Chapter 96: Entrana and the Lost Age

They're scarier than I imagined they'd be...

They really are... The red color looks so ominous.

My children are terrified. I can't get them to calm down.

Everyone, you've gotta hear this! When I went out to check on the meteor I ran into some humans!

Ah! That's them!

W-Wow... There are so many talking cats!

It kinda reminds me of when we first met the meks.

Welcome to the miu village of Entrana, humans. Before you lies a window into the lost age of mythology. I am this village's chief.

Nice to meet you. I'm Aldo, and these are my traveling companions. Should I expect to see a lot more cat people in this world?

You came without even knowing that much? Indeed, the "cat people" you speak of, the miu, are not yet extinct. It's 20,000 BC, my child.

......

20,000 BC? That would make this my era.

As I recall, the meks were from 300 AD, same as Aldo and myself.

So sometime in the next 20,000 years these "miu" will go extinct and be replaced by the meks?

It's pretty unusual to have human visitors that aren't with the Empire.

What're you guys doing here this time? Digging up more stuff? Sightseeing?

Humans sure do come in a lot of colors... Green, blue, even pink...

E-Everyone's staring at us...

They're a lot friendlier than I was expecting.

That's one of their distinctive traits. The miu are known to be friendly and curious by nature, and generally just follow their instincts.

Now, now. Let's give our guests some space, shall we? I'd like to speak to them in private.

...Now then, humans. Can you tell me why you've come here?

We didn't exactly come here by choice. What happened was...

You came from another world? Now there's a tale I've never heard.

But I believe you. You smell nothing like the imperials.

The Empire will be looking for us, and we don't want to cause any trouble for your village. But there's one little problem, The vehicle we came in on is damaged. It's called a Nullgear.

I've identified the problem already, but I don't have the parts to fix it. Is there anything you can do to help?

I see. In that case, why don't you have a word with our village engineer? They have deft paws when it comes to machinery, and they might even know more about this Nullgear you speak of.

Really?! That's great!

Hold on. Why would a miu know about engineering and the Nullgear?

Because they served as a guide for the Imperial Army's last excavation.

Excavation? What were they looking for?

The Nullgear. That weapon was based on a relic from an era preceding even our own. We didn't directly participate in the excavation, but a large number of imperial troops passed through here.

Wait, so that means Guilty Hades was originally discovered in this era?

Magnifique! That means we can find the parts we need here, as long as we know where to look.

Is the excavation site close to the village?

Yes, the Sakoritas Ruins, just past the plains to the east of us.

Thanks for the information! We'll go talk to the engineer.

Ah, there's one other thing. One of the humans on the imperial excavation stayed behind to continue their work.

All by themselves? Why?

I don't know, but she visits this village often. I'm sure you'll get the chance to ask her for yourselves.

A imperial working the excavation site alone? It couldn't possibly be her...could it?

I'll explain your situation to the villagers. They're still a bit shaken by the meteors, but you don't need to let that concern you.

I don't blame them, Those things were huge.

I'd say they were pretty calm about it, all things considered.

Yeah... If it were Elzion it would've been total chaos.

Heh... It's because they already knew the meteors were coming.

Huh?

They knew meteors would fall today, just like they know they will destroy their race. Their future is already decided.

Wait! The meteors are what leads to their extinction?!

I thought it sounded a little strange. The chief made it sound like the miu's extinction was a foregone conclusion.

That's because the Hollow is sealed off from the rest of spacetime, It's impossible to change the course of history. They know everything about their past, present, and future, even the cause of their own destruction.

That's awful... So it really is those meteors that destroy them, then?

If they know what's coming why can't they do anything to stop it?

Hah! How are they supposed to stop a meteor shower? They've accepted their destiny and live their lives accordingly. I respect their resignation.

They remind me of the Pador titans...

Indeed. They also led quiet lives under the shadow of destiny.

I wish I could help them somehow... But right now we've gotta focus on the present.

Oh yeah, the engineer. Where's their house at again?

Say that again, ya drongo!

Wh-Whoa! What's all the ruckus about?

It's coming from over that way. Let's go.

Bloody hell! I'm just askin' to borrow 'em for a bit!

Forget it! How many of my tools have you broken while "borrowing" them, huh?!

Look, mate. You gotta see it as an investment. One o' these days I'm gonna hit the jackpot, and I'll pay ya back 10,000 times over!

Hit the jackpot?! You shout about every shiny rock you see like it's a big find!

Hey, I've just got a thing for rocks, okay?! But there's a secret buried somewhere around here, and I'm gonna be the one to crack it!

It takes more than dreams to run a business, alright? I need to get back to work.

Is everything okay? We heard some shouting...

V-Velette?! What are YOU doing here?!

Cheers, Aldo. My dig site's around here. Where else would I be?

Do you know this girl?

Yeah, Velette's one of my companions...

Ya need somethin'? Bit tied up at the moment.

That human they mentioned... Are you the one who stayed behind to continue the imperial excavation?

Who else? Ya been livin' under a rock or somethin'?

Everybody knows disaster-digger Velette, archeologist extraordinaire! Soothin' as a summer blizzard! Lovely as a livin' fossil, !

And I'm Gunce. Nice to meet ya!

Oi! I wasn't finished talking!

Whoa! Did that bear just speak?!

I sure did. Me 'n Miss Velette got history together, and now I'm workin' for her.

Wow... There's a voice I never expected to hear again.

Hm?

Ngyah! Is that you, Ashtear?!

That's right. It's good to see you again, Velette.

You know each other?

Yes, from my time with the Empire.

You've got some nerve showin' yer face around here again, Ashtear.

Heheh, maybe so. It's been a while. But you don't look like you've aged a day since I last saw you, Velette.

Hmph! That's cause I live an honest an' pure life, unlike SOMEBODY I know. Anyhow I'm busy talkin' with this here engineer. Shoo, shoo!

Engineer? That's just who we were looking for!

Hm? You got business with me?

Yeah. We wanted to ask you about something called a Nullgear.

Hey! Gimme a sec to wrap up my...

Wait! Did you say Nullgear?!

Y-Yeah. Actually...

Bugger me... You actually stole a Nullgear from the empire?

I wouldn't say we stole it exactly...but we're trying to repair it. We came here looking for parts.

We heard from the village chief that you were with the imperial excavation team. I was hoping you might have some leads.

Hmm... It's hard to say without takin' a look at her myself. Think you can bring me over to see it?

Yeah, definitely! We'd appreciate the help.

Hahah, I should be the one thankin' you for gettin' me away from this maddening miner.

Grr... I'm an archaeologist, not a miner!

Fine. If there's a Nullgear involved, then I'm goin', too.

Suits me. I'll lead the way.

Any ideas?

Well, her energy core is all good, but a few o' the sensors've been completely fried.

Will it move again if we're able to replace them?

Yeah, maybe. But this gig's a bit too tricky for yours truly. I reckon I'll need a hand.

Korobo and I can help. I'm actually pretty handy with a wrench.

Right! Leave it to us!

Great. Now all that's left is to see if we can find the parts in the Sakoritas Ruins.

The word "if" is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. It'd take a miracle to find exactly what we need in the middle of an ancient ruin.

Heheh, minin' fer a miracle, 'eh? Bet yer pretty glad to have me around right about now.

I thought you weren't a miner...

I'm not! But archaeology is my life's work! I've got ya covered.

...Thanks, Velette.

Hmph! I'm not doin' this fer you, got that? As long as I can have anything else we dig up, I'm willin' to help. That work for ya?

Sure, that's fine. We just want to fix Guilty Hades.

Then what're we waitin' for? Let head off to Sakoritas!

Alright, first we'll need to make our way through the eastern plains.