Alvin (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
opportunitycosts) wrote2014-10-02 03:35 pm
opportunitycosts) wrote2014-10-02 03:35 pm
Entry tags:
[ current ] background information
Tales of Xillia 2 only.
All right, so we have his original ToX1 background history all dumped here. What you'll find below the cuts are points specific to Alvin. Thus kind of a blitz through of the main game (I really skimped on some important details, not going to lie), and then more details regarding his actual character chapters.
Needless to say SPOILERS.
the time in-between
In the year between the two games, he and Yurgen actually partnered up to try and promote a business venture between Rieze Maxia and Elympios. Specifically, selling fruits. With Rieze Maxia rich with natural foods and Elympios relying on man-made products, it seems like a pretty profitable idea. But of course, things aren't so easy, especially when it comes to Elympion culture and Alvin's own shady past. But Alvin is trying to turn his life around and make things right. He might still use some of his old tactics, but he no longer tries to manipulate people or lie as a dirty tactic. Of course in business you sometimes fudge the truth a little, but that's a little different.
Another thing he's done is improve his relationship with Leia. In the first game, their friendship had become badly strained after he shot her in the back. He had been kind of mentally unstable at the time, but it happened nonetheless. Prior to game start, he had a chance to help remedy this. In the novel, Before Episode, he actually saves Leia's life when she was trying to help her would-be editor boss with the Donovan group. It was by pure coincidence and more of a "right place right time" situation. Alvin had gone there to deal with them for business reasons. He was also the one who gave her her GHS filled with contact numbers, or rather, he slipped it into her bag (how he had another GHS on him at the time, I have no idea, but that's what was written in the novel). Within the GHS was a pre-filled contact list (or rather, he had given out her contact info to everyone beforehand) and one of his messages was, "I'm glad I was able to save you this time." It took her a few months, but they were able to reconnect. Since then, the two have become better friends, as evident in the side character chapters within the game itself.
Now, Leia is being mentioned early on because as said before, she is involved in Alvin's character chapters, and he's involved in hers. This is due to the game "pairing" characters together for these chapters. Thus it is difficult to mention these events without noting her presence.
main story
Unlike his meddling in the first game, Alvin is much less involved with the main story plot. However, he does have his own moments and "issues" to resolve, so this is what I will be focusing. First, let's get the main story out of the way.
Tales of Xillia 2 is set a year after the first game. At this point in time, efforts for peace between Elympios and Rieze Maxia are underway, but there are still problems between the two countries. Well it's only been a year—can't really expect a complete turnover. However, the game is less focused on this and more focused on a completely different problem the world has: fractured dimensions.
It is revealed that rough two thousand years ago, around the time spyrix became more prevalent and disrupted the balance of nature, the Great Spirits Origin, Chronos, and Maxwell created a trial for the humans to determine if they would be able to live with the use of spyrix. The Kresnik Clan, representing the humans, had to eliminate one million fractured dimensions (parallel universes). If they succeed, Origin would grant them one wish. If they fail, then humanity would be doomed. To complicate things further, there is also the soul purification process, which Origin oversees to remove impurities from human souls. This becomes contaminated as more fractured dimensions appear. To destroy the dimension, one has to find the dimension's divergence catalyst—the thing that makes it different from the prime dimension—and destroy it. It can be object or a living being, including a person.
Enter Elle Mel Marta and Ludger Will Kresnik. Elle, later to be revealed as the Key of Kresnik, seeks the Land of Canaan and Ludger is unwittingly (or perhaps by fate's twisted design) dragged into it. in addition there is Ludger's elder brother, Julius, who also plays a role in the story.
Alvin would make his reappearance in Chapter 4 (or 5, depending on your choice) at the Helioborg Research Facility, where an Exodus terrorist group had made an attack with Rieze Maxian goodwill ambassadors inside. He joins Ludger, Elle, and Jude and later meet with Elize as they try to help those inside. Turns out her class had been chosen. Balan had helped them all to safety and then went to divert attention, while Elize went down to get help. Not too long after uniting with Elize, they unknowingly enter a fractured dimension. They are actually sent into it due to Elle's distress and her (at the time) unknown power. After reaching the top they encounter Volt, a greater spirit that had become a spyrite. There's a catch, though—according to Jude, they hadn't done any research with greater spirits because they can't control it. Volt mutters something the "soul purification process" and "corruption" before going full berserk and attacking.
