Through the Gates of Ivory

Mesherskaya

(Approach Mesherskaya in Svetloledovka)

Mesherskaya: Hey, you over there... and your little minion too... Could you please stop for a moment? I'd like to share something with you.

Are you talking to me?

Mesherskaya: Yes, you.

Paimon: Who's she calling a minion...? Oh, Paimon?

Mesherskaya: Yes, the two of you.

Paimon: Paimon's not a minion, gee. We're traveling together... Anyway, what do you want to tell us?

Mesherskaya: ...I'm actually scouting for suitable guests.

Paimon: Guests?

Mesherskaya: Yes. I'm from the House of Hesperides in the mountains. That's the residence of Lady Pavlina, princess of the Snegovik, and other fae...

Mesherskaya: And now, we're looking for... exalted guests to attend the princess's wedding. That's why I've been sent down here to look for the most suitable and worthy individuals...

Mesherskaya: The two of you certainly seem to fit that criterion, what with your extraordinary temperaments and dress. I wonder if we may have the honor of hosting you at the House?

(If the player has not obtained Invitation to the "Ritual")

Paimon: So, you mean to say, you want to invite us to this princess's wedding? "Pavlina"... she sounds like a Snegurochka.

Mesherskaya: That is entirely correct, little minion.

Paimon: Tsk, Paimon already told you, Paimon's not a minion... But you know, (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍), from what Paimon has heard, here in Snezhnaya a love marriage between a Snegovik and a human isn't all that common...

Paimon: Much less a wedding involving a Snegovik princess. This could turn out to be real interesting...

Eye of Graeae: Pavlina...

Paimon: Hmm? What is it, Goggles?

Eye of Graeae: The name... feels a little familiar. It comes up when I do a search of my memories.

Paimon: Oh? Could this princess have anything to do with Goggles then...?

Eye of Graeae: That is highly possible.

Great! Then we definitely have to go then!

Paimon: Yeah! Even if we don't end up finding what Goggles is looking for, it's gonna be fun anyway!

Paimon: So... Um... Miss. How do we get to that wedding, then?

Mesherskaya: It will be our utmost pleasure to welcome you at the wedding... Take this invite, please. All you have to do is show the invite when you arrive at the House of Hesperides...

(If the player has already obtained Invitation to the "Ritual")

Paimon: Ah... So you want us to attend the princess's wedding at some... house in the mountains...

Paimon: So that in— oh, that's right. We already have the invite.

Mesherskaya: Oh, is that so?

Mesherskaya: ...Ah, looks like this is all the work of fate. The two of you are destined to be guests of the House of Hesperides, no matter how the invite falls into your hands.

Mesherskaya: In that case, simply take the invite and show it when you arrive at the House of Hesperides. That will get you into Lady Pavlina's wedding...

Mesherskaya: Although I'd dearly love to travel with you, I have yet to complete the task Lady Pavlina has given me...

Paimon: That's fine. We'll find our way to that... um... whatever house you were talking about! That name's too darn long!

Mesherskaya: Heh. I wish the both [sic] you a most pleasant time at the House, then...

(If the player has not obtained Invitation to the "Ritual")

(Obtain Invitation to the "Ritual")

(Talk to Mesherskaya again, optional)

Mesherskaya: Ah, dear guests, please remember to... head to the House of the Hesperides to attend Lady Pavlina's wedding!

Locations in Svetloledovka

(Pick up the invitation at any of its locations in Svetloledovka)

Pick up

Paimon: Hmm, that's odd... What is this? Some kind of ... invite?

Eye of Graeae: It's an invitation...

Paimon: An invitation? Let Paimon take a look... Hmm. It says Pavlina, Grand Duchess of the Snegurochka, is inviting... whoever's holding this invitation to attend a wedding...?

Paimon: "Those who wish to attend the ceremony may present this invitation as proof that they have been invited..."

Paimon: Hmm... So the wedding is being held at... House of Hesp-something, up on the snowy mountain...

Eye of Graeae: House of Hesperides. Yes. It was once home to the sovereign who ruled over the Snegovik. As for Pavlina...

Eye of Graeae: That name does sound faintly familiar...

Paimon: So, Pavlina, the princess of the Snegurochka, might be tied to Goggles' past too?

Eye of Graeae: Most likely.

Paimon: Oh... Let's go check out this princess's wedding, then!

