[Archived] Drakengard 3 - Two & Cent
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storifysThis post was originally published in Raphael: Cries & Whispers, a fansite dedicated to Two and Cent that was opened on March 3, 2016.
Intoner
While clearing the lands of monsters and insurgents in the prologue, Two takes in orphans as her own, her fervent wish being that they not suffer the sadness of growing up without parents as she had. The children call her "Auntie Two," and she plays with them as time permits, no matter how tired or tense she may be.
A recurring theme with Two is the control of power and the lack thereof. Each sister has a unique characteristic that continues to grow without end (e.g., One's senses, Three's hair, Four's nails, and Five's breasts); Two's is her strength, and she must be conscious about the amount of force she exerts to avoid breaking doors and hurting the children. The awareness that she might accidentally hurt those she loves keeps Two on her toes, causing her to strain her muscles in the presence of the orphans worse than if she were fighting out in the desert. Unfortunately, there are powers she possesses beyond her physical strength that, too, must be kept at bay, though it's apparent that she has even less idea of how to manage these than her muscles.
Disciple
All of Cent's actions are guided by and committed for Two, from doing as she bids to absorbing her negative moods and massaging her after playtime with the orphans. He plays the foil who keeps his lover in high spirits, himself being somewhat reserved about his innermost feelings, which is a habit that tends to manifest as cryptic statements (and later on, during the events of the game, takes on a self-deprecating tone). At the end of the day, his thoughts always trace back to Two, no matter how rogue his actions may appear.
Among his Disciple cohort, Cent appears to be the most aware of his station: He claims time and again that his union with Two feels like destiny. There's a chilly fact unbeknownst to most of them behind this feeling – Disciples are beings born from doves, made to suit the Intoner they serve. While the Disciple's personality may not always harmonize with the Intoner's, Cent clearly has no issues in relation to this. (Hatoful Boyfriend, anyone?)
Lovers
Two and Cent are essentially opposing sides of the same coin. Two is benevolence and fiery passion, whereas Cent is selfish and cool. Primarily, Two's affections lie in those around her, and thus her attention is diverted away from herself. Cent picks up the slack by focusing entirely on Two, ensuring that she's physically and emotionally taken care of after long days with her soldiers and the orphans – their "children." This is an arrangement Two prizes, as she goes to Cent for comfort whenever she becomes afraid of losing those whom she holds dear to the uncertain future.
Two and Cent's relationship is reflected in Two's Angel, Egregori. Egregori is unique among the Angels of Drakengard 3 in that it appears a duo – or as Zero puts it, a pair of "gourd-head things." In a fashion, it is as much of a couple as Two and Cent are. The term egregore also refers to an entity born from the collective thoughts of a group of people; of all the Intoner and Disciple pairs, Two and Cent possess the most harmonious bond.
Fools
Two's song warps the soldiers and children, ultimately forcing her hand to bring about their demise. The horror of slaying her beloved people threatens to overwhelm her, to which Cent, in a desperate bid to keep her together, argues that he will be killed by the monstrous products of their playing with Two's song if she stops fighting. Although this method seems to work, if by a margin, Cent rapidly loses control of the situation as Two confronts the children-turned-homunculus and falls into despair.
It's a heartwrenching scene that's better heard. Below is the key dialogue:
The DLC ends with the narrative, "This is the story of a foolish couple." By acting on their base instincts and tampering with a power they used with reckless abandon, Two and Cent were burned by their very own love, harming both themselves and those within their reach.
Promises
Their broken relationship is built entirely on unwavering connection, such that Cent refuses to break any promise he makes with Two. The most prominent vows among those that we see in the novellas and DLC are a) that he will never leave her (novella) and b) not die (DLC). During the course of the main story, Cent fulfills both of these promises by attending to Two where applicable and partnering with Zero when faced with the option of dying with Two or living as Zero's Disciple.
Branch B is a pivotal point in the game that highlights the weight of Cent's promises to Two. Although he defected over to Zero in order to bargain for his life, he turns back upon finding Two, completely and irrevocably out of her mind, alive. He kills Dito before Two can be harmed; before his sudden death, Dito poses the question: why? This draws meaningful rhetoric from Cent, who muses over his actions, as well as the fatal mistake that cost Two her sanity.
End
While concerns regarding women existing solely to love men in fiction are real and legitimate, I don't believe Two falls under this category of female characters. Her prologue story highlights how much she loves Cent and how this warps her perception of him (exaggerating his positive traits and being ignorant of his flaws), but there's far more substance to it than just these points. We also learn that Two holds One, her soldiers, and her surrogate children dear to her heart; it's the loss of the lattermost two that causes her mental breakdown, even though Cent emerges from the tragedy as a survivor. More than anything, Two's story tells us about a loving, ignorant woman who was afraid of losing her happiness.
Ultimately, Cent is the one who's unable to exist or function without his woman, insofar that he becomes Zero's Disciple for the sole purpose of fulfilling his promise of not dying, and not because he has a genuine desire to live. This is evident in branch C, when Cent finally chooses to put Two out of her misery and she retaliates against all the Disciples with a killing move; rather than flee for his survival, Cent accepts his death and reaches out to tell Two that he's "here now."
Intoner
I am the happiest girl alive. You know why? Because . . . I am with the greatest man in the whole wide world!Two is the ruler of the Land of Sands and, despite her name, numerically the third sister of the Intoners after Zero and One. Of the sisters, she boasts the brightest disposition with a sincere preference for seeing smiles on those dear to her. She pursues her passions with unrestrained gusto, if perhaps to such an extent that others may find her intensity irksome, though her people adore her above all else.
While clearing the lands of monsters and insurgents in the prologue, Two takes in orphans as her own, her fervent wish being that they not suffer the sadness of growing up without parents as she had. The children call her "Auntie Two," and she plays with them as time permits, no matter how tired or tense she may be.
A recurring theme with Two is the control of power and the lack thereof. Each sister has a unique characteristic that continues to grow without end (e.g., One's senses, Three's hair, Four's nails, and Five's breasts); Two's is her strength, and she must be conscious about the amount of force she exerts to avoid breaking doors and hurting the children. The awareness that she might accidentally hurt those she loves keeps Two on her toes, causing her to strain her muscles in the presence of the orphans worse than if she were fighting out in the desert. Unfortunately, there are powers she possesses beyond her physical strength that, too, must be kept at bay, though it's apparent that she has even less idea of how to manage these than her muscles.
Disciple
I just want to serve an Intoner. I really don't care which one. After all . . . I'm just a big idiot, right?Cent is Two's Disciple, there to facilitate the summoning of his Intoner's Angel and meet her sexual needs. Despite his handsome features, he presents as rather stupid, spouting false trivia and claiming it to be science. He is, however, quick on the draw and astute when gauging people, and uses this talent to keep Two happy.
All of Cent's actions are guided by and committed for Two, from doing as she bids to absorbing her negative moods and massaging her after playtime with the orphans. He plays the foil who keeps his lover in high spirits, himself being somewhat reserved about his innermost feelings, which is a habit that tends to manifest as cryptic statements (and later on, during the events of the game, takes on a self-deprecating tone). At the end of the day, his thoughts always trace back to Two, no matter how rogue his actions may appear.
Among his Disciple cohort, Cent appears to be the most aware of his station: He claims time and again that his union with Two feels like destiny. There's a chilly fact unbeknownst to most of them behind this feeling – Disciples are beings born from doves, made to suit the Intoner they serve. While the Disciple's personality may not always harmonize with the Intoner's, Cent clearly has no issues in relation to this. (Hatoful Boyfriend, anyone?)
Lovers
I know that happiness doesn't last forever. That's why . . . I want to love him right now with all my heart.Where most Disciples view their role in the sexual needs of their respective Intoner as part of the job description, Cent differs in that he refers to his pastime with Two as "making love." What's more, Two reciprocates his feelings and returns his flirtatious remarks with receptive laughter. They love each other, more than can be said of the relationship other Disciples share with their Intoners.
Two and Cent are essentially opposing sides of the same coin. Two is benevolence and fiery passion, whereas Cent is selfish and cool. Primarily, Two's affections lie in those around her, and thus her attention is diverted away from herself. Cent picks up the slack by focusing entirely on Two, ensuring that she's physically and emotionally taken care of after long days with her soldiers and the orphans – their "children." This is an arrangement Two prizes, as she goes to Cent for comfort whenever she becomes afraid of losing those whom she holds dear to the uncertain future.
Two: It's like I have so much happiness, I'm worried it's all going to spill out. I don't know. That probably sounds weird, huh?Unbeknownst to Two, Cent also has fears about losing this very happiness. For the sake of keeping his lover happy, he buries his darkest thoughts and holds Two in her times of need.
Cent: Not at all.
Two: Cent? Would you mind . . . holding me? I want to feel warm and safe.
Two and Cent's relationship is reflected in Two's Angel, Egregori. Egregori is unique among the Angels of Drakengard 3 in that it appears a duo – or as Zero puts it, a pair of "gourd-head things." In a fashion, it is as much of a couple as Two and Cent are. The term egregore also refers to an entity born from the collective thoughts of a group of people; of all the Intoner and Disciple pairs, Two and Cent possess the most harmonious bond.
Fools
Tonight, after I laid her down, I found my hands around her beautiful neck. It would have been so easy.Ultimately, Two and Cent's excessive coupling proves to be their downfall. Driven by the lurking fear that their honeymoon will one day be taken away from them, they pour all of their energy into the present, fueling their overprotective habits toward one another. In one such instance, Cent suggests that Two heal the orphans and soldiers under their care with the power of her Intoner's song, which later proves to have dire consequences.
