Lunatic Code

Phew... We made it back to the surface in one piece.

It's debatable whether you should really be calling this place "the surface." But I finally feel like I'm alive again.

If it wasn't for Milsha, we might all be at the bottom of the ocean by now.

C-Clarte, don't say such scary things!

Do you think I acted as a Singer should?

Don't be silly, Milsha. You don't have to act like a Singer. Just be yourself. Ain't no need to worry about what anyone else says.

Minchy...

Oh?! I said somethin' pretty cool just now, huh? Oh darn, you're gonna fall in love with me now, ain't ya? As much as I wanna get married, I ain't got nothin' ready yet...

You're pretty annoying, little fishy, you know that?

How fitting that you're the one to say that, Sister Thillelille.

Hey, Clarte, are you really okay?

Me?

Now that there are two spirits living inside you...

Oh, so there are. I was so distracted by this whole Judith thing, I'd nearly forgotten about that.

It must have been quite painful when you got those extra wings...

Ah, yes... But oddly enough, I'm fine now. On the contrary...

Never mind... I have no complaints.

Even though you're a vessel... Or rather, because you're a vessel, it's possible something will start to spill out.

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Melina.

Heheh, Melina seems more worried about Clarte than usual.

But anyway, Thillelille is just shocked that Judith left a message in a place like this!

Rather than simply borrowing the spirit's power, we seem to have ended up collecting it...

Oh, Judith... She must've died hundreds of years ago. How could she know about Seze? And then there's the thing we're meant to give to her. I wonder what that...

Please listen to me! I have terrible news!

Those wings... Another Winged Person?! No one like that's ever come to our town before. Is he an acquaintance of yours, Misty?

Um, yes...

I wonder what happened. What do you mean by terrible news?

O-Our village... Aaahhh-haahhh...

Calm down! Take a deep breath, then tell us what happened, okay?

O-Okay...

*huff*...*huff*... Okay, I'm feeling calmer. Thanks, Mistrare.

No problem. So what happened?

Truth is...

The thunder spirit is attacking our village!

That is terrible news!

The thunder spirit? You mean, THAT thunder spirit?!

First there was the item for Seze, and now yet another pressing matter pulls us back to your village...

We've gotta hurry! If that spirit's attacking, we have to get there before it's too late!

I'm comin' too!

Milsha?! But you're so tired!

You all helped me save Atlantica from disaster. So I want to help out here! Minchy, if you're not comin', then I'll just go on my own!

...... Well, that's that then. Yer never gonna listen to me anyways.

Fine! I'm comin' too! Lead the way, Mr. Wings!

Thank you! But there's a problem.

And what might that be?

Ahh... I'll just show you, it'll be quicker that way. I'll be waiting for you at the entrance to the town. Come as soon as you're ready!

There is no time to lose.

Even so, we're about to fight a formidable thunder spirit, yet again. If we're not prepared and we end up losing, who's to say we'll be able to recover?

You're right. Then we should get ourselves ready as soon as we can and meet up at the village entrance!

Everyone! I'm so glad you're safe!

You got here so much sooner than we thought. I'm quite surprised!

We'll split up and take you to the village. Hold on tight!

This thunder and lightning... It must be the work of the thunder spirit!

The villagers are fighting with the thunder spirit!

We've got to hurry! We have to save the village!

So what's this problem, exactly? You said it'd be quicker to just show us.

Right... Look over there.

Whoa! There's so many monsters!

Tsk... This must be Leviathan's doin'. I bet he's fumin' 'cause we managed to split the sea when he'd only just closed it up again.

They weren't here when I arrived. There's no way I can carry all of you on my own. But there's no time to go back to the village for reinforcements...

Don't worry. We'll just have to get by them on foot.

You will? I'm sorry I can't help you more...

Don't say that! If you hadn't told us, we'd have never known the village was in danger!

Mistrare...

We need to head to the village as soon as possible. And to do that...

There's no time to deal with all of them. We'll have to avoid any unnecessary fights.

Thank you all so much. Are you ready?

I really appreciate you braving such dangers for us. What can I do to help?

Return to the village and tell them we're coming! Raise their morale and keep them holding out till we get there!

Sure thing! I can do that. Look after yourselves, everyone! We'll meet again in the village!

Then, let's go!

Ummm... This is quite the conundrum. Which route should we take?

The red ones are packing some sharp tusks. I imagine they could do some real damage.

The blue ones look pretty nimble. We'd have to make the first move if we want to avoid trouble.

The yellow ones are huge and look super tough. It'd take a lot of time to defeat them!

Okay. Then...

I'll keep track of all this info. Just ask me if you want to hear it.