(Obtain Invitation to the "Ritual")

Statue of The Seven

(Approach the Statue of the Seven)

(If the player has already received the Invitation to the "Ritual" from Mesherskaya)

Paimon: It's so cold here... But didn't that Snegurochka at Svetloledovka say that the princess of the Snegurochka has a residence on this mountain or something?

Eye of Graeae: Yes... That mansion... Based on my fuzzy memories... has been here for many years now.

(If the player has not already received an Invitation to the "Ritual")

Paimon: Hmm. It feels like the farther up the mountain we go, the heavier the storm gets...

Paimon: Huh? What's this?

Eye of Graeae: It's an invitation...

Paimon: An invitation? Let Paimon take a look... Hmm. It says Pavlina, Grand Duchess of the Snegurochka, is inviting... whoever's holding this invitation to attend a wedding...?

Paimon: "Those who wish to attend the ceremony may present this invitation as proof that they have been invited..."

Paimon: Hmm... So the wedding is being held at... House of Hesp-something, up on the snowy mountain...

Eye of Graeae: House of Hesperides. Yes. It was once home to the sovereign who ruled over the Snegovik. As for Pavlina...

Eye of Graeae: That name does sound faintly familiar...

Paimon: So, Pavlina, the princess of the Snegurochka, might be tied to Goggles' past too?

Eye of Graeae: Most likely.

Paimon: The house's all the way up the mountain? And we still have to climb higher?

Eye of Graeae: I'm afraid so. Unless House of Hesperides somehow moved in the last five hundred years...

Paimon: Fine. Then let's keep going and check it out.

(Obtain Invitation to the "Ritual")

(Interact with the Mountain Notice Board while climbing the mountain, optional)

Mountain Notice Board: (A notice board planted along the mountain path. It reads...)

Mountain Notice Board: "The House of Hesperides has been (...), No unauthorized entry..."

Mountain Notice Board: "The snowstorm in the mountain (...), and temperatures are extremely low. Hiking is strictly prohibited. Those who ignore this warning do so at their own risk!”

(Approach the starting location from afar)

Paimon: ...The snowstorm's getting worse and worse. Does the Snegovik really live somewhere like this?

(Approach the campsite)

Paimon: Strange... Why's there a lamp over there?

Paimon: Huh, this lamp is weird. But for some reason... now that we're near it, the blizzard's easing up. It even feels kind of warm...

Paimon: Wait a minute. Paimon's heard that if you suddenly start feeling warm on a snowy mountain, it could mean you're so cold you're starting to hallucinate...

Then I guess I'm hallucinating too!

Paimon: Aha! So you felt it too! It really is getting warmer!

Then we should probably keep telling ourselves we're freezing...

Paimon: Uh... We're surrounded by snow and ice, and we still need to convince ourselves we're cold...?

(A young blonde man approaches)

???: Don't worry, you two. This is a special lamp. They say it was blessed by the fae that is now inside it a long time ago.

???: It offers some protection from the cold.

Paimon: Whoa! D—did someone just... appear out of nowhere?

(If the player has already obtained Invitation to the "Ritual" beforehand)

???: Hello, my flying friend.

(If the player has not obtained Invitation to the "Ritual" beforehand)

???: Hello, you two. Don't be so alarmed, my flying friend.

???: This is my lamp. I left it here earlier when I got a little bored and went for a walk.

Paimon: Oh, so it's yours... Wait, you went for a walk in this blizzard? Dressed like that? How are you not freezing?

???: ...Freezing?

???: Should I be reacting to temperature changes? Is that what you were expecting?

Paimon: Uh... That's not really the point. Most people would freeze solid if they wore that little in this weather like this.

Maybe all the shivering is what keeps them from freezing...

Paimon: Right, because all that shivering would totally warm them up... As if! But that's only for regular people.

Paimon: The fae don't really mind the cold. Just look at the Snegovik and the Jack Frosts. They probably don't do well in a place that's too warm.

I suppose there are some peoples who do fine in the cold?

Paimon: Oh, yeah! The fae don't really mind the cold. The Snegovik and Jack Frosts especially!

Paimon: But you don't look like a fae, and you're not cold either... So who are you, anyway? And what are you doing out here with no luggage and barely any warm clothes on?

Ikhor: I... I am Ikhor. Someone... a woman told me to leave the house, but she didn't tell me where to go. So I've just been waiting here.

