Forest of Demons
The Forest of Demons, also known as the Grove, is a recurring location in Guilty Gear series, appearing as Dizzy's and later Testament's battle stage.
Near the forest is a small village, and its cemetery serves as the resting place of Kliff Undersn.[1]
Design
The stage seems to be an abandoned ancient garden. A rock formation can be seen on the left, serving as shelter for animals, and besides it is a water stream, with a 'KEEP OUT' sign on a barrage. Beside it lies a campfire and well. At the center sits a small bandstand with angel statues above it, and a small bridge leads offscreen to the right, above a pond. A small aqueduct encloses the entire area at the background, and some scattered broken pillars lie all around. All man-made structures, as well as the cobblestone ground, are overtaken by cracks, vines and moss. Two large trees can be seem, one evergreen at the right, and a leafless one farthest in the background.
The original version in Guilty Gear X serves as the stage for Dizzy, and unlike other Boss stages, features a much more vivid and warm color scheme, set at daytime with a bright yellow sky. In Guilty Gear XX, the stage is now shared with Testament. It's now set at nighttime, with a somber blue tone and fireflies, but still brightly lit with a noticeable ray of light in the center. Λ Core presents this version, but lacking the large beam, and the entire ground is slightly flooded, with characters making splashes on the ground as they move.
Story
Sometime in 2177, an old childless couple from the nearby village found Dizzy as an infant and took her in.[1] However, after six months, Dizzy's accelerated growth, and the appearance of her wings and tail[2] revealed to everyone that she was part Gear.[3] To protect Dizzy from the villagers, her foster parents hid her away in the forest. At the beginning they visited, but one day they stopped and Dizzy was forced to be alone until she met a blind girl, Josephine, who became her friend.[1]
In 2181, the young Josephine is targeted by Venom, but Testament—who is paying a visit to their father's grave—protects her. On Josephine's suggestion, she and Testament enter the forest. In the incident, Josephine is hurt and Testament tells Dizzy she must guide them to Faust's clinic. When the villagers learn that she is back, they attack her, and Necro and Undine retaliate. Testament is forced to subdue her powers; while no one gets gravely hurt, Dizzy is rejected by Josephine and, dispirited, leaves alongside Testament.[1]
Following the incident, the government makes several unsuccessful attempts to eliminate her,[4] and the world learns of Dizzy's existence. As captain of the IPF, Ky Kiske comes to the forest to investigate those responsible for the announcement. Ky then finds Dizzy,[5] and is defeated.[6] As a result, and due to an anti-Gear sentiment at an all-time high, they issue a W$ 500,000 bounty for Dizzy's death.[4] Testament and Dizzy repeal many bounty hunters without harming them too much, but she reaches her limits.[2] She is eventually defeated by Sol Badguy, who for some reason lets her live.[5] After the battle, Dizzy is then found by Johnny, who welcomes her into the Jellyfish Pirates.[3]
Testament, much more wary of humans, remains behind to serve as the forest's guardian, but occasionally leaves it to visit Dizzy,[7] and reportedly keeps in touch with Johnny.[8]
Trivia
- In one of Testament's Story Mode endings in Λ Core Plus, the forest is burned by humans and Testament decides to die with it.
- Dizzy's codename in Overture is the "Maiden of the Grove", alluding to this very forest.
Gallery
Guilty Gear X Advance Edition.
Guilty Gear XX.
- Back ggxxs grove.gif
Guilty Gear XX Slash.
- Back ggxxac grove.gif
Guilty Gear XX Λ Core.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Guilty Gear X Drama CD Vol.2 script § "???"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 GuiltyGearX.com
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 [GGWorld - "Dizzy"]
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Guilty Gear X manual, pg.4
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- manual, pg.4
- ↑ Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 script § "Dizzy"
- ↑ Guilty Gear XX script § "Human failure"
- ↑ [GGWorld - "Testament"]