Chapter 34: Purgatory: The Undying Elementals

Wow, long time no see, Cyrus. How are you doing?

That straw dummy, it just spoke!

Hmm...but where's the ventriloquist?

......

Give it a rest, you two. We don't have time to be getting swamped in trivial details. Dummy, I'll be to the point. We've need of your expertise in matters arcane. The Elemental Arms, what do you know of them?

Ah, the Elemental Arms. Never seen them in person. But with spirit energy being scattered all across the land... They're going to be pretty hard to find. You could try going to a spot where there's lots of it condensed together?

That's a fine start, Dummy. But we absolutely must gather the Four Arms lickety-split. Is there nothing you can tell us that would suggest a course of action?

Fine, fine. I'll rack my brains then, since it's you. If you make for the skies above the northern sea, you'll see a portal to purgatory. A delightful place... The world of neither the living nor the dead. Know of someone recently departed from our world? You can reconstruct them there.

This all sounds splendid in theory, but Purgatory doesn't strike me as the sort of place you can just stop in for a chat.

Right, you'd need to be cautious. It's a mad place. But you're a pretty mad bunch, so I reckon you'll be all right. By leveraging the spirit energy from the land, with a bit of luck I should be able to get the portal open for you. And simultaneously, I'll sculpt some of that juicy energy into phantom versions of the four great spirits. Then it's up to you to track down the big cheeses. Not the elementals themselves, just sparkly imitations of them. They're not husks though. You'll have to win their approval if you want to get your hands on those arms.

Good stuff Dummy! I knew you were a dependable fellow.

'Course I am! Now, I'll have one of my associates come over to Ratle and send you on up to Purgatory. Have a safe trip!

You do us a great honor.

Off to Purgatory then! I hadn't planned on leaving the land of the living just yet, but never mind.

Wait a minute guys, are we seriously going to this living-dead place?

I lack the correct programming for arguing with a straw man, but my database contains no mention of a "Purgatory."

He seemed to know what he was talking about.

That was one of the more intelligent dummies I've met in my time, but even so, I'm uneasy about taking his advice. Purgatory will be like daisies and sunshine compared to the ogre base where Altena's being held, though.

Yeah... We're all in this together. Aren't we, guys?

I guess I can't chicken out of this one then. All right. Let's go to Ratle.

So this is Purgatory? Where do we find the Phantom Elementals?

Even if we can locate them, gaining their approval may prove less than straightforward.

First let's just figure out what kind of place this is.

Hang in there Altena...

Hello there, we're Salamander's little helpers! Sure, we may be small in size... But underestimate us... and you're in for a surprise! A crispy, crackly, bubbly blaze!

You've got some fire in your bellies we see. That was some hot stuff making it here to Purgatory. After the Elemental Arms are you? So we've heard from our friend Ms. Dummy. Well, good luck to you and good day. Joking! They're here. They've taken the forms of the elementals 'emselves. 'Course our boss is here, Salamander the brave. Then you've got the wind-riding Sylph, crusty ol' Gnome of the earth, and that puddle-splasher, Undine. Figure you'll just go and take 'em down and have 'em cough up the goods? You're welcome to try. But it'd suck if any plain old adventurer got their grubby mitts on something as sparkly as an Elemental Arm...

But luckily, the Elementals are super strong! If you really wanna beat them, you're gonna need a tactical advantage... The elemental essences.

Say if the gales of the wind elemental are blowing you away, go get their essence and it might just win you the day. You mighta thought this land would be a peaceful place, but as it turns out there's troubles in Purgatory.

Hold it there bub. Give 'em much more help and ya might as well go gather the Arms for them!

You make a spicy point there bub. Well, that's it from me then!

We actually did it! We got all four of the Elemental Arms. That was tough though. Imagine how strong the Elementals must have been when they were alive.

Now we have what we need to free Altena.

I hope she's holding up all right. Come on, we need to get to the Ancient Battlefield quickly.

Hang in there, Altena. I will save you.

You've not yet restored the village to fertility, have you? You're certain you wish to challenge me at this stage?

So this is the phantasmal incarnation of the Elemental Gnome. No doubt he packs a punch proportionate to his size. But we're used to facing sizeable foes. He's nothing exceptional, this so-called Gnome.

I commend your courage if nothing else. Alas, I am now obliged to trample you and your puny mob into the dirt.

You don't stand a chance against me. Prepare to get knocked down a peg.

I see. Your courage lies upon a sturdy foundation of skill. You are worthy of this.

And you too, you have might worthy of your pride.

Thank you, Gnome.

As for that woman who supposes herself my wife, I ask that you assist her.

We're still short of a full set of Arms. Let's get a move on.

You have decided that your own troubles take greatest precedence? Very well.

Please understand, Undine. My sister desperately needs our help, and we need your Arm to save her.

The miseries of mortals sound to me like melodies. I hear it now... the discordant throbbing of your rage, and the intensifying tide of hatred that threatens to submerge your soul. I would gladly ease your pain, if you would but forfeit your life...

Some bear their suffering with greater valor than others. It would insult my sister to sulk at a time like this.

Come, we've no further need of words.

Your worth is clear to me as an untainted spring. I thus offer you my power. May it offer you support as you venture into the stormy seas before you. If you make the crossing undrowned, an end to your torment awaits.

The Water Elemental's Arm is ours. A fine thing it is, too.

Thank you, Undine.

The fate of that youth concerns me yet. I ask that you guide his sorrowful soul to harmony.

We're still short of a full set of Arms. Let's get a move on.

So this is Salamander, whose power was poured into the Crimson Blade.

There's a matter of greater importance than the retaking of my flame?

My sister's situation is grave. We don't have time to be going on errands.

We've fought Salamander before, but he wasn't at full strength. His energy was being sapped by a phantom last time. Now he's restored, he'll no doubt be on another level.

You desire to compare your strength with mine? I shall not deny you.

Let's see then. Which between the two of our forces...

Burns brightest!

Your will burns intense as starlight. This is rightly yours.

This sword is quite distinct from my Crimson Blade... But never mind that. We've got what we came for.

Thank you, Salamander.

Forget not the matter of retrieving my flame.

We're still short of a full set of Arms. Let's get a move on.

Wow, live humans! And even a beast? How strange! I met a dead guy a while ago who told me that beasts and humans hated each other. Is that true? If it was, then why're ya together, huh? This is really strange... Oh boy, oh boy! I'm really curious about you, mister human and mister beast!

We didn't come here to engage in idle gossip. Hand over your Arm.

Oh...you're feisty, hehe. So you prefer to dance then? That's fine with me! Dancing's a good way to get to know you more!

You're a good dancer! Let's do it again some time! Here, think of this as a symbol of our friendship.

At last, an end to her talk. And the Arm is ours.

Thank you, Sylph.

We're still short of a full set of Arms. Let's get a move on.