Beyond the Beyond: Update 106: Secrets in the Deep (The Abyss pt. 6)

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 106: Secrets in the Deep (The Abyss pt. 6)

When last we saw the team they were finishing up a boss battle. I suppose we should find out if it means that Shutat's really done fighting.

When the screen fades back in the team is finally up the staircase. I guess it would have been awkward to fight otherwise.

He's still standing!
Not for much longer.
'Cause you're gonna club him some more to make sure?
No because he's already on the brink of dying.

 

Warning! Animated GIF!

This is significantly slowed from what it looks like in game.

What just happened?
Nothing. Shutat's just standing there.
I thought I saw something.
There's so much chaos it's hard to get a clear sense of anything.

Shutat walks forward.

Finn...

Then our villain collapses.

Finn, I'm sorry. I did not realize what I was doing. I was consumed by anger and greed... Uhha... You must save our world from further suffering. You must save us from... Ugh.
From Ugh? Who's Ugh?
Nobody I know.
He's gone. Shutat I mean.
Mission accomplished, right?

Suddenly the screen darkens and starts to shake.

What?! What's happening now?
I had to say something didn't I?
Ahh... It seems you managed to defeat my little pet. I now realize why Arawn doesn't treat you like the mere animals that you are.
I'll have you know that I'm an animal with style!
You're a magical squishy thing with style.
Either way I'm stylin'!
Your attempts at humor are almost amusing.
You could perhaps show yourself. Would make mocking you easier.
I don't think this is a question of who's talking but... what.
Edward don't go all cryptic on me. We need you to be the smart one.
I can feel your hearts racing. There's a living fear that I instilled in your ancestors. Such a joy, those days. Ha, ha, scurrying like ants or whimpering with useless prayers!
Our ancestors?
I've been wondering... Is this one of the real Vicious Ones?
Oh, you people still use that old term. Perhaps not one of the better ideas I've let them keep but it gave them some pride in their work. Those Vicious Ones, as you say, were some of my finer vessels but still meat and bones. It is rather annoying when they die on me and I have to replace them but... easy to dispose of when they outlive their roles. Perhaps the only advantage to your inferior forms.
Something that commands the Vicious Ones. Why am I not surprised?
So that's what Shutat was really doing. He was opening the path so that you, whatever you are, can cross into our world.
Arawn will regret lacking the courage to face me himself! Soon he won't have a choice.
You sound awfully sure of yourself. What makes you think you can take on Arawn?
Oh, did you think that Arawn was the only being of his kind to visit your world?

The screen flashes several times then a gigantic being descends to take form. How to describe it? Something vaguely mutant-crab-alien with big red bug eyes and holding a staff. The screen continues to shake throughout this entire scene too just to emphasize how much the Abyss has been disrupted by its presence. Now does this qualify as the Giant Space Flea From Nowhere trope? I'd say no because this character does have a place in the story. Said place just makes sense retroactive to its reveal. It also isn't terribly difficult to reach the question "If Arawn's an alien then where's the rest of his species?" and going from there. In addition, with the binary Common World/Underworld theme throughout this game this reveal isn't a huge surprise.

