Chapter 100: Faith in the Winds of Yanatu

So this is Yanatu...

After all we've been through I like the peace and quiet.

Shall we be off to see this brother of Gemlazar's, then?

Haven't you been here before, Velette? Can you show us the way?

Nah, it's my first time, too. Ya won't find much archaeology work in these parts.

Ahh, okay. I guess we'll just have to wander around for a bit then.

Excuse me. We're looking for the younger brother of King Gemlazar of Torlutan. His son Harla told us we might find him here.

Harla sent you?

Gemlazar?! What are you doing here?!

We've been had!

Oh? Did Harla not tell you? Gemlazar and I are twins.

Ohhh, That makes more sense. For twins, it sure doesn't look like you two have much in common...

So I've been told. We have a different way of looking at the world. May I ask what business you have here? We don't usually get human visitors.

I guess you could say we're adventurers, but there's a little more to it than that. We're on the run from Gemlazar and the Empire. We came here to learn more about the winged beast.

Oh! Oh! And do ya think ya could ask yer brother to forget about the money I owe him?

That might be pushin' it, Miss...

Hmm. Unfortunately I don't hold much sway over my brother or the Empire...

It's fine. Forget she asked.

Oi! Ashteeeaaar!

Now then, where should we start?

The legends passed down by our people speak of two holy beings, A creator god who harbored a deep love of cats...

They ARE pretty cute...

And a mysterious being called "The Cat Beyond Time and Space". Unfortunately, we know little about the latter.

The Cat Beyond Time and Space...

God created the miu, and granted them dominion over this world.

Hmph. I'm not a religious scholar or anything, but doesn't this "loving" god of yers end up lettin' ya get wiped out by red meteors?

Yes... It would seem so. What of it?

Yer people will return to the earth and rest fer eternity...or at least until someone comes and digs up their fossils.

Your point? Surely an archeologist of your renown knows what I'm about to tell you, Velette Murray.

Oh? You've heard o' me then?

Yes, you hold some degree of notoriety, at least in our era. But as I was saying, there exists no species that lives forever. The specter of extinction eventually comes for us all. Such is the natural order.

That doesn't change the fact that I want to save your people from the red meteors. You shouldn't go down without a fight.

Really, now? In that case, you should travel to Turialba. Known to some as the Tower of the Dawn... and to others as the Lighthouse of the Null.

Interesting names...

Speak to the lighthouse keeper there. They will surely guide you in your path.

I take it this lighthouse keeper is a fellow miu? Thank you, Dorzhova. We'll do as you ask.

I've done nothing worthy of your gratitude. Harla must have sensed something within you to send you to me. He has a nose for such things.

Listen Minalca. I don't know how far we're going to take this. I don't know if we'll even be able to change a single thing.

But I do know that I can't just sit back and watch the miu die. I want to do whatever I can to help them.

I see...

You don't have to come with us if you don't want to, Minalca. I understand.

No... I can't just run away. If you're going, then so am I.

No matter what awaits us at the end of our path, I owe it to Yuki to see it through.

Alright... Then let's get going.

Yeah.

And who might you be?

Travelers on a journey. Dorzhova asked us to seek the counsel of the lighthouse keeper.

I see... How may I be of assistance?

You're the keeper, then? That makes this quick. We'd like you to tell us more about Turialba.

I see. Listen well, my children.

Under rays of afternoon sun, the null shall light your way. On the island of waterfalls at the heart of the world, seek the winged beast.

The seers of our ancient ancestors left us with a prophecy.

When the red stones fall, the great beast will awaken to spread its wings once more, opening the path of worlds.

The followers of our faith take this to mean that there may be more than one possible future, a world where the miu live on.

So awakening the beast in Turialba will save the miu?

That is the question, isn't it?

Professor Sebastia!

Harla! What is the meaning of this?

Forgive me! My father told the Empire everything! I wanted to warn you, but I was captured before ever escaping Torlutan.

Engaging sensors. No other Imperial units detected.

Traveling alone, are we madame?

This place is a paradise of fools. The miu are nothing but a doomed race that chooses to believe whatever is most convenient for them. Skepticism is the mark of true intellectualism. Your own preconceptions and convenient truths should be the very first thing you question.

Blind faith forsakes intelligence itself!

On that point we are in agreement, Professor Sebastia.

Rare as it is for the three of us to agree, I can't argue with that. It's actually kinda irritatin'.

An imperial garrison will be arriving shortly, so let's keep this quick. There is nothing for you here. You will hand over Guilty Hades and return with us to the Chronos Empire. To defy us would be the height of folly.

I'm afraid I can't comply.

That giant is mine! Keep yer hands off it!

The Nullgear is NOT yours. How many times do I have to say it before it gets through that thick skull?

I found those ruins, and I dug the damn thing up! It's mine if I say it is!

Ugh, I've had enough of this.

And you, Kamlanage? Do you also plan to defy your father?

I...

It's not too late. Come back with me to where you belong. Your family is waiting.

My...family?

Don't listen to her, Kamlanage!

Huh?!

Now is not the time. Chronos doesn't care about his family. He never did.

......

Don't say I didn't warn you. I'll see you again soon.

It seems I'm not the only one whose relationship with his father is complicated.

Yeah... But in my case I only just met him recently. My head's a mess right now.

I'm sorry to hear that.

What am I doing? Why am I even here? When I first found out about my family I was so happy, but now...

There you are, Kam.

Aldo...

Is something wrong?

No... Not exactly...

Alright.

I was raised by my grandpa so I'm not exactly an expert, but father-son relationships can be a real pain in the ass.

That goes doubly when your father is a big deal, or someone that you need to one day surpass.

Sometimes it can really get under your skin. Maybe it's impossible to understand a father's feelings without being a father yourself.

......

But despite all that, you still can't help but want him around, right? Especially once he's gone.

Maybe you're right. Maybe I am just acting like a spoiled child again...

Well like I said, my father wasn't around, so maybe it's not my place to say this.

But I did have Feinne. I had my grandpa. And I had friends who were there with me through thick and thin. To me, that's family.

......

We leave for Turialba shortly. The Empire is sure to be on the move now that they know we're here. We can't wait.

Got it. I'm with you, Aldo.

Kam. You gonna be alright?

Yeah.

Hey, Amy. Is everything okay with Aldo and Kam?

Shh! Let them be. They're fine.

Huh? Are you sure?

There's no need to worry, I assure you. Let's be on our way.

Alright, we're heading to Turialba.