Chronicles of Ascerth/Story

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The story of Chronicles of Ascerth is set during Kaiden's chase for the keys of each civilization. Structured episodically, the chapters are set in each nation of Ascerth, with Kaiden having to collaborate with the figureheads of each nation and perform a task in exchange for the keys.

After certain moments of each episode, Kaiden and his party can have a short interaction regarding the recent events, be to ask for further clarification or to ask a question that went unanswered by the dialogue beforehand. These moments are called Reflections, and they can be triggered with a press of a button. These Reflections are listed as a sub-section of each episode below.

BEGINNINGS

The Falling Star Phantom

In a desolate planet, the darkness of the night hides whatever lies in the surface. A brief moment of visibility enters the scene, as a tall male figure walks into the scene - Kaiden. His twin swords on his back emit a faint glow that partially reveals his face, as he reaches to a communicator.

Kaiden: I'm in position.

???: Our representative will be there soon.

Kaiden: They better be.

Kaiden turns off the communicator.

Kaiden: This better not be a bust.

Kaiden sits on a nearby rock, waiting for the representative to show up. He performs a small ritual, where he closes his eyes and places his palms together, reciting a chant in his native language. As he performs his chant, his right arm begins glowing - something he takes note of after ending his ritual. Removing the armplate, he sees his right arm tattoo glowing.

Kaiden (thinking): At least, I am grateful for your divine presence.

Kaiden notices a flash of white and quickly puts his armplate back in place. He looks up to see a ship in the sky flying away, as he senses a creature in front of him.

Kaiden: Reveal yourself.

The creature lets out a small laugh, but Kaiden is unable to locate its origin.

???: My utmost apologies, but my identity is not something that I can divulge.

Kaiden: Are you the Krexxon representative?

???: That... I am.

Kaiden: It's about time.

Kaiden throws a chest in front of him.

Kaiden: Here's what your client requested.

A brief moment of silence ensues, as a tentacle from the darkness reaches towards the box Kaiden has thrown. The box becomes no longer visible as the tentacle pulls away to its origin. The representative lets out another laugh.

???: My client will be very pleased by the fruits of your effort. Of course, they wouldn't expect anything more from a Star Phantom...

Kaiden: I assume your client knows we expect a payment for our work.

???: A focused individual, you certainly are. Of course, my client wouldn't leave a good job unrewarded.

From the darkness, a briefcase is thrown towards Kaiden's feet, which he proceeds to pick up.

???: Before I take my leave... my client requested one more thing.

Kaiden: My association with the client has ceased the instant I got the payment.

???: My apologies... I didn't meant he requested something of you.

A gun emerges from the darkness, pointing towards Kaiden's forehead.

???: It was a request to me.

Kaiden quickly puls one of the swords resting on his back. With one quick strike, he cuts the gun pointed towards him. A beam of light from the skies lights up a entire circular area, revealing a circle of armed Krexxon goons surrounding Kaiden.

Kaiden: I knew I had a bad feeling about this.

???: Your effectiveness is unquestionable but I'm afraid your existence goes against what my client wants.

Kaiden rises a smirk.

Kaiden: Good luck trying taking me out.

With a single blade, Kaiden fights off against the goons. With careful dodging, the bullets are only able to hit him in his armor. As he slices down the final goon, the representative appears in the light, wiping away some of the blood spilled from the armed goons.

???: Enough.

One of the representative's tentacles stretch out and grabs Kaiden by the neck, strangling him, while the others work to constrict Kaiden to prevent him from counterattacking.

???: You live up to what they say about you, Phantom. It would be a waste to leave you to die in this husk of a planet.

The representative stares at the struggling Kaiden, who visibly is shown to have more difficulty breathing as the tentacles tighten around his neck. Eventually, he passes out. The light in the sky is revealed to be a Krexxon ship, which lands nearby. A Krexxon soldier goes up close to the represenative.

Krexxon Soldier: Sir Ethros!

Ethros, the representative, turns around to the soldier.

Ethros: Aprehend the Phantom. Call the Enforcers and tell them to give him the harshest of punishments. A public execution in front of all Krexxon will be a moment to remember.

Krexxon Soldier: Yes, sir!

The soldiers begin to grab Kaiden's body and move him towards to ship, as well as the fallen bodies. Ethros turns to the box to open it. The inside of the box emits a harsh light that almost engulfs Ethros in pure light.

Ethros: At last, we will no longer suffer in darkness. Years of exile will pay off... as we shall rise once again.

The inside of the box is shown to be a map with eight marked points.

Ethros: The tide of power... shall change.