Krynia’s palace is a massive castle in space, floating on three points of light, one red, one green, and one blue, orbiting the planet. The space vessel floats just outside it while the party disembarks, protected from the vacuum of space by a magical bubble generated by Ophi. The party enters the palace at the bottom level, through a large door and into a grand entrance hall.
Melana: The Celestriad’s power permeates every inch of this place. Blitz: Can you sense Krynia anywhere? Melana: Where the energy is strongest, that’s where she’ll be.
The enemies in this palace start out strong and get stronger the further the party goes. Where you start, there will be a long pathway leading to another door, but that door won’t open. You’ll need to break the four seals on the door, protected by energy waves emanating from the four towers surrounding the central structure. You’ll automatically be pointed toward the northwest tower, you’re unable to enter any of the others.
Celestial Palace, Northwest Tower-
The Northwest Tower draws its energy from the red star of the Celestriad, making it a place of powerful fire and vibrant energy. The tower resembles a massive factory structure, and you’ll need to climb gears and activate machines to ascend its heights. You’ll fight both fire-elemental monsters and machine-based enemies here. Eventually, you’ll reach the top and you’ll be confronted by a warped distortion of light, at the center of which is a somewhat deformed being in regal robes. He approaches the party and demands their submission. Melana identifies the figure as King Turvan, Krynia’s father, who was but a child when the Kunarian purge of the royal family took place.
Turvan: My daughter is destined to rule this world… all who oppose shall drown in their own blood! Melana: His mind and body are but half-formed… the Celestriad hasn’t finished reconstructing him… Blitz: Then let’s not let it finish, we’ll take him out right now! *The king howls in rage and transforms into a massive being, somewhat resembling the Dark King from Final Fantasy Mystic Quest. The tower quivers and the battle begins.*
BOSS: Turvan (HP: 108,000)
Turvan wields a powerful fiery breath attack and a pair of mighty weapons, including a large sword and a massive steel pipe with a spinning gear on the end of it. The fight is somewhat like the Amrauggath battle from way back in the volcano, though the king’s big weapons, particularly his steel pipe, can cause some problems and kill off weaker party members with quick, brutal blows. Turn your best ice magic on the king to put him in deep freeze, while your physical attacks, if you choose to use them for this fight, hit as hard and as fast as they can. The king’s most powerful special attack, his fire breath, isn’t that much to worry about at this point, but keep yourself above 2,000 HP regardless.
Turvan’s death breaks the seal on the northwest tower and opens up access to the northeast tower. The northeast tower is fueled by the energy of the Emerald Star.
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
The northeast tower is an overgrown, forested area with tree branches and vines ascending its stone structures. The area is strangely calm, though like the other towers, it’s filled with vicious monsters, including the Rafflesia who can cause dangerous status effects to your party. Eventually, you’ll reach the top of the tower and will encounter a beautiful woman in gaudy robes. The woman is Queen Elisthra, Krynia’s mother.
Elisthra: Why have you come here to harm my precious child? Melana: Because of the crap you fed her all her life, about being superior to everyone and how she has a right to kill anyone who gets in her way. You’re a monster! Elisthra: The monsters are the ones who butchered our family… we… we will make them pay for their crimes against us… Blitz: If you really cared about your daughter, you’d tell her to stop all of this! Elisthra: And why would I do such an awful thing? I have seen all she has done… she will have this world as her own, just as I promised… I know you killed my husband… how dare you force me to relive the pain of his death… I will make you all suffer! *Elisthra’s body glows, and she morphs into a beast resembling a massive Treant Queen.*
BOSS: Elisthra (HP: 76,500)
Elisthra can inflict a variety of dangerous status effects on the party, and she has a nasty habit of using Reverse on both herself and the party, leaving you unsure of what hurts and what heals (of course, she ALWAYS knows). She can also use Renew on herself once her HP dips below 10,000, restoring it all. How do you handle such a dangerous foe? The same way you’ve handled everyone else, of course. As a wind-elemental enemy, Quakega will slaughter her, as will Titan (or just use Bahamut if you feel like it). She doesn’t really have a big special attack, though she likes using Renew on Reverse-inflicted party members to kill them. Just be smarter than the boss and try to take her out with one big attack before her HP dips below 10,000.
Elisthra dies once you win the fight, breaking the northeast tower’s seal and opening up another path. Your next stop is the southeast tower, governed by the powers of the Sapphire Star.
Celestial Palace, Southeast Tower-
The southeast tower is in some places flooded with water, requiring the completion of some puzzles in order to drain the sections you need to clear to get up. The aquatic enemies filling this area aren’t too much of a threat, so don’t worry too much about getting killed here, the challenge is in reaching the top. Once you do, you’ll be confronted by a wise old man, who happens to be the founder of the Sylvid dynasty himself.
