In these last two chapters, Ralsei grew on me. Or, to be more precise, I have refrained from forming any firm opinion on him through all these years simply because I did not know enough about him. I always felt that he was keeping something from me, not about the prophecy, not about his true nature or his intentions, but about how he sees himself.
Before playing chapters 3 and 4, I replayed the first two chapters to refresh my memory and get a better picture. And the "It's nice that Ralsei is Ralsei." and him wondering what being "Ralsei-like even is" segment becomes much more poignant in hindsight. I have had my suspicions, but once he tasted the cake for what he said was the first time in chapter 4, it became as plain as day to me: once I step through the threshold of his room, I will find an empty space.
Since the beginning, you are told that your choices don't matter. Once you accept that your choices don't matter simply because you were told so, you are free to do as you please. And your choices not mattering becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Ralsei is told the same thing: that the prophecy did not change despite his best efforts.
Even Ralsei tells you that you shouldn't worry too much about Darkners.

I acted as if every choice I made mattered.

Even if there is only one ending, even if the eventual outcome is the end of the world no matter what I did, it would not make a difference to me. It's got nothing to do with what Toby said. If God told me that nothing I did mattered, I would still do my best to get a genuine smile on that fluffy boy's face. If my complimenting Ralsei's face makes him proud, I have already made a world of difference.
What matters to me more than anything is seeing Ralsei be Ralsei, help the goat boy shape his own identity and be his best friend no matter what.

In these last two chapters, Ralsei grew on me. Or, to be more precise, I have refrained from forming any firm opinion on him through all these years simply because I did not know enough about him. I always felt that he is keeping something from me, not about the prophecy, not about his true nature or his intentions but about how he sees himself.
Before playing chapters 3 and 4, I replayed the first two chapters to refresh my memory and get a better picture. And "It's nice that Ralsei is Ralsei." and him wondering what being "Ralsei-like even is" segment becomes much more poignant in hindisght. I have had my suspicions but once he tasted the cake for what he said was the first time in chapter 4, it become as plain as day to me: once I step through the threshold of his room, I will find an empty space.
Since the beginning, you are told that your choices don't matter. Once you accept that your choices don't matter simply because you were told so, you are free to do as you please. And your choices not mattering becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Ralsei is told the same thing: that the prophecy did not change depsite his best efforts. Even Ralsei tells you that you shouldn't worry too much about Darkners.

I acted as if every choice I made mattered.

Even if there is only one ending, even if the eventual outcome is the end of the world no matter what I did, it would not make a difference to me. It's got nothing to do with what Toby said. If God told me that nothing I did mattered, I would still do my best to get a genuine smile on that fluffy boy's face. If me complimenting Ralsei's face makes him proud, I have already made a world of difference.
What matters to me more than anything is seeing Ralsei be Ralsei, help the goat boy shape his own identity and be his best friend no matter what.