Birth of an Alliance/Story

Story

Explorer (Post-Remaster)

Note: The Explorers' Alliance storyline was remastered under the KMS story team's new continuity in the Destiny Update.

Athena Pierce called the Explorer, Tess, Olive, and Rondo to the Bowman Instructional School, where she told them that she wanted them to meet the Heroes in order to consult with them, as the ones who had originally sealed the Black Mage might have knowledge on what to do now that he had returned. Olive immediately asked to speak with Mercedes, a fellow archer, while Rondo decided that he wanted to meet with Phantom, a fellow thief. Tess decided to speak with Aran, as he remembered how she had protected them until the very end when the Black Mage had invaded, even going so far as to leave the escape ship in order to find a missing kid who had fallen behind. The Explorer wondered how old Tess was for him to recalled memories of Aran in the past, but nevertheless agreed to meet Luminous. The Explorer traveled to the forests of Ellinia and found a Sentrobo guarding the area. After they defeated it, Luminous appeared and began questioning them. The Explorer explained why they had come and asked if the Heroes could reseal the Black Mage, since they had all been freed from the ice. However, Luminous told them that it would be impossible for two reasons.

He first explained that he had lost his powers after emerging from the ice and assumed that the same fate had befallen the other Heroes. He also explained that Freud had used the Seal Stones to bind the Black Mage to eternity, not for eternity, and that the Seal of Time had fractured the fabric of time in Maple World. He confessed that using the sealing spell again could have catastrophic consequences. Disheartened that it was impossible to stand up to the Black Mage, even with the Heroes and the Seal Stones, the Explorer returned to Athena Pierce. There, the four summarized their findings and concluded that they had no means of defending Maple World from the Black Mage. Athena reassured them that they wouldn't be defeated so easily and explained that she would call on them again when the time came. She then asked the Explorer to stay behind as the other Explorers left and explained that Empress Cygnus had sent a letter proposing to create an alliance between the major world powers of Maple World. She then asked the Explorer for their opinion on the alliance. The Explorer told her that they felt responsible for the revival of the Black Mage and asked if they could really fight the Black Mage while they remained so weak. Athena reassured them that they could very well become a great hero who protected them all, but even if they couldn't, every hero had people standing behind them who all worked together to protect what they loved. She declared that it was time to stand together in order to face the Black Mage and asked them to join her at the upcoming conference.

Explorer (Pre-Remaster)

Teo reached out to the Explorer and told them that long ago, Kyrin had asked him to keep an eye out for any strange pieces of wood adrift. Recently, he had found such a piece of wood while fishing, and as he couldn't leave, he asked them to take it to Muirhat, a crewmember of the Nautilus, as Muirhat likely wouldn't let them see Kyrin. Sure enough, Muirhat stopped them from seeing Kyrin and demanded to see the ominous relic. After brushing some sea moss off the wood, Muirhat discovered a strange carving and took the Explorer into a private room in order to investigate further. After removing the rest of the moss, several tree-like monsters manifested and began to attack the Explorer, who managed to defeat them. Muirhat recognized them as Guwaru's Vestiges and, believing that they had a connection to the Black Mage, asked them to show the relic to Kyrin. Upon examining it, Kyrin immediately recognized the carving as Guwaru's symbol and told the Explorer that Guwaru was one of the Black Mage's Commanders, adding that he was also the strangest and most wild of all the Seven Commanders.

As the relic's untimely appearance gave her a bad feeling, she asked them to bring it to Athena Pierce while she prepared the Nautilus crew for possible attack. Athena was surprised to see the relic and wondered why Guwaru's mark would appear in present day. Though she hoped that it was merely a coincidence, she also realized that they couldn't afford to ignore it, and so she decided to purify the relic of its dark aura and told the Explorer to cover their eyes. After a flash of light, a dark spirit was exorcised from the relic, confirming Athena's suspicions that it was a warning from Guwaru that the Black Mage was returning to Maple World. A few days later, Athena called the Explorer to Henesys and told them about the letter she had received from Ereve. While she was happy to hear the news about a new alliance, she was concerned that it would place restrictions upon the Explorers, believing that it wasn't the Explorers' Guild's place to ask their members to follow those restrictions. However, she added that she also couldn't stand by and watch Maple World fall to chaos, and so she asked them to send her confirmation of attendance to Cygnus. Cygnus was pleased to hear Athena's decision and added that she hoped to see them at the conference.

Mihile

Cygnus called Mihile and asked him to return to Ereve. There, she told him that the Cygnus Knights had grown in strength, enough so that their next battle may be against the Black Mage's dark army. Though she acknowledged that her Knights and her people deserved an Empress at the height of her confidence, she confessed that she had her doubts. Mihile reminded of her words, that they were stronger when together as one, and suggested that they join forces with others outside Ereve. Surprised at his suggestion, Cygnus noted that she had a responsibility to her people, and that their well being rested on her shoulders. She then wondered whether calling on others to ease that burden was prudence or indolence. Mihile told her that though he was no expert on the ethics of rulership, he promised that he would always follow her, no matter her decision. Cygnus thanked him and called his faith the foundation beneath her.

Cygnus Knights (Post-Remaster)

Note: The Cygnus Knights' Alliance storyline was remastered under the KMS story team's new continuity in the Ignition Update.

While continuing their training, the Cygnus Knight was contacted by Neinheart, who explained that the Empress was on the brink of making an important decision. Before she did, however, she wanted the counsel of each of her knights, and so all the Cygnus Knights had been ordered to return to Ereve immediately. The Knight reported to Cygnus, who thanked them for returning to see her. She told them she was afraid that despite everything that they had done, the Black Wings continued to remain a threat, with rumors stating that the Wing Master, one of the Black Mage's Commanders, had returned. She confessed that there was a feeling inside her, as though a rumbling cloud had taken hold of her heart. She noted that the rift between Ereve and the Resistance was wider than ever, with even the Explorers beginning to lose their trust in her. She also noted how, hundreds of years ago, the Black Mage had brought Maple World to the brink of destruction, and how the Heroes - unable to defeat him - had only managed to seal him away with Freud's Seal Stones. She added that the power of a Transcendent who had fallen so far was quite formidable. She then told the Knight that she was terrified about whether she could face the Black Mage and save Maple World, and whether she even deserved to be Empress in the first place. However, she apologized for her doubts and told them that her duty as Empress was to allay doubts, not to pile hers onto those of her people. She then asked them to go to Victoria Island and collect reports from Hersha and Matthias, two of Ereve's informants, who had been dispatched to assess the state of Maple World.

