Nanashi: Welp, we're here again. Tsukiji. I see those two galoots at the front gate are still there. Here's hoping Toki really knows her way around this place...
High Pixie: Oh hey there Mister Nanashi! Check me out now!
Nanashi: ...Pixie?
High Pixie: That's High Pixie now old friend! C'mon, let's go crack some Divine Powers skulls! They burned my forest so we're gone burn them!
Nanashi: ...the new you kinda scares me.
King Frost: HEEEEEEEE-HOOOOOOOO. I'M HEE-RE TO-HO!
Nanashi: Gah! You again!
King Frost: THOSE DIVINE POWERS USED ME, HO! NOBODY USES THE KING!
Character notes: A High Pixie is simply a stronger kind of Pixie. They're the elite soldiers of the Seelie Court, the royal house of the Faeries, and are charged with protecting the homes of weaker Faeries. She's a bit under leveled for this point in the game but she's very strong, having Mazionga and Majakam, which completely prevents foes from using anything other than their basic attack.
Personality notes: The same kindly Pixie she's always been, but more confident and willing to fight.
Character notes: This grandiose personage is largely an original character, the master of all Jack Frosts who first appeared in Shin Megami Tensei II. A character by the same name appears in Margaret T. Canby's story The Frost Fairies, but it's uncertain if that's where Megaten got him from. As expected, he's a powerful Ice-user, and has his signature move, King Bufula, that sadly can't be passed on in fusion.
Personality notes: An arrogant king, still with the cute Frost voice patterns.
Toki finds a secret passage hidden beneath a statue nearby. Thus, we descend into the bowels of enemy territory...
Hariti: So sad it's come to this... this place of worship desecrated, and Lord Maitreya himself gone radical. Something has gone terribly wrong in things...
Nanashi: You were worshipped here?
Hariti: All we Buddhist gods were. In fact, it is said Maitreya will appear when our faith has been nearly wiped out... perhaps this is what motivates him...
Raksasa: Eyyo eyyo eyyo! Not often we get guests down here! Whoa, you're that kind with all the Magnetite, arentcha? I gotta get me some of that!
Parvati: ...urbane thing.
Shikome: Oooooh and look who I've found here! My dear little pet, Ikusa!
Ikusa: Yessum, Missus S. 'Owdyado, Mister N. If Missus S serves you, so do I.
Character notes: Evil demons of Hindu lore that eat humans. They're craftier than your average thuggish mythical figure, as they're skilled shapeshifters known to disguise themselves to lull humans into a false sense of security. Their ten-headed king was named Ravana, who was slain by the hero Rama after kidnapping his wife. Phys specialist.
Personality notes: Total punk.
Character notes: The shock tropes of the army of Yomi, the Japanese underworld, they serve under the Shikome witches (though they're stronger than them in this game for whatever reason). Like the Shikome, they pursued the god Izanagi as he fled from Yomi, but he managed to distract them with a peach seed. Gun specialist.
Personality notes: Devoted servant of Shikome, with an inexplicable cockney accent for some reason.
Nanashi: Hm, seems there's some rather shady characters down here...
You begin in an underground area with some treasure, a Power Spot, and a health station nearby. Charge the Jade Dagger at the Power Spot and break the Wraithwall to the south, then head east down the passage to enter a new area. there are more Wormwoods and Wrathwalls to break here. To the south, a door that won't budge.
Nanashi: I wish I didn't have to go back to that Power Spot all the time. You think those fairies could've designed this better.
Titan: Ahahaha yes! Fairies are weak and inefficient!
High Pixie: You! Why did you summon HIM, Mister Nanashi!
Titan: NO ONE summons we Titans! Titans CHOOSE to be summoned! A youth that can topple a Titan... I'm just so interested in seeing where you can climb!
Harpy: Yeah yeah whatever. Goddamn Titans and their goddamn bravado; you guys lost, remember?
Character notes: Your favorite obnoxious critical-spamming boss is back on your side! Titans were the second generation of gods in Greek lore, the children of Gaea and Uranus, the embodiments of Earth and Sky, who appeared as giant humanoids in bronze armor. Their reign was a golden age for humans, but they showed great cruelty to anyone who would threaten their reign, and accordingly they were overthrown by the Olympians. His Critical Eye is now yours to command!