After the fight, Ludger stabs Volt with his lance, pulling out a strange object. This would be later revealed as the divergence catalyst. Everything shatters and they find themselves back where they started. When traveling back up through the facility, they find that everything is different and there are no enemies—a complete contrast to what it was before. They also don't find Volt at the top. Alvin calls out to Balan, knowing exactly where he's hiding, and they quickly discover that Volt does not exist. That is, Balan has no idea what Alvin and the others experienced. It's a puzzle to be sure. In addition, Muzet appears right as Elle is talking about the Land of Canaan. She then explains that she's looking for Milla who has gone missing. This surprises Alvin, Jude, Elize, and she continues to say that Milla had gone to inspect the soul purification process. She had borrowed Muzet's power to go to the human realm, but they lost contact after the left the spirit realm. However, no one has seen her, and then she leaves. When Ludger gets a call from Vera about Julius, Elize offers her help. Alvin is a little uncertain, saying she should stay in school, but she's adamant on going. He then adds himself to the crew—when he's not swamped with work.
So a note because the player has the option to either go to Helioborg (Alvin+Elize) or Marksburg (Leia+Rowen). Which one the player chooses actually does alter scenes/events that happen before and after the chapter. It's mostly minor stuff, but good to note nonetheless. If you visit Helioborg first, Alvin and Elize will accompany the others to Marksburg where they'll find Leia trying to catch a cat. After the re-introductions and the cat runs off, the two will then volunteer to go after it, leaving Leia, Jude, Ludger, and Elle to go off and do their chapter. They return again with the cat in Elize's arms and Alvin suffering a visible cat scratch wound to the face. If you go to Marksburg first, Leia and Rowen will have been there to greet Alvin and would split to go to the control room while the chapter unfolds. When they join up at the top, Elize will mention how that they were all back together, but Alvin will add, "Well, give or take," due to Milla still being missing.
I'm going under the assumption that Helioborg is visited first. This is not just because it's Alvin's chapter, but it's also the recommended route. Choosing Helioborg will unlock Jude's side character chapter, and doing that before meeting Leia in Marksburg will give you a bonus scene at the beginning.
Regardless of the order, from there on, Alvin sticks around to help—when work isn't calling that is. There are a lot of twists and turns, and this game isn't nicknamed "Tales of RIP MY HEART OUT AND STOMP IT INTO PIECES" for nothing. And despite not being as prominent, Alvin still has his fair share of involvement.
Almost immediately after learning about the fractured dimensions, the group is sent to one. In this fractured dimension, only Alvin's father had gone on the cruise and his uncle became the next patriarch of the Svent family after finding and capturing a great spirit to use at the Oscore Plant. Fractured Alvin apparently just lived up to his rich playboy persona. But given how his uncle and mother are dead in the prime dimension, it is quite a shock for Alvin to see Gilland alive and well at the Oscore Plant. Even more shocking is learning that his mother is alive in this as well. After fooling the fractured Gilland into leading them further into the plant and learning about Aska's existence, the group fights the great spirit and begins to learn more about the soul purification process. Gilland reappears, but Aska kills him. Rowen and Elize stay behind to bury him, with Rowen poignantly saying that it's not for Gilland's, but for Alvin's sake. However, Aska is not the dimension's divergence catalyst, so Ludger, Elle, Jude, Alvin, and Leia continue to where "a mysterious woman with long hair" had been seen flying around. It turns out to be where the old dimension breach had been, but it's not Milla they find. It's the Great Spirit Chronos. They battle, with Julius also making an appearance. In the end a dimension breach is formed and they are transported into Rieze Maxia. The group had split, with Rowen, Alvin and Elle landing in Nia Khera while the others landed back at Milla's shrine.
In Nia Khera it would be revealed that the Milla Maxwell of this dimension is different from the one in the prime. More specifically, Muzet is the divergence catalyst. After giving Leia a supportive pat on the back for asking Rowen to keep Jude away from what they were going to do, he, Ludger, Elle, and Leia confront the fractured Milla. Alvin volunteers himself to be the "bad guy" in spinning the story to enlist her help. After all, who better to do it than him? From there they go up to the Hallowmount and defeat Muzet. Normally, this would be the destruction of the fractured dimension and everyone in it except for the prime members who would return home. Except Elle actually runs over to the fractured Milla and due to Elle's power, fractured Milla is brought into the prime dimension.
This complicates things a lot. No two versions can be in the prime dimension. The prime Milla Maxwell had left to find Chronos, but now she is trapped in the void. The only way to bring her back for the fractured Milla to disappear. In other words, die. And Alvin will unwittingly be part of the ritual that will cause this.
On the E.S.S. Pelune, the Elympion Chancellor Marcia is held hostage by Exodus, who attacked it. It was supposed to be the location of the peace treaty signing. Since he was an ex-Exodus member, Alvin helps by spotting a member he recognized and getting the info needed. With the party comprising of himself, Jude, Ludger, fractured Milla, and Elle, they would then sneak onto the ship and rush through to try to get to the council members before it's too late. When they get there, however, they are not met with Exodus members but Rideaux, a director and high ranking agent of Spirius. It's him who informs the group of the ritual in bringing Milla Maxwell back. The group fights, but Rideaux overpowers both Alvin and Jude, locking them in seals. Although Ludger tried to save the fractured Milla from dying, because Elle was in danger from Rideaux, fractured Milla sacrifices herself. This allows Milla Maxwell to ascend from the void and return to the prime dimension. The group regathers and fight Rideaux before he escapes.
Back at port, everyone is reunited, but it's a bittersweet one. But they have to keep moving forward. There aren't any other notable main story chapters where Alvin has a pivotal role, but he does help Ludger on his journey. The next big turning point from Alvin's perspective is when the Land of Canaan is revealed at Marksburg. It's a giant baby in a moon. Chronos appears and fights, though Alvin, Leia, Jude, and Elize are locked away while Ludger, Milla, Muzet, and Gaius fight. After that, it's Julius' sacrifice to become the soul bridge to Canaan. Alvin has to watch as Ludger fights his brother and encourages him to keep moving forward. Because at times like this, that's the only thing you can do.
Before heading off to Canaan, there is a Bonus Chapter that can be done. Rowen receives a call from Driselle alerting him that the special military golems are on the loose. Alvin, Leia, and Elize are assigned to take out one, and it goes smoothly enough. But it's after the fights that they all learn that Jude is a lot closer to figuring out how to create spyrites and that the hymn of proof might be the key.
Then it's off to the Land of Canaan.
In Alvin's character chapters, each one focuses on his struggle to try and be a decent guy and the tension between him and Yurgen, the latter being a more honest and somewhat naive man when it comes to the world of business. Alvin understands the system and the underhandedness that goes on, but Yurgen does not. The chapters also touch on his past and his betrayals, especially in the fractured dimensions. Since each one relates to what happens to chapter previously, I'll go in chronological order and talk a little about each chapter.
alvin: chapter one
Ludger and Elle first learn about Alvin's fruit business and Alvin enlists their help in "persuading" a potential client by pretending to be random strangers and tasting the products. It goes smoothly enough until Yurgen is caught in some trouble with some Elympion goons. After helping him out, the merchant from before spots them all together and accuses them for trying to trick him, cancelling the deal. Yurgen is less than happy about it, especially when Alvin tries to wave off the blown deal. After referencing Alvin's past, he wonders if Alvin is "ever telling the truth" before walking off. Alvin is a bit disheartened, but waves it off. He can always try again. More to the point, this chapter quickly reveals how Alvin wants to change himself. To quote, "I just don't want any more relationships based on lies."
alvin: chapter two
This chapter involves a fractured dimension that happens to involve Alvin. In this dimension, their business is booming due to a special type of ore they had found. To make things worse for those who played the first game, the Isla of this dimension is well and actually expecting a baby. In the prime dimension, she's bedridden. To get to the ore, Alvin has to lie to fractured Yurgen to get to the inventory check out the ores. Before parting, Yurgen tells Alvin that he's a good partner, and Alvin openly admits that he feels like a jerk having to lie like that.
In another plot twist, they meet Julius of the dimension and apparently Julius was Alvin's and Balan's old babysitter, calling him "Alfie." Alvin doesn't remember too much of this, and it's always possible that things are different between the dimensions. However, he does recall there being an older kid who would look after him and Balan as well as the song that Julius hums—the Hymn of Proof. So it is very likely that Julius did indeed babysit them.
At Helioborg, they find the ores and as suspected they are the divergence catalysts. As Ludger is about to destroy them Yurgen appears, demanding to know why Alvin is doing this and even calling him a traitor. It clearly hits him hard. Back in the prime dimension, Yurgen apologizes for what he said before and tells Alvin that he trusts him. Alvin tells him that it's true he tells lies like it's no big deal and gets frustrated when Yurgen keeps apologizing. There's a bit more insight about the difficulty Alvin has in trying to form relationships, but the fractured dimension gives him a lesson that he doesn't need an easy big win to be successful. Also, this is where he calls Ludger out on being a do-gooder.
alvin: chapter three
At Drellin, Ludger finds Alvin and Leia arguing over where to eat. Alvin then gets a call from Balan telling him to head to the Spirius building. Apparently Yurgen is going against the Skylark Exchange, a large and powerful corporation in Elympios. Leia tags along in hopes of getting a story.
At the Spirius entrance desk, rather than waste time, they rush off, leaving Vera to handle their abrupt entrance. They find Yurgen confronting one of the head Skylark executives, calling them out on using the same ideas, contractors, and shipping methods that he devised. Skylark just shrugs it off, saying it's a coincidence. He even uses Howe's principle against him. Alvin calls the Skylark exec on using tactics to steal Yurgen's idea to get it out first.
The exec then addresses Alvin by his full name and offers him to join Skylark. Alvin is against it, but he does ask hypothetically if Yurgen would be able to join. However, Yurgen immediately turns them down and to be left out of it. Alvin later tries to explain to Yurgen that cutthroat dirty tactics are the norm in Elympios, but Yurgen won't have any of it. They have different values, and so their business venture is not going to happen. Frustrated and angered, Alvin kicks over the nearby trashcan and the two split.
alvin: chapter four
This is the most gut punching chapter for Alvin. Alvin's still frustrated about what happened with Yurgen so he's not exactly the most amicable. Or rather, he's just more sarcastic. After Ludger gets a call from Vera about a fractured dimension, he joins along. They appear in Nia Khera, and immediately they see Agria, Presa, and himself walk past. Leia notices the ring on Presa's finger—an engagement ring—and it's likely to be the divergence catalyst. Alvin then explains that this is from the past, when Alvin had separated from everyone and joined Presa and Agria. It's after the time Jude kicked his ass. They are heading to the Hallowmount to attack Jude's group to prevent them from going after Gaius at the Temporal Crossroads. Alvin tells them that he'll separate Presa from the group.
While one has to wonder how he can convince her given not only his clothing change but also his hair and facial hair, he manages. At Milla's Shrine, Presa does comment on the wardrobe change (but not the facial hair) and asks him what he wants. Alvin asks for the ring back, which she of course is stunned and surprised. She throws it at him, saying that everything he said to her was a lie. He starts to explain, but his fractured self appears and shoots at him.
When Presa hesitates to leave and fractured Alvin reprimands her, Alvin in turn tells him that's not what he should be saying. Again fractured Alvin shoots at him, but this time Presa runs in and shields him, getting shot instead. When Alvin moves to her, fractured Alvin fires another shot, grazing his face and demanding to know who he is. Another shot is fired one more time, and Alvin makes no move to avoid it. This time it's Ludger who steps in to block the shot, using his blades. They then engage in battle, and afterward Leia is trying to heal Presa. It's enough for her to regain consciousness. And because I'm a masochist, I'm just going to write out the dialogue here, because it mirrors what she told him in the past.
Alvin: Not again...
Presa: You still not sure?
Presa: Do you regret being with me? Do you regret our time together? I never regretted a single moment with you. Do you?
Alvin: I...I don't regret it either. How could I possibly regret it at this point?
Presa: Al... When did you get so bad at lying? Just take a moment to open your eyes. You've found your place.
Alvin: ...Even at the end... You're still thinking about me.
As Ludger destroys the ring, Alvin tells her that he did find his place and he won't leave.
When they return to the prime dimension, he tells them that he's stepping out—he's figured it out and knows what he has to do.
alvin: chapter five
For Alvin's final chapter, Leia interrupts Nova's call to Ludger. Alvin and Leia drag Ludger to a celebration for a big announcement between him and Yurgen. In Duval, they meet Balan and Yurgen at the bar, "Film Noir." Of course Balan is doing what he does best and telling embarrassing stories of Alvin. After getting drinks, Alvin announces they are unloading their merchandise to Skylark with Balan's backing, and Alvin turned down the offer, saying that Yurgen is his business partner. And then the two have some small bromance and dubbed as "the perfect team." At Leia's question whether they can build a business to bridge the two countries and they both believe they can. And with that they have a resounding toast made by Ludger.
with leia
I'm not going to go as in-depth since Alvin really just tags along in her chapters to help her with her journey to become a better reporter (and even gives her the nickname "Snoops"). The important fractured dimension for Leia is the one where she had actually saved Agria's life and the two wound up being friends. He's there to back her up and help give support.
why alvin is a merchant
I'm going to give a bit of "trivia" here. Alvin being a fruit merchant may seem random, but it actually isn't random at all. In one of the Japanese novels, Alvin's Chronicles, there is a story set between the time Jude beats his ass and he reunites with the group. While conversing with Presa, she asks him what he's going to do. At the time he really didn't know. A lot is happening and he's just hit more than rock bottom. He plunged right through it and still falling. So he answers, "Maybe I'll turn over a new leaf and become a farmer." In her usual cold way, she tells him he's not cut out for agriculture. He could tell she was joking with him regardless. But then she follows it up by saying that if he were selling the crops, then it would be a different story.
