Chapter 6: Salamander Encroached Upon from Another World

Wow, that was an impressive battle! And you fell right out of the sky, too! Are you a wizard?

Uh, I guess you could say that.

Your companion's really something. Pow! Fwish! Woosh! You really made that dino sore!

Thank you for the compliment. I am Riica, a KMS all-purpose android. I was not aware that I was powing or fwooshing. Could you clarify the meaning of these...

I'll explain later, Riica. We don't have time for that right now.

An...awl porpoise end ride? I don't really get it, but I think you're my new hero, Miss Riica! As for you, mister, don't go thinking I needed your help. I eat lizards like that for breakfast! Um... Thank you, though. There, I said it. My granny's always nagging me not to forget my manners.

Well, I'll be on my way. I hope I get to see you fight again sometime, Miss Riica!

Ratle Village... Never heard of it. But if there are dinosaurs roaming around, we must be pretty far in the past.

The atmospherics, plant life, and vertebrate lifeforms suggest several thousand years ago. I am unable to provide any further details. Very few relevant historical records are still extant in my time.

Well, I was supposed to go to the past. But thousands of years...

There's another thing that's been bothering me. Why are you still here, Riica? Shouldn't you have disappeared with everyone else from the future?

Unknown. I lack sufficient data to properly analyze the situation. Aside from some ghost data in my memory that I cannot account for, I am still in peak operating condition.

A ghost? Oh, that's more future-talk, right? At any rate, I'm glad I still have you on my side.

The part of Ogre Rancorem that Amy's dad repaired is back to the way it was. Just like it was never fixed. Everyone I met in the future, all the things we did... They've been undone... I have to do something!

I guess we should start by gathering info at Ratle Village.

Hey there, mister! We meet again. What do you think of my village? Pretty nice place, right?

There's something I've been meaning to tell you. The Nadara Volcano outside town has been...odd lately. I can't really put it into words... I just feel it in my gut, something in the air isn't right. It's giving me the heebie-geebies! The best thing would be to go ask Salamander about it directly. But my life's too precious to go waltzing into a volcano. For the two of you, though, it'd be a piece of cake! So if you feel like taking that trip, I won't stop you...

Air quality analysis via your intestinal system? Most irregular...

You want us go to the volcano and check on this Salamander person? Sure, I think we can handle that.

Really? You'll do it?! A thousand thanks! I knew you two wouldn't let me down.

You are most welcome. Furthermore, you need not worry about airborne parasites in your system. I detect no irregularities in your heart rate or breathing. Shall I run a more detailed scan for signs of these heebie creatures?

What? Parasites?! Oh, heebie-geebies. Right. No, I'm fine. So...anyway... I'm counting on you, Miss Riica.

All right, Riica. Let's move out.

Understood!

Massive surge in volcanic energy detected!

Whoa! What the, ?!

This guy is Salamander?! Something's not right...

Aldo, please exercise caution. An irregular black substance is infecting the target's nervous system.

Is that why he's acting up? Watch out, here he comes!

We did it! That weird smoke is finished! I hope we weren't too rough on Salamander, though.

You have my gratitude, child of man. You have expelled the foul miasma and returned me to my senses. Yet that was only a portion of a sinister power against which even we spirits are helpless to resist. I know not whence it came, but it is not something that belongs in this world. I perceive that you two are not of this time. Perhaps your displacement and this incident are related in some way... Whatever the case, if left unchecked, it is a threat that could devastate this world like an errant lava flow.

Devastate the world? Just what is this threat?

Something that renders the abilities of the elemental spirits null and void. Beware, child of man, the world's destruction may already be underway. I sense a disturbance in Palsifal Palace and the surrounding lands. I have a feeling you will be needed there.

Palsifal Palace, huh? I hope we find some clues there...

We did it! That weird smoke is finished! I hope we weren't too rough on Salamander, though.

You have my gratitude, child of man. You have expelled the foul miasma and returned me to my senses. Yet that was only a portion of a sinister power against which even we spirits are helpless to resist. I know not whence it came, but it is not something that belongs in this world. I perceive that you two are not of this time. Perhaps your displacement and this incident are related in some way... Whatever the case, if left unchecked this threat could devastate this world like an errant lava flow.

Devastate the world? Just what is this threat?

Something that renders the abilities of the elemental spirits null and void. Beware, child of man...

......

Hello and thank you for playing! It's me, Pepori! What, don't you remember me? Don't be so cold... This marks the end of the Another Eden Closed Beta campaign. Woo! Congrats, bub! It'll only be a little while now before everything is officially released. Then you'll see just how hard I've been working on this. It'll be a blast! The beta story may be over, but you can still continue playing. We're sending Aldo and his pals to the Spacetime Rift. This is a place where you can travel to any of the three time periods. Pretty handy, right? You can also access the Another Dungeon feature, which isn't unlocked until later in the full game. Another Dungeon will give you a chance to test your skills against even stronger monsters. Be careful in there! These dungeons also yield great materials you can't find anywhere else! Whoops, that was meant to be a secret... Just keep that between us, okay? I could be out of a job otherwise. Let's see, what else... There's also...The Forbidden Bucket of Doom! Lurking inside is the strongest boss this version has to offer. Can you beat it? Can anyone beat it? I dunno about that, but I'd love to see you try! Seriously. If you're really itching for a major challenge, you know where to find it!

However...

Don't blame me if you don't make it back. Well, that's enough info for now. To the Spacetime Rift! Here we go...

Mister Aldo! Miss Riica! Welcome back. How was Salamander?

Hey, Veron. Salamander was possessed by some kind of black gunk. That's why things got so messed up around here.

Whoa, for real?! Sounds like you had your hands full. But since you came back safe, you must have fixed the problem, am I right?

You bet we did. I couldn't just turn my back on you.

Nice going, mister! What can I say, I know a talented adventurer when I see one. Heh heh. But seriously, thank you for everything. If I can ever do anything for you, go ahead and let me know. You might want to make Acteul or Palsifal Palace your next stop. Someone there's bound to know something. Plus, I bet there'll be plenty of folks needing your help, too. It'd be a waste not to put that strength of yours to good use!

Thanks. Salamander said the same thing. I guess we'll go check out this palace, then.

You won't regret it. See you around, Mister Aldo, Miss Riica!

Farewell, Veron. Take care of yourself. Be on your guard against heebie infestations.

......