Nikki: Star Sea/Memory

Narration
I started today's work as soon as the sunlight hit my desk.
On it was the Star Sea: The Legend of the Princess. I carefully flipped through the pages with my gloved hand.
It was a revised edition, though. The pages had yellowed and were as brittle as an autumn leaf.
It was very fortunate to have survived more than 600 years.
Player Selection
▸ 600 years later?
[Player]
Wait, more than 600 years? Aren't we in the first year of the new era?
???
You must be joking. It's currently Year 680 of the New Era. Year 0 is already recorded in history.
[Player]
680 of the New Era? And who are you?
Historian
Oh just a very, very, very insignificant historian.
Narration
My primary field is the legendary dress from 680 years ago—Star Sea.
You must also be interested in its secrets to come here, right?
Don't mind me. I'm very glad to share my knowledge. I actually hit a dead end in my research and would appreciate any help you could provide.
This is my lab and library.
Walk this way, please. Watch your step in the bell tower. It's narrow, and filled with books.
I stored the information about Star Sea here on purpose. Just follow the spiral staircase, and you can see the moon and stars shining down through the skylight.
I believe there is a secret connection between it and the cosmos, and the starlight will be my guide.
You'll probably mock me for making such a big deal out of it, bur I believe history should be respected, like a ritual.
The collection includes no only scholarly papers, but periodicals, books, recordings, and verbal accounts too.
Indeed, we study folklore, though the majority of it has not been ascertained.
All fiction contained at least a partial truth. And when accepted by most, it must be examined.
More importantly, when nothing concrete is revealed, you must still search for the key to solving the puzzle.
Such as the Star Sea: The Legend of the Princess, that book I'm studying.
In the foreword, the Pigeon author revealed he saw the Goddess of the Starry Night. Why don't we see what he had to say?
[scene of a night sky with a galaxy]

Narration
Legend has it that the Goddess of the Starry Night was a princess of an ancient kingdom. She had purple hair, twinkling eyes like stars, was a peerless singer and dancer.
In the ancient battle of light versus dark, the power of darkness gained the upper hand and devoured all light in the world.
The princess sacrificed herself and transformed her spirit into countless stars that lit Miraland.
But the darkness never gave up on devouring light, so the princess always fights against it, using the light of her spirit to brighten the starry sky.
Day after day, year after year, in an endless cycle.
The princess became the Goddess of the Starry Night, but was also forever bound to the night sky because of it.
On the night of the lunar eclipse, people would see her dancing in the sky, her dress seemingly made of stars.
[end transcript]

### Chapter 2: Eclipse Miracle

Narration
A total eclipse occurred in Year 0. The experts deemed Lodden the best spot for observation.
The Lodden Theater then announced an immersive theater performance called Night of the Hidden Moon.
After the news got out, astronomy enthusiasts all over the world made travel plans to Lodden, and tickets to the show became almost impossible to get.
The event was a huge success. The brilliant stage coupled with the eclipse to produce a fantastic show, greatly appreciated by the entire audience.
Player Selection
▸ As if you were actually there.
[Player]
Are you from Year 680? How come you speak as if you saw the performance live?
Historian
Imagination is mandatory to reenact the past. The annals of history can take me back to any moment hundreds of years ago.
▸ Are you making up stories?
[Player]
How do you know so many details? Or are you just making things up?
Historian
An appropriate amount of imagination will only make history more colorful. Please, keep listening to the story.
Narration
Only until the eclipse and show ended was the audience able to recover and initiate fervent conversations.
Boy
Mom, there's someone on top of the tower!
Narration
The voice of a boy rang out, prompting the crowd to look where he was pointing.
Across the theater, only the top of the tower was glowing. It wasn't artificial lights, but more like a cluster of stars.
In the glow, the lovely silhouette of a girl slowly emerged.
Man
Somebody is up there! But how?
Lady
Is she an actress? Or a goddess?
Elderly Person
She must be a goddess! It's a sign from the heavens!
Narration
The crowd became rowdy. Many people took pictures with their cell pones, some started praying.
The girl on the tower wasn't moved by any of this. She stood firmly, wearing a dress of dazzling stars.
The radiant dress was seemingly like the Milky Way in itself and every bit as mesmerizing.
Her swaying dress left trails of vivid stars behind like a meteor shower in slow motion.
Player Selection
▸Maybe it was just a show.
[Player]
Maybe it was part of the show.
Historian
I'm not discounting the possibility of using the show for cover.
▸Was it really a goddess?
[Player]
So a real goddess appeared?
Historian
It's still just a legend.
Narration
No one's seen Star Sea before, but the miraculous scene was truly convincing. People stopped to stare, some even prayed.
Interestingly enough, there were other stories about the witnesses.
It was recorded that anyone who saw the girl and made a wish had that wish come true.
[end transcript]

### Chapter 3: Star Origins

Narration
The legend of the Goddess of the Starry Night spread shortly after. It's not known who was the first called the girl in the tower such, but many believed in such a deity.
Youngsters love to look forward to making wishes to the Goddess of the Starry Night with the image of a silhouette dancing amongst the stars.
Meanwhile, many myths circulated about her. Some claimed she was from the far future, some argued the distant past.
The most famous work is this Year 0 bestseller, The Star Sea: The Legend of the Princess…
Player Selection
▸ I doubt the authenticity.
[Player]
I still have my doubts about the authenticity of the book.
Historian
But why it's a best seller is worth delving into.
▸ The bestseller is a good source.
[Player]
There's a reason why it's the most famous book of its kind. The information must be substantial.
Historian
Yes, I would like to know why it's so convincing to its readers.
Narration
Even though the story is well known, the mystery surrounding the legendary dress only grew.
There were impressionist paintings created by Fingers, a famous painter of that time, for the six-month Star Sea exhibition in the Pigeon Art Gallery.
What's interesting is that the girl in the painting did not have long purple hair as told in the legend. Instead, she had pink hair.
▸ Pink hair?!
Historian
Yes. Do you have any insight regarding that, perhaps?
Player Selection
▸I just thought it was marvelous.
[Player]
No, I just think it's intriguing
Historian
And it's one of the unsolved mysteries.
▸I have guesses.
[Player]
Don't mind me, I'm just taking a shot in the dark.
Historian
The truth often comes out of verifying wild theories. Let me know of any ideas you might have.
Narration
There has been no shortage of derivative work, but the Designer's Association has the real Star Sea dress.
An old professor in the Design Academy revealed partial findings of his research into Star Sea, which left valuable insights to this day.
Look, in this interview clip, he mentioned the dress emits sparkles similar to that of brilliant stars. Exactly like in the legend.
Player Selection
▸ What's the scientific explanation?
Historian
There was a very educated guess backed by evidence.
▸ Did the professor figure out where the light came from?
Historian
He indeed made a shocking discovery through detailed examination.
[scene of photoshoot studio]

Professor
He took a thread of the dress and observed it under a microscope.
The material was not of this world.
Host
Not of this world? Unbelievable!
Professor
Yes. But even though we made great advances, no current technology is capable of making a dress with similar properties, regardless of the circumstances.
Host
Where do you think the material came from?
Professor
Since it's foreign, most likely outside of Miraland.
Host
Outside of Miraland?!
Professor
If the Goddess of the Starry Night exists. her race must be unknown, and have come from an incredibly advanced civilization. Star Sea could be the key to phenomenal breakthroughs.
Player Selection
▸ Really?
[Player]
Really? I'm getting excited just hearing about it!
Historian
Supposedly the show topped TV ratings at the time.
▸Isn't that rather overblown?
[Player]
Isn't it a stretch to treat it like decoding human civilization?
Historian
The study truly was extraordinary, nevertheless.
Narration
It's a shame the professor's subsequent research wasn't fruitful
Years of trial yielded no result, forcing him to give up and lock Star Sea away.
[end transcript]

### Chapter 4: Lost Treasure

Narration
While the unknown civilization was a dead end, the professor and the Designers Association remained diligent regarding the secrets behind Star Sea.
The Miraland of that time decided to hide the secret that the dress was an artifact from a civilization
Just like a comet shooting across the night, people naturally diverted their focus to something else when no new information came forth.
For a very long time thereafter, nothing new about Star Sea surfaced. Not until all of Miraland was at war.
[scene at dawn]

Narration
Nations fought one another. The Designers Association existed in name only.
Valuables were lost throughout the land. And the once-renowned dress became the object of obsession again.
Perhaps foreseeing this, the old professor went into hiding in his twilight years, but he still couldn't escape.
[scene of a white kitchen inside a home]

Narration
A squad of soldiers invaded his home. The captain, in a sharp uniform and polished boots, scrutinized the room.
Captain
Guess you brought a lot of good stuff with you when you fled the Designers Association!
Narration
He scanned the books that filled the space before setting his gaze on the old man. Then he spoke in a threatening tone with conspicuous arrogance.
Captain
We do not wish to harm you, Professor, but you should know why we're here.
Professor
Sorry for making you go through all the trouble of finding me.
Soldier
Cut the nonsense and tell us where the legendary Star Sea is!
Narration
The soldiers surrounded the professor, waving their guns in front on him. The old man frowned but remained silent.
Captain
You're too old and probably don't remember where you kept it, so I guess we'll have to help you. Search the area!
Narration
The soldiers began ransacking the cabin.
Scrolls lay on the floor. Instruments were knocked over on the table. It was an unmitigated mess in mere minutes.
The professor seethed at the wonton destruction of his life's work and teetered on the brink of collapse.
Captain
It looks like you hid the Star Sea somewhere else. I suggest you tell us where it is now.
Narration
The captain smirked and whispered in the professor's ear.
Captain
You're a smart man. Quit stalling or the Star Sea won't be the only thing missing.
Player Selection
▸What are they going to do to the professor?
Historian
To a scholar, the destruction of their life's work is the worst punishment of all.
▸ Did the professor say anything?
Historian
It was hopeless.
Professor
Stop!
Narration
The professor let out a sheepish, conflicted scream, then sat down amongst the strewn pages.
Professor
The altar... The church altar.
[scene in church]

Narration
The soldiers stopped harassing the old man, and rushed to the church.
When they searched the altar, however, they found nothing.
Except for a note on a plain piece of paper, with every stroke ending in an uptick as if to mock the reader.
"You're too late." It was signed by The Thief Family.
Player Selection
▸ Who is The Thief Family?
[Player]
Who is The Thief Family?
Historian
I'm also delving into that and hoping to find any descendants.
▸ How did they know?
[Player]
How did they know Star Sea was there?
Historian
The professor wasn't the only one who knew where it was...
[end transcript]

### Chapter 5: Return of Star Sea

Narration
I thought the legends would always be just that, until something unexpected happened to me.
Never have I imagined I'd witness the reemergence of Star Sea centuries later, in the Year 680.
I was completely stumped. There was nothing new or interesting left for me to discover.
My friend took me to see a play called 'The Candy Witch and the Star Sea'. I don't remember the plot now, not that I ever cared for theater performances.
But the moment Sofia took the stage was etched into my mind forever.
She was the hottest new star in Miraland, but her brilliance wasn't the only thing that attracted me.
Everything else might as well not have existed. It was as if the stars themselves were seduced by Sofia's dance and fell to her dress.
I was watching the exact scene at that moment. The dress had the power to captivate, to hypnotize.
I was certain it was THE Star Sea.
Player Selection
▸ So you started researching afterwards?
Historian
I thanked fate for allowing me the chance to see the real deal.
▸ Is Sofia a descendant of The Thief Family?
Historian
My latest request for an interview was turned down.
Narration
Though from that moment on, I was sure of the direction for my research and curiosity.
I decided to uncover the true history of Star Sea and embarked on a journey.
Yet pouring through increasing volumes of historical records still failed to yield an answer. Every account was fascinating, but there was no sufficient proof to support their claims.
Is Star Sea a dress, a gift from the gods, or a sign from an advanced civilization?
Perhaps it will be a long road, but I won't give up, even if I can't solve the puzzle.
Maybe one day the secret of Star Sea will guide Miraland's future and the fate of all mankind.
[end transcript]