3000 Tides

What is going on?!

She's not breathing...

I-Is she dead?

Quit it, Minchy! It's bad luck to say that!

It's not working. Why?! The color won't come back to her body!

Call a doctor, now! We have to help her!

Try to relax, Pizzica. We'll take good care of her. From what she said, it sounds like Siren's Village is in danger!

Oh...

She said they were done for. Maybe they're under attack?

We've gotta get to Siren's Village, quick!

Sorry, Minister! I'll have to entrust the palace to you for the time being! Our fellow sea-dwellers are in danger! In the name of Otohime, I leave you in command of Dragon Palace while I'm gone!

Guess there's no stopping them. I understand completely. If there's ever anything we can do, please call us. Stay safe, Lady Sheila!

Oh no! The seafire's gone out!

Why? I thought the crimson coral and seafire went back to normal after the Ceremony of the Protector?

It ain't no use! The magic bubble ain't workin' neither!

Everyone, hold hands! I'll take you all up with me!

You sure, Pizzica?! It's not like sirens can fly or anything...

I'm not going to fly, I'm going to jump! Come on, quickly!

Ugh! The villagers...

This is...devastating...

This is my first time here... Is this really Siren's Village? I mean, is it supposed to be so dark? The buildings, the plants, the sky... It's kinda eerie, you know?

Nope. When we left, it was all calm 'n' peaceful...

Everything's lost its color. And it's not just that. It's so cold here now.

The temperature's dropped because the seafire went out.

No, it's not that... It's like all warmth has just gone. The warmth of living things. And the ice, snow, buildings, and sky... It's all too quiet.

Do you think that woman who...

Aaah! Someone help me!

You hear that? Come on, we have to find the villagers!

Ngh! What the?

Aldo! That woman...

Huh?!

Oh no! It's just like the woman who came to Dragon Palace!

We'd better prepare ourselves for the worst 'ere. It's lookin' like this 'ole village might be...

...... Let's go. Before we're too late...

Where was the voice coming from?

Whaaa...

G-Get away from me! Oh no! Everyone... Pizzica... Pip...

Pew!

Pip?!

Lala! Get back!

Pizzica! Girls! And the driftwood! You're back?

Sorry we're late! Where is everyone else?!

Th-They all stopped moving...

The ephemeral fiends did this?! What are they up to?

They stopped at Pip's voice. Maybe he'll persuade them to stop attacking!

Pip-pop! Pew-pew!

Pew!

Pip-pew!

Pip! Peep-plepple!

He did it! I knew he'd be able to communicate with them!

...... ......

Welcome. Back. Your. Majesty.

Aaahhh!

No... Wh-What just happened?

Lala! How could they do that do you.

What even are these things? They transformed from ephemeral fiends... into that?

Those creatures, I...

Pip...

Pip-pip! Pip-pew?! Pew! Peeew!

Gya...gya... Gyagya gah.

Che uz sor wse! Che uz sor wse!

Aaargh! My ears!

It's not ultrasonic waves! It's...

Words?

Che uz sor wse! Aaaahhh... Ahhh...

Angry, my king? Why angry?

Pep?

Majesty awakening. Hear voice. Orders orders orders. Must. Fulfill. Orders. Must.

Peep-pew?

Pep?

Wh-What's goin' on? They talkin' to each other?

N-Nagi! It ain't safe! Get back...

Pip, get behind me.

Pew.

I...I recognize you. What did you do to the village? Why did you call Pip your king?

I can understand you for some reason. What did you do to the village? Why did you call Pip your king?

......

You won't answer? Then I'll have to get it out of you by force.

Knd ong chtt.

Nagi! Pip?!

Ugh! There's a voice... In my head!

Ah... Ahh...aaahhh...

Language imitation successful. Our king, we meet at last.

Pi... Pew...

Pip! Nagi!

You have done well. Mother will be pleased. Let us finish up. Please accept your voice. It will aid in your awakening. It will melt your sea.

And summon our brethren that have come into being...

Peeeew... Aaaaahhh!

......

Pip?!

Under...sea...volcano... Follow...quickly... Stop...Pip!

What's that s'posed to mean, Nagi?

Chiyo, Aldo, let's go! We'll set off ahead! Milsha, Pizzica, you take care of Nagi!

Okay, got it!

I dunno what your deal is... But if any of you can talk, then tell us what happened here. What you did to this village.

It's beyond forgiveness! What're you after?

If you don't answer soon... I won't be answerable for my actions!

......

It's so bright.

Huh?! You can talk?!

Yes. But this...

Is a distraction. Must complete the mission.

Yes...

Curiosity is redundant.

Two life-forms of this planet detected. Plus one fallen wisdom and one mistake.

Red-hued mistake, and those who accompany you. You worked hard protecting and guarding the king. Your duty has been served. Long-ignored mistake, the time has come to deal with you. The time has come for all life-forms to fall to white. That is all we have to say.

Come in, processor. Come to the field of ice...

Wait a minute?! Are you tryin' to call on more reinforcements?!

So you've stopped everyone from breathing, but you still want to trample down this village further? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Whatever your reasons, I don't care anymore! I'm gonna get revenge!

Nagi?!

We should withdraw. There's only three of us, we'll be badly out- numbered if the others show up!

Others? You know what they're talkin' about?!

Pizzica, I know how you feel. They've done a terrible thing here, but that's why I'm sorry, but we have to leave. We've got to escape and stop Pip or else it's only gonna get worse.

Oh...

Okay. Let's go... To the undersea volcano!

......

There you are, Pip! What's going on with you?!

