NOISZ (Game)/Story/Stage 7B

## Story

As they travel through the portal to the human world, the main character has a vision of the past:

Beyond and Arietta search through offices in the Antiphon building.

While sifting through desks, Beyond finds evidence of a previous instance of contact with, contradicting what her father said about having no successful attempts.

Arietta hesitates. Beyond tries to reassure her. After all, Beyond says, Arietta's abilities and inability to compose are very likely a result of a connection to the other world. Beyond resumes her search.

Years ago, Arietta was sent home from school. She failed to complete a music assignment because she couldn't compose. She explains to her sister that any time she tries to create, it feels as though her mind is being taken over by an outside influence. Their father interrupts, saying that Arietta's talent lies elsewhere. Beyond argues back that this limitation has to do with the other world. He tells her to forget about that. He says his theory was incorrect, and his project was a failure. He orders them to stop being delusional and think properly about their futures. He storms off.

Arietta worries about what to do. She tells Beyond she wants to make the perfect melody. Beyond hugs her. She reassures Arietta that she'll think of something.

Returning to Beyond's search, she finds a card key. Arietta has a bad feeling, but Beyond is excited about the possibility of helping Arietta realize her dream. Arietta questions the feasibility of her goal, and Beyond promises to help her achieve it anyway. Arietta nods.

The two open the door and descend into the basement.

Beyond from the present interrupts the scene in the basement to preface what happens next. She says she had no idea what was down there would change both of their lives so drastically. She asserts that her father never told anyone of the first contact because he was right: it was not a success.

When the two reach the bottom of the staircase, a large arch reacts. Arietta screams in pain. The gate's light reveals corpses and blood scattered across the floor. Beyond attempts to get Arietta to leave, but Arietta refuses. Arietta is distracted by a newfound ability to compose. Chains emerge from the portal. Beyond throws a weapon-like object at the console. It breaks one of the power conduits and shuts down the portal. Arietta collapses.

The vision ends, and the main character returns to the human world. They think for a short while.

If you selected more heroic options, they become extremely suspicious of Arietta. They wonder if Beyond was in on this as well. They dismiss their concerns and focus at the task at hand: defeating the NOISZ Beasts.

If you selected crueler options, the main character stirs with excitement at the idea of facing a stronger opponent. Their desire becomes aligned with that of the NOISZ: to endlessly consume all who stand in the way. They look forward to becoming even stronger, maybe enough to overpower Beyond and Arietta.

After that, either way, Beyond, Wolf-Girl, Forza, and Jonathan greet the main character and ask for their help. A dragon-like NOISZ Beast charges at the main character.

## Song

Stage 7B's song is Kill The Deadline.

**Restrictions:** Inversion is active.\*

\*The game does not list Inversion, though it is present.