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alias_sqbrMasterlist
Contains major spoilers for the Tyril route.
So this had all the things that bugged me about the Tyril route but more so: He's her older commanding officer she looks up to, except this time they don't have the cute bickering tsundere thing to offset that, and he's been KINDA LIKE HER DAD since she was TEN. There's sudden angsty plot twists which aren't always convincingly consistent with previous characterisation. Some plot points just get Dropped. And there are some VERY dark and serious topics used tackily as fodder for angst.
But I still overall had a good time. Despite his VERY UNETHICAL approach to fraternisation with a subordinate, Crius is very charming and supportive and endearingly smitten. And for every bit of angsty melodrama that annoyed me there was one which worked on me exactly as intended. And I still am absolutely on the edge of my seat to find out what happens next!
child abuse, terminal illness, suicide, major character death, rape
Curious if she still has prophetic dreams in this version of the route, or if it's ignored until Zenn's route.
Is Crius going to kill himself too???
Anastasia does not remember meeting the witch and feels like she's lost a block of time. But she doesn't want to worry Crius. Guess we have no Carnival this time! Or at least, not yet.
Crius: Just to check, you did get permission from your father to become a knight, right?
Anastasia: ...yes >.>
He says he won't be "Vice commander" much longer and she panics and clutches at him begging him not to leave the order, which he is Into.
I used a walkthrough for a bit but I do enjoy trying to solve the mysteries so eventually stopped.
As Anastasia is made a knight, she looks at Conrad and Lucien (LUCIENNN ARE YOU GOING TO DIE AGAIN) and knows she will now be able to enter the castle and more easily meet with them. And she has the physical capability to murder Conrad. But first she wants to reveal all his crimes.
Crius is promoted to Grand Commander Of The Wings Of Garuda. He says she can have the old retired Grand Commander's beautiful blue Garuda.
A premonition freezes her body moments before the sky goes black. Here we go.
Oh... and we can still have her and Crius at a trial if they're both Sacrificia...
The exposition on witch trials is a bit more awkward without the excuse of them being her job lol.
The next morning Anastasia and Maya wake without being murdered or Sacrificia. The other cadets and knights of the Wings seem fine too and as they congratulate her she thinks that they really are her friends. Somehow, she trusts them.
Anastasia: Sorry I kept my family a secret until now.
Landon: I hear your stepmother is really hot.
Mitchell: Your stepsister too.
When she complains to Crius (also not a Sacrifica!) he laughs and says they'll get over it. And then she gets to meet her BIG BEAUTIFUL BIRD MOUNT, Huma. She goes to approach and is pulled back sharply by Crius, who says she needs to earn Huma's trust first or risk being disembowelled.
He gives her the challenge of having Huma eat from her hand in a week, or she will be sent to a different order.
By the end of the day, no victim or sacrificia have shown up. Noone knows what's going on.
Apparently Maya hates birds, so she does NOT approve of Anastasia's plan to get a sleeping bag and sleep in the Garuda stable for a week.
Interesting, the topic of false witch accusations comes up again. It's apparently pretty common, and there's rumours that the Inquisitors can be bribed to convict innocent people.
Apparently Huma was raised by the old Commander and was so shy she never entirely warmed up to him??
Crius quietly watches from the shadows, smiling, as Anastasia politely introduces herself to Huma and talks about herself, in an attempt to connect. Anastasia feels like she has met Huma before, somehow.
Anastasia notices Crius is looking peaky and tells him to rest, just as he's saying he has an obligation to attend a ball he stumbles into her arms.
Crius: Normally it's you worrying me. To think I'd get my own advice in reverse.
Anastasia: Maya's taught me plenty of scolding techniques.
Crius: Haha. How odd, I feel much better with you here. Ah, I know why... because you smell like a Garuda ;)
She asks if he has any advice about Huma, and he says to observe other Garudas to compare, and also that Garudas can feel what's in your heart, especially fear.
Crius: Oh but I told you you only had a week. But I don't want you to go... take your time, I rescind that order.
Maya: I have brought some spare clothes my lady. Do you need anything else?
Landon: MAYA?? ANASTASIA, GET HER THE GOOD TEA!!
Maya: I see you lack the common decency not to talk to my lady brashly. I will now train you in etiquette! >:(
Landon: Maya's... icy stare... o.o
Landon this 26 yr old lesbian is really out of your league but I guess you're having fun.
I am having a high pain day what happened...
After careful observation Anastasia realises Huma's issue is that's she's pregnant, surprising even the vet. It turns out that since Garudas are holy animals there's a lot of restrictions like not being able to dissect their dead bodies or even record medical history, so Garuda vet science is limited. She and Crius privately agree that this is bad.
Anastasia: I want to buy a gift for Maya. What do women like?
Crius: Wouldn't you know better than me? ;)
Anastasia: But she's so feminine... You're popular with women, right, Grand Commander?
Crius: Who told you that? D: But, well... I treat younger women like capable older sisters and older ones like cute younger sisters, but I'm not sure about gifts between women... why don't you just think about what she likes as a person and leave gender out of it?
She bumps into the old Grand Commander, Kyle. He is cagey and suspicious, then once he realises she's genuinely happy to see him, rants about how Crius stabbed him in the back and he's going to the noble quarter to find evidence of Crius's wrongdoing.
Kyle: He's a prostitute. No, something worse!
Me: He's. He's a what.
Kyle: He seduces married women then blackmails them for money!
I was wondering what Crius's angsty dark past equivalent to Brainwashed Assassin would be, did not consider SEX WORKER but SURE. I mean Kyle is probably lying but who knows with this game.
Kyle: He insisted you be allowed into the Wings, he probably wanted an in with your family!
Me and Anastasia: Nah, he's just nice. Also, him and Evelina??
And then Anastasia sees him get into a car with Evelina. (Also she goes on about how overwhelmingly voluptuously beautiful Evelina in a way which is sure something) This seriously messes with her head and she doesn't know what to make of it.
And then... the sky goes black! Is it another false alarm?
