Chapters/NI

*AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative* is divided into chapters and sub-chapters, categorized here by Route. Each numerical Chapter has a range of 3 or 4 sub-chapters, with the second sub-chapter in each one being a Somnium.

Each Investigation chapter is titled with a literary reference in English and, with some exceptions, one half of a four-character compound in Japanese. Each Somnium chapter is titled with an English phrase consisting of two words, with the initials of both words spelling out "NI."

## Explosion Route

### 2/10 Converge Chapter 0

#### A Strange Tale

2/10 Converge Chapter 0 - A Strange Tale is the first chapter of the game. On February 10th, two halves of a body appear six years apart. Kuruto Ryuki investigates the right half at Studio Dvaita in the past while Mizuki Date investigates the left half at Tokyo National Stadium in the present.

#### New Investigation

New Investigation is the second chapter and the first Somnium of the game. Mizuki Psyncs into the mind of Ryuki in order to learn what he knows of the case from six years ago, and what left him so mentally disturbed. This Somnium branches in two, leading to either Dispossessed in R1 (Explosion Route) or Alone in M1 (Resolution Route).

#### Dispossessed

2/10 Converge Chapter 0 - Dispossessed is the third chapter of the game's Side Ryuki branch, which includes Explosion Route, Komeji and Shoma Route, and 閭｡陜ｶ荵句､｢邱ｨ Route. Mizuki, having failed to learn anything in his Somnium, asks Ryuki about the past. Ryuki opens up, telling her about the case six years ago.

### 2/11 Ryuki Chapter 1

#### Anyone Imagines

2/11 Ryuki Chapter 1 - Anyone Imagines is the fourth chapter of the game's Side Ryuki branch. Six years ago, Ryuki sets to work investigating the right half of Jin Furue's corpse. A surprising lead points him in the direction of a strange institute.

#### Nefarious Institute

Nefarious Institute is the fifth chapter and second Somnium of the game's Side Ryuki branch. Ryuki Psyncs with Chikara Horadori to learn why he lied about his connection to the case, and what he truly knows about Jin Furue's murder.

#### Ought to Know

2/11 Ryuki Chapter 1 - Ought to Know is the sixth chapter of the game's Side Ryuki branch. A lead from Chikara's Somnium takes Ryuki to the Japanese branch of Naixatloz, where the mysterious president, Tokiko Shigure, awaits him. After talking with her, Ryuki investigates the crime scene some more, and discovers a lead that takes him straight to a second victim. This sub-chapter branches in two, leading to either Nothing to Be Done in R1 (Explosion Route) or 遐ｴ邯ｻ逋ｾ蜃ｺ in Diverge (閭｡陜ｶ荵句､｢邱ｨ Route).

### 2/12 Ryuki Chapter 2

#### Nothing to Be Done

2/11 Ryuki Chapter 2 - Nothing to Be Done is the seventh chapter of Explosion Route and Komeji and Shoma Route. Ryuki investigates the scene of the second victim's murder, which eventually takes him back to Naixatloz.

#### Naixatloz's Intentions

Naixatloz's Intentions is the eighth chapter and third Somnium of Explosion Route and Komeji and Shoma Route. Ryuki Psyncs into Tokiko Shigure to learn what connection she has to the Half Body Serial Killings, and what her overarching goal is.

#### Go

2/11 Ryuki Chapter 2 - Go is the ninth chapter of Explosion Route and Komeji and Shoma Route. Ryuki asks Shoma Enda and Gen Ishiyagane about their connection to Tokiko. Shoma provides him with a lead that has a strange effect on Ryuki. After he recovers, he discovers a  third victim. He investigates the scene, leading to a surprising confrontation.

### 2/13 Ryuki Chapter 3

#### Farewell

2/11 Ryuki Chapter 3 - Farewell is the tenth chapter of Explosion Route and Komeji and Shoma Route. Ryuki is reprimanded for his screw-up, and is given a deadline for the case. He sets about questioning all of the witnesses again - in the process, he's given a lead, and following it reveals a surprising new suspect.

#### Need Info

Need Info is the eleventh chapter and fourth Somnium of Explosion Route and Komeji and Shoma Route. Ryuki Psyncs into Andes Komeji to discover why he had been carrying a firearm. This Somnium branches in two, leading to either Smiles for Tears (Explosion Route) or Joy for Anguish (Komeji and Shoma Route).