......{lang-nuance}Pip, to Sheila{/lang-nuance}

What did they do to you?

Them again! We REALLY don't have the time to be concerning ourselves with you right now!

Pip, you ain't safe there! Come over to us, we'll protect ya!

Well...come back... We...came to...protect.

What the?!

It's movin'. It sorta looks like...

What's he doing now?!

Noooo! Pip, stop!

Nagi!

Pip, listen to me! Look at us! Don't let yourself be consumed by your instincts! Don't hatch those eggs!

Eggs?!

Pep... Pe-aaaagh...

Aaaaagh!

I-Is that seafire?!

No way.

Huh? Whose voice is that inside my head?!

It's you, Pip, isn't it? It's your voice in our heads...

Invaders?!

What the? They're invaders from another world? They wanna consume the planet? How's anyone meant to understand what's goin' on? And...

If they're eggs, then why'd you hatch 'em, Pip?!

Those ephemeral fiends attacked Pizzica's village! You were so angry about it, remember?

Pip... Pip doesn't know. He... Something inside him ordered him to do it. He hears so many things. Sounds he never heard before. Pip was just dreaming before. So carefree and happy before. But Pip...

Pip understands now. Pip remembers all those things he's done. Pip went after the hokora. He destroyed the crimson coral. Everyone's beloved crimson coral... Pip absorbed the power. Pip filled himself up on those three hokoras...

You destroyed the hokora and absorbed the power of the crimson coral?

The more he took, the more it satisfied him. Why, he wondered. But then he understood... Before, he understood...

Pip is a vessel. Pip is a king... Hatch and send home, that is his role. That is why Pip exists. That is his meaning.

Who told you all that?

The big Pips.

Wait, you don't mean...

His orders keep repeating. Hatch eggs. Release the larvae. Once that is done...

Use these lives to bring the end to so many more life-forms.

You can't do that! You want to use them to invade other places?

Yes. That is the reason I live. That is why we were given this life.

Hey, bouncy thing... Why've you gone so cold all of a sudden? It's like yer a completely different guy. Like ya got no emotion. Ain't ya confused? Don't you even feel that?

Don't I feel?

...... I don't know. Everything is stable. Balanced... You are so far away.

Far away?

Maybe that feeling of closeness wasn't real, it was just a mimicry. As we talk, you are gradually getting further and further away. I don't know what "I" am. Not anymore. I'm getting colder and colder.

I don't understand...

My orders keep repeating.

Wait!

You can't say something that sad and expect to just leave.

Please, Pip, don't let those orders consume you. However you look, whatever your role is...

To us, you will always be a dear friend.

You really will, Pip. You've got nothing to do with some way of life decided by someone else. You're not a king, and you're not a vessel. You're just Pip. What does your birth matter compared with all our adventures together?

When I was born, I was an invader just like you.

You were?!

Yes. Everything they said before, I heard it inside my head. I was an ephemeral child who strayed from the group. A mistake who forgot her mission and adapted to the planet.

I was an ephemeral child who strayed from the group. A mistake who forgot her mission and adapted to the planet.

Otohime took me in, and I found a place to call home in Dragon Palace. And then I met you, Pip. Try to remember... About yourself, about us. You're not a puppet to be used for some mission!

Right! If you're a king, you can change the way you live your life if you want to! If you want to lead, go ahead and lead! But don't invade, don't attack! Lead like how Nagi did with you on our travels!

Nagi...

Pip...

......{lang-nuance}Pip, to Nagi{/lang-nuance}

You're...

You're not like me. You can choose how you live. You have a choice. Leave it that way.

Huh...?{lang-nuance}Nagi, about Pip's wish{/lang-nuance}

Aaaargh!

Urgh... Argh!

Just like back in the village! Does the seafire make the babies grow?

Is that cos o' all that crimson coral power 'e took in?!

......{lang-nuance}Pip, to Chiyo{/lang-nuance}

I'm...sorry...

What?{lang-nuance}Nagi, to Pip's apology{/lang-nuance}

Hey, they're goin'...

Are they headin' for Atlantica?!

Oh no! This can't be happenin'! Pip, you've gotta stop this!

......

Pip!

Oh no, it doesn't look like he can hear us! He's heading straight for Atlantica!

Ugh!

*huff huff* (What...was that?!)

Lady Sheila?! What's wrong?!

Hah... Hah...

It's nothing. Come on, we've gotta go after Pip and the others! Who knows what will happen if we don't do something!

Nagi!

Sorry. I'm coming!

Okay!

Where's the ephemeral fiends?! Where's Pip?!

They ain't here?! But look at this place!

It's the same as the village!

Hey, wait... Even the Spirit Sanctuary's been got? Uh-oh, this is terrible! If the shade spirit falls, then...

The valley between the seas'll close up again!

The Spirit Sanctuary and I are fine.

Are you the shade spirit... The Child of Light?!

Yes. Luckily, I am unharmed, and well enough expend some of my power on producing this form for you. A power I don't quite understand swept over the Spirit Sanctuary like a storm... And then it fell dead. It had no effect on myself, however.

So if ya got the power of a spirit, it don't hurt ya?

Well...

Singer, you should hurry on into town. The town is at more risk of falling than the valley between the seas is of closing.

They went into town?! My people!

Milsha, don't charge off on your own! It's not safe!

If you have the power of a spirit, it won't hurt you? (No... It wasn't quite like that.) (I did receive interference. And...)

Everyone!

Huh?!

We were too late?

Oh no!

Milsha? Milsha, is that you?!

You're all right?

