Masteria Through Time/Story

ContentStory

Story

Act 1: Forgotten Battles

"All warriors of strong will and great courage, hear my words. I am your brother in arms, and I offer you power... I have been wandering this darkness as a lost soul, without my body to keep me company. All I know is that I am a warrior who yearns to be more powerful... If you yearn as I do, regardless of who you are, you should come find me..."

Saving Lukan

A traveler telepathically heard a desperate plea for help coming from the Phantom Forest and rushed to help. After fighting through a horde of Typhons, they encountered an injured warrior named Lukan and defended him from waves of monsters before asking whether he was the one who had sent the distress call. Lukan thanked them for answering his plea and asked where he was. When the traveler told him that he was in Masteria, Lukan explained that he had never heard of such a land, adding that he had awoken in the forest with no memories of how he had gotten there. However, he realized that his comrades may need him and asked the traveler how to escape. The traveler decided to take him to New Leaf City in order to help him regain his memories. On their way out of the Phantom Forest, they ran into Professor Foxwit, who had come in search of the one who had projected the call for help across Masteria.

Lukan asked how Foxwit could have picked up his call, as he had projected it to only those who possessed great inner strength. Foxwit explained that he kept tabs on all transmissions across Masteria, and that he had picked up Lukan's message on his sensors, which had led him to find them. Realizing that Lukan had amnesia, Foxwit took the pair back to his laboratory, where Lukan was shocked at the unnatural lights and machinery. Foxwit then showed them one of his machines, which could read and analyze brain signals in order to decipher memories. Lukan then asked Foxwit why he wanted to help them, to which the traveler concurred and asked why he was analyzing transmissions across the continent to begin with, if not to spy on everyone. Foxwit defended his actions by claiming that he was only acting under the orders of Mayor Icebyrd Slimm, explaining that Icebyrd had ordered him to help Lukan after he had reported the signal. Though Lukan was hesitant, he trusted the traveler's judgement and agreed to follow Foxwit's orders. The two then each stood in a pod, after which Foxwit explained that the pods would allow the traveler to enter Lukan's memories and learn what he had forgotten.

Dr. Jang and Naricain

Meanwhile, a researcher at the Masteria Research Laboratory brought Dr. Jang the Masteria soil analysis reports that she had requested. When the researcher and several others stood in place after she dismissed them, she asked whether they had anything else to say. The research hesitantly asked Dr. Jang whether there was any point in researching Naricain, as their purpose in coming to Masteria was to learn what had caused it to return from the ocean. He pointed out that the only records of Naricain and the Antellion came from a few writings in the Phantom Forest, and that Dr. Jang's obsession with Naricain had limited their knowledge of Masteria to having only learned that the continent had once been called the Krakian Jungle. However, Dr. Jang told them that they were all ignoring what the writings had revealed to them, which was that the Antellion was an infinite power source, with Naricain's search for it having implications of leading to a link with the Black Mage. When the researcher implied that her research was pointless, Dr. Jang asked him to assume, for the purposes of her argument, that Naricain was evil like the Black Mage, and that both he and Subani, who had sealed him away, were real. She explained that the existence of such powers could be critical in their struggle against the Black Mage, declaring that it was their responsibility to uncover any weapon that they could in their fight against such great darkness.

However, the researcher pointed out that they still had no proof of anything, and that their role as scientists was to uncover facts and answer the questions posed to them, not to chase fairy tales. Dr. Jang countered that the duty of a scientist was to create a brighter future for all, and that the best way to do so was to look into the hidden past of Masteria. Unwilling to entertain her policies any longer, all the researchers in her lab immediately quit. Though left alone, Dr. Jang remained convinced that Naricain had to be real and decided to return to Crimsonwood Keep in order to search for traces of him. Dr. Jang traveled to the Phantom Forest and headed for the Keep, once the home of the Grandmasters, the greatest warriors of all time. As her research indicated that they had ties to Naricain, she believed that she would find clues about him with a thorough search. While looking around the Keep, she was surprised to discover a glowing stone floating in the air and wondered what could be so bright in such a dark, abandoned place. Suddenly, she heard the voice of a man, who was intrigued to learn that she was the sole person who believed in his existence. Surprised to hear the voice, Dr. Jang continued forward and found a statue of a man bound in chains. The voice spoke to her again, telling her that her belief in his existence was what had awakened him. Dr. Jang was unnerved at the statue speaking to her, just as the voice offered to show her what it was that she really believed in.

Suddenly, she was transported into a dreamscape, where she found herself face-to-face with the man from the statue. When she asked the man who he was, he simply laughed and told her that she already knew. Immediately recognizing him, Dr. Jang spoke aloud that she could couldn't believe it, but the man then told her to say his name aloud, to which she finally called him by his name, Naricain. Naricain then told her that he was neither the figment of imagination that her peers thought him to be, nor the master of evil that she assumed that he was. Rather, he claimed to be a simple magician who had searched for knowledge and sacrificed everything for what he had believed in, adding that he was much like her in that regard. Dr. Jang realized that he was referring to the Antellion and asked why it was so important to him, whether it was to gain ultimate power or rule the world. Naricain replied that she knew of him, but nothing of his goals, as he had never told anyone what he had gone through centuries ago. He then told her that he wanted to share his experiences with her and used his powers to transfer his memories.

As a shocked Dr. Jang processed the truth about Naricain, he told her that she now knew that he wasn't merely obsessed with the Antellion as the legends claimed. He explained that in the end, he had been trapped in Crimsonwood Keep, in a limbo somewhere between life and death, and that it had been her voice which had pulled him from the darkness and brought him back. Dr. Jang confessed that she hadn't planned to free him, to which Naricain told her that it had to have been fate. She then told him that while she sympathized with his situation, his actions had scared many people, and that from their perspective, he had been trying to take the Antellion for himself. She then attempted to reason with him by pointing out that the Versalians likely saw him in the same way that he saw them. Naricain merely replied that the Antellion needed to be controlled, and that someone needed to bear that burden, as sharing the power would only reveal the weaknesses of everyone. However, Dr. Jang interrupted him and claimed that it didn't matter to her, as the only thing she cared about was his story and what had happened, as it might be what they needed to fix the present.

Naricain then offered to help her in exchange for her helping him escape his prison and claim the Antellion, adding that she could figure out how to do so with the help of the Antellion fragment that she had found in Crimsonwood Keep. He then beseeched her to help him right his past wrongs, to which Dr. Jang asked why she ought to take such a risk. Naricain pointed out that she needed him as much as she needed her, as she could finally let Maple World know of his existence and prove herself to those who had ignored her faith. He then promised to give her unlimited knowledge and everlasting peace after getting the Antellion back. As Dr. Jang began to waver, Naricain added that he was currently weak and had nothing, and that he needed someone with her wisdom to help him find the Antellion. An appeased Dr. Jang laughed and called him a poor thing, explaining that he must be truly desperate to need someone like her. Naricain then corrected her and replied that he needed her, not someone like her. Though Dr. Jang warned that she couldn't promise anything, she told him that she liked what he offered and agreed to help on the sole condition that he stay out of Maple World after obtaining the Antellion, as she couldn't risk such a threat being brought into the world. Naricain agreed, though he added that it pained him that they would never truly meet. Dr. Jang then returned to Crimsonwood Keep, where she resolved to help Naricain change the past.

