Vengeance Rises

Vengeance Rises is a Raid Event scheduled to start on February 2, 2015 at 12:00 AM (PST) and end on February 7, 2015 at 7:59 PM (PST).

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

Feature Сhanges

 * The amount of Crystals Raid Bosses drop and the prices in the Crystal Exchange have been adjusted:
 * Players now rewarded 20 Crystals per one Boss and 30 Crystals per one Hidden Boss.
 * LoC celebrates it's 1,000th day on 4th February and starts Raid Login Present Campaign which gives Orbs of Sacred Light.

Raid Bosses Skill Cards

 * Cassandra, Eagle Rider (UR) Anti-Raid Boss Skill Card
 * Caldina, Ghouls' Friend (UR) Anti-Hidden Raid Boss Skill Card
 * Mariassa, Fanning Flames (UR) Special Evolution Card blocks Bosses attacks.

Story


Your severed belly gushed blood. With a groan that sounded more to be of a wounded animal, you fumbled to return the organs through the gaping opening in your stomach. However, you soon found you had lost all strength in your arms, and as the warmth of life faded from your limbs, you dropped them to the ground in front of you. Before you could even begin to fear your imminent demise, you found yourself praying someone would save you...

You gasped for breath, uttering the name of the arrogant fairy always by your side.

"I'm so scared, Yvette."

It was the first time your mortality had actually frightened you. As you felt the burning desperation, you reached out hoping that your arms would be met by the embrace of another.

...

Having opened your eyes, the sight that greeted you was a beautiful face, like that of a fairy tale princess. Familiar as she seemed, you were unable to recall her name, so you probed the depths of your memory.

"Yvette! The Hero has awoken!"

But no sooner had the young woman called the selfish fairy's name than you felt an incredible pain dig deep into your temples. The floating continent... the Empire... the Insurgence...

As your memory returned, you could feel your body begin to shake. Next your heartbeat quickened and your breaths grew shorter and shorter as the ensuing panic approached.

"What is the matter?"

At last the overbearing pain in your forehead began to subside, and you took notice of your surroundings: an unknown but tidy wooden room. You saw around you a table, two chairs, a single window, poultices, and a door rife with scratches.

The sweet scent that filled the space was likely that of the elf sitting by your side, of Silmaria. As you continued to look around the relaxing chamber, you found your breathing was steadily returning to normal.

"It seems... you have calmed down."

You nodded, then noticed a small figure had appeared through the slightly opened door.

"You... you're awake! You're okay?!" stammered Yvette, blushing deeply as she darted over to you.

After giving you what could more readily be called a charge than an embrace, her head impacted the massive gash across your belly, causing you to almost faint from the pain.

"You stupid dummy! Don't worry me like that!" she continued angrily, though her red, damp eyes easily gave away her true feelings.

You had been easily defeated. What was more, you had almost perished. Your hands clenched into fists began to tremble; it was impossible to deny the fear and vexation. Never before had your death been so close. As shameful as it was to admit, you wished from the bottom of your heart to never again encounter Marshal Warren.

...

It appeared that following your brutal defeat at the hands of the Marshal the elf had carried you to the headquarters of the Insurgence. Gallegos had been surprised you were "stouter than a dwarf," and, at this point, you had begun to feel that way yourself.

At any rate, despite wounds from a sword tunneling through your body, you found you had already recovered enough to take a few steps around the room by yourself. Yvette following closely behind, you continued to decline Silmaria's quest to help you. This seemed to revive the fairy's pluck, enough that she again began to tease the elf. You surmised the two had grown closer while you were unconscious.

You told the pair that you wished to look around the headquarters to take your mind off things, and Yvette and Silmaria decided they would accompany you as well. While they had initially resisted your going outside given your clearly wounded state, you felt it would only lower your spirits to stay bedridden in the same chamber for any longer.

Yet their concern for letting someone so injured wander around by themselves was not unwarranted, and so you let them join you through the various huts and camps of the Insurgents.

A river flowed through the edge of the plains, on the other side of which you could make out sporadic mountains and trees. You grimaced somewhat as you realized that where the Insurgents were stationed was much more akin to a campground than a headquarters.