(If the player has already obtained Invitation to the "Ritual" beforehand)

Paimon: The house...? You mean the House of Hesperides? We're on our way there for some wedding.

(If the player has not obtained Invitation to the "Ritual" beforehand)

Paimon: A house...? You mean there's a house up here on this snowy mountain? With people living in it?

Ikhor: Yes, there is a house. It is called the House of Hesperides, and it is where the Snegovik live. The lady of the house is Pavlina, the Snegurochka princess.

Ikhor: Right now... I believe she is preparing for her wedding.

Paimon: A Snegovik wedding?

Paimon: Paimon's never been to a Snegovik wedding before. They say the Snegovik live for love, right? So their weddings must be super romantic!

Ikhor: A wedding... Yes. For the Snegovik, it is an important ritual. They have been preparing for it for a long time.

(If the player has already obtained Invitation to the "Ritual" beforehand)

Paimon: So it must be a really big deal, right? Hehe, how exciting! Oh, right. Who's the woman you were talking about? You know, the one who told you to leave the house.

(If the player has not obtained Invitation to the "Ritual" beforehand)

Paimon: So it must be a really big deal, right? Hehe, how exciting! Hmm... Do you think we can go see it?

Ikhor: Is that what you wish for?

Paimon: Well, with the storm this bad, it'd be nice to have somewhere to rest for a bit... And besides, we'd get to see a Snegovik wedding...

So this is Paimon's wish, then?

Paimon: Yeah, yeah!

Then it's my wish too.

Paimon: Hehe, you are the best!

Ikhor: I understand. In that case, please take this...

Paimon: Oh, what's that?

Ikhor: This is a wedding invitation. With it, the house will receive you... as honored guests of the ritual.

Paimon: But um... isn't this invite yours?

Ikhor: No... friend who is named Paimon. Invitations are only for guests.

Paimon: Oh, okay! Thank you then! Oh, right... Who's the woman you were talking about? You know, the one who told you to leave the house.

Ikhor: I have no idea. I'd never met her before that.

Paimon: H—hold on! You mean to say that someone you didn't even know told you to leave the house, and you just went along with it!?

Ikhor: Yes. Because that was what she wanted, and she wanted it very badly. And if someone wanted something so badly that it becomes a wish, of course I should grant it.

Paimon: ((‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍)... He doesn't look that young, but the way he talks and acts is just like a little child. He feels a little... not all there...)

Eye of Graeae: ...I can sense it. There's definitely a part of my body's power that's inside him.

Paimon: (Wait, really? We found it already?)

Eye of Graeae: But the power inside him is incomplete. That may be why his mind seems a little... not quite there as well. The power that's in him... is so broken up that it's impossible to recover.

Paimon: Huh? Then what do we do now?

Eye of Graeae: Before I can reclaim this part of my power, it must be restored to a more complete state first... I sense that the part of my body here was split up through a special ritual of some kind.

Eye of Graeae: If only I could get closer to the core of that power. Then I might be able to give you a clearer answer.

(Sounds like we should head over to the wedding then.)

Paimon: (So are we taking him with us? Hmm... We can't just leave him here. But we still don't know why that person made him leave the house...)

Paimon: Um... This is kind of a strange favor to ask, but could you show us the way to the House of Hesperides?

Paimon: We... don't really know the area, you see, and you're from there, so... you'd be the perfect guide!

Ikhor: Is this your wish?

Yes. Could you help me out with it?

Paimon: And Paimon thinks it'd be better for you, too! Even if you don't get cold, it just doesn't feel right for us to leave you out here in this storm dressed like that.

Ikhor: "People do not always know what is best for them. They choose storms in the morning, then pray for peace by night."

Paimon: Hmm?

Ikhor: Someone once told me that. While I do not feel the cold, maybe you are right.

Ikhor: So long as someone asks it of me, I am willing to grant their wish. Now, allow me to fulfill yours. Please follow me.

(After the dialogue)

Ikhor: Stay close, I'll light the lamp for you. There's nothing to fear.

Paimon: Huh? This lamp actually works? And it's so warm!

Paimon: Paimon thought it was out of fuel since you didn't light it earlier.

(After following Ikhor for some time)

(Three Aberrant Chimeric Monsters spawn)

Paimon: Watch out! Get over to the side! Don't worry, (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍) can handle this.

Ikhor: ...

(After defeating the enemies)

Ikhor: Let's keep going. The House of Hesperides is right up ahead.