Personality notes: Same as his personality as a boss.
Character notes: Yet another Greek monster, the Harpies were malicious pranksters who appeared as woman-bird hybrids. There were three sisters: Kelaino, Aello, and Ocypete. They're most famous for their appearance in the Argonautica, where they ruined the Kingdom of Thrace until Jason and the Argonauts were able to get rid of them. Wind specialist.
Personality notes: Gangster's-moll-esque; read in a "Noo Yawk" accent.
To the north is a garbage chute; yes, we're climbing up it. When in a video game is there a garbage chute you don't have to climb into? This spits us out on the Temple's main floor; unfortunately there's a Gaean guard with some demons at the door to the north. Toki advises staying away lest he call for reinforcements.
Titan: Bah! A summoner who commands a Titan running from mere mortals?
(I'm pretty sure you could totally paste these guys by the way)
Regardless, slash the Wormwood facing you and enter the portal behind it. You'll end up mere feet away on the other side of the Wormwood facing away. Slash that to open the way back, then head to the southeast door.
Hare of Inaba: E-egad... b-blood everywhere! N-not good for b-bunnies!
Inside are the grisly results of a battle between Maitrya and Yuriko Faction Gaeans. One Yuriko faction woman is still alive, but barely. She recognizes Toki, whom she hands a key to and expires. Toki closes her eyes.
Incubus: Well well well, hit-cutie's got a heart.
The key is, naturally, to the door to the south in the underground chamber, so head back that way.
Gryphon: ERAAAAAAAK! INTRUDER ALER- OOH LIFE STONE! ERAAAAAK, YOU'RE MY SLAVE SUMMONER NOW!
Nanashi: Whatever you say...
Gurr: The young summoner doth cast a shadow on demonkind... gu hu hu hu hu hu... where will he end up? Where will my black wings take him... gu hu hu hu...
Character notes: Creatures with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion found all throughout the Ancient Near East from Greece all the way to southwest Asia. They were believed to drive off evildoers, and their presence was associated with valuable gold veins. Yet another Phys specialist, getting claw-related moves.
Personality notes: Adds birdlike screeches to his sentences.
Character notes: Another demon so obscure his name was incorrectly Romanized; it's actually "Gurulu." Anyway, it's a Sri Lankan bird demon that is thought to be a vilification of the Indian god Garuda, owing to Buddhist Sri Lanka and Hindu India's past disputes. Wing and Phys specialist; his final move is the strongest of the hits-several-times claw moves, Nihil Claw. Sweet.
Personality notes: Creepy old man who seems to be plotting something...
Nanashi: I wish I knew why all these demons like me so much.'
King Frost: WE'RE SAVING THAT FOR AN INFO-HO-DUMP LATER.
After unlocking the door, we find ourselves in... the Passage of Ethics from IV Vanilla! Unlike there, both doors lead to the same place, a large open area with many demons about.
Kurama Tengu: Halt, child. Thou hast the taint of the evil Tengu about thou. I shall accompany thou to keep them in check...
Karasu Tengu: Kid, run as far away from this guy as possible. He drains all the fun out of everything!
Airavata: Well excuuuuUUUUUUUUUse him for wanting to teach kids some discipline! Steadfastness, diligence! That is what children need! As gods we are responsible for caring for weak humans thus!
Nanashi: I'm not wea-
Valkyrie: Halt.
Nanashi: Who me?
Valkyrie: Young warrior, summoner of multitudes... Father Odin has taken great interest in you... I shall escort you to see him...
Character notes: The strongest type of Japanese Tengu! They live on Mount Kurama in Kyoto and are sought after as mentors by heroes, such as the legendary general Yoshitsune. Their king was named Sojobo. Wind specialist, maxing out with Zandyne, the third-tier wind spell!
Personality notes: Steadfast and moralistic; a true paragon.
Character notes: Another vahana, Airavata is a giant while elephant belonging to the Hindu storm-god Indra. He's the king of all elephants and can grow to the size of a mountain; he's evidently much smaller here. He was one of many... interesting things the gods found when they went fishing in the Ocean of Milk. Gameplay-wise he's most notable for Earthquake, the hits-all version of Head Crush you may remember Shesha had.
