I attempted to write a storybook-style, blog post that explains the full narrative of the Genshin Impact Narzissenkreuz questline. The focus will be entirely on storytelling—highlighting the characters, what happened in the past, and how the Traveler resolved it all—without game mechanics, in short, reader-friendly segments. Let me know if I missed some important information. I hope you will enjoy it. Let me know, if a Razor Language Version is needed. xD

Once upon a time in the nation of Fontaine, the Traveler – a wandering hero – found themselves pulled into a mysterious tale beneath clear waters. It began with whispers of a hidden Narzissenkreuz Ordo, an ancient secret society long lost to the depths. In this storybook adventure, the Traveler and Paimon stumble upon an unusual band of friends: a little ocean spirit, a loyal clockwork hound, and a repentant prisoner. Together, they unravel the tragic history of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo and bring light to a mystery 500 years in the making. This is their tale – equal parts whimsical and heartfelt – of lost friends, dreamers, and a promise that refused to die.

The Little Oceanid Who Dreamed

Deep in Fontaine’s lakes, the Traveler meets Ann, a small Oceanid (water spirit) who looks and behaves much like a curious child. Ann greets the Traveler with bright, wonder-filled eyes and speaks of an “adventure” she must continue. Though naive, she carries an old soul within her – quite literally. Ann was born from the dreams of someone named Mary-Ann, and she strangely holds Mary-Ann’s memories as if they were her own. To Ann, these memories feel like stories from a life she never lived, yet she feels a strong love and longing for the people in them. One name especially makes Ann’s gentle face light up with determination: Mary-Ann Guillotin – the person she calls her sister and whom she is desperately trying to find. Ann may not fully understand who or what she is, but her heart tells her that finding Mary-Ann is the key to finishing their story. With the Traveler agreeing to help, the little Oceanid who dreamed of the past sets out on a new journey in the present, hope rippling around her like the gentle waves at her feet.

Awakening of the Clockwork Hound

Not long after, the Traveler encounters Seymour, an ancient clockwork meka shaped like a mechanical hound. This golden-gear dog had lain dormant in sunken ruins for centuries, waiting faithfully for his lost master. Seymour was originally created by an ingenious inventor named Alain Guillotin to protect his beloved sister, Mary-Ann. Over 500 years ago, Mary-Ann was a brave officer tasked with hunting down the Narzissenkreuz Ordo, and Seymour dutifully accompanied her into battle. In a fierce clash at a place called Elynas, Seymour fought valiantly against the Ordo’s forces until he was severely damaged, collapsing amid the chaos. There he remained, hidden and inactive, for about 493 years – a loyal steel guardian frozen in time.

That is, until a kind Fontaine artist (a Melusine named Mamere) and the Traveler stumbled upon his rusted form. Mamere repairs and reboots Seymour after collecting parts—following instructions relayed by ‘Father.’ Seymour powers on and immediately asks if Mary-Ann is safe. The clockwork hound’s optics flickered to life, and he rose as if from a long slumber. Though centuries had passed, Seymour’s first words were a polite, “Awaiting orders,” still intent on completing his mission. With a voice both mechanical and oddly gentle, he asked if Mary-Ann was safe – revealing how deeply his directives (and heart) were tied to his missing master. From that moment, Seymour joins the Traveler, his metal paws clanking with determination. This loyal hound is formal and cautious (often scanning for threats with a whirr), but one can sense a warm, protective spirit beneath the bolts. He quickly takes a liking to little Ann, perhaps because she reminds him of Mary-Ann in her youth. Together, the unlikely trio presses on, united by the mystery of Mary-Ann’s fate.

The Monster Who Became a Boy

Their adventure next leads to the dank corridors of the Fortress of Meropide, Fontaine’s notorious prison. Here the Traveler meets a peculiar inmate known as Caterpillar. At first glance, Caterpillar appears to be a shy, polite young boy with chalk-white hair and an old soul in his eyes. Yet something about him is out of time – and indeed, his true story is astonishing. Long ago, Caterpillar was not a human boy at all, but a hilichurl (a primitive monster) granted intelligence and a human-like form by the Narzissenkreuz Ordo. His “Master,” a powerful mage of the Ordo named Narcissus, used the mystical Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz to perform this miracle. The blade had the power to unite and transform wills, and in Caterpillar’s case it turned a simple monster into a thinking being who could speak and dream. The Ordo welcomed him as one of their own, giving him the grand title “Chrysalis of the Phantasmic Moth” – symbolizing a creature on the verge of metamorphosis. The Master’s hope was that one day Caterpillar would fully transform into a human, shedding his monstrous past like a cocoon.

For a time, young “Cater” believed in the Ordo’s lofty ideals of saving the world, but those dreams collapsed when the Ordo fell apart and their plan failed. In the aftermath, Caterpillar was left with guilt and confusion about his identity. He had committed deeds for his Master that landed him in Meropide’s cells over 400 years ago. Imagine it: centuries alone in a prison of iron and regret, knowing you’re not truly human yet no longer a simple creature. By the time the Traveler finds him, Caterpillar has spent ages reflecting on what he is – “a monster in human skin,” he murmurs, “comprised of impure elements,” unsure if he deserves to call himself human. But the Traveler sees goodness in Caterpillar. In fact, during their escape he witnesses Caterpillar’s kindness firsthand: the boy helps a little girl named Lanoire (born in the prison) find freedom, showing compassion and bravery. Moved by this, the Traveler accepts Caterpillar as an ally. Now free, Cater joins the mission to find Mary-Ann and uncover the truth of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo, hoping it will atone for his past. Though soft-spoken and weighed by remorse, his unique knowledge of the Ordo will prove invaluable – as will his desire to do the right thing at last.

Dreams and Despair: The Rise of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo

Around five centuries ago – in the aftermath of a great cataclysm – the seeds of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo were planted. Fontaine was left shaken by a prophesied doom, a vision that one day the world might flood or fall to ruin. In those dark times, two visionary youths named René and Jakob (survivors of a destroyed orphanage called the Narzissenkreuz Institute) made a desperate, daring plan. They founded a secret society, the Narzissenkreuz Ordo, with a singular goal: “to create a gestalt consciousness to absorb the personalities of everyone in Fontaine and thus save them from prophesied doom”. In their eyes, uniting all minds into one might shield the populace from whatever apocalypse was foretold. It was an ambitious plan born from fear and genius – a wild attempt to outsmart fate itself.

To achieve this, René and Jakob sought all the help and power they could find. Fortune (and misfortune) led them to Lyris, a gentle Oceanid who once cared for children at the Narzissenkreuz orphanage. Poor Lyris had lost everything in the cataclysm – her fellow Oceanids had vanished, her orphanage lay in ruins under the sea, and she wandered alone, heartbroken and yearning for the happier days of the past. René and Jakob approached this sorrowful sea spirit and convinced her to join their cause, promising that their new world of unified minds could bring back the peace she longed for. Lyris agreed, albeit hesitantly, and the Ordo gained a powerful ally. They bestowed upon Lyris the title of “Red Empress,” and her Oceanid abilities became crucial to their work. Using her powers over minds and dreams, Lyris helped dissolve the individual egos of Ordo volunteers, preparing their souls to fuse into one. It was a strange and haunting process – devotees willingly letting go of their identities for what they believed was the greater good.

In a hidden stronghold called the Tower of Ipsissimus, René pushed the project to its extreme. Time was of the essence, for Lyris’s health waned under the strain of these experiments. Thus, René made a drastic choice: he sacrificed himself as the first subject of the grand experiment. In a ritual likely involving the ancient Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz and Lyris’s dissolving embrace, René’s consciousness was absorbed and fused with others, giving birth to a new entity known as “Narzissenkreuz” – or as the legends call it, Narcissus. This being, Narcissus, was no longer a single man but a gestalt of many souls, with René’s will at the core. Empowered by multiple personalities, Narcissus continued to absorb more and more followers into itself, growing in collective knowledge and power. He became the secret Master of the Ordo – a ghostly puppeteer pulling on the strings of countless minds.

It’s worth noting that the name “Narzissenkreuz” itself came from an old fairy tale hero the orphans once admired. As children, René, Jakob, Mary-Ann, Alain, and their friends would play a game of heroes and dragons, pretending to be characters from stories. One such story was of a heroic figure named Narzissenkreuz (a word evoking the narcissus flower). What began as a fond childhood fantasy was now twisted into reality: René took on the mantle of that very name in a bid to “save” Fontaine, not with sword and shield, but by merging everyone into one mind. The irony was profound – the hero Narcissus was meant to protect others, yet the Narcissus of the Ordo was prepared to erase individual lives in order to protect their souls.

Mary-Ann’s Last Stand

While the Narzissenkreuz Ordo plotted in secret, the authorities of Fontaine eventually caught wind of this dangerous cult. Leading the charge against the Ordo was Mary-Ann Guillotin, a courageous officer of the Marechaussee Phantom (Fontaine’s military police) – and the very same Mary-Ann whom little Ann so dearly remembers. Mary-Ann was actually the younger sister of inventor Alain Guillotin (Seymour’s creator), and she had a personal connection to the Ordo’s story. As a girl, Mary-Ann had known René, Jakob, and Lyris through the orphanage; she understood their kindness but also saw how far they had strayed. She wanted to save them from themselves as much as stop their scheme. In one poignant encounter, Mary-Ann and Seymour dove into the underwater ruins of the old Institute to find Lyris. There, they found the Oceanid adrift in loneliness and despair. To comfort her friend, Mary-Ann spun a fairy tale reminiscent of their childhood games – the tale of the “hero Narzissenkreuz.” In Mary-Ann’s story, Princess Lyris sacrificed her time to save her friends, falling into an endless slumber. But importantly, the princess made a promise: her friends would carry her future for her, and one day they would reunite and wake her. This charming allegory hid a heartfelt message. Mary-Ann was telling Lyris that even if things seemed hopeless now, the future still held the chance of reunion and healing – just like the friends in the fairy tale who would not give up. Before Mary-Ann left, she encouraged Lyris to imagine a new ending for the story, one where hope prevailed. Little did they know how prophetic this tale would become.

Soon after, the Fontaine authorities declared the Ordo an enemy of the state. Mary-Ann and Alain gathered the Marechaussee Hunters and launched an assault to destroy the Narzissenkreuz Ordo. The final confrontation took place at the volcanic site of Elynas, where Narcissus and Jakob lured the hunters into battle as a distraction. Seymour was at Mary-Ann’s side, claws out and engines whirring, ready to protect his master at all costs. Caterpillar was likely there too, among the Ordo’s ranks, watching events unfold with the mind of a child and the body of a monster. Amidst the chaos, Mary-Ann and Lyris met once more – not as friends sharing fairy tales, but on opposite sides of battle. What exactly happened in those tense moments is a haze of legend, but it is known that Lyris accidentally absorbed Mary-Ann’s consciousness during the clash. In a tragic twist of fate, the brave heroine Mary-Ann vanished, her body never found, and she was officially declared missing in action.

The aftermath was bittersweet. The Narzissenkreuz Ordo’s grand plan ultimately failed, and the cult was dismantled. Jakob and any surviving members scattered or were captured. Narcissus, the amalgamated being that René had become, was thwarted for the time being – his dream of a collective Fontainian mind unfulfilled. Yet Mary-Ann’s “last stand” came at great cost. Lyris, carrying Mary-Ann’s memories and personality within her, could not bear the reality of what happened. Heartbroken and guilt-ridden, Lyris fled into the depths, retreating to a secluded dream realm called Annapausis that she crafted from her Oceanid powers. Within that dream world, Lyris (now merged with Mary-Ann’s consciousness – a new entity often referred to also as “Mary-Ann”) recreated an idyllic version of the fairy tale Mary-Ann had told her. She became like the sleeping princess in her own story, isolating herself in dreams rather than face the pain of reality. Unbeknownst to her, this act of dreaming had a miraculous side effect: it gave birth to Ann, the tiny Oceanid child who embodied the memories and hopes of the real Mary-Ann. Ann was essentially the hero Mary-Ann dreamed of being – a courageous, innocent version of herself, born from Lyris’s oceanid magic and Mary-Ann’s will. And so, the promise of the fairy tale lived on in Ann even as the real Mary-Ann slept in an endless dream, waiting for the day her friends might reunite and wake her.

This was the hidden truth behind the Narzissenkreuz Ordo’s fall. For five centuries, Mary-Ann remained a lost figure – a legend whispered in Fontaine’s history – and Narcissus, the so-called savior who never completed his mission, faded into obscurity. But the story was not over, for now in the present day, fate had brought Ann, Seymour, Caterpillar, and the Traveler together to pick up the pieces.

Reuniting at the Sunken Sanctuary

The next chapter unfolds in a sunken sanctuary: the long-forgotten hall of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo hidden beneath Fontaine’s waters. Golden sunlight filters down through cracks in the ceiling, illuminating dust motes that dance around a colossal ornate clock on the far wall. This chamber houses the Doomsday Clock—a device René built using the world-formula to predict the beginning of the ‘end.’ As Caterpillar notes, it’s still just a clock, not the calamity itself. The Traveler and Caterpillar arrive at this secret hall, guided by clues (and Cater’s memories of the Ordo’s base). To their surprise, they find Ann and Seymour already there, poring over old documents and puzzle-like devices scattered on a grand table. Ann’s Oceanid form hovers in excitement as she inspects a faded journal, while Seymour stands guard, ears perked for any danger. For a moment, it’s a touching scene: members of the Narzissenkreuz Adventure Team reunited at last.

That moment shatters when Seymour suddenly goes rigid. The mechanical dog’s sensors have picked up Caterpillar’s presence – and as a former Ordo member, Cater sets off alarm bells in Seymour’s logic circuits. In the blink of an eye, Seymour springs between Caterpillar and Ann, metal claws unsheathed. “Intruder detected,” he declares in a cold, amplified tone, his usually blue eye-lights flashing a warning red. Caterpillar freezes; he recognizes this stance all too well – Seymour is preparing to eliminate what he perceives as a threat to Mary-Ann’s mission. The Traveler and Ann cry out for calm, but Seymour’s old programming to destroy Ordo members takes hold (he still remembers the deadly battle 500 years ago). Just as tension peaks, Caterpillar does something unexpected: he slowly raises his hands and speaks a strange pass-phrase from the past, “This is my little invention.” These words stop Seymour in his tracks; the phrase was one Mary-Ann herself taught Seymour as a code to stand down. The mechanical guardian tilts his head, processing, and his eye-lights revert to a soft blue. In his monotone voice he states, “Friend of Master detected… threat level downgraded.” Everyone breathes a sigh of relief. The unlikely companions realize they’ll have to trust one another to solve this mystery.

Under the gentle glow of the Ordo’s great clock, the group exchanges all the clues and stories they have collected. Caterpillar, with a grave expression, reveals what he knows of the Ordo’s endgame: “Master Narcissus built this clock to calculate the exact moment of Fontaine’s ruin,” he explains, pointing to the device on the wall. The Narzissenkreuz Ordo had used the “world formula” – arcane calculations from ancient research – to predict a doomsday, and they calibrated this clock to countdown to that fateful hour. Ann gasps softly; in her heart she carries Mary-Ann’s memories of that prophecy and now it all makes sense. Seymour plays an old recording of Mary-Ann’s voice from his memory banks, describing how Narcissus believed he was saving everyone by merging their souls. Piece by piece, the puzzle comes together: Mary-Ann’s disappearance, Lyris’s sorrow, Narcissus’s unfinished mission, and Ann’s very existence as a product of those events. The truth dawns on them – Mary-Ann is not dead but has become part of Lyris, dreaming in stasis, and the Master (Narcissus) might still be somewhere deep below, waiting to carry out his plan when the clock hits zero. The Ordo’s history isn’t just dusty lore; it’s a ticking time bomb in the present.

Despite the weight of these revelations, hope glimmers in the sanctuary. The friends realize they have something the Ordo members of old did not: each other. Ann’s small voice breaks the silence: “If my Sister is dreaming, we have to wake her… and show the Master that the world is worth living for.” Her innocent confidence brings a smile to Caterpillar’s face. Seymour states matter-of-factly, “Objective updated: locate Master Mary-Ann and terminate threat posed by Narcissus’s plan.” The Traveler, determined, suggests they use the Ordo’s own tools to stop the impending calamity. On the same table where René and Jakob once schemed, our heroes find the schematics of a sword – the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz. Though the blade was broken and lost in the battle long ago, its pieces (and its legacy) lie within this very hall, awaiting revival. Caterpillar’s eyes light up with purpose as he recalls the rituals his Master used. If they can reforge the Holy Blade, perhaps they can cut through Narcissus’s illusions and reach Mary-Ann. It will take all of them working together, combining ancient knowledge, Oceanid magic, mechanical skill, and the Traveler’s own power. And so, around that grand table, the Narzissenkreuz Adventure Team makes a solemn pact: they will finish what Mary-Ann started and end the Narzissenkreuz Ordo’s dark legacy once and for all. The countdown to doomsday is on – but our heroes have a plan.

The Holy Blade Reforged

By the glow of mysterious hydrostatic lamps in the sanctuary, the group sets to work re-forging the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz. The process itself feels like a rite out of a fairy tale. They gather the shattered fragments of the sword, each piece etched with elaborate runes. Caterpillar carefully reads from René’s ancient notes, detailing how willpower and unity are the true “flame” to meld the blade anew. Ann closes her eyes and lets her Oceanid water form flow around the fragments, her pure hopes acting as a gentle catalyst – the water bubbles and shimmers, fusing metal with magic. Seymour extends a small tool from his paw (perhaps a built-in welding device courtesy of Alain’s engineering) and uses precise heat to bind the pieces. The Traveler focuses their elemental energy, steadying the process like a smith at the anvil, holding the forming blade in place. It’s a beautiful team effort: ancient science, elemental sorcery, and heartfelt determination blending seamlessly.

As they work, each character silently imbues the blade with their personal resolve. Caterpillar thinks of how this very sword gave him a mind and a second chance at life – now he’ll wield it to protect others, proving that a “monster” can become a hero. Ann thinks of Mary-Ann’s smile from the memories she inherited and the promise to continue her adventure; her innocent wish for a happy ending strengthens the blade. Seymour, though not human, recalls his master’s last order to him centuries ago – “Protect Fontaine, protect our future” – and by helping forge this blade he knows he is fulfilling that duty. The Traveler, remembering all the friends they’ve made across nations, pours in their resolve to save Fontaine and uphold the justice Mary-Ann fought for. With a final burst of light, the Holy Blade is made whole again. It gleams with a soft turquoise glow, the emblem of a water lily on its crossguard (the mark of Fontaine’s spirit). The sword feels alive in their hands, humming with the collective will of those who forged it.

Now armed with the legendary blade, the group steels themselves for the journey to the Ordo’s final bastion. According to Caterpillar, deep below the sanctuary lies the path to the Primordial Sea, an abyssal ocean under Fontaine where Narcissus and the remnants of his dream may dwell. Mary-Ann’s presence is likely there as well, hidden behind layers of illusion in the dream world of Annapausis. It’s a place no ordinary person could venture – the water there is said to be the source of all life, and pure primordial water can dissolve those of Fontaine in an instant. But Ann, being an Oceanid, can traverse it, and with the Traveler’s power and Seymour’s sturdy frame, they have a chance. Caterpillar admits he is afraid; the last time he saw his Master’s grand work, it nearly tore his mind apart. The Traveler places a reassuring hand on Cater’s shoulder, and Ann gently holds his hand. “We’re in this together,” Ann says with a bright smile. Caterpillar nods, heartened. In a scene that mirrors a knightly order receiving a blessing, the Traveler raises the Holy Blade and each member of the team touches it, renewing their vow. Whatever lies ahead in the depths, they will face it united.

Into the Primordial Sea

The descent into the Primordial Sea is an adventure out of legend. The group travels to an ancient dive gate hidden beneath the Ordo’s hall. As mechanisms groan and water rushes in, they plunge into Fontaine’s abyssal depths. All around them, the water turns a deep, otherworldly blue. Bioluminescent creatures drift by like stars in the night. They pass the crumbled remains of the Tower of Ipsissimus, now largely overtaken by coral and algae – the once grand headquarters of the Ordo reduced to underwater ruins known only to time. Yet, within those ruins, eerily enough, some machinations still stir. Narcissus had left guardians to defend his realm: clockwork meka and sentry devices that miraculously still function even centuries later. As the Traveler and friends navigate submerged corridors, an alarm triggers – bubbles stream upwards as ancient gears crank to life.

Suddenly, a swarm of mechanical clockwork soldiers and crab-like sentries surge toward the intruders, eyes glowing with hostile intent. The first wave lunges at Ann, sensing her Oceanid energy as a threat to their Master. But Seymour is quicker – with a protective bark, he propels himself forward underwater, using built-in thrusters to tackle the nearest meka. It’s a sight both humorous and awe-inspiring: a loyal robot dog wrangling a giant crab-like machine on the seafloor. Caterpillar joins the fray, summoning what limited hydromancy he learned from the Ordo. With a determined shout, he conjures a swirling current that knocks two meka off balance. “I won’t let you stop us!” he declares, surprising even himself with the courage in his voice. While Caterpillar and Seymour engage the guardians in a flurry of bubbles and clashing metal, the Traveler and Ann slip past the melee, pushing deeper towards the heart of the Primordial Sea.

Guided by an ancient song only she can hear (perhaps the echo of Lyris’s voice), Ann leads the Traveler to a grand submerged chamber beneath the tower. This is the Sanctum of Narcissus, where the boundary between reality and dream blurs. The water here is strangely still and luminescent, as if infused with stardust. In the center of the chamber stands a tall figure shrouded in a cloak of rippling water and light. It has no distinct face – instead, countless phantom faces seem to appear and fade within its form, and a chorus of overlapping whispers emanates from it. Narcissus, the Master of Many Faces, has been waiting.

The Master of Many Faces

Confronting Narcissus is like facing a living phantasm. The being’s voice echoes in multiple tones: angry, sorrowful, desperate, and calm all at once – the voices of René, Jakob, and every soul intertwined in this amalgamation. “You should not have come,” Narcissus intones, the water around him quivering with each word. He regards the Traveler and Ann with an uncanny semblance of curiosity and pity. In those flickering faces, the Traveler imagines they see René’s eyes – filled with an old resolve – and perhaps a glint of Jakob’s cunning smile. Ann steps forward, clutching the Holy Blade. Though her hands tremble, her voice is clear: “We’re here to take Mary-Ann home… and to show you that Fontaine is not beyond saving, without all this.” She gestures at the abyss around them. Narcissus’s form recoils slightly at the mention of Mary-Ann. “Mary-Ann… she,” the voices stutter, momentarily sounding like a confused young man. It seems even the great Narcissus feels the name’s weight. But then the chorus swells in intensity: “Fontaine will drown. The calculations do not lie. Only in the One Mind can we endure!” The water around Narcissus surges, and reality itself warps as he unleashes an onslaught of illusions.

In an instant, the Traveler and Ann find themselves standing in a vision of a drowned Fontaine. Towering tidal waves crash over the Court of Fontaine. The sky is dark, rent by lightning. It’s a scene of the very apocalypse Narcissus fears. Ghostly figures of Fontainian citizens cry out and are then silenced as they merge into a single great shadow looming behind Narcissus. “See? This is the fate I sought to prevent,” his voices boom, equal parts wrathful and pleading. “I have carried these souls for centuries, all for this purpose!” For a moment, Ann wavers at the terrifying tableau – she can also feel the grief in those merged souls, an overwhelming sorrow of people who believed this was the only way. But the Traveler grips Ann’s shoulder reassuringly, grounding her in reality. They know this is an illusion meant to drive them to despair.

Drawing the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz, the Traveler channels their power and slashes through the watery phantasm. The blade shines bright, cutting a rift in the false apocalypse and dispelling the waves like mist. Narcissus staggers as if wounded; the collective voices cry out in shock. Ann takes this chance to speak directly from her heart. She calls out softly, using a voice that is uncannily reminiscent of Mary-Ann’s: “René… Jakob… all of you. Look at me.” The Oceanid child steps forward bravely. “I carry Mary-Ann’s hopes and memories. I carry Lyris’s love. We’re here – your friends are here – and the future is here.” With each word Ann speaks, the chamber’s oppressive darkness lightens. The faces within Narcissus’s form contort with emotion. Some look relieved, others anguished. The Master’s will is faltering under the gentle truth in Ann’s tone.

Narcissus makes one last attempt to lash out – the silhouette of a mighty serpent (perhaps the form of Elynas, the beast that caused the cataclysm) lunges from the surrounding water toward Ann. But the Traveler intercepts, raising the Holy Blade high. In a brilliant arc, they strike the apparition. The blade, filled with the unity of our heroes’ wills, shatters the final illusion protecting Narcissus. With a thunderous soundless boom, the dream realm around them collapses. When the water settles, Narcissus is left exposed, wavering like a candle flame in the dark. The many faces in his cloak have gone silent, leaving just one faint visage – that of a tired young man with gentle eyes, perhaps the true face of René.

Defeated and drained, Narcissus does not attack again. Instead, he asks in a trembling voice, “Has… the world really changed so much?” The Traveler and Ann nod. The Traveler describes the Fontaine of today – its people, its progress, its struggles and joys – to show that even without a “One Mind,” the nation stands strong. Ann approaches Narcissus, reaching out a small hand as if to offer comfort. “Your friends never gave up on the future,” she says, echoing Mary-Ann’s fairy tale, “They carried it just like Princess Lyris’s friends carried hers. And look, we’re here to carry it with you now.” Narcissus’s form shimmers and shrinks; the battle in his heart finally settles. “Perhaps… I was wrong,” he admits quietly. In that moment, the great Doomsday Clock high above in the sanctuary grinds to a halt, its countdown stopped for good. The threat of “Jakob’s world” – the artificial collective world Narcissus tried to create – fades away, unreached. The Master of Many Faces lets out a long sigh that sounds like a hundred voices finally finding peace. “I will go to the surface… to see this world with my own eyes,” he says at last. It is both an acceptance of defeat and a hopeful step forward – the once mad visionary now willing to simply live in the world, rather than forcefully change it. The Traveler smiles and lowers their sword. The dark fairy tale of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo has reached its climax; now it is time for a new chapter, one written not by one controlling mind, but by everyone, together.

Ever After in Fontaine

In the aftermath of the confrontation, a gentle hush falls over the ruins. The primordial waters around the chamber begin to glimmer warmly, and from that light steps forth a figure the group has long awaited: Mary-Ann. She appears not as a fearsome Oceanid or a lost ghost, but as a young woman with kind eyes and flowing aqua-blue hair – the human form she preserved in her dreams. This Mary-Ann is the merged being of Lyris and the real Mary-Ann Guillotin, at last awakened from Annapausis. Ann’s eyes well up with tears of joy (which float like tiny pearls in the water). “Sister…!” she cries, rushing into Mary-Ann’s arms. Mary-Ann embraces the little Oceanid, immediately understanding who Ann is. After all, Ann is a piece of her heart. “Thank you for not giving up on me,” Mary-Ann whispers, both to Ann and to the Traveler beside her. In this tender reunion, the promise of the fairy tale is fulfilled: the friends have carried the future and have now reunited with the one who fell into slumber.

Nearby, Seymour and Caterpillar finally catch up after dispatching the last of the mechanical guardians. The sight of Mary-Ann renders Seymour speechless for a beat – then the robot dog lets out a digital whine akin to a sob. He trots up and bows his head at Mary-Ann’s feet, his tail (antenna) wagging with pure delight. “Master, you are safe,” he says in his monotone, but one can detect a hint of emotion in those synthesized words. Mary-Ann kneels and places a hand on her faithful hound’s head, praising him for watching over everything for so long. For a being of metal, Seymour almost seems to purr with happiness. Caterpillar hangs back, suddenly unsure of his place now that the mission is over. This shy, formerly monstrous boy expects perhaps scorn or fear from Mary-Ann – after all, he once served her enemy. But Mary-Ann approaches Caterpillar and gently thanks him too, acknowledging the courage it took to help save everyone. Caterpillar flushes with gratitude and relief. In this moment he realizes that while he may not feel fully human, he has earned his humanity through his actions.