As are you? You weren't in town, I was worried about where you were!

I'm so sorry for worryin' you! We're gonna find a way to deal with them, so you just run to safety, okay?

Safety? Is anywhere here safe anymore?

In that case, we'll rescue the townsfolk and take you somewhere else!

Okay, let's hurry! We can't let them take any more victims!

Let's regroup at the Uncharted Region Verdot exit! That's the best route to escape from! Take care, everyone!

We've searched every last nook 'n' cranny o' this place! Pretty sure this is the last person!

Okay... Then let's get out of here!

Okay, time to leave town before they come after us!

Urkh!

Are you okay?!

Did you twist your ankle? Sorry, were we going too fast for you?

Nope, it's not that... I'm sorry. I'm so...

*sniffle* I'm so scared... And now my leg hurts.

Of course you're scared. There's no need to apologize. We were super scared, too.

It's going to be okay. Just try to relax. Let me rub your back for you.

What were those things? One moment everything was fine, the next, they were pouring in from the undersea volcano...

It looked like they were sucking the life out of everyone as soon as they got close...

It's so horrible! It's like a nightmare! Everything was so peaceful, Leviathan was even less of a threat, but now this?!

Wah! Eek!

I-Is that a siren?! No...

Wait! You don't still believe those nasty rumors about the sirens, do you?

You even saw Pizzica going around, saving everyone! This has absolutely nothing to do with her!

It's fine, Milsha... It is what it is.

Oh... No, I'm sorry. You're right, I saw it with my own eyes. I just lost my head there a little...

Yeah, it's not the siren's fault. Everyone in her village went all funny, too. Just like in our town.

(The village?)

Wait?

How did you know the village was attacked? I didn't mention that.

......

Everyone, get away from that girl!

Eeeeek!

Oh no! She's one o' them?!

Oops, busted... Guess I messed up there. I was having so much fun playing with you all that it just slipped out. I was doing such a good job faking it too...

Playing?

You're the girl from before! Why?!

She was one of the missing who came back.

No way! Are you pretending to be human?!

I'm hardly the only one. I just hid the best.

So are you sayin' that all them folk who came back are...

Then where are the real townspeople?!

They're empty. They lost all their shiny blood.

They returned to the belly. To Mother.

What are you talking about? What bright blood? What belly? Who's your Mother?

Shiny blood is so pretty. We don't have it. It's so tasty to drink. Only then do we feel the warmth of satisfaction. It makes our lives happy. That is the reason we were born. Because we are empty.

Empty?

But we get so thirsty so quickly. If we don't go far and wide... If we don't fill ourselves up... A scream will keep ringing in our ears. Oh, how it grates...

Why won't you remove our constraints?

Constraints? What constraints?

Slowly but surely, we were starting to break free.

But the shackles are too heavy. We can't return so long as they exist. Our dreams of a full belly slipping away... Ah... Tee-hee! Over here! Everyone, this way!

Oh no! They followed us!

Those scum! This. Means. War! You go on ahead! I'm gonna stop 'em here! It's payback for what they did to Atlantica!

Milsha! If you're fighting, so am I... Oh...

Retreat! We have to make sure the townspeople get away safely!

She's right, Milsha! We have to escape! You're like a daughter to everyone in Atlantica! We can't leave you here!

Oh...

Fine! I can at least get you all to safety!

*huff puff* I can't...keep this up much longer...

I'm happy to take refuge anywhere, no matter how far away it is! But unless we know where we're going, we're bound to run into them again! We can't keep this up forever...

A little bit further this way, up the cliff, is the Winged People's Village! Let's take refuge there and ask for the Winged People's help! If we shout, they should hear us!

Okay, so if we get them to take us to the top of the cliff...

We can take refuge and regroup a little! Maybe even swing this fight in our favor!

So they'll hear us from the bottom of the cliff? I'll go on ahead and jump as high as I can to call for help!

Just be careful, okay?

Of course!

(Seze and the rest will be in the village! Their newfound diplomacy should mean there's a lot of people there!)

Huh? Hey, what was that...

Aaaagh!

Pizzica!

Pip, you're kiddin'... How could you do that?

Pip!

Pip. Did you hurt Pizzica?

That's PIZZICA, Pip! PIZZICA! Don't you recognize her?

......

That look in his eyes. It's like he doesn't see us at all.

Ugh...

Pizzica, you okay?!

Yes, I'm fine.

Don't worry, Nagi. It was those creatures next to him who attacked me...

B-But...

What now?

Oh no, they're catching up with us!

If we can't go back, we're just gonna 'ave to fight our way forward!

An' get them two while we can!

I-Is that...

Leviathan! Did Pip...summon him?!

Leviathan?! Th-The Crimson Vastsea?!

And why's Leviathan sending these things out?!

Uh-oh! And the tentacle army's right behind us!

Aaahhh!

Aaahhh! It's... It's the end... The destruction of our town... It was all the sea god's wrath!

Don't get weak-kneed now! We've got to get away, all of us! The sea god's wrath? Even if that was true... That's no reason for us to wait around to be killed! Such a god can drop dead for all I care!

Right!

Thinkin' that he might be involved only makes me more angry! I don't care if he's a sea god or a demon, I'm gonna make fish paste outta him!

We can still get out of here. We just need a little more time!

We're gonna get through this! Let's go!

Let's get out of here!

All right! We can plough our way through them now!

Ah... Aaaah...

Aaaah... Aaaah...

Huh?! Those two are acting strange!

Eeek?!

There you are, my lord! I can see your eyes! I give myself to thee! Take me with you!

Hey, what's going on?!