Father and Son

Meanwhile, the traveler entered Lukan's memories and found themselves in the Krakian Jungle of ancient Masteria. Suddenly, they heard the voice of Professor Foxwit, who explained that they had arrived in Masteria from a thousand years ago, which meant that Lukan had come from the past. He then warned the traveler that Memory Motes had appeared, which had been created by Lukan's unconscious mind, adding that he had never managed to work out that kink while building his subconscious reading device. After fighting past the Motes, the traveler encountered Naricain and his foster father, Christopher Crimsonheart, who was guarding the Antellion. Foxwit spoke to the traveler and explained that the memory sequence was just like watching a movie, with the traveler being an invisible spectator to the unchangeable events of the past. Naricain cursed his father, claiming that Crimsonheart had been responsible for the death of his mother. He then accused Crimsonheart of being unable to control the Antellion, leaving it to rot in Masteria instead, and asked how anyone could trust him with such power. He then spat out that he detested Crimsonheart, who merely told Naricain that taking the Antellion would not ease the hatred in his heart. He pleaded that they could heal Naricain's soul together, but Naricain claimed that no one could heal his soul, least of all Crimsonheart, and that all he wanted now was the Antellion, with which he would control the world and eradicate evil.

However, Crimsonheart told Naricain that he would be stealing people's lives from them, as a world dominated by a single ruler was one driven by evil, no matter their intentions. He added that Naricain would make Versal his plaything, and its people his pawns, calling Naricain by his nickname, Naric, to which Naricain snapped at Crimsonheart not to call him that. He then told Crimsonheart that his mother and siblings had loved Crimsonheart, because of which he hadn't wanted to fight his father, but he warned that he would do what he must if Crimsonheart stood in his way. He then used dark magic to attack Crimsonheart, who refused to defend himself. Surprised, Naricain mockingly asked if Crimsonheart had been stuck in Maple World for so long that that he had forgotten how to pick up his sword. When Crimsonheart remained silent, Naricain demanded him to speak, to which Crimsonheart claimed that he had nothing to say, adding that if a child grew into a monster, then it was the fault of the father. He then added that what had happened was not his intention, but Naricain interrupted and said that his intentions didn't matter, as his legacy lay in ruins. He then vowed to give Crimsonwood Keep to his minions to lord over the place, laughing that he knew that Crimsonheart had locked away some poor soul to serve his purposes.

When Crimsonheart claimed that it wasn't true, Naricain told him to deny that he had used the Antellion to lure warriors out of Versal. He then asked if doing so had been to protect the Antellion from some threat, and whether Crimsonheart believed that threat to be him. Naricain then laughed and asked if Crimsonheart had really thought that he was the only one who desired the Antellion's power, adding that Crimsonheart could never keep it away from those who wanted it, even if he hid it at the very ends of the world. He then shared his belief that the reason why Crimsonheart had adopted his children was to hide his pathetic self behind them. When Crimsonheart remained silent, Naricain demanded him once again to speak, asking who he planned to sacrifice this time, noting that he had already gone through so many. Crimsonheart then told Naricain to end him if it would ease his fury, though he asked Naricain to let it end with his death, and to go no further. He added that he now knew that he was a failure of a father, but nevertheless, he beseeched Naricain to leave the Antellion alone, claiming that he spoke not as the protector of the Antellion, but as Naricain's father, adding that such power should not even exist. However, Naricain snapped that Crimsonheart had no right to dictate what to do. He then claimed the title of the Antellion's protector before unleashing a powerful dark spell that mortally wounded Crimsonheart. As Crimsonheart fell, Naricain seized the Antellion before walking away.

The Death of Crimsonheart

As the traveler attempted to follow Naricain, Memory Motes appeared to stop them. After defeating them, the traveler saw that Crimsonheart's other foster son, Subani, had rushed to the scene with the four Grandmasters: Lukan, Lireni, Numenal, and Delgrund. The five huddled around Crimsonheart and worriedly asked what had happened. As the Grandmasters expressed their shock, Subani attempted to take his father back to the Keep, though Crimsonheart stopped him and explained that his end was coming. As Delgrund sobbed and asked who could have defeated the most powerful warrior of Versal, Crimsonheart asked Delgrund not to cry and told him that his soft heart was his greatest weakness. He then asked Subani and the Grandmasters to do everything in their power to keep the Antellion out of Naricain's hands. Subani then asked if Naricain was the one who had bested him, while Delgrund vowed to destroy him and avenge Crimsonheart. Crimsonheart told them that Naricain already had the Antellion, and so he couldn't follow through with his original plan to send Naricain away, lamenting that he never should have revealed its location. He explained that however powerful Naricain had been before, he was now unstoppable, adding that with both the fragment and the full Antellion, not even the combined powers of the Grandmasters stood a chance against him.

Lireni then asked how Naricain could have mortally wounded him, as Crimsonheart could have easily stopped anyone with his martial prowess. Crimsonheart replied that his own son had challenged him and asked them how a father could ever fight his own son. He then gave his final order to the Grandmasters and told them to destroy the Antellion, as it was too dangerous to exist. Though Delgrund refused to leave Crimsonheart's side, Crimsonheart ordered them to depart immediately, as Naricain was likely heading to the Keep in order to amplify the Antellion's powers. He also beseeched Subani to forgive Naricain, reminding him that his brother had suffered much. Lireni was surprised that Crimsonheart didn't want revenge, to which he replied that he hoped that there could be peace between the two siblings, even if there could never be peace between himself and Naricain, reminding Lireni that revenge would solve nothing. With his last words, he entrusted the task of destroying the Antellion to Lukan, knowing that Subani could not think rationally in his grief, and passed away soon after. As the Grandmasters mourned the death of their leader, Subani declared that Naricain was no longer his brother and took off for the Keep, with the others following behind him.

The traveler, having learned Lukan's identity, attempted to follow them and fought past the Memory Motes before seeing that Lireni, Numenal, and Lukan had stopped. Lukan and Numenal realized that Lireni was shaking with fear at the prospect of facing someone as powerful as Naricain. Lukan acknowledged her fear, though he reminded her that they needed to work together. Numenal then promised that he would protect her from harm. Lireni confessed that all she had ever wanted was to see new worlds, as she had only ever known Versal as home, adding that perhaps the Antellion could have been her excuse to leave Crimsonwood Keep and Krakia and simply go. Lukan pointed out that as long as they remained in Maple World, they were bound to protect the Antellion, reminding her that their purpose in borrowing its power was to protect it. However, when he told Lireni that she ought to know that more than anyone, she replied that she also knew that her heart was not in it, as she was unable to bear the weight of an entire world. As she ran off, Numenal called after her, while Lukan told him that there would be a reckoning for her betrayal.

Facing Naricain

Numenal and Lukan then continued on, leaving the traveler to wonder whether Lireni was truly a coward. The traveler then fought past the Memory Motes through a cavern before arriving at the entrance of Crimsonwood Keep. Both the traveler and Foxwit marveled at how grand it was in its prime before heading inside. To their surprise, the traveler found that the Keep was starting to collapse. Making their way past the falling rubble, they found the Grandmasters confronting Naricain. However, Naricain merely laughed that they could not hope to stop him, as he possessed the full power of the Antellion. Suddenly, he realized that Subani was missing and asked whether his older brother was cowering behind someone's cape, just as he had done so often with their father. To his surprise, however, Subani teleported behind him and used his light magic to bind Naricain in chains. As Lukan began charging up his attack, Naricain told Subani that he could not claim the Antellion, as he would have no idea of how to wield it. However, Subani revealed that he had no plans to wield the Antellion, explaining that his goal was much different than Naricain's selfish plot. At Lukan's command, the Grandmasters then combined their powers and attacked the Antellion.

