--- Section 1 ---
Since the sixth circle, the one meant to punish heresy, is empty in this Singularity, you decide to just get through to the next one as quickly as possible. Also Jeanne is tired so you have to carry her on your shoulders again. On the way, Lilith brings up the question to Dante as to how you even go about designing a Singularity. Like, do you just wish on the grail and it's all done for you? Dante says the reason he hasn't talked about this yet is because it's not so clear cut. Specifically in regards to whether his consciousness or the creation of the Singularity emerged first. It's like a chicken and egg situation, basically. Whichever it is, it's all but confirmed Dante was the one to create the original Singularity. Of course, if everything had gone "to plan", then this should've been nothing more than a regular micro-Singularity and Dante should've maintained the Grail and "won" his wish. But that's not how it went.
We see a flashback, where a mysterious person is speaking to Dante.
???:
Dante Alighieri. You did well both in obtaining the Holy Grail and summoning me.
However, I no longer require your power. I will take charge of the Grail.
As a reward, I grant you permission to reside in Purgatory. Wander, and take joy in your life.
He wasn't given any room to argue whatsoever, so in the end there really wasn't any payoff for him creating the Singularity at all. Just to make sure you're on the same page here, you ask to confirm who the person he talked to was, and he confirms that it was Metatron Jeanne. Not the one you have with you right now, obviously, but the judge. Moriarty wonders if it's even possible for the creator of a Singularity, who has the Holy Grail, to have their rights taken from them in that way, but Mashu says it definitely shouldn't be impossible. After all, the Holy Grail is just a giant magical energy resource.
So bottom line here is that Dante had a Grail, created a Singularity, summoned Metatron Jeanne, who then stole the Grail to power herself up a bunch and started remodeling the Singularity. Lilith seems to think that Metatron's goal here is to fashion this place into a Lostbelt, a Hell that will go down in History, or perhaps as a proof of existence for Heaven and Hell, but you seem to think there's something off about that logic, though you can't explain why. You probably won't find out what her true motives are until you can submit your appeal.
For the next circle, Lilith seems like she doesn't want to follow you into it, because it makes her super scared. The wardens of the next circle appear to be a sort of joint-effort between Saint Martha and "a certain Greek goddess pseudo-Servant", but not in the sense that they are cooperating in regards to jurisdiction, and more like they're competing over something. Neither of those two seems like the types Lilith would be that scared of, so who knows what's really awaiting you in the seventh circle.
As you enter the seventh circle, you're greeted by a pretty wild fight taking place.
The smell of burnt hair is wafting through the air. The source of it my proud curls.
What a match. I feel more rapture than anger in these circumstances.
No, this won't do at all.
As one of the wardens appointed by her, I must keep up proper appearances.
And yet...more than anything, there is a joy within me for this battle.
The reason undoubtedly being a characteristic of the girl whom I am possessing...
As a Servant, she and I combined make one life form.
Therefore, with this rapture, she faces down the lion with all her might.
Yes, a lion. A being that rightfully bears the name.
Her fists are as beautiful as shooting stars, and her hand chops like a finely-honed sword.
Just facing her causes my soul to tremble. Now...into the fray.
A punch...left hook out of a one-two combo.
The steel-like feeling of being caught by both hands--embraced by a hold--enveloping from behind.
In a split second, she makes a hole in the earth from my throw. A backdrop suplex!
The top of her head punches into the hard soil. My confidence couldn't be any higher.
I'm doing well. That move was the the throw of a lifetime.
What the blazes!?
Amazingly, instead of escaping my clutches, she chose to strike with all her might.
The move she chose was a powerful right hook aimed at the ground she was slammed upon.
Her body paid my hold no heed, rotating with the force of the hook, and her fist sank straight down to the ground!
Like the site of a meteor strike, the earth was gouged out to form a crater.
Although my throw was countered by the force of her first, my not releasing the clutch did cause her to fall headfirst.
How fantastic! This could be called one of history's rare counters to a backdrop suplex!
Both sides take our distance and carefully observe the other.
Now, let us shout loud like the sinners of the fourth circle. Fist or twist--what distinguishes one from the other?
Let us settle once and for all, which is mightier in Hell!
As entertaining as this may be, you have to wonder what the hell the two of them are doing. After some more fighting, they finally notice you, and break up their battle. When Astraea greets you, she seems to mentally assign everyone a different martial art that she seems to think they're masters of. Moriarty is Baritsu (to which he says it's a style he's sure will hurt him a lot in the future but not something he himself has mastered), Dante is Silat (which he outright says he hasn't mastered), and Mashu is Systema (which she doesn't even know at all, so Astraea changes her answer to "riot shield").
Anyway, the two of them explain that this circle has become very dangerous, because a certain Medusa has been activating her Noble Phantasm and stealing energy from the sinners here, to the point where she's now probably on par with a warden. The reason Astraea and Martha are fighting is just to decide who gets to go fight Medusa, but now that you're here they hand this job over to you instead, in exchange for a Scales Certificate. Whether you kill her or deal with her another way seems to be up to you.
