[Setting: Chocobo Ranch]

Ace, smiling: Player, how about we do the assignment together? After all, doing it alone would be boring. Arecia: So this is where you were, Ace. Ace: Doctor Arecia! Arecia: It's time for your regular check-up. Come with me. Ace: Doctor, does it... have to be right now? I was just about to start working on an assignment with Player... Arecia: Player? They're just an ordinary cadet, aren't they? You needn't mind them. Ace, angry: Ngh... Don't say things like that! Ace: Player has been helping me! They took care of me when I was still getting used to Akademeia... Ace: I've been able to do my best because Player has been with me! Arecia: In other words... Are you trying to say that you're "friends"?

Player choice: >I'm not sure >Of course we're friends

Arecia: I see. You intend to be friends with my child. Ace, smiling: Player...

---

(Alternate Player Choice)

Arecia: In other words... Are you trying to say that you're "friends"?

Player choice: >I'm not sure >Of course we're friends

Arecia: I see. So, you don't know, either. Ace, sadly: ......

---

Arecia: Regardless, personal relationships aren't necessary for him. Don't get yourself too involved. Ace: Doctor! I-- Arecia: However... Hm, indeed. This situation was different from what I'd expected. Let's perform your check-up tomorrow.

Gaiden 2, Chapter 1 The Final Battle of White-Vermilion

--Player, do you remember? The time when you and I first met.

>A cutscene panning over the cemetery with narration from Tohno.

So it seems like… No one came.

…It must have really hurt.

…You must be lonely.

…But, I won’t forget.

I’ll… do my best to remember you.

>The cutscene ends, focusing on a bouquet resting on a grave.

When Player and I met and when we parted, in the first world...

Since that time, the world has turned through countless Spirals, and each time, I was also reincarnated...

[Setting: Classroom]

Miyu: --Player... Hey, Player. Miyu, concerned: What's wrong? It's rare to see you spacing out like this. Were you thinking? Machina: We've been fighting for a while. Even Player must be getting tired. Rem: Are you okay? Player, please don't work too hard. >Lean enters the classroom. Lean: ...Whoops, looks like everybody's already here. Sorry for makin' you wait. Machina, scowling: You're late, Lean. Where have you been? Lean, brows furrowed: I was near the lab and ran into Kazusa. Lean, sighing: He suddenly went, "Wait, could you try this medicine for me?" Machina: ...Don't tell me you drank it? Lean: He said it was for the sake of his research, so I really wanted to help him as a fellow researcher... Lean: But then the Rep called for me, so I had to refuse. ...Uh, why? Would there have been a problem if I drank it? Rem: ...Yeeeah. I think it was probably for the best that you didn’t drink it. Right, Player? Lean: Really? ...Wait, more importantly! Rep, you had something important to say, right? Please, go ahead. Miyu: Alright. I'll explain today's strategy. Miyu: Three months have passed since the start of the fullscale war between the Concordia-Lorica Alliance and the Rubrum-Milites Alliance. Miyu: The Lorican army has already been silenced by our onslaught. The Concordian army is steadily losing their momentum. Miyu: Presently, Concordia's last dragon unit has abandoned their capital's defense to attack the Militesi capital of Ingram. Machina: Their last-ditch effort at a counterattack... or something? Concordia must be desperate. Miyu: However, if we take down their dragon unit, they'll be unable to fight any longer. It should be easy to invade their capital now, as well. Miyu: Therefore, it was decided that we'll be dispatching elite cadets to the capitals of both nations-- Miyu: So that we can carry out plans to subjugate the capital of Concordia and support Ingram at the same time. Miyu: Player. You guys must hurry and head to the capital of Milites! Miyu: Lend support to our Militesi allies in Ingram and defeat Concordia's dragon unit! Rem: Roger that! With this, it's all finally going to be settled... Lean: There's nothing to fear when the cadets and the Militesi army fight together. Lean: Isn't that right, Player?

Rubrum and Milites... Even within the repeating spiral, it's rare to see a world where the two join hands.

And the Representative... Even at that time, I'm sure she could feel it.

Player... Inside of you, there's a strong power that connects people...

Miyu (over COMM): Attention, all cadets! This is Representative Miyu Kagirohi. Miyu (over COMM): Our objective is to support the Militesi army in their battle. Now is the time for us to settle this war with Concordia and Lorica! Miyu (over COMM): Let's grasp the future together! May the Crystal guide us!

[Setting: Ingram, Milites]

Lean: Alright, let's do it! Player, Machina, Rem. Now’s the time to do or die! Rem: Right! When this battle's over, there will be peace... Let's do our best! Machina: Alright, everyone, get ready!

