Crisis Core: Resonance of Chaos

Calista's Diary

4 / 14 / 212X – 13th Hour of Night


- - - - -

4 / 15 / 212X – 4th Hour of Light

In the veritable middle of its day, Motz seemed fairly typically. Citizens shopped in the market, conversed at the local tavern, and went about on their merry way as if all the light around them wasn't going to disappear in just three short hours. Perhaps one could chalk it up to the small town growing accustomed to the strange disappearance of radiance, but then again, how could a world so accustomed to the element only three years ago have gotten used to sparse periods of the stuff? Certainly there was more going on then met the eye, but little could be said for anyone who dared to raise the question; such people were deemed heretics, and heretics rarely remained in small towns for long. As soon as they revealed themselves, the extensive nights would gobble them up and all who remained pleasantly oblivious to the lacking day would continue along the status quo.

This is not to mean that unspoken questioners did not exist, quite the contrary, many chose to uphold the facade of naivety simply because they did not wish to follow the same path as their braver compatriots. After all, who would want to be swallowed by the night never to be seen again? No one in their right mind, naturally. This thought, however, did not stop them from existing, and therefore they questioned in silence, hidden away behind the masks of ignorance evermore to ponder the situation the world as they knew it fell into.

The same could not be said for Calista S. Reynolds.

Daughter of the wealthiest benefactor in all of Motz, Calista was the sole person in town who had openly shared her questions (albeit only with her closest friends and family) and not been whisked away in the haze of night. The others may have been perfectly alright with letting things play out as they had, but she could not sit passively. She constantly argued with her father over her feelings––terrible concentrations of negativity, as she called them––often demanding that something be done. Her questions could not remain unanswered just as this world could not remain in the dark as it had (for far too long by her opinion.) Her father, however, offered her the same reply each and every time the subject arose: There is nothing wrong here, please do not speak of such things.

Every time this reply confronted her, she would bite her tongue and concede to her father. But the questions would burn endlessly in her mind, and as such she would ask the same of others. Most times people would encourage her to focus her mind elsewhere, but she would persist in the necessity of discovering just what had happened. Her desire for the truth and the knowledge the grand design ran unerring. Because of this (and the fact that she had never been devoured by the maw of shadows,) rumors spread that she, herself, may have been the direct cause of this darkness plaguing the land––these rumors, however, went unnoticed by all except the silent heretics. And they would never speak a word.

All except for one.

It would be on her return to the small town after many a year out traveling that she would acknowledge the young woman's questions and encourage her to find the answers. This is where our story begins.

No sooner than Samira had finished knocking did the polished wooden door swing open, a man fancily dressed in butler's attire holding it open with a bow. From further within, the card dealer could see quite well that several maids were rushing about tidying up in last minute preparations. This, however, held little import to the young woman, for the true focus of attention remained with a rather tall man garbed in a dark suit; he stood further back than the butler, talking with one of the servants before his storm-cloud-colored eyes settled on her. The instant that they did, he smiled.

"Samira, my child, it has been too long!" he exclaimed, sweeping over to the door and dismissing the butler who had opened it with a wave of his hand. "Come in, come in," he said whilst ushering her in. "We've been awaiting your arrival; I didn't quite believe Calista at first when she said she felt you would be here today, but she insisted you would be, and, as I'm sure you know, I could never allow a visit of yours to be tarnished by lack of preparations." He spoke with such vigor, a certain light in his eyes dancing as he swiftly led them to the drawing room. It seemed a whirl around the card dealer as he placed them each in a chair and ordered the curtains drawn, fireplace lit, doors closed, and Calista's presence all within just a few moments. The servants, however, were more than used to this pace when such guests as Samira did arrive on the premises, and, as such, moved without faltering.

It was no sooner that they had sat down that the two were alone. "Tell me, my child, where on earth have you been all this time? I have worried for you a great deal in your absence. Not a letter in so many months! I feared something might have happened to you." His words shot off like a spray of bullets, but there lay no doubt in the world he did not sincerely mean each one. There simply was something about the gentle creases on his forehead, the sparkle in his eyes, and warmness of his voice that implied, at least as far as Samira was concerned, that he genuinely cared for her.