You wanted to see me. Well, what do you think, humans?
Oh my.
You got that right!
Doesn't look anything like Arawn.
But Arawn did mention that he takes that form so he can interact with us.
Oh is he still parading about as an old human? What a waste of his true power. It's an insult to our kind. We can have almost any shape we want and he chooses the most pathetic thing he can think of.
And what exactly are you supposed to be?
Power and death. Although if you prefer I could think of something more horrifying.
You're creepy enough as it is.
Well this might be a slight problem for us.
I'll say. Arawn didn't say anything about this!
A shame... Once I kill all of you I will ascend from the Abyss and lay waste to every simpering fool who looks to Arawn for guidance.
Serious chip on your shoulder there bub.
And such large shoulders to carry it!
I should have won that war. If my minions hadn't made so many mistakes Arawn never would have gotten an advantage. My vessels were so close to crushing the last will to resist.
And then everything went wrong?
I never should have entrusted such an important task to them alone. A little mistake here, a slip-up there. All to be expected of animals who lack perspective. Then that woman started causing trouble. Bah! Why am I even wasting my time talking to you?
Because you have no one else to talk to?
Far be it for me to complain but maybe we shouldn't taunt the alien monster preparing to smite us?
And what are the rest of us going to do if it succeeds at smiting them?
Um, hope Arawn's got a back-up plan?
I don't know whether I should hunt down the three of you listening in or that simpering coward of my own kind when I get out of here. They're both so tempting! Ha, ha, ha! I'd love to see Arawn squirm in anguish, watching helplessly as his chosen are destroyed. Do you hear me, Arawn? Surely you're watching your minions!
...
Hrmph! Of course he does not answer. He's never had the strength to face me head on. No matter. He'll just get to watch as I turn everything he's fawned over for so long to ash!
We haven't lost yet!
You tell 'em Sir Samson!
Tont, may I suggest that you figure out how we can help our friends? And, like, NOW?!
Uh, um, I'll get right on it!
Arawn has grown weak in his trust and compassion for you creatures. I will no longer let him hide me within this earth. This world is mine now.

Then a boss battle begins! Akkadias gets a specialized spawn in animation which is a small thing but a nice touch. Coming in first as a silhouette delays the reveal a tiny bit longer in order to build anticipation.

I must admit I do like the design. Akkadias is an alien being that, according to Arawn's words about himself, can take myriad physical forms. The shape he?, she?, they?, it? chooses is bipedal with only a superficial resemblance to humans. It's huge, reaching with all those extra limbs (complete with two tentacles!), and spikes everywhere to compliment the bared teeth. This thing looks aggressive. If it were to show up in a horror movie it could play the part of monster without any alteration. Given that Akkadias expresses so much contempt for humanity it's a fitting shape.

So is there any special plan for dealing with this, uh, guy?
You know I can hear everything you're saying, right? Discussing your battle plans in front of me wouldn't be the smartest move.

Annie gets first blood, surprising no one.

Maybe not but we can talk and fight at the same time!

BAH! Is that scratch supposed to hurt? Let me show you what true power looks like!

Akkadias has a unique ability called Soul Blast. Oh and just for a bit of extra freakiness with his design Akkadias's face shoots out during his casting animation like a Xenomorph trying to bite someone.

Soul Blast is unique to Akkadias but actually doesn't do that much damage. With magic resistance each team member takes 11 or 12 damage. The danger comes from the fact that 90% percent of the time (if not more) Akkadias will ONLY use this one ability. Like every other boss in the game he gets two turns per round so keeping an eye on the team's VP is a must.

Okay, ow. That hurt.
My ears are ringing!
Those are the wails of the damned, boy. Soon you will be joining them.
You keep the souls of everyone you've killed? EWWW!
Now we find something that grosses Tont out.
I have standards!
Shouldn't you be working on helping them?
AHEM! Yes! The great and magnificent Tont is on the case!

Sir Samson does his job by attacking. Unfortunately it's going to take a lot of attacking to reach victory.

You're the only one dying today.
We shall see, mortal. I can already feel your life weakening.
You waste as much time boasting as your minions did. Didn't help them, either.

Then the first Attack level 2 spell goes off. Let the real offensive begin!

An enhancing enchantment. How quaint.
I for one will be quite happy when we wipe that smug grin off your hideous face.
As if that blade you hold means anything to me.

And Finn lands the first 100+ critical.

Whatever. You seem to bleed pretty good!
A momentary consequence of the form I've taken.

The reason I was so conscientious about Annie's MP was because I knew the game was ending on a boss rush with no chance to heal up between battles. Going into this fight with no MP would be... well it would quite obviously not be to the team's benefit.

Guys I don't want to alarm anyone but this is going to be tricky to keep up.
You will run out of mana soon human but I will still be as strong as ever!

Then I guess I'd better get to work on killing you!

Akkadias might have slightly more Defense than Ramue and Shutat but it's hard to tell.

Especially not when Finn busts out 170+ damage critical hits. I'm not complaining

Is that supposed to intimidate me, human? I don't need magic to hurt you.
Ow!
Ewww, that's seriously gross!
Is there any part of this monster that isn't completely disgusting?
I think that's deliberate on its part.

Akkadias might not use many physical attacks (in fact a grand total of zero in this battle so I'm not sure that his AI is able to choose to physically attack) but he does have a dangerously high counter attack rate. Instead of biting, swiping with his claws, or smashing with his staff Akkadias instead shoots out this fleshy mass from his abdomen that's covered in spikes. It looks like the masses on his arms, just mobile. Akkadias does not have much in the way of attack power but with Soul Blast constantly going off these 15 - 20 damage counter attacks can push a character into groggy status easily.

Because Annie's guaranteed to act first I'm not terribly worried. I do opt to have her use the Angel's Ocarina she's carrying to save a bit of mana. The team needs healing but they're not in such dire straits as to require a Healing Rain 2.

I don't want to risk counter attacks on Edward when Attack 2 has just worn off (at least not yet) so he busts out the Dragon Card he's been carrying. A blast of flame sweeps across the battlefield just like the Fire Breath spell.

It only deals 31 damage to Akkadias. Meh.

Is this the extent of your power, boy? And you call yourself a magician. You're nothing but a disgrace to your line!
And what would you know of my family?
I see and hear through my vessels. I know who you are, Prince Edward. Do you think I didn't hear about Arawn's choosing Marion to be the host of the Great Light? Ha! Shutat really believed that he'd be the generation to see the herald of Marion come to relieve him of the burden of guarding the Abyss. He and his predecessors. Each shared that vapid hope. But of course Arawn lied! I merely opened Shutat's eyes to the truth of that lie. It was only a matter of time before one of the guardians accepted. With the weight of their history pressing down upon them they couldn't hide from it forever.
Shutat's predecessors? Just how long ago was this agreement made?
Far too long for my patience.

With Attack 2 having worn off Finn goes ahead and uses that Critical Orb he's been lugging around. Will it help? Doubtful but uh, at least the message print outs are encouraging!

How goes it Tont?
Aagh! This magic is so finicky! Arawn could have designed this a little clearer.
The battle seems to be holding steady for now.

There's another Soul Blast. Gotta love the screaming faces in the animation! They're hard to see when playing the game because of the animation speed but make for nice screenshots.

Even now, with victory so close, the wait is agony. You meatbags don't understand what it feels like!
But you hope the screaming spirits tearing at us will help?
Will help you die, young fool. Why Arawn thinks you might be a match for me is a mystery. Hopelessly optimistic, I guess. Or just hoping you'll follow Marion into sacrificing yourself for his benefit.

Another Healing Rain 2 accompanies a moment of calm on the battlefield.

By your own admission you lost the war all those years ago. Why can't you just accept that?
My vessels lost the fight. I overestimated their strength then as I did now. That's not a mistake I intend to duplicate.

I also do not intend to repeat the many mistakes that have failed to eradicate Marion's line. Once that hope is finally extinguished I will sweep away the last vestiges of resistance and begin shaping this world into what it always should have been.

Have I mentioned that Akkadias likes Soul Blast? Because he LOVES Soul Blast.

If you're so impatient perhaps you should pay more attention to the battle that you're losing right now.
What makes you think destroying this form you see will kill me? Have you truly learned nothing from Arawn?
Even if all this does is shut you up for a while I can live with that.
Impudent whelp!

Well hello there 130 damage critical from Samson. This is actually without Attack 2. I guess the RNG can get a little wonky with its dice rolls.

The second Attack 2 boost comes in mere seconds later. A little late there, Edward!

If you're so proud of your spells lets see how well you fight without them!
Rmph!
What did Finn say?
A whole lot of nothing.

Then Akkadias suddenly decides to switch things up by casting Silence 2. Fortunately only Finn is affected.

Right now I think you need to be taught a lesson!
As if I have anything to learn from such an inferior species.

With the team's VP high Annie lets loose with a 115 damage crit of her own.

Yeah well I happen to disagree with everything you just said.

Oh excuse me. She lets loose with a critical double attack - 115 and 121 damage, respectively. Don't try to silence this team cleric or you'll be hurting! No, seriously, if she's silenced attacking is about the only she can do and she's had lots of practice at it.

I suppose I should agree with the lady since I don't reckon on dyin' or turned into some monster's plaything.

I'm only showing the large critical hits in the interest of keeping things brisk. This shot from Domino for 139 is impressive but honestly most of the team's attacks are run of the mill. I mention it because this is a long fight. Akkadias has some 4,000 hit points so he can take a beating. Fortunately this team is prepared to deliver just that.

I wonder how long it takes to get used to the shrieking.
You will acclimate to it once you're among the damned. You'll have no choice.
He's really looking forward to this, isn't he?
I have waited so long to kill the Great Light, to cast Marion's chosen child into eternal darkness, that knowing how close victory lies is... delicious.
Well if you think you're going to eat me you've got another thing coming!
After I'm finished you'll wish I ate you.

Lorele remind me to thank that guy in your castle.
I'll see to it that he is well rewarded for his contributions.

With Annie at 21 MP and the team hovering around half VP I again opt to use an Angel's Ocarina. If counter attacks were happening more often I'd be more meticulous about spreading around the healing load - having characters low on VP use an ocarina or single target heal instead of attacking - but as-is I just have Annie rotate off healing duty now and then. Healing Rain 2 restores 30~ish VP per character. Two Soul Blasts mean 22 - 24 damage per character per turn so she's actually over healing if she casts it each round. If her Speed were lower and Akkadias were acting first that might be necessary just to head off damage spikes.

As it is Annie takes a counter attack but I'm still not terribly worried. Even if her Speed were lower she has enough health at 24 VP to probably eat two Soul Blasts before she could cast the next heal - one Blast at the end of the round with Akkadias's second attack and another at the beginning of the next round. Since Annie goes first that won't happen. Akkadias won't physically attack and Soul Blast doesn't deal enough damage in one cast.

Edward's got plenty of MP but I'm not burning it because my attention is so focused on Annie's MP. I just sort of glance at his current MP when it's time to queue up another Attack 2 spell. Instead Edward uses the Tornado Scroll in his inventory. It generates several mini-tornadoes that converge on one target. The animation is kind of nifty.

It deals 56 damage which is decent for an expendable. No MP spent, no risk of counter attack.

Why don't you use your real power against me boy rather than relying on such toys?
I have nothing to say to you, you monster.
Oh this is rich! The little human is seized with righteous indignation.
Already responsible for centuries of war and misery. That alone deserves the title of monster.
Kill a few meatbags and the rest of them get all upset. All worked up as if your lives mean anything. I don't even remember how many generations have crumbled into dust since I found this world. Every one probably thought they were special, that they were worthy of the gift of life, right up until the moment I snuffed them out.
You're the invader here. You have no right to judge us for living on OUR world.
You're starting to sound like her, that mongrel called Marion. A shame Arawn didn't pick one of her friends instead. They might have honored the accord and saved me a lot of time. Instead Marion's children, her grandchildren, so on and so forth, they waited for a sign from Arawn. Just sat around living their boring, pathetic lives waiting. Forgetting the deal. WASTING MY TIME THANKS TO THAT ACCURSED ARAWN!
You know I'm starting to think this guy doesn't like Arawn.
Oh gee I don't know how anyone would reach that conclusion.

