#flaylore

An unknown voice narrates, saying he doesn’t remember how long it’s been. Also says he’s lost count of something

Immediately after he asks: “..I’ve lost count? About what?”

A spotlight flashes on, shining down on a figure looking somewhat similar to Flayon

Notably looks younger, wearing what looks like a school sweatshirt, color palette is completely black, same hairstyle and overall looks the same, just younger and without his antenna tail

Says the only thing he remembers is love, and how he really wants it

“I’ve heard about it so many times, yet I still can’t figure it out.”

Believes that you can’t be whole or “you” without it

While continuing the tangent about love, the figure, X, speaks aloud:

“Need… I need it? What’s that supposed to mean?” “Am I nothing without it..?”

Asks something, or someone, what they mean and:

“I deserve love too, yeah..?”

Explains that “they” won’t stop talking about it (love)

The following text appears:

“We love you.” “You mean so much to us.”

Continuing, white text appears on the screen:

“He’s a genius.” “Talent.” “Amazing!” “You’re set for life.” “Genius.” “You’ll go far.”

During all this, a white silhouette of X appears in front of the original, surrounded with what looks like slumps of black matter?

The word “LOVE” appears on screen a few times, then ends with X appearing in front of the screen.

His eyes look very swirled compared to Flayon’s and wears a blank, almost neutral expression

Believes that in order to be loved, he needs to be special

“I want… to be loved more than anyone else. A whole lot!” “And to do that…! I just have to be special. Special like no one else!”

Then cuts to X drawing on a canvas, then to him performing/singing to the same slumps of matter as before. The slumps soon disappear into the background (these slumps are assumed to be represent people)

A different voice speaks, explaining X’s grades, possibly his teacher

Cuts back to X facing the audience, saying that some things didn’t work out for him

Before he can say what the worst of it was, it cuts to X talking(?) to someone

?: “…Why do you keep talking like that?” ?: “You need to stop treating yourself like that. It’s…” “No, you don’t understand, I just wanted to…”

?: “What’s wrong with you…” “..?”

?: “Hey, you’re not a bad guy, it’s…”

“Hah, haha.” “HAHAHAHAHAHA!” “It makes sense. I’m a complete failure in every sense of the word!” “Someone like me who’s just a burden to everyone around them!”

The screen cuts to black, X claiming that he doesn’t know when he started thinking so negatively

“One day, these thoughts just started to fill my head.” “Now I noticed that… my mind was off. …Or, at least people told me.”

The screen cuts back to X staring at us again, now a mini R-TRUS standing behind him. The white silhouette of X is back as well, walking back and forth behind the mini R-TRUS

X claims that he doesn’t know what to do, and thought he had everything figured out

Says everything hurt a lot at first because he:

“really wanted to…” [be loved?]

Says the thoughts continued, but tried to convince himself that it’s alright

“I may not be special, but that’s alright…”

Says: “I’ll just.. live my life the way I…” before being interrupted by himself speaking

“After a while, I just didn’t… care anymore.” “I was just going to go on living like usual…”

Claims that even if he’s not special like everyone else, it’s fine. He’s alright with living like this

X turns around, now taking notice of the mini R-TRUS. The silhouette now facing him as well.

“..You’re…” “When I met that thing…” “You.. How are…”

X then engages another confrontation with an unknown voice.

?: “Are you really fine with living like this?” “…Huh?”

[When I met that thing…]

?: “If you were really fine, you wouldn’t be putting on an act.”

[My life got a whole lot happier.]

“Listen… Things just aren’t in the cards for someone like me, haha.” “It’s okay. I just wasn’t born with any real skill!” ?: “How convenient.” “…” “Not the ones that matter to me, anyway.”

[Much, much, much happier.]

(Suddenly, the screen flashes and shakes for a small moment.)

“Don’t worry.” “Your other skills are currently… preoccupied.”

[Extremely happy.]

(The screen shakes and flashes again, this time another silhouette duplicating.)

“…” “…” “..Huh?”

[But, before that…]

[I wish I never even saw it.]

The screen fades to black soon after, a single textbox appearing with the letter “X” in the middle

After a few seconds, a different scene appears. The background is now red static with X and his silhouette standing face to face. There are no more text boxes in this scene, just text flashing on the screen

The silhouette speaks first:

“I think everyone is special…!” “I think everyone is special.”