Sylvidius: Ever since I conquered the northern provinces, the Sylvid dynasty has ruled uninterrupted, uniting and guiding the people of the great eastern continent. Hark: You used fear and violence to rule your subjects! You’re not fit to call yourself a ruler! Sylvidius: It is only the mighty who can claim to rule this world… and with the power of life and death at her disposal, Krynia is the mightiest of all. She will claim eternal rule over the planet and over the stars themselves, spreading our enlightened governance to all. Blitz: Is that all you cared about when you united the northern kingdoms? Or did your newfound power just corrupt you? Sylvidius: I can no longer remember when I had the epiphany that led me to form the great Sylvid Dynasty. All I know is the here and now. Krynia has blessed me with new life and I will use it to protect her. *Sylvidius transforms, taking the appearance of a massive, floating whale.*
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
Sylvidius’ basic attack consists of swinging his body around and hitting the party with his massive tail for around 800 damage each. He can also use the incredibly powerful Imanami attack, sending huge waves at the party for around 4,000 or so damage a piece. There is a few seconds warning for this, so use that time to heal up and hunker down. The strategy for Sylvidius is simple. Use Thunder elemental attacks and physicals to deplete his HP, watching out for Imanami and healing every time his physicals and water-elemental attacks deplete the party’s resources. He can’t heal like Elisthra, so it’s a simple matter of outlasting him.
Sylvidius’ defeat shatters the third seal and opens up the fourth tower, a large ivory tower of pure light energy.
Celestial Palace, Southwest Tower-
It seems that Krynia is using the sheer force of her will to fuel this tower’s energy and power its seal. Within this tower swirl great torrents of energy that prevent access to certain areas, it’s only through careful jumps to switches on platforms that the torrents will subside. Once you reach the top, there is a young boy facing out on the balcony, looking out toward Earth.
Melana: ….who… who are you? *approaches the boy with caution* Boy: Why are you… why are you here? Are you here to kill my sister? Blitz: Your…sister? Artemis: …Krynia’s mother died giving birth to a boy when Krynia was just eleven years old. The child died in infancy. It seems Krynia has used the Celestriad to undo this event and age the child several years. Boy: Why would you hurt my sister? She brought back mommy and daddy! She brought me back…!!! Ophi: We don’t want to hurt you… but your sister is trying to take over the world… Boy: She…she said she’s the princess of the world! She said the world belongs to her! Gulrock: She’s lied to you. Blitz: We don’t want to hurt you, but we have to stop her…maybe…maybe you can help us- Boy: NO! You won’t hurt my sister! You won’t take the Celestriad away from her! You won’t! I won’t let you! *The boy glows brightly and transforms into a hideous monstrosity, a cosmic-horror like beast with tentacles and claws and eyes all over its body that attacks the party with lethal force.* Blitz: What in the hell has Krynia done? She’d bring back her baby brother only to make him into THIS? Melana: He…he’s suffering… *shaking* Blitz: Then we have no choice…
The Cherubim can strike with a variety of attacks, it can swing a massive tentacle, create negative energy gates to inflict a variety of things on the party (including status effects or damage), and it can cast high-level spells, including Scourge and Meteor. You’ll need to take out the Cherubim’s four tentacles, both to reduce the potency of its attacks and to prevent them from blocking physical attacks directed at the beast (and countering magical ones). Once the tentacles are gone, the fight begins in earnest. Hit the Cherubim with everything you have. Its most powerful attack is the Otherworldly Tempest, a rush of energy from the negative dimension that causes around 3,000 damage to the entire party AND inflicts Reverse so that healing is troublesome, target a mass-damage spell at the party to recover.
Once the Cherubim falls, the boy returns to normal, collapsing to the ground. The party rushes to his side. Ophi immediately performs a spell to calm his soul, knowing he’s too mortally wounded to heal. Ophi: Please… forgive us… you’ll see your sister again very soon, I promise. Boy: *holds Ophi’s hand* I…can see now…I know…she’s hurting everyone…please…don’t let her do it anymore… *The boy dies, his soul floating into space as wisps of light.* Blitz: Krynia… she’s too far gone to save. Melana: Anyone who would do that to their own brother… Blitz: The central tower should be open.
