Retrieve the Ironheart

Retrieve the Ironheart serves as the introduction quest to The First Descendant.

Objectives

• Follow Bunny
• Make sure Bunny crosses safely
• Join Bunny
• Defeat the approaching Vulgus
• Join Bunny
• Follow Bunny

Transcript

The intro, narrated by Guide, opens with a woman surrounded by a system of growing branches.

Guide: I saw everything...The Connection between two worlds.

The bodies of defeated soldiers fade in, a destroyed city in the background.

Guide: About a century ago, humans were defeated by the Vulgus.

The city fades out to reveal an army of Vulgus which then transitions to the eye of a storm and then to a battlefield where humans are fighting both the Vulgus and a colossus known as Grave Walker.

Guide: Then came the Colossi, who destroyed everything. Humans resisted until they could no longer. Then they found hope.

A bullet explodes, but the explosion is contained by two hands wrapped around it. Many voices are speaking at once, all saying "Descendant".

A person, presumably a Descendant, stands in a machine known as the Prime Hands.

Guide: They were gifted the forgotten Ancestors' Power.

Human soldiers are scene fighting, and surviving, a colossus known as Executioner.

Guide: Finally, they could fight with newfound strength.

The battle transitions into rows of Vulgus standing in formation in front of their leaders.

Guide: But another threat had emerged. Karel, the new leader of the Vulgus.

Karel stands proud holding a cube that disintegrates into a firey explosion.

Guide: His dark ambitions are driving both worlds to the brink of collapse. We must fight back.

The explosion transitions into a battlefield where many colossi stand and then to bloodstream and strands of DNA.

Guide: With the Ancestors' power bestowed upon us.

One final shot of Viessa, Lepic, and Ajax standing in a group, ready to fight.

Guide: Descendant, can you hear me? I've been waiting for you.

The woman's eyes open before she is surrounded by the system of branches once more.

The First Descendant's title card fades in before cutting to black.

---

At Albion's command headquarters, Alpha walks into the room and stands in front of a large table with a holographical display with his arms crossed. He speaks to Viessa, Lepic, and Ajax.

Alpha: According to the investigative Corps, the Ironheart is in The Ruins. The Assignment is simple. Bunny will collect it while one of you protects her.

Alpha places his hands on the display and looks at the three Descendants across from him. Viessa leans against the map, while Lepic sits in front of it, and Ajax stands with his arms cross. Bunny leans against the wall in the background.

Viessa: Seems like my kind of job. Wouldn't it be easier if I froze everything?

Lepic: Ill go. I just need to blow up everybody except Bunny, right?

Ajax: Leave it to me. Defense is my forte.

The player is prompted to choose their starting Descendant:

- Viessa: A debuffer who uses Chill at will. She uses Chill to freeze enemies in place, unleashing Cold Snap-like attacks as she weaves her way between them.

- Lepic: A dealer whho uses grandes to attack. Clears the battlefield with his right arm and grenades which boast a powerful performance.

- Ajax: A tanker who utilizes Void Energy. Coordinates his team with a forcefield that protects allies while deflecting enemy attacks.

The player's Descendant and Bunny leave the room.

---

At the ruins, the player's Descendant walks alone through The Ruins taking in the architecture until they meet up with Bunny who runs towards them with incredible speed, lightning sparking from her boots.

Bunny: Wait for me! There's no Ironheart on that side either.

- Viessa: This is the last spot.

- Lepic: Then this is the only place left.

- Ajax: Only this side remains then.

Bunny: Let's get this over with.

The player's Descendant and Bunny continue through The Ruins.

Bunny: The Architect Ruins...It took so many soldiers to find this place. Please let the Ironheart be in here somewhere.

- Viessa: I hope it is too, Bunny. I'd like to give Albion some good news.

- Lepic: I hope it's here too, Bunny. I'd like to give Albion some good news.

- Ajax: I hope it is too, Bunny. I'd like to give Albion some good news.

Alpha: Finding the Ironheart is important, but so is retrieving it. The Vulgus also have their sights set on these Ruins.

Bunny: Eh, don't worry about that, Alpha. Compared to me, the Vulgus are as slow as turtles.

- Viessa: I'll freeze anything coming after us. You should go first, Bunny.

- Lepic: I'll blow up anyone who comes for you, Bunny.

- Ajax: My forcefield will stop them, every time.

Bunny: Haha, good to know you have my back.

• Follow Bunny

The player's Descendant follows Bunny through the The Ruins eventually finding themselves on a bridge through a large cavern.

Bunny: So, do you know what the heart looks like?

- Viessa: I guess we'll know it when we see it.

- Lepic: We'll know it when we see it.

- Ajax: We will know it when we see it.

Bunny: C'mon, hurry up. I'll take the lead.

- Viessa: Gotcha.

- Lepic: Sounds good.

- Ajax: As you wish.

• Make sure Bunny crosses safely

Further along the bridge, Bunny jumps onto a floating structure to cross the chasm to reach a cave on the opposite side. As she crosses the platform, however, it begins to fall.

Bunny: Woah! What the heck?

Alpha: What's going on? All operatives report!

Bunny rushes across the platform, making it to the other side just in time.

Bunny: Whew! We almost died! I'm okay, by the way.

Alpha: Roger that. Resume operation.

Bunny: Our path's been cut off. We better find a way around.

• Join Bunny

The player's Descendant continues along the bridge, making it to a separate cave entrance which hopefully will loop around allowing them to meet back up with Bunny. Bunny begins to go into the cave, but the player's Descendant warns against this.

- Viessa: Bunny, be careful, I have a bad feeling about this.

- Lepic: Be careful, Bunny. Something's not right.

- Ajax: Wait, Bunny, I should go first.

• Defeat the approaching Vulgus

The cave leads back into The Ruins structure. There, the player's Descendant faces off against three Vulgus Mass Soldiers.

- Viessa: Damnit! The Vulgus!

- Lepic: Dammit! It's the Vulgus!

- Ajax: Vulgus! Engaging!

Bunny: What? I'll come help.

• Viessa: Don't worry about me. I'll take care of this.

• Lepic: No need. I'll take them out then join you!

• Ajax: Nothing I can't handle. I will be there soon!

• Join Bunny

After the player's Descendant takes care of the Vulgus, they continue through The Ruins and eventually loops around and they meet back up with Bunny.

Bunny: Whew! Glad you're safe.

- Viessa: I won't die on you, don't worry.

- Lepic: Me too. But then again, I am me.

- Ajax: I am just getting warmed up.

Bunny: No need to brag. Come on, let's keep going.

• Follow Bunny

Bunny: Woah...what is all this?

The player's Descendant and Bunny leave the caves and enter back into The Ruins structure. A large room with many floating elliptical cylinders.

Bunny: There's no way through...This is the only place left. There has to be something here.

The cylinders begin to drop through the floor and the walls on the other side of the room separate to reveal a hidden room containing a floating metal sphere.

Bunny: It's the Ironheart!

Bunny grabs a device from her back and places it under the Ironheart. The device opens up and begins to collect the Ironheart.

Bunny: So this is the Ironheart...We can close the Dimensional Wall with this, right? And when we have all three of them, we can stop the Colossi and the Vulgus? How awesome is that. But...does something feel weird to you? It feels like...the Ironheart is somehow calling to me.

As Bunny works on collecting the Ironheart, the player's Descendant walks towards it in a trance-like state. They reach their hand out and touch it. When they do, their vision goes white and they are transported to an unknown space.

• Attempt to escape the unknown space

This space appears desolate with a dark, featureless, sky. The player's Descendant finds themselves on a floating metal structure, the first in a series of similarly floating structures. They begin traversing through the space as a woman's voice begins to speak to them.

Guide: I have been waiting for so long...Descendant...The true descendant...Prove yourself...Push forward without hesitation...You're finally here...Believe in yourself...

The player's Descendant makes their way across the structures, using their grappling hook as necessary. At the top of the structure, they are met with a view of the baron, metallic, land, the sun setting in the distance. They are met by a translucent, bright white, figure who walks to them.

Guide: You're finally here. This is a space where your unconscious takes form. I have been waiting for you since the beginning. I am your Guide. I was created to guide the Descendants to the Ironheart. This is the connection procedure, Descendant. Initializing process process to access your consciousness. We both need the Ironheart. I carn help humanity, Descendant.

Guide, the bright white figure, touches the player's Descendant causing them to begin to disintegrate into an orange void-like form. Suddenly, they find themselves back in front of the Ironheart. The Ironheart begins to expand, the metal pieces floating away from the core, before dropping to the ground. This leaves a series of metallic chains surrounding an orange energy sphere floating in front of the two Descendants.

Bunny: The hell?! What just happened? Who was that?

- Viessa: Bunny, did you see it too? The 'Guide'?

- Lepic: Bunny, did you see the 'Guide' too?

- Ajax: Bunny, did you see the 'Guide' too?

Bunny: Yeah...I saw it. It took me to a weird place, and...Hold on! It's the Vulgus! They've found their way here!

An entire board of Vulgus knows as The Soulless rush the room the two Descendants occupy. The player's Descendant begins shooting at the Soulless, defending Bunny who works on securing the Ironheart.

- Viessa: Let's get out of here! Hurry!

- Lepic: Let's get out of here! Hurry!

- Ajax: Let's get out of here! Hurry!

Bunny: I seriously have no idea what's going on!

After another moment, the device Bunny planted captures the Ironheart. Bunny closes the device and straps it to her back.

Bunny: Target secured. I'm moving out! You need to stay alive! We have a lot to talk about!

The room's walls begin to close. It won't be long before the Descendants have no way to escape. Bunny takes off behind the player's Descendant with the goal to extract the Ironheart. The player's Descendant continues to defend against The Soulless, eventually clearing the hoard. They use their grappling hook to swiftly swing between the closing walls and getting to safety...for now.

• Join Bunny

As the player's Descendant navigates their way through The Ruins, the woman's voice begins speaking to them again.

Guide: The Vulgus attacked.

- Viessa: Huh? Where are you?

- Lepic: Ugh, what's that sound?

- Ajax:Ugh, where is that coming from?

Guide: I've synchronized with your consciousness. Focus on the heart. It must not be captured.

• Defeat the approaching Vulgus

The player's Descendant continues navigating through The Ruins, fighting the Vulgus along the way. Enemies include Mass Soldiers, Follower Snipers, Follower Assault Soldiers and more of The Soulless,

As the player's Descendant pushes through the Vulgus, their abilities unlock at full power.

Guide: You are under the influence of your unconscious mind. Test your limits.

- Viessa: What the...? What kind of power is this?

- Lepic: Where did this power come from?

- Ajax: What is this power?

Guide: This is your true form.

• Join Bunny

Alpha: it's been awhile since your last report. Have you regrouped with Bunny? I need confirmation.

- Viessa: Noted. I'm at the rendezvous point. Bunny, where are you? Bunny, respond.

- Lepic: Roger that. Resuming operation. I'm at the rendezvous point. Bunny, where are you? Bunny, shout if you can hear me.

- Ajax: understood. I have arrived at the rendezvous point. Bunny, report your location. Bunny, report.

With no sign of Bunny at the rendezvous point, the player's Descendant continues through The Ruins. This leads them outside the ruins where they stand in front of an army of Vulgus ships. After a moment of looking around, the player's Descendant spots Bunny on her the ground in front of the Vulgus leader, Karel.

- Viessa: Karel?

- Lepic: Karel?

- Ajax: Karel?

Karel looks back and spots the player's Descendant who takes aim and begins to shoot. Karel, however, holds out his hand and manages to catch all the bullets in a force field in front of him before sending the bullets flying back at the player's Descendant. They manage to dodge, but Karel uses a similar force field ability to pull the player's Descendant towards him. Once close, Karel punches the player's Descendant with the power of his force field. Supporting Vulgus soldiers hold the player's Descendant at gunpoint while Vulgus turns his attention to Bunny.

Grabbing Bunny by her suit's ears, lifting her off the ground.

Karel: The time has finally come. Squirm, Ingris.

Karel punches through the device strapped to Bunny's back and pulls out the Ironheart. He tosses Bunny to the side and admires the Ironheart in his hands. Its not long, however, before the Ironheart bursts with red energy, destroying the chains that surrounded it and staggering everyone in the area except Karel.

The ground begins to collapse taking some Vulgus soldiers with it. The player's Descendant graps ahold of Bunny and uses their grappling hook to swing to a different tower. Once they reach the tower, Bunny nearly falls, but the player's Descendant catches and holds on to her.

Alpha: Void energy detected! Report! What is your situation?

- Viessa: Karel touched the heart! It's triggered some kind of anomaly!

- Lepic: Karel touched the heart! It's triggered some kind of anomaly!

- Ajax: Karel made contact with the heart! It's triggered an unidentified anomaly!

The Ironheart unleashes another burst of energy knocking Bunny and the player's Descendant to the ground below. Karel is unable to control the power and drops the Ironheart which deactivates and regains the metal rings surrounding it.

The player's Descendant checks on Bunny, but there is no time to spare as nearby a Dimensional Gate rises and a Colossus known as Grave Walker bursts free from it.

The Grave Walker launches a series of missiles towards the Descendants and the Vulgus. Karel catches a missile in his force field and destroys it while the player's Descendant finds cover.

- Viessa: There's a Grave Walker! I repeat...!

- Lepic: There's a Grave Walker! I repeat...!

- Ajax: There's a Grave Walker! I repeat...!

Karel transports himself and the Ironheart back to his ship. Once on board, the ship disappears.

- Viessa: Dammit. I lost Karel and the objective. Grave Walker approaching. I'm waiting orders.

- Lepic: Dammit. I lost Karel and the objective. Grave Walker approaching. I'm waiting orders.

- Ajax: Dammit. I lost Karel and the objective. Grave Walker approaching. I'm waiting orders.

Alpha: It seems weaker than normal. You are free to engage.

• Defeat Grave Walker

The player's Descendant, along with Bunny, fight the Grave Walker.

Bunny: You want a piece of me? Let's go! Not over yet.

Bunny: Now's the chance! Finish it!

After the Grave Walker is defeated, Bunny nearly collapsed from exhaustion.

Bunny: Alpha, the Ironheart was stolen. The operation failed...

Alpha: Damn it! I never expected Karel to show up in person! After everything we've gone through to find that Ironheart! If we don't find the other two Ironhearts before he does, the Dimensional Wall will be in danger.

Viessa: Don't lose hope, HQ. We've made contact with a "Guide". She's going to help us.

- Lepic: Don't lose hope, HQ. We've made contact with a "Guide". She's going to help us.

- Ajax: Don't lose hope, HQ. We've made contact with a "Guide". It's going to help us.