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Ayo, act 3 let's go!

Spoilers:

Realistically, if the entity played a part, Connor is dead. However, technically speaking, there is still food on the ship that the group found after the fact. If there was absolutely no food left on the ship, then I would unfortunately say that any surviving crew of the Arran would have resorted to cannibalism, ergo the absence of bodies, but most of the food on the ship would have been canned and had enough preservatives to last two years, and the Arran was stocked for a large crew for a multi-month journey, so Connor could be alive somewhere—the real Connor, not the one who doesn’t remember anything.

I also think there’s not just one entity/illusion at once, considering multiple people in the group disappear to speak with their loved ones at the same time.

Spoilers:

Gail is very much a favorite among the cast, in terms of all of the other characters pretty much liking her and not having some beef with her, so I have no doubt that Garret is going to be detained and under constant supervision afterwards.

Unfortunately, I do imagine Gail received some permanent damage (I.e. scarring) that she’ll have to live with, I doubt it will be as simple as waiting for her to wake up. However, it’s a difference of “You attacked Gail! Now no one trusts you!” Versus “You actually killed Gail, so Tabby wants to kill you in revenge.”

Although! There is one other possibility, albeit there’s literally no evidence of this as yet, since it ended on a cliffhanger that was designed to imply Garret attacked Gail. It is possible, although very unlikely, that it wasn’t Garret who attacked Gail. Instead, maybe Garret *did* attack “Connor”/the unknown entity aboard the ship, after Connor had attacked and tried to kill Gail. Granted, this is me being super, duper wishful and hoping that Garret is entirely innocent, so I can’t imagine this actually being what plays out.

AHH, that cliffhanger! I grow more and more invested in the story with every update, I can't wait for the next one!

Spoilers:

Honestly, with everything going on in the story, I have so many theories, I'm eagerly waiting for them to play out. Especially the ones regarding everyone disappearing repeatedly to speak with “someone” and thinking they’re being discreet about it. It's going to be extremely tricky with the ending to this update, but I'm excited to see where the story goes from here. It is my assumption that Gail is alive because if she isn’t, that’s about to complicate the story ten fold, and it’s time they start talking about the “other person” on the ship considering Garret attacked Gail because he thought she was Connor.

I just realized some feedback that I completely forgot to add…

Would it be possible to make the fade-in text appear a little faster? I don’t know if it’s intentional or not, but sometimes I’ll completely miss it and have to go back because I won’t see it until the last second (assuming I even see it, which might be the point).

And the same request for the text that appears one letter at a time. Obviously it’s slow for dramatic effect, but I honestly use my mouse scroll wheel to go back to the previous text and then skip forward to see the complete text each time because it just feels like it appears super slowly (especially when they’re used in the middle of a really intense or fast-paced scene).

If the speed of either of these effects is intentional, please let me know, but as a brand new reader, my first reaction was “These effects are really slow”—especially the one (I don’t remember what it said, but I think it was something related to Kai) that was a full sentence across the screen and seemed slower than the rest; I thought it was going to take like 20 seconds to appear, but maybe that was the point and I’m just too impatient.

I don't exactly recall how I found this VN, but I've had it on a to-read list for a few months, and now having read through the current build, I can confidently say that this story is FANTASTIC! I had high hopes, but after actually reading it, you have exceeded my expectations! I am thrilled for the next build, especially after that ending. I'm vehemently looking forward to seeing how the situation between Kai and Eco proceeds, especially with Eco having to admit the truth of his visions to Kai (or at least, I assume he will).

I saw your reply on another comment say we should expect it this month or next month, but even if I have to wait longer, I will definitely keep an eye out for build 3.

I noticed the reporter and teacher being the same as well. I'm very curious to figure out the truth behind all the many, many secrets we've seen in Therium's and Alvy's routes, and what that vision at the start with the updated prologue actually is, but because there's going to be multiple chapters of the VN, I can only  imagine how long it might take to uncover the truth.

While I agree that the ending was... a lot, I also think it did need a rather sudden and extreme ending, to really hit the audience with the point that that is the end of his route entirely, among other things.

Obviously, Alvy will still be around, and may return in Scribbles' route or Chapter 2; he will still be part of the story, just as Therium is a constant annoyance presence, even though he's no longer the focus of the route, but for one reason or another, the author has decided that this is where his route ends. My assumption is it's because he's such an integral side character that actually having a route for him would (most likely) continue to completely change the story from the way the VN is now—it would no longer be focused on a fantasy romance academy story.