(Approach the bridge that leads to the House of Hesperides)

(The camera turns to focus on the entrance)

Ikhor: The house is just past the bridge.

(Approach the door)

Paimon: Anyway, let's try knocking first.

(Knock on the door)

Knock on Door

???: Myshkin? Is that you? You're finally here...

Paimon: ...Huh? Who's Myshkin? No, we're just passing adventurers — (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍) and Paimon!

Paimon: We heard there was a wedding happening here, so we came by to take a look! And we do have an invite, so it's not like we're crashing the wedding, right?

???: ...

???: Please present your invitation to the statue by the door.

Paimon: The statue? Uh... okay, sure...

Paimon: (Ikhor, you came from in there, right? Then you must know this place better than we do. Do they always have weird rules like this?)

Ikhor: (This does not seem to be part of the "ritual.")

Paimon: (So you're just as lost as we are. Well, since we're already here, let's just do what she said for now.)

(Submit Invitation to the "Ritual" ×1)

???: Welcome to the House of Hesperides.

Aglaya: Since you have an invitation, then you are guests of this house, and every guest deserves a proper welcome. You may call me Aglaya.

Aglaya: Is this your first time attending a Snegovik wedding?

Mmhmm

Aglaya: You two do not seem to be from around here, so I take it you have not heard about the scandal. I doubt you would have been willing to come here if you had.

Paimon: A scandal?

Aglaya: At least, humans would call it that. The last ceremonial ritual we held on this scale was Larisa's wedding.

Aglaya: But that human betrayed her in the end. She killed him, and then the vow took her life, too.

Aglaya: Larisa was the most beautiful of us all... even the way she died was beautiful.

Aglaya: That day, her fury brought down a blizzard so fierce, it froze even the bolts of lightning mid-fall. You should have seen that beautiful, deadly Prime Ice magic...

Paimon: Umm...

Aglaya: Heh, but you have no cause for worry. You will be safe here at the House of Hesperides, as long as you stay away from what is forbidden.

Aglaya: The ritual will begin when the clock strikes eight times. Please make your way to the chapel right away when you hear it.

Aglaya: Until then, you may look around the main hall... The other rooms are not open to guests...

Aglaya: But you are welcome to enjoy the entertainment here, or simply rest for a while. The choice is yours.

So, about those rooms we're not allowed into...

Aglaya: Some of those are private quarters. We even have one set aside for the bride and groom...

Ah, excuse. I didn't mean to be rude.

Aglaya: Once, there was a human woman who dared sneak into the groom's room while he was alone. Of course, she was caught almost immediately...

Paimon: Wh-what!? Was she trying to steal the groom or something???

Aglaya: Not from Pavlina, the Snegurochka princess. What Pavlina has laid claim to, no one takes from her.

Aglaya: So cold is she by nature, she hardly seems like a Snegurochka at all. But that boy was hers, and there was no way she would let anyone take him away.

Aglaya: ...Regardless of that, the ritual will go ahead, and we will succeed this time. She has sworn it on the sword Larisa once wielded.

Aglaya: And we all know what happens to those who break their vows.

Aglaya: Enough of the dull introductions. This ritual is one that is worth celebrating after all. I wish the both of you a most pleasant and unforgettable day here at the House of Hesperides.

(The Traveler and Paimon leave)

(Aglaya goes outside and picks up a doll laying on the ground)

Aglaya: Oh my, you ended up all the way over here?

Aglaya: Let's get you back where you're supposed to be.

(The camera cuts back to the Traveler and Paimon)

Paimon: Huh? Where did Ikhor go? Goggles, did you see where he went?

Eye of Graeae: My apologies. Some special ritual power seems to be affecting this entire place. I can no longer sense his presence. Given some time, I may be able to determine what's going on...

(Aglaya walks by in the background)

Paimon: Honestly, Paimon still had so many questions for him. Like, if he's obviously just one part of one part of Goggles' body, how does he have a whole body of his own...?

Eye of Graeae: That part is easy enough to understand. It is like... "A pomegranate split open, its seeds scattered across the ground. Piece the shell back together, and it can still, just barely, be called whole."

Paimon: Ugh... Okay, even if he isn't really human, that example was still pretty creepy.

Paimon: But we're out of leads for now, so we'll just have to wait for Goggles to figure things out.

