Journey of Devotion Begins
>I just love it when I see a city or a town rebuilt... I love when ruins are restored to buildings and a no man's land turns into a bustling place.
Me...? What I want...
I still believe in the paper planes, in the fairy tales, in happy endings where lovers stay together forever...
But if this is our fairy tale... please indulge my willfulness, my selfishness, just this once...
...A sanctuary that defends against the Punishing Virus with willpower and beautiful emotions.
...Everything in the "Snow Globe" stems from reality. Every effort the both of you make in there will be crucial to finding the cure for the M.I.N.D. migraine...
If you won't wake up... My apologies, honorable guest!
You slowly sink into the silver-haired girl's M.I.N.D., and as you touch ground, you can hear the echoes of a faint voice. Suddenly, something brushes across your face, as if tickling you with silky feathers.
You rub your nose as you sit up, and you find a snow-covered forest before you, its depths obscured by swirling mist. Liv, the host of the M.I.N.D., is nowhere to be seen.
Don't just stand there! The Red Sorcerer has found you! Hurry and find the princess!
Hearing that voice again, you turn around immediately. A black swan is flapping its wings behind you, its beak opening and closing as it speaks.
Why, the Mistress of Light and Hearth, friend to all spirits, her ladyship crowned with flowers and stories, our beloved Princess Liv, of course!
A terrifying being who froze everything here! Shh... speak ill of Them, and They might hear you.
The swan bends its neck toward you and folds its wings, clearly performing a courteous bow.
A pleasure to meet you. I am Othilde, Princess Liv's butler... though I regrettably cannot offer you tea and refreshments in my current form.
Before you can think of how to respond, something in the nearby shadows stirs and lunges at both of you with lightning speed.
Your body reacts before you realize it. Diving forward to scoop up Othilde, you draw your gun, only to see a mass of twisted, pale thorns recoil back into the shadows, having pounced and missed.
T-the Red Sorcerer's minions! Run!
The thorns suddenly erupt upward, and you clutch the swan and quickly retreat.
Their appearance strongly resembles the excessive Punishing Virus that once ravaged Liv's M.I.N.D. As expected, this must be the problem you're here to solve... or at least one of them.
You will not harm my commandant.
Light ripples around. A familiar spectral figure appears, swinging her feathery blades with deadly precision even before she is fully materialized. Her strikes flash like mirrors, severing all the thorns pursuing you.
[player name], are you okay?
You reach toward the spectral figure, and your hand passes through her. Her voice also sounds as if it is coming from far away.
Liv also appears confused, gazing at her hands with a pensive expression.
Professor Hippocrates said we would dive into the Snow Globe within my M.I.N.D. together, but I awoke in a palace alone, only able to vaguely sense you somewhere nearby.
When I heard you calling for me, I wanted to rush to your side immediately, and I... somehow created this projection.
Yes, but I've managed to lock them outside the room for now.
Don't worry, I'm not in danger. It's just a bit troublesome to deal with, and I'll need some time to get through.
You look around, your brow furrowing slightly. Tree branches and fog obstruct your vision, while snow covers the ground, hiding any possible paths. Navigation and orientation are going to be more difficult.
The swan tucked under your arm suddenly lifts its neck, its clear eyes gazing at Liv's spectral form. It's no longer trembling.
There's a way. If the princess makes a wish, a path will appear in the snow.
Liv falls silent for a moment, seemingly unfamiliar with this title. She hesitantly reaches out, cupping the swan's little head in her palm.
Like morning dew capturing sunlight on the tip of a leaf for the first time, a spark gradually surfaces from the depths of her eyes and memory.
...Othilde?
The swan whimpers softly, then nudges her hand with gentle urgency.
I see.
Then... O path, please guide Commandant to my side.
The girl clasps her fingers together, her rose-colored eyes connecting with yours as her chants flow like wind caressing a harp.
As her words fade, a winding brocade materializes out of thin air upon the snow, woven with gold and silver threads. Drawing a river of light from the heavens to the earth, it forms a clear path across the whiteness.
It seems to have worked. Would you like to give it a try?
You carefully step onto the path, and a warmth from the other end of the M.I.N.D. connection spreads throughout your body. The chill vanishes completely, and you can almost feel the temperature of Liv's frame.
Copy! I'll clear away any obstacles. See you soon!
Her projection smiles, waves goodbye, and fades away.
You begin running along this miraculous path like it's the most natural thing to do, your footsteps growing increasingly light. The black swan spreads its wings in the wind and flies ahead.
When you step beyond the boundary of the low shrubs and the silent forest, your view suddenly opens wide.
