: Please show him your enthusiasm, everyone, and invite him on stage!
**Bar Patron**: Whoa!!!
**Bar Patron**: Play! Play! Play!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Hey, hold on! Don't get too close!
**Player**: Now I understand why you wanted to bring me to this bar.
**Rom**: Heh heh, come on up, Player!
**Bar Patron**: Play! Play! Play!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Stay alert!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Don't let anyone get too close!
**Player**: (Everyone's so excited now, if I don't go up on stage, things could get really out of hand.)
**Player**: (Besides, I'm already here, aren't I?)
**Player**: (smiles)
**Player**: So today I'll let loose!
**Bar Patron**: Whoa!!!
*Your participating completes the Alcander Band line up.*
*Everyone in the bar is exuberant because of the great music.*
**Bar Patron**: Wahhh! This is the best!
**Bar Patron**: I've never heard such great music before in my life!
**Bar Patron**: And the band members are all so strong and handsome!
**Player**: Wow! This is great!
**Morgan**: It's so much fun playing with you guys!
**BeeNic**: Feel like this could be a big hit!
**Alcander**: Hahaha!
**Rom**: I just knew the show would be a big success!
**Bar Patron**: Hey, handsome!
**Bar Patron**: Handsome! I want your autograph!
**Bar Patron**: Please take a picture with me, handsome!
**Bar Patron**: I want a hug, handsome!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Stop! You cannot get too close!
**Player**: Everyone's so enthusiastic!
**Rom**: BeeNic, get ready to escort everyone out of here!
**BeeNic**: All right!
**Rom**: Thank you for your enthusiasm, everyone! Due to special circumstances beyond our control, we'll have to save the autographs and pictures for next time!
**Rom**: Bye-bye!
**BeeNic**: Everyone, on me! Ready...Whoa!
*Just as BeeNic was getting ready to reset time...*
*A fan came out of nowhere and hugged BeeNic...*
**Fanatical Patron**: Ah! Handsome! I want a hug!
**BeeNic**: Wow!
*With a flash of white light, BeeNic and the fan disappear without a trace.*
**Alcander**: Damn it!
**Rom**: Why did it have to be at that exact moment?!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Ah! The situation's getting out of hand! Quick, notify the Commander!
**Alcander**: Calm down, everyone! Protect Player! Don't let anyone touch him!
**Alcander**: BeeNic should be back to get us any moment...ah!
*Just as Alcander spoke, some passionate fans swarmed the stage.*
**Player**: Oh, no! Don't touch me!
*...*
*After a while, the Defense Force manages to get the situation under control.*
**Defense Force Warrior**: Commander, we managed to avert a stampede. However...
**Mira**: What is it?
**Defense Force Warrior**: Sixty-eight people in the bar are showing symptoms of flux deficiency. They have all been taken to the Arcana Academy for treatment.
**Mira**: Understood. You may go now.
**Mira**: Player, Alcander, Captain Morgan...
**Mira**: What happened?!
**Rom**: Captain Mira, it...
**Player**: It was all my idea!
**Rom**: Oh!
**Mira**: You're well aware of the state your body's in, Player. Why would you do this?
**Player**: I've been cooped up in the cabin on my airship for months now. I couldn't take it anymore.
**Player**: I used my physical therapist, Rom, as an excuse to come out and prepared a show.
**Player**: I didn't know people would be so enthusiastic...
**Player**: I lured Captain Morgan, Alcander, and BeeNic out with the promise of drinks.
**Rom**: Player, no!
**Player**: Captain Mira, I take full responsibility!

**-Intimacy Level 10**

*A month after the incident at the bar.*
*At the Defense Force's main entrance.*
**Rom**: Player's coming out!
**BeeNic**: Over here, Player!
**Alcander**: But he...
**Defense Force Warrior**: Mr. Player, until you've arrived at the safe area, I need to ask you to keep your distance from others.
**Player**: Yeah, I know.
**Player**: Rom, my friends, I'm sorry. We'll chat when we get back.
*Later, in the Hottie Bar on the airship...*
**Player**: Ah~ There's no place like home.
**Rom**: It's all my fault, Player...
**Player**: All right, I'm back now. Don't give me that look.
**Alcander**: Welcome home, Player! Let's have a couple drinks!
**BeeNic**: Yeah!
**Rom**: But Big Bro...
**Alcander**: Rom, it's in the past. Stop bringing it up.
**Rom**: But I...
**Player**: How about a glass of Night Sky, Rom?
**Rom**: Oh... Okay...
*A glass later...*
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: (smiles)
*Rom suddenly has a thought and gets up to leave.*
**Alcander**: Rom? Where are you going?
**Rom**: I forgot all about the gift that I prepared for you, Player.
**Rom**: I'm going to go get it.
**Player**: A gift?
**Rom**: Heh heh, it's something really tasty!
*A few moments later...*
**BeeNic**: Sniff sniff...
**BeeNic**: Can you guys smell it?
**Alcander**: Oh, now that you mention it...
**Player**: Huh? You can smell it?
**Rom**: I'm coming~
**Rom**: It's Choji's brand spanking new recipe...
**Rom**: Imperial chili cilantro ice cream!
**Alcander**: What? Cilantro...
**BeeNic**: Imperial...chili?!
**Player**: Ha~
**Rom**: Come on over and try it, Big Bro, BeeNic!
**Alcander**: No, no, ugh...
**BeeNic**: Haha, just come try some, you guys~
**Alcander**: BeeNic and I are gonna go get the instruments. We've got a song to rehearse tonight!
**Alcander**: Haha...hahaha...
**BeeNic**: Yeahhh!
*Alcander and BeeNic run out of the Hottie Bar.*
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Did Choji really make this? Imperial chili coriander ice...
**Player**: Seems pretty intimidating...
**Rom**: Haha, wanna try?
*Choice 1.1 - (I'll try a bite...)*
**Player**: I'm a little scared, but I'll try it anyway!
**Player**: (Takes a bite...)
**Player**: Whoa! It's surprisingly good!
**Rom**: Hahaha!
*Choice 1.2 - (Better not...)*
**Player**: Hahaha, I'd better not.
**Player**: But that's what you were expecting, right?
**Rom**: (smiles)
*Conversation continues after choices*
**Player**: But you know that Alcander hates coriander and BeeNic doesn't like chilis, don't you?
**Rom**: Of course!
**Player**: Then why...
*Rom gives you a tight hug...*
**Rom**: Because, Player... I hate waiting!
*Rom suddenly kisses you.*
**Player**: !!
**Player**: Don't touch me, you might get sick...
**Rom**: I don't care!
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Rom...
**Rom**: Sorry, Player...
**Rom**: You got in trouble because of me.
**Player**: Rom, don't...
**Rom**: Don't worry so much about the past! I've been hearing that a lot lately!
**Rom**: I'm the one who wanted to put on the show. I'm the one who forced BeeNic, Alcander, and Captain Morgan...
**Rom**: I'm the one who forced you to go to the bar to drink and then put pressure on you to perform.
**Player**: (smiles)
*You hug Rom.*
**Player**: You wanna know the reason? You wanna know why I took all the blame?
**Rom**: Yeah...
**Rom**: I know you like to be noble, but even that was too much!
**Player**: Ha! Ha! Ha!
**Player**: Rom, the incident at the bar show was different.
**Player**: You, Alcander, BeeNic, Captain Morgan, and I were all involved.
**Player**: I have the Wheel of Fate; you, Alcander, and BeeNic are all come from another world; and Captain Morgan is a Shadowhunter.
**Rom**: So what's the problem?
**Player**: You need to understand, on Never Isle, not everyone is a fan of Alcander, and many people also feel very strongly about people from other worlds.
**Player**: Captain Morgan was there, too. If people really looked into this incident, it could affect his relationship with the Shadowhunters.
**Player**: As for me, I've known the Defense Force for a long time, and I'm very clear on how these kinds of incidents are handled. I'm also somewhat well-known on Never Isle...
**Player**: Therefore, even if I take all the blame, it won't have too big of an effect on me.
**Player**: That's why this was the best way to deal with the situation, for us, for the Defense Force, and for Never Isle.
**Rom**: I haven't thought as much about it as you have, but...
**Rom**: The situation is my fault, and I'm an adult...
**Rom**: I'm not afraid to take responsibility.
**Player**: I'm fine, I just lost a bit helping compensate the bar patrons who caught flux deficiency. I thought about it for a few days while I was at the Defense Force. I signed a promise to avoid unreasonable excursions.
**Player**: But the show at the bar was great! That was the happiest time of my life!
**Player**: Most importantly...
*You pet Rom's head.*
**Player**: I don't want to get hurt on account of me.
**Rom**: Ugh...
*Rom takes a step back.*
**Rom**: What are you doing petting my head?
**Player**: Are you blushing?
**Rom**: It's just that...
**Rom**: I just don't want to owe you any more favors, that's all. Understand?
*Rom took a few steps toward the Hottie Bar's exit, then stopped.*
**Rom**: I promise you, Player. I WILL fix your flux deficiency!
**Rom**: I promise!
*He turns and leaves the Hottie Bar.*

**-Intimacy Level 11**

*Hottie Bar, Airship.*
**Rom**: Player, Player!
**Player**: Rom?
**Rom**: I found it! I found it!
**Player**: What did you find?
**Rom**: Flux deficiency - I found a cure for flux deficiency!
**Player**: Huh, really?
**Rom**: (smiles)
*The next day, at the Arcana Academy.*
**Rom**: How do you feel, Player?
**Player**: Uh... I guess I don't feel anything?
**Vundo**: All of our instruments show that your flux deficiency has been cured!
**Vundo**: The treatment combines our knowledge with that of the Shadowhunters. It should be both safe and effective.
**Rom**: There's only one way to know if it worked.
**Player**: Huh? How's that?
*Just then, Rom rushes forward.*
*He embraces you and gives you a kiss.*
**Player**: Oh!
**Vundo**: Haha, oh, to be young again...
**Rom**: I don't feel anything!
**Rom**: It worked! It really worked!
**Player**: (smiles)
*The next day, Rom books a table at Never Isle's best restaurant.*
**Rom**: Player, over here! Over here!
**Player**: This place is pretty pricey, Rom...
**Rom**: Since when have I ever cared about price?
**Player**: Well if that's the case, don't mind if I do~
**Rom**: Hahaha, order whatever you want!
*A few moments later...*
**Rom**: Mmm...smells pretty good.
**Rom**: I'd say it lives up to the price.
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Rom, thank you...
**Rom**: What's with all the politeness? It's just a meal, that's all.
**Player**: I'm not just talking about the meal...
**Player**: If you hadn't treated my flux deficiency...
**Player**: I don't think I would've gotten another chance to eat a meal with someone face-to-face like this again.
**Rom**: Don't say that!
**Rom**: The root of the issue is, you were suffering from flux deficiency because you rescued us, Player.
**Rom**: I don't like being indebted to others.
**Rom**: If I hadn't been able to treat you, I would've felt awful!
**Rom**: So, stop thanking me!
**Player**: (smiles)
**Rom**: (Rom fills up your glass) Let's drink! They say this was brewed in Az 30 years ago...
**Rom**: Cheers~
**Player**: Cheers!
*After three rounds of drinks...*
**Player**: Hahaha! I had no idea you and Alcander used to do stuff like that.
**Rom**: Haha, back then, I'd just met Alcander and I didn't know him too well.
**Player**: (smiles)
**Rom**: Speaking of which, that day...
**Rom**: That day underground, when we stopped the Shadows...
**Player**: Oh! The day we met!
**Rom**: Yeah! The first time I saw you, I didn't think you looked that buff or strong.
**Rom**: But you still managed to get Big Bro and BeeNic's approval and trust.
**Rom**: At the time, I had no inkling how you did that. But now...
**Rom**: I think I understand a little better.
**Player**: Oh?
**Rom**: Your capabilities are limited, but you still do things that are reckless and dangerous...
**Rom**: You've got a small physique, but you still love taking on big pressure and large burdens...
**Rom**: And you're always thinking of others.
**Rom**: You're just an outrageously foolish guy who is noble to a fault!
**Player**: Huh? Foolish...?
**Rom**: Hmm... But you aren't exactly dumb...
**Rom**: You can see truths that I can't see...
**Rom**: You're also capable of solving problems that can't make heads or tails of.
**Rom**: When you're around, I can't take my eyes off of you!
**Player**: Rom...
**Player**: You actually complimented me...
**Player**: You're going to make me feel shy!
**Rom**: Haha! You're not the only one. I surprised myself there, too.
**Rom**: Those few days that the Defense Force had you locked up...
**Rom**: Were by far the hardest days I've lived through since I got here.
**Player**: !!
*Rom clasps your hand.*
**Rom**: Player, I don't like to play coy.
**Rom**: Player, you...
**Rom**: Will you...
**???**: Ahh!!!
**Player**: !!
**Rom**: !!
*A waiter screams after finding four unconscious customers on the ground*
**Player**: What!
**Rom**: This is...
*Rom and Player get up from their table*
**Player**: Rom, let's talk later, okay?
**Rom**: Haha, I understand!
**Rom**: To quietly listen to me in a situation like this...
**Rom**: Just wouldn't be like you!
**Player**: (smiles)
*Player checks on the customers*
**Player**: They've all lost consciousness. Could it be food poisoning?
**Rom**: Hmm, I'll go take a look, too.
*Rom gets closer to the customers but then suddenly stops in his tracks*
**Rom**: Ugh, this feeling...
**Rom**: It's not food poisoning!
**Rom**: You mean...
**Rom**: That's...not possible!
*Continue to Trifle - Fading Flux*

**-Intimacy Level 12**

*Airship bridge...*
**Rom**: It feels really strange, wearing an Arcana Suit on the airship!
**Player**: We don't have a choice. We cannot let our airship get flux deficiency.
**Rom**: Speaking of which, receiving treatment while inside the flux suit?
**Player**: Well...
**Player**: The suit would break.
**Rom**: The image I have in my head is quite beautiful~
**Player**: Rom! Stop joking around!
**Player**: Let's figure out where to go first, then we'll talk!
**Rom**: All right, I understand!
**Player**: We're about to enter Eversun.
**Eversun Ground Control**: This is your first warning. You are forbidden from entering Eversun's territory!
**Eversun Ground Control**: Turn around immediately!
**Rom**: Forbidden?
**Rom**: Our airship has a long-term docking permit at Eversun!
**Eversun Ground Control**: I repeat, turn around immediately!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: We're not going to land at Eversun's commercial port...
**Player**: We're just going to stop in the nearby forest!
**Eversun Ground Control**: This is your final warning. Leave now!
**Eversun Ground Control**: Otherwise we will be forced to shoot down your airship!
**Rom**: What did you say?
**Player**: It's fine, Rom.
**Player**: Let's get out of here!
*A while later, in the airspace above the Ursus Altar.*
**Altar Ground Control**: Unidentified airship, you are entering the protected military airspace of the Shadowhunters!
**Altar Ground Control**: Leave immediately!
**Rom**: Unidentified airship? This is Player's airship!
**Altar Ground Control**: Leave Shadowhunter airspace immediately or your actions will be interpreted as hostile!
**Rom**: Huh? You guys certainly have a better attitude when you're asking Player for help!
**Player**: ...
**Altar Ground Control**: Let me handle this!
**Player**: Bernard?
**Altar Ground Control**: I'm sorry, brother...
**Altar Ground Control**: Shadowhunter orders. I can't allow you to land.
**Player**: ...
**Altar Ground Control**: I heard what happened on Never Isle.
**Altar Ground Control**: You'd better land outside the altar's airspace, Player.
**Altar Ground Control**: I'll send you a resupply.
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Thank you for your concern...
**Player**: But I'm afraid interacting with me right now would only get you in trouble.
**Player**: So I'll go now.
**Altar Ground Control**: Aye...
**Altar Ground Control**: I'm sorry, brother.
*After several detours, the airship finally lands at the edge of the Star Woods in the northeastern corner of Luxium.*
*Outside the airship.*
**Player**: Looks like we'll just have to stay here in the wilderness for now.
**Rom**: People can be so cruel...
**Rom**: You've done so much for Never Isle, the Shadowhunters, and Luxium.
**Rom**: But now that you've taken the blame for something, you've been utterly isolated.
**Player**: Everyone's got their own troubles. I don't bear any grudges.
**Rom**: !!
**Rom**: You...
**Player**: (smiles)
*You hug Rom tightly.*
**Player**: At the very least, I have you by my side.
**Player**: As long as you're here, things can't be that bad, right?
**Rom**: (smiles)
**Rom**: Ha-ha!
**Rom**: Yeah... The tranquil green forest is a much more romantic sight to behold than Never Isle!
*Rom moves in for a kiss.*
**Player**: Oh!
**Player**: Ugh...
**Player**: Ugh... (Stops resisting)
*Continue to Trifle - Hometown*

**-Intimacy Level 13**

*Two weeks after Rancor invaded Never Isle...*
*Inside the Arcana Academy.*
**Rom**: How do you feel, Player?
**Player**: Ugh... I guess I don't feel anything?
**Vundo**: All of our instruments show that you are cured, Player!
**Vundo**: The essence of the flux deficiency is one form that Rancor's energy takes.
**Vundo**: We used the shell fragments left behind by Rancor to make an antidote to Rancor's energy.
**Vundo**: This time, the cure will definitely work!
**Rom**: There's only way to know for sure if the cure works...
**Player**: Huh? What way is that?
*Just then, Rom rushes forward.*
*He embraces you and gives you a kiss.*
**Player**: Oh!
**Player**: How did that feel, Rom?
**Rom**: It felt great!
*You and Rom embrace one another tightly.*
**Player**: It's really over this time, isn't it?
**Rom**: (smiles)
**Vundo**: That's right. It's over!
**Vundo**: We did some deep research into Rancor. We now have a thorough understanding of flux deficiency.
**Vundo**: Our investigation shows that the restaurant incident was the result of the Defense Force's Flux Investigator and the Shadows to spread flux deficiency in the restaurant and frame you, Player.
**Vundo**: We detected some flux deficiency in Never Isle's water.
**Vundo**: That's why flux deficiency spread all over Never Isle, and recovery was slow. It's because the Shadows poisoned the water supply.
**Vundo**: The airship construction was also infected with flux deficiency, likely because contaminated water was used as coolant.
**Vundo**: Of course, the flux deficiency in the water has been purified.
**Vundo**: It's all over!
**Rom**: No, there's still one thing left to fix!
**Player**: !!
**Rom**: I remember the first time we met in the restaurant.
**Rom**: I told you that I don't like to play coy...
**Player**: Yeah, I remember.
**Rom**: Back then, I wanted to ask you...
**Player**: Player, will you be my boyfriend?
**Player**: And my answer was...
**Player**: Of course!
**Rom**: Oh!
**Rom**: How do you know?
**Player**: (Pets Rom's head)
**Player**: Back then, I could read you like an open book.
**Player**: So that day in the restaurant, I'd already taken you into my heart!
**Rom**: Ugh... You're so bad, Player!
**Rom**: If you knew, why didn't you say anything sooner...
**Player**: I could've said something sooner...
**Player**: But I wanted to hear your official confession!
**Rom**: !!
**Rom**: Player, will you be my boyfriend?
**Player**: I'm already your boyfriend!

