Aeon: Oceanic Reverie/Memory

Narration
I think there are some things that can't be completely described and recorded in books, such as feelings.
They are often described in a rough and stiff way, very one-sided.
Real feelings are often unforgettable, and the impact, even if only occurring once, is unforgettable for a lifetime.
Because I've been to the real sea.
I've touched the crystal waves repeatedly chanted in songs; I've breathed the salty smell described in books.
I've felt the touch of the hot sunlight as depicted in paintings.
They are all feelings you can't experience in the Ark even if you read a lot of books and look at many paintings.
It was a very special day for me.
I have been to Miraland. Though, only once.
Player Selection
What? I thought you and Marina couldn't leave the Ocean of Memories.
[Player]
What? I thought you and Marina couldn't leave the Ocean of Memories.
Aeon
We can't leave the Ocean of Memories.
So that time... was an accident.
Narration
Back then, Nikki hadn't yet come to the Ark, and the Gate of Heart hadn't yet been opened.
Plus, we didn't have the power to operate it.
I've observed the Gate of Heart countless times, but I never found anything.
Until that day, I heard the sound of waves from the other side of the door.
The sound of waves were different from the Ocean of Memories.
I still don't understand what I heard at that time.
The moment I heard the sound of the waves, I took a step unconsciously.
It felt like I was plunged into abyssal darkness, where I couldn't see anything.
It seems that during that short period of time, I lost consciousness.
[*Scene background is now a shipping dock*]]

When I woke up, I was in a hidden realm I had never been to before.
There was dry golden sand that stretched for several miles.
I stood up, and there was an endless blue in front of me...
The blue liquid continued to roll into snow-white waves, lapping the golden sand underneath my feet.
Looking into the distance, the silver glitter reflected by the scorching sun covered the cyan coral reef.
The seabirds flew around the boats.
It was then I realized that smell was probably what was recorded in the books.
The smell of the dry and slightly fishy sea.
Dong! A bell rang from afar. Turning around, I saw a town not far away.
I could hear people's endless shouts and the noise of frolicking.
I immediately understood this was the sea recorded in the books, completely different from the Ocean of Memories.
I couldn't help but walk into the water until it reached my chest. The waves stirred, feeling cold and refreshing.
There was the blue sea and the golden beach.
The turquoise-leaved coconut trees were swaying, seagulls squawking in the air not too far away, and white shells.
The sea was more beautiful than I thought.
[end transcript]

