Files
xiashtra 03d949abaf 7.45 follow-up (#99)
* Update cn

* 7.45 follow-up
2026-03-03 21:04:14 -06:00

20 KiB

10TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_00Erenville is conflicted by this long-fated reunion.
21TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_01
32TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_02
43TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_03
54TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_04
65TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_05
76TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_06
87TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_07
98TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_08
109TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_09
1110TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_10
1211TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_11
1312TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_12
1413TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_13
1514TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_14
1615TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_15
1716TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_16
1817TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_17
1918TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_18
2019TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_19
2120TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_20
2221TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_21
2322TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_22
2423TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_SEQ_23
2524TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_00Speak with Cahciua.
2625TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_01Speak with Strika.
2726TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_02Survey the designated location and defeat any enemies that appear.
2827TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_03Survey the designated location.
2928TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_04Speak with Wuk Lamat.
3029TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_05
3130TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_06
3231TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_07
3332TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_08
3433TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_09
3534TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_10
3635TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_11
3736TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_12
3837TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_13
3938TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_14
4039TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_15
4140TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_16
4241TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_17
4342TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_18
4443TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_19
4544TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_20
4645TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_21
4746TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_22
4847TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_TODO_23
4948TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_001I can't say I understand what's going on, but at least Cahciua is safe.
5049TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_002Erenville's mother is a floating machine. Right─that makes about as much sense as everything else thus far.
5150TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_KRILE_000_003At this point, I doubt anything could possibly surprise me.
5251TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GRAHATIA_000_004The Allagans had machines that could be controlled remotely. Is she using something similar to communicate with us?
5352TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_005Always too much excitement with her... Sorry for drawing our weapons on you.
5453TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_NOSTALGIA_000_006If it's any consolation, this is all rather confusing to us as well.
5554TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WAYAKKWE_000_007Oh, uh...hello.
5655TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_008Come, come, make yourselves comfortable!
5756TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ERENVILLE_000_009<sigh> Let's hear what she has to say.
5857TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA000_000_010It's so wonderful to meet you all.
5958TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_011And the Students of Baldesion... It's been a while since I heard that name.
6059TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ERENVILLE_000_012Dare I ask the reason for your appearance?
6160TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_013Oh, this? It's just a body that I control remotely. I use this for our operations.
6261TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_014We're members of a resistance organization─Oblivion, we call ourselves, and our goal is to thwart Zoraal Ja's ambitions for conquest.
6362TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_015As the leader, it's prudent that I remain where I can't be easily found.
6463TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_016I see. Whimsical appearances notwithstanding, yours is a serious cause.
6564TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_017Right you are. Though truth be told, Oblivion was founded for an altogether different purpose.
6665TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GRAHATIA_000_018And that is?
6766TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_019As I expect you've already noticed, everything you see within this dome─the buildings, the people, the very earth beneath our feet─is a fusion of two worlds.
6867TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_020Stopping such a fusion was Oblivion's original mission.
6968TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_KRILE_000_021Then does that mean you know who or what is responsible for it?
7069TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_022I'm afraid not. This was a long time ago, and our mission statement has become more of a legend that's passed down to members. By the time we joined, our sole objective was stopping Zoraal Ja.
7170TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_023But we failed to do that. And now he's taken his army outside the dome...
7271TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_024None of you wear those strange devices on your heads. Does that have something to do with your work?
7372TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_025You mean this?
7473TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_026It's a regulator, the pinnacle of electrope technology. And that we don't wear it is indeed related to our operations.
7574TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GRAHATIA_000_027What exactly does it do?
7675TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_028Allow me to explain.
7776TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_029Regulators have two primary functions.
7877TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_030The first, as the name suggests, is the regulation of the wearer's reserve of souls. Should they die, the regulator expends a soul to bring them back to life.
7978TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_031“Reserve”? You mean people walk around carrying spare souls!?
8079TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_032They do. Souls are packaged in cells, and they can be used to replenish the life force that is lost due to sudden death, such as in accidents. They do nothing for those who die of old age, though.
8180TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_033Distribution of soul cells is based on one's work evaluation. To encourage “exemplary performance” when fulfilling their duties.
8281TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_034Souls as a common resource...and payment for services rendered...
8382TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GRAHATIA_000_035The voidsent practice of consuming others for their aether comes to mind. And similarly, I expect that the act comes with some risk.
8483TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_Q1_000_036What will you say?
8584TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_A1_000_037Doesn't it dilute your sense of self?
8685TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_A1_000_038Wouldn't the consciousness of others corrupt your own?
8786TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_039That is prevented through memory management, a process in which regulators also play a role.
8887TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_KRILE_000_040Memory management? Then the reason everyone has forgotten Namikka's existence...
8988TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_041The regulators are constantly recording the memories of their wearer, so if they should suddenly die, their memories can be refreshed as part of the restoration process.
