Chapter 60: Words from Bygone Days: Book of the Time Dream

What the...?!

It's a statue of the Goddess of Time! Does that mean...this building is the Chapel of the Goddess of Time?!

The Chapel of the Goddess of Time travels randomly through a spacetime tunnel! How did it end up here, and in ruins?

It looks like maybe that spacetime tunnel got completely closed off at some point in time after the Present. It must have happened a while ago, from the look of the place... And now the chapel is stuck here. The Time Spot must have broken open at the same time...that's the shell of time that camouflages the area around the chapel. Maybe this area was shielded from pollution by the shell of time that protected the chapel, if it wasn't completely destroyed.

In that case, the Daughter of Time and the other maidens must have been stranded here, like spacetime exiles. And this place vanished from the distant past...

Perhaps the Chapel of the Goddess of Time and Lady Himika's mirror have been calling out to each other?

If this is the East in the Future, in the area around Mahora Lake... Everybody, let's search the area a little, just to scope out the situation.

Where did you strange-looking people show up from all of a sudden? I'd heard that an airship was flying around here lately, but...

We did it, Aldo! We spotted our first local!

Hey, Mister... Where are we?

This is the Angal Settlement... We beasts reclaimed it for our own use.

Beasts?! You mean, the beasts managed to survive on the surface, even in the Future?!

We beasts have kept living on the surface, even after the humans left this polluted world behind and took to the skies. We are a people who live in harmony with the earth, no matter what happens.

But the pollution is still slowly spreading. They say that our ancestors once migrated constantly from place to place. Forever seeking land where they could survive, where the pollution had not yet reached.

So, this is the future of our people?

That's awful...

At any rate...where in the world did you all come from?

Umm... Well...

These people are my guests.

Oh, so you're here to visit Kikyo, eh?

Kikyo? Do you know this person?

Yes. This is my hometown, after all.

Your hometown?! Really?

Please, just trust me for now.

Who are you?

My name is Kikyo. I'm a human who lives here.

A human?! There are still humans living on the surface?!

I'll fill you in on all the details, later. For now, can you please just trust me?

Y-Yeah, sure.

Okay, then. I take full responsibility for these people.

Well, if they're guests of yours, Kikyo, then there's nothing to worry about. Do as you like.

I will. But could you please tell everyone back at the settlement that these people are coming?

Sure, I can do that. See you later.

Thank you, Kikyo.

Don't worry about it. Dealing with visitors is basically my job here, anyway. Besides, there's something I want to talk to you guys about.

Something you want to talk about?

Let's go somewhere else, for starters. My house is at the edge of the settlement. We can relax and talk if we go there.

We gladly accept your kind offer. I was hoping for a chance to adjust to the situation at my leisure.

Yeah, that would be nice... Well, lead the way!

Then it's settled. Let's go, shall we?

Thanks for watching the place for me.

Wow, how cute!

Her name is Sumire. She's my cute little guard cat.

Meoooooow!

And this is my house. I'd like to tell you to come right on in, but...

There are so many of you, I'm not really sure if you'll all fit.

Now that you mention it, we have become quite a sprawling clan.

Well, we can relax and talk just fine out here, so I don't mind.

I appreciate it. You're saving me a lot of trouble by saying so...

Okay, let me re-introduce myself. I'm Kikyo. Like I was saying before, I'm the only human living in this settlement.

I'm Aldo. I'm a traveling adventurer. All these people with me are my friends.

Humans, beasts, mechanical lifeforms, and even a frog... You've got some pretty interesting friends.

So, Kikyo, what did you want to talk about so badly?

Well, as a matter of fact, this mysterious cat showed up a little while back, and it's been waiting for you guys ever since.

A cat's been waiting for us? Are you pulling my leg?

It has this intense look on its face, like it's waiting for someone...but it won't even look at me or the settlers when we call it.

That still doesn't mean it's waiting for us, does it?