X from then on speaks:

“I am and always will be a problem.” “So…” “Why do all of you people…” “..get to have things I don’t?” “I couldn’t stand it. Why did it have to be you?”

(X’s face flashes on the screen.)

The stream immediately starts with a static noise, and a silhouette of what it seems to be Flayon, glazed under a layer of grainy red, with black borders bleeding into it

The screen fades into black but we’re immediately taken to a train, that seems to be constantly rushing past by without end

As haze fills the room, a mysterious cloaked figure appears amongst it

He begins to speak, his voice unintelligible for a good 2-3 minutes

Looks similar to Flayon, though his eyes are covered by a shadow

Wears clothing similar to a train conductor

At 4:29, clearer subtitles appear:

<WELL THIS [IS] ADVICE FOR NOW> <CAN YOU UNDERSTAND> <HOW INTERESTING>

After a few seconds, his eyes become somewhat visible and a menacing and ominous BGM begins to play

Eyes look pitch black

He says he’s been here forever, then asks who we are

Doesn’t seem to know about machiroons

Asks if we still don’t understand, then says that it makes sense

<AFTER ALL, YOU CAN ONLY ASSUME>

The world we’re currently in is “digital”, according to the figure. Says that it “makes it all the better”

<AM I NOT RIGHT?> [he laughs a little after this]

Says since we’re here, the tree has “found a connection”

Suddenly, there’s a control panel-like noise. The red mist fades a little, but not completely, to a point where we can properly hear and see the figure

He sounds almost robotic aside from the filter

Says he often doesn’t get visitors in this world and asks why we’re here

Says this place is “like a sea of souls, essentially”

“You’re all aware of Elysium, aren’t you?” “Do you think Elysium is any different from your own world? …It’s not.”

Then asks us this:

“If our world is fake, and your world is real, what actually is the truth? What is a lie? Are you able to answer that for me?”

The majority says no, then the figure begs another question:

“Do you choose reality, or falsehood? Or rather, a truth or a lie?”

Once he asks this, a prompt appears on the screen: “Truth or Lie?”, but soon disappears after a few seconds

Notably, he adds: “You can’t.”

He argues that we’d rather choose a world that we’d call “reality” instead of facing the real truth

“One where you can grow. But, why would you choose this world? To make yourself feel better?” [He scoffs.] “Perhaps even a sense of entitlement?”

He once again asks us why we choose reality, and says that we can choose any reason regardless, because “we’re told to”

“Everyone tells you to. ..Am I not right?”

Claims that neither him or us think for ourselves

“But that’s the thing about life. All of us, all of our memories.. At their accumulated experiences, doesn’t that make us who we are? Then if you don’t have your memory, then.. does it really matter?”

“You can cope with humor, you can cope by deflecting. Regardless, the question has been poised onto you.”

When asked who he is, he replies “good question”. He then says the following, but is semi muffled by a voice effect:

“Did you know? My name is: X, and he’s very cool. Can you understand me now? If you somehow hear this, then kiss my ass.” “..Did you catch that?” [He laughs a little.] “If you couldn’t, then you’ve yet to understand the truth.”

He returns to the original question and asks once again: do we believe we know what’s right?

Says that some of us believe we know everything, and others who doubt themselves

“I’m asking you a question. Do you trust your own god or not? ..’No’, ‘no, not really’..” [He laughs.] “How honest of you.”

Calls us “self-righteous”, but assures us that he’s the same

“..Although, considering this state of affairs, I guess I’m not too human now, am I?”

He says our intuition will fail us, and that we may fail ourselves.

As he says this, his eyes are briefly revealed before being shut away again. They look swirly, like X’s eyes

Says we don’t have much time here- Implying each world we visit means we have a time limit on us. The tree possibly connects us to these worlds like a fragment in time—almost to prevent further fracturing of each universe

“You’re not supposed to be here.”

His eyes appear once more, this time looking similar to Flayon’s

Implies he’s aware of our anomaly in this world

He then answers any questions we have for him. His tone notably sounds blunt and annoyed

💬: “What are you?” “I guess you could say I’m something of an observer.” "It’s not a role he wanted, initially" “I keep observing and observing until I get what I want. ..Aren’t you the same?”

