Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Tainted Moonrise / Story
<i>"I offer you the loyalty of someone who has never known faith."</i>
Tick-tock—the clock's ticking stands out in the dead silence of the night.
The clock chimes ring through the hall, telling the time, but outside it's still pitch black—it should be noon, with the sun at its peak.
Luna folds her wings, landing from the air and walking into the hall.
It's still just as dark, no sign of the sun.
With the Heart of Divinity's second transformation, you enter the Third Nexus World—the Republic—thanks to the Revelation.
The deity has fallen, and the sun has followed the divine away. The world sleeps, plunged into the darkness of Eternal Night. All growth has ceased, souls of men forsaken. O wandering traveler. To make the frozen fruit grow once more— Seek the deity's remains and restore the divine to the holy temple.
This is the guidance from the Revelation.
Now that we know it's true, let's follow these instructions.
How are you feeling physically?
At the end of the "mortal world", you were both burned by the karmic flames—you have been in the Republic for a while, but you are still the slowest to recover.
I'm completely healed.
Maybe it's because demons get their power from darkness.
Don't push yourself before you're ready. I'll take the lead this time.
This time, it's my turn to protect you.
That's what Luna was thinking but never spoke out.
Before you could finish, a sharp pain shot through your arm. The scar from the flames ripped open, and it's a bloody mess.
The black plants, which were just little sprouts, are now growing out of the wound, breaking through your skin.
What's happening?
Luna clearly hadn't seen this weird wound before. She asks, frowning with worry.
Tsk, tsk. That's a nasty wound.
Chessia has been watching you for who knows how long, waiting for the right moment. But before she can get close, Luna attacks and pushes her away.
Damn it—did you do this?!
Luna's filled with rage, letting out all the anger Chessia had been trying to stir up.
The karmic flames burned [player name]'s wound. Blaming me won't help.
I'm helping you guys. If the wound doesn't open, those thorns will grow along the bones to the heart, and you'll suffocate.
But—
Chessia circles behind Luna, whispering in her ear to get under her skin. The more Luna reacts, the more Chessia loves it.
Things aren't much better now either.
Without sunlight, the thorns will grow like crazy, getting more tangled; eventually, they'll wrap around and eat[player name]alive.
As she finishes her sentence, Luna attacks with even more force. She's going all out, determined to take down the demon girl.
Screw you—
If that's how it is, I'll stop it by killing you.
Chessia's still calm, and since she's part of Luna's desires, she knows exactly how to dodge her attacks.
Killing me won't fix it. The thorns are because the "Heart of Divinity" keeps rotting.
If you don't fix this, you'll have to watch [player name] die slowly.
Hearing this, Luna stops attacking, giving up on the fight and flies back to check the new wound.
It does have the same energy as the "Heart of Divinity" on it...
Chessia's not lying.
The Heart of Divinity's connection affects both of you—that's always been true.
The "Heart of Divinity" was burned in the last flames, like everything else. Damaged, it ended up in the sunless Republic and started decaying.
But nothing weird happened to me.
Night's where demons belong. Plus, your wound's healed, so why would you have any problems?
I've told you all I know. Touched, aren't you?
What are you really after this time?
Haven't I told you a million times—accept me, Luna, and I'll give you the power to fix everything.
You know how bad [player name]'s condition is. Can you really just float idly by and do nothing?
This was part of our plan all along.
Luna agrees.
You're so stubborn.
Then go ahead and try... if you can actually do it.
Chessia doesn't seem to want to force anything, leaving with a mysterious smile.
You continue with your plans, searching for ruins as you originally intended.
But what's surprising... is that the thorns are growing way faster than you thought, leaving you with much less time.
The dust's been wiped off, and these patterns must be related to the ruins.
Luna runs her fingers over the stone tablet. She recognizes the patterns from old books she's collected—it's a marker for the temple's boundary.
After a long and tough search, you have finally found a clue. With no leads at first, you could only do a thorough, step-by-step search. Even during breaks, Luna went out on her own to keep investigating.
Luckily, you recently found some holy items and writings about the deity. With those to help, your search is much more focused now.
The writings say the marker isn't far from the temple. If we find another stone tablet, we can find the temple's exact spot...
[player name]?
Lost in her thoughts, Luna realizes her companion's not keeping up. When she calls out and turns, she sees the person half-crouched against a tree.
The wound's gotten worse.
Luna rushes to check the wound—the black thorns are growing even faster now.
They've completely wrapped around your arm and look like they're spreading to other parts of the body.
Why didn't you say something when it started growing again?
Luna remembers the thorns weren't this bad the last time she checked. Knowing how quiet you were on the way, she realizes that it must have happened during your walk, but you just kept it hidden.
We have even less time than we thought...
Stay here and rest, I'll go find the other tablet.
Why don't you ask your wound and that thing if they'll take a break?
Luna can't really say nice things. All her worry and anxiety come out as sharp words, spoken without thinking.
