Chapter 21: Six-Year Promise

## Script

*Chapter 21*
*Six-Year Promise*
**Player**: Martin!
*Martin summons multiple Shadow Demons*
**Martin**: It's been a long time...
**Martin**: ...Mr. Pawn.
**Yan**: (Softly) Player...
**Yan**: (Softly) My ancient Shadowhunter Artisoul can detect the Shadows' Flux...
**Yan**: (Softly) Martin is a lot stronger than before...
**Player**: Hmm...
**Martin**: What? Are you recharging your Wheel of Fate?
**Martin**: You're just going to face this broken statue?
**Martin**: Hahaha!
**Player**: (angry)
**Martin**: You really think this is the Water Nexus?
**Martin**: Don't be foolish. This is nothing more than a rock! Haha!
**Player**: What?!
**Player**: You're telling me that the true Water Nexus is Triton, the Sea God himself?
**Martin**: Haha, you're just now realizing this?
**Martin**: At first, I was hunting him, but now I've found you - a much more enticing target - and rushed over.
**Martin**: Speaking of which, as Triton was escaping, he used Arcana to cast his voice here, didn't he?
**Martin**: If I'm not mistaken, it was to call you over, wasn't it?
**Player**: (angry)
**Martin**: How ridiculous. How shameful. To be defeated by the likes of you.
**Martin**: Luckily, Mr. Pawn...
**Martin**: You're about to be set free.
**Martin**: Your fate as a pawn of Never Isle will come to an end today.
**Martin**: Our grievances will go to the grave with you!
*Choice 1.1 - Why don't you show me your true power?*
**Martin**: Humph.
*Choice 1.2 - I should be saying that to you. After all, I'm the one who beat you!*