💬: "Wanting or helping?" “I’m using you to buy time. ..It’s nice. I don't normally get visitors here.”

💬: "Flayon?" “That name sounds familiar.”

Tells us a story of a young man who “took a different route”. Upon offered to join the guild, he rejected the offer.

“In such a world: there is no such thing as a Machina X Flayon.”

Claims that there are many worlds like this, for him and us. However, for some reason, they’ve all been vanishing one by one

“But this man who rejected the offer–stifled by feelings of jealousy, pride, and many other things that shoot upon his soul–he decided: why receive love there.. when he can receive love elsewhere? And so, he joined a church, amassing a large following.”

This is an obstacle to the guild

“This world I speak of is not here yet.”

Tempus doesn’t exist in that world

“There is only that man.. And a few others.”

Claims that the world will be here soon, when we least expect it

The questions continue:

💬: “How are you aware of these different worlds?" “Didn’t I tell you? I’m like an observer. Why would I tell you everything, anyway?” “It’s none of your business. Understood?”

Data Corruption

“Maybe that’s a familiar term you’re able to understand.”

Claims that he’s corrupted, and that he probably always had been

💬: “Is this your home?” “You could call this my home, you could. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Claims that he’ll be making multiple stops

“There are some errands I want to attend to. Understood?”

His eyes appear swirly again for a moment, then flash back to normal

💬: “Who are we picking up?” “..Do you still not understand what all of you are?” [He laughs.] “Then allow me to throw you a bone.”

Elysium is not too different from our world. Perhaps our world is a fake one, He claims

“In the end, the world will consume you. The tree will.”

A clock ticks in the background, signaling time running out in this world

💬: “How do you fix the world?” “Easy: destroy the source of corruption.”

Asks that if we could sacrifice one life to save everyone, would we?

💬: “What/Who/Where is the corruption?” “You already know who the corruption is.” “Think. Who in this world does not fit?” “Someone who shows up with a giant robot.. Does that sound like it fits with Elysium?” “A version of him will still exist. You’re just helping me.. clean up.”

💬: “Leave him alone!” “It’s too late. He’s already taken everything from me.”

💬: “Why should we trust you?” “We’re kindred spirits, you and I.” “You’re going to help me. ..You already have been.”

💬: “What’s your problem?” He laughs here, his eyes swirling again. “That’s a good question. ..Everything about him is my problem.”

Claims the corruption is present within us as well, and that it’ll hit us soon enough

“Think of it like this. If you’re in a picture book, you won’t be there anymore.”

Claims Flayon’s already been replaced once, yet we couldn’t tell the difference

Says we’ll meet again one day

There’s 7 more Flayon’s/worlds left

When the connection gets brighter, the corruption will spread

A final hint is given to us:

💬: “What about the tree?” “The tree itself has been corrupted.”

He assures everyone they’ll meet again, and that both his and our goals align, laughs soon after, his cheeks turning red with excitement

“Just stop standing in my way. Let me get what I want. It’s supposed to be my life, anyways.”

The screen glitches a bit, with a figure standing over us

The figure says: “You have multiple “you’s in you”, saying it’ll be difficult to determine our true thoughts

After a few minutes, we finally get ourselves to stand and figure out where we are

The area looks deserted in snow, the sound of bells can be heard (?) ringing in the background

The figure can read our minds

“Looks cold”? Of course, it is that time of year.”

Says that there’s better lighting in the church than outside

Seems confused that we don’t recognize the current area, then states that this is Elysium—or what’s left of it

Further elaborates on how there’s multiple versions of “us” inside of us

“There are… multiple "you"s inside of you. At the same time, you hold a consciousness of your own, or so I think. Do you know why that is? "We're all one," now that's the correct response.”

The corruption inside of us has spread, according to the figure

"It’s nothing to be worried, though 3 years ago this wouldn’t have been tolerated." “It makes up a part of you, as flaws try so desperately to hide.”