Flashforward to now.
Shot to the feels #287186481.
All right, so we have his original ToX1 background history all dumped here. What you'll find below the cuts are points specific to Alvin. Thus kind of a blitz through of the main game (I really skimped on some important details, not going to lie), and then more details regarding his actual character chapters.
Needless to say SPOILERS.
the time in-between
In the year between the two games, he and Yurgen actually partnered up to try and promote a business venture between Rieze Maxia and Elympios. Specifically, selling fruits. With Rieze Maxia rich with natural foods and Elympios relying on man-made products, it seems like a pretty profitable idea. But of course, things aren't so easy, especially when it comes to Elympion culture and Alvin's own shady past. But Alvin is trying to turn his life around and make things right. He might still use some of his old tactics, but he no longer tries to manipulate people or lie as a dirty tactic. Of course in business you sometimes fudge the truth a little, but that's a little different.
Another thing he's done is improve his relationship with Leia. In the first game, their friendship had become badly strained after he shot her in the back. He had been kind of mentally unstable at the time, but it happened nonetheless. Prior to game start, he had a chance to help remedy this. In the novel, Before Episode, he actually saves Leia's life when she was trying to help her would-be editor boss with the Donovan group. It was by pure coincidence and more of a "right place right time" situation. Alvin had gone there to deal with them for business reasons. He was also the one who gave her her GHS filled with contact numbers, or rather, he slipped it into her bag (how he had another GHS on him at the time, I have no idea, but that's what was written in the novel). Within the GHS was a pre-filled contact list (or rather, he had given out her contact info to everyone beforehand) and one of his messages was, "I'm glad I was able to save you this time." It took her a few months, but they were able to reconnect. Since then, the two have become better friends, as evident in the side character chapters within the game itself.
Now, Leia is being mentioned early on because as said before, she is involved in Alvin's character chapters, and he's involved in hers. This is due to the game "pairing" characters together for these chapters. Thus it is difficult to mention these events without noting her presence.
main story
Unlike his meddling in the first game, Alvin is much less involved with the main story plot. However, he does have his own moments and "issues" to resolve, so this is what I will be focusing. First, let's get the main story out of the way.
Tales of Xillia 2 is set a year after the first game. At this point in time, efforts for peace between Elympios and Rieze Maxia are underway, but there are still problems between the two countries. Well it's only been a year—can't really expect a complete turnover. However, the game is less focused on this and more focused on a completely different problem the world has: fractured dimensions.
It is revealed that rough two thousand years ago, around the time spyrix became more prevalent and disrupted the balance of nature, the Great Spirits Origin, Chronos, and Maxwell created a trial for the humans to determine if they would be able to live with the use of spyrix. The Kresnik Clan, representing the humans, had to eliminate one million fractured dimensions (parallel universes). If they succeed, Origin would grant them one wish. If they fail, then humanity would be doomed. To complicate things further, there is also the soul purification process, which Origin oversees to remove impurities from human souls. This becomes contaminated as more fractured dimensions appear. To destroy the dimension, one has to find the dimension's divergence catalyst—the thing that makes it different from the prime dimension—and destroy it. It can be object or a living being, including a person.
Enter Elle Mel Marta and Ludger Will Kresnik. Elle, later to be revealed as the Key of Kresnik, seeks the Land of Canaan and Ludger is unwittingly (or perhaps by fate's twisted design) dragged into it. in addition there is Ludger's elder brother, Julius, who also plays a role in the story.
Alvin would make his reappearance in Chapter 4 (or 5, depending on your choice) at the Helioborg Research Facility, where an Exodus terrorist group had made an attack with Rieze Maxian goodwill ambassadors inside. He joins Ludger, Elle, and Jude and later meet with Elize as they try to help those inside. Turns out her class had been chosen. Balan had helped them all to safety and then went to divert attention, while Elize went down to get help. Not too long after uniting with Elize, they unknowingly enter a fractured dimension. They are actually sent into it due to Elle's distress and her (at the time) unknown power. After reaching the top they encounter Volt, a greater spirit that had become a spyrite. There's a catch, though—according to Jude, they hadn't done any research with greater spirits because they can't control it. Volt mutters something the "soul purification process" and "corruption" before going full berserk and attacking.
