Chapter 1 Closing

Each chapter contains some extra artwork for it. One for the start, one for the end.
They have a random chance to appear on the title screen after completing the chapter.

[ Rion​ ]

- Sickly Exile -
- Weapon Type: Staff -

A young prince who travels with a bandaged, taciturn man. Due to his royal lineage, he is often targeted by both bounty hunters and common citizens dissatisfied with the current state of affairs.

Given these dangers, why does he continue this journey?

Primary Costume

Primary Costume

Main outfit.

Guardian Exile

Guardian Exile

Ri5:30 - Philosophical Guardian

If god existed, it would mourn this world of endless war and blood. If god existed, it would send messengers to those who await salvation. If god existed, it would use people to save the world.

But what is salvation to a god? If war is born in the differences between people's beliefs, how can salvation deny the very paths we walked — especially when we mistake our own justice as divine?

Dissenting Exile

Dissenting Exile

May 1st. The military parade.

I've been thinking about the significance of this ceremony all day. Soldiers march to the music while clockwork men show off their marksmanship, and the crowd roars through it all.

Demonstrating our might brings peace of mind to the people, but also serves as a check for other countries. It's painfully obvious that all of this is simply another tool of war.

Abyssal Exile

Abyssal Exile

"Many name it evil to take the life of another."
They use their dreams and ideals to justify themselves.
"But clashing justice brings that about as well."
Someone will shed tears over it regardless.
"Then what is the difference between justice and evil?"
They're the same. Same as why blood runs in battle.
...Same as what I did.

Phantasmal Exile

Phantasmal Exile

"Though I lack stamina, I will do all I can to support you," says the boy before they venture into the cave

Long had he dreamed of being a knight—a protector of the people — but his condition forced the surrender of this hope. Instead, he settled on assisting others by way of his wits. But this day, exhaustion takes him.

"P-please try not to run around too much... I cannot support you...if you get too far away..." *cough*

Festive Exile

Festive Exile

People's laughter, clear skies. Learning new things, tinkering with machinery... Heh heh, I'm just listing things as they come to me, aren't I? But...I doubt I would ever actually be allowed any of these.

Summer Exile

Summer Exile

Men dressed for summer stand and chat.
Man A: Hey, how 'bout that one!? I like 'em small and waif-like, and she fits the bill exactly.
Man B: Yeah, I dunno. I prefer 'em more mature.
Man C: Say, who's that guy over there?
Man A: Dammit, she's already got a fella. Better look elsewhere, I guess.
Man C (whispering): That's not what I meant, but...whatever.

Shadowbound Exile

Shadowbound Exile

Is it hypocrisy to make company with pain? Is it arrogance to seek it?

The boy thinks on this as he walks his path. But he will not stop. Not now. Not ever. For he is burdened by more than his dreams and future.

After all, some have given their lives for dreams. And it would be hubris to rid himself of that sin.

Abstract Exile

Abstract Exile

I seek what is long gone, and I seek what is to come.

But as I cling desperately to the past and future, I lose sight of the present.

Will there ever be meaning to my life?
Will there ever be answers on my path?
Will there ever be salvation for this world?

New Year's Exile

New Year's Exile

(S)miles of happiness are key
(T)o a tomorrow without war
(A)ll we need to do is this...
(R)each out to those in need
(S)o they might stand and pass it on

Yuletide Exile

Yuletide Exile

"Did you find a disguise, My Prince?"
"Yes, but...what is this?"
"A sealed package? I see.
The wrapping suggests it is a gift."
"Perhaps the sender was unable to deliver it due to the recent skirmish in the area."
"......"
"...Or perhaps an emergency occurred and they simply left it behind."
"Let us leave it in a spot out of the rain."
"Yes. A fine idea."

Celebratory Exile

Celebratory Exile

The answer to that question is "hope."

Hope is the future people wish for, and they reason they can turn their attentions ahead and dream of tomorrow.

And I will fight to protect that hope until their dreams become reality.

Oathbound Exile

Oathbound Exile

Why can we not stop strife among people? We draw lines in the sand based on things like our place of birth, appearance, or status, and use them as excuses for hatred. For war.

If every last person looked different and was unique in their own way, maybe we could all work together for the sake of a common goal... Or maybe such an idea is nothing but idle fancy.

In any case, my mission is to preach peace in all the places within my reach, and I will see that done.

Mechanical Exile

Mechanical Exile

I was uneasy. I was alone. My orders determined whether my people would live or die—and as they looked at me with frustration and doubt, I knew I was alone amidst the fires of war.

But then I met you—the clockwork man. I thought you were nothing but a cold-hearted machine, but you weren't like that at all.

[ Everlasting Cardia​ ]

I walk through a dusty wasteland. Sand blows into my hair. My mouth. My eyes. I wonder then if he is all right, and when I turn to look, our eyes meet.
───────────────
Hoping to brush it off, I quickly ask if we're going the right way. Directions are near to meaningless in this hellscape; dust obscures your vision, and the barren land extends to the horizon in every direction.
───────────────
He responds that we are, indeed, on the right path. As I murmur a word of thanks, a thought occurs to me: "This road is just like life."
───────────────
Our destination may be right before our eyes or a thousand miles away—there is no way to know the answer. Yet the one thing I do know is this: He is the only reason I keep moving forward without losing myself.

Primary Weapon

A means to an end.

Proceed deeper into The Cage