Brighton

Story and NPCMonster

Brighton
ResistanceCitizen
Title	Battle Mage Instructor
Hometown	Edelstein
Current Residence	Edelstein
Gender	Male
Race	Human
Affiliations	Resistance Maple Alliance
Enemies	Black Wings Orchid (formerly) Gelimer Black Mage Gerand Darmoor High Flora
Status	Alive
Name (Other Servers)
KoreaMS	헨리테 (Henrite; Hellite)
JapanMS	ヘンリテ (Henrite)
TaiwanMS	赫力泰 (Hèlìtài)
Voice Actors
GlobalMS	Adin Rudd

World Archive

“A streetsweeper in Edelstein who's never seen without his smile. While he often makes offhand remarks, there's a sharp edge hidden in his words that makes them hard to ignore.
Perhaps he's truly devoted to metropolitan cleanliness, because he seems to appear every time I eat a snack, watching me closely. Since I can't write unless I have something in my mouth, I've often caught Brighton standing behind me with his strange smile. Thankfully, he doesn't seem interested in the notes I'm taking in my journal, but I still find it rather unsettling.”

― Chronicler Harper

World Archive

“The Battle Mage instructor of the Resistance, a secret organization formed to liberate Edelstein. His role as streetsweeper was merely an identity he assumed as cover.
Unlike his blithe streetsweeper persona, not a hint of a smile can be detected on his face. He claims to be a boring person, but when he's around his fellow instructors, he seems to joke around quite freely.
I heard a few rumors of some sort of relationship between he and Belle, but I wasn't able to dig up anything concrete. Honestly, the less it has to do with food, the less interested I am in chasing a lead.”

― Chronicler Harper

Brighton is the Battle Mage instructor for the Resistance and the town streetsweeper of Edelstein.

Story

Childhood

As a child, Brighton grew up in Edelstein and became close friends with four others - Claudine, Belle, Elex, and a young boy with whom he played M-Forcers. Despite playing as heroes, the group realized that there was no evil in town to fight against, leading them to simply shout the slogan and pretend to fight enemies instead. One day, after the group dispersed to go home, the boy was kidnapped by Gelimer for his Xenoroid experiment, never being seen again.

Forming the Resistance

Decades later, Brighton became the town street sweeper of Edelstein, with the Black Wings soon invading in order to seize control of the city and its resources. In order to liberate their home, the headmaster of the local school - Ferdi - founded the Resistance, with Brighton and his childhood friends - as well as another man named Checky - becoming key figures in the movement. Brighton became the Battle Mage instructor, training recruits as unorthodox magicians who fought on the front lines.

The Black Witch

Over time, the Resistance grew in numbers and soon decided that it was time to take back their city. They reached out to the Cygnus Knights, proposing a joint operation to remove the Black Wings from power. However, due to the interference of a Black Wings officer named Eleanor the Black Witch, the Cygnus Knights were forced to remain in Ereve in order to handle the threat. As a result, the Resistance went into battle expecting reinforcements that never arrived. The failed attack resulted in heavy casualties, and the Resistance was forced underground once again. Believing that the Cygnus Knights had betrayed them by going back on their word, the Resistance vowed that they would take back their city alone, and this event sparked heavy animosity between the two. In order to further sow discord amongst them, the Black Wings intercepted the Cygnus Knights' attempts at communication, leading the Resistance to believe that the Cygnus Knights had completely cut themselves off from Edelstein.

A Knight from Ereve

In order to investigate the Black Wings, a Cygnus Knight was dispatched alongside 10 Boogies, where they faced heavy antagonism from the citizens of Edelstein. While helping 10 Boogies recover her belongings which the children of Edelstein had stolen, the Knight spoke with Checky, Brighton, Elex, and Belle, all of whom immediately recognized them as a Cygnus Knight and rebuffed them. After Claudine spoke with the Knight and learned that the Cygnus Knights believed that the Resistance had cut off communication, she spoke with Brighton, who investigated and reported to Claudine that the Black Wings might have cut off communications between the two organizations. He noted that the Black Wings had a presence all across Maple World, and that it would be easy for them to cut communication lines or intercept letters in areas that they physically controlled. Claudine thanked him for the information, though she added that their primary focus was still to protect Edelstein.

Soon after, Claudine led the Resistance leaders to save the Knight, who had been lured into a trap by Baroq and Francis. After reaching safety, the Knight told the Resistance what they had overheard from the Black Wings. Elex was pleased with the information, as it not only confirmed that Gelimer's experiments were related to resurrection, but that there was a schism within the Black Wings as well. However, Brighton and the others were less pleased by how the Knight had obtained that information, admonishing them for their reckless behavior, as the Black Wings would retaliate by cracking down on the citizens of Edelstein. Though Claudine agreed with the others, she also noted that the Knight had obtained valuable information. As the other Resistance leaders headed back to base, Claudine stayed behind to let the Knight know that she had merely owed them personally a favor, not the Cygnus Knights, and that they were now even. Before she left, she also told them that she had learned that the Black Wings were the ones who had been blocking communication between the Resistance and the Cygnus Knights. However, she added that she had only investigated in order to correct the facts, and that the Resistance had no intention of reconciliating with the Cygnus Knights. She then told them to report back to Ereve that the Cygnus Knights would never earn their trust.

Ancient Research

After learning that the Black Wings were after a research journal that detailed the powers of the Ancient Gods, Claudine led Brighton and the other Resistance leaders to recover the book at Helios Library. On their way back to Edelstein, however, the Cygnus Knight who had met with them previously chased after them, as they had been tasked with recovering it by Neinheart. At Ludibrium Station, the Knight asked them to hand the book over, but Claudine refused to give it up, claiming that the Cygnus Knights would only hide the book away, rather than use it against the Black Wings. However, the Knight refused to give up, explaining that it was their mission to bring the book back to Ereve. As tensions grew higher, Black Wings henchmen suddenly arrived to seize the book. The group switched focus to fighting the Black Wings henchmen. During the battle, Claudine was injured, and just as more enemies closed in, the Knight's Chief Knight and a legion of Cygnus Knights arrived to reinforce them. As the Resistance and the Cygnus Knights began squabbling over the book, Claudine unexpectedly ordered the others to retreat and gave the book to the Knight, claiming that it would be safer in Ereve than in Edelstein, which the Black Wings had made their base. She added that she now knew that the Knight was powerful and admitted that the Resistance wouldn't have been able to protect the book without their help. She told the Knight that, as the Resistance still didn't trust them, they would be keeping watch from afar.

The New Agent

A young citizen from Edelstein, after accidentally stumbling across Gelimer's laboratory in the Verne Mine, was saved alongside one of Gelimer's test subjects, Vita, by a Resistance agent named J. Following the incident, Claudine and the other leaders were informed about the citizen's actions, for which they decided to monitor them from afar. At the behest of Headmaster Ferdi, the citizen decided to help the residents of Edelstein and soon met with Brighton, who asked them to eliminate Grape Juice Bottles and bring back their Cork Stoppers. Brighton then asked what ought to be the first thing that they eliminate from Edelstein, to which the citizen replied by saying that they should remove restrictions on their freedom. After helping the townspeople, the citizen returned to Ferdi, who gave them a special invitation. Upon opening it, the citizen was transported to the Secret Plaza of the Resistance. There, they were surprised to see the familiar faces of Brighton and all the other townspeople whom they had helped. Claudine explained that while they pretended to be ordinary and meek in public, all of them fought secretly in the Resistance. After speaking with each of the different leaders and learning about their specializations, the citizen chose their path and became an official member of the Resistance.

Note: This section only takes place if the player is a Battle Mage.