Well, I can't exactly ask it and find out, of course.

Altena, the strong elemental aura that I sensed coming off of you convinced me that there must be a connection.

You there, the girl in the back... The strong elemental aura that I sensed coming off of you convinced me that there must be a connection.

Huh? Me?

Yes, you. That cat is surrounded by an elemental aura, too, like some kind of feline mirage.

A cat, surrounded by an elemental aura...

Kikyo, can you sense elementals?

My dad was a samurai. He trained me in all sorts of skills, ever since I was little... That's how I learned to see elementals and spirits of nature and that kind of thing.

A cat that emits an elemental aura, in a land where the power of nature has been lost... in a polluted world...

It does fire the imagination.

Where in Angal is this mysterious cat?

Near the gateway to Angal. I think it's probably still wandering around in that area.

Let's go and look for that cat, Aldo! If it's that mysterious, I really want to see it, too!

Yeah, let's do it. It's not like we have any other clues at the moment, anyway. This mysterious cat might turn out to be a clue, after all.

I'm pretty curious about it, myself, so I'll go with you.

I'm pretty curious about it, myself, so I'll take you guys there.

Come to think of it, Kikyo, you were just saying that your dad trained you. How come you're not living with him now?

My dad... He went missing, when I was still a kid. I haven't seen him since.

I'm so sorry... I shouldn't have asked such a tactless question...

No, don't worry about it. It was pretty hard when it happened, but..

These days, I've got Sumire and all the folks in Angal looking out for me, and I'm doing just fine.

Anyway, let's look for that mysterious cat. It must be around here somewhere...

Hey, there's a cat! Is it the right one?

Wow! It really does look like a mirage! It's so pretty!

That cat! That Elemental sparkle! It can't be...

Was it really waiting for us?

What should we do?

All right! Just leave it to me!

Heeeeeere, kitty kitty! Come here... Who's a good little kitty?

Eh? It disappeared! This is most peculiar...

It must have disappeared because Aldo was cooing at it like a lunatic.

Oof...

Oh! There it is again.

Huh...

Eh? It disappeared, yet again.

And there it is once more.

Do you think maybe it's asking us to follow it?

All right! Then let's stay on its tail! Just like Feinne said, it must want us to follow it.

I remember this place...

......

Aldo, over there!

Yeah. Somehow, it looks like it brought us to the former site of the Cat Shrine.

Ahh!

The Sacred Beast?! It's still alive?! But it's been over 20,000 years since the era of Antiquity, hasn't it?

Hey...what if the Cat God in the Present was just one manifestation of the Sacred Beast, too? If it met us in Antiquity, then "reunited" with us in the Present, it must have thought we would meet again someday. But it sure seems a lot weaker now... Is it okay?

The pollution on the surface has wiped out the power of nature... That must be why. It no longer has the strength to move around, so it took the form of that cat and called out to us.

No...it was not calling to us. The Sacred Beast must have sensed the elemental within Altena. It was you that the Sacred Beast meant to call, Altena.

Me?

I promised you, didn't I? That we would always be friends! No matter what era or world we were in... Friends forever and ever!

It's because of us, all of us, that the surface... That this planet has ended up in such a state. That's why you've become so weak, as well. I'm sorry, Sacred Beast... I'm so sorry...

Huh?! Sacred Beast...!

What's this?!

Those lights are the lifeforce of the Sacred Beast, the glimmering of its elemental... The Sacred Beast must have wanted to pass it on to you. That was its dying wish... That is why it waited here for so long.

Oh, Sacred Beast...

Altena, you must inherit its power, now. That is the Sacred Beast's wish...and... The dying wishes of the Four Great Elementals... The very prayers of this planet!

Sacred Beast... Your final wish... I accept it!

Thank you, Sacred Beast... Now, we'll always be together... Forever...

Altena, are you all right?

I'll be all right. If anything, I feel stronger now that I've inherited the elemental of the Sacred Beast!