The next morning, Anastasia goes to check on Maya... and finds her room splattered with blood and decorated with Maya's dismembered corpse D: D:
I thought they'd just kill Lucien again oh nooooo
Flightless Wings 2
Flashback to Maya defending Anastasia as a child, and Anastasia saying not bother, she's going to leave soon. Maya insists on coming with her, even though Anastasia won't have much money with which to support them both.
Oooohhhh nooooooooo
Anastasia goes to the Inquisitors but Tyril, while not unsympathetic, is bluntly resistant to telling her any details like who the Sacrificia are.
So Anastasia kills herself. She asks Maya to sleep with her in the same bed, and Maya blushes a little and says the other girls will be jealous since Anastasia has quite a fanbase, the subtext of which goes entirely over Anastasia's head.
The next morning, Anastasia is woken by the smell of blood. And this time, she has a Sacrificia collar around her neck.
I assumed she'd go to the trial and at least figure out who did it but no, she just goes back again. And again. And again. Becoming more visibly unbalanced each time.
I guess Tyril was a good influence on her being able to handle fucked up shit with a more level head.
Eventually Rune begs her to stop. He says the only way to stop Maya dying is to kill the witch back when they first met, but to be able to do that without being a witch herself, Anastasia needs to learn his weaknesses. Which she can only do by going through with the trial.
Also apparently the Witch of Ruin killed all the other witches, and even Rune's real world body is gone.
Rune: I'm proud to have you as my- never mind.
Ancestor??
Anastasia has to stop herself from just killing herself again, and realises one reason she's been so quick to slit her own throat is because if she dies at the Carnival she will be burned alive again.
The Inquisitors arrive, one is like well obviously this woman did it she was RIGHT HERE, but Tyril makes no assumptions. He doesn't explain what being a Sacrifica means very much, which I'm guessing is so Crius can do it.
Because he arrives shortly afterwards and pulls her into a hug, telling her to let it all out. She cries that he shouldn't be associating with a murderer, and he points out that Membrum know what they did and don't feel bad about it. Then he tells her they're going to go investigate all the Sacrificia and find out the truth, to save Anastasia's life and catch Maya's murderer.
Sacrificia: Mael Diaz the court painter. The witch used his identity but it's not clear if he IS the witch.
Anastasia: Article goes into how since winning the Games, she's seen as nearly as hot as the Princes and Crius lol
Thomas: 30 something merchant and president of the Ninja Fan Club, was briefly mentioned in the Tyril route. Says the Ninja was so delicate they could be a woman (TRANS TYRIL TRANS TYRIL)
Orla: Article goes on about how hot Evelina is, implying that Orla is just ok. She's 16.
Lucien: Described as a cold Ice Prince!
Choice time! I decided to talk to Orla because she seemed like the equivalent of Conrad, who was really vital and interesting last time.
Orla is very affectionate, at first Anastasia thinks it's all an act then notices signs that Orla has been hit, Orla says it's her own fault for disappointing her mother and Anastasia pulls her into a hug and says she'll protect her little sister. Curious to see where this goes. Also their dad is sick, which he wasn't in the other timeline.
Had no strong opinion on who to talk to next so checked a walkthrough and it said NOT to talk to Orla or... *checks* ok yes, investigating yourself is pretty dumb. But hey apparently this save is ruined anyway, so let's see what happens!
Anastasia: Mitchell. The 'printmaker' selling sold out pictures of me is you, isn't it?
Mitchell: ehehe... HEY DON'T PUNCH ME. I am sorry though, and I'll encourage public opinion to be in your favour!
Aw. Hugo is concerned about Anastasia, Landon is sleeping off his grief, and Anastasia wants to check on Huma. Yeah this is an absolute waste of time, but cute to have seen.
Let's talk to Mael and then die!
He won't open his door and his maid said he gets migraines. Crius is about to say they should call it quits when Anastasia storms in all SO WE MEET AGAIN, WITCH >:(
Maes: Who are you? Did that realist Edmund send you to kill me?! Or is the God of Flies angry at me for killing a fly yesterday?! ...wait... you're the Rose Knight! I have all your prints :D
Anastasia, eventually realising this is a different dude: Sir please help me I don't know how to handle these types /o\
Haaa Mael asks seriously to be able to ask her questions... and it's all about if she takes rose baths and leaves a rose behind at her battles after spouting her catchphrase.
I did NOT die! In fact I got all the way to a good end without a walkthrough. But I felt like I missed some stuff so went back after the end of the route to do the other interviews etc. Watching Maya die so many times AGAIN was confronting even on fast forward D:
Thomas: Ninja saved him from an abusive work situation. He's sure ninja will save him if he's in danger of dying in the trial. He once saw Ninja on a rooftop, all beat up with a tattoo visible under torn clothes. "I'm in the camp who thinks Ninja's a girl. But boy or girl, that won't change how much I love them!" Overall pretty useless but did raise Anastasia's popularity with the populace for being so patient with an annoying nerd lol.
Prince Lucien: They are halted by middle prince Parker. He seems to have a crush on Orla, which Crius cheerfully uses to manipulate him. Anastasia thinks to herself that she should learn to do that...OOH. AND GAINS THE 'SYMPATHISE' SKILL FOR UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE'S MOTIVES. Ok, def gonna play forward into the nest route from this save! Parker says Lucien definitely changed from being so timid as a kid, but there was no obvious moment or trigger.
Ohhhh interesting, even when I didn't choose to talk to Orla, it ends up happening anyway!
After the interviews, Crius collapses and swallows some medicine, before admitting he has a chronic illness which will only be cured by a rare red Garuda feather. That's why he joined the Wings in his youth, but he quickly became sincerely dedicated to the Garuda. And there's always a chance Huma's baby will be red.
....wait is he going to TRAGICALLY DIE OF HIS ILLNESS AT THE END...