Asks us further if we don’t remember what happened 3 years ago. Mentions when activity spiked in the south, and when “The Great Debate” occurred

Explains that The Great Debate consisted of when the world did not know what to do with corruption

TEMPUS seeks to understand and pacify the “beasts”, while the mercenary group kills them off

Says the corruption isn’t bad

💬: “Would ARMIS kill us”? "Now that's a name I haven't heard in quite a while…”

Mentions how some people refuse to “take in the current reality”, and brings up how they jest as a coping mechanism

Assures us that he too is also pathetic in nature and accepts us

“Believe me, under my care, you will have no need for such things. Your worries, your fears, your anxieties… you may leave it all here, in my care. I will love you thoroughly.”

Our current form is “small”, but “quite familiar” to the figure

“You’re just a bit different.”

Takes us inside the church, holy music now playing subtly in the background

Calls himself “Father Machina”

He has no other name according to himself

The church is meant to be a “rune monastery”, offering as a shelter for those corrupted and in need, as well as a sanctuary for those who disagree with the guild’s methods

He then holds up a small figure, similar to a machiroon, to us. He asks us what this is

It looks to be physical, almost like goo

Its eyes are swirling, along with having two cat ears and a tail

The figure is referred to as a “machirune”, the end prefix spelt R-U-N-E instead of R-O-O-N

“These “runes”, these are souls, human souls, or rather, corruption in its purest form.”

There’s no malice in them, though there’s anxiety inside of them

“Corruption Beasts” are:

Referred as “The Afflicted” in this world

According to him, it is also considered an "old and jaded" term

Corruption is linked to emotions

“No one supposedly knows what happens after. But, when those emotions hit that stride, anything that is corrupted will start to spread. Consider it any extreme human emotion. Isn't that sad? Whether it be happiness to the point of being manic, sadness to the point of despair, even lust. But humans are already aware of that, aren't they?”

Someone asks if Father Machina is also afflicted, to which he laughs before the screen zooms into his mouth. His eyes dim, showing irritation

“Excuse me? Are you in good health? Oh, my apologies. I just couldn't tell with all that stupidity living in your brain. Do me and the world a favor, and shut up. Thank you.”

His god is Miyabi—the “man of flowers”

“We fight for him. Clearly, he knows what is best for this world and even though he is not here to decide his fate, I shall meet(?) it for him.”

His sermons are meant to introduce those who’re new to the church

He also accepts donations, though vague on what kinds he means

Once the sermon ends, he and his followers exit the church to “make the world a better place”

When asked about the hollow tree, Father Machina says it’s already been corrupted recently in the last year (whether in this world or in Elysium is unclear)

Shinri has helped out Father Machina during these expeditions

“The world in danger?” No! [laughs] My beloved lost lambs, I'm saving the world! I’m saving you. I have nothing but countless amounts of love for all of you.”

The X-TRUS is known as an “ancient Xenokunian weapon”, and it’s the object of “our will and love”

“I’d rather not refer to its name given when it was part of the guild.”

Father Machina is 21,000 years old

He aims to create a new world/new beginning where the corrupted reign over everyone else

"Are there still corruption beasts?" laughing You still don't get it? Don’t make me spell it out. The one rule of the rune monastery is to spread the “afflicted” everywhere.”

Doesn’t seem to know who X is, but knows who Flayon is

“I told you, stop mentioning his name. Is that understood?”

Soon after, a progress bar appears on the screen, filling up to 50%

The sermon begins, Father Machina preaching atop the altar

Father Machina calls himself “God’s messenger”, and those who do not love him will be sacrificed for “the greater good”

“I will not have a repeat of any of you abandoning me. Those of you that wish to play with a shiny new toy again can repeat the same mistake that you made three years ago.” “But, don’t think that didn’t hurt me. Or, “him” per se.”

Says he loves the Machiroons all the same, but wonders if they take his love seriously

“All who stand against the church will die. I will kill you myself personally. Those who wish to “study” the beasts, as they call it, will be put to death. Those who kill the afflicted on the spot will be put to death.”

The whole church is centered around Father Machina, rewording “Amen” to “Flaymen”

“Yes, praise me, revere me! Love me, do so and I will bring you to salvation. Look at no other idols, no other men. I am the only one you should know. In return I shall give you love everlasting.”