As the Resistance member grew stronger, Ferdi summoned them to the Secret Plaza, where Brighton assigned them a special mission to steal a report from a Black Wings agent, which contained information gathered from the outside world. The Resistance member went to the Edelstein Airport, where they were surprised to find Schiller. After defeating him, they brought the report to Brighton, who was impressed by their skills. Brighton explained that he felt that it was important that the Resistance member face Schiller again, not only to get revenge, but also to see how much they had improved. Having proven their talent, Brighton decided to teach them more advanced skills.

Some time later, Ferdi contacted the Resistance member and explained that Brighton had a special mission for them. Back at the Secret Plaza, Brighton explained that the mission would require them to leave town and head to the Power Plant inside the Verne Mine. He explained that both the Power Plant and the Verne Mine rightfully belonged to the citizens of Edelstein, but the Black Wings had taken them both over and built an Energy Conducting Device to divert power away from the city for their own purposes. For their mission, the Resistance member was to infiltrate the Verne Mine alone and destroy the Energy Conducting Device without affecting the Power Plant. Brighton explained that the Power Plant was essential for the livelihood of the citizens, and that its destruction would wipe out all of Edelstein. He added that the Black Wings had successfully taken over the town by holding the people hostage with their own Power Plant, threatening to blow up the city if they didn't comply with the Black Wings' orders. Because of this, the Council President had no choice but to give the Black Wings full control of Edelstein. After accepting the mission, the Resistance member used a Black Wings hat to infiltrate the mine and successfully destroy the Energy Conducting Device. Pleased by their accomplishment, Brighton rewarded them by teaching them more advanced techniques.

Demon Awakening

In the Verne Mine, the Resistance agent J saved the Demon, whose strength had been drained by the Black Wings as they sapped the energy inside his protective egg for Gelimer's experiments. After the Demon awoke at the Secret Plaza, he overheard J telling the Resistance leaders about his discovery of the Energy Conducting Device, which he described as being similar to the one in the Power Plant, except that it had been connected to the egg. He explained that the Demon was extremely powerful, and that he wouldn't have brought him back to the Secret Plaza if the Demon hadn't already expended the last of his strength. Elex wondered whether the Demon was one of Gelimer's test subjects, which would make him a victim of the Black Wings, just like Vita. J went to check on the Demon in the infirmary and found him awake. He then escorted the Demon to meet with the Resistance leaders, who began questioning him about his organization, his background, and the wings on his back. The Demon explained that he was a former Commander of the Black Mage and that he had been born with his wings, as his father was a pure-blood demon.

Claudine was shocked and asked the Demon how he could be a former Commander when the Black Mage had been sealed for centuries. This, in turn, shocked the Demon, who realized that not only had the Heroes succeeded in defeating his former master, but quite a large amount of time had passed since then. Claudine asked the Demon why he had betrayed the Black Mage, but the Demon merely told her that it was a personal matter. He then asked Claudine who the Resistance and the Black Wings were, to which she explained that the Resistance was an organization formed to drive the Black Wings, a group trying to revive the Black Mage, out of Edelstein. The Demon was pleased to know that the Black Mage may yet return, as it meant that he could finally get his revenge. Just then, Headmaster Ferdi appeared and asked him to join the Resistance, as they both had a common enemy. After considering it, the Demon decided to accept their offer and thanked them for rescuing him.

Wonny the Watchman

While helping the people of Edelstein, one traveler delivered information about the Black Wings from Gabrielle to Wonny the watchman, who noted how ashamed he was that he had joined the enemy for Gabrielle's sake, even as Gabrielle continued to risk her life for the town. Suspecting that there was more to Wonny's story, the traveler spoke with Brighton, who revealed that Wonny and Gabrielle were in love with each other, and that he had joined the Black Wings to keep an eye on Gabrielle after she had been held hostage. He then told the traveler to go to the mansion walls at 10pm if they wished to see for themselves how Wonny would miss Gabrielle every night. That evening, the traveler found Wonny, who claimed that he wasn't there because he missed Gabrielle, but because he was guarding the mansion from thieves. He then told them to leave if they had no business there, as he didn't have time to deal with them.

The Xenoroid

After learning about Gelimer's secret research laboratory outside the Verne Mine, Claudine, Belle, and Brighton infiltrated the facility in order to investigate. Though Gelimer was relieved that Orchid hadn't discovered the facility, he was still irritated that the Resistance had found it. However, he decided to use the situation as an opportunity to conduct a field test for Xenon - the Resistance leaders' childhood friends who had been kidnapped decades ago and turned into a cyborg. Gelimer dropped down a cage to capture the Resistance and sent Xenon to eliminate them. However, Claudine managed to push Brighton and Belle away before the cage dropped down on her. Xenon then arrived to eliminate the Resistance, but the sight of his old friends began triggering his latent memories, causing his head to throb in pain. Just as Gelimer and his other Xenoroid, Beryl, arrived, Brighton and Belle retreated in order to formulate a rescue plan. Gelimer then ordered Xenon to guard Claudine while he and Beryl chased down the others. Perplexed by the strange memories in his head, Xenon decided to visit Claudine in her prison. There, he encountered his friend, Roo-D, a rabbit-fox hybrid Xenoroid, who asked him whether he had remembered anything from his past. In order to jog his memories, she gave him Claudine's dagger, believing that it held the key to his memories. While she kept a watch for Gelimer's return, Xenon asked Claudine about the dagger, explaining that it almost felt familiar to him.

As Claudine wondered whether Xenon could be her old childhood friend, Roo-D returned and warned them that Gelimer was coming back. She told Xenon that the only way for him to regain his memories was to escape with Claudine before Gelimer erased the last vestiges of his memories. She explained that long ago, she had made a promise to keep him safe during a time before Gelimer had taken away his memories. In order to protect him, Roo-D had hidden her true nature from Gelimer by acting like one of his loyal underlings. Choosing to betray Gelimer, Xenon broke Claudine out of her cell and began to escape. Just then, Beryl appeared and turned on Xenon after witnessing his betrayal. Though Xenon managed to defeat her, Gelimer arrived and activated his control circuit in order to freeze him in place. However, Xenon's strong will to recover his memories helped him override the circuit, allowing him to resist his programming and slowly walk away. Just as Gelimer ordered Beryl to destroy Xenon, Brighton and the other Resistance leaders arrived and helped them escape.

Back at the Resistance base, the leaders were in disagreement about what to do with Xenon and Roo-D. As Checky and Brighton believed them to be Black Wings agents sent to infiltrate the Resistance, Roo-D offered to remove Xenon's control circuit as a show of good faith, although she warned them that it would weaken him to the point of near-death. Nevertheless, Xenon told Roo-D to proceed, as he didn't want to be a danger to those around him. Roo-D removed the control circuit, which severely weakened Xenon, but left him immune to Gelimer's control. Claudine then welcomed him into the Resistance and suggested that he speak with the other Resistance leaders in order to gain their trust. Xenon met with Brighton, who asked him to gain Headmaster Ferdi's approval, explaining that he would trust Xenon if Ferdi approved of his character. After Ferdi placed his trust in Xenon, Brighton did as well.

Soon after, Xenon - forced to leave Edelstein after Beryl began tracking him - worked with the researchers of Veritas in order to install Pulse Disruptors across Maple World to prevent himself from being tracked. He then reunited with his friends and decided to give them gifts to show his appreciation. While thinking of what to get Brighton, Xenon spoke with Promathus, who gave Xenon a ticket to Gold Beach to give to Brighton, telling him to warn Brighton that overwork could cause premature wrinkles. Xenon gave the ticket to Brighton, who thanked him but explained that he wasn't the type to go to resorts. However, Xenon scared him enough with Promathus' advice on premature wrinkles to the point that he accepted it.