--
Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
Return to the grand hall and enter the Central Tower through the wide-open gate. This tower is larger than the four connecting towers, though there are no puzzles left, it’s just a straight climb to the top through waves of very difficult enemies. The path becomes more and more cryptic as the party nears the top, the stairs take on a crystal appearance and glow with an increasingly bright light. Finally, the party reaches a room where there is a save point, use it and enter the next area. Here lies one final door, and chained across it is Luna, her soul forming the door’s lock. She is shaking in silent torment, as the chains tug her body taut as more energy flows into the room beyond. She weakly looks up at the party as they approach.
Blitz: Luna…! What happened to you? Luna: My soul… forms the lock on this door. Annihilate me… end my suffering… Melana: We won’t do that, you’ll cease to exist forever! Luna: My existence for the last four thousand years has been a restless torrent of pain. Artemis: *to the others* She wills her own destruction. Blitz: I can’t do that, not to the person who tried to save this world before us! Luna: *screams in rage and pain* DO IT! YOU SAID YOU COULD SAVE THIS WORLD, NOW DESTROY ME AND DO WHAT YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD DO! Blitz: *gathering energy in his sword* Krynia: You would so willingly condemn her to nothingness just to stop me? Blitz: *stops* Krynia… Artemis: Her life is already forfeit. After you destroy her, she will feel nothing. Krynia: And how to you profess to know what happens to souls who are condemned to oblivion? Artemis: The cessation of existence is the cessation of thought, of feeling. There is nothing beyond the destruction of the soul. Krynia: Or perhaps you don’t destroy the soul, you merely scatter it to the winds. Imagine, an eternity as a soul ripped asunder, condemned to forever- Blitz: ENOUGH! *runs forward and impales Luna’s spirit on his blade, his sword piercing her heart* Luna: *smiles* Thank you…. *she fades… and immediately recoalesces, her spirit still chained across the door* …no! Krynia: She goes nowhere unless I will it! And her suffering will be neverending! *Luna screams in agony as Krynia’s dark energy pierces the door, torturing every molecule of her spirit.* Krynia: And you will never break this lock! Blitz: Yes we will! Everyone, together! *Blitz keeps his sword impaled in Luna as the entire party joins their energies with his.* Blitz: *closes his eyes* Soon your suffering will end… *Luna continues to scream as a spirit of pure darkness begins emerging from her body. The spirit takes her form and floats before the group, its face contorted in violent rage.* Luna Obscura: This girl’s soul is mine… you cannot free her! Blitz: Never tell us we can’t!
BOSS: Luna Obscura (HP: 80,000)
This fight is quick but fierce, Luna Obscura uses powerful gravity-based attacks to quickly halve and quarter the party’s HP while using powerful dark magic to destroy what remains. Her spell Total Eclipse reduces the party’s HP to 1, necessating immediate healing (keep someone on standby to heal at all times). Luna Obscura will alternate between complete immunity from physical and magical attacks, bring a party adept in both to keep the party attacking at all times. I recommend Blitz, Melana, and Sanathri, but you can use any party you want as long as it’s got a healthy mix of physical, magical, and healing techniques.
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
Luna Obscura’s destruction causes the dark spirit within Luna to be destroyed, but she’s still chained to the door and the chains and her spirit are unbreakable.
Luna: Forgive me… my ceaseless attachment to this world made me vulnerable to being used like this by Krynia. My condemnation of humanity was a self-fulfilling prophecy. Please… save as many people as you can. *tears course down her face* Blitz: We won’t give up, Luna….! We’ll find a way through that door… we’ll always find a way! Sanathri: *very quietly concentrating* Hark: Sanathri? Are you- Sanathri: Shhh… Melana: Does she… have a way to break the chains? Sanathri: …yes. I do. *A flashback plays, showing Ban and Kavil protecting Luna as the three of them race across a battlefield, deflecting all attacks directed toward them. The three then mount an attack of their own, working in beautiful tandem to defeat their enemies. Luna’s eyes open as she has the same flashback. She manages the slightest of smiles.* Luna: Ban… Kavil… so greatly have I missed you… *Two wisps of light appear in the room, taking the shapes of Luna’s long-departed friends. They appear next to the chains binding Luna’s spirit to the door, cutting them down and freeing her, and catching her as she falls.* Ban: How many times have we had to save you…? Luna: …! Ban…Kavil…! Kavil: It’s all right… you won’t have to suffer anymore. Krynia: Yes, she will! You all will! *directs a powerful dark energy blast through the door, in an effort to annihilate the souls of Ban, Kavil, and Luna… but the blast is blocked by Blitz, joined by the seven other party members, Melana taking Blitz’s hand as he holds up his sword to the blast* Blitz: You won’t ever beat us, Krynia! No matter what you throw in our path, we’ll overcome it! *The three spirits look on as the party stops Krynia’s powerful beam of magical light. For the first time, hope registers in their eyes as they watch these heroes stand up to overwhelming power. Finally, the beam of light dissipates as Krynia no longer has the will to sustain it. It fades and the party is able to rest.