**-Intimacy Level 14**

*Night time, a certain bar in Never Isle.*
**Never Isle Official**: Mr. Player, Mr. Rom...
**Never Isle Official**: Never Isle is currently undergoing reconstruction.
**Never Isle Official**: A new airship for you is also under construction, Player.
**Never Isle Official**: Therefore, before the airship is delivered...
**Never Isle Official**: You two should stay here for now!
**Rom**: Wow! This place seems pretty great!
**Never Isle Official**: I hope you two like it. Well then, I'll get out of your hair!
**Player**: Oh, thank you! Thank you!
*Your eyes scan the oversized room, and you touch the massive, soft bed.*
*Fatigue overwhelms you.*
*You lie on the bed and comfortably spread out.*
**Player**: Even though it's all over now...
**Player**: Rancor made a mess of Never Isle, and they're busy with all the reconstruction work!
**Rom**: It's not just reconstruction work!
**Rom**: We negotiated with Never Isle's officials...
**Rom**: In a week, the Arcana Academy plaza, our band will hold a show!
**Rom**: In hard times like these, nothing boosts the spirits like a little great music!
**Player**: You're right! When the time comes, you'll have to perform in front of everyone. Are you nervous?
**Rom**: Haha! What would I be nervous about? It's not the first time I've performed~
**Player**: I guess it'll be a walk in the park for you.
*A while later, after your bath, you and Rom lay on the bed in your towels.*
**Rom**: Ah... This bed's so comfortable. I haven't slept in such a nice bed in...
**Player**: Yeah...
**Rom**: But wouldn't it be a waste to go right to sleep?
**Player**: (smiles)
**Player**: Correct!
*After a brief silence...*
*You and Rom both reach out and grab each other's waists at the same time.*
*Just then, the door opens suddenly.*
**Alcander**: Player, Rom!
**BeeNic**: We're right next door!
**BeeNic**: Wanna play cards?
**Player**: ...
**Rom**: ...
**Player**: Uh... Did you bring any?
**Rom**: Yeah! We came prepared.
*You and Rom grab two red and green striped ice creams...*
**Player**: Ah, you guys are right on time.
**Rom**: I was just about to bring some of this ultimate spicy cilantro ice cream~
**Alcander**: Oh!
**BeeNic**: O-oh. Sorry for bothering you!
**BeeNic**: Let's get outta here!
**Player**: Aye...
*A few moments later...*
**Rom**: Did you close the door chain?
**Player**: Yeah. I also put three chairs behind the door!
**Rom**: Nice! Now, nobody can get in our way!
*You and Rom rip each other's towels off at the same time...*
**Player**: Rom...
**Rom**: Player......
**Rom**: Speaking of which, this is the first time it isn't in the name of treatment!
**Player**: Yes.
*Choice 1.1 - (It's time for me to give you essence...)*
**Player**: You've been giving me essence infusions for a while now, Rom.
**Player**: Whenever someone does me a favor, I like to pay it back tenfold!
**Rom**: Oh! You want to...
*You lean toward Rom, put your right hand on his head, and then lean your mouth up against his ear.*
**Player**: That's right~
**Player**: It's your turn. Time for me to give the essence back~
**Rom**: Ugh... Player...
*You don't wait for Rom to finish before you leap in his direction.*
*Verbally, Rom tries to refuse, but his body tells you something different.*
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Huff... huff... huff...
**Rom**: Ah...Ahhh!!! Player!
**Player**: Phew...I'm coming!
**Rom**: Player......
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Phew~
**Rom**: Ha... ha...
**Rom**: It's totally different when the essence is coming from you, Player!
**Player**: Haha!
**Rom**: Player......
**Rom**: When I first came to Luxium, Alcander told me...
**Rom**: Over time, I'd come to understand this world's charm.
**Rom**: Alcander was right, Player... I can feel it now, this world's unique charm!
*Scene ends*
*Choice 1.2 - (Lie down on the bed and strike a seductive pose...)*
**Rom**: Oh!
**Rom**: Player......
**Player**: What's wrong?
**Rom**: You...
**Rom**: No man could resist seeing you like this!
**Player**: Don't worry, no one but you gets to seem me like this!
**Rom**: (smiles)
**Rom**: In that case, I get to be on top!
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Rom... Oh, oh... Oh!!!
**Rom**: Phew, Player...
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Ha...ha!
**Rom**: Huff, puff...
**Player**: I had no idea... The past few months... You've...
**Player**: You've been holding back!
**Rom**: I wasn't the one who made you go to the Arcana Academy for treatment for a whole week...
**Rom**: I was patient for a whole week. Besides, this is our first official time together, Player. Of course it's going to be different!
**Player**: Ha... Hahaha... Ha...
**Player**: You know, Rom?
**Player**: I don't know what I would've done without you these past few months.
**Player**: There's no way I'm ever going to be able to repay you for your kindness, Rom!
**Rom**: Ah! You're too polite!
**Rom**: You're my man. I only treated you exactly as I should have!
**Rom**: But if you really do want to repay me...
**Player**: Tell me! I'll do whatever you say!
**Rom**: The next time you run into trouble, don't take all the blame on yourself!
**Rom**: I know, you think two steps ahead of me, and you see more than I do...
**Rom**: But I'm your man! When you face something alone, it embarrasses me!
**Player**: (smiles)
**Player**: All right. Starting from today, we're in it together, no matter what comes our way!
*Scene ends*

### Dates

**This section contains spoilers for Date scenes.**

**Advice**

**-Intro**

*Airship bridge...*
**Rom**: Player!
**Rom**: Pretty fantastic weather today!
**Rom**: Let's go find something fun to do on the island!
**Player**: Huh? Find something fun to do?
**Player**: We'd better not...
**Player**: We don't want to go out and infect others with flux deficiency.
**Rom**: Don't worry about it. The Arcana Academy and the Defense Force will send people to protect you.
**Player**: It's best not to bother them with non-emergencies...
**Rom**: Come on, it'll give them something to do~
**Player**: I still think...
**Rom**: I'm telling you, it's not healthy to stay cooped up inside your cabin on the airship all day.
**Rom**: You gotta go out, take walks, have fun. Maybe it will even help your flux deficiency!
**Rom**: Yeah!
**Rom**: That's right! I'm telling you as your lead physician!
**Rom**: Taking a walk around the island and finding something fun to do with me will be good for your flux deficiency!
**Rom**: Doctor's orders! You gotta follow them!
**Player**: Lead physician...
**Player**: All right! Who am I to disobey a doctor's orders?
*Player and Rom get to the airship bridge to choose a destination*
**Rom**: Hey, this is pretty good!
**Player**: Actually, you're right. This walk is just what I needed.
**Player**: Well then...where do you want to go?
**Rom**: I'll let you pick the destination!
**Rom**: You're a Never Isle local. Let's go somewhere fun!
**Player**: Hmm, somewhere fun...

**-(Let's go to the gym!) - 700 Intimacy**

**Player**: If that's the case, then let's go to the gym and work out!
**Rom**: The gym?
**Player**: Yeah! What you just said was right. I've been cooped up in my cabin on the airship for too long!
**Player**: I can't let myself get fat like a ball!
**Player**: Never Isle's gym isn't just good for working out. There's also lots of eye candy there...
**Player**: Also, BeeNic bathes there every day.
**Player**: We can invite him to eat and hang out with us after we're done working out!
**Rom**: Hey... That is a good idea!
**Rom**: Perfect timing, too. I need to get these muscles moving!
**Player**: Of course!
**Rom**: Speaking of...
**Rom**: Even though BeeNic forgot me when he lost his memory...
**Rom**: He certainly didn't forget the importance of going to the gym often and staying in shape.
**Rom**: He's obsessed...
**Player**: You can lose your mind, but you can't lose your muscles! Haha!

**-(Let's go singing!) - 700 Intimacy**

**Player**: Wanna go out for some karaoke?
**Player**: A new karaoke place opened near the Alcander Divination House.
**Player**: I've heard their stereo setup is fantastic!
**Rom**: Okay!
**Rom**: I had no idea Never Island also had karaoke!
**Rom**: I'm not a great singer, but I do love to sing!
**Rom**: Do they have private rooms there?
**Player**: I heard they do!
**Rom**: Sweet...
**Rom**: Hold on...
**Rom**: You said it's next to the Divination House?
**Player**: Yeah. Why?
**Rom**: Wait! If it's next to the Divination House...
**Rom**: I can't help but suspect that the fortune teller himself opened the karaoke!
**Player**: So? We'll just have Alca join us for a song or two!
**Rom**: If he does join us, I'm afraid there won't be anything for us to do!
**Player**: Haha, we'll talk about it once we get there. If we keep delaying, there won't be any deluxe rooms left!

**-(Let's have a cookout outside the city!) - 900 Intimacy**

**Player**: How about a change of scenery?
**Player**: Why don't we go outside the city and have a cookout?
**Rom**: (Eyes brighten up) Yeah! A cookout would be great!
**Rom**: The Defense Force and the Arcana Academy won't need to follow us around if we're outside the city!
**Rom**: It'll just be the two of us. I'll let you try my famous stonegrilled steak!
**Rom**: I guarantee you'll love it!
**Player**: Huh? You know how to cook, Rom? Well then, I'm really looking forward to it!
**Rom**: And, once we've finished eating steak, we can...
**Rom**: Oh yeah!
**Rom**: Explore the forest~

**Night Sky**

**-Intro**

*Hottie Bar, Airship.*
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Gulp... (Finishes the last bit of wine in his glass)
**Rom**: Another Night Sky, please!
**Player**: Oh?
**Player**: That's Rom!
**Player**: It looks like something's bothering him...
**Player**: (Go and ask him...)
**Rom**: Player!
**Rom**: What are you still doing up this late?
**Player**: I'm getting ready for bed, but I wanted to take a shower.
**Player**: Then I ran into you here.
**Player**: Seems like you've had a lot to drink.
**Player**: Is something troubling you?
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: I might as well tell you...
**Rom**: Player, I don't think I'm an annoying guy.
**Player**: Of course not. Why do you say that?
**Rom**: Today, I went to see if BeeNic wanted to hang out.
**Rom**: But he looked like he didn't want to.
**Player**: Didn't want to?
**Rom**: He said he had a meeting with a private trainer and that we'd have to do it some other day.
**Rom**: And Alcander bro...
**Rom**: Even though he had me go to his Divination House to study to be a Diviner...
**Rom**: But he's always so busy. Besides divination, he also takes commissions from the Oathblades and goes exploring...
**Rom**: He doesn't even bring me along, most of the time.
**Player**: Is that so...
**Rom**: You know why I like to drink Night Sky so much, Player?
**Rom**: It's because Night Sky reminds me of a drink we used to have back in our world!
**Rom**: Before, the three of us would lie on the roof, look up at the night sky, and drink together.
**Rom**: Now, BeeNic's forgotten about me, and Big Bro is living his own life...
**Rom**: I'm afraid we can never go back to those times.
**Player**: Rom...

**-(Tell Rom to stop dwelling on unpleasant things.) - 500 Intimacy**

**Player**: Don't think so much, Rom!
**Player**: Alcander and BeeNic aren't trying to shut you out on purpose!
**Player**: I think BeeNic really did have a meeting with a private trainer.
**Player**: You know how obsessed he is with working out.
**Player**: And Alcander...
**Player**: I think he probably doesn't want to involve you in anything dangerous.
**Player**: It's his way of protecting you!
**Rom**: But in the world we came from, no matter how dangerous it was, we would...
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Oh!
**Rom**: You just said you were on your way to the shower, didn't you...
**Rom**: I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hold you up!
**Rom**: I'll be going now.
**Player**: (Seems like Rom is still feeling bad...)

**-(Accompany Rom.) - 900 Intimacy**

**Player**: Then I'm going to have a glass of Light of Light~
**Rom**: Oh!
**Rom**: Weren't you going to shower?
**Player**: I'll have a glass with you first, then go shower.
**Rom**: Uh huh...
**Player**: Rom, remember back when you first came to Luxium...
**Player**: You remember what Alcander said to you?
**Rom**: Which part are you referring to?
**Player**: Wait till you get a good look at this world, then you'll understand its charm!
**Rom**: Yeah, I do remember him saying that.
**Player**: I think, Alcander...
**Player**: Hopes you will experience this world!
**Rom**: Then we can experience it together, just like before...
**Player**: No! That wouldn't be the same!
**Player**: If you experienced it with them, you would only see Luxium through their eyes.
**Player**: Just like this glass of Light of Light. The color you see and the color I see will never be exactly the same!
**Rom**: It's true! From different angles, the color of the liquid does look different!
**Player**: That's how wine is, and more importantly, that's how Luxium is!
**Rom**: !!
**Rom**: So that's why...
**Rom**: That's right. If I went with BeeNic, all I'd see would be his training.
**Rom**: If I went with Big Bro, I'd just see the same things he was seeing.
**Rom**: But right now, what I see is you!
**Player**: What!
**Player**: Rom, are you teasing me?
**Rom**: What do you think?

**-(Take Rom out on the deck to look at the stars.) - 900 Intimacy**

**Player**: You're right. There's no way to return to the days of the past!
**Rom**: Alas...
**Player**: But standing here drowning in your sorrows isn't going to fix anything!
**Player**: Why don't we start up the airship and take in some scenery?
**Rom**: At this hour?
**Player**: You'll love the feeling of lying on the deck of the airship and looking up at the night sky!
**Player**: When I first came to Luxium, I often thought of the past, and missed the night sky of my hometown...
**Player**: One day, I looked at Luxium's night sky and discovered how clear it is.
**Player**: It's different from my hometown.
**Player**: Then I understood, even the sky is different here.
**Player**: How could life under the sky not be different, as well?
**Rom**: !!
**Player**: Alcander and BeeNic aren't shutting you out.
**Player**: They've found their own lives.
**Player**: They're still your friends, but you need to find your own life in this world, too!
**Rom**: (smiles)
**Rom**: The night sky is different, so the people that we look at it with...
**Rom**: Are also different.
**Rom**: (Rom takes your hand)
**Rom**: I don't wanna wait any longer, Player...
**Rom**: I want to enjoy Luxium's night sky with you, together!

**Invincible Power**

**-Intro**

*Hottie Bar, Airship.*
**Rom**: Hey! Player!
**Rom**: How have you been the past couple of days?
**Rom**: Is your flux deficiency any better?
**Player**: Deficiency...
*Choice 1.1 - (Tell the truth...)*
**Player**: Same as before. I'm not feeling too hot...
**Player**: I feel pretty good the first few days after a treatment...
**Player**: But after a few days, I start to get dizzy and fatigued again.
**Rom**: Hmm... So flux infusions only delay the symptoms.
**Rom**: They don't actually cure flux deficiency.
**Rom**: Anyway, don't worry. Principal Vundo says that he has an idea for how to treat flux deficiency.
**Rom**: In a little while, we just might have a way to treat it~
**Rom**: Until then...
**Rom**: I'm here for you~
**Player**: (smiles)
**Player**: Thank you, Rom~
**Rom**: (smiles)
**Player**: Speaking of which, you've been absorbing flux from the Arcana Nexus lately.
**Player**: And after converting it, you've been using it to treat me.
**Rom**: Yeah, that's right!
**Player**: Same thing, during the battle with the Shadows before...
**Player**: You absorbed the Shadows' flux and converted into power for yourself!
**Rom**: Heh heh, that's the power of the vessel! Pretty cool, right?
**Player**: Can your vessel absorb anyone's flux?
**Rom**: I wouldn't say anyone, for example, there was that time I couldn't absorb that monster's energy. But I can absorb most people's, yeah.
**Player**: Which is to say, you could also absorb my flux...
**Rom**: Correct!
**Player**: Uh...
**Rom**: Haha, I'm just joking. I would only absorb the power of bad guys as punishment!
**Player**: When you put it that way, you could cause an enemy's attacks to become useless.
**Player**: Then wouldn't that make you invincible?
**Rom**: I don't know if I'd literally be invincible, but...
**Rom**: I'd be pretty strong!
**Player**: (surprised)
*Choice 1.2 - (Hide the truth...)*
**Player**: Thanks to you, I feel a lot better!
**Rom**: I'm glad you're better...
**Rom**: All my hard work the past few days hasn't been for nothing!
**Rom**: In that case, let's extend the treatment intervals.
**Player**: Extend the treatment intervals?
**Rom**: Yeah! The original plan was to give you a flux infusion this evening. Let's just move that back...
**Rom**: To the day after tomorrow!
**Player**: What?!
*Date ends*

**Choice 1.1.1 - You're like a walking nexus~ - 900 Intimacy**

**Rom**: Huh? A...walking nexus?
**Rom**: Uh...Are you saying I look like a crystal?
**Player**: Ha! Ha! Ha!
**Player**: Luxium's nexuses absorb energy from the land and convert it to flux.
**Player**: And Luxium's civilizations have used this flux to develop into what it's today.
**Player**: Your power is like that...
**Player**: Yet you've never thought to use it to conquer and plunder. You use your power to help and protect people, instead.
**Player**: Isn't that what a nexus does?
**Player**: I'm standing upright, precisely because you protected me.
**Rom**: (smiles)
**Rom**: You're too kind.
**Rom**: What you're really trying to say is I'm just like one of those big crystals they have at the Arcana Academy...
**Rom**: And yet, you've given me praise deserving of a saint.
**Rom**: Let me tell you something. I'm not as good at speaking as you are...
**Rom**: So I'll just be your personal lead physician instead!
**Player**: (smiles)
**Rom**: Speaking of which...
**Rom**: Today's treatment...

