Profile[]
Not much is currently known about this mysterious figure. No records of her exist within the Central Government database, suggesting she is a Pilgrim. Her motivations and origins are also not clear, but she has a deep distrust of humans. She is easily recognizable by the mask covering her scared face, along with the coffin she carries behind her that holds something very special to her. Having been alive for around a century, her voice is raspy and her speech is limited.
She wields the Seven Dwarves, Snow White's signature weapon, but she does not claim them as her own and wishes to return them to her. Despite carrying around and worshiping one of the Goddess squad's worst enemies, she still reveres them as heroes of legend and wishes to meet them someday. She is also very handy and knows how to build and fix machinery.
It was later revealed that Grave is actually a mass-produced Nikke who used to be known as Abe, the creator of the Old Tales squad. Although database records regarding of the aforementioned squad or her involvement have been wiped out completely. As Cinderella's creator, Grave's primary goal is to rewrite the story of her creation, which was long tainted due to her Corruption as the Heretic Anachiro.
Nikke Backstory[]
An unknown Nikke who wanders the surface with a huge coffin on her back.
In pursuit of her hidden objectives, her stealth and evasion skills are unmatched by ordinary individuals.
Story[]
Background[]
Grave was originally known as Abe, a Product 23-based mass-produced Nikke who acted as the chief researcher for V.T.C., a religious organization.
As Abe, Grave was the creator of Old Tales, a squad composed entirely of 2nd-generation Grimms Nikkes intended to surpass and succeed Goddess Squad. Meaning she was also the creator and handler of Cinderella, prior to her corruption into the Heretic Anachiro. Following Anachiro's destruction and exposure to Vapaus, Abe was the one who liberated Cinderella and believed in her, even when everyone saw the latter as a Heretic and demanded she die, including Cinderella herself.[2][3]
Abe joined Cinderella and the rest of Old Tales to siege the Lift and attempt to eliminate the Rapture Queen, though attacks from the Queen caused her to fall from the Lift back down to Earth.[4] She somehow survived the fall and started her journey on finding Cinderella and the remaining Old Tales members, but sustained head injuries which resulted in her gradual memory loss. Five years later, Grave recovered what remained of Cinderella's body and set to work repairing it, in hopes of reviving her charge even if her equipment and materials are inadequate.[5]
She made her first encounter with Nikkes on the surface which resulted in her being kidnapped by researchers from the Ark who wanted to extract valuables as she was a relic from the past, they decided to discard her as nothing of value can be found. Although alive, the research led to the disfigurement of her face and her difficulty speaking.[6][5] Even as time and tribulation wore at her body, made her forget her past and even her name, she never forgot Cinderella, or her promise that they'd rewrite the shameful history of Anachiro.[7]
At some point on her journey, Grave made a visit Snow White's secret workshop to find her, but only found a weapon and some parts left behind, which she believed was one of Snow White's Seven Dwarves components. Feeling that it would be a waste to let such a masterfully-crafted weapon languish, Grave took it with her with the intent of delivering it.[8] The Seven Dwarves would turn into Grave's mainstay weapon as she ferried Cinderella across the surface.
Over the next 100 years, Grave strove to gather resources and materials to repair Cinderella, transporting her in a cryogenic coffin to prevent brain death. To prevent Cinderella from being discovered by Raptures, Grave used various hiding spots on the surface to sequester her.