In Ellinia, the Knight collected Hersha's report and asked him about what he had seen across the different regions of Maple World. Hersha explained that monsters across the world were getting more powerful, and that the Black Wings were expanding their power, creating new secret bases all across Maple World. He added that there had recently been a large abnormal fire on Maple Island, adding that the Empress had likely sensed it. The Knight quickly realized that the fire was why Cygnus had been so anxious. Hersha also added that Edelstein was under full control of the Black Wings, and that Cygnus would likely need to send in all the Cygnus Knights in an all-out war to remove them. The Knight then went to Kerning City and met with Matthias, who explained that he had been surveying southern Ossyria, where he had learned that Ariant was suffering under tyranny and Minar Forest was being plagued by monsters. He added that though the Cygnus Knights had been created to fight the Black Mage, there were other problems in Maple World that needed their attention. He then gave the Knight his report and asked them to deliver it to Cygnus.

After collecting both reports, the Knight returned to Cygnus and told her what both informants had explained. Cygnus thanked them and explained that the Black Mage's Shadow had attacked Maple Island while the Knight had been away. She told them that she had send the Cygnus Knights alone to stop the shadow, explaining that she had believed that it was their role to help those in need by themselves. However, she explained that she had come to realize that they needed allies, which would be a difficult task to accomplish. Nevertheless, she asked them to tell Neinheart that she had made up her mind about creating an alliance. Neinheart thanked them for bringing Cygnus' decision and asked them to help arrange the First Continental Conference. He explained that they would need to invite the Explorers, the Resistance, and the Heroes. Though there was no single leader of the Explorers, he told the Knight that Athena Pierce was highly respected amongst the community. As she had personally lived through the tyranny of the Black Mage, Neinheart hoped that she would understand the need for the alliance.

Regarding the Resistance, he explained that Claudine led the movement, though he was unsure of whether the Resistance would accept the invitation. In regard to the Heroes, he explained that they had faced the Black Mage centuries ago, and though they were merely individuals, they represented far more than that, which would bring legitimacy to the alliance. Neinheart then told the Knight to meet with the Resistance, while others would invite Athena and the Heroes. Neinheart emphasized the importance of the mission and explained that he was entrusting it to them because of their ties to the Resistance. The Knight arrived in Edelstein to meet with Claudine and attempted to give her Cygnus' letter, but Claudine refused and claimed that she wouldn't accept any correspondence from Ereve. However, the Knight was persistent, and though Claudine acknowledged that they were strong and willing to do what was right, she claimed that she couldn't trust the rest of Ereve, especially when Cygnus remained unwilling to come down from her perch of safety and fight for the cause.

The Knight protested that the Cygnus Knights had made sacrifices, but an annoyed Claudine asked whether they even knew the meaning of sacrifice. She then asked them to accept a dangerous mission without hesitation. After the Knight accepted, she told them to go into the Verne Mine and identify the location of a laboratory where a particular child was being held, as the Resistance had no idea of the mine's internal structure. Despite knowing that they were going in alone into enemy territory with incomplete information, the Knight accepted and entered the mine. The Knight navigated through the maze and soon encountered several children locked in a cell. Though the Knight freed them, they realized that they had entered a prison, not a laboratory, and the fact that there were multiple children when Claudine had specified only one meant that they were not the ones whom she had asked them to find. Nevertheless, the Knight escorted the children back to safety. After Claudine treated them, she told the Knight that the children would be fine. She explained that the Black Wings had kidnapped the children from other regions of Maple World for experimentation. The Knight apologized for being unable to find the laboratory, but Claudine told them not to worry about it, explaining that they had done the right thing by helping the children. She sadly added that it hadn't been too late for them, though she refused to elaborate on her cryptic words. She then agreed to read the letter and told them that she would discuss it with the other Resistance leaders first.

Cygnus Knights (Pre-Remaster)

Note: This version of the Cygnus Knights' Alliance quest was shared with Mihile.

While continuing their training, the Cygnus Knight was contacted by Neinheart, who explained that the Empress was on the brink of making an important decision. Before she did, however, she wanted the counsel of each of her knights, and so all the Cygnus Knights had been ordered to return to Ereve immediately. The Knight reported to Cygnus, who thanked them for returning to see her. She told them she was afraid that, despite everything they had done, the Black Mage's threat continued to grow. She also confessed that she hadn't been as strong of a leader as Maple World needed. With the Black Wings still holding Edelstein and rumors of Orchid's return, their enemies continued to grow stronger while the rift between Ereve and the Resistance was wider than ever, with even the Explorers beginning to lose their trust in her. She had also heard rumors from the Temple of Time that people were calling the Cygnus Knights traitors. Because of this, she was crestfallen that she had failed to earn the trust of Maple World and asked them to go to the Temple of Time in order to meet with one of her agents, Della, and collect her report on why the Cygnus Knights were being called traitors. She told them that, once she had heard the source of the rumor, she would decide on the future course of the Cygnus Knights.

After traveling to the Temple of Time, the Knight met with Della, who told them that inside the Gate to the Future, Cygnus had sent the Knights to attack the people of Maple World, resulting in her being known as the Axle of Evil. However, she noted that something seemed off, as not only would Cygnus never betray her people, but Shinsoo's voice also seemed strange there as well. Because of this, Della was planning to go back inside to investigate, but told them to give her report to Cygnus. The Knight returned to Ereve and gave Della's report to Cygnus, who was shocked at the future that awaited her. Soon after, Cygnus summoned several Knights and told them that, despite how difficult it would be, she strongly believed that forming an alliance would be the best thing for Maple World and asked them to tell Neinheart of her decision. After being informed that Cygnus had made up her mind, Neinheart asked the Knights to invite the other major powers of Maple World to the upcoming conference.

Note: Here, the player must choose between delivering the invitation to either the Explorers, the Cygnus Knights, or Aran, with the remaining invitations being delivered by others.

Explorers:

The Knight agreed to deliver the Empress' invitation to Athena Pierce, who was the head of the Explorers' Guild. As she had lived through the Black Mage's tyranny, Neinheart hoped that she would understand the necessity of the conference. In Henesys, Athena thanked them for the invitation and told them that she would see them at the conference.

Resistance:

The Knight agreed arrived to deliver the Empress' invitation to Claudine. They found her in her public guise in Edelstein, but she refused to read the letter, claiming that the Cygnus Knights had nothing to say that she wanted to hear. However, the Knight was persistent and Claudine agreed to read the letter if they did her a favor. She told them to go into the Verne Mine and look for a laboratory there, explaining that they would find a cave hidden behind the mine and told them to listen for a voice. The Knight followed Claudine's instructions and arrived at Gelimer's lab, where they heard Vita's voice. After confirming with Claudine that they had heard a voice, she then agreed to read the letter and told them that she would discuss the proposed alliance with the other Resistance leaders.

