Dungeon Breaker - 29 - Prelude to the Postgame
0Previously, in Dungeon Breaker:
Aspiring monster tamer Alec and his childhood friend Tina have traveled to the capital to visit Tina's older sister Karen, an accomplished monster tamer. The city has its share of interesting characters, including Claíomh, a frighteningly intense young woman who runs a weapons shop, and Leen, a cheerful young angel-like monster girl who feigns humanity and runs an item shop. But while they're here, Karen's patron, the "forgotten princess" Celsia, has suggested they go training in some ruins in the area that Karen has been investigating.
A lot has happened since then. Tina has been revealed to be adopted and a special type of rare monster. The king has taken over as primary antagonist, kidnapped Tina, and sought to awaken a fearsome sealed power in hopes of defying death. It doesn't go well for him in the end.
The spirit of Valtiana inside the crystal speaks to Alec with familiarity. Both of them have very similar abilities, down to needing to have relations with monsters to draw skills from them and being able to overcome the aversion that would normally get in the way. With the power of the crystal, Alec could become a perfect godlike, not needed to have a sacrifice or drain life from his surroundings. He declines, however, recognizing that he only got this far with the help of his friends, and that accepting would feel like a betrayal. Valtiana cannot understand this, particularly given that taking in abilities from monsters will give him powers just like, yet greater than, a sorcerer's, making him feared and ostracized regardless. He bids Alec farewell until they meet again, and the crystal vanishes.
Meanwhile, Tina is back to normal, and she seems upset when the way Prie asks for a reward (or punishment is fine, too) while talking about cushions and cuddling up to Alec leaves no doubt about what happened between them. Karen giggles as he tries to explain himself.
The situation seems to be resolved, though, and with the crystal gone, Jade has also gone off somewhere. Alec and Tina mention that their memories have returned. Karen looks sadly at the sky, explaining that she misled Celsia in an effort to obtain the crystal and use Ra Valtiana's power to make Tina human, though it seems now that was never a possibility. She assures Tina that she still loves her regardless, apologizes for the trouble she's caused by keeping secrets, and considers just leaving rather than facing Celsia again.
Naturally, that's when Celsia cuts in, having just arrived under Roy's protection now that the monster outside have calmed down. They've been like family for the past year, and she insists that Karen atone for her mistakes by staying on as her aide. Tina, similarly, reassures Karen that she loves her, and insists that she not leave her.
About two months later, everyone is still living in Celsia's mansion. Tina and Prie have been getting along well, at least when they're not fighting over Alec. Celsia, meanwhile, has become the acting ruler of the kingdom, with all the extra work that entails, so she's fortunate to have Karen's assistance. Karen, for her part, has retired from monster taming, and as a condition of her release, promised not to use magic again, or to get involved in combat unless unavoidable.
However, Celsia has noticed that Alec has seemed restless lately and been stocking up on maps and supplies. With Karen's retirement, he's eager to set out on another adventure and take the next step to becoming the greatest of monster tamers. He plans on leaving Tina and Prie here for their safety in case Jade comes after them again, though, which they are not amused to hear when Karen uses magic to let them know about this conversation (she only said she promised not to use magic, not that she was keeping that promise). They fully intend to come with him, whether he likes it or not.
Celsia has a suggestion to resolve his dilemma, though she warns him that it will be challenging, and (breaking the fourth wall) won't offer any new events or CG. The player is then given the option to continue into a bonus scenario.
If the player declines, Alec's party prepares to set out together, and the credits roll, but if not...
I'm also taking notes to keep a running log of events and characters, though note that there may be spoilers if you haven't watched the most recent video: http://kwhazit.infinityfreeapp.com/trans/breaker/dngBrkr1.html