Healing Rain 2 costs 11 MP to cast and Annie has 21 MP. That means she's got one cast left. I don't see much point in using Healing Rain 1 when the team's got a stock of Angel's Ocarinas. I also don't want a delay, not with half the team so beaten up, so Domino queues up a Mage's Jewel. We'll finally get to see one in action! Or, er, the result actually but details, details...

Still struggling to stay alive. Ultimately futile.

Giant screaming skulls ahoy, captain!

I can keep this up indefinitely, meatbags. Eventually you will tire and then you will die.
I still have a lot of fight in me.
I almost hope your spirit is just as defiant when I rip it from your chest. It'll make the agony of being joined to the damned that much sweeter for me.
You really enjoy causing pain, don't you?
Oh yes! I will give you animals one thing. You feel those sensations oh so well. Sometimes when I'm commanding one of my vessels I have them hurt themselves just so I can relish it. Nothing like a flood of pain into the psyche. Crisp and stinging. Ahhh, if I had a heart it would warm it.

At the beginning of the next round Annie's back up to 93 MP thanks to that Mage's Jewel. They're rare but when you need an MP restore they can't be beat. That's eight more Healing Rain 2s.

Is there any doubt that this thing is a true monster?
If I cared about your opinion I might be offended by that remark. As it is I'm still going to kill you.
So I'm wondering why you didn't show yourself earlier, maybe when your minions were still alive.
Finn is it really such a good idea to ask questions like that?
Why?
If you lose this fight do you really want to give it good ideas?
Doesn't seem like the type to fight alongside 'the help.'

Oh and here's Akkadias's block animation because I might as well show it off.

Perhaps I should have handled problems myself all those years ago. Perhaps I have delegated too much responsibility to my minions. They failed to get the results I asked of them. But I am limited to the tools at my disposal. Not that it hasn't brought me joy to bend a new will to my use. Always so eager to heed the voice from the Abyss yet they have failed for centuries to accomplish what I've wanted most.
Haven't your flunkies been down in the Underworld with you?
I might have been barred from crossing over because of that damned agreement but this space, the echoes it can carry across worlds. You have no idea how clear they ring.
So what you're trying to say is that you've been causing trouble ever since you lost that war. Good to know I suppose.
All the more reason that this thing must be destroyed here and now!

I will not die easily!

Akkadias tries another Silence spell and this time manages to nab Edward and Annie with it. Fortunately Annie got a Healing Rain 2 spell off first (another advantage of her being so ridiculously fast - not easy against Akkadias) so the team's not in immediate danger.

Well my cleric can't heal (outside of using that Angel's Ocarina in her inventory) so she might as well join the war path. Go, go more critical hits!

Suddenly Akkadias casts a Healing Rain 3 spell which is a pretty clear indication that he's getting low on health. Restoring 50 VP when you've got a 4,000 point health bar is rather pathetic though. Seriously, at this point the only thing this can do is prolong the fight a tiny bit longer. I guess it could be a lot worse. He could be tossing out Void spells.

Finn again leaps to the attack with another large critical hit.

I don't know what you've been trying to do over the centuries and frankly I don't care to know the specifics. I'm just going to make sure it stops.
Urk!
What? No witty retort?

I think it's going to have trouble saying anything, Finn.

Seconds later Domino follows up with a pair of attacks that strike home. Goodbye 4,000 point lifebar. You held out as long as you could!

Oh and the team got through the boss rush without a single one dropping into groggy status. Seriously, they're all at full LP. I might have over-planned and over-prepared but I'm content with this result.

Being the final boss Akkadias awards the team no experience or money. Sure the team just defeated a one-of-a-kind super powerful space alien but it's not like they learned anything by doing so!

 

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - the ending.

Update One Hundred and five | Index | Update One Hundred and seven