“ | The d'Apchiers' research is something father began for my sake. It holds the wishes of each generation's family head. It's the reason I stay here. | ” |
The World Formula Alteration Device (
Description[]
The Alteration Device is a large round machine that resembles a snow globe, adapted from a keyboard instrument, most likely an organ. It has many long pipes coming out of its base, and a large glass globe with a luminous power core at its center. On the top, it has several chains that connect to the tall walls and ceiling of the room, adorned with vines.
The Device is located in the Castle's spacious library, and many books are scattered on the floor, between its pipes.
History[]
In the latter half of the sixteenth century, Chloé d'Apchier, at four years old, became a vampire due to the Babel Incident and stopped growing at age eleven. Her father publicly declared her death and had her promise to keep herself hidden from humans while he searched for a way to turn her human again. He scraped together anything he could find from Paracelsus' research on the World Formula, and gathered alchemists and magicians to research further. His wish to make her human remained even after his death as it became the House of d'Apchier ardent wish, while Chloé watched over them; however, the original purpose of the research — to turn her human again — became twisted into a desire to understand and control the World Formula, so that neither the Church nor the Vampires would be a threat anymore.[1]
She eventually met another vampire, August Ruthven. Chloé showed him her family research on the World Formula and explained that a key element is necessary to tamper with the Formula, and in the d'Apchiers case, they use sound. Ruthven believed they could be fine friends if the Alteration Device works, and they could change the world. As Chloé didn't know anything about the outside world, Ruthven told her that the Catholic Church and the Vampires were at war, and many innocent people died by the hands of the Church.[1]
One day Ruthven came in injured, stating that he was wrong and asking Chloé to hand over the research to him so that he could settle things. As Chloé refused, he grabbed her and drank her blood, trying to put a spell on her and making her swear she will use her research as he commands.[2] Realizing what he was attempting to do, Chloé deflected the curse and ordered him to leave.[3]
After the war was over, as part of the armistice, the vampires would leave to a world beyond, called Altus or Utopia, that consists of sealed spaces created by the Babel Incident. Chloé was dismayed by this news and told herself that she had to hurry to complete the Alteration Device. As decades passed, Chloé became discouraged. For the last hundred years, she had remained the sole researcher in the castle. Naenia used this depression to tempt Chloé, suggesting that Gévaudan was a birdcage, and in order to free herself, it had to be destroyed.[3]
Plot[]
The Beast of Gévaudan Arc[]
Noé Archiviste and Vanitas, accompanied by Dante and Johann, make their way to Gévaudan. Although Noé assumed that the dhampirs followed after them out of interest in solving the mystery behind the Beast of Gévaudan, Dante quickly corrects him, stating that dhampirs care only about information that leads to collecting money, not what happens to Vampires or humans, much to Noé's surprise. However, Vanitas suspects that the pair has a motive beyond gathering information.[4]
Noé, Vanitas, Jeanne, and Astolfo Granatum are fighting the Beast. Vanitas drops his Book, and all of them get knocked out. After the dust settles, Jean-Jacques takes Vanitas' book and, per Chloé's request, an unconscious Noé too, and they return to the Castle.[5]
Meanwhile, being held at knife point, Dante explains to Vanitas that the d'Apchier family was eliminated in quick succession by the curse of the Beast of Gévaudan. Yet, there may have been more to these events as there were rumors that the family had been researching the World Formula after it had been banned by the Church. Through this research, the d'Apchiers created a World Formula Alteration Device that was rumored to have led to the creation of the Beast.[6]
Dante explains that the Device is the reason that humans and Vampires have now converged in Gévaudan, both parties intending on getting their hands on it. Despite Johann's protest, Dante reveals that this information came from Sir Francis Varney, also known as Marquis Machina. When Vanitas questions if the Marquis was his patron, Dante denies it vehemently, stating that dhampirs' only allies are other dhampirs. Instead, the Marquis hired Dante to involve Vanitas in the matter, determine the existence of the Alteration Device, and obtain it if it existed.[6]
Eventually, Chloé activates the Alteration Device. Soon, Vanitas shows up and demands his book back. Naenia shows up and states that Vanitas is an enemy, and Chloé tells her to do whatever she wants with him. As she continues to operate the Alteration Engine, Naenia explains that Chloé's wish is to erase the whole Gévaudan and everything in it.[7]
However, as Chloé finally activates the engine, Naenia screams in pain and gains a physical body. Chloé then states she has spent a lot of time thinking about how to end this nightmare, and as she chokes Naenia, she states she can finally kill her. Chloé explains that her father told her that nobility should take responsibility of its fiefdom's people, and the d'Apchiers take pride in that. Because of that, she can never hate her people and will always love them. However, as Naenia defiled Jean-Jacques' name, she won't ever forgive her.[7]
Vanitas tries to tell her to stop and not provoke Naenia anymore, because if she reminds her who she really is, Chloé won't be able to kill her. Naenia's outer skin then breaks and a light comes out, transforming her body. Chloé cannot defy her and Naenia kisses her, causing Chloé's Malnomen to manifest, darkness spreads from her, and the space around her begins to crumble and warp. Once the tower is destroyed, the alteration device shuts down which releases Naenia from her physical form. Naenia wanders off to hunt down more names, and the Parade of Charlatan appears, affecting everyone in the tower.[8]
Chloé starts losing control and attempts to stop Vanitas from saving her, but Jeanne engages her in a fight. Vanitas uses his Book to activate the Alteration Device and begin the sequence to stabilize Chloé, in order to avoid further destruction of the Castle and of Gévaudan. Chloé then states she wanted to use the device to take revenge on Naenia, and then have the d'Apchier Automatons kill her, so that finally Jean-Jacques could be free.[9]
Chloé admits to herself that her happiness towards her father for his dedication to her was a lie. In reality, she was lonely as his desperation to turn her human meant that he didn't acknowledge her in her current form. Instead, her desire is to be accepted. Before her existence destabilizes, Jean-Jacques and Jeanne reach out to her and pull her from the space. Vanitas calls to "Luna, Blue Moon" to lend him strength through his Mark of Possession, and activates the Book of Vanitas, curing Chloé.[10]
Jean-Jacques resolves to protect Chloé as himself, rather than as the Beast of Gévaudan, and encourages that they both live, together. Vanitas restores Jean-Jacques’s true name.
Meanwhile, Dante and Johann search the area that was once controlled by Millie for any signs of the device Marquis Machina asked them to retrieve. The two contemplate why they all arrived at Gévaudan in the first place, since the corpses that brought them there were never explained.[11] Johann suddenly collapses, and Dante is knocked out by Gano, who retrieves the Alteration Device Core (
Powers and Abilities[]
Coming soon!
Appearances[]
- Mémoire 29: Chateau de Sorcière — The Witch and the Youth (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 30: Strascinando — Tremolo
- Mémoire 31: Oiseau et Ciel — The Vampire of the d’Apchiers (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 32: Visiteur — Footfalls of the Beast
- Mémoire 33: Cauchemar — Rumble
- Mémoire 34.5: Jean-Jacques — The Vampire of the Chastels (Part Two) (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 37: Vengeance — Hands That Touch a Nightmare
- Mémoire 38: Naenia — She Who Harbors Death (Part One)
- Mémoire 38.5: Naenia — She Who Harbors Death (Part Two)
- Mémoire 39: Poupée Fissurée — The Essence of the Witch
- Mémoire 40: Avec Toi — Alone Together
- Mémoire 41: Canorus — Snow Flower
- Mémoire 42: Encore une Fois — Love
- Mémoire 43: Encens Restant — Lingering Scent of the Dream
- Mémoire 57: Au Revoir — Again, Someday
- Mémoire 14: Château de Sorcière -The Witch and the Young Man-
- Mémoire 15: Oiseau et ciel -The d'Apchiers' Vampire-
- Mémoire 16: Chasse aux Vampires -The Beast-
- Mémoire 17: Vengeance -Hands Upon a Nightmare-
- Mémoire 18: Avec Toi -Just the Two of Us-
- Mémoire 19: Canorus -Snow Flower-
Trivia[]
- The Alteration Device is shaped like a snow globe, fitting Chloé's theme of ice and snow, as well as her Malnomen.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mémoire 31: Oiseau et Ciel
- ↑ Mémoire 32: Visiteur
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mémoire 33: Cauchemar
- ↑ Mémoire 24: Forêt d'argent
- ↑ Mémoire 26: Dissonance
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Mémoire 29: Château de Sorcière
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mémoire 37: Vengeance
- ↑ Mémoire 38: Naenia (Part One)
- ↑ Mémoire 40: Avec Toi
- ↑ Mémoire 41: Canorus
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Mémoire 43: Encens Restant