A shocked Naricain commanded them to stop, warning that destroying the Antellion would destroy them all. However, Subani merely told him that they were prepared to give their lives to right Naricain's wrongs. The traveler then decided that they wanted to help as well, but Foxwit told them that they were merely an observer, and that the memory was of events which had already happened. Nevertheless, the traveler attempted to help destroy the Antellion, which shattered under the combined power of the Grandmasters. Though the Grandmasters succeeded, the power of the Antellion, which had been expelled with its destruction, inadvertently warped spacetime, causing the three Grandmasters to be scattered across time. The traveler and Foxwit then realized that Lukan had been sent to the present because of the power leak. Having understood everything that he needed to, Foxwit ordered the traveler to return to the present. However, the traveler refused, as they wanted to see the fates of Naricain and Subani. Foxwit told them that the memory gate was about to collapse, as Lukan had not witnessed it, but the traveler explained that Lukan was a faithful follower of Crimsonheart, and so he deserved to know what happened. Exasperated, Foxwit allowed the traveler to remain, though he warned them to leave before the gate collapsed, which would leave the traveler trapped for all eternity.

A furious Naricain demanded to know what had compelled Subani to resort to such madness, as the destruction of the Antellion had doomed the entire continent, claiming that the resulting chaos would spread first across Maple World before reaching Versal. As Naricain continued shouting, Subani merely declared that they were no longer brothers, and that he now only sought revenge for Naricain's unforgivable actions. Naricain then mocked Subani as the same sad, pathetic weakling he had been on Versal. However, Subani ignored him and used his light magic to seal Subani away in a limbo between life and death, with his physical body turned into a statue. Having seen how the story ended, the traveler barely managed to escape Lukan's memories before the dimensional gate collapsed with the sinking of Masteria. Though Foxwit admonished the traveler for their recklessness, the traveler excitedly pointed out that they had learned that the Antellion's destruction was what had sunk Masteria. Lukan then awoke, his memories restored, and thanked the traveler and Foxwit for their help. The traveler then asked if he knew about the Antellion and Naricain.

The Grandmasters of Versal

Lukan explained that the Antellion was a stone of infinite power, one that could shape space and time at will. He told them that Crimsonheart and the Grandmasters hailed from Versal, the holy land of warriors and magicians, and that the Antellion had been created out of the sacrifice of the most powerful heroes of Versal from long ago, in the hope of protecting their world from the chaos that threatened it. With its infinite power, it had become the ender of all conflicts. As every person in Versal was tapped into it, all Versalians had gained great power and a responsibility to others. He explained that Crimsonheart, the greatest warrior of Versal, had been selected to be its chief guardian, ensuring that peace reigned across the realm for ages. However, Naricain had lusted for greater power than what he had received from the Antellion, and so he had stolen a fragment of the Antellion for himself. In order to prevent Naricain from claiming the rest of the Antellion, Crimsonheart had crossed over to Maple World with the Antellion and the Grandmasters, building Crimsonwood Keep in order to keep it safe. Lukan then explained that the Grandmasters were the four strongest warriors of Versal who had come to Maple World: Delgrund the Magician Grandmaster, Numenal the Bowman Grandmaster, Lireni the Thief Grandmaster, and himself, the Warrior Grandmaster. He revealed that many Grandmasters had preceded them, and that many more should have followed.

When the traveler asked about Lireni, Lukan vehemently denounced her as a traitor who had betrayed both Crimsonheart's faith and the Grandmasters' pride. As it had been a thousand years since his time, Lukan hoped that any descendants of Lireni would be saddled with guilt for her betrayal. When the traveler asked if Subani and Naricain were brothers, Lukan explained that Crimsonheart had taken in many children who had nowhere to go and had raised them as his own, with Subani being his first foster son and Naricain being brought in soon after. Lukan explained that Naricain had insisted that he needed to control everyone with the power of the Antellion, demanding complete obedience and turning into a tyrant after falling from his original goal to stop the wicked. Troubled by the return of Masteria, Lukan asked if Crimsonwood Keep still stood, as he wanted to check if Naricain was still trapped, and so the traveler began to lead Lukan to the Keep. After they left, Foxwit contacted Icebyrd and explained that he had helped Lukan regain his memories at the mayor's command. Icebyrd was pleased and called Lukan the key to everything. Foxwit then asked what it was that Icebyrd was planning, to which the mayor laughed and explained that Foxwit didn't need to know, as all he needed to do was to continue following orders.

The Time Portal

Meanwhile, Dr. Jang met with Naricain in his dreamscape prison, where she reported that she had finished her work. She then asked Naricain if he was sure that he wouldn't regret his decision, as they still might not be able to change the future. Naricain replied that it was entirely up to her, as she had already made a discovery that could change the world, adding that it was why he held her in such high regard. Dr. Jang turned away in embarrassment and claimed that it was unnecessary flattery, to which Naricain told her that he truly did have great respect for her. Dr. Jang then told Naricain that she wouldn't have been able to build her Time Portal without his Antellion fragment in the first place. Naricain smiled and countered that if it hadn't been for her, he would still be trapped as a statue. He then declared that they would return to a thousand years ago, back to the day he had failed, and correct history together. Though he acknowledged that she might be scared or hesitant, he beseeched her not to stop, not for his sake, but for hers, and for her desire to learn the true history of the Krakian Empire. He then reminded her of his promise to bestow infinite knowledge and help the people of Maple World prosper as good and wise beings. Dr. Jang noted how heavy-handedly he was attempting to convince her, adding that he really couldn't do anything without being manipulative, to which he told her that he otherwise would never have met her. However, Dr. Jang rebuffed his advances and claimed that she had her own reasons for helping him. Naricain then bid her farewell and asked her to say hello to his past self, after which she returned to the real world and entered her Time Portal in order to travel back to the past.

Act 2: 1000 Years and Counting

Naricain of the Past

Using the Time Portal, Dr. Jang traveled back in time and met Naricain of the past in the Krakian Jungle. There, she explained that she was a time traveler who had come from a thousand years in the future in order to give him a warning from his future self. In order to convince him, she told him details of what would happen the next day, with Naricain hoping to seize the Antellion by confronting Crimsonheart and ultimately destroying him. Naricain was surprised that Dr. Jang knew about his ambitions, but he noted that he had no plans to kill his father, adding that he would never even think to consider it if Crimsonheart were to surrender, or even just come to understand him in the least. Dr. Jang called Naricain a poor thing and claimed that his dilemma was why she didn't understand family, as she wondered why Naricain would ever expect the man who had always stood in his way and driven him from his home to listen to him. Naricain simply told her that if she could not comprehend the bonds of family, then he could not explain it to her. Unimpressed, Dr. Jang continued and told Naricain that in spite of seizing the Antellion and killing his father, he would ultimately fail, as the Grandmasters would destroy the Antellion, rather than let him have it.

To her surprise, Naricain approvingly called it a fine plan, causing her to remind him that the Grandmasters would end his ambitions and trap him in a statue for a millennium. Naricain merely laughed and apologized before asking her to continue. Dr. Jang then told him that Subani would trap him inside a purgatory, which surprised Naricain, as he believed that his brother was a coward. When Dr. Jang explained that it would cost Subani his life, Naricain wondered whether Subani and the others had sacrificed everything because they believed in their cause, or whether it was simply because they hated him that much. He then thanked Dr. Jang for traveling to the past and told her that he would have made the same choice as his future self. When Dr. Jang asked which choice he meant, Naricain told her that it was the choice of keeping such a beautiful and wise advisor by his side. He then asked her whether she could help him alter his plan, after which they began to work together to change the future.