Great, thanks!

All right, let's use those observations of yours and get to the Winged People's Village as fast as possible!

If you try and rush it, you could fail and it will all have been for nothing. Give me a shout when you're ready.

Don't you dare!

G-Great Grandmother?!

Ugh! This spirit really is strong!

They managed to fight this and live to tell the tale? Those kids are really something.

It's okay. I will protect you at all costs.

I've lived a long life. I don't mind sacrificing it for you now!

Great Grandmother, don't! I don't want you to die!

Sorry I'm late.

Seze?!

Great Grandmother, everyone. I'll buy us some time. Go, fly.

F-Fly? Y-You want us to...fly?!

Don't be ridiculous, Seze! What about the children? They're still unsteady on their wings!

When I was that age, my predecessor taught me how to use a bow and arrow mid-air. You're my students now. If I can do it, you can do it too.

It's okay. You'll be able to fly. I know it.

All right. I'm gonna try and fly!

Good girl. The youngest shows great determination. Any complaints from the rest of you?

C-Course not! I'm so confident, I reckon I could carry Great Grandmother!

That's what I like to hear! I'm going to trust Great Grandmother with you.

You can't, Seze... You're too young to die...

The time is nigh! Face me, thunder spirit!

Seze!

Ugh... Is this...the end for me?

I guess I'd have already lost my life if it wasn't for her...

If I can save those that she loves and destroy this spirit, I'll have repaid the debt I owe her.

That emotion I felt when she took my hand, I...

Ngh!

Huh? That's strange. Why didn't that hurt?

Are you okay, Seze?

I know that voice!

Seze! Are you hurt?!

Mistrare?! What are you doing here?!

Looks like we made it in time. Although I had to use my secret weapon...

That's the Stifling Chain! Did you do this, Rosetta?

I'll fill you in on the details later. But my Stifling Chain won't last all that long. Quick, Seze, over here!

Get behind us, Seze. We'll take this from here.

You're safe now that Thillelille the Sword-wielding Savior and friends are here!

If we can't talk with it, there's only one thing we can do.

It's time to repay that debt.

Misty really seemed to care about what was best for Atlantica. And she gave me time to think.

Yeah! I'd be lyin' if I said we ain't got her back now!

Sorry, thunder spirit, but you've got to behave yourself!

Sorry, thunder spirit, but you've got to behave yourself!

Now, Seze!

Okay!

You did it!

Oh... I didn't think that would happen...

What's wrong, Clarte?

The spirits living inside me told me something.

The Stifling Song is like a drug to them. They never needed it before, but once they heard it, they started to crave it. The thunder spirit's been left for so long that it's made him unhinged. When he's like this, even the Stifling Song...

It won't be able to calm him, you mean?

Yes, that's correct.

Bearing in mind who started this, it's not your fault that you've been rampaging like this. I'm sorry. But if we don't stop you, so many lives could be lost.

I don't care about the deceit. For the sake of those I must protect, I have to hurt you!

Melina, don't! Leave me to do the dirty work!

Did... Did Sister Melina's attack do that?

No. Somehow, it felt like there was no response at all... Like it had become a mass of pure power?!

Oof!

Clarte? Now you've grown six wings! Are they hurting you?!

No...I'm okay.

No need to worry... My wings'll get back to normal in no time.

A-Are you sure? It looks so painful...

Clarte, given that you went to the Crystalline Tower alone, I think I understand how your mind works. So let me check one more time. Is your body really not having any issues?

It's not. I'm honestly okay.

Oh. Then that's enough.

(That's enough?)

......

So, Rosetta... Why did you have the Stifling Chain?

Depending on what happens next, I may have to cross-examine you.

Oh, there's no need for that. I'd be happy to tell you everything.

I struck a bargain with Johann. But I was relying on borrowed knowledge, that's why I couldn't use it to its full potential.

I must confess, it was originally my insurance policy should we have failed to persuade the shade spirit.

I would have used the chain to capture it and bring it home, then had it produce blessings for us like the crystal spirit. That was a worst-case scenario. But I had to have a back up plan. We can't have our church's people starving to death, can we?

When I came up with that, I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined what we then found out. That there was a town called Atlantica lying in the valley between the seas, which relied upon this spirit's power.

Rosetta...

You all only ever intended to persuade the shadow spirit... And I thought you were in the right. Besides, it would only take little me to lay this rotten groundwork.

Rotten? You ended up saving Seze with that chain. I for one can't believe that someone willing to let themselves be seen as the villain could actually have a rotten soul.

Right, everyone?

......

Honestly speaking, no one should have to carry that burden alone. Thillelille's gonna give you a sermon on this