**Choice 1.1.2 - So why don't you try to conquer the world? - 500 Intimacy**

**Rom**: What?
**Rom**: Conquer the world?
**Player**: Normally, someone with power that made them practically invincible...
**Player**: Would use it to seize power, wouldn't they?
**Rom**: Am I really such a cliche in your eyes?
**Player**: Uh, that's not what I meant...
**Player**: I just mean, normally!
**Rom**: The strengths and weaknesses of one's power doesn't come from their attributes or their abilities...
**Rom**: But rather, it comes from how they use that power.
**Rom**: To use my vessel as an example...
**Rom**: When it comes to the power to defeat enemies, and to protect you and my friends, the vessel is very powerful!
**Rom**: But if I used it aggressively, it wouldn't be able to help me conquer the world!
**Player**: !!
**Rom**: Besides, ruling the world sounds like it'd be a pain in the ass.
**Rom**: Besides, having fun with Big Bro, BeeNic, and you is better than ruling the world, don't you think?

**Choice 1.1.3 - I'm envious. I'd love to have a power like that. - 700 Intimacy**

**Rom**: Oh?
**Rom**: Are you jealous of my power?
**Rom**: Player...
**Rom**: You wanna suck someone dry?
**Player**: What!
**Player**: What are you talking about...

### Trifle

**This section contains spoilers for the Trifle. Please use a desktop browser for the best viewing experience.**

**Dragon Summon**

The ancient and pure evil lurked in the shadow between worlds and coveted the prosperous Luxium. It only needed a chance.