The frozen lake mirrors the hazy sky above. A palace that seems carved from moonlight stands by the shore, its delicate spires, pillars, and floating corridors all gleaming with a cool luster.
The brocade rises into the air, guiding you forward until you reach the suspended bridge before the palace.
Look up, [player name].
A narrow stained-glass window on the side of the main tower suddenly springs open above you, and then—
A girl who seems to have stepped out of faerie leans against the window frame, her face filled with joy. The pale pink of dawn colors her dress, while the deep purple of nightfall adorns her hair.
Like a graceful swan, she stands on the window frame on tiptoe before elegantly leaping down like a ray of flowing light.
Her silver hair and ethereal veil dance in the wind as snowflakes and luminous feathers fall like a dream. From beyond this mundane world to your immediate surroundings, she is the only vivid, lively splash of color.
—And at this very moment, she drifts gently into your arms.
I found you.
Path of Unclouded Hearts
Medical Room, Star of Life
Babylonia
Earlier
Relax, you two. You're always so nervous when you see me. First off, I don't have any bad news. Second, I'm not going to tease you.
Last time when our dear Liv stammered halfway through that interesting story of your journey to Vennquis, didn't I let it go without prying?
Professor... Didn't you promise not to...
The professor, who is adjusting some equipment, raises a hand and waves it dismissively.
Alright, alright, I'll drop it. Equipment calibration is complete, so let's get back to business.
Simply put, we've made good progress in our research on healing Liv's M.I.N.D. I called you both here today to test the treatment.
Based on data from the operation at conservation area 368, we've finally confirmed the feasibility of establishing a safe zone within the M.I.N.D.
She stands on the lake's surface not far away, smiling at you.
He wasn't lying. This small sanctuary exists because of that data.
Hippocrates brings up a holographic projection from the control panel, simulating a crimson ocean of particles, then lifts a silvery-white orb from within it.
If the turbulent waves represent the overwhelming information in Liv's M.I.N.D., the safe zone is where she can take shelter, a sanctuary that defends against the Punishing Virus with willpower and beautiful emotions.
I prefer to call it the "Snow Globe".
The "waves" naturally attacked the "Snow Globe", trying to engulf it again, but to protect your Mind Beacon, the "Snow Globe" became unprecedentedly stable.
If we can create one "Snow Globe", why not two, ten, or many more? Isn't that how we built conservation areas on the surface? Connect the dots to form lines, and someday... right?
You instinctively glance at the female Construct beside you, your surprised gazes quietly meeting in midair. Liv looks at you and gives a slight nod.
Someday.
Come on, lie down. I'll explain while I connect the equipment.
The cheerful human taps a few commands on her terminal, and a device resembling a Sleeping Pod hums to life behind her, revealing two side-by-side chambers.
...!!
Come on over, won't you? I prepared this especially for you two. Isn't working while lying down more comfortable than sitting?
Liv, her cheeks flushed pink, nervously tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, keeping her gaze firmly fixed on the floor as she takes small steps forward.
Taking a deep breath to clear your head, you lie down on the device opposite from Liv, allowing Hippocrates to attach sensor patches to your body.
In a moment, we'll establish a M.I.N.D. connection just like we usually do.
With the device's assistance, the Gray Raven Commandant's Mind Beacon will attract the memories, fantasies, and dreams within your M.I.N.D., Liv, and they will naturally construct a "Snow Globe" realm.
Like how the commandant retrieved shards to repair your M.I.N.D. before, everything in the "Snow Globe" stems from reality. Every effort the both of you make in there will be crucial to finding the cure for the M.I.N.D. migraine.
Dive in, clean up your world, and finish building it, until its beauty is strong enough to withstand any pain that tries to invade.
Hippocrates gently pats the top of Liv's head.
It may sound a bit abstract now, but you'll understand when you succeed.
The professor steps back, humming a little tune to herself.
Liv turns her face toward you, her hair gently tousled against the neck pillow. Her eyelashes cast delicate shadows as she presses her lips together and raises her gaze to meet yours.
Within the limited range allowed by the device, she inches a little closer to your side.
[player name]...
A mixture of anticipation and shyness ripples through her rose-colored eyes as she turns her palm upward, sliding her fingers between yours.
The gleam in the girl's eyes tickles your heart like a feather. With your pinkies locked tight, she pulls her hand one way, you tug back the other, and both of you can barely contain your laughter at this playful game.
...I wonder what kind of world we will create?
The pod cover closes slowly as the familiar feeling of establishing a M.I.N.D. connection brings a sense of comfort and security.
I wish you both an enchanting journey!
