Everything turns to darkness.
A small candle flickers off in a distance, as you hear a voice. A familiar voice.
"One diurnal course, I will be recognized. Whether the actions performed in this allotment of time and space will be known as heroic or villainous, I am not certain."
"Will I be known as a diva, the ultimate in heroics?"
"Will I be known as a caitiff, the ultimate in horrible monsters?"
"This is something only time will tell. Originally, this project was to record the memories of the group of eight students graduating this year.. but events caused this recording to be much longer than initially anticipated."
"Know this. This recording merely offers the truth as to what happened. It should be up to the viewers of this to judge for yourself about the person in this."
"Who am I?"
The lights turn on. You see a mirror, just like when you saw Vankiel's recording. Only this time, you recognize the figure of a small ten year old girl.
(You/Younger Varia): "My name is Varia. This is going to be a recording of my last two days of school!"
(Older Varia's voice): "Or, so I thought at the time. I'll be stating some things during the course of this recording, trying to use a normal vocabulary and everything."
A scan result appears in the upper right corner of the mirror.
Varia Hyral Human
Level 01 Engineer
HP: 029 Status: Normal
EP: 037 Mood: Happy
Young Varia appears to be around 10 years old, with a voice/personality that matches a 10 year old. This younger voice matches her current voice somewhat well - more like what would happen to such a person three years in the future with very little change.
The older voice, which narrated the opening, sounds nearly completely different. The excitement and happyness are withdrawn from the voice completely. There is still inflection (aka, not a monotonal voice), but.. something seems different. This is not how the Varia you know sounds at all. It almost sounds like another person in fact.
(You/Younger Varia): "Okay... I think this recording works then! I'd offer you cookies, but it is just a recording... well, maybe if I fiddle with the settings a bit...."
Static as the recording turns off.
A brief moment later, it turns back on. You are in the same room, but there are now parts EVERYWHERE in the room. Like... 1m thick worth of parts on the floor, tables, et cetra.
(You/Varia): "There, done. I call it my Active Cookie Interface! Here, want a cookie?"
You get the taste, touch, and smell of a freshly baked cookie as though you were eating it. VERY yummy.
(You/Varia): "Enjoy! Oh no! I'm unpunctual for my colloquium!
Darkness. Light comes in again, and you are walking up to a building. None of you recognize it as any building that you've been to before from the outside, but the inside tells you it is the same building you saw in Vankiel's recording.
(You/Varia): "Hi everyone!"
(Bob): "Morning Varia!"
(Kumeg): "Top of the kupo to you!"
(Unnamed Neko): "Yo."
(Unnamed Dwarf): "Whazzap?"
(Xan): "A pleasure to see you this morning Miss Varia."
(Vankiel): "How is my apprentice doing this morning?"
(You walk over to Vankiel and gives him a playful stare): "Your apprentice wants to challenge you this morning. Your apprentice thinks that she can do much better."
(Vankiel): "Well, my apprentice is also a very cocky young girl. My apprentice also should show her elder some respect." (at this point, you see Vankiel get a strange look on his face) "Or at least helping out her fellow classmates in their projects if they are stuck. I'm sure you could figure out why this telescope isn't launching."
Varia looks at the telescope's rockets, points, and chuckles. Kumeg looks down at them too, sweatdrops, and then puts the rockets on the other direction.
(Kumeg): "Told you another point of view would help."
(You/Varia): "Only because someone like Vankiel wouldn't expect someone like you to strap rockets onto a telescope. Really, you strap rockets onto EVERYTHING!"
(Vankiel): "Why is it that you two always bicker about something?"
(You/Varia): "Because one day Kumeg's going to strap rockets onto her wings and launch herself to kupo knows where!"
Kumeg starts to laugh.
(Vankiel just stares)
(Unnamed Dwarf): "Shut yer piehole Vankiel, you know you think it is funny too. Just a bit too stuck up and hoity toity for your own good, I tells ya."
(You/Varia): "Oh yeah, I brought cookies for you all!"
Everyone in the room instantly lightens up more and smiles. You somehow get the feeling that her cookies are awesome. You get one too, and get to taste it in your mouth again.
(Older Varia, Narrator): "I was so happy back then. I wonder if I'll ever be happy like that again."
Everything fades.
