PSO2: Legend of Aki: REBIRTH

[Zorafim]

Aw, I love it! That's such a good idea. Much more engaging than my author's notes, and it makes telling background information more dynamic. I've always wanted to show off the theory behind my protagnist's abilities. Maybe I'll steal this format.
Thanks for the side stories. I think you should focus on the main thing, but I'll gladly eat up anything you have to throw at me.

A few notes I have in particular:

Spoiler!

A common fantasy trope is the paladin, which has strong defensive skills and healing, but little attack. Often shown with a sword and shield, and armor. A similar, less common archetype, is the cleric or warrior monk, which bleeds into the white mage archetype but with heavier equipment. The way you described Ivan, he seems like he would fit that niche well, and could be the team's healing tank.
This is also my favorite character archetype, normally. I've always thought of martial arts as keeping yourself and your loved ones safe. Being able to fight with a loved one at your back, negating a threat's blows, and recovering any damage taken, is something that really resonated with me. Old school Newmans normally fit this role, but sacrificed defense for speed.


On the topic of cross-race breeding, PSIV's newmans (well, just the one) were created in part to breed with humanity, to allow them to survive the desert climate of Motavia, which had changed dramatically due to PSII's events, and which humans were never exposed to. Though climate control exists in that world, and is a major plotpoint, the AIs were trying to get humans to rely less on them since they would be shut down before long, and certainly long before humans would evolve naturally to survive the desert planet.
So newman-human crossbreeding should be possible, if we assume PSO2 newmans aren't much different than PSIV's. I believe PSU had some human/newman couples too, but I really can't recall many relationships in those games beyond, ironically, that wierd child couple that PSU had.

[yoshiblue]

Psst~! I'll let you in on a secret. In your story you can do whatever you want to do. Do five interviews if you feel like it!

Ha ha, i'll keep that in mind.

[stukasa]

@Zorafim:

Spoiler!

I liked the format and how it turned out so I'll probably use it again in the future. I could've gone on much, much longer about the story and characters but I figured it was a pretty decent length as-is. Glad to hear that cross-race breeding is at least plausible.

As for the side stories, they've both been done for weeks now so they won't slow me down any at this point. I knew it would take a little extra time to write them but I really didn't want to keep people waiting so long without a new update. Plus, like I said, they're related to the main story so they're not exactly irrelevant.

[Zorafim]

Spoiler!

Naruto did a similar thing for the anime. I think Bleach too. At the end of an episode, they go over a new power or character that was important for the episode, and spend a few minutes elaborating on things they couldn't fit into the episode. I think it's kind of cute. The casual viewer doesn't care about stuff like that, so they can skip over it. But it gives other viewers more information and more understanding of the world, as well as extra content which is easy to make.

If you want to do more of it, why not break it into chunks, and maybe focus on something specific? That gives us something to read while being pretty easy to write, right?


And as for the side chapters, I honestly don't care if they tie into the main story or not. Do whatever you want with them. Show us their casual side, put them in situations we wouldn't normally see them in. Or tease to new story elements. So long as the updates keep coming, I'll be happy.

[stukasa]

@Zorafim:

Spoiler!

There are a lot of comments I could've made but left out because they didn't really fit anywhere, or because I didn't want the post to be too long. One thing I didn't mention is that the Vopar coast theme I used in Chapter 4.1 is the first and only time I've ever used actual PSO2 music in my story, which is pretty funny considering how many songs I've used by now.

Another thing I didn't mention is that I like to use music to express themes and create links between scenes. For example, the song I used in Chapter 3.1 when Akasha almost went to the dark side (when she was going to beat up those guys that were taunting her) is VERY similar to the song I used in Chapter 5.1 when Shankar burns those guys in the bar. I was trying to create a subconscious link between those two events using similar music. Another example is that I often use Battlestar Galactica songs during Lee's scenes. Even though they're all different songs, they have a slightly similar sound to them. My hope is that the reader will begin to associate that type of music with Lee, so when you hear it you automatically know something's going down.