Anastasia is taken aside by Prince Lucien in disguise, who says he's worried someone is out there trying to make her look bad to the public, but he will protect her. He said he sent her letters and tried to visit but hasn't been able to find her. He's kind, but with a reserved self confidence that contrasts with his previous awkward nervousness.
Anastasia: You seem... different than I remember.
Lucien: I would think you'd understand that better than anyone.
Time traveller Lucien confirmed??
Did NOT like the Carnival trial.
I suspected Orla but Anastasia wouldn't so I randomly decided to always suspect Thomas. A few times Mael gets all swoony over Anastasia and Lucien gets blushy or jealous.
For a while it looks like Anastasia is going to die but then Lucien fake confesses to buy her time, and dies.
Orla turns out to be the real murderer because she was convinced her abuse would end if Anastasia died and she got to marry Lucien and have blonde babies. Since Lucien is dead she gives into despair and falls into the flames begging her mother to just love her. MEHHH.
It turns out Thomas was the witch the whole time?? I do not understand what purpose this served, he didn't do anything interesting or important! Maybe if I had made different choices? EDIT after replay: Nope. Trial was nearly identical. Correct responses didn't even use the Sympathise ability.
Huma gives birth to a blue egg... then RANDOMLY TURNS RED HOORAY. Sure.
Crius asks Anastasia on a date. She is baffled rather than than flattered. He pulls her towards him and says "you really aren't interested in me at all are you? In some ways that makes things easier." She says she is "interested" as in wants to get to know him better because she is sometimes VERY DUMB.
For defeating the witch, Anastasia gains a new ability. She dreams of a ten year old boy whose description could be Hugo or Crius meeting with his older nun sister, Isabella, who tells him to be more careful about hurting himself. And then of that sister, dying, thinking "I was killed by [-name redacted-]".
Anastasia wears her uniform to the date because it's the nicest thing she owns, still half convinced it's a joke, why would anyway want to date her? Meanwhile around her women swoon.
Crius unsuccessfully tries to get her to use his given name and says to stop thinking of him as her commanding officer which is not how fraternisation with a subordinate works, Crius.
She asks about his family and finds out he has three older sisters but he doesn't mention any of them being dead so she assumes the dream wasn't about him. But I noticed he only mentions two of them being alive.
Crius enjoys taking her dress shopping. She feels self conscious about people thinking she looks ridiculous, with her muscles (footage not found) and short hair, and he kabedons her from behind, face half in her hair, and says she's beautiful. He implies his feelings for her only changed recently but she's been surprising him since they met, he started with every intention of sending her home once being the first female knight got too much for her. But it never did.
He talks about how much he admires her strength and he comes across as so smitten and sincere that it did feel very romantic despite this not overall really being my jam.
He then lets her go and explains what was up with him and her family. I was expecting it to be some Terrible secret but it's just that... Evelina has the same illness as him. The symptoms are that you lose the sensation of pain, then taste and smell, and then colour.
Evelina was raised to hide it. Having seen how losing his sense made him draw away from people, Crius he sees now that Evelina took out her frustration with her illness by hurting those she had power over, to try and understand what pain even is. ehhh. EHHHHHHHHHHHH.
I mean we have Anastasia and Crius as examples of how someone can experience child abuse or chronic illness without going evil, but still. MEH.
Also he kicked out the previous Grand Commander for embezzlement. Sure.
Crius takes her to the cathedral since it's soothing. She has a brief vision of Tyril's death in the other timeline, which leaves her confused. She bumps into Hugo, who blushes briefly but is mostly amused that she thinks the fact she looks pretty in a dress is something to hide, and reminds her that he lives there as the son of a Cardinal. When she asks if he knows any nuns called Isabella who were murdered he FREAKS OUT just as she remembers that in the dream Isabella said she was killed by a Cardinal.
Crius says he has a meeting with some people from the church and sends her on her way.
Anastasia is confronted by the witch, who says she seems to have done Something to "stop his seed from sprouting", and since killing her is pointless he's going to just make her suffer.
Crius: Leave her alone, I wasn't done hitting on her :)
Witch: Ha, I- OH FUCK IT'S THAT GUY *gets eaten by Mr Endy*
Huh. Sure.
Mr Endy: *stares at Anastasia hungrily*
Crius: *fights off Mr Endy??? Who just ate the WITCH????*
Crius: How... did I do that? Was that really me?
Saying "of course it was you're just that good" LOSES you points, huh!
Anastasia is delighted: Now she can go back in time and defeat the witch by siccing Endy on him, and then siccing Crius on Endy!
Crius takes them to a pub and says he wants to go wash up. While Anastasia is waiting, Zenn shows up, though it takes her a while to overcome the witch's earlier compulsion, and remember who he is.
Zenn: Never rewind time again. This is the best end you will ever get. Those two creatures happening to cross paths and not kill you immediately was a once in a thousand odds coincidence.
Anastasia: What? How do you- And also I can totally make it work!
Zenn: No you can't. Enjoy your happy ending.
But Crius never comes back. And the next day, he is branded everywhere as an escaped murderer.
Flightless Wings 4
Hooooooo boy
Anastasia's desire to kill herself and fix everything wars with how completely exhausted she is emotionally.
Tyril and some other Inquisitors arrive to question her about Crius. Who is the only suspect in the murder of EVERY SINGLE CARDINAL, woof. At first Tyril refuses to give her any details but after many false starts I managed to figure out how to manipulate and charm him into explaining. He comments at how incompetent she was, really wondering if I've messed up enough for a good end but I guess we shall see!
EDIT: Lol so the correct responses involve a lot more flattery. Tyril you loser. I do like Anastasia having learned something from Crius here even if I didn't do a great job of it.
Anyway. The cardinals were found stabbed to death with the sort of longsword all knights use. A feather from Crius's outfit was found at the scene. Hugo had attended the cardinal's meeting too, saying he was worried for his father, and was left poisoned nearly to death, though he's expected to wake up. It turns out Crius has been setting things up for someone to take over his position from the day he started. And he has motive: thirteen years ago, Crius's nun older sister Isabella was found poisoned in the Cathedral, with signs of abuse, and the death was quickly covered up as a suicide.
