Fusion

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**Fusion** (also referred to as **Legion Fusion**) is both a story element as well as the final game mechanic introduced in *ASTRAL CHAIN*. As the name suggests, this is a fusion between a human (namely a Legionis) and their legion. When fused, the combined form looks similar to HUM-C-F5DB3-00, but with long hair, claws, and glowing armor similar to the Legions.

## Lore

The first appearance of Fusion is in **File 09 【Salvation】 - Apotheosis**, wherein the Protagonist nearly dies fighting off Jena Anderson. The Legion Core then fuses with the protagonist, causing them to lose control of their legion and attack both Jena and Akira. The berserk Protagonist then gets shot by the Ravens and falls off the overpass.

The second appearance is in **File 10 【Madness】- Akira Unchained**, wherein Akira gets nearly killed by the Ravens, triggering the transformation and going berserk. Here, Hal and Brenda provide an explanation as to how fusion actually works: if a Legionis is highly trained and in sync with their legion, the two of act as one body, and when half of that body is near death, the Legion's survival instincts kick in to save the other half. This is why both the Protagonist and Akira go berserk; with the Legionis being incapacitated, the Legion is in full control of the fused body, and is fully willing to kill whatever threatens both themselves and their Legionis.

Hal notes that the protagonist now has the same cells as the Legion floating in their bloodstream, and that this should allow them to willingly fuse with their Legion and probably control it. Said "willing" fusion involves the protagonist ripping out the Legion Core out of their Legatus and slamming it into their chest, causing the transformation.

## Gameplay

In gameplay, Fusion works similar to various super modes in action games (e.g. Devil Trigger from the *Devil May Cry* series). In *Akira Unchained*, the player is given an unlimited Fusion form. However, in normal gameplay, the player must fill the new **Synchronicity Gauge** by performing sync attacks with their Legion (requires 250 sync attacks), through player dealing damage while Legion is active (requires dealing 125,000 damage), through Legion dealing damage, or a combination of them. When the bar is full, the player must then press both sticks to trigger the transformation. While in Fusion form, a new moveset is granted: (assuming the player is using default controls)

* Attack (ZR) - Attacks with claws. Press repeatedly to perform a combo.
* Shockwave (ZL) - Emits a howling shockwave.
* Aiming Mode (L) - While aiming, press (ZR) to shoot energy from the claws.
* Dash Attack (while dashing, ZR) - Run toward an enemy, then do a flip onto them.
* Evade (B) - Turn into a slipstream to evade enemy attacks.

By default, Fusion lasts fo 20 seconds. Dealing damage increases its duration, while evading and taking damage decreases it. Fusion will end immediately if (R) is pressed.

While in this state, the player heals half the damage they deal. As a default Fusion deals lackluster damage, it may be useful to consider equipping abilities that increase damage, using drinks, and using the skills Power Charge and Sync Keep.

## Weaknesses

While Fusion is a powerful and nigh-invincible tool, it does have downsides in both story and gameplay. Lore-wise, the berserk state can be easily overcome by enemies with better teamwork. For example, the berserk Protagonist gets crushed by the Raven Corps, who utilize their teamwork at such speed that a fused being can't react in time. It also causes a serious strain on the body, causing the user to collapse from fatigue. Gameplay-wise, triggering Legion Fusion causes players to lose access to Perfect Calls, Chain Attacks, Sync Attacks, and Legion-specific moves (such as the Arrow Legion's Slow Shot, the Arm Legion's Gravity Storm, or the Axe Legion's Blue Shield).

## Trivia

* When the protagonist first fuses with their legion in File 9, the form takes on a purple color. Later on, in File 10, the color and armor of their form matches their Legions' default color. Likewise, Akira's fused form looks akin to their Type-R Legions.
* The insert song, *"Dark Hero"*, plays during *"Akira Unchained"* and changes depending on the protagonist's gender. A short exert of the theme also plays in other missions whenever the form is triggered in-game.