Please... Please forgive the actions of our ancestors!

The constraints will break. The constraints will shatter... Their bright blood... The bright blood of all on this planet...

They've gone insane?! And they're so strong!

Get away! We have to protect everyone!

Ack!

Is that...the Stifling Chain?!

My, my... This isn't much of a vacation, is it?

If you have time to complain, you have time to work!

That's all well and good... But as I suspected, the Stifling Chain can only work to hold them back. It won't last much longer!

A moment is all we need!

Let's rain arrows on them, Mistrare!

Yes, let's go!

Johann, Rosetta! Seze, Misty!

Save your shock! We haven't gotten to the best part yet!

Let's go, Prai! Go save some lives with that Salamandery strength of yours!

Aye, Sister Thillelille!

Pow! Pow! Pow! Pooowww!

My, he's so strong...

Well done, Prai! And now it's time for the main event, Thillelille herself!

Swoosh!

AAARGH?!

Oh, sorry. You were taking too long.

Grrr! Fine. I guess you get to make the grand entrance then. But thanks, Melina...

Thillelille! Prai, Melina!

Sorry I'm late!

Is everyone okay?!

Clarte!

Thank you! You really saved us!

But look at the townspeople!

Those...eyes... In...my head...

I'm being watched. They see all... Aaaagh...

Oh dear! Their eyes aren't focusing!

And the enemy's getting reinforcements! They're coming from far away!

There are swarms of them! Come to the Winged People's Village! Flee anywhere else and they'll just follow!

Let's split up and fly. Seze, Mistrare, and I will take you! One last push and we'll be safe!

How is everyone?

They're a little calmer. But their eyes still won't focus. It's like their souls have been taken.

I hate to have to ask this right now, but what happened?

When we came to help, it was like everyone had lost their minds...

This Leviathan monster thing swam up to us, 'n' its eyes were shinin' all bright like. Then everybody started goin' all weird...

Huh... So that chaos was Leviathan's doing.

Is he angry about the valley between the seas not closing? Did he come to destroy Atlantica using those monsters? The Winged envoys in town called on us, saying the townspeople had been attacked and had gone all strange.

So Leviathan carried out this attack in order to bring Atlantica to ruin? It is certainly conceivable. Yet...

That doesn't seem quite right to us. There's no denying that Leviathan has always had his eyes on Atlantica... But it wasn't just Atlantica that was attacked. Siren's Village was attacked, too. And the larvae from that army have been going after that place ever since long before this.

Siren's Village?

My hometown. It's a long way from here... In the northern Drift Ice Region.

So the same army attacked both Atlantica, and a completely different region as well? That's new.

Which is why it feels a little hasty to say that this is all centered around Atlantica and Leviathan. We were following the tentacle army... And just ran into Leviathan in the process. That's my impression at least.

So basically... Erm...?

There's the issue of the tentacle army that you found yourselves caught up with... And the issue of Leviathan and Atlantica. Two issues of seemingly no relation that both took place in the Uncharted Region Verdot at the same time. Correct?

And what these two issues have in common is...Leviathan?

Leviathan turned up out of nowhere in the Uncharted Region Verdot when Pip called out.

And it let out a huge roar like I've never heard before...

And Pip is that teeny tiny thing that was leading their army?

He was our friend. But...

Ever since he talked with the tentacled things in Siren's Village, he started actin' all strange.

Oh...

They told 'im he was their king or their vessel or somethin'.

So if this Pip, as leader of the tentacle army, summoned Leviathan...

Then we have some sort of connection between them.

So, they're working together for the same goal? Or, if not the same goal, then a mutual interest, maybe?

So Leviathan and the tentacle army are allies?

It certainly sounds that way. But which one is it, the same aim or a mutual interest, I wonder? And what is this tentacle army, exactly? I've never seen these creatures on land.

They're...

Creatures of the abyss from another planet. Invaders who want to consume our world.

I-I-Invaders?! From another planet?! Seriously?!

These creatures have invaded Siren's Village, Atlantica, and even Dragon Palace...

In that case, what is happening is actually pretty simple.

At the start of the invasion, Siren's Village and Atlantica were picked off...

Wait, if they're not from this planet, are they anything to do with the moon?

There were no records of any tentacle army in the moon's archives. I don't like to write anything off, but it seems unlikely that they're from the moon.

If they are invaders from another planet, then maybe Leviathan is, too? Maybe Leviathan's an alien invader?

I mean, we always thought he was a god, but this would explain that sly cleverness of his, too. Though that only makes me more angry.

So... What should we do? How do we fight them?

We need more information. We can't hope to make any headway without knowing our enemy. You don't know anything else?

Your Pip... He looked a little different from the other tentacled creatures. Do you think that's because he's their king?

No, I think that's just what their larva stage looks like...

Speaking of larvae, the ephemeral fiends had been attacking the village. Pip even said he stole the power of the crimson coral...

Could the key to this invasion be the crimson coral?

They didn't say what this bright blood stuff was, did they? Why absorbin' it makes 'em all satisfied?

Both of these things are interesting indeed. If we could find out a little...

Hey!

Oh! It's the Winged People Seze sent off as scouts!

What did you see? You look so pale...

We flew all around. The whole sea is in a terrible state. Actually...

Mr. Turtle! What are you doing here?!

We saw him splashing desperately toward the Crimson Vastsea. And...

Boss!

Dragon Palace...

It's fallen!

Huh?!

I-It has?!

Oh no...

I understand completely. If there's ever anything we can do, please call us. Stay safe, Lady Sheila!

Lady Sheila! Get a hold o' yerself!

Sheila! Breathe!

Hah... Hah...

Guh...

PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER!

This isn't over! If we give up now, everyone will die!

Lady Sheila?!

Sheila!

I'll move her to the back room. You come too, Mr. Turtle. You also need to rest.

Me too! I'll be by yer side, Lady Sheila!

I'm sorry. We've pushed you too hard, keeping you here talking for ages when you must be so exhausted. You should be resting. Let us worry about the townspeople. We can keep watch as well.

No, I'd much rather think than rest right now. And I had a thought. If Siren's Village, Atlantica, and Dragon Palace were all attacked... Then that must mean that they were aiming for places with a hokora.

A hokora? What's that?

Lemme fill you in on our journey so far...

Why do you look so sad?

Oh, I was just thinking about the past. About the disaster that nearly destroyed everything.

Disaster? You mean the box?

That's right. But Sheila... Disaster exists outside the box, too. This palace is one pillar of a strong fortress. The real threat...swims outside the box.

I'm crying? ...... Why? I think I'm being called...

The Ceremony of the Protector... A ceremony to pacify the sea...

The three places that perform the ceremony all got attacked... And the enemy came to destroy the planet from the sea?

I would say it's more that they have a fixation with the crimson coral that grows near the hokora. At least, that's how it seems to me. Perhaps they use its power to invade, or something...

So it's because the hokoras were attacked that the towns and people went all strange?

Which means, the crimson coral dyin' is what's causin' all this?

But if that's true, then this crimson coral stuff must be totally amazing! What even is it?

Both crimson coral and seafire are manifestations of power from the Red Comet that fell to our planet.

Not even Salamander's flames are any substitute for it. Simply put... It's either much stronger than spirit power, or else it's a different type of power altogether. It's one or the other.

And it's strong enough to have such a huge impact on the town and townsfolk.

If we lose it, our planet will die...

What?!

Sheila!

Whoa, it's so bright!

Chiyo! What happened?!

I-I dunno! Her trident just started shinin'...

What...is this?

Whatever it is, it's makin' me scales all tingly.

Lady Sheila?! Lady Sheila!

Chiyo!

Ngh!

It's okay! Wherever this leads, we might find some clue to help us! Let's go, Pizzica! We have to save everyone!

Right!

Take care of the others!

We'll be back soon!

I hate waiting around.

But we're not gonna just sit and twiddle our thumbs, are we?

We should call the others and work out what we can do to help.

Strategy meeting now in session.

Whoa!

Oh... Is everyone okay?

Yes...

Lady Sheila?!

Wh-Where are we?

Is this...Atlantica?

Something's not right. There's no one here...

Heeey!

Lady Sheila?! But why's she a li'l kid?

Huh? You know me? How come?

How come?!

Oh! Are you my new handmaiden? You're so cute! And who's this little cutie?!

Guagh! MILSHA!

Sh-Sheila! You'll squish him if you're not careful!

Yep, that's Sheila all right...

Oh, wait, there's something I wanted to ask... D'you know where she went?

Who, exactly?

My handmaiden! She's my friend as well, though!

Do you know who she's talking about, Chiyo?

Nuh-uh...

So nobody knows? Wonder where she went. She looked so sad, I really wanna find her quick.

Sheila, Dragon Palace is in trouble. Not just Dragon Palace. Everywhere...

Huh? I dunno what you're talking about, but it's gonna be okay! When me an' her are together, we can do anything!

Please remember, Sheila! We're your...

Lady Sheila, I'll go search with ya.

Chiyo?

Yay! I think she's here somewhere. C'mon, everyone!

Lady Sheila ain't the kinda gal to abandon everyone she's meanta protect 'n' revert to bein' a li'l kid. Maybe there's a reason. So I'm gonna look for this friend what Lady Sheila's lookin' for.

Yeah, I think you're right.

If we find her, it might help us understand this world we're in.

Right... Let's go after little Sheila then!

Wargh! It's 'em things again?!

They're attacking! Be careful, everyone!

Wh-What was that?

Urgh...

Lady Sheila?!

Are you okay?!

Oh, that's quite an injury you've got there!

Are you traveler? We must tend to your wounds!

No... I...

Can you stand? We'll support you.

Don't come near me! If you provoke her, she'll...

It's okay, we won't do anything you don't want us to. I'm sure you have your reasons.

Just relax. Come on, let's go together.

Was that...

Sheila? No, that was...

That's my friend.

The girl we're lookin' for?

Yeah... But...

She's gone...

Hey, Pizzica. Wasn't that girl the one from our dream? Wasn't that the first Otohime?

I think so. But she gave a very different impression last time.

What was the first Otohime doing in Atlantica?

Not a clue. Are we watchin' a memory or somethin' from when the first Otohime was alive? But why're there sirens in Atlantica? Did they used to live here, too? I never heard anythin' about that before...

......

Urgh...

Sheila! Is your head hurting again?

Stop... Where to start? Where is she?

Oh, Lady Sheila!

As Aldo said, I think finding this girl might be the best clue we have right now. Come on, let's follow little Sheila.

Ugh...

C'mon, let's go play!

Of course. What would you like to play?

Um... Hide 'n' Seek!

Tag!

Huh?!

We're split! You've gotta decide, miss!

Me?

Very well. What say you about...

"What say you about"?

Speak normal! I can't understand you!

Huh? Oh... ......

Okay... Is this better?

Ooh, you're so cute now!

I feel like we've gotten closer!

Glad to hear it! Here's hopin' she'll start actin' that way with us, too!