Anastasia grabs the feather, hoping it will give her a flashback to the past, and it does: she finds herself in the mind of someone consumed with guilt but hoping his sin is finally atoned for. It's Hugo... standing over the dead bodies of the cardinals, covered in blood, facing a horrified Crius.
Hugo says he confronted the Cardinals and they admitted to having raped and then killed Isabella D: D:
Hugo: She was always so kind to me... I was going to take the same poison as her, but now you can kill me. You must hate me too, for doing nothing.
Crius: You were five. You are a victim too. Look, I'll take care of this. Then you can decide if you want to hand yourself in, or go on with your life.
He cleans up the crime scene and plants the feather, and then leaves. Hugo watches him, and then swallows the poison.
GEEEEZE. No wonder Hugo was always Weird about Crius.
Landon offers to help her look for Crius and then STABS HER IN THE STOMACH because he RESENTS HER FOR MAYA'S DEATH??? I can't even blame the witch cos he's dead! There better be SOMETHING making people all murdery or this is TOO DUMB. (EDIT: Looks like it was just dumb. UGH)
Just as Maya's thinking that he's right, this is her fault and she needs to go back and save Maya whatever the consequences, Crius arrives and saves her from Landon.
He kicks Landon coldly in the stomach until Anastasia pulls him back.
Crius: What... am I doing?!
She collapses into his arms, and with her last breath, finally says his name.
She thinks that if someone smarter or stronger had her ability, they could fix things, and have a real happy ending. But she seems doomed to keep cycling and failing forever.
She wakes in a forest, still deathly injured. She hears Crius's voice behind her but he shouts for her not to turn around, saying that he's covered in mud.
Hmm. Mud, huh...
Anastasia: Even covered in mud you're still -nng.
Crius: I'm sorry, I should have taken you to a hospital. But when I came to my senses, we were out here. I guess I was trying to force a double suicide on you... I can't apologise enough. Want to try guessing what I really am? One, a witch. Two, a Membrum. Three-
Anastasia: You're simply you.
Crius: The day the sky turned black, the witch showed himself to me. He said he'd give me power, I just needed to let my desires guide me. But I didn't have any desires to speak of. I was a failure as a Membrum. I was going to die anyway, and didn't think I'd have any regrets... but then I saw you, broken and crying after Maya's death. I started putting off my death for flimsier and flimsier reasons, just wanting to see more of you. And then the witch appeared again and said I was free. My heart felt light. It was his power that let me defeat that monster. But it also made me nearly kill Landon.
Anastasia realises Zenn was right: Normally, Mr Endy would have killed them both after killing the witch. Her plan is doomed.
Crius: Falling in love with you turned me into this. The deeper I fell, the more I wanted to destroy everything around you. Before that happens I need to disappear.
Anastasia cries that there must be another way, while a cold part of her says it's pointless: this timeline is going to be destroyed. He will no longer be cursed. And he will no longer love her.
"What a miraculous power. What a meaningless power. Erasing these problems does not lead to salvation."
Ok this is some good angst.
Crius: Don't worry, I won't be causing you any more problems. I'll be dead soon. But I was glad to see how happy you were... to think that I was cured... Hurry back to a hospital. I'd carry you but I can't take another step...
Ahhh... Membrum who don't fulfil their role are punished with an inhuman form. Also, if he has spent the whole game intending on dying, convinced she doesn't love him back, then as with Tyril, him flirting with her without seeming to care much about the power dynamic feels more understandable. It was never going to go very far anyway.
She says that's one order she won't be following, and turns around and hugs him. His body is turning into solid black shadow.
Anastasia: No more compromises. I'll keep pushing forward, as many times as it takes to get my happy ending.
Crius: I don't understand, but I feel that passion of yours. I'm not sure what you're trying to do, but I will always have your back.
She says she's going to try and become someone who can believe in herself the way he believes in her.
Crius: This is the first time I've felt like living... am I in this happy ending of yours?
Anastasia: Of course!
Crius: Don't push yourself too hard. All I need is for you to be happy. Prioritise yourself above all else. You have a tendency to take on too many burdens, it makes a guy worry. Anastasia... I love you.
And then he vanishes.
She wonders how long she will have to retread this path, alone. But all these emotions: guilt, love, pain, they form her armour.
Aria Of The Mistletoe
Rune: I don't think you'll be able to safely turn back in this state. I will erase your memories and heal the scars on your heart...
Anastasia: Wait! How many times have you done this?
Rune: Just once.
Me: Oh really.
Anastasia: Then give me back those memories. My love for others may weigh me down, but it makes me strong.
She regains her memories of her time with Tyril, including a line I didn't note at the time: "The secret to making a choice you won't regret is picking out what sustains you. You've so many more allies than enemies. So many love you... never forget that."
She decides when to go back to: It's time to properly meet Zenn.
Huh! This is very cool as a setup for the continuing fantasy plot but how on EARTH is it going to work as a romance? How is she going to feel/act around Tyril and Crius?? Guess I'll see!
Overall... this route felt like it had the bones of a really good story, but didn't quite hold together for me. Tyril's flaws are straightforward and Anastasia comes to terms with them in a straightforward way. Crius's are more subtle (eg he can be fairly manipulative and mercenary under his good natured persona) and the game did point them out and have Anastasia accept them but it never quite gelled for me the same way.
Like Tyril talks about how Crius uses his subordinates as beloved tools and that just... does not get explored. And all the stuff about him seducing women... is it a total beatup? If so, that's boring, and if not it's never really addressed.
But I still had feels, I guess!
WAIT. WE NEVER SEE ANASTASIA RIDE HER GIANT BIRD WTF
WHY HAVE HER JOIN THE GIANT BIRD KNIGHTS AND NOT HAVE A COOL BIRD RIDING SCENE??? IT COULD EVEN JUST HAVE A SKY BACKGROUND IF IT'S TOO HARD TO DRAW BOOOOOO
Contains major spoilers for the Tyril route.