Aran:

The Knight agreed to deliver the Empress' invitation to Aran. Neinheart instructed them to find his sister, Lilin, in Rien, explaining that, in addition to the Explorers and the Resistance, they also needed to invite others who could garner respect for their cause. He believed that the legendary hero Aran could boost their alliance's legitimacy through her status. The Knight delivered the letter to Lilin, who was pleased by the news and told them to expect Aran at the conference.

Resistance (Post-Remaster)

Note: The Resistance's Alliance storyline was remastered under the KMS story team's new continuity in the Milestone Update.

Claudine called the Resistance member to a secret meeting with the other Resistance leaders. There, she explained that the reason why they were all gathered was because the Resistance had been invited to a Continental Conference in Ereve in order to prepare for the Black Mage' return. Though many of them were in favor of blowing off the Cygnus Knights, Claudine asked them to remember Vita, as well as the knowledge that the Black Wings founder was a Commander. Elex reminded them that they had previously decided that the so-called founder didn't exist, but Claudine assured him that Orchid definitely existed, and that she had been proven to be a Commander based on the Resistance member's intel. She reminded them that the Black Mage was an evil Transcendent who had almost destroyed Maple World hundreds of years ago, and that various Heroes had made countless sacrifices, just to barely seal him away. She then told the others that there were reports that the Black Mage had returned. Brighton asked whether it meant that Orchid was also working for the Black Mage, to which Claudine noted that it was highly likely, as the Black Wings had taken over Edelstein and conducted cruel human experiments to create something, which made her wonder whether the Black Mage may rule Maple World once again.

Brighton commented that it sounded like Claudine believed that they should join the alliance. Claudine told him that it was a difficult decision, though she added that if the Black Mage was involved, they needed all the help that they could get. Elex asked whether they could trust Cygnus, while Brighton asked if the Resistance was really so weak that they needed to ask their enemies for help. Claudine reminded them that even the Heroes from centuries ago hadn't been strong enough to defeat the Black Mage, which was why they had needed to use the Seal Stones to seal him away. She noted that the Resistance was also too weak to face the Black Mage on their own, and though she admitted that she didn't fully trust the Cygnus Knights, she added that she didn't want another tragedy like Vita's to befall upon them again. Belle took Claudine's side and asked the others whether they hated the Cygnus Knights so much that they couldn't look past their anger to fight the Black Mage. Elex agreed that though he didn't like the Knights, they needed to defeat the Black Wings. Checky added that they could always leave the alliance if Ereve turned on them. Brighton begrudgingly agreed, and with a unanimous vote, they agreed to attend the conference. Claudine then asked the Resistance member to deliver their response to Ereve. Cygnus greeted them in earnest and told them that she was looking forward to their attendance.

Resistance (Pre-Remaster)

Claudine reached out to the Resistance member and told them that she had been thinking about the Black Wings' motivation for everything that they had done. Though Gelimer presented himself as a regular scientist, she believed that he was hiding a dark secret. As she wanted to know what Gelimer was hoping to gain by experimenting on live humans, she asked the Resistance member to go back to Gelimer's lab in order to look for clues. There, they found part of his research diary and brought it to Claudine. After reading it, she realized that Gelimer was trying to make some sort of superhuman by using magic in order to make ordinary people stronger. She then read them a passage from the diary: “Upon completion of the experiment, the subject appeared to be successful. Visually it appeared to be an exact replica of The One. I named it Vita, thinking it would be my greatest achievement. However, after multiple tests, I am now certain the experiment was a failure. It exhibits no extraordinary capabilities. It is, in fact, a quite ordinary human female. The subject will be purged during the next clean cycle. I must go back to formula.”

Based on the note, Claudine realized that Gelimer was likely taking orders from someone else. She was also troubled by the reference to ‘The One' and asked them to go back to the lab in order to find the other parts of the diary. Upon returning to the lab, the Resistance member heard Gelimer talking to Orchid. He was telling her that there was no need to check up on him in person, promising that his research would be finished soon. However, Orchid snapped at him, claiming that Arkarium's plans were well under way, and that she couldn't let him beat her and Lotus. She reminded Gelimer that he had claimed that he had only been waiting for Vita to finish her mission, to which he explained that there had been complications, and that it wasn't easy creating a creature as powerful as what she was asking for, though he promised that he would have it ready soon. She told him that he had better be right, as it was the very reason why she had formed the Black Wings in the first place. Gelimer was taken aback at the news, as well as the Resistance member, who realized that Orchid was the founder of the Black Wings. Gelimer told her that if she had spent so many years waiting, then a few more days wouldn't make a difference. He assured her that once he finished, the resulting creature would be more powerful than herself and Lotus put together. Just then, they heard a noise coming from where the Resistance member was hiding, who realized that it was time to leave.

After returning back to the Secret Plaza, they explained the situation to Claudine, who told them that it was huge news, as they now knew that the founder of the Black Wings was also a Commander of the Black Mage. She explained that when the Resistance had first been formed, they had no intention of fighting the Black Mage, but she now realized that to face one was to face the other Claudine then called the Resistance member to a secret meeting with the other Resistance leaders. She explained that the reason why they were gathered was because the Resistance had been invited to a Continental Conference in Ereve in order to prepare for the Black Mage' return. Though many of them were in favor of blowing off the Cygnus Knights, Claudine asked them to remember Vita, as well as the knowledge that the Black Wings founder was a Commander. Elex reminded them that they had previously decided that the so-called founder didn't exist, but Claudine assured him that Orchid definitely existed, and that she had been proven to be a Commander by the Resistance member's intel. She explained that the purpose of Gelimer's experiments was for Orchid to create a superhuman monster, and that it was all for the larger purpose of reviving the Black Mage. She then wondered what could drive someone to such evil, and what it was about the Black Mage that inspired such loyalty.