This is our first time hearing Kira sound so relaxed!

Yeah! She's always so formal!

Atla, Aria...

Okay. In that case...

Yay! Now we're best friends!

Teehee we are! Oh yeah, Kira. Can you come with us for a minute? It's about "her."

Oh! Sure.

Children, I'm sorry. We can play later.

Boo!

Come back quick!

So the three of you saw those people in that shared dream?

It was then...

I was touched by kindness... And started to lose awareness.

They both helped me bear the consequences of the sin I had committed. We looked for a way out together. The townspeople were kind. Touched once more by the warmth I had lost, I started to feel relaxed...

Let's go. Even the lord of calamity cannot interfere with this world.

You're...

Wait!

It doesn't look like we can control it with the Stifling Song.

We tried again and again, but the Stifling Song's role is to calm spirits, after all.

This power source from the girl put to sleep in your magic implement... It isn't a spirit. The Stifling Song won't work against it.

Thank you. I'm sorry for asking so much of you on top of your duties as Singer.

C'mon, don't be like that! I thought I told ya! No apologizin'!

If the Stifling Song won't work, then what can we try next?

The sirens' lullaby doesn't have any power to deter, does it?

No, I'm afraid not. Our song can only put the weary to sleep. Like you, Kira.

It's that obvious?

Your light's on in here all night, every night. I know how anxious you are. But if you fall, the children'll be so sad.

......

As will we.

I know. Thank you...

Let's get some proper rest, eat something, and then we can put our heads together. Oh, I know! Why don't we go on a picnic? It's good to take some time off!

Ooh, a picnic? Awesome idea! But erm, we'll have to be real careful. The fishies were sayin' it was gettin' pretty rough around that monster rock again.

Oh dear! Then we'll just have to make sure we don't go anywhere near it.

Monster rock?

Don'tcha know about it? The monster rock of the spirit spot in the Crimson Vastsea!

Deeeeep underwater, far to the north, there's an enormous, beautiful rock. It's been there for such a long time that there are all kindsa stories about it.

I see. But what's with the name "monster rock"?

Some say it's so pretty it'll possess you. Some say it glows bright at night to lure in fishies an' eat 'em! There's loads of different versions. But for whatever reason, no one ever goes near the place.

But all that crimson coral and seafire sure looks beautiful from a distance...

Beauty can be frightening. I think I understand.

Whoa, that's so deep. You're making me all emotional!

Honestly, you're so sensitive, Atla!

Wait! Tell us what's going on here!

What the?!

It's all my fault!

It's all my fault... That Atlantica... And all the townsfolk...

Calm down, Kira! You mustn't blame yourself!

She's right, Kira! First thing's first, we have to tend to everyone's wounds. And you're injured. Don't you see that?

I am?! How?!

If you ignore that voice, you won't be able to breathe, no matter how hard you push yourself. It would be a huge loss for the town if you couldn't help us now.

Oh...

About the child... It's only natural you're hurt. You cared so much for them, yet it ended up like this. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you both... I'm so sorry.

Aria...

Atla...

I'm sorry for losing my composure. We must tend to the townspeople!

What was that?!

The seal?

No! This is... What the?!

Eeeeeek!

Why... Why are they back again?!

Wait! This time they're...even bigger. Why?!

This is no time to stand around staring! We've gotta get rid of those monsters!

Right!

This scene...

Be careful.

Don't pull that face. I'll be back soon.

We'll meet again before long.

You're really going alone?

Yes. This is for me to do. I will build a strong fortress. I will use all of my magic...on a castle to last a thousand years.

Oh, stop! Imagine if they still had these problems in a thousand years!

Oh...

I'll do all I can here. We've gotta keep it sealed away. I love you, Kira. We will always be friends, even in a thousand years.

...... Yes... You're absolutely right, Atla.

And Sheila. Only you have heard my voice and seen my face during this eternity.

You're the first Otohime, aren't you?

It is only in this world that I can show you all as it truly is.

When I spoke to you outside, my mind was somewhat foggy. Under the influence of those eyes.

Hey, what was that?!

It's not safe for you to stay any longer. You are alien to this space, after all.

When you return to the outside world, go to our laboratory. I am sure that my records will help guide your way. Go there, my kin of a distant millennium.

I'm so sorry that the everlasting threads of fate are hung around your neck...

......

There's more, isn't there? There's something you want to tell me, and me alone.

......

There is. It's very much related to your duty. Sheila, you... Your power...

Ouch!

Welcome back!

We heard all about it! Are you okay?

Did it go well?

We have a clue.

Lady Sheila! Are you quite well?

Hm? Oh...

I'm fine. Sorry for worrying you. I'll tell you everything that happened and what we learned. But there are townsfolk here, so let's talk over there.

I see... So your ancestor came to you and told you to visit her laboratory?

A laboratory in Atlantica?

Milsha, do you know anything?

Judith's?

Are you mad? A laboratory in Atlantica... You only just evacuated the place! I trust you haven't forgotten? How can you be talking about going back there?

Well, that's why I have a favor to ask.

We have to return to Atlantica and go to Judith's laboratory. But as you well know, there are swarms of those creatures down the cliff. So...

I would like to request that you clear an escape route so that we can return to Atlantica.

As reigning Otohime, I formally appeal to you. I may only be ruler of a fallen palace now... But I beg of you to help me.

And me. Sorry...

An' me!

And me!

Of course. You don't all need to be so formal about it.

Right! Besides, it's not like Thillelille and the others are in any place to sit this one out!

Yes, if this planet is invaded, it will be our problem, too.

