Darkon’s Elegy of Madness — Astravia Judgement
Astravia Judgement — First Judgement
Darkon stands near Drago, who is shown low at the right of the view. Drago calls the beast a sham and insists that Drago, not Darkon, is King. When Drago says Darkon could not have performed the ritual, Darkon replies that it was not necessary and that Darkon chose another method.
Darkon explains that ritual-summoned Primordials enter amalgamated sacrifice-bodies, which hold only a fragment of the Primordials’ true power. Darkon calls that method a cheap and easy way to kill mortals and says those beings are not meant to face the Hero. The Hero asks whether those things could have been worse. Darkon answers that the Hero will see for themself, then describes a Primordial’s original body being ripped by force from its home dimension. Darkon says mortal sacrifices alone are not enough.
Darkon says creatures wearing Astravian skins become qualified as sacrifices. Darkon attributes the opening of space to the burst of energy from burning creature life-forces, calls the final anguished death knell a Swan Song, and says the method was tested through a couple of villages up to Eridani. Darkon ends the account by saying the Hero looks pale.
The Hero responds with a groan, then says it is even worse than before. Drago calls the Hero a dragon—the Dragon of Time—and demands that the Hero turn back the clock to erase Darkon from Drago’s mother’s womb. Drago adds that the Hero could instead become an actual dragon and gobble Darkon up.
Darkon tells Drago to give the Hero a break and says the Hero is not a broken toy for Drago to abuse. Darkon says Judgement’s rift is seeping into their home and time is flowing unnaturally; the Hero will weaken the longer they remain there, Darkon says, but adds that this need not happen. Darkon says Drago has committed terrible injustices and deserves punishment, tells the Hero to rest, and promises to right the wrong in the Hero’s place. Drago asks what that means, and Darkon says Drago and the subjects will be judged for their sins. Drago remarks that this is interesting.
The Hero asks what the civilians had to do with this. Drago tells the Hero not to waste time listening to what Drago calls the other’s drivel, says the thing above will toot its horn any time now, and orders the remaining citizens evacuated as far from Judgement as possible. Drago says the Hero has their orders. The Hero replies that this is not being done for Drago. Drago tells Darkon that Darkon is not going after the Hero, and says Drago has always wanted to see Darkon bitter and spiteful like this.
Drago says Judgement is now present in the flesh and claims that the summoner’s life is the full price for its arrival. Drago says this is why no ruler has reached The World and says the addressee does not seem worried. Darkon accuses Drago of starting the summoning cycle by calling The Fool, says Drago will pay the toll, and says Darkon will see the cycle through. Drago calls that dastardly and asks whether Darkon will enjoy watching Drago die.
Darkon answers that Darkon would not enjoy it: they are brothers, and Darkon loves Drago very much. Darkon says Drago will not be gone for long. Drago begins to understand, then says they ended up exactly alike. The scene cuts to a flared horn with a red opening, surrounded by skeletal hands. A red orb appears before the horn, with long scrolls hanging among the bones. Darkon answers, “No,” and says the brothers are as distant as they have ever been.
Talis greets the outsider and reports that while they fought the beast, the rebellion leaders took as many people as they could from the Capital. Talis noticed the outsider had not escaped, so volunteered to return. They warn that the cursed ritual's range keeps expanding and that those nearer the beast are being picked off first. Talis fears it may not end until everyone is dead, but urges the outsider to run.
Talis says the Astravians were released from the clawed grip around their hearts and that a wave of cold relief passed over them not long ago. Talis declares that King Drago is no more, but wonders whether Drago died naturally while subjects remained alive or whether the tear in the sky had something to do with it. Talis asks if this is divine wrath and whether the Astravians will also pay for their misdeeds.
Talis says Drago did not gain the throne alone. In Talis's account, many Astravians were too young to remember Drago's ascension but inherited their parents' sins. Talis admits having no such excuse. Though the past cannot change, they promise not to leave anyone behind again.
Talis recalls that the sky turned red before, when Drago began summoning monsters, but says it was never like this. They describe the surroundings as if they have come alive to watch people like roaches, and say even the air and sounds make them want to crawl out of their skin. Talis believes the horn in the sky must be another beast and the source of the phenomenon.
Atata — Talis describes enormous hands reaching from the sky and snatching citizens; most can flee, but many are frozen with fear. Talis asks for six citizens to be rescued. In the reply, Talis says they can be dropped off with Talis and kept safe, though there are no blankets for their shivering after the frightening sight.
Samghata — Talis says the hands are probing the streets, smashing into buildings, and could crush the survivors if they find them. The task is to slap away eight hands while avoiding being snatched. In the reply, Talis praises the visitor’s skill and says that Talis would have been mashed into paste in the same danger.
Hahava — Talis reports a growing shriek and says other survivors hear crying or maniacal laughter, which Talis suspects comes from flying trumpeters. Talis asks for eight trumpeters to be silenced before their music causes harm. The completion reply calls this a temporary measure and recalls Talis hearing the shrieks in guilty dreams and expecting them not to disappear soon.
Sanjiva — As more strange red liquid floats into the sky, Talis sees creatures emerging from cracks in the ground and says they seem to resemble Talis’s former neighbors. Talis begs for nine jurors to be repelled and the neighbors returned to rest. In the reply, Talis wonders whether even the dead are answering the call in hopes of another chance to atone.
Kalasutra — Talis hears a melody beneath the trumpeters’ cacophony, lulling children to sleep while adults are beginning to succumb. Talis says the survivors will not be able to protect themselves this way and asks for nine horns to be crushed to find the song’s source, followed by a trip to Judgement’s Scroll. In the reply, Talis notices someone who looks like another Outsider and asks that they be invited to hide with the survivors.
Astravia Judgement — Suffer for Sympathy
After an abrupt call to stop, Mi wonders who has approached and asks whether the visitor is the Hero. Mi introduces themself, explaining that Re and Fa had hoped to show the Hero around town. Worried that humans may have hurt the Hero, Mi suggests hiding until the danger passes; the Hero replies that they are there to stop Mi and get the civilians to safety.
Mi asks why the Hero is there, saying Darkon was supposed to explain that they were punishing wrongdoers and that this might bring La back to their side. The Hero condemns Drago and calls Darkon unhinged, then says they will not let him do as he pleases. Mi recognizes that the Hero means to protect the Astravians but argues that the Hero is not one of them, warning that humans pretend to care before trapping outsiders and driving nails through their wings.
Mi warns that the Hero’s scales might be put on display or that the Hero might be made to work as a servant, accusing humans of tricking the Hero into doing chores for pennies. Mi asks where those people go when help is needed and whether anyone has risked themself for the Hero. The Hero promises that no one is hurting them and no one needs to endanger themself for the Hero, then asks whether that is what happened to Mi. Mi says the Hero should be on Darkon’s side because Darkon plans to erase all sins and create a perfect Lore.
The Hero concedes that Lore is imperfect and that no human is without fault, while acknowledging that Mi has reason to be angry about what was done to Mi. The Hero argues that people do not share one mind and should not all be judged alike. The Hero says people are running from Mi and asks why Astravians are begging the Hero to save them from a predator instead of the reverse.
Mi objects that Mi is not a monster. The Hero clarifies that the accusation was not aimed specifically at Mi; Mi hesitates, then explains that Mi was putting the people to sleep so they would not feel pain, calling it more merciful than the evildoers would be. The Hero questions whether that lets Mi avoid killing them and argues that different means can have the same result with less guilt. Mi says that cannot be right and that Mi does not want to become such a person.
The Hero admits not knowing what the Astravians have done or will do, and argues that judging them now would rob them of a chance to make amends and choose a better path. Mi compares the idea to a fairy tale La has told, then says making it real would take effort rather than magic. Mi says Mi would like to dream about it.
Mi says Mi still believes in Darkon’s goal, but that the Hero’s words must mean something. Mi says Mi would not hear just anyone out: the Hero is an Outsider too, may know what it is to live for a long time, and the two should help each other. The Hero asks whether Mi will let the Hero go after Darkon; Mi says that if the Hero believes those words, Mi wants to know who will make Lore just. Mi offers to lead the Hero to Darkon so they can find answers. Mi holds a guitar before an enormous pale, grinning face. A group of red-clad figures stands at the left, while broad pale wings are visible behind Mi.
Talis asks whether the outsider's companion is named Mi and wonders if they are shy because they are hiding behind the outsider. Talis says Mi can guide them to the heart of the catastrophe. While Talis must take the survivors out of the Capital, the group will wait for the outsider to catch up; Talis wishes them success and health.
Mi says their guidance opens the path to Darkon's stage and warns the outsider to be careful of the Jury and Trumpeter procession. Mi will strum a guitar to make the climb easier, though the procession will still attack. They apologize in advance for any mistakes, admit to nerves when playing for someone new, and hope the outsider will like the performance.
Mi says Judgement is doing its job as far as they know. They point to red liquid being drawn into the beast's horn and identify it as the life-force of sinners after Judgement has judged them. Mi admits not remembering Darkon's full explanation of what happens when enough life-force is collected, then says they trust him.
Mi argues that people who wrong others should be punished and that victims must make their own justice in an unkind world. They say Darkon rescued them from being sliced into pieces and that they want to help him make a better world, where they can rely on people as they do on him and the Scale. Mi asks whether the outsider would be happy in a world where they no longer had to stick their neck out for selfish humans.
Mi says they have not seen La for a while. When La last said goodbye, she promised Mi would be safe no matter what happened, then left to find a way to save Darkon. Mi did not understand why Darkon needed saving, but believes that the 'way' La mentioned must have been the outsider. Mi concludes that if La trusts the outsider, they cannot be bad.
Mi asks to talk a little longer because they do not want to be alone.
Padma — Mi asks for help reading eight names on Judgement’s scroll, since La and Ti have not finished teaching Mi to read. Mi wonders why some names are crossed out in red and others in white, and asks that eight grasping hands be impaled while the scroll is examined. In the reply, Mi says the crossed-out names belong to the dead: white marks indicate a ritual, while red marks indicate more natural deaths; Mi apologizes if any were friends.
Maharaurava — Mi says the trumpeters’ music calls sinners to judgement and that only the guilty should hear it. Mi’s own music cannot drown it out, so Mi asks for nine trumpeters to be disrupted. In the completion reply, Mi corrects the earlier claim: people who feel guilt may hear the music even if they are not guilty, and after the conversation Mi can hear it too.
Raurava — Mi says the deceased Astravians are being called to serve as jurors, but Darkon and the Scale regard all Astravians as sinners. Mi suspects the conflicting roles are making the jurors run wild and says one has hit Mi’s guitar. The task is to shove nine jurors away; afterward Mi remarks on the long fall and says it may be for the best not to hear them land.
Avici — Mi asks why humans are on Judgement’s scroll, then realizes the visitor knows them and that their names are among the deceased. Mi warns that the shades are not real, plays music louder so they cannot be heard, and urges the visitor past them. The task is to dispel one shade and reach the top of the scroll. In the reply, Mi reassures the visitor that they did nothing wrong and tried their best, then says La is waiting above.
Astravia Judgement — Cross Fired Examination
The Hero greets La and says La seems to have reached Darkon first. La answers with an ellipsis. The Hero asks whether they are supposed to team up against Darkon, then asks again whether that is right.
La tells the Hero that what came before was not a lie, says Darkon has caught up to La, and adds that La’s wrongdoings have caught up too. The Hero asks whether threats or the Alprecha’s Beloved matter are involved and urges La to turn around and finish what La started. La replies, “Not this time.”
La says they were unable to stop Darkon from getting this far and says the Primordial above is its true body, not a doll made from mortal flesh. La says they stand no chance against it and that this is why events have reached this point.
La says Darkon is a dear friend and identifies as a knight of Astravia. La says they first betrayed their people and now their allies, then says they stand under the twenty-first of the Arcana Primordials. La calls this La’s Judgement.
Mi cannot understand why the outsider and La have to fight after La had seemed to help. They wonder whether La fears Darkon will be angry that she tried to solve their problems another way. Mi hopes that calming La down would let the outsider speak with both La and Darkon, as they did with Mi.
Mahapadma — Mi says La is determined but may not want to raise a hand against the visitor, and asks that La not be hurt either. Mi suggests stopping to work things out together. The objective is one defeat of La. In the reply, Mi asks Darkon what he is doing.
Astravia Judgement — Last Betrayal
La asks what the weakened Hero is doing, but says the Hero is not striking to kill. La says, with a cough, that the Hero is doing La an undeserved service, then begins “I…” and trails off. La then says, “Let’s get you standing.” La holds out an open hand. La compares the Hero to the first Outsider to ever best La.
La says the Scale has warmed kindly to the Hero, laments Darkon’s clouded vision, and says they could have been family. The Hero asks what the point of it all was. La says La failed the Hero, cannot stop Darkon alone, and calls the Hero the only Entity who can; the Hero resists being grouped with the creepy things and says the Hero’s skull was already cracking before the fight. The Hero asks whether Darkon can be taken down in that condition. La suggests asking for help from anyone willing, while saying it cannot come from La.
Darkon says the Hero is unlikely to receive help where the Hero is going, unless the Hero changes their mind, and asks whether the Hero will continue to oppose him. The Hero says there is no point lying. Darkon answers, “Then fall.” Darkon holds the Hero at the neck. His hand opens, and the Hero is no longer visible in the following view.
La calls to the Hero. Darkon says the Hero will survive and claims Darkon could have snapped the Hero’s neck at that moment but did not, out of respect for La. Darkon predicts that after the Hero experiences the desperation Darkon has known, the Hero will beg for his attention, then asks La whether La regrets the outcome.
La says, “The only regret I have is not being able to save you. Both of you.” Darkon says Darkon does not need to be saved and that this did not have to happen. La says Darkon knows La, that La prefers to die standing, and that La will not spend the rest of life kneeling to what Darkon has become. Darkon thanks La for loyalty to Darkon and the beloved; La wishes Darkon happiness. La’s figure is cyan-tinted beside Darkon. The following view shows a green-and-black, cross-shaped emblem where La had stood.
Darkon says, “Til we meet again.” Darkon then says Judgement has been passed and remarks that light is peeking over the mountains and morning is near.
Mi wonders how Darkon could do that to La and whether he has changed or whether Mi had failed to see that they mattered less than his dream. Mi says they do not care if Darkon must trample them to realize it because they owe him everything, but La deserved the world too. Mi ends by calling out to Aurola.
A Storied Vow — In this separate optional task after Mahapadma, Mi says this was La’s home and that Mi had not known La wanted to return in order to save the humans living there. Mi wonders whether the Astravians might want the same and hopes to make a landmark that will last even if everything else crumbles. The task lists ten Brass, ten Sinew, and one Knight’s Favor. In the reply, Mi offers a song for the empty city, where a gentle strum can echo until the Astravians’ cheers, chatter, and laughter return.