Discovering the Time Portal

Back in the present, the traveler and Lukan fought through the monsters of the Phantom Forest and made their way inside Crimsonwood Keep. As Lukan surveyed the old interior, he suddenly had a strange sensation, which he described as the same feeling of creeping dread that he had felt when Crimsonheart had fallen. As the traveler searched the room, they came across a faded journal that described how Crimsonheart had brought the Antellion to Maple World with the Grandmasters. In the next several pages, they read how the native Krakians had brought offerings to the people of the Keep, and how Crimsonheart had decided to share the blessings of the Antellion with the Krakians for their benefit. The next pages were difficult to read, but hinted at a user of dark magic in Krakia. Realizing that the rest was too faded, the traveler continued on and noticed that there were several clean boxes and a desk, which stood out against the rest of the dusty room, as though they had been used by someone recently. Just then, they noticed that there was light seeping out of cracks that had appeared across Naricain's statue. Lukan realized that Subani's seal had nearly vanished and wondered how it could have happened.

The traveler pointed out that the Antellion had been destroyed a thousand years ago, and so the world would still remain safe even if Naricain escaped. However, Lukan noticed a portal nearby and pointed out that it was being powered by the fragment of the Antellion which Naricain had stolen. Realizing that someone was helping Naricain, the traveler decided to search around for clues. Inside the new-looking boxes near the desk, they discovered books about the languages of Versal, with Dr. Jang listed as the owner, though the traveler was unsure of who that was. Searching through Dr. Jang's desk, they discovered that it belonged to the Masteria Research Institute and contained the blueprints for the device. The traveler was shocked to learn that the machine was a Time Portal powered by the Antellion fragment, whose power spanned across spacetime, and that it had only been calibrated to travel back to the past, not the future. Lukan immediately realized that Naricain wanted to prevent the Antellion from being destroyed. Vowing to stop Naricain and Dr. Jang, Lukan decided to enter the Time Portal. Though he tried to dissuade the traveler from following, claiming that they had already done much by helping him, the traveler told him that it was their responsibility to act when anything threatened Maple World, regardless of the time period.

Crimsonwood Keep

The pair then entered the portal and the traveler soon awoke in the Krakian Jungle, where they realized that they had gotten separated from Lukan. After fighting through the jungle monsters, which had strange mechanical devices strapped onto them, the traveler reunited with Lukan at the entrance to Crimsonwood Keep. The traveler was surprised to find that Lukan's injuries from his time in the present had vanished, leaving him restored to his original state from a thousand years ago. The traveler asked Lukan about the presence of the nearby monsters, to which he explained that he was just as confused, as the Keep was meant to be a safe haven. The two then entered the Keep and met with Crimsonheart, Subani, and the other Grandmasters. Lukan immediately grew emotional upon seeing his leader alive, much to Crimsonheart's confusion. Upon seeing Lireni, Lukan immediately grew furious until the traveler reminded him that Lireni's betrayal had not yet happened. Crimsonheart then asked Lukan who the traveler was and how they had managed to break past the barrier on the Keep. Lukan explained that the traveler was a hero who had saved his life, and that it was because of them that he could warn the others of events yet to come.

After Lukan explained the full situation, Crimsonheart noted that the traveler seemed to fit with Lukan's story, as he had never seen such strange clothing before. When the traveler explained that they had come from a thousand years in the future, Crimsonheart realized that Naricain's ambitions were truly timeless. Lukan then added that Naricain's ambitions had only grown, and that he was being helped by someone who also came from a thousand years in the future. He explained that she had built the Time Portal using the Antellion fragment, causing Subani to note that Naricain's ally was truly formidable. Lireni wondered whether his ally was the mysterious Dr. Krakia, to which the traveler told her that they only knew that Naricain's ally was a scientist named Dr. Jang. Delgrund asked what a scientist was, to which Lukan explained that they were magicians of the future with mysterious powers, such as the ability to use magic without spells, instead using only scrap metals and flashing lights. Upon hearing Lukan's explanation, Lireni told them that many of the local creatures had recently changed, having been seen with suspicious machines strapped to them.

She explained that the people of the Krakian Empire were whispering about a person named Dr. Krakia, who had been seen around the area recently, and so she wondered whether Dr. Jang and Dr. Krakia could be the same person. The traveler replied that it could be possible, as they had noticed that the machines outfitted on the enhanced creatures they had fought had come from the future. Crimsonheart then asked if it was true that Naricain would kill him, which Subani pointed out seemed even less likely than Lukan's story of time travel. Though he admitted that Naricain was proud and covetous, Subani refused to believe that his brother was evil. Lukan insisted that it was true, as both he and the traveler had seen it with their own eyes. Crimsonheart then wondered whether he was not he guardian that he had thought himself to be, as he found it shameful that he would be deceived by Naricain.

However, he noted that it changed nothing but their alertness, as their duties were still the same as they had always been. As he and the other Grandmasters began to head out to augment security around the Antellion, Delgrund noticed that Subani was deep in thought and told the boy to mind himself. He explained to Subani that he likely wouldn't be able to succeed in persuading his brother if Crimsonheart couldn't have brought himself to do it. Subani sadly told him that he had once been close to Naricain, whom he fondly called Naric, and wondered whether Naricain would stop if he were reminded those memories. However, Delgrund told him that obsession destroyed happy memories, and that Naricain only cared about the Antellion. As someone who had watched them grow up and viewed them as sons, Delgrund told Subani to remember that he and Naricain were different, and that they always had been, warning him that thinking otherwise would put him in grave danger.

Fall of the Krakian Empire

Elsewhere, Dr. Jang reached the end of the lake that was upstream of the Krakian settlements and polluted the waters with a chemical substance. As the polluted waters flowed downstream to the Krakian Empire, the native Krakians were corrupted and transformed into monsters. As the people of Krakia devolved into beasts, Dr. Jang and Naricain walked through the ruined villages and surveyed the situation. Dr. Jang told Naricain that with the corruption of the Krakians, he now had an army to attack Crimsonwood Keep. A pleased Naricain called Dr. Jang a true genius, noting that the Keep would easily fall. He then admitted that his original plan seemed crude in comparison. As he turned to look at her, he noticed that her hair was disheveled after getting caught in the jungle. Though a flustered Dr. Jang claimed that it was a mess, Naricain admitted that he found it quite fetching. He then decided that they ought to move on to other business, as the sacrifice of the Krakians wasn't something that he took pleasure in.

Subani's Sacrifice

Back at the Keep, the traveler helped the Grandmasters clear the enhanced jungle creatures around the area, which made them certain that the machines on the monsters had been built by Dr. Jang. They then noticed Subani leaving the grounds alone and decided to follow him, believing that he was acting on his own. The traveler followed Subani far from the grounds of the Keep and discovered him confronting Naricain. The traveler immediately hid and observed the two speaking. Naricain greeted Subani and noted that it had been so long that he had almost thought that Subani had forgotten their secret, that they could communicate with each other through dreams. Subani replied that he had wanted to talk to Naricain as well, and that he knew that Naricain would hear him if he spoke through their dreams. Naricain softened and asked if Subani still knew that he was the only person that Naricain could trust. Subani confirmed it and replied that Naricain could tell him anything, adding that their father would forgive him if he truly repented. Naricain then confided that he had been angry and confused, and that he had felt as though he had crossed a line that he could never return from.