Personality notes: Moralistic crusader who thinks young people are so much worse these days.
Character notes: The choosers-of-the-slain in Norse lore; they are great warrior women who descend upon battlefields once the fighting stops and select the most worthy warriors for Odin's hall, Valhalla! They have an ulterior motive for doing this: the souls they select will be the ground troops of the gods' forces at Ragnarok, the end of the world. Phys and Gun specialist, maxing out with a... very odd skill called Blood Ritual, which buffs all stats in exchange for dropping HP to 1. I've never really used it.
Personality notes: Works for Odin, but is curious to see what Nanashi's got...
Nanashi: Everyone and their brother seems to live down here, geez...''
In this next room there is, as mentioned, a large central area with ten passageways, five heading north and five south. All are blocked by Wormwood but we can just clear that. Some of the Wormwoods have treasure behind them, but some actually have demons hiding inside them that will ambush you. And there's ONE ambush in particular that's really scary...
Clotho: Hahaha... so it's happened at last... another one of THOSE has wandered into our midst...
Lachesis: Ohohoho indeed, elder sister... just like that other boy Lord Krishna is so interested in...
Atropos: Ahahaha... all these special children... if there's so many of them, are they truly special?
Yup, the Fates. You know, from Nocturne? They always appear together, and they are by far the most difficult encounter in this dungeon. Clotho has Lullaby, which puts every opposing demon to sleep, and Atropos? Eternal Rest, an unblock able instant kill to all sleeping demons. Never ever ever let them get the first strike, or it's over.
Character notes: The Three Fates of Greek lore, they are the goddesses that decide the destiny of everyone and everything. Clotho, the eldest, spins threads of fate for each person, Lachesis, the middle child, measures each threat the length of the person's lifespan, and Atropos, the youngest, cuts each thread at time of death. They're very useful support demons: Clotho handles ailments and healing, maxing out with Diarahan, a full heal, Lachesis does buffs, and Atropos... well, read on for her signature skill.
Personality notes: Have their Nocturne personalities.
Ares: To recruit the very personifications of destiny? You are the definition of a demon tamer!
Nanashi: Like I said I barely know who any of you are. I wish I had more time to read that Compendium stuff though; it's really cool.
Anyway, the correct passageway to precede further is the second from right one in the north. Pass a relatively uneventful room and you'll get a "powerful demon ahead" warning in the next passage...
Jueyuan: I don't like this, dude. I've sensed this presence before...
Suddenly, a red-faced man dressed as an ancient Chinese warrior enters. He introduces himself as Zhong Kui, an agent of the Divine Powers. Obviously, he's not gonna let us pass.
BOSS: KISHIN ZONG KUI
Level 45. Resist Fire, Weak Wind, Null Light
Fittingly enough for a warrior god, Zhong is one tough customer. He has powerful Phys skills at his disposal including Javelin Rain and a new skill, Berserker God, which is the third tier single-strike Phys move. He also has Agidyne, which you might actually have yourself at this point; it's Balor's final skill.
Balor: Bahaha! Nothing can stand up to my splendid self's skill with fire!
But obviously we're not fighting Zhong with Fire, but Wind. Rakunda is key here as he has a habit of buffing his own defense. His nastiest trick, though? Another new move, Imposing Stance. This wacky thing, when used on Zhong's turn, causes your first Press Turn next round to be deleted, the first action removed entirely. Yes, it's as annoying as it sounds. Still, if you keep up the buffs, eventually he will fall, congratulating you on a job well done.
Nanashi: Huh. That one didn't seem all that evil.
Scathach: Scahahahaha... splendid job, young warrior!
Brigid: Lady Scathach...
Nanashi: You know her?
Brigid: She was Ireland's greatest warrior, once. She and the Tuatha De have...colluded in the past.
Setanta: Plus she's smoking hot. Look at those legs.
Diana: Do you want to turn into a deer, kiddo? Do ya, DO YA? Thought not. Then don't objectify women.
Ares: Sister Artemis! A pleasure to have some more cultured gods about here!
