By the time you reach the town, the sun is already hanging high at the peak.
In the outskirts, small filtration stations and bunker clusters established by the Thirteen Families form several layers of defensive lines against the Punishing at the sea—what Catanians call the "Joint Defense Zone".
Passing through the heavily guarded Joint Defense Zone, you find yourselves greeted by an elegant, classical world that stands in stark contrast to the one you've left behind.
The ancient town, built of white brick and tile, winds along the mountain paths. Only by truly immersing oneself within can one appreciate Catania's unique blend of romance and passion.
Streets adorned with fresh flowers, high walls etched with words of love... Every inch of this small world seems to possess its own beautiful legend.
As you walk with Lucia along the bluish-green stone paths, young cyclists occasionally zoom past, whistling as they tip their hats in greeting.
People bask contentedly on balconies in the sun. When they see the two of you in formal dresses pass under their eaves, they quickly bring out flower baskets to shower you with petals.
Congratulations! Happy wedding day!
Mamma mia! Such a lovely bride. Blessings on your marriage!
Thank you. Thank you all.
Amid boisterous yet heartfelt cheers, the two of you walk along flower-strewn paths to the town's central square.
Before the two of you lies a semicircular amphitheater that sinks into the ground.
The stage at the center resembles a massive boulder dropped into the sea, creating dozens of rippling rows across its hundred-meter width.
Ah, Lola! Stunning like a spring bloom. Eyes like stars at twilight!
An elderly man sits in the shade near the outer edge, reciting the lyrics with dramatic rises and falls in his voice.
Right then, you hear a bell chime from behind, sending the white doves resting on the seats into flight.
The deep resonance ripples across the town, followed by a second, then a third toll of the bell.
Throughout the streets and alleys, everyone—from busy merchants to ladies lounging under parasols—stops whatever they're doing. They press their hands together in prayer, face east, and mutter quietly under their breath.
The town freezes in this moment of devout prayer, as if time itself has paused in the ensemble of tolling bells.
Ten, eleven, twelve...
As the twelfth toll sounds, the world is once again back to life.
As if the moment of stillness never happened, people resume whatever they were doing before the prayer.
Commandant, that was... the bell for twelve.
Following Lucia's gaze, you look toward the bell tower behind the plaza.
On the sand-colored fortress-like structure, both clock hands point straight at "XII".
Hohoho... that's not all—
If the ceremony isn't done before the twelve bells finish, the couple will be seen as cursed by the demon.
They'd be exiled from Catania and never allowed back. It's a rule the people of Catania have followed for centuries, even during war.
An elderly man in the theater joins the conversation, apparently having heard you and Lucia talking.
Good day to the bride and groom! I'm the director of Dionysus Theatre.
Hello.
Lady Dawne told me you'd be stopping by to collect the sacred wine.
But I can't just hand it over, hohoho. First, you'll have to complete an old rite to prove you have what it takes.
What kind of rite... exactly?
Come with me—
The man turns and walks toward the stage below.
Welcome, guests from Babylonia. This theatre beneath your feet has stood for over two thousand years.
The old man's words echo throughout the theater, with the bustling, lively town lying just beyond its walls. Perhaps Catania's cityscape has always been like this since hundreds or thousands of years ago.
Wine, both a gift of surplus and a door to dreams. Even in the city-states of old, Catania held festivals in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine.
The ancients built this altar to thank Dionysus for the joy he brought. At harvest time, they gathered here, singing, dancing, and feasting.
And this unique way of worship, different from that of other gods, is where human drama first began.
The old man stops at the edge of the stage and raises his hand toward the stone statue overlooking the performance area. The look on the statue's face is playful and mischievous, its curly hair deliberately carved into the shape of grape clusters.
So Dionysus is not only the god of wine, but of drama too. If you want his blessing, you'll have to entertain him on stage.
Step forward, both of you.
Following his guidance, you and Lucia step onto the stage.
Directly below the stone sculpture stands an ancient, weathered stone wall. Its surface is neatly inscribed with modern text, clearly added by later generations.
Place your hands here. Together.
Right after, Lucia extends her right hand and gently places it over the back of your hand.
Now read the hymn on the stone wall.
