Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Tainted Moonrise / Story
Rain in the Mirror
<i>In the dreamer's dream, the one being dreamed awakens.</i>
Your mind comes to a sweet, rich scent.
One minute you're in a deep dream, the next you're pulled back by a soft whisper. The familiar smell makes waking up feel natural, with no sudden jolt.
[player name], you're awake now.
You sit up on the comfy bed as the girl is waiting patiently for you to wake up.
Still nothing?
Luna's eyes fall a little.
You really don't remember anything...
I thought the "Heart of Divinity" maturing would be the end. But because you two went through so much here, you lost the memories instead.
Leaving now would hurt you, so she has to wait for your memories to come back.
Maybe this is the "price" Chessia mentioned.
Once the Eternal Night in the Republic is over, Luna's moon returns to her, joining with Chessia in the shattered painting on the ground.
After that, the temple goes back to normal, and the painting turns into a blurry mirror that shows nothing.
Chessia tells you through the mirror that it shows your deepest desire. Finding that is the only way to get the memories back.
Luna shakes her head.
I've already let everyone know you're safe.
So, no rush. We'll go when your memories come back.
How was your dream? Did you like it?
She picks up the incense by the bed and takes a sniff, the smell filling her nose.
If you get bored, we can try something else.
Tons of money, endless power... whatever dream you want, I can make it happen.
If you really wish it.
Yeah.
She puts the new desires into the incense burner, making it richer. Once it's lit, these desires will add to the smell, giving anyone who breathes it sweet dreams.
This is the only way Luna can think of right now. Once you have lived through different dreams, maybe you will figure out what you really want.
It's also—a reward for her journey.
Luna turns the sweet illusions from desires into dreams, collecting them for that person to pick from. If this person's willing, all the desires of this world await, ready to be claimed.
Every human desire can be fulfilled this way.
But we'll save these for tonight when you fall asleep again.
It's time to eat now.
After she speaks, Luna holds out her hand, and you put yours in hers immediately.
Leaving the room, you follow her through some amazing, palace-like rooms. Luna stops at the last room, and when she opens the door, a long table filled with delicious food and wine comes into view.
Here we are.
Sit down. No one will disturb us.
I made these special dishes just for you.
The smell of food hits you—it's even more tempting than anything you've smelled before.
Following Luna's look, you grab the closest piece of cake and put it in your mouth.
The sweet cream slides over your tongue; as the taste reaches your brain, something unexpectedly changes.
The scene changes—the empty room becomes a big, busy square. People are packed together, cheering and celebrating.
They seem to be celebrating a win, and you're clearly the center of their attention. Voices of blessing and praise surround you, and every face in the crowd is filled with joy and passionate adoration.
It would be very easy to get lost in this sea of joy and praise.
So?
After who knows how long, the cake's sweetness fades. The illusions vanish, and she is back in the fancy restaurant.
That was the memory of a king. He conquered many city-states and spent most of his life basking in victory and adoration.
He turned power and glory into his desires, and now I'm giving them to you.
While she's talking, Luna offers you another glass of wine.
Now try this one.
You take the smooth, sweet-smelling drink. As the wine goes down, the scene changes to a never-ending field of flowers.
You walk through the flowers, surrounded by their scent. Laughter comes from next to you, and sweet whispers pull at your heart as you watch the moon and sun together.
The bright moon hangs in the night sky, and below, spring blooms.
This memory belonged to a shepherd boy who met his love in a flower field back home.
Luna runs her finger along the edge of the glass, making a clear, ringing sound. It sounds like the shepherd's flute from the memory, echoing across the flower field.
So, how do you feel?
Luna's been collecting all kinds of desires and beautiful dreams. Glory, status, power, money, and love—she's found everything in the world for you.
But for some reason, the mirror's still blurry.
That's not necessary...
This all comes from the "Heart of Divinity". We made this fruit together, so you deserve to share it.
Luna tells you to rest and dream, hoping it'll help. Meanwhile, she goes to the temple mirror, staring at its stubborn blur.
What's up? Messed up again? Running off to sulk?
Chessia yells at Luna from inside the mirror.
...Cheap.
Chessia ruins Luna's quiet moment, and Luna is clearly irritated.
Hey, hey—don't leave! Stay and talk. I'm going nuts being stuck in here.
Hmm... how about we talk about something you like? Like—[player name].
Mind your own business.
Since Luna doesn't leave, Chessia's curiosity is back.
Like I said, I'm just your desires, and Lucifer was your bad memories. Now that you remember everything, we're not a threat. You can talk, it's fine.
I mean—Lucifer's gone for sure, but me... well, I'm not so sure.
What are you getting at?
Aren't you worried [player name] can't find the lost memories? If so, why not just keep [player name] here?
This is your chance! [player name] will do anything you want right now. And no one's going to bother you. You two could totally—hey, where're you going?!
Luna stands up and walks away, ignoring the mirror girl. But as she opens the door, she bumps into someone coming in.
What are you doing here?
Come on in.
Luna doesn't want to make up excuses. She just lets them in, hoping the mirror will suddenly work and you will find your memories.
No.
Getting to spend more time with you because of this... I don't see that as bad.
I just don't want you to lose your "completeness".
Having felt this way herself, she doesn't want you to go through the same pain. Plus, she's starting to get how you must have felt...
Your shared memories are in that forgotten past. That's why she wants you to remember.
"Heart of Divinity"...
She's tried everything else, but nothing's worked. It's not that she hasn't thought of it, but—
To get your memories back, you need to find "what you want most".
It must be something beautiful.
But not the ones gathered from the "Heart of Divinity". Those aren't good enough.
Luna remembers the pain you went through, and even how she acted when she lost her memories—nobody would call those good memories.
I see how you feel.
Then... as you wish.
Seeing your trust, Luna doesn't hesitate. She splits the golden apple, and you both eat it.
Memories flood back. Surprisingly, the blurry mirror finally became clear. It shows Luna—not as the divine from the paintings, but as a girl turned demon.
This is...
Luna stares, surprised at the answer—it is right there, but she never saw it.
Luna looks at the person next to her, answering the unspoken question with a look. She knows your memories have returned when you eat the fruit.
Is this what you wanted?
Me as a "demon".
So, do you want to stay here with me?
Luna remembers what Chessia said. She isn't trying to force an answer—but after all they'd been through, she allows herself to hope.
If you leave, when will you meet again? When will you have time to be with each other again?
The sweetness of the fruit lingers, much like the memories spiraling through your heart.
Warm nests call for returning flocks. They seek no longer the horizon beyond.
For when one stands on firm soil... It is "home". Where one's heart belongs.
Looks like we're on the same page.
Luna leans against the painting, waiting for this world to fade.
Perhaps you and I once wished to have the other to ourselves—but at least neither of us felt like we belonged here.
I hoped to hold your gaze a little longer, but I wanted more.
Dreams don't come true.
I need something I can feel, something solid, not something that can vanish in an instant.
Think it through. After you eat that half apple, everything here will be a memory you can't forget.
Our minds will go, but the memories will last.
Are you sure you want these memories as a part of your life from now on?
Perhaps it all has to start over.
But the thought that someone will be waiting at the end—
It gives wing to each other, keeping each other marching ever onward.
Till we meet again, when the time comes.
In another paradise, one we'll see together.
The "Heart of Divinity" is fully absorbed, and this world's destruction is almost complete.
Blood-red rain pours down, trying to drown everything. First the lowlands, then rocks, trees, temples, ruins. Finally, everything sinks into the deep.
Only the book, browned with age, floats above.