**-Part 1**

*Somewhere in Luxium.*
*In a dark underground temple, a Shadow Summoner leads a group of Shadow Arcanists in a summoning ritual*
*They all channel their power into a large purple summoning circle, glowing with Shadow Flux*
*Rita approaches the Shadow Summoner*
**Rita**: How is it going?
**Shadow Summoner**: Lady Rita, the array we will use to break through the barriers between worlds is ready.
**Shadow Summoner**: It won't be long before it's up and running!
**Rita**: Yes, good...
**Rita**: Keep a close eye on it. We cannot let anything go wrong!
**Shadow Summoner**: Yes, sir!
*The Shadow Summoner goes to inspect the ritual when a Shadow Soldier Commander comes to Rita*
**Shadow Soldier Commander**: Lady Rita, this is...
**Rita**: It is an array that will summon powerful beings from other worlds.
**Shadow Soldier Commander**: What? We are going to utilize power from another world?
**Rita**: It's because you lot are totally useless!
**Shadow Soldier Commander**: Ugh...
**Rita**: Not only were you thoroughly defeated by a warrior from another world...
**Rita**: But you're impatient! You secretly prepared unfinished summoning arrays, and the warriors you summoned were brainwashed by the Shadowhunters and Never Isle!
**Rita**: You're nothing but a bunch of useless twits!
**Shadow Soldier Commander**: We have failed you, my lady!
**Rita**: Whatever... I don't blame any of you!
**Rita**: Those foreign warriors are indeed powerful. You are no match.
**Rita**: Don't get it wrong, even if your foreign god was here...
**Rita**: He is no more than a bug against the great Shadowlord...
**Rita**: However, I need not trouble our Lord to deal with Never Isle.
**Shadow Soldier Commander**: Of course, because Shadowlord is busy...
**Rita**: It is good you know that.
**Rita**: Never Isle...
**Rita**: Hehe...
**Rita**: It's my fault for indulging you for too long.
*Meanwhile, on board Player's airship...*
*Player, Alcander and BeeNic talk on the airship's bridge*
**BeeNic**: Ugh... What?
**BeeNic**: A...band?
**Alcander**: Yeah!
**Alcander**: The world isn't too safe right now, and there is constant fighting. As a result...
**Alcander**: I want to put together a band. It's something that we can do in our free time, and it will make our friends on Never Isle happy.
**BeeNic**: But I'm tone deaf...
**Player**: Haha, me too. Nobody in the band has any musical talent.
**Player**: The most important thing is that we can all get together and have a good time~
**Player**: Alcander will teach us about the musical stuff!
**BeeNic**: Player is joining, too?
**Alcander**: That's right! Play with us, BeeNic!
**BeeNic**: (smiles)
**BeeNic**: In that case...
*The sound of a large explosion echoes from the distance*
**Alcander**: ...
**BeeNic**: ...
**Player**: Ugh... An explosion?
*Player checks the console*
**Player**: There was an explosion over 100km southeast of the airship's position. The ship itself was not affected.
**Player**: However, that area is a swampy forest. There are no residents there.
**Player**: It's been really hot and humid lately. Perhaps the explosion was caused by methane?
**Alcander**: Would we be able to hear a methane explosion from over a hundred kilometers away?
**BeeNic**: For a methane explosion in Luxium to be so pronounced...
**BeeNic**: Could it be malice?
**Player**: Malice?
**BeeNic**: It's hard to explain...
**BeeNic**: But this feeling makes my hair stand on end.
**Alcander**: This feeling...
**Alcander**: It feels like malice from another world.
**Player**: Now that you mention it, I did sense strange flux coming from the direction of the explosion.
**Alcander**: ...
*At this time, the airship received a message from the Arcana Academy.*
**Player**: Principal Vundo?
**Arcana Academy Message**: Player, this is Vundo. Where are you?
**Player**: In the air about 600km north of Kaigon.
**Arcana Academy Message**: Oh! Return to Never Isle immediately!
**Arcana Academy Message**: I repeat, Player, return to Never Isle immediately!
**Player**: Principal Vundo?
**BeeNic**: ...
**Arcana Academy Message**: Just now, Arcana Academy's flux detector discovered...
**Arcana Academy Message**: A disturbance in Luxium's flux.
**Player**: A flux disturbance...
**Player**: Is someone new coming to Luxium again?
**Alcander**: !
**Alcander**: ...
**Player**: But someone crossing over into Luxium is a pretty normal phenomenon.
**Arcana Academy Message**: No, this disturbance was deliberate!
**Arcana Academy Message**: According to our calculations, this act took place just over 100km to the northeast of your current position!
**Player**: Over 100km to the northeast?
**BeeNic**: !!
**Arcana Academy Message**: Never Isle, the Shadowhunters, and the White Capes are not capable of doing this. I'm afraid that would be...
**Player**: Shadows!
**Arcana Academy Message**: If the Shadows forced their way through the barrier between worlds, everything around them may be sucked into the rift!
**Arcana Academy Message**: The Arcana Academy is preparing its response. You are in great danger! Return to Never Isle immediately!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: All right, understood.
**Alcander**: No!
**Player**: Alcander?
**Alcander**: I can't go back!
**Alcander**: The malice from the other world is becoming more and more prominent, even as we speak.
**Alcander**: Which means the Shadows are bringing something unimaginable to Luxium!
**Alcander**: I need to go stop them!
**Arcana Academy Message**: Listen, Alcander, I know how capable you are.
**Alcander**: So since you know how capable I am, you know that I can handle this!
**Alcander**: It will take time for the source of the malice to fully make its way into Luxium.
**Alcander**: And right now, I'm the one closest to their location!
**Alcander**: If the Shadows really do summon something into Luxium, it will be too late!
**Arcana Academy Message**: But...
**Alcander**: Don't worry. BeeNic's here. All I need is for Player to take me there...
**Alcander**: When we get there, BeeNic will use his ability to take Player and himself back to Never Isle!
**Player**: !!
**Player**: Principal Vundo, I'm here with Alcander!
**Player**: It would be too dangerous for Alcander to do it alone!
**BeeNic**: I'll go with you!
**Alcander**: BeeNic!
**BeeNic**: I've spent enough time hanging around Never Isle. I don't often get a chance to go out and get some fresh air. I'm not ready to go back just yet!
**BeeNic**: Besides, we're in a band together!
**Player**: (smiles)
**BeeNic**: Don't worry, Principal.
**BeeNic**: I'm here, so if they run into any danger, I'll be able to bring them back.
**Arcana Academy Message**: Ugh...
**Arcana Academy Message**: If your hearts are set on this, then I can't stop you.
**Arcana Academy Message**: We haven't been able to get our hands on much information.
**Arcana Academy Message**: The Arcana Academy will draw up some countermeasures as soon as we can and send reinforcements your way!
**Arcana Academy Message**: Remember, safety is paramount!
**Player**: Okay!
**Arcana Academy Message**: Arcana Academy out!
**Player**: We've changed course. Let's go see what those Shadows are plotting!
**Alcander**: It's adventure time!
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: We've already reached the airspace above the target area.
**BeeNic**: Yeah, I'm starting to get chills down my spine.
**Alcander**: Yeah, you're right. This doesn't feel good.
**Player**: The airship's detector has discovered many Shadow bases in the forest in addition to a Shadow signal.
**Alcander**: They knew we'd be coming.
**BeeNic**: However, we're running out of time. We have to find the Shadow summoning array ASAP.
**Player**: There are lots of Shadows gathering in an otherwise unremarkable clearing.
**Alcander**: Ha! There's more to this place than meets the eye.
*A few moments later...*
*Two Shadow Soldiers stand guard at stone dais*
**Shadow Soldier A**: (Yawn...)
**Shadow Soldier A**: We've been defending this place for several days now.
**Shadow Soldier A**: So boring...
**Shadow Soldier B**: Hey now, cheer up!
**Shadow Soldier B**: Don't forget, we're here on a very important mission!
**Shadow Soldier A**: Oh, come on.
**Shadow Soldier A**: Do you really believe what the captain says?
**Shadow Soldier B**: If the captain says it's an important mission, then it's an important mission!
*As the two are talking, BeeNic quietly zaps behind them*
**Shadow Soldier A**: This important mission you speak of... Are you referring to watching the sky here?
**Shadow Soldier B**: Well...
**BeeNic**: Hey, there's something here...
**Shadow Soldier B**: Of course! The captain's orders are never...
**Shadow Soldier B**: Whoa!
*The two soldiers finally notice BeeNic*
**BeeNic**: Do you mind if I ask you guys a couple questions?
*The area around BeeNic suddenly fills with a bright light*
**Shadow Soldier A**: Whoa!
**Shadow Soldier B**: Aargh!
*Once the light fades, BeeNic and the two soldiers are nowhere to be seen*
*At that time, Player and Alcander run up to the stone dais*
**Alcander**: How are you, Player?
**Player**: The Shadows to the east of the base were dealt with before they could notify anyone.
**Alcander**: Great! I dealt with the Shadows in the west.
**Alcander**: This oughta delay the other Shadows for a while.
*BeeNic regroups back to Player and Alcander*
**Player**: Did you learn anything, BeeNic?
**BeeNic**: The two Shadow soldiers only said that their orders were to watch the sky.
**Alcander**: Then the Shadow summoning ceremony's portal must be nearby!
**BeeNic**: But there's nothing here.
**Player**: Hmmm.
**Player**: Oh!
*Player checks some of the stone structures around them*
**Player**: There are signs that a portal's been used here.
**BeeNic**: A portal? This must be the entrance!
**BeeNic**: Is there a way to bring back the portal?
**Player**: Principal Vundo taught me a thing or two about this...
**Player**: I'll try my best!
**Player**: Hmm... The reconstruction arcana should be...
**Player**: ...
**Player**: What!
**BeeNic**: Player, what's the matter?
**Player**: I think I've got it...
*Player activates the portal which begins to glow in the center of the dais*
**Alcander**: Great! I expected as much of you, Player!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: (This was a little too easy...)
**Alcander**: Hmm... the detectors I left nearby are activating... the Shadows are surrounding us!
**BeeNic**: We need to hurry up!
**Player**: (I don't have time to think...)
**Player**: Get ready! I am going to activate the array!
*In an instant, the portal glows bright and teleports the three somewhere deep underground*
*Somewhere underground...*
*Some Shadow Arcanists talk with some Shadow Soldiers waiting for the summoning ritual to complete*
**Shadow Arcanist**: Lady Rita's plan is about to come to fruition, I must make sure nothing can go wrong...
**Shadow Arcanist**: ... ?
*The entrance portal begins to glow next to them*
**Shadow Arcanist**: Why is the array being activated?
*The portal flashes and teleports Player, Alcander and BeeNic right in front of the group*
**Shadow Arcanist**: What!
**Alcander**: Feel the rage of the Lion King!
*Alcander uses Flash Meteor and quickly dispatches the Shadow*
**BeeNic**: This way!!
*BeeNic zaps further inside the underground temple*
**Player**: BeeNic! Watch out!
**Alcander**: Move!
*At the summoning circle...*
**Rita**: ...
**Blood-curdling Cry**: Woahhhh!!!
*Rita turns around to find that BeeNic defeated the Shadow forces guarding the summoning ritual*
**Rita**: (angry)
**BeeNic**: ...
**Rita**: The annoying insects from Never Isle... so, you've arrived.
**Rita**: Ambush Squad!
*Various Shadow Arcanists and Soldiers appear in a puff of smoke*
**BeeNic**: That's all people you got?
*The Arcanists trap BeeNic and a Shadow array*
**BeeNic**: What!
**Rita**: Your time ability can only interact with real things; but when against Arcana, you are powerless!
**Rita**: Kneel!
**BeeNic**: Hmm...
**Alcander**: What about us?!
*Lion King Alcander uses his flames to burn the arcanists and soldiers, freeing BeeNic*
**Rita**: !!
**Player**: Rita!
**Rita**: So, BeeNic was just a bait...
**Alcander**: BeeNic, Player, don't get distracted! We need to find a way to break free and destroy the summoning array!
**Alcander**: I'll fight her!
**Player**: Of course!
**Rita**: Not a chance!
*Rita creates a wall of Shadow Fog around the summoning circle to protect it*
**Rita**: Don't you dare think your meager plans will work.
**Alcander**: Watch me!
*Alcander launches his flames at Rita but Rita doesn't even flinch*
**Player**: Damn it! Alcander's flames can do nothing to her!
**Alcander**: ...
**BeeNic**: I'll teach her a lesson!
*BeeNic attempts to zap to Rita but disappears*
**BeeNic**: She's gone!
**Rita**: Useless tricks!
*Rita teleports in the middle of the three, a mass of Shadow Flux emitting out of her*
**Player**: What!
**Alcander**: Rita was more dangerous than the rumors...
**Rita**: How dare you insects try to fight me!
**Rita**: The pain greater than Death...
**Rita**: ...will devour all of you!
**Player**: Ugh...She's coming!
**BeeNic**: Let's go at once!
*A fierce battle ensues but they can't outmatch Rita*
**Player**: Ugh...
**Rita**: Really? Only this level?
**Player**: Whatever is happening underground is fueling Rita with Shadow Energy!
**Player**: We can't hurt her in this state!
**BeeNic**: The Shadows must have planned it all...
**Alcander**: This foreign evil is getting stronger!
**Alcander**: We need to think of something!
*Sounds of rumbling begin to emanate from the summoning circle*
**Player**: Listen... it's from the summoning circle!
**Shadow Summoner**: I feel it too...
*The Shadow Summoner enters summoning circle and a large dome of energy begins to form*
**Shadow Summoner**: Opposite the summoning circle, I feel something incredibly strong!
**Shadow Summoner**: Lady Rita! The summoning array! The summoning array worked!
**Shadow Summoner**: The warriors of the Other World are advancing onto us!
**Rita**: What?
*Rita turns to look at the summoning circle but senses something wrong*
**Rita**: ...
**Player**: !!
**Player**: (Even though it was only for a moment, but Rita's face...)
**Player**: (She looked surprised too...)
*A mass of energy begins to form in the center of the summoning circle*
**???**: Who dares to disturb my slumber?
**BeeNic**: No!
**Alcander**: Dammit...
*The energy begins to pulse and then burst into a bright light*
*Once the light fades, a muscular man with a red cape and sword stand where the summoning circle used to be*
**???**: Who was it that broke the plane barrier, and pulled me into this world?!
**Shadow Summoner**: It's... it's the Shadowlord!
**???**: Really?
**???**: Thank you.
**???**: This world... I can smell my brother...
**Alcander**: !!
**BeeNic**: This guy is strong, prepare to fight!
**Alcander**: Wait, don't be hasty!
**Player**: ?
**Alcander**: Rom?
**Player**: Alcander... you know him?
**???**: !!
**???**: Bro... Big Bro!
**Alcander**: Rom, it's you!
**Alcander**: You're right on time!
**Alcander**: The Shadows in front of you are the culminations of the sins of the world!
**Alcander**: Help us!
**Rom**: So, you are the villains...
**Rom**: Although it was you who brought me to this world, I feel nothing but gratitude!
**Rom**: But since you are a villain who brings troubles to this world...
**Rom**: Repent!
**Rita**: (angry)
*Rita teleports behind Rom and attacks him with her whip*
*Rom defends against her attacks*
**Rita**: (angry)
**Rom**: Don't sneak up on me!
**Rita**: Stop gawking, okay?
**Rita**: Kill him!
**Shadow Soldier Commander**: But Lady Rita, he's the warrior that we summoned from the Other World...
**Rita**: Listen to my orders!
**Rita**: Kill him!
**BeeNic**: No! He's in danger!
**Player**: Let's go!!
*Player and BeeNic try to get to Rom but the Shadow Fog prevents them to getting closer*
**BeeNic**: I can't get through this Shadow Fog...!
**Alcander**: No worries. It's Rom, Rita can't deal with him!
**Player**: But it's Rita!
**Alcander**: Sure!
**Rita**: Hmph! With the Shadow's strength...
*Rita attacks Rom with her enhanced Shadow powers*
**Rom**: This strength is dangerous...
**Rita**: Oh, you're still alive!
**Rita**: Well then...
*Rita uses an even stronger Flux attack on Rom*
**Rom**: Haha!
**Rita**: What?!
**BeeNic**: It's totally ineffective!!
**Player**: Rom, he... he's absorbing Rita's and the Shadowmage's energy...
**Alcander**: This is the power of Vessel!
**Player**: Vessel?
**Rom**: This power is delicious, thank you!
**Rom**: Now...
**Rom**: It's my turn!
*Rom swings his sword and red lightning bolts rain down on Rita and the Shadow forces*
*Rita is left standing alone*
**Rita**: How dare you hurt me...
**Rita**: How dare you!
*Rita cracks her whip and a swirling blue light begins to envelop her*
*With the Shadow Fog dispelled by Rom's attack, Player, Alcander and BeeNic run to Rom's side*
**Alcander**: Rom! Rita is absorbing the Shadow Energy from elsewhere!
**Rom**: I see...
**Alcander**: Go cut off the source, I'll fight her!
**Rom**: Alright!
*Rom begins to leave*
**Rita**: Not a chance!
*Rita attempts to stop Rom but is attacked by Player's group*