Birth of an Alliance

Some time later, Claudine 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's return. Brighton asked Claudine what Headmaster Ferdi thought of it, to which she explained that Ferdi had left the decision entirely to the other Resistance leaders. 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 might 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 Belle wondered whether victory was truly impossible through their own strength. Claudine admitted that the odds were against them and added that though she didn't fully trust the Cygnus Knights, she didn't want another tragedy like Vita's to befall them again. At Claudine's words, Belle recalled that Ferdi had long since been saying that the Resistance ought to join forces with the Cygnus Knights. She then 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 ought to give the Knights another chance. 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.

After receiving unanimous confirmations, the First Continental Conference took place, and the Maple Alliance was officially created.

Evolution Lab

Shortly after Gelimer completed Lotus and drained Orchid of her Wing Master powers, the Resistance discovered the Evolution Lab and found an unconscious Orchid, whom they brought back to the Secret Plaza. Claudine briefed the other Resistance leaders on what had happened between Orchid and Gelimer, adding that Orchid was now just like a normal little girl without her powers. She explained that she hadn't put Orchid in prison because of her fragile condition, though she hoped to make Orchid pay for her crimes soon enough. In order to learn more about what Gelimer was plotting, Claudine decided to send Belle to investigate the Evolution Lab. Several days later, Brighton rushed urgently to Claudine and informed her that Orchid had managed to escape. Meanwhile, Orchid traveled to the Evolution Lab, where she encountered a hologram of Lotus, which had been created as the interface for the Evolution System. Orchid quickly realized that the hologram was an AI created by Gelimer and grew angry, causing the last remnants of her Wing Master power to manifest. The AI detected Orchid as a threat and attacked her, immediately knocking her out. The Resistance then discovered Orchid and brought her back to the Secret Plaza, where Claudine treated her injuries.

Soon after, she spoke with Brighton and explained that though she had done all that she could medically, Orchid had fallen into a coma. Just then, Belle arrived from the Evolution Lab and explained her findings. She told them that the Evolution System had evolved by itself without any changes to its internal system and begrudgingly admitted that Gelimer was a genius, despite how much it pained her to say. She explained that the system was capable of making its own judgements, allowing it to evolve into a stronger model on its own. Having recognized Orchid as a strong enemy, it had enhanced its own system to accommodate. As they wondered what this would mean, Orchid suddenly called out to Lotus from her coma, surprising the group. As the Alliance continued to use the Evolution System in order to learn more about it, the system recorded the combat data of countless Alliance members and imprinted it onto Lotus in order to have him analyze and enhance his own battle algorithms, thus making him even stronger.

Poison Gas Generator

Note: This section only takes place if the player is a Battle Mage.

In Edelstein, Headmaster Ferdi summoned the Resistance member back to the Secret Plaza for an emergency meeting. There, Claudine informed them that Brighton had gone missing while completing a mission, explaining that he had gone to investigate rumors of a new weapon that Gelimer was creating for the Black Wings. Claudine asked them to rescue Brighton and gave them a return scroll to the Secret Plaza so that they could quickly escape. The Resistance member disguised themselves as a Black Wings member in order to gain access to the Verne Mine and make their way to Gelimer's laboratory, where they followed Brighton's signal to a secret prison where he was being held. Brighton explained that he had discovered that the secret weapon was a Poison Gas Generator, but when he had tried to destroy it, the poison gas had overwhelmed him, leading to his capture. At Brighton's behest, the Resistance member managed to destroy the weapon and used the return scroll in order to transport themselves and Brighton back to the Secret Plaza. Some time later, Brighton told them that he had been impressed by their strength. Believing that they were strong enough to handle it, Brighton taught them the full extent of his combat knowledge.

Black Heaven

As the Alliance operation to destroy Black Heaven began, Brighton attempted to keep the peace between the Cygnus Knights and the Resistance. When Scrounging Sparrows stole the Alliance's rations, a Resistance soldier blamed the Cygnus Knights for leaving the rations on deck. As the Ace of the Alliance began hunting down the sparrows, Brighton asked them to help diffuse an argument between the Resistance and the Cygnus Knights about the stolen rations. Soon after, Brighton was tasked with infiltrating Black Heaven through its blind spot with the Alliance member, Belle, and Checky. As the Black Wings began invading the Lumiere, the Alliance member went to the top deck, where they rendezvoused with Belle, Brighton, and Checky for their mission. Upon arriving at their vehicles, however, they found that the Black Wings had destroyed them. Checky asked them to bring him Dented Steel Plates, Junky Bolts, and High-Efficiency Fuel from the androids in order to make the necessary repairs, as well as to make a few upgrades. The four then flew through the enemy combatants and managed to arrive at the landing point on Black Heaven.

Just then, Gelimer's voice rang out to let them know that he had been expecting them. Belle, Brighton, and Checky suddenly crashed into the shields around Black Heaven, immobilizing them in place, just as several cannons shot them down. As Brighton fell, Belle attempted to catch him from her damaged airship, with Brighton lamenting that they would perish before they saw Edelstein freed. However, Pilot Irvin managed to save the trio, who used their airships to destroy Black Heaven's cannons when Claudine and the Alliance member were besieged by the enemy's firepower. Brighton and Belle then accompanied the infiltration party into Black Heaven, where the pair held off the waves of androids so that the Alliance member, Neinheart, and Athena Pierce could push ahead.

Tenebris

As the Alliance prepared to launch the airfleet, Neinheart met with Claudine and the other Resistance leaders, who asked whether the time to embark had arrived. Neinheart confirmed her suspicions and gave her an emblem, to which she noted that they were all once again setting off into battle together for the Alliance. She added that though Edelstein had been liberated, a dark curtain still covered the world, and that their freedom was not yet complete as long as the Black Mage still lived. She then told Neinheart that though they had once been enemies, they were now part of the same Alliance, which had overcome many hardships together. Brighton then noted that an expedition that transcended dimensions was quite exciting and asked Belle whether she agreed. Belle reminded him that they weren't going to a picnic and told him to be more serious, to which Brighton replied that being lax was better than quaking in their boots. Neinheart laughed and noted that they were still the same, jokingly likening them to a pair of cockroaches. Belle quickly grew furious, while Brighton laughed awkwardly, with Checky attempting to calm Belle down. Neinheart then assured her that he was joking before asking the Resistance leaders to take care during the battle.

During the final assault of the White Spear to reach the Black Mage, Brighton accompanied the greatest warriors of the Alliance to the Temple of Darkness. There, the Adversary and their allies confronted the Black Mage, who addressed the Alliance from the Throne of Darkness and declared that their path had always been preordained, and that they were only quickening their pace to its end. Claudine told the Black Mage that the Resistance finally stood before him, and that the people of Edelstein, who had once been oppressed, had found freedom at last. She declared that they would not allow that freedom, which had been born of countless sacrifices, to disappear in vain. Xenon agreed and noted that he still remembered his friends and brothers who had died, declaring that he would take the Black Mage down and put an end to that vicious cycle. Elex added that they needed to put an end to sacrifice for their generation, while Checky noted that they needed to create a future where their children could live happily. Brighton vowed that he would protect everyone, to which Belle added that they would deal a great blow to the Black Mage.

Aftermath

At the Secret Plaza, Claudine gave a speech to the entire Resistance, reminding them of everything that they had accomplished, from driving out the Black Wings to rebuilding the Edelstein Council. Declaring that true freedom had come at last, Claudine then presented the Resistance member, introducing them as one of the Resistance's greatest heroes. After the assembly clapped for the Resistance member, Claudine told everyone that it was time to return to the city in order to celebrate, though the Resistance member and their job instructor stayed behind to talk for a moment. At the town square, all the people of Edelstein cheered as fireworks lit the sky over a free Edelstein. As they all celebrated, Brighton turned to Belle and noted that the invincible M-Forcers had finally achieved victory, alluding back to when they would play M-Forcers as children. He then added that he had never thought that he would have survived long enough to celebrate their victory with her. Belle noted that when she looked back, they had all done some dangerous and often reckless things. Elsewhere, Elex and Checky wondered what Belle and Brighton were whispering about, with Checky laughing and asking whether they should whisper about something as well, causing Elex to glare at him.