* Blitz: Is that the best you can do? Luna: That was… that was incredible… you all stood up to the Celestriad’s power… Kavil: You don’t really think they can beat her, do you? Ban: Luna… you’re not… you’re not sad anymore, I can feel it! Luna: No, I’m not sad. *to Blitz and the others* The power you possess…I cannot describe it. There is something within you that none of the other would-be saviors did not have. Melana: It’s not within us. We fight with the weight of the world on our shoulders. Blitz: Everyone down there is counting on us. They all support us. They worked hard to help us come here. Ophi: And no matter what, we won’t let them down! Ban: You… united the world? Luna: Then… then perhaps you can save it. *A light emanates from her heart, and the hearts of Ban and Kavil* ….!!! Ban: *takes Luna’s hand* Kavil: *takes her other hand* I guess we’ll have to believe in them too, then. Luna: Yes… let us all believe. *to Blitz* You have our trust and our faith. Add it to your strength and you cannot fail. *The three spirits rise to the stars, finally free of their pain.*
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
There is a bit more dialogue, then you’re given control of the party. Heal up and save. The final confrontation awaits. Step through the doors and into a shimmering crystal throne room. Krynia is sitting on the throne.
Krynia: *stands* You’ve come at last. Blitz: This ends now, Krynia. Today is the day that you die. Melana: …wait. *to Krynia* Do you have any idea of the suffering that you’ll cause if you continue your course of action? Do you think the people down there will want you to rule them? Krynia: They will bow to me or they and their planet will be destroyed. Melana: And what if they prefer their own destruction to your rule? Krynia: They are cowards. They are weak. They would rather live in fear than die in a flash of light. Ophi: Krynia, there’s still time… time for you to stop all of this! That person who befriended us before… Krynia: That person does not exist. Ophi: No, she does! You… you were sad when you told us about being all alone here… deep down, there’s still a part of you that wishes to- Krynia: NO! I have always intended to rule the world, from the moment I was born to the moment I seized the Celestriad’s power. Artemis: There’s no reasoning with someone like her. We have to kill her, before the Celestriad’s power becomes absolute! Ophi: *with tears in her eyes* Then why were you trying to bring your little brother back…? Was it just to make us not want to break the seal, or did you regret that he would never grow up? He loves you, he told us! Krynia: My love for my family does not diminish my contempt for everyone outside it. Are you all really that naïve that you would try to talk ME down? After you promised everyone else that you would kill me? Are you lying to them just as I lied to you? *she smiles* It’s funny… before you came, I fully intended to allow you all to serve under me as my knights. You or anyone else who brought the Celestriad to me. Can’t you feel it? The power coursing within all of you? All the people who NEED your protection… they need you, but you don’t need them. Blitz: You’re wrong… you have no idea how many people helped us get here, to get stronger! People you had a hand in killing! Krynia: Actually, if I recall, most of them died at the hands of the Gozans and Kunarians, the very people you’re now trying to save from their own stupidity. Your goals and mine are the same. Blitz: No. We will NEVER join you. Krynia: Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance. Ophi: The feeling is mutual… *bows her head* *The Celestriad’s power courses into Krynia’s body. She draws her sword.* Krynia: I am the rightful ruler of this planet! Bow down before me! Blitz: Never!
BOSS: Krynia (HP: 95,000)
Krynia will start the fight by immediately casting Impregnable Barrier, making herself completely immune to physical attacks. She then casts Reflect, which will cause anything cast at her to reflect back onto the party. Of course, spells such as Scourge, Meteor, and Ultima aren’t affected, so start bombarding her with them immediately. Eventually, her Impregnable Barrier will fade and you can hit her with physical attacks as well, though her defense is unnaturally high and she has something called Absolute Limit which will make ALL attacks cap at 9999, even your most powerful Full-Force Attacks with No Damage Limit. Her attacks consist of a normal sword swipe (around 2,000 damage to a single party member) and an array of magical attacks, including standard high-level spells and special attacks such as Blinding Light (2,000+ damage to the party). She can also utilize a physical special where she leaps high into the air and then comes down on a party member with her sword, impaling them for an instant KO.
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
The Absolute Limit will make this fight go a bit slower than some of the others you’ve encountered, but utilizing attacks that hit more than once, such as Full-Force Attacks and spells such as Meteor, will expedite matters. Krynia is powerful but not overwhelmingly so.
