Character Quest:Asterius:VN:1

[Translated by Kukuru]

Character Quest: Asterios - Episode 1: Through the Maze

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Location: Shinjuku Station Southeast Entrance

The crowded underground city of Shinjuku bustling with activity.

The "Transients" residing here in Tokyo vary greatly and wide-ranging in heights and complexions. It's almost like a colorful wave.

Although the hustle and bustle is intense, the flow of people is quite fast.

One must have endurance to enjoy shopping here.

One man with a large build is opposing the flow. He stands still without swimming through the large crowds of people.

Ah... There's so many p-people here in the underground city as usual...

These s-strange people living here in Tokyo sure like to g-gather in an underground place such as this...

I'm... still not good with crowds of p-people... I-I should hurry and get what I came here for and head home...

I wonder what I should make today? I never really thought about it...

........

I-It'd be nice if someone would decide that for me...

1 option
Asterios? Is that you?

Ah... It's [Player]. What a weird coincidence to encounter y-you... in a place like this.

2 options
Yeah, it really is.	I came looking for you, Asterius.
You're incredible... being with these kind of people. I just want to head home, even though I-I'm not done with my business here...	Y-You were looking for me......? Y-You must be lying...

2 options (Same Response)
What are you doing here, Asterios?	It's rare for you to be out here with crowds of people.

I-I came to buy a vase. I-It's to decorate this branch... See?

Asterios shows you a branch of a gajumaru tree.

M-Mailing it to my house is out of the question... They don't like coming up the mountains, so...

I-It's okay to make fun of me if you find it weird. I just want to put this ordinary twig on display...

I-I noticed it was stuck to my clothes one day when I collapsed on the mountain...

I-I can't toss it away for some reason. I-It's really bizarre...

I-It feels like something important to me...

O-Oh right... Is there anything you'd like to eat... [Player]?

2 options (Same Response)
Are you asking me out?	I am a little hungry.

N-No, you're mistaken...! I'm not asking you out or anything...

U-Umm... Even if you don't want to eat together...

That's... if you want to eat with the likes of me...

2 options
Oh come on. It's fine.	It's great being with you, Asterios.
	......! Y-You really are weird......

Ah well... I-I can cook by the way...

................

W-Weird... W-Why are they pressing into me this much...?

I'd get so furious whenever someone like Taurus Mask pesters me like that, until now...

... Eh!?

Wha... What did I see... just now...?

An island and a tree he's never seen before flashed in Asterios' mind.

............

Asterios was stunned that he forgot about it... then at that moment-

Slimes: Purupurupuruuuuuuu!!

E-Eeeeh!? A b-battle out of nowhere is a cowardly thing to do!

2 options (Same Response)
They're going to surround us...!	Let's get out of here, Asterios!

Y-Yeah! Good idea...!

No... T-They drove us to the wall...!

2 options (Same Response)
Get ready, Asterios!	There's so many of them!

I-I have no choice then..! Don't get separated from me, [Player]!

Nobody approaches! Nobody gets in!

Labrus Labyrinthus!!

The "distance" goes beyond reality and twists and turns. The nearby surroundings becomes more and more distant.

Asterios is cut off from the world and all interferences are kept out.

[Player]! Give me your-

Unfortunately, his hand couldn't reach you.

The two of you were separated from each other before the distance grew violently.

[Transitioning...]

---

Location: ???

You regained your senses and observed the expanding darkness.

An endless stone wall shuts out the light and the gloomy atmosphere eats away the feelings from your lungs.

There are no signs of life. Only the sounds of your own breathing echoes in your earlobes, emphasizing the loneliness.

You can feel it on your skin that you're completely alone in here. That is what you're experiencing.

Your legs start to move on their own to escape from the heavy pressure of no other person here.

... The wall warped.

Following along the path... You can only find solitude before your very eyes.

No warmth of the living. Not even the chills from the deceased.

Only solitude is the closest to nothingness.

You should have gotten used to it. Why was your own heart tightened?

There is still no one in sight, no matter how far you progress.

Your heart was about to succumb to the loneliness until... "that person" arrived.