Unfortunately, Cinderella was discovered by the Heretic Nihilister, who attempted to abscond with her.[7] Grave managed to secure the coffin and flee with it all the way to the Crystal Region where she ran into another Heretic group, the Four Beasts. In her rush to flee from these new Heretics, Grave forgot to secure the coffin lid, causing Cinderella to fall out and be enveloped by the crystals. In a surprising twist, however, the crystals did not parasitize Cinderella's body, merely cocooning her in a shell that was somewhat difficult to break through. That was when Grave discovered that the crystals were incapable of assimilating Cinderella's body and her Glass Slippers.[9]
After shaking off the Four Beasts, who somehow failed to detect Cinderella within the crystals, Grave realized that the Crystal Region was the ideal place for her to hide her charge while she gathered the materials to revive her. Better still, there was a Harmony Cube in the area, one she could use to bolster the functions of the coffin. Despite a few run-ins with Behemoth of the Four Beasts, Grave learned how to traverse the crystal region while gathering materials and safeguarding Cinderella, crafting all manner of tools including a stake she used to make crystal hideaways for the coffin.[9] However later on, Glass Slippers became a sentient weapon and a Tyrant-class Rapture empowered by the Harmony Cubes located at the Crystal Region.[10]
Main Story[]
Chapter 28[]
When the Counters and Company discover the medical equipment she was using to care for Cinderella and upon hearing Rapi wanting to destroy everything, the Unknown emerges to order the group to leave. Hammering goes mono-a-mono with her, but ends up getting knocked back into a wall. Since they refused to comply, she introduced them to her secret weapon; the Seven Dwarves. She unleashed a volley of gunfire and explosives, almost hitting Liveryn and Elegg. Hammering managed to reflect one of her grenades back at her. After Raptures flooded the area, Grave retreated.
Despite having a lead over her pursuers, the group manages to catch up to her. She looked exhausted from having to carry so much gear and Anis and Neon offered to "lend her a hand". Both Rapi and the Protagonist wanted to have a word with her (for completely different reasons), but she wasn't in the mood to talk to "humans", which she views as distrustful. After manipulating some nearby crystals, she creates a barrier between them. Hammering was able to smash her way through it, but the Unknown disappeared again.
Chapter 29[]
While separated from the Counters, Elegg, Liveryn, and Hammering were trying to find a way back to their friends. On their journey, they had discovered the Unknown, wandering around while seeming exacerbated. The three plead with her to let them be and maybe to show them the way out (with Hammering willing to take her on again), only for her to turn her back on them and move in the other direction... until she hears the shutter from Liveryn's camera. She shoots at them again and Hammering again wants to hold her off while her comrades escape.
The three ran for their lives, but Hammering turned back to fight the Unknown, Seven Dwarves vs. hammer. The miner managed to reflect some of her bullets, with some hitting some crystals on the ceiling and pinning her down. Hammering was going to get help to free her, but she never returned.
The Counters and their new(ish) company discover what remains of their foe(?) Though many wish to leave her be, the commander wants to help her out, though she doesn't want his help. Since that's the case, he orders his Nikkes to free her, to their bemoaning.
With the Unknown no longer under a pile of rubble, she was more receptive to hear them out, to an extent. She even points in the direction of their missing friends and lets them leave in peace. Though she doesn't say it out loud, she feels she finally met people who showed her kindness.
Chapter 30[]
Sensing the protagonist was going to be absorbed by a Crystal Chamber, the Unknown hurries towards them to save his life, though because of the speed she's traveling and her firing her weapon, they interpret it as an attack. Due to her firepower, both the commander and Rapi are separated from the others, though she meant them no harm.
The Unknown catches up with the two and offers to show them the way back to their friends. She also explains why she "attacked them" and upon noticing his foot was infected with crystals, they believe her. Since their current location was dangerous, she wanted to get a move on.
During their walk together, the Unknown gave herself the name Grave (the commander also had some options, but neither was to her liking). As for why she's in the crystal region, she's here to help rewrite an old story... but doesn't go into further details (mainly due to it being difficult for her to communicate). She also has nothing to do with the crystals that call this place home. She wants to help them to repay their kindness. Even though the commander is human, she doesn't see him as one. His honesty and generosity is different from the others she had met, so she wants to give some back to him as well. She was also happy he managed to get Liveryn to delete the photo she took of her. Since the two were on good terms, the protagonist is fine with not being a person to her.
Grave shares with the two that she has only encountered three other Nikkes before meeting them. Two died before they could be saved and the other was a human... She tries her best to avoid others and her mission has driven her actions for so long. She notices that Rapi doesn't have one and suggests that she should find one for herself too.
They keep going, but figure out that the protagonist is in pain. Fortunately Grave has some medicine that should cure him for the most part. For some reason, Rapi slowly moves towards the coffin she was carrying, despite her threats. Upon opening it... she's enraged to discover the Heretic Anachiro inside.
The two get into a heated fight and it is clear that Grave had the upper hand. She managed to pin Rapi down, but upon accessing Red Hood's power, she managed to get the strength to push Grave back. Seeing Rapi seemingly "defile" the Goddess's legacy infuriated her even more. Before the battle escalated any further, Anis and Neon came to the rescue. Outnumbered and weakened, Grave took her coffin and retreated.
Chapter 31[]
The Counters return to the crystal region with Absolute to find Grave and eliminate the Heretic she's carrying. They managed to track her down and Eunhwa shot her in the leg, preventing her from moving. She didn't outright kill her so Weakling could try to reason with her. He tries to come off as peaceful as possible, but she no longer trusts him after what Rapi did. He assures her that she doesn't want to take what's in the coffin, but she's ready to blow everyone up with self-made explosives. Before she could, they are ambushed by Behemoth and Grave is pinned under one of her clamps. Rapi tries to save her, but her fate ends up the same. After using the crystals to create a cover for herself, she kidnaps the coffin and scurries away. Grave limps after her.
She catches up to Behemoth, who has a proposition for her. If Grave opens up the coffin, she promises to let her leave alive. Behemoth pities her to do her old body failing her and for trying to complete a mission no one else cares about. Despite that, she's not going to give up. She fires the Seven Dwarves, only for the Beast to deflect every shot. Behemoth realizes that Grave doesn't fully comprehend the weapon she wields and sends some crystals through her shoes, but stops short of impaling her with them. Grave manages to destroy them, but gets slammed into a wall by a clamp.
The Counters and Absolute come to her rescue and take her back to their base. Mana was caring for her and managed to replace her language circuitry, making it easier for her to talk.
Chapter 32[]
Though she's in an unfamiliar place with a cleaner sounding voice, Grave is calmer than expected. The protagonist makes a deal with her. They will help her with her mission and won't destroy the one in the coffin so long as the one inside of it is not a Heretic. She still doesn't trust them, but Rapi comes clean about her relationship with Red Hood and apologizes for attacking her, trying to make amends. Even so, Grave still has her reasons to disbelieve them. Only after the commander shows her a video Red Hood recorded when they met her,[11] does she agree to accept their help to revive Cinderella.
In order to do so, they need access to Glass Slippers, Cinderella's weapons, which are in Behemoth's possession. She also explains how Anachiro was cured and reverted back to Cinderella, as well as how the two got to this point. With everyone on the same page, they head out to find Behemoth to find what they are looking for.
The group tracks the Beast down, but are discovered and attacked. She manages to reclaim the coffin and knocks everyone out, but they are not defeated just yet.
The group, minus Eunhwa and Emma due to the former being currently consumed by crystals, reach Behemoth's lair and find Glass Slippers, which is currently infected by crystals. While most either take on or distract the Beast, Grave tries to activate the Slippers to awaken Cinderella. She manages to get them to work, but upon using them, it seems the Heretic Anachiro was the one to greet them. She was willing to kill her if this was the case, but after some encouragement from the protagonist, she refused to give up and tried to restore Cinderella once again.
Showing Cinderella her true face, Grave has successfully prevented her from being re-corrupted and the Goddess battles the Beast. The group is brought back to Reclamation site 01 and Mana was tasked with personally looking after her since her injuries were pretty severe. However, she should be relatively easy to repair since she is a mass–produced unit.
Event Story[]
Bond story[]
Set after the events of Chapter 34 of the campaign
Episode 1 - A Desire to Learn[]
Reclamation Site 01, nightfall. The protagonist is confined to the infirmary for a week due to excessive battlefield rigors. While struggling to sleep amid the choking silence, he hears a knock at the door and Grave asking to be let in. Obliging her, the protagonist listens to Grave's request for assistance regarding...the way she speaks? Grave asks the protagonist for his opinion regarding her speech capabilities. He tells her that her grammar is markedly improving compared to when she wore her full helmet and her speech functions were damaged. However, she could still use some work. But as far as he knows and cares, being able to understand her should suffice.
Grave takes the words in stride before stopping herself, apparently nearly misconstruing his words as a compliment towards her speech and...seeing that as a bad thing? She explains that the protagonist has a certain...eloquence to his words, that fills her with reassurance. An oratory charisma that, as Counters can attest, has earned him a massive circle of friends and associates. She believes that Cinderella finds her manner of speaking less-than-beautiful, even if her charge would never say it outright, and wishes to improve.
Plus, improving her talking ability would only prove beneficial in the long run. For now, she's fortunate that Cinderella and everyone else can understand her, but she acknowledges that her way of speaking can be misconstrued by others. It was only because the protagonist insisted on dialogue during their first meetings that they've come to the understanding they have now. Such qualities put him several levels above the average human in her eyes. Superhuman, even.
While the protagonist is flattered by the praise, Grave restates her request to learn how to speak with others. She promised to rewrite Cinderella's story, which also means she'll have to talk with those who remember "Anachiro" and convince them that the Heretic is no more. As optimistic as the protagonist is, Grave is all too aware of the fear Heretics inspire in the common person, Anachiro being little different in that regard. Just as the protagonist showed her that there were humans who acted nothing like her biases, she wants to convince people that Cinderella is not Anachiro, and that they have nothing to fear from her.
The protagonist agrees to Grave's request, which starts with her suggesting they converse at least once a day. She sees talking as a skill, and like any skill, the only way to improve it is with practice and repetition. Not to say they're always going to do this, but at the very least, Grave wants to keep this arrangement until the protagonist's mandatory rest period is over. With the conditions set, Grave bids the protagonist goodbye, promising to meet tomorrow night.
Episode 2 - Once More, With Feeling[]
The next night, Grave visits the protagonist for their arranged conversation. The protagonist starts by asking if there's any topics in particular she wishes to talk about. Grave mulls it over for moment before...asking if the protagonist has eaten yet. After he answers her question, the two wait in awkward silence for some time.
The protagonist asks if such a...laconic conversation is really Grave's idea for conversation practice, but as the Pilgrim explains, she wants to be able to articulate her thoughts more clearly to others, which is why they're doing this. To better facilitate conversation, the protagonist asks Grave to tell her story, her past and what she's done before. The Pilgrim pauses before admitting...she doesn't recall, as a great deal of her old memories have been lost to her wanderings on the surface.
The protagonist asks Grave if she remembers anything related to Cinderella, given her status as the latter's creator. Unfortunately, she doesn't have any of those memories either. Not from a Mind Switch causing her to lose them, but because she suffered actual physical trauma to her brain. Grave recalls that previously, humans captured her and surgically opened up her brain to see if she had anything of value in there. When they couldn't find anything, they stopped doing so, and in the process neglected to undo any damage they'd done to her.
The protagonist apologizes for bringing up bad memories, though Grave assures him it's alright. Though she previously felt nauseous at the mere thought of those moments, she's been getting better ever since she met Counters and Cinderella was revived. Though that serves to soften the blow, the fact remains that most if not all of Grave's memories and knowledge were lost to her involuntary lobotomy. The damage was so bad that it took her some time afterwards to register what numbers meant.
The protagonist sympathizes with Grave's loss, while the Pilgrim recalls how she'd suffered in those days. Cinderella was still in the coffin, and while Grave had left behind notes on her gear and reviving her charge, none of them made sense in her newly-reduced state. She basically had to completely relearn how to read and write. Which she eventually did, even if it took a long time to do so. The protagonist muses that Grave put in a lot of effort, and how even through the brain damage, she'd never forgotten Cinderella or how much she cared for her. Grave closes her eyes and recalls her friends. The people she'd never forgotten even when everything else was lost; Hansel, Gretel, Siren, and of course Cinderella. She supposes that if she'd lost even those memories, then in all likelihood, she'd have lost all reason to live. That's how much their memories meant to her...and how much they still mean to her in the present.
The protagonist then changes topics to Grave's studies to recover her knowledge, which she regales easily. She'd scoured the surface and studied documents left behind when humans fled to the Ark. She tinkered with abandoned medical equipment, taking it apart and putting it back together in repetition. This allowed her to learn how to operate the equipment, using it to maintain and repair Cinderella. The protagonist remarks on how amazing Grave is, to pick herself back up after losing everything and persevere with her goal.
Grave gives pause at the praise, then closes her eyes and ponders. She'd never expected to talk about herself at length like this, but talking with the protagonist felt...pleasant, and encouraged her to keep going. Before she knew it, she'd pretty much given her life story. She wonders if it's because the protagonist says nice things, but he asserts that what he says are not just platitudes. Grave agrees, commenting that he's always been genuine with his words, even back when they'd first met.
Grave recalls that whenever he'd thanked her, she could sense the gratitude in his words. That they had substance, and were spoken from the heart. She muses that this must be why he feels so pleasant to talk to. He has sincerity, which she deduces is the key to a meaningful conversation. Heartened by this progress, Grave asks to meet again tomorrow night for a conversation, which the protagonist agrees to.
Episode 3 - A Desire to Be Close[]
The next night, Grave meets with the protagonist again, telling him she has a problem. She has no idea what to talk about for tonight's conversation. Last night's exposition dump was basically her entire backstory, and she can't think of anything else from before that she may wish to discuss. The protagonist wonders if the past is all they ever have to talk about, suggesting that instead Grave talk about today and what she did. Just a small chat about how her day went.
Grave explains that she woke up and went to see Cinderella. They'd eaten the breakfast Rapi made, and then spent time with Anis and Neon until nightfall, when she for her scheduled conversation. The summary is a little too summarizing, leaving the two of them to stand in awkward silence. The protagonist asks if there was anything more to Grave's day, and she recalls that something did indeed happen. Shortly before she came to see him, she'd been helping Cinderella brush her hair.
Grave explains that Cinderella puts a lot of concern into her hair, so she helps her charge to maintain it on a regular basis. The protagonist comments on the dedication it takes to help another with something like that, prompting Grave to ponder on how surreal it all seems at times. Back when Cinderella was still in stasis, all Grave cared about was seeing her Goddess open her eyes again, no matter what it took. Now, Cinderella is awake and talking with others, and Grave helps her become more beautiful each day. Knowing that she can spend these days together with Cinderella...it fills her with joy.
All this talk about Cinderella makes the protagonist wonder if Grave takes any time to take care of herself. Something like training or refining her own beauty. Getting his point, Grave explains that she does do those. Her body still has some aspects and quirks she's unfamiliar with, so she trains to acclimate herself. Cinderella also assists using her Glass Slippers to provide training equipment and scenarios. The fact that they'd done so earlier today completely slipped her mind.
As for beautification, while Grave doesn't personally have a need for it, Cinderella does and offers her own expertise, brushing her hair or polishing her helmet. The protagonist notes that Grave's helmet is still partially covering her face, which as she admits is to obscure the scars. Those have remained, as her body has been repaired and altered, not replaced. Regardless, Mana's modifications are remarkable, exceeding even Grave's expectations. As for the scars, Cindrella claimed even scars had their own beauty to them, so she doesn't mind if they remain.
Having explained how she allocates time to herself, Grave then asks the protagonist about his own day. He's touched at the question, much to Grave's confusion until he explains that asking about another's day is a kind of unspoken request to become closer. The Pilgrim then wonders if he wants to do the same to her, and admits that rather than be bothered, she feels...happy. She asks to hear the protagonist's story, and he obliges.
Episode 4 - Words of Solidarity[]
Over the next several nights, Grave and the protagonist converse in the infirmary over all sorts of topics. Chatting about teammates, how Anis' soda-chugging and Neon's "Super Vision" exclamations are chalked up to character quirks, much like Cinderella's fixation on mirrors. Talking about the Ark, and how the Dome of Eternity that encompasses it can even simulate snow and rain at Enikk's decision. Sharing stories, such as Grave's recollection on how Glass Slippers had an enamoring sheen to it after polishing, that made it feel like a weapon worthy of a Goddess.
Like this, time passes until the week is nearly over. The protagonist suggests they talk outside for a change of pace, and Grave agrees.
The outdoors is cold from the night breeze blowing in. The protagonist assures Grave he won't get sick before turning his gaze to the sky. The sheer number of stars fills him with wonderment, prompting Grave to comment that the sky tonight is clear of any inclement weather, and will be that way for the rest of the night. The protagonist comments on Grave's sense for the weather, which Grave chalks up to her time wandering.