### Chapter 2: Pursue the Waves

Narration
On the day I saw the sea, I also met someone.
Youth
Hi, bro! Are you from somewhere else?
Aeon
Um... I guess so.
Youth
No wonder. That's probably why I've never seen you before. Besides, your skin is way too pale to be a local.
Narration
This brown-skinned teenager was the first person who came over to talk to me.
He looked very enthusiastic. He wore a cap, and had a big ear piercing with an accessory I had never seen before.
Aeon
The sea is beautiful. Does your family live around here?
Youth
Yup, my hometown has the prettiest sea. Look, where else are such beautiful waves?
I've lived by this sea ever since I was a little kid, and I'm familiar with every coral reef here.
Youth's Father
Duka! Come help me push the boat!
Youth
Coming!
By the way, my dad and I are going out to sea. Do you want to come and see it with us, outsider?
Aeon
OK. Let me introduce myself, my name is Aeon.
Youth
Aeon... that sounds like the name of a foreigner. My name's Duka.
My dad, is standing over there. He is the best expert at weaving fishing nets in the village!
Narration
I walked to the moored fishing boat with Duka. His father, bent down, was gathering his fishing nets.
Duka
Aeon, after catching some fish, you can join us for some BBQ.
Or, you can go out to sea with us. When the boat reaches the middle of the sea, we can go surfing or snorkeling!
Let's check it out!
Narration
After helping the father and son clean up, we jumped onto the boat and sailed towards the middle of the sea.
On the calm sea, Duka's father suddenly stopped the boat. Duka immediately took out a pair of swimming goggles and handed them to me.
Duka
By wearing these, we can swim in the sea with the fish!
Narration
After saying this, Duka leaped into the sea like a fish.
So I followed his lead, taking the swimming goggles out, and jumping into the sea.
The water quickly reached over my head. I opened my eyes and looked at where I was through the transparent swimming goggles.
Aeon
The sea of Miraland is completely different from the Ocean of Memories
Player Selection
▸ Ask for description of Ocean of Memories.
[Player]
What does the Ocean of Memories look like in your eyes?
Aeon
The seabed of the Ocean of Memories is very deep.
Apart from the water, there is only an endless abyss and infinite darkness.
The sea here is shallow, and the sunlight is almost blinding.
When the sunlight shines into the sea, it seems to illuminate a huge blue crystal rock.
Player Selection
▸ Agree that the Ocean of Memories is completely different from the ocean.
[Player]
Yes, I think the ocean in Miraland and the Ocean of Memories must be completely different.
Aeon
The seabed of the Ocean of Memories is very deep.
Apart from the water, there is only an endless abyss and infinite darkness.
In this sea, the water is so shallow, so there's no darkness in sight. I can clearly see the fish swimming by.
The gentle sea surrounds me, and the sun makes me feel warm.
Narration
The cyan coral reef slumbers at a deeper place, and the bubbles floating from the bottom reflect a light turquoise color.
Everything in front of us is lively.
After a while, Duka's shout came from not far away.
Duka
Aeon, the waves are coming! We should go surfing!
Narration
Duka had quickly climbed back on the boat, picked up his surfboard, and jumped into the water again.
Although I wanted to try “surfing” with him, a sport I had only seen in books.
That seemed to be impossible without a surfboard.
So I got back on the boat, sat with Duka’s father, and looked at the blue sky with numerous seabirds flying in the distance.
The Ocean of Memories’ sky is also beautiful.
 But there are no seabirds chirping overhead, no And no such beautiful scenery.
Aeon
I'm so jealous you can live by the sea. Everything looks so interesting here.
Duka’s Father
Our ancestors settled by the sea and the people in our village now live beside it. The sea is our family.
However, lad, though the sea is wide and beautiful, it's also the most dangerous place I've ever seen in my life.
Narration
As Duka’s father said this, he gathered up his fishing nets.
Duka’s Father
Duka! Let’s go home!
Narration
The electric boat’s speed was amazing, and we soon returned to the beach.
Duka
Aeon,  will you come out to sea with us tomorrow?
Aeon
 Yeah. Thank you for inviting me, I had a great time today.
Duka
Why don't you come to my place to have some BBQ tonight?
Aeon
Thank you, but maybe next time.
Narration
I have to go back to the Ark. If Marina finds out I’m not there, she’ll be really mad.
It was getting late, and the sun was setting in the west.
When I looked back at the sea again, I found the originally blue water had gradually dimmed.
The color was similar to the sky above the sea, which reminded me of the Ocean of Memories.
[end transcript]