And what of Narcissus? True to his word, the being that was René/Jakob – now mostly René – comes with the group back to the surface. The Master is no longer a grand phantom, but a quiet, unassuming man with silvered hair and weary eyes. Free of the cacophony of merged souls, he introduces himself simply as René. Fontaine’s authorities (led by the ever-dutiful Neuvillette and Furina, perhaps) are astonished at the tale, but understanding that Narcissus has relinquished his plans, they allow him a chance at redemption. One day at a time, René begins to make amends, perhaps by sharing the knowledge he gathered to help Fontaine prepare for disasters without extreme measures. It’s a humble epilogue for someone who once fancied himself a savior, but a fitting one – he will live among the people he tried to save from afar, finding his place in the world he still has.

With the Narzissenkreuz Ordo’s saga put to rest, our heroes each set off on new journeys. Mary-Ann, having spent centuries in a dream, wishes to see what has become of the world she fought for. And who better to guide her than Ann, her tiny Oceanid counterpart brimming with excitement to travel? The two announce plans to venture beyond Fontaine, to see mountains, forests, and other nations – a vacation long overdue for the both of them. Seymour, naturally, vows to accompany “Miss Mary-Ann and young Ann” on their travels, ever the loyal protector (and perhaps tour guide, as his memory banks are full of historical facts!). In a charming turn, Seymour suggests they invite his Melusine friend Mamere along, as she was the one who lovingly reactivated him and he deems her part of their strange little family now. Mary-Ann agrees wholeheartedly – the more the merrier on this journey of rebirth. One can imagine this merry band trekking across Fontaine’s countryside: Mary-Ann and Ann like sisters hand-in-hand, Mamere sketching the scenery, and Seymour trotting ahead, scanning for “interesting local art and threats” with equal vigor.

As for Caterpillar, he finds himself at a bittersweet crossroads. With the Ordo gone and his sins largely forgiven, he is free – truly free – for the first time in 400 years. Watching Ann and Mary-Ann laugh together, and Seymour bounding around, Caterpillar feels a warmth in his chest. He helped make this happy ending possible. Still, he struggles with where to go next; his quest for identity isn’t something a single adventure can resolve. Mary-Ann, sensing this, gives Caterpillar a parting gift: a simple bronze compass that once belonged to Alain. “So you’ll always find your way,” she says. Caterpillar decides that he too will travel, but on his own path. “I want to see the world and maybe… find out what being human truly means for me,” he says softly. The Traveler – who must also continue their own journey – nods in understanding and friendship. They know they will meet Caterpillar again out there, under new skies. With a final cheerful wave, Caterpillar sets off, the compass clutched in hand, venturing into the horizon to seek his “happily ever after,” whatever shape it may take.

At last, the Traveler and Paimon bid farewell to the Narzissenkreuz Adventure Team, hearts full from the experiences shared. What began as a mystery in Fontaine’s depths became a tale of reconciliation and hope. They have seen firsthand that even the deepest sorrows can give birth to new light – just as the narcissus flower blooms at the water’s edge after the cold of winter. The legend of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo will be told for generations, not just as a cautionary tale of ambition, but as a story of friendship and faith across time. Mary-Ann kept her promise to Lyris; Ann fulfilled the hero’s role she was created for; and a lost order’s dream was finally laid to rest, not with despair, but with understanding.

And so, the Narzissenkreuz questline ends like a classic Fontaine fairy tale: with farewells and new beginnings. The characters we’ve come to love step into a bright morning sun, ready to write the next chapters of their lives. “Thank you,” Mary-Ann says to the Traveler, “for helping us finish our story.” In truth, it is not an ending at all, but the start of a new story – one where free wills and hopeful hearts guide the future. As the Traveler leaves Fontaine’s shores, they carry with them the echo of a promise and the warmth of an impossible adventure that, against all odds, earned its happy ever after.