Another thing I do is that I sometimes group songs from the same source together. For example, one chapter might have a few songs from the same game/movie/series. I do that to keep a consistent tone going, though I can't always pull it off. In the end I have to go with what sounds best for a particular scene, regardless of whether it fits with the other songs or not.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, that "leviathan of the deep" phrase I used in Chapter 4.2 was indeed a poke at your story. I like doing subtle things like that. I've got another poke coming up five weeks from now, this time at Yoshiblue's story. Will anyone catch it, though? I doubt it. Then again, now that I've mentioned it, who knows? It's SUPER tiny and subtle, probably not even worth mentioning, but it's there!

[yoshiblue]

Spoiler!

Heh, the Leviathan of the deep thing did seem out of place. Also forgot to mention that there is a beast newmen child in PSP2. So its safe to say that cross breeding is a thing.

As far as music goes, it is an interesting form of conditioning. I never really thought about that kind of thing. Figured you were just trying something new and using show tunes instead of game tunes. Was expecting "Show Me Your Firetruck" to eventually show up because of that. Not sure why though.

[stukasa]

@yoshiblue:

Spoiler!

Actually, a big reason why I use a lot of music from movies and TV shows (as opposed to games) is because I always thought of my story as a cinematic experience, like an animated movie or something. That's the tone I'm trying to convey, and the music is one component of that. Even when I use music from games I tend to pick very dramatic, emotional tracks.

Picking the music is very time consuming, though. I don't know about you but for me it sometimes takes about as long as writing the actual story. Just hours and hours of searching. Other times I get lucky and find something good right away.

[stukasa]

There are three Akis in my story but so far you've only seen one of them in the sequel (Aki01). This is a little side story I wrote that takes place shortly after the end of my original story that fills in some of the gaps about what happened.

INTERLUDE 1.1 [6/20/15]

Spoiler!

[/b][/u]

- = AKI02 PERSONAL LOG = -

< ENTRY 01 >

“My name is Aki02. I used to be Captain Aki02 until I resigned my ARKS commission. I couldn’t do it anymore, living my life on the battlefield… not after what happened to Orpheus. That was almost a month ago now, but to me it still feels like yesterday. Every time I close my eyes I see the faces of the friends I lost… Warren, Hayes, Delfoy, Cray, Dr. Garney…

“Irene was the one who suggested I start this video log. She said it might do me good to talk about what happened. It’s supposed to be a form of therapy. A strange thought, I suppose—do CASTs process traumatic events the same way flesh-and-blood beings do? I’m not sure, but I’ll try it anyway.

Spoiler!

“My sisters Zero One and Zero Three are handling this so differently than I am. I can’t understand why. When Dr. Rauth downloaded my memory files into these new bodies, the three of us started out as copies of the same person, the same Aki. Yet Zero One couldn’t wait to return to the war. She was back in action less than two weeks later. The ARKS let her keep her captain rank despite the technicality that the original Aki who earned it is dead—a unique situation, to be sure.

Spoiler!

“As for Zero Three, she’s out hunting for Selena and Marten. There’s a high probability they were killed aboard Orpheus, but no one knows for sure. Zero Three refuses to give up hope that they’re still out there, alive, a hope all three of us share. I would have volunteered to go with her but Dr. Rauth and Irene weren’t pleased about even one Aki going back to the Rift, let alone two. I could have defied their wishes—I’m a free CAST, not bound to anyone—but Irene is my friend and Dr. Rauth has taken good care of us, and I don’t wish to antagonize them.

“Things are changing so quickly these days. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one standing still. One of my sisters is running toward the future, the other is caught in the past. Where does that leave me?”

* * * * * * * * *

< ENTRY 02 >

“My creator, Dr. Bowman, gave me the ability to think, to feel, and to dream. Lately I’ve been having the same dream every night. In it, I’m standing in a large, dark room. The domed ceiling is painted with points of glowing light arranged like constellations—perhaps it’s an observatory. As I stare up and watch, a dark cloud begins covering the lights one by one until even the brightest star at the apex is blotted out.

“I reach out to touch the cloud of blackness. It sticks to my hand and I try to shake it off, but I can’t. It seeps into my joints and I can feel it working its way through my system, corroding my insides. Eventually I become so weak that I fall apart, bit by bit, until nothing is left. Then I wake up.

“I’ve heard that dreams sometimes have symbolic meanings attached to them. At first I thought the dark cloud represented my half-sister, Zeta. Our memories became permanently fused during my mission to stop the terrorist known as the Wraith. Zeta was a troubled person then and I feared her darkness would consume me. In fact, it nearly did. In the end we were able to make peace with each other, and now… now I’m someone who is not quite Aki, not quite Zeta. That’s why I can say for certain that the dark cloud in my dream isn’t Zeta. Her darkness is gone forever. The only thing I have left is her memories.