### Chapter 3: Oceanic Storm

Narration
The setting sun gradually moved toward the horizon.
When the sun finally disappeared, a fierce wind started to blow.
Duka
How come did the weather suddenly become this bad?! It was pretty good earlier!
Narration
Buzzzz! The seaside fishing village's alarm sounded, and a buzzing sound rang loudly.
Duka's Father
What's going on...?!
Narration
Giant waves raged like sea monsters, ruthlessly engulfing the coastline, attacking the locals.
Storms descended on the formerly peaceful village.
Duka
What do we do, Dad...? There were storms last rainy season, but they weren't nearly this bad!
Narration
I saw Duka clutching his father's shirt tightly, and his father telling the villagers to run to higher ground.
Duka's Father
Take cover! Everyone, follow me!
Narration
The crowd was noisy, crying, and screaming constantly.
I witnessed this formerly peaceful seaside village dissolve into chaos in an instant before my very eyes.
I gazed at the turbulent sea... If this goes on, there could be a tsunami.
By then, this village will be destroyed.
Looking back at the sky above the sea, I suddenly noticed something strange.
The sky had become exactly like the one above the Ocean of Memories—full of restless lightning and aurora.
What's going on?
Player Selection
▸ Is it because you went to Miraland?
[Player]
Is it because you went to Mraland? Did you unintentionally connect the Ocean of Memories with the ocean of Miraland?
Aeon
Maybe, but I still don't know the real reason for this.
▸ Is there something wrong with the Gate of Heart?
[Player]
Could it be a crack appeared in the Gate of Heart, causing the Ocean of Memories to pour into the ocean of Miraland?
Aeon
I don't know exactly what happened then.
Narration
Perhaps it was my fault. Maybe I went through the Gate of Heart without studying it carefully.
Close to the stormy coastline, huge waves immediately engulfed me.
I followed the waves into the sea that had become freezing cold.
There was no light on the horizon, and there was no sunlight to be found in the cold sea.
It was just like the Ocean of Memories that I'd grown so familiar with.
I opened my eyes in the icy waters and found the formerly visible seabed had become a dark abyss.
I swam towards it.
A force gradually became apparent. It made the seawater go crazy, constantly pulling at my body.
Soon, I vaguely saw a spiraling white railroad track emerging from the center of the abyss, floating up and down.
I fought against the raging currents and tried my best to speed up.
I must... I must stop it.
I will never allow this place to be swallowed by the Ocean of Memories.
[end transcript]

### Chapter 4: In Peace

Narration
In the Mirror of the World, the blue sea is full of waves.
▸ What happened then?
[Player]
And then? What happened after that? Did you come back here, just like that?
Aeon
To be honest, I haven't fully figured out the passage connecting Miraland to the Ocean of Memories.
I only know that when I returned to the Ark, the Gate of Heart was perfectly intact.
Nikki went back and forth through the Gate of Heart all the time.
But the path I took didn't seem to be the same one she used.
▸ What's going on?
[Player]
So what happened after that?
Aeon
That day, when I returned to the Ocean of Memories, it seemed all the railroad tracks had returned to where they were.
▸ Just like nothing ever happened?
[Player]
You mean, like nothing ever happened?
Aeon
Yeah, like nothing happened in the first place. I could only see that the sea of Miraland had returned to normal in the mirror.
I thought the abnormal rift had been closed.
▸ What about the seaside village?
[Player]
What about the seaside village? Did it return to normal?
Aeon
I don't think so. The people in that small village must have been deeply impacted.
Although I've only seen them once, Duka and his father are good people. I hope both of them are safe.
Anyway, before I find a better way, I won't try to go back to Miraland again.
Narration
The blue ocean in the mirror is both familiar and strange.
Aeon
It's a shame I can't go out to sea with Duka anymore.
At this moment, the Ocean of Memories under the Ark is still flowing silently.
I like Miraland, but if I bring disaster to it, I can only hope the Gate of Heart will never be opened.
Marina
Brother! I'm soo bored! When can we go to Miraland?
Aeon
... Sorry Marina, I haven't found a way to get there yet.
Narration
I decided not to tell Marina for the time being. That was the only thing I've ever hid from Marina.
As if feeling bored or hopeless, Marina laid down on the plush carpet next to my feet and rolled on it.
She jumped up after a while, saying she would perform more antics.
Marina
Ahhh...so boring.... Who could I play a prank on...?
▸ You spoil her too much.
[Player]
Do you spoil her so much out of guilt?
Aeon
If Marina had known, she would've been clamoring to go to Miraland. At that point, everything could go out of control.
Could you please keep this secret for me?
Player Selection
▸ I won't tell anyone.
[Player]
Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.
Aeon
Thank you, I believe one day, I'll figure out the right way to go to Miraland.
At that time, I can tell Marina everything.
▸ I think you have to tell Marina one day.
[Player]
Yes, but I I think you should tell Marina one day.
Aeon
Thank you. I'll tell her everything when I find the right way to Miraland.
[end transcript]