She's really worried, even a bit angry. Why didn't this person say something sooner? Why push with injuries? Why... go through so much for her?
You open Luna's clenched hand and see the thorns she cut earlier when she checked her wound. They've already stabbed her hand and drawn blood.
Even though she knows it's pointless, that the thorns will grow back, she keeps trying, hoping to ease the pain.
I'd rather they hurt me.
This pain is mine—you shouldn't take it.
Passing problems onto others is what weak people do.
Trust, huh...
Luna believes that someone like her, a creature of darkness, shouldn't possess such a thing as trust, but the time they've spent together has begun to shake her conviction.
Only this person has ever made her feel this way.
After thinking about it, Luna gives in. She knows even if she argues, this person won't rest like she said, but will just push harder.
If things get really bad, she doesn't want to be stuck taking care of an invalid.
Fine, let's head back for now.
You're not doing great. Come on, I'll help you.
Silence.
Keep talking and I'll leave you here.
Luna's patience runs out as she strides forward and takes the initiative to grasp that person's hand.
As you pass through a towering thicket, Luna's clothes catch on thorns and tear. She bends down, ready to rip away the snagged fabric, when something in the undergrowth catches her attention.
[player name], check this out.
Luna pulls a piece of cloth out of the bushes, its white background with gold embroidery looking distinctly familiar.
His power's still on it.
This is bad news. This area is really isolated, no one normally comes here, so Lucifer leaving signs means he's also searching for the divine ruins.
Yeah. He's always done things related to the "Heart of Divinity".
He's probably planning something like that again.
But the Heart of Divinity is now under your control, and its decay has rendered it useless for other purposes. What will Lucifer's next move be?
Hey, you two lovebirds. Need a hand?
Chessia pops out of the shadows again, clearly having been lying in wait for some time.
[player name], get ready to fight.
Don't be so hostile now, I'm not here for a fight.
That question you're thinking about—I know the answer, you know.
As she finishes, a red shadow shoots from her fingers and hits the "Heart of Divinity".
What did you do to the "Heart of Divinity"?!
Whoa, hold on, I wasn't going to hurt it this time.
Just giving you a clue, opening the way. The rest... you'll figure it out.
Soon—the grand finale I've been waiting for is starting.
It'll be a real show.
The first stone tablet was a big step. Since then, Luna and you have found more clues. You've seen Lucifer's trace in a lot of places, but it's not all bad news.
At least sometimes, it helps you know if you're going the right way.
The thorns are getting more aggressive, and the "Heart of Divinity" is rotting faster. Time's slipping away.
This is it.
Luna's restless heart finally eases as she gazes upon the long-sought structure. You have found it—the entrance to the temple ruins. Passing through here will lead you straight to the lost deity.
Luna glances at you, your body clearly worn from the torment of thorns. At last, this will all be over soon.
The path's clear at the entrance. After walking a short stone path, you go into the temple. Old, broken stone walls are all around, with ruins everywhere. Any traces the deity might have left behind are now impossible to discern.
We heard the temple houses a portrait of the deity. It may be our only lead in finding Him.
Let's go.
Together, you venture deeper into the temple.
But, just as you are about to go into the last room, Luna feels a stabbing pain in her chest. She drops to her knees at the door, breathing hard.
Luna tries to look through the door, but she can't see anything from here.
Don't worry about me... Ugh, just open the door.
My instinct—says so.
You open the door fast like Luna said, and right away she feels better. The weird feeling's gone. She gets up and goes into the room with her companion.
The stained glass windows are all broken, and pieces of glass are on the window sill and the floor. Torches burning inside and outside the room reflect chaotically off the fragments, creating an unsettling mosaic of otherworldly light.
The portrait of the deity, once hanging on the wall, now lies fallen on the ground. Shards have torn through the canvas, distorting the figure depicted within.
What?!
The girl in the painting, wearing all white, shines brighter and holier than the sun.
But that same face is now surrounded by night's black and purple, with demon wings; the once bright red eyes are now blood red, filled with shock and confusion as they meet the eyes in the painting.
Ah... Wretched one, dare you look upon your once radiant eyes?
Lucifer comes out of the shadows, clearly having been here, waiting.
Does it torment you? That is the heart you cast aside—now screaming your damnation.
It whispers to you, wretched. Had you not fallen, you would still be enthroned in gilt and candle-smoke, your face gazing down from stained glass while the witless masses grovel at your feet.
Instead of what you are now—forgotten... broken... discarded in the dust, swallowed by the dark.
Naturally... I'm the divine's most devoted. I know the divine inside and out.
Yet—despite my sacrifice, I, am, forsaken.
Lucifer points at Luna, releasing all the emotions he's been holding in.
I sought everywhere... only to find the divine had cast off all divinity. The divine embraced damnation, took the form of a fiend, and now wallows in eternal corruption—never to return.
It is no longer worthy of divinity.
Since it has lost its right, why shouldn't I take its place?
My faith is unmatched, and I'm the only one worthy.