And while their numbers were not embarrassing, compared to the Empire and their steel airships, the difference in military might between the two factions was undeniable. There seemed to be all types of people gathered throughout the camp, and they were engaged in the various activities from the tempering of weapons to more commonplace chores.

There were men whose faces were stricken with grief, women humming as they washed heaps of sullied clothes, and bright-eyed youths playing and practicing with wooden swords, yet you noticed that almost all of the Insurgents appeared to be a race other than human, and even the ones who appeared human had been consistently marked by the same mysterious tattoo.

"The royal family calls them 'Baseborn,' according to what Silmaria told me. Those who aren't human are usually relegated to living on society's bottom floor. So it's not really surprising the Insurgence is mostly made up of non-humans," Yvette answered when you inquired about the situation.

"She said that the humans' tattoos mark them as irredeemable criminals. It might be the case that some of them really are guilty of their crimes, but I'd have to guess that the majority are those being punished for having rebelled against the Empire."

As you listened to the fairy's explanation, you caught sight of a young boy and girl with wolf-like ears sharing a meager loaf of bread. From the way they were smiling and laughing, you imagined they were likely brother and sister.

Yet despite their cheery moods, you noticed that each bore a number of scars on their young frames and were almost frighteningly gaunt. You turned away, unable to bear the pity you felt inside of you.

"The people here have to live simple. That includes eating nothing but stale and tasteless bread."

"Is that so? I do not think it is so bad."

"I don't mean to offend you, but I'm pretty sure you've never had a delicious thing in your life. I wouldn't eat something like that if it were the last food on this overgrown rock; it doesn't even seem that good for you."

You again surveyed the grounds, noticing that everyone was as frail as the brother and sister from before. In fact, only the dwarfs had any weight to them. The stark reality that there was not even a chance their people could challenge the Elvarran empire struck you all the harder. If something were not done soon, you could only imagine how long it would be before they all starved to death. And you wished greatly to end their suffering.

Yet even you did not know if you could complete such a task. After all, Warren's decisive victory had done more than mar your form, it had greatly challenged your confidence as well. You shivered as you thought on the possibility you would not succeed, meeting your doom aboard the Mother Ark so far away from your friends and your home.

"It's not as hopeless as you think it is," now said Yvette with a sympathetic tone.

Your long-time companion had accurately deciphered your expression.

"I mean, if nothing else, there is certainly more than one person here who you've helped since coming aboard this massive hunk of steel. Look, there..."

Yvette turned her head and pointed away from you with a smile. Following the line of her finger, you saw Gallegos waving as he ran towards you.

"No matter what the future holds, I swear I will always be there to protect you," said Silmaria, suddenly taking your hand in hers. While it also served to greatly intensify your resolve, it made you recall you had forgotten to give proper thanks for her rescue.

"Do not worry. It was something I did for myself as well. I truly believe that you are the only one who may be able to defeat the Empire."

For one who had risked their life to save you, you wished to risk your own in return. Heeding the return of your fighting spirit, you firmly nodded in acknowledgment.

... "...Already walking around like that... Are you sure you're even human?"

The question came from a red-skinned Baseborn male. Despite his thinness, his body was covered in steely muscles and two massive horns sprouted from the top of his head. Apparently, he was the leader of the Insurgence and primarily responsible for his compatriots' resistance against the Empire. Gallegos having led you to his tent, you noticed that weapons of various kinds were hung within. Their massive blades with serrated edges told you your new acquaintance had a somewhat boorish approach to tackling obstacles.

"Hey, isn't it rude to talk to someone you don't even know like that?" Yvette's unrestrained tongue had returned, yet the leader of the Insurgence's only let out a hearty laugh.

"Rude? You are indeed from another world, Yvette. I meant only to praise your companion. This recovery is indeed... superhuman."

You were admittedly surprised that this new character had already learned Yvette's name. But you did not know how long you had been unconscious, and were content enough to believe they had been introduced while you were incapacitated. If anything, they were too kind to admit complete strangers into their fold.

"Reminds me, I have yet to tell you my name. Sorry. It's Traugott... I'm responsible for commanding the troops of the Insurgence. I've already heard who you are from this... sprite."

