Gilbert's Istavion troops try to attack Echidna but soon find their will to fight sapped by her dominion over motherhood. This triggers Gilbert to summon a brood of primal beasts, who then launch themselves at Echidna. The crew's allied primals attempt to protect her, but they are consumed by the Luminary Knights' swords.
Rackam
Yaa!
Istavion Soldier 1
H'urgh...
Rackam
Was that all of 'em?
Dialogue Option
Echidna!
Io
That's right! That guy from earlier told those goons to capture her!
Gran and the crew frantically turn to look at Echidna.
A bizarre light unfurls from her direction.
Echidna
...
Istavion Soldier 2
N-no! I won't! I can't attack this person!
Istavion Soldier 3
What the... Ah, four hells. They ain't nothin' alike, but this woman, she... She looks like Momma...
Istavion Soldier 4
Whimper... Sorry—I'm so sorry!
Istavion Soldier 4
Forgive me, Ma! H-how could I threaten me own mother...
Istavion Soldier 4
Forgive me, Ma! H-how could I threaten me own mother...
Echidna softly pats the head of the weeping soldier.
Echidna
There, there. You did nothing wrong, sweetie. You were just following orders.
Echidna
You're such a good boy, always doing your duty. If nobody else believes in you, Mommy always will.
Istavion Soldier 4
Yes... yes...
Echidna
And good boys deserve treats.
Echidna
Now drift off to sleepy land. I'll be here rubbing your back until you get there.
Echidna
There's no monsters under your bed. Shh—I'll protect you from everything.
Echidna
And when you wake up, we'll have a snack.
Entranced by Echidna's words, the soldiers begin to fall asleep one after the other.
They fall to the ground into the fetal position, their faces peaceful as babes'.
Katalina
Those soldiers couldn't even touch Echidna...
Eugen
That's not all—she took the fight clean out of 'em.
Eugen
Makin' enemies is a dangerous thing.
Eugen
But if you just skip the fightin' part and put 'em to sleep, well, that's a whole different style of conflict resolution.
Gilbert
So this is a mother's power...
Echidna
No matter the beast, it will always long for its mother's loving embrace.
Echidna
You can't deny your mother, lest you risk losing your greatest support in life.
Echidna
I won't hurt any of my children, whether they be person or primal beast.
Echidna turns her gaze to Gilbert.
Echidna
You can't harm me. You couldn't bear to harm me.
Echidna
So please, give this up. The Otherworld shouldn't be trifled with.
Echidna
It has nothing to do with the sky or the Astral realm. What you've been seeking is a grave sin.
Gilbert
A sin? At this point it would just be one of many. I won't hesitate to commit more.
Gilbert's unnerving smile remains fixed on his face.
Gilbert
Your power over motherhood is quite formidable.
Gilbert
But the desire to be embraced by your mother is merely an emotion, an affectation of personality.
Echidna
...?
Gilbert raises a hand, summoning a herd of primal beasts from the surrounding woods.
Primal Beast 1
...!
Primal Beast 2
...!
Primal Beast 2
...!
Gilbert
Let me reiterate: I don't like this world. I won't accept it.
Gilbert
A mother as an object of affection? A being incapable of doing harm?
Gilbert
Don't make me laugh, primal beast. I've never had a mother like that.
Gilbert
I don't remember exactly how much I resented her, but that's only because it was such a natural feeling.
Gilbert
I spent my waking hours in fear and my sleeping hours dreaming of it.
Gilbert
Dreaming of finding the woman who threw me in the refuse and wringing her neck with my very hands!
Gilbert
I must thank you, Echidna. Despite not knowing what my mother looks like, you've given me the chance to fulfill that dream in a sense.
Gilbert
You, who serve as the mother of all beings, will bring me great pleasure!
Echidna
...
Gilbert raises a hand toward the cluster of primal beasts.
Gilbert
Primal beasts, heed these words.
Gilbert
It is I who art His catalyst. Serve thy true king, He who hath exercised his divine right in coronation.
Vyrn
Wh-what's this guy up to?
Katalina
I'm not sure... But he implied it was his chance to hurt Echidna...
Katalina
No...
Dialogue Option
No!
Gilbert
On His glorious name, and through His magnanimous decree, I command thee.
Dialogue Option
Stop this!
Gilbert
On His glorious name, and through His magnanimous decree, I command thee.
Gilbert
Slaughter that woman.
Gilbert
Kill your mother, primal beasts!
Primal Beast 1
...!
Gilbert
Heh heh heh—hahahaha! Look at you now! The bonds between a parent and child? Ridiculous!
Gilbert
Just how long will you be able to hold your lovely, lovely children back? Think you'll be able to hurt them after all?
Echidna
Ugh!
Gilbert
Echidna, I don't care what you choose to do.
Gilbert
But, as I'm sure you're aware, my orders are absolute.
Gilbert takes a step back, and the primal beasts begin inching toward Echidna.
Primal Beast 1
...
Primal Beast 2
...
