Lamento -Beyond The Void-

Game Title: Lamento -Beyond The Void-

Game Platform: PC

Game Developer: Nitro+Chiral

Release Date: October 27, 2006

Official Website: Nitro+Chiral

Opening:

Story:

In a world where humans no longer exists lives cats. They are half-human, half-cat called Ribika. After years of living in peace, a mysterious void appeared in some places where a single touch may cause death to living beings and a strange deadly sickness also spreads through the lands where their body parts may be lost forever. Most of the affected are female therefore the female population had decreased drastically and they are now rare.

The story follows the protagonist Konoe, a normal cat that lives in a small village called Karou. They have a strange culture where a person will be selected among them to be eaten because of their lack in food. One night, Konoe had a strange dream about a snake and it continued for days. Then one day after dreaming the snakes going inside him, his ears and tail turned black and markings appeared in his body. Their is a legend that when a cat appeared with those traits, the world will fall into eternal darkness and destruction. The elders decided that he was the next sacrifice to be eaten not knowing about Konoe's circumstances. He then decided that he will leave the village but the void is out there and the terrible sickness. How could he stand to survive?

Characters:

Name: Konoe

CV: Hatano Kazutoshi

The main protagonist of the story. He is stubborn and tends to be alone. He is like an outcast to the villagers for he is always keeping his distance away from them. But despite all that, he doesn't hate them and he loves his village Karou in general for it is the village where he has wonderful memories about his mom. He is kind and affectionate towards the people whom he cared like his friend Tokino.

Name: Rai

CV: Toshiyuki Morikawa

A large-sized cat who helped Konoe in escaping a band of bandits when he first escaped the village. At first he was only interested in Konoe's fighting skills but after he found out that Konoe was a Sanga, cats who sings for their Touga (cats who are fighters) to become stronger, he told Konoe that he would train him his Sanga powers and be his Sanga for they are rare. Despite being very cold towards others and to Konoe, he slowly warms up to him.

Name: Bardo

CV: Kenji Nomura

Also a large-sized cat with striped ears and tail. He is the owner of the inn where Konoe and the gang stays at the city called Ransen. He is carefree and goes with the flow quite a lot. It seems that he has a history with Rai for they know each other and Rai's hostility towards him which he just brush it off. He is a strong fighter but doesn't want to kill anyone.

Name: Asato

CV: Wataru Hatano

A small-sized cat like Konoe, he lives in a small village called Kira where it is isolated in the outside world. He first met Konoe in the dark forest near their village where he was ordered to kill the intruder Konoe, but he stopped when he saw the markings on Konoe and bought him to the village. He became very attached to Konoe despite not knowing him for long and even chose Konoe over Kira. He is awkward with words and honest all the time. He is called a monster in their village for some reason.

Sample CG's:

Game Overview:

-Warning! Spoilers ahead!-

Note: I may have some mistakes or missing scenes regarding the story since I easily mix some scenes inside my head so please correct me if their are mistakes.

The story starts with Konoe, the main protagonist of the game. He lives in a small village called Karou. He lives with his mother when he was young but she died because of the sickness that is spreading through out the land. So now he lives alone in his small house. One night he dreams about a snake constraining him and that follows for the past few days. During those days, he saw the Poet playing a song where he felt calm and comfort. The Poet is a mysterious person in hood that plays a song from time to time but always disappears immediately after. During the fifth night, he dreams about the snakes again that they went inside of him through his mouth.

He woke up suddenly with a headache and noticed markings around his wrists and both his ears and tail became black. Their is a prophecy that if a child with those traits is in the world, then the world will suffer and utter destruction will follow. Of course he didn't believe in that but he considered that what happened to his body is a curse. He was later informed that he was the next sacrifice to be eaten by the village not knowing about his current circumstances. Having doubts, he decided that he should leave the village to go to a city called Ransen where a lots of cats lived, but the sickness and void is out there. Despite that, he doesn't want to sacrifice himself for the village people.

When he was about to leave, some caught a sight of him and was surprised to see those markings on him. He continued to ran away until he was lost but the Poet appeared and helped him find a shelter, after that, he disappeared without saying a word. The next day when he was walking, he met a strange man named Firi, he isn't a cat since he is more like lizard. He said that he was being watched by someone and shows that he has new ability where he can see memories when touching an important thing to a person. He touched the ring and saw memories. He was angry at Firi but he disappeared. He continued to walk but he was stopped with a band of bandits, when he was about to lose because he was outnumbered, a cat with white hair appeared and helped him escape. While he was running he stumbled and falls making him unconscious.