Ahh... [Player]! I-I'm so glad you're safe...!

A-Are you alright... You're not cold, are you? Y-You must've been scared... You don't have to be afraid anymore.

3 options
Asterios!	I'm completely fine~!	(Frantically hug him)
Y-Yeah... It's Asterios. Were you surprised by how I look? S-Sorry...	Good to hear... You're tough.	H-Huh...? T-That feels like... ......... Y... You're gonna be okay now. Nobody's gonna get close to you... You must've been t-terrified...

We got attacked out of nowhere... T-Tokyo is still a frightening place...

W-Well... We were having an App Battle. Such a thing would've happened...

I "remembered" that... this labyrinth is my "Sacred Artifact."

It was so sudden... Sorry I couldn't explain it to you...

You'll be safe soon if you escape from here. This place is meant to isolate me.

B-But... I can't control this "Sacred Artifact" anymore...

I'm sorry... This is really all my fault.

2 options
Close the App then?	Don't worry, we'll work something out.
I-I can't. I tried closing the app, but it won't return to what it was before.	Y-Yeah... We'll do something about it together...

I-It might be possible that this underground city has become a... "closed domain."

The effects of the "Rule" will still linger even if you cut off the "App" in a place like this...

T-The shutter might have lowered at the evening...

Even though I-I can invoke the labyrinth, I'm not able to destroy it.

That's why... I have to leave from this place on my own.

I-I never had to deal with such a thing till now......

But... It's my responsibility to look after y-you until we get out of here.

We might be able to escape overnight. T-That's why...

W-Will you keep going with me... "again"?

W-Wierd... How did I take the wrong way in my own labyrinth...?

This should be the right direction... but...

... S-Sorry. S-Somehow this labyrinth is continuously changing its structure.

2 options
So we can't get out...?	Don't give up. We'll find another way!
N-No... W-W-We'll make it out, don't worry...! I'll stay by your side... I promise...!	Y-Yeah... This should be the right direction... We should be at the exit soon...

Wh... What are you doing? You can't break the labyrinth with a sword like yours.

Oh... It's just an experiment? I see... Well, it's not a bad idea to try something.

I-It's a dead end here too......

There is still no way back huh...

2 options
You're enjoying this a little aren't you?	You're in a good mood.
Y-You think so...? Perhaps... perhaps I am...	W-Well, this labyrinth is something like my home. You... probably shouldn't use your strength too much...

...... No, I should tell you the truth.

I... I'm having fun right now.

Even I think it's weird to say that in a situation like this, but...

I-I don't know why but... I feel so happy seeing you.

I-It was great meeting... e-everyone...

H-Huh...? Who's... "everyone"?

... That was a weird thing for me to say. It's embarrassing... f-forget what I said...

H-Hey... Don't go so fast or you'll have to spend the night here.

Sheesh, we walked a lot... My body's telling me it's getting late already...

Guess we'll be spending the night here... We'll be fine since nobody else is here...

2 options
That's enough for today.	I'm exhausted...
Y-Yeah, I agree... I'm tired just from taking the paths I'm not familiar with.	You are...? Sorry, it's all because of me...... I'll carry you on my back if you can't walk anymore... I'm fairly strong so...

U-Umm... Is it okay if I... move closer to you? Just a little...

The furry giant closed the distance.

He feels relieved that he's not alone just from shoulder-to-shoulder contact.

Y-You don't like being cold, right...? T-That's why I... ummm...

... Ah.

The truth is... I wanted to be close to you.

I-I... never imagined being with someone in a labyrinth...

When you're next to me, I feel relieved like I was "before."

3 options
I agree, Asterius.	(Nod your head)	(Get even closer to him)
I see... I'm glad... You're warm, eheheh...		.......! .............. ...... Eheheh.

O-Oh right... I'm getting hungry...

I'll cook up a quick meal when we get out of here...

I... have been living by myself for so long now. I'm... alright at cooking.

That's why... I'm going to survive through tomorrow too.

You fell asleep leaning against his fur.

Only by his side, only here in this cold labyrinth.

... He was very warm.