Paimon: Come on, (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍), let's go soak up the wedding atmosphere! It's not every day you get to see a Snegovik wedding!

(Condition missing)

Eye of Graeae: ...As far as I know, Pavlina, princess of the Snegurochka, isn't really the type to marry a human. How strange.

Eye of Graeae: If anything... I would have thought she'd be more attached to her own kind than to humans...

Paimon: Well, you never know! Maybe she met the one and went, "Hehe, I don't care what anyone says! I'm marrying him!"

Eye of Graeae: It's possible, but the chances are slim.

Eye of Graeae: Still... perhaps the wedding itself is the clue.

Paimon: Okay, then let's go to the wedding and see what we can find out! It's a Snegovik wedding, after all!

(Try to go up the stairs)

Saltykov: The wedding is about to begin. We ask our guests to wait in the hall in the meantime...

(Enter the main hall)

(The camera pans to show the stairway in the hall)

Paimon: Wow, it's really lively here... Is this part of the activities that Snegurochka mentioned?

Paimon: Come on, let's go take a look!

(Try to go up the stairs)

Safonov: The wedding is about to begin. We ask our guests to wait in the hall in the meantime...

(After completing 2 entertainment activities)‍^{[ver­i­fi­ca­tion need­ed]}

Paimon: Um... We've already gone through a ton of the entertainment. You getting tired, (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍)? Wanna take a quick break?

(Sit on the sofa)

(If less than 2 entertainment activities have been completed)‍^{[ver­i­fi­ca­tion need­ed]}

Paimon: (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍), you're already worn out? But what about the fun activities afterward...

That can wait. First, let's see the main course.

Paimon: All right, Paimon's with you.

Exhaustion seems to have finally caught up with you. You and Paimon curl up together on the sofa, drifting into a light doze. Then, somewhere between sleep and waking, eight faint chimes ring out...

Paimon: Oh! Looks like it's time! Everyone's heading toward the assembly hall.

Paimon: We'd better catch up!

(Proceed below)

You're right. Let's go see what fun activities they've saved for after the main event.

(Condition missing)

Paimon: Oh, that's awesome

(Exit dialogue)

(Condition missing)

Paimon: —Yay! —Mhm!

(Exit dialogue)

(If 2 or more entertaining activities have been completed)‍^{[ver­i­fi­ca­tion need­ed]}

Paimon: Should we wait here until the wedding starts?

Alright, let's do that.

Exhaustion seems to have finally caught up with you. You and Paimon curl up together on the sofa, drifting into a light doze. Then, somewhere between sleep and waking, eight faint chimes ring out...

(Proceed below)

Hold on. There are still a few things we need to do.

Paimon: Huh? Then we'd better hurry! We don't want to be late to a wedding.

(Exit dialogue)

Paimon: Oh! Looks like it's time! Everyone's heading toward the assembly hall.

Paimon: We'd better catch up!

(After the dialogue)

Paimon: Looks like all the wedding guests are Snegovik...

Paimon: Wait, are we even supposed to be here? And Ikhor's nowhere to be seen either...

Paimon: Goggles, you said he was part of your power, didn't you? So when you get your body back, will you look like him too?

(If the player has completed In the Dwelling of Life ‍^{[ver­i­fi­ca­tion need­ed]})

Paimon: Now that Paimon thinks about it, Zhara from that mumbly-jumbly town kind of looked like him too.

Eye of Graeae: I cannot say for certain, but it is possible.

Paimon: Hmm... Don't worry, (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍)! Even if Goggles ends up being super good-looking, Paimon's still your number one guide!

(‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍): ?

(Try to stray from the path to the chapel)

Snegovik Attendant: The "ritual" is already underway. Please go on in... There's no need to be anywhere else...

(Arrive at the chapel)

(Take a seat)

Paimon: Paimon's starting to feel a little nervous. It's like the Chicken-Mushroom Skewer she had this morning is dancing around in her stomach... Ugh.

Paimon: Paimon wonders what Pavlina, the princess of the Snegurochka, is like... and what kind of person the groom is, too...

Paimon: If Aglaya's story is anything to go by, Pavlina sounds completely enchanted with him. Humans even tried to steal him away! He must be some once-in-a-lifetime heartthrob.

(If the player has completed To Gaze Upon the Dreaming Pale Crown‍^{[ver­i­fi­ca­tion need­ed]})

Eye of Graeae: ...Maybe this wedding is more than it seems.