Thank goodness!

Oh, and... Guildna, I do have one request.

What is it, Altena? Why so formal?

Let me come with you and your friends, Guildna! I accepted the Sacred Beast's wishes, but I still want to do something to help save the world... Something for the planet! I want to go with you, everybody! I want to do whatever I can to help! Please, Guildna...

Hmph...

It's all right, isn't it, Guildna? Altena is already caught up in this with us anyway, isn't she?

Altena's spiritual power has been growing stronger. She would make a thoroughly dependable ally.

I don't think it would be a bad call, either.

Indeed, I cannot think of a reason not to bring her along, no?

Agreement confirmed!

Guildna!

Please, Guildna!

Hah... All right, fine. Come with us, Altena. I always figured you'd ask about it one of these days.

Thank you, Guildna!

Hooray! We did it! I'm so glad, Altena!

Thank you, Feinne!

All right, then. Let's go back to the Chapel of the Goddess of Time in Angal, for now.

Let's go, Altena!

Yes! Let's go, Feinne!

So...what are we supposed to do now? It's good that Altena was able to inherit the power of the Sacred Beast, but...

We must remember, our goal is to correct the changes in history.

Who is the Goddess of Time? And how can we undo the changes in history? The clues to that must be at the Chapel of the Goddess of Time, after all...

But the fact is, the Chapel is stuck at this point in history now... The wandering chapel won't appear at Mahora Lake in the Present anymore, will it?

Hmm... That is a difficulty. Isn't there something we can do about it?

Hey, what are you all doing here?!

Mildy?! Clughorn?!

What are we doing here? We could ask you the same thing. What are you two doing here, huh?

I see... You must be fellow adventurers and friends of Mildy and Clughorn.

And you are...?

Kamlanage! With two Chrono Clan members here, I thought you might be around, too...

Hey, Kikyo. So, you're with them, too?

Yes. I'm their friend, too.

Yes. I've got a sort of bond with them.

Kikyo? Do you know him?

Yeah. Sorry, I should introduce myself.

Nice to meet you. I'm Kamlanage, the leader of the Chrono Clan. Think of me as a sort of... business partner of Kikyo, here.

What?! This kid is the leader of the clan?

That's amazing, for somebody so small...

Talent has nothing to do with age or experience, you know. The cream of the crop always rises to the top. That's all.

So, what's the Chrono Clan doing in a place like this, huh?

We're investigating the ruins of an ancient chapel...and the Goddess of Time.

What?! So, you have an interest in the Goddess of Time, as well?

Does that mean you do, too? Oh dear, are we butting in again?

Hmm, interesting. How fortunate that you're acquainted with Kikyo... It would seem that your group and ours are strangely synchronized.

Never mind whether we're synchronized. I should like to know why you're investigating the Goddess of Time, oui?

I came from the floating Sky Fortress Eeza, originally, and I was appointed to my position in the clan there, as well. The way this area avoids the pollution is a point of interest to me, and I've been coming to examine it for some time now. There is a future in these long-forgotten items and relics of Antiquity, like the Ogre Key, you know. The ones who stand against the darkness... Demon swords from ancient times, and mighty former deities.

......

Kamlanage, while we're on the subject, shouldn't you get the Book of the Time Dream from Kikyo?

The Book of the Time Dream... The one from the Chapel of the Goddess of Time?

That's right... You know your stuff. There are writings in ancient tomes about the Book of the Time Dream, and the Chapel. They say the Book of the Time Dream is a book of prophecies, with mysterious hidden powers...

If Lady Himika's temple was the precursor of the chapel, then... Surely it must be obvious that that is no ordinary book...

Lady Himika's temple? What's that? It seems like you people know quite a lot about all of this.

Ah, but I digress. When the beasts first arrived in these lands, there was nothing left in the ruins, it seems. It must have been found and carried off by someone who came here before Angal was settled, unfortunately.