I-I hate to part ways but... goodbye! Till we meet again...!

(Is that...... me?)

I'll see everyone again even if I forget...! I believe in that so... I look forward to it!

("Everyone" ...... "Everyone" ......)

....... Who are they?

I can't see the exit...

We've been walking for a long time since we woke up... It looks like it's still far ahead...

(What a strange dream yesterday. I wonder what that was......)

1 option
Asterios?

Oh... sorry. I just dozed off for a bit.

But...... Why does the structure change like that......

I-It's like... the labyrinth doesn't want to let us go...

... Saying something like that is going to scare you. Forget what I said.

Y-You know Taurus Mask, right?

T-The "strings" of his "Sacred Artifact" will not take the "Rule" of this labyrinth.

T-This "labyrinth" is below his "strings" because the hierarchy is connected with the original world......

It'd be nice if he was here, but... I don't want to be with him at the same time...

Hey, [Player]. We're turning at the n-next corner.

When you turn a corner, when you walk down the pathway, Asterios' arm gently touches you.

It's not your imagination when Asterios is closer to you than he was yesterday.

When you made eye contact with him, he turns away in embarrassment.

H-Hey, umm... What will you do if... we can't get out?

Food's a problem, but... You and I are alone here, so...

We can sleep together just like yesterday......

I-I said something weird again... I've been acting funny ever since yesterday......

Maybe I'm just a little happier than usual......

2 options (Same Response)
I'm delighted, but...	We should still get home regardless.

Y-Yeah, you're right... I'll feel depressed if we stay in a place like this for a long time...

It should be at least warmer and well-lit and no worries about food...

I might stay with you if this was an enjoyable place...

Yet... You still want to head back home no matter what...

...... H-Huh...?

Certainly there was a situation like this before... before...

You said you wanted to go home...... A-And... I was hoping it would stay like this......

It's the same situation now......

....... Ah.

...... I-I get it now. T-This is...

This is... what I desired.

2 options (Same Response)
In other words, what changing the structure of this labyrinth is...	Asterios' doing?

T-That's right... I'm so sorry...

H-Hey... You may not remember, and I don't remember exactly everything, but...

You and I... l-lived together...

Asterius:( face) I think there was someone else other than you, but... I still can't remember clearly...

Asterius:( face) We caught fish together. We slept together.

Asterios:( face) I was very happy... on that island. That much I can remember.

Asterios:( face) I'm so happy now... just like when I was on that island. That's why... I wanted to spend a long time with you...

That's how the "Sacred Artifact" responded to my feelings... It changes the structure so you can't escape...

The labyrinth isn't ruling over me. I'm trapping you here using the labyrinth...!

Eheheh... I'm... so sorry......

I caused you so much trouble... You must see me as a terrible person...

2 options (Same Response)
(Shake your head sideways in disagreement)	(Deny it then get closer to him)

.........!

Th... Thank you......

Heheh, I really enjoyed spending time with you...... My intentions... have been achieved...

S-Shall we... get out of here...?

... Why are you looking at me like that? This should be quick...

Asterios brandishes the axe that he carries on his back.

An axe so huge it'd be impossible to handle unless you have a strong arm like Asterios'.

With no hesitation, Asterios vigorously swings it down.

T-This won't be a problem!

As the deafening destructive noise rings your eardrums, there's a hole made in the labyrinth wall which seemed sturdy.

Pant... pant... Get going now... before the wall fixes itself...!!

Asterios' large hand reaches out and pulls your body.

The labyrinth walls regenerate every time Asterios demolishes them.

It's contrary to the feelings of him wanting to be with you. An irresistible feeling of being in love without doing anything about it himself.

Asterios breaks through them and advances. He uses the feelings he learned on that island as a source of encouragement.

Even if he can't remember it exactly, it's certainly breathing inside him.

Indeed, it is Asterios who believes in the "memories of this labyrinth" more than anyone else.

Asterios couldn't escape because he "believed" in saying "I will absolutely not leave from here."

That "belief" however, was shattered on that island.

"A labyrinth that you can't ever leave" became no more.