The world gasps like a fish on the altar without the divine... They need me! The world will grow to need me!
Lucifer's greed and madness are plain to see.
I'm not responsible for your delusions.
If it's power you want—
Then fight me, and let victory prove your worthiness.
Now that we know who the "divine" is, we need to fix the Eternal Night and the dying "Heart of Divinity". Lucifer's out of control, but he's not our main problem.
Heh, you think you can run? There's no escape.
To restore divinity, three must be present: the altar, the relic, and the spring. And they—
...They are all sabotaged beyond repair, long before you arrived.
Lucifer showing up wasn't just about insulting Luna, he's up to something.
And—I can tell that wound of yours must be festering beyond bearable, is it not?
You see, these black thorns are about to pierce through your heart. Hesitate but a moment longer, and your damnation shall be complete.
He turns his gaze back to Luna.
I also know you care a great deal of this person, and you have been groveling for a cure this whole time.
Your divinehood has come to an end... but mine is just beginning. Yield your divinity to me—let me ascend as the new divine, and I shall attend to this pathetic human's wound.
At this point...
You really think I'd believe you?
You're out of options, and you can't just walk away, right?
Lucifer lets out a creepy laugh, like he knows he's going to win.
After a moment's pause, Luna speaks.
Then swear an oath right now, to guarantee it.
I swear, in the name of the new divine, this vow shall be kept.
Is that good enough? Hurry up and give me the power!
Lucifer's urging her on, barely containing himself.
My power's locked in the "Heart of Divinity". If you want it, take it.
Luna throws the fruit, and Lucifer lunges for it, not even caring when he hits the ground.
"Heart of Divinity"... Power...
I am the divine now! HAHA—
He holds up the completely rotten fruit like it's a treasure, even kissing it.
But, to Lucifer's surprise, the fruit he thought would bring him dreams starts eating away at him instead.
Aargh—
Black smoke pours from his rotting wounds, then gets sucked back into the fruit. Lucifer feels his body and soul being eaten alive, like he's being eaten by ants.
Even so, he won't let go of the rotten fruit. It's like he'd rather die with it than let it go.
You—this is a scheme! You planned to steal my divine power with dark magic!
The "Heart of Divinity" eats the life of anyone with evil in their hearts. The more evil they are, the quicker they're gone.
You walked right into your own trap.
The "Heart of Divinity" consumes him fast—before he can say anything else, he turns into black smoke and gets sucked into the fruit.
Hmm... Not bad, quite impressive.
Chessia shows up, clapping and cheering, enjoying the sight.
Well? Did you like my little present?
You knew what Lucifer was up to the whole time.
Of course. Why else would I have told you how to fix things?
The girl floats in the air, smiling and lounging.
I really don't get why he was so obsessed with being the "divine". Look, isn't the darkness just as good without the sun?
Oh, right, I forgot—for [player name], this might not be so great.
Chessia looks at the black thorns growing wild from the wounds.
You did this on purpose. Destroying those things, then making me remember who I was.
Just to leave me with no way to go.
The only way was to bring back the divine and make the sun come up, but now that you know who the divine is—and she cannot go back—you are stuck.
I didn't do anything, you know?
If I got my hands dirty, you wouldn't want to hold me, would you?
Don't get mad. There's still one way out—right here.
Accept me, Luna, and you'll get the power you want. For the Heart of Divinity, and for [player name].
I need "light", not "darkness".
Since you've lost all your ways to "light", why not go with "darkness"?
With the right company, even darkness can become a revelry.
The darkness makes the thorns grow again, and their sharp stings attack your heart, making the pain unbearable.
See that? [player name] can't take much more.
......
You hold her hand. In this eerie, confusing darkness, only the warmth of your hand feels real.
Luna closes her eyes, pausing to think.
This feeling brings back a lot of memories—like being blind, unconscious, chaos, and the Eternal Night.
But now, even in the dark, she's found something to help her move forward.
With these lights showing her the way, she takes a step, then another. In the end, it's the hands holding hers that bring light back to her world.
Now, she'll bring this light to the world.
The moon.
I can't be the sun anymore, so I'll just leave the sunlight behind.
Moonlight can light up this darkness too.
Even if it means being alone up there, she'll embrace the darkness her own way and make peace with the Eternal Night.
Will the working people, the growing plants, and the forest animals marvel at the moon? Will they still yearn for the sun that's no more?
None of that matters now.
Eventually, the world will adapt to this pure brightness in the darkness and accept her gentle nature.
But the moon will remember, always remember—the one who saw her first, before she shone, before anyone else noticed, the one who fell for her completely.
That will be the only light shining in her Eternal Night.
The pure white returns and the moon is full again. Luna feels memories flooding back as her heart starts to grow again.
The rotten fruit fills out again, like dead trees coming back to life in spring.
Finally, the "Heart of Divinity" rises, shining gold, and the Revelation is finished.
Like a temple that remains an altar even in desolation; a statue that remains divine even in collapse.