Krynia: *collapses to her knees, the Celestriad’s power fading from her body* Dammit… you’re… stronger than I had… Blitz: *walks over to Krynia, about to slice off her head* Krynia: *just looking up into Blitz’s eyes… her eyes close and her body slumps… she collapses, lifeless, before Blitz can execute her* Blitz: …*puts his sword away* Melana: Her magical energy was incredible, but all of those years in exile made her body weak… without the Celestriad being at its fully charged state, she couldn’t sustain all of that power and she couldn’t ward off our attacks. Artemis: And now she’s dead. Ophi: Then… it’s over…? *The scene switches to the planet below. Lights are fading out everywhere, and not coming back on. Deep beneath the planet in Salvation, the last of the energy fades from the Essence there. The planet begins to quake. All over the world, there are massive cataclysms as the ground cracks and the sky goes completely dark, save for a brilliant light emanating from the palace. In the throne room, the Celestriad emits a brilliant glow.* Melana: *collapses with the other party members* Its power is overwhelming…! *The party screams as the Celestriad transforms into three interconnected dragon-like beasts, whose forms tower over the party.*
Blitz: The Celestriad… it’s fully charged… Ruby Star: Humans… it has been an eternity since our power has been united. Melana: This isn’t good… without some of the Celestriad’s power, the Earth will come apart! Artemis: It’s already begun… *looking at the images displayed on the walls of the room* Blitz: *to the creature* The world is in danger… we need to bring the Celestriad back! Emerald Star: You have perverted our power for thousands of years… Sapphire Star: What makes you think you are worthy to wield it now? Blitz: We defeated the person who was using your power to control the planet, and we’re trying to use your power to save it! Ruby Star: Your sins are too grave… humanity is not worth saving! *The three creatures radiate the celestial power of the artifact as they grow even larger. The party prepares for another fight.*
BOSS: Ruby Star (140,000 HP), Emerald Star (170,000 HP), Sapphire Star (80,000 HP)
The Celestriad has assumed the form of three mighty dragons that must all be defeated to win this fight. The Emerald Star can heal the others, making it your first priority (despite the fact that it has the most HP). The three beasts will attack with a variety of elemental strikes against the party, including the Trinity Delta attack, which will be used after the glow of the three creatures begins to resonate, you’ll need to watch for this as it will do over 5,000 damage to each party member when it hits, it even pierces spells such as Shell (of course, Shell is effective against most of the other magic from the Celestriad, so you should still cast it). Ruby Star will frequently cast Flare and Star Flare, while Sapphire Star uses Imanami, and Emerald Star can cast Bad Breath (another reason to take it out first). After defeating the Emerald Star, focus all your attacks on the Sapphire Star, its lower HP makes it far easier to take out than the Ruby Star. However, be aware that once only one of the dragons remains, its attacks will become significantly stronger and it will use its most powerful attacks more frequently. The Ruby Star is FAR more dangerous alone than the Sapphire Star, so it’s up to you to decide which of the two to take out first. I’d still go with the Sapphire Star, but you may want to equip as much Fire-resistant armor or accessories as you can. Use of Reflect to stave off Flare is also smart.
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
Ruby Star: Your will is strong… and through our battle, we have felt the pureness in your hearts. Emerald Star: The Celestriad’s power is yours to command…. Blitz: *approaches the Celestriad with Melana and the others* How will we return its power to Salvation and save the Earth? Melana: We need to take it to Salvation and let the spirits there do the rest. Ophi: Will that work…? Melana: It has to… *she reaches out to take it* Blitz: Melana? *smiles* Melana: Blitz… I’m ready. Blitz: *takes Melana’s hand* I’m here. *Melana is about to place her hands on the Celestriad, only for Krynia’s sword to slash across her ankle* Melana: Nnnnnhhh! *falls from the wound* Krynia: *blasts Melana back into Blitz and the others, then stands up, weakened but determined to take the Celestriad’s full power* I…. will rule this world….me… only me!! Melana: NO! Blitz: *rushes at Krynia, only for her to grab the Celestriad, sending out a surge of energy that blasts everyone back* *Krynia’s body transforms into a nude, crystallized, multicolored form resembling that of a beautiful goddess, merged with the crystal which creates glowing, multicolored marks across her body* Krynia: I hold the world in my hands…!!! *she extends her hand and the cataclysms enveloping the world stop in an instant* Would you dare destroy the world to destroy me?! Blitz: We’ll destroy you AND save the world… Krynia: I AM the world… and the stars… and the universe… for all eternity!
BOSS: Krynia Celestia (HP: 286,990)
The fight begins with the party’s attacks completely unable to damage Krynia. Of course, this is because she’s hooked into the full energy of the Celestriad, and essentially omnipotent. So how do you damage her?