Subani entreated his brother to turn back, explaining that it was never too late. However, Naricain then added that there was only one thing stopping him, which was that he now knew that he was right. Suddenly, he unleashed a powerful attack of dark magic upon Subani, who collapsed in pain. As Subani reeled from the betrayal, Naricain explained that he hadn't wanted to do it, but he knew that Subani was going to be his greatest obstacle, and so he was willing to turn on his brother if it would allow him to succeed. Subani begged him to stop, reminding him that they were family, but Naricain reminded him that it hadn't been by choice, and neither was having a family and losing it. He then explained that without Subani and the others, his actions would not pain him so, adding that it was precisely why he needed the Antellion, as he could end that sort of suffering and ensure that he would never lose those who were precious to him. As he moved to unleash a final blow, Subani begged him once more to stop, calling him Naric, to which Naricain told him that he hated to be called that. Just as Naricain unleashed his attack, the traveler rushed forward and blocked his dark magic. Though he had no idea who the traveler was, Naricain claimed that he didn't care and shot another dark spell at the traveler, who was overwhelmed by Naricain's power. As Naricain unleashed the finishing blow, Subani jumped in front of the traveler and took the full attack, instantly killing him. A twinge of regret hit Naricain, who asked Subani to forgive him, even though he added that he couldn't forgive Subani for the same. The furious traveler confronted Naricain, who asked why they opposed him, claiming that his plan was to create a peaceful world. He then asked the traveler once more not to oppose him, summoning a horde of corrupted Krakian warriors as a warning.

As Naricain retreated, the traveler fought through the waves of Krakians until Crimsonheart and the Grandmasters arrived. The shaken traveler apologized, claiming that they could have protected Subani from Naricain if they had been stronger. Crimsonheart told them that there was no blame, but asked the traveler and the Grandmasters to give him some privacy. As Crimsonheart stared sadly at his fallen son, his mind turned to the day that he had brought Naricain home, scores of years ago on Versal, where he had introduced him to Subani and his wife, Glona. As Subani had turned away in embarrassment, Glona had told her husband that he was being shy. However, Crimsonheart had ordered Subani to present himself proudly. As the two boys introduced themselves, Crimsonheart had reminded them that brothers were expected to support and protect each other. Back in the present, in the Krakian Jungle, Dr. Jang asked Naricain what had happened upon his return. After a pause, Naricain told her that the plan had gone perfectly, though she noted that Naricain did not appear happy. When Naricain remained silent, she asked whether it was another mysterious aspect of family. Naricain then changed the subject and asked about her plan to destroy the Grandmasters. Dr. Jang explained that she had enhanced the compound which she had used to mutate the Krakians - called Naricain's Blood - which was now strong enough to infect the Grandmasters, pleasing Naricain.

Act 3: The Man from Versal

Corruption of Crimsonwood Keep

Having enhanced her compound, Dr. Jang traveled to Crimsonwood Keep and corrupted the warriors guarding the gate, transforming them into monsters. Meanwhile, Naricain forced his way into the Keep amidst the chaos and seized the Antellion. In the Krakian Jungle, the traveler and the Grandmasters rushed to stop Naricain when the corrupted Krakian warriors caught up to them. As the Krakians began attacking, Lukan realized that something was amiss, as the people of the Krakian Empire were peaceful. Delgrund sensed an evil power within them and warned Lukan that the Krakians were no longer the people that he once knew. Realizing that it would take time to defeat them, the traveler decided to hold them off and told the Grandmasters to go on ahead. As the traveler held the Krakians at bay, the Grandmasters entered the Keep, where they were shocked to discover that the corrupted soldiers and Krakians were overwhelming the remaining warriors. Terrified at the sight, Lireni attempted to flee, but was stopped by Numenal, who refused to allow her to abandon her duties, reminding her that they held a portion of the Antellion's power because they had been sworn to protect it at all costs. However, Lireni told Numenal that she had something that she needed to do, and so she couldn't afford to die so soon. Numenal told Lireni that he hadn't initially believed Lukan and the traveler when they had spoken of her betrayal, entreating her to fight alongside the Grandmasters for the Antellion and Crimsonheart. However, Lireni merely apologized and brushed past him. Numenal then reminded Lireni that Crimsonheart had ordered traitors to be punished, to which she turned around and invited him to try, claiming that if she were to die, then it was better to die at his hands. Just as she had expected, Numenal was unable to strike her down, allowing her to leave unimpeded.

Facing Dr. Jang

Meanwhile, the traveler continued fighting past the Krakians as they slowly pushed forward towards the Keep. Crimsonheart then arrived to reinforce them, lamenting that even Krakia had fallen to Naricain. He turned to the traveler and told them that all of the destruction around them had stemmed from his own failure, adding that he had paid the price for it in the original timeline, while Subani had in their current one. Though the traveler attempted to console him, Crimsonheart sadly told them that he had never imagined that Naricain would ever harm his own family. Resolving to focus himself, Crimsonheart led the traveler onward to the Keep, hoping to stop Naricain's machinations if they arrived in time. At the entrance to the Keep, they discovered a ferocious battle ongoing between the remaining warriors and the corrupted forces of Krakia and the Keep. One soldier told Crimsonheart that they would hold the line and urged him to stop Naricain, adding that there was a woman aiding him. The traveler explained that her name was Dr. Krakia, to which the soldier told them that she was the one who had corrupted the people and the animals against the Keep, and that she needed to be stopped. As they moved deeper into the Keep, the corrupted Krakians continued pursuing them. Realizing that they needed to block the entrance, the traveler decided to hold them off while Crimsonheart went after Naricain. Crimsonheart confessed that he had feared that people would grow more foolish as time went on, but the traveler had given him hope for the future. With that, Crimsonheart pushed ahead while the traveler held the line.

As the traveler continued defeating the Krakian reinforcements, Dr. Jang arrived and confronted the traveler, mistaking them as a Grandmaster because of their strength. Recognizing her as Dr. Jang, the traveler told her that they weren't a Grandmaster, revealing that they had come from the future in her Time Portal. However, Dr. Jang was unconcerned and explained that Naricain had already taken the Antellion, and that he was now unstoppable. When the traveler told her that Crimsonheart would stop him, she simply asked why they even bothered, claiming that Naricain was right in his belief that people were free to be as corrupt and evil as they wanted. She explained that a single leader ruling everyone would remove suffering, asking why the traveler would stand in the way of achieving peace. The traveler pointed out that people would naturally try to resist being controlled and asked how many people Naricain would have to destroy in order to achieve the so-called peace that she spoke of.

Dr. Jang vehemently replied that such people were fools who deserved their fate. She then confessed that she wanted simplicity, explaining that Naricain was the only one who had needed her when neither her parents nor her peers wanted her. The dumbstruck traveler realized that Dr. Jang was in love with Naricain and asked how she could possibly love someone who was asking her to help kill his own family. Dr. Jang retorted that Naricain's family was standing in his way, adding that such a family was meaningless if they didn't support him. She then claimed that Naricain had every right to kill his family if they were trying to deny his dream. When the traveler continued protesting, Dr. Jang realized that she would never convince them, instead vowing to defeat them and ensure that Naricain would succeed. She then summoned a horde of Krakian warriors and corrupted Keep soldiers, explaining that she had simplified things by making them fully obedient to her and Naricain. When the traveler asked how she could do something so evil, Dr. Jang snapped at them to stop with their moralizing and vowed to crush anyone who got in her way in order to ensure the everlasting peace that she and Naricain had sought their entire lives. She then retreated, leaving the traveler to fight through the waves of enemies. Eventually, they caught up with Dr. Jang, who demanded to know why they even cared about stopping Naricain, as it had nothing to do with them. The traveler retorted that anything that threatened Maple World was their business, and that it was she who was interfering where she didn't belong. However, Dr. Jang then revealed that they had walked into a trap and sent them into a different space.

