Aura Gate 2 Harmonious Realm Story (1F to 10F)
Floor 1
Entrance
> Just another trip into the Aura Gate...
> At least, it was supposed to be...
???: ...Savior.
> A void echoes from somewhere.
???: Please save us... Please grant our wish...
???: Grant this empty world an ending... and also... a beginning.
???: Please...
> The voice fades...
> And the world goes dark...
---
???: Uhm... You still breathin'?
???: Hey, it moved.
> You open your eyes only to find you have no idea where you are.
> In front of you stands a rather strange character.
???: You weren't moving, so I figured you were dead.
???: Not that I'd know what being "dead" is like anyways.
???: Say, are you a human?
CHOICE: "I'm human"
???: I knew it! Wow. I've never met a human before.
CHOICE: "So what if I'm not?"
???: What? You're not? You seem like a human to me...
END OF CHOICE
???: I mean, your soul looks different to ours. Even I can see that.
???: It's not the same as the incomplete ones us Hollows have.
???: Wow, a human. Lucky me!
CHOICE: Hollows?
CHOICE: Incomplete?
END OF CHOICE
???: We Hollows were created to look like humans. But our souls are different. They aren't complete.
???: We live here, imitating the way humans do.
???: Oh yeah, I'm Xibuki. Nice to meet you, human person.
Xibuki: Well, since you're here, you might as well take it easy.
Xibuki: Oh yeah. I can show you around.
Xibuki: I guess this is what humans call "being friendly"?
Xibuki: Come on, don't be shy.
Xibuki: It's okay, this is the "Harmonious Realm". Nothing bad ever happens here.
Boss Intro
Xibuki: This gate leads to the next level.
Xibuki: They say that the Harmonious Realm stretches as far as level 10.
Xibuki: Oh look, someone's just arrived from the other level.
> A Hollow emerges from the gate. He stares blankly into space...
Groggy Hollow: Ah...
Xibuki: Hello, stranger.
Groggy Hollow: D... Demons... everywhere... *blargh*
> Without warning, the Hollow vomits a puddle of blood and collapses.
Xibuki: ...Wha-?
> It doesn't move. Its back is mangled by what look like bite-marks.
Xibuki: He's not moving. He's... dead?
Demon (Preta): Tee hee hee. Its soul tastes nasty, but I'm famished so I'm gonna eat it all anyway.
Demon 2 (Preta): I want some too! Let's eat, everyone!
> "Demons" start appearing one after another!
> They're holding what appear to be arms and legs that have been torn from other Hollows.
Demon (Preta): So many little unripe souls. Eat 'em! Eat 'em all!
Xibuki: Ahhhhhhhh! M-Monsters! Monsters!
Xibuki: I-If you want food, then t-take this human...
> Xibuki thrusts you towards the demons...
Xibuki: Help! Somebody help!
> And runs off!
Demon (Preta): Hmmmm? You're giving it to us? It looks tastier than the others.
Demon 2 (Preta): Let's eat it! Supper time!
Post Boss
> You manage to defeat the demons... but then...
> The bodies of the slain Hollows begin to disintegrate.
???: Savior...
> A voice echoes. It's the same voice you heard earlier.
???: The demons have finally come...
???: The end of the Harmonious Realm is approaching. I need your help.
???: I am Ixaya, and I serve the Savior.
Ixaya: ...I am waiting for you up ahead. Please hurry.
> The voice fades away until you can no longer hear it.
Floor 2
Entrance
Xibuki: Oh! Human person! You are safe! I am glad!
CHOICE: You left me, you little shi--
Xibuki: Oh, are you angry I left you back there?
CHOICE: I'm happy you're okay.
Xibuki: Oh, even though I abandoned you back there? Humans really are forgiving.
END OF CHOICE
Xibuki: I don't really understand "death" but when I saw the others die, I was scared.
Xibuki: That's why I pushed you and ran off without thinking about it.
Xibuki: But humans use others to get what you want all the time, right?
Xibuki: So I realized that I acted as a human would. I'm kinda proud of that.
Xibuki: Heh.
Xibuki: Anyway, it looks like demons have appeared on this level as well.
Xibuki: I'm gonna go hide somewhere. Be careful, human person.
Xibuki: Let's meet again, if we make it through this alive.
> Xibuki runs off.
Boss Intro
Gossiping Hollow: I heard a rumor that demons had appeared in these parts too.
Attentive Hollow: Let's try to get a photo of 'em. Gotta post this online.
Attentive Hollow: I hear that's what humans would do.
Gossiping Hollow: What's "online" mean anyways?
