Sacred Stone Memories Chapter 7/Quest 10 - Storyline

Light and Darkness

Kudanstein	An assassin hired by Waginau...?!
Basheeny	Yes. I am connected to Lord Waginau and can wield the power of darkness. It appears we have similarities.
Monzein	Y-you scum! How could you...?!
Seida	So...you were the wielder of the power of darkness after all!
Basheeny	Yes. I am sorry for hiding it from you.
Kudanstein	Just so you know, I have no intention of joining them. Don't place us in the same boat.
Basheeny	Hey, please wait! You can't go any further...
Kudanstein	...? Why?
Basheeny	Well, I'm not exactly sure why. I just don't want to let you through.
Kudanstein	What are you talking about? You've got business with Kanon as well, don't you? If that's so then...
Basheeny	I told you, you can't go passed me. I still can't fully comprehend the meaning of her words. I can't afford to let you get in the way.
Seida	The meaning of Kanon's words?
Basheeny	Yes. She was going on about being bonded and about feelings...the same kind of nonsense that you two have been going on about. I'm starting to get interested...in this uncertain thing that she places so much value in.
Seida	...You!
Basheeny	In any case, I can't let you advance any further. I'm sorry I have to do this to you being that this is the first time we've met, but... Captain Kudanstein...I'll stop you with all my power.
Seida	You were hiding...this much dark power?!
Kudanstein	I don't understand what you're talking about, but now isn't the time for you to get involved. Stand back!
Basheeny	...
Kudanstein	He disappeared...?!
Basheeny	I'm behind you.
Kudanstein	Ack?! ...You're fast!
Basheeny	That's nothing yet.
Kudanstein	Agh?! Wh-what...?!
Basheeny	Just so you know, I'm more accustomed than you are to using the art of darkness. After all, I've been trained since I was little.
Kudanstein	...!
Basheeny	I'm sorry. I'm ending it here! "Banishment"!!!
Basheeny Kudanstein	!
Kudanstein	Aghh!!! Ackkk...!
Monzein	No way! ...And against Kudan out of all people!
Basheeny	You and I are very similar. But...it's odd...my interest lies elsewhere.
Kudanstein	Wh-what...?!
Basheeny	More than Lord Waginau...I am interested in learning about what the Commander Kanon thinks.
Kudanstein	Ack...!
Basheeny	You're quite tenacious. Do you still have strength left in you? I won't go easy on you even in the end, you know?
Reimei	...I won't allow it.
Basheeny	Huh...?!
Kudanstein	Tsk. I didn't ask for your help...
Reimei	This man is seeking far greater heights than you are. This isn't the time and place for the likes of you.
Basheeny	No...!
Victor	...Huahhhhh!!!
Reimei	?!
Victor	!
Reimei	Ack! Who...are you?
Seida	Victor?!
Basheeny	Little frog! Why...?
Victor	Right back at you! Why are you...fighting against Kudanstein?!
Basheeny	That has nothing to do with you. More importantly...you should be running away.
Victor	Huh...?
Basheeny	This person is obviously on a whole other level than you are. You'll just end up hopping around on the ground like a frog.
Victor	Hey, hold on...why are you worrying about me?
Basheeny	...I've started to feel like I want to experience it.
Victor	Huh?
Basheeny	I want to experience this thing you guys call a bond.
Victor	...!
Reimei	Don't make me have to put in an extra effort.
Basheeny	?! Not good!
Victor	Ack...! Huzzzaaahhh!!!
Reimei	Ugh...?!
Basheeny	Little frog!
Victor	Huff...huff...! You've finally become decent, you idiot!
Basheeny	Huh...?
Victor	I'm telling you that passionate feeling you have now is what lies in the center of being human! Come on, let's go!
Basheeny	...! Yes!!!
Reimei	What beautiful and mesmerizing friends. That being said, don't allow his actions to sway you.
Monzein	...! Wait! Don't recklessly involve yourself!
Kudanstein	...
Victor	Huh...?
Kudanstein	While we're wasting time here, Kagura...this world...is being placed at risk...! I...won't...let...you...!
Basheeny	No! Guard yourself against it!
Victor	H-huahh!!!
Kudanstein	...Dis...appear!!!
???	!
Kudanstein	...!
Kanon	Captain Kudan...
Basheeny Victor	Commander Kanon!
Monzein Seida	Kanon...!
Kanon	Is everyone all right?!
Basheeny	...I-I'm sorry...Commander Kanon...
Kanon	Huh?
Basheeny	My mission was to protect you...but you ended up saving me.
Kanon	Basheeny...hehe...it's fine. Try and rest a little.
Basheeny	Commander Kanon...
Kudanstein	Who would've thought you'd be the one to make your way to me. It's been a while, Kanon.
Kanon	Captain Kudan...
Seida	Be careful, Kanon! Captain Kudan's power of darkness is even stronger than before!
Kanon	I know...thank you, Seida.
Kudanstein	I came here to take Kagura from you. Where is she?
Kanon	I can't allow you to see her, Captain Kudan.
Kudanstein	I see...
Kudanstein	The destruction of the Mikaboshi will lead to destroying the equilibrium of this world. If it's to save this world, I won't go easy on you!
Kanon	The existence of the Mikaboshi will lead this world to destruction!
Kanon	As the 11th Lord Commander...if it's to prevent this destruction, I must turn my sword against you!
Kudanstein	Hurrrahhhh!!!
Kanon	Huzzzaaah!!!
Later...
Kudanstein Kanon	!
Kudanstein	Face reality...! None of you seem to be aware that you're about to repeat the same tragedy that occurred in Wadatsumi! I will do absolutely everything I can to prevent that from happening!!!
Kanon	That's a mistake! Allowing the Mikaboshi to remain in this world is the same as allowing the existence of something that has the power to ruin the world! We need to do everything we can to find the Mikaboshi and eliminate it from this world!!!
Kudanstein	No! How can you not consider the fact that destroying the Mikaboshi may not necessarily serve justice! That instead would lead to destroying the balance of power in this world and lead to its destruction!
Kanon	No! Wadatsumi was destroyed precisely because of the Mikaboshi existence! The Mikaboshi is the culprit for producing conflict in this world!
Kudanstein	Ack...! Is there nothing I can do to make you see things differently?!
Kanon	I'd ask the same of you! Can I not get you to listen to what I am saying?!
Kudanstein	I would've liked to have avoided this...but I guess there's no choice. If we cannot see justice under the same terms...then, as knights, we must determine matters with our swords.
Kanon	...Fine. As Lord Commander I accept your proposal!
Kudanstein	I've discarded my empathy, Kanon!
Kudanstein	In order to protect this world and the equilibrium of power, I will become the "supreme judge"!!!
Kanon	I will as well, Captain Kudan! I will open your eyes to reality!!!
Kudanstein	The End!!!
Kanon	Eternal Glow!!!
Kudanstein	!!! Wh-when did you gain...so much power...?!
Kanon	Ag...ghh...! I'd ask the same of you, Captain! I had no idea your power of darkness had increased to this point!
Kudanstein	Still...my resolve...is on another level than all of you!
Kanon	Huh...?!
Kudanstein	I...have...seen...the destruction...of Wadatsumi! I have seen...its...despair...! I have seen...Kagura...living...with despair...beyond...imagination!!!
Kanon	Ug...ugh?!
Kudanstein	I will...never...allow...that tragedy...to be repeated...again! Even if...no one...understands me...even if...the whole world...turns against...me... I will...save...this world...from such...despair!!! Hurrrahhhh!!!
Kanon	Aghh...!!! Ackkk!!!
Seida	Kanon!!!
Kudanstein	It's over...Kanon...I ask you...once again! Your answer...will decide...whether or not...I must make...a ruthless...decision!
Kanon	My...my feelings are the same!
Kudanstein	...!
Kanon	Y-you will never be able to save the world with your way of thinking, Captain Kudan!
Kudanstein	That's...an unfortunate...answer...Kanon. Farewell!!!
Kanon	...!
???	Kudan...?
Kudanstein	...!
Kagura	...
Kudanstein	...Kagura? Is that...you...Kagura?!
Kagura	Kudan...!
Kudanstein	Kagura! You're safe...I've come to save you!
Kagura	To save me?
Kudanstein	They were going to use you again! But you're okay now...as long as I am here, I won't let them harm you!
Kagura	Kudan...is it true that you killed...Commander Zain?
Kudanstein	...! It is...
Kagura	...!
Kudanstein	Zain had the wrong mentality. I can't explain it you easily now. I'll explain my actions properly to you later.
Kanon	Agh! N-no...! I will not let you take Kagura!
Kudanstein	Shut up! You are all leading the world to its destruction! I won't let you have Kagura!
Kagura	What are you saying...?
Kudanstein	You should all examine your own vulnerability! Your weakness is what is allowing you to be taken advantage of! Your lack of strength has turned you into the culprits that will bring about the destruction of this world!
Kanon	Ugh! Ar-are you still going on about that?! We are not being taken advantage of...
Kudanstein	As long as you choose to turn a blind eye to your own weakness, you will never realize the truth! At least I am coming face to face with my own vulnerabilities! I am painfully aware that my lack of strength is the cause for all of this! I am not like you who cannot face your own weakness!
Kagura	What...are you saying?!
Kudanstein	If I had the power to destroy the Mikaboshi, Zain would have never tried to use Kagura! If I had enough power, I would've been able to save you all from walking down the wrong path! If only I had the power, I would be able to maintain the balance of this world again. Without a "supreme judge" in the world right now, unless someone can replace that power, there will be no future for this world!
Kanon	Are you saying that you're going to maintain the balance of this world, Captain Kudan?
Kudanstein	Yes! I cannot ensure the fate of this world to you Paladins who have been infiltrated by the Corpse! I will obtain even further power and become the "supreme judge"! Instead of the Lord Commander, I will be the one to maintain the equilibrium of power in this world! I will eliminate all dangers that threaten this world... There will come a day when all of you will understand!
Kanon	Captain...Kudan!
Kudanstein	This...is where...it ends!!!
Kagura	Vermilion Bird!!!
Kudanstein	?! ...Kagura?!
Kagura	I'm sorry...Kudan.
Kudanstein	Wh-what...?
Kagura	You needed to protect me...that's why you continued to seek power. I was so weak...that I needed your protection. I am sure that it was me who killed your original, gentle self.
Kudanstein	Kagura! What are you saying?
Kagura	But...you're wrong.
Kudanstein	What...?
Kagura	The people of Wadatsumi do not seek power! Power drives people mad. The people of Wadatsumi understood this. That's why they continued to hide the Mikaboshi!
Kudanstein	Huh...?!
Kagura	The people of Wadatsumi would never accept your way of thinking! Your way of thinking...is the same as those who destroyed Wadatsumi!
Kudanstein	Are you...calling me the same as them?!
Kagura	I don't want what you offer either! I cannot accept your way of thinking!
Kudanstein	Ka...Kagura...will you reject it? Will you reject...me?
Kagura	I'm...sorry.
Kudanstein	Ugh...?!
Kagura	...Goodbye.
Kudanstein	?!
Kagura	Goodbye...my precious...Kudan...
Kudanstein	!!! Uggaahhhhhhh!!! Ka-Kagura...!!! Wh-why...?! Ackkkkk!!!
Kanon	Ca-Captain Kudan...!
Kudanstein	Wh-why? You were the one thing...I needed to protect. Even you...will turn against me? ...Hwaahhhh!!!
Kagura	...Huh?!
Kudanstein	...Why?! Why?! Why?! Why?! Why!!!
Kagura	...?! M-my body...I can't seem to control it!
Kanon	Kagura...?!
Kudanstein	Is this...truly the path I must take? Must I truly discard everything...to become the "supreme judge"?
Kanon	Ca-Captain Kudan...?!
Kudanstein	...I guess that means the world I must belong to is one void of love...and light. Very well. Then with delight...I will accept the darkness! In order to protect this world...I will gladly walk down this path! Hurraaaahhh!!!
Kudanstein	...
Seida	N-no! Kanon, run...!
Kanon	Captain Kudan...it appears you seek power at the expense of discarding your own humanity.
Kudanstein	Hurraahhhh!!!
Monzein	Kanon! Run!!!
Seida	...
Kanon	What immense power. Yet, you appear so broken at the same time.
Kudanstein	Hurraahhhh!!!
Kagura	Ka-Kanon...!
Kanon	I won't lose. I cannot afford to lose. You have lost the most important thing that makes you human...
Kudanstein	Hurraahhhh!!!
Kanon	I will lead this world! I will build your ideal world that is void of sadness!!!
Kanon	Listen to me, reincarnated Holy Sword Excalibur! Give me power!!! ...Eternal Glow!!!
Kudanstein	Ugh?! ...Uggggghh...?! Aghhhhh!!!
Kagura	Ku...Kudan...! ...Kudan!!!
The world has started to change. Will the future be in light or in darkness? The young knights...couldn't even imagine that from here onward, the balance of the world would shift completely.
Kudanstein	On that day, all I could do...was watch as Wadatsumi was destroyed. Confronted with my immense powerlessness, I was overwhelmed with despair...and all I could do was remain standing. Throughout that, the only thing I was able to protect...was Kagura. Her existence...tethered me to this world...even as I was consumed with overwhelming despair. Protecting her was the one thing that kept me going. If I could not protect her, I felt as if I would no longer exist. However...I came to realize that what I was doing was running away. I had to look into the future, not into the past. What I needed to protect was not my vulnerable past self, but the future of this vast world itself! I must not hesitate to obtain power! I must not turn away from the strongest of opponents! If I were to stand aside, then who would save this world?!

Kudanstein	Farewell...beautiful days...farewell...my beloved friends... For the sake of maintaining the balance of this world...for the sake of becoming the "supreme judge" who will protect the peace of this world... I will gladly descend into the darkness!

Orion	...!
Waginau	Kudanstein...so he fell into the darkness after all!
Orion	Waginau...hurry and go convene the Veda Templars.
Waginau	Do you mean...?
Orion	The voice of birth cries out...with the conception of a new era!
Waginau	!!! Understood...!
Orion	The eternal river of history continues to flow through this world. So...you've chosen this path after all...heheh...hyahahaha!!!
Warning bells ring against the historical moment, of an eternal world full of evil. But one person rises quietly to the ringing. One who seeks the power of another. The world is about to be shaken, as the "Lion Monarch's Charge" is unveiled.