Valby: The Shape of Water
Valleys, oceans, and lakes that are drying…
As a member of Ingris Environment Watch, Valby was always saddened to see Mother Nature become polluted by war. When she traveled outside Albion on pollution investigation missions, she saw rivers in Ingris disappearing one after another. The White-night Valley, where the sun never set, was now a gulch, and the Echo Plains had long turned into a swamp because of the Vulgus Kuiper mining… From the way things were going, would there even be a place left where humanity could live in peace if they won the war? She wondered, "Was that why?" Valby found a shimmering lake somewhere in the Vespers Woodland. Calling it the 'Last Emerald,' she swore to protect this small glimmer of hope. Making it a home for plants and animals so that the ecosystem of Ingris could be restored… To Valby, the Last Emerald was truly her last hope.
But in times like these, hope was such a fragile gem. On that fateful day, Valby was gazing out over the lake as usual when she encountered the Order of Truth that entered into Vespers Woodland… Having completed advanced military training, Valby fought off the Vulgus, as well as requesting support from the Descendant Corps. But the lack of an Arche teleportation device in the area meant that help was delayed, leaving Valby no choice but to defend the lake alone. However, even the lowest-ranked Vulgus was too much for a non-Descendant. After being brutally attacked, Valby was thrown into the lake.
As she sank into the water, Valby thought to herself, at least she could meet her end in the bosom of the Emerald… She was grateful to the lake for letting her dream of hope, even if for a little… But in the final moments, when her consciousness began to fade, Valby could not control her instincts to survive. "I want to fight again. I want to protect this lake. No… I want to become a great ocean that will swallow up every Vulgus there is…"
At that moment, a massive wave arose from the center of the lake, devastating the surrounding area. The enemies were crushed by the immense pressure of the water and vanished without a trace. And where the lake once was, a mass of water in the shape of a human was thrashing wildly. It was Valby. At death's door, she had awoken her Arche, and her ability enabled her to merge with the water and swim without end… She had become the Last Emerald itself.
Exclusive Equipment, Arche-Hydrogen Bond Shaping Suit
With her Arche abilities, Valby can turn into water, anytime and anywhere. As such, her unique drawbacks are also like water. Over time, moisture evaporates, and she is unable to maintain her shape. Valby's exclusive suit is an environmental shielding suit that was designed to compensate for this. Not only does it assist in Arche-hydrogen bonding, so she can take on human form, but it also features shape memory technology that enables Valby to assemble, and disassemble, with Arche, providing her with various tactical capabilities.
"It performs well... but at the end of the day, this suit is like a fish tank to me."
- Valby