Eye of Graeae: If what (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍) saw in the Pale Crown Palace really happened, then Pavlina was one of the people who betrayed Miss Aksinya... Which means...

Paimon: Pavlina probably has one of the pieces of your body.

Eye of Graeae: Right. The one who has the fragmented power of my body is... Ikhor. So I suspect the groom may be...

(If the player has not completed To Gaze Upon the Dreaming Pale Crown‍^{[ver­i­fi­ca­tion need­ed]})

Paimon: Oh! And then there's Ikhor. He doesn't seem to be here either. Come to think of it, what was he doing in this mansion in the first place...?

The princess of the Snegurochka has to be connected to all this somehow.

Paimon: Paimon was thinking the same thing. But today's supposed to be a happy occasion, and everyone's here to offer her their blessings.

Paimon: If we catch her in a good mood, maybe she'll let a clue or two slip.

Eye of Graeae: I have my doubts, Miss Paimon. Still, I agree. This is a good chance to gather clues up close.

(A Snegurochka stands up and throws her arms in the air)

Intoxicated Snegovik: Pavlina! Pavlina!

(Pavlina appears at the altar)

Paimon: Whoa! Where did she come from?

Eye of Graeae: She's the mistress of this place. A trick like that is child's play for her.

Eye of Graeae: But... no. How did she...?

What have you found out?

(Condition missing)

Eye of Graeae: Just as I expected. She carries a piece of my body's power in her life too.

(Condition missing)

Eye of Graeae: I sense that she carries a piece of my body's power in her life too. How is that even possible?

Paimon: Huh?

Pavlina: Today is a special day. We were a people that no one ever blessed or cared for. But that changes now.

Pavlina: Love is what truly feeds the soul.

Pavlina: We were born without souls, so we chased after love because we longed to have one. We live for love, and we live because of love.

Pavlina: Yes. Human love is what gives us souls. It is what allows us to become beings in our own right.

Pavlina: But the humans who share their souls with us, they can be such terrible creditors who end up forcing us to live by the rules of their fickle love...

Pavlina: Larisa once stood here, too. You all saw the betrayal with your own eyes — treachery so vile, it cost her both her soul and her life.

Hesitant Snegovik: But her death brought no shame upon us. On the contrary, it was something to be proud of, for it proved that nobility was always part of her nature.

Rational Snegovik: Nevertheless, her passing was a great loss to us, for there was no Snegurochka more pure-minded than Larisa.

Rational Snegovik: Pavlina, though... During her time at Hvergelmir — no, perhaps even before then... she had already been tainted by human ways.

Rational Snegovik: That would probably explain why she sees things this way. It is the sort of idea only a human could have, even if Pavlina herself does not realize it.

Looks like not everyone agrees with her.

Paimon: Actually, what Paimon really wants to know is, is that going to be your speech at the wedding? It sure doesn't sound like one...

Pavlina: ...Her wrongful death will be the final page in our kind's tragic chapter.

Pavlina: The new beginning granted to us by the gods shall soon arrive, and from this day forward, our soulless past shall finally come to an end.

Pavlina: You never knew the truth, and there is no need for you to know it now... For this day to come, a sacrifice had already been made some time ago.

Paimon: Huh? What's happening??? It feels like the air in the room has just changed all of a sudden...

Pavlina: Come to us, soul-water, born of the gods and made for the gods.

Pavlina: Come to us, Ikhor. Come. Offer yourself up for our sake.

(The camera shows Ikhor with an icy collar around his neck)

Ikhor: ...

(Ikhor is escorted towards the altar)

Paimon: ...Wait, he's the groom? Hey! Ikhor!

Paimon: He can't seem to hear Paimon... What's wrong with him? Did someone do this to him? Or is it that shackle?

Paimon: We have to do something, (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍)! Paimon has a feeling this "ritual" isn't the wedding we thought it was going to be...

(Condition missing)

Eye of Graeae: I'm afraid you're right.

(Condition missing)

Eye of Graeae: No, it isn't. It is a ritual to transfer the power held in my body...

Eye of Graeae: However the Snegurochka princess came to possess that fragment of power before, she must have found a way to claim the rest of it now...

Eye of Graeae: She wants to defy the natural order and give those under her protection souls. But she would never be able to do that by herself alone. And that is where that power comes in.

Paimon: Then we must do something now! She's going to take him!

