Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Tainted Moonrise / Story
Luna opens her eyes and, after what feels like forever, clearly sees the person in front of her. She's lying on a bed she doesn't recognize, in a building she's never seen in Eden.
Mm, how long have I been asleep?
As she feels the weight in her body and remembers the last moments before she passed out, Luna realizes she must've been in a coma.
"mortal world"?
That's what they call the Second Nexus World?
At that time, Luna fell unconscious from excruciating pain, causing momentary chaos.
Luckily, before Chessia and Lucifer could do anything else, Revelation kicked in and teleported you and Luna to the Second Nexus World.
A bright light flashed, and then Luna and you were in this strange building.
The former Eden was like an undeveloped primitive forest, while the Second Nexus World is filled with structures of human civilization. Houses, temples, stone monuments, bridges, and even grand palaces.
You seem to be in some kind of temple. There's a pool in the middle of a big hall, candles in the corners making shadows dance. A fancy chair sits up high, with stone statues on each side.
On the chair sits the "Heart of Divinity", already turned green.
I feel a little weak, probably something left over from Eden, but it's no big deal.
Let's deal with the important stuff first.
How's your exploration of this world's rules coming along?
Now that Luna can see again, you decide to give her Revelation to look at.
Ruler of the mortal world shall govern with diligence, and safeguard its children from disaster. Only when your subjects abide in peace shall their faith ascend—becoming one with the divine heart, its light born anew.
So, basically, become a leader, get their trust, and use that trust to power up the "'Heart of Divinity". That's the idea.
What does "disaster" refer to?
How's the "Heart of Divinity" doing?
As you're talking, you grab the fruit nearby to give it to Luna, and then something unexpected happens.
?!
The second Luna touches the "Heart of Divinity", it lights up like a match. Flames pop up and burn Luna's hand, spreading fast all over her.
Purple-black crystals and dark marks start showing up on Luna's skin—unique characteristics that belong to demons.
Darn it!
Luna tries to fight the pain and stop what's happening, but it's no use. She curls up and passes out on the bed.
You jump in to put out the flames, grabbing Luna's hurt hand, desperate to help. But the fire seems to have a mind of its own, and it jumps from her hand to yours.
You?!
Luna tries to yank her hand away so you don't get hurt, but she can't. You just keep trying to put out the mysterious karmic flames, even though it's spreading to you.
[player name], let go!
You thought you'd be burning too, but these flames only seem to hurt Luna—you don't feel anything.
Also—after things calm down, it's clear the flames are way weaker after touching Luna. And Luna feels her pain going away, and she's thinking clearer.
After waiting a bit, the flames are gone.
Looks like I'm interrupting something.
Chessia enters the room but doesn't appear eager to lay her hands on the fruit or Luna.
Chessia... you've got some nerve showing up here.
Get out.
Luna frowns, getting ready to fight. But she's weak from the fire, and she looks totally worn out.
No need to be so mean. I'm just here, being nice, to see if you need help.
I told you, you can't blame me for last time. The rules set the price for judgment, not me.
I just "accidentally" forgot to tell you about that part, that's all.
Are you leaving or what?
If I go, who's going to help you with the backlash?
Of course, after taking all the hits from judgment, her body's so weak it can barely handle it.
As the "Heart of Divinity" gets stronger, she gets weaker. She just can't handle the power, and it's backfiring, literally.
The girl flashes a radiant smile and moves closer to Luna.
So, how about you just accept me? Once you get your power back, the backlash will be gone.
Having your heart burned up... it's not fun, you know.
Luna tries to hit Chessia fast, but she dodges it easily.
You keep dreaming.
Mhm.
Not even bothered, Chessia flies out of the temple.
I'm not in a hurry. When you can't take it anymore, you'll say yes to me.
After leaving these words behind, she leaves, and a brief silence falls over the room.
Okay...
Luna had an excuse in mind to refuse, but she's woefully weakened. For the sake of the greater good, she acknowledges she could let someone else take over while she works on dealing with the backlash.
Or maybe there's another way. As long as it doesn't mess up their plans or slow them down, she'd be willing to give in.
But after that person made those promises, she could no longer bring herself to say such things.
I still can't remember anything.
She still can't remember anything about the past you shared.
But the time we spent in Eden...
I want to try and trust you, [player name].
The mortal world's gears start turning, writing this chapter's story.
Revelation made Luna "Sovereign", so she's in charge of the city. But the backlash means she's burned by karmic flames every night, and the purple crystals and marks that show up sometimes incite panic among the populace.
So, Luna makes you "High Priest" to handle the work for her.
At first, things were going as planned. Luna could still handle it while they worked on fixing the backlash.
Once we get all the faith energy, the "Heart of Divinity" will change again, making Luna stronger. Then, the backlash problem will just go away.
But—things never go exactly as planned.
As day turns to night, the karmic flames begin their vicious backlash against Luna. Physical contact between the two of you used to ease her suffering, but now it doesn't work anymore.
When she gets these backlash attacks, Luna goes wild. She won't let you near her, enduring the torment alone in a secret chamber deep within the temple after nightfall.
Another night's coming. You wanted to talk Luna into not being alone, but as you are about to knock, you hear groans and growls from inside. Your hand just stops.