Diana: Cultured god? You? PFFT.
Hel: Ah, to be here amongst my fellow goddesses on the eve of Ragnarok... magnificent...
Character notes: A legendary Irish sorceress and warrior queen; she's actually not a true goddess despite what her placement in the Megami clan would suggest. She's most famous for her training of Cu Chulainn, Ireland's greatest hero; she bequeathed upon him the legendary spear Gae Bolg once his training was complete. She and her daughter also became among his gazillion mistresses. Steamy. Wind and Gun specialist, maxing out with Grand Tack, the third-tier Gun move
Personality notes: Proud teacher, eager to instruct Nanashi as she did Setanta.
Character notes: The Greco-Roman goddess of hunting and the moon; she was a very popular goddess throughout the Greek territories, and had several contradictory aspects. For instance, in Sparta she was a warrior goddess who swore a vow of eternal virginity, while in Ephesus she was a nurturing mother goddess known for having superfluous breasts. Both of these, as you can see, are reflected in Kaneko's design. Gun specialist, also maxing out with Grand Tack.
Personality notes: Impulsive and opinionated young goddess.
Character notes: The Norse goddess of the underworld, daughter of the god Loki and the giantess Angrboda. She had jurisdiction over all souls that did not die in battle (the Norse were like that, yeah) and took them to her realm in Niflheim, the realm of eternal cold. Her name gives us the English term "Hell." Ice specialist, maxing out with the third-tier Ice spell, Bufudyne (sensing a pattern here?).
Personality notes: Fatalistic, Dancing in the Ruins type.
Proceed beyond Zhong's position and enter the next door to enter a room filled with treasure.
Enku: Da temple treasury. Ya bettah not steal stuff, or da Godmuddah's ghost is gunna put out a cigar in yer eye!
Dybbuk (stealing stuff): What?
Arachne: Oh aren't we just DELICIOUS! So glad I caught up with you... this is going to be fun...
Nanashi: She's not wearing any clothes...
Yurlungur: Never question somebody else's choices, young one...
Kukunochi: Unless they, like, hurt trees y'know...
Daphne: SOMEBODY'S HURTING TREES?
Kaso: SOMEBODY WANTS MY FUR?
Character notes: A spider monster of Greek lore who was originally a human woman who boasted of being the greatest weaver in the world. She challenged the goddess Athena to a weaving contest, spinning a tapestry making fun of the gods. Athena destroyed it and Arachne, in despair, hung herself; but Athena had mercy for her and turned her into the world's first spider, so she could weave forever. This is where we get the term "arachnid." Gun specialist.
Personality notes: Quite possibly wants to eat Nanashi...
Character notes: Japanese god of trees and house-building. Whenever a new house was built, a ceremony was performed to honor him, as he provided the wood. He's a buff specialist who gives us our first Tetrakarn, the skill that bounces all Phys and Gun attacks back at the enemy! Useful in a pinch but very expensive MP-wise.
Personality notes: Total tree-hugging hippie.
Nanashi: Getting bad vibes from that door up there...
Clotho: Hahaha... and appointment with destiny there waits...
Lachesis: Ohoho... and perhaps something else as well?
Atropos: Ahaha... not all destinies are pleasant...
Enter the door to find Flynn tied to a cross and protected by some sort of energy barrier. Toki robotically charges for him with her machetes, but she's parried by Isabeau. Toki simply declares "Shifting target" and attacks us!
BOSS: HUMAN TOKI
Level 40. Null Light
After Zhong? Toki's honestly nobody. She has less that half his HP and only two attacks, Dark Sword which hits twice and inflicts Mute, and Pierce Armor, which hits once and drops defense. Irritating in much the same way as a bee sting might be, but hardly insurmountable.
After defeating Toki, she drops to the floor. As Iseabeau moves to free Flynn, Krishna and Maiterya's voices ring out. Toki tries to get to her feet, but an invisible force lashes out at her, hurling her to the ground and dislodging her mask...
Nanashi: And that, in a dingy demon-infested crypt, in front of the crucified savior of humanity, after beating the tar out of her... was how I was introduced to the cutest girl I'd ever seen in my life. My life, as usual, is a goddamn mess.