Blitz: There’s no way to hurt her! Melana: Just keep hitting her, maybe we’ll get through!
After 50,000 HP worth of damage (you have no way to see how much you’re causing, but you’ll be able to tell how close you’re getting because Krynia’s body will become increasingly detached from the structure of the Celestriad), you’ll disconnect her from the Celestriad and she’ll be vulnerable to damage. However, even when she’s detached, Krynia is capable of some incredibly powerful attacks. She’ll strike with a large sword of crystallized energy to do around 4,000 damage or so to a single party member, this is her basic attack. She has a number of specials including Rain of Fire (dozens of fireballs slam into the party, causing around 200-400 each, this adds up fast), Undying Scream (1,000+ damage, plus your party is unable to attack for a few turns, fortunately she doesn’t spam this and it CAN be dodged if you’re quick), among several others. Her most powerful attack is Ancestral Vengeance, where rulers from throughout the history of the Sylvid Dynasty concentrate their attacks on your party. You need to defend and have Shell and Protect up or this might kill your entire party even at maximum HP, and the ancestors use a variety of physical and magical attacks to cause damage. This attack is capable of doing 10,000+ to every single member of your party, which is of course an automatic kill unless you’ve started acquiring Break HP Limit armor, but with proper preparation, you can considerably reduce the damage. Sanathri’s potions can help to buffer this attack as well, so you might want to consider using her. This form of Krynia does NOT have Absolute Limit, so if you can do more than 10,000 with your attacks, the battle will be considerably shorter. Also, if you die during this fight, you’ll be able to restart right before it, you won’t have to face the two earlier fights again. Between Krynia’s temporary periods of invincibility and all the healing you’ll have to do, this will be a long, drawn-out fight, but dig deep, be careful, and above all, never stop believing that you can win.
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
Krynia: *screams as she’s separated from the Celestriad again* Aaaaaaaaaaghhh! *she collapses to the ground, unable to get a grip on the Celestriad as her ravaged body is just too weak to get up… she can feel her soul being scattered to the winds* Nnnn….nnnnhhh…NO! Blitz: *backing off as large waves of energy are blown off of Krynia’s body* Krynia: I… I am the ruler of the world… it’s my destiny…!!! I can’t die now! NO! *she frantically tries to grasp the Celestriad but her hands begin to fade out as well* NO!!! *lets out one final agonized scream as her soul rips apart* *The Celestriad continues to glow. The party slowly approaches it.* Blitz: It’s now or never… Melana: Right. *she takes it, when suddenly, there is a massive shaking* …!!! *In space, the red, blue, and green aura keeping the palace afloat is fading.* Ophi: What’s going on?! Melana: It was Krynia’s spell that propelled this palace into the sky… without her magic sustaining it, it’s going to fall! Lucilla: Can’t you cast a spell to keep the palace up? Melana: This palace was built from Krynia’s will… I wouldn’t know where to begin… Blitz: And what about the planet? Melana: *takes the Celestriad* We need to hurry.
The party races to the vessel, which is still orbiting the palace as it has begun descending toward the planet. Melana: Everyone… place your hands on the Celestriad. We obtained its power together, and we can wield it together. *The party takes some of the Celestriad’s power, enough to sustain Salvation’s energy.* Sanathri: I can infuse this energy into the Essence crystals of Salvation. It’ll hold the world together. Ophi: But it won’t help if that thing crashes into the planet! Hark: I’m not sure it’s big enough to cause that much damage… Ophi: It’s rich with magical energy… the impact of the palace combined with the power of the energy within will cause a cataclysm that would shatter the planet…! Melana: I won’t let that happen. I might not be able to keep this palace afloat, but I won’t let it fall. I’m staying here. Blitz: Melana? Melana: Blitz, go back with the others… this is my burden now.
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
There’s an argument between Melana and the party, but they finally relent and board the vessel… even Blitz does so, making Melana promise to come back when all of this is over. She doesn’t say a word. The vessel departs, leaving Melana to return to Krynia’s throne room. Meanwhile, the party is on the vessel, uneasy as it returns to Earth. It is discovered that Blitz hasn’t actually boarded… he’s back at the palace with Melana. Hark is distraught that Blitz stayed, but Ophi comforts him… they know that it’s up to Blitz and Melana to save the world now.