#### Smiles for Tears

Smiles for Tears is the twelfth chapter of Explosion Route. Ryuki interrogates Komeji about what he learned in Need Info. Komeji's information offers a new lead towards Tearer, the culprit of the case. In pursuing it, tragedy strikes, and a fourth victim is revealed.

### 2/14 Ryuki Chapter 4 R1

#### Well-Known

Well-Known is the thirteenth chapter of Explosion Route. Ryuki investigates the scene where the fourth victim was found. In doing so, he discovers that one of the witnesses may not have been honest about all that they saw.

#### Nearly Interesting

Nearly Interesting is the fourteenth chapter and fifth Somnium of Explosion Route. Ryuki Psyncs into Amame Doi to learn what she knows about Tearer and the fourth victim's death.

#### The Mind of God

The Mind of God is the fifteenth chapter of Explosion Route. Ryuki ruminates over the disturbing information he learned from Amame's Psync. Suddenly, he receives a call from Aiba, who tells him that Kizuna Chieda has gone missing.

### 2/15 Ryuki Chapter 5 R1

#### Not All A Dream

Not All A Dream is the sixteenth chapter of Explosion Route. Ryuki searches all over the city for the missing Kizuna. Kaname Date calls with a lead that signals the surprising return of an old character, and information that could take Ryuki directly to Tearer.

#### Nemesis Identified

Nemesis Identified is the seventeenth chapter and sixth Somnium of Explosion Route. Ryuki Psyncs into Iris Sagan to find the information about Tearer that her concussion has caused her to forget.

#### She Was the Universe

She Was the Universe is the eighteenth and final chapter of Explosion Route. Ryuki knows where Tearer is keeping Kizuna. He, Date, and their friends gather up and set forth.

## Komeji and Shoma Route

This route branches from Explosion Route at Need Info.

### 2/13 Ryuki Chapter 3 R2

#### Joy for Anguish

Joy for Anguish is the twelfth chapter of Komeji and Shoma Route. Ryuki discovers that Komeji's son, Shoma, is connected to the case somehow. He tries to find out more, but instead discovers that Shoma is in trouble.

### 2/14 Ryuki Chapter 4 R2

#### I Found Me

I Found Me is the thirteenth chapter of Komeji and Shoma Route. Ryuki tries to get Shoma to open up about what he knows, but something is keeping Shoma from telling the truth.

#### Nested Insecurities

Nested Insecurities is the fourteenth chapter and fifth Somnium of Komeji and Shoma Route. Ryuki Psyncs into Shoma to discover what he knows about the case, and also to understand what is keeping him from talking about it in the first place.

#### Past Its Ken

Past Its Ken is the fifteenth and final chapter of Komeji and Shoma Route. Ryuki gathers together his information while Shoma tells Komeji his true feelings.

## Resolution Route

This route branches from Explosion Route at New Investigation.

### 2/10 Converge Chapter 0

#### Alone

2/10 Converge Chapter 0 - Alone is the third chapter of the game's Side Mizuki branch, which includes Resolution Route, Gen and Amame Route, and Kizuna and Lien Route. Mizuki, having failed to learn anything in his Somnium, asks Ryuki about the past. Ryuki doesn't tell her - or, more accurately, cannot tell her.

### 2/11 Mizuki Chapter 1

#### Pass Mildly Away

2/11 Mizuki Chapter 1 - Pass Mildly Away is the fourth chapter of the game's Side Mizuki branch. With no leads, Mizuki returns to the Stadium to investigate the scene. She finds a clue that implicates a surprising person - in trying to find them, she finds someone else just as surprising.

#### Nostalgic Idol

Nostalgic Idol is the fifth chapter and second Somnium of the game's Side Mizuki branch. Mizuki Psyncs into Kizuna Chieda to learn her connection to the second victim, and why she's been acting strange all day.

#### End Where I Begun

End Where I Begun is the sixth chapter of the game's Side Mizuki branch. Kizuna reveals what she knows about the second victim - in turn, Mizuki discovers something shocking about herself.

### 2/12 Mizuki Chapter 2

#### Traveler

Traveler is the seventh chapter of the game's Side Mizuki branch. Mizuki has to put her own feelings aside when the left half of the second victim's corpse appears. This pulls her into Tearer's elaborate puzzle, with the final piece hidden where Mizuki wouldn't expect.

#### Necessary Intervention

Necessary Intervention is the eighth chapter and third Somnium of the game's Side Mizuki branch. Mizuki Psyncs with Gen Ishiyagane to learn what the final puzzle piece is, and why Gen was hiding it.

#### Left Behind

Left Behind is the ninth chapter of the game's Side Mizuki branch. Mizuki figures out the puzzle, revealing a secret about a place that she knows well.

### 2/13 Mizuki Chapter 3

#### The Expense of Spirit

The Expense of Spirit is the tenth chapter of the game's Side Mizuki branch. Investigating the secret leads to the discovery of the third victim's left half. While prying around for more leads, Mizuki finds the first hints of a dangerous plan. In order to learn more, she has to pry information from an elusive source.

#### Neurotic Inception

Neurotic Inception is the eleventh chapter and fourth Somnium of the game's Side Mizuki branch. Mizuki Psyncs into the Masked Woman to break through her defenses and find out what she knows about the dangerous plan. This Somnium branches in two, leading to either Hell in M1 (Resolution Route) or All Living Things in M2 (Gen and Amame Route and Kizuna and Lien Route).

#### Hell

Hell is the twelfth chapter of Resolution Route. Masked Woman won't elaborate on what Mizuki learned from her Psync, but neither of them have time to worry about it. The first step of the Nirvana Initiative is ready to begin.

### 2/14 Mizuki Chapter 4 M1

#### Visions

Visions is the thirteenth chapter of Resolution Route. The left half of the third victim appears. Mizuki doesn't have long to investigate before Tearer pulls her into a trap. But where one ally betrays, another lends a hand.

#### Nonentity Incognito

Nonentity Incognito is the fourteenth chapter and fifth Somnium of Resolution Route. Mizuki Psyncs into Tearer to discover his true identity, and to find out what his nefarious plan entails.

#### In Truth

In Truth is the fifteenth chapter of Resolution Route. The shocking return of a previous suspect throws everything that Mizuki knows about Tearer into disarray.

### 2/15 Mizuki Chapter 5 M1

#### Births

Births is the sixteenth chapter of Resolution Route. The truth about everything is revealed. However, ABIS is still no closer to stopping the Nirvana Initiative. To find the last piece of the puzzle, they must confront the suspect that's been under their noses the whole time.

#### Nightmare Irreconcilable

Nightmare Irreconcilable is the seventeenth chapter and sixth Somnium of Resolution Route. Mizuki Psyncs into the final subject to reveal the full truth behind the Half Body Serial Killings.

#### The End of Craving

The End of Craving is the eighteenth chapter of Resolution Route. With all the facts on the table, ABIS are able to piece together where and what the Nirvana Initiative is. They set off for the final showdown, the fate of humanity in their hands.

### 2/22 Epilogue

#### Braver Than All Flowers

2/22 Epilogue - Braver Than All Flowers is the nineteenth and final chapter of Resolution Route. A week after the story's resolution, Mizuki goes around town and checks up on everyone related to the case. At the end, a surprise awaits her.

## Gen and Amame Route

This route branches from Resolution Route at Neurotic Inception.

### 2/13 Mizuki Chapter 3

#### All Living Things

Hell is the twelfth chapter of Gen and Amame Route and Kizuna and Lien Route. Mizuki talks to Masked Woman about what she learned from the Somnium, and how it affects a close friend of hers.

### 2/14 Mizuki Chapter 4 M2

#### Of Arms and Of Man

Of Arms and Of Man is the thirteenth chapter of Gen and Amame Route and Kizuna and Lien Route. Mizuki talks to her friend about their secret, in turn receiving a lead to her investigation. She hits a snag while trying to follow the lead, and the one person who can help is having problems of their own.