**Player**: Your opponent is us!
**Rita**: Ahhhhh!!
**Rita**: You insolent little bugs!
*The three continue to attack Rita but she easily fends them off*
*As the battle continues, the blue light surrounding Rita suddenly leaves her*
**Rita**: My strength... why is it...
**Player**: Rita is getting weaker!
**Alcander**: Rom got it!
**BeeNic**: Let's go!!
*The team makes one last coordinated attack and severely weakens Rita*
*Rom makes it back to the group*
**BeeNic**: So, the true form is weak.
**Player**: Thank god we have Rom!
**Rom**: Haha, Lady Rita, thank you for the crystal energies that you have hidden underground...
**Rom**: ... it was very delicious!
**Rita**: Ugh...
**Rita**: Stupid ants, did you really think you won?
**Rita**: Hah! We succeeded; you lost.
**BeeNic**: You already lost, okay?
**Rom**: Haha! Sis, just shut up! Have you ever heard...
**Rom**: You villains talk too much!
**Rita**: Even if I die...
**Rita**: ... I will not let go of any of you!
**Player**: Damn!
**Player**: Be careful!
*Rita makes what looks like one last desperate attack but it was just a feint to allow her to teleport away*
**BeeNic**: Ah! Rita...
**Rom**: She's gone!
**Alcander**: She was bluffing, and now she has disappeared!
**Player**: I can't sense where Rita is...
**Player**: She ran!
**Alcander**: ...
**BeeNic**: At least we were able to stop this catastrophe.
**Alcander**: Yes.
*Alcander returns back to his Half Beast form*
**Alcander**: Rom, I can't believe they still managed to summon the Shadows...
**Alcander**: It's you!
**Rom**: Big Bro!
*Rom hugs Alcander tightly...*
**Alcander**: Alright, alright, it's okay...
**Rom**: And BeeNic!
*Rom holds BeeNic in arms...*
**Rom**: When both of you disappeared, I became so panicked!
**BeeNic**: !!
**BeeNic**: You...you know me?
**Rom**: Oh?
**Rom**: It's just been a few days, but BeeNic, you, you already forgot about me?
**BeeNic**: Sorry...
**BeeNic**: I have lost my memories ever since I got here...
**BeeNic**: I can't remember anything of the past...
**BeeNic**: However, thank god that I can find someone who knows me!
**Rom**: What? BeeNic is...
**Rom**: Perhaps if we return to our world, BeeNic's memories will rush back to him!
**Rom**: Alcander, brother! Let us return!
**Alcander**: Rom, why are you in such a hurry?
**Rom**: Oh?
**Rom**: Brother, don't you want to return to our world?
**Alcander**: There's still some unfinished business...
**Alcander**: I can't go yet.
**Rom**: Brother!
**Rom**: What about BeeNic? If we return to our world, he may get his memory back.
**BeeNic**: I'm not going back, too.
**Rom**: !!
**BeeNic**: In Luxium, I found something more important than my past!
**Rom**: BeeNic... not you too...
**Alcander**: It's okay, Rom!
**Alcander**: Then, let's spend some time here and see this world...
**Alcander**: You might understand its charm.
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Fine...
**Rom**: I can't believe you are saying this too...
**Alcander**: (smiles)
**Alcander**: Come on, Player, it's time to formally introduce yourself.
**Alcander**: This is Rom. My best friend back in our world; we've been inseparable since childhood!
**Rom**: Hehe!
**Alcander**: This is me and BeeNic's BFF, Player!
**Rom**: BFF...
**Player**: I am Player, Nice to meet you!
**Player**: Thanks to Rom, we made it alive.
**Rom**: Haha, it was nothing! Don't mention it.
**BeeNic**: No wonder why the Shadows were looking for you, you are the one they summoned over!
**Player**: Hahaha!
**Player**: The Shadow...
**Player**: Speaking of which... Rom appeared when the Shadow Summoning array was activated...
**Player**: Rita's face looked a bit weird...
**Alcander**: Weird?
**Player**: She was shocked, she didn't expect that the summoning would work...
**Alcander**: I noticed it too now that you've mentioned it.
**BeeNic**: That being said, when I'm with Rom, I don't have the scary feeling back then...
**Player**: Then... what's the foreign evil Alcander mentioned...
**Alcander**: ...
**Rom**: !!
**Player**: Rom, what did you see??
**Rom**: Somebody is approaching us... and there are a lot of them!
**BeeNic**: It can't be the Shadows from the forest...
**Alcander**: Prepare to fight!
*Markus, Miles and the Oathblades reach Player's party*
**Player**: It's the Oathblades!
**BeeNic**: The Never Isle support is here!
**Markus**: Player, Alcander, BeeNic! Are you all right?
**Player**: Yup! We're fine!
**Rom**: Sorry, not the villains...
**Alcander**: ... Thank god! It's our friends from Never Isle!
**Miles**: Commander! This man has strong Shadow flux in him!
**Markus**: !!
**Markus**: You're... a Shadow!?
**Rom**: Me?
**BeeNic**: No! He's not a Shadow, he's our friend!
**BeeNic**: We drove Rita's Shadow Army away with him!
**Miles**: But... his shadow flux levels are greater than Rita's!
**Alcander**: Commander, wait!
**Alcander**: When we were fighting, Rom absorbed all of flux inside the crystal...
**Markus**: Absorbed the shadow flux?
**Miles**: He might have been corrupted!
**Player**: Wait!
*You tell the Oathblades what happened...*
**Markus**: So, you're the one the Shadows summoned.
**Markus**: Alcander's BFF...
**Alcander**: Correct!
**Markus**: Hahahaha!
**Markus**: Rom, the Oathblades have misunderstood you!
**Markus**: Sorry about that; when we return to Never Isle, I'll treat you as many drinks as you want!
**Rom**: Ugh... At least the problem is solved.
**Markus**: Miles, hand me the Connecting Crystal, let us call Never Isle!
**Miles**: Yes, sir!
**Rom**: Those Warriors... seem to trust you.
**Player**: Me?
**Rom**: Yes.
**Player**: They're the Oathblades, we together have experienced a lot...
**Rom**: That Commander... seems very strong.
**Player**: Haha, that...
*Markus suddenly shouts while talking to the Connecting Crystal*
**Markus**: What did you say?!
**Markus**: Okay, understood! The Oathblades will continue their investigation!
**Player**: Commander, what's wrong?
**Markus**: The Arcana Academy just sent in some news. The energy that was tearing the plane barrier of Luxium still remains.
**Markus**: And the energy hasn't even reduced by a bit!
**Alcander**: !!
**BeeNic**: What?
**Player**: But, we beat Rita, and stopped the summoning array, how...
*The rumbling sounds from earlier come back*
**BeeNic**: !!
**Alcander**: ...
**Rom**: Big Bro, did you feel that?
**Alcander**: The evil energy...
**BeeNic**: It's getting stronger!
**Alcander**: The source is right below us!
**Player**: Right below us?
**Player**: Rita...
*Player remembers Rita's words before she left*
**Rita**: Those stupid insects, did you really think you've won the battle?
**Rita**: We've already reached our goal; you lost!
**Player**: Rita and her troops... were they just delaying us for something else!?
**Alcander**: She was just a bait, too!
**BeeNic**: We haven't seen it, but it already makes me feel super uncomfortable...
**BeeNic**: Just what are the Shadows trying to summon over?
**Rom**: ...
**Markus**: Don't worry!
**Markus**: No matter what the Shadows are trying to summon..
**Markus**: ...we'll push them back!
**Oathblades Warrior**: Rrragh!
**Alcander**: You're right!
**Alcander**: We'll push them back!
**Markus**: (smiles)
**Oathblades**: Commander! We've found the passage to the underground.
**Markus**: Good!
**Markus**: Oathblades! Prepare to attack!!
*Meanwhile, somewhere deep underground...*
*Five Shadow Demons stand guard*
**Shadow Demon**: Rita's troops have been routed...
**Shadow Demon**: We need to remain on guard!
*BeeNic zaps in the middle of the demons*
**Shadow Demon**: The enemy is approaching!
*As they are distracted, Rom calls forth lightning to defeat the demons*
**Rom**: A New Power Arrives!
**Shadow Demon**: Wow!
**Shadow Demon**: Why...
**Shadow Demon**: This... dark thunder energy...
**Shadow Reinforcements**: The enemy is attacking! Hurry!
**Rom**: (smiles)
*A few moments later...*
*Player's party and the Oathblades continue further into the underground temple*
**Rom**: Haha! I can't believe these enemies dare to block our advances!
**BeeNic**: They are stronger than Rita's troops...
**BeeNic**: Don't let your guard down!
**Alcander**: Yes, we're getting closer to the summoning array of the Shadows!
**Alcander**: Every second counts! Let's keep going!
**???**: Roar!
**Player**: !!
**Player**: What!
*More Shadow forces ambush the group from behind*
**Rom**: Why are there still so many Shadows?!
**Player**: There're too many...
**Player**: We can't fight them head-on...
**Alcander**: Ugh...
**Markus**: Oathblades, defense formations!
**Rom**: Ugh...What are you doing?
**Markus**: All of you - go down, now! The Oathblades will buy us some time!
**Alcander**: But, the number of enemies outside... even the Oathblades might...
**Markus**: Hah! Don't you dare look down upon us!
**Player**: General!
**Markus**: If we don't fight the Shadows now, we might not be able to reach the bottom!
**Markus**: Then, all of us might die in the battle!
**Markus**: Go! Even if we are to slightly interfere with the summoning of the Shadows, it'll be worth it!
**Markus**: The Oathblades will catch up after we're done with them!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Rom, Alcander, BeeNic, let's go!
**Rom**: But...
**Alcander**: Quick! We need to stop the shadows!
**Rom**: ...
*Player's party continues on*
*A moment later, underground...*
*The Shadow High Summoner speaks with a High Shadow Demon at the second summoning circle*
**High Shadow Demon**: Never Isle... is here...
**High Shadow Demon**: How long will it take?
**High Summoner**: That god... is too powerful...
**High Summoner**: We still need some time to let him enter Luxium...
**High Summoner**: However, a small portion of that god's power has already entered Luxium.
**High Summoner**: This strength is very powerful! Even with such a bit, it'd be able to destroy...
**High Shadow Demon**: Never Isle must fall; the Shadow Lord will not accept any failures! Understood?
*The High Shadow Demon turns around*
**High Shadow Demon**: I feel a strange aura...
**High Shadow Demon**: They're getting closer...
**High Shadow Demon**: Quickly, bring the god to Luxium, I'll hold them back!
**High Summoner**: I understand!
*The Shadow Demon intercepts Player's group*
**High Shadow Demon**: Welcome, warriors of Never Isle.
**High Shadow Demon**: All of you will bear witness to the arrival of god...
**High Shadow Demon**: ...and Never Isle's doom!
**Player**: You are all bark and no bite! We will stop you!
**Player**: Watch me!
**Alcander**: Player, calm down!
**Alcander**: The evil is getting too strong; whatever being they're trying to summon is about to fully enter Luxium!
**Alcander**: This guy is delaying us...
**Alcander**: Me and BeeNic will find a way to deal with him.
**Alcander**: You and Rom! Go break the array!
**Rom**: But Big Bro...
**Alcander**: There's no but! We have no more time. Go, now!
**Player**: Understood!
**Player**: Rom, let's go!
**BeeNic**: I'll send you guys over there, hold onto me!
*BeeNic zaps Player and Rom to the summoning circle*
**High Shadow Demon**: Where are you running to?
*In a burst of flames, Alcander transforms*
**Alcander**: Your opponent is me!
**High Shadow Demon**: ...
*BeeNic zaps back to Alcander*
**BeeNic**: And me!
**High Shadow Demon**: (with an angry roar...)
*Meanwhile...*
**Rom**: Villains, your game is over!
*Rom and Player defeat the Shadow Summoner and arcanists but the summoning circle still glows with an ominous power*
**Rom**: Didn't we already kill the summoner, then why is the array...
**Player**: The summoning has already reached its final stage, it doesn't need the summoner's help anymore...
**Rom**: You're joking?!
**Rom**: Was all of our efforts for nothing?
**Player**: Yeah... we need to find another way to deactivate the array...
*Dark streams of energy begin to emerge from the center of the summoning circle*
**???**: Who's summoning... me?
**Rom**: Did you guys hear that?
**Player**: The being they were summoning is about to come... were we too late?
**Rom**: If we break this summoning array, won't it stop the being?
**Player**: That's right. We don't have time to think of the array's structure or any strategies anymore!
**Rom**: I have an idea!
**Player**: What are you doing, Rom?
**Rom**: Heh heh...
*Rom runs to the center of the summoning circle*
**Rom**: Ahhhhhhh!
**Player**: The flux... is flowing to Rom!
**Player**: Is he trying to absorb all the flux into him?
**Player**: Incredible!
**???**: How can a mere mortal like you stop the summoning?
**Rom**: I need to try! Who knows, it might work!
**Rom**: Wow!
**Rom**: The energy isn't pure, you might catch something weird!
**Rom**: Ahhh... There's no time to care that much! Get in my belly!
**Player**: The flux from the summoning array is integrating with the power from the Shadow Summons, it might cause a big effect...
**Player**: I need to go help him!
*Player joins Rom and the summoning circle blinks out of existence*
**???**: This is...
**???**: Mere mortals... possessing such a sacred relic...
**???**: This strength!!
**Rom**: !!
**Rom**: The array! How did you do it?
*Look at the Wheel of Fate's light...*
**Player**: Wheel of Fate... it's reacting to the shadows!
**???**: Hahahaha!
**Player**: Be careful!
**Player**: That thing is still here!
**???**: Not bad...
**???**: But your struggles only serve to delay your deaths!
**Rom**: Enough, are these your last words?
**Rom**: I get it, I get it! Now, go die!
*Although there is nothing in front of you...*
*You feel a huge stream of unfamiliar energy gathering in front of you...*
**Player**: !!
**Player**: Rom, look out!
*Player pushes Rom away just as a big explosion goes off, knocking Player out*
*...*
*...*
*Later, Alcander looks over Player's unconscious form*
*Around them stand the Oathblades*
**Alcander**: Player, please wake up! Player!
**Player**: Ugh...
**Alcander**: Player!
*Player gets up*
**Player**: Al......Alcander?
**Player**: Alcander! What's happening to me......
**Player**: Where's Rom...?
**Rom**: I'm okay! I'm fine!
*A red mist begins to approach the group*
**Oathblades Warrior**: Commander! The mist, the toxic mist is approaching!
**Player**: Toxic mist? What's happening?
**Rom**: At the last second, the thing the Shadows summoned exploded...
**Rom**: And it emitted some red gas...
**Alcander**: We don't know the composition of the gas, but we know whoever inhales the gas will pass out instantly...
**Alcander**: BeeNic is attempting to speed himself up and move extremely fast to generate some wind to blow away the mist, but...
*Player see's BeeNic's unconscious body*
**Player**: BeeNic...
**Rom**: It's my fault...
**Rom**: I can't absorb and convert the toxic mist...
**Alcander**: No, no, it's not your fault.
**Player**: We need to get out of here first...
**Rom**: The rocks, the explosion just blocked our exit...
**Alcander**: The Commander and the Oathblades are cleaning the rocks, but the progress...
**Player**: The toxic mist is nearing us!
**Player**: We went a long way to be here...
**Player**: Are we really going to be trapped here by mere rocks?
**Rom**: ...
**Alcander**: Rom, you can transform into a leopard, can't you?
**Alcander**: With the leopardman's agility, you might be able to carry us over the rocks...
**Rom**: If I could, I would have done so earlier!
**Rom**: While we were fighting early, I tried to transform, but to no avail...
**Rom**: I think my leopardman's strength probably remains in the original world!
**Alcander**: What are we going to do?
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Found it!
**Rom**: Hey, Player...
**Rom**: With this Vessel, we can create a wind field, and we'll be safe in the wind field...
**Rom**: However, this wind field can only shelter three people.
**Alcander**: No! If we drain this Vessel's energy, you'll be in danger!
**Rom**: I'm fine with it!
**Rom**: If I can buy some time for you guys...
**Player**: No! This will only delay the inevitable...
**Player**: Not just you, Alcander, BeeNic, and the Oathblades!
**Player**: All of us need to return to Never Isle together!
**Player**: There must be another way!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: The Wheel of Fate!
**Player**: The Wheel of Fate reacted to the energy of the summoned creature back then...
**Player**: Even the summoner back there didn't expect the Wheel of Fate's power...
**Player**: In that case...
*Player approaches the red mist*
**Rom**: What are you going to do?
**Player**: I have a plan!
**Player**: The Wheel of Fate! Please!
*Player holds the Wheel of Fate in front of the mist*
*The relic begins to suck in the strange energy*
**Rom**: Player is absorbing the toxic mist...
**Player**: Nice! It's working!
*A few moments later...*
**Oathblades Warrior**: The density of the toxin in air has already lowered to the safe level...
**Oathblades Warrior**: We're safe!
**Markus**: Player! Come on!!
**Player**: Ha... ha...
**Player**: It's alright, I'm okay~
**Player**: But I'm a little dizzy...
**Everyone**: Player!!
*Player collapses*
**???**: My name is Rancor...
**???**: I will bring an end to your world...
*Continue to Intimacy Level 4*

**Fading Flux**

What was supposed to be a pleasant date led to the beginning of a betrayal...

**-Part 1**

*Rom invited Player to a meal at a nice restaurant*
*Suddenly, in the middle of their meal...*
**???**: Ahh!!!
**Player**: !!
**Rom**: !!
*A waiter screams after finding four unconscious customers on the ground*
**Player**: Huh?!
**Rom**: This is...
*Rom and Player get up from their table*
**Player**: Rom, let's talk later, okay?
**Rom**: Haha, I understand!
**Rom**: To quietly listen to me in a situation like this...
**Rom**: Just wouldn't be like you!
**Player**: (smiles)
*Player checks on the customers*
**Player**: They've all lost consciousness. Could it be food poisoning?
**Rom**: Hmm, I'll go take a look, too.
*Rom gets closer to the customers but then suddenly stops in his tracks*
**Rom**: Ugh, this feeling...
**Rom**: It's not food poisoning!
**Rom**: You mean...
**Rom**: That's...not possible!
**Rom**: No!
*Player talks to the waiter*
**Player**: What's wrong?
**Waiter**: I don't know...
**Waiter**: Nobody knows why, but they suddenly fainted...
**Player**: It looks like it might be food poisoning.
**Player**: (But if it's food poisoning, I haven't felt it yet...)
*Player bends down to look at one of the customers more closely*
**Player**: (Maybe I just got lucky?)
**Rom**: Player, don't touch them!!
**Player**: !!
**Rom**: You didn't touch them, did you, Player?
**Player**: Not yet. What's wrong?
**Rom**: Good...
*Rom grabs you by the hand.*
**Player**: What's the deal?
**Rom**: Player......
**Rom**: I'm afraid they have flux deficiency...
**Player**: Flux deficiency?!
**Player**: How is that possible?
**Rom**: I don't know...
**Rom**: Lately, I've been studying flux deficiency...
**Rom**: There's no mistaking it!
**Player**: Hmmm...
**Player**: We need to tell Principal Vundo...
**Player**: And then lock down...
**???**: Lock down the restaurant! Set up a quarantine!
**???**: Don't let a single person leave!
**Rom**: !!
*Rom and Player look at the entrance and sees Mira and many Defense Force warriors*
**Player**: Mira?
**Mira**: Player?
**Mira**: What are you doing here? You signed an agreement!
**Rom**: Hold on! The situation here has nothing to do with Player!
**Rom**: Player's already recovered from his flux deficiency!
**Mira**: He's already recovered?
**Rom**: Yesterday at the Arcana Academy, we completed Player's treatment!
**Rom**: The Arcana Academy has already sent the relevant documents to the Defense Force!
**Mira**: Documents from the Arcana Academy?
**Defense Force Warrior**: The Arcana Academy did send some documents over yesterday...
**Defense Force Warrior**: But you've been so busy lately, Captain, we...
**Mira**: ...
**Mira**: I see...
**Mira**: I'm sorry, Player, Rom.
*Mira takes a look around.*
**Mira**: You two were here when the customers lost consciousness, correct?
**Player**: Yeah. Rom and I were eating here at the time.
**Mira**: Could you two please describe what happened?
**Player**: Sure thing...
*You tell Mira what you saw.*
**Mira**: Detectives, take samples from the food and the environment.
**Mira**: We might have a serious case of food poisoning on our hands!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Got it!
**Player**: Hold on, Mira!
**Player**: According to Rom's analysis...
**Rom**: (surprised)
**Rom**: According to my analysis, what happened here has nothing to do with us!
**Rom**: Can we go back now?
**Player**: Rom?
**Mira**: You two can leave.
**Mira**: But later on, I'll need you to come to the Defense Force and give an official statement.
**Mira**: I hope I can count on your cooperation.
**Rom**: Of course, of course!
**Rom**: Now then, we will be leaving...
**Player**: Hold on, Rom.
*Without waiting for you to say anything, Rom grabs you by the hand and takes you out of the restaurant.*
**Mira**: ...
**Mira**: Dispatch a squad to keep an eye on Player from afar.
**Defense Force Warrior**: You don't trust Player, Mira?
**Mira**: No, all he did was sign a contract.
**Mira**: Be careful you're not spotted!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Got it!
**Mira**: ...
*A while later, on the streets of Never Isle.*
**Player**: Wait!
**Rom**: Phew. This should be far enough.
**Player**: What are you doing, Rom?
**Player**: Why did you pull me out of the restaurant? Why didn't you want to explain the situation to Mira?
**Rom**: Because if they knew that those customers were actually suffering from flux deficiency...
**Rom**: Would they have let us go?
**Player**: But by hiding the truth, we're obstructing the Defense Force's investigation!
**Rom**: Then we'll obstruct their investigation!
**Rom**: I think we're being targeted!
**Player**: We're being...targeted?
**Rom**: Didn't you think Mira and the Defense Force responded a little too quickly?
**Rom**: Think about it. Everyone around you suddenly develops flux deficiency. Who are they gonna suspect?
**Rom**: I think this is all a trap set by Mira!
**Player**: Uh... Mira doesn't have a reason to hurt me, does she?
**Player**: However, the Defense Force's response time was a little strange.
**Player**: The Defense Force got there before we even had a chance to notify Principal Vundo.
**Player**: Everyone else was still trying to process what was happening before their eyes.
**Player**: Even if someone did notify the authorities immediately...
**Rom**: The Defense Force got there at just the right time!
**Rom**: It's very suspicious!
**Player**: But this doesn't prove the Defense Force was targeting me...
**Player**: Besides, I know Mira. She wouldn't do something like this!
**Rom**: Maybe Mira and the Defense Force aren't targeting you on purpose, maybe they're being used!
**Rom**: In short, for the time being, we should do our best to stay away from the Defense Force.
**Player**: Yeah, that makes sense.
**Player**: What a strange situation...
**Player**: Let's go back to the Arcana Academy and tell Principal Vundo what happened.
**Player**: Then we'll decide what to do next.
**Rom**: Yeah! We can trust Principal Vundo!
*Later, in front of the Arcana Academy.*
*You suddenly feel very dizzy.*
**Rom**: Are you okay, Player?
**Player**: ...
**Player**: I'm fine. Maybe it's because we were in such a hurry, I'm out of breath.
**Rom**: In a hurry?
**Rom**: I bet it's because you've been spending too much time in your cabin on the airship lately, Player~
**Rom**: You should come work out with me tomorrow!
**Player**: Okay! When this is over, we'll go together!
*Vundo is meeting with some of the Academy staff when Player and Rom interrupt him*
**Vundo**: The afternoon meeting is very important. Remember to put it on the schedule...
**Player**: Principal Vundo!
**Vundo**: Player?
**Vundo**: How have you been the past couple of days? Have you had any discomfort?
**Rom**: We're fine...
**Rom**: But there are others on Never Isle who have developed symptoms of flux deficiency!
**Vundo**: What?
**Vundo**: What happened?!
**Player**: Principal...
**Player**: Rom and I went to a restaurant today...
**Player**: ...
*Player recounts the events at the restaurant when...*
**Vundo**: And then?
**Player**: ...
*You suddenly black out.*
**Vundo**: Player?
**Rom**: Player! Are you okay?
**Rom**: Player!
*...*
*...*
**???**: Player, Player!
**???**: Wake up!
**???**: Wake up!!
*Player wakes up in the Arcana Nexus*
*Knocked out Defense Force warriors and Academy arcanists are strewn about as if a battle took place recently*
**Player**: Ugh...
**Player**: R-Rom...
**Player**: Rom?
**Player**: What!
**Player**: W...what happened?
**Rom**: They only fainted temporarily. I didn't kill them.
**Player**: Huh? You did this?
**Player**: Why? Why would you do this?
**Rom**: I'll explain it to you in a minute! Come here! We've got to get out of here!
**Player**: Ugh...
*Player attempts to leave the Nexus when he is stopped by a barrier*
**Player**: Oh!
**Rom**: We're too late...
*Mira and her Defense Force along with Vundo and some Academy arcanists enter*
**Mira**: Player, Rom!
**Mira**: Don't move!
**Vundo**: I'm sorry...
**Vundo**: Arcanists! Seal the Nexus!
**Player**: What's going on here?
**Rom**: Everything's okay, Player! Stand behind me...
**Rom**: I'll absorb the array!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Don't move!
**Rom**: Get out of my way!
**Player**: Rom, wait! Don't do it!
**Rom**: They're not my enemies, Player!
**Player**: I know, but I'm begging you, don't do it!
**Player**: Rom, please! Okay?
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: I see...
**Rom**: I won't do anything, just stay back!
**Mira**: Everyone, stop! Don't move!
**Player**: Principal Vundo! Mira! What's going on?
**Player**: Why are you using arcana to seal me inside the Nexus?
**Mira**: Player, you are suspected of spreading flux deficiency.
**Mira**: This has resulted in a large-scale epidemic, and has seriously affected Never Isle's safety.
**Mira**: You're under arrest!
**Player**: Spreading flux deficiency? Large-scale epidemic?
**Rom**: Nonsense! Player has nothing to do with what's happened the past few days!
**Player**: How long was I out? What happened here on the island?
**Vundo**: ...
**Vundo**: You were out for three days...
**Vundo**: Currently, 317 citizens have been confirmed for flux deficiency, and over 400 are showing symptoms.
**Vundo**: They are currently quarantined for treatment in the Kaist Church and at the Arcana Academy.
**Player**: T-that many?
**Player**: But...Principal Vundo, didn't you and Rom already find a cure?
**Rom**: ...
**Vundo**: ...
**Vundo**: The previous cure seems to have no effect on this strain of flux deficiency! It now looks like you hadn't fully recovered!
**Player**: Hadn't fully recovered?
**Rom**: Player, you're also showing symptoms of flux deficiency...
**Player**: So that's why I fainted...
**Player**: So...I was the one who infected those people at the restaurant?
**Player**: But I can't be the only one who's spreading flux deficiency, right? I know for a fact I didn't come into contact with several hundred people...
**Vundo**: It looks like it's spreading through the community this time. It would seem that we don't fully understand this disease.
**Rom**: So the characteristics of this flux deficiency are different from before!
**Rom**: Which means that this large-scale epidemic doesn't have anything to do with Player!
**Mira**: However, in all of Never Isle, indeed all of Luxium, Player is the only one to have caught severe flux deficiency...
**Mira**: In order to avoid a panic, we've kept the flux deficiency epidemic under wraps. Only a few people know about it.
**Mira**: So, with the evidence that we have, Player...
**Mira**: We need to place you under arrest!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: I understand...
**Rom**: ...
**Player**: But it can't really be that simple, can't it?
**Player**: Even if flux deficiency spreads, the worst-case scenario is that everyone catches it once.
**Player**: And flux deficiency isn't usually fatal. You just need some time to rest and recuperate...
**Player**: So why are you going to such extremes to shut me inside the Nexus?
**Vundo**: ...
**Mira**: ...
**Vundo**: Player, we're putting you inside the Nexus for your own safety.
**Rom**: And that's why I wanted to help you escape, Player!
**Player**: What else has happened?
**Mira**: In addition to the incident you're already aware of, there was another one at a bar.
**Mira**: Somehow, the people of Never Isle found out about it.
**Rom**: Ha! And then someone said the matter of flux deficiency and Player are confidential.
**Vundo**: Many people's lives have been affected by this.
**Vundo**: Some people are very angry, and they've assembled and are marching outside the Arcana Academy.
**Vundo**: They want Never Isle to hand you over so they can try you!
**Player**: Whoa!
**Rom**: If you're really doing this for Player's safety, let me get him out of here!
**Rom**: The infection at the bar and Player's situation might have been leaked by someone who is here right now...
**Rom**: Player isn't safe here! I'll help him leave Never Isle for the time being!
**Mira**: No! Player is still a suspect. If we let him out, he might infect even more people with flux deficiency!
**Rom**: You guys still don't understand?
**Rom**: Player is the key to all of this! Someone wants to hurt him, to bring him down!
**Rom**: What you guys should be doing is trying to catch the mole who is leaking intel!
**Rom**: And not standing here, watching over Player like a hawk!
**Mira**: The Defense Force has already assigned people to investigate the leak.
**Mira**: Do you have any proof that Player doesn't have anything to do with all this?
**Rom**: Ugh...
**Rom**: Think about it!
**Rom**: Player originally caught flux deficiency while trying to save everyone! Why would he try to hurt the people of Never Isle?
**Vundo**: Aye...
**Mira**: Player is not to go anywhere until he's cleared of all suspicion!
**Rom**: This is a waste of time. I'm taking Player out of here!
**Rom**: I'll kill anyone who gets in my way!
**Mira**: Ugh...
**Mira**: Defense Force!!
**Player**: Enough!
**Player**: Don't make things difficult for Rom!
**Player**: I will stay right here. I'm not going anywhere!
**Rom**: Player!!
**Player**: The Arcana Academy is safe, Rom. No one can touch me here.
**Player**: (Whispers) Rom, there's something going on here. Someone really is targeting me.
**Player**: (Whispers) Starting trouble with the Defense Force now would put us exactly where the enemy wants us.
**Player**: (Whispers) Right now, we are exposed but the enemy is still in the shadows. Causing trouble would only put us in an even worse position!
**Player**: (Whispers) That's why I can't go anywhere for now!
**Rom**: Player......
**Player**: (Whispers) I need help from someone who is absolutely reliable, someone I can absolutely trust!
**Rom**: !!
**Player**: (Whispers) There's something I need to emphasize, Rom...
**Player**: (Whispers) I know you have your own opinions on the Defense Force, but you need to keep your head down. Don't get into any trouble with them. Okay?
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: (Nods)
**Player**: Trust the Arcana Academy, and trust the Defense Force!
**Rom**: All right... Since you trust them, I will, too.
**Rom**: Hey! I'm the only one who can treat the symptoms of Player's flux deficiency!
**Mira**: Of course, when it's time for his treatment, the Defense Force will send someone for you.
**Rom**: That's good...
**Vundo**: Rom, don't worry. I will look after Player's safety!
**Rom**: You'd better!
*Never Isle...*
*A large crowd gathers outside the doors of the Arcana Academy*
**Never Isle Citizens**: Give us justice!
**Never Isle Citizens**: We want justice!
*Rom exits, looking dejected*
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: ...
*Alcander and BeeNic meet up with Rom*
**Alcander**: Rom!
**BeeNic**: Rom, we're here!
**Rom**: Big Bro! BeeNic! You're here!
**BeeNic**: We just came from east Luxium. Sorry we're late...
**Alcander**: How's the situation looking?
**Rom**: Flux deficiency can now spread through the community and has already infected several hundred people.
**Rom**: Player is the Defense Force's primary suspect, and they're keeping him in the Arcana Nexus for now.
**BeeNic**: Ugh... Player...
**Alcander**: The Defense Force suspects Player of spreading the disease?
**Alcander**: But Player is very cautious and prudent, and his treatment was already complete. That's impossible.
**Rom**: It would be great if the Defense Force were half as sensible as you are, Big Bro...
**Rom**: Player is being framed!
**BeeNic**: He's being framed?
**Rom**: In order to figure out who this mysterious adversary is, Player is staying at the Arcana Nexus.
**Alcander**: Do you have any clues?
**Rom**: Yes...
**Rom**: The Defense Force is the most suspicious!
**BeeNic**: Defense Force?
**Alcander**: Hmm...you must have some convincing proof, if that's the judgment you've arrived at.
**Alcander**: What can we do to help?
**Rom**: First of all, I want to thank you and BeeNic!
**Rom**: I'm going to leave it up to you guys to keep Player safe!
**BeeNic**: Are you going to investigate this on your own?
**Rom**: The enemy is hiding in the shadows. The fewer people that go snooping around, the less conspicuous we'll be.
**Alcander**: Leave Player to us!
**BeeNic**: Be careful, Rom!
**Rom**: Of course!
**Never Isle Citizens**: Give us justice!
*Two days later...*
*The number of people infected with flux deficiency has increased.*
*In order to stem the spread of the disease, Never Isle's high-level officials have instituted a lockdown and quarantine policy.*
*However, this has only made the citizens of Never Isle more resistant.*
**Demonstrators**: Stop the lockdown! Hand over the criminal!
**Demonstrators**: Stop the quarantine! We want freedom!
*Meanwhile, Rom has been carrying out a follow-up investigation of the Defense Force.*
*As of yet, he has not found any clues.*
*Never Isle, at the Defense Force headquarters.*
*Mira talks to a battalion of warriors*
**Mira**: Give me a status report!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Commander, the number of people marching today is 30% higher than it was yesterday. We need more manpower to maintain order!
**Defense Force Warrior**: The security situation on the island doesn't look good either, Commander.
**Defense Force Warrior**: Because we have some men monitoring the demonstrators, our patrols are only half-staffed!
**Defense Force Warrior**: If we cut the patrols any lower, our surveillance both outside and inside the island will be paralyzed!
**Mira**: I've already asked the Oathblades and the Order of Equality to help.
**Mira**: General Markus and the main Oathblades forces have finished their battle in north Luxium and will return to the island this evening.
**Mira**: General Will has also promised to send some troops to help.
**Mira**: I understand the situation now. Return to your posts!
**Mira**: Let's grit our teeth and hold out just a little longer. We need to give it 110%!
**Mira**: We must maintain order on Never Isle!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Got it!
*The warriors disperse*
*Another warrior approaches Mira*
**Mira**: How is the situation at the restaurant?
**Defense Force Warrior**: The investigators found some more important evidence!
**Mira**: What evidence did they find?
**Mira**: Is it also related to Player?
**Defense Force Warrior**: Yes...
**Mira**: ...
**Mira**: I'll go check it out!
*Mira leaves for the restaurant*
*As all of this was happening, Rom was spying on them*
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Calm down, Rom. Calm down...
**Rom**: I couldn't find anything wrong with the way the Defense Force has been behaving on Never Isle.
**Rom**: I can't afford to waste any more time.
**Rom**: I'm afraid the clues are inside the Defense Force HQ...
**Rom**: I think to think of a way to get in there without arousing anyone's suspicions...
**Rom**: ...
*Rom leaves to create a diversion*
**Never Isle Youngster**: Hey! Who are you? Why are you pulling me?
**Never Isle Youngster**: What are you talking about?
**Never Isle Youngster**: ...
**Never Isle Youngster**: Huh? You want to do what?
**Never Isle Youngster**: Hold on, hold on!
**Never Isle Youngster**: Awoo!
*The four warriors guarding the Defense Force headquarters entrance hear the commotion*
**Defense Force Warrior**: Did you hear that?
**Defense Force Warrior**: Yeah, there's something going on over there!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Let's go and have a look!
*Two leave to investigate*
**Defense Force Warrior**: What happened?
**Defense Force Warrior**: Ugh...what are you doing?
**Defense Force Warrior**: Wow!
*Rom strips one of the warriors and dons his armor*
*He walks alone to the Defense Force headquarters entrance*
**Defense Force Guard**: Uh, what happened to the other guy?
**Defense Force Warrior?**: There was a minor conflict. He stayed behind to deal with it.
**Defense Force Guard**: Uh...
**Defense Force Warrior?**: ...
*Rom walks inside*
*A few moments later...*
*In the archives room at the Defense Force HQ...*
*Rom investigates some files while other warriors mill about*
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Nonsense!!!
*Rom's shout causes the other warriors to look at him*
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Ugh...
**Defense Force Warrior?**: The tabloids are talking crap about the Defense Force!
**Defense Force Warrior?**: It really pisses me off!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Huh? You must be new here, right?
**Defense Force Warrior**: People on the island are always blaming us for everything.
**Defense Force Warrior**: The Defense Force is the shield that protects Never Isle! Even when people blame us for their problems, we cannot become angry at the people!
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Sorry, sorry...
**Defense Force Warrior?**: I got a little excited, that's all.
*The other warriors return to their work*
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Phew.
*Mira enters the archives room with another warrior*
*The warrior quickly identifies Rom in his disguise*
**Defense Force Warrior**: Oh! Captain Mira, that person is...
**Mira**: Hmmm.
**Mira**: I know...
**Defense Force Warrior**: I'm going to arrest him!
**Mira**: That won't be necessary!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Huh? Why not?
**Mira**: Now is not the time to confront Rom...
**Mira**: So long as we know what he's up to, it'll be okay.
**Mira**: Pass the order along: do not interfere with Rom's investigation.
**Mira**: If he needs help, then the relevant individuals should help him. But make sure that he does not catch on to what we're doing.
**Defense Force Warrior**: Yes, sir!
**Mira**: We need more people.
**Mira**: Making sure the demonstration proceeds safely is our top priority!
**Defense Force Warrior**: Got it!
*Mira and the warrior quietly leave without alerting Rom*
*Rom continues to investigate*
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Player came into close contact with 7 people at the restaurant. All of the people he came into contact with developed flux deficiency afterward.
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Trace amounts of Player's flux was found on the hands of 7 individuals.
**Defense Force Warrior?**: What the hell?
**Defense Force Warrior?**: What kind of proof is that?
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Player only ever came into physical contact with me. He didn't touch anybody else!
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Someone's fabricating evidence to frame Player!
**Defense Force Warrior?**: I finally found something!
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Who at the Defense Force is in charge of investigating the incident at the restaurant?
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Who had access to this evidence?
**Defense Force Warrior?**: ...
**Defense Force Warrior?**: ...
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Hmm, there's no record of which investigators had access to these files...
**Defense Force Warrior?**: I should ask around.
*A few moments later...*
*Rom sees Izuimi*
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Oh! If I remember correctly, that's...
**Defense Force Warrior?**: That guy is usually pretty talkative.
**Defense Force Warrior?**: He also looks pretty simple-minded. I'll go ask him!
**Izumi**: Wow! You're...
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Uh...I'm new here!
**Defense Force Warrior?**: I just joined the Defense Force Case Investigation Squad, so I'm not too familiar with the process or the structure yet...
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Do you have a moment to chat with me, Captain Izumi?
**Izumi**: Uh huh...
**Izumi**: The investigation process at the Defense Force is pretty straightforward.
**Izumi**: First, everyone on the investigation team collects clues on-site and gathers up the evidence.
**Izumi**: When they get evidence, they hand it over to the case investigation group for analysis and discussion. They confirm the suspect, then put in place an operation to arrest them.
**Izumi**: Usually, the case team is led by one captain.
**Izumi**: But the incident at the restaurant is a very important case.
**Izumi**: So Captain Mira is taking charge herself~
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Mira?
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Mira, again?
**Defense Force Warrior?**: Well...
*Rom runs off*
**Izumi**: ...
**Izumi**: Where is he going?
**Izumi**: ...
*Later that night...*
*At the side door to the Never Isle Defense Force HQ...*
**Defense Force Guard**: Commander!
**Mira**: Thank you, guards of the night shift.
**Defense Force Guard**: Just doing our duty, ma'am.
**Defense Force Guard**: Working late again?
**Mira**: Just doing my duty, too.
**Defense Force Guard**: Then shall we escort you back?
**Mira**: That won't be necessary.
**Mira**: Remain at your post!
**Defense Force Guard**: Yes, ma'am!
*Mira walks to the Defense Force training grounds alone*
**Mira**: ...
**Mira**: I know you're here for me, so you might as well come forward!
*Rom shows himself*
**Mira**: Rom...
**Rom**: Why?
**Rom**: Why are you trying to frame Player?
**Mira**: I've never wanted to frame Player.
**Rom**: Humph!
**Mira**: What's with that look on your face? Have you found evidence indicating that I'm trying to frame Player?
**Rom**: You forged and tampered with evidence in the restaurant investigation.
**Rom**: With the aim to imprison Player!
**Mira**: Forged and tampered with evidence?
**Rom**: Don't give me that innocent look! You can't fool me!
**Rom**: When the incident at the restaurant happened, and Player went to check on the customers who had fainted...
**Rom**: You and your soldiers appeared on the scene immediately, like you knew something was about to go down!
**Rom**: You also intentionally released information about the previous incident at the bar to the public...
**Rom**: Which made Player a target!
**Rom**: Why? Why are you doing this?!
**Mira**: I'll say it again, I'm not trying to frame Player!
**Mira**: The Defense Force responded quickly to the incident at the restaurant because we received an anonymous tip...
**Mira**: I had the Defense Force investigate the source of this anonymous tip, but...
**Mira**: They couldn't find them.
**Rom**: You didn't find the source of the anonymous tip?
**Rom**: To resort to such a lame excuse...
**Mira**: It looks like you won't believe me, no matter what I say.
**Rom**: You're just making excuses to deflect blame. Why should I believe you?
**Rom**: I'll say this one more time!
**Rom**: Why would I want to waste my time trying to frame Player?
**Mira**: ...
**Mira**: ...
**Rom**: I'm at a loss for words.
**Mira**: You want to fight? Then let's fight!
**???**: Stop it!
**Rom**: Nobody's gonna get in my way!
*Rom and Mira take fighting stances when Markus gets in between them*
**Markus**: I order you two to stop this right now!
**Mira**: General!
**Rom**: General Markus!
**Markus**: I'm only gone for a couple of days...
**Markus**: Then I come back to find compatriots at each other's throats?!
**Rom**: She's no compatriot of mine!
**Rom**: She framed Player and instigated this whole incident!
**Markus**: Mira?
**Rom**: I have enough evidence to prove it!
**Mira**: ...
**Markus**: Hmmm.
**Markus**: Rom, even if Mira really were the instigator, you cannot fight her!
**Rom**: ...
**Markus**: Mira, you've been implicated in this matter. The Defense Force needs to distance itself from this.
**Markus**: Why don't you two come to the Oathblades HQ and cool off a bit?
**Rom**: I don't care where we go, just so long as I can keep a close eye on her!
**Markus**: How about it, Mira?
**Mira**: Fine with me.
*A few moments later...*
**Rom**: A dungeon?
**Markus**: These are special times in Never Isle.
**Markus**: This matter may involve the Defense Force as well as the Defense Force's commander.
**Markus**: Before we know what's going on, we can't let any word of this get out, or let the leaker see what's going on.
**Markus**: So for now, I need to throw you two in here!
**Rom**: I'm fine with it!
**Rom**: Player is being kept at the Arcana Nexus...
**Markus**: The Arcana Nexus is safe, so I'm not worried.
**Markus**: Now, tell me everything you have found.
**Rom**: Of course!
**Rom**: So...
*Rom tells Markus about everything that's happened recently as well as what he found at the Defense Force HQ.*
**Markus**: I see...
**Rom**: General Markus! Mira must pay for what she's done!
**Markus**: Rom...
**Markus**: Mira would indeed be able to pull off this conspiracy you speak of...
**Markus**: But that doesn't mean that she did indeed do it!
**Rom**: General!
**Markus**: Calm down!
**Rom**: ...
**Markus**: I don't know if you've got some kind of beef with Mira.
**Markus**: But taking your anger out on her now will not help Player, Never Isle, or you!
**Rom**: General!
**Markus**: Rom!
**Markus**: Are you trying to get Player killed?
**Rom**: !!
**Rom**: Ever since the incident at the bar a few months ago, Mira's been hounding Player non-stop.
**Markus**: ...
**Markus**: Child, that is her job.
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: And since this incident at the restaurant, she's had her sights set on Player.
**Mira**: I've had my sights set on Player, because I'm trying to clear his name!
**Rom**: You're trying to clear Player's name?
**Mira**: I don't believe Player is to blame for the incident at the restaurant, either.
**Mira**: But the best way to clear Player's name is to uncover the truth as quickly as we can.
**Rom**: !!
**Markus**: Haha, see? We're all on the same side here, so no fighting!
**Rom**: ...
**Mira**: ...
**Markus**: Mira, if Rom hadn't told me, I can't imagine you would've requested his help.
**Rom**: Huh? Requested my help...
**Mira**: My power, and the power of the Defense Force is limited.
**Mira**: Maybe a fresh set of eyes from outside the Defense Force will have a different take on the clues.
**Rom**: What do you mean?
**Markus**: Rom, did you know...
**Markus**: That everyone who reaches the rank of captain in the Defense Force knows everyone else in the Defense Force?
**Rom**: They know everyone in the Defense Force...
**Rom**: So when I infiltrated the Defense Force HQ...
**Rom**: You purposefully let me sneak in? Why?
**Mira**: (Smiles)...
**Mira**: Because you're not Never Isle's enemy, and you're not my enemy.
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Mira, I apologize...
**Markus**: (smiles)
*A few moments later...*
**Markus**: Now that we've cleared up this misunderstanding, let's get down to work!
**Rom**: The problem is, all of the evidence that the Defense Force has collected...
**Rom**: Is all a pack of lies!
**Rom**: I was the only one Player had physical contact with in the restaurant that day. He didn't come into contact with anyone else!
**Mira**: But the investigators found Player's flux on some of the people who fainted.
**Rom**: Commander Mira, except for you, everyone who handled that evidence should be considered a suspect!
**Mira**: The incident at the restaurant is of the utmost importance, in order to avoid any mistakes...
**Mira**: All evidence found during the on-site investigation are submitted to me.
**Rom**: No one handles the evidence except you, Commander Mira?
**Mira**: Hmmm.
**Markus**: The answer is right in front of us! The instigator is one of the people at the scene who collects evidence!
**Rom**: Of course!
**Mira**: The person in charge of the on-site investigation at the restaurant is the flux investigator who just joined the Defense Force.
**Rom**: The flux investigator who just joined the Defense Force? He's in charge of a case this big?
**Mira**: He used to be an intermediate arcanist at the Arcana Academy. Principal Vundo holds him in high esteem.
**Mira**: He is very capable, and since he arrived, he's taken the investigation team to a whole new level. That's why I put him in charge of the restaurant incident.
**Markus**: He's that good? But why did he come to the Defense Force to become a mere investigator?
**Markus**: There isn't a future at the Arcana Academy for an arcanist?
**Mira**: !!
**Rom**: Do you remember anything?
**Mira**: ...The investigator was a victim of the bar incident a few months ago! Plus he has access to confidential information and knew about Player!
**Rom**: I see!
**Markus**: Now that we've got our target, let's move!
*A few moments later...*
*At the Never Isle training grounds...*
**Flux Investigator**: ...
**Flux Investigator**: Hmmm.
**Flux Investigator**: I've found an incredible flux...
**Flux Investigator**: Is this the power of someone from another world?
**Flux Investigator**: Hahaha... Too bad he's simple-minded. I've been using him all along and he hasn't even realized it.
**Flux Investigator**: In the face of a power like this, even Commander Mira...
**Flux Investigator**: I'm afraid she also...
**Flux Investigator**: Hahaha!
**Rom**: Hey! What are you up to? What are you so happy about?
*The Flux Investigator turns around to see Rom, Markus and Mira*
**Mira**: After all I've done for you...
**Flux Investigator**: Oh, Mira, you...
**Rom**: Shut up!
**Rom**: You are suspected of spreading flux deficiency, endangering Never Isle, defamation and fabrication of key evidence.
**Rom**: You're under arrest!
*Many Defense Force warriors surround the Flux Investigator*
**Flux Investigator**: Yikes, I've been caught...
**Rom**: Why? Why did you want to frame Player? Who put you up to it? How did you benefit from it?
**Flux Investigator**: Benefit?
**Flux Investigator**: I didn't do it for any benefit...
**Flux Investigator**: It was revenge!
**Markus**: Revenge?
**Flux Investigator**: I bet you don't remember me, Rom. This isn't the first time we've met!
**Flux Investigator**: Several months ago, at the bar, do you remember that?
**Rom**: I know, you were a victim of the incident at the bar...
**Rom**: But the incident at the bar was all my fault. For that, I apologize!
**Flux Investigator**: Apologize? Ha!
**Flux Investigator**: What use is your apology?
**Flux Investigator**: You know what happened? Because of flux deficiency, I was all foggy during the Arcana Academy's annual exam, and I was demoted to primary arcanist.
**Flux Investigator**: I'd just bought a home in Never Island when I was demoted.
**Flux Investigator**: After I was demoted, a couple of the Literally Who that used to kiss my ass before became my direct superiors!
**Flux Investigator**: My boyfriend who I'd been going out with for years left me, and I've got creditors up my ass every day!
**Flux Investigator**: Can you imagine what this life is like?
**Rom**: ...
**Flux Investigator**: And the source of it all is...
**Flux Investigator**: Player!!!
**Flux Investigator**: He clearly had flux deficiency, but he still went to a bar full of people?!
**Flux Investigator**: Player ruined my life!
**Flux Investigator**: I want everyone on Never Isle to know my pain!
**Markus**: I'm very sorry for what happened to you, but...
**Markus**: You thought that your conspiracy alone would be enough to topple Never Isle?
**Flux Investigator**: Humph. You think Never Isle is so stable?
**Flux Investigator**: Yeah, you guys caught me.
**Flux Investigator**: But Never Isle is utterly devastated and is about to implode!
**Markus**: ...
**Mira**: Tell us, how did you spread the flux deficiency?
**Flux Investigator**: ...
**Flux Investigator**: The end is nigh, and you all know nothing!
*The Flux Investigator begins to cast a spell*
**Rom**: It looks like you're not going to comply willingly.
**Rom**: Watch me shake off this array like it's nothing!
**Mira**: ...
*Rom run up to the Flux Investigator to absorb the flux attack*
**Markus**: !!
**Markus**: Damn!
**Flux Investigator**: Hahahaha!
*Instead of directing the spell towards Rom, the Flux Investigator aims it towards himself, killing himself in a large explosion*
**Rom**: Ugh...
**Markus**: Rom!
**Rom**: I'm fine. Damn that guy...
**Rom**: We can't let him die!
*Rom checks the body*
**Rom**: He's gone, and our last clue with him...
**Rom**: Ahhh!!
**Markus**: (angry)
*One week later...*
*At the Arcana Nexus in the Arcana Academy...*
**Player**: Rom!
**Player**: Rom, you're finally back...
**Rom**: ...
**Player**: We don't get to see each other often, so don't give me that look!
**Rom**: Player......
**Rom**: I'm sorry, Player!
**Player**: What do you mean? Didn't you find the culprit a week ago?
**Rom**: Alas...
*Rom tells you about recent events and the results of the investigation.*
**Player**: I see... After the guy died, the investigation came to a standstill.
**Rom**: Even though we stopped him from carrying out the next part of his plan, and Never Isle published the evidence from the restaurant incident...
**Rom**: None of Never Isle's citizens are buying it. They've only gotten angrier.
**Player**: Hmm... Well there's not a whole lot we can do about that.
**Player**: As the flux deficiency situation in Never Isle has gotten more serious, nobody's willing to come here anymore, and there aren't any places willing to take people traveling out of Never Isle.
**Player**: Businesses are all shut down, and many people have lost their jobs.
**Player**: For every grievance, there is someone to blame. The people need someone to point their anger at.
**Rom**: But none of it has anything to do with you! You're a victim, too!
**Player**: Even if the Defense Force's evidence proves that I have nothing to do with the incident at the restaurant, they still believe that I'm the source of the flux deficiency.
**Player**: Until the real culprit is uncovered and the flux deficiency issue is completely solved, they'll continue to blame me.
**Rom**: Alas...
**Player**: But it's a good thing all their anger is focused on me.
**Rom**: What are you talking about? How could this possibly be a good thing?
**Rom**: You have no idea, the things they're saying. There are people calling for your head!
**Player**: If the people's anger is focused on me, then you, the Defense Force, and the Oathblades can all look for the culprit behind the scenes without having to worry about your own safety.
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: You're right about that...
**Rom**: At least everyone's been cooperating with the investigation.
**Player**: That's a good thing! You should be happy about it~
**Rom**: Aye...you're probably the only person under the sun who could be so optimistic.
**Player**: I believe that the Defense Force, the Oathblades, the Order of Equality, and you will help solve this crisis!
**Player**: All right~ It's not good to be in such a bad mood. It'll get in the way of our happiness!
**Player**: I can't take seeing you so sad...
**Rom**: You...
**Rom**: I know!
**Rom**: I haven't caressed you all week, Player!
**Rom**: Now then, let's start today's therapy...
*3 days later...*
*Player hears an explosion outside of the Arcana Nexus*
**Player**: What!
**Player**: That's the third time in two days!
**Player**: If I'm hearing explosions in the nexus deep under the Arcana Academy, then...
**Player**: On Never Isle...
**Player**: What's going on here?
**Player**: This isn't right...
*Player tries to get someone's attention at the entrance to the Nexus*
**Player**: Principal Vundo! Principal Vundo!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Anybody there? Anybody?
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Something's wrong! Something's definitely wrong!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: I'd better just have faith in Principal Vundo and the others. There's no point in freaking out.
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Aaaaaaaaaaah!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Don't freak out... Don't freak out!
**???**: Player!
**Player**: !!
**Player**: Alcander, BeeNic!
**Player**: What are you guys doing here?
**Alcander**: We're getting you out of here!
**Player**: Getting out of here? Why?
**BeeNic**: The citizens are already starting to fight with Never Isle's defenses!
**Player**: What? It wasn't this bad a few days ago...
**Alcander**: Three days ago, the flux deficiency started to affect inanimate objects.
**BeeNic**: Yeah. Buildings, artifacts, even ships and airships have all been afflicted with flux deficiency!
**BeeNic**: Just now, an airship that was evacuating Never Isle fell out of the sky because it had flux deficiency.
**BeeNic**: There have been an unknown number of casualties...
**Player**: Even airships?
**Alcander**: Don't worry. Two days ago, I had Billy fly your airship to a safe place. Your airship is fine.
**Player**: ...
**Player**: How did this happen?
**Alcander**: No idea. Rom and Never Isle's investigation has stalled.
**BeeNic**: None of this is important!
**BeeNic**: Right now, the citizens of Never Isle are out for your head, Player!
**BeeNic**: They want to burn you alive, Player!
**Alcander**: Yeah, a large number of citizens are rushing the front entrance of the Arcana Academy.
**Alcander**: Although the Arcana Academy's Arcanists, Oathblades, Defense Forces, and the Light of Purity were trying their best to defend the Arcana Academy...
**Alcander**: However, they are unable to deal with the citizens with full force...
**Alcander**: The Arcana Academy's defense probably will be broken through!
**BeeNic**: Our last resort now is to sneak you out of Never Isle...
**BeeNic**: Hide yourself for a while, and wait until the commotion is over.
**Alcander**: Correct!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: ...
**Player**: ...
**Player**: No! I can't leave!
**Alcander**: !!
**BeeNic**: What?
**Player**: I absolutely cannot leave Never Isle!
**Player**: If I leave Never Isle now, its citizens will think that Never Isle hid me away...
**Player**: This will just throw fuel on the fire and make the citizens even angrier!
**Player**: Then, Never Isle would be done for!
**Alcander**: But as things stand right now, there is no way for Never Isle to protect you in the name of maintaining stability!
**Alcander**: It's not out of the question that Never Isle's higher-ups might hand you over and then put all the blame on your head!
**Player**: Given the current situation, I would understand if Never Isle sold me out.
**BeeNic**: Player!
**Player**: If judging me will help quell the anger of its citizens and Never Isle can avoid falling apart...
**Player**: That would be fine by me!
**Alcander**: !!
**Player**: It would be my way of paying back Never Isle for all its done for me the past few years.
**BeeNic**: You are something else...
**Alcander**: Okay! I get it!
**Alcander**: In that case, BeeNic and I will stay here and protect you. If people come rushing in...
**Alcander**: We'll make them fight for you!
**Player**: Okay, thank you.
*Rom overlooks Player's conversation with Alcander and BeeNic from a distance*
**Rom**: !!
**Rom**: (angry)
*Rom starts to run towards them but second-guesses himself*
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: ...
*Rom can't decide whether or not to defend Player or leave to help Player in another way*
**Rom**: (sad)
*Ultimately, Rom decides to leave Player in Alcander's and BeeNic's hands*
**Rom**: ...
*Two days later...*
*Never Isle...*
**Angry Citizens**: Player must burn! Player must burn!
**Angry Citizens**: Player must burn!!!
*In front of the Arcana Academy.*
**Rom**: General Markus!
**Markus**: Rom!
**Markus**: Rom, I'm sorry. Right now, I...
**Rom**: General, I have a request to ask of you!
**Markus**: You mean...
**Rom**: In your general's meeting, I want you to convince everyone...
**Rom**: To banish Player!
**Markus**: !!
**Markus**: But Player's suffering from flux deficiency. He needs a stable source of flux...
**Rom**: Of course, I know that! But...
**Rom**: This is the only way to protect him.
**Markus**: ...
**Markus**: ...
**Markus**: ...
*General Markus sighs.*
**Markus**: (Pats Rom's head)
**Markus**: I'll do it!
*Markus enters the Academy*
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Thank you, sir!
*A few moments later...*
**Never Isle Official**: Player, you are suspected of endangering Never Isle.
**Never Isle Official**: Using Never Isle's laws, the council has decided, after much deliberation...
**Never Isle Official**: To banish Player, effective immediately!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: I accept Never Isle's decision.
*That night...*
**Angry Citizens**: Get out of here! Go away!
**Angry Citizens**: Leave Never Isle!
*Player and Rom finally reach Never Isle dock*
**Player**: ...
**Rom**: Don't worry, Player...
**Rom**: Big Bro and BeeNic will continue the investigation in secret.
**Rom**: Billy and Kitty wanted to come see you off, but I stopped them.
**Player**: Thank you!
**Player**: If they came and visited me right now, they'd only be putting themselves in danger.
**Rom**: We should go now, Player
**Rom**: Never Isle prepared a boat for us.
**Rom**: The airship is in the air ten kilometers north of Never Isle. Let's get to the airship, then we'll make a plan.
**Player**: Rom, are you sure you want to go with me?
**Rom**: Humph, of course!
**Rom**: Don't forget, you are my special patient...
**Rom**: What kind of doctor would I be if I abandoned my patient?
**Player**: (smiles)
**Player**: Yes!
*Player and Rom leave Never Isle*
**Angry Citizens**: Scram!
**Angry Citizens**: (Cheering)
*Continue to Intimacy Level 12*