You glance at Lucia. With a nod from her, the two of you begin reading out the hymn together...
On the distant cliffs, I saw Dionysus watching.
As the two of you read the hymn, blue light erupts from the crevices of the stone wall, from which muffled signal sounds can also be heard.
Nymphs and satyrs listened closely, ears perked in wonder.
His voice filled the souls of the listeners with bliss and madness—
Suddenly, you find the world around you flooded in a blinding radiance.
>>>>>WELCOME TO Dionysus THEATER<<<<<
>>>>>READING CONSCIOUSNESS MODEL<<<<<
>>>>>MATCHING SCRIPT<<<<<
>>>>>LOADING [ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE]<<<<<
>>>>>ENJOY YOURSELF<<<<<
Scattered fragments of your senses gradually come back together as a thick, rusty metallic smell permeates the air.
When you try to move, you hear the rattles of heavy metal chains—that's when it hits you that you're being hung in darkness.
Orpheus, I grant your plea. Your beloved shall walk free from my underworld.
A deep, somber voice ripples through the darkness.
But there are two rules: As you lead your beloved out, do not turn back, and do not rise above the ground. Or your beloved will never return to the mortal world.
And you, Eurydice, must not speak a single word until you're free. Or your beloved shall pay the price in death.
The eerie voice echoes through the space. Based on what you heard, you presume you're probably playing the role of "Eurydice" trapped in the underworld.
At that moment, the chains binding your limbs break. With it, you fall onto cold grass.
—Commandant? Is that you?
From the shades comes a voice you recognize.
You nearly blurt out what you were about to say when it hits you that you are not supposed to say a word.
You don't have a full grasp of the details of this "performance", but you have a gut feeling that you shouldn't break the rule.
You clap your hands to let Lucia know that you're here.
I heard something fall. Are you hurt? If you're okay, clap twice so I know you're there.
Commandant...! Hang in there, I'll get you out as fast as I can.
...I'm glad you're okay.
With a snap, a bright flame comes to life that shines light upon the world around you.
It's pitch dark in here. Commandant, take my hand. I'll feel safer if you're close.
A hazy silhouette emerges in the light as Lucia extends her hand behind her.
A warm grip firmly clasps her hand in return, bringing a sense of security.
Lucia maintains the flame from her frame with her left hand, holding it like a bright lantern as she slowly guides you into the darkness.
Deep in the darkness, strange, eerie howls can be heard here and there.
The two of you move along in silence. The grass along the way grows increasingly damp, and the path eventually leads you to a foul-smelling, sticky swamp.
Strange gurgling sounds occasionally bubble up from the bog around you. In the darkness, indescribable shadowy figures flicker in and out of sight.
From the corner of your eye, a shadowy figure suddenly approaches from behind and comes straight at Lucia—
When you tighten your grip on her hand, Lucia picks up on your warning and, with a sidestep, dodges the shadowy figure coming at her.
...!!!
HISSSSS—!!!
A split second later, a blade of flame pierces through the shadowy apparition's body. With it, black liquid splashes everywhere.
...!!!
Ear-splitting shrieks threaten to break your ears as murky waves churn violently across the bog. With it, countless shadowy apparitions make a beeline this way.
Amidst the chaos, you see one particular apparition coming straight at you...
ROAR!!!
Headshot.
Commandant, hold on tight—
You keep driving away the apparitions coming from all over the place while sprinting forward at full speed.
Suddenly, a square patch of light appears at the end of the darkness that grows bigger with each step you take.
There's the exit!
Right then, the shadowy apparitions up ahead converge into a massive wave that stands right in your way...
Out of the way!
A blade of fire gathers in Lucia's palm. The moment it touches the murky wave, her blade flips upward, unleashing a thunderous pillar of flame.
—!!!
A split second later, the raging wave before you bursts with a crackling explosion, sending scalding mud splattering through the air like a torrential downpour.
The world around you trembles as flames carve a path through the lurking shadows like the rising sun that burns at daybreak.
The exit is now right in front of you both, within arm's reach.
Lucia—!
Lucia—!
Right then, you hear your own voice coming from behind...
No, that's not—
Commandant?!
Lucia turns back, looking every bit as terrified as you.
Hahaha, so you broke the rules after all, Orpheus.