Attentive Hollow: Who knows?
Demon (Kelpie): This place is full of grinning simpletons, it's starting to piss me off!
Demon (Kelpie): You're about to DIE! Don't you get it?!
Gossiping Hollow: Die? What is "Die"?
Attentive Hollow: Who knows?
Demon (Kelpie): You're gonna know soon enough!
Post Boss
> You defeat the demons, but the Hollows had already been devoured.
???: How horrible.
???: All they wanted was to live in peace and...
> A Hollow approaches you.
???: Nice to meet you in person, Savior. Did my voice reach you?
CHOICE: I heard you.
???: Oh, I'm glad you were able to hear me.
CHOICE: What do you mean?
???: All that come to this realm should be able to hear my voice.
END OF CHOICE
Ixaya: My name is Ixaya. I am a Hollow. And I've been waiting for you for a very long time.
Ixaya: As you've seen, demons are beginning to encroach upon our world.
Ixaya: The only one who can save us from this calamity is a human such as yourself.
Ixaya: Please, help us!
CHOICE: Okay.
Ixaya: Thank you! I'm so relieved to hear that!
Ixaya: From now on I shall attend to your every need. Please allow me to travel with you.
CHOICE: None of my business.
Ixaya: I see. Yes, I realize how all this is rather sudden.
Ixaya: In that case, let me show you around this realm.
Ixaya: I'm betting on you doing the right thing.
END OF CHOICE
Ixaya: You need to see what's happening here for yourself.
Ixaya: Let me tell you all about it as we travel.
Ixaya: About the Hollows, about this realm... And about how it will end...
Ixaya: That is what I am here for.
Ixaya: Come, let's get going.
Floor 3
Entrance
Ixaya: Well then, where should I start?
Ixaya: There's so much I want to tell you...
Ixaya: You may not have noticed, but I'm a little nervous.
CHOICE: Aww, that's cute.
Ixaya: Y-You're teasing me...
CHOICE: Nervous? Why?
END OF CHOICE
Ixaya: I've finally met the Savior I've been waiting for all this time. Who wouldn't be nervous?
Ixaya: You're also the first actual human I've ever met.
Ixaya: Us Hollows idolize humans.
CHOICE: Why's that?
CHOICE: You idolize humans?
END OF CHOICE
Ixaya: Hmmm... I guess I'll have to explain everything from the beginning.
Ixaya: We are Hollows, soul fragments from the Dragon Stream, given human shape.
Ixaya: The fragments had a dream... they dreamed of becoming human.
Ixaya: The result of that dream... is us.
Ixaya: It's all thanks to the power of Aura.
Ixaya: We don't really know how it happened.
Ixaya: Just that in the end, it granted us form. As Hollows.
Ixaya: But since we were originally just fragmented souls, we were unable to become completely human. We are just poor copies of the real thing.
Ixaya: That's why we now have a new dream. We dream of becoming real humans.
CHOICE: I see.
Ixaya: I knew you'd understand. Humans sure are smart.
CHOICE: I don't get it.
Ixaya: I see. I guess it's a bit much to take in all at once.
Ixaya: But it's okay. You'll learn more about us as we travel.
END OF CHOICE
Ixaya: So let's be on our way. The demon infestation is still a problem.
Ixaya: Please try to save as many Hollows as you can.
Boss Intro
Praying Hollow: W-Won't someone save us? I wonder if someone will come along and take care of the d-demons.
Demon (Eligor): Pfft. What an idiot.
Demon (Eligor): You really are just like humans. Like peas in a damn pod.
Demon (Eligor): Always whining to their "gods". Never trying to solve their own problems.
Demon (Eligor): If you ain't even gonna put up a fight then just hurry up and die already.
> The demons continue to slaughter the Hollows, unchallenged.
Ixaya: How could you?!
Ixaya: Savior! Please get rid of those demons!
Ixaya: I can't stand to see any more of us killed like this!
Demon (Eligor): Oh look, there's another one over 'ere. Let's get him!
Post Boss
> Corpses of the Hollows litter the ground...
Ixaya: ...this place is known as the "Harmonious Realm".
Ixaya: It's one of five realms that were given to us when we were created.
Ixaya: Humans love harmony, right? So do the Hollows that reside here.
Ixaya: That's why they don't know how to fight. How to defend themselves.
Ixaya: To kill those that can't fight back in cold blood like this... it's unforgivable.
Ixaya: ...Let's hurry.
Ixaya: Their boss must be up ahead somewhere.
Ixaya: We must find it and defeat it!
Floor 4
Entrance
> You hear a voice.