Brighton commented that it sounded like Claudine believed that they should join the alliance. Claudine told him that it was a difficult decision, but if the Black Mage was involved, they needed all the help that they could get. Elex asked whether they could trust Cygnus, while Brighton asked if the Resistance was really so weak that they needed to ask their enemies for help. Claudine reminded them that they weren't ready to face the Black Mage, and though they couldn't trust Cygnus, they had no other choice. She added that she didn't want another tragedy like Vita's to befall upon them again. Belle took Claudine's side and asked the others whether they hated the Cygnus Knights so much that they couldn't look past their anger to fight the Black Mage. Elex agreed that though he didn't like the Knights, they needed to defeat the Black Wings. Checky added that they could always leave the alliance if Ereve turned on them. Brighton begrudgingly agreed, and with a unanimous vote, they agreed to attend the conference. Claudine then asked the Resistance member to deliver their response to Ereve. Cygnus greeted them in earnest and told them that she was looking forward to their attendance.

Xenon

Claudine reached out to Xenon and told him that the Resistance was standing at the crossroads of a major change. She explained that the Cygnus Knights had invited them to form an alliance between the Resistance, the Cygnus Knights, and the Explorers in order to fight the Black Mage. She told Xenon that the Black Mage was a corrupted Transcendent who had driven Maple World to the brink of destruction hundreds of years ago, and that five brave Heroes had managed to seal him away with the Seal Stone of the great mage, Freud. However, she revealed that the Black Mage's seal had been broken, and so the Resistance had decided to join the alliance in order to band together and fight such a dangerous foe. She then asked Xenon to join the Alliance, adding that he would soon receive a call from the Cygnus Knights to attend the conference.

Demon

Claudine called the Demon to Edelstein and told him that while he had been away, the Resistance had received an invitation for a Continental Conference, which was intended to form an alliance between the Resistance, the Cygnus Knights, and the Explorers in order to fight the Black Mage. She explained that the Resistance had decided to attend the conference, for while she still didn't fully trust the Knights, she knew that the Black Mage was too dangerous for them to fight on their own. She then asked the Demon's opinion on the alliance from the perspective of a former Commander, to which he explained that the Maple World from centuries ago was comprised of independent, insular nations who held strong hostility for each other. He added that by eliminating the Empress, the factions of resistance had devolved into ragtag groups that couldn't work with each other, making it easy to conquer them. He noted that in comparison, the Black Mage had been a corrupted Transcendent with god-like abilities, and that his followers had also received a share of that power, which was why he believed it to be a wise choice for the Cygnus Knights to form an alliance against such a formidable foe. Upon hearing the Demon's words, Claudine realized that she had been correct in her decision to attend the conference and decided that it was time for their fight to truly begin.

Aran (Post-Remaster)

Note: Aran's Alliance storyline was remastered under the KMS story team's new continuity in the Milestone Update.

Lilin contacted Aran and asked her to return to Rien. There, she excitedly showed Aran the invitation to the conference that the Empress had arranged and explained that it was proof that Ereve had recognized Aran as a true hero. Believing it best that Aran went with someone who recognized her as a hero, Lilin suggested that she ask Athena Pierce to accompany her, as she was a well-respected figure in Maple World. Aran asked Lilin if she would also come to the conference, but Lilin was unsure about whether she ought to be there. While she debated about going, Athena agreed to accompany Aran, though Aran wondered whether she herself ought to be there without her memories. Athena reassured Aran that she was still a hero, and that she had seen Aran's bravery for herself when Aran had saved her from the Black Wings. She then added that Mercedes would also be there, suggesting that they could all go together.

On the day of the conference, Athena and Aran met with Mercedes at the Six Path Crossway. Upon seeing Mercedes, Aran recalled how Mercedes and Freud had seen her off as she had left to fight the Black Mage's army. The pair began to catch up, with Mercedes revealing that the curse had affected the other elves as well, and that the other Heroes were roaming Maple World and trying to regain their power. However, she then told Aran that Freud had likely already passed away, as Afrien had taken the curse in his place, which meant that Freud hadn't been frozen like the other Heroes. As both of them remained solemn, Athena asked them to put aside their sorrow, as it was a happy day of reunion for them both. Mercedes and Aran realized that Athena was right, and so they decided to continue catching up on the way to Ereve. Though Aran was happy to be with her old friend again, she nevertheless felt a strange sense of loneliness.

Aran (Pre-Remaster)

Lilin contacted Aran and asked her to return to Rien. There, she excitedly showed Aran the invitation that the Cygnus Knights had given her and explained that it was proof that Ereve had recognized Aran as a true hero. Believing it best that Aran went with someone who recognized her as a hero, Lilin suggested that she ask Athena Pierce to accompany her, as she was a well-respected figure in Maple World. Aran asked Lilin if she would also come to the conference, but Lilin was unsure about whether she ought to be there. While she debated about going, Athena agreed to accompany Aran and told her that Mercedes would also be there. As Aran had lost her memories, she asked Athena who Mercedes was, to which she merely told Aran that Mercedes was a friend. Soon after, Lilin told Aran that she would come with them as well.

Evan

Evan and Mir arrived in Edelstein in order to get revenge on Hiver. Mir suggested storming the Verne Mine and attacking all the Black Wings inside, but Evan told him that he didn't want to attack random people just because they worked for the Black Wings, reminding Mir that they themselves used to be part of the Black Wings until recently. They decided to go undercover in order to learn Hiver's location and asked a watchman named Bavan where Hiver was by making up a story that they owed him money. Bavan agreed to contact Hiver in exchange for Nependeath's Honey from Orbis. After bringing him the honey, Bavan told Evan that he had arranged for Evan to meet Hiver in the Verne Mine. Inside the mine, however, Black Wings henchmen ambushed them and Evan realized that Bavan and Hiver had set up a trap. After defeating the henchmen, a strange woman arrived and had a stand-off with Evan, though she quickly realized that he was a civilian and disappeared. Though Evan wondered whether she was affiliated with the Black Wings, Mir recognized her as Claudine the town doctor, claiming that his perception as an Onyx Dragon could be trusted.

In town, Evan confronted Claudine, who denied having met them in the mines. When Mir spoke aloud and insisted that he recognized her, Claudine was surprised to know that a lizard could talk. Evan explained that Mir was an Onyx Dragon, to which an intrigued Claudine asked them to meet her in Edelstein Park in order to speak surreptitiously. At the park, Evan told Claudine that he held a grudge against the Black Wings. When Claudine asked Evan whether the Black Wings had taken over his town like they had with Edelstein, Evan explained that a Black Wings officer named Hiver had tricked him, and that he was trying to revive the Black Mage, the enemy of the Onyx Dragons. Claudine noted that Hiver was quite high up in the Black Wings hierarchy and wondered how far the Black Wings' conspiracy extended. She then revealed to Evan that she was a member of the Resistance against the Black Wings, though she warned him not to speak on the matter any further, as she was hiding her identity. However, Evan pointed out that they were both on the same side and suggested that they could team up. Nevertheless, Claudine told them that she couldn't trust them yet, as they might be a spy or might be too weak.