In a flash, a grotesque arm tightly grips your left leg.
Then as agreed, I'll take your lover's soul!
With it, your right leg and both arms are seized by several powerful forces pulling at your body all at the same time.
Commandant!!!
Despite Lucia's desperate attempt to hold onto you, the arms pulling you from behind are doing so with the force of a black hole, bit by bit forcing apart your hand and Lucia's...
Finally, your fingers slip from Lucia's palm. With it, the world around you spins like a crazy kaleidoscope as you're pulled backward, pushing the light at the exit further away by the second...
Amidst the chaos, you twist your wrists again and again trying to break free, but to no avail.
...!!!
Suddenly, a burning shooting star comes into view. Making its way through the chaos, it's coming straight for you.
Give the commandant back to me!
Bang!
With an earth-shattering roar, the flames sever the arms behind you and tear through the endless night sky above.
Before you know it, the world around you ruptures with a clash as a crimson rift slices through the heavens.
Lights cascade like a tidal wave onto the cold, scorched earth as Lucia manages to catch you in midair.
>>>>>UNEXPECTED ANOMALY DETECTED<<<<<
>>>>>PERFORMANCE ENDED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.<<<<<
Your eyes snap open as the afternoon sunlight stimulates your real senses.
Looking around, you find yourself and Lucia still standing on the ancient stage.
Commandant, are you alright?!
Before you answer that question, she grabs your arm and starts examining you thoroughly.
Glad that you're fine...
She holds your hand tightly as she breaks into a relieved smile, seemingly jubilant to see you again after being apart from you for what seemed like an eternity.
Hohoho! Looks like you've pleased the god of wine after all. The cellar door is open—his blessing is yours.
Only now do you notice that the stone wall under the statue has opened wide, revealing a dark red space inside.
So, how did you like the Dionysus AI reenactment module?
The rules were weird. We broke half of them, trashed the set, and somehow we still finished the performance.
Hohoho, no story stays the same forever. It took 3000 years just to perfect Salome.
Maybe Dionysus is tired of old scripts. Maybe he just wanted to see a story that's actually yours.
He stands in the shadows of the room and waves his hand at you and Lucia.
Come in, come in! It's been ages since I've smelled this wine's aroma.
Following the old man, you step into the wine cellar paved with clay and red bricks.
The rich aroma of wine permeates the air. As far as you can see, oak barrels and wine bottles are arranged neatly in a dazzling display.
Let me see now... ah, there you are.
While you and Lucia gaze around in wonder, the old man retrieves an intricately patterned bottle from the wine cabinet.
This is top-shelf Piemonte—once reserved only for Napoli's royalty.
Now, by Lady Dawne's decree, I pass it to you, as Dionysus's blessing on your eternal bond.
Thank you, Director.
Hohoho... To think that Lord Dawne gave me this bottle himself... but he never lived to see his child's wedding.
The old man gazes at the two of you with a smile as he utters these words with a touch of nostalgia.
You planning to head back by land? If you're not in a rush, I can ferry you across by boat. Catania's waters have their own kind of charm.
Hohoho, don't mention it. We haven't had a wedding in ages. I'm excited just to tag along with you newlyweds.
Lucia nods at you.
Thank you, Director.
Look how bright the evening stars shine, glimmering gold.{226|153|170}
As the sun sets in the west, its fiery glow pierces through the thick clouds at the horizon and reflects off the water.
A pointed boat gently pushes aside duckweed as it glides into this living painting of azure waters stretching to meet the endless sky.
Gentle breeze over the sea, waves dancing soft and slow.{226|153|170}
You and Lucia sit at the bow while the old man sits at the stern. He rows away effortlessly while singing his heart out.
In perfect tranquility, the boat stirs up gentle ripples as it slowly makes its way forward.
Commandant, look. There are so many white swans out here.
Lucia leans in, seemingly trying to make certain that the old man won't hear what she says and find out who you really are.
Before you know it, the boat carrying the three of you is already surrounded by so many swans that you now find yourselves in a whirlpool of pure white.
They don't seem afraid of people at all...
Lucia reaches out her hand to one of the swans.
With it, she breaks into a gentle smile as her hand stops in mid-air, apparently having recalled something.