(Ikhor arrives at the altar)

Pavlina: Say it, Ikhor. Do you promise to give us what we've been wishing for?

Ikhor: Yes, I do.

(Pavlina raises her sword)

(A mysterious woman with outstretched hand appears)

(The woman teleports herself between Pavlina and Ikhor)

(If the player has not completed either On One Side a Palace, On the Other a Tomb or In the Dwelling of Life‍^{[ver­i­fi­ca­tion need­ed]})

???: I object to this union!

Pavlina: ...Aksinya. Though I do not know how you managed to escape that inescapable prison... But you were not invited to today's proceedings.

Aksinya: Yes, yes, you already told me that earlier today. With not a trace of kindness left for an old colleague. How sad.

(Condition missing)

Aksinya: I object to this union!

Aksinya: ...I know this is probably the last thing anyone wants to hear right now, but a Court Jester is supposed to speak up when advice is needed, isn't she?

Pavlina: ...Aksinya. Though I do not know how you managed to escape that inescapable prison... But you were not invited to today's proceedings.

Aksinya: ...You never would have said that to me in the past, Pavlina.

Aksinya: What changed you? Was it the pain of an ambition that could never be satisfied?

(Condition missing)

Aksinya: I object to this ritual! ...I know this is probably the last thing anyone wants to hear right now, but a Court Jester is supposed to speak up when advice is needed, isn't she?

Pavlina: ...Aksinya. Though I do not know how you managed to escape that inescapable prison... But you were not invited to today's proceedings.

Aksinya: Yes, yes, you already told me that earlier today. With not a trace of kindness left for an old colleague. How sad.

(Aksinya transforms Ikhor into a puppet like the one Aglaya picked up earlier)

Aksinya: But you and I both know I have every right to be here — as an uninvited guest.

Pavlina: Stop it!

Pavlina: Why keep on fighting when you know it won't change anything? You know you won't win, not even now.

Aksinya: I know. And that's why I came with some help this time.

(The Traveler and Paimon are both taken aback)

(A portal into Shadow Realm opens and both Aksinya and Pavlina disappear with the puppet left behind)

Pavlina: A cheap little trick. All that will do is buy you a little time...

(Condition missing)

You simply do not understand, Aksinya. The sacrifice has already been made. That means the ending has already been set in motion, and there is nothing you can do to stop it.
So I failed this time. But what difference does it make? It's just one more "rehearsal"...
Next time... Next time, it will work...

"The clock strikes again."
A cold voice whispers the words in your ear. You know this isn't the first time you've heard something like this before.
In that voice, you hear a soul taking shape, polished by countless trials until it slowly grows to be more beautiful. That is, if pain, too, could be called beautiful...
In that same voice, you hear a soul taking form, growing ever more magnificent as it undergoes an endless process of transcendence. That is, if distortion, too, could be called magnificent...

Each time brings greater pain than the last.
Each time brings you closer to the thing you've been longing for...
And yet...
The mouth opens, then slowly closes again. It is too late. No words can stop what has already begun.
After all, that wish matters more than anything now.

"Yes. The clock strikes again. So let us begin once more. Your..."
You say you know you've heard these words before...
"Mine."
"'Ours...'"
"This endless 'wedding' of ours."

(An aerial view of the House of Hesperides is shown)

(The Traveler opens their eyes)

Paimon: ...(‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍)... (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍)!

Paimon: Whew — there you are! Did the bell wake you? You were completely out. Is the bed here really that comfy?

I think I had a dream.

Paimon: No wonder. You were asleep for a long time. Paimon's been keeping watch the whole while. Was it a nice dream, or a scary one?

Paimon: Actually, never mind. Tell Paimon later. Now's not really the time.

Paimon: Do you remember what happened earlier? We came to the House of Hesperides for a wedding.

But that "ritual" wasn't a wedding at all.

Paimon: That towering princess of the Snegurochka, Pavlina... She nearly killed Ikhor...

Paimon: Paimon knows Ikhor isn't really human, strictly speaking. He's just a fragment of the power that originally belonged to Goggles. But even so...

Eye of Graeae: Compassion is something to be respected, Miss Paimon.

They've been carrying out this "ritual" again and again.

Paimon: Is... is that what was happening?

Paimon: So that's what you saw in your dream?

Eye of Graeae: (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍)... please stay calm. This is to be expected. Pavlina is a fae, after all... She can't draw all the power from my body fragment at once.

