Curtains and Canvases
Curtains and Canvases
Main Story
Ayla is a talented young artist from Babylonia. On a field trip to the Virtual Center, she experiences a virtual theater play titled Tempest: Prince & Maiden, a partial retelling of William Shakespeare’s Tempest. There, she meets Selena, another artist from Babylonia and the author of the virtual play. Ayla offers to help Selena finish the play, and the two quickly bond over their shared interests. A few years later, Ayla learns that Selena has turned into a Construct without telling her. Selena reveals the reason behind her decision in a letter: she believes that it is her duty as an artist to portray the harsh reality as it is, and she wishes to experience it herself instead of leading a complacent life in Babylonia. Although initially shocked at Selena’s sudden departure, Ayla remains hopeful they will meet each other again someday.
One day, Selena writes to Ayla that she is leaving on a large-scale mission to the International Space Station. She also explains that she has left Ayla the original software of her virtual play Tempest and urges Ayla to experience it once again. However, Ayla is unable to comprehend the meaning behind the play, which concludes with Prospero forgiving those who have wronged him.
Ayla watches the battle between the Babylonian troops and the corrupted space station from afar. She attempts to paint Selena fighting but feels that something is not right. As she witnesses the cruelty of war, she understands Selena’s decision at last. Ayla realizes how naïve her interpretation of war has been. She becomes a Construct to experience and paint the truth of the world.
Hidden Node
In order to unlock the hidden node story, please see each character's unlock requirements in Interludes.
Babylonia’s foray into the space station ends in a disastrous failure. Surrounded by the Corrupted, Selena leaves behind a final apology and farewell to Ayla.