Showing no signs of resistance as Lucia strokes it gently, the swan lowers its head and lets out soft, deep coos.
"Try smiling." Remember that, Commandant?
The two of you share a knowing smile as distant memories flood back.
Whew, this old throat's not what it used to be!
The old man finishes his song and lets out a satisfied sigh from the stern of the boat.
Director, that tune you were humming, it sounded like a folk song?
Hoho, that's right! It's "Santa Lucia"!
Santa Lucia?
It's a love song every Catanian girl knows. Come on now, why not give it a try?
Sing...? Me?
Faced with this sudden request, Lucia looks hesitant.
She looks at you, apparently seeking your opinion.
A-are you sure...
I-I mean... I don't really mind actually.
They say Saint Lucia wrote that song on her way to Catania. Singing it was her way of blessing her lover.
Lucia seems encouraged now that she knows the meaning that song holds.
...I see. Director, could you teach me the lyrics?
I want to offer a blessing to [player name], too.
{226|153|170}Beneath the stars, in twilight's hush.{226|153|170}
{226|153|170}A tender song drifts on the breeze.{226|153|170}
{226|153|170}Before night swallows the sea, come aboard my little boat.{226|153|170}
{226|153|170}Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia...{226|153|170}
Phew—
...I think I sang it right?
R-really? Maybe it's because... I was singing it for you.
Her song drifts across the clear water, stirring gentle golden ripples. Every leaf and blade of grass around seems to carry Lucia's heartfelt blessing.
Before you know it, the world has turned into a vast expanse of misty waters. Dark clouds from the horizon are now right above the little boat carrying the three of you.
SPLASH—
The raindrops pattering down from the heavens break the peaceful moment.
Hohoho! Good thing I brought my hat!
Here, Commandant, take this, cover up—
Lucia comes to your rescue with her veil and covers your head.
You'll catch a cold if you get soaked.
Your eyes meet as the lingering fragrance of peach blossoms fills the air. Beyond your small sanctuary of white cloth, the world bathes in the melodious sound of rainfall.
Warm breath gently caresses the tip of your nose. A rosy blush gradually spreads across Lucia's cheeks in the misty haze between us.
In this small world that belongs only to us two, the story that Lucia once told you comes to your mind.
This... kind of feels like Lucia and her love's story, doesn't it?
In her crimson eyes, you see your reflection shimmering alongside the rain-drenched world beyond.
Hoho, look over there. You see that? That's Heaven's Cape.
In the slanting sunlight, a rugged cliff stands tall through the pillar-like rain, reminiscent of Saint Lucia's statue.
That's where the very first light of Catania's sunrise touches the earth.
If you ever get the chance, you two should go watch the sunrise from there.
We will.
Lucia turns to look at you and nods with a smile.
The dock comes into view in the distance as the rain slowly lets up.
Tomorrow... is our wedding day.
I hope... morning comes quickly.
If love had a physical form, it'd be raining all around the two of you like the pouring rain just now.
As the boat nears the shore, melodious singing once again reaches your ears.
Wishes ripple through the water's splash, drifting gently upward and soaring toward the colorful sunset glow.
By sunset, the two of you have returned to the mansion and followed Olivia to the wedding venue.
The venue is an open-air pavilion by the seaside. Behind the ceremonial platform stands a tall, lush peach tree.
The land here is level with an open view. Having surveyed the environment, Olivia goes through the nitty-gritty about security with the two of you.
Following the discussion is the rehearsal for the actual ceremony itself the next day.
Under Lady Dawne's guidance, you and Lucia walk hand in hand onto the ceremonial platform covered in scattered peach blossoms...
Reading the vows...
Exchanging rings...
That's about it.
You'll finish with a kiss. No need to rehearse that part, I assume.
...
At the mention of the word "kiss", Lucia quietly tightens her grip around your hand.
She looks into your eyes, her gaze revealing a mix of uncertainty and longing.
At this time tomorrow, I'll officially announce the disbandment of the Thirteen Families.
If all goes well, Catania will be reborn before the noon bells finish ringing.
Standing on the ceremonial platform, Olivia looks out at the horizon stretching across the twilight with a look of strong resolution.
Hope everything goes perfectly on your big day.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