H-High Priest...
A servant stands behind you, his voice hesitant. You quickly turn and gesture for him to follow, hurrying away from the area.
I have really important news, and I was desperate... Please, I beg you not to blame me!
He had searched the entire temple without finding the High Priest, leaving only the secret chamber—the one everyone was forbidden to approach. He decided to try his luck.
Plus, he was curious about those rumors... Were they real? What if he could see the truth for himself?
Two things. First... those prophecies showed up again. They spread before we could stop them.
Everyone's talking, and even more servants have fled.
Luna's getting worse because of the rumors going around.
After dropping his act in Eden, Lucifer didn't go straight after his enemies here in the mortal world. Instead, he showed up in the city as the Hierophant, declaring that the Lord had been possessed by demons and that he himself was the true messenger of the divine.
He even fabricated divine prophecies, using Luna's seclusion as proof for the rumors that the Lord had fallen under demonic influence and could no longer appear before the people.
You've been trying to stop these rumors, but it's like trying to cool boiling water by stirring it—totally useless.
People are freaking out, and their faith energy keeps going to Lucifer, draining Luna's power. She's getting weaker and weaker, her body turning translucent like a ghost.
Now Luna can't even show up during the day, so people believe those prophecies even more. Meanwhile, Lucifer keeps putting out new "divine" messages, secretly spreading more rumors and making everything worse.
The herbs you gave the doctors? They tested them, and they made the medicine formula way better.
Like you said, they've already made the new formula public to the people.
With all the measures you took to fight the plague, people are extremely grateful. They're at the temple entrance, wanting to thank you.
Finally, some good news.
You were going to look for ways to help Luna with the backlash, but things got worse, and she won't see you. Since you haven't found anything, you're just focusing on fixing the faith energy problem.
With all the public support we've gotten back... we're almost done collecting the faith energy. Lucifer won't be a problem anymore.
The sounds from the secret chamber are still in my head—now I can tell Luna the good news.
After dismissing the servant, you return to the secret chamber's entrance. From outside the door, you can faintly hear the sound of conversation within.
If this keeps up, the karmic flames will eat you alive.
Stop fighting. Pick me, and you'll feel better right away.
Don't even think about it.
[player name] promised... they'd be back.
I trust [player name].
So what if they get back with all the faith energy? It's too late. You can't handle those flames like this. Just give up.
Hearing that, you get too worked up to knock like Luna said. You just open the door and walk in.
No one answers from inside. You open the door, and you see Chessia just watching, and Luna's passed out next to her. She's surrounded by fierce flames, way worse than anything you've seen.
You run over and pick her up to check on her. Purple crystals and dark marks have almost covered her. She's way worse than you thought; she's even passed out this time.
Luna can't hold on any longer. There's no time to wait.
A familiar voice pierces through the haze in Luna's consciousness, stimulating her senses. She's practically forced back to reality by that person's call. With great effort, she opens her eyes to see the deeply anxious expression.
She wants to tell them to shut up because they're giving her a headache, but she also wants to wipe that person's sweat and says she's okay.
But she can do neither.
Hmm...
The flames grow fierce once more, repeatedly attacking the depths of Luna's soul. The bone-chilling, heart-burning agony threatens to reduce her to ashes. The only sound she can now produce is a broken moan.
You hold her tighter, wanting to take the pain yourself. But the flames keep burning just her. Even though you're so close, you can't share in her suffering.
Her rough screams are tearing at your worried heart.
While you're struggling, the "Heart of Divinity" drops to the ground. You remember what Revelation said, and that vague intuition you've felt since entering this world—
You hold Luna close while you sit on the floor, and you try to activate that fruit.
[player name]... what did you do—
Luna feels the pain in her body gradually disappearing, finally regaining some strength and clarity of mind. But she sees the person embracing her now suffering from the consuming karmic flames instead, prompting her urgent question.
The backlash pain continues to build up in your body, as sharp stabs begin to attack your heart.
I... don't... agree...
I'm not so weak I need you to take my pain—
Hearing that, she's happy. But a bitter emotion immediately surges up, causing her to ultimately speak words of refusal.
She won't let that person endure the same torment.
The backlash hasn't fully transferred, and the remaining waves of pain still harm her weakened body. Luna feels her hands being held once again.
You take her hand and gently put it on your chest.
This...
But for me, I can't afford to—huh?!
The flames interrupt the two hearts' confessions, scorching the two bodies simultaneously, tearing and branding pain within their memories.
Gradually, something cracks open. Something strives to thrive between their connection.
It's like hard, packed soil finally breaking open after rain. Seeds buried deep below can finally breathe as fresh air flows into the depths, blooming flowers above the ruins.
Then, the spreading flames purge the wasteland clean, filling the two bodies and minds, purifying and strengthening the connection.
Their connection, made of each other, made for each other.
The sacred fruit ascends once again after such long stillness, floating between the two as if being a witness.
This time, it changes from green to red, as bright and strong as the karmic flames.
As they both take the flames together, the book of Revelation shines again, and the pages turn, starting a new chapter.
<size=50><i>"I absurdly began to blur two words into one: me and you."</i></size>