After the hand in the forest (and the other hand in the admin building), I'm excited to see another creepy scene! Loving the supernatural parts of this VN

Loving the story so far! I'm very much looking forward to the future routes.

Also, I assume I must have missed it, but has the group told Zeke about what happened during the Exodus? It's obvious that there's some MAJOR secret that they're keeping from him and that he's forgotten, but beyond that, surely they've told him everything else about it, right? If for no other reason than he knows they remember it, so he would have asked about it until they said something. Or is it that they have, and we just aren't privy to that information? I remember Zeke saying that his mother refused to say anything about it, but that's it.

I was speaking about the inclusion of the s at the end as well, but turns out for an entirely different reason lmao.

I just figured that because the sentence would be written that way if either "He" or "She" were used as the pronoun, you changed it out for "They" but kept the rest of it the same. Didn't even process that it was an (intentionally designed) mistake on Kabir's part

I know I'm 2 years late, but I noticed that as well, and it seems intentional. Most people are familiar with using the neutral pronoun the same way as its plural use, but the creator (Lithium) has chosen to use it as they would 'he' or 'she'.

Common: "He/She wants..." = "They want..."

Author's choice: "He/She wants..." = "They wants..."

Personally, my nonbinary friend has never told me to use it either way, so I can't speak about correctness.

That's oversimplified, but you're absolutely right. His focus was that he got Reggie killed in the grand scale (although that stems from a completely messed up self-image and state of mind), and very much not about what he did to Xavier. Even before Reggie's death, it sounds like Lance was never as close to Xavier as the others, but whether he admits it or not, he didn't like being kicked out and abandoned by his crew/friends. Then he betrayed Cyrus who had really begun to trust him, so he's wallowing in negative feelings about the things he's done specifically to the people he cares about, not particularly including Xavier.

I... was kind of exclusively referring to Cyrus' empathy and sympathy for Lance.

You do make a valid point, though! And thinking about it further; the times Lance is brought up around Cyrus, the story seems to indicate that he doesn't really hate Lance (especially after getting his memories back, which rather changed his perspective--i.e. the comment to Aaron about not being angry at Current/Resoom anymore for the past couple centuries), but rather just has a lingering sense of betrayal.

That's why I was referring to an issue of empathy; living as long as he has may nullify any hostility towards Lance, not to mention (it's hard to get an idea of the time frame), but weeks or months seem to have passed since Cyrus joined the Resistance, so he's having time to come to terms with and learn more about Lance and his past, but the pain is still very fresh.

Ultimately though, I suspect given enough time, both Cyrus and Lance will come around. This story is about the two of them after all.

Dredging this conversation back up, but the way I see it, he's always blamed Xavier for Reggie's death, which is why he eagerly sold Xavier back to Resoom, but in this latest Interlude, Lance feels that Reggie's death wasn't Xavier's fault, it was his--that he didn't try hard enough to keep Reggie safe.

Regardless, yes, after Xavier he's handed several people (presumably Carriers) to Resoom, ending with Cyrus (though it failed), and now he only feels guilty that he hurt Cyrus because unlike with Xavier, Lance had absolutely no reason to hate him.

I'm in the same boat.

Although, when I saw the separation between part 1 and 2 I went "Oh... so it's going to be from Lance's perspective instead of Cyrus' from now on? Eh..." but after actually reading it, I CANNOT WAIT to read more. We're already getting such an in-depth understanding of the wolf beyond who he tries to be, and for most readers, it's a roller coaster of sympathy and hostility.

Granted, actually speaking from Cyrus' perspective is a different story. The writing for this VN is incredible, but we ourselves have not actually experienced the betrayal that he did, and we have insight into the life and thoughts of Lance while Cyrus doesn't, so he may not be as inclined to be empathetic.

That being said, Lance also has an incredibly messed up sense of self, so I wouldn't put it past him to do more things that he's inevitably going to regret. He's nowhere near the point of forgiveness

Same!! So many people hate Lance, but the point of the story seems like it's to feel a degree of sympathy for him--that he's lived such a messed up life that he has no idea what he wants, and that he regrets pretty much everything he's ever done.

The developing relationship between Aaron and Cyrus is important for Cyr's character, but ultimately the story is about Cyrus and Lance (not romantically)--seeing what kind of person Lance really is underneath the persona he's been hiding behind his entire life, Lance coming to terms with what he's done and who he actually wants to be, and perhaps someday Cyr even forgiving him.

I think it's an absolutely beautiful story.

Loving this story so far, especially the setting and mood. I suppose my only concern is that, with the route system, it seems like the story is going to be painstaking to write.

However, that's not exactly a gripe because once you get far enough down the line of updates, having such considerable variation in each route is going to draw new readers in to go through every single one (I'm sure current readers like myself plan to keep up with every route as they come out as well). In VNs with 'romance' routes, even ones (like this one) that are more story than romance, I typically stick to my favorite characters right off the bat, but here I'm going to have to test every variation of choices to enjoy everything this game has to offer, and that's a good thing

I very much am, and this latest public update has been fantastic.

Longer than I thought, but I'm keeping in mind what Rael said; "...not every day [that we're] going to ... pick up a spacer stranded in the black." I imagine there are some days that are longer, and some shorter, it's inevitable in a story, but I look forward to it all no matter what

I certainly agree about Zuberi, but one note, he (the captain) is actually a wolf, like Rael, not a lion. I can certainly see why you made the association, but his fur is too dark and I think at the very start he makes a joke about having another wolf to blame his shedding on

Sounds like things are really pushing forward! Glad you were able to take some time off, both from work and this project; passion projects are only so when you're not tiring yourself too much

Kind of major spoilers:












I don't see any reason why it couldn't be. I can't recall if there's any implications of Calbex's former squire being human, but the story implies that the squire died in some sort of traumatic incident involving the Aegis and the link between them and Calbex (ergo why he was so adamant about not linking with Corwan in combat), so presumably Corwan is the only human it could be.

My assumption about the story is that while it is about Corwan and his time as a squire alongside his pack, the ultimate plot of the story centers around the interactions and connection between Corwan and Calbex, hence only those two being on the title screen. Corwan seems to be developing a bit of a friends-with-benefits situation with his pack squires, while with Calbex it is a much deeper emotional story

The only one we've seen was in the second to latest update during their battle on the planet

Not to be a nag, but isn't Yuuichi's birthday on July 31st? I'm unsure if the oversight was intentional--believe me, the newest Keisuke update isn't really a great time to celebrate it since he’s still figuring out how to not overwork himself, so I could totally understand a late birthday celebration during the break once everyone has the time, but since it's completely unmentioned (as far as I recall) I'm under the impression that it may have just been missed.

Although I think it’s a possibility that they won’t all hang out given the complexities of each characters’ life, but at the very least Keisuke would want to do something to mark the occasion.

I will say though that I imagine outside of the two main characters in the route, explicitly including all the birthdays in any one route would be rather repetitive since they’re all close together. The exceptions of course are Keisuke’s birthday which takes place before the routes diverge, and possibly Aki’s since he’s such a central character (but including Aki’s birthday might also make it feel like the others then have to be included as well).

Figured it would be something simple like that, thanks!

CG spoilers for the new update:

Anyone know how to get the CG after felix is thrown and before the rougarou?

I haven't had it crash but the first time I open a side character's profile after launching the VN, it freezes for a moment

I... can't help but disagree with this. At the end of the story, Mylo could simply "go on to be trained", he doesn't need to be either a blackrunner or die by the end, inconclusions that imply the future are perfectly acceptable in media. Otherwise, things are too rushed, like everything has to happen NOW.

I can't really speak on whether one of the main three is going to die, but I would say that it's most likely Byte, if so. Alex or Loken dying would not be a valid conclusion to the story, even in sacrifice.

And lastly, they couldn't build an advanced society. Even in a truly happy ending, the world collapsed in the Cascade 500 years prior, so everyone would just be continuing out their lives in the ruins of the world, slowly trying to make things better (albeit without the blackzones around).

The way I figure it, Byte only provides Alex's body with energy in place of his natural functions.

The human body only needs to eat and breathe because of cellular respiration (energy production). Eating allows glucose to enter the system, which is the molecule that holds everything we need to produce ATP, the energy our bodies use, but it includes an excess of carbon. This excess carbon needs to be removed to prevent poisoning, so the Krebs cycle uses it, combined with the oxygen we get from breathing, to produce CO2 that we can easily get rid of.

Bypassing ATP production and outright immortality would not be caused by the same thing, especially considering Alex gets super hungry the one instance that Byte's not in his mind.

