Heart of Chaos

Heart of Chaos is a Raid Event scheduled to start on March 1, 2015 at 12:00 AM (PST) and end on March 8, 2015 at 7:59 PM (PST).

Half-time reward calculation Period is from March 3rd 7:00 PM to 7:59 PM (PST).

Fourth Episode of the Mother Ark Story.

Feature Сhanges

 * Crystals is now available from many Achievement Rewards.

Raid Bosses Skill Cards

 * Ezelle, Hindered Traveler (UR) Anti-Raid Boss Skill Card
 * Maya, Coveting Warmth (UR) Anti-Hidden Raid Boss Skill Card
 * Valorous Hero Koneks (UR) Anti-Secret Raid Boss Skill Card
 * Millvina the Lucent (UR) Special Evolution Card blocks Bosses attacks.

Story


"This is the power of Anima."

You faced Engset in the middle of the training area, a knight exuding an azure radiance towering behind her. The knight was not human, nor did he possess a corporeal form. Rather, he was a manifestation borne of the Duchess' very essence. He was called an "Anima", and all of Elvarran noble birth possessed one.

"As you may be aware, everyone has a unique Anima. The thicker the royal blood of its holder, the closer it resembles a human. However, it is a mere idiosyncrasy of their nature, and has no influence upon their ability."

Engset taught you much about the mysterious force in an effort to improve your chances of victory should you again confront Warren.

"You are indeed strong, perhaps equal to any one of us. However, Warren is the exception."

She was brusque when you asked for advice in fighting him, only warning you to flee from his sights. Though you agreed with her, you were reluctant in doing so as you wished to uphold your allies' expectations.

You were told that Warren's Anima granted him an absurd advantage, increasing his own power the stronger his opponent was. It ensured he would overcome any foe, no matter how mighty or numerous. Unable to devise a means to counter it, you decided simply to hone your skills further against Engset.

"I am unable to judge whether you are honest or foolish. Indeed, I suspect you have not once considered taking advantage of a foe's vulnerability."

You were not sure if that was meant as chastisement or praise as her Anima raised his sword.

"Though I am no substitute for Warren, I should prove a bit of a challenge. Please do not feel the need to restrain yourself.

Sensing her aggression pierce the air, you doubted you would be able to do so regardless. You readied your nerves and assumed a battle stance.

...

With the coming of nightfall, you had been led to a sleeping chamber. Throwing yourself onto the overly soft bed, you began to think over your experience aboard the Mother Ark. Several unpleasant sights and sounds flooded your mind, such as the matter regarding the duplication and confinement of humans. You had come to save both the abducted Neotellans and the Elvarrans in peril, yet it seemed you had merely been making progress towards overthrowing the Empire. Something felt amiss, yet you could not elucidate what, much to your irritation.

Though it differed from your plan, Engset decided to convey your request to aid the Insurgence to Chalon. You understood it would be the best course of action, though again you were somewhat unsatisfied. While you bore the hopes of a great many people, you were beginning to feel as nothing more than a cog in the clockwork of someone else's design.

"Are you awake, Hero?"

A faint voice pulled you from your thoughts. Sitting up, you replied to the question, and Silmaria appeared through the doorway with an apologetic look upon her face.

"Forgive me, yet I could not fall asleep..."

Yet the shadows under her eyes seemed to refute her words. It had escaped your notice, but all in the party had no opportunity to sleep soundly since leaving the Insurgence encampment. Gesturing for her to sit but your side, Silmaria approached with great caution. Both of you stared at nothing in particular as you probed your minds for something to say. Before you could break the awkward silence, Silmaria spoke up.

"I was speaking to the Duchess earlier."

She attempted to divert the subject from the obvious, affecting a cheerful tone. However, it painfully conflicted with her evident exhaustion, causing you to avert your eyes.

"The Mother Ark has made contact with several other planets in the past, absconding with a number of creatures from each one. It seems she is going to find out why the Empire would do such a thing, along with where the prisoners are being held, as Yvette was so eager to know."

Her words were halting, as if she were cautious in how she reached her main point.

"Am I correct in assuming that you wish to prioritize helping the captured Neotellans?"

The elf feigned innocence, yet her bright attitude could not mask the gloomy tone of her voice. Though suspicious, you denied her inquiry, stating you had no set priority. You added that you agreed with Engset and her desire to create a favorable outcome for as many affected as possible.

"As for me, I would like to rescue the Rapunzels and set them free."

It appeared she had not recovered from the pain of witnessing the gored corpse of the Rapunzel at the control tower. You gently agreed with her request, and believed the others also felt the same. When you did, she leaned in close and brought her face to yours, glaring.

"Do you mean it? You will?"

Her voice was soft, but her eyes were not. Your own eyes widened as you bowed away from her. All traces of her demure self gone, you felt that should you decline, she would sink her teeth into your throat. You nodded in assent to pacify her aggression, aware there was no room for argument.