Just leave it to us! Right, Seze?

Yes, let's work together.

I'll need your chain, too.

Yes, yes... The overtime continues...

Thank you. Then...

We've finally reached a turning point. Let's take the offensive!

This...

How is it looking, Brother Aldo?

Terrible. It looks like there's even more of them than when we fled.

And...

The Uncharted Region Verdot looks different.

Like the village and Atlantica?

Yes...

Whatever the case, I want them cleaned up.

While I'm gone, take care of the village and people under my protection. I'll be back soon.

Of course!

You can count on us!

Okay then, shall we get going? Are you ready, Sheila?

Totally. How about the rest of you?

Then let's begin our descent!

*SWOOSH*

Now's your chance, Sheila! Run and don't look back!

Thank you, Thillelille!

Stay safe, everyone!

Phew! We make a pretty good rear guard!

Precisely! My blood is running hot!

Do cut it out. If you act so relaxed while everyone else is fighting, just imagine what Rosetta will say.

I think we've almost defeated them, but the rest are... Hm?

Seze? What is it?

Mistrare! Behind that rock!

Hm? Oh!

Oh?! Bad news, everyone! The people of Atlantica are here! We must protect them!

We made it!

You couldn't move for monsters back there, but it's deserted here...

I figured they'd taken over.

......

I think there's a direct route to Judith's laboratory from my house! Hurry!

There's an elevator through here that should take us to the laboratory!

I never knew there was a place like this in Atlantica!

When we were kids, Poseichi almost fell off this passage. So Mom sealed it off, and it's been that way ever since.

Otohime...

An' the door to this Judith gal's lab is through 'ere?

I think so.

What?! It won't open! I've never tried to enter, but I didn't realize it wouldn't open anyway!

There's no keyhole or anything? I could poke it with my lance and rattle it around till it breaks...

Sh-Sheila! Your lance isn't going to unlock a keyhole!

It...opened?

So it only unlocks if the three guardians who perform the Ceremony of the Protector are present?

Then it must've been our ancestors who set it up like this.

Yer probably right. If just anybody could open it... It woulda opened when I came 'ere before. You see... I was ordered to look for some documents or somethin' found 'ere in Atlantica.

Leviathan sure is smart.

Everyone thought Leviathan was some cunning sea god. But if that intellect was actually because he's an invader from another planet, then it kinda makes sense.

There's no point in speculatin' right now, though. Let's go. Everything'll be up ahead.

This place...

Let's split up and look for information.

This...

Records from Judith, and from the first Otohime...

Wait. There was too much information there...

(What was all that about the sirens? What could that mean?)

Is that all the information here?

Um, Pizzica! This box thingy won't work! I need ya to do yer magic 45-degree slap whotsit!

N-No, wait! Don't hit it! Lemme look at it!

Oh! There's a name... Atla... My ancestor...

So the records in this box...

I'll read it.

......

......

I was wondering why we were never told the Ceremony of the Protector's purpose, or that they attacked in the past. But...

Even if she wanted to, she wasn't in a state to tell us properly.

Right. And the other two must've been in the same position.

Leviathan can see inside people's heads... So, when the townsfolk went insane in Uncharted Region Verdot...

It was Leviathan's eyes that drove them mad. And then the townspeople went all lifeless...

Because their Celestial Souls were taken.

So maybe that "bright blood" they were talking about...

Was these Celestial Souls? They did say they were empty beings. Shiny blood flows through us with Celestial Souls, but not them...

Because they're not from this planet.

So Pip going around all the hokoras, taking the power of the crimson coral... And the village and other towns being attacked and going all strange... These things actually are connected.

They consume and invade the planet by taking the mother goddess's power.

An' that's why they answer to Leviathan?

The true role of the hokoras and the Ceremony of the Protector was to imprison Leviathan within a barrier? So does this mean that Leviathan is already trapped within that barrier right now?

He can't go any further than the three points of the triangle, Dragon Palace, Siren's Village, and Atlantica.

But he's causin' all this chaos 'n' the damage is gettin' worse 'n' worse! An' after all that rampagin' before, is the power of the crimson coral around them 'okoras even gonna hold out?

Unless we do something, there is a chance that Leviathan could escape. And even if he doesn't, he could still annihilate all life and civilizations within the barrier!

But how do we fight him?

Milsha's ancestor wrote something in that record. "But really, I would have liked to seal it within the deep-sea barrier."

The deep-sea barrier? We were never told about that in my village. How about you, Sheila?

Nope, us neither. It's still worth a try. If they originally wanted to seal Leviathan within that barrier...

Then maybe there's a reason! Maybe it's stronger than the current barrier!

The deep-sea? And how exactly do we get there?

I think I might know.

I remember seeing the seabed get much deeper behind some rocks near the Dragon Palace coast.

Dragon Palace...

Okay. Let's go back to the Dragon Palace Coast!

All right. I'll lead the way.

Ngh!

Lady Sheila?!

Those eyes!

This first Otohime... She can come out in reality too, y'know. Didn't she take over Lady Sheila durin' that second Ceremony o' the Protector?

Huh?! What d'you mean?

So you noticed?

But there's no time to talk about that right now. It will put too much strain on Sheila.

That's...

The Jewel Casket? No, wait, the 1000 Year Ark?

This is the second one I have created based on Judith's accounts. As a citizen of Dragon Palace, I'm sure you know the result?

It sealed away the disaster...

It was too late to put the big Leviathan in this box. It would have required too much magic. Luckily though...

He has only just woken up, and has not yet fully awoken. He requires less magic now, so you should be able to use this box to seal him away. But its limit is steadily drawing closer.