Mission to Odium

Repairs on Cosim

Some time after the mission to Karote, Brighton and the other Resistance leaders met with the Adversary to discuss the repairs on Cosim. Checky asked Wendelline whether he was right in his assessment about Cosim. Wendelline confirmed that he was right, adding that Cosim needed a doctor, not a mechanic. She told the group that she had never seen anything like Cosim before, as his internal organs looked as though they had been created out of machinery and assembled together to function like human organs. However, she added that no human could possibly have survived the damage that he had sustained. Checky admitted that Resistance technology wasn't always top-of-the-line, adding that his repairs hadn't been effective. He explained that it was a miracle that Cosim was functioning at all, likening his injuries to a busted heart or crushed lungs in humans. Belle added that it also seemed that most of Cosim's injuries had been sustained in an explosion. She explained that though Cosim was supposedly a child of the Angler Company founder, she found it strange that the Company founder wouldn't take better care of his children. She noted that Cosim's damage was old, meaning that he should have had plenty of time to be repaired. Elex then suggested that it was possible that the explosion had made that impossible. Brighton agreed, adding that Cosim could have been damaged in the same explosion that had destroyed the Company headquarters.

The Adversary asked Brighton whether he thought that Cosim might have been involved in the explosion, to which Brighton noted that Cosim seemed to have a habit of getting involved in things. Suddenly, the Adversary recalled how T-Boy had said the same thing about Cosim, and how he had been sure that Cosim would help them. They then wondered what that said about Cosim and the Angler Company. Claudine told the Adversary that, according to rumors, the Company had been facing a run of bad luck. She then asked whether Neinheart had told them anything about it, to which the Adversary replied that Neinheart had mentioned that the Cygnus Knights were also looking into it. Claudine explained that when they had attempted to interrogate Cosim, he hadn't provided any clear answers, especially about the Company. However, she believed that he might talk to them and allowed them to speak with him privately.

Soon after, Oz arrived at the Secret Plaza in order to convey an important message. Brighton then interrupted the Adversary and explained that someone from the Cygnus Knights had just arrived who wanted to speak to them urgently. The Adversary stepped out and was surprised to find that Oz had arrived at the Secret Plaza. Oz greeted the Adversary and explained that the Cygnus Knights' reconnaissance team had just returned from surveying the wreckage of Karote, and that they had reported that the tower had rebuilt itself. With the Angler Company airfleet preparing for invasion and Kaling being last seen heading towards Karote, Oz requested the Resistance's aid in investigating Odium. Claudine suggested that Brighton, a fellow mage, accompany Oz and told them that they ought to hurry, as even with the dimensional boundaries between their worlds broken, the deserts of Grandis would still take a while to get to. Cosim then appeared and told them that he could help them with that, as he could teleport four people to Odium right away, including himself. The Adversary asked if he would be alright, as he was still recovering. Cosim replied that though he wouldn't be able to stay for long, he would still be functional enough for the journey.

Angler Company Invasion

Cosim then teleported them to the top of Karote, where Oz marveled at being able to see such a large artifact. Brighton agreed, adding that any magician would be excited to see something like Karote. He noted that Guardian Kalos had to have been quite formidable to knock the tower down over and over again. The Adversary then noticed a series of steps that led to the entrance of Odium. Cosim told the Adversary that he wouldn't be able to go any further, to which the Adversary asked if he was worried about running into his family. Cosim confirmed their suspicions, though he told them not to worry, as he had called someone stronger to help them, adding that they would find him inside the door. Before he left, Cosim also warned the group about the mechanical dolls that the researchers had created to filter out intruders. When Oz asked him what he meant by ‘filter out', Cosim explained that the researchers hadn't simply abandoned the laboratory, but rather, they had converted all of Odium into a machine that could continue running without them, with the dolls being placed to eternally watch over the laboratory. Oz realized that if the researchers' guards were still in Odium, then their research might still be there too, as she couldn't think of any other reason why they would still maintain the laboratory. She then asked Cosim whether by ‘dolls', he meant to say golems, to which Brighton added that he had been thinking of androids, as well as the implications of their operation.

He noted that it took a considerable amount of energy to power just one mechanical doll, let alone an army of them, and wondered what could possibly be powering them all. He then added that it reminded him of what Gelimer had wanted from the Verne Mine. Oz also wondered why the researchers had even left in the first place, as it would have been far simpler for them to have stayed if they had wanted to keep Odium operational, rather than building and powering so many dolls. She noted that the researchers must have had a good enough reason to leave. Cosim then explained that, in a sense, the dolls were merely components of the larger machine, and that Odium's backbone was somewhere deep inside the laboratory, with only the researchers knowing where or what it was. The Adversary realized that Cosim was talking about Odium's power source. They then recalled how he had mentioned that the Company founder had lost his power source, and that his children were searching for a replacement. Brighton realized that the Angler Company was likely attempting to steal the power source for the Company founder. Oz noted that the Company founder also wanted the power of the Adversary, as Odium was where Adversaries had been made, meaning that the founder's goals could be related to that, too. Brighton complimented Oz for her sharp thinking and told her that he was glad that the Cygnus Knights had sent her out, adding that he believed that she would help them out a lot. Cosim then told the Adversary that he had shared everything that he knew and wished them luck, adding that he hoped to see them next time.

After Cosim teleported away, the Glory Guard arrived in Odium, which was filled with several robotic Guardians that the Adversary recognized from Karote. As they moved closer, they realized that the Guardians had been reprogrammed to obey the Angler Company. Just then, the Guardians detected a life force and moved in on a man with cybernetic Anima features in the form of rabbit ears and a tiger tail. The Guardians analyzed the man and detected no anglerfish insignia on him, which caused them to identify him as an enemy. As the Guardians began to attack, the man cried out for help, and the Adversary decided to save him. However, Oz reminded them that according to Cosim, there were no humans left in Odium, meaning that the man was just a mechanical doll. However, the Adversary replied that, regardless, the man had called out for help. Brighton noted that they were about to face a battle no matter what, and that they might as well help if they could. The Glory Guard moved in and destroyed the Guardians, after which the man thanked them for saving him. The man introduced himself as Alter, one of the Constables who looked after Odium. He then explained that the researchers had left Kalos and the other Guardians on watch, while the Constables maintained order, as they had hoped that it would be enough to keep their technology out of the wrong hands. However, after Kalos had fallen, strange airships had appeared in the sky, with the intruders somehow knowing exactly what they were looking for. He explained that the intruders had spread out and had taken the residential district with precision tactics and coordination, reprogramming the Guardians to turn on the Constables. Brighton asked if the technology in the laboratory was still intact, to which Alter replied that the intruders had only taken the residential district, with the laboratory still remaining secure. He explained that several Constables had barricaded themselves inside, where they were devising a strategy to retake the residential district. However, he added that the intruders had captured multiple Constables, who were being interrogated as they spoke.

