ovan

the guide to an uprising

From the beginning, literally Haseo's First Login, it seems that Ovan is pulling the strings. It has been inferred that he was the one who led IYOTEN and Asta to Haseo; he PKed Shino and sent Haseo on his crazed chase after Tri-Edge; he was responsible for Azure Kite deleveling Haseo; he was the schemer behind awakening Haseo's epitaph; he led Atoli to Azure Kite, and consequently, Haseo to the epic battle against him; he was responsible for the spreading of AIDA through outlets such as Sakaki; the list of crimes goes on. In fact, it's a pretty good bet that if something crappy happens to Haseo, the reason probably starts with an "O", ends with an "N", and has a "VA" in the middle. He's just that sort of guy.

So did Ovan really mean to be a scheming, manipulative, "the straightest path is through the mud" kind of guy? Was he truly so focused that he willingly put Haseo through trial after trial, dousing him in the flames of hell again and again and again?

Well, yeah. But there's a little more to it than just manipulation.

Haseo is Ovan's salvation, his truth, his Key of the Twilight, and to some extent, his champion. In order to save Aina, Ovan has little else he can do other than place complete faith in Haseo to defeat him. He literally must wager everything on Haseo -- and like any good gambler, he knows how to play the odds.

While his lessons may be cruel, they are efficient. Once an apathetic, abrasive little boy, Haseo becomes a strong, independent young man due to his journey. He learns to care for others, and in exchange be cared for. He strives for goals once thought unattainable and uninteresting to him. Thanks to Ovan's painful lessons, he becomes the hero The World -- and Ovan -- needs him to be.

It's interesting to note that during the First Login, Ovan saved Haseo from IYOTEN and Asta. In the end, Haseo would repay the favor with the ultimate act of heroism: freeing Ovan by destroying him.

But even their epic battle doesn't mark the end of the relationship between Ovan and Haseo. Ovan lays in a coma, but Haseo takes it upon himself to save the world and people that Ovan loved. In fact, it is Ovan and Haseo's combined strength that defeats the ultimate threat, the Anti-Existence Cubia, once and for all, illustrating that even after Ovan's "death", he's still fighting beside Haseo.

If you complete the Forest of Pain hidden quest, you'll unlock a special scene between Ovan and Haseo that reflects their true relationship:

Haseo: Could it be...O...Ovan!
Ovan: Haseo...
Haseo: ...heh! I'll never be surprised again... Ovan, is this really what you wanted?
Ovan: I feel as if I've been dreaming for a very long time. It was like those Russian dolls, where layer within layer of reality were ambiguous and endless. It was a colorless world of gray that continued on forever... Except for you, Haseo. You were the only one.
Haseo: What are you talking about? What do you mean, Ovan?
Ovan: Do you ever wonder how precious memories are, Haseo? When we look back, all that exists is a nostalgic joy. In a place where there is no regret or fear...you just let yourself float in the happiness that is all around you... Looking back on the two of us, there is so much we gave each other, and so much we took away. You, my words, and I, your growth. We drive each other, share each other, complete each other. Don't you see, Haseo? We are never-ending. Even the Apocalypse would be just a point that we pass through in eternity. Endings are the signs of daybreak. They are merely new beginnings to this never-ending story. Now, walk forward, Haseo. Walk down your path with your own free will. For the two of us, until we are reunited. Yes, until when together, we will walk towards a new daybreak.
Haseo: Ovan...Ovan!!