Calista's father nodded intently as the card dealer explained herself, a small smile spreading on the corners of his mouth as she began fiddling with the cards she always kept with her. He did not appear the slightest bit disappointed by her rather wishy-washy explanation as to why she had not written; on the contrary, he seemed just as delighted as ever. Although, if one were like Samira or even the currently non-present Calista, one would know that this simply was the man's manner. He rarely, if ever, allowed himself to be offset by less than favorable circumstance. The only time he ever showed emotion that wasn't positive was when Calista spoke to him of. . . those matters.

Such thoughts, however, currently dwelled elsewhere, outside of the aged man's mind. They remained so when Samira had spoken of Calista's current state; the wellbeing of his daughter did not directly relate to such negative instances anyhow. "If I could speak for her, I should say she's been doing quite well. Been painting quite a bit recently, quite talented if I do say so myself." Another smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, although this faltered slightly and he looked to the door which remained closed. "I do fear for her future, though. You see, my child, she has come of age where it is time for her to settle down––start her own life. I do not see such things happening anytime soon." The slightest bit of a frown. "She has many suitors, as I'm sure you must have as well my dear, but she takes to none. Perhaps you could talk to her? Help her see that many of these young men are proper gentlemen, ones that she should cons––"

He stopped speaking immediately as the door opened and his daughter quietly stepped into the room. Dressed in her usual dark gown, Calista looked the part of a princess, Mr. Reynold's doing no doubt. Regardless, there was little liveliness in her form, that is, until her icy-colored eyes found their way to Samira. Instantly a grin almost as wide as her father's spread on her face. "Samira," she greeted warmly, "I just knew today would be the day."

At this notion, Mr. Reynolds chuckled. "Of course, of course! Just let any of our servants know if you require anything, my dear! I'm certain they will attend to you posthaste." He smile for the umpteenth time, standing and gently placing a hand on the card dealer's shoulder for but a moment before taking his leave. His leaving, however, did not ease the tension that had gathered in Calista's shoulders upon hearing what Samira could have only spoken to her. In fact, she remained just as aware as ever that her father could potentially be listening at every moment.

Regardless, she did not say a word, merely nodded in Samira's direction and guided the already familiar card dealer to her room. "There is no such place in this house," Calista warned in a hushed whisper, "but, seeing as I'm not allowed to leave after the third hour, this will have to do." Her nerves remained like steel, but her face offered not a glimpse of it. Truth be told that she had been rather worried about her "sister's" arrival back in Motz, but she did not wish for her worry to appear noticeable. Whatever Samira needed to talk with her about––though she was fairly certain she knew what––there was little need to appear unable to handle it.

Calista's eyes widened to a whole new degree as Samira closed the, admittedly, small gap between them. However, nothing could compare to the shock that broke through her usual stoic as the card dealer bared the thoughts that had been plaguing her mind. The reason she had been gone all this time? Why, it was the very same reason Calista, herself, had been so adamant all this time about doing just that. Leaving. Finding answers. Doing what no one else in the town of Motz would!

Nevertheless, the young heiress forced the adrenaline rushing through her veins to a halt. Her face returned to the calm serenity everyone in town had grown accustomed to just as they had grown acquainted with the endless hours of night. If her father were to get on to the plans that had already started screaming themselves out in her head, there would be no going with Samira. As it were, there might not be any more Samira in her life. Period.

She mentally silenced the flurry of thought and spoke, "I appreciate your coming home; more than ever do I appreciate seeing your face and hearing your voice." Calista took a moment to pause, icy orbs darting to the door behind which she could feel a servant stopping all motion for the moment. Eavesdropping, no doubt. The young woman's eyes returned to her dearest friend, her veritable sister bound by everything but blood. "Now is not the time," she answered, her voice at a normal volume, "but I am certain that this engagement will be fruitful one." There suddenly came about a ruckus behind the doorway, and all at once Calista knew that her plan was in full motion. Nothing could stand in her and Samira's way now.