Waking up, he found himself in a dark forest, he heard that a village called Kira is located there and that they are cats with markings just like him so he decided to find the village and ask some questions. He was then attacked by a black haired cat with tanned skin. He was overpowered but the cat stopped his attacks when he noticed the markings on Konoe. He then decided that he will  guide Konoe to the village, their he met the village elder and a woman named Kagari, the last woman in Kira. Konoe proceeded to ask some questions and the elder wasn't too happy to see him because outsiders are not allowed to enter the village but despite that he answered him saying that the rumors are false and the markings around their body are just their culture, a tattoo. Konoe was disappointed but when he was about to leave, the elder decides that he will let Konoe stay for the night and Asato, the tanned cat who attacked him earlier, will guide him. Konoe and Asato talked for a while and Konoe found that Asato was awkward with words and very shy opposite to his very first impression of him. Asato says that Konoe's tail is beautiful but Konoe says that his tail is much more prettier since his own very tail is crooked at the end. Asato was happy to be complimented but he really meant what he said when he says that Konoe's tail is pretty. While they were sleeping, the villagers surrounded Asato's home and Asato wakes up Konoe for him to run. Their are choices here where depending on the choices that was chosen, either Konoe will meet up Asato again in the forest or not. Konoe runs and was pursued by a Kiran but he escaped successfully. In the morning, he was about to continue his journey to Ransen but was attacked by the white haired male that helped him with the bandits. Konoe made a scratch on the white haired cat's face and then was easily pinned down from the ground.

Konoe struggled but stopped by the cat. He asked why he attacked him and the cat answered that he was curious about Konoe's strength. The cat introduced himself as Rai, a bounty hunter who hunted the bandits. He looked at Konoe with narrowed eyes since he sees the black ears and tail but it seems he doesn't really believe the curse. When he was about to leave, they were attacked by a Sanga and a Touga. A Sanga is a cat who sings to give strength to his Touga and a Touga is the fighter among them both. It seems that they both want revenge on Rai and engaged battle. Konoe being kind doesn't want to leave Rai and he owes him with the bandits. So he tried to attack the Sanga to help Rai but was pushed back. When he was in danger, he hears a song in his head and light surrounded him. Then the light went directly to Rai which surprises the cat but it seems that he gained strength and continued to fight the enemy. Sensing that they are outmatched, the enemies escaped.

Rai then decided that he wants Konoe to be his Sanga that will make him stronger and he is even willing to train him but Konoe doesn't want to be a tool. He asked Rai if he knows Ransen and coincidentally, Rai was about to go to Ransen. So Konoe doesn't have a choice and agreed to go with Rai. Rai was even willing to help Konoe about the curse. While they were camping, Asato suddenly appeared and attacked Rai thinking that Rai kidnapped Konoe. Konoe stopped both of them and Asato became unconscious for he have wounds everywhere. The next morning, they went to Ransen and met Bardo, a striped cat like tiger who owns the inn that they are staying. In Rai and Bardo's route, Konoe will stay in Rai's room while in Asato's route will be on Asato's room. Rai was very hostile towards Bardo when they saw each other and Bardo just shrugged it off. The next day, Rai gathered information at a bar where they located they learned of about a shaman that might know things. They were also attacked by twins who were Sanga and Touga pair. The twins were too strong and Konoe can't sing so they ran away. Then they went to the place of the Shaman who were pointed out by the Poet who disappeared as fast as he appeared. I think I mixed up the scenes here but here's the main point, they went to the Shaman and ask him about the curse but he only said about the four demons possessing him and not a way how to lift up the curse but maybe defeating the demons may lift up the curse.

After those, Firi appeared and told them about a place but it might be a trap said Konoe but still they went on for it is their only clue. They met the twins again and depending on the player's choice, Konoe will be with either Rai or Asato during the battle. After that, they arrived at a small village where they gave them shelter but the next morning, the villagers dies and became undead. Konoe was reluctant to attack them but he has no choice. When the undead turned to ashes, Firi appeared with a man in black wearing a mask. He introduced himself as Leaks, a mage and Firi is his Sanga although Leaks can sing too since he was the one controlling the undead. Konoe was furious and was about to attack them but they disappeared. They continued to their original destination and found themselves a place with four rocks with marking similar to Konoe's. Konoe then suddenly faints and he found himself in his dream with the snakes, the snakes turned to be devils trying to eat him. The four devils were - Verg, the devil of lust; Froud, the devil of joy; Kaltz, the devil of Grief; and lastly Razel, the devil of wrath.

Razel's Bad Ending: If the player chooses 'hellfire' when being asked by Razel. Razel then will take Konoe as his possession and make him into his "slave toy". Next would be Konoe turned into a demon by Razel and both are having sex while the world is in destruction being overthrown by monsters and Meigi cats who are devil worshipers that also follows Leaks. Razel was glad than he turned Konoe into a devil instead of eating him since he was intrigued by him. Here Konoe doesn't care about the world anymore and just wants to have sex with Razel.

If not then proceed... After that, he wakes up and Leaks appeared taking the powers of the four devils who also appeared. Leaks disappeared and so are the devils. The markings on Konoe's body disappeared and his black ears and tail also turned to normal. Thinking that all are normal, though of course they still want to stop Leaks from his plans on making the world fall into darkness.

I'll make the routes short since I have a short term memory... Sorry... I even mixed some scenes xD

Rai's Route: Rai and Konoe still continued their Sanga-Touga relationship. The devils appeared to Konoe again and they said that they were there to make a deal with him. They will post pone them eating Konoe in exchange for their cooperation to stop Leaks and get their powers back. In the first place, they want to eat Konoe for he has those powerful emotions swelling inside making them stronger if they eat him but Leaks went and took their powers. Konoe was reluctant but he agreed on it since having them as ally was a great deal. Their was a time when Rai and Konoe was strolling the stalls for the festival, Konoe was fascinated with a perfume and bought it although Rai tried to stop him. When they were walking near a river, Konoe was feeling dizzy and hot. Rai warned him about the perfume but he didn't know that it contains aphrodisiac. It also affect Rai in some ways but didn't show it much. Rai kissed Konoe despite his complains, they stopped going further.

One day Konoe was curious as to why Rai went to a brothel and he has a sad feeling. He went to follow Rai and was surprised to see Rai was with a girl cat. They were talking and the girl was annoyed with Rai. Rai was asking about the devil that took his right eye. Rai and the girl noticed Konoe and Konoe was not feeling well. The girl grinned and gave the two some time alone in the room. Rai said that he is not feeling well because it is mating season and it usually is more painful when the most compatible person is beside him... which is Rai lol. So they had sex with Rai blindfolding Konoe and telling him that he should imagine the person fucking him would be the person he likes but Konoe only thinks about Rai. After that, Rai told him about his eye and the devil his looking for. Long story short, Konoe and Rai fell for each other (and they also made love).

Leak's Bad Ending: Konoe is near the river after he was possessed by Leaks and if the player accepts Leaks proposal then Konoe will die.

Froud's Bad Ending: Konoe is again near the river and is talking to Froud. Froud offers a place for Konoe in his realm and if the player accepts it then Froud will take Konoe and Rai with him in his realm. Konoe is being raped by Froud with Rai watching them close who was struggling to get free from the swords that stabbed him in place. Froud will eat Konoe after he is done with him and he will make Rai suffer.

Proceed...

Rai has an insane side of him where he kills with pleasure where he goes berserk and doesn't know whose his ally or foe. The devil he fought in the past was Froud. Froud enjoys the pleasure of killing so he was very interested in Rai's insanity. When they were about to face Leaks, Konoe was left in front of Leaks while Rai was no where to be found after the devils teleported them in Leaks hideout. Its revealed that Leaks has the same face with Konoe and Konoe was a part of him that he put into his feelings. Its like he sealed his emotions inside Konoe's so that he doesn't have to feel pain or suffering and even positive feelings like happiness. Leaks wants revenge against the world that tried to harm him in the past. He is also responsible for the illness and the void. He has some sort of relationship with the Poet who was revealed to be Konoe's father. Poet's true name is Shui and he is a high rank Sanga that was assassinated by a jealous Sanga who was next in line to be chief of the Sanga's. Shui knew the dangers he was in and let his pregnant wife escape in her hometown. Leaks used magic to seal his emotions on the unborn baby who is Konoe. While Leaks is talking, Firi was sneaking behind Konoe.

Rai's Bad Ending: Rai is teleported in the cave where he fought Froud in the past and they fought each other. Rai sees Konoe on a portal suffering from Leaks words and wants to save him but his insanity wins and kills Froud. Froud was happy and made Rai his successor turning Rai into the devil of joy. Meanwhile, Konoe was stabbed at his back by Firi and was about to give up when Rai went into the portal. Konoe was sad about his transformation and Rai went closer to Konoe. Rai used magic to heal Konoe and even Konoe gained some sort of new strength. Rai and Konoe made a promise before that if Rai loses into his sanity then Konoe will be the person to kill him and Rai wants to fulfill that promise. So Konoe and Rai battled to the death not knowing who will win.

Rai's Good Ending: Rai is fighting against Froud but he didn't lose to his insanity and he just wants to save Konoe. Rai won the battle and went to Konoe's side through the portal that was made by Froud and stopped Firi from stabbing Rai from behind. Konoe was overjoyed by this and didn't give up after knowing the truth about it since Rai said that Konoe is Konoe not Leaks. Firi sung a song that made him disappear in ashes to make Leaks stronger which made Konoe more angry at Leaks. When they were about to lose, the Poet appeared in front of Konoe and teaches him a song. Konoe sung the song and Rai was illuminated with bright light and became stronger breaking the barrier that was protecting Leaks. A bright light covers the place and the Poet appeared in front of him again then said things like he will no longer be there but he will continue to pray/protect him then disappears, they found themselves outside. Konoe found Rai near him but cannot find Leaks. It was then that he knows that Leaks merged with him but only his memories and not his personality. He also learned that Shui, his father, and Leaks were friends a long time ago but the villagers hunted Leaks saying that he was cursed. Leaks believed that Shui betrayed him by showing his place but the truth was that the jealous Sanga followed Shui one time and discovered the place. Leaks had some sort of feelings towards Leaks, like he fell in love with him but also accepted the fact that Shui is already married. He was devastated when he thought that Shui betrayed him and now he wants revenge. Then the sickness and void started along with Konoe's situation. The devil Verg and Razel appeared in front of them and says that they don't want to eat Konoe anymore because eating him means eating Leaks too and they don't want that so they disappeared after that. After two years, the world became a better place. The void and the sickness disappeared completely, even the monsters, though they appear from time to time which is rare nowadays to them. Rai and Konoe became bounty hunters.

Bardo's Route: Basically, the story regarding about Konoe's past and everything is practically the same except for his lovers and the endings. Bardo is the owner of the inn where Koneo and the others are staying at Ransen. Bardo is very carefree and doesn't even mind Rai's anger towards him. Bardo was previously Rai's teacher in swordmanship. At first, Konoe was just curious about Bardo and interacted with him on a daily basis. Bardo didn't know yet about the devils and such but Konoe revealed it to him at a later time. They had sex in Bardo's kitchen when it was mating season with Bardo covering Konoe's ass with honey. Verg comes to the kitchen when Bardo is alone at the kitchen at times and says that he knows a way how to lift up Bardo's curse. Bardo has a cursed arm, the effect of not finishing a ritual, his wish was to become strong after Bardo didn't have time to save Rai's parents from bandits. He eventually found the bandit that killed Rai's parents but he didn't kill him because he hesitated. Killing wasn't his thing but he was jealous of Rai's insanity since he can just be free unlike him. When they confessed their love for each other, Konoe and Bardo made love in Konoe's room. Bardo wants to help Konoe in stopping Leaks even though he has negative ideas about it like it was useless to even act upon it but Konoe's determination changed that.

Verg's Bad Ending: If Konoe will accept Verg's proposal on Verg saving Bardo from his curse then Verg will take Konoe to his domain then chain him up. Verg says that devils do not lie and he did save that he will find a way to lift up Bardo's curse but he didn't say when so it might take a hundreds years or so that Bardo might be dead then. Konoe was tricked but he can do nothing about it. Months has passed and Verg continued to rape Konoe. He is the devil of  lust so he will eat Konoe after Konoe will be filled with desires for sex. Knowing this, Konoe didn't want to lose and tries to not be pulled with lust.

Bardo's Bad Ending: When they confront Leaks and Konoe chooses that it is better if Bardo go back in time to change his past making the curse null, then Bardo's curse will finally overtake Bardo. Rai came and both of them defeated Leaks with Rai stabbing Leaks to death. Leaks consciousness then transferred to Konoe and talks in his mind. Bardo and Rai then faced off, fighting to the death. Rai lost to his insanity while Bardo's curse overtake him and Konoe was just in the sideline watching.

Bardo's Good Ending: Konoe still want Bardo to remember him so he said that the current Bardo is better. With that, Bardo stabbed his hand to make the curse fade for a little while. Rai came and they both broke the barrier around Leaks and Leaks was defeated. Outside, Bardo and Konoe was overjoyed that they are both alive. Rai interrupted their atmosphere and said that he forgives Bardo then walks away. Years later, Bardo and Konoe are both managing the inn while Rai and Asato comes to visit once in a while. The scene ended with Rai interrupting Bardo and Konoe who was about to make love, Rai and Bardo then challenged each other in swordplay.

Asato's Route: Asato is a cat from a village called Kira who doesn't welcome outsiders. Asato was attached quickly to Konoe after Konoe showed kindness to him at the village. He wants to help Konoe in everything and gets easily upsets because he doesn't understand some things. He doesn't like Rai at all and always sharpening his claws in a tree when he gets mad at Rai or if his embarrassed. He is very awkward towards people especially to Konoe but is very honest, he is like a child in Konoe's opinion but can be a vicious cat if angered. Konoe caught Kaltz eyeing Asato on occasions and was very curious about it. During the mating season, they jerked each other in a field of flowers, a place where his mother and Kagari only knows. Kagari is the only women in the village of Kira who took care of Asato when his mother died. She sees him as his son but the elders ordered all the Kiran's to kill Asato since he was seen as a traitor for fleeing the village and not killing Konoe when ordered. Kagari volunteered to kill Asato but deep down she doesn't want to kill him but instead, she wants Asato to kill her.

Konoe and Asato confessed their feelings for each other and made love in their room with them having 69 first before... putting it in. It was revealed that Kaltz was previously a Meigi cat who was in love with a Kiran cat. They had a child and that is Asato. Kaltz was killed by his own tribe because Meigi and Kira are arch enemies, feeling sadness in the end, the soul of the devil grief went to him making him into a devil. Despite being a devil, he still cares very much for his son so much that when Asato was in rage and attacked him, he didn't move and stood still, fortunately Asato came to his senses then backs away. Asato cannot forgive his father because he feels that he left his mom and him to suffer even though he knows that its not his fault. Asato suffered as a child being called a monster ever since. Kagari told Konoe that when Asato was first born, he doesn't have a body of a cat but of a monster. The villagers wants to kill him for he is a monster child but his mother and Kagari opposed. Asato actually became a cat when he was growing up. Asato didn't know this piece of information but he can hear voices in his head telling him to kill.

Asato's Bad Ending: When they confronted Leaks, Leaks used a dark magic that makes the darkness inside them intensifies making Asato turned into a monster. Konoe gave up in thinking that Asato might turn back. Leaks then teleported Asato and Konoe to the cliff where Asato's mom fell. The monster Asato then tentacle rapes Konoe and after that eats him up starting by tearing his arm of his body.

Asato's Good Ending: Asato did still turn into a monster but Konoe didn't give up. He tells to Asato that he doesn't care about his appearance. Though while fighting off Asato, he lost his right hand. Asato then was back to his usual mind but his body is still a monster. He attacked Leaks and with Asatos's song that was given to him by his father, the barrier vanished and they defeated Leaks. Outside, Konoe was crying that Asato might be dying since his flesh was being torn apart but inside that flesh was the cat Asato that Konoe always knew. Years later, Konoe encouraged Asato to go back to Kira and face his hometown. The world is drastically changing because the sickness and void disappeared altogether, maybe the village Kira is also changing. In the end, they went to Kira, the villagers was surprised and didn't welcome them with open arms but they didn't turn them down to stay in the village. At the end, Kaltz didn't appear again but Konoe knew that Asato accepted the fact he is his father and forgives him.

My Drabbles:

I know that the happenings above are not complete but hey, it says overview so its like a summary. I think Konoe's true partner is Rai here but my fave character of them all is Asato. He is so cute with his awkwardness and shyness. I even laugh so hard every time he sharpens his claws when he is angry or embarrassed, Konoe even said that he should not sharpen his claws on the furniture. Among the devils, my favorite would be Kaltz, he is so hot! Though my fave bad ending for the demons is Razel's bad ending since he didn't eat Konoe, he even made him into a devil! At least Konoe didn't suffer much here unlike the other endings...

The music is really good, especially Poet's song. It's very calming and I don't even get tired hearing it over and over again. Their is a BGM where its very similar to Amnesia. The game always crashes and that made me piss off since I will start over again from the last save point, the skip button didn't work. Their was also times when I use the skip button then it will skip the unread messages too like in Asato's route where they will choose a room for Konoe to stay. Oh well, I'm just happy to play the english version so all is well. Kudos to the translators!

Nitro+Chiral really is the best! I've played three of their BL games now, this one, Dramatical Murder and Togainu No Chi. My fave setting would be this game but my fave character of them all is still Noiz from Dramatical Murder.

Do you know what's best in this game? IT'S UNCENSORED! YASSSSS!

So yeah, we can see clearly their dicks and such xD.