Memories of Versal

As the traveler wondered where they had been sent, Dr. Jang appeared to them in a hologram and explained that she had trapped them inside a virtual world created in the image of Versal, the original home of Crimsonheart, Naricain, and the Grandmasters, in order to help them understand Naricain's pain. The traveler then noticed an enormous crystal, which Dr. Jang revealed was the whole Antellion, much larger than the one in Crimsonwood Keep, explaining that the stable Antellion had allowed the Versalians to create portals similar to her Time Portal that led to other points across space and time. Just then, the traveler noticed two thieves attempting to steal the Antellion, hoping to claim its power for themselves. Suddenly, Crimsonheart appeared and effortlessly defeated then. He then noticed that his wife, Glona, had appeared and told her that more and more people were coming to claim the Antellion for themselves, wondering whether he was strong enough to protect it. Glona reminded him that the Antellion did not care for good or evil. Though they couldn't stop others from becoming stronger, she told Crimsonheart that he could become stronger than any, adding that his limitless potential was why he had been appointed as the protector of the Antellion. Crimsonheart then told Glona that he was to depart for another world tomorrow, where a great darkness loomed, and asked what could be done if someone were to attempt to claim the Antellion in his absence, to which Glona told him that the children they had raised to be strong and wise would protect it in his stead.

However, Crimsonheart told Glona not to joke, claiming that the children were still too young. He then confessed that he worried about her, as she had been put in danger many times because of his responsibilities as the Antellion's protector. Glona reassured him that it ought not to concern him as long as she was alive, adding that she trusted him to do what was right by fulfilling his duty to protect others from the darkness. When Crimsonheart asked what to do with those who sought to take the Antellion for themselves, she told him to show them the error of their ways as a father would do with his children, reminding him that they would never turn away a child in need. Crimsonheart confessed that he couldn't understand her compulsion to take in such children, noble as it was, and asked whether the two more she now had with Subani's adoption was enough for her Glona merely laughed and reminded Crimsonheart that there was no end to their love. As she and Crimsonheart walked away, the traveler noted that people like Glona were rare. Dr. Jang also admitted that Glona was a wonderful person, and that Crimsonheart loved her without question because of it. She also added that she had come to understand families more after learning about her. Suddenly, a horde of Krakian warriors from the real world arrived to attack the surprised traveler, with Dr. Jang explaining that even though she hoped to convince them, it would still be better if they were to simply die.

The Guardian of the Antellion

After the traveler defeated them, the scene changed to show a young Naricain and Subani. Naricain told Subani to stop crying, reminding him that Crimsonheart would scold him. He added that their father was right to do so, as one of them would one day become the new protector of the Antellion, and so they ought to train twice as hard in order to be ready for that day. Subani, who continued crying, told Naricain that Millard was the oldest amongst them, and so there would be no need for him to become the protector. However, Naricain reminded him that only the strongest warrior in Versal became the protector, regardless of age, adding that he doubted that Millard would ever earn the position. Subani then told Naricain not to say such things, calling him Naric, as someone could overhear him. However, Naricain merely asked why he ought to be ashamed for speaking the truth. Subani, who slowly stopped crying, asked whether Naricain thought that he, Subani, could become the protector, to which Naricain reassured his brother that he could if he studied and trained hard.

Subani then asked whether the reason that Naricain was working hard and gaining their father's trust was to become the new protector, though Naricain denied it and told Subani that Crimsonheart trusted them all equally. When Subani asked why Naricain worked so hard, Naricain told him that he wanted to be strong enough to protect their mother, citing the time when he had been unable to stop the intruders who had come to steal the Antellion, with only Crimsonheart's timely arrival saving their mother from harm. As the two brothers vowed to become strong enough to protect their mother, Glona herself appeared and told Naricain that he was very noble. She then told Subani that she had heard that Crimsonheart had scolded him, which was why he had been crying, and asked what had happened. When Subani admitted that it had been because he hadn't been training hard enough, Glona asked him whether he knew why the people of Versal had been blessed by the Antellion. She explained that the Versalians had a duty to protect not just Versal, but anyone who was being threatened by darkness. Though she appreciated their desire to protect her, Glona reminded them that she also had a duty to protect others. She then told the two brothers that the power they gained from training came with a duty to others, reminding Naricain that he needed to use his great power for good.

Glona's Sacrifice

Suddenly, the scene changed to show a horde of thieves circling around an injured Lukan, who was attempting to protect Glona and Subani. Glona stepped forward and declared that she could not allow them to pass, as the Antellion could not fall into the wrong hands. As the traveler watched the scene unfold, Dr. Jang explained that Crimsonheart fought a never-ending battle with those who would misuse the Antellion's powers. When the traveler asked where Crimsonheart was, Dr. Jang explained that Crimsonheart could not always be there for his family, as much of his time was spent helping other worlds across space and time, at the cost of his own. The traveler asked why people would want to take the Antellion when its power was shared, to which Dr. Jang explained that the power was only shared amongst the people of Versal, though it was diluted by being spread so thin. The traveler then turned to watch the scene as Lukan told Glona to take Subani and escape while he held the thieves off. However, Glona noted that Lukan was injured and told him that the responsibility to protect the Antellion fell to her. Glona then prepared to cast a powerful spell, just as Naricain rushed to the scene. Realizing what his mother was doing, Naricain begged her to stop, to which she merely apologized for not being able to see him grow up.

The traveler suddenly felt a shake as Dr. Jang amusedly explained that her virtual reality channeled portions of what it played out, adding that Glona's spell had been so powerful that its very simulation might kill the traveler. The traveler then shook off the effects of the spell and turned to see that Glona had created an immensely powerful barrier, though she had expended so much of her magic that the effort ultimately killed her. As the frantic thieves wondered how they could get past the barrier to steal the Antellion, a furious Naricain unleashed a devastating dark spell, one that even affected the traveler through the virtual space, and brutally struck down the thieves. Naricain then angrily confronted a crying Subani and berated him for being too afraid to stop their mother from dying. Suddenly, Crimsonheart rushed in and discovered Glona dead on the floor. As Lukan began explaining what had happened, a furious Naricain demanded to know why Crimsonheart had taken so long to appear, blaming him for Glona's death, and for never being around when they needed him. Declaring that he hated Crimsonheart, Naricain stormed off.

Naricain's Betrayal

The traveler then watched as the scene changed to one set decades later, with Lukan and Delgrund telling Crimsonheart that they were receiving new reports about Naricain's illicit activities daily and asked what could be done. Delgrund noted that Naricain was a fool, as he coveted the power of the Antellion, despite knowing first-hand the tragedy of seeking it. Lukan reminded Delgrund that Naricain was merely a boy who had lost his mother, and that his actions were how he was dealing with the loss. He then suggested giving Naricain time and then appealing to his wisdom, hopeful that he would come to his senses by then. However, Delgrund countered that it had been decades since he had run off, claiming that any senses he would have come to were long gone. He then told Lukan that Naricain wasn't merely a troubled boy any longer, but a deeply disturbed man, one whose insidious plots had allowed him to be the first to seize a fragment of the Antellion in all the history of Versal. He then turned to Crimsonheart and asked what he would do as the protector of the Antellion. Lukan then began arguing with Delgrund, asking how he could expect Crimsonheart to take up arms against his own son.

As the two continued bickering, Crimsonheart broke up their fight and explained that Naricain sought the Antellion to end the cycle of greed and destruction that had cost him his mother. He then ordered the two to resume their duties, promising to have a decision ready soon. As they walked away, Dr. Jang noted that in the span of a moment, Naricain had become branded as a villain to everyone, even those who had once considered him family. The exasperated traveler then reminded her that Naricain was a villain, as he threatened everyone around him. However, Dr. Jang pointed out that they themselves had seen that Naricain had a reason, adding that he could have set everything right with the power of the Antellion, and that he deserved it after everything he had been through. Suddenly, Subani appeared and Delgrund immediately asked him to convince Crimsonheart to listen to reason. After the two Grandmasters left, Subani asked his father whether it was about Naricain again. He also noted that Crimsonheart hadn't come to Glona's grave with the rest of them for the anniversary of her death. Crimsonheart claimed that he had forgotten, but Subani told him that he didn't need to lie, noting that he counted each day since her passing.

Knowing that Naricain also missed Glona, Subani suggested that they could use it as common ground to speak with him. However, Crimsonheart told him not to humor such notions, as he knew from the countless times that he had met Naricain that his heart was a stone. Subani reminded Crimsonheart that tolerance over Naricain's actions was wearing thin amidst the people, and that someone might take arms against him before long. Crimsonheart then confided that Naricain held a special place in his heart, even as he loved all his children, and explained that he had always planned to make either Subani or Naricain the next protector of the Antellion, adding that he would have had to choose between a guardian of kindness or power. Knowing that even Naricain wouldn't be the end of those who sought the power of the Antellion, Crimsonheart explained that he had made arrangements with the council to move the Antellion to a remote world, where he and those he trusted the most would relocate. When Subani pointed out that Naricain could use the Antellion fragment that he had taken to follow them, Crimsonheart vowed that if the time came, he would use the Antellion's power to send Naricain away forever, asking Subani to tell others that Naricain had fallen in battle if such an event came to pass. Against Subani's protests that Naricain would never hurt his family, Crimsonheart told him that they needed to be prepared for it, as Naricain wasn't holding back.

As the scene ended, more Krakian warriors appeared that the traveler defeated before turning back to the new scene that was unfolding. Naricain approached his siblings, Millard and Henne, and demanded to know where the Antellion was. Henne ordered him to stop his quest, claiming that they didn't want to harm him, even though Crimsonheart had left it to them to stop him. As the traveler lamented how the power of the Antellion had torn such strong bonds between family apart, Dr. Jang dismissed their comment by saying that the pair had chosen to ignore Naricain's dream. The traveler then demanded to know why Naricain was always the victim to her, reminding her that he had a choice too. However, Dr. Jang merely told them that they would never understand him. Meanwhile, Naricain laughed that neither Millard nor Henne could defeat him and promised to end things if they told him where the Antellion was. When they refused, Naricain unleashed powerful dark magic that the traveler struggled to resist through the simulation. Realizing that Millard would never tell him willingly, Naricain threatened to kill Henne, causing Millard to begrudgingly reveal that the Antellion was on Maple World. Satisfied, Naricain allowed his two siblings to live as he set off for to Maple World.

Dr. Jang's Ultimate Weapon

As the simulation ended, the traveler realized that Naricain would eventually kill Crimsonheart and take the Antellion, though the Grandmasters would destroy it while Subani sacrificed his life to seal Naricain. A surprised Dr. Jang asked them how they knew that, to which they explained that they had seen Lukan's memories. Dr. Jang explained that she had seen Naricain's memories and felt his pain and isolation, with his suffering becoming hers. She then noted that the traveler, a hero of Maple World who had risked their lives countless time for what they had believed in, was the same as Naricain, who sought the Antellion, not for personal gain, but to achieve peace. She explained that the only difference was that no one bothered to see his side of the story. The traveler then returned to the real world, where Dr. Jang told them that hearing their opinion on Naricain had cemented her belief that she needed to completely and utterly destroy them. She then appeared before them while riding her ultimate weapon, a large panther-like robot.

Act 4: The Fall of Crimsonwood

Dr. Jang's Defeat

In the Grandmaster Hall, Crimsonheart confronted Naricain, who asked whether his father was in despair after sending off Subani, spitefully adding that Subani had always been his favorite. After a pause, Crimsonheart reminded Naricain that Subani had still been his brother, to which Naricain replied that Subani would have remained so if he hadn't gotten in the way. Crimsonheart revealed that Subani had always believed that Naricain would return home, both while in Versal and in Maple World. Naricain admitted that he had never wanted to hurt Subani, but Dr. Jang had told him that Subani would be his undoing by sealing him in a purgatory between life and death. Crimsonheart replied that he had heard how Naricain would have killed him originally, which had driven Subani to such lengths. An angry Naricain then spat out that he hated Crimsonheart, adding that his father was the one responsible for everything. Meanwhile, Dr. Jang confronted the traveler with her ultimate weapon. She explained that she had designed it to use against Crimsonheart, but the traveler's actions had made her realize that they were just as much of a threat. She then told the traveler that if her machine couldn't stop them, then it certainly wouldn't stop Crimsonheart.

After a fierce battle, the traveler managed to destroy the machine and told Dr. Jang to leave Naricain in the past and go back to her life in Maple World. They added that they held no grudge against her, as she had merely gotten caught up in the machinations of a powerful being. However, Dr. Jang merely laughed and explained that it wasn't that simple. She told them that at first, she had just been happy to be wanted, as she had no family or friends during her childhood, with only her books, and later, her research. Being alone and stubborn, she hated losing and couldn't tolerate the shortcomings of others, furious that no one respected her for working her whole life in order to become as intelligent as she was. She then admitted that after meeting Naricain, she was finally happy, as there was someone out there who looked out for her and even needed her. She then told the traveler that they could never understand, as they had the strength to look out for others, and because she didn't, she needed that. The traveler sympathized with her loneliness, but explained that they were sure that there was someone out there who appreciated her that wasn't trying to conquer the world.

However, Dr. Jang told them that she didn't care, as all she wanted was to be right about Naricain's existence, his words, and his heart. The traveler acknowledged that she was smart and powerful, but entreated her to start over, promising to tell everyone that she had disappeared. However, Dr. Jang explained that she couldn't do that, revealing that she had rigged herself to explode in case she couldn't stop them. As the shocked traveler processed her words, Dr. Jang explained that even though she couldn't stop Crimsonheart, she could at least destroy them, the one person who had foiled her otherwise perfect plan. The traveler attempted to stop Dr. Jang, fighting through the Krakian warriors who had arrived to prevent them from reaching her. Just as she was about to press the self-destruct button, however, Lukan appeared and stabbed her, saving the traveler's life. Though Lukan was glad to have stopped Dr. Jang's evil scheme, the traveler noted that Dr. Jang herself wasn't truly evil, but merely misguided as a result of her difficult circumstances.

Meanwhile, as Dr. Jang passed away, she recalled a conversation that she had with Naricain within his dreamscape. In her memory, Naricain asked Dr. Jang what she would do once their plan was complete, dismissing her correction that it was actually his plan by reminding her that they were making the journey together. He added that he had the power to grant her dreams and explained that there was one thing that he wished to do, which was to find a land without people, war, anger, or sorrow, where there was only simple grass and trees. He then asked her whether she knew what he was saying, to which she told him that she did. She then began to state that she would love to go with him, but just as she began to state that she wouldn't be able to, she began to trail off, with the memory ending as she passed away.