When you leave, the two women discuss whether they'll meet the same fate as Johanna. However, simply handing over a Certificate should be all fair and games, because if Metatron obstructed that action it would certainly be in bad faith and paint her as not being qualified to be a Ruler. They also seem to worry a bit whether your group will actually kill Medusa. Of course, they only told you to "handle it", but they seem to imply that if you go about this just like any other extermination mission, you will pay a heavy price.
Back with the group, they arrive in the city of Dis. There are no sinners here at all. Have they all been devoured already? The atmosphere feels oppressive, and as two purple snake eyes flash across the screen, the characters have a heavy feeling of being watched. You can definitely feel Medusa around here, but you have to assume this isn't her Mystic Eyes, as everyone except Jeanne would've already turned to stone if so. Weirdly, it doesn't really feel like your energy is being drained at all yet either. You decide to head to a big building in the center of town, which is definitely Medusa's nest. Guda, Mashu, and Metatron head inside to confront her, while the rest stay behind as backup.
--- Section 2 ---
Mashu heads inside first, since there's a Bounded Field which might prove dangerous. As soon as she's inside, the space twists and distorts, and Mashu can feel her magical energy being drained. As she tries to escape, Medusa blocks her path, sealing the trap.
Guda and Jeanne are getting worried over Mashu taking so long, and just then Mashu (who we don't get to see the face of) comes out and tells the others it's fine, and they can come in. But once they enter, they immediately see the real Mashu still fighting Medusa, being confused why Guda and Jeanne entered already. It appears Euryale and Stheno are here helping their sister, and one of them created the imitation of Mashu to lure you in. Mashu tries to secure an escape route for you, but Medusa uses her chains to seal off the exit.
Metatron Jeanne:
Getting caught in a trap so easily...kinda pisses me off.
The way they thought two Servants and a human made for easy marks is its own kind of annoying.
Gorgon sisters three... Prostrate yourselves and beg forgiveness.
I am His throne. I am His glory.[r]I am the archangel Metatron.
Therefore, I hand down divine punishment upon thee. Here I come!
...But I'm so sleepy...
[Battle against <Medusa & Stheno & Euryale>] (Habetrot cannot be used. Forced Metatron NPC support. At the start of battle, Medusa applies max HP down on your party. Metatron applies guts and DEF up on everyone)
The sisters are defeated, and they (very teasingly) beg for their lives. Jeanne finds it unappealing when monsters like them do so, but you tell everyone to just calm down. Surely you can talk this out. Kadoc and co finally join up with you, saying they got caught up in fighting a bunch of third-order angels. When you ask how they won that fight on their own, they say they didn't, the angels just suddenly retreated. Something's not right here. Why did the angels just retreat like that? Why were the wardens making such a big deal out of Medusa, when they could've easily won this battle on their own? The only explanation is that this has all been a huge setup. Suddenly, a massive pressure forces you all to the ground.
Metatron Jeanne:
---Oh no. A real nasty guy is here.
The upper third of the angelic orders. Serpents borne aloft by six flaming wings. Four to hide their face and limbs, while the other two carry them through the skies.
Angels of fire who sing His praises unceasingly. Those of the first order.
Medusa deploys her Bounded Field again, but she's weak after your fight and won't be able to hold it for long. The gorgons suggest teaming up with you, but your group is rightfully hesitant, considering how the sisters have been acting. However, they say that they've mostly only been defending themselves from the sinners attacking them, something which the wardens conveniently forgot to mention. Either way, you don't exactly have much choice right now.
--- Section 3 ---
(There's a popup at the start of this section that tells you the battle in section 4 will change based on your choices in this one)
You decide to split up into two groups: one to counter-attack from within the Bounded Field, and one to circle around and ambush outside. Kadoc assigns the Gorgons to stay inside and defend, and Jeanne, Moriarty, and Dante to the offense group. He then says there's no point separating Guda and Mashu, so they get to choose which group they both go with.
Whichever you choose here determines the battle you get in the next section, as well as the story leadup. I'm pretty sure they are against the same enemies (a bunch of low-ranking angels mostly) but the support units you can use change accordingly.
--- Section 4 ---
If you chose defense:
The gorgon sisters are considering making a run for it to the lowest level of Hell, but when they get the feeling that Medusa would just drop them off there then come back here to fight, they instead get mad at her, and basically tells her that she'll have to do the fighting herself here to make up for it.
If you chose offense:
Your main units here will be Jeanne and Mashu, so you ask if Dante and Moriarty can just provide backup and act as distractions. This will be your first battle with a first-order angel, so it's important that everyone gives it their all. Jeanne however says that she's been doing just that this entire time, so she asks you not to get mad with her when she's not suddenly performing any better than before.
[Battle against <Angel (1st order) & 3x Angel (9th order) & 3x Angel (8th order) & 2x Angel (7th order)>] (Habetrot cannot be used, Mashu must be in frontline. Forced support NPCs depend on your choice above)
If you chose defense:
Everyone's pretty beat up, but the pincer attack worked. Jeanne's Noble Phantasm pierces the angel's body, but surprisingly it's still moving. Medusa at this point is way too spent, and Mashu likewise is so low on energy she won't be able to pull out the Black Barrel for a total finishing blow. But Mashu won't stand down now. If you can't even deal with this, how will you possibly manage what's still to come. Despite Guda and Kadoc telling her to stand down, she rushes out after the angel. Just then, Lilith appears, saying she'll go put a stop to Mashu. After all, she deserves a way more dramatic death than this.
