Tattered World Finale: Part 1...
Posted on August 25, 2025*Sigh*…
That poor robot… It sits heavy on my conscience that we never found our way towards a happier outcome for her. Still, as painful as it was to listen to Iris’ tale of her passing, and as much as our current predicament is due in great part to her misguided actions, I can't help but feel grateful to her for attempting to make up for her past misdeeds, and be proud of what Iris -
Ah! Iris! Come in, come in! Estella and I were just speaking about you!
The final details have all been worked out, recycling Specter’s hardware and software as per her final wishes, integrating her technology and the data from her memories across the Remnants to aid us in this looming confrontation. You’ve officially fulfilled your final promise to Specter. As to what each of our Remnants shall do with her last gift, it's challenging to say; some of the Remnants shall likely gain more use than others. And naturally, I cannot blame those among our Remnant collective who felt quite differently and rejected the offered technology. But personally, I feel that your actions towards her at the end were tremendously kind.
Just as the actions that you are considering now are tremendously brave… This last secret could be the key to unlocking the truth of the Tatters that separate all our Remnants; we cannot know for certain unless the Secret Key Snarl is directly pursued. Still, even though it is no Scourge, I can't help but wonder what differentiates it from other Snarls... Why is it that this Snarl alone can twist the Tatters to reveal the Unmaker, and why did it only appear after Specter had summoned all five Scourges... Hmmm. It is a shame that our investigations into Specter’s claims about Project H.O.P.E. and Althea have turned up nothing, even now... What a worrisome conundrum!
So I suppose that leaves me only with one final question... Iris, my dear, are you quite sure you're ready? You know you have my utmost support if you are, but… I saw how shaken you were by Specter’s strange assertions about you. Why, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you so restless and conflicted, pacing about endlessly through the University’s paths. And it breaks my heart to see the distress on your face as you gaze out into the Tatters! We’re all concerned for you, my dear. Yes, even the other Hope shopkeepers!
So we all want you to know… whatever painful secrets you may find out there in the Tatters, at the Nexus of this bizarre labyrinth, we’re here for you. Always! If you would like to delay your journey while we keep searching for information, we will all support you and keep searching until you're ready!
But… if you feel that you are called to proceed, then rest assured that I shall be ready and waiting here in Hope, just as we've discussed, providing a steady connection to anchor you back home should you need an escape route!
Though of course, I hope the situation won’t be quite so dire as - Ah, here come Lycus and Piper! Perhaps they have some good news for us!