After the fight, Ludger stabs Volt with his lance, pulling out a strange object. This would be later revealed as the divergence catalyst. Everything shatters and they find themselves back where they started. When traveling back up through the facility, they find that everything is different and there are no enemies—a complete contrast to what it was before. They also don't find Volt at the top. Alvin calls out to Balan, knowing exactly where he's hiding, and they quickly discover that Volt does not exist. That is, Balan has no idea what Alvin and the others experienced. It's a puzzle to be sure. In addition, Muzet appears right as Elle is talking about the Land of Canaan. She then explains that she's looking for Milla who has gone missing. This surprises Alvin, Jude, Elize, and she continues to say that Milla had gone to inspect the soul purification process. She had borrowed Muzet's power to go to the human realm, but they lost contact after the left the spirit realm. However, no one has seen her, and then she leaves. When Ludger gets a call from Vera about Julius, Elize offers her help. Alvin is a little uncertain, saying she should stay in school, but she's adamant on going. He then adds himself to the crew—when he's not swamped with work.
So a note because the player has the option to either go to Helioborg (Alvin+Elize) or Marksburg (Leia+Rowen). Which one the player chooses actually does alter scenes/events that happen before and after the chapter. It's mostly minor stuff, but good to note nonetheless. If you visit Helioborg first, Alvin and Elize will accompany the others to Marksburg where they'll find Leia trying to catch a cat. After the re-introductions and the cat runs off, the two will then volunteer to go after it, leaving Leia, Jude, Ludger, and Elle to go off and do their chapter. They return again with the cat in Elize's arms and Alvin suffering a visible cat scratch wound to the face. If you go to Marksburg first, Leia and Rowen will have been there to greet Alvin and would split to go to the control room while the chapter unfolds. When they join up at the top, Elize will mention how that they were all back together, but Alvin will add, "Well, give or take," due to Milla still being missing.
I'm going under the assumption that Helioborg is visited first. This is not just because it's Alvin's chapter, but it's also the recommended route. Choosing Helioborg will unlock Jude's side character chapter, and doing that before meeting Leia in Marksburg will give you a bonus scene at the beginning.
Regardless of the order, from there on, Alvin sticks around to help—when work isn't calling that is. There are a lot of twists and turns, and this game isn't nicknamed "Tales of RIP MY HEART OUT AND STOMP IT INTO PIECES" for nothing. And despite not being as prominent, Alvin still has his fair share of involvement.
Almost immediately after learning about the fractured dimensions, the group is sent to one. In this fractured dimension, only Alvin's father had gone on the cruise and his uncle became the next patriarch of the Svent family after finding and capturing a great spirit to use at the Oscore Plant. Fractured Alvin apparently just lived up to his rich playboy persona. But given how his uncle and mother are dead in the prime dimension, it is quite a shock for Alvin to see Gilland alive and well at the Oscore Plant. Even more shocking is learning that his mother is alive in this as well. After fooling the fractured Gilland into leading them further into the plant and learning about Aska's existence, the group fights the great spirit and begins to learn more about the soul purification process. Gilland reappears, but Aska kills him. Rowen and Elize stay behind to bury him, with Rowen poignantly saying that it's not for Gilland's, but for Alvin's sake. However, Aska is not the dimension's divergence catalyst, so Ludger, Elle, Jude, Alvin, and Leia continue to where "a mysterious woman with long hair" had been seen flying around. It turns out to be where the old dimension breach had been, but it's not Milla they find. It's the Great Spirit Chronos. They battle, with Julius also making an appearance. In the end a dimension breach is formed and they are transported into Rieze Maxia. The group had split, with Rowen, Alvin and Elle landing in Nia Khera while the others landed back at Milla's shrine.
In Nia Khera it would be revealed that the Milla Maxwell of this dimension is different from the one in the prime. More specifically, Muzet is the divergence catalyst. After giving Leia a supportive pat on the back for asking Rowen to keep Jude away from what they were going to do, he, Ludger, Elle, and Leia confront the fractured Milla. Alvin volunteers himself to be the "bad guy" in spinning the story to enlist her help. After all, who better to do it than him? From there they go up to the Hallowmount and defeat Muzet. Normally, this would be the destruction of the fractured dimension and everyone in it except for the prime members who would return home. Except Elle actually runs over to the fractured Milla and due to Elle's power, fractured Milla is brought into the prime dimension.
This complicates things a lot. No two versions can be in the prime dimension. The prime Milla Maxwell had left to find Chronos, but now she is trapped in the void. The only way to bring her back for the fractured Milla to disappear. In other words, die. And Alvin will unwittingly be part of the ritual that will cause this.
