Veracity Kingsglaive Unveils

**Veracity Kingsglaive Unveils** is a short CGI film and extra mode for *Chrono Trigger: The Zodiac Era*. Its timeline is speculated to have taken place after the party attempted defeat of the Dream Devourer. Veracity Kingsglaive Unveils is considered an alternate ending to the main game.

## Cast

* *Nyx Ulric*
* *Nyx's Shadow*
* *Carrière*
* *Rydia*
* *Obverse Rydia*
* *Clyde Arrowny*
* *Relm Arrowny*

* *Crono*
* *Terra Branford*

## Story

**––—Spoiler warning: *Plot and/or ending details follow.––—***

### Jahara, the wounded Garif

In Jahara, the Great Chief speaks of one their own who is unwell. The Garif attempted defeat of the Eidolon, Kaiser Dragon, but his efforts where in vain. The wounded Garif had taken refuge in Jahara. The Great Chief asks the party to approach the wounded Garif with the Errmonea Leaf, in attempt to heal him. Upon visiting the Garif, he speaks no words to Crono as he sits, crossed legged on the ground, when Crono walks to face the Garif, he stands up and appears to blow an mysterious substance in his face, causing him to blackout.

### Nightmares

Later, a voice of the summoner of the village begins to speak a monologue. The summoner, revealing to be Carrière, explains the nightmares he has been having since the ascension cataclysm, signifying he has indeed survived the event. His next lines signify he has been watching over the party, mainly, Nyx and Rydia since their time in Gaia as he speaks of his mother's death. Carrière knows Nyx and Rydia confronted his mother Holocene 1800, and believes Nyx killed her without a passing thought in his mind. Despite her acts to reach immortality, she's still his mother and should have been spared. He believes it was Nyx alone who instigated the elimination of his mother, as if it had been Rydia and Eiko alone, she would still be alive. Carrière doesn't speak of his sister's whereabouts, though, it is likely she has passed since her defeat as with Ayesha.

Carrière then states he is afraid of Nyx, as he may underestimate his strength considering he was able to defeat the holy summoner known for much power and magical capabilities. Carrière fears if Nyx could take his mother's life, he would not hesitate to do the same with his own. Carrière questions what he should do now, lost in thought, he wonders if he should fight and live, fight in his mother's honor, or if Nyx will get him instead. After pondering for a while, Carrière seemingly comes to the conclusion he cannot see to fight Nyx. Knowing his mother's acts of abuse—the power of the villagers including Sara and himself were true, Carrière feels weakened, and decides to flee. It is unclear what point in time this monologue takes place. However, it can be speculated some time during his early years, though time is unstable during the events.

### The Fall

After Carrière's monologue, the player appears at the Ozmone Plain, where Carrière falls from a gate, materialized in the sky. Carrière lies motionless on the plains, losing an envelope, until he is spotted by the party from afar. They approach him and observe his body, unaware of who he is. Nyx, taking a look at Carrière's wounds, believes, by a chance, he would not survive. Rydia checks Carrière for a pulse. Finding one, she tell the party to get him on the Strahl.

### The Trance

Later, another monologue begins. Nyx, seemingly in a trance state, begins speaking nervously, admitting he's *"killed them"* and he's *"killed them all".* A contort of Carrière's voice is heard, pleading for Nyx to help him. He becomes to get more incoherent in his calls as he switches to saying *"don't let this happen to me!"* and *"why'd you bring me here!?".* Baffled, but following blindly, Nyx searches for Carrière whom calls to him. Soon he finds him by digging in a grave. Seeing what he supposes is Carrière's arm, he begins to pull him out, only to pull out his own kukri and a shadow following before it. Baffled, Nyx eyes the shadow rising up anterior of him. The shadow, telling Nyx *"he knows what to do"* turns around slowly, revealing itself to be Nyx's Shadow. Irate, his shadow demands Nyx to end the pain, implying he'd use his kukri to commit suicide by slitting his throat. Thinking differently, Nyx replies he's not in pain, only for his shadow to become more hostile, shouting, not *his* pain *"their"* pain—all the lives whom Nyx has destroyed, and the many more to come, stating he destroys everything he touches.

Nyx, trying not to let his bad conscience control his mind, states that he'd never hurt his allies, they're his friends. His shadow, noting that they're all dead or doomed to die. Trying to take control of Nyx's mental state, the shadow implies Nyx knows it, feels it; stating he is a black thumb incapable of keeping life. Pointing out, first the holy summoner died by Nyx's hand, then next would be Carrière, and then lastly his friends. Nyx, regaining control of himself, stands to fight and wrestles with his shadow before it could deliver the final blow.

Nyx later snaps back to reality, visibly disturbed by his thoughts and trance-like state, which seems to have been triggered by his first encounter with Carrière. Carrière, being a child of the holy summoner, the guilt hits Nyx in reality as he has eliminated Ayesha.

In the Strahl, Carrière notices the disturbed look on Nyx's face, asking if it was a bad dream, thereafter stating Nyx must remain vigilant, as he is his own worst enemy. Nyx gives Carrière one glaring look after hearing those words, pondering further of his current mental state.

### The Illness

The next scene depicts a memory of Johnny. Within the manse of Balfonheim, his daughter is seen by a doctor to treat her condition. Seeing the severity of her illness, the doctor is uncertain about the chances of her surviving. Hearing this upsets Johnny quite much as he becomes irate, claiming they're a doctor, its their job to heal people, and how they could just let her die. The doctor, asking Johnny to calm down, explains they will do what they can to treat his daughter, but there is still no effective treatment for her condition. Johnny, asking how long does his daughter has left, is told she has approximately three days at most to live, but they are unsure.

### Rendezvous

Later in the Strahl, the party explains their situation and events they've experienced leading up to this moment. Carrière explains the party should look for a time vortex; stating a *'Crown of Anemic'* is likely a cincture of clouds. Carrière then recites a riddle: *"Chase the heart of the Woman in Flight to the Anemic crown Grye, where the Twins confer".* He wonders who the twins are. Nyx believes it is Schala agglutinated with the Dream Devourer. Looking outside, Nyx notices the storm on the plains is getting worse, while Carrière points its *"just a little rain".* The stormy weather of the Ozmone Plain likely simulates the formation of the time vortex, and is why Carrière isn't reluctant to head directly into it. Carrière suggests they focus on the cloudy plains. Nyx, reluctant of the suggestion, wonders if they find it, how would they know it is the right one. Carrière replies with gut feeling, stating its their only clue. The mural he inspected says there would be more disasters to come, he suggests the best way to aid is to put a stop to it and the dark god, likely referring to the latter spawns of Lavos in the time era in which he fell from. Still quite reluctant, Nyx asks again, how would they really know they've found it. Carrière then states what he felt when he took the Darkness Shard; not the tremors, but something greater, feeling as if he's awoken an essence of greater power. Knowing the logic is lacking practical and is hard to believe, Nyx and party needs to trust him. Nyx then agrees, stating they have to trust each other, knowing the situation they all find themselves in, they realize that they must trust each other if they intend on reaching cessation.

On their way to the Ozmone Plain, Carrière explains more of the vortex from which he fell. It is connected to the dark god's shrine in some other era. Carrière was to confront the man himself and see the unfortunate chain of events to an end, likely referring to the dark god's manifested form, as it has the ability to possess and take a body to claim as its host. However, Carrière's efforts were in vain. The dark god had banished Carrière to another era, as doing that was an easy victory for it. Soon later, Carrière awakes in the Golden Age, pondering how he survived the fall. Carrière then apologizes to Nyx, for having to live through a dire event such as this. Seeing how Carrière tried to survive long enough to stop it and to set things right, ultimately he feels his efforts where useless. Nyx thinks the opposite, encouraging Carrière to stay positive and strong as they'll put an end to it once and for all.

### To the Ozmone Plain

Later, Johnny comes to check on Carrière. Carrière responds he's been better since. Not great, but better, seeing they not bring that subject up again. Johnny points that the vaccine appears to be working as Carrière has been more responsive to the serum than the others administrated. Carrière agrees, but seemingly unsettled by something. Curious, Johnny wonders what's wrong, as he should be happy of the progress. Carrière states his enthusiasm will have to wait another day. Johnny, confused, asks what he means; changing the subject, Carrière asks how Johnny is doing; more specifically, how things have been faring with his child. Johnny states all has been well, seeing it is true he resists speaking of his personal life to anyone. This is the only point in the game's plot where Johnny's background is questioned, and gives hints about his true identity, and whether or not he is the man beneath the guise unveiled. Carrière asks Johnny if he knows what day it is. Johnny replies that it is the 15th, and Carrière responds that is never a good day, likely implying the day of his mother's death occurred on the 15th and this day makes it the anniversary of her death. Carrière takes a look in Nyx's direction, still troubled by his mother's passing by Nyx's hand. However, he seems to not hold that over Nyx's conscious anymore, seeing how disturbed Nyx got before.

### Entering the Vortex

On route to the Ozmone Plain, caught in the storm, the party finds the time vortex forming in the sky. Carrière points that is the one he fell from before. He explains that this time he will finish what once could not, without hesitation, stating the enemy inside is his affair. Nyx wonders why Carrière plans on fighting this battle alone; knowing that is true, Terra expects the battle to be treacherous and suggest he allow them to lend their arm in the fight. Carrière, refusing their aid, claims the foe is unlike any other they've faced. He states the dark god desired power of the beast and he got it; stating what the party would find in there would be beyond their efforts, should they not possess the same strength as himself. Carrière vows to set time right again and put an end to dark god, even if he's have to sacrifice his life as a result. Since Carrière's arrival to the Golden Age, it appears he was not youth of age sixteen as the ascension cataclysm, but a grown man by then. And he desires to fight the battle alone to avenge his ménage and carry on his mother's legacy as a summoner.

Carrière explains that, despite Schala's warnings, he could only lean onto the crutch of power. Seeing how without it, the world would really know no true end.

Crono, reluctant to Carrière's idea for going in alone, insists the party fight along side him, stating they've defeated the Dream Devourer and they could take on the dark god no problem. Carrière then explains they've only wounded the beast; stating the beast stood still as Schala regained part of her awareness long enough to send them to safety. Rydia, and the party at large still very reluctant to the idea, try to convince Carrière not enter the battle alone, to no avail. Carrière's persistence holds strong in the moment as he sees the silhouette of the real antagonist. He tells the party not to worry of him, stating what they'll encounter in the vortex will be wondrous to them in unheralded ways.

As the party enters the vortex following Carrière's demands, most of them become lost in time; as speculation, given the scene doesn't depicts them at all. What appears to be Nyx's Shadow, is sent to the Void Beyond Time.

### Prominence

Rydia encounters Nyx inside his dwell in Insomnia and asks him if he knows a young man named, Carrière. Nyx, baffled, wonders why she asks him that. Rydia replies, the letter she possesses reads, *"To my dearest Ulric..."* the latter wording is faded, and its from a man named Carrière. She then asks Nyx, if he is "Ulric". Nyx wonders where she found the letter, and Rydia replies she found it discarded on the Ozmone Plain. Nyx then reacts, finally understanding why Carrière was holding the empty envelope when he fell.

Rydia, confused, wonders if Nyx means to say Carrière died from the fall after all, then implying their conversation with him was, but a mere illusion. Rydia pauses, and then apologizes to Nyx for reminding him. Nyx assures Rydia no need to apologize, she didn't remind him, as he's never forgotten. He explains to Rydia there some things we forget and some things we can never forget, not knowing which one is sadder. Nyx asks of the letter, as Rydia leaves it on the table for him. Thanking her, Nyx wonders if Rydia must be an essence as well, seeing how she is able to see him. Rydia, confused by his words, Nyx suggests that means he could hope for a miracle as well.

Nyx tries his chances and requests Rydia to retrieve a shard within a rare magicite mine. He explains he doesn't know exactly where it is,. but he's certain its in there and that he must have it. Rydia, confused on why he cannot get it himself, Nyx replies if he could he would, but never explains why he cannot. Rydia, after a while, agrees to search for the shard, asking Nyx if he believes something such as this will really work. Nyx, unsure himself, stays persistent in wanting the shard. Rydia then agrees, stating she doesn't mind fighting for an impossible cause. She then asks Nyx if he believes miracles can really happen. Nyx states that this is prominence, and Rydia implies that's likely the problem. Nyx tells Rydia she thinks too much; he is from here, and this is his town, likely implying the realm of prominence is projecting his home of either Galahd or Insomnia.

### The Truth

After returning with the shard at hand, Nyx thanks Rydia for retrieving the item for him, stating that's only one he wasn't able to get himself. By the time he found out about it, he could no longer leave his dwell. Rydia wonders, still, if it will have any effect. Nyx then blatantly replies that the gods are here, and Rydia knows it to, stating she was born in this era; likely referring to the prominence ability to bend time and reality it projects. Rydia believes "God" isn't the right word. Nyx asks Rydia if she believes in fate, to her response, *"not really".* He claims that's fine, later stating this is a dead end and there is nothing beyond this point. Rydia, agreeing, asks him what if she'd said she does believe in fate. Nyx then mentions Edge, claiming he is a bad man. Trying to remember, the memory of that name slowly comes to Rydia. Nyx tells her that he *"searches for the you, that isn't you."* Rydia responds *"because he's kind"* and if Nyx knows something she doesn't. With a firm *"yes"* in repose, Nyx begins to tell Rydia, but is interrupted by Rydia's uncertainty, as she tells him that's just what he thinks, and he doesn't really know anything; implying that's just fine. Nyx responds with a blunt *"okay"* as he steps out of frame from the players view, likely into another room.

### Epilogue

After a short pause, Rydia follows after him only find no one in the other room. Confused, she wonder where's he gone, soon after Carrière appears behind her. Carrière says Nyx is *"gone".* Rydia, confused much still, wonders where he has gone. Carrière states the real question she should ask is, *"was he really there to begin with"*, implying an apparition in its physical form. Carrière explains, this was the chance for Nyx to move on, likely to the afterlife. Before he could finish, Rydia implies she understands, leading Carrière to question if she really does. He states, the souls of those who died suddenly don't realize they're dead. In some circumstances, they halt and roam a particular place. Carrière then points out the room she is in is Nyx's room. He asks Rydia, if no one's told her, Nyx is gone. This was his chance to move on. When Carrière set time right, events returned to normal, in time as it should be. He states Rydia's undying soul caused a disturbance in space time, hence this occurrence on time's fabric. However, their arrival to the Void Beyond Time stemmed from more then four individuals entering a time vortex simultaneously. Carrière insures Rydia her time will be set right soon. Rydia asks Carrière if he has defeated the dark god. Carrière only responds to the subject as, he's "*ended the event that is ill-dire",* implying things would have gotten worse if it hadn't been settled. Rydia understands a bit, but still ponders if he's actually defeated the dark god. Carrière then states he'll see that her time is set right.

Carrière guides Rydia to the Wings of Time that is to return her to her present era. Rydia, wondering if this is it, where everything returns to the way it was. Carrière replies, *"the way it has always been and not the tampered life caused by unheralded actions"*, referring to the action from the beginning of the contingency. Rydia then asks what will become of Carrière after she departures. Carrière doesn't respond to such question. She then asks what of Johnny. Carrière replies he doesn't know. Rydia wonders, supposing if he has become lost in time between the events. Carrière claims he doubts it, stating all the gates are closed and that he's out there somewhere, implying Carrière will likely visit him using the Wings of Time, given it is the only method of time travel without the use of gates. Carrière states, once he has done his task, the village will await him, referring to the village of summoners. Lastly, he tells Rydia, she need not worry about him, dwell not on it and to return to her time; live and be strong. Rydia kindly tells Carrière he does the same, as he says his final goodbye to her as she enters the Epoch, returning to her era.

***––—Spoilers end here––—***

## Locations

* *Insomnia Mines*
* *Void Beyond Time*

## Behind the scenes

Veracity Kingsglaive Unveils was conceived by *Mr. Branford* and co-developed by Tokkun Studio approximately one year after The Zodiac Era's initial release. Scenario Writer and series developer, Mr. Branford felt the original ending left on a massive cliff hanger and felt characters such as Nyx's and Rydia's true selves needed a conclusion to their development, and other newly introduced characters such as Johnny and Carrière needed additional character development.

Mr. Branford sought to reduce the amount of tasks for in game development by producing most of Veracity Kingsglaive Unveils as pre-rendered content, in favor of conveying the scenario and bridging gaps between *Final Fantasy IX: Ascension* and The Zodiac Era.

Event Planner, Acikgöz found the creative direction beneficial for the pacing of Veracity Kingsglaive Unveils, allowing more of the game's event script to be fleshed out without repercussions or limitations from the game engine that would've resulted in scenes removed.

## Trivia

* Veracity Kingsglaive Unveils is the shortest playable mode in series, with the only playable location being *Jahara* and the *Insomnia Mines**.*
* The poster for Veracity Kingsglaive Unveils depicts Nyx, his room, his reflection, and a ghastly facsimile resembling Nyx's scarred visage caused by the Ring of the Lucii.