Chapter Text
Opera Omnia: Opus Divinitas
Lost Chapter: The Enchanter’s Eye
Matoya ( Final Fantasy )
Voiced by: Hisako Kyoda
A blind old witch who lives in a cave with her enchanted broom familiars. She uses a crystal eye to see, which was stolen by the dark elf Astos until it was recovered by the Warriors of Light. Occasionally foul-tempered, she is nonetheless a woman of her word, and offers her aid when she is able.
WARRIOR OF LIGHT
The rosy gold of dawn made way for bright blue skies as they strode together through the woods, apple trees and oaks lining their path. Princess Sarah strung her fingers along her lute, her music rolling through the hills. For the Warrior of Light, enjoying a relaxing moment like this was a rare treat.
Even if the princess bore no memory of him. She never would, since the time they met would never come to be.
He didn’t mind, truly. It meant far more to him that their world was safe, its light returned. This morning, she had asked for him to accompany her as she ventured outside of Balamb Garden and he accepted without a second thought, but for the purposes of safety he requested Y’shtola, Benjamin, Astos, and Torte to come along as well.
Though for reasons he could not divine, the others trailed behind the Warrior of Light and the princess. It didn’t matter, he supposed – but together, they all made for a fine retinue for Sarah.
“Is the music to your liking, sir knight?” she asked him during a lull in her song. For most of their walk, she had not spoken until now.
“It’s beautiful,” he said, smiling at her. When she said nothing else, he began to wonder. “Did you have a purpose in coming out this way?”
“Are you not enjoying our leisurely walk?” She didn’t look up at him when she asked her question.
Afraid he had offended her, he fumbled over his next words. “Ah… Of course I am, my lady. I just supposed… you had a reason for departing the Garden.”
She looked up at him with a smile. “Is wanting to get to know a knight of Cornelia not reason enough? Aside from Garland, there are no others among our present company from our world. I thought it would do you some good to get away from your other duties for a time.”
“You would… get to know me?” he asked, eyes wandering over the grassy hills, rays of sunlight turning them gold. “What is it you’d like to know?”
Sarah strummed her lute again. “What brings you joy, what you do beyond your duties to all of us here… I would know the man behind the sword and beneath the armor.”
“Beyond my duties…” he said, mulling over her words. It was not something he had ever given much thought to, in truth. He was driven only to uphold the light of peace, fighting to keep this world and his allies safe. “The memories of all that we have accomplished give me joy – as does watching everyone forge friendships and bonds both as we face our battles together and in moments of downtime at Garden.”
Though the thought brought a smile to his face, it did not seem to be the answer Sarah had hoped for, judging by her downcast eyes. “I see,” she said. “All such noble and selfless joys. Then I ask this, perhaps: what of your childhood?”
That question, above all, startled the Warrior of Light. “My childhood? Well…” He wasn’t sure how to explain the circumstances of his creation – his utter lack of a childhood.
Behind them, a higher-pitched voice interjected in their conversation before he could answer. “Forgive me for interrupting, but we saw a stranger over yonder,” said Torte, his nose twitching. “We thought it best to let the both of you know at once. Benjamin ran off toward them, you see…”
“Then we had better follow before he finds trouble,” said Sarah, glancing at the Warrior of Light and nodding. “It seems our walk has become more eventful than anticipated.”
The Warrior led the way into the direction that Torte had indicated, meeting up with Y’shtola and Astos under the shade of a massive oak. There, he found them watching with expressions he could only call dumbfounded – not a common occurrence on either of their faces. Further down the hill, at the base of the tree, he spotted Benjamin getting a tongue lashing from an irate old woman in a red robe and matching pointed hat.
“To think today’s youths would let a defenseless old woman trip and fall!” she croaked at him. “I am blind, you know! The polite thing to do is offer the elderly your arm to lean on.”
Benjamin held up both hands in a gesture of surrender. “I know, I’m sorry! I didn’t realize you were blind, and I barely saw the tree roots myself!”
“You’re lucky I didn’t break my hip!”
“We didn’t even know you were here until just a few seconds ago!”
“Won’t someone help the poor boy?” Torte asked, as they all stood and watched.
The Warrior of Light recognized her with a start. “Matoya, could that be you?”
“Eh?” The witch Matoya perked up, angling an ear toward the Warrior of Light. “Methinks I know that voice.”
“Matoya, you say?” said Y’shtola, eyes wide. “Twelve forfend… I should have known from her nettlesome harping.”
The Warrior of Light joined Matoya and Benjamin at the tree’s roots, offering the witch his arm. Of all the people to be summoned to this world, he would not have expected to see her. “Matoya, have you lost your crystal eye?”
Her face twisted, but she accepted his arm. “You know my name, eh? I don’t know your voice after all. Who are you?” she asked bluntly.
“A knight of Cornelia here to offer you aid,” the Warrior of Light replied, to which Benjamin let out a sigh of relief.
“Hmph! Very well,” she said. “I suspect that dastardly dark elf Astos stole my crystal eye again. Without it, I cannot see, you know.”
Benjamin scratched his head and pointed at Astos. “Astos? But he’s – ”
“Allow us to help you find it again,” Astos said, gliding down to Matoya’s other side. “Do you know where it was last?”
“I was in my cave, brewing a potion with the help of my familiars,” she said, as the Warrior of Light and Astos led her along. “Then lo and behold, I find myself here! Was I kidnapped by goblins? Or is it the fault of that pretender king Astos as well?”
“Is Astos commonly the cause of your troubles, madam?” Torte questioned, tottering along in her wake.
“He stole my eye last time with the intent of conquering the elves of Elfheim,” she informed him. Even through the Warrior of Light’s gauntlet, he felt her grip with surprising strength.
Benjamin frowned at Astos’s back. “To think he would be so vile!”
“I’ve heard tales of the witch to the north of Cornelia,” said Sarah. “You are adored by the smallfolk for your potions and remedies. I am honored to finally meet you, Master Matoya. I am Princess Sarah.”
“I’ll get a good look at you when I get my eye back!” said Matoya.
“An irascible old witch who lives in a cave with familiars…” said Y’shtola, tapping her cheek. “How uncanny. We have seen similarities between worlds on numerous occasions, but I studied under a nearly identical witch of the same name in my adolescence. She had always been a fierce, bull-headed taskmaster. Heavens forbid we ever have the misfortune of meeting them both in the same room together.”
Matoya stopped and huffed. “Who’s that with the yowling back there, calling me old ?”
“Of all the things to take offense to in that statement,” said Benjamin. “Maybe Matoya just needs some coffee?”
“I suppose I should take the liberty of explaining what has happened,” said Astos. “You have been summoned by the will of the crystal to a different world to fight for its safety, along with many other warriors from many different worlds.”
“So I have been kidnapped! It’s just one of the crystals instead of Astos, eh?”
The Warrior of Light couldn’t help but smile. “Perhaps it would do you some good to be out of your cave for a while. Once we find your eye, we can bring you to where we live, and we can ensure you are furnished with all of your comforts.”
Matoya let out a low hum. “Hmm… I suppose. The two of you on each side of me do sound like nice young men, after all.”
“I am pleased that you think so, Master Matoya,” said Astos.
“You can truly see through this crystal?” Sarah asked. “What a wondrous item – though I can only ponder how this Astos would topple our neighbors with it. And why he might choose to.”
Astos shared a glance with her. “We can only assume that version of Astos went down a much different path, and became twisted and monstrous in his loneliness and rage.”
“It’s a powerful relic,” Matoya explained to Sarah. “One that I was lucky to obtain. Though my own eyes have failed me in my age, the crystal allows me to scry even the world beyond my cave. Fallen into the wrong hands, it could lead to disaster.”
“My mentor possessed a relic she referred to as her crystal eye as well,” said Y’shtola. “Though she was quite capable of seeing with her own eyes – and I assure you, that woman missed nothing – she was able to track movements of aether with it.”
“Aha!” Torte exclaimed, scurrying past their feet and through the taller grass. “I just spotted a glint of light over here! I think this is the crystal orb we are looking for.”
“Oh, splendid!” said Matoya. “You must have the keen eyes of a hawk, young man.”
Torte came back with the faintly glowing blue orb held over his head, which pressed down on his ears. “Oh, no, madam – please refrain from mentioning hawks around me!”
The Warrior of Light took the crystal orb from Torte and handed it back to Matoya, pleased that they had managed to find it without too much fuss. She seemed in a much better mood from the moment it came back into her possession, closing her gray eyes as she peered through the crystal. Though he had never known the witch to leave her cave, and he was unsure of how she would do in battle, another champion from his world was an unexpected joy. Though she, too, would never remember him, he hoped it would bring happiness to Sarah.
“Now I feel I must be honest about my identity,” said Astos. He bowed deeply to Matoya. “Please forgive me, I had not meant to obscure anything, but I wished not to alarm you. My name is Astos, the dark elf – self-styled king once upon a time. Though I am not the same Astos that has caused you harm, I understand if you bear me ill will.”
Matoya’s bony fingers clutched the orb and she raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? Hmph… Well, you are far more handsome than I expected you to be.”
The Warrior of Light’s jaw dropped. Even Astos looked caught off guard and he coughed into his hand.
Sarah politely hid her giggle. “It gladdens me to see that there is no bad blood here.”
“Salivating Sahagin!” Matoya exclaimed, nearly dropping her Crystal Eye. “A talking mouse? I whack critters like you with my broom when you wander into my cave.”
Torte held his paws over his ears and quivered. “I kindly ask you not to do the same with me!”
“Well, perhaps I spoke too soon,” Sarah said, wincing. “Torte is a treasured ally of ours – please refrain from harming him.”
“Gee, Matoya – he’s not like other mice,” said Benjamin. “Can’t you see his little cape?”
Y’shtola sighed. “That was a tactless choice of words, Benjamin.”
Then Matoya smacked him on the head with her broom. “Of course I can! How helpless do you think I am, little lad!? Let me show you what this old lady is capable of!” She whacked him again, and again, as Benjamin turned tail and fled, protesting all the way.
“Remind me not to get on her bad side,” said Torte. “What a frightening woman.”
Sarah clasped her hands in worry. “Perhaps we should help him. Please accompany me, my knight,” she said, gripping her dress in her hands as she followed after Benjamin and Matoya.
The Warrior of Light didn’t hesitate. He would accompany her wherever she wished to go.
Character Abilities
Arciela
ULT: Dynastic Gravitas
Effect: Arciela compiles any BRV she batteries
Arciela's ULT is a special ability she uses as a Trust party member. After use, she will compile any BRV she batteries to the party in an overhead value to then expend it on her next HP attack.
Iroha
ULT: Meikyo Shisui
Effect: When her turn is after an ally’s, attack twice
Iroha's ULT is a special 1-hour Samurai ability and one that she seeks to learn. It allows the user to use multiple weapon skills in a row. After use, Iroha will execute her ability twice as long as her turn is immediately after another party member.
Matoya (Staff - Brooms) Non-elemental magic damage, auras, Esuna, launch support, turn all buffs/debuffs gold
15: Enchantment
35: Witch’s Brew
EX: Crystal Eye
LD: Clean Sweep
FR: A New Familiar (with Torte)
BT: Pat Neercs rof Tsrub
ULT: The Book of Matoya (Effect: Perfect accuracy for party)
Burst theme: “Matoya’s Cave," the theme of the eponymous location
Matoya's ability names are a mix of skills she gets in Record Keeper as a playable character and original abilities. She uses staff weapons, but they all take the appearance of brooms. She is mainly a non-elemental damage dealer with some offensive party auras, debuff cleansing, and launch support (meaning she attacks from the ground between each attack in a launch sequence). Her LD can cleanse all debuffs. Her EX turns all active buffs/debuffs golden, meaning they can't be cleansed by enemies. Her Burst, of course, references the tendency of her broom familiars to speak backwards. After using her ULT, the party cannot miss with any attacks for the rest of the battle.