If you chose offense:
Jeanne unleashes her Noble Phantasm, which pierces the angel's body. As the angel falls to the ground, it appears the battle is over. However, Dante brings bad and worse news. The bad news is that you're all completely exhausted and further combat is probably an impossibility. And the worse news is that while it seems you might be able to win individual battles, you can't seem to defeat this angel, because it's just standing up again. They liken third-order and higher angels to Top Servants in terms of prowess, but state that first-orders go even beyond that. Mashu is the only one not totally spent, so she jumps straight back into battle, despite what the others have to say. Since Mashu won't listen, you just have to hope that she can buy enough time for Jeanne to regain enough energy to use her Noble Phantasm again. Then, Lilith appears, telling Mashu to stand down. Lilith needed this angel gone anyway, so she'll take care of this. For some reason, you have a bad feeling about this.
--- Section 5 ---
The steel creaks. Each time my shield is reflected, a shockwave runs through my body, threatening to destroy it.
Designated Hostile: Angel - First Order.
Even though it is under the effects of multiple Noble Phantasms, its high combat strength does not abate.
Searing strain in my chest. Smoldering tension in my heart.
It's something different from what I've felt before.
Almost as if I'm sprinting, trying to escape.
Lilith tells Mashu to stand down, she'll take it from here. But Mashu rejects that voice, grating in her ear. She refuses to back down. Lilith asks if it's because Mashu is afraid to feel useless, and it appears she hit her head on the nail, going by Mashu's expression.
Lilith says it's understandable having inner struggles, but if Mashu keeps this up, her Master is going to die. But Mashu insists this is her enemy to fight. Lilith says if she wants to fight, she can go right ahead, but she'll only hold her back and cause more trouble than it's worth. Mashu promises that won't happen.
Lilith:
Then you hold fast to that promise in battle. The enemy this time isn't the angel, or me.
But rather one by the name of Kyrielight. If you keep fighting, shield in hand...
Then I guess you win. Though I do not find that very likely.
[Battle against <Angel (1st order)>] (Forced Mashu & Lilith solo. At battle start, Mashu is permanently NP sealed and stunned for 2 turns. You lose if Mashu dies.)
My shield is heavy.
Not that it was ever light. But this is a heaviness like never before.
Its weight is increasing, almost as if rejecting me as its wielder.
My shield is getting rustier.
Mashu doesn't understand why this is happening, but Lilith sees it clear as day. It's because of her doubts. It's an inevitable rejection from her shield because Mashu has lost her purity. She should be seeing everything as being of equal worth, and be fair and just. And yet, there's one person she wants to protect more than anything else in the world. Mashu wonders what could possibly be wrong with that. Lilith proceeds to just ask her why that is. Is it because she's Chaldea's Demi-Servant? Because she has a contract with Guda? If you took away those reasons, would she stop trying to defend them? Naturally, Mashu says that's not the case, to which Lilith replies "You mean, that HAS to not be the case, right?"
Oh, my shield just got heavier again. It's rejecting my answer--my viewpoint.
And yet, I can't abide by the ideals it demands. It's hard to breathe, and my body aches all over.
Lilith uses her Noble Phantasm, Isha Ra'a
Falsehood is the Daughter of Darkness
Drearily, I listen to her speak. She speaks to me with malice in order to hurt me. That much is certain.
But even so, I understand what she's saying is true. It's so true, I can't do anything but keep my mouth shut.
As she says, I'm not standing in the right place anymore. That's why my shield keeps getting heavier.
And though I know that, I remain on the fence regardless.
Mashu says she'll report back to the others now. Lilith won't come with her, so she'll give Mashu the credit this once, and then she leaves.
The shield is getting heavier and rustier. Nonetheless, I remain on the fence.
Until the day comes that my arm is torn to pieces and can no longer bear it.
And...that day might be very close.
--- Section 6 ---
Martha and Astraea commend you for taking down the angel. They knew it would be here, sent by Metatron, and seems this was their trial for you, because if you couldn't do this then there's no way you'd make it any further either. Still, they say that being here probably helped you take it down, so you should be wary if you encounter any in another circle. That's because this angel never once exercised its Authority. The reason is because Martha and Astraea's Authority is greater still, and it dictates that you must "settle things by force". For better or worse, that worked in your favor. That should also mean that the wardens didn't actually raise their hands against the angel.
Still, you cleared their trial, so they give you two more Certificates. Next they tell you that there is no warden in the eight circle (probably because they're both here), so you'll be heading straight for the ninth. However, it might be more complicated to deal with the warden there than anyone else. And that's because the warden of the ninth circle is the one who first raised her banner against the Incineration of the Human Order: the Maiden of Orléans, Jeanne d'Arc herself.
Originally Posted by AceSockVims
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