...At that time, they still didn't know.

Because they didn't know, they believed strongly.

Hmm... I wonder if you, who hadn't forgotten, knew what would happen. Player.

That fact that that scene, which had been burned into our eyes hundreds of millions of times, would happen again...

>A battle begins where Player and the others fight their way through Ingram.

Machina: I can't believe that Concordia's dragon unit still has so much strength left... Lean: Their offense is rather intense. This must be what they mean when they say that a cornered rat will bite a cat! But it's not like we can lose, either!

Lean: Player, the timing of that attack was perfect! As expected! Rem: There are still a lot of enemies here! Stay alert!

Rem: They even brought such a large dragon with them...?! A really strong one is coming, everyone! Be careful! Machina: Kgh... Player, please lend me support! I'll cut my way through!

Lean: Hh... Huff... Huff... It's not finished yet. When this battle is over, the war will be over...! Rem: Right. The enemy's desperate, too... We can't lose now! Let's make it through this!

Lean: ?! Crap, that's... That's a really big one! Get ready! Machina: The number of enemies has noticeably decreased, though. If we can beat these guys... It'll be over! Everyone, let's go!

Rem: Huff... Huff... We... We won...? Lean: Yeah. It's over... It's finally over!! YEAH!!

After an incredibly daunting amount of time... Most things have become faded and hazy.

But... Player.

You're the one thing I can still remember vividly.

The good times we spent together and the things we believed in... Those were the things that helped me continue moving forward.

Even if I knew how the world would end...

[Setting: Still in Ingram]

Machina: ...It's over at last, Player. We won. Rem: Peace has finally come to the world... Rem: Our days of fighting have finally reached their end...! Machina: Yeah. ...But, if we aren't fighting anymore, what will we do? Lean: There are a lotta things I wanna do. For example... There are many various things I want to research. Rem: Huhu. I'd expect no less from a researcher! But is it related to magic or machine weaponry? Lean: That's just more research for the sake of war, isn't it? There are many things around us we don't know about. Lean: "How was this star formed?" "What's out there beyond this continent?" Those kinds of things. Lean: There's a lot more I wanna know. Rem: Wow... That's amazing. That sounds really interesting! Machina: I see. There's still a whole mountain of things we don't know... Machina: It might be nice to learn about those things, too. Right, Player? Rem: Umm, in that case, I want to take my time getting to know the country of Milites, the place where Lean grew up! Lean: Oh, that would be nice! Please, come visit. I'll show you around! Machina: Sightseeing in Milites... I've never considered it before, but that sounds like it could be fun. Rem: Hey, Player, what would you like to do? >There's a white flash and the sound of thunder. The atmosphere looks a little darker. Rem: Kyaaa!! Lean: Wh-... What was that...?! >The sky turns red, casting everything in a red light.

Qator (over COMM): This is Qator. Lean, respond! Lean: Brigadier General! Hey, what the hell's going on?! Isn't the fighting over?! Qator (over COMM): It's unclear! However, I can tell you that there's an overwhelming number of soldiers approaching our capital!

Sice (over COMM): Emergency transmission! Can you hear me, Akademeia? This is Sice! Sice (over COMM): Reporting an attack by unidentified troops in Concordia! Their numbers are unknown. There's too many for me to count! Machina: Sice! No way... It's the same over there, too!?

Trey (over COMM): The Militesi allied army has been wiped out by the mysterious enemy! We're also being attacked. At this rate-- >Trey's transmission is cut off. Machina: Wh... What is this...?! What's going on?!

[Setting: Terrace]

Arecia: It looks like the cadets have begun the final battle for their survival. Arecia: Struggle until you can struggle no more. And then, this time... Rise up to Agito. Miyu: Mother. Isn't it a little too early for Tempus Finis to be awoken? Arecia: There should be enough vessels to withstand the trials. Arecia: The battle between humans is over. If Agito still doesn't appear, then my experiment will end here. Arecia: This time, the world will end. Miyu: Not the Spiral, but... the world itself? Is this your will as the Mother Creator? Arecia: If an experiment fails no matter how many millions of times it's repeated, then it's time to abandon the experiment itself. Arecia: This might just be that time. Arecia: I wonder if it could be said that a possibility still exists in Orience. Miyu: ...Then, with my own hands, I'll be the one who determines whether Agito was born in the world this time. >The surroundings rumble and it sounds like something is activated. Arecia: ...Indeed, that was your role this time, wasn't it. Rursan l'Cie, the Judge. Arecia: I wonder when exactly you began cooperating with me...?

Light

[Setting: Akademeia, the terrace, at Tempus Finis]

Lean: Guh... Player... Toh...no... Tohno: Y-... You two are here... But... Everyone... Everyone else has...! Arecia: It didn’t come this time, either. Miyu: Yes. Unfortunately, that is true. Even so, will you return the world to its Spiral? Arecia: I wonder. Arecia: What I want isn't someone who can defeat the Judge. That's besides the point. Arecia: What I've waited for is a soul capable of becoming Agito. However... Arecia: Even if I repeat the Spiral, it will not succeed. It seems as though the method I've employed may not be correct. Miyu: Then... I see. Are you saying that the world is going to end? Arecia: It doesn't make sense to continue an experiment if it isn't producing results. Lean: W-... Wait a... minute... Lean: What do you mean, 'an experiment'? Arecia: You heard me. You still don't understand? Arecia: You humans have been living inside a lab experiment that has been continually repeating over and over for the sake of giving birth to Agito. Tohno: That can't be... All of our fights-- Was it all being orchestrated? Tohno: Giving birth to Agito... Just for that... Arecia: I wonder what you're going on about now. Arecia: You two were also fighting to become the world's savior, weren't you? Arecia: But now... This is the end, isn't it?

[Setting: A flashback, in a field somewhere outside Akademeia]

Ace: You're a new student at Akademeia, aren't you? It's nice to meet you, Player. Ace: I've heard stories about you. There were rumors that you're a very talented person. Ace: Pardon my delayed introduction. I'm Ace. Showing you the way to Akademeia is my current mission. Ace: Shall we go? Akademeia is in this direction. Please follow me without hesitation.

[Setting: Akademeia Fountain Courtyard]

Queen: Welcome to Akademeia. I am a cadet of Class First, Queen. Deuce: I'm Deuce. Um, I heard about what happened. You encountered a Behemoth on your way here, didn't you? Queen: Making it here safely after having encountered a Behemoth... Queen: It seems you must be even stronger than we've heard. Player, we’re glad to have you. Queen: As I'm sure you know, in our world of Orience, a war over the great power of the four Crystals has continued for thousands of years. Queen: We cadets train day and night here at Akademeia to become Agito, the one who will save Orience and put an end to the ancient war. Jack: I see the class president is as stiff as ever~ Jack: Player just got here, so why don't you lighten up a bit? Queen: Who are you calling class president?! ...A- Ahem. Well then, as I was saying. Queen: It's customary for new cadets to visit the cemetery. Deuce: The cemetery is an important place where we pay our respects to the legacy of those who died for the sake of the world. Queen (with a very sad expression): It is our duty to become Agito as recompense for the sacrifice of those who sleep in the cemetery... Queen: So please, prepare yourself to become the one who will save the world. Jack: Aa, by the way -- you'll find that place in the academy’s courtyard~ Welp, take care!

[Setting: Cemetery]

So it seems like... No one came.

...It must have really hurt.

...You must be lonely.

...But, I won't forget.

I'll... do my best to remember you.

Tohno: (standing in front of the central monument) Player... We meet again. Tohno: Hey, do you remember? At the very end, when...

(Flashes back to Arecia talking with Miyu, Tohno, and Lean at Tempus Finis)

Arecia: But now... This is the end, isn't it? Miyu: ...Mother. Please wait. Miyu: There are still new possibilities in this world. I saw for myself. Miyu: So please, I beg of you... Please don't end the world, this world of Orience where we lived so desperately.

Miyu: If you would, take and witness everything I've seen. >Miyu turns to crystal and it sounds like she shatters. Arecia: ...I see. That child... Are they the new possibility you discovered? Arecia: 10 and 6 Loci, the souls with the power necessary to bring forth Agito, beginning with the “Power of Acceptance”... Arecia: Now there’s one more... Player has a power different from the others. Arecia: That child possesses the power of "Bonds", the power to connect people to each other. That power may also be necessary to bring forth Agito. Arecia: Is that what you wanted to say, Miyu? Arecia: Even I, who created this world, do not know from when or where this soul emerged. Arecia: It seems as though a new path through history may have been opened because of that child's involvement here. Arecia: This one change in the hundreds of millions of Spirals has opened extraordinary meaning and possibilities for me. Arecia: Very well. Instead of ending the world, let's see what change this leads to. This time, let us hope that the long-awaited Agito is born.

Lean: ............... Arecia: The despair which leads to death, "Age." And finally, that which is required for sublimation, "Suffering." Arecia: You are not necessary for the creation of Agito. Arecia: Nevertheless... Hm, yes. Go forth. Observe. Witness every single corner of this world.