Time Interlude

......

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

Even though the whole world is gone... the stars are still shining, As if nothing happened.

Well, duh. What'd you expect? It was the earth and not the sky that went under.

I know that voice...

Ah!

You two are okay!

Course we are. We're special like that. Changes to the past don't affect us.

Oh, thank goodness... I'm so relieved... Spiri won't respond and everything's gone... I thought I was all alone.

Geez Louise...

Enough with the waterworks, alright? Crying won't solve anything.

*sniffle* I...I know...

Now, where was I?

You were saying we're special because the past going bye-bye has no effect on us!

Right. We're Nightmares, so we can just hide away in the planet's dreams all cozy-like. Which is exactly what we did. So what's the deal with your friend? She's usually yapping up a storm and now she's not making a peep.

I think she lost consciousness.

No, it's more like she's weak. Don't know why, though.

...Oh, you're right. The mysterious power around you is looking pretty pathetic right now.

There's something...around me?

Yup. Do you know what nesting dolls are? They're hollow and have a smaller doll inside of 'em.

That's what's happening with you and your friend. She's the outer doll that protects you.

But now she's pretty weak, so she might just poof and disappear into thin air. Hopefully you'll be able to say your goodbyes before she splits.

G-Goodbyes?

I mean, it's not like you can do much at this point.

And since there's no avoiding it, why not do some stargazing instead?

I don't feel like it...

Hey, what's that red star?

......

I'm pretty curious about that yellow one myself. It's the same color as my eyes.

Y'know what? I'll give it to you as a gift, Mare! Not like there's anyone around to stop me.

How can you joke at a time like this?

It ain't my first rodeo. That's how.

Honestly, it's kinda impressive how humans can adapt to anything. Good times, bad times, once they're behind you, they're all just memories.

That's why, even if you don't have anywhere to go, you can still get back on your feet.

It's like we're tired of giving up. Always on the move. We're restless, unlike the stars.

Heyyy, don't ignore me! I asked you what the red star is!

That's Cornelian, the center of the phoenix constellation.

You live and you learn, I guess. So what's the yellow one?

Well, judging by its distance from Cornelian, I'd say it's probably Capelliter.

You can tell by the distance, huh? My friend knew a lot about stars, but I don't have the faintest clue about 'em.

I know the one to the north that doesn't move is Polaris, but that's about it.

Well, that's not quite true... The position of the stars change a little every day. Since we're probably on the southern side, we can't see Polaris.

But since the position of the stars here are similar to the ones we saw on Astra Island, it's probably due north.

Really? Can you tell what era we're in by the stars?

W-Well, that's a little more complicated.

I don't know, but...

If I could figure it out, then...

The star maps are records that someone left behind. And the asterorbs have the power to send people into the past. So if I arrange them in a pattern from the past, then...

We can go back to before the world ended.

We can save everyone!

Hah, you're looking lively.

I mean, it's just an idea. I can't promise it'll work, so I don't want you to put too much hope into it.

But...but Aldo and the others never gave up. They kept pressing forward.

That's why I have to do what I can... It might help me find a way to get Spiri back to normal too.

Right, then. Break's over! We've got a world to save.

You make it so sound easy...

Y'know, this is the part in video games where you gather your party. Like-minded adventurers and all that jazz.

So let's go get Aldo and friends. They oughta have the key items we need.

But Dhaat might try to stop me again...

Let's cross that bridge when we get there, ey?

Exactly! If anyone gets in our way, we'll make them go poof!

Let's head to the room with all the water coffins. That's where Aldo and Meryt were.

Uh...

Do you know how to open this thing?

Nope.

I figured as much... Spiri's usually the one pushing all the buttons, so I have no clue what to do either.

Well...I see a spiral mark on the screen. But I don't know how that's gonna help us.

These are water coffins, right? So wouldn't waveforms work?

That's the energy that all matter gives off, right?

Now that I think about it, Oswald did mention waveforms being the key to opening these chambers.

That's why we had to do our research on them.

You were researching us?!

C'mon now, that's supposed to be a secret. She'll get suspicious if we keep that up.

Ohhh, it's fine. If that happens, I just have to gobble up her suspicion. A nibble here, a bite there, and aaall your worries will disappear! Then we can be the best of friends again.

That's...terrifying.

Alright, focus. How're we gonna get these two outta there?

What're you looking for?

A cute little kitty cat. Specifically the one you guys brought along. Meryt's some kinda cat any way you slice it, so I thought maybe that'd do the trick.

Oh, there's our four-legged friend!

Alright, Chelika. Pet the cat now.

Can I?!

Er, I mean...why should I?

Don't mind the whys. Just give it a little cuddle and if all goes well, then...

No way. It worked?!

Like a charm. These waveforms are no joke.

So we just have to do the one over there and, oh?

Ungh...

Are you two okay?

You have my thanks, Chelika.

It's like I was half-awake, but couldn't do anything... I can't believe you spent 800 years like that, Chelika.

You're even braver and stronger than I thought. Thank you for enduring that.

Well, uhh... I'm grateful to you too.

There were a lot of times I thought we'd be done for if you weren't around.

If you're just gonna keep going back and forth like that, can we move on?

Don't let it get to you. We can put the explanation in a neat little package for them.

Like saying, "Great job, guys! Your history's completely and utterly obliterated!"

Do you remember fighting that mysterious... thing before the white light appeared? That was the calamity, and it caused a time flood that washed everything away.

So you're saying my people and Lovinia...

W-Well, about that... I was thinking we could use the Astrolabos to go back to a time before the calamity appeared.

You mean there's still a chance to save them?!

Then let's go find ourselves a star map and some asterorbs.

Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. You've already got the orbs and Chelika's got the map, in that noggin of hers.

I don't have the exact layout yet, but I can calculate it.

I can't promise it'll work either, but...I think we should give it a try.

Would that be okay with you guys?

Of course! Let's go back, one more time!

Whenever you're ready, Chelika.

Okay.

I need to remember the stars' positions...

Capelliter was in the same position on Astra Island and Aura Resort, meaning there's no seasonal shift. All I need to do is predict the speed that the stars move based on the difference in those 800 years... And then I take the position of the stars we saw earlier. I don't know what year we're in, but...

(I don't need to know. I've been looking up at the stars alone for so long.) (This is the only thing I'm good at, and I'm going to use it to help!) (Even though I'm not strong like they are, I want to do what I can to save them!)

How's...this?

It worked! Now we can...

What happened? I thought it was going to work...

Why? Why'd it stop?

We need to go back. If we don't, the world...the world will...! Work, please! You have to!

Please...

Chelika...

Dhaat?

No... That can't be...

They can't be gone forever...

What do we do? (I can't open a wormhole and the Synth Hydra is gone.) (Think. There's gotta be something. It can't be over.)

(No...)

(I can't think of anything...)

The end, pleasant? That's a good one!

How can you possibly be laughing?!

Hah! Hoping for a frown from this clown? Sorry, but that's when the nightmares getcha.

The world has been destroyed! What greater nightmare is there?!

...It happens.

What did you say?

I'm a Nightmare. I've seen boatloads of bad dreams. That's why I know how close we are to danger.

The end is always on the horizon, but someone somewhere is pushing it back.

And now it's your turn. If you give up, it's game over for real.

Still... Where do we go from here?

This world doesn't have the power to save itself anymore. But what if...

You could gather enough energy to save it?

Is that possible?

Totally! You'd just have to destroy another world.

Wh-What? We have to destroy one world to save another?

It's just a theory, so no need to look so surprised. Although...that is kinda why I said it. You really don't disappoint!

Chelika. You have my permission to hit him as hard as you like. In fact, I insist.

I won't!

So what do we need to get all this energy?

Well, if it's a recipe you're looking for, Chef Mightardee can help.

The first thing you need is the right tools. One Kamlanage should do the trick!

Then, you take the Kamlanage and have him find you lots and looots of energy.

And finally, you ask the Kamlanage to use his powers to focus all that energy on the Astrolabos.

And voila, you have yourself a scrumptiously safe world. Simple, right?

But Kam has to do all the work...

And asking for his help won't be possible since he isn't in this era.

Wait, Aldo. Dhaat told me something earlier. He said he saved everyone who was inside at the time of the flood.

And didn't you tell Kamlanage to evacuate everyone to Remulia Ruins? So there's a high chance he's already here.

And if that's true, then my people might be here too!

Aldo, we need to find them.

Aw, do we have to? I mean, the recipe only calls for one Kamlanage.

We can't just leave them.

C'mon, we gotta start looking.

...I wish they had a chance to meet Kamlanage. They would've been fast friends.

Demi-human reserve? Does that mean Lovinia and my people are in here?

Let's take a look.

What... What is the Golden City doing here?!

Dhaat said it was keeping people in places created from their own memories.

Why would he do such a thing?

Couldn't tell ya. My guess is he was just trying to be a good host. Keep 'em comfy.

Whatever the case, we should take a look around. We might find Lovinia and the others.

Wake up, Lovinia.

Meryt...? Aldo?

I didn't realize you came back to the Golden City... Wait a second. This isn't the Astrarium.

I remember trying to shield everyone from a white light and then...I can't recall a thing.

I guess we weren't the only era that experienced the time flood.

I imagine the light advanced from the past to the future.

Oh... I guess that means I wasn't able to protect the people.

I'm sorry, Meryt. I asked you to trust me and I let you down.

If you want to apologize for something, let it be waking up after me. I cannot begin my day properly if you oversleep.

But I...

I was the one who entrusted you with their safety, and I was the one who decided to go with Aldo to the past. So what happened is entirely my burden to bear, and I won't forgive you for trying to shoulder it on your own.

Meryt...

And if that will not suffice, then dance.

For the end of the world is far too dreary.

Rise and shine, my descendants!

You have some nerve making your great ancestor wake you up.

I don't recall asking you to do that, but that doesn't change the truth of the matter. We appreciate the help, so-called "ancestor" of ours.

Ancestor?

Hmph. How very rude! If you were not part of my line, I would have you found guilty...

Of being far too cheeky.

You were joking? Oh, thank goodness... That look on your face made me think you were serious!

I couldn't resist a little poke after seeing some familiar faces.

This place is filled with those water coffins Spiri was in. Would you mind telling us what happened?

Of course.

The beastfolk...are gone?

No, that can't be!

Ahem... I apologize. Though it is hard to believe, you have nothing to gain by lying. So for however hard it is to hear, it must be true...

This is awful. We finally found hope, we were able to preserve Resttin... And now, all our hard work was for nothing!

This is awful... Our fate is sealed. But still, I...I don't want it to end this way...

We live in harmony with the planet, so I would accept our end by natural selection.

But a calamity? And so suddenly? That's a different story. We beastfolk refuse to lose without even getting a chance to fight.

Indeed. And whatever it is you are up against, know that we stand by you, Your Majesty.

Yeah, and I'll give it my all! For the future of the beastfolk!

A fine resolve. Now, let us get out of here.

Guess it's my turn now.

It's you...

Hey, how was the waterbed? Comfy? Have yourself any bad dreams in there?

I had a nightmare that the world continued on peacefully, even though that's not the case.

What happened? This wasn't your doing, was it?

Nu-uh. Not me! Betcha wish it was, though. Then you could just beat me up and call it a day. Woohoo, you saved the world! You're a hero! Not this time, Clughorn.

There's something written here.

"Mildy 1081 AD, 1100 AD Born in Elzion. Human female."

Whoa, talk about an invasion of privacy.

This is all public information. What bothers me is the date of death.

How rude. I'd like to file a complaint.

Are we assumed dead because the world ended? Hmph. Yet here we stand, very much alive.

Calm down, you two.

Right now, the world's basically at a standstill. So it makes sense for it to be written that way, don'tcha think?

"Right now," you say. Does that mean you have a solution in mind?

You bet! That's why I came to getcha.

It's finally time for you to save the world, Kamlanage.

I'm so glad you're all safe.

Of course we are. You told us to evacuate to the Astrarium.

Clown. We have Kamlanage now. What next?

Head to the Astrolabos, of course. He should be able to get it working.

Then let's head back...

Huh? It won't open.

It seems we activated the security system.

But we didn't take any goods.

It doesn't look like we can talk our way out.

Unfortunately not. We have to fight!

What was that all about?

The voice mentioned "exhibits," yes? Perhaps that explains the offensive placard in front of my chamber.

Am I to infer that this is some sort of museum and we are part of a collection made for the curator's enjoyment?

Aldo said that this place is run by a machine. What would it want with us?

Dhaat said it was preserving us here, but who knows what the true reason is?

Hmph. Thinking about it will get us nowhere. We need to keep moving forward. And if anyone gets in our way, we strike them down. Simple as that.

Womp womp. Looks like it's shut tight. And there's no key in sight, so I guess we won't be getting back through here.

Unleeess... Hey, Mildy? Clughorn? Think you could you give the ol' teleport trick a try?

No. I am sure you know by now how dangerous it is for us to teleport without knowing where we will end up.

Then we have no choice but to find another way, even if it takes longer.

What's the rush? We can take our sweet time touring the facilities while heading toward the finish line.

This isn't the time for jokes. The outside world is destroyed.

Forgive me, but I will be going on ahead.

Yeesh, what's got his coat tails in a twist? It's no wonder he's got all those wrinkles on his forehead.

Besides, there's really no reason to get so worked up. Whether we sprint or stroll, reality's still the same.

This room feels different than the others.

There doesn't seem to be any other way forward, so why don't we have a look around?

I wonder what era the people in these chambers are from.

Their clothes look similar to the ones in our era, but the fabric looks shinier.

It reminds me of the clothes Spiri and Rem wear.

Hey, Spiri. What do you, Oh, right...

She still unconscious?

Yeah...

(What do I do if Spiri just disappears like this?) (She's always looking out for me, but I wasn't able to do anything in return. Some "friend" I am...)

I know how you feel, but blaming yourself for your shortcomings won't change anything.

Oh!

Sorry... I couldn't help but overhear. Your thoughts were quite loud.

I didn't know anything about Spiri until we went to Dhaat in the past. If I had known, then maybe I could've done something...

We can't change the past, no matter how much we regret it.

But if you didn't know anything about her, it might be because you never felt the need to.

Spiri is the same person, regardless of where she was born, raised, and lived her life. You stuck with her because you enjoyed her company, and I think that counts as friendship.

Yeah... I guess you're right. Thanks, Mildy.

Everyone, come here.

Rem?! What are you doing here?

Could you quiet down? I was just moved here from the bottom floor.

Don't you dare tell me to quiet down!

No happy reunion for you, I see.

What's there to be happy about? You erased my people! Innocent people!

Guess I did, huh. Well it was that or millions of people in the distant future.

That includes Kamlanage and his friends over there. It was a choice between sacrificing those who came before or those who come after. That's all there was to it.

That's a mean way to put it...

So now what? What're you trying to do here at the end of the world?

We're trying to start up the Astrolabos and get to a time before the calamity appeared.

Changing history to keep yourselves alive. How original.

You're right. We're trying to do the same thing you did, and we intend to bear the burden on that decision.

I don't think it was a coincidence we reunited here. Why don't you join us?

You're joking, right? Did you really just ask me to help you?

You wanted to go further back in time, didn't you? That means you know the...

(Wait. If we can get Rem to help, then... I won't be necessary, will I?)

......

You okay, Chelika?

Oh, sorry! I'm fine!

Um, as I was saying...if you know the way the stars looked back then, could you tell us? If that's not asking too much...

My people are tied to the stars. So of course I know how they looked. But you'll need a ton of energy to get to the past. Do you have a solution for that?

In fact, I do. But it's a bit, let's say, out of this world.

Oh, I get it... You're even worse than I am.

What do you mean?

But then...that means you still have a chance to save the future. That's...

(I wonder if I'm jealous.) (Oh, I see... I've been sad about being left behind by people and all they do.)

Alright, then. I'll help you out.

What? I didn't know you could get out on your own!

Unlike you guys, I'm not some doll on display. I just hopped in to keep my life from slipping away. But it's not like there's much I can do at this point anyway.

Do you mean Dhaat was treating us beastfolk like taxidermy exhibits?

It's not just the beastfolk. That piece of scrap is trying to archive everything on this planet.

Do you have any idea why?

All the years have worn away at me, so my memory's not what it used to be...but I remember that much. Those hooded beings are extraterrestrials from beyond the clouds.

You mean they came from space?

It wasn't that uncommon to get visitors from the stars in the era I was born. That bucket of bolts and his friends were among 'em. They claimed to be life-forms gathering intelligence.

You can see what they were up to in the back room. If you're interested, I'll show you the way.

C'mon, follow me.

Well, she's got the star map in her head, so we don't have much choice.

Yeah...

Well, this is their secret little spot.

It looks like some sort of research facility. But what exactly were they researching?

To answer your question...

This.

That looks like a spiral mark and...what is that other thing?

I think the spiral is a base sequence. DNA.

D and A?

Think of it like a blueprint for all living things.

Calamity... Primordial... Sea... Planet... Evolution...

It's all written in an ancient language. It will take time to decipher it all.

It's the language used in the auric arts. I should be able to make it out.

You speak this hunk of junk's language?

Yes. I learned it from the materials the aurcanists use.

It seems like a journal of sorts...

"A calamity born of the primordial sea. We decided to unravel the mystery of the energy descended from the heavens."

So the calamity came from above, huh. Kinda like what happened when my world was destroyed.

"By studying this being akin to the planet, we may be able to uncover the secrets of life." "We want to understand evolution, the Gyre Melody, the brilliance of life that we, ungrowing and unchanging, cannot attain."

The secrets of life? I wonder if us demi- humans were part of that research.

"Our research has taught us several things. The first is that Spiralina brings destruction to the world in order to allay its pain." "It washes away all life upon its surface and restores elemental power to the world." "Another thing we discovered is that Spiralina cannot be controlled." "Once this planet cries for help again, the calamity will wake from its slumber." "Is there a way for us to combat this threat? At the very least, we can make a record of everything before all becomes naught..."

I didn't really get all that. Could you summarize it for me, darling?

As you wish, Princess!

"We captured the calamity to research it, but it was too much to handle. Our bad."

I wonder how good our odds are against something akin to the planet itself.

I mean, I think we're pretty screwed. It's like characters in a game trying to beat the developers. It just ain't possible. We live in different layers, so we can't even lay hands on it. Forget about a perfect ending, we can't even get a good one.

Even if we can't win, we have to try.

You're seriously gonna go up against that thing again? Even after your failtastic first try?

It must be quite the opponent to have bested Aldo.

And even if we don't have much of a chance, our odds of winning are higher if we at least put up a fight.

And we have to try, for Zestah, Brasah, and everyone else who disappeared.

You're fools. All of you.

That said, there's a difference between brave and brash. We need to have a strategy if we want a chance at winning. A chance like this one probably won't come along again.

You all shine so bright...

Fine. I've said my piece, and you know what you're up against. It's pointless for me to try and stop you. I don't know what your plan is, but I'll take you to the Astrarium.

(Things have gone from bad to worse again, but everyone's still so optimistic...)

(There's nothing an ordinary person like me could do to help them.) (I know even the dimmest stars have their place, so I won't say I'm worthless.) (But I can't hold a candle to their shine. I don't belong here.)

(Spiri, I'm finally starting to understand how you felt. It must have been so lonely on the outside, looking in...)

So if we go down from here, then...

To the Astrarium. We want to use the Astrolabos.

Yeah. We can't just accept things ending this way.

Hey, Mr. Curator. They don't need your sympathy.

I'd rather perish than stay frozen in a box somewhere. A proper death is proof that I lived.

I have no intention of dying, but I would much rather face my end than be preserved here.

We are well aware! You needn't repeat yourself!

We can't do that. Because even though the world is gone, we're still here.

And as long as we're alive, there's hope. So we can't give up!

Maybe not ahead of us. But...there is one behind us.

We're gonna use the Astrolabos to go to a time before the world ended.

If it's outta energy, then we've got an extra- special way to fix that.

It's super-duper simple too! Since there's no energy here, we'll just get it from somewhere else!

And if you need specifics, we're gonna take whatever's left from a world that's already gone under.

Though I cannot say I approve of robbing a corpse like this.

But we have little choice. No matter who bears a grudge against me, I must survive. I must find a way for my descendants to live.

I do feel bad about it, but we need to prioritize ourselves at the moment. There is someone in this world that I want to protect, and I must be alive to do it.

Yeah.

We have to keep trying, so long as we live.

......

Welp, looks like we lost. The world doesn't have much longer. So what's the plan?

If we use our powers, we could get outta here. Get to another world.

Thanks... But I can't do that. I'm going to stay and see it end with my own eyes.

Guess you're so fed up you're throwing in the towel, huh? Well, I can't blame you. I'm pretty beat myself...

I'm the only one who's staying.

What's that supposed to mean?

I think I'll send a vision to my other selves of the dangers facing the world. It's too late to save our home, but maybe there's still a chance for the others.

Whoa, that's so cool. You're like a superhero! Straight outta an old-timey movie.

But self-sacrifice is kinda passé, no? Right now, living for yourself's trendy. C'mon, what say we forget about the world and just enjoy a life on the run?

......

If we don't leave now, we'll die. This is our last chance.

I won't die. Not as long as you remember me and our home.

As the clan's leader, I'm ordering you to leave this place.

...That so?

I'm sorry we never got to go to that dessert buffet.

Why are you bringing that up now?

It's normal to apologize when breaking a promise to a friend.

Alright, I get it. I'll go.

But if you're really my friend, you wouldn't make me carry the weight of the world... and my best friend's life.

Mighty?

Whoopsie. Guess I feel asleep standing.

I'll explain everything at the Astrolabos. You guys go on ahead.

Seriously? What a time to be having flashbacks...

What's the matter, darling?

Well, I was just thinking that selling my home to live a little longer makes me a villain.

People who save the world are a git a dozen! But people who destroy the world? Those are special!

It makes me like you that much more, darling!

Heh, you've got a good eye for value!

...Are you really sure about this?

About what? Destroying a world to save our own butts?

Lemme think about it. Hmm... Yeah, I'm sure. You seem bothered enough for the both of us, though.

No matter what excuse we try to make, destroying another world is unforgiveable. But it's the only choice we have, so we have to bear the weight of it all.

You really don't change.

...... I think I told you before, but my abilities allow me to see possibilities through the eyes of myself in other worlds. Which means the destroyed world I saw was lived by another version of me.

Guess that's possible. The universe is a biiig place!

When we first met, you said the same thing, that I don't change. Did you come from that world I saw? The one that was destroyed?

Couldn't say. I can't remember all the details of my life.

Blah blah blah! Are you done yet?! Stay in your lane, mister! It's my job to look after my darling, not yours!

Yeah, and you've got a way of talking my ear off. My advice? Learn how to get to the point a little faster.

Now let's get to the Astrolabos.

You're so good at hiding your true emotions, it's actually quite sad...

Alright, boys and girls! I'm gonna explain our great big recycling plan today!

I'm a little old to be addressed as "boy," I think.

Does that bother you? Hmm... I suppose it is a little embarrassing, now that I think about it.

Quiet down, kiddies. Your teacher is speaking, so listen up!

Step 1: Mare and I open up a path to another world through the planet's dreams.

Step 2: Kamlanage uses his powers to resonate the worlds and connect them temporarily.

Step 3: The demi-humans and beastfolk use their elemental affinity to move all the energy to the Astrolabos.

Step 4: Rem starts up the Astrolabos when it has enough energy.

......

Easy-peasy lemon squeezy, right? An explanation needs to be tailored to its audience.

Did you hear that, Kamlanage?

I realize that I use a lot of metaphors, but I don't think they're that difficult to comprehend...

(I still don't think he gets it...)

Now that we're all up to speed, let's move on to the main event!

Time to destroy a world!

(Hey, Kamlanage...)

(I'm gonna put the last nail in the coffin. I'm gonna end our world, our home, so that people remember it existed.)

(So when it's gone, just know it wasn't 'cause you couldn't save it.) (It's 'cause a monster like me robbed it of everything it had.)

Is it open?

It's not very stable, but...yeah, it's open. All we have to do now is look through these dreams and find a world to connect...

(I can't find the markers I left when coming here...) (Does that mean my world's...already gone?)

(Dammit!)

Concentrate.

I can show you the world I saw so many times in my dreams. Would that help?

Yeah... I think so.

...There it is!

But we've got a slight problem.

What's that?

It's starting to close! It might be on the verge of dying. We won't be able to get much energy out of it, and it might end up dying on us before we have enough!

That's more than a slight problem!

Vares, Myrus. I need to change forms to draw more energy from the planet.

Yes, sir!

Isn't there anything we can do?

Just existing here is enough for us. So stay calm and believe in them, Lovinia.

Everyone's trying so hard...

They're trying to wring every last drop of energy out of that world, but the Astrolabos still won't move.

How embarrassing.

How can you say that?! They're doing everything they can!

So what? We did too, but it still wasn't enough to save the world. It's pointless.

I won't give up. Ogre Rancorem! Can't you open up the portal any wider?

I doubt it will have much effect, but you are welcome to try.

You really are fools... Still...

R-Rem?

I'm leaving the Astrolabos to you. And I'm going to transfer my powers to your friend.

Move. I'll show you what the power of the ancients can do.

What are you doing? I thought you were mad at us.

Of course I am. But you're still trying, even if all that's left is despair. It's ridiculous and pitiful, like watching someone struggle through a bottomless swamp. So pitiful...it made me wanna help.

And I'm a fool too, so I don't mind using the last of my power to do it.

The last of, wait!

Please don't let the spiral of life that began with us break. I'm entrusting you with the future we couldn't reach...!

Rem!

No... Rem...

What's with the face, Chelika?

Is that you...Spiri?

Yeah, seems like Rem saved me. I still don't get her.

I...I'm so glad you're back. I was so worried! You never answered, no matter how many times I called you!

Sorry, but I promise I heard you.

I was happy to hear you say my name.

Spiri...

C'mon, we can have our happy reunion later. We gotta get the Astrolabos working!

Don't worry. I know I can do it. And this time, it'll work for sure!

Please, take us back to a time before the calamity!

Huh? Something seems...different this time.

I don't know that I've ever seen a wormhole that big...

AHHHHHH!

Where are we?

No clue, but...looks like the world's still intact.

That's good news... It means we succeeded.

Now if we can prevent the calamity from waking up, we can return the world to normal.

Guildna. What do you think of this place?

It may be hard to believe, but the air itself is teeming with elemental energy. This may be the era where deities yet roamed the earth...

You could call it the Age of the Gods.