Traugott talked with a tone you predicted from his rough appearance. However, it did not make you uncomfortable. Contrary to his somewhat frightening form, he struck you as admirable and kind-hearted.

"She says you were an equal match for Janesce. To be honest I didn't believe her at first, but... now that I have seen your recovery, I see what she meant. Guess she was right to call you a Hero."

While phrased another way you might have despised Traugott's remarks, there was something about the way he spoke that made you chuckle to yourself. His personality easily explained why he was the chosen leader of the Baseborn. The reason he was respected by the other members of the Insurgence was also apparent.

"A full recovery has yet to be made. I see no reason why such idle chatter cannot wait until tomorrow," Silmaria interjected on your behalf with a reserved tone.

While you were grateful for Silmaria's concern, you did not think Traugott had summoned you merely to while away the hours.

"True... Gallegos? This isn't the sort of conversation to be had standing up."

"Gimme a break. Now you have me bringin' out the chairs?"

"A true warrior is always willing to come the aid of another..."

After Gallegos had set about arranging the furniture, muttering about his lot in life, Traugott turned to the matter at hand: What his strategy was and what part you were to have in it.

...

Traugott explained in-depth about the Mother Ark's control towers, which were responsible for controlling various atmospheric factors like weather conditions and gravity aboard the ship. Apparently, there were mages who manipulated the elements and maintained ideal conditions in Elvarre. That was the crux of his plan: the Insurgence would first take control of the towers, then return them in exchange for tolerable living conditions.

"The control towers are the Mother Ark's one true weakness. Once under our command, we could easily disturb the ecosystem for all of Elvarre. Subsequently... the Empire will no longer be able to ignore us once the towers are ours, as we would be in a position to cause the suffering of a great many if they do not heed our demands."

As he discussed his strategy, Traugott was the face of seriousness. It was yet another reason he was an appropriate choice as leader. His tense mood filled the tent.

"I dunno... seems kinda underhanded to me."

"Things are what they are; we have no other options. We lack military might, resources, time... Anti-Insurgence policies and campaigns have only intensified, and we have lost most of our remaining allies. The number of actions we can take are limited."

"But isn't that just blackmail? It would be better to strike them head on, no?"

The leader of the Insurgence appeared to seriously consider Yvette's words. You wondered whether Yvette had troubled him unnecessarily, when he began to speak again.

"I must get this out of the way: We do not act out of the interest of the general good... Our goal is to liberate those who have been cast to the bottom of society."

"But violence only ever creates more violence."

"So be it. I do not care whether or not I am perceived as good or evil. We have no food to eat, and we go through the world facing endless oppression. If I am able to free myself and the Baseborn from such a fate, then let me be seen as a villain!"

You and Yvette had remained silent as you listened to the severity of Traugott's words. What good was there trying to convince someone who had already resigned themselves to such a fate.

"Fine, okay then. But you'll promise they'll only be used for negotiations?"

"You have my word. It has never been my intention to enact genocide."

Deciding to trust Traugott, you nodded. Gallegos and Silmaria beside you kept quiet as they stood with obedient expressions. You imagined they likely felt similarly to Traugott, being members of the Insurgence themselves. The meeting finally at its end, Traugott granted you leave to return to the hut so that your wounds would not worsen further. Silmaria was first to leave the tent, followed by Gallegos and then at last Yvette. While you had decided to continue discussions at a later point, you were called once again by the red-skinned leader.

"So, is it true that you and Silmaria have become... coupled?"

Traugott's words sent your heart pounding. While you though immediately to answer in the negative, your tongue was tied.

"Ah, then I was mistaken."

You were still shocked by Traugott's sudden and severe change of subject when he let out another hearty laugh.

"Though, truth be told, I was unaware there were any so beautiful in my Insurgence. And I never forget a pretty face..."

You decided to ignore his cryptic utterance, and left the tent without another word. Apologizing for having kept the other three waiting, you walked out into the dark of night. The raid was not far off. Hoping to save your strength for your next perilous mission, you mentally prepared yourself for the battles ahead.