I remembered... there's someone I want to see rather than in a place like this.

Now I understand... the reason why you wanted to go home from that island...

When I met you, I finally realized how lonely I was for the first time.

I wanted to be with you for a long time, but I... I...!!

I want to see everyone again!

I-I don't want to forget them...! I don't ever want to forget them!

Without letting your hand go, Asterios breaks the wall with one hand.

Take me out again just like that time before! Take me...... Take me outside!

I don't want to be alone in here anymore... I just don't...!!

Because... because... I realized how lonely I was...!

And... And... when we escape from here, I... I...

I want you to still be friends with me!!

3 options (Same Response)
Of course!	My pleasure!	Asterios......

H-Huh? Is that the exit...!?

We finally did it... Finally......

You can see the light right before your very eyes. The exit leading to the world is waiting inside the light.

But then-

Slime: Purupurupuruuuuuuuuu!!

H-How are there other living creatures other than me in a place like this!?

Is it possible that those things from yesterday got trapped in here with us...?

D-Damn... Now's not the time to talk! We'll get closed off by the wall if they stop us from leaving...!

It'll be hard to meet again if we get separated!

Let's get rid of them quick!!

[Battle]

---

Just like when you defeated the last one, the labyrinth walls tries to break in between you.

Oryaaaaaah!!

Asterios' axe smashes the wall, forcefully pulling it apart.

This should be enough...! All we have to do... is leave...!!

The exit that should be closeby feels incredibly far away.

Escaping however, means that you and Asterios would never be alone.

His feelings of meeting up with everyone again was never a lie. In fact, he was feeling happy from the current situation.

That's why there's a slight shadow cast in Asterios' mind.

The labyrinth promptly reacts to what was hidden. The walls hide and cover the exit.

Son of a...!

The walls barely have dents even with Asterios using his strong arms.

The growing walls obscure the exit, making it difficult for both of you to escape.

The reason is it's the flipside of Asterios' loneliness. Strong, bulky and scared on the outside.

What he can do about such a thing is to forcibly contain it. Just to put a lid on it and hide it.

Just go on ahead, [Player]...

I... I did something like this just to trap you here...

That's why... the labyrinth will calm down right away if you escape... I think.

I'm sorry to have put you through all of this. But, if we meet again outside...... I......

1 option
Even so......

...Eh?

You extended your hand to firmly grasp Asterios, pulling him closer to you.

It's not enough to move the weight of a giant, but it certainly moved the heart of the lonely bull, Asterios.

2 options (Same Response)
Come on...!	(Make eye contact with Asterius)

2 options (Same Response)
We're getting out of here, together!	We're going outside!

Y-You...

You never tried to pull him in through force. Not at all.

2 options (Same Response)?
We're escaping together -	... Asterios!

Inspired by those thriving feelings, Asterios' feet kicked off the ground of the labyrinth...

Ah, I want... I want to be with you...!

[Transitioning...]

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Location: Shinjuku West Gate

...... We managed to escape somehow.

I-I sure caused a lot of trouble t-this time... I'm sorry...

Thanks to that, my feelings have been sorted out so... This sort of thing won't happen again... I think.

2 options
You're still holding my hand.	You want to keep holding hands?
Oh... Is that a bad thing...? J-Just for a little longer... Okay?	Y-Yeah... I want to keep holding them still...

Fr... Friend...

2 options (Same Response)
Yeah.	(Personally it's beyond that...)

Eheheh... Friend, Friend...

Tokyo's downtown high-rise area greets both of you who just left from the Underground City.

It's... b-beautiful...

And there's a wall covering that towers over it.

"There is no walls that cannot be broken," if Asterios desired it...

... Of course, that's if everyone in Tokyo believed it. Suddenly at that moment...

...... Ah.

Both stomachs began to growl.

Hahah... How embarrassing... S-Say, [Player]...

T-Today... was a long day...

Are you... going to take a bath and have dinner later...?

So... do you want to come by...?

My cooking is really good... Honest. If you're on break then... L-Let's go and see...

"Everyone"...

Character Quest: Asterios [Chapter 1] END