But just recently, the beast villagers found a mysterious object in the ruins of the Wasteland and brought it back.

Was it the lost Book of the Time Dream from the Chapel?

Yeah. You don't find a lot of OOPArts like that just lying around. It has to be the Book of the Time Dream, no doubt about it.

We struck a deal with Kikyo. In return for supplies to aid Angal... She agreed she would trade us the Book of the Time Dream.

Now that you mention it, where is the Book of the Time Dream, Kikyo?

It's being kept at the home of the beast who found it first, for safekeeping. We've already talked about this, so let's go to his house and get it.

Yeah, all right. Lead the way, please.

If you say so... I'm going to show them the way now. What will you and your friends do, Aldo?

We'll go with you, too. I'm curious about the Book of the Time Dream.

I feel like I'm intruding on an unexpectedly large family reunion.

I know, right? Well, let's get going.

Mwahaha! This must be the one the boss was talking about.

What do you think you're doing?! Give that back, right now!

Ngh! Urgh...

Heh! Don't even try to fight back, weakling. You'll just get yourself hurt! Well, looks like this thing is ours now! Smell ya later!

No, wait!

*gasp*

Are you okay?! What happened to you?!

Oh, Kikyo... Urgh... That treasure I found was stolen by the Imp Clan.

Treasure? You mean, the Book of the Time Dream? But why would they steal that? There's no reason for them to do that...

No... Perhaps there is. To be more precise, perhaps we have accidentally given them that reason ourselves.

What do you mean?

In the course of our investigation... We also exchanged information with the Imp Clan. Perhaps they came away with the idea that OOPArts like the Book of the Time Dream are valuable.

Oh, no...you don't think those creeps are planning to take over Angal in return for the Book of the Time Dream, do you?

Take over Angal? What do you mean?

The Imp Clan has been trying to take over the unpolluted land here in Angal for ages. We've always driven them back, and I thought they'd given up by now, but...

This is entirely our fault... I'm sorry, Kikyo.

Never mind apologizing. Our first priority is finding the stolen Book of the Time Dream.

In that case, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid we won't be much help in battle.

Wow, that's a pretty cowardly thing to say.

It can't be helped. This polluted land has a unique magnetic field that seems to affect psychic wavelengths. It makes our ESP unstable, so we can't use our powers the way we want.

Our best theory is that it has to do with our ESP being an acquired skill.

I don't really get it... But it sounds like you're saying you can't come with us.

Yeah. In fact, may I suggest that you go and take back the Book of the Time Dream from the Imp Clan in our place?

Oh, that would be perfect, Amy. You could pay us back for last time, right?

Pay you back?

Yes! We gave you the Ogre Key, didn't we?

Now, wait just a minute! You never meant to give it to us in the first place...

We intend to provide a reward, of course.

A reward?

What if we swear to share all the results of our study of the Book of the Time Dream with you? I believe we share a mutual interest in unraveling its mysteries. Well, what do you say? It's certainly not a bad deal, don't you think?

Either way, it sounds like we can't let those Imp Clan scumbags keep the Book of the Time Dream. We might as well take these folks up on their offer, right, Aldo?

You're right. The Book of the Time Dream might hold clues for us. All right, fine. We'll go and get it back for you.

Thank you! You're being a great help. We'll leave it in your hands, then.

By the way, where are those Imp Clan guys, anyway?

You'll find their stronghold if you leave Angal and go deeper into the Wasteland, in a place called the Contaminated Pit.

The Contaminated Pit, huh? Well, let's get going!

Be careful, Amy.

We'll pray for your safety.

Oh, come on...not another incredibly nasty creature. What on earth is that smell? Urk...

Detecting a massive object ahead! 298 Vegatrons! Crash diet recommended!

Shh! Be silent, you two! It can hear you!

Are you the leader of the Imp Clan?

What? Who're you? Yeah, I'm the head of the Imp Clan, the ravenous imp... The great Zorme! That's me, all right!

