Those Guided by the Cycle of Time

This waterfall always takes my breath away. Just look at it, wow!

Indeed, it is a magnificent sight. Made even more exquisite by the rainbow stretching over the raging waterfall.

Poh.

Curses! Aldo, look!

Huh?

Over there, look! Monsters are attacking that child!

Quick, we must act before the poor youngster comes to harm!

I'm on it!

Poh...

Poh poh...

Poh poh?!

Is that...a Nopaew?

I, err...

Pa...Paew-koo!

Bwargh?!

Poh...

You okay?

Paew popo?!

Hey, wait!

It ran away...

Looks like we frightened it.

It fled towards the waterfall. It seemed terrified. Let us ensure no harm befalls the child!

Yes, we better check it out. But this time we've got to be careful not to spook the kid.

Poh...

My word. Who'd have thought there was a cave such as this behind the waterfall.

Phew, the Nopaew seems to be all right.

Phew, it seems to be all right.

Sorry about earlier. We were just trying to help you but we just scared you off.

Aldo... I believe that the Nopaew Clan do not speak human tongues.

Aldo... This is a Nopaew. The Nopaew Clan does not speak human tongues.

Ah, right.

Oh, really?

Anyway...I just wanted to apologize.

Don't worry about it.

All right then, we'll be off...

......

Huh? Did I just imagine it, or did this Nopaew speak to me?

It was not your imagination, for I heard it too.

Err... Do you want something from me?

It speaks!

I had no idea there were Nopaews who could speak our language.

Hmm... So some Nopaews can speak our language.

Likewise, I was astonished.

This is news to me too...

I have encountered many a Nopaew. However, none of them could speak. Usually they're bold as brass, so this one is all the more unusual.

Yeah... I suppose you're right.

Interesting.

Pardon me, but you seem rather timid and unsuited to fighting. What are you doing alone in here?

Umm well... I'm searching for my mom.

You got separated from her?

No... She disappeared many years ago.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

Cyrus, know what I'm thinking?

Aye. We are of the same mind. Only a man with no honor would ignore a child in need of help. Little Nopaew, allow us to be of assistance.

You mean it?!

Sure we do. I'm Aldo, and this is Cyrus.

And what's your name?

Name...?

......

Is something amiss?

It's just that... We Nopaew do not have names.

It has been forbidden since ancient times.

Goodness me! That seems most inconvenient.

In that case we'll have to do without it.

Where have you searched for your mom? Have you been to Sarupa yet?

No... Crowds of people make me anxious...

If even Sarupa is too crowded for you to dare set foot there, I can't imagine how you'd survive a visit to a larger city.

Don't worry, you've got us. Let's go to Sarupa first, since it's nearby, okay?

Is this a village? Will there be lots of people?

Don't worry, we'll do the asking around.

Yeah...

He's definitely somewhere here...

Hello there, Radica! What brings you here?

Hi, Aldo. Didn't know you were around. I've long been searching for someone.

I see.

I tried divination again, being unable to find her for a long time. And this time I got a different result. It seems the person to lead me to her can be found in this village.

Sounds like you're making progress. Do you know who you're looking for here?

He umm... Promise not to laugh, okay?

Huh? Okay, sure.

So, as for his description...

He wears a suit of armor and a sword. And...he's a giant bipedal frog. I know it sounds crazy, but this frog seems to be the key to finding the person I'm after.

Huh?

Don't look at me like that, okay? It seems silly but that's the only lead I've got.

A giant frog in a suit of armor?

That sounds like some sort of folklore fib!

......

It's probably not to be taken literally, but an allusion or metaphor...

Huh?

Bipedal frog...

You don't mean...me, do you?!

Omigosh, that's right! I forgot about you!

It's hard to see what's right under your nose... But come on, Radica. I mean, really?

Well, this makes it easier!

Does the word "witch" ring a bell to you?

Yes! My fate has indeed been twisted and tangled by a certain witch. But how did you know to ask this?

Hah, my cards never lie! The reading was correct. Tell me about her. Where can I find this evil witch? Where is Reptart hiding?

Reptart? A curious name for a witch. I do not know anyone of that name.

What?! Then... Did I misread my cards...?

Perchance you have the wrong frog...

I very much doubt that...

If you don't know about her... Do you have any family living nearby?

You're looking for a frogman, aren't you. Alas, of my family only I have been cursed with this appearance.

Really...

Why are you looking for this witch anyway?

Umm... I don't want to go into the details, but it's extremely important I find her.

Okay.

I'm not sure how I can help you, but I will do anything in my power to be of assistance.

Thanks. I have a few questions for you. If that's okay? And if there's anything you'd like me to ask my cards about, just say the word.

Is this a village? Will there be lots of people?

Don't worry, we'll do the asking around.

Yeah...

Is that person lost?

This looks like the right place. It's got to be this village. My cards never lie.

But... The fortune seems so far-fetched. A giant bipedal frog in a suit of armor, armed with a sword? Does it really exist...?

N-No...

Hmm? I feel as if someone's eyes were boring into me...

It's a giant frog! It's really there!

Excuse me?

Does the word "witch" ring a bell to you?

My fate has indeed been twisted and tangled by a certain witch, in fact.

But how did you know about this?

Hah, my cards never lie! The reading was correct!

Tell me about her. Where can I find this evil witch? Where is Reptart hiding?

Reptart? A curious name for a witch. I do not know anyone of that name.

What?! Then... Did I misread my cards...?

Perchance you have the wrong frog...

I very much doubt that...

If you don't know about her... Do you have any family living nearby?

You're looking for a frogman, aren't you. Alas, of my family only I have been cursed with this appearance.

Really...

Why are you looking for this witch anyway?

......

My name's Radica. I am a fortune teller. My cards told me to look for a fr, Look for a person like him to find clues about the witch.

Okay.

I have a few questions for you. If that's okay? And if there's anything you'd like me to ask my cards about, just say the word.

Ask us anything you want.

Actually! If you could divine for us the whereabouts of this kid's mother, that'd be fantastic.

Poh?!

Is this...a Nopaew?

Okay, I'll see what I can do!

Speak to me, my dear cards... Show me what I'm looking for...

Yes... Yes! I saw something!

Poh...

All the clues you need are to be found in this village, it seems.

Are they, indeed? How fortunate for us to have come this way. We had better start asking around...

Yup! Let's get to it!

Let me come with you. My cards have led me to you for a reason. Maybe when you find what you're looking for, so will I.

All right, come along. Let's talk to the villagers and see what we discover.

Do you know the Reptart song? My mother used to sing it to me all the time.

The plain forest is not a plain forest♪ It's a maze forest, not amazing for us♪ Wayward sons get carried on by hungry ghosts♪ The plain forest is not a plain forest♪ Great gobbling ghosts, which way? Witch host♪ So long, sweethearts. Mm, mm, sweet tarts♪

Heheh, I listened in on the grown-ups talking. They said that monsters turn the tarts into stone and eat them like crumbly biscuits!

What? Stone would taste horrible! I definitely prefer sweet tarts♪

So far our search has been rather unproductive. I do not think that information is of any use. Are you sure we can find anything about this Nopaew's mother here?

My cards were clear about it. The info is here, definitely on this side...

This side?

Never mind. Anyway, my card readings have generally been accurate since I became a dark elf.

You became a what?

......

A-Anyway! I just want you to trust me on this.

All right. You know what you're doing.

Well, did you find anything?

No, not really.

Oh, I see...

Divination is not an exact science. It offers hints and gentle nudges towards what you're looking for. If you ask the right question, you'll get your answers, but it's not like reading the future.

Thank you for helping me. I trust your fortune-telling. My mom was also really into it.

Oh, she was? Teehee! I'm somehow cheered by that!

If there's anything at all relevant in what we've heard so far, it would be the rumors about Vega Forest.

Indeed. It sounded rather eerie. It may be worth taking a look at this ominous forest.

I believe we can get to the Vega Forest from the Charol Plains. Let's go!

There's a dense forest in the middle of the plains. Apparently, there was a child once who went in there and never returned. Since then, entry into the forest is forbidden. To keep the children away from it we invented a scary song.

But I heard that someone went there recently. Surely you've heard about it too? You can't always trust gossip, but I'm worried the forest might've claimed another victim!

You seem to be adventurers. If you go by that forest and see anyone there, please warn them. Vega Forest is like a maze. Tell them to keep away from it, lest misfortune befall them.

So far our search has been rather unproductive. I do not think that information is of any use. Are you sure we can find anything about this Nopaew's mother here?

My cards were clear about it. The info is here, definitely on this side...

This side?

Never mind. Anyway, my card readings have generally been accurate since I became a dark elf.

You became a what?

......

A-Anyway! I just want you to trust me on this.

All right. You know what you're doing.

Well, did you find anything?

No, not really.

Oh, I see...

Divination is not an exact science. It offers hints and gentle nudges towards what you're looking for. If you ask the right question, you'll get your answers, but it's not like reading the future.

Thank you for helping me. I trust your fortune-telling. My mom was also really into it.

Oh, she was? Teehee! I'm somehow cheered by that!

If there's anything at all relevant in what we've heard so far, it would be the rumors about Vega Forest.

Indeed. It sounded rather eerie. It may be worth taking a look at this ominous forest.

I believe we can get to the Vega Forest from the Charol Plains. Let's go!

Rildy and Setaka have headed to the mainland. I'm sure they'll be perfectly fine, but I never thought they'd leave the village. I guess it's because they're young...

But that's old news! They've been seen back in the village, apparently. I guess the mainland didn't live up to their expectations and they got homesick.

Well, we should be glad that we're not losing our young generation to the big cities!

So far our search has been rather unproductive. I do not think that information is of any use. Are you sure we can find anything about this Nopaew's mother here?

My cards were clear about it. The info is here, definitely on this side...

This side?

Never mind. Anyway, my card readings have generally been accurate since I became a dark elf.

You became a what?

......

A-Anyway! I just want you to trust me on this.

All right. You know what you're doing.

Well, did you find anything?

No, not really.

Oh, I see...

Divination is not an exact science. It offers hints and gentle nudges towards what you're looking for. If you ask the right question, you'll get your answers, but it's not like reading the future.

Thank you for helping me. I trust your fortune-telling. My mom was also really into it.

Oh, she was? Teehee! I'm somehow cheered by that!

If there's anything at all relevant in what we've heard so far, it would be the rumors about Vega Forest.

Indeed. It sounded rather eerie. It may be worth taking a look at this ominous forest.

I believe we can get to the Vega Forest from the Charol Plains. Let's go!

You know I used to change Rildy's diapers. I can't believe how much she's grown.

She's grown up into such a wonderful, beautiful woman. Well, it's the way she was raised, I guess!

Yes, but she hasn't been looking well lately. Some people say that the reason she went to the mainland with Setaka was to see the big city doctors. Hope it's nothing serious.

So far our search has been rather unproductive. I do not think that information is of any use. Are you sure we can find anything about this Nopaew's mother here?

My cards were clear about it. The info is here, definitely on this side...

This side?

Never mind. Anyway, my card readings have generally been accurate since I became a dark elf.

You became a what?

......

A-Anyway! I just want you to trust me on this.

All right. You know what you're doing.

Well, did you find anything?

No, not really.

Oh, I see...

Divination is not an exact science. It offers hints and gentle nudges towards what you're looking for. If you ask the right question, you'll get your answers, but it's not like reading the future.

Thank you for helping me. I trust your fortune-telling. My mom was also really into it.

Oh, she was? Teehee! I'm somehow cheered by that!

If there's anything at all relevant in what we've heard so far, it would be the rumors about Vega Forest.

Indeed. It sounded rather eerie. It may be worth taking a look at this ominous forest.

I believe we can get to the Vega Forest from the Charol Plains. Let's go!

Poh paew.

Po-kooroo paew.

Look, there are Nopaews right there!

Radica's cards were right!

They seem to be discussing something, surrounding a stone statue?

It sounds like they carried the statue out of the forest.

Oh, that's right! You can understand them. It's so unusual to have a Nopaew interpreter!

I wasn't aware of the Nopaew Clan's penchant for statues.

It's mostly weapons and traps that appeal to us, not objects of art... Although we go by the rule finders keepers and pick up all sorts of things. I do that too, I guess.

O-Oh... Well, you can't judge a book by its cover.

Anyway, maybe they can shed some light on the whereabouts of your mom.

Huh? Oh yeah... I'll go and ask them, but I won't get my hopes up...

Hey, don't be so pessimistic...

Er...erm...

Poh?

Poh poh?! Paew-koo, poh poh!

Poh poh-paew?!

Paew pew poh...

Koo-ku Poh?!

Poh-oh!

Oh no... They ran away...

What happened? I hope they didn't get spooked by our presence?

...... They fled the moment they saw our little friend approaching, even though he's one of them...

I wonder what this fine statue was doing in the forest. It's exquisitely detailed, a true masterpieces.

Yeah, it looks so realistic you almost expect it to come alive.

Huh?

From when springs this voice?!

Eek! Snakes!

Is this what I think it is?

They may be venomous, watch out!

There's no end to them!

Look! Over there! What's that?

What is it? Some foul monster?!

Pohhhh?

Where are you going?

If we lose sight of him, we may not find him again in this maze! Quick, after him!

At the double!

Poh poh...

What a terrifying experience. I nearly froze in fear...

How did it come to this...

We were just looking for a little Nopaew's mom... Seems like we got the wrong address, unless you're going to tell me it was that monster.

Perhaps it was what Radica was searching for? Could that monster have been the witch we are after?

No, it wasn't her. I really have no idea how this monster fits into this puzzle.

So many unknowns...

In that case... I've got to do it again.

Huh?

Time to shuffle my deck and try again.

Umm okay?

It's safe now. You can come out.

Phew...

Do you have an item with a strong connection to your mom?

Don't think so...

Yeah...

But the tree behind the waterfall meant a lot to us.

Tree behind the waterfall?

That's where we met for the first time.

Okay, so how about we go there? I may be able to get a better card reading.

Sure. It's in the northern part of the Charol Plains.

It's really beautiful here!

So, this is a place of memories for you and your mom?

Yes. We planted this tree together. My mom, dad, and I.

Where is your father now?

He... He passed away...

My apologies...

Don't worry about it.

Well, let's find your mom!

Okay!

Let's begin... This time I'll find us more useful clues, I promise!

I see it!

This symbolizes a tower... And this... This is sand, like on a beach? Or perhaps a desert.

A desert? Hmm...

There's more. Some images seem to indicate a faraway future. They overlap... I wonder what it means.

My guess is, that's the Eastern Desert from my timeline. It stretches around the same area as the Charol Plains here.

Surely, that would be too much to be a mere coincidence.

Yes, this could be it! We'll have to travel to the future!

Hold on... Your timeline? What do you mean by that?

Umm... It's kind of difficult to explain. Best if you just see it with your own eyes.

Hmm. I knew there was something odd about you guys. It seems my hunch was on point.

But... Are you sure you want to come with us? You have your witch to find after all.

It's fine. Take me with you.

But...

I told you before, didn't I? My cards have led me to you, so, you are sure to lead me to what I'm looking for.

All right then.

Let's travel to this desert in the future!

Desert... This takes me back. We used to live in a desert long ago.

Seems like we're on the right track!

Perhaps we'll find your mother in this desert.

Let's go to the desert region in my timeline, far in the future!

Teehee! Now that's interesting! I'd like to come too!

Traveling to the future?

Teehee! Now that's interesting! I'd like to come too!