Fades back in. You are in the arena again.
(You/Varia): "Butthead!"
They both start laughing, and Varia's watch beeps.
(You/Varia): "Time to get ready for graduation. Just one more thing I want to show you."
You/Varia extend your arm out and point at a rock. The rock starts to levitate.
(Vankiel): "Very nice... really nice actually. Maybe you should use that to defend yourself instead of the spells I showed you."
(You/Varia): "Great idea! I'll call it... hm... The Active Matrix! Mark my words Vankiel, you WILL be defeated by this one day. Bwahaha!"
(Vankiel looks skeptical): "I'll be defeated by you levitating a rock? Well, I'm going to head to graduation now. See ya!"
Vankiel starts walking there, only he's walking slightly slower than Mach 1, so he nearly instantly disappears.
(You/Varia): "Showoff."
You start to try to lift the naginata that Vankiel left for you (see the other recording), only it is WAY too heavy. You/Varia can't even lift the blade off the ground.
(You/Varia): "Why would my father give me something.. urk.. this heavy... ack! Aw, forget it."
You/Varia points at the blade, and it rises. Not MUCH off the ground, but a little at least. At this point, you hear a soft rumble of thunder and it begins to rain.
(You/Varia): "Rain? It was supposed to be sunny today... I know! I'll ask the new one!"
You/Varia start casting a spell. A person appears. Since none of you have summon magic lore, you wouldn't recognize him in character.
(Ramuh): "You called, my dear?"
(You/Varia): "Yeah... could you tell this cutsy little girl why the big bad storm is here? I know someone as powerful with storms as you Ramuh could do it..."
(Ramuh): "Normally I wouldn't do such a thing... but.. awww... you are so cute! I can't resist the puppydog eyes!"
He looks up at the clouds.
(Ramuh): "Magical. I can't really tell more, but that isn't normal. I need to go back to my game of checkers now with Ifrit. Bye!"
Ramuh disappears.
(You/Varia): "Tee hee hee... works every time!"
You get another cookie.
Darkness.
No more darkness.
You recognize this place/scene from Vankiel's recording as well.
(Vankiel): "You are right... well Varia, I hope to see you again. Maybe by then you'll be able to beat me in fighting. That defense technique of yours appears to be very promising... but you REALLY need better posture while fighting!"
(You/Varia): "Stop delaying and go already!"
You see Vankiel stare into the phone a bit, tilt his head a bit, and then teleport away.
(You/Varia): "I should get some more baking supplies from Goug..."
(Older Varia): "That was the fateful moment that would change my life, and at least a small section of the world, forever. Right now, I'm not sure if I knew then what I know now if I would do that again. They say that hindsight is 20/20, but I think mine might be much more optically unbalanced."
You teleport off. You arrive in the middle of a city in havok. You see people running away from a slow moving group of men in the same uniform marching in a formation. Anyone from anywhere near this region would instantly recognize them as Ordalian regular soldiers.
You also notice two people standing inside of a doorway looking on.
The first looks strikingly similar to Shali. Fiery eyes, fiery hair, except there is a major difference in how she stands. Instead of standing tall and appearing nearly defiant and independant, she is hunched over. Submissive. You can still see rage in her eyes, but it is being held back by something.
The second is a neko. Dressed in royal-looking robes, he has crimson red fur.
The soldiers don't appear to be attacking anyone - merely marching and saying, "Leave your homes! Scurry like the rats you are! This now belongs to Ordalia!"
(You/Varia turn to the neko): "Why? Why are you just standing there! I know who you are, and I know that you are sworn to protect this kingdom. Do your oath!"
(??? Neko): "Soldiers. Get her. She's the King's daughter."
You turn and see the lines of soldiers stop and draw a crossbow.
(You/Varia): "Why? What do you want from me!"
(Soldier): "Sir Flex, would you like this one alive?"
(Persona Flex): "She would be useful to our cause either way. So, if she doesn't surrender, execute her for treason against Ordalia."
(Shali): "She's only a child! How could you be so cru-"
(Persona Flex interrupts): "Silence Bitch!"
He pulls out a sword. You easily recognize it as Shali's old blade. He hits her with the butt end of it in the stomach incredibly hard, to the point that Shali doubles over and passes out.