Alternating cutscenes play, showing Hark, Ophi, Gulrock, Lucilla, Artemis, and Sanathri making their way quickly back to Salvation, barely replacing the energy present within the Essence crystals in time to save the planet. The cataclysms stop and the party emerges from the crater to a grateful world… but now, the palace hovers in the sky, plummeting faster and faster to the planet. Melana takes the Celestriad and focuses its power as best as she can, but a wave of uncertainty washes over her. She thinks of Luna’s failure and Krynia’s madness, and remembers her own doubts and the time when she turned on her friends. She falls to her knees and closes her eyes, gripping the Celestriad with all her might. It begins to shatter…
Blitz: Melana! Melana: …Blitz? I told you to go with the others! Blitz: Remember what I promised? That I’d go to the ends of the earth with you? Melana: I…I made that promise to you. Blitz: We made it to each other. You don’t have to bear this burden alone. You never have. *holds onto the Celestriad with her* Now are we going to do this, or- Melana: Yes. *smiling* No matter what happens….
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
*A rearrangement of ”Shining From Far Away” begins to play. The Celestriad glows between Blitz and Melana, while on Earth, the people of both nations and the party members watch as the palace rapidly falls to the planet in a multicolored fireball. Up in the palace, Blitz and Melana realize that they’ll have to destroy the palace with themselves inside in order to prevent it from crashing to the planet. The Celestriad can disintegrate the palace safely, but even with its powers, it can’t protect them. The two realize what’s going to happen to them, but they’ve come to terms with it.*
Blitz: *takes Melana’s hand* At least the world will be safe… and at peace… Melana: Our friends will be sad. Blitz: …*smiles* I can hear them now… I can hear everything now. Melana: I can hear it too… the Celestriad is speaking…
*The Celestriad glows and the palace begins to break up. Back on Earth, the people begin taking shelter, but soon everyone, first the party and then ordinary Gozans and Kunarians, can see the impactor breaking up in the sky, giving off trails of brilliant colored light that illuminate the sky. The world is saved, but Hark and the others know that Blitz and Melana have made the ultimate sacrifice for it.*
Ophi: Hark, they… Hark: *holds Ophi tightly in his arms* Artemis: This didn’t have to happen… Sanathri: …I should be the one up there… Lucilla: You were the only one who could restore the energy to Salvation. Gulrock: Dammit…. They worked harder than any of us to make this possible… Ophi: *sobbing into Hark’s chest*
*The only remains of the palace are two singular rays of light, one blue and one red. The lights draw closer to the planet, seemingly fading as they descend to land. Hark looks up to watch them fall.* Hark: ...they’re beautiful… Ophi: *looks up at the lights* But… I can’t enjoy it, not when my friends are… Artemis: …wait a moment… *senses something from the lights* It can’t be… *Inside the beams of light, the Ruby and Sapphire Stars fall to Earth… and holding them are Melana and Blitz.* Melana: *opens her eyes* What….what happened? Blitz: We’re alive… we’re falling! *gets over to where Melana is and takes her hand* But how? Melana: *closes her eyes and hears the voice of the Celestriad* Voice: Your choice is a wise one… to split this power between the nations… while the Emerald Star remains among its brothers in the sky, keeping the peace. Our spirit will do its best to protect you, brave champions… but it is a fall from space… you may not wake up.
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
*The flashback ends. Blitz and Melana hold each other’s hands tightly while their free hands hold the stars of the Celestriad. The stars glow… the descent slows. Blitz and Melana descend peacefully to the ground, falling near their friends, who run to meet them.* Hark: You’re alive! Ophi: *laughing, she embraces Melana tightly while Hark runs to Blitz’s side, looking at the piece of the Celestriad in his hand* Hark: What happened up there? Blitz: I’m not entirely sure… but we learned how to save ourselves and keep the peace. Melana: The Ruby Star goes to Goza and the Sapphire Star goes to Kunara. With equal resources, protected by the power of the Emerald Star in the sky. *The Emerald Star shines a brilliant green in the sky, resonating with the power of the Sapphire and Ruby Stars. The song comes to an end as the people of the two nations look to the star, rising over a new era of peace.*
*There are more cutscenes, showing Oban and Zandakier announcing to the world a new peace and that both nations will use the magical energy of the Celestriad to build a brighter new world. The energy will gradually drain as it is used, reverting to the Emerald Star and forming a new Celestriad in the sky, so it is up to humanity to use its ingenuity during its time of peace to find a new energy source to fuel the world in its new era. As the people all over the world begin rebuilding from their time of war, with people of both nations working all over to conduct the repairs. Various scenes play showing the party returning to their lives. Sanathri returns to Salvation, and using some of the Celestriad’s power that was infused into the crystals there, gives up her immortality so that she can finish out the rest of her natural life. Artemis becomes the new leader of the Academy of Magic, Gulrock and Lucilla return to command their old squad as Generals of Goza under Zandakier, Ophi tells the people of the Underbelly that they can return to the surface with permission of the Kastith city leaders, only to learn from Opala that they’ve gotten used to living in the sewers and that they enjoy it, Hark and Ophi bring Rubidia back to see Hark’s father for the first time in years, and finally, Blitz and Melana return to the SEEC Quarry. Now that they no longer need to mine Essence, Melana decides to ask the workers of the Quarry to help in looking for new forms of energy to power the planet. She asks Blitz if he still wishes to work under her.*
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
Blitz: Isn’t it unprofessional to date my superior? Melana: …all right, what if we were partners, then? Blitz: …but that’s too much work! Melana: You lazy bum! *Blitz, Melana, and their workers go to meet up with Hark, Ophi, Gulrock, Lucilla, Artemis, and Sanathri at the entrance of the quarry. The scene pans out to show the entire quarry, the island, and the planet, its surface glowing under the light of the Emerald Star and the resonance of the Ruby and Sapphire Stars on the two continents. The scene fades to black and the credits begin to play, along with two songs. First, an orchestral version of “Shining From Far Away”, without lyrics, followed by the classic Final Fantasy theme. As the FF theme is playing, the screen splits and shows Ophi and Hark’s wedding in Kastith, with the party and other major living characters there to celebrate. The bouquet is thrown and it seems that Melana will catch it, only for Sanathri to suddenly leap out and do so, much to Melana’s annoyance. The scene ends with Blitz and Melana holding hands and looking up at the sky, where the Emerald Star still shines.*
*The credits end.*
FIN
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
Awesome. Great work, this is a game I would want to play if it existed. Might as well critique, in case you plan on doing something similar with Final Fantasy XVI.
-Loved the twist, though I kinda predicted it early on. You still pushed me away by making Krinia seem innocent and the real villain to be Zukan/Vignus. It came at a perfect time.
-I also thought the characters received lots of development, especially with their respective quests in the last third. Artemis was my favorite, and I thought Gulrock and Lucilla could have been touched upon some more.
-...Blitz however was a complete dork and a crappy main. There's nothing that differentiates him from annoying mains like Edge Maverick, Dean, etc. with his constant "I won't ever give up!" an annoying positive attitude, as well as dumb, impulsive moments like running at the villain trying to stab them even though it's not going to work obviously. I didn't buy the love story between him and Melana at all. In fact, Artemis should have just killed off Blitz and took the protagonist position.
-I'd play this. The world is huge and well developed, and there seems to be lots to do. The only other thing I would have done is added more FF references. Even though you had plenty, these days FF games are peppered with many little nods to the older games in the series (and you did say it was a love tap to FFVI). Something like Gilgamesh, Ultima Weapon (the weapon), the Weapons (Omega, Ultima, etc), would have been nice. Maybe you'll get to it during sidequests?
Anyway I enjoyed reading this, I'm gonna go and read your KH3 now.
Right now I have a basic idea for Final Fantasy XVI, but no plans of writing it out in the near future. It would definitely be... something different.
After all the angsty mains we've had in recent FFs, I figured it was about time for a ballsy, eager one. Maybe Blitz WAS a bit too over the top at times, though. :p
Yeah, I do need to do sidequests at some point. I've already mentioned that Gilgamesh will be in as a summon, I'll find a place for Ultima and/or Omega. It'll probably be like FFX where they weren't really the toughest monsters or even close to it.
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.
Blitz: Crawford Wilson Melana: Olivia Olson Hark: Johnny Yong Bosch Ophi: Ariana Grande Gulrock: Beau Billingslea Lucilla: Mary Elizabeth McGlynn Artemis: Nolan North Sanathri: Jennifer Darling Krynia: Katee Sackhoff Cid: Paul Eiding Alexia: Jennifer Hale Connor: Jesse McCartney President Bartelan: Matt McKenzie General Karst: Wade Williams Zandakier: Kari Wahlgren Vignus: Michael Bell Zukan: Dave Wittenberg Oban: Charles Martinet Opala: Julia Fletcher Luna: Lia Sargent Ban: Yuri Lowenthal Kavil: Michael Reisz Dynal: Crispin Freeman Gelna: Yuri Lowenthal Vheri: Greg Cipes Feyes: James Patrick Stuart Mashi (Moogle Queen): Danielle Morrow Epto (Blitz’s father): Richard Epcar Neli (Blitz’s mother): Mari Devon Haden (Hark’s father): Matt McKenzie Rubidia: Wendee Lee Cherubim: Max Burkholder
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Kid: She wrote a bad word! Jade: I write what I feel.