Still, she glanced back from the door (as her eyes had pinned to it when the servant had moved) and nodded slightly. From her lips came three mouthed words: Follow my lead.

No sooner had the servant vaulted off did Mr Reynolds "oh so casually" disrupt their little talk. He buzzed with an energy that abnormal, even for one as lively as him. Once again he moved them to the drawing room, and there they were served tea and crumpets composed of only the finest ingredients. The fourth hour turned quickly to the fifth and then the sixth. No sooner had they spent most of the day conversing over nonsense with the wealthy gentleman did they settle to dinner in the most extravagant dining room in all of Motz.

As more and more food piled itself onto the table, Mr. Reynolds chattered ceaselessly until finally he seemed about to burst with excitement. How such dull topics as knitting and molding had gotten him into such good spirits was beyond the waitresses and cooks around him, but Calista and Samira could only sit in silent knowing. The silence that followed for all of the three seconds Mr. Reynolds remained contained felt like bliss.

"Samira, my dear child, you mentioned nothing this morning of good news. Forgive my asking, but it has come to my attention that something extremely pleasing happened to you during your travels; please, share with us, who have treated you as only family could, what this was formally. My darling Calista is a proper confidante, yes, but such news should be relayed to all for proper celebration, no?"

Mr. Reynolds hung on Samira's every word, Calista sitting silently to the side memorizing the conversation verbatim on the off chance they might need it. The latter had to give it to her friend, despite the stuttering she seemed at least somewhat convincing. Of course, whether or not it worked was not a worry in the young girl's mind––her father had always been a tad gullible. From the corner of her eye, she could see that gears were spinning in his head; he was picturing every moment as Samira described it. Nothing, however, could prepare either of them for what happened when silence hung in the room again.

"Nothing planned?" he questioned with mock shock, a scary glimmer in his gray eyes. A smile framed his face as always. "That's wonderful, my child, simply wonderful!" he exclaimed gleefully, practically vibrating in his seats as he looked to Calista. She offered a smile, but he hardly noticed it; his eyes had already returned to Samira. "Leave it to me," he began cheerfully, "I'll take care of everything! The food, the decor, the reception. Everything. We can hold the ceremony right here; only the proper thing to do for our family, no?"

Calista thought she might die right then and there. She had figured her father would be ecstatic, but this far exceeded anything she could have thought of. And poor Samira! She had no right to be embarrassed like this, but there was little the young heiress could do. Unable to do anything, she glanced in Samira's direction apologetically.

There was the slightest flash of being hurt across Mr. Reynold's face, but as quick as it came, it was gone. "Of course, of course, my child," he responded swiftly, waving his arms to bring in several attendants. All at once the table cleared and Calista's father stood, smiling as always. "We can talk all about it tomorrow, my sweet little Samira," he added, moving to wrap her in a quick embrace. "I'll have my attendants draw up a list for your review tomorrow. For now, rest, my dear, I'm sure the excitement and travel has tired you. As always, you may stay with Calista in her room; if you need anything let one of the servants know."

And just like that, he was gone, off to plan a wedding that wasn't happening.

Not a sound filled the room. No footsteps, no dusting, no waiting upon, not even the usual sound of Calista's father moving about. If neither Samira nor Calista needed to breathe, the room would have been dead silent. Despite the finger pressed into her frame, Calista, for once, shared her father's wide smile. She said nothing for the longest time, merely smiling until, "do you not hear that?" Her voice held a hint of lightheartedness deep within. "None of the attendants are about," she explained after a moment, dropping the smile, but keeping her voice fairly upbeat and quiet.

Before Samira could answer her, however, Calista immediately grabbed a hold of her friend and dragged her off to her room, silently urging the girl to watch as none of the maids or butlers remained about the house. All of the servants––every single worker––had been gathered to Mr. Reynold's study to work out the details for the false wedding. Could Samira not see how wonderful this opportunity was? Sure, marriage might not have been the least embarrassing scape goat, but it worked miracles. The second the young heiress had pulled her friend into her room, she settled them near the windowsill.