(Persona Flex): "I did not ask to be interrupted." (he turns back to Varia) "Surrender or die, little girl."
(You/Varia): ".. I don't think you'd kill me. You are bluffing."
(Persona Flex): "Then let me prove to you that I'm not. Kill her."
You hear several crossbows fire.
(You/Varia): "You... monster... how could you do such a thing!"
More crossbows fire.
(You/Varia): "You betrayed your country, your oath, your king, your linage, and your honor, for this?"
More crossbows fire.
Persona Flex just stands there, mouth open. Varia turns to her right and you finally see it - there are around 40 crossbolts just sitting in the air, around half a meter away from Varia. They are just stopped there, not moving. The soldiers that fired are just sitting there really really confused.
(You/Varia): "Heh... forgot about my Active Matrix."
At this point, some soldiers move out of the way, and you see a very tall man step out. Draped in dark clothing and all. I'm assuming I don't need to give the description of this man.
(???): "Who gave you the order to attack Flex!"
(Persona Flex): "I.. um... just thought to take this small town in order to save some time Lord Boco."
(Boco): "Inexcusable. If you weren't such a good official, I would fire you right now. Leave. NOW!"
Persona Flex teleports away, leaving the unconscious Shali behind. Boco walks up to Varia.
(Older Varia, Narrator): "Boco. I know not his full name, or birth country. All I truly know of him is that he is powerful, evil, and the current Emperor of Ordalia. I fear for the future if when you are watching this he is still their leader."
(Boco): "I do apoligize lady....."
(You/Varia): "Varia." (her voice seems to be less happy and cheerful now).
(Boco): "Varia. Our invasion was set to be tomorrow, but that... man... jumped the bow sort to speak."
(You/Varia): "Why are you invading?"
(Boco): "That, remains a secret. However, we are asking everyone to leave first. No bloodshed that way, and we already know that you have no soldiers here...."
(You/Varia): "... I can't let that happen. My father would not like that."
(Boco): "Your father? No matter, whoever your father is little girl does not matter. Run along now. Run with your parents to another place like everyone else."
Boco turns his back and walks away. The soldiers follow him. Shali is still lying there.
(You/Varia): "Poor woman... I'll heal her up so she will be able to run away from that bad man. Can someone help me?"
No response.
She goes door to door. Think of what happens to Inari in Naruto, apply it here.
(You/Older Varia): "It is like... everyone has given up hope..." You notice her voice is nearly identical to the narrator's now and nothing like the Varia you know.
Things fade again.
When they return, you are back in the room you started the vision in.
(You/Older Varia): "My name is Varia. I'm going to give my ultimatum today."
A scan result appears in the upper right corner of the mirror.
Varia Hyral Human
Level 02 Ninja Caller
HP: 030 Status: Normal
EP: 042 Mood: Determined
Fade.
Unfade.
You are standing right in front of Boco back at the town. This time, the town is completely abandoned - no one other than you, Boco, and a few soldiers in it.
You walk up to the center of town where Boco is leading the securing effort. The soldiers are much better dressed and equipped now - you think the first group might have been a much lower division.
(You/Older Varia): "I want to speak to you. Now."
(Boco): "My my, the little girl from before. Here to offer me cookies?"
(You/Older Varia): "Leave. Never return here again - you or your soldiers."
(Boco): "Oh, a demand. Or you'll do what?"
(You/Older Varia): "I'll kill each and every one of your soldiers."
At this point, you attack.
Boco immediately grabs Varia's right arm forceably and yanks her.
(Boco): "Now now... I have had enough of you. You just threatened the First Division of Ordalia, the finest army in the world. I cannot allow such a thing to happen."
(You/Older Varia): "Let... go!"
(Boco): "Make me."
Out of the corner of your eye, you see your naginata rise up and attempt to strike Boco, but it constantly misses. Varia scans Boco and gets straight ??s.
(Boco): "I grow weary of your games little girl."
He pulls out a katana. Then you see your blade go right through and strike... your own right arm. Slicing it off completely.
You leap back, clutching the nub of an arm you have left, and Boco is immensely confused.
(You/Older Varia): "... boom."
The arm explodes and you are shielded by what is assumed to be the Active Matrix. The explosion clears and you see a few dozen soldiers dead, and Boco injured.