> Just the sound of it is spine-chilling. Like something from the very depths of hell itself.
> ??? (White Rider): The end is nigh. Your peace will be washed away in a sea of death.
> ??? (White Rider): Only 600 left until the end of this realm.
> The voice fades into nothingness.
Ixaya: This m-must be the... the demons' boss.
Ixaya: 600... is that how many of US are left?
Ixaya: ...Let's focus on saving as many as we can for now.
Ixaya: You are the only one we can rely on, Savior.
Ixaya: That must be why you were sent to us.
Boss Intro
Demon (Ares): What's wrong with you? Why won't you fight?
Shaken Hollow: W-we-we-well... a-as humans often say...
Shaken Hollow: ...violence only leads to hate... yes. Yes, that's what they say.
Demon (Ares): Is that right? Then die already.
Shaken Hollow: B-But I don't want to d-die either...
Demon (Ares): Hmph, you things are nothing compared to humans. You can't even defend yourselves.
Demon (Ares): If you won't fight, then die!
Post Boss
Shaken Hollow: T-Thanks for saving me. That was quite a battle.
Shaken Hollow: B-But... you know that violence only leads to hate, right?
Floor 5
Entrance
> The fearsome voice speaks again...
??? (White Rider): The end is nigh. Despair, Hollows.
??? (White Rider): Only 500 left until the end of the realm.
> The voice disappears...
Ixaya: It's that voice again! I think it's counting how many Hollows are left.
> Just then, you spot a young Hollow girl in the distance.
??? (Green Hooded Hollow Girl): .....
Ixaya: Is that...?
??? (Green Hooded Hollow Girl): .....
> The girl glances your way and runs off.
Boss Intro
> You come across a group of Hollows being devoured by demons.
Xibuki: E-Eeeek! Help!
Xibuki: Oh! Human person! Thank goodness!
Xibuki: I was about to be eaten. Quick, let's trade places!
Xibuki: I-I mean... please help!
Post Boss
Xibuki: Whew... thanks. Humans sure are strong.
Xibuki: You used demons to fight for you. That was... so cool.
Ixaya: I'm glad you're alright.
Xibuki: Yeah. I can't go about getting myself killed before becoming human, so.
Xibuki: By the way... Who are you?
Ixaya: I'm Ixaya. I'm traveling with the Savior.
Xibuki: Huh. You're a Hollow, right?
Xibuki: For a Hollow, you seem very... human.
Ixaya: D-Do you think so?
Xibuki: Yeah.
Xibuki: It's like, you know how we laugh differently from humans, right?
Xibuki: First we need to think about how a human would react, and then laugh.
Xibuki: So we always take too long to actually laugh.
Xibuki: But your smile, it looks natural. Like a human's.
Ixaya: ...I'm just another Hollow trying to be more human.
Ixaya: The real human is this one here.
Ixaya: But, you know...
Ixaya: I've heard that we Hollows each have one human-like trait.
Ixaya: In my case, I wonder if that trait is my smile?
Xibuki: Hmmmm... Then what's mine?
Xibuki: I wonder what my human trait could be?
Floor 6
Entrance
> The fearsome voice rings out again.
??? (White Rider): The end is nigh. The peace of this realm will be no more.
??? (White Rider): Only 400 left until the end of this realm.
> The voice fades away.
Xibuki: Will this realm really disappear?
Xibuki: Why is this happening?
Ixaya: I don't know why demons have appeared...
Ixaya: but I knew that they would.
Xibuki: Maybe the reason is... Lowly beings like us
Xibuki: should never have even dreamt of becoming human.
Xibuki: It is too much to hope for, and this is our punishment for our audaciousness.
Ixaya: I... don't want to think of it like that.
Ixaya: Yes, we are incomplete beings that come from fragmented souls...
Ixaya: But ever since the Aura gave us this form,
Ixaya: not a day has passed that we haven't dreamed of becoming human.
Ixaya: I don't want to ever believe that our dream could bring about destruction like this...
Xibuki: I see. Well, whatever. We'll find out if we live long enough.
Xibuki: I'm outta here. Let's meet again, if we get through this alive.
Floor 7
Entrance
> It's that fearsome voice again...
??? (White Rider): The end is nigh. Submit to the end of suffering that death brings.
??? (White Rider): Only 300 left until the end of this realm.
> The voice fades away.
Hollow child: Hey, Mommy. Why are you crying?
Hollow mother: Mommy is sad because the world is ending.
Hollow child: What does "sad" mean, Mommy?
Hollow mother: I'm sorry, but Mommy doesn't really know either. Mommy isn't human.