So this had all the things that bugged me about the Tyril route but more so: He's her older commanding officer she looks up to, except this time they don't have the cute bickering tsundere thing to offset that, and he's been KINDA LIKE HER DAD since she was TEN. There's sudden angsty plot twists which aren't always convincingly consistent with previous characterisation. Some plot points just get Dropped. And there are some VERY dark and serious topics used tackily as fodder for angst.
But I still overall had a good time. Despite his VERY UNETHICAL approach to fraternisation with a subordinate, Crius is very charming and supportive and endearingly smitten. And for every bit of angsty melodrama that annoyed me there was one which worked on me exactly as intended. And I still am absolutely on the edge of my seat to find out what happens next!
Content Notes, spoilers
child abuse, terminal illness, suicide, major character death, rape
Curious if she still has prophetic dreams in this version of the route, or if it's ignored until Zenn's route.
Is Crius going to kill himself too???
Anastasia does not remember meeting the witch and feels like she's lost a block of time. But she doesn't want to worry Crius. Guess we have no Carnival this time! Or at least, not yet.
Crius: Just to check, you did get permission from your father to become a knight, right?
Anastasia: ...yes >.>
He says he won't be "Vice commander" much longer and she panics and clutches at him begging him not to leave the order, which he is Into.
I used a walkthrough for a bit but I do enjoy trying to solve the mysteries so eventually stopped.
As Anastasia is made a knight, she looks at Conrad and Lucien (LUCIENNN ARE YOU GOING TO DIE AGAIN) and knows she will now be able to enter the castle and more easily meet with them. And she has the physical capability to murder Conrad. But first she wants to reveal all his crimes.
Crius is promoted to Grand Commander Of The Wings Of Garuda. He says she can have the old retired Grand Commander's beautiful blue Garuda.
A premonition freezes her body moments before the sky goes black. Here we go.
Oh... and we can still have her and Crius at a trial if they're both Sacrificia...
The exposition on witch trials is a bit more awkward without the excuse of them being her job lol.
The next morning Anastasia and Maya wake without being murdered or Sacrificia. The other cadets and knights of the Wings seem fine too and as they congratulate her she thinks that they really are her friends. Somehow, she trusts them.
Anastasia: Sorry I kept my family a secret until now.
Landon: I hear your stepmother is really hot.
Mitchell: Your stepsister too.
When she complains to Crius (also not a Sacrifica!) he laughs and says they'll get over it. And then she gets to meet her BIG BEAUTIFUL BIRD MOUNT, Huma. She goes to approach and is pulled back sharply by Crius, who says she needs to earn Huma's trust first or risk being disembowelled.
He gives her the challenge of having Huma eat from her hand in a week, or she will be sent to a different order.
By the end of the day, no victim or sacrificia have shown up. Noone knows what's going on.
Apparently Maya hates birds, so she does NOT approve of Anastasia's plan to get a sleeping bag and sleep in the Garuda stable for a week.
Interesting, the topic of false witch accusations comes up again. It's apparently pretty common, and there's rumours that the Inquisitors can be bribed to convict innocent people.
Apparently Huma was raised by the old Commander and was so shy she never entirely warmed up to him??
Crius quietly watches from the shadows, smiling, as Anastasia politely introduces herself to Huma and talks about herself, in an attempt to connect. Anastasia feels like she has met Huma before, somehow.
Anastasia notices Crius is looking peaky and tells him to rest, just as he's saying he has an obligation to attend a ball he stumbles into her arms.
Crius: Normally it's you worrying me. To think I'd get my own advice in reverse.
Anastasia: Maya's taught me plenty of scolding techniques.
Crius: Haha. How odd, I feel much better with you here. Ah, I know why... because you smell like a Garuda ;)
She asks if he has any advice about Huma, and he says to observe other Garudas to compare, and also that Garudas can feel what's in your heart, especially fear.
Crius: Oh but I told you you only had a week. But I don't want you to go... take your time, I rescind that order.
Maya: I have brought some spare clothes my lady. Do you need anything else?
Landon: MAYA?? ANASTASIA, GET HER THE GOOD TEA!!
Maya: I see you lack the common decency not to talk to my lady brashly. I will now train you in etiquette! >:(
Landon: Maya's... icy stare... o.o
Landon this 26 yr old lesbian is really out of your league but I guess you're having fun.
I am having a high pain day what happened...
After careful observation Anastasia realises Huma's issue is that's she's pregnant, surprising even the vet. It turns out that since Garudas are holy animals there's a lot of restrictions like not being able to dissect their dead bodies or even record medical history, so Garuda vet science is limited. She and Crius privately agree that this is bad.
Anastasia: I want to buy a gift for Maya. What do women like?
Crius: Wouldn't you know better than me? ;)
Anastasia: But she's so feminine... You're popular with women, right, Grand Commander?
Crius: Who told you that? D: But, well... I treat younger women like capable older sisters and older ones like cute younger sisters, but I'm not sure about gifts between women... why don't you just think about what she likes as a person and leave gender out of it?
She bumps into the old Grand Commander, Kyle. He is cagey and suspicious, then once he realises she's genuinely happy to see him, rants about how Crius stabbed him in the back and he's going to the noble quarter to find evidence of Crius's wrongdoing.
Kyle: He's a prostitute. No, something worse!
Me: He's. He's a what.
Kyle: He seduces married women then blackmails them for money!
I was wondering what Crius's angsty dark past equivalent to Brainwashed Assassin would be, did not consider SEX WORKER but SURE. I mean Kyle is probably lying but who knows with this game.
Kyle: He insisted you be allowed into the Wings, he probably wanted an in with your family!
Me and Anastasia: Nah, he's just nice. Also, him and Evelina??
And then Anastasia sees him get into a car with Evelina. (Also she goes on about how overwhelmingly voluptuously beautiful Evelina in a way which is sure something) This seriously messes with her head and she doesn't know what to make of it.
And then... the sky goes black! Is it another false alarm?
The next morning, Anastasia goes to check on Maya... and finds her room splattered with blood and decorated with Maya's dismembered corpse D: D:
I thought they'd just kill Lucien again oh nooooo
Flightless Wings 2
Flashback to Maya defending Anastasia as a child, and Anastasia saying not bother, she's going to leave soon. Maya insists on coming with her, even though Anastasia won't have much money with which to support them both.
Oooohhhh nooooooooo
Anastasia goes to the Inquisitors but Tyril, while not unsympathetic, is bluntly resistant to telling her any details like who the Sacrificia are.
So Anastasia kills herself. She asks Maya to sleep with her in the same bed, and Maya blushes a little and says the other girls will be jealous since Anastasia has quite a fanbase, the subtext of which goes entirely over Anastasia's head.
The next morning, Anastasia is woken by the smell of blood. And this time, she has a Sacrificia collar around her neck.
I assumed she'd go to the trial and at least figure out who did it but no, she just goes back again. And again. And again. Becoming more visibly unbalanced each time.
I guess Tyril was a good influence on her being able to handle fucked up shit with a more level head.
Eventually Rune begs her to stop. He says the only way to stop Maya dying is to kill the witch back when they first met, but to be able to do that without being a witch herself, Anastasia needs to learn his weaknesses. Which she can only do by going through with the trial.
Also apparently the Witch of Ruin killed all the other witches, and even Rune's real world body is gone.
Rune: I'm proud to have you as my- never mind.
Ancestor??
Anastasia has to stop herself from just killing herself again, and realises one reason she's been so quick to slit her own throat is because if she dies at the Carnival she will be burned alive again.
The Inquisitors arrive, one is like well obviously this woman did it she was RIGHT HERE, but Tyril makes no assumptions. He doesn't explain what being a Sacrifica means very much, which I'm guessing is so Crius can do it.
Because he arrives shortly afterwards and pulls her into a hug, telling her to let it all out. She cries that he shouldn't be associating with a murderer, and he points out that Membrum know what they did and don't feel bad about it. Then he tells her they're going to go investigate all the Sacrificia and find out the truth, to save Anastasia's life and catch Maya's murderer.
Sacrificia: Mael Diaz the court painter. The witch used his identity but it's not clear if he IS the witch.
Anastasia: Article goes into how since winning the Games, she's seen as nearly as hot as the Princes and Crius lol
Thomas: 30 something merchant and president of the Ninja Fan Club, was briefly mentioned in the Tyril route. Says the Ninja was so delicate they could be a woman (TRANS TYRIL TRANS TYRIL)
Orla: Article goes on about how hot Evelina is, implying that Orla is just ok. She's 16.
Lucien: Described as a cold Ice Prince!
Choice time! I decided to talk to Orla because she seemed like the equivalent of Conrad, who was really vital and interesting last time.
Orla is very affectionate, at first Anastasia thinks it's all an act then notices signs that Orla has been hit, Orla says it's her own fault for disappointing her mother and Anastasia pulls her into a hug and says she'll protect her little sister. Curious to see where this goes. Also their dad is sick, which he wasn't in the other timeline.
Had no strong opinion on who to talk to next so checked a walkthrough and it said NOT to talk to Orla or... *checks* ok yes, investigating yourself is pretty dumb. But hey apparently this save is ruined anyway, so let's see what happens!
Anastasia: Mitchell. The 'printmaker' selling sold out pictures of me is you, isn't it?
Mitchell: ehehe... HEY DON'T PUNCH ME. I am sorry though, and I'll encourage public opinion to be in your favour!
Aw. Hugo is concerned about Anastasia, Landon is sleeping off his grief, and Anastasia wants to check on Huma. Yeah this is an absolute waste of time, but cute to have seen.
Let's talk to Mael and then die!
He won't open his door and his maid said he gets migraines. Crius is about to say they should call it quits when Anastasia storms in all SO WE MEET AGAIN, WITCH >:(
Maes: Who are you? Did that realist Edmund send you to kill me?! Or is the God of Flies angry at me for killing a fly yesterday?! ...wait... you're the Rose Knight! I have all your prints :D
Anastasia, eventually realising this is a different dude: Sir please help me I don't know how to handle these types /o\
Haaa Mael asks seriously to be able to ask her questions... and it's all about if she takes rose baths and leaves a rose behind at her battles after spouting her catchphrase.
I did NOT die! In fact I got all the way to a good end without a walkthrough. But I felt like I missed some stuff so went back after the end of the route to do the other interviews etc. Watching Maya die so many times AGAIN was confronting even on fast forward D:
Thomas: Ninja saved him from an abusive work situation. He's sure ninja will save him if he's in danger of dying in the trial. He once saw Ninja on a rooftop, all beat up with a tattoo visible under torn clothes. "I'm in the camp who thinks Ninja's a girl. But boy or girl, that won't change how much I love them!" Overall pretty useless but did raise Anastasia's popularity with the populace for being so patient with an annoying nerd lol.
Prince Lucien: They are halted by middle prince Parker. He seems to have a crush on Orla, which Crius cheerfully uses to manipulate him. Anastasia thinks to herself that she should learn to do that...OOH. AND GAINS THE 'SYMPATHISE' SKILL FOR UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE'S MOTIVES. Ok, def gonna play forward into the nest route from this save! Parker says Lucien definitely changed from being so timid as a kid, but there was no obvious moment or trigger.
Ohhhh interesting, even when I didn't choose to talk to Orla, it ends up happening anyway!
After the interviews, Crius collapses and swallows some medicine, before admitting he has a chronic illness which will only be cured by a rare red Garuda feather. That's why he joined the Wings in his youth, but he quickly became sincerely dedicated to the Garuda. And there's always a chance Huma's baby will be red.
....wait is he going to TRAGICALLY DIE OF HIS ILLNESS AT THE END...
Anastasia is taken aside by Prince Lucien in disguise, who says he's worried someone is out there trying to make her look bad to the public, but he will protect her. He said he sent her letters and tried to visit but hasn't been able to find her. He's kind, but with a reserved self confidence that contrasts with his previous awkward nervousness.
Anastasia: You seem... different than I remember.
Lucien: I would think you'd understand that better than anyone.
Time traveller Lucien confirmed??
Did NOT like the Carnival trial.
I suspected Orla but Anastasia wouldn't so I randomly decided to always suspect Thomas. A few times Mael gets all swoony over Anastasia and Lucien gets blushy or jealous.
For a while it looks like Anastasia is going to die but then Lucien fake confesses to buy her time, and dies.
Orla turns out to be the real murderer because she was convinced her abuse would end if Anastasia died and she got to marry Lucien and have blonde babies. Since Lucien is dead she gives into despair and falls into the flames begging her mother to just love her. MEHHH.
It turns out Thomas was the witch the whole time?? I do not understand what purpose this served, he didn't do anything interesting or important! Maybe if I had made different choices? EDIT after replay: Nope. Trial was nearly identical. Correct responses didn't even use the Sympathise ability.
Huma gives birth to a blue egg... then RANDOMLY TURNS RED HOORAY. Sure.
Crius asks Anastasia on a date. She is baffled rather than than flattered. He pulls her towards him and says "you really aren't interested in me at all are you? In some ways that makes things easier." She says she is "interested" as in wants to get to know him better because she is sometimes VERY DUMB.
For defeating the witch, Anastasia gains a new ability. She dreams of a ten year old boy whose description could be Hugo or Crius meeting with his older nun sister, Isabella, who tells him to be more careful about hurting himself. And then of that sister, dying, thinking "I was killed by [-name redacted-]".
Anastasia wears her uniform to the date because it's the nicest thing she owns, still half convinced it's a joke, why would anyway want to date her? Meanwhile around her women swoon.
Crius unsuccessfully tries to get her to use his given name and says to stop thinking of him as her commanding officer which is not how fraternisation with a subordinate works, Crius.
She asks about his family and finds out he has three older sisters but he doesn't mention any of them being dead so she assumes the dream wasn't about him. But I noticed he only mentions two of them being alive.
Crius enjoys taking her dress shopping. She feels self conscious about people thinking she looks ridiculous, with her muscles (footage not found) and short hair, and he kabedons her from behind, face half in her hair, and says she's beautiful. He implies his feelings for her only changed recently but she's been surprising him since they met, he started with every intention of sending her home once being the first female knight got too much for her. But it never did.
He talks about how much he admires her strength and he comes across as so smitten and sincere that it did feel very romantic despite this not overall really being my jam.
He then lets her go and explains what was up with him and her family. I was expecting it to be some Terrible secret but it's just that... Evelina has the same illness as him. The symptoms are that you lose the sensation of pain, then taste and smell, and then colour.
Evelina was raised to hide it. Having seen how losing his sense made him draw away from people, Crius he sees now that Evelina took out her frustration with her illness by hurting those she had power over, to try and understand what pain even is. ehhh. EHHHHHHHHHHHH.
I mean we have Anastasia and Crius as examples of how someone can experience child abuse or chronic illness without going evil, but still. MEH.
Also he kicked out the previous Grand Commander for embezzlement. Sure.
Crius takes her to the cathedral since it's soothing. She has a brief vision of Tyril's death in the other timeline, which leaves her confused. She bumps into Hugo, who blushes briefly but is mostly amused that she thinks the fact she looks pretty in a dress is something to hide, and reminds her that he lives there as the son of a Cardinal. When she asks if he knows any nuns called Isabella who were murdered he FREAKS OUT just as she remembers that in the dream Isabella said she was killed by a Cardinal.
Crius says he has a meeting with some people from the church and sends her on her way.
Anastasia is confronted by the witch, who says she seems to have done Something to "stop his seed from sprouting", and since killing her is pointless he's going to just make her suffer.
Crius: Leave her alone, I wasn't done hitting on her :)
Witch: Ha, I- OH FUCK IT'S THAT GUY *gets eaten by Mr Endy*
Huh. Sure.
Mr Endy: *stares at Anastasia hungrily*
Crius: *fights off Mr Endy??? Who just ate the WITCH????*
Crius: How... did I do that? Was that really me?
Saying "of course it was you're just that good" LOSES you points, huh!
Anastasia is delighted: Now she can go back in time and defeat the witch by siccing Endy on him, and then siccing Crius on Endy!
Crius takes them to a pub and says he wants to go wash up. While Anastasia is waiting, Zenn shows up, though it takes her a while to overcome the witch's earlier compulsion, and remember who he is.
Zenn: Never rewind time again. This is the best end you will ever get. Those two creatures happening to cross paths and not kill you immediately was a once in a thousand odds coincidence.
Anastasia: What? How do you- And also I can totally make it work!
Zenn: No you can't. Enjoy your happy ending.
But Crius never comes back. And the next day, he is branded everywhere as an escaped murderer.
Flightless Wings 4
Hooooooo boy
Anastasia's desire to kill herself and fix everything wars with how completely exhausted she is emotionally.
Tyril and some other Inquisitors arrive to question her about Crius. Who is the only suspect in the murder of EVERY SINGLE CARDINAL, woof. At first Tyril refuses to give her any details but after many false starts I managed to figure out how to manipulate and charm him into explaining. He comments at how incompetent she was, really wondering if I've messed up enough for a good end but I guess we shall see!
EDIT: Lol so the correct responses involve a lot more flattery. Tyril you loser. I do like Anastasia having learned something from Crius here even if I didn't do a great job of it.
Anyway. The cardinals were found stabbed to death with the sort of longsword all knights use. A feather from Crius's outfit was found at the scene. Hugo had attended the cardinal's meeting too, saying he was worried for his father, and was left poisoned nearly to death, though he's expected to wake up. It turns out Crius has been setting things up for someone to take over his position from the day he started. And he has motive: thirteen years ago, Crius's nun older sister Isabella was found poisoned in the Cathedral, with signs of abuse, and the death was quickly covered up as a suicide.
Anastasia grabs the feather, hoping it will give her a flashback to the past, and it does: she finds herself in the mind of someone consumed with guilt but hoping his sin is finally atoned for. It's Hugo... standing over the dead bodies of the cardinals, covered in blood, facing a horrified Crius.
Hugo says he confronted the Cardinals and they admitted to having raped and then killed Isabella D: D:
Hugo: She was always so kind to me... I was going to take the same poison as her, but now you can kill me. You must hate me too, for doing nothing.
Crius: You were five. You are a victim too. Look, I'll take care of this. Then you can decide if you want to hand yourself in, or go on with your life.
He cleans up the crime scene and plants the feather, and then leaves. Hugo watches him, and then swallows the poison.
GEEEEZE. No wonder Hugo was always Weird about Crius.
Landon offers to help her look for Crius and then STABS HER IN THE STOMACH because he RESENTS HER FOR MAYA'S DEATH??? I can't even blame the witch cos he's dead! There better be SOMETHING making people all murdery or this is TOO DUMB. (EDIT: Looks like it was just dumb. UGH)
Just as Maya's thinking that he's right, this is her fault and she needs to go back and save Maya whatever the consequences, Crius arrives and saves her from Landon.
He kicks Landon coldly in the stomach until Anastasia pulls him back.
Crius: What... am I doing?!
She collapses into his arms, and with her last breath, finally says his name.
She thinks that if someone smarter or stronger had her ability, they could fix things, and have a real happy ending. But she seems doomed to keep cycling and failing forever.
She wakes in a forest, still deathly injured. She hears Crius's voice behind her but he shouts for her not to turn around, saying that he's covered in mud.
Hmm. Mud, huh...
Anastasia: Even covered in mud you're still -nng.
Crius: I'm sorry, I should have taken you to a hospital. But when I came to my senses, we were out here. I guess I was trying to force a double suicide on you... I can't apologise enough. Want to try guessing what I really am? One, a witch. Two, a Membrum. Three-
Anastasia: You're simply you.
Crius: The day the sky turned black, the witch showed himself to me. He said he'd give me power, I just needed to let my desires guide me. But I didn't have any desires to speak of. I was a failure as a Membrum. I was going to die anyway, and didn't think I'd have any regrets... but then I saw you, broken and crying after Maya's death. I started putting off my death for flimsier and flimsier reasons, just wanting to see more of you. And then the witch appeared again and said I was free. My heart felt light. It was his power that let me defeat that monster. But it also made me nearly kill Landon.
Anastasia realises Zenn was right: Normally, Mr Endy would have killed them both after killing the witch. Her plan is doomed.
Crius: Falling in love with you turned me into this. The deeper I fell, the more I wanted to destroy everything around you. Before that happens I need to disappear.
Anastasia cries that there must be another way, while a cold part of her says it's pointless: this timeline is going to be destroyed. He will no longer be cursed. And he will no longer love her.
"What a miraculous power. What a meaningless power. Erasing these problems does not lead to salvation."
Ok this is some good angst.
Crius: Don't worry, I won't be causing you any more problems. I'll be dead soon. But I was glad to see how happy you were... to think that I was cured... Hurry back to a hospital. I'd carry you but I can't take another step...
Ahhh... Membrum who don't fulfil their role are punished with an inhuman form. Also, if he has spent the whole game intending on dying, convinced she doesn't love him back, then as with Tyril, him flirting with her without seeming to care much about the power dynamic feels more understandable. It was never going to go very far anyway.
She says that's one order she won't be following, and turns around and hugs him. His body is turning into solid black shadow.
Anastasia: No more compromises. I'll keep pushing forward, as many times as it takes to get my happy ending.
Crius: I don't understand, but I feel that passion of yours. I'm not sure what you're trying to do, but I will always have your back.
She says she's going to try and become someone who can believe in herself the way he believes in her.
Crius: This is the first time I've felt like living... am I in this happy ending of yours?
Anastasia: Of course!
Crius: Don't push yourself too hard. All I need is for you to be happy. Prioritise yourself above all else. You have a tendency to take on too many burdens, it makes a guy worry. Anastasia... I love you.
And then he vanishes.
She wonders how long she will have to retread this path, alone. But all these emotions: guilt, love, pain, they form her armour.
Aria Of The Mistletoe
Rune: I don't think you'll be able to safely turn back in this state. I will erase your memories and heal the scars on your heart...
Anastasia: Wait! How many times have you done this?
Rune: Just once.
Me: Oh really.
Anastasia: Then give me back those memories. My love for others may weigh me down, but it makes me strong.
She regains her memories of her time with Tyril, including a line I didn't note at the time: "The secret to making a choice you won't regret is picking out what sustains you. You've so many more allies than enemies. So many love you... never forget that."
She decides when to go back to: It's time to properly meet Zenn.
Huh! This is very cool as a setup for the continuing fantasy plot but how on EARTH is it going to work as a romance? How is she going to feel/act around Tyril and Crius?? Guess I'll see!
Overall... this route felt like it had the bones of a really good story, but didn't quite hold together for me. Tyril's flaws are straightforward and Anastasia comes to terms with them in a straightforward way. Crius's are more subtle (eg he can be fairly manipulative and mercenary under his good natured persona) and the game did point them out and have Anastasia accept them but it never quite gelled for me the same way.
Like Tyril talks about how Crius uses his subordinates as beloved tools and that just... does not get explored. And all the stuff about him seducing women... is it a total beatup? If so, that's boring, and if not it's never really addressed.
But I still had feels, I guess!
WAIT. WE NEVER SEE ANASTASIA RIDE HER GIANT BIRD WTF
WHY HAVE HER JOIN THE GIANT BIRD KNIGHTS AND NOT HAVE A COOL BIRD RIDING SCENE??? IT COULD EVEN JUST HAVE A SKY BACKGROUND IF IT'S TOO HARD TO DRAW BOOOOOO
