Revision 1

Diverging Paths is the prologue of Phantom Blade Zero. It introduces Soul and Zuo Shang through a present-day duel and an earlier training sequence, then establishes the Tainted Heart and Soul's 66-day deadline.

Chapter overview

Training and the opening duel

The opening scene shows Soul and Zuo Shang striking each other down. The story then moves 16 years into the past. Follow the route while practicing camera control, jumping, crouching and wall traversal.

Continue to the building where Zuo Shang begins the combat lesson. Practice Sha-Chi Combos, Guard Stance, blocking, parrying and attack chains during the sparring encounter. Finish the tutorial fight before the story returns to the duel from the opening scene.

You then control Soul in that confrontation. Defeat Zuo Shang to reach the scene in which both fighters fall. The training spar and the later duel are separate parts of the prologue.

The two hearts

The Flesh Sculptor offers Soul the Hollow Heart, which removes emotion and desire, and the Tainted Heart, which keeps him alive with venom for 66 days. Soul chooses the Tainted Heart in this sequence, setting the deadline for his journey.

Next chapter

Reckless Pursuit continues the present-day chase after the prologue.