> The Hollow mother and her Hollow child wander away.
Ixaya: I am sad... as well. Very sad...
Ixaya: But being sad is very... human. Don't you think?
Ixaya: So being sad makes me a little happy...
Ixaya: How do humans deal with such conflicting emotions, I wonder?
Floor 8
Entrance
> The fearsome voice speaks up.
??? (White Rider): The end is nigh. Souls shall be reaped and all will be silent.
??? (White Rider): Only 200 left until the end of this realm.
> The voice fades away.
Ixaya: Is there no way to stop this?
Ixaya: Just when the "First Day" was almost upon us, too...
CHOICE: There's no hope. (Chaos alignment points)
Ixaya: You're so... mean...
CHOICE: The First Day?
END OF CHOICE
Ixaya: The "First Day" is the day we become human.
Ixaya: It's what we call the day when we are reborn, complete.
Ixaya: We spend our lives waiting for that day to come.
Ixaya: Your arrival was supposed to be a sign that that day is near.
Ixaya: You were supposed to herald the coming of the "First Day".
Ixaya: How could things turn out like this instead...
Ixaya: Oh, sorry for going off on a tangent.
Ixaya: Let's just focus on defeating the demon's boss for now.
NPC Encounters
Hollow: So look, I got half eated by a demon, but it's fine.
Hollow: If you're dead, you're dead. Might as well make the best of it! ...guk...
> The Hollow keels over dead.
> A key lies beside him.
* Obtained Key to 8F Boss *
Hollow: There sure do seem to be a lotta new faces around as of late.
Hollow: Those other folk passed through earlier before you, too.
Hollow: You know, those... who were they again? I can't seem to remember...
Boss Intro
Shaking Hollow: I-I'm scared... I hate this...
Shaking Hollow: I think I'd rather die than be scared like this...
Shaking Hollow: Oh, that's right! I've heard that humans sometimes kill themselves.
Shaking Hollow: If that's the case, then...
Ixaya: Stop! You mustn't kill yourself!
Shaking Hollow: Hmm? B-But... I don't want to watch the world end.
Ixaya: Once you're dead, it's all over. But if you hang in there, things can only get better!
??? (Green Hooded Hollow Girl): ...Is that right?
Ixaya: ...? You're that...
??? (Green Hooded Hollow Girl): What's wrong with killing yourself?
??? (Green Hooded Hollow Girl): Being killed by someone else is scary, and you'll die eventually anyway.
Ixaya: That's...
??? (Green Hooded Hollow Girl): Hey, you over there. What do you think?
??? (Green Hooded Hollow Girl): When faced with certain doom, is it really wrong to kill yourself?
CHOICE: Yes it is. (Law alignment points)
??? (Green Hooded Hollow Girl): I see. I doubt that anyone that actually wants to die would care what you think.
CHOICE: No it isn't.
??? (Green Hooded Hollow Girl): I see. Well then, why don't you help this Hollow kill himself?
END OF CHOICE
Ixaya: Are you... a Hollow?
??? (Green Hooded Hollow Girl): Yes, of course I am. My name is Xana.
Ixaya: Xana... You seem different from regular Hollows somehow...
Xana: Yes, I'm kind of an oddball. Say, shouldn't you be...
Xana: ...fighting those demons over there?
Ixaya: ...!
Post Boss
Xana: You humans are strong.
Xana: That was a bloodbath. So THAT'S what they call "no mercy".
CHOICE: We didn't go that far.
Xana: You didn't? Well I guess I exaggerated a bit.
CHOICE: It was nothing.
Xana: And so modest too.
END OF CHOICE
Ixaya: What are you doing here, Xana?
Ixaya: As you can see, the Harmonious Realm is dying.
Ixaya: You should probably take cover somewhere.
Xana: If hiding changes anything, then I will.
Xana: But if it doesn't, then what's the point?
Ixaya: Well, I guess you're right. But...
Xana: If this realm is going to fall, then I want to see it for myself.
Xana: So I've been wandering around and checking things out.
Ixaya: Wandering around...
Xana: Yep. Wandering around.
Xana: Let's compare notes later if we survive.
Ixaya: ...
Floor 9
Entrance
> The fearsome voice speaks.
??? (White Rider): The end is nigh. Accept it.
??? (White Rider): Only 100 left until the end of this realm.
> The voice fades away.
Floor 10
Entrance
> The fearsome voice speaks.
??? (White Rider): The end is nigh. The end of all things is upon us.
??? (White Rider): Bear witness now to the coming of destruction.
??? (White Rider): Only 3 left until the end of this realm.
> The voice is silent.
Xibuki: Not many left now. This realm is doomed.
> Xibuki appears from somewhere.
Xibuki: Say, I wonder what it would be like to be the last one of us left alive?
Xibuki: I wonder if I'd cry? Or maybe I'd laugh?
Ixaya: ...
Ixaya: I don't know. But even if this realm is destroyed, four other realms remain on levels other than our own.
Ixaya: The Hollows will not perish.
Xibuki: Really? But still, I don't think that helps us much.
Ixaya: ...
Xibuki: Well, whatever. And besides, I get it now.
Xibuki: What you were saying before.
Xibuki: About how all Hollows have something human about them.
Xibuki: I think that mine is my attachment to life.
Xibuki: My will to live is stronger than any other Hollow.
Xibuki: That's why I'm going to travel to those other realms you mentioned.
Xibuki: I have no idea what they're like, but as long as I'm alive, I'll manage.
Xibuki: So see you later, human person.
Boss Intro
> The corpses of three Hollows lay at the feet of a demon.
Demon (White Rider): None left until the end of this realm.
Demon (White Rider): This realm is no more... wait.
Demon (White Rider): Someone remains...
Ixaya: That's the leader of the demons.
Ixaya: Regardless of whether Xibuki escaped, or got himself eaten, it looks like we're the only ones left in the entire "Harmonious Realm".
Demon (White Rider): The hollow ones offered no resistance. They accepted their fate.
Demon (White Rider): It seems that peace has dulled their wits, or maybe only the dull-witted ones desire peace?
Xana: Neither, actually.
Ixaya: Xana. You've come.
Xana: This realm's Hollows were powerless to stop you.
Xana: Does this mean that the weak deserve to die?
Xana: Does this mean that only the brave deserve to live?
Xana: You, over there. Human. What do you think?
CHOICE: Weakness is unforgivable.
CHOICE: Everyone has their weakness.
END OF CHOICE
Xana: I see. I expected a human would say as much.
Demon (White Rider): Good and evil are irrelevant. The weak are destined to perish.
Xana: Is that so? Then you must be destined to be killed by this human.
Xana: Either way, this realm is finished.
Xana: But a human will still want to defeat their enemy, regardless.
Demon (White Rider): Destroying the Hollows is our sacred duty. Failure is not tolerated.
Demon (White Rider): Come and accept the embrace of death!
Post Boss
Xana: Before you die, Mr. Demon, I'd like to ask you something.
Xana: Why did you attack this realm?
Xana: What was the point?
Demon (White Rider): ...
Demon (White Rider): To fulfill our Master's... wish.
Xana: Master? Wish?
> Without a word, the demon raises a finger and points towards Ixaya.
Demon (White Rider): Oh Master, I pray that you will fulfill yo—
> The demon slumps over and crumbles into dust.
Ixaya: ...
Xana: Ixaya, what did it mean by that?
Xana: Are you these demons' Master?
Ixaya: No... I mean...
Ixaya: Well, this is awkward. I didn't think I'd be found out so soon.
Ixaya: I was going to reveal everything once you'd reached level 50.
Xana: ...
Ixaya: It's true. I summoned those demons.
Ixaya: I wanted them to devour the Hollows and destroy this realm.
Xana: But why?
Ixaya: I can't tell you that yet.
Ixaya: There'd be no point in calling the Savior here if I revealed everything now.
Ixaya: But I promise you this.
Ixaya: I'll wait for you on level 50, Savior. There, all shall be revealed.
Ixaya: The Hollows, the destruction of this realm, the Aura, everything.
Ixaya: Then the First Day will finally be upon us.
Xana: I don't understand a word you're saying.
Ixaya: Really? Your existence here is what I don't understand.
Ixaya: But I guess that doesn't really matter.
Ixaya: Savior, pass through each of the four remaining realms until you reach me.
Ixaya: I'll be waiting for you. So be sure to come.
> With those words, Ixaya vanishes through the gate.
Xana: ...
Xana: He's gone.
Xana: I guess we'll have to do as he said.
Xana: So much for the "Harmonious Realm". Hanging around here all by myself would get boring pretty quick.
Xana: So I'm gonna travel to level 50 with you.
Xana: Is that okay?
CHOICE: Sure.
Xana: Good. If you'd had refused, you'd have earned my disdain.
CHOICE: Hmmm...
Xana: I've already made up my mind, so you can't refuse.
END OF CHOICE
Xana: Looks like the only option is to head to level 50.
Xana: Let's get up there and kill that bastard.
Xana: Alright...
Xana: Let's get started then.
To be continued...