"Even if Yvette disagrees?"

Her additional question took you off guard. You presumed that she imagined Yvette as uncooperative. Though you recalled the time after your disagreement with Traugott that the subject of saving the Rapunzels had been mentioned, you struggled to remember Yvette's exact opinion. You desperately attempted to stall for time as Silmaria pressed for an answer, animosity smoldering within her eyes. However, you were unsure for whom that animosity was meant.

"Pardon me, but may I have a moment of your time?"

A voice of salvation came from the other side of the door. However, its calm tone seemed to inaccurately communicate the situation's urgency, as the door opened before you could answer. Upon looking at both you and Silmaria in such close proximity. Engset gave a slightly critical look, closed her eyes and bowed deeply.

"Please forgive my intrusion into matters beyond my understanding, but I ask that you remember you are guests. I beg of you to refrain from such immodest behavior."

...

After you clarified the compromising situation, Engset assembled everyone in the parlor once again. When all had taken their seats, she cleared her throat, returning Silmaria's attention from you to her.

"I have received dire news that the Empire is moving upon Chalon's castle."

Engset's words were spoken in a composed manner, which seemed to slow the full impact of their weight.

"Wait, what?! Does that mean the jig's up?"

"Silence."

The fairy's sudden surge of emotion was instantly quelled in a single word.

"Yvette, you must remain calm. Haste shall only work against you. That much should be obvious."

"Y-yeah..."

Oddly enough, you also felt calmer, though it seemed more forced than natural.

"Allow me to continue. From the attack upon Chalon's castle, we can rightfully assume that they have taken notice of his treasonous actions. Though I am in no immediate peril, suspicion has been cast upon me as well, being his immediate kin."

"Are you sure of that?"

"I have received a direct command to capture him as a test of my loyalty. If I refuse, they will, in all likelihood, declare me as a sympathizer and traitor."

"But there's no way you can agree, right?"

"Um, this is just an idea, but how about the two of you join up and stage a full-on revolt?"

"My soldiers are yet at the behest of the Empire. They would not support our cause."

Engset turned down Gallegos' proposal, speaking in no vague terms. Unable to hide your astonishment, you asked if Engset intended to turn against her brother.

"My duplicity must remain concealed for the moment. Chalon may blame me, should he have lost sight of our grand scheme. I know everything about him, for he is my dear brother."

She showed a new expression upon her face as she spoke of Chalon. One of determination.

"I have a request for you: Hurry to Chalon's castle and aid in his flight. You must reach him before the soldiers I dispatched arrive, or I will have sent my brother to the guillotine by my own hand."

While you struggled to come to an answer, Yvette served a pointed remark.

"Hey, I can sympathize, but you shouldn't just expect us to clean up your mistakes,"

"I see... I suppose I was simply presumptuous."

Engset bowed deeply before continuing.

"I also received word that Warren had been deployed. I believed that you were seeking to test your power against him, but it seems not to be the situation. I apologize."

Feeling slighted for the first time in a while, you stood up. You understood that Engset was attempting to coax you into accepting her request, but you were prepared to follow along.

...

"Engset sure knows how to drive a hard bargain. I almost respect that," Yvette griped.

Engset had given you the guise of an Imperial soldier and a horse for transport. Though your riding technique was unpolished, you hurried along the road. As Engset stressed the importance of haste and secrecy, only the fairy accompanied you to Chalon's castle. Being alone with Yvette after so long gave you an odd sensation of relief, possibly because there were none she could provoke. And with the subject on your mind, you mentioned Silmaria's odd conduct to the fairy.

"You say she was acting up in the bedroom?"

You attempted to make yourself heard over the whistling winds. After fully grasping the situation, the fairy scoffed.

"Hmph, how should I know what her deal was? Maybe it was more your fault."

She may have been correct, but there was nothing that came to mind that would offer a justifiable explanation. Though you were worried about Silmaria, her sudden shift in attitude was more eerie than anything.

"We don't have time to worry about others. Don't we stand a good chance of running into big, bad Warren again? ...What's with that look?"

Yvette, clinging to the horse's mane, appeared surprised by your current expression. Unaware of what she meant, you cocked your head.

"You look almost... happy."

You had no realization of it, but perhaps you were. It would not be long before you would have an opportunity to redeem yourself for the earlier defeat, and you never wanted to lose to a foe on the Mother Ark again.

"Well, at least you're rarin' to go. Let's not waste any more time then, huh? We can't let Chalon get hauled away."

As you approached another checkpoint, you noticed that the guards were standing in neat lines by the road, bowing before you. It seemed your uniform was sufficient, as there was no indication to so much as slow down. Perhaps would you reach Chalon's castle before another day had passed. You gripped the reins tightly, scarcely able to contain yourself at the prospect of a second bout with Warren.