Scene 144

Lara

So, what's it show this time?

Stina

They're beautiful... I think they must be one the goddesses. And it seems an order of knights is being formed under their guidance...

Stina

If they really are one of the goddesses, then it would be consistent with what the Sanctuary gatekeeper told us before.

Lara

Okay, and...?

Stina

The problem is what comes after. Look at what else is depicted...

Stina

There seems to be a god in a rabbit mask... I'm guessing that's the "God of Death"...

Stina

The knights who fought this deity all lie at the bottom of a dark pit... They had to give up their lives in order to...

Lara

You don't think it's saying that this is what happens to the people who follow this questline, do you?

Lara

Oh...

Zash

Hold it, hold it! Some knights died in some legend, sure, but that's all it is, right? A legend.

Zash

This is a game—and we're the protagonists! Aren't we meant to clear this quest and survive?

Zash

But then again... Even the mid-bosses have us fighting for our lives…

Stina

And to think even stronger enemies lie ahead... This feels like a nightmare.

Musoh

*sigh* It's stressful, all right. Can't we just chill and take on easy mobs instead?

Lara

If we did that, Aincrad would collapse, wouldn't it? Things would really suck then.

Listen, everyone. We've already made it this far. Let's just keep going and -

Zash

Argh! I don't want to die!

Zash

Who knows what could happen next!

...

Zash

Like, think about what we're doing. It's like Arne said—why should we die for some ridiculous mission?

Musoh

If that's how ya feel, Zash, why not bow out? Not like you have a brooch anyway.

Zash

This isn't a joke!

Stina

Who knew a brooch could cause so much trouble...

Lara

Ugh! Enough talk—what are we actually doing?

Well, I'm gonna see this through—even if it has to be alone.

I knew I could rely on you...

Musoh

*sigh* I mean, what choice do we have?

Musoh

We're probably doomed anyway—may as well go down in style.

Zash

It's like you expect to die... Argh, fine, whatever.

Stina

Count me in, too. It's not like we can escape...

Lara

Glad that's decided. Can we now figure out how we'll do this?

Um, I suppose we'll do the same as usual—split up and look for the legendary weapon.

Zash

Yeah, let's do that.

Musoh

Let's ditch this place pronto, eh? It's cursed.

Stina

Urm, right...

Zash

Hold it, hold it! Some soldiers died in some legend, sure, but that's all it is—a legend. We're the heroes this time around.

Zash

No one needs to die to beat this quest!

Zash

Hell, we might even get a sweet bonus if we keep things sacrifice-free, right?

Musoh

Yeah Zash, that's exactly what I was thinking! You're on the same page too, Stina?

I never imagined we'd find ourselves back here after the beta.

Well, we should keep moving.

This Sanctuary looks pretty complex.

Getting lost would cost us valuable time and energy. What do you say we split up and look for the Legendary Weapon?

And then we get out of here as fast as we can!

Stina

That sounds like a great plan...!

Zash

Before that Arne punk gets here, anyway!

Musoh

Music to my ears!

Lara

Hrm...