On the E.S.S. Pelune, the Elympion Chancellor Marcia is held hostage by Exodus, who attacked it. It was supposed to be the location of the peace treaty signing. Since he was an ex-Exodus member, Alvin helps by spotting a member he recognized and getting the info needed. With the party comprising of himself, Jude, Ludger, fractured Milla, and Elle, they would then sneak onto the ship and rush through to try to get to the council members before it's too late. When they get there, however, they are not met with Exodus members but Rideaux, a director and high ranking agent of Spirius. It's him who informs the group of the ritual in bringing Milla Maxwell back. The group fights, but Rideaux overpowers both Alvin and Jude, locking them in seals. Although Ludger tried to save the fractured Milla from dying, because Elle was in danger from Rideaux, fractured Milla sacrifices herself. This allows Milla Maxwell to ascend from the void and return to the prime dimension. The group regathers and fight Rideaux before he escapes.
Back at port, everyone is reunited, but it's a bittersweet one. But they have to keep moving forward. There aren't any other notable main story chapters where Alvin has a pivotal role, but he does help Ludger on his journey. The next big turning point from Alvin's perspective is when the Land of Canaan is revealed at Marksburg. It's a giant baby in a moon. Chronos appears and fights, though Alvin, Leia, Jude, and Elize are locked away while Ludger, Milla, Muzet, and Gaius fight. After that, it's Julius' sacrifice to become the soul bridge to Canaan. Alvin has to watch as Ludger fights his brother and encourages him to keep moving forward. Because at times like this, that's the only thing you can do.
Before heading off to Canaan, there is a Bonus Chapter that can be done. Rowen receives a call from Driselle alerting him that the special military golems are on the loose. Alvin, Leia, and Elize are assigned to take out one, and it goes smoothly enough. But it's after the fights that they all learn that Jude is a lot closer to figuring out how to create spyrites and that the hymn of proof might be the key.
Then it's off to the Land of Canaan.
In Alvin's character chapters, each one focuses on his struggle to try and be a decent guy and the tension between him and Yurgen, the latter being a more honest and somewhat naive man when it comes to the world of business. Alvin understands the system and the underhandedness that goes on, but Yurgen does not. The chapters also touch on his past and his betrayals, especially in the fractured dimensions. Since each one relates to what happens to chapter previously, I'll go in chronological order and talk a little about each chapter.
alvin: chapter one
Ludger and Elle first learn about Alvin's fruit business and Alvin enlists their help in "persuading" a potential client by pretending to be random strangers and tasting the products. It goes smoothly enough until Yurgen is caught in some trouble with some Elympion goons. After helping him out, the merchant from before spots them all together and accuses them for trying to trick him, cancelling the deal. Yurgen is less than happy about it, especially when Alvin tries to wave off the blown deal. After referencing Alvin's past, he wonders if Alvin is "ever telling the truth" before walking off. Alvin is a bit disheartened, but waves it off. He can always try again. More to the point, this chapter quickly reveals how Alvin wants to change himself. To quote, "I just don't want any more relationships based on lies."
alvin: chapter two
This chapter involves a fractured dimension that happens to involve Alvin. In this dimension, their business is booming due to a special type of ore they had found. To make things worse for those who played the first game, the Isla of this dimension is well and actually expecting a baby. In the prime dimension, she's bedridden. To get to the ore, Alvin has to lie to fractured Yurgen to get to the inventory check out the ores. Before parting, Yurgen tells Alvin that he's a good partner, and Alvin openly admits that he feels like a jerk having to lie like that.
In another plot twist, they meet Julius of the dimension and apparently Julius was Alvin's and Balan's old babysitter, calling him "Alfie." Alvin doesn't remember too much of this, and it's always possible that things are different between the dimensions. However, he does recall there being an older kid who would look after him and Balan as well as the song that Julius hums—the Hymn of Proof. So it is very likely that Julius did indeed babysit them.
At Helioborg, they find the ores and as suspected they are the divergence catalysts. As Ludger is about to destroy them Yurgen appears, demanding to know why Alvin is doing this and even calling him a traitor. It clearly hits him hard. Back in the prime dimension, Yurgen apologizes for what he said before and tells Alvin that he trusts him. Alvin tells him that it's true he tells lies like it's no big deal and gets frustrated when Yurgen keeps apologizing. There's a bit more insight about the difficulty Alvin has in trying to form relationships, but the fractured dimension gives him a lesson that he doesn't need an easy big win to be successful. Also, this is where he calls Ludger out on being a do-gooder.
alvin: chapter three
At Drellin, Ludger finds Alvin and Leia arguing over where to eat. Alvin then gets a call from Balan telling him to head to the Spirius building. Apparently Yurgen is going against the Skylark Exchange, a large and powerful corporation in Elympios. Leia tags along in hopes of getting a story.