#### Novel Ingress

Novel Ingress is the fourteenth chapter and fourth Somnium of Gen and Amame Route and Kizuna and Lien Route. Mizuki Psyncs into Lien Twining to discover the secret he's keeping about the Half Body Serial Killings, all the while helping him process his personal issues. This Somnium branches in two, leading to either Who's There in M2 (Gen and Amame Route) or Bid the Soldiers Shoot in M3 (Kizuna and Lien Route).

#### Who's There

Who's There is the fifteenth chapter of Gen and Amame Route. Mizuki pursues the lead she gained from Lien's Somnium, revealing a shocking secret that casts one of her friends in a different light.

### 2/15 Mizuki Chapter 5 M2

#### All That We Are

All That We Are is the sixteenth and final chapter of Gen and Amame Route. In trying to get answers, Mizuki discovers that a familiar face has been hiding in plain sight. Revealing themselves, however, causes tragedy to strike.

## Kizuna and Lien Route

This route branches from Gen and Amame Route at Novel Ingress.

### 2/14 Mizuki Chapter 4 M2

#### Bid the Soldiers Shoot

Bid the Soldiers Shoot is the fifteenth chapter of Kizuna and Lien Route. Mizuki tries to get Lien to help her, and receives assistance from a surprising source. Lien opens a lock for Mizuki, which turns up a shocking discovery.

### 2/15 Mizuki Chapter 5 M3

#### Sweet Silent Thought

Sweet Silent Thought is the sixteenth and final chapter of Kizuna and Lien Route. Mizuki follows her new clue and makes a discovery that solves the biggest mystery of the case. Meanwhile, Lien has an announcement to make to Kizuna.

## 閭｡陜ｶ荵句､｢邱ｨ Route

This route branches from Explosion Route at Ought to Know.

### 2/11 Ryuki Chapter Diverge

#### 遐ｴ邯ｻ逋ｾ蜃ｺ

2/11 Ryuki Chapter Diverge - 遐ｴ邯ｻ逋ｾ蜃ｺ is the seventh chapter of 閭｡陜ｶ荵句､｢邱ｨ Route. Ryuki gives Tokiko information that sets off an unprecedented series of events.

### 2/15 Ryuki Chapter Diverge

#### All This Happened, More or Less

2/11 Ryuki Chapter Diverge - All This Happened, More or Less is the eighth and final chapter of 閭｡陜ｶ荵句､｢邱ｨ Route. Everything has changed, and Ryuki doesn't know how to feel about it.

## Chapter Titles

### English

The English chapter titles in *nirvanA Initiative* are taken from various literary works. Most chapters are in pairs, in which the first half of the day is titled with a phrase from the source material's first line, and the second half from the last line. The known references are as follows:

* **A Strange Tale**, **Dispossessed,** and **Alone (Chapter 0):** *The Turn of the Screw* by Henry James, a horror novella in which it is ambiguous as to whether the supernatural happenings are real or a result of the main character's delusions.
* **Anyone Imagines** and **Ought to Know (Ryuki Chapter 1):** 1 Corinthians 8:2, from the ESV translation of the Bible:
> *If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.*
>
>
* **Nothing to Be Done** and **Go (Ryuki Chapter 2):** *Waiting for Godot* by Samuel Beckett
* **Farewell**, **Joy for Anguish**, and **Smiles for Tears (Ryuki Chapter 3):** *Farewell* by Anne Brontë
* **Well-Known** and **The Mind of God (Ryuki Chapter 4 R1):** *A Brief History of Time* by Stephen Hawking
* **I Found Me** and **Past Its Ken (Ryuki Chapter 4 R2):** *The Masked Face* by Thomas Hardy
* **Not All A Dream** and **She Was the Universe (Ryuki Chapter 5 R1):** *Darkness* by Lord Byron
* **Pass Mildly Away** and **End Where I Begun (Mizuki Chapter 1):** *A Valediction: Forbidden Mourning* by John Donne
* **Traveler** and **Left Behind (Mizuki Chapter 2):** *Other Voices, Other Rooms* by Truman Capote
* **The Expense of Spirit** and **Hell (Mizuki Chapter 3 M1):** *Sonnet 129* by William Shakespeare
* **Visions** and **In Truth (Mizuki Chapter 4 M1):** *A Dream* by Edgar Allen Poe
* **All Living Things (Mizuki Chapter 3 M2)** and **Of Arms and Of Man (Mizuki Chapter 4 M2 Pt. 1):** *The Aeneid* by Virgil
* **Who's There** and **Bid the Soldiers Shoot (Mizuki Chapter 4 M2 & M3):** *Hamlet* by William Shakespeare
* **Births** and **The End of Craving (Mizuki Chapter 5 M1):** Buddhist verse from the Dhammapada:
> *Through countless births in the cycle of existence
> I have run, not finding
> although seeking the builder of this house;
> and again and again I faced the suffering of new birth.
> Oh housebuilder! Now you are seen.
> You shall not build a house again for me.
> All your beams are broken,
> the ridgepole is shattered.
> The mind has become freed from conditioning;
> the end of craving has been reached.*
>
>
* **All That We Are (Mizuki Chapter 5 M2):** Buddhist verse from the Dhammapada:
> *All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage.
> All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.*
>
>
* **Sweet Silent Thought (Mizuki Chapter 5 M3):** *Sonnet 30* by William Shakespeare
* **Braver Than All Flowers (Epilogue):** *Proof of Immortality* by William Carlos Williams
* **All This Happened, More or Less (Diverge Ending):** *Slaughterhouse-Five* by Kurt Vonnegut

## Trivia

* In the game's achievement list, and within the game files themselves, the routes are organized as Komeji and Shoma Route -> Explosion Route -> Resolution Route -> Gen and Amame Route -> Kizuna and Lien Route -> 閭｡陜ｶ荵句､｢邱ｨ Route. This is most likely done in order to follow the game's flowchart and its similar assets across the game files. However, Gen and Amame Route and Kizuna and Lien Route must be cleared before access to the Resolution Route can be obtained in any way.
* The name of the Somnia in *nirvanA Initiative* are two-word phrases that have an acronym of "NI", referencing Nirvana Initiative and/or the number 2 (二, *Ni*), itself a reference to the game's status as the 2nd entry and/or the main thematic number of the game.
* The Japanese names of the sub-chapters in *nirvanA Initiative*, with a few exceptions, are four-character compounds that are split in half between each sub-chapter, fitting with the overarching themes of duality and half in the game. As an example, Ryuki Chapter 1 has the sub-chapters "半知" and "半解", which combined make the compound "半知半解" meaning "half/superficial knowledge".

## Navigation

 Locations | **Tokyo**
*Chiyoda District*: Police Headquarters (Boss's Office, Psync Room, Interrogation Room) • Sunfish Pocket • Sekiba High
*Chuo District*: Horadori Institute of Genetics (Underground, Hostage Room) • Naixatloz Japan Branch (President's Office, Cathedral)
*Koto District*: Harbor Warehouse District • Date Residence
*Minato District*: Studio Dvaita • Aioen Orphanage • Ikume Shrine • Kumakura Office • Sejima Residence • Central Hospital
*Shibuya District*: Lemniscate Entertainment Offices • Yoyagi Park
*Shinagawa/Kabasaki District*: Matsushita Diner • Sagan Residence • Enda Residence • Kabasaki Chemical Plant
*Shinjuku District*: Golden Yokocho (Marble, Brahman World Cuisine) • Misetan Department Store • Tokyo National Stadium
**Side Ryuki:**
Dispossessed • Anyone Imagines • Ought to Know • Nothing to Be Done • Go • Farewell
**Komeji and Shoma Route:** Joy for Anguish • I Found Me • Past Its Ken
**Explosion Route:** Smiles for Tears • Well-Known • The Mind of God • Not All A Dream • She Was the Universe
**閭｡陜ｶ荵句､｢邱ｨ Route:** 遐ｴ邯ｻ逋ｾ蜃ｺ • All This Happened, More or Less
**Side Mizuki:**
Alone • Pass Mildly Away • End Where I Begun • Traveler • Left Behind • The Expense of Spirit
**Gen and Amame Route:** All Living Things • Of Arms and Of Man • Who's There • All That We Are
**Kizuna and Lien Route:** Bid the Soldiers Shoot • Sweet Silent Thought
**Resolution Route:** Hell • Visions • In Truth • Births • The End of Craving • Braver Than All Flowers

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Yojijukugo, also known as four-character compound, on Wikipedia
2. ↑ 1 Corinthians 8