If it's after you launch the game, I assume you also tried completely uninstalling and reinstalling? Since sometimes it just forgets to download certain files. That or just restarting your computer and the itch.io launcher

If the issue is you can't access the page or the banner to launch the game, and it says that error message at the bottom of the page, that's itch's problem, I usually go to my feed and then back or just reload the page. itch had some issues recently with pages not loading.

DILF

This is an official age, as far as I care

Spoilers for Aiden and Dallan's routes:

For NSFW Aiden 4-8, along Aiden's route, you should get to a part where you go to the headmaster's office to try and get hints about the test. Once you ask your questions, you can either choose to embrace it or choose to remain loyal to Aiden. There's also a separate set of scenes if you just skip to sex without asking any questions and ask to start with something simple. Aiden's route will be getting a rewrite after Scribbles and Alvy get their routes done, so this may change.

All of Dallan's NSFW scenes are of other people.

1: After leaving the shard meeting room with Dallan at the start, in the bathroom, choose a stall, and then prank them.

2-10: You need to accept working with Chelsie in her lab at the start of Dallan's route, then way, way, way down the line, you'll be in her workshop again and have the option to agree with what she's doing. A bit later, you'll be able to have sex, and there are a bunch of variations.  Each of these options has a set of scenes: 
No way => Chelsie alone
Yes:      He's perfect => humanoid scene
               There's something off about him... => furry scene

I'm not 100% sure about panels 11 and 12, but I think you have to go to detention with the group and then have sex with Chelsie, and regardless of which choices you pick within the scene, you'll get them. (You won't get them if you call her a pervert in the earlier scene or decline sex altogether)

One huge note regarding the entire game:
No matter the routes, I suggest you do not have sex with anyone outside of just wanting to unlock the scenes because each of the four main characters (Aiden, Tate, Dallan, and Alvy) like you much better when you're a virgin. The only exception is with Chelsie, which has no consequences because Dallan doesn't think sex outside of a relationship means anything.

I agree that the wait times are annoying, but as far as winning goes, I only managed after a game where I got lucky and started by winning 5 in a kind-of row, with a few pushes in between. That ending is basically "debt paid, the end".

As far as I can tell, just the options that gain affinity with him, and when you leave the tavern, choose the well-lit path

Having used an autoclicker for this before, you can't win.

The most desired route by far. I personally look forward to all of them, so I'm excited to see another update in general. Going off of this, I'm assuming the "Final Act" (in Virgil's words from Mark's/Simone's route) is either similar in each route or involves multiple characters, since you switched paths before reaching it.

Regardless, I look forward to reading through this update! I agree with the others, Ken's route is super interesting.

Also, this update includes 41 new CGs?? Dang.

I haven't played through this game yet, but I'll say it could be more of an issue that their age differences aren't prominently brought up (unless it is, then ignore me)

*Spoilers*

It was covered as a hint a couple times, moreso in the latest update, but Martin was a 23 year old guy who introduced Carlos to the concept of homosexuality when he was younger. (The implication behind this is that Carlos was underage at the time, and some phrasing suggests Martin kind of forced Carlos into it--Not SA, but not all that far off either. This is why Ben never brings it up: that's a very awkward conversation to have.)

I may be the only one to comment on this or even notice it, but I'm re-reading it and I absolutely love the salad in the first meal being purple. I assume it's based on the purple Earth hypothesis involving retinal as a simpler form of chlorophyll. One thing I do wonder about, and I was thinking about it in my original read-through as well, is whether there would then be green plants in the background instead of them all being purple. I assume it would depend on whether plants are working their way towards chlorophyll. That red and blue light is more prominent than green and yellow, but chlorophyll has yet to appear as an adaptive mutation in all plants. You could even establish economic values around this, where green plants, plants with chlorophyll, are more valuable for their rarity. After all, the hypothesis is that chlorophyll only existed as an adaptation to the sheer overwhelming volume of retinal that was hogging all the yellow-green light in the sea.

Or, absolutely none of this matters for the sake of the game and I'm just being too detailed.

I can't tell exactly what choices I made to get that scene, but it's related to Chelsie's inventions (after her sex scene) and Tate being in detention. Though if it's just an issue with the gallery not recognizing that you saw that, that's just the gallery needing to be redone as MindOfFur mentioned in the latest devlog.