In this world, TEMPUS seeks to study and eventually kill the corrupted on sight. ARMIS on the other hand kills them without any hesitation

“I'm sure I would’ve agreed with them years ago but now I know the true nature. Why would you harm the afflicted?”

Goldbullet claims that Father Machina was threatening and killing people

“He’s still around, but do not worry. We will find him and the rest of this TEMPUS.”

Claims that TEMPUS thought they could come to a solution in understanding the corrupted beasts, to study them

“I’m sure you’re all aware, even those of you afflicted with some sort of memory loss. They’re seen as heroes? Righteous? I think we have all unfortunately bore witness to their violent tendencies, their extremes.”

Axel was almost killed by the church, running away after attempting to kill Father Machina himself

“He still evades us like the rest, but he is the most dangerous and on top of our list, he did not hesitate. The first one to go against us, and for that he is probably the most foolish of all. But dare he come back to this church.. I shall make sure that all of his beloved followers will be cooked alive, like the food they are.”

Suddenly, he brings an announcement. After some persuasion, Shinri is joining support for the church

“Now he… he is a man fit to lead the world. He is a man.. That if anything were to happen to me, I would have him take our place. However, should he stay his corrupted hand at slaying the enemy, I shall make sure it spreads to the rest of his body. until there is nothing left.”

Claims that Bettel—the Jester—is the largest enemy to the church

“We will bide our time then strike when he least expects it. Those of you, of the roons, that have managed to fuse with his so-called “Bettelion”, we will strike tomorrow at dawn. And then, if a god is on his side, surely it is not ours. Therefore, his luck will eventually run out.”

Originally thought of Hakka as “his brother”, but after numerous attempts of killing Father Machina, he is not forgiven

“I thought he’d understand the most. After all, this is what is best for the world, am I not wrong? But, whatever righteous morals he has he will be dealt with. Or rather, he is already dealing with himself.”

Claims that the corruption on Hakka makes him rampage like a “mindless demon”

Altare is mentioned to try and “pity him”, which makes Father Machina envious of him

“Did he think I wanted his pity? I don’t, I don’t need it. He.. pains me most of all. A kindhearted man with a voice that soothes the souls of thousands. A roundabout hero with a moral compass that doesn’t hesitate to make the.. worst of calls. Isn’t that nice? However, despite all these compliments, all these praises sent to him instead of me. Don’t you think it’s strange?”

Claims that Altare has formed his own cult, in which kidnapping some of his followers and torturing them

Hates the church being compared to a “cult”, claiming that he does this out of love

“Hahahah. Now, love me, love me, love me, love me, love me, love me, love me, love me, love me, love me, love me and me alone. Love me, and only me. No other idols, no replacing me for whatever reason you deem fit. The minute you give your love to me, you must take responsibility. Is that understood? Hm..? You think I’m “broken”?”

The music stops suddenly, zooming in on Father Machina’s face.

“You’re a fool. You know, I told all of you to keep your mind in check. Even, it would’ve been fine, fine if you all disobeyed me. But, we have no room for such foolish ideals and so.. Haven’t you noticed? Hahahaha ..hahah! You didn’t notice yet, did you?”

[The bar fills to 100%.]

“Have a safe trip. I love you.”

Suddenly, the screen cuts to black and begins to glitch

Warns us about the “raging thoughts/voices” inside of us, and that the corruption is continuing to spread

“Remember what I said earlier? You have multiple “you”s. Multiple even inside each individual one. This creates discord and chaos within your soul, your emotions as one person are running rampant.”

Is aware that we’re from another world

“Wait.. Stop mentioning that name. You even made my beloved rune stop moving. [He sighs.] Hm? It seems you’re running out of time. You know what to do, right? Hnk. Damn you, you riled up memories I didn’t need.”

Glitching continues as multiple images now appearing on the screen, Father Machina’s eyes swirling

“We love you!” “I love you guys too…” “Am I not enough?” “I can’t have you leave” “I want to be enough for you” “Love me, Love me” “I don’t want to be alone..” “Don’t leave me”

Before the stream ends, he reminds us of the corruption. It begins in a notion, and he assumes there’s a catalyst

“Whatever emotion that he has, whenever he gets corrupted, I’ll see you again.”

His last words: