| Overview |
Using the Divergence Matrix is the name of Episode 1, Chapter 1 of Phantasy Star Online 2. On the day of their certification mission, the protagonist hears the pleas of a mysterious girl. Together with partner Afin, the duo finds her unconscious form near a great tree in the Naverius Forest after subduing an equally mysterious masked assailant.
Story Quests in this chapter[]
- An Encounter with Xion
- A Mysterious Voice
- Close Encounter with a Masked Demon
- Protecting a Fallen Matoi
- Notice from the Medical Bay
- Two ARKS in a Pod
- The Shadow Servant
- ARKS Being Here
- Being ARKS
- Risa the Sharpshooter
- Nothing Understood
- Seeking to Change History
Characters appearing in this chapter[]
Plot[]
The protagonist wanders around the ARKS Ship when they suddenly come across a woman dressed in a lab coat in the Shopping Plaza. Her name is Xion and she describes herself as an observer. She speaks cryptically, alluding to the fact that they may have known each other. Apologizing for her vague words, she bestows the Divergence Matrix: a device capable of gathering divergences in the time stream which can bring forth new possibilities. She then bids the protagonist to travel to Naverius before disappearing.
Heeding her words, the protagonist uses the power of the Divergence Matrix to travel back to the Naverius Forest during the beginning of their certification mission. To the outside observer such as Afin, it appeared as if the protagonist zoned out for some time before coming to their senses. The protagonist listens to Afin's concerns when they suddenly experience a static distortion and hear a faint voice calling for help. They decide to follow the source of the voice, with Afin following close by in confusion.
The duo is then confronted by a wordless masked stranger. The person beckons to the protagonist and then suddenly attacks the rookies unprovoked. The two engage in combat with their assailant when suddenly one of the masked person's attacks is blocked by a pair of knuckle weapons. The blue-haired man wielding them exchanges blows with the foe and the two eventually separate. The man, whose name is Gettemhult, commands his partner Melfonseana to search the database for information on the lot of them. When she is unable to locate any information on the masked person, the enemy throws one final attack out before leaving. Although Gettemhult chastises the rookies for being inexperienced, he takes some interest in the protagonist for attracting the enmity of such a mysterious enemy before departing. Melfonseana leaves as well after offering a polite farewell. Afin, bewildered by what just happened, asks the protagonist why they decided to travel in this direction before the fight broke out. The protagonist tells him that they heard a voice calling for help. Unable to ignore something like that, Afin offers his assistance.
The two approach a great tree towering over a lush underbrush. Beneath the tree is a young lady dressed in white. She calls for help and then falls unconscious. At the same time, an ARKS operator announces that the Code F Order has been rescinded. The rookies decide to bring the girl back to the ARKS Ship with them.
After delivering her to the Medical Bay, Afin decides to relax in the lobby and bids farewell. Shortly after, the protagonist is called to the Medical Bay since the girl has woken up. When they arrive, the girl, who was unusually taciturn to the medical staff, engages the protagonist and seems to already know their name. The girl then introduces herself as Matoi. Despite the protagonist telling Filia, a nurse, that they do not know her, the girl seems to be close to them regardless. With no information on Matoi's background and no other place for her to stay, Filia offers to watch over her while the protagonist continues their work. She promises to contact them if anything should come up. Before leaving, Matoi asks the protagonist be to be extra careful because of a feeling she has.
Two days later, the protagonist meets the information sisters, Pati and Tia, in the Naverius Forest. The conversation turns to talk about the Falspawn, creatures capable of corrupting wildlife, and how they seem to be appearing more often around Naverius lately.
Three days after, as the protagonist is exploring the Naverius Forest, they are suddenly caught by surprise by a woman armed with daggers. She appears from out of thin air behind them. The woman informs them that rampaging dragons are on the rise and asks if they have seen any particularly strong specimens. When the protagonist shakes their head no, she apologizes and disappears as mysteriously as she appeared.
On unspecified dates, the protagonist meets three ARKS ops in the Forest: Oza, a Hunter who regards the presence of ARKS as a sign of increasing danger; Marlu, a Force who echoes the previous sentiment; and Risa, a Ranger with a deep and twisted love for shooting.
The protagonist later checks in on Matoi at the medical center. She tells them that she has common knowledge and language down but cannot seem to remember anything about her past. When she tries, she immediately suffers from an excruciating headache. She promises them that she will try her best to remember anything as soon as she can.
Upon arriving at the Shopping Plaza near the monument, the protagonist once again meets the mysterious lady, Xion. She expresses gratitude for identifying the best divergence and apologizes for having to rely on them despite not fully earning their trust with her cryptic mannerisms. She informs the protagonist that a new Divergence Matrix has been born and with it the ability to intervene in new potentialities. Before disappearing, Xion mentions that she continues to experience feelings of regret but is hoping that the protagonist may be able to free her from it.
Information synopsis[]
- The Divergence Matrix is a tool capable of changing events in history.
- The Code F Order that was issued on the day of the certification mission is rescinded without the intervention of the rookies.
- A masked stranger seems to want to kill the protagonist for reasons unknown.
- Gettemhult is a powerful thug that seems to harbor a deep hatred of Falspawn.
- Melfonseana regards most people politely but goes the extra mile with Gettemhult, going so far as to call him Master.
- Matoi is found beneath a great tree, dressed all in white.
- Matoi is initially listless around the medical staff but begins to slowly open up once she sees the protagonist.
- Matoi seems to already know the protagonist's name, saying she heard it in her head.
- Matoi seems to have an unusual bond with the protagonist, with the nurse Filia saying it appeared as if the protagonist is imprinted on her despite the latter claiming to not know her.
- Pati and Tia are a pair of ARKS ops who specialize in gathering information.
- A blue-haired woman capable of turning herself invisible seems to be hunting a strong rampaging dragon.
- This is the first appearance of Oza, Marlu, and fan-favorite Risa.
- Whenever Matoi tries to remember something from her past, she suffers from a painful headache.
- Xion seems to harbor feelings of regret and hopes the protagonist can absolve her of it with their actions.
| Playable Races | Human - Newman - CAST - Deuman |
|---|---|
| Playable Classes | Hunter - Fighter - Ranger - Gunner - Force - Techter - Braver - Bouncer - Summoner - Hero - Phantom - Étoile - Luster |
| Weapons | Sword - Wired Lance - Partisan - Twin Daggers - Double Saber - Knuckles - Katana - Soaring Blades - Gunblade Assault Rifle - Launcher - Twin Machine Guns - Bow Rod - Talis - Wand - Jet Boots - Harmonizer |
| Armors | Rear - Arm - Leg - Sub - Ring |
| Others | Auxiliary - Mag - Pet - Weapon Camo - Weapon Form |
| Guardian | Protagonist - Matoi |
| Council of Six | Regius - Maria - Casra I - Casra II - Atossa - Zeno - Klariskrays - Klariskrays II - Iris - Wolf - Huey - Quna |
| ARKS/Oracle | Afin - Aika - Aki - Azanami - Cofy - Echo - Euclyta - Filia - Fourie - Gettemhult - Io - Katori - Kyokuya Ludmila - Lukot - Marlu - Melfonseana - Melrandia - Oza - Pati - Pietro - Risa - Rojio - Saga - Sarah - Stratos Theodor - Tia - Ulku - Wright - Xiao - Xiera - Xion - Zig |
| Allies from Other Planets | Ro'Kamiz - Ko'Rela - Ko'Riu - Cabracan - Sukunahime - Kotoshiro |
| Earth Guide | Ardem Sacrid - Enga Yasaka |
| Earth's Other Inhabitants | Al - Hitsugi Yasaka - Itsuki Tachibana - Kohri Washinomiya - Phaleg Ives - Rina Izumi |
| Denizens of Omega | Alis Landale - Clarissa Maintainer - Florent Arlequin d'Ys Artia - Gettemhult Gwinner - Hariette Renata Reina Cuento Luther Lars Rey Cuento - Lutz Cero Rey Cuento - Margareta - Melfonseana Riesfeldt - Schreger Weyland - Varuna Lashiec |
| The Profound Darkness | Dark Falz (Apprentice - Elder - Gemini - Luther - Persona) - Elmir Weyland - Falspawn |
| Mother Corps | Aratron Tolstoy - Bethor Zelazny - Hagito "Hagith" Anie - Mother - Och Millar - Ophiel Herbert - Phul Janice Lasswitz |
| Photoners | Mitra - Shiva - Varuna |
| Planets | Naverius - Amduskia - Lillipa - Wopal - Harukotan - Earth - Omega |
| Locals | ARKS Ship (Casino) - City Area - Falspawn Den - Oracle Mothership - Forest - Tundra - Ruins - Volcanic Caves Floating Continent - Dragon Altar - Desert - Underground Shafts - Abandoned Mine - Coast - Seabed - Floating Facility Daybreak Province - Nightfall Province - Gemini's Inner Universe - Tokyo - Las Vegas - Bewitched Woods |
| Terms | Client Order - Partner Card (Friendship Level) - Story Progression (Divergence Matrix - Story Board - Story Quest) Cosmogenic Arm - Avatar Arm |