Two's song warps the soldiers and children, ultimately forcing her hand to bring about their demise. The horror of slaying her beloved people threatens to overwhelm her, to which Cent, in a desperate bid to keep her together, argues that he will be killed by the monstrous products of their playing with Two's song if she stops fighting. Although this method seems to work, if by a margin, Cent rapidly loses control of the situation as Two confronts the children-turned-homunculus and falls into despair.
It's a heartwrenching scene that's better heard. Below is the key dialogue:
Two: I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I'M SO SORRY! No! I can't! I can't take this! If I knew this would happen, I wouldn't . . . Should've . . .Cent's selfishness is his saving grace at this chapter of the couple's lives. Where Two crumbles after the tragic events of the DLC, Cent collects the pieces and grieves while taking care of his catatonic lover. Unlike Two, who succumbs to the immense power of her song in her weakened state, Cent is able to carry on and see to it that he fulfills his duty to her. For this reason, just seconds before Two's mind shatters, Cent tells her to "take refuge in [him]"; unfortunately, he's too late, and later toys with the prospect of strangling Two to end her misery.
Cent: Lady Two! Please snap out of it! I can take this pain for you! Take refuge in me!
The DLC ends with the narrative, "This is the story of a foolish couple." By acting on their base instincts and tampering with a power they used with reckless abandon, Two and Cent were burned by their very own love, harming both themselves and those within their reach.
Promises
We are united by destiny, my lady. No matter what our palms say.Two and Cent are divided by their principles. A fine distinction between them lies in "should have" and "must have." Where Two traps herself in the matter of "should" and oftentimes doesn't budge out of fear, Cent is driven by what he "must" do. What this boils down to is that he must do as he promised.
Their broken relationship is built entirely on unwavering connection, such that Cent refuses to break any promise he makes with Two. The most prominent vows among those that we see in the novellas and DLC are a) that he will never leave her (novella) and b) not die (DLC). During the course of the main story, Cent fulfills both of these promises by attending to Two where applicable and partnering with Zero when faced with the option of dying with Two or living as Zero's Disciple.
Branch B is a pivotal point in the game that highlights the weight of Cent's promises to Two. Although he defected over to Zero in order to bargain for his life, he turns back upon finding Two, completely and irrevocably out of her mind, alive. He kills Dito before Two can be harmed; before his sudden death, Dito poses the question: why? This draws meaningful rhetoric from Cent, who muses over his actions, as well as the fatal mistake that cost Two her sanity.
Cent: Why, indeed. Why did I leave Two's side in the first place? Why did her mind decide to shatter like this? I'm just a fool, so . . . how should I know?When demanded for an explanation to his abrupt betrayal, Cent explains that he feels as though he was "born into this world just to be with [Two]." Their deep connection is colorfully coded as "destiny," that their being together is a promise more or less dictated by the stars. And so, as he and Two lay defeated and dying, they crawl toward each other and join hands to summon Two's Angel, Raphael – who, in religion, is associated with lovers.
But I am gonna make it right. My lady, I swear it . . . This time I shall give you everything.
Two: (manic laughter) Oh, Cent! Cent! Kill them all! Cent, kill them AAAAAALL!
End
Are you okay, Cent? You're not hurt anywhere, are you?From Drakengard 3 alone, Two's personality was largely shrouded in mystery until the DLC chapters exploring the Intoners' backstories were released. Her story, though widely regarded by fans as the most tragic of the sisters, also generated controversy. Two seemed to overly fixate on a man – her Disciple, Cent, whom she prefers to refer as her "one true love."
While concerns regarding women existing solely to love men in fiction are real and legitimate, I don't believe Two falls under this category of female characters. Her prologue story highlights how much she loves Cent and how this warps her perception of him (exaggerating his positive traits and being ignorant of his flaws), but there's far more substance to it than just these points. We also learn that Two holds One, her soldiers, and her surrogate children dear to her heart; it's the loss of the lattermost two that causes her mental breakdown, even though Cent emerges from the tragedy as a survivor. More than anything, Two's story tells us about a loving, ignorant woman who was afraid of losing her happiness.
Two: No! Don't you dare risk your life for me, Cent! If you died on me, I'd . . . I'd go crazy.There's a subversion of roles in the ways Two and Cent present as a couple. Oftentimes in fiction of this media, it's the man whose intense emotions must be tempered by a woman's maternal touch. Two and Cent are the opposite, with Two being emotionally weak and Cent posing as the assured half of the pair. She is straightforward, whereas he is cryptic. In addition, it's Two who worries about Cent's physical well-being as the stronger combatant. Many of the clichés, though they still understandably exist, are found in reverse genders here.
Cent: My lady, I promise not to die . . . even if it kills me.
Ultimately, Cent is the one who's unable to exist or function without his woman, insofar that he becomes Zero's Disciple for the sole purpose of fulfilling his promise of not dying, and not because he has a genuine desire to live. This is evident in branch C, when Cent finally chooses to put Two out of her misery and she retaliates against all the Disciples with a killing move; rather than flee for his survival, Cent accepts his death and reaches out to tell Two that he's "here now."