**Hometown**

They chose anger, driving their hero into exile...
They embraced hatred, abandoning their future...
The raging fire of Rancor is destroying everything!

**-Part 1**

*Two months after leaving Never Isle...*
*Player and Rom have set up a small camp in the Star Woods*
**Rom**: Player, Player!
**Rom**: Wanna see what I caught today?
**Player**: Wow! A boar!
**Player**: That's great, Rom!
**Rom**: Ha-ha!
**Player**: Ugh...
**Rom**: What's wrong, Player?
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Nothing!
**Rom**: Are you having a headache again?
**Player**: No! I'm fine, don't worry!
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: All right. Well, if you start feeling bad, just let me know!
**Rom**: Just call me whenever you need your flux infusion, and I'll come running, Player!
**Player**: Uh...if we did it too much...
**Player**: Would you be able to keep up?
**Rom**: Tsk! You underestimate my abilities!
**Player**: I'm being serious!
**Rom**: Hahaha! You really are underestimating me!
**Rom**: Looks like I need to prove myself to you now...
**Player**: What!
**Player**: I know! Rom's ready any time!
**Player**: When I feel like I don't have any energy, I'll tell you!
**Rom**: Hehe, you'd better.
**Player**: All right, let's get ready to cook! I'm starving!
**Rom**: Yeah! I'll go take care of the meat.
**Player**: I'll go get the fire started!
*As Rom begins to butcher the boar, Player goes to gather firewood*
*Player suddenly gets a headache again but recovers*
**Player**: Ugh...
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Sigh...
**Player**: Because of me, Rom's been suffering from flux deficiency.
**Player**: It's only because of the power of your vessel that his symptoms are lighter.
**Player**: However, in Never Isle, Rom used to absorb flux from the Arcana Nexus...
**Player**: And give me flux infusions to help alleviate my symptoms.
**Player**: But now...
**Player**: ...
**Player**: He can't keep going like this.
**Player**: No matter what, I can't wear him out!
*After eating lunch...*
**Alcander**: Rom! Player!
**BeeNic**: We're here!
**Rom**: Big Bro...shh! Quiet!
**Alcander**: Where's Player? We brought you guys some stuff.
**Rom**: We just finished lunch. Player is sleeping...
**BeeNic**: Sleeping?
**BeeNic**: That's Player for you...
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Big Bro, BeeNic...
**Rom**: How is the investigation going? Did you find any clues about who orchestrated the incident?
**BeeNic**: ...
**Alcander**: (Shakes head...)
**BeeNic**: The mastermind seems to have evaporated into thin air!
**BeeNic**: Alcander and I searched everywhere on Never Isle, high and low.
**BeeNic**: We didn't find a thing!
**Alcander**: How have you been lately, Rom?
**Alcander**: Is there anything else that you need?
**Rom**: My life with Player is better than ever.
**Rom**: The Oathblades and the Order of Equality have been kind to us. They've sent us lots of stuff...
**Rom**: Captain Morgan and Captain Bernard from the Shadowhunters paid us a visit.
**Rom**: We don't have to worry about food or clothes.
**Rom**: Unlike on Never Isle, Player is free to come and go here as he pleases.
**Rom**: There are fewer headaches, and the psychological burden is a lot lighter.
**Rom**: We're much more carefree and happy than before.
**Rom**: Except...
**Rom**: After leaving Never Isle, we can't get flux from the Arcana Nexus anymore.
**Rom**: I can't infuse too much flux into Player.
**Rom**: Player's flux deficiency is getting worse.
**Alcander**: (Takes a small flux crystal out of his pocket.)
**Alcander**: This is what you asked us for last time.
**Rom**: A flux crystal! Great! We need one of those!
**Rom**: Do you have more?
**BeeNic**: The Arcana Nexus is the flux core of Never Isle.
**BeeNic**: And flux deficiency has affected the Arcana Nexus.
**BeeNic**: The nexus is pretty heavily guarded now. It took a lot of work to get this much flux.
**BeeNic**: We'll try to think of another way!
**Rom**: Ugh...
**Rom**: I understand. You guys need to stay safe! We can't afford to have anything happen to you guys at a time like this...
**Alcander**: Has Player gotten a lot worse, Rom?
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Lately, I've been supplementing with flux from the airship's flux core.
**Rom**: But there's only so much flux there. It's not a sustainable plan.
**Rom**: If I can't find another stable supply of flux...
**Rom**: I did the math, and this can only keep up...
**Rom**: For another two months. Then Player will die because no flux.
**BeeNic**: !!
**Alcander**: ...
**Rom**: But don't worry. I'm here too, aren't I?
**Rom**: I heard that the Forest Nexus is deep inside the nearby Star Woods. I'm planning to try my luck.
**Alcander**: The Star Woods?
**Alcander**: No! The Star Woods are the biggest forest in all of Luxium! It's dense and complex, and easy to get lost.
**Alcander**: If you rush in there without a plan, you'll never find your way out!
**Rom**: Then what should I do?
**Rom**: Watch Player die little by little every day?
**Alcander**: If there's anything I can get you, I will find a way!
**Alcander**: Do not go rushing into the Star Woods!
**Alcander**: If you disappeared, then Player wouldn't have a chance!
**Alcander**: Understand?
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Sure, I will!
**Rom**: (smiles)
**Rom**: Big Bro, BeeNic, don't tell Player about what's happening on Never Isle for now.
**Rom**: I don't want to add to his troubles.
**BeeNic**: Mmm. Don't worry.
**Player**: Alcander? BeeNic?
**Player**: Alcander, BeeNic, what are you doing here?
**Player**: You guys came all the way here and you weren't going to say hello?
**Rom**: They just wanted to let you sleep!
**Player**: Every day, I'm completely useless, so I just sleep.
**Alcander**: Hahaha!
**Alcander**: We brought you some stuff to eat and use~
**Player**: Wow, thank you so much!
**Player**: How is Never Isle doing these days? Principal Vundo, the captains?
**BeeNic**: Don't worry, everyone on the island is doing just fine.
**Player**: That's great!
*One month later...*
**Player**: (Stretches lazily)
**Rom**: Hey! Good morning!
**Player**: Are you getting ready to go out, Rom?
**Rom**: Yep! I'm going to walk toward the Star Woods and see if I can catch some forest game.
**Rom**: We can't depend on our friends to bring us food deliveries forever.
**Player**: I wanna go with you!
**Rom**: You stay here and rest, Player.
**Player**: Since we've settled here, you haven't let me do a thing.
**Player**: All I've done is rest!
**Player**: I'm bored...
**Player**: Ugh...
*Player grasps his head*
**Rom**: Player!
**Player**: I'm fine, I'm fine!
**Rom**: Are you sure you're fine?
**Player**: Last night you gave me some flux. How could anything be wrong today?
**Player**: Also, I already promised you that if I felt bad at all, I'd let you know!
**Rom**: All right, I trust you.
**Rom**: But hunting...
**Player**: I know, I know! I'll just stay here at home!
**Player**: I'll go cut some wood and try to make a fishing pole or something like that...
**Player**: I'll just treat it as a way to kill time.
**Rom**: Yeah! That's the spirit!
**Rom**: Don't worry. I'll be back soon.
**Rom**: Every minute I can't see your handsome face is pure torture, Player!
**Player**: (smiles)
**Player**: Understood!
*Rom leaves*
**Player**: Got my axe, machete, and back basket.
**Player**: I need to help Rom with the chores as much as I can!
*A little while later, in the forest by the camp.*
**Player**: Yeah! This tree looks good!
**Player**: The wood is mature and it's not especially rough. This tree is perfect!
*You swing your axe...*
**Player**: Hey!
*You chop as hard as you can several times...*
*But you've barely scratched the surface of the trunk.*
**Player**: Huff, puff...
**Player**: Damned flux deficiency...
**Player**: Only this far and I'm already out of breath...
**Player**: I'm a far cry from where I used to be...
**Player**: If I fainted here, Rom would lose his mind.
**Player**: I'll just cut some vines and head on back.
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Rom should be about back by now.
**Player**: I should hang up the pot and get ready to make food.
*Just then, you hear a sound in the nearby bushes.*
**Player**: Oh! Is Rom back?
**Markus**: ...
**Player**: General Markus?
**Markus**: Long time no see, Player!
**Player**: What are you doing here, General?
**Player**: Is everything fine there in Never Isle?
**Markus**: As a commander in the Oathblades, I really shouldn't be here...
**Markus**: But as a Gyee and a citizen of Never Isle, I felt I should come check on you.
**Player**: ...
*Markus looks around at the camp*
**Markus**: ...
**Markus**: Very sorry about all the trouble we've put you through, Player.
**Player**: Come on, it's no big deal.
**Player**: You, the Oathblades, the Order of Equality and some of my friends have been bringing me lots of stuff.
**Player**: I don't need to do anything, and I've still got clothes to wear and food to eat.
**Player**: I'm going to get fat!
**Markus**: (Takes a close look at you)
**Markus**: ...
*Rom comes back to the camp*
**Rom**: Today's a great harvest, Player!
**Rom**: General Markus!
**Markus**: Hey, Rom!
**Rom**: What are you doing here?
**Markus**: The Oathblades are carrying out their mission nearby, so I came over to visit.
**Markus**: I also brought you guys something.
**Player**: Wow, you got supplies for us again.
**Markus**: They're flux crystals.
**Rom**: Flux crystals!
**Rom**: T-that many?!
**Rom**: That's great, Player!
**Rom**: That's enough flux crystals to last us a whole year!
**Player**: A whole year?
**Player**: Commander, this...
**Markus**: I know you guys don't lack food and clothing, but need this the most.
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Commander, did something happen in Never Isle?
**Markus**: ...
**Markus**: Don't worry. Never Isle is fine!
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: The commander is always thinking about us, which is why he brought us some good stuff.
**Rom**: Don't think about it too much, Player.
**Player**: ...
**Markus**: That's right! I also brought something else...
**Markus**: (Takes out a bottle of wine)
**Markus**: This is my prized treasure.
**Rom**: Oh hey! That's some good stuff!
**Player**: I'll go get a cup!
*Player goes to find some cups*
**Markus**: (smiles)
*Markus takes out an Arcana Device...*
**Markus**: Rom, this is for you.
**Rom**: Oh, what is this?
**Markus**: A kind of artifact that was created by BeeNic using knowledge from Arcana Academy.
**Rom**: BeeNic!
**Markus**: Although I brought a lot of flux crystals, it is still a limited resource at the end of the day...
**Markus**: You'll still have to look for a location that can provide a steady supply of flux in the long run.
**Markus**: As it happens, the flux nexus in the woods is not far from here. There are also no city settlements nearby. Only the Star Woods, complicated and dangerous...
**Markus**: By setting this device in a safe place, you will be able to get out of danger instantly, returning to where the device was set up.
**Rom**: Incredible!
**Markus**: Player alone can't finish recharging the Wheel of Fate.
**Markus**: There was Never Isle before, but from now... I'll leave Player to you.
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Just how can I thank you, Commander?
**Markus**: Compared to what Player has done for Never Isle, this is nothing at all.
**Markus**: I'm really sorry... I'm really sorry, Player!
**Rom**: Please don't say that, Commander...
**Rom**: It's Never Isle, not you, that wronged Player! You've done more than enough for us!
**Markus**: I'm also part of Never Isle...
**Markus**: Rom, if it's possible...
**Markus**: I hope you won't hold a grudge against Never Isle.
**Rom**: ...
**Player**: I'm back! What are you guys talking about?
**Rom**: Just chitchatting...
**Player**: Come, Commander! Let us drink to our hearts' content today!
**Markus**: Hahaha! This wine is for you guys. I'll be on my way!
**Markus**: My brothers from the Oathblades are still waiting for me!
**Markus**: See you!
**Player**: You're leaving already? Let me see you off!
**Markus**: No need!
*Markus leaves*
**Player**: General...
**Rom**: ...
*One week later, late at night...*
*Player strolls around the camp alone*
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Alas...
*Rom finds Player*
**Rom**: (Yawns)
**Rom**: Sleep-deprived again, Player?
**Player**: Hmm... can't fall asleep.
**Rom**: You've had insomnia ever since Commander Markus came...
**Rom**: Still worried about Never Isle?
**Player**: I know that you think I'm worrying too much...
**Player**: But the commander seemed so strange!
**Player**: Think about it. Alcander and BeeNic went through so much trouble just to get us such a small piece of crystal.
**Player**: That shows that Never Isle is having issues with flux...
**Player**: But the commander was able to bring us enough to last a whole year.
**Rom**: Well... The commander is the leader of the Oathblades after all, so he must have a lot of connections.
**Player**: But that's way too much!
**Player**: Besides, the commander looked a bit odd that day!
**Rom**: What was wrong with it?
**Player**: I just got the feeling that the commander's eyes carried some sort of guilt...
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: It's normal to feel guilty after what they've done.
**Player**: No... He looked as if he would never see us again.
**Rom**: What... are you talking about?
**Rom**: \*sigh\* You are so hung up on Never Isle...
**Rom**: But you really are the most unpopular person in Never Isle...
**Player**: I know!
**Player**: But I can't stop thinking about this... I can't!
**Player**: Something must have happened to Never Isle!
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Alas...
**Rom**: Okay! I get it!
**Rom**: Let's go and have a look!
**Player**: You agree with that?
**Rom**: Well...
**Rom**: I guess it will last a while if I don't agree.
**Rom**: But we definitely have no way to land on the island. I'm guessing we'll get shot down as soon as we enter Never Isle's airspace!
**Rom**: So we can only take a peek from the shores of Lake Bliss, got it?
**Player**: Yep, that's enough! Come on, let's go to the airship!
*Player runs to the airship*
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Hopefully I won't regret this...
*A few moments later...*
*East side of Lake Bliss...*
*Player runs to the shore leaving Rom alone*
**Rom**: Slow down, Player!
**Rom**: Relax, Rom. Relax.
**Rom**: Flying back only consumed one and half months' worth of flux crystals...
**Rom**: It's just one and a half months' worth. There are still ten and a half months left.
**Rom**: Ahhhhh...
**Rom**: Wait for me, Player!
*Player and Rom look at Never Isle*
**Player**: No...
**Rom**: What's up?
**Rom**: Look, Never Isle is over there on the lake, doing just fine.
**Rom**: There's nothing to worry about...
*Suddenly, the island in the distance disappears...*
**Rom**: Huh? Never Isle disappeared...
*But soon enough, Never Isle suddenly appears again before your eyes...*
**Rom**: My eyes must have been deceiving me.
**Player**: No, there's nothing wrong with your eyes...
**Player**: Under the influence of the relic, no one can see Never Isle on Lake Bliss with the naked eye or even artifacts...
**Player**: The only way to enter Never Isle is through the Never Beacon.
**Rom**: Wow, I didn't know that. Impressive...
**Player**: Never Isle is exposed now!
**Player**: The flux of the relic is provided by the flux nexus...
**Player**: Which means that the flux of Arcana Nexus is less than 10% of normal now!
**Player**: In that case, not even the Arcana Nexus can escape the influence of flux deficiency!
**Rom**: ...
**Player**: Damn!
**Player**: To let the relic fail, and to let Never Isle be exposed at Lake Bliss...
**Player**: This is what the enemies are really after!
**Rom**: Alright, alright...
**Rom**: Calm down, Player. Calm down first!
**Rom**: Big Bro, BeeNic... I don't know if they...
**Player**: There's no time to calm down. The enemy's objective has been achieved. They will spare no effort to attack Never Isle!
**Rom**: ...
**Player**: (Takes out Arcana communicator crystal.)
**Player**: ...
**Player**: I can't reach Mira...
**Player**: ...
**Player**: I can't reach Principal Vundo either...
**Rom**: ...
**Player**: Commander, Miles, please...
**Player**: I don't care who... please just pick up...
**Player**: Oh, it's connected!
**Voice from the other end**: Retreat! Retreat!
**Voice from the other end**: We can't hold on!
**Voice from the other end**: There are Shadows everywhere, ahhh!
**Player**: Shadows!!
**Rom**: ...
**Player**: Rom, let's go!
**Rom**: Player, you're returning to Never Isle? Right now?
**Player**: Never Isle is in danger!
**Rom**: Didn't you hear, Player? Never Isle is already a mess!
**Rom**: The Oathblades, Defense Force, Light of Purity — even they were not able to hold out...
**Rom**: Is it not the same as suicide if you return to Never Isle now?
**Player**: I know that, but that's not a reason for me to sit back and do nothing!
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Why? Never Isle betrayed you...
**Rom**: Most people in Never Isle want you dead...
**Player**: ...
**Player**: (angry)
**Player**: That's right! I'm going back no matter what!
**Player**: Even if I can't turn the tables, I can at least save some people by airship!
**Rom**: Why, Player? Why?
**Rom**: Why do you want to risk your life to save those who want to hang and burn you to death?
**Player**: Alas...
**Player**: When I was first banished from Never Isle...
**Player**: I wanted to hate and be angry at Never Isle. I wanted to forget about Never Isle...
**Player**: But I couldn't do it.
**Player**: Whenever I wanted to hate Never Isle, I would remember its blue skies and waves of Lake Bliss...
**Player**: Also my Gyee friends who fought side by side, spilling blood and sweat.
**Player**: I didn't understand why before...
**Player**: But I get it now.
**Player**: It's because Never Isle is my home!
**Rom**: !!
**Player**: When I first arrived in Luxium, it was Never Isle that took me in.
**Player**: It was the Gyees of Never Isle that helped me understand this world...
**Player**: It was Never Isle that gave me a place to rest...
**Player**: There's... no way for me to blame Never Island or hate my hometown...
**Player**: That's why I must go back now!
**Rom**: Sorry, but I can't listen to you this time!
**Rom**: I've talked to Big Bro and BeeNic before...
**Rom**: If they need help, they will contact me...
**Rom**: Now that something this big happened and they haven't contacted me...
**Rom**: It can only mean that the situation is out of control, and neither you nor myself can change a thing!
**Rom**: I will not stand by and watch you go become cannon fodder!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: I get it then...
**Player**: I don't usually listen to you anyway, so it shouldn't make a difference this time.
**Rom**: Player, y-you!
**Player**: I must go back to Never Isle!
**Player**: If you want to stop me, then beat me into submission!
**Rom**: Is that a threat, Player?
**Player**: That's the only way you can stop me...
**Rom**: Don't think I don't dare!
**Player**: Do it then!
**Rom**: Ugh...
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: I can't fight against you, Player...
**Rom**: But if you insist on going back...
**Rom**: We're no longer brothers!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: (smiles)
**Player**: Rom, you're my best buddy. There's no way that I, Player, can repay you!
**Player**: See ya!
*Player leaves*
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Player!
**Rom**: ...
**Rom**: Ahhhhhh!
*Rom releases his Draconic Black Thunder on the shore*
*Moments later, above Lake Bliss...*
*Player tries to contact Never Isle from the airship*
**Player**: This is Player, calling Never Isle on all frequencies.
**Player**: Can anyone hear me?
**Player**: ...
**Player**: This is Player, calling Never Isle on all frequencies.
**Player**: Can anyone hear me?
**Player**: ...
*The airship approaches Never Isle. From the airship's sensor...*
*You see Never Isle.*
*Wherever you look, there's fire...*
*The streets are flooded with Shadows of varying sizes...*
*A handful of people are on the run...*
*A gigantic monster has taken over the Arcana Academy plaza...*
*He's unleashing his wrath on this small poor island...*
*While you can't hear anything from Never Isle...*
*Desperate screams will not stop echoing in your head...*
**Player**: No...
**Player**: This is Player! Calling Never Isle on all frequencies!
**Player**: Can anyone hear me!?
**Airship Communication Terminal**: (Static)
**Player**: !!
**Airship Communication Terminal**: Player? Is that you, Player?
**Player**: This voice... is that Alcander!?
**Airship Communication Terminal**: Yes, it's me!
**Player**: Are you alright, Alcander? How's BeeNic doing?
**Airship Communication Terminal**: We're okay. But Never Isle...
**Player**: Yeah, I saw it.
**Player**: In any case, my airship is big enough to accommodate quite a few people...
**Player**: Can you try to secure a landing zone?
**Airship Communication Terminal**: (After some noises)
**Airship Communication Terminal**: Player, can you hear me? This is Markus!
**Player**: Commander? Thank goodness you're alive!
**Airship Communication Terminal**: Get out of there right now!
**Player**: No, Commander! I want to help. I have to!
**Airship Communication Terminal**: I can understand but there's no way we can secure a landing zone!
**Airship Communication Terminal**: I'm sure you can see that wicked monster in the Arcana Academy plaza...
**Airship Communication Terminal**: That thing hits everything that flies!
**Airship Communication Terminal**: It has downed two evacuation airships. It'll hit you too if you get too close!
**Player**: Ugh...
**Airship Communication Terminal**: (Warrior's voice) Commander, all remaining forces in Never Isle have assembled!
**Airship Communication Terminal**: (Warrior's voice) We've set up an effective line of defense against the Shadows on the island!
**Airship Communication Terminal**: (Warrior's voice) But that huge monster keeps bombarding us! Our weapons and Arcana can't even scratch it...
**Airship Communication Terminal**: (Warrior's voice) At this rate, our assembled troops will be scattered again!
**Player**: Damn that monster...
**Player**: Is there any way I can take it out?
*An idea pops into your mind.*
**Player**: Take out the monster...
**Airship Communication Terminal**: Just go, Player! Go!
**Airship Communication Terminal**: We'll try to break out!
**Player**: Never Isle will be safe if we take out that monster in the academy plaza, right?
**Airship Communication Terminal**: The Shadows on the island are just small fry. The monster is the real threat — our weapons and Arcana are useless against it!
**Player**: Leave that monster to me, Commander. You guys stay away from it!
**Airship Communication Terminal**: What? What are you planning to do, Player?
**Player**: Player over and out!
**Airship Communication Terminal**: Player, wait—
*You turn off the communication terminal.*
**Player**: The flux crystals that the Commander brought are all on the airship... Great.
**Player**: I'm gonna inject all flux into the airship's flux core!
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Done! Now the airship's flux core is overloaded...
**Player**: So much as a bump can set off a huge explosion!
**Player**: All that's left is to aim for the monster and step on the gas!
**Player**: Haha! Billy's overloading device is cranking up the speed!
**Player**: Monster!
**Player**: Die!
*BeeNic zaps to the airship bridge*
**Player**: !!
*BeeNic grabs Player and zaps away*
*Moments before...*
*On the Oathblades' line of defense in the academy plaza...*
*Markus and Alcander along with the Oathblades fight the large monster in the Arcana Academy plaza while civilians flee*
**Markus**: Hold the line to buy time for civilians to go underground!
**Markus**: There's a gap in the southeast! Plug it now!
**Oathblades Warrior**: What!
**Markus**: Hey! Now's not the time to space out, kid!
**Oathblades Warrior**: Look at the sky, Commander!
**Markus**: What?
**Markus**: (Looks up)
**Markus**: My goodness!
**Markus**: Everyone hit the dirt!
*The airship crashes into the large monster, killing it*
**Never Isle Warrior**: Look!
**Never Isle Warrior**: That huge monster!
**Never Isle Warrior**: N-No way... What happened?
**Never Isle Warrior**: An airship crashed into the monster at great speed!
*BeeNic and Player zap to the Academy plaza*
**BeeNic**: Phew... That was close...
**BeeNic**: Phew... It almost gave me a heart attack!
**Player**: B-BeeNic...?
**Player**: How did you...? How am I...?
**Rom**: I told you I wouldn't let you die!
**Player**: !!
**Rom**: Hey!
**Player**: Rom!
*A few moments later...*
*Everyone gathers in the plaza*
**Player**: Did you leave BeeNic's device on the airship, Rom?
**Rom**: I knew this would happen when I agreed to come to the east side of Lake Bliss...
**Rom**: That's why I prepared the trick!
**Player**: So, how did you end up in Never Isle?
**Alcander**: I felt Rom's black thunder in Never Isle...
**BeeNic**: So I took Rom to the isle...
**???**: Hahahaha!
**???**: Interesting!
**Player**: !!
**Markus**: !!
**Markus**: Everyone, on your guard!!
*The once dead monster begins to speak*
**Rancor**: My name is Rancor...
**Player**: !!
**Rancor**: I have destroyed many worlds and you are the first to resist me!
**Rancor**: It's a shame...
**Rancor**: That your resistance is... futile!
*The monster gets back up*
**Player**: What?
**Alcander**: He absorbed all the Shadows on the island!
**Rancor**: I am... eternal!
**Rancor**: Time to meet your fate!
**Markus**: Oathblades! To battle!
*A few moments later...*
**Never Isle Warrior**: Woah!!!!
**Alcander**: Ugh...
**Alcander**: He's got even tougher!
**BeeNic**: Dammit... He's an evil force that doesn't belong in this world. He's resisting my time ability...
**Markus**: A force that doesn't belong in this world...
**Markus**: Player, the Wheel of Fate!
**Markus**: Do you remember that underground fight from a long time ago?
**Player**: !!
**Player**: Understood!
**Player**: Watch me!
*Player rushes to the monster*
*The Wheel of Fate cuts open the monster's body.*
*Black blood oozes from his wounds.*
**Player**: I knew the Wheel of Fate could hurt him!
**Player**: Shame that there isn't enough flux to do more than scratch him.
**Rancor**: Destruction!
**Rom**: Player! Watch out!
*Rancor launches a devastating attack*
**Player**: So... strong!
**Rom**: He's tough...
**Markus**: Ugh...
**Alcander**: \*puff\* I can no longer move...
**BeeNic**: Are we gonna die here?
**Rancor**: You despicable creatures, you are doomed from the start!
**Rancor**: You never try to figure out the source of a problem. Instead, you blame others...
**Rancor**: You blame the world; you blame those in power; you blame each other...
**Rancor**: Without me doing anything, you blamed your only hope...
**Rancor**: You banished your hope.
**Rom**: Player!
**Rancor**: His return dealt a blow to me...
**Rancor**: Yet, your hope has lost its power!
**Rancor**: Your destruction is entirely of your own making!
**Rancor**: Hahaha!
**Rom**: Dammit... If the people had been reasonable enough to believe the Defense Force's evidence...
**Rom**: It wouldn't have come to this!
**Never Isle Warrior**: ...
**Residents of Never Isle**: Ugh...How could you blame us?
**Residents of Never Isle**: W-We didn't know this would happen!
**Rancor**: Hahaha! That's what I was talking about! Blame each other!
**Residents of Never Isle**: It's our fault!
**Player**: !!
**Residents of Never Isle**: We were wrong!
**Residents of Never Isle**: We listened to lies and were incited. Player was right!
**Residents of Never Isle**: It's all our fault!
**Residents of Never Isle**: Sorry, Player!
**Residents of Never Isle**: Sorry! Sorry!
*The crowd keeps apologizing.*
**Residents of Never Isle**: But we don't want to and will not give up! We want to live!
**Residents of Never Isle**: Please don't give up on Never Isle, Player!
**Player**: !!
**Rom**: !!
**Player**: You're right! I can't give up!
**Player**: Since the Wheel of Fate can hurt Rancor, there must be a way to defeat him!
**Player**: With a large amount of flux to drive the Wheel of Fate, I can take down Rancor...
**Player**: But everyone is exhausted from all that fighting...
**Player**: Besides, most of them have flux deficiency...
**Player**: ...
*At this time, a resident walks over from behind...*
*He picks up and throws a stone at Rancor...*
**Markus**: It's dangerous! Come back!
**Residents of Never Isle**: No! I'm not gonna sit back and watch. I'm gonna fight too!
**Residents of Never Isle**: There are so many of us here! We can kill this monster if each of us throws a stone at it!
**Player**: !!
**Rancor**: Bull!
**Player**: Guys, I have a plan!
**Alcander**: !!
**Player**: Rom, your vessel can absorb and turn others' flux into your power, right?
**Rom**: Yes, but with Rancor in the way, I can't tap into the flux from the nexus...
**BeeNic**: The Arcana Nexus is about to run out...
**Player**: I'm not talking about the Arcana Nexus!
**Player**: I'm talking about the flux of everyone here—everyone in Never Isle!
**Rom**: !!
**Rom**: Everyone has flux deficiency, but with this many people here...
**Rom**: It might work!
*Player addresses the remaining residents*
**Player**: Everyone in Never Isle, we need your power!
**Player**: With your power, we can defeat Rancor!
**Residents of Never Isle**: We'll fight him to the death!
**Residents of Never Isle**: Fight him to the death!
**Residents of Never Isle**: Use our flux!
**Rancor**: Use your flux? What kind of joke is this?
**Rom**: Alcander, BeeNic, Commander, it'll take time to gather everyone's flux...
**Markus**: Do it! Never Isle warriors got you covered!
**Rancor**: Ugh...
**Rancor**: Roar!
**Markus**: Warriors, do whatever it takes to stall Rancor!
*A few moments later...*
**Rom**: Thank you all for giving me your power!
**Player**: Take this, Rom!
*You toss the Wheel of Fate to Rom.*
**Rom**: (Rom catches it.)
*Rom runs to face Rancor*
**Rom**: Evil!
**Rom**: Repent in the underworld!
*Rom combines the power from the Wheel of Fate with his Draconic Black Thunder and defeats Rancor*
**Rancor**: No!!!!
*Rancor turns into ashes, disappearing without a trace.*
**Player**: Did we... win?
**Rancor's Regret**: Inferior, flawed race!
**Player**: !!
**Rancor's Regret**: I am Rancor. I exist in every one of you!
**Rancor's Regret**: I am... eternal!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Sure, humans blame the world, hate others, and doubt each other. Humans are flawed, imperfect...
**Player**: However, in the face of suffering and danger, humans will put aside their differences and hatred, and stand united!
**Player**: Humans may not be able to kill you, but if you ever show up again, we'll crush you with everything we've got!
*Rancor's voice can no longer be heard...*
**Rom**: Phew.
**Rom**: We won!
**Player**: Rom!
*As just when you are about to hug Rom...*
**Rom**: (He suddenly punches you.)
**Player**: Ugh... my stomach...
**Player**: I thought you said you couldn't bear to hit me.
*Rom grabs your shoulder...*
**Rom**: Idiot!
**Rom**: What were you thinking?
**Player**: Ouch!
**Rom**: You idiot! Why the hell would you fly an airship into Rancor?
**Rom**: You really crossed the line this time!
**Player**: I-It was a life and death situation... I did it before I knew it.
**Rom**: You fool!
*Rom raises his fist again...*
**Player**: Easy easy easy!
*Before he lands a punch on you, Rom turns his hand and reaches for your back.*
*He hugs you tightly.*
**Rom**: I really wanted to punch your lights out, but \*sigh\*
**Rom**: You're such an idiot...
**Rom**: But at the same time you're so hot...
**Rom**: Argh, I can't get my eyes off your cute face! Dammit!
*Continue to Intimacy Level 13*

## Audio

*Note: Skins will use the audio from the basic skin unless indicated otherwise.*

### Rom's Basic Skin

* **Butler Interactions**
	+ Before Intimacy Level 7
		- **Head**: *Heh, so this is your home? ...Not bad.*
		    ENG     CN     JP
		- **Torso**: *Ooooh, This is not... for free...*
		    ENG     CN     JP
		- **Waist**: *Careful, it's gonna milk you dry~*
		    ENG     CN     JP
	+ After reaching Intimacy Level 7
		- **Head**: *Why don't you... invite me to your sky-palace for a drink?*
		    ENG     CN     JP
		- **Torso**: *Get over here! Lean over~*
		    ENG     CN     JP
		- **Waist**: *Can't wait? I'll fill you up with my pure energy, hahahahah...*
		    ENG     CN     JP
* **Skills**
	+ **Basic**: *Surrender!*
	    ENG     CN     JP
	+ **Advanced**: *Witness the power of the Dragon Thunder!*
	    ENG     CN     JP
	+ **Ultimate**: *Repent in another world!*
	    ENG     CN     JP
* **Arrival**: *I'm here to find my big brother and save this world.*
    ENG     CN     JP
* **Display Voice 1**: *My blade is on fire, just like me! Do you like it?*
    ENG     CN     JP
* **Display Voice 2**: *Don't get too close or you'll get shocked.*
    ENG     CN     JP
* **Display Voice 3**: *You want to see my power?*
    ENG     CN     JP
* **Hit**: *\*grunts\**
    ENG     CN     JP
* **Dying**: *I messed up.*
    ENG     CN     JP