Depths of Despair/Story

Depths of Despair - Opening

Anna	We've nearly reached the border between Askr and Embla. We should arrive at the village soon. It was shrouded in darkness for some time, but has allegedly returned to its original state. However, that doesn't mean we can let our guard down.
Please be cautious. Vestiges of Embla's power remain here still, though they have weakened.		Ash
Alfonse	We should thoroughly investigate what influence the darkness still holds in the village.
Agreed. It still feels...ominous here. Like something terrible could happen if you weren't paying attention... Oh, it's hard to see where you're stepping in that overgrowth, so be careful, 【Summoner】.		Sharena
Alfonse	What's happening?! Hang on!
No! Our summoner is getting pulled away into the darkness!		Sharena
Ash	Summoner! Wh-what can we do? This is a crisis most dire!
... Urgh... My head... Everything's hazy... What is this place? The last thing I remember is losing my powers upon entering Askr... Oh, th-that's right! Lady Embla! My lady, are you here?! Are you— Huh? Well, well, if it isn't Askr's precious summoner! This is unexpected... Hm... hey, you're not dead, are you? No, just unconscious, it seems. What a shame.		Elm
What now?! Some kind of light? Seems to be coming from the summoner's divine weapon. If I recall correctly, this weapon is capable of summoning Heroes from other worlds... Huh?		Elm
Anankos	...
...		Chrom
Maria	Where...am I? Michalis, Minerva...
What the— What's going on?! It seems we are sealed away in darkness. This warrants intervention! Allow me to seize control! Hey, child! You, over there! You're the one who sealed us away in this darkness, aren't you?!		Byleth
Elm	Wh-what? Me?! I've got nothing to do with it! This imbecile's weapon just acted on its own!
This is not Valla. I see... Then the future I beheld was directing me to this moment.		Anankos
Elm	Wh-what are you babbling about? Whoa!
Life...exists to be harvested...		Chrom
Elm	H-hey, watch it! Are you trying to kill me, swinging your sword around like that?
Do you also intend...to meddle in Lord Medeus's plans? If so...you must die...		Maria
Elm	Urgh! Come on, Summoner, wake up and make yourself useful! Do you really intend to die like that, just lying there like a slug?! Of all the idiotic—
Summoner! Are you unharmed? Unworthy though I am, as Lord Askr's retainer, I am honor bound to—		Ash
Elm	What's the cow doing here?!
Oh my, you seem to be in the midst of a perilous quandry! I should think flight the most prudent response. Come! I shall carry the summoner.		Ash
Elm	How dare you ignore me when I'm talking to you, cow?! H-hey!

Depths of Despair - C

Ash	*pant* *pant* I believe we have gained enough distance from our pursuers to enjoy a brief respite. Hm, let me see... It would appear the summoner remains unconscious, but is uninjured. What glad tidings!
Time to explain yourself, cow! Where are we? And who were those lunatics chasing us? It looked like the summoner brought them here without even being awake to do it!		Elm
Ash	I am shocked that Breidablik would activate on its own without the summoner’s cognizance. But I cannot discern a clear theory as to why since this place is sealed away in such dismal darkness...
Wait, what did you say? Then this place was created through Lady Embla’s power?		Elm
Ash	Yes. I came only on a mission of rescue after watching the summoner become ensnared in the darkness.
Do you really think I care that you’re here to clean up after that idiot? Lady Embla’s whereabouts are far more important. Where is she?!		Elm
Ash	I am aggrieved to say it, but both Lord Askr and Lady Embla are...gone.
What?! How dare you spout off such a brazen lie? A fool like Askr could never defeat Lady Embla!		Elm
Ash	One could say that the schism between them faded when they were lost... And because of that, the kingdom of Askr and Emblian Empire now act hand-in-hand as allies. So as their retainers, there is no reason for us to quarrel anymore.
...		Elm
Ash	My recommendation would be that we join forces to escape from this evil place.
Shut up. I don’t...I don’t believe you. Askr is one thing, but I refuse to believe that Lady Embla would die. Not her!		Elm
Ash	Oh! Watch out!
Urgh! That attack! It can’t be—		Elm
Byleth	Enough playing, children! Release us from this darkness at once!
Professor Byleth?! No, this aura... I have no choice but to acknowledge that it is entirely different from the Byleth I know...		Ash
Chrom	Your life is forfeit...
Prince Chrom?! You don’t look to be in the best health... Though it may be more accurate to say that you have taken a form so troubling that your health is not—		Ash
Elm	What are you prattling on about?! You can tell they’re out for blood just by looking at them! Damn it! My power isn’t fully restored yet... Run, cow!
U-Understood! I shall carry the summoner. Where shall we go?		Ash
Elm	How should I know? Go wherever you want!
You fools shall not outrun me!		Byleth

Depths of Despair - B

Elm	*pant* *wheeze* Looks like we managed to lose them somehow.
Their unmitigated murderous intent is highly disturbing. We would surely count among the dead if we had slowed our pace but for only a moment...		Ash
Elm	Why did you follow me, anyway?! I could have made my escape easily if you two had acted as decoys!
But I could have sworn you uttered ”this way!” a moment ago... Was that not an invitation to follow you?		Ash
Elm	W-well, that—it just slipped out, OK?! Ugh, your very presence just throws me off.
Humanity will only continue to fight and suffer... Forever.		Maria
Ash	Princess Maria?! No, those eyes... That is not the kind gaze of the princess I know. I might describe it by saying that it evokes a feeling akin to the deepest despair imaginable...
Michalis and Minerva are no exception... As long as humans live... They will only spread sadness... It would be best if everyone...perished.		Maria
Ash	Eek! Princess Maria, I would greatly appreciate it if you could remember that you are a good-hearted soul! Ah!
Don’t just stand there letting her strike you, you senseless cow! Are your eyes failing you? It’s obvious that she’s beyond being reasoned with!		Elm
Anankos	Indeed... For what place does reason hold among you miserable humans? Humans crush hearts beneath their feet, betray each other over petty matters of greed... You are not worthy of our trust. There is nothing left for humans but annihilation.
Wh-what is this monstrous pressure?! It’s like Lady Embla’s power... No, it’s an even more twisted darkness. Foolish summoner, who the hell did you drop on us?!		Elm
Anankos	Do not underestimate me... I respond to no human summons. I sent one of my vassals here to investigate, then forced my way to this land by my own power.
None could accomplish such a feat but a god! Perhaps that sheer dark power is what beckoned these grim Heroes to our world too.		Ash
Anankos	This land shall be the genesis of humanity’s ruin. I shall lay waste to all lands tainted by their insolence!
And I suppose you’ll start by eliminating us, huh? You’re the insolent one for thinking you can do as you please in Lady Embla’s domain! I will not allow something as vile as you to set foot on her soil!		Elm
Byleth	Let us out of here! I grow weary of such perpetual darkness!
I will turn all hope...to despair!		Chrom
Ash	Th-this is precisely what one would describe as a life-or-death scenario! We must swiftly discern our escape!

Depths of Despair - A

Elm	I can’t afford to die here, damn it! What shame that would bring to Lady Embla’s name!
Um, might I make a proposal? Though the impact of this may be uncertain, it harbors no small potential to—		Ash
Elm	We’re about to die! Could you just get to the point already?!
If I call upon Lord Askr’s power, I could possibly open the darkness and create a means of escape. However, I believe your power would also be necessary to attempt such a deed. May I request your aid?		Ash
Elm	Are you really asking me to combine my strength with yours? Foolishness!
Are you not here now because your liege wished for you to live on? If that is true, then I believe you are obliged as her retainer to take what actions must be taken now... So you may carry her spirit into the future!		Ash
Elm	...
If you are able to escape, I am certain you will be able to see the truth of my words with your own eyes. You will see that the kingdom of Askr and the Emblian Empire have chosen a path of reconcili—Ah!		Ash
Byleth	What more is there to discuss?! Grant us freedom or suffer my wrath!
Conflict, pain...all of it. It must all disappear...		Maria
Elm	Urgh, fine! Look, cow, I’m only doing this for Lady Embla’s sake. I have no desire to save either of you. These idiots can stay locked away in the darkness. We’re the only ones escaping today!
Rrrraaahhh!		Chrom
Anankos	You are only fit for death.
In the name of Askr, God of Openness!		Ash
Elm	In the name of Embla, God of Closure!
Open the darkness, and bring us once more to the world where light shines bright!		Ash
Uh...urgh... Hm? Where am I?		Ash
Alfonse	Ash, 【Summoner】!
Thank goodness you’re both back!		Sharena
Anna	Is 【Summoner】 all right? Hm... Just unconscious, looks like.
It seems we finally found salvation from the darkness, but... Wait! Have any of you seen Lady Embla’s retainer? He was right alongside us...		Ash
Anna	You and 【Summoner】 are the only ones we’ve found.
I see... I wonder where he has ventured off to? Moving forward, I hope that he will use his powers for the peace of the nation that Lady Embla cared for... I think—no, I’m positive that he will.		Ash

Scenario
New World of Study ←		Depths of Despair		Strength in Service →
Chrom	Byleth F		Maria		Anankos

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