Notes:  I’ve been hella distracted by a PS2 game called “Devil Summoner: Raidao vrs. King Abaddon”. Some of you probably know, I’m a big fan of the Shin Megami Taisen universe and its various series and I’ve played most of the ones that have seen a US release (No Soul Hackers, No Persona 2 part 1). So if the page this week looks so-so, just know that I’ve been grinding and fusing demons for most of the weekend. There will be a second page this week however – so look out for it.

What’s in the boxes?

Like many things in the story, they won t get explained until Lyron formally asks about them. What’s a devil? Why were the Mashina experimenting on human women? For those of you who want to know .. (spoilers)

This is a low-tech but relatively full proof test the Mashina will use whenever someone’s identity comes into question. Box no. 1 contains a piece of True Silver/Muramite ore (which if you were paying attention, you’ll know that it is very dangerous to Mashina). Box no. 2 contains a core sample of ice from a place called the “Weisslands” which is the place of birth for the Mashine race. The ice only applies to Mashina and not Jotun because it invokes an emotional response to all Mashine people born in the Ignaz world. The Weissland ice confirms whether you are a Mashina (or something else under magic glammer), the violent damage caused by holding the True Silver confirms what creature you are by the type of wound you suffer. It’s a very painful test, but if you get the tell-tale red crystals of blood and the melted metal flesh, then you are a Mashina. If you catch fire then you’re a Sargon, if you start to disintegrate into ash then you are a corrupted devil. This is the only test that cant be foiled by magic.