“But if the dream isn’t about Zeta, what does it mean? Does it mean anything at all?”

* * * * * * * * *

[/b][/u]

< ENTRY 03 >

“Zero One was promoted to major today. Her actions during the Anaria campaign saved the lives of over a hundred ARKS soldiers. If she keeps this up she’ll make colonel in no time, I’m sure. As her sister I’m proud of her, of course, but… I fear the toll this nonstop fighting may be taking on her, and the toll her memories are taking on me.

“If she doesn’t know my feelings already, she will soon. Every night in our recharging alcoves we exchange memories. That’s how Dr. Bowman designed us, as part of his effort to create perfect soldiers. During the day we live our lives as separate people, but at night we become one again. Except Zero Three, who’s still out there looking for Selena. I hope she’s having luck in her search…”

* * * * * * * * *

< ENTRY 04 >

“Our half-sister Rho visited us last weekend. She heard about Zero One’s promotion and came to congratulate her. It was a slightly awkward family reunion. The last time I saw her, Rho stole my body and tried taking my place. I ended up giving her my old body, minus the head, which is somewhat ironic now that I’m back in my original form. Rho and I have become body twins! Our heads are the only way to distinguish us apart now.

Spoiler!

“She seems to be doing well. In fact, joining the ARKS has done Rho a lot of good. Instead of living on the streets she’s taken up residence in the military dorms on the colony ship Ken. She’s making new friends and is currently training to be a Techer. Technique-based classes like Force and Techer require a high level of photon manipulation, something CASTs often struggle with, but that hasn’t deterred Rho in the slightest. She’s determined to prove herself, and I wish her the best of luck.”

* * * * * * * * *

< ENTRY 05 >

“I had that dream again. Maybe it’s a manifestation of the anxiety I feel, or perhaps it’s related to the memories I’ve been receiving from Zero One. Memories of war, of death, of desperate battles for survival. Of a life I left behind on Orpheus…”

* * * * * * * * *

< ENTRY 06 >

“Dr. Rauth reminds me a lot of my creator, Dr. Bowman. That’s not surprising, I suppose—they were close friends and colleagues in the same field… when Dr. Bowman was alive, I mean.

“Yesterday Dr. Rauth asked for my input on a new model of CAST he’s developing for a private contract. There was an issue fitting the photon reactor into such a narrow frame. Maybe he was simply taking pity on me after watching me wander around the lab every day for two months. At this point I don’t care, I just want to feel useful again. So I agreed. After several hours of calculations and running simulations I was able to help him solve the problem. I won’t go into the technical details here, they’re not important, but… working with Dr. Rauth, I felt something. Even though it was only a small part, I was helping to create a life. That design, that collection of parts and schematics, is going to become a CAST like me someday. When I realized that, I felt like I understood Dr. Bowman and Irene’s passion for the first time. The act of designing, of creating, felt so rewarding to me.

“I was designed to be a soldier, to fight evil and protect the innocent. That is what I was programmed to do. But now, after everything I’ve experienced, I think I am growing beyond my original parameters. I want more for myself. Even though I was built in a lab, I was given the ability to think and to feel. I have a will of my own. Does that not make me alive? And if I am alive, shouldn’t I have the freedom to make my own choices?

“I won’t forget Dr. Bowman or the lessons he taught me. One of those lessons was to always respect life. I will continue to do that, but it’s time to find a new way, a new path for myself. To become a new Aki.”

* * * * * * * * *

[/b][/u]

< ENTRY 07 >

“Zero One has decided to leave the battlefield. I think she’s mainly doing it for my sake, and for that I am grateful. I told her she can still make a difference, that there are other ways of saving lives that don’t involve being out on the front lines. I believe, in her own way, she was running from the trauma of what happened back then, by telling herself she was alright. But deep down, she needs this as much as I do.

“Zero One put in a transfer request after calling in a few favors. Apparently there are still those who remember our reputation as a hero of the Fifth Fleet. To Zero One’s surprise—and mine—they made her headmaster of the ARKS Training Academy and promoted her again, this time to colonel! Teaching others is something we’d been talking about for a long time, but to lead the entire Academy? It’s like a dream come true… for both of us. Perhaps we should find a way to celebrate.”