9089TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_042This is how they preserve one's identity and sense of self. However, the regulators are also triggered when someone else dies.
9190TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_043Reason being is that regulators forcibly extract memories relating to the deceased from anyone wearing one.
9291TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_044Why would they do such a thing?
9392TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_045It's a “kindness” bestowed upon the people by Everkeep's core system, so that no one has to suffer the pain of loss.
9493TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_KRILE_000_046So this is what is meant by their memories being in the cloud.
9594TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_047Indeed. All memories of the deceased are wiped from the minds of the people and archived in the system.
9695TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_048It's a frightening function of the regulators─and an integral step in soul cell production.
9796TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_049You see, when a person dies of natural causes, their soul is temporarily housed within the regulator.
9897TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_050It's then delivered to a facility where memories are separated from the soul.
9998TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_051The result is a fresh soul cell, free of impurities, ready for distribution and consumption.
10099TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_052Meanwhile, the memories are stored in the core system. To be “remembered” forever.
101100TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_053And this is why people are happy here? On its surface, it's similar to the Yok Huy philosophy, but I see nothing noble or comforting in it...
102101TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_054Well, it doesn't seem so terrible to me personally. All comes down to what you're used to, I suppose.
103102TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_055Like the barrier encasing Alexandria, this system was created to overcome the calamity that transformed the world hundreds of years ago.
104103TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GEODE_000_056Amidst the mounting death toll, scientists used electrope to devise a means to save what lives they could so that the nation could endure.
105104TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_057I understand the people of Alexandria did what they believed was best to save their people. I just find it hard to believe the Turali would also accept this way of living.
106105TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_058It came as a shock to us as well. In fact, a great many were opposed to it.
107106TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_059Which is why the use of regulators was never compulsory. The people have always been free to go without them if they so wish.
108107TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_060Sphene didn't strike me as the sort of ruler to impose her will on others.
109108TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_061Ah, so you've already met?
110109TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ERENVILLE_000_062She's the one who suggested we come to the Thunderyards in the first place. She also said she wants to help us stop Zoraal Ja.
111110TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_063Awfully kind of her to point you in my direction. And to speak so candidly as well...
112111TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_064Whatever her motives, she has given the people a choice: live with the risk of true death, or the security of the regulators.
113112TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ERENVILLE_000_065Everything that lives must someday die. That is the natural order of things.
114113TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_066Quite right... But however you feel about them, it would be easier to understand what the regulators are capable of if you saw it for yourself.
115114TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_067I know just the person to show you, and as luck would have it, they should be starting work right about now.
116115TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_068Who are we going to see, exactly?
117116TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_069Come with me and you'll find out.
118117TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_074So those regulators are to blame for everyone forgetting Namikka. For forgetting what a wonderful person she was...
119118TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_075I'm sorry, but I just can't accept the idea of using souls as a resource.
120119TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_KRILE_000_076We're to see how the regulators work, but how?
121120TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GRAHATIA_000_077To alter the memories of the populace with such precision is no small feat.
122121TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ERENVILLE_000_078What does she intend to show us?
123122TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_080Everyone here? Good.
124123TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_081It is the responsibility of the Thunderyard's hunters to fell any fiends found wandering the area.
125124TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_082We're to meet an acquaintance of mine, Strika, one of these hunters.
126125TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_085What do you think is in this box? I'm guessing food.
127126TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_086Judging by its name, I take it this facility is for gathering lightning energy.
128127TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_KRILE_000_087Given the opportunity, I should very much like to study electrope on behalf of the Students.
129128TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GRAHATIA_000_088While I am not blind to the potential benefits of these regulators, the risks inherent in giving another party the power to alter your memories cannot be overstated─never mind the ethical considerations of using souls in such a fashion.
130129TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ERENVILLE_000_089Let's get this over with.
131130TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_090Strika will show you what life can be like wearing a regulator.
132131TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_100Cahciua? What are you doing here? And with so many friends.
133132TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_101Apologies for the interruption, but I was hoping they might observe you at work.
134133TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_102Hunting, you mean? That's fine, I guess...
135134TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_103Hold on. I assumed they were wearing special regulators like Queen Sphene's crown, but they aren't wearing anything at all.
136135TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_104It's much too dangerous to be here without one. What if they're struck by lightning, or attacked by beasts?
137136TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_105I can assure you they're all quite capable of looking after themselves. If anything should go amiss, I will take full responsibility.
138137TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_106Well, don't say I didn't warn you. Danger aside, there isn't really much to see.
139138TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_107Cahciua said you're a hunter, but wouldn't it be easier for those mechanical soldiers to guard this place?
140139TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_108It would, if not for the fact they're weak to lightning. The Thunderyard being what it is, they've been ordered to steer clear.
141140TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_109Some good they are, eh? But these facilities are vital to the upkeeping of Alexandria's infrastructure, so it falls to hunters like me to deal with any fiends.