Rosetta
We'll stop them. We can't let her fight these primal beasts like this.
Lyria
Yes. We have to do something for her children.
Gran and the crew draw their weapons, but a pair of figures blocks their path.
Scarlet Knight
We won't allow you to interfere.
Golden Knight
I don't agree with what's happening here, but it is my duty to assist that man with his strategy.
Golden Knight
We will be your opponents.
Katalina
Tch! Taking on two of the Seven Luminary Knights...
Lyria
...!
Vyrn
D-did they really just pop out by themselves?
Io
Of course! They want to save Echidna!
Tiamat
...
As if Io's observation had been a cue, Tiamat and the other primal beasts race toward Echidna.
But a figure appears to block their path.
Scarlet Knight
I said no interference.
Leviathan
...!
Scarlet Knight
...
The scarlet knight swings his sword in a silent but cruel arc. As it passes through the primal beasts, they seem to fade into its blade.
Lyria
No...
Scarlet Knight
This is the true power of the Seven Luminary Knights.
Scarlet Knight
It is just as the True King wills it. There is no realm—sky nor Astral—that will be permitted to forego loyalty to him.
Scarlet Knight
The Seven Luminary Knights are his servants, blades that have followed his command since the inception of the world.
Scarlet Knight
This false world's power, these primal
beasts—all nothing more than a whetstone for our swords.
Vyrn
Wh-what's going on?
Lyria
I'm not sure, but Tiamat and the others...
Rosetta
They've been swallowed. By that sword.
Golden Knight
Nothing personal, but I'll have to keep you guys busy until this guy's finished absorbing the Otherworld's power.
Gran and the crew somehow hold their own against the Scarlet and Golden Knights. But after the dust clears, they find that Gilbert has escaped and Echidna lies wounded on the ground, surrounded by her fallen, primal children. Cain then encounters Gilbert, who knocks him and Reinhardtzar off the island with a forceful blast. The pair are saved by a mysterious trio, who ask Cain for a certain favor.
Scarlet Knight
...
Golden Knight
...
Dialogue Option
Huff... huff...
Golden Knight
That was more than I expected. To imagine you would've put up such a good fight even though we used the power of the primal beasts.
Golden Knight
Of course, I bet it's because his blood flows within you...
Scarlet Knight
It's lamentable all the same. You were just one step away from victory.
Scarlet Knight
Cower not. Proceed forward into the vast sky and lay claim to your true...
Gilbert appears, stopping the Scarlet Knight mid-sentence.
Gilbert
We're leaving. It's finished.
Rosetta
Wh-what of Echidna?
Gran looks toward the mother of primal beasts.
Echidna, surrounded by her fallen children, lies on the ground unmoving.
Lyria
A-are you okay?
Gran rushes to her side and checks to see if she's breathing.
A pang of relief swells in Gran's heart when a soft breath escapes her lips. But the primal beasts lying around her are not so fortunate...
Rackam
What is this light?
The fallen primal beasts begin to glow and evaporate into misty light, which flits into the air before fading.
One by one the primal beasts splinter into luminescence until Echidna is all alone.
Echidna
Ouugh...
Lyria
Echidna, you're awake...
Echidna
...
Grimacing in pain, Echidna surveys her surroundings.
Echidna
I... I couldn't protect any of them.
Katalina
What happened while we were fighting the Luminary Knights?
Echidna bites through broken words to answer Katalina's question.
Echidna
Forced to obey Gilbert's orders... the children attacked me.
Echidna
But they were resisting. I could tell that.
Echidna
They were fighting against his order. They were fighting so hard that they hurt themselves.
Echidna
It's like they were being torn in two... They must have been in so much pain.
Echidna
Primal beasts do not know death, but if they sustain fatal damage, then they fall into a deep slumber.
Echidna
I imagine the children of this island won't awaken for quite some time...
Echidna lowers her eyes and bites her lip.
Echidna
I'm so sorry... I should have protected you.
Gran stares at the grieving mother, unable to find the words to comfort her.
Although there are no children left to receive Echidna's apology, her pain seems to reverberate throughout the island.
Cain
It got quiet.
Cain and his group are suddenly taken aback by a bizarre silence.
Cain
Did Gran and the others stop whatever was making the primal beasts go mad?
Leona
Perhaps, but it's too quiet...
Leona
It's as if the primal beasts were not merely quelled but erased completely.
Reinhardtzar
Suspicious... Let's rendezvous with the others and share information.
As the three are considering their next course of action, they hear approaching footsteps.
They turn to face the noise and see Gilbert and his pair of knights.
Gilbert
The whelps from the Idelva Army...
Cain
Gilbert? Why are you here...
Reinhardtzar
With two of the Luminary Knights no less. I knew something was up...
Gilbert
...
Gilbert carefully studies the trio.
Gilbert
Hmm... Of course the Draph would have the largest body...
Reinhardtzar
You got a problem with—
Reinhardtzar
...!
Gilbert
I haven't quite adjusted to this power yet, so of course I'll aim at the biggest target.
