GAMES · STORY NOTES

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd is a 2007 role-playing video game developed by Nihon Falcom. The game is the third installment of the Trails series, itself a part of the larger The Legend of Heroes series, and follows Trails in the Sky SC (2005) as the final entry of the Liberl trilogy arc.

Description adapted from Wikipedia contributors, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text adapted for this entry.

FULL SPOILERS AHEAD

The story, including the ending.

These write-ups discuss major events and outcomes for this listed work. Each source and its coverage are identified below.

Source plot synopsis — includes the ending

A year after the events of the previous game, Dominion of the Septian Church Kevin Graham is summoned back to Liberl to inspect artifacts recovered from the wreck of the Liber Ark. On the way, he learns that his childhood friend Ries Argent has been assigned to him as a squire. An artifact called the Recluse Cube turns on by itself while Kevin and Ries are present. Later, the two are sent to an otherworldly dimension called Phantasma. Exploring Phantasma, they learn that places from across Liberl are replicated inside, and other characters from the previous Sky games have also been summoned there. They work together to investigate the realm and find an escape.
Deep in Phantasma, the heroes discover a replica of the orphanage where Kevin, Ries, and Rufina, Ries' older sister, grew up together. Inside, Phantasma's ruler reveals herself as Rufina, intent on revenge against Kevin for accidentally killing her, and sends the two to a simulacrum of Gehenna, the underworld for tormented sinners. While fighting their way out, Ries helps Kevin come to terms with his past and awaken a stronger version of his Stigma, the power possessed by Dominions. He realizes that his Stigma activated the Recluse Cube, acting on his unconscious desire for punishment. The party confronts the corrupted Stigma and defeats it, opening a door to the outside world.
Optional scenes viewable throughout Phantasma introduce characters and concepts that are seen in later arcs. A significant subplot involves former Ouroboros enforcer Renne, a traumatized young girl who struggles with her desire for a family. When the party is leaving Phantasma, she challenges Estelle and Joshua to make her part of their family before running away.
Sources and content license

Source and revision history ↗ · Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd. Section headings and formatting adjusted. · Content license