"I apologize, sister, but can you not see? It worked wonders. The whole house will be confined to that one room straight through till morn!" she whispered excitedly, looking to the door out of habit rather than necessity. "This is our chance," she continued quickly, turning her head ever so slightly to a rather strong looking rope made out of linen sheets. "We'll never find anything cooped up in here, but now––right now––we have a chance to leave. We have a chance to, at the very least, scope out what these feelings are."

She delicately pushed the sill open, allowing the final beam of light to enter before it suddenly cut to cold blackness. No warning, just darkness. "If we find something to show my father he'll forget about this marriage in no time; if not, then I will think of something. I promise." Her lips finally came to a halt and she sat there watching her friend, hoping to whatever divine power remained above that she would be forgiven for acting so hastily.

"There are dogs," Calista retorted immediately, grabbing the rope quickly tying it to the end of her bed post. "Now quit complaining," she ordered, testing the rope before getting up onto the sill. When no direct response came immediately, the young heiress  began to shimmy her way down the amateur line and soon settled on the ground. "Come on!" she called up as loudly as she could without being overheard by someone or something else.

- - - - -

4 / 15 / 212X – 1st Hour of Night

With Calista's father completely unaware, the duo soon found themselves outside the mansion. No sooner than they had left its walls did they find themselves scurrying away from Motz like prisoners in a jailbreak. What they were looking for exactly could not be described, but for the longest time they wandered along the dirt path leading out of town, simply going wherever felt sort of right.

There was no noise save for the sound of their own breathing, had it not been for each others company the utter darkness would have been terribly frightening. Thankfully neither walked this path alone. Neither could admit they were scared, at least.... not as scared as they would have been entirely alone. Who wouldn't be? The stories of people traveling in the night for the very same purpose generally held misfortune.

Nevertheless, the duo remained strong, following their path until a random gust of wind blew through the night. Calista halted, a prickly feeling traveling all over her body––she could feel something terribly wrong coming from off the trail to the left. "Samira," she whispered, "I feel something." Without awaiting a reply as she was apt to do, the young heiress shuffled a few feet off the trail, the prickly feeling turning to a knot of nausea in her stomach. "Whatever it is, it feels awful. Can you feel it too?"

Little did she know, there were things waiting to go bump in the wretched night.

Things waiting for souls just like the two of them.

Prologue–01: An Inexplicable Feeling

Objective: Discover the source of the inexplicable feeling!

Location: Road to/from Motz – Near the Trail

Atmosphere: Dead of Night (There is no natural light to speak of and something is clearly out there waiting... No Effect.)


{ } {1} { } { } {r} { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } {C} { } B
{r} { } {2} {r} { } { } { } { } { } C
{r} {r} { } { } { } {3} {r} { } { } D
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-

Ally Party:

Enemy Party:

Neutral Party:

Legend:

You may start in Rows Columns 8-9

"We can get you a new coat when we get to the next town," Calista muttered under her breath, knowing full well that Samira did not truly mean the harshness behind her words. The girl was just aggravated with their means of escape. She would cool off eventually.

- - - - - - - - - -

Prologue–01: An Inexplicable Feeling

Objective: Discover the source of the inexplicable feeling!

Location: Road to/from Motz – Near the Trail

Atmosphere: Dead of Night (There is no natural light to speak of and something is clearly out there waiting... No Effect.)


{ } {1} { } { } {r} { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } {C} { } B
{r} { } {2} {r} { } { } { } {S} { } C
{r} {r} { } { } { } {3} {r} { } { } D
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-

Ally Party:

Enemy Party:

Neutral Party:

Legend:

Player Phase – I

"What?" Calista called out as Samira moved off the path. Whatever the card dealer had seen, it clearly was deemed the enemy––Samira would not have thrown one of her cards at it otherwise. Disregarding her friend's warning, the heiress moved in front of her only to get a clear look at some disfigured quadrupedal... thing. She cringed a bit at the sight of its bleeding frame––Samira's card had brutalized whatever the hell it was––but quickly whipped out a knife from the folds of her dress. In seconds it found purchase in the creature's body.

Calista moves to C6!

Calista attacks (3)! 3 Atk Damage!

- - - - - - - - - -

Request:

3 takes 8 Damage! CRITICAL! (Samira)

3 takes 2 Damage! (Calista)

3 . . . PERFECT KILL!!


{ } {1} { } { } {r} { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } B
{r} { } {2} {r} { } {C} {S} { } { } C
{r} {r} { } { } { } { } {r} { } { } D
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-

Enemy Phase – I

1 waits.

2 moves to D5!

2 uses Jab on Calista! 3 Atk Damage!

Calista takes 1 Damage!

2 activates Shade! 2 becomes Intangible!


{ } {1} { } { } {r} { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } B
{r} { } { } {r} { } {C} {S} { } { } C
{r} {r} { } { } {2} { } {r} { } { } D
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-

Neutral Phase – I

None...


{ } {1} { } { } {r} { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } B
{r} { } { } {r} { } {C} {S} { } { } C
{r} {r} { } { } {2} { } {r} { } { } D
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-

Ally Party:

Enemy Party:

Neutral Party:

Legend:

Player Phase – II

Out of nowhere a limb flew at her, stabbing her in the side without warning. "Gah!" Calista grunted, practically dropping the knife she had stabbed the other creature with in favor of bringing her hand to her fresh bruise. "Yeah... let's stick with that plan..." the young woman muttered, falling back behind her friend.

Calista moves to C8!

Calista casts Belief! +10% Atk for Three Turns! Int-based abilities use Atk stat as base!

- - - - - - - - - -

Request:

Calista's Belief activates!

1 takes 5 Damage! (Samira)


{ } {1} { } { } {r} { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } B
{r} { } { } {r} { } { } {S} {C} { } C
{r} {r} { } { } {2} { } {r} { } { } D
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-

Enemy Phase – II

1 moves to B5!

1 uses Pounce on Samira! 4 Atk Damage! 1 lands at B7!

Samira takes 1 Damage!

2 moves to C6!

2 attacks Samira!

Samira takes 1 Damage!


{ } { } { } { } {r} { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } {1} { } { } B
{r} { } { } {r} { } {2} {S} {C} { } C
{r} {r} { } { } { } { } {r} { } { } D
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-

Neutral Phase – II

None...


{ } { } { } { } {r} { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } {1} { } { } B
{r} { } { } {r} { } {2} {S} {C} { } C
{r} {r} { } { } { } { } {r} { } { } D
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-

Ally Party:

Enemy Party:

Neutral Party:

Legend:

Player Phase – III

Calista casts Fortune Flare on 2! 8 Int Fire Damage! INTANGIBLE! Chance of Burn!

Seeing how Samira effectively finished off the last tangible creature in existence, Calista turned her attention to the equally creepy translucent one nearby. It twitched rather violently all of a sudden. Calista almost wretched. "I don't know what these things are, but they're starting to creep me out," she muttered, lighting a small burst of flame in the palm of her hand. A simple flick of the wrist and the ball of flame flew at the the creature, bursting upon impact and disrupting its spiritual form.

- - - - - - - - - -

Request:

2 takes 7 Damage! (Calista)

2 evades Burn!

1 takes 5 Damage! (Samira)

1 . . . PERFECT KILL!

Blood Cards restores Samira's HP by 2!!


{ } { } { } { } {r} { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } B
{r} { } { } {r} { } {2} {S} {C} { } C
{r} {r} { } { } { } { } {r} { } { } D
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-

Enemy Phase – III

2 attacks Samira! 3 Atk Damage! [MISS!]

2 moves to B3!


{ } { } { } { } {r} { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } {2} { } { } { } { } { } { } B
{r} { } { } {r} { } { } {S} {C} { } C
{r} {r} { } { } { } { } {r} { } { } D
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-

Neutral Phase – III

None...


{ } { } { } { } {r} { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } {2} { } { } { } { } { } { } B
{r} { } { } {r} { } { } {S} {C} { } C
{r} {r} { } { } { } { } {r} { } { } D
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-

Ally Party:

Enemy Party:

Neutral Party:

Legend:

Player Phase – IV