(You/Older Varia): "35 down, 150 thousand to go."
Boco's eyes widen as you teleport away.
Things start fading out from here. Every new day starts with Varia and the original room back in the beginning. She's slowly gaining power. During the days, you see her do what can only be considered guerilla warfare tactics, taking out each soldier individually or in small groups. She seems to have a right arm again, but obviously robotic.
The next major thing starts on this day.
(You/Older Varia): "My name is Varia. I'm going to end this today. This spot as been found, so this will be the last report. 50,000 remaining"
A scan result appears in the upper right corner of the mirror.
Varia Hyral Human
Level 09 Magitek Knight
HP: 054 Status: Normal
EP: 086 Mood: Stoic
Your right arm appears to be normal again, fully functional and human looking.
Fade.
Unfade.
You are in another city. Boco is there, you don't see any guards. It looks like Varia is hiding at the moment. Boco opens up a portal to look on to another group of soldiers. They appear to be searching the school buildings that Varia had attended.
(Boco): "Did you find anything?"
(Soldier): "Yes sir, we found a strange device. We think it might have been a weapon in progress, as it looks rather incomplete."
(Boco): "Show me."
The portal now displays what appears to be a strange metallic device. Approximately the size of a desk, appears to be very heavy. Has a strange fin attached to one side of it.
(Soldier): "It is too heavy for us to move though, sir. We'll have to call in the mages to move it."
(Boco): "We have none left. Varia killed them all. Leave it there for now, we'll collect it later."
You leave your hiding spot and walk up. No guards come forward. Boco sees you and immediately draws his Katana.
The area is filled with rubble, as though you had stuck here before. There is a broken mirror on the ground to your right.
(You/Older Varia): "May the future forgive me for what I have done."
(Boco): "For wh-"
A shockwave comes in. You barely stay standing, and the mirror to your right stays solid white. Boco covers his eyes. The bright light that was once here fades a bit, and you now see in the mirror a very familiar (to the players, not the characters) mushroom cloud.
(You/Older Varia): "15 megaton hydrogen bombs are not toys. You should not have had your soldiers play around with live nuclear weaponry. Now you are the only one left."
Boco looks flabbergasted.
(Boco): "There are still two hidden ninja hid-"
The sound of 2 bodies hitting the floor punctuates the halt in his words.
(You/Older Varia): "Not anymore. You know what your problem is? You are a demon that possessed a powerful human's body. I know this."
Boco starts stepping back as you step forward.
(You/Older Varia): "I also know that you are much stronger than me. However, I am quite a bit more intelligent than you. That's why you just stepped into my circle."
(Boco): "What?!"
You/Varia cast a spell, with the circle in the sand. Appears to be a powerful spell, but not one any of you have ever heard of. She finishes casting, and Boco's entire composition changes. Less intimidating, less sturdy... more human.
(You/Older Varia): "I awoke you, human possessed by that stone, to get you to leave. I can't keep the split spell going for long, so I sent a scroll to a friend of mine on Fae. Hopefully she'll give it to the right hands. However, I want you to sign this for me."
(she gives a sheet of paper to the bewildered Boco)
(You/Older Varia): "It is an agreement. You are to never speak of what happened here and are to give this region independence immediately."
(Boco, different voice): "What makes you think the demon would do it?"
(You/Older Varia): "Simple. I've observed through him what he does. He follows orders and gives them. In his mind, he's trying to create an orderly world - if he himself did not follow orders, contracts, and other things he said, he would be a hypocrite. The initial invasion told me of that. As long as you or he agree to something, he will be forced to follow. Just tell people that I would make a far better martyr than a leader and leave it at that."
(Boco): "If you think it will help... but I don't have a quill."
(You/Young Varia, back to the old cheerful Varia voice): "Aww.. I knew I forgot to grab something from the campus! I'll just have to make my own... hmm... I think I can take apart the recorder and make one, let me turn it off..."
Memory ends.
You gain the ability to have Varia's int check for 5 minutes or until the end of the current battle, whichever is longer. Her int check is in the 700 area. This can only be used once.
You also gain the skill Strategy if you do not already have it, at proficient level. Her strategies are so incredibly brilliant and flawless that merely observing them is enough for you to pick up on the basics. Intelligence based skill.