No need to toot your own horn so hard. Just give back the Book of the Time Dream.

The Book of the Time Dream?

Oh, you mean this treasure my underlings stole from the beasts? Aww, did you come to ask me nicely to give it back?

Huh?! Lady Himika's mirror! It's...!

They must be resonating with each other. It looks like that really is the Book of the Time Dream.

The Book of the Time Dream, huh? Hah! And if I say no?

......

If you want this thing back so badly, then surrender Angal to us. We'll hand it right on over if you do.

Ngh! You really are planning to take over Angal, after all!

Supposing we did let you have Angal, what do you plan to do with the beast people already living there?

Gwahaha! We'd drive 'em out, of course! Why should we care what happens to 'em after that? They could move out here to replace us, or beg the humans to let 'em live in their sky city... Whichever they want, I don't care!

If that's your plan, don't waste your time! We won't let you have Angal... The place where we live!

Fine, then I won't give you the book. Give up and go home, you brats! That's what I'd tell you, if you hadn't marched all the way in here and busted up my hideout like this.

As it is, I can't exactly send you home without a fuss, can I? Gwahaha!

What?!

Too bad, huh? Do me a favor, will you? Lemme snuff you out quietly, right here! Gwahaha! When I show 'em your heads along with the Book of the Time Dream, those folks in Angal will surrender on the spot!

Fine. If that's what you're planning, then we're happy to fight you! We'll defeat you and take back the Book of the Time Dream!

Fool. If you'd handed it over meekly, we wouldn't have to snuff you out senselessly like this.

What're you babbling about, stupid humans? I'll show you the true power of a descendant of demons! Here I come!

Blargh! You horrible humans! How dare you?! Silencing the world with your Prisma pollution... You must want to end it all...

Prisma...the power of the planet... I wonder, are you trying to reset the whole world in the end, or what? Naw, or maybe that's what the planet wills? On that day, what'll be the meaning of all your useless struggles, huh?

Just keep struggling and writhing for as long as you can...you stupid humans... Gwahaha...

What the planet wills?

It looks like we managed to take back the Book of the Time Dream safely.

Lady Himika's mirror, and the Book of the Time Dream... It seems Lady Himika and the Chapel of the Goddess of Time really are bound together.

But...this doesn't look much like a book at all, does it?

It is an exceedingly ancient object. It appears to be manufactured from some sort of peculiar metal.

Anyway, let's take it back to Angal for now. Those Chrono Clan guys have been studying up on it, so maybe if we show it to them, they'll figure something out.

We got the Book of the Time Dream back from the Imp Clan. It's the genuine article, just like you guys said.

Thank you, Amy. I knew if anyone could do it, you could.

Well? Hurry up and let me have a look at it!

You did an excellent job. You've all been a great help to us.

Hmm... What's this? The Book of the Time Dream is some kind of storage device? Dreams of other times have been input to its internal memory banks?

But whoever owned it existed 700 years ago, in the Chapel of the Goddess of Time... I don't believe a device like this could have been made with the technology of that time. It's clearly an out-of-place tech artifact. But...from the look of it, it does seem to be an ancient artifact from long ago... What's going on here?

Well? Did you figure anything out?

......

No... I have no way to study it closely here. It would be better to take it back up with us if we can, I think.

Up?

Yes, didn't I mention it before? Up to the floating Sky Fortress Eeza. If we take it to the clan base, we'll be able to examine the book in minute detail.

Why don't you all come with us? Our clan ship is standing by, on the outskirts of Angal.

A Chrono Clan ship, huh? Doesn't exactly fill me with confidence, but...

Aldo, let's accept their invitation for now. It's not like we've got any other means of transportation available, right?

You're right. Kamlanage, please take us all with you.

Then it's decided. All right, we'll show you the way to the ship, so follow us.

I think it's telling us to push past this thicket and go inside...