The Sealing of Naricain

Meanwhile, as the traveler and Lukan headed towards Crimsonheart, Lukan noted that he hadn't seen any of the Grandmasters except for Numenal, who was holding off the invasion army at the castle entrance. The traveler immediately suspected that Lireni had deserted, but held the thought for Lukan's sake. As more enemies appeared, the traveler decided to hold them off and told Lukan to go ahead and help Crimsonheart fight Naricain. In the Grandmaster Hall, Crimsonheart and Naricain were battling, with Naricain telling his father to stop resisting and to surrender the Antellion, which Crimsonheart had seized back from Naricain. When Crimsonheart told Naricain that Glona wouldn't want the world that he was trying to build, a furious Naricain told Crimsonheart that he didn't have the right to say her name, to which Crimsonheart asked whose name he could say, as he had no one left. Though he had accepted that a guardian could not be there for every battle, he explained that he had missed a crucial fact, which was that there needed to be an end to the constant struggle. He then declared that for the sake of their family, he needed to put an end to the cycle. Naricain laughed and invited Crimsonheart to try and kill him, an offer that Lukan immediately took up on as he arrived.

As he and Crimsonheart began to gain the upper hand, Naricain summoned the corrupted warriors of the Keep to push them back. The traveler soon caught up and joined the battle, much to the delight of Crimsonheart, who realized that they had defeated Dr. Jang. A shocked Naricain immediately claimed that they must had fled, believing that there was no way that they could have defeated her. As the traveler declared that Dr. Jang and her ultimate weapon had both been defeated, Lukan noticed the effect that their words had on Naricain and asked him whether the loss of his minion was too much for him to bear. Upon hearing Lukan calling the love of his life a mere minion, Naricain's fury resulted in him channeling unprecedented levels of darkness as he processed her death. Amidst the dark energy, the traveler managed to create a diversion, allowing Crimsonheart to shoot chains from his sword that bound Naricain. Amidst Naricain's cries begging his father to stop, Crimsonheart used his magic to seal Naricain inside a statue once again and teleported him to another dimension.

Olde Sapp Village

Suddenly, the Keep began to rumble as the force of the battle unsettled it. The three fought past the enemies as they escaped the Keep and arrived in the Krakian Jungle. Crimsonheart reassured them that the Keep would stand, as the warriors of Versal had built it to last. However, he mourned the countless soldiers who had fallen in the battle. Just then, Numenal arrived with the surviving soldiers and explained that they had retreated when the Keep had begun to shake. He then asked about the outcome of the battle, to which Crimsonheart explained that he had managed to save the Antellion and seal Naricain away, banishing him to a great void beyond time and space. When Lukan asked what would happen if Naricain escaped, as he had done in the traveler's time, Delgrund appeared with the surviving Krakians and explained that Crimsonheart hadn't made the same mistake as Subani, as Naricain's banishment would leave him frozen in a vast expanse of nothingness.

He then explained that Lireni had been right about Dr. Krakia infecting the river to transform the people of the Krakian Empire into an army, as he had confirmed her theory while gathering the survivors. Crimsonheart then thanked the traveler for all their efforts in thwarting Naricain. He also noticed that Lireni was absent and asked Numenal about it, who paused before claiming that Lireni had been killed in battle. As the Grandmasters mourned her loss, the traveler asked Crimsonheart what he would do with the Antellion. Lukan and the others asked whether they would finally return home to Versal, to which Crimsonheart cryptically told them that some of them would. Adding that he couldn't speak of his decision in their present location, he asked where the center of Krakia was, to which Delgrund explained that it was a village named Olde Sapp Village. The group then traveled to Olde Sapp Village, where Crimsonheart revealed that he would remain behind with the Antellion, as he knew that Versal would be threatened by danger and despair if he were to take it back. When Lukan declared that he would remain as well, Crimsonheart explained that Lukan misunderstood, clarifying that Maple World was not safe for the Antellion either. The others immediately understood what Crimsonheart was saying as he confirmed their suspicious by declaring that he would destroy the Antellion at the cost of his own life.

The Grandmasters immediately protested, claiming that with Naricain's defeat, they could work together and protect the Antellion as they always had. However, Crimsonheart pointed out that they had barely managed to defeat Naricain, with no way of knowing whether someone more dangerous than him would appear to claim the Antellion's power. He added that Naricain had already mentioned that another force desired the Antellion, perhaps more than Naricain did himself. When the traveler asked if Crimsonheart really had to sacrifice himself, he told them that it was the only way to preserve the future that they hailed from. He then turned to the Grandmasters and explained that he had tasks that he needed to entrust to them. He told Numenal that he would send him back to Versal, where he was to ensure that the people of Versal, both now and in the future, knew of the Antellion and the sacrifices made to protect it, as well as to take care of his remaining children as their new father, being there for them as he could never be. Though he explained that Versal would never need a protector, nor would its people travel across space and time, he entrusted Numenal with leading the warriors of Versal. He then used the power of the Antellion to send Numenal and the remaining warriors back to Versal, after which he told Delgrund to watch over the surviving Krakians, whom he planned to send to a new, safe land in Maple World.

Though the Krakians asked Crimsonheart whether they could stay in Krakia, as the roots of their entire civilization lay there, Delgrund explained that Dr. Jang's corruption of the continent would prevent them from living safely, as the corrupted Krakians and Versalians still roamed the fallen land. Crimsonheart then apologized to Delgrund for keeping him away from Versal, to which Delgrund declared that Maple World would be his new home. After Crimsonheart used the Antellion to transport Delgrund and the Krakians away, he entrusted Lukan with the most important task of all, which was to return back to the future with the traveler, as the fragment of the Antellion that powered the Time Portal still remained there. He tasked Lukan with being the protector of the fragment, permitting him to hide it or destroy it as he saw fit, but mandating that no one except he may possess it. The traveler then asked whether the piece would even exist, as Naricain had never severed it from the main body in their current timeline. However, Crimsonheart explained that since the Antellion transcended space and time, both it and its fragments remained anchored wherever they fell, and that even changing the past wouldn't affecting the Antellion in the future. He then thanked the traveler for proving that great heroes could exist even without the Antellion, which left him confident in his decision to destroy it. After saying their farewells, Crimsonheart used the Antellion one last time to send the traveler and Lukan a thousand years into the future before shattering it, ending his life and sinking the continent into the ocean. As he passed away, Crimsonheart thought back to his family one last time, hoping that he would be reunited with Glona once again.

The Return of Masteria

Lukan and the traveler unexpectedly appeared in Crimsonwood Keep of the present, where Dr. Yoon and several researchers encountered them. The pair were shocked to learn that Masteria had resurfaced, as Crimsonheart's sacrifice was meant to have sunk it forever. Dr. Yoon noted that it was an interesting theory, which fit with how Masteria had recently resurfaced. Lukan then remembered the Antellion fragment and rushed to the Time Portal against Dr. Yoon's protests to keep away. The traveler noted that the fragment was still there, just as Crimsonheart had said, but they were surprised that the Time Portal also remained when all traces of Dr. Jang should have been gone. The traveler then removed the fragment from the Time Portal, which broke the device, and gave it to Lukan, who decided that he would hide it somewhere far away, as he had doubts about his ability to break it and the consequences that would follow if he succeeded. However, he promised the traveler that he would not allow it to trouble them or Maple World. The traveler and Lukan then said their farewells as he prepared to embark on his journey to hide the Antellion fragment. After Lukan left, Dr. Yoon and the others rushed over to find that the traveler had destroyed the Time Portal, which they claimed had been their greatest discovery. Dr. Yoon then demanded to know the traveler's name, but upon hearing it, he was surprised and explained that they had discovered an ancient book in the Keep, which held records of the final days of the continent before it had sunk into the ocean. Though the book had been written in the ancient language of Versal, they had been able to make out the traveler's name in the writings, though the traveler denied having any relation to it.