Whenever Grave activated the devices to repair Cinderella, there wasn't much else she could do. Sleeping wasn't an option, lest she risk a Heretic stumbling onto her operation. So she turned to the sky, and learned from it how to tell when the weather would be great for stargazing. The protagonist asks what Grave thought as she looked to the stars, to which she responds that she wished upon them. She recalled an old saying about wishing upon a star, but since she couldn't recall the specifics of it, she just wished on every star she saw.
Quite obviously, Grave wished for Cinderella to awaken in those times. Nothing else was ever included in her wishes. Nothing else mattered until Cinderella woke up. The protagonist muses that all those stars she wished to listened, and granted what she desired. As Grave ponders on the credence to wishing on a star, the protagonist decides to ask another question. Now that Cinderella has woken up, is there anything else Grave wishes for?
Pondering, Grave admits she hasn't put any thought into it as of late. Since Cinderella awoke, she's been tied up either in combat or being around other people. She can't really recall when she last gazed at the stars by herself. The protagonist suggests that Grave make a new wish here and now, like for instance, making sure that the things she wishes to accomplish go well for her. Parsing that thought, Grave expresses her desire to meet with the others, Cinderella's squad, once more. To fulfill her promise to rewrite their stories, and give them all a happy ending this time. The protagonist tells Grave she can wish for that to the stars now, a notion she happily agrees to.
Having decided on a new wish, Grave asks the protagonist what he wishes for when looking at the stars. After thinking it over, he can think of three main things. To reunite with the friend he cherished and was forced to part ways with. To live happily with those he walks beside. And for all of them to have a happy ending together. Hearing his answer, Grave closes her eyes, comments that his wish is a good one, and promises to help him make it reality. She has so many things to be thankful for because of him, so now it's her turn to help.
As the two exchange gratitude, the protagonist comments that Grave has gotten a lot better at talking. Though the Pilgrim seems uncertain, it's clear to him that she's gotten a lot better at expressing herself to others. As much as he'd love to talk more, their time is almost up. Soon, they'll both be going their own ways to accomplish their goals. Hearing the protagonist comment sadly on the end of their time, Grave seems to want to say something, but keeps silent as they both head back inside.
Episode 5 - Desire to Reunite[]
Come morning, Mana gives the protagonist a clean bill of health and tells him he can be discharged. As the scientist leaves, a knock at the door reveals Grave, who wanted to say something she couldn't last night. Something she mulled and fretted over, worrying that she'd miscommunicate. Today, she concluded that even imperfectly, there was something she wanted to convey.
Looking "Superhuman" in the eyes, Grave recalls how they spent nights talking about anything and everything. How they shared stories about their lives, their wishes and promising to support each other. Learning to speak from the heart with him was the first lengthy conversation she's had after her memory loss that was...fun. Not with business as its focus, just two people passing the time talking about whatever.
So she wanted to thank him. For helping her rewrite her story. For listening to her story, empathizing without bias or expectation. For being the one she can call...the very first reader of her story. That's why when they both achieve their aims and meet again, she hopes that they can have a conversation just like they're doing right now. The protagonist agrees, much to her gratitude.
Having said her piece, Grave bids goodbye and moves to exit the room. As the light from the doorway engulfs her figure, the protagonist calls out to her, and she stops to turn. He tells her that when they meet again, he wants to hear about the happy ending she'll have written. As her first reader. Grave smiles, and promises so. They'll meet again someday, and when they do, she'll give him a story. A story of herself and Cinderella, and how they rewrote their ending into a happy one.
Grave turns back to the door and steps out, light enveloping her frame as if the deathly shades of before are being banished from her shoulders.
Story appearances[]
Main story[]
Events[]
Bond story[]
Brief encounters[]
References[]
- Notes
- References
- ↑ GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE | 2nd Anniversary Livestream
- ↑ Old Tales (event)#Silent Atonement: B
- ↑ Old Tales (event)#Always Watching You: B
- ↑ Old Tales (event)#End of Story: B
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Event, Old Tales. Cutscene: "A Fairy Tale to be Continued."
- ↑ Story, Chapter 30. Cutscene: "Human's Standard: B."
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Advance#Glass Slipper
- ↑ Grave Side Quest 3
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Grave Side Quest 2
- ↑ Mirror Container description.
- ↑ Return#Desire to Return Again: B