One Who Rules the Cycle of Time

Why did Reptires choose to go to Dogma Tower of all places?

She could easily travel in time using the Power of Time which she stole from my village.

I know how she did it, but what's nagging me is why.

Come to think of it... I have no idea! Why would she head to some tower far in the future all of a sudden?

Also, how did she come to know of the tower's existence?

A tower built to seal away a terrible monster... That we have already dealt with.

Oh, I know! Witches looove towers! The taller the better! You always find the final villain at the top of some ridiculously tall structure!

Mom...likes towers?

You live and learn!

Err... I mean, that was just my best guess.

It seemed so plausible to me...

Anyway! Guys, let's go find Reptires!

Wow, this tower's sooo tall! I didn't notice earlier, being absorbed in following you!

It soars as high as the clouds, if not higher.

Did we really climb all the way up there? Think of how many steps that would be...

Hmm. I think I'd have felt it in my legs if we'd walked up that many flights of stairs.

*sniff sniff*

Is something smelly? I hope it's not me...

Nah, but there's a lot of fug around here. Maybe the tower was built to keep the fug sealed away?

It was built to house Medusa, apparently.

That's what the treasure hunter told us when we ran into him here.

But, Medusa turned herself to stone after her transformation, and never appeared in this timeline.

That's true! Why is this tower here then, despite that history having been changed?

We're missing something here...

The reason the tower was erected might not have anything to do with the witch at all. Rather than worry about it, let us go in.

Let's do that. The witch is in this tower, right Radica?

Yes. This time the vision I saw of the future was as clear as a memory from the past.

It is too dangerous to leave the witch with the Power of Time. We must take it back from her.

I must also take revenge for King Palsifal and the royal line.

I wanna find out why Mama ended up like that, too.

All right! Let's make Anguisse's wish come true!

In that case, let's enter the tower. Let's find Reptires!

The statues of the petrified people are gone...

No doubt about it, the Medusa timeline has been erased from history.

Hrmm, this makes me curious as to why this tower was built...

*sniff sniff* It smells like there's a really powerful fug up ahead!

But fug's so strong in here, it's difficult to tell for sure...

We've searched so long and far without success. It's got to be Reptires this time. Let's get a move on!

We've found you at last, Reptires!

You! How did you come to this era?

I see. So your dark elf companion used the Power of Time, did she?

We don't need to explain ourselves to the likes of you! You stole the Power of Time. Now give it back!

And I shall finally avenge the King and his royal line.

But before that...

Mom... What are you planning on doing in this era?

Please stop... It makes me so sad!

You are mere motes of dust swirling at the limits of the whirlwind of death, destruction and disorder that I reap...

What? How can you look at this person and say such a thing?

No! I-It cannot be...

It is! It's your husband, Anguisse's... soul!

I came all the way here because he asked me to!

Mom, this is Dad! Please, you must remember!

Urgh... My head!

Your husband, Anguisse is telling you to stop, too!

Home! Let us go home, he says!

Dad is begging you, Mom! Please, please listen to him!

Ha ha... Tee hee hee. Oh, yes...

Mom?!

Now I remember!

The source of my hatred was your death at the hands of that king! Your death! YOUR DEATH! My thirst for revenge remains unquenched! It endures unabated!

Mom, you can't be serious!

No! No way!

You asked me what I planned to do in this era, did you not? Well then, let me tell you.

In this land, there is an powerful entity possessed of the power to bring death, destruction and disorder to this world.

It called to me across time and space. All I did was respond.

Hehehe... In other words, I have found a far greater plaything than ever Medusa was!

Powerful entity? What do you plan on doing with it?!

Isn't it obvious? After all, this tower was built to seal the entity up. I shall break the seal, and obtain all of the Shadow Power that has accumulated here over the millennia!

You foiled my plans before, but I will not allow you to do it again!

Yet again she manages to escape!

But she was shaken by the sight of Anguisse's soul. It was only the briefest of flickers but there was a glimmer of radiance in the fug! That must have been Reptires' soul!

This "fug" you speak of, Ilulu, It's this Shadow Power that Reptires spoke of, is it not?

But where would such a strong fug come from? Cursing and hating people always makes a fug, But nothing - nothing like this!

So, where is this place that Reptires said we couldn't get to?

Hmm, I wonder...

Actually, I made a quick calculation when we were climbing the tower...

We are currently not even halfway up the tower.

What?! How can this be true?!

So, are you saying that she went further up the tower?!

But that's not possible! There are no more stairs leading up!

This is right. How do we go up from here?

Hmm... We seem to be at an impasse.

And I'm concerned about what Reptires said. About the entity possessing the power to bring about death, destruction and disorder. And this tower is all that's preventing it.

It looks like we need to know more about Dogma Tower.

I believe Breeno said that this tower was under Miglancian jurisdiction. If we ask Breeno's commander, we might find something out?

That's a good idea. Let's go ask Lakhesis.

That's a good idea. The Knight Commander should be able to shed some light on things.

Okay, let's make for Miglance Castle!

Hmm, Dogma Tower... It is true that it's listed as being within our territory, in some older documents.

Apparently, the tower was built to seal away what would become the Tree of Woe.

Tree of Woe?

They say that, long, long ago, the desert was rolling plains. But, subsequently, it was covered in thick forest, a veritable sea of trees!

It is further said that, after the Ogre Wars, the long lost holy blade of Palsifal was found deep within that leafy domain.

Also, long ago, there was a bitter conflict between humans and ogres known as the "Ogre Wars." The holy blade of Palsifal is said to have gone missing after the wars. But that it was later found within that great sea of trees.

Of course, this story is over a thousand years old. It may very well be nothing more than myth.

Soon after the holy blade was found, desert sands began to engulf the sea of trees. The Tree of Woe is said to have been the root cause of that.

The kings of that time built Dogma Tower to seal away the Tree of Woe's fell power.

This halted the advance of the sands. For a time, at least. But this was from a time before the House of Miglance. Our records are sketchy at best...

Umm... Reptires went even higher up the tower, didn't she?

Midway up the tower, you cannot climb to the next floor. How would we go about accessing the next level?

Curious, it's almost as if you've been there... I imagine it's locked with the Key of Sealing, and therefore impossible to enter...

In any case. The extra floors appear to have been added to Dogma Tower several hundred years ago. No doubt as a means to strengthen the seal that the growing power of the Tree of Woe required.

They say that this was achieved with the help of the Nopaew Clan.

The Nopaew Clan? Really?

Actually, we had a story in my village about this ever so high place you could go to. I was always too afraid to go there, though, so I don't know for sure...

Perhaps we will learn something if we go to the Nopaew village. Although...

I'm afraid... Afraid of meeting everyone again... The look in their eyes when they saw my leaves had gone white...

......

All I'll achieve by going there is cause them more trouble...

We are very much alike, you know. So don't worry, we'll go and do all the asking.

You will, really?

Yes. We must help each other out in times of need, no?

I see. Thank you. This is a bit like when I was living with Mommy and Daddy.

That's right. Having good friends is a lot like having a family.

Yes, it makes me feel all warm inside.

Hey, no fair, no fair! Me too, me too! I wanna be part of the family, too!

I'll be the big sister, and Noppy can be the little brother, and, and...

Sir Frogspur can be the big brother!

Why me?!

Al can be the daddy!

What?!

And Radica can be the mommy!

I am far too young for that... As elves measure things, that is!

Now, doesn't that sound like one great big happy family?

Y-Yeah. I, thank you. Now I don't feel quite so lonely.

R-Really. Well, err, that's good...

Anyway, let's go to the Nopaew Clan village.

When we get close, you'll need to hide, okay?

Okay!

We're going to go and speak to them, so you go and hide somewhere for a while.

Okay. Thanks...

We must learn more about Dogma Tower, if only for the little one's sake...

Um... Excuse me, do you know a way to get from this village to an...um... A high place?

Poh?

Without an interpreter, none of us can understand what they are saying!

Oh, no...

Poh poh-paew!

Maybe we should have asked the little one to come with us, after all?

No, no we couldn't do that. We have to make do without the little one.

Do your best, Aldo!

Wha? Who, me?!

Umm, okay, here goes...

Pa-paew!

Paew popo?!

Wait, you understand each other?

Paew-koo!

Poh!

Poh poh popoew!

Paew popo poh poh.

Wow, Al! What's he saying? Tell me, tell me!

......

How should I know?

Whaaat?! You were just making it up as you went along?

That's about the long and the short of it...

Graaaaaargh!

Poh?!

Huh? What was that screech?

Fie, look at that fell beast!

Oh, no, that Nopaew is in trouble!

St-Stop!

Tha...

Fight me, monster! I'm really scared, but I can't just stand by and watch! Take that, you!

Graaaaaargh?!

Hey there, good job!

That was really cool, Noppy♪

Phew... I saved them!

Yes. You were very brave little one.

Indeed! Rarely have I seen such bravery. The power that sleeps within you may be greater even than my own!

Come on now...

I must not rest on my laurels. Once things have calmed down a little, I must commence a regime, hone my skills.

Poh poh! Po-paew-paew!

What does that mean?

Um, it means, "flying beasts sometimes come down the road that leads to the high-high place."

The road that leads to the high-high place? Could he mean Dogma Tower?

I think so. He also says, if he'd been caught, the beast would've eaten him, so thanks.

Poh poh-paew!

But it looks like everyone is still afraid of my white leaves.

Poh poh, po poh paew. Paew-koo, poh poh.

A Nopaew always repays their debts. But they can't let me stay in this village, he says.

Really...

No, I'm fine. I knew it would turn out like this.

Poh?

I broke a Nopaew rule, so I can't live here anymore. But I want you to let me and these others pass through.

Huh, just now... That was our language you were speaking, wasn't it?

Hmm... Mayhap they understood Master Nopaew's feelings...

Maybe you're right.

Then let us pass through the village♪

Thank you, Nopaew Clan.

......

Farewell, my hometown...

Hmm! Is that the Tree of Woe the Knight Commander was talking about?

Wow! It's really big♪

How is it possible that such a large tree can grow underground like this?

Poh poh?!

What's the matter? Noppy, are you all right?!

M-My head... Something is flowing into my mind... Urgh!

What do you mean? He... He...

Poh poh?

He got caught up in a war on his travels and died! I cannot believe it!

Paew popo?

He is never coming back... It is just the two of us now...

Paew paew-koo!

Wh-Why?

The Nopaew Clan never befriend people. It is just as he said...

I-I am all alone now...

Poh poh-paew?

Will you stay with me?

Poh poh...

He is gone now, but... will you be my family from now on?

Poh paew!

Thank you. I am so happy.

Yes... We are finally going to be a family... Now, I should give you a name... Would you let me name you? It's a sign that we are a family, you know.

This is a name he and I thought of long ago. A name we could give to our child one day.

Koo-ku!

All right? Listen well. This is your name...

What do you think? A good name, is it not?

Poh?

What?!

Pohhhhhhhhhh?!

Are you all right, Noppy?!

I-I remember! I remember now when and how my leaves changed color!

Mom gave me my name... Then I fainted... And when I woke up, Mom was gone, and I could speak the language of people.

Yes. The taboo you broke was that of the name. Be it words, be it names, for the Nopaew Clan, order and logic... Those sorts of things must be taboo.

But why would Reptires disappear after she named you?

I don't know. I'd fainted...

Urgh!

Ah, my sweet... I am so sorry! I knew what would happen, but I still made this child break a taboo!

Yessss! This... This is the Shadow Power!

Hehehe... The Green Witch is dead... Long live the Dark Witch!

I curse the king, the country, the world that took my husband from me!

Death, destruction and disorder be upon this world!

Oh no! Mom was possessed by the black...thing that came out of me!

Yes, that must be it!

You figure something out, Ilulu?

Yes! I've been wondering the whole time. Why would a human be wrapped in such a powerful fug? It was the fug that was leftover when Noppy turned from fug to radiance!

Fug? Radiance? Couldn't you explain so we can all understand more easily?

It is likely that the Nopaews are the polar opposite to the elves.

Polar opposite?

If you think of them as a race on the side of shadow, it all makes sense. His leaves went white because he was abandoned by the Shadow Power.

The Shadow Power that left his body...

Left and went into the nearby Reptires?!

The flicker of radiance I noticed when Reptires saw Anguisse's soul, was actually her soul!

So, Reptires is possessed by the Shadow Power? In other words, she is a victim, too?

In that case, the foe I have been seeking is not Reptires, after all...

Sir Frogspur...

Never mind... All I wish to do is take revenge for King Palsifal and his family.

I shall now consider this Shadow Power to be my true foe.

In any case, we have to do something about that Shadow Power, don't we?

Yes! And then Reptires' soul will be free!

Right then, let's do something about it.

Dogma Tower must be up ahead. Let's find Reptires!

Oh, that's just great! There's a thorny barrier here, too!

I can feel the presence of a strong fug nearby!

Right, we need to find a way through the thorny barrier before this tower's seal is broken!

We don't have enough! We need to gather more before the seal is broken!

Mama must be somewhere up these stairs. We've got to gather the dust quickly!

We did it! Now we can go in!

When the thorns disappeared, there was a flash of radiance!

Is that so?! The thorny barriers have blocked our way at every step... It must have been the magic of the Green Witch, Reptires, whom we now know to be possessed by the Shadow Power.

We must free your mother, and quickly!

We must! Hold on, Mom! We're coming to save you!

Hey, everyone, these stairs should lead up to the rooftop.

Got it. Okay, this should be the final battle. Focus, everyone, and let's go!

Who would have thought you could follow me all the way here? I must say that, despite myself, I am quite impressed...

Release that soul, Reptir, No, not Reptires, you are the Shadow Witch!

Ahh, some call me the Dark Witch, but now that you've divined it, Shadow Witch will serve just as well...

Now you shall meet your end! Come, my minions!

We will not fall for the same trick again, witch!

Hehehe... Is that so? So much misplaced confidence...

Watch out, Sir Frogspur!

Oh... You saved me. It appears I am in your debt, Master Nopaew.

No, you don't! I'm one of you now!

Insolent wretches! Then I shall end you with my own two hands!

You will not live to regret ever raising arms against me!

Here she comes! Get ready, everyone!

Hold on, Mom! I'll save you!

Yield, Reptires!

You foolish children... Did you really think that was the full extent of my power?

What?!

And now, the ritual to break the tower's seal is complete!

Muahaha! Now I no longer need to spend magic on the unsealing. I shall break the seal upon this tower and once more the Tree of Woe will spread its fell branches aboveground...

Is it your intention to turn this island into a dying wasteland?

Hehehe... Hee hee hee...

Muahaha! Do you really think it will be limited to this island? The Tree of Woe's Shadow Power has been sealed within Dogma Tower for so very, very long. Just think what will be happen when it is released...all at once.

We won't let you do that!

Enough of this idle chatter. The real battle begins now.

You have been a constant thorn in my side. Do not think I will let you go peacefully and painlessly to your rest!

We've...done it!

Impossible... How could I...

Ngh! Nooo! My magic is draining away... How will I break the seal now?

Time to say your prayers, Shadow Witch! Prepare to meet your maker!

Not...quite...yet... I have one more card up my sleeve!

What?!