Huh?

Wait, who are you talking about?

Hm? I thought you were looking for a way to stop him? Leviathan's creation, the new lord of calamity...

The child you know as Pip.

Ngh!

You want to put Pip...in this 1000 Year Ark?

......

Shall I tell you a story of old? I had to choose between this world and my own feelings... And without even realizing, I put my feelings first. That was the final nail in the coffin for us, the act that allowed calamity to befall our world. There is a chance... That you will harbor that same regret.

......

There is no time. But think about it like your life depends on it. You only get to choose once.

Ngh...

Lady Sheila! You okay?!

I... I...

I'm totally fine! Sorry for worrying you. Honestly, she's so heavy-handed with taking over my body!

...... Nagi...

Yeah...

You gonna seal it away? That li'l bouncy thing?

Minchy! How can you ask that?!

......

Nagi. I know she handed the box to you... But you don't have to make this decision alone. You can share it with us.

She's right, Nagi. Pip was a friend of us all.

There must be another way. Even if we don't seal him away, maybe we can get him back?

Yeah. Let's try an' look for that.

Yeah... Thank you, everyone. ...... (Pip...)

(What am I going to do about you?)

(I still can't talk with you...) (How much longer? How much time do I have? Where can I find you?)

(What can I do for you?) (What do you want to do?)

So where's this place that leads to the deep-sea?

It's through here.

Ah, so that's where it is!

Whoa! It's so much deeper than I thought!

If we lose our footing, it's all over...

Perhaps if we go down one by one, holding hands...

I wouldn't worry about it.

Groon! Where are you?

You...!

Wh-What is that thing?! It's enormous!

Oh my! A friend of yours?

He's what brung us to Dragon Palace for the Ceremony o' the Protector!

Thank you for your help back then, Groon. We couldn't have made it without you.

Grroooo...

Groon, I have a favor to ask. Could you take us down to the deep-sea?

But isn't Groon a little too big to fit through this hole?

Grrrooo!

Eeeep!

A-Amazing!

Thanks, Groon!

We should all fit on his back. Things are finally starting to look up!

Whoa, this is really gonna help us out!

Okay. Let's ride on Groon and go down to the deep-sea!

So this is the deep-sea?

If we need some kind of tool to make this barrier...

Then we should get looking for it.

Treasure huntin' time! I can't wait!

All right. Good luck, everyone!

That's...

A hokora.

I did think this could be a possibility. So the deep-sea barrier...

It uses the same method. I was kinda expectin' something a li'l bit more impressive to be honest.

But the barrier you three reinforced is breakin'...

So, why did your ancestor say that a deep-sea barrier would be better?

Perhaps it's to do with the range?

With the current barrier, the target is free to move about within it. If you want to trap something, the best thing to do is keep it within a narrow area, so that it can't move around much. But it was too difficult to capture Leviathan within a small net, so they ended up expanding its range.

They moved to other points with strong protection of the crimson coral, and imprisoned him within this huge barrier.

Right?

We came all this way, but all we found was the same ol' trick we already knew.

And we don't exactly have time to look for anything else.

If we can trap Leviathan within this barrier, then we can stop him from swimming about as he pleases. We can at least use it to keep him stuck here. We prevent the leader from moving, then we plan our next move.

Yeah, you're right.

But, what do we do?

From the looks of things, this hokora... or Ocean's Deep or whatever, seems to be pretty badly ruined.

Maybe Leviathan attacked it at the time.

Yeah. If it wasn't destroyed, I bet things'd be different right now.

Do we activate it? Maybe I should get my trident and...

Huh? What was that?

A monster?!

It doesn't look friendly, that's for sure!

Eeep! Looks like we got a rocky road ahead!

You...

You with the tentacles. You're back again? Didn't you learn your lesson?

Huh?! Tentacles? You don't mean...

Those creatures from the abyss?! So this guy isn't an enemy?

You've misunderstood! I do have tentacles, but I'm not here to do you any harm.

Leviathan is the god of the sea. Don't you know what happens when you go against a god?

Against...Leviathan?

Wait, I'm confused. Are those tentacled creatures Leviathan's minions or...

Eeep! I dunno what's goin' on, but he sure looks angry!

Then enemy or not, we have to calm him down!

Silence!

Ow ow ow!

Wh-What just flew at us?

Was it that...?

Huh? That's...

But wait...

Something's not right here.

It looks like it wants us to follow it.

But it's not safe. It may only be tiny, and it don't look hostile or anything... But those are the things that mimicked their way into Atlantica.

Well...

I'm going.

Nagi!

Me and him are the same creature. It's not going to steal my Celestial Soul. But he's worth following, I can feel it. You guys can go to the hokora, but I'm...

We can all go together, Nagi. We can't go back until we think up some kind of plan anyway.

If you think he's worth following, then he's worth following. Let's go.

You're all too kind for your own good. I don't want you going near any more abyss creat...

Hey, wait!

Come on, we'd better follow them!

Gah! There's something further in.

Huh?! This place...

There's no water? But, how?!

Urgh me eyes... It's so bright...

You followed me after all! I'm so glad!

I can finally talk again! I was told not to talk out there, you see.

Wh-What's going on? Erm, who are you?

Don't come any closer!

Wha?!

Eeep! There's so many of 'em!

Eeeek!

What's going on? Why are THEY scared of US?

This is the first time a life-form of this planet has visited us here. After one of us brought you here, this is going to sound rather impolite...

But please leave, now. We're scared of you.

We've got to follow Nagi right now!