At the Spirius entrance desk, rather than waste time, they rush off, leaving Vera to handle their abrupt entrance. They find Yurgen confronting one of the head Skylark executives, calling them out on using the same ideas, contractors, and shipping methods that he devised. Skylark just shrugs it off, saying it's a coincidence. He even uses Howe's principle against him. Alvin calls the Skylark exec on using tactics to steal Yurgen's idea to get it out first.
The exec then addresses Alvin by his full name and offers him to join Skylark. Alvin is against it, but he does ask hypothetically if Yurgen would be able to join. However, Yurgen immediately turns them down and to be left out of it. Alvin later tries to explain to Yurgen that cutthroat dirty tactics are the norm in Elympios, but Yurgen won't have any of it. They have different values, and so their business venture is not going to happen. Frustrated and angered, Alvin kicks over the nearby trashcan and the two split.
alvin: chapter four
This is the most gut punching chapter for Alvin. Alvin's still frustrated about what happened with Yurgen so he's not exactly the most amicable. Or rather, he's just more sarcastic. After Ludger gets a call from Vera about a fractured dimension, he joins along. They appear in Nia Khera, and immediately they see Agria, Presa, and himself walk past. Leia notices the ring on Presa's finger—an engagement ring—and it's likely to be the divergence catalyst. Alvin then explains that this is from the past, when Alvin had separated from everyone and joined Presa and Agria. It's after the time Jude kicked his ass. They are heading to the Hallowmount to attack Jude's group to prevent them from going after Gaius at the Temporal Crossroads. Alvin tells them that he'll separate Presa from the group.
While one has to wonder how he can convince her given not only his clothing change but also his hair and facial hair, he manages. At Milla's Shrine, Presa does comment on the wardrobe change (but not the facial hair) and asks him what he wants. Alvin asks for the ring back, which she of course is stunned and surprised. She throws it at him, saying that everything he said to her was a lie. He starts to explain, but his fractured self appears and shoots at him.
When Presa hesitates to leave and fractured Alvin reprimands her, Alvin in turn tells him that's not what he should be saying. Again fractured Alvin shoots at him, but this time Presa runs in and shields him, getting shot instead. When Alvin moves to her, fractured Alvin fires another shot, grazing his face and demanding to know who he is. Another shot is fired one more time, and Alvin makes no move to avoid it. This time it's Ludger who steps in to block the shot, using his blades. They then engage in battle, and afterward Leia is trying to heal Presa. It's enough for her to regain consciousness. And because I'm a masochist, I'm just going to write out the dialogue here, because it mirrors what she told him in the past.
Presa: You still not sure?
Presa: Do you regret being with me? Do you regret our time together? I never regretted a single moment with you. Do you?
Alvin: I...I don't regret it either. How could I possibly regret it at this point?
Presa: Al... When did you get so bad at lying? Just take a moment to open your eyes. You've found your place.
Alvin: ...Even at the end... You're still thinking about me.
As Ludger destroys the ring, Alvin tells her that he did find his place and he won't leave.
When they return to the prime dimension, he tells them that he's stepping out—he's figured it out and knows what he has to do.
alvin: chapter five
For Alvin's final chapter, Leia interrupts Nova's call to Ludger. Alvin and Leia drag Ludger to a celebration for a big announcement between him and Yurgen. In Duval, they meet Balan and Yurgen at the bar, "Film Noir." Of course Balan is doing what he does best and telling embarrassing stories of Alvin. After getting drinks, Alvin announces they are unloading their merchandise to Skylark with Balan's backing, and Alvin turned down the offer, saying that Yurgen is his business partner. And then the two have some small bromance and dubbed as "the perfect team." At Leia's question whether they can build a business to bridge the two countries and they both believe they can. And with that they have a resounding toast made by Ludger.
with leia
I'm not going to go as in-depth since Alvin really just tags along in her chapters to help her with her journey to become a better reporter (and even gives her the nickname "Snoops"). The important fractured dimension for Leia is the one where she had actually saved Agria's life and the two wound up being friends. He's there to back her up and help give support.
why alvin is a merchant
I'm going to give a bit of "trivia" here. Alvin being a fruit merchant may seem random, but it actually isn't random at all. In one of the Japanese novels, Alvin's Chronicles, there is a story set between the time Jude beats his ass and he reunites with the group. While conversing with Presa, she asks him what he's going to do. At the time he really didn't know. A lot is happening and he's just hit more than rock bottom. He plunged right through it and still falling. So he answers, "Maybe I'll turn over a new leaf and become a farmer." In her usual cold way, she tells him he's not cut out for agriculture. He could tell she was joking with him regardless. But then she follows it up by saying that if he were selling the crops, then it would be a different story.
Flashforward to now.
Shot to the feels #287186481.