* * * * * * * * *

< ENTRY 08 >

“I’m going to give Zero One a new body. Or, more accurately, I am going to build her one. As the new headmaster she’s going to be dealing with many people on a daily basis. A human-like body would be more… ‘approachable’ than her current form, she said.

“It should be a relatively simple matter. I have the schematics of the humanoid body Irene had built for me before, the one that was damaged beyond repair during the escape from Orpheus. The original design was excellent; it will only require a few minor tweaks, an easy task even for an inexperienced designer like myself. After that it’s just a matter of ordering and assembling the parts. Finally, I will need to send it out to have the synthetic skin attached. The company that made it last time should still have a copy of the mold. That will save me time and meseta.

“The project is fairly costly—humanoid bodies are highly desirable in the CAST community so the parts aren’t cheap—but I’ve saved enough to afford it. I… I want to do this. For my sister, and for myself. I haven’t felt this excited in a long time.”

* * * * * * * * *

< ENTRY 09 >

“I’ve decided to practice smiling.” (smiles for the camera)

“Irene always tells me I should smile more. I think she’s just teasing me, but there is some truth to her claim. I’m not always good at expressing the emotions I feel, what seems to come so naturally to my flesh-and-blood counterparts. So, I’ll start by smiling. I have found that a smile is more likely to elicit a positive reaction from others. That makes it an important component in interpersonal relations, something my sister Zero One will need to master for her new position as headmaster. Fortunately for her, anything I learn will automatically be conveyed during the memory transfer process. If Zero Three ever comes home she will benefit from it as well.

“Now, to continue practicing…” (smiles again)

* * * * * * * * *

< ENTRY 10 >

“Zero One’s new body is almost complete. I finished assembling the skeletal chassis and had it shipped to the company that will apply the synthetic skin. It should be done in about a week.

“In the meantime I’ve been helping Dr. Rauth with various projects, designing and building new types of CASTs. I’ve already gained a lot of experience. My hair kept getting in the way as I worked so I cut it short, just like it was before I died. I think I like it better this way—it’s more freeing and gives me a better sense of individuality. I love my sisters, and they will always be a part of me, but I also want to be my own person. Someone who’s not just a copy or a replica. Someone unique.

“I’ve taken after Irene and started modifying myself—mostly small tweaks—to increase my parameters: strength, durability, reaction time. They’re minor improvements, but I can use the knowledge I’ve gained on future designs. Which reminds me, Dr. Rauth told me he will have a new project for me soon. Something different, something just for me. I don’t know what he has in mind but I’m thankful for his generosity and support. I don’t know where I would be without his help.

“That dream, the one with the black cloud, is finally gone. I haven’t had it in weeks. Whether it’s from finding a new purpose or Zero One’s transfer, I cannot say. All I know is that I finally feel hopeful again. I feel happy. I feel… alive.”



INTERLUDE: END

[yoshiblue]

Spoiler!

This post is pretty funny, because I wondered the other day when your next update would have been. Same with Zorafims and Sacrificial's as well. Interesting thing CAST dreams must be. I never really think about how a human-like body affects a CAST as well. Their first time experience to feeling things on their bodies. The recalibrations they have to do to adjust to the minute differences. How they test the strength of their skin and limbs.

Speaking of which, what prevents the Akis from going Lou Mode and having a 24/7 link up with each other?

[stukasa]

@yoshiblue:

Spoiler!

Speaking of which, what prevents the Akis from going Lou Mode and having a 24/7 link up with each other?

Funny you should mention it, because I thought a lot about that before I started writing my first story, and I may yet do something like that (or a variation of it). The reason I decided against it before was... well, there were two reasons, actually. First, how would they maintain the link if they're not always together? I don't just mean "not in the same room," I mean "not on the same planet" or even "not in the same solar system." I have no idea if there's a way to maintain that sort of link when they're thousands of light years apart. The second reason was because I had two of the three Akis die off in my first episode anyway, so why bother? At the time I didn't know I would be writing a sequel. Now that there are three Akis again it makes more sense to do it, but if I do it'll probably be in a future side story since I don't have time to cover that in the main story.