Eye of Graeae: So she has to do it bit by bit, through the ritual again and again... That's what the Snegovik's ritual is: they take a soul from someone they love, to make themselves whole.

Eye of Graeae: ...Snegovik are fae created without flesh and blood, and thus their souls are incomplete.

Paimon: Snegovik are fae born for love...

Eye of Graeae: Rather, they are fae who can only become whole through love... by taking another's soul.

Eye of Graeae: ...That is why so many love stories centered on Snegovik end in tragedy.

Paimon: How could that happen? Thank goodness... Actually, thank goodness Goggles was there. We never would've made it out of that wedding without him.

Paimon: Thanks, Goggles. When Pavlina cast her spell, Goggles was the one who protected us and brought us here, somewhere safe.

Paimon: While you were asleep, Paimon did some poking around. Looks like someone named Myshkin used to live here. Didn't Aglaya mention him when she first welcomed us?

(Messages from the Eye of Graeae opens with message thread titled "Unknown Signal")

Unknown Sender: ...*cough* Hello? Do you copy? You should be able to hear what I'm saying, I think.

Unknown Sender: *sigh* Thanks for nothing, you two. I poured so much effort into getting "him" out, even if in part... Only for you to send him right back, as if nothing had happened. Pavlina almost won right there and then.

Condition missing

Huh? You're...

Condition missing

Huh? Aksinya?

Unknown Sender: ...*sigh* It's been a while since we last met, eh, dear colleague? Don't you think you're getting "a bit too passionate" right now?

Unknown Sender: Ah, sorry, that wasn't meant for you. I'm currently busy dealing with that crazy shrew... How tragic, Pavlina of the Snegovik. You've completely lost it.

Unknown Sender: Her gaze is like Prime Ice, but her mind is like a powderkeg. A single spark could set her off and destroy all around her.

Unknown Sender: In any case, I know what you want. We have the same goal.

Unknown Sender: I've trapped Pavlina, but have little time for anything else right now. Take "his" fragments away from here, one by one, while her grip on this area is weakened, away from her grasp.

Unknown Sender: This mansion... I came here often in the past. The location of "his" fragment, which I split off, and the map of this mansion... I'll send them to you later.

Unknown Sender: Get moving. I won't be able to hold out for long. Finish your business before the clock strikes eight times. Before the wedding, or perhaps everything else, starts all over again...

(Exit Messages from the Eye of Graeae)

Paimon: She's gone. Again...

Paimon: Take Goggles' fragments... one by one? What does she even mean? Doesn't she know that Pavlina has some of Goggles' power too???

She may have something else up her sleeves too.

Paimon: Yeah... Better take what she says with a huge rock of salt. But what should we do now then?

Paimon: Hey, you know what? This is about Goggles! We should ask what he wants.

Eye of Graeae: I think... Maybe we should gather at least some of the power that has been split up, and try to make him as complete as possible. Then we can take it all back.

Eye of Graeae: This may sound a little ironic, but my wish is for the fragments, incomplete as they are, to be as whole as possible...

Eye of Graeae: It's just like how the Snegurochka princess must have decided to perform the ritual because she wanted to help her people become more "whole."

Eye of Graeae: And that is something I can understand, and even empathize with, to some degree.

Paimon: How can you feel for her!? She was gonna gobble you up, piece by piece, just to get what she wanted!!!

Paimon: Paimon can share her food or Mora with other folks, no problem. But if you want Paimon to hand over an arm or a leg...

Paimon: Or even Paimon's hair! Hmm... Actually, hair seems alright... especially if it's just a few strands—— Anyway, that's not the point.

Paimon: It doesn't matter what the other person's reasons are. This is something... something Paimon needs to think over! Very carefully! Though Paimon probably won't say yes anyway, to be honest...

Yes. It's not good to over-deplete yourself for the sake of others.

Eye of Graeae: ...You are right. But that aside, there is another reason we must reclaim him "whole."

Paimon: Another reason? And what would that be?

Eye of Graeae: ...

That you don't need to know, Paimon.

Paimon: Huh? Are the two of you keeping something from Paimon!? And Paimon's not talking about secret snack stashes or anything like tha——

We should get moving.

Eye of Graeae: I have marked the fragment locations. Let's go, before the clock strikes eight.

Paimon: Yeah, Paimon heard the bell ring once before waking up, and now it's gone off twice... We've gotta move!