Meeting Tai Yu

Alter then led the Glory Guard into Odium, where they found the path blocked by Angler Company robots. The Adversary then suggested that Brighton and Oz attack from both sides, while they and Alter distract the enemy. After clearing up the robots, Brighton and Oz rushed ahead to find the Adversary and Alter facing off against Laha Angler. Alter then told the Glory Guard to go on ahead while he held off Laha, allowing them to reach the top of the stairs and encounter three Constables named Na-Sol, Haram, and Aro. Though the Constables refused to believe the Glory Guard's story, Master Tai Yu suddenly appeared and told Na-Sol that though he understood how he felt, he cautioned him against jumping to conclusions. He then added that he could personally vouch for the Adversary. Noting that it was their first time meeting, Tai Yu warmly greeted them. Tai Yu explained that he was nobody special, and that he had just happened to be passing by when someone had asked him to lend them a hand. An unconvinced Brighton sardonically asked whether he just happened to be in the area, though the Adversary pointed out that Cosim had mentioned that he would send someone else to help them. Tai Yu explained that he sometimes bumped into Cosim during their work for the elders. He added that though the ‘old geezers' wouldn't like him helping the Adversary, there was nothing that he could do about it, as he could afford to deal with the consequences later if the Adversary was the one in trouble.

Na-Sol then asked whether it was true that there were still active Constables in the residential district, to which Aro mentioned that they ought to tell Winnie, as he would be happy to hear it. However, Na-Sol nevertheless believed that the residential district was a lost cause, adding that false hope wouldn't do them any good. Oz then explained that the Angler Company was trying to open the door to the laboratory by interrogating the Constables in the residential district. Brighton added that since their interrogation had failed, the Company had brought in someone from outside. Oz and the Adversary then concluded that Kaling was the one whom the Company had called in. Na-Sol was surprised, adding that he had never thought that he would hear that name again. Haram was equally shocked and noted that it couldn't be her, as the elders had sealed her before they had left. Aro then realized that her seal must have degraded over time. When the Adversary asked if they knew Kaling, Aro explained that Kaling was one of their creators, and that she had been the sweetest person in the laboratory when they had known her. Realizing that the Adversary didn't know about Kaling's history in Odium, Aro explained that the other researchers had left journal entries about her, and that they might find something useful if they could wade through the mess in the laboratory. She clarified that by ‘mess', she was referring to the guards that the researchers had left behind. Brighton noted that it was obvious, as the researchers wouldn't have left guards if there wasn't anything to protect. Aro explained that the guards also functioned as cleaners, which meant that they might have paper records mixed among them. She then gave the Adversary an intercom to stay in touch before they headed inside. Before the Adversary left, Aro told them that the records from April, June, and November were the most pertinent ones.

After reading the records, the Adversary returned to Tai Yu, who noted that judging by the look on their face, they had finished reading about Kaling. Aro then interrupted and asked the Adversary about what had happened in the residential district, explaining that the last Constable who had escaped wanted to speak with them. Aro introduced them to Winnie, a Constable who looked like a little boy. Na-Sol explained that Winnie was the one who had deactivated the stairs between the town and the laboratory, and that he had been by himself until the Adversary had come along. Na-Sol began telling the Adversary that Winnie still hadn't told them what he had seen in the residential district when Haram interrupted. Haram told them that before they continued, he wanted to tell them that the Constables were ready to help, and that they were even planning to power the stairs back up fairly soon. Na-Sol added that though they were merely dolls built to serve a purpose, they had all been together for a long time, and so they needed to look out for each other. Winnie then spoke up and asked the Adversary if they were the one who had mentioned that there were still Constables in the residential district. When the Adversary confirmed that there were, Winnie accused them of lying, claiming that it was impossible. He explained that when he had shut down the stairs, he had seen all power to the residential district being cut, resulting in not just the lights shutting down, but the Constables themselves. He then noted that despite having been in Odium for so many years, none of them had any idea that the entire residential district's power switched off if it wasn't connected to the laboratory.

Winnie explained that because of the power being cut, it wasn't possible that the Adversary could have met any Constables there, adding that any Constables that were still intact would have been in sleep mode. Oz insisted that they had, in fact, met several Constables, including one named Alter, whom she explained had helped them reach the laboratory. A surprised Aro replied that all the Constables knew each other, and that there was no one named Alter in Odium. Confused, Brighton wondered how that fit with all that they had seen in the residential district. Oz pointed out that the Angler Company had tried hacking Kalos, and that though the Company hadn't been successful, they had managed to take him over for a short time. She noted that the Constables were physically weaker than Kalos, meaning that their cybersecurity might be weaker too, such that the Company could have taken them over completely. At her words, Brighton realized that everything and everyone they had seen in the residential district had been controlled by the Angler Company. The Adversary immediately realized that they had been tricked, but just as they began warning the Constables not to power the stairs, the stairs were suddenly powered on as Kaling appeared, floating down from the sky on her umbrella onto one of the roofs. Kaling thanked the Adversary for helping her return to Odium, and to express her gratitude, she offered to show them around, noting that the elders had left some rejects in the laboratory. She then summoned a horde of failed test subjects from inside the laboratory and told the Adversary that they could play with the monsters instead. As she turned to leave, she laughed that she was off to reclaim the power that had been stolen from her.

After the Adversary defeated the monsters, Na-Sol asked if they were alright before explaining that someone had activated the stairs from the residential district as soon as the Constables had finished restoring power to them. He added that he had no idea how Kaling had done it, as the only stair controls were up where they were currently at. He noted that the stairs had been made to protect the laboratory, and that putting controls down below wouldn't make any sense. Tai Yu explained that though Kaling was a Vessel, she was also contaminated, meaning that the elders' security systems would have picked that up immediately. However, he realized that the elders' security measures only applied to doors, which would remain closed to her, but as stairs couldn't be closed, they would have connected after recognizing her as a Vessel. Oz wondered why Kaling had waited for so long to connect the stairs, to which Brighton pointed out that it took an immense amount of energy to make anything move at such a scale. He noted that when the stairs had been down, the lights had gone out and the Constables had stopped moving, causing him to realize that the stairs were also a power conduit. The Adversary pointed out that the Angler Company was likely looking for the source of that power, though they wondered what it was that Kaling wanted. Oz recalled how Kaling had mentioned that she wanted to get back the power that had been stolen from her. Tai Yu then asked what their next move was, to which the Adversary decided that they would go after Kaling. Tai Yu agreed to come with the Glory Guard, adding that he might be able to lend a hand.

Heart of the Laboratory

The Glory Guard and Tai Yu then fought through the Company robots and test subject rejects before arriving at the heart of Odium, where they were surprised to find Kaling and Laha fighting. The Adversary realized that the laboratory would collapse from the damage if Kaling and Laha weren't stopped. Just then, Oz noticed Hundun inside the large container, causing them all to realize that he was Odium's power source. A surprised Tai Yu explained that the monster was Hundun, the last of the Four Perils, to which Oz noted that he had mentioned that the researchers had taken care of him. Brighton also noted that Tai Yu had been surprised to see Hundun, meaning that he hadn't known about him. Tai Yu explained that though the elders had their weak points, they also had their own sense of duty and morality. As they knew that their experiments had done harm to people, they had wanted to make things right and atone for their sins after the Ancient Gods had fallen dormant. However, he noted that the elders had perhaps decided that they hadn't been at fault for the Four Perils. However, the aghast Adversary pointed out that even if the elders hadn't been responsible for Hundun, they had still used a sentient being to power their laboratory. Just then, Hundun spoke from his prison and echoed the Adversary's words about him being sentient, asking if that was really the first descriptor that came to mind. As Laha and Kaling continued battling, Hundun projected a hologram of himself and created a bubble around the Glory Guard so that they could speak privately. He laughed and told the Adversary not to mind Kaling and Laha, whom he called fools, explaining that it was them whom he wanted to speak with, as he had been waiting quite some time for them to arrive. Hundun explained that with the stairs down, his power hadn't been able to reach the residential district, but once they had set foot inside the laboratory, they had been in his domain. He recognized the Adversary as not only a Vessel, but one that had been completed once before. He explained that even in his current state, he had been able to see many of the things that had been happening in the world below. Hundun then asked the Adversary how they were still intact, pointing out that completed Vessels traditionally had a much different destiny.

The surprised Adversary asked what destiny he was referring to, to which Hundun began scanning them in order to find the answer himself. Upon finishing, Hundun was shocked to find that they were an Adversary who had gotten off the path while maintaining their ego, causing him to wonder whether that was even possible. Oz noted that Hundun seemed to know quite a lot, to which Brighton asked Tai Yu whether he had anything to say about it. Tai Yu explained that as Hundun had been conscious and powering Odium since the end of the Ancient Gods' time, he had likely assimilated all the knowledge left in Odium, adding that he might even know secrets that only the elders knew. Hundun noted that such knowledge was poor compensation for his lifetime of so-called service to them, adding that though he had cursed his lot for many years, if meeting the Adversary had been part of that lot, then it might have been worth it. He then told the Adversary to come closer before telling them that he would give them what Kaling and Laha had come for. He then presented a circular blue gem, which he explained was the last Godsphere in Odium. He noted that it was also what the Adversary had been after - the power to go against the gods - adding that there was no other reason for a Vessel to come to the laboratory. He explained that though its power had degraded over time, it still had the same spark, and that the elders had treasured it greatly. He then revealed that the Godsphere was what had kept his power cycling through Odium and that it was what was keeping him alive, which meant that he would die after the Adversary accepted it. As Hundun passed away, the power being supplied to Odium was cut off, causing Kaling to stop her fight with Laha, who angrily asked when the Glory Guard had arrived. Upon noticing the Adversary, she was even more furious to find that they were in possession of the Godsphere. Meanwhile, Tai Yu told the Adversary that there were people who could help restore the Godsphere in the realm of the sages. He then opened up a scroll, which created a large golden hanging scroll of a mountainside before them. Upon seeing the Adversary's amazement, Tai Yu explained that the realm of the sages, Shangri-La, wasn't normally accessible to most, as there was a spell in place that kept it from outsiders. Soon after, the Adversary awoke to the sight of Oz, Brighton, and a smiling Tai Yu. The Adversary asked if they were really inside a painting, which Tai Yu confirmed before welcoming them to Shangri-La, where the elders had imprisoned themselves.

Invasion of Shangri-La

In Shangri-La, Tai Yu amusedly noted that the Adversary still seemed to be in shock after being dragged into the realm of the sages so suddenly. However, he reminded them that they didn't have time for the Adversary to recover, as they still had quite a way to go. Oz looked around and marveled at how it seemed like they were inside a painting, with the flowers, the trees, and even the clouds looking as though they had been painted with a brush. Brighton agreed that it was beautiful, though he noted that it didn't seem natural, as everything – even down to the last flower petal – had been created by being infused with mana. He then noted that Tai Yu had mentioned earlier that the realm of the sages had been created to contain the elders. He asked who the elders were and whether they were the researchers from Odium. Oz told him that she didn't believe that the elders were researchers, as both Cosim and Hundun seemed to have been talking about them as though they were a form of higher beings. Tai Yu confirmed that Oz was right and explained that the elders weren't simply researchers, but the researchers' teachers. He then added that it was perhaps time for the world below to know the story behind Shangri-La, the elders, and the Four Symbols. After explaining the origin of Shangri-La, Tai Yu told the Glory Guard that it was now time to meet the elders in person. Brighton then noticed a large scroll and asked Tai Yu what it was, noting that the power radiating from it felt incredible. Tai Yu explained that the Four Symbols served as the barriers of Shangri-La, with the scroll being the barrier of the Symbol of Spring, the Azure Dragon. Brighton noted that the other barriers must be scrolls as well, to which Tai Yu explained that the elders were behind Winter, the innermost barrier.

He told them that he would be able to take them straight to the pavilion and asked them to come closer. Using his power, Tai Yu transported the Glory Guard straight through the barriers of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, which took them to the pavilion, a convergence of the four seasons, where the elders resided. At the pavilion, the Glory Guard met with the elders and the Four Symbols, where the elders were shocked to learn that the Adversary hadn't met their destiny of death after killing the Black Mage. The elders revealed that the will of the world had ordained that every Adversary would die after fulfilling their purpose to prevent such powerful, uncontrollable beings from creating a new age of chaos. As Darmoor had shattered the Adversary's Seal Stone, Shensung the monkey elder noted that Darmoor had saved their life in doing so. A shocked Oz realized that if Shensung's words were true, then it meant that Darmoor had deliberately chosen to destroy the Adversary's Seal Stone in order to allow them to escape their destiny. Brighton noted that it seemed quite strange, as he wondered why Darmoor hadn't chosen to kill the Adversary after destroying the Seal Stone. The elders then ordered Gaon to seal the Adversary and the World Heart in Winter, while Baekyeon was tasked with sealing Tai Yu in Autumn, and Ara was asked to expel Oz and Brighton from the realm of the sages. As Ara led them to Spring, however, Kaling and her three Perils invaded Shangri-La with the help of several traitorous elders. While Ara faced off against the invasion force, Brighton and Oz moved ahead to Summer, where they fought against the assailants alongside Shuli. However, Shuli was overwhelmed and severely wounded by the assailants, who were barely defeated by Brighton and Oz. Just then, Gaon and the Adversary arrived in Summer, where they reunited with Oz and Brighton. Brighton told Gaon that they owed him an apology, explaining that despite having promised Ara, they had failed to protect Shuli. As Gaon checked on Shuli's condition, he asked whether the attack was over. Just then, however, the Adversary sensed more enemies nearby.

Just as they began checking the scroll of Summer, darkness engulfed the realm as Taowu appeared before them. Gaon immediately recognized Taowu as one of the Perils that had gone missing. He then realized that if Taowu had managed to get past Spring and reach Summer, it meant that Ara must have fallen. Oz asked the Adversary if they would be fine, to which the Adversary reassured her that they would be, as they weren't fighting alone. Brighton agreed, noting that alongside the Glory Guard was one of the Four Symbols. After a fierce battle, the Adversary and their allies managed to defeat Taowu before proceeding to Autumn, where Shensung disappeared after kidnapping Baekyeon. After Shensung left, Brighton felt the ground tremble and noted that something was coming. Suddenly, a revived Hundun appeared, whom the Adversary immediately recognized. A shocked Oz wondered how Hundun could be alive, as he was no longer fused with the Godsphere. Brighton replied that Hundun wasn't really alive, pointing out that the Hundun standing before them wasn't the same one that they had met in Odium. After defeating Hundun, the Glory Guard faced off against Kaling and managed to defeat her, after which they returned to the pavilion. With Shangri-La's barriers fallen, Tai Yu proposed an alternate arrangement and offered to stay in Shangri-La himself, explaining that with the strength that he had gained from his travels, combined with the strength of the remaining elders, they would be able to create new barriers for Shangri-La. Brighton asked Tai Yu whether he was up to it, as Shangri-La had, from its creation, been guarded by four protectors, not one. Tai Yu laughed and explained that while his strength couldn't match that of the Black Tortoise, he could more than make up for it with a few tricks, adding that it would be quite simple with the elders' cooperation.

Invasion of Maple World

After resolving the crisis in Shangri-La, Tai Yu bade farewell to the Glory Guard. Oz and Brighton then thanked Tai Yu for all his help, after which Tai Yu used his powers to send them back to Maple World. The Glory Guard was teleported to the Six Path Crossway, with Brighton noting how impressed he was that Tai Yu had managed to send them back to Maple World all in one go. Just then, however, they noticed a fight happening in the distance. The Glory Guard was shocked to find Flora mercenaries attacking a squad of Cygnus Knights. After they defeated the mercenaries, the Cygnus Knights thanked them for their help before explaining that the High Flora army had invaded Maple World. At the shocked reaction of the Glory Guard, the Knights explained that though they didn't know much about the specifics, several areas of Maple World were currently under attack, and that the Cygnus Knights had been mobilized in order to fight off the invaders. Brighton asked whether Edelstein was also under attack, which the Knights confirmed. He then turned to Oz and apologized, explaining that he needed to head back home immediately, entrusting her and the Adversary with delivering their mission report to Ereve. In Edelstein, Brighton fought the Flora army alongside the Resistance and informed Claudine about the Flora attack on Ereve, prompting Claudine to reinforce the Cygnus Knights with the Resistance army.

Investigating the Dark Sea

Freeing Grendel

Following the attack on Maple World, Brighton and the Adversary were summoned to Ereve, where Neinheart and Edea thanked them for their arrival. Edea told them that she had been worried after hearing about the battle, regretting that she had been unable to help during the attack. Neinheart told her that she didn't need to be sorry, as the attack had come as a surprise to them all, and that she had also been busy with other matters. Brighton asked whether that was the reason she had summoned them, to which Edea began explaining that after the mission to Cernium, she had begun researching the power of the Ancient Gods, which she believed to be crucial in the fight against Gerand Darmoor. She revealed that her investigation had led her to the Dark Sea in Grandis, where she had found an ancient structure built in the middle of the water. Brighton asked whether Edea wanted them to investigate the structure, which Edea confirmed, adding that since it was related to the Ancient Gods, she wanted to request the Alliance's support on the mission. However, she also added that she had also wanted to request the Alliance's support because there was one more person crucial to the mission's success. She explained that the barrier's magic was quite complex and beyond her understanding, which was why she wanted to request the help of Grendel the Really Old, who was an expert on ancient magic. Though a surprised Brighton pointed out that Grendel was in Alliance custody, Edea replied that they desperately needed his help. Neinheart reminded her that Grendel had unilaterally made the decision to use the Black Mage's core and that he had destroyed the dimensional barrier while under its influence.

Having deemed him a danger, the Alliance had taken Grendel into custody because of his actions, though Neinheart added that Grendel himself had agreed with their decision, and that he hadn't shown any unusual signs since his arrest. He admitted that he himself couldn't make any certain judgments about Grendel, for while he had been responsible for the Convergence incident, he was also one of the heroes who had led the Alliance in the fight against the Black Mage. Because of this, he believed that it would be better for them to put Grendel's actions to the side for a moment and focus instead on their investigation. Though Brighton agreed that he, too, wanted to trust Grendel, he also pointed out that just because Grendel hadn't exhibited any strange signs, it didn't mean that there wasn't anything still wrong. Neinheart then clarified that he didn't intend to let Grendel loose without any oversight, as he planned to have him under heavy restraints with a magician keeping a close watch on him, for which he asked Brighton to take on that task. Though Brighton remained unconvinced, Neinheart promised him that the Alliance's strongest member would also be there to keep an eye on Grendel. He then turned to the Adversary and asked them whether they would be willing to monitor Grendel and help Edea with the Dark Sea investigation. After the Adversary agreed, Brighton decided to prepare the magical restraints, sighing that he hadn't had time to rest at all since returning from Shangri-La.

Soon after, the Adversary and Brighton went to Ereve's prison, where they found Grendel trapped behind a cell reinforced with powerful magic. There, Brighton told them that Oz had put in a lot of effort to augment the prison, making it so that outside information couldn't reach his cell, such that Grendel wouldn't even know if an enemy was standing on the other side. He added that, though it seemed like overkill, Ereve had failed to hold a prisoner in the past, recalling Will and his escape. He then turned to Grendel and explained that, just as he had heard, he would be accompanying them to the Dark Sea in restraints. Grendel readily agreed, noting that he understood the Alliance's position on the matter. After a pause, Brighton noted that while it may seem like a pointless question now, he was curious to know why exactly Grendel had broken the dimensional seal. Grendel began explaining that it was a mage's instinct to cross boundaries. Though he had sworn never to cross such boundaries again after his youth, he admitted that even after so many years, he had found himself to be yet another mage thirsty for knowledge. Nevertheless, he admitted that he was satisfied after having uncovered yet another new truth before assuring them that he would take responsibility for what he had done by cooperating with the Alliance. Brighton then released Grendel from prison before binding him with the magical restraints, explaining that the restraints were invisible and wouldn't hinder Grendel's movements too much, though he added that the bindings could be made tighter, and that he hoped that he wouldn't be forced to do so. Brighton and the Adversary then escorted Grendel to the airship, where Edea told them that the Dark Sea wasn't too far from Ereve, as even a small airship could take them there quickly. Though Brighton worried about the Dark Sea's reputation for causing airships to go missing, Edea assured him that she would use her magic to conceal the ship, adding that it was the reason why she had wanted to keep the investigation team so small. Neinheart then hoped that the investigation would yield results, adding that it may also prove to be a good opportunity for the Adversary to truly witness the power of the World Heart.

Malefic Star

Soon after, as the airship flew over Grandis, Edea informed the Glory Guard that they were just about to approach the heart of the Dark Sea. Brighton noted that he could definitely feel an unsettling vibe around the region. The airship then landed at the entrance to the structure, which was a simple staircase that led deep beneath the water. Upon examining the magical barrier around the structure, Grendel noted that the magic that had created was quite unusual and that it was something that he had never seen before in Maple World. Edea agreed and explained that it wasn't common in Grandis either, as neither the Nova nor the Flora utilized such magic. Brighton admitted that he wasn't well-versed in ancient magic, to which the Adversary asked how it differed from contemporary magic. Edea explained that while the two had many similarities, what particularly intrigued her was the direction from which the barrier was working, as it seemed to be made to keep things from going out, rather than preventing things from going in. She then noted that, though it seemed rather simple, the ability to reverse the natural laws of magic wasn't something that just anyone could do. Upon hearing this, Brighton realized that casting magic on such a scale had to be the work of an Ancient God. However, Edea told him that it was too early to say, as they would need to first investigate to gather more information. Nevertheless, she warned that as the barrier was designed to keep things from leaving, they may find it difficult to get out easily.

As they descended beneath the sea, Edea marveled at such a magical space existing below the waters. Brighton wondered whether it was a form of space magic, as the structure was repelling the water pressure from being so deep under the sea. Grendel then warned them that there was an ominous presence following them from the moment they had entered the structure, with the Adversary sensing an eerie aura watching their every move. Suddenly, an imp-like Spirit of Delusion engulfed in golden energy appeared and danced around before scurrying off, with Brighton noting that it seemed to want them to follow it. The Glory Guard then followed the imp's trail and arrived at an enormous temple. As Brighton stepped forward, wondering whether the person with the ominous aura was inside, Grendel warned him to step back as a powerful magic surged forth around the temple. Brighton realized that the magic was yet another barrier as Malefic Star appeared before them, claiming that she had been waiting for brave warriors like them to save her. She explained that she was a sea spirit who had been trapped beneath the deep sea long ago by an evil god, and that she had been waiting for great warriors like them to rescue her.

When Brighton asked what they needed to do in order to save her, Malefic Star explained that what they were seeing was merely a projection and that they needed to break the barrier around the temple to reach her physical body. She revealed that the barrier could be broken by entering the temple and that only those with good hearts could enter. Edea then asked the girl why the evil god had sealed her away, to which Malefic Star revealed that she didn't know, as she had lost her memories when she had been sealed away. She explained that the only thing she remembered was that she needed to bestow her spirit blessings upon her saviors. Upon hearing this, Grendel noted that she was quite different from the spirits that he was familiar with. Malefic Star laughed and asked him whether he was doubting her words before asking them once again to break the barrier around the temple and save her, promising to give them her blessings in exchange. Brighton then turned to the others and told them that though they had come to investigate the power of the gods, he now felt more like a knight rescuing a princess and wondered what they ought to do. Edea told Malefic Star that before they gave their answers, she wanted to first know about what had happened to the ships that had gone missing. Malefic Star remained silent for a moment before claiming that she had no idea about it, to which Edea immediately charged up her lightning magic and declared that she didn't need to hear anything more, as she was certain that Malefic Star wasn't planning to let them go. She noted that since the barrier could only be removed from the outside, there shouldn't be any need for them to enter the temple to do so, which meant that she was leading them into an obvious trap.

Breaking the Illusion

As Malefic Star began preparing to retaliate, the Adversary suddenly felt the World Heart react in response to her divine power. Immediately, Malefic Star stood down and began laughing, telling them not to be so serious. She invited them to investigate as much as they wanted to be certain of their findings first, adding that she would be waiting for them in the temple in the meantime before her projection vanished. Brighton then wondered what had just happened, to which Edea noted that it was clear that Malefic Star had tremendous power and malevolence, meaning that they couldn't simply leave her alone. Grendel agreed and suggested investigating the nearby area in order to determine her true identity. As the Adversary began wondering whether the light of the World Heart had emanated in response to the girl's presence, Edea told them to focus as they set out to investigate. She noted that the temple wasn't the only structure, as there appeared to be various ruins in the lower area. As there was a lot of area to cover, she suggested splitting into two teams. Recalling that Brighton wasn't familiar with ancient magic, she suggested that he accompany her, while the Adversary kept an eye on Grendel.

Edea and Brighton then began investigating the ruins near the temple. As Edea observed that the architecture of the ruins matched that of the temple, Brighton wondered how powerful someone who had created such an immense structure had to be. Edea agreed and noted that if Malefic Star truly was an Ancient God, she had to be one of the strongest amongst her kind. She then pointed out that what was particularly strange was that the ruins and the temple had been built at the same time, and yet the temple was in far better condition than the structures around it. She then added that it was clear that the entire structure had been created with magic, though it would take some time to determine exactly what kind of magic had been used. As she continued moving ahead to examine the ruins, she told Brighton that they would need to check in with the Adversary and Grendel to see where they had gone. When Brighton didn't respond, however, Edea turned to find that he had vanished altogether. Suddenly, an imp-like Spirit of Chaos engulfed in purple energy appeared and cast a powerful spell, engulfing Edea in illusion magic.

After the Adversary broke the illusion, Edea awoke to find Brighton gravely wounded and surrounded by Spirits of Chaos. Edea warned Brighton that Malefic Star was an Ancient God who was clearly trying to harm them, just as Malefic Star's projection appeared, noting that the two of them had managed to escape her illusion after the Adversary had shattered it. She then launched an attack on the pair, which Edea barely managed to block, before she noted that the two of them were quite different from the ones she had consumed before, adding that they seemed quite tasty. Edea then demanded to know what Malefic Star's purpose was, noting that she was clearly some sort of higher being. Malefic Star then laughed before explaining that she simply sought to devour their life force, after which she had used her magic to drain their energy. In order to save them, the Adversary fought and defeated Malefic Star, absorbing her power into the World Heart and releasing Brighton and Edea's life force. After the Adversary explained everything that had happened, the others were impressed by their ability to defeat an Ancient God in combat, noting that they had truly lived up to their name as the great Adversary. After returning to Ereve and briefing Neinheart on the mission, Edea and Brighton decided to lie down until the upcoming Alliance meeting, having gotten no rest in quite some time.

Emergency Alliance Conference

Alongside Claudine and Belle, Brighton attended the emergency Alliance meeting following the Arteria invasion, where Neinheart proposed his plan for the Alliance's counterattack against the High Flora. Following a distress call from the Ancient God Keira, Brighton and the rest of the Alliance leaders moved to send the Glory Guard to Carcion.

NPC

Edelstein

Brighton
Function	Streetsweeper
Quests involved	[Resistance] Request from a Streetsweeper [Edelstein] Recycling is Important [Cygnus Knights] A REAL Friend of the People [Verne Mine] The Truth
Location	Edelstein

Secret Plaza

Brighton
Function	Battle Mage Instructor
Quests involved	[Resistance] Path of the Battle Mage [Resistance] The First Mission [Battle Mage] [Resistance] After School Special Training [Battle Mage] [Resistance] Revenge and Growth [Battle Mage] [Resistance] Special Training Field Trip [Battle Mage] [Resistance] Destroying the Energy Conducting Device [Xenon] A Gift Most Relaxing 2 [Resistance] You Surpass Me [Battle Mage]
Location	Secret Plaza

Verne Mine (Battle Mage 4th Job Advancement)

Brighton
Quests involved	[Resistance] Find the missing Job Instructor [Battle Mage] [Resistance] Black Wings' New Weapon [Battle Mage]
Location	Booby Trap! Laboratory Jail

Hospital Room

Brighton
Location	Hospital Room

Conference Room of the Alliance

Brighton
Location	Conference Room of the Alliance

Xenon's Past

Brighton
Location	None

Karote

Summit

Brighton
Location	Summit

Odium

Road to the Castle's Gate 5

Brighton
Location	Road to the Castle's Gate 5

Road to the Castle's Gate 3

Brighton
Location	Road to the Castle's Gate 3

Road to the Castle's Gate 1

Brighton
Location	Road to the Castle's Gate 1

General Area by the Castle's Gate

Brighton
Location	General Area by the Castle's Gate

Residential District

Brighton
Location	Residential District

Captured Alley 1

Brighton
Location	Captured Alley 1

Awakened Laboratory

Brighton
Location	Awakened Laboratory

The Wellspring

Brighton
Location	The Wellspring

Shangri-La

Plum Blossom-Scented Spring

Brighton
Location	Plum Blossom-Scented Spring

Orchid Leaf-Green Summer

Brighton
Location	Orchid Leaf-Green Summer

Chrysanthemum-Blooming Autumn

Brighton
Location	Chrysanthemum-Blooming Autumn

Sinners' Paradise

Brighton
Location	Sinners' Paradise

Four Seasons Pavilion

Brighton
Location	Four Seasons Pavilion

Arteria

Ereve Magical Prison

Brighton
Location	Ereve Magical Prison

Supply Depot

Brighton
Location	Supply Depot

Dark Sea

Door to the Depths

Brighton
Location	Door to the Depths

Temple of the Radiant Star

Brighton
Location	Temple of the Radiant Star

Azure Ruins

Brighton
Location	Azure Ruins

Mirror World Edelstein

Brighton
Function	Streetsweeper
Location	[Mirror World] Edelstein

Trivia

• In KMS and JMS, Brighton is named Henrite. However, this name is a female Czechoslovakian name, and it was changed in GMS into Brighton.
• In a now-removed quest, Brighton is revealed to have been under the tutelage of Grendel the Really Old where he learnt his dark magic.

Gallery

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  NPC Sprite of Brighton (Water Wars Event)
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  NPC Portrait of Brighton (2022 - present)
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  NPC Portrait of Brighton (2022 - present)
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  NPC Portrait of Brighton (2022 - present)
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  NPC Portrait of Brighton (2022 - present)
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  NPC Portrait of Brighton (2022 - present)
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  NPC Portrait of Brighton (2022 - present)
• 
  NPC Portrait of Brighton (Citizen attire, 2022 - present)
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  NPC Portrait of Brighton (Citizen attire, 2022 - present)
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  NPC Portrait of Brighton (2014 - 2021)
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  NPC Portrait of Brighton (2014 - 2021)
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  World Archive Illustration of a young Brighton, Belle, Claudine, and Elex, as well as Checky
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  World Archive Illustration of Checky, Brighton, Elex, Claudine, and Belle