**Martin**: Hah, you arrogant fool.
**Martin**: Whatever.
**Martin**: This just makes things all the more interesting for me!
*Conversation continues after choices*
**King of Sea Beasts**: Let's work together, Martin, and see where these two run off to!
**Martin**: Oh?
*Kraken gets back up*
**Martin**: I thought it was just some stray dog.
**Martin**: Has the coward who feigned his own death finally woken up?
**King of Sea Beasts**: Arraaagh?!
**King of Sea Beasts**: You fool. How dare you speak to me that way!
**Martin**: I'm the one who should be saying that to you.
*Martin teleports behind Kraken*
**Martin**: Kneel.
**King of Sea Beasts**: Arraaagh?!
*Martin uses his Shadow Flux to attack Kraken*
**King of Sea Beasts**: Aaaaaghhh!
**Martin**: Only those who surrender to me are worthy of living!
**Martin**: But you don't even have any legs. How can you kneel?
*Kraken faints*
**Player**: This attack again!
**Yan**: How is it possible for a simple blood absorption Arcana to be so powerful?!
**Martin**: Blood? That's just the tip of the iceberg.
**Martin**: What I'm really absorbing is Flux.
**Martin**: The ability to absorb Flux from the dead is my innate gift.
**Martin**: It wasn't so efficient before...
**Martin**: But when my master brought me back to life, he also strengthened this gift!
**Martin**: Hahaha!
**Martin**: Soon, I will feed on you as well!
**Martin**: You should feel honored!
**Yan**: We're not his enemy. I'll hold off these Shadow Demons. You go!
**Player**: But...
**Yan**: One of us must survive. Go!
*Yan points to the portal activation point at the entrance to the Water Nexus*
**Yan**: Over there! That's the portal to Kaigon! Quickly!
**Player**: Hasn't it been sealed?
**Yan**: We can use Flux to force this portal seal open!
**Yan**: It's the only chance we've got!
**Player**: Okay!
**Yan**: Stand near the portal and give it the 'Kaigon Cathedral' command to have it send you there!
**Martin**: That's fine. Run. Just run.
**Martin**: After all, a running prey is what makes a hunt so interesting.
*Yan and the Shadowhunters attack Martin and his Shadow Demons*
*As Player runs away, Martin teleports in front of him*
**Martin**: Why must you all be this way?
**Martin**: You, Nemesio...
**Martin**: Benevolence, justice... Why are you all so desperate to be slaves to these ideals?
**Player**: Are you not a slave to evil?
**Martin**: Ha, I think you have it backwards.
**Martin**: Well then...
**Martin**: Let me show you just what kind of slave you are!
*Martin starts using Shadow Flux to take out the Shadowhunters one by one*
**Yan**: Dammit...
**Player**: ...Hey, what are you doing?!
**Martin**: Haha, I'm killing him. Isn't that what I should be doing?
**Martin**: Huh? You want to save him?
**Martin**: Do you feel sad?
**Martin**: Didn't you already choose to run away?
**Martin**: Will you regret your decision? Will you feel guilt? How about pain?!
**Martin**: Being branded, being shackled, losing your freedom... This is slavery!
**Martin**: When you cannot be saved, when you've lost all hope...
**Martin**: Your brand, 'Slaves to Justice', will throb with pain. This pain is persistent and profound.
**Martin**: You want to escape this pain, like a slave fleeing its owner's whip.
**Martin**: But you find that the only way is to change. This is what Ka calls 'redemption'. Saving others to save yourself.
**Martin**: You save people, and then you save more people. It's a chain around your neck, pulling you along. You have no choice but to keep going.
**Martin**: Like someone struggling as they drown.
**Martin**: In the end, there is nothing you can do. The suffering comes back, so you change yet again. You get stuck in this endless cycle.
**Martin**: Take a close look. These chains are everywhere. They've already wrapped themselves around your world.
**Martin**: When did it become your duty to fight the Shadows?
**Martin**: When did it become your duty to save Gyee from the Shadows and the White Capes?
**Martin**: When did it become your duty to recharge the Wheel of Fate and bring about Az's return?
**Martin**: What does Az have to do with you? That's what gives you the freedom to return home. You want to go home, just go home. You don't want to go home, then don't.
**Martin**: Do you still feel the same way, Mr. Pawn?
**Martin**: You're surrounded by hypocrites. They're all forcing you along under the guise of support!
**Martin**: They're all coercing you under the guise of showing concern!
**Player**: No. I don't feel forced or coerced...
**Player**: Besides, those aren't their intentions.
**Martin**: I'm just wasting my breath telling you all this.
**Martin**: It seems that it would be better just to kill you.
*Player fights Martin*
**Player**: This is all just the Shadows toying with your mind.
**Player**: There is both good and evil in human nature. Humans aren't satisfied by blindly doing evil; only Shadows are.
**Player**: Didn't you feel happy as a child when you helped others?
**Martin**: Haha, did you feel happy helping others?
**Martin**: Perhaps I should put it this way: did you mistake that feeling for happiness?
**Martin**: No. That kind of thing doesn't really make anyone happy.
**Martin**: What really makes you happy is the thankful gaze of the people you've rescued.
**Martin**: It would seem you're not just a slave to justice; you're also a slave to their gratitude.
**Player**: ...I'm not getting through to you.
**Martin**: Oh? Then maybe killing would be more effective.
**Martin**: Kill me, or I'll kill you.
**Martin**: That is the only way left for us.
**Player**: (angry)
*As the fight continues, Player gains the upper hand*
**Martin**: ...Good, good.
**Martin**: I'm surprised you've pushed me this far.
**Martin**: I was originally planning on saving some of my strength. After all, I've got important things to do.
**Martin**: But the plan's changed. Take this...
*From out of nowhere, a crossbow bolt comes flying at Martin. He dodges it, and the bolt misses.*
**Martin**: Who's there!
*Nemesio, Miles and Gaar arrive to block of Martin's escape route while Yan joins Player's side*
**Yan**: Took you all long enough!
**Martin**: Oh, it's this maniac again.
**Nemesio**: There's nowhere for you to hide this time.
**Nemesio**: It's time to put a rest to the grudge that started six years ago.
**Martin**: And you're going to do that all on your own?
**Martin**: Haha, so that's why you brought those old farts?
**Miles**: Psh. You were lucky to get away alive last time.
**Miles**: Today, we've got you. I'm going to shoot you full of holes!
**Gaar**: Don't be impatient, Wolf.
**Gaar**: Let me piss all over this bastard's face first! I'll wash that eyeshadow right off!
**Martin**: What did you call me?!
**Martin**: Do you have a death wish?!
**Gaar**: Oh? Is the bastard angry?
**Gaar**: Let me be even clearer: everyone who's anyone knows that Master Martin from Crossport is a bastard!
**Martin**: ...
**Gaar**: Oh, I get it. That was impolite of me.
**Gaar**: Sorry, us White Capes aren't the most cultured folk.
**Gaar**: How about this: 'love child'?
**Martin**: ...It seems that I made a mistake letting you get away six years ago.
**Gaar**: Now's your chance, Player. Quickly!
**Gaar**: Leave him to us.
**Player**: But...
**Miles**: But what?! Get out of here!
**Nemesio**: Yes. This grudge is between him and us Oathblades.
**Nemesio**: Go do what you need to do, but don't interfere.
*Choice 1.1 - Gaar... Are you an Oathblade?*
**Nemesio**: He...
**Gaar**: I'm not one of them, so I'm not intervening.
**Gaar**: I'm just talking smack!
**Gaar**: They're in charge of the fighting, I'm in charge of the smack talking.
**Miles**: Stop talking nonsense. That guy isn't fooling around. If you don't leave now, we're going to have to waste energy protecting you!
*Choice 1.2 - About the grudge from six years ago...*
**Nemesio**: Six years ago...
**Nemesio**: Martin and John ambushed my unit while our strength was exhausted. I was the only one who survived.
**Nemesio**: The rest is a long story that will have to wait for another day.
**Nemesio**: Get out of here. Once this battle is over, if we are destined to meet again, I will answer all your questions.
*Choice 1.3 - You were hunting Martin before?*
**Miles**: The boss is pursuing Martin. I'm looking for the boss.
**Nemesio**: I'm not your boss anymore.
**Miles**: Stop talking nonsense. If I say you're the boss, you're the boss.
**Nemesio**: Well, have it your way.
**Nemesio**: Player.
**Nemesio**: I don't have time to answer your questions now.
**Nemesio**: Get out of here. Once this battle is over, if we are destined to meet again, I will answer all your questions.
*Choice 1.4 - All right. Got it!*
**Gaar**: Heh, good.
*Scene continues after choices*
*Player escapes*
**Gaar**: I said, Boss, that guy isn't fooling around.
**Miles**: Let's see what he's capable of!
*Martin summons multiple Shadow monsters to take on his new foes*
**Gaar**: Wow...
**Gaar**: Your skill is so AWESOME!
**Gaar**: It must be a REAL hit at children's birthday parties!
*Martin summons another Shadow monster in front of Player, stopping his escape*
**Player**: !!!
**Martin**: Kill them!
*The Shadow monsters start converging on the fighters*
**Yan**: Damn...
**Nemesio**: Humph.
*Nemesio releases his own Shadow Flux, increasing his power*
**Gaar**: Haha, looks like you can hold your own in a fight, Boss!
**Gaar**: It's so cool seeing you like this. It's just like the old you!
**Nemesio**: If you're going to fight, then fight. Don't bother us with this nonsense.
**Gaar**: Heh, yes sir!
*Seeing the new threat, Player hesitates*
**Nemesio**: Didn't you say you were leaving? What are you still doing here?!
**Gaar**: Don't worry, leave this up to us.
**Player**: All right. It's all on you guys!
*Player leaves his friends behind and focuses on the path back to the portal*
*Player battles multiple Shadow as he goes through the portal maze back to the entrance*
*He glances back at where the others are battling Martin*
**Player**: Martin's really powerful now. Add to that these Shadows he's summoned, and they're a force to be reckoned with.
**Player**: I don't know how long they'll be able to hold out.
*Their battle continues...*
**Miles**: This damned guy is so powerful...
**Gaar**: Yes, he's much more powerful than before.
**Gaar**: To be honest, Martin...
**Gaar**: You may not be related by blood, but when you're serious, you look just like Paul!
**Martin**: (angry)
**Martin**: Instead of chatting, maybe you'd better think about surviving!
**Gaar**: Haha! It's true! That's totally something Paul would say!
**Martin**: ...
**Gaar**: He really left a mark on you.
**Gaar**: I thought you were his polar opposite...
**Gaar**: But now it looks like you were just rebelling against him because you hated him.
**Martin**: Humph. What do you know?
**Gaar**: Don't treat me like a child just because I look young. That's just because I take good care of my looks!
**Gaar**: Paul and I were good friends. You really don't recognize me?
**Gaar**: I'm your Uncle Gaar! When you were little, I lifted you up in a bar so you could step on balloons!
**Martin**: Are you trying to make me laugh, you joker?
**Gaar**: Your body is teeming with Shadows, but you deliberately hid them.
**Gaar**: Paul valued principles, and you destroy them.
**Gaar**: Paul never insulted or ridiculed others, but that's all you seem to do.
**Gaar**: Paul treated those who betray him with forgiveness and magnanimity, while you use blood and fire to destroy them...
**Gaar**: Except for these deep-seated personality traits, you even changed your superficial characteristics.
**Gaar**: He dressed simply and lived simply. You do your utmost to live luxuriously.
**Gaar**: He was always reserved and expressionless. You are always laughing.
**Gaar**: But once you get serious and drop the pretense, your temperament becomes exactly the same as his, haha!
**Gaar**: You're just like a naive and rebellious child!
**Martin**: Shut up!
**Martin**: Your time to run your mouth is over!
**Gaar**: Oh?
**Gaar**: So the mask comes off, huh? Martin's going to throw a temper tantrum!
**Martin**: (angry)
**Nemesio**: It's been several years, Gaar. You still know how to talk smack.
**Nemesio**: But don't just run your mouth. Focus on the fight.
**Gaar**: Don't worry!
*Martin summons more monsters but they seem no match to their combined force*
*Yan finally breaks through to the old Oathblades team*
**Yan**: I'm here to help!
**Miles**: Yan?
**Yan**: Since you're with the one with the grudge against Martin, I won't intervene in the fight.
**Yan**: Let me handle the other troops.
**Martin**: Just you guys?
*Martin surrounds Yan with summoned Shadow demons*
**Yan**: Don't worry about the numbers. Give us all you've got!
**Yan**: Star Pact!
*Their battle continues...*
**Player**: There's no use in looking. They won't let me help them, anyway. Looking would be a waste of time.
**Player**: I'd better just get out of here and go to Kaigon and get some reinforcements.
**Player**: Maybe...the real Triton might be found.
*Player pushes forward to the portal activation site*
*Back at the battle between Martin and Nemesio's group...*
*The team has taken down scores of Shadow monsters but Martin continues to summon more*
**Nemesio**: It seems you did a much deeper investigation of Martin than I did, Gaar.
**Nemesio**: But don't think that you can expose his flaws just by running your mouth.
**Miles**: Speaking of which, your goal isn't to get him to expose his flaws, is it?
**Miles**: You're just trying to buy time.
**Miles**: Did you manage to find reinforcements?
**Gaar**: N-no. Why would I do that? Isn't this our grudge to settle?
**Miles**: Then what were you doing on Never Isle yesterday?
**Miles**: You even went to the Mona Altar.
**Nemesio**: ... What!?
**Nemesio**: Oh... You guys... Should step back...
**Gaar**: (surprised)
**Miles**: Humph, you don't know him that well after all, do you?
**Miles**: Martin can't die to anyone except him.
**Miles**: And we definitely can't let outsiders interfere!
**Gaar**: ...I knew that.
**Gaar**: Too bad you kept running your mouth.
**Miles**: Huh? You're blaming me?
**Gaar**: Yes! You knew that we were no match for Martin at his current power!
**Miles**: ...
**Nemesio**: Ahhhhh!!!
**Miles**: Fine. Go. Get out of here. Go help Player.
**Miles**: Let me and the boss handle this.
**Gaar**: Are you sure?
**Miles**: You don't have another choice. Look at him. He's ready to kill you.
**Miles**: And you're no good in a fight. You won't stand a chance against him. All you know how to do is piss him off.
**Miles**: Forget him, I even want to kill you right now.
**Gaar**: Yeah, you keep saying that. So why am I still alive?
**Miles**: I'm not joking with you.
**Miles**: I'll keep the boss from becoming impulsive.
**Miles**: It's just to stall him, right? The two of us are enough to handle him.
**Gaar**: So you're saying...we're going to use my plan?
**Miles**: Humph. I hate to admit it, but...yeah.
**Miles**: Your plan is a sound one.
*Nemesio starts to lose control*
**Nemesio**: Kill...
**Nemesio**: Gaar, get out of here now!
**Gaar**: ... Yes, sir.
*Gar leaves*
*Player finally reaches the portal activation site but triggers a trap that summons more Shadow monsters*
**Player**: It's a Shadow array!
**Player**: So many of them at once...
*Gaar arrives just in time*
**Gaar**: Hey，take it easy，buddy!
**Gaar**: At an exciting time like this，we'll need to improvise!
*Gaar activates his King of Rhythm and begins shooting*
**Gaar**: If you think life isn't exciting enough as it is...
**Gaar**: Then I'll teach you how to have some fun!
**Gaar**: Look at these grinning fools!
**Gaar**: Hey，take a shot at those degenerates!
*Gaar defeats many of the monsters*
**Player**: Wow, thanks!
**Gaar**: No worries!
**Gaar**: You take care of the big guy in the back, I'll help you deal with the little ones. How about it?
**Player**: Sounds good!
*Player defeats the large Shadow monster and checks on Gaar*
**Player**: Need some help?
**Gaar**: No. Get out of here. It'll only take me a second to take care of these two.
**Player**: Okay. Then Nemesio and Miles...
**Gaar**: Don't worry. Just get back there as soon as you can.
**Player**: Okay.
*Player goes to the portal activation device while Gaar defeats the last few stragglers*
**Player**: But this portal's been sealed. I'll try to use Flux to open it.
**Gaar**: You're going to use Flux to force your way through?
**Gaar**: Have you considered what would happen to you if someone not only sealed it, but also injected violent Flux into it as a trap?
**Player**: ...
**Gaar**: You may be hard-headed, but that doesn't mean you should use your head as a bumper car.
**Gaar**: I'm an expert at this kind of thing.
**Player**: You can do it?
**Gaar**: Haha. A secret agent has to have a few tricks up his sleeve to get around unnoticed.
**Gaar**: Don't worry, leave it to me.
*Gaar checks the portal activation device*
**Gaar**: Huh...
**Gaar**: Well, how about that?
**Gaar**: There wasn't anything wrong with the portal. Go through it whenever you are ready!
**Player**: Ah, it seems the Shadowhunters have already made it to Kaigon. Maybe they've already opened the portal there!
**Gaar**: I'll leave that up to you. I'm going to head back and help the others. Bye!
**Player**: All right. Thank you!
*Player starts to activate the portal*
*Gaar suddenly realizes something*
**Gaar**: (surprised)
**Gaar**: Where does this portal go?
**Player**: It goes to the Kaigon Cathedral. What's wrong?
**Gaar**: What?!
**Gaar**: Doesn't it go to...
**Player**: Huh?
*Before Gaar can finish, the portal activates and teleports Player away*
**Gaar**: Holy light...
**Gaar**: It's over this time...
*Continue to Chapter 22*