Gilbert flings a sinister volley of energy at the Draph.
Cain
Reinhardtzar!
With no time to think, Cain's reflexes flair into action.
Cain
Ugh!
Reinhardtzar
...!
Although Cain bears the brunt of the blast, the force knocks him into Reinhardtzar, and the pair are hurled into the air and off the edge of the island.
Leona
...
Gilbert
Hah. Hahah! Superb! This power! With this, everything will be—
Gilbert
Hurgh!
Leona
You... You killed Cain!
Gilbert
Argh!
Having struck while Gilbert was distracted by his own self-satisfaction, Leona drives her blade further into his side.
Golden Knight
Gilbert!
Gilbert
I'm fine... I don't need your help. This power is for occasions like this after all.
Leona
Hyaaa!
With a piercing battle cry, Leona makes another attack at Gilbert.
Leona
...!
Gilbert
Hmm... Are you per chance...
Gilbert charges his palm with energy and grabs her blade mid-strike. He then studies her face.
Leona
Grr...
Her attack rebuffed, Leona leaps back and waits for another moment to strike; Gilbert addresses his opponent in the brief respite.
Gilbert
Of course—you must be Abel's fiancee.
Leona
How do you know that!
Gilbert
So it's true. Haha—how fascinating.
His conjecture confirmed, Gilbert lets out a hearty laugh at the expense of Leona.
Gilbert
Haha... Since I'm in such astute company, allow me to share something of interest with you.
Leona
What are you...
Gilbert
The Sovereign Pholia has sin on her hands. And Idelva Kingdom, the very monarchy that you serve, was realized through that sin.
Gilbert
This is an opportunity to take your just revenge—all you have to do is expose her transgressions.
Leona
What?
Gilbert
I don't believe I stuttered. Whether you trust my words or not is your choice.
Gilbert
All I'm suggesting is that this could be a way to liberate yourself from the thoughts of your beloved that keep you imprisoned so.
Leona
...
Gilbert and the Knights depart, leaving a stunned Leona standing with jaw agape.
Though she's physically present, she doesn't seem to take heed of her surroundings.
She continues to replay Gilbert's words through her mind, each repetition making the sinking feeling in her stomach deeper and deeper.
Cain
Aaah!
As a result of leaping to Reinhardtzar's aid, Cain was blasted off the island.
The force of the blast flung him completely off the island, and now he's tumbling headfirst toward the bottom of the skies.
Cain
(Blast it... How do I get out of this? Dumb question. There is no way out of this...)
Cain
...!
A gleaming thread barely penetrates his peripheral vision. In the next moment, a thousand identical threads manifest from nowhere and wrap around his body.
Cain
What? Wh-whoooa!
Cain groans as the threads tighten and slingshot him back toward the island.
Cain
Whoa!
Cain
Yeeouch!
Wh-what the heck was that? Am I, am I safe?
Reinhardtzar
Safe's an awfully strong word.
Cain
Reinhardtzar! Thank goodness you're alive!
Reinhardtzar
...
Cain
...?
Reinhardtzar, without mumbling a word, lifts a finger.
He points toward a group of three strange figures.
???
Sorry... Maybe I was a little rough...
Surrounding the whispering girl are innumerable shining threads.
???
No big deal! It couldn't have been too bad if they can still talk, right?
???
How about it? Feel like chatting? Debating? Or are tongue twisters more your thing? Ready? Sturm stabs stoic stewards—
???
Ow!
???
Don't say more than you have to. Only essential information needs to be relayed.
???
They have no visible injuries, so stop wasting time.
Cain
Um... Did you guys rescue us?
???
Actually... It was Lloyd and me...
Cain
Whoa! I-is that a primal beast?
???
Close, but no...
Cain
I-I see... Anyway, thanks a bunch!
Reinhardtzar
You have my thanks as well, but it feels like you three are up to something yourselves...
???
Doesn't everybody have a secret objective these days? Whew—it's great you know that from the start. Saves us some time!
???
So—business time—you two have been hanging around a certain captain of a certain crew that we need a certain message delivered to.
Cain
To Gran?
???
Refusal is not an option. You owe us for saving your lives.
Cain
If it's just a message, that's no problem...
The hooded man continues his request, but the corners of his mouth tighten into a stern expression.
???
Gilbert—you know, the one from Rhem Kingdom—is proceeding with a bit of a horrific plot.
???
This probably goes without saying, but he's in league with the Istavion Kingdom.
???
Rhem Kingdom might as well not exist to him anymore.
???
More terrifying than that, he wants the entire Nalhegrande Skydom.
Cain
Gilbert wants Nalhegrande?
???
Just tell Gran we need them to stop Gilbert. If they can't...
???
Well, then these skies will become his playground of destruction. There will be nothing left. Be careful out there, gentlemen.
Cain and Reinhardtzar glance at each other, both of their eyebrows raised.
Realizing that the winds of fate have blown in a turbulent direction, Cain draws in a nervous gulp.
93: Deception's Inception 