The source of my magic...is from the Green Witch... All that grows is at my command... Yes... I have but to cast Arboreal Harbor... And power will flood through the Tree of Woe...

No! Mom, you mustn't use the power for that!

Hehehe! What do I care? With my Arboreal Harbor, the Tree of Woe will be able to use its pent up Shadow Power to break the seal itself!

No, we won't allow you to!

You can do nothing! O, Power of Time!

Now, Tree of Woe, manifest your power! Be free of this wretched tower which has imprisoned you for so long!

What is happening?! What are these tremors?!

We've been had! She has resorted to using the Power of Time!

Muahahaha! Shadow Power for so long sealed away... Now, be free and destroy this world! Every continent! Every human! All life... Bring death, destruction and disorder to everything!

Urk! The tower's falling?! We've got no choice... Let's get out of here!

F-Flowers? But why?!

The Shadow Power... That power, pent up over a thousand years... Where has it gone?!

Oh wow! Such radiant flowers! And this big tree's a mass of radiance, too!

All the fug in the tower has been blown away and now there's all this radiance left over!

Wh-What...did you say?!

Mom, open your eyes! Don't give in to the fug!

Urgh... My head, again!

No, not yet. I will spend my life protecting this tree, and still it will not be enough.

When this tree finally matures, and blossoms... Only then will my dreams have come true.

I am sure it will bloom. And together we shall gaze upon its blossoms.

Poh poh! Poh poh-paew!

Ha ha, that is impossible. There are other theories, but they say that it takes...

One to two thousand years for a World Tree to mature.

Honestly! Even I know that! There really isn't a shred of romance in you!

Poh poh-paew!

S-Sorry...

I wanted to see the blossoming of this World Tree together with you two...

Mommy?!

The power of the fug is weakening!

Nooooooooow!

AAAAH!

We are victorious!

Oh my, I had such a... Such a terrible dream. It was a nightmare... I thought it would never end!

But thanks to you, I am now free. Thank you. Thank you so very much.

Hurray! It is all finally over. The Shadow Power has disappeared, and the thief of the Power of Time is no more.

And, finally, I have avenged King Palsifal.

Mom! It's me!

Oh, my sweet...

I must... I must...apologize to you... Just because I wanted to give you a name, you have had nothing but sorrow ever since...

Don't worry, Mom. I... There were times I cried because I thought you had abandoned me, but...

Now... I like myself. And thanks to you I made all these precious friends!

Oh, you have grown strong, my son. My precious, precious son. I am so relieved. I have no more regrets.

Now, Reptires.

Ahh, yes... There is somewhere I must go...

Would you lead the way?

Yes, leave it to me! I won't let you get lost!

Wait, Mama! Before you go, I want you tell me something...

When you whispered my name... I, I was just a normal Nopaew then so I couldn't understand the words you spoke. Now I do, so...

Oh, I see!

Then let me name you again... This is the name we thought of... The name we would have given our child one day...

Yes, this is the name...

Yes, this name is unique, made just for you. Your name is...

How do I put this? "He who walks with courage." That is its meaning in the ancient tongue.

He who...walks with courage... That's my name?

So from now on... I'm Poporo! Thank you, Mommy, Daddy!

Be happy, Poporo.

Make us proud, Poporo.

The blossoms from the World Tree... They've all fallen off.

I have heard that it only blossoms once in tens of thousands of years, and then only for a short time.

It's quite romantic, really.

But, this World Tree was once the Tree of Woe that turned a whole forest into desert! We're still no closer to finding out why.

Huh? What is it, Ogre Rancorem?

This great tree... I remember it. There is no mistake. I was at the roots of this tree once before.

What's that?! Then the reason the World Tree became the Tree of Woe...

I was not here out of choice... If you wish to bear a grudge, bear it against the one who brought me here.

You never fail to disappoint me...

Well, at least the matter has been taken care of.

Good for you, eh, World Tree?