142141TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_110Given the danger, we're well compensated for our work. It's a perfect profession for anyone looking to build up savings.
143142TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_111The special selection of souls for hunters isn't terrible either.
144143TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_112I brought this lot here to see this danger you speak of. If it's not too much trouble to ask.
145144TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_113Ah, of course. In which case, it'd be a shame to waste my efforts on just any old beast.
146145TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_114You all can handle yourselves in a fight, right? If you cause a ruckus slaying what critters you see nearby, there's a chance you'll draw out something worthy of a demonstration.
147146TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_115I'm not sure I understand, but I suppose we should each slay what we can.
148147TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ERENVILLE_000_120I'm afraid I must leave the fighting to you.
149148TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_125My fussy little bunbun was never any good at fighting, and this body of mine isn't suited to it either. We leave this work in your capable hands!
150149TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_STRIKA_000_130This one'll do nicely.
151150TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_131We'll help you!
152151TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_132It's fine, really. I've faced worse. Just watch.
153152TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_133I don't like the looks of this. Let us help!
154153TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_134Oh no!
155154TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_135Look out!
156155TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_136Arrrgh!
157156TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_KRILE_000_137Twelve preserve...
158157TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_138She needs healing!
159158TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_139That was embarrassing. The bastard caught me off guard.
160159TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_140Are you mad!? Seriously, let us help!
161160TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_141I told you not to worry.
162161TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_142This will only take a moment.
163162TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_143Just like Zoraal Ja...
164163TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_144Come on, let's get out of here.
165164TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GRAHATIA_000_145That's also a function of the regulator?
166165TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_146I think I understand now how Zoraal Ja was able to return from the dead and defeat Papa, but I'm not sure what we saw at the end there.
167166TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_147As soon as the regulator turned red, it was as if you were possessed. Your movements became beast-like.
168167TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GRAHATIA_000_148Don't tell me...you empowered yourself with the soul of a beast? I'm reminded of the serpentine soldier we encountered at Vanguard who did the same...
169168TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_149So you've crossed paths with one of the king's elite? Such a form can only be achieved from gorging yourself on souls.
170169TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_150We could do the same, in theory, but it's incredibly dangerous. Besides, it's not as if they'd allow hunters to carry that many souls to begin with.
171170TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_STRIKA_000_151Well, I should be getting back to work. Take care.
172171TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_152And there you have it. Regulators can be loaded with two kinds of souls, those of peoples and those of beasts.
173172TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_153The souls of people can be used to grant the user preternatural strength.
174173TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_154Naturally, they can also be used to ensure no one suffers an untimely death.
175174TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_155And what about the souls of beasts?
176175TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_156They work much in the same fashion, imbuing you with the strength of the chosen animal.
177176TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_157If, for example, you used the soul of a wolf, you would grow more agile and feral, as you saw with Strika.
178177TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_158Using several of the same type at once, however, would result in physical changes. Your teeth might become fangs, your nails claws─too many, and you'll become more beast than man.
179178TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GRAHATIA_000_159Changing one's form through the souls of other beings... It becomes more and more reminiscent of voidsent.
180179TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GRAHATIA_000_160Yet unlike the void, where the cycle of death and rebirth is simply broken, souls here are forcibly taken before they might reach the aetherial sea. Different means to achieve similar ends.
181180TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ERENVILLE_000_161A cycle to which all within the dome are bound...
182181TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_162This is wrong. This is all wrong.
183182TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_KRILE_000_163It is indeed hard to accept, being so far removed from our own beliefs.
184183TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_KRILE_000_164Perhaps more shocking is that the technology to achieve all this was developed hundreds of years ago.
185184TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GRAHATIA_000_165The civilizations in the reflections are surprising indeed...
186185TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ALISAIE_000_170Having seen the beauty of the aetherial sea firsthand, I simply can't accept what they've done here in Alexandria.
187186TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_KRILE_000_171I understand this is part of their culture, but it is no less disconcerting.
188187TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GRAHATIA_000_172When Emet-Selch spoke of surprising civilizations in other reflections, I wonder if he had Alexandria in mind.
189188TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_ERENVILLE_000_173Sphene speaks of lived experiences that suggest she's far older than she appears. Considering the power of these regulators, perhaps it's not so far-fetched.
190189TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_CAHCIUA_000_174I've never seen it for myself, but it's said that if a beast's soul is potent enough, a single soul is enough to induce a monstrous transformation.
191190TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_180While we all have our thoughts on souls, for now the important thing is we know what power Zoraal Ja has at his disposal.
192191TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_GRAHATIA_100_180It is one thing to separate corporeal aether from incorporeal aether, but to strip memories from the soul entirely is unprecedented technology.
193192TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_KRILE_000_181This is no longer only Tuliyollal's concern. With his newfound power, Zoraal Ja has become a real threat to the entire world.
194193TEXT_KINGMD120_04931_WUKLAMAT_000_182Indeed. He has to be stopped, no matter the cost!