Editing Xenogears (section)

==Plot==

===Setting===
''Xenogears'' initially takes place on Ignas, the largest continent of the ''Xenogears'' world and the site of a centuries-long war between the nations of Aveh and Kislev.<ref>{{cite web | last=IGN staff | date=1998-08-18 | title=Xenogears Preview | url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/122/122230p1.html | website=IGN | access-date=2009-11-18 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423034519/http://psx.ign.com/articles/122/122230p1.html | archive-date=2011-04-23 }}</ref> A church-like organization known as the Ethos has excavated [[Mecha|gears]], giant robot suits, for the preservation of the world's culture. Although Kislev originally had the upper hand in the war, a mysterious army known as Gebler appeared and began to assist Aveh. With Gebler's help, the Aveh military recovered its losses and began making its way into Kislev's territory. As the story unfolds, the setting broadens to encompass the entire world and the two floating countries, Shevat and Solaris. Solaris, ruled by Emperor Cain and an AI collective known as the Gazel Ministry, commands the Gebler army and the Ethos and secretly uses both to dominate the land-dwellers. Shevat has been the only country to evade the control of Solaris.

Much of the ''Xenogears'' plot and backstory is detailed in the [[Japanese language|Japanese]]-only book ''Xenogears Perfect Works''. Produced by [[DigiCube]], it details the history of the ''Xenogears'' universe from the discovery of the Zohar to the start of the game.<ref>{{cite web | author=Chronologist | date=2001-11-27 | title=Massive Final Fantasy Series Media Update | publisher=RPGFan | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2001/1609.html | access-date=2008-08-18 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524044220/http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2001/1609.html | archive-date=2011-05-24 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | first=Chris | last=Winkler | date=2003-11-29 | title=DigiCube Files for Bankruptcy | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2003/2188.html | publisher=RPGFan | access-date=2008-08-18 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524044230/http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2003/2188.html | archive-date=2011-05-24 }}</ref> According to the ''Perfect Works'' schematic (as well as the game's end credits), ''Xenogears'' is the fifth episode in a series of six, with events spanning multiple millennia.<ref>{{cite book |title=Xenogears Perfect Works |publisher=Digital Cube |isbn=4-9250-7532-2|language=ja |pages=2–3|year=1998}}</ref>

===Characters===
{{Main|Characters of Xenogears}}
''Xenogears''{{'}} nine playable characters come from different areas of the game's world. The game begins on Ignas, a continent with two countries, Aveh and Kislev. Fei and Citan at first appear to be from this land, although it is later learned that they originate from the capital cities Aphel Aura and Etrenank of the floating countries of Shevat and Solaris, respectively. Fei is the story's protagonist, and has initially lost his memories of his past. Elly, a beautiful Gebler officer of Solaris, is destined to be near Fei and falls in love with him by the end of the game. Citan is a man whose knowledge of the world and technology often aids in the party's quest. Bart, a desert pirate, is also from Ignas and is the rightful heir to the throne of Aveh. Rico, a [[demi-human]] with incredible strength, lives in a Kislev prison, spending his days as a gear-battling champion. Solaris, a hidden city of advanced technology, is home to several characters in the game. Billy, a pious worker for the Ethos religious group, was originally from Solaris. Maria and Chu-Chu are both from Shevat, the floating city and the only place resisting Solaris' domination. Emeralda is a humanoid being constructed by an ancient civilization from a colony of [[nanomachines]], and was retrieved from the ruins of the ancient civilization Zeboim.<ref>'''Krelian''': A nanomachine... a molecular machine... Until recently, we were only able to produce... materials which were several times the size of this. Thanks to that girl, the one we obtained from the ruins of the Zeboim civilization, we are now able to make it this compact and elaborate. {{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Enix |publisher=Square Enix |date=2008-08-17 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Significant non-playable characters include Krelian and Miang, both leaders of Solaris who seek to revive Deus, a mechanical weapon that fell to earth thousands of years ago. They serve as the game's main [[antagonist]]s. Grahf, a mysterious man with immense power, serves as a major antagonist; he follows Fei and his group and often fights them, though his goals remain a mystery until very late in the game. As being ''the Contact'' and ''the Anti-type'', Fei and Elly have been reincarnated several times, while ''the Complement'', Miang, has awoken in hundreds of women down throughout the game's history.<ref name="parish"/><ref>{{Cite book |title=Xenogears PERFECT WORKS ~the Real thing~ |date=8 October 1998 |isbn=9784925075329 |pages=166 |publisher=デジキューブ |language=ja}}</ref>

===Story=== 
''Xenogears'' centers around the protagonist Fei Fong Wong, an adopted young male in the village of Lahan, brought by a mysterious "masked man" three years ago.<ref name="characters">{{cite book |editor=Brady Games |title=Xenosaga Official Strategy Guide |year=1998 |publisher=BradyGames |isbn=1-56686-825-4 |pages=11–20}}</ref> The events surrounding Fei's arrival at the village cause him to have [[retrograde amnesia]]. During an attack on Lahan from Gebler, Fei pilots an empty gear and fights the enemy, accidentally destroying the village. As a result, Fei and Citan, the village's doctor, leave with the abandoned gear to get it away from the village.<ref>'''Citan''':And Fei... it may be a good idea for you to leave this place. There is no guarantee that reinforcements from yesterday's units are not going to come.{{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Fei meets Elly, a Gebler officer, and then Grahf, who claims to know about Fei's past and admits to spearheading the attack on Lahan to unlock Fei's abilities. Eventually, Fei and Citan are picked up by Bart, a desert pirate and heir to the throne of Aveh. Fei again loses control of himself inside his gear while Bart and Citan are attacked by an unknown red gear. Fei wakes up in a Kislev prison and meets Wiseman, a mysterious masked man, who originally brought Fei to Lahan.<ref>'''Citan''': The Yggdrasil was badly damaged and sank...I jumped in an escape-pod. {{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Fei is able to escape with the help of his friends, including a new one, prisoner Rico, but he and Elly are separated from the rest of the party and accidentally shot down by Bart.<ref>'''Bart''':Rah hah hah!! That's the power of the Bart Missiles!! Even Kislev's prototype can't stand up to it!! ...Uh, hey... S-stay back... Keep away!{{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref>

They are rescued by the Thames, a mobile floating city. After learning Elly's whereabouts, Gebler attacks Thames to kidnap Elly and Miang, a Gebler officer, unsuccessfully attempts to brainwash her. Gebler leader Ramsus, who holds a vendetta against Fei, attacks Thames, searching for him.<ref>'''Ramsus''': Right. I've got him! I have been looking for you! My arch rival! {{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Afterward, Billy, an Ethos worker onboard Thames, allows Fei to use the Ethos' advanced medical technology. Bishop Stone, Ethos' leader, reveals to the party Ethos's true purpose of controlling the land dwellers, or "Lambs", for Solaris.<ref>'''Stone''': You believed that you were saving wandering souls weren't you? That's why you carried out your cleansing of the 'Reapers', -Wels- from the earth, right? In fact it was all just another control system put in place by Solaris. But what's more, your 'saving' work... that very activity you believed in so much, was in reality...{{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> The group follows Stone to Zeboim, an excavation site. They discover a young girl composed of [[nanomachine]]s, which is what Solarian leader Krelian seeks. Stone takes the girl while the group fights Id, the mysterious red gear's pilot, who wants the girl, but is stopped by Wiseman.<ref>'''Id''': To you, it is just a used-up toy. So give it back. It belongs to me... {{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> The group returns and finds Fei awake and standing at his gear with a case of [[anterograde amnesia]].<ref>'''Fei''': I don't know what I'm doing here myself... I don't have a clear head yet. {{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Fei and his friends decide to ally themselves with the floating city of Shevat, the only remaining city capable of resisting Solaris, joined by Shevat locals Maria and Chu-Chu. During this time, Bart regains his throne and initiates peace between the two countries and Stone is destroyed. Upon entering Solaris, they encounter Emeralda, the nanomachine colony. She attacks at first, but recognizes Fei, referring to him as "Kim", much to Fei's confusion.<ref>'''Rattan''': With that, excuse me. I must report the results. Oh yes, go ahead and take the girl. Use her anyway you like. After all, she is your daughter... {{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> In Solaris, Fei learns that Citan has been working for Emperor Cain and that Solaris has been producing food and medicine out of mutated [[Human cannibalism|humans]] in the [[Soylent Green|Soylent]] System facility.<ref>'''Citan''': Soylent System. The organism experiment lab and its disposal facility in Solaris. And the production facility for food and medicine to maintain the Limiter seal. {{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> The party also learns that the Gazel Ministry seeks to revive God and achieve eternal life, while Krelian seeks to possess Elly. They escape from Solaris before Id destroys it as Citan was really a double agent on their side because Cain was actually against the Ministry. Back at Shevat, Citan informs his friends that Id is actually Fei's [[Dissociative identity disorder|split personality]], with Fei's gear turning red when he switches to Id due to their connection.<ref>'''Citan''': Yes, if it were only Id and Fei. But that does not seem to be the case. Id only manifests when Fei's mental energy is in a weakened state. It is a mystery in itself that the lower level personality of Fei...has any control over the upper level personality of Id. It is obvious that there exists a third personality. Id calls this existence the coward. In my observation, this coward may be the fundamental personality of Fei. {{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref>

After Krelian manipulates Ramsus into assassinating the Emperor, the Gazel Ministry uses the Gaetia Key, an artifact that manipulates the DNA of massive numbers of humans around the world, turning them into mutants called Wels to collect flesh to reconstruct their god, an all-powerful war machine called Deus that crash-landed on the planet ten thousand years ago.<ref>'''Elly as Miang''': Yes, but there is more... The core that was detached from Zohar, the 'Biological ComputerKadomony' crashed onto this primitive planet. It activated -Persona-, its lifesupport plant, that can generate organic material. {{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> During this time, Elly and Fei become romantically involved with each other<ref>'''Elly''': I also learned that I really do need you... It's not because I need you as a sanctuary for my problems. I need you because I truly love you. {{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> and learn that they are the reincarnations of Sophia and Lacan. Lacan was a painter while Sophia was the Holy Mother of Nisan around the time of the war between Shevat and Solaris five hundred years earlier. Lacan blamed himself for Sophia's death during the war and, with the help of Miang, became Grahf and sought to destroy the world. Although defeated, he and Miang have transmigrated their minds into other humans since. Krelian disposes the Gazel Ministry because they are no longer necessary and kidnaps Elly, the ''Mother'', with Miang who must be sacrificed in order to revive Deus. Miang is killed by an enraged Ramsus as he realizes he has been used, and Elly turns into Miang. Before becoming absorbed by Deus with Krelian, Miang revealed that Deus is actually the core of an interplanetary invasion system created by a federation of spacefaring humans, one that was deemed far too dangerous for use and was therefore dismantled.<ref name="parish">{{cite magazine| magazine = [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]| publisher = [[Ziff Davis]] Media| issue = 221|date=November 2007| title = Retronauts Presents: WTFiction!?| first = Jeremy| last = Parish| pages = 132–133}}</ref> Fei, as Id, attempts to make contact with the Zohar. Wiseman, who reveals himself to be Fei's father, stops him, giving peace to Fei's other personalities. At this time, Fei makes contact with the Wave Existence—an extra-dimensional being who is trapped inside Deus and is the source of power for all gears—and learns that he must destroy Deus to free humanity. Fei's gear transforms into the Xenogears and Grahf appears, revealing that he had been inside Fei's father's body.<ref>'''Grahf''': I hear you Fei... You see, He and I are one. I am Khan, Khan is me. He has become one with me, so you too should open your heart and unite with me. Then we can go onto eliminate everything! {{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Grahf tries to merge with Fei but is defeated and sacrifices himself.

Fei had discovered that he is a descendant of Abel, a young boy who was a passenger on board the Eldridge, a spaceship that was being used to transport Deus, who had become [[self-aware]] and took over the Eldridge. Amidst the confusion, Abel was separated from his mother and accidentally made contact with the Wave Existence through the Zohar, Deus' power source. It gave him the power to one day destroy Deus and the Zohar in order to free itself. The Wave Existence also sensed Abel's longing for his mother and used the biological computer Kadomony to create a woman for a companion.<ref>'''Wave Existence''': As a contact, being but only a child, you defined my existence with your desire to return to your mother. Thus I came to prepare the mother's will... that will is Elhaym.{{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> When Deus gained full control over the Eldridge, the captain decided to initiate the self-destruct sequence in an attempt to destroy it. Both Deus and the Zohar survived the explosion and landed on a nearby planet along with Abel, under the protection of the Wave Existence. He was the sole survivor, but was soon united with the woman that the Wave Existence had created for him as a companion, Elly. Abel and Elly, at first, led a happy life, but Deus had also created Miang, Cain, and the Gazel Ministry to begin a human civilization on the planet, one which would be under their control to one day be turned into Wels and be absorbed into Deus to recover its strength. When the now-adult Abel and Elly discovered this, they openly challenged Cain and the Gazel Ministry, but lost and were both killed. However, through the power of the Wave Existence, they are able to be reincarnated in later eras to combat Deus.<ref name="parish"/> One of these incarnations lived during an ancient technologically advanced era in Zeboim, where Abel's incarnation went by the name Kim and created Emeralda. Ramsus, revealed to be a biologically engineered clone of Emperor Cain, who had a change of heart over time after killing Abel, created by Krelian and Miang as a means of controlling Deus who was rejected in favor of Fei, hence his hatred of the latter, attacks one more time and is finally defeated. He is later rescued during an attack and convinced to let go of his anger and aid the group.

Fei sets out to destroy Deus and free the Wave Existence and Elly. In Merkaba, the party defeats Deus, but they realize that the energy released from the Wave Existence's shift will destroy the planet.<ref>'''Citan''': It is like a shock wave that is induced by the dimensional displacement. But... so much energy!? If this much energy is unleashed here now...{{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Elly, inside Deus, tries to move it away from the planet and Fei, in his Xenogears, follows to save her, but both disappear in the rift. Krelian confronts them, telling Fei he only sought to end the pain and suffering that comes with human existence by reverting everything back to when it all began, when all was one, to ascend to the realm of God. Fei rejects Krelian's ideology with his love for Elly, but Krelian challenges Fei, telling him to prove this love that could make him independent of God, and calls forth Urobolus, a gigantic serpentine incarnation of Miang. Xenogears appears and Fei uses it to defeat Urobolus, destroying Miang for good. Krelian releases Elly and reveals to Fei that he had planned to become one with God along with Elly. During her time with Krelian, Elly had seen inside his heart and realized it was full of sadness and despair for all the atrocities he had committed. Despite everything, Elly says that Krelian truly loved people more than anyone else.<ref>'''Elly''': Yes. I came to understand after becoming one with Krelian... His heart was so full of sadness. That is why he desired for he and I to become one with god... Because that would be the return to the beginning of everything... He told me... "You should be with him..." That is what he said... You see... He already knew! Yes, he already knew... how I felt, how you felt... But there was nothing we or he could do... He had no choice but to go forward... even if it meant he lost all feelings, lost everything that was human! For all humankind's sake... There was no going back... Even looking back held too many memories... And he would have... just wanted to go back... Even though he couldn't... So please forgive him... Krelian loved people more than anyone else...{{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Because no one will forgive his sins, he declines Fei's offer to return and ascends to a higher plane of existence along with the Wave Existence, telling Fei and Elly that he envies them. Fei and Elly then return to their planet along with Xenogears and reunite with the rest of the party.<ref>'''Krelian''': Since that time, I have stopped being human. I have committed so many sins that any attempt at living as a human is impossible. The only one who could have forgiven me is god. {{cite video game|title=Xenogears |developer=Square Company, Ltd. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1998-08-21 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref>