Spirit of Heaven, Spirit of the Underworld

A son of a devil? What do you mean?

I know you really care about your brother, the Otohime. So why would you call him such a thing?

Milsha, you seem to really care about your brother. So why would you call him such a thing?

Um... Leviathan was originally considered a god in this town, was he not? I cannot get my head around why you would label the child he raised, a devil.

It's natural to feel that way considering our religion.

But if there are gods you depend upon, there can also be gods you fear. For the latter, it would be no exaggeration to say a god and a devil are basically the same thing.

Melina's exactly right. That's just how they refer to Poseichi here.

I hated callin' him that at first.

But I thought about it, and if I was the only one who didn't call him that... It would be like sayin' I didn't love Poseichi since he was bein' brought up by Leviathan.

However he's still my little brother, and I love him. So I refer to him as the rest of the city does.

It's okay. You don't need to explain. I can tell how you feel just by looking at you.

Oh... Hehe. Thank you, that makes me so happy to hear.

Hey, Milsha. Am I imaginin' things, or are you blushin'?

Milsha's gonna marry me one day! Me! You'd all do well to keep that in mind!

Oh, that reminds me! I was so flustered, I completely forgot to ask! You were asking something like "What's a singer of the Stifling Song doin' here..."

Does that mean one of you can sing it, too?

Yes, that would be me! I can sing it...

But so can Mel here! So that makes three of us.

Mistrare and Melina were rather shocked when they realized they both could sing it.

Wow! I heard it was passed down from the Winged People, so I kinda expected her to be able to.

But humans can sing it, too? No wonder you were surprised to find out a mermaid like me can sing it!

Did your ancestors learn it from the Winged People long ago, like mine?

I don't know. I was taken in by the church when I was young, so I don't even know what my parents looked like.

Oh I'm so sorry! I had no idea... I've made things awkward, haven't I?

It's fine. It doesn't really bother me. But I've been able sing it ever since I can remember, of that I'm certain.

There are three people who can sing the Stifling Song. Yet the one it's intended for cannot hear it... How vexing.

You said the key to the door of the Spirit Sanctuary is missing?

If we can't get to the spirit, there's no point in standing around here talking.

We can't give up so soon. Not when we've achieved nothing. We need information. Could you show us the door to this Spirit Sanctuary?

Sure... But this time there really is nothin' there. I am the Singer, so I have the right to decide whether or not to show you the Spirit Sanctuary...

It would be faster to just show 'em.

Well yeah... Fine, I'll lead you there. Come!

Good. But before that...

Noah, why don't you stay here?

Bleep...?

It's not like you to leave Noah behind. Has something happened?

Ever since we got here, it keeps running off. I'm pretty sure it's been bothering Clarte.

Haha... I wouldn't say it's been bothering me...

But it does seem to have been showing a special interest in the Spirit Sanctuary.

It certainly seems more excitable than usual. I'd think twice about taking it somewhere bound to get it worked up.

Hmm okay. Then I agree with leaving Noah behind. But...

Moke! You should stay here with Noah! Keep it company.

Blepple?!

Blep-blipple...

Poor Moke... It looks so sad...

You don't need to worry about Noah. We won't be long, it's hardly going to get lonely.

Hmph! I'm not doing this for Noah.

If Noah's getting over-excited, then Moke's bound to get even more over-excited!

Bleeep!

Tsk poor things. We'll be back soon, you two be good and wait here.

Now we've sorted out who's going... Will you take us to the Spirit Sanctuary, Milsha?

Okay! First, we're headin' east of the town!

So this is the Spirit Sanctuary? It's so much bigger than I thought!

I heard there are obstructions all over the place to make sure nobody can sneak in and see the spirit.

Well, we can't even sneak in yet...

Wait! Look at the pattern on the door!

There's a similar emblem embroidered on your clothes, right?

There's a rather unique design on Mistrare's clothes, yes?

And on Clarte's...

Butt! Yes, the very same design!

It's the same design as Mistrare and I have on our clothes!

Y-You're right! That can't be a coincidence.

Yeah. That's no coincidence. I heard that when my ancestors built this Spirit Sanctuary, they did so under the direction of a Winged Person.

A Winged Person was directing the merfolk? How did that happen?

Um...

They ain't gonna understand unless you explain about the foundin' of Atlantica.

I know it's a pain, but I think you're gonna have to tell 'em, Milsha.

I-I know...

I guess I'll have to, then. But brace yourselves, it's a long story!

That's fine. We'll listen to anything if it helps us get to the spirit.

Okay then... Ahem...

Thousands of years ago... Leviathan had total control over the Crimson Vastsea. All creatures of the sea led their lives in fear. The mermaids were no exception.

But one day, the Crimson Vastsea suddenly split in two, creatin' the valley between the seas.

Leviathan is a god of the sea. His power does not extend to the valley between the seas... So species started to adapt to this place in order to escape from Leviathan's grasp.

So your ancestors, the mermaids, they left the sea back then?

Yep. The town they lived in became the Atlantica you see before you.

Havin' left the sea, my ancestors were now able to live happily, free from the terror of Leviathan. But...the peace didn't last long. After a few generations, the valley between the seas started to close in, little by little.

Once it'd closed up entirely, obviously everyone had to go back into the sea. If it was just a question of returnin' under Leviathan's control, that would have been bearable... But he was never goin' to forgive those who'd fled.

Durin' this hopeless time, they discovered a winged woman near the town. She had collapsed...

She was tattered all over...

And it looked like she was with child.

A Winged Person with child?! That must be...

Was her name Judith, by any chance?

Huh? How'd you know that? Yeah, that was her name all right.

Come to think of it, I seem to remember you mentionin' Judith when you arrived in town...

So Judith survived when she fell into Giant's Claw!

Then did they also find a man named Howlo?

Hm... No, I've never heard that name. As far as I know, she was the only one to turn up in Atlantica.

Anyway, all the mermaids from the town came together to help, and they healed Judith's wounds. Miraculously, she was even able to deliver her baby without any complications...

Judith was so grateful that she taught the mermaids about the technology from a place called paradise.

Ah... So that's why there's so many state-of-the-art devices around town.

Right. Though we've not exactly mastered how to use any of them.

Judith also told us the reason why the Crimson Vastsea split and formed the valley between the seas...

The reason why it split...?

Yeah. She said that this seemingly impossible thing was caused by the shade spirit.

Wait...the shade spirit caused the sea to split?!

Ah, I see. I thought it was strange... That the shade spirit's power hadn't manifested itself visibly as with the thunder and crystal spirits.

This place seems to have an equal mix of thunder and crystal powers.

It's as if the thunder and crystal powers were copied and are now growing naturally.

The only thing I'm worried about is...

Is if the shade spirit is up ahead, then why can't we see its influence at all?

So we were wrong to assume the shade spirit's power hadn't manifested itself. It's being manifested all the time, in the splitting of the sea.

Now you mention it, unlike on land, keeping the sea split would need some kind of continual power. I'm so used to the fact that the Crimson Vastsea is divided north and south that it never even crossed my mind.

But if the spirit caused the sea to split, then does the fact that it closed up mean the spirit's power had decreased?

No, I don't think so. It's just that the spirit had reverted to its original nature. At least, that's what Judith said.

Original nature? You mean as a spirit of the underworld?

Umm I'm not sure. I'm not exactly an expert on this period, to be honest with you...

But anyway, Judith found the spirit deep underground and she sang it the Stifling Song... And that caused the once closed-up valley between the seas to return to how it was before.

That leads us back to how we started, right? That this Spirit Sanctuary was built under the direction of a Winged Person...

Yeah, exactly. Everythin' in this town was left to us by Judith, as thanks for savin' her life.

The paradise technology in town, the location of the spirit, this Spirit Sanctuary...

And the Stifling Song.

Yeah...that as well.

It's said to take a lot of magic power to sing the Stifling Song properly.

It's rather fortunate that there's still someone here who was able to inherit this ability.

There are only two Winged People able to sing it, are there not? And they are the descendants of the People of Paradise. Thank heavens it has been passed down this far, to your generation, Sister Milsha.

Well, it can't have been all that difficult to pass down. What with mermaids reproducing asexually...

Reproducing...asexually...?

It's where one female alone creates the child. I did a little bit of digging around town, and that's what I heard. Personality will depend on the environment, but appearance and abilities are entirely inherited from the previous generation.

You have a curious tendency to find out the weirdest things, Rosetta...

Tee-hee... Information gathering is basically the lifeline of an inquisitor!

She's right. My mother sang the Stifling Song, and her mother before her. The Singer is the only mermaid allowed to enter the Spirit Sanctuary. They're entrusted with rearin' the key, too.

R-Rearing? Rearing the key? What's that supposed to mean?

Oh, haven't I told you that yet?

The key is actually an animal with strong magical powers. Or more precisely, the key is based on a magic different to that of humans, unique to animals. The Spirit Sanctuary door reacts with this magic when the Singer uses the secret password told only to them.

It will only respond to incredibly strong magic. In these parts, the Hippocampus is the only being other than Leviathan who's up to the task.

Hm so this Hippocampus acts as the key? This is far more complicated than simply turning a physical key inside a keyhole...

I feel like I've heard the name Hippocampus before...

Wait. Wasn't that the animal Otohime was riding?

Yeah, that's right! I am sorry for all the trouble he caused you before, Aldo.

Um... Milsha...

If Hippocampus had been returned to you back then, would you now be able to open this door?

Oh...

I-It's fine! I couldn't have left Poseichi all on his own in such a lonely place!

And...

Oh, it's nothin'...

You looked like you were about to remember something...

Anyway... Why would anyone need such a secure key? If you lose it, you'll never be able to open the door again. Why would they use such a risky strategy?

Well... I've not been told in much detail, so I don't really get it either. But... I think Judith was scared about the other Winged People bein' able to open it.

Ah, that makes sense.

Judith must have felt in constant danger from Those Bearing Wings... The spell on those between heaven and earth may have prevented them from going up, but not down.

She must have feared the possibility of the other Winged People leaving their valley and stealing the spirit of this land.

Poor Judith...

Mistrare...

You're descended from Those Bearing Wings. Let's stop talking about this.

Okay. Thank you, Mel.

Ah, I get it. So there were two reasons why you were looking for your little brother.

The first was because he's family, and you want to make sure he's safe...

And the second was to get back Hippocampus, the key to the Spirit Sanctuary, so you could save your town!

No, that's not it. Well, the first thing you said was right, but not the second.

Huh?

But surely the sea will close in before long? Won't Atlantica become submerged in the sea?

It looks that way. And meanwhile, the spirit's power is destabilizing. I wouldn't be surprised if all gets used up...

That doesn't matter... I've never really felt like protectin' this town.

It deserves to be submerged underwater and returned to Leviathan's control.

Milsha...

Blipple-blep! Bleep!

Huh? Was that...

Bluuuup!

Hey, Moke! I thought I told you to wait like a good pet!

*sigh* Even Moke's interrupting us. Now who does that remind me of? If only it'd stay calm like Noah...

You know, Melina... It looks like it's not just Moke?

Bleep! Blipple!

No... Noah, not you too?!

Hey! Stop scratching that door!

Honestly... What's gotten into it? It's always been a smart one...

Blup?

Anyway, as I was sayin'. I'm goin'.

H-Hey! Milsha, wait!

She doesn't want to protect her town? That is concerning. Well, I'm sure she has her reasons.

We can't just leave her. Come on, we should follow her.

Maybe she went home. Follow me.

Th-This is Milsha's home?! It's the biggest house in the whole town!

The Singer's the most important position in town. This is the Singer's ancestral home.

Hey, Milsha! You in there?!

Urgh, Minchy?! What're you doin' here?!

Sorry Milsha... But I can't leave things as they are. It's gonna end in trouble, I just know it. So just once more. Will ya listen to what I've got to say?

......

Fine. There's no point standin' out there. Come in.

It's even more amazing in here than it was out there!

Aren't your parents in? Or, I guess it's just your mom, since mermaids don't couple up?

My mom's missin'...

Oh... I'm sorry...

(This is just as awkward as it was before, with Melina...)

This may be none of our business... But why don't you want to save this town? Does it have something to do with your mother?

......

You should tell 'em. I'm sure it will help you put your mind at rest.

*sigh* I know. It was wrong of me to run off when we were talkin'.

You see, my mom... After she gave birth to me... She met a man from another species.

As you mentioned before... We Atlantica mermaids basically just reproduce asexually. We get pregnant once in our lives with an exact copy of ourselves, and that's all there is to it.

But there's one exception. If you mate with another species... It's said that when that happens, the child will be born a boy.

And that did happen, with your brother Poseichi.

Milsha... You said before that he was cast out. That was for being a boy, right?

Does that mean the people of Atlantica consider it a bad omen for a male to be born?

Yeah... That's why it's taboo to mate with another species. There aren't any detailed records left, but I think there was trouble in the past.

Was Poseichi persecuted?

Not at first. Folklore is just folklore, after all. There was hardly anyone prejudiced against him for bein' a boy. My mother may have done somethin' taboo, but her role as the Singer meant she managed to avoid a harsh punishment. I was still only little, and it would've caused havoc if they lost the only person able to sing to the spirit.

But...problems started to arise right after Poseichi was born.

Everyone believed Leviathan had given up on the valley between the seas... But out of nowhere, he started meddlin' with Atlantica. He toured incredibly close and sent in those gross monsters... Then rumors went around that it was because mom had broken the taboo. Folks started to treat Poseichi and mom badly...

Then one day, a few years later... Poseichi and mom weren't in when I came home. I searched the whole town but couldn't find them anywhere... Then I found Poseichi's shoes near the waterfall, and somethin' inside me just broke.

Everyone in town said mom had killed herself and Poseichi out of guilt for her sin. But that day was Poseichi's birthday. She'd got him presents and everythin'...

It does indeed seem unlikely she would have been planning something like that.

That's what I think. Maybe mom had served her purpose since I was able to sing the Stifling Song. Everyone from town drove them out. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that could be the only explanation.

......

So I left Atlantica. I hated the idea of usin' the Stifling Song taught to me by my mother, to help those who cast her out. But it was so hard wanderin' around aimlessly. So I decided to dive into the sea and search for them.

That's when she met me.

Right. He's been helpin' me out ever since we became friends.

Maybe because we've been together this whole time, but Minchy's way of talkin's started to rub off on me.

But even workin' together, we still couldn't find them.

I tried to hint that we should give up. Leviathan isn't the type to forgive the descendants of those who fled from him.

I knew in my head that he was right. But I felt like my heart would break if I gave up on them.

But then I suddenly got some big news!

Big news...?

Minchy told me that Poseichi had come to Atlantica! I rushed back there as fast as I could. And then...

Ooooh! You had a long-awaited emotional reunion with your brother?!

Sittin' on Hippocampus' back was some muscle head I didn't recognize!

What?!

Hm... Setting aside the muscle for now... Doesn't Hippocampus have incredibly strong magical powers, second only to Leviathan?

Of course! If Hippocampus doesn't want you to ride him, you're not ridin' him.

In other words, only someone Hippocampus is attached to could ever ride him.

Yeah, exactly. And Poseichi'd been helpin' me take care of Hippocampus ever since he was little...

This mysterious muscle head was a fully-grown Poseichi. I was shocked at how much he'd grown, but I knew those eyes, and I knew that face.

That's when I remembered. The one my mom loved was a titan, and they're so much bigger than mermaids or humans. Poseichi left without sayin' a word. I don't even know if he recognized me.

So you didn't see him again until your reunion at the Dragon Palace?

So you've been looking for him this whole time?

Wait. You mentioned something about love, didn't you?

Oh my... Are you getting curious about the idea, Thillelille? You must be growing up...

N-No, it's not like that! Thillelille just remembered that tablet from before. That also mentioned love...

Tee-hee I was just teasing. I was thinking the same thing.

Oh... You mean the monolith we found in Uncharted Region Verdot?

Monolith? What are you talkin' about?

Far west from here... There's a deep trench called Giant's Claw, just off from the valley between the seas. We came through there to get here... On the way, we found a monolith with some writing on it.

You think it could have been Milsha's mother who wrote that?

Hey, Milsha, why don't you come take a look at it?

Um...

What should I do? My mother... I guess I unconsciously gave up on her after Poseichi showed up alone in Atlantica... If she left behind this monolith... Do I even deserve to read it?

She's your mother. There's no question of whether you deserve to read it. And...I don't think the only way to repay your mom is to just keep looking for her in the hopes she's alive.

Right, Mil?

Mil...?

Misty always gives the most wonderful nicknames! She calls me Thilly.

Melina is Mel, and Aldo is Al. Rosetta is Rose, and I'm Clary.

And full disclosure, I'm Mr. Fiery Friar.

Haha, what's up with that? Why's it just you with a weird name?

Oh, laughin' is makin' me feel a little more relaxed.

Thanks, Mistrare. Can I call you Misty?

Hehe, of course. It's Thilly who gave me that nickname.

Really? It's nice feelin' so close with you. So...

What was that shaking?

Don't worry about it. It happens every now and then.

So... Will you take me to this monolith thing?

Of course! No trouble at all!

Let's go retrace our footsteps then!

......

The time is right. I'm preparin' myself for the worst. I don't think we've got much time left...

I do not regret my love. Compared to the distance you have traveled, it is really nothing at all. And yet... And still... It was a unique adventure for me. I know this will never be read by you... Yet as proof of my adventure, I write this in my last moments.

How come you can read all that blurred writing?!

Well...we have the same handwriting.

B-But what it said...

Yeah. It looks like it was written by my mom to the man she loved. That man was incredibly rare for a titan, travelin' the world, when they're said to spend their lives above the trees.

So she wrote this for the father... Not for you...

I'm sorry... I thought we'd be able to work out what at least some of it meant...

It's fine. If my mom was thinkin' about him until her last moments... Then she must have really been in love.

Mil...

We mermaids have been told a lot of stories... My favorite was the one about a mermaid who turned into a bubble and disappeared after fallin' in love with another species. I know we're taught to never love another species... But there's somethin' so appealin' about it. Like mother, like daughter, I guess... I hope my mom...was happy...

The monolith's reacting to your tears?!

I won't... Thank you, Mom...

So it wasn't the town that drove out my mom and brother? Th-Then who would do such a thing?

(I have a hunch. But it's best it doesn't come from me...)

......

I guess it's time.

It was me, Milsha.

Minchy...?

I'm sorry I never told you. I was Leviathan's spy.

Why admit to this now, when you've kept it secret all this time?

It looked like you'd worked it out. When did you realize?

It first weighed on my mind when Milsha was talking about her brother's appearance. When she saw him again, he'd grown so much that even she, his sister, was barely able to recognize him. And yet you were the one who told her he was there. So how come you were able to recognize him?

Minchy told me that Poseichi had come to Atlantica!

Sittin' on Hippocampus' back was some muscle head I didn't recognize!

Since it was only hearsay, I didn't point it out. But thinking about it now, I'm guessing that Milsha herself was so excited by this long-awaited news that she didn't notice.

I see. It's actually a relief.

(A relief...?)

Listen, Milsha... It was me who lured Poseichi into the sea, temptin' him with half-truths...

And it was me who baited your mother with your brother's location, only to lure her in the very opposite direction. Everythin' I did was as per Leviathan's orders...

Minchy... You're jokin', right? If you really did, what's the point in admittin' to it now?

......

At the time, I didn't know the significance of my actions. When I saw you left behind, that's when I first realized the gravity of what I'd done...

What brought you to do it, Minchy?

I'm just a fish. I'd never even considered goin' against the top of the sea ecosystem. Despite appearances, Leviathan is incredibly intelligent. He knew full well about Atlantica with those divine powers of his... He's not just some enormous fish. He's been god of the seas for tens of thousands of years.

Tens of thousands of years, you say? If he's been alive that long, there's a strong possibility he saw the shade spirit split the sea...

If all Singers disappear, the spirit will not be calmed, and the sea will close up. Was that his aim all along?

That's right. I was part of his vanguard. Naturally, my next job was to kidnap Milsha. That was my mission.

But...I suddenly got scared of what I'd done. I was able to make excuses to myself, that I was just followin' orders... But if I continued, then Milsha... After much distress, I decided to ignore all my next orders and devote myself to Milsha. I pretended not to know anythin' and attached myself to her like a partner.

Milsha was willin' to jump into any danger to try and find her family. If I took my eyes off her for a second, she'd disappear. So I kept on givin' made up reports to Leviathan. I didn't care that it made me look incompetent. I just had to avoid distancin' myself completely from Leviathan.

Heavens! How could you be so indecisive?

Calm down, Prai. We already know why he did that.

Already...?

Remember what Milsha told us when we arrived in town? That her brother is a son of a devil who was raised by Leviathan?

Then...

I wanted to stay where I could see Milsha's beloved brother, to make sure he was safe. In the end, goin' between Milsha and Leviathan turned me into a terrible snake.

Was her brother brainwashed by Leviathan?

Honestly, yeah. Poseichi had been skeptical of Leviathan at first.

But Leviathan put thoughts in his head and gave him all kinds of ideas, so little by little, he started to hate Atlantica. I'm but a powerless fish. There was nothin' I could do... And so I waited... Until the day Leviathan sent Poseichi to Atlantica.

I'm sorry I'm so worthless that I can't even give you back half of what I stole... Do with me as you wish.

......

Somewhere in my heart, I always knew the Minchy obsessed with marryin' me wasn't the real you. But I'm not goin' to do anythin' to you. You're my friend, Minchy...

I knew you'd say that. But I'm sorry, Milsha. What I've done is beyond forgiveness.

Minchy...?

Listen, Milsha. Now you know I'm to blame, there's no need to hate the townsfolk. It's your job to sing the Stifling Song to that spirit. There's no reason to begrudge 'em that now.

But...without a key to the Spirit Sanctuary, how can I...

In all these years, I've never actually felt jealous of Poseichi. My magic ain't very strong. It brings me no pride sayin' this, but I'm a weaklin'. But I spent a lot of time with Leviathan, the being with the strongest magic in the whole sea... You get what I'm sayin'?

So you could work? As a key to the Spirit Sanctuary?

Right... The way to unlock the Spirit Sanctuary is actually pretty simple. You just use the power of an animal with strong magical ability and sing the words taught only to the Singers.

Right, Milsha?

Um...

This will only work the one time. If you combine my life with the magic I've stored up...

Your life?! Out of the question!

Blepple-blip?!

Not this shaking again? It seems more intense than before!

It's time. That's the sound of the valley between the seas closin' in. It's all over unless we get to the Spirit Sanctuary and you sing the spirit your song.

But...I know full well that you'll try and talk me out of this.

I'll be fine on my own. I already know the password.

Minchy?! Wait, Minchy!

Does he really know the password?

I never told him... And my mom told me back when Poseichi was still a baby...

If he really does know, he's ready to put his life on the line.

We've got to chase after him. Quick, to the Spirit Sanctuary!

Phew...I finally made it.

Looks like it's not gonna respond.

I don't value my life. It'd be a relief if I could put it to use here.

My pursuers are still comin'. It was wrong of me to cling to life all this time. This is where I end.

Milsha's made some good friends. I don't need to worry that she'll disappear if I'm not watchin' out for her anymore. Farewell, Milsha. May you find happiness.

Okay then. Time to go to paradise...

Nooo!

If you sacrifice yourself, any peace we find will be a lie! It's not fair of you to downright lie about the future of us mermaids! You blockheaded fish!

Who're you callin' a blockhead?! Your town's gonna be submerged! There's no time to think up a better plan!

There must be another way. Now I have them...

Look! You've gotta face reality! The door only responds to immense magical power...

It's...reactin'? To that blue creature...

I'm sorry, Milsha. I think we may have misunderstood you.

Your way of thinking works with how we do things. Let us help you!

And sorry, Noah. You weren't getting worked up for nothing after all.

Milsha... Do you think it will open if it's reacting like this?

Yeah! I'm sure of it!

Um...Noah?

Do you think you could help me out?

Blipple! Blup!

Whaat?! Didn't he understand what I said?!

Noah tends to be on the cautious side...

Oh... All right...

Then, could you stay with me, Melina, and take Noah along with you?

Will that be okay?

Structurally, it should be...

Let's give it a try, anyhow. We're runnin' out of time!

Then let's go.

The Song of Sword... and Wings of Lost Paradise!

(Wings of Lost Paradise?!)

Here we go!

Whoa! The immovable door just opened!

M-My Moke could've done that... We just let you do it this time!

Blepple?

You did well. I never realized you had so much power, Noah...

Blipple-blep!

Holy mackerel! How did I fail to die...

Promise me, Slimy. Promise me you won't throw your life away so easily.

I could say that, but there's no meanin' to my life anymore...

What are you talkin' about? You have a dream, don't you?

A...dream...?

Oh, you're right! To marry you!

Not happenin'.

Y-You're kiddin'! That was the perfect time for me to propose! If you're gettin' your own back, you should go after that blue guy!

Teehee... Your self-aware ventin' is unrivalled! If your dream was to come true, things might be like this again.

Th-Then you're doin' this for me...?

I don't know! Now let's drop this, shall we?

No fair!

Now we actually can get inside the Spirit Sanctuary!

Speaking of which, do you know your way around inside, Milsha?

No, I've never been in before. I'd only just taken over as Singer from my mom when I began to suspect the townsfolk...

But thankfully, that suspicion's now been lifted. If I can just calm the spirit, I should be able to save the town!

Yes, I'm sure of it.

Let's go! Let's make sure the shade spirit hears your song!

After all that, you came.

Tell us, is Clary right? Are you messengers of the spirit?

Messengers...? Conceptually, you're not far off.

We are both sides of the Pillar of the Underworld Spirit, the shade spirit. We are the spirit itself, not messengers.

You are the shade spirit?!

I see. You're more important than I'd thought.

This may be a foolish question, but... The Phantom Elementals said there were never any underworld spirits on this planet.

And yet here you are, an underworld spirit, existing in Zerberiya Continent as though it's nothing to marvel at. Are you...well, we heard the crystal spirit wasn't in needed in paradise and abandoned here...

We are the same as the crystal spirit. When that civilization was still in its infancy, they developed the Stifling Song in order to rewrite us as a heavenly spirit.

They kept it secret, wrapped up in a nice-sounding word like "calming"... A more accurate description of the song you came here to sing would be "brainwashing"...

Brain...washing?

I don't know about the other two spirits... But we have been freed from that brainwashing. The fact that we appear as two contrary figures is proof of that. We're so close now...

So I'll tell you once more. Return home without singing that song.

I see... Then...the Stifling Song is essentially no different from the Stifling Chain... It's just a mechanism to distort a spirit for our own convenience and exploit it...

Indeed. And the crystal spirit stored in that vessel of a man knows the Stifling Chain all too well, does it not?

You know the crystal spirit lies inside me?

Of course. It was squeezed dry and worn down as if there was no heaven or underworld...

We won't deny that. We were unaware of what was happening, but we still benefited from its exploitation.

My mother... Did she know all this when she sang the Stifling Song?

If I told you that, would you go home?

Umm...well...

Thought so... The true meaning of the Stifling Song was lost a long time ago. It's only recently that I've been able to surface as an underworld spirit.

But it's not important whether she knew or not.

What's important is that I am the original shade spirit...

And he represents qualities added afterwards at the convenience of man. You know which of us is to be revered, don't you?

As he says, I am the embodiment of qualities created by the Stifling Song. And yet, here I am, existing.

To selfishly create me and then abandon me here... Who could do such a thing?

So the main question is... What were you planning to do with us when you came to this altar? To sing or not to sing... Those are your only two choices.

I-I...

Nrgh?! The shaking is worse than before!

Water's seeping into the room! The valley between the seas is closin' up as we speak!

Oh no... We don't have time to think...

As vexing as it is, we can't use the Stifling Song. We'll have to leave this to you.

Milsha!

(I...I can't choose)

Melina...Misty! What should I do...

Stop that, Milsha! You can't leave this town to someone else, not even your friends!

Minchy?!

Until just recently, you've misjudged your town, and it was all my fault... You didn't have time to think about your town as its Singer. Even though you were born and raised here... So you two! You have to leave this decision to Milsha!

Don't be stupid. I...

I was always planning on leaving this to Milsha.

Mel! I was thinking the same thing! And this wasn't your fault, Minchy.

It's Leviathan who's to blame for all this!

And it's Milsha who has the right and responsibility to decide whether or not to sing. Please make this decision on your own. Have no regrets...

G-Got it!

Hehe... Looks like the odds are against me.

But don't forget. The one with the right to decide our will as the shade spirit...

Ngh!

So this is the true form of the shade spirit?

Is this shade power? It seems somewhat familiar...

Oh no! He's targeting the Singers!

Thillelille will stop him!

Aaaaahh!

Thillelille?!

O divine, please protect the Winged Child! Keep her safe, for she is the hope of these lands!

It's all my fault... If it wasn't for me...

So...that's what it was.

I finally understand why this power felt so familiar.

It's the power of my nemesis...

Melina! You've changed again?!

I-Is that really you, Melina?!

So that monster received its power from this shade spirit?

If your defense is broken with thunder power, then even normal attacks can work against you.

Yes, but it should still be enough. My goal is not to defeat you.

Milsha, that should earn you some time. Take as long as you need to think this over. This should make up for all the time Leviathan stole by putting you through such distress!

Thank you, Melina. But it's all right!

While everyone was fightin', I worked out the answer. Here I go!

We'll lessen your burden in whatever way we can! We're with you!

There's no way I can withdraw, not when a spirit lives inside me.

Don't forget Thillelille...

It's not my style to get knocked down by such a measly thing.

And I'll be your shield! I'll make sure it doesn't touch you!

And if it tries to strike from behind, I'll stop its magic attacks.

Let's go. We can stop the shade spirit!

Clary!

Mistrare!

I...I can't spread my wings!

Urgh... Flying isn't going to work... Going against such a flawless spirit, I've realized how weak the crystal spirit must have been in comparison...

If you can't fight from the air, we've gotta do this on land! Aldo!

Got it, Thillelille!

Wh-What's happening? What's this force...?

I can barely hold myself up!

Um... If both the land and sky are out, is it time for the sea?!

No, I can hold it off.

I'm sorry... That's all the magic I've got left. Have you decided what to do?

Well...

I just need to check somethin'. Is the spirit inside you dead or alive, Clarte?

I'm its vessel. The crystal spirit may have lost its physical form, but it still breathes inside me... That's why I could feel the shade spirit's presence.

I see. Okay, thanks!

Have you decided, Milsha?

Yeah! My decision is...

Oh no... The water's flooding in?!

(Everyone!)

(It's all my fault. Why'd I have to be so indecisive?)

(And yet, I...I'm not defeated yet!) (My decision is neither black nor white!)

*splutter* (I can't breathe!)

(What the?! I can hear a voice in the water...)

(Is someone singing?) (Even if Milsha sacrifices the spirit's original form, her town will still...) (But then, what was her last question about?)

(Oh, I think I understand... Then this singing will...)

Urgh the Stifling Song! I-I'm starting to fade!

And yet I'm starting to become more defined. I've never heard of anyone being able to sing underwater, not even the fishfolk.

Hehe... What a banal choice... She decided to brainwash me yet save the other. All that agonizing over such a disappointing decision.

I guess I'm going to disappear again. Fine. At best, you'll be serving them like a slave...

The song's over...?

*cough* *splutter*

We survived?

The spirit?!

They're both alive!

What's the meaning of this? We've just gone back to the start. What are you trying to do?

You're wrong! I choose you both. This is my decision!

Please, Clarte. The child...

It's okay, I know what to do. I've been waiting for this moment!

You... I'm taking with within myself!

What?! The vessel?!

Listen here! You can't keep two spirits in one vessel!

We won't know that until I try. Besides...

This vessel isn't quite full yet.

Amazing... He absorbed my fragment...

You saved me... And you saved him as well.

I couldn't think of anythin' but this... I'm sorry for puttin' you through so much trouble, Clarte... I'm still not sure whether this was the right choice.

The best choice is never perfect. What's important is that you can be proud in your decision... So have a little confidence in yourself.

It's not during your decision, it's afterwards that...

Ngh?!

Clarte!

He's now got four wings?! How?!

Urrghh... Aaaahhhh!

*huff* *huff*

It looks like you're feeling better now. What happened...?

Sorry for worrying you. I'm okay now.

You who do not sing the Stifling Song, why did you come here?

To protect the Singer? Or did you have your own reasons?

We came looking for god's blessings.

We wanted you to save our church, if you have any power left...♪

I'm sorry...I am but a fragment. It's all I can do to maintain this valley between the seas.

I understand...

But we can't go back empty-handed. Is there anything else you could do?

Now you mention it...your wings, are they those of the People of Paradise?

My wings? Yes. I believe I am descended from them...

Really? Then perhaps your wings will respond to this...

It's that design again!

You can go further. Even deeper inside this building...

Welcome to the storehouse of past memories...

Where are we?

I don't know either. My mom never told there was a room like this...

There's something further in. Noah seems quiet, so I don't think it's a trap...

Let's go. But be careful...

Phew... All these complicated traps are making my head hurt.

It's great that we got inside, but getting to the heart of this place certainly is a struggle.

Come to think of it... How did you know the password, Minchy?

That was from the gracious Poseichi. He has titan blood, meanin' he grows much faster than humans or mermaids. He still had pretty clear memories from when he was a baby... And he heard Leviathan say it.

What?! Poseichi can remember that far back?! You think he remembers all the times I used to tease him?!

Huh?

Is something wrong, Sister Thillelille?

I thought I heard a voice...

A voice?

My, my, Thillelille. You're not trying to imitate Clarte, are you?

No way! Thillelille heard a child's voice!

A child? Sorry. I can only hear spirit voices.

Really? You mean no one else heard it?

Seems that way. I was too focused on looking out for monsters.

Are you trying to say Thillelille wasn't paying attention?!

Urgh can't you be quiet? I never said that...

Perhaps, Thillelille...

This is all a little too scary for you. Are you feeling nervous?

Nervous?! O-Of course not!

Look how calm Thillelille is!

I'm so focused that I could hear a voice no one else could hear...

Right, Prai?

S-Sister Thillelille... B-Behind you...

Behind me? Don't give Thillelille that! You're my inferior! It's so impertinent of you to try to scare me like this!

No way no how is there something scary behind...

Y... Y...

Yipes! It's here?!

Listen... My existence here won't be long...

If I disappear, the realm of order and the valley between the seas will disappear along with me. So save me. Before it's too late...

Who are you?

I am a fragment... A fragment of an unsettled being who sways between order and chaos...

We can be found deep within this place. You will sing again, right? When we hear your song, we will become one again. We can return as one pure being...

What do you mean by "return"? What one being?

She must discover the rest. We'll be waiting...

Who in the world was that child?

Clearly he was no ordinary dimensional being. He didn't seem to mean us any harm...

Yes... You're right. Noah didn't even try to warn us like normal.

He asked us to sing again... That's what he said, right?

And that they're deep within this place. Do you think it's got anythin' to do with the spirit?

I don't know. But we should keep going just in case. Be careful though.

Bliiiip! Blepple! Blup!

Noah's trying to warn us? I don't see any signs of monsters...

Oh, I understand. Well done, Noah.

When did you sneak in? Show us your true self.

Are you okay, Milsha?! What's going on?!

Urgh... It would have been cause for celebration if I'd managed to crush that Singer's throat.

I guess that won't work. The rabbit has always been a sly one.

He looks just like boy from before. But...

This one seems hostile. (What? Why do I feel so uneasy? I know this feeling from somewhere...)

From before? So he beat me here.

Ignore whatever he told you. You've come so far... It's a shame you'll have to go back from whence you came.

Who the heck are you?

I am also a fragment... A fragment of an unsettled being who sways between chaos and order...

Go back. Don't sing that song of yours. Then we can become one again.

We can return as one impure, dark, and most importantly, complete being...

That boy was giving me the creeps...

So both children said they were fragments...

If I sing, they'll return as one being, but if I don't sing, they'll also return as one being? How's that make sense?

Now there's even more we don't understand... All we can do is keep going.

You came! You approach the innermost depths where we can be found. If you sing your song, everything will return as it was.

Do you mean the Stifling Song?

Yes. But if you don't sing the song, I...

There you are.

Ngh!

My, my... How selfish of you. Contacting the Singer with this disappearing body of yours... You really can't be too careful around this one.

Everything will return as it was with the song? It's quite the reverse. It will prevent things from returning to their true state. That song is poison to me... If you intend to sing it, I'll have to force you to stop.

The Stifling Song is poison? What are you tryin' to say?!

It's okay...we can leave that for later. I believe in you. I'll be waiting...

You've been warned. If you still decide to come...

I'll show you no mercy.

What is going on? Why are they fighting with each other?

There can be no doubt about it. Those two are messengers of the spirit.

They are...?

The power of the Stifling Song is wearing off. The disappearing child in white must be the heavenly incarnation of the shade spirit calmed by that power.

Then...the child in black is the underworld embodiment of the spirit?

Yes. I can't help but assume that judging from what he said.

One yearns for the Stifling Song, and the other seeks to avoid it... This is somewhat twisted.

Let's go. Now isn't the time to worry about that.

What should we do now?

If the same design responded to Mistrare before, one would assume the same thing will happen here...

Try touching the device. It might activate it...

O-Okay...

Like this?

Ahh?!

*static*

Is that an image of a Winged Person? I feel I've seen her before...

Have you forgotten already? She's the one we saw in the Tower Defender's device...

My name is Judith. Welcome, Person of Paradise...

It's Judith?!

This device was designed to activate in response to the touch of a Person of Paradise, that is, a Winged Person. If you are seeing this video, I assume you are a Winged Person?

Yes...I am!

Mistrare... I don't think she can reply to you. I believe this is a recording.

Are you sure? That's a shame, I really wanted to talk to Judith...

As far as I have observed, there are two possible reasons why a Winged Person would visit this place. The first is that my descendant has been miraculously freed from her duty and has reached this land... The second is that Those Bearing Wings have broken away from my descendant and escaped here. I simply cannot ignore the possibility of the latter. Therefore, biometrics will be required to access any information, including all essential content. If you are my descendant, you should be able to activate the portable device that will be presented to you. However... If you are not my descendant, and instead derive from Those Bearing Wings... And if the passage of time has cleansed your bloodline of all sin. I would like you to swallow your pride... and deliver the device to my descendant.

She should still bear the same name.

The Cage Ghost... Seze.