In order to have them prove themselves, she told them to take the secret route to Gelimer's laboratory and bring back Black Wings emblems from his henchmen. After they brought the emblems back, Claudine told them that even though they might have gotten them from their commanders, she felt as though she could trust them, not only because of their actions, but also because of the intelligence that the Resistance had stolen from the Black Wings, which detailed their dealings with the Onyx Dragons. She told Evan that since he had proven his strength, it made sense for them to ally with each other. She noted that the Heroes had banded together centuries ago to fight the corrupted Transcendent, and that they had only been able to seal him away with Freud's Seal Stones. However, she added that things were different now, as all of Maple World was banding together to fight the Black Mage. After learning about the upcoming Continental Conference, Evan and Mir decided that they needed to attend in order to join the fight.

Mercedes

Cygnus asked Neinheart to arrange a royal meeting between herself and Mercedes, as she wished to hear Mercedes' counsel as not only a fellow royal, but also as someone who had once faced the Black Mage. At the meeting, Cygnus told Mercedes that the Black Wings were getting stronger, with the Commanders appearing one by one and the Cygnus Knights powerless to stop them. She feared that they may not be able to defeat the Black Mage with their strength alone, as even their many preparations still weren't enough. Mercedes noted to herself that even though Cygnus had done a lot, despite her young age, the Black Mage was still a corrupted Transcendent that even the Heroes had barely been able to seal away. Cygnus told Mercedes that Maple World was strong, and that in addition to the Cygnus Knights, they had battle-hardened Explorers, the Resistance fighting in the shadows, the Heroes who had reawakened, and many other unknown warriors who, if brought together, would make them unbeatable. Mercedes confessed that it would be difficult to accomplish if the people of Maple World couldn't look past their differences. However, she told Cygnus that despite it being difficult, it was what Maple World needed. She explained that centuries ago, she had been forced to watch Maple World fall to ruin because its people couldn't look past their own selfish desires. In the present day, however, she believed that Cygnus could bring about a new era of strength to defeat the Black Mage, and so she supported Cygnus' decision. Cygnus thanked Mercedes for her insight and invited her to the upcoming conference that she was planning to host.

Phantom

Some time after the incident with Lotus, Phantom decided to meet Cygnus, noting that he owed her that much after almost taking her life. In Ereve, Cygnus greeted Phantom and told him that she had wanted to meet him. She explained that she wouldn't ask why he had disappeared after saving her, and why he hadn't spoken with her since that day, as she knew that he had his reasons. She then added that she knew how difficult it must have been for them to face a corrupted Transcendent, and how hard he and the other Heroes must have worked to seal him away. However, she explained that centuries ago, only five people had been brave enough to stand up against the Black Mage, but in the present day, there were hundreds willing to fight alongside him. She asked him not to carry the burden of the fight on his own, reminding him that he had allies if he was willing to trust them. Phantom conceded that Cygnus had a compelling argument, as the Alliance could have helped him during his last few missions. He agreed to join the Alliance, adding that they could benefit from the greatest thief in the history of Maple World.

Luminous

Agent N reached out to Luminous and told him that Empress Cygnus had found out that they were working together, and that she wanted to meet with him. Wondering whether Cygnus was a descendant of Empress Aria, Luminous traveled to Ereve to meet with her. Cygnus asked him if he had been surprised by her invitation, to which Luminous told her that he was surprised that she even knew him in the first place, as few seemed to remember the events of his time. Cygnus explained that though the records about the Heroes had been erased thanks to the Commanders' schemes, not everyone had forgotten them. However, she added that it wasn't the reason why she had asked him to meet. She explained that centuries ago, he and the other Heroes had sealed away the Black Mage with Freud's Seal Stones, though she noted that there were no such heroes anymore. She noted that though her Cygnus Knights would fight back, she remained unsure whether they could face the Black Mage on their own. Because of this, she had found other heroes - the countless Explorers and Resistance members who would fight against the forces of darkness - and that she planned to form an alliance with them to face the Black Mage. Though there had only been five who had stood against the Black Mage centuries ago, she told him that there were hundreds who stood together in the present day. Luminous was impressed by Cygnus' resolve and told her that she reminded him of Empress Aria. Believing that her cause was noble, he asked her to call upon him whenever she was in need of his power.

Shade (Post-Remaster)

Note: Shade's Alliance storyline was remastered under the KMS story team's new continuity in the Milestone Update.

Shade continued to train in Maple World until he suddenly began to feel unnaturally drowsy. After falling asleep, he had a terrible nightmare of Moonbeam and the other Anima running in fear of him, the five Heroes looking at him with anger in their eyes, and himself disappearing as he sacrificed himself to power the Seal of Time. Suddenly, the Black Mage appeared before him in a dark void and told Shade that the only reason why Shade hadn't disappeared was because, as a Transcendent, the Black Mage was still able to remember him, and that Shade would disappear once he did. He then asked Shade if he would make the same choice again, knowing what it had cost him. Awakening from his nightmare, Shade wondered whether it had really been a dream, or whether it was the Black Mage using his power, which meant that his full resurrection was imminent. Reflecting on the Black Mage's words, Shade recalled how one of the Seal Stones had been cracked when he had first opened his eyes in the Temple of Time, and how he had rematerialized into existence imperfectly once the Black Mage's seal had been broken. He noted that it was only thanks to the Fox God pouring her power into him for many years that his existence had been stabilized, with her blessing serving as a temporary solution to let his existence persist while crossing dimensions. However, he noted that the curse hadn't been erased fully, which meant that there was a chance that he would disappear if the Black Mage did.

He then thought to himself that he had always been prepared to sacrifice himself on that day, and that his only regret had been that his friends would have felt guilty about it, which had made it fortunate that there was no one who would be sad that he was gone. However, he wondered whether he would have made the same choice if he had known that he would not die, but be eternally forgotten, never to be truly part of any dimension. Nevertheless, he decided that what had happened was over, and that even if others had forgotten him, he only had more people to protect. Because of this, Shade committed himself to growing strong enough to stop the Black Mage, for which he decided that he would need allies. He decided to meet with Athena Pierce, who had forgotten about his existence after he had crossed dimensions. Mistaking him for an Explorer, Athena asked him whether he wished to join the Alliance, adding that more and more people were joining now that the Heroes had returned. With Athena's help, Shade traveled to Ereve and met with Cygnus before joining the Alliance. He then promised to himself that he would see Moonbeam someday if the Fox God's blessing still held and protected him from disappearing with the Black Mage.

Shade (Pre-Remaster)

Shade decided to seek out Empress Cygnus, as he hoped that she would know more about the Black Mage. He went to visit her in Ereve and told her that she resembled Aria, adding that it must have given Phantom a start. Cygnus was intrigued that he knew about Aria and Phantom. Shade explained that they were old acquaintances, and that he had no love for the Black Mage, just like the other Heroes. He then told her that he had come to see if she could share any information about the Black Mage with him. Cygnus told him that she would help however she could, in exchange for Shade lending his support to the Alliance. Shade was surprised and told Cygnus that she was very trusting, as it was a big leap from sharing information to cooperating. Cygnus told him that even though she was young, she could tell honesty when she saw it. Shade was impressed and agreed to join the Alliance, thus gaining access to their intelligence network. Shade then continued his training in Maple World for some time.

Kaiser (Post-Remaster)

Note: Kaiser's Alliance storyline was remastered under the KMS story team's new continuity in the KMS Fall 2023 Update (Spring 2024 for Non-KMS Servers).

Following the siege of Heliseum and the Nova officially joining the Maple Alliance, Neinheart contacted Kaiser after noting that he was quite impressed by hearing about his accomplishments. He explained that they were gathering strong warriors for the Alliance against the Black Mage, for which he invited Kaiser to Ereve, adding that they needed all the information about Grandis and Magnus that they could get. Kaiser was curious to know what kind of enemy the Black Mage was that required all of Maple World to unite against him. He then noted that having an alliance against a common enemy would benefit them all, for which he decided to accept. Kaiser traveled to Ereve and met with Empress Cygnus, who thanked him for coming and introduced herself. She asked Kaiser whether he knew about the Black Mage and explained that he was an evil Transcendent who had tried to destroy the world long ago until he had been sealed away by several brave Heroes. However, Cygnus revealed that the Black Mage's seal had been broken, and with the Cygnus Knights unable to handle the threat themselves, she had hoped to form a worldwide Alliance against him. Upon hearing this, Kaiser agreed to lend his support and officially joined the Maple Alliance.

Kaiser (Pre-Remaster)

Kaiser and Angelic Buster's adventures in Maple World soon caught the attention of the Alliance, and Neinheart reached out to Kaiser for an important discussion. Kaiser recognized the Cygnus Knights from the stories that he had heard about them ruling Maple World many years ago and agreed to hear him out. After arriving in Ereve, Kaiser asked Neinheart why there were so many knights around them and warned that he didn't like traps. Neinheart laughed and asked Kaiser to excuse the knights, as they took their security very seriously. As Kaiser didn't feel evil energy from them, he decided to trust Neinheart and asked why he had been summoned. Neinheart explained that the Cygnus Knights fought against the Black Mage, and that they had recently formed a worldwide Alliance against him. He told Kaiser that he wanted to invite him to join the Alliance, as Kaiser was both powerful and a champion of justice. To Neinheart's surprise, Kaiser didn't immediately accept, explaining that he had never heard of the Black Mage, and that as a representative of the Nova, he needed to deliberate with his people first.

Just then, Shinsoo addressed Kaiser and told him that he looked just like Magnus. Kaiser immediately grew suspicious and demanded to know how she knew Magnus. Shinsoo told him to relax and explained that Magnus had been a Commander of the Black Mage centuries ago, and that she had merely noted how strange it was that they looked so similar. Kaiser was surprised to hear that Magnus had been in Maple World, though he realized that it could very well have been possible with the Interdimensional Portals in Maple World and Grandis. Shinsoo added that she didn't know much about Magnus, but she recalled that he had been terribly arrogant. She added that he had only cared about power and defeating his enemies, and that he had vanished soon after the Black Mage had been sealed. Kaiser asked when the Black Mage had been sealed away, to which Shinsoo told him that it had been a few centuries ago. Kaiser explained that the Nova didn't know much about Magnus, but they could be sure that he had only taken over Heliseum a few decades ago, and so the timeline didn't seem to fit.

When Shinsoo asked how he knew Magnus, Kaiser introduced himself as a Nova from Grandis and told her that Magnus was an exiled warrior of the Nova who had returned to conquer their capital. He added that Magnus was the great disgrace of their race, as well as his eternal enemy. Kaiser then realized that the Alliance and the Nova had a common enemy in Magnus, who had served both the Black Mage and Gerand Darmoor. After Kaiser explained who Darmoor was, Shinsoo realized how dire the situation was on Grandis and offered to extend help to the Nova. Kaiser told her that he would discuss the matter with the Council and return with his response. He then returned to Pantheon and spoke with Beldar, explaining everything that had happened to him on Maple World. After learning about the Alliance's invitation, Beldar asked if the people of Ereve were trustworthy and powerful. Though he couldn't speak for their power, Kaiser told him that that the Cygnus Knights could be trusted. However, Beldar replied that trustworthiness alone wasn't enough for the Nova and asked if he had found any Transcendents.

Kaiser told him that he hadn't, but Beldar remained convinced that there was a Transcendent on Maple World who could help them. Nevertheless, he admitted that they could use any help that they could get. Kaiser then told him that he had heard about the Black Mage, who was a corrupt Transcendent that the people of Maple World were fighting, similar to Darmoor. Beldar was shocked at the unexpected news, explaining that he had hoped to ally with a Transcendent, but not one who had fallen to evil, and asked for Kaiser's assessment of the situation. Kaiser told him that they couldn't join with anyone as bad as Darmoor and believed that the Alliance would make good allies. Beldar explained that the Council had hoped to launch the attack on Tyrant's Castle as soon as possible, meaning that they needed reinforcements quickly. He hoped that with the Alliance's firepower, they would be able to attack very soon. He congratulated Kaiser for his good work and told him that he would reach out after speaking with the Council. Soon after, Beldar contacted Kaiser and told him that the Council had decided in favor of joining the Alliance, despite the dangers of going to war against two Transcendents, and asked Kaiser to deliver their reply to Ereve. Neinheart was pleased by the good news and told Kaiser that he would begin formalizing the arrangement.

Angelic Buster (Post-Remaster)

Note: Angelic Buster's Alliance storyline was remastered under the KMS story team's new continuity in the KMS Fall 2023 Update (Spring 2024 for Non-KMS Servers).

Neinheart contacted Angelic Buster after hearing about her reputation and explained that they were gathering strong warriors for the Alliance against the Black Mage, for which he invited her to Ereve. Angelic Buster was curious to know what kind of enemy the Black Mage was that required all of Maple World to unite against him. She then wondered whether the Nova would need to make a similar alliance in the future with the other races in order to fight both Magnus and Gerand Darmoor. Believing that it would be a good idea to learn more about the Alliance, Angelic Buster traveled to Ereve and met with Empress Cygnus, who thanked her for coming and introduced herself. She asked Angelic Buster whether she knew about the Black Mage and explained that he was an evil Transcendent who had tried to destroy the world long ago until he had been sealed away by several brave Heroes. However, Cygnus revealed that the Black Mage's seal had been broken, and with the Cygnus Knights unable to handle the threat themselves, she had hoped to form a worldwide Alliance against him. Upon hearing this, Angelic Buster agreed to lend her support and officially joined the Maple Alliance.

Angelic Buster (Pre-Remaster)

During her adventures in Maple World, Angelic Buster was contacted by Kaiser. After reuniting, she asked how his time in Maple World had been going, and so he explained that he had been busy training and getting stronger. He then told her that she reminded him of another girl whom he knew who looked exactly the same as her. Angelic Buster tactfully changed the subject and asked if he had found any warriors to help the Nova. Kaiser explained that he had encountered the Maple Alliance, which the Council had decided to join. In exchange for helping the Alliance defeat the Black Mage and the Black Wings, the Alliance would help the Nova reclaim Heliseum. Angelic Buster was surprised at how mature Kaiser had become after learning that he had successfully negotiated an alliance. Kaiser then asked how she had been doing in Maple World, to which she merely replied that she had been doing well. Kaiser told her that his heart felt warm, as though he was seeing a piece of home after meeting her.

He then asked if she had made any allies, to which she vaguely mentioned that she hadn't made too many. Kaiser told her that she didn't need to justify herself and added that he hoped that Tear was doing as well as she was. He explained that he kept thinking about how Tear was doing alone in Pantheon after Velderoth had left and wistfully told her that he missed the old days together. Angelic Buster accidentally let it slip that she also missed those days, to which Kaiser asked if she had a friend like Tear back home. Angelic Buster told him vaguely about Kyle and Velderoth without specifying their names, prompting Kaiser to ask more about her life back in Pantheon. The two then spent many hours talking together about their time in Pantheon and Maple World. At the end of their reminiscing, Kaiser told her that she was a light for the Nova, and that he hoped to be as inspiring as her. Angelic Buster was touched at how considerate and mature Kaiser had become, and the two then went their separate ways. Soon after, Neinheart called Angelic Buster to Ereve, where she formally joined the Alliance.

Cadena

Beldar contacted Cadena and explained that the Council had recently approved of a union between the Nova and the Maple Alliance. He then asked if she would be willing to join the Alliance, explaining that if she did, then the Alliance would be able to contact her directly with new information, rather than her constantly needing to check-in with him. Though Cadena had a feeling that joining the Alliance would be bothersome, she nevertheless accepted the offer, as she believed that it would be beneficial to be informed about important developments more promptly. After agreeing to join, Beldar sent her to Ereve in order to finalize the paperwork. There, Neinheart greeted her as the Hero of Justice, and though he expressed his surprise that Cadena didn't appear to be a Nova, he nevertheless welcomed her into the Alliance.

Illium

Neinheart contacted Illium and his friends and explained that he had heard about them from his sister, Lilin, who had mentioned how they had been helping people around Maple World, and how they had even helped her with the problem in Riena Strait. He then asked if they would be interested in meeting him in Ereve. After Illium arrived in Ereve, Neinheart told him that the Empress wanted to meet him. Cygnus then greeted Illium and explained that she wanted to recruit him into the Maple Alliance. Illium was surprised by her request, as he was from another dimension and wondered what he could do for Maple World. He also felt that it was unwise to fight for a different world, rather than for the Verdant Flora. Cygnus responded that she had heard from Kaiser that the people of Grandis were fighting against Gerand Darmoor. Illium told her that Darmoor was responsible for massacring his people, and that he was the sworn enemy of the Verdant Flora. Cygnus then asked if he knew that Magnus, the Nova traitor and a follower of Darmoor, had served as a Commander of the Black Mage.

Illium was surprised to learn that Darmoor's reach had extended even to Maple World. Cygnus told him that both Darmoor and the Black Mage were evil beings who threatened the peace of both Grandis and Maple World, and that they needed to be stopped. She added that in exchange for his support, the Alliance would fight alongside him to liberate Grandis as well. Illium told her that he needed to discuss it with his friends first, and that he would give his answer soon. Back at the hideout, Illium heard his friends' opinions. Sinaria was against the arrangement, as she believed that they didn't have time to meddle with outsiders' affairs. However, Morian believed that the Alliance seemed powerful. Sinaria countered that they could become strong themselves and called him a coward for not believing in Illium. Illium told Sinaria that she was being harsh, and that with the Alliance's resources, they could find the Sanctuary of the Ancient God faster. Upon hearing this, Sinaria immediately changed her stance and agreed to join the Alliance.

Ark

As Ark grew stronger, Athena Pierce reached out to him and invited him to join the Maple Alliance. He then traveled to Ereve in order to meet with Neinheart and Cygnus, who formally welcomed him into the Alliance.

Adele

Athena Pierce reached out to Adele and asked if she would be interested in joining the Maple Alliance. Adele traveled to Ereve and met with Neinheart and Cygnus, who officially welcomed her into the Alliance.

Khali

Athena Pierce reached out to Khali and suggested that she join the Maple Alliance, which had recently formed a partnership with the Nova. Khali traveled to Ereve and met with Neinheart, who greeted her and explained that Empress Cygnus wanted to invite her to the Alliance after hearing about her achievements. He told her that he had heard from Fenelle that though she was a High Flora, she wasn't allied with Darmoor. As she had her reasons for turning her back on the High Flora, and since she was working to protect Maple World, Neinheart explained that he had decided to trust her and invite her to the Alliance. Khali then spoke with Cygnus, who greeted her and explained that Maple World and Grandis were influencing one another, and that it might even be meaningless to distinguish between the two dimensions at this point. She then asked Khali to lend her strength to aid Maple World, to which Khali explained that though she wanted to help, she couldn't, as she had a bigger goal. Cygnus told Khali that she had heard about her situation from Fenelle and explained that the fact that she had lost her power and had left her hometown meant that her enemy must be powerful. She noted that if Khali faced them alone, then she might end up repeating what had happened. Cygnus then promised that the Alliance would aid Khali when the time came if Khali would help them in return. After considering it, Khali accepted and was officially welcomed into the Alliance.

Kain

Athena Pierce reached out to Kain and told him about the Maple Alliance, explaining that both the Shadowdealers and Fenelle had strongly recommended him as a candidate. Kain wondered whether she had run a background check on him and realized that it would be helpful to be in touch with people who had that kind of intel. At Athena's recommendation, he went to Ereve and met with Neinheart and Cygnus, who formally welcomed him into the Alliance.

Hoyoung

As Hoyoung grew stronger, Athena Pierce reached out to him and invited him to join the Maple Alliance. Hoyoung traveled to Ereve in order to meet with Neinheart and Cygnus. Hoyoung felt as though Neinheart was gauging his skills, and so he attempted to prove himself by stealing Neinheart's pocket watch and appearing behind him. Neinheart laughed, but warned that he would be less than amused if he did something like that to the Empress. With that, Cygnus formally welcomed him to the Alliance.

Lara

Athena Pierce contacted Lara and told her that Fenelle and the Shadowdealers had recommended that she join the Maple Alliance. Lara traveled to Ereve, where she was officially welcomed into the Alliance by Neinheart and Cygnus.

Zero

As Alpha and Beta explored Maple World, Neinheart contacted them after hearing about them from his sister, Lilin, who had mentioned how they had been helping people around Maple World, and how they had even helped her with the problem in Riena Strait. Neinheart invited the twins to Ereve, where he introduced them to Empress Cygnus and explained that she had created the Maple Alliance to stand against the Black Mage. He added that the Nova had also joined their alliance, with warriors from across Grandis lending support to their efforts on Maple World. He then requested for Alpha and Beta to join the Alliance and gave them time to discuss it amongst themselves. Alpha was dubious about joining the Alliance, telling Beta that the two of them could defeat the Black Mage, even without the Alliance's help. However, Beta noted that since they all had a common enemy, it would be better for them to work together. Alpha replied that he didn't want to be tied down, to which Beta noted that many people had joined the Alliance, and that their lives would be at risk if the Alliance failed to defeat the Black Mage, leaving the two of them alone in a world swarming with monsters. Reluctantly, Alpha agreed with Beta's point and met with Empress Cygnus, who thanked them for their support and welcomed them into the Alliance.

Kinesis

Three Moon summoned Kinesis back to headquarters and gave him a letter from the Empress, who invited him to join the Maple Alliance. Kinesis recognized Cygnus from Shinsoo International School, as the two had collaborated for inter-school events many times in the past. He then met with Cygnus in Ereve and joined the Alliance.

Hayato

Hayato was contacted by Takeda Shingen, who asked him whether he had ever heard of Empress Cygnus. When Hayato explained that she was the ruler of Maple World, Shingen told him that Cygnus had sent an invitation for a meeting. He then asked Hayato to go to Ereve as an envoy of the Sengoku alliance. Hayato traveled to Ereve, where Cygnus explained that the Black Mage, who had once threatened Maple World, had returned again. Believing that the Black Mage would soon turn to attack other worlds, including Hayato's homeland, Cygnus extended an invitation to join the Maple Alliance. Hayato agreed with Cygnus' assessment and asked her to reach out whenever she needed them, promising that the Sengoku Warriors would stand with her.

Kanna

Kanna was contacted by Haruaki, who explained that the Empress wanted to speak with her. Kanna traveled to Ereve, where Cygnus explained that the Black Mage, who had once threatened Maple World, had returned again. Believing that the Black Mage would soon turn to attack other worlds, including Kanna's homeland, Cygnus extended an invitation to join the Maple Alliance. Kanna explained that it was the duty of a Spirit Walker to stop the evil spirits that tormented the people and declared that she would stand with Cygnus.

Lynn

As Lynn continued training in Maple World, Penni flew to her and asked whether she had ever heard of Athena Pierce of the Bowman Instructional School, explaining that she had helped patch him up after a novice bowman had accidentally shot an arrow at him. Upon seeing Lynn's concern, Penni reassured her that it had happened a long time ago, and that he had already healed. He explained that he was planning to visit Athena in order to thank her, and that he wanted Lynn to come with him. At the Bowman Instructional School, Lynn and Penni met with Athena, who was pleased to see that Penni's wing had healed. Penni thanked her for helping him, to which Athena told him that she was merely doing her job as an instructor by taking responsibility for her pupil's mistake. Penni and Lynn then introduced themselves to Athena, with Penni finally able to tell his name to Athena after Lynn had remembered it.

Penni then noticed that Athena seemed rather preoccupied and asked her whether something was wrong. After a pause, Athena asked Lynn and Penni whether they had heard of the Alliance forming against the Black Mage. Upon seeing Lynn's confusion, Athena noted that it seemed to be the first time that Lynn was hearing about the Black Mage or the Alliance. She explained that the Alliance had quite a bit of support already, though progress was still going slowly. Seeing an opportunity to help others, Lynn offered to lend her support to the Alliance, to which a pleasantly surprised Athena told her that she would send a message to Ereve to expect Lynn's arrival.

As Lynn began setting off, Pan noted that he had never heard of Ereve before and asked Paeon whether he knew anything about it, to which Paeon remained silent in confusion. Penni then explained that Ereve was a floating island and offered to take them there aboard his back. In Ereve, Lynn arrived at the Empress' Resting Spot, which was empty except for a resting Shinsoo. Upon seeing Shinsoo, Lynn felt a strange sensation, as though Shinsoo was inexplicably familiar to her. Shinsoo immediately recognized Lynn as the Forest Child, causing Lynn to ask in surprise whether Shinsoo knew her. However, Shinsoo merely replied cryptically that for someone who has lived as long as she had, one would know everything, whether they wished to or not. She then laughed and assured Lynn that she hadn't meant to imply anything about her.

Just then, Cygnus arrived and introduced herself to Lynn. She noted that she had heard that Lynn wished to join the Alliance, though she added that she first needed to ask whether Lynn had heard anything about the Black Mage, to which Lynn replied that she hadn't. Cygnus explained that the Black Mage was an evil Transcendent who had destroyed Maple World centuries ago, and that he had been stopped by brave Heroes, who – despite their best efforts – had only been able to seal him away. With the seal finally broken, Cygnus explained that the Black Mage and his forces of darkness were returning to Maple World, for which the Cygnus Knights – knowing that they couldn't face the threat alone – had gathered together allies from across the world to their Alliance. Though she confessed that the journey wouldn't be easy, Cygnus promised that the Alliance would stand behind Lynn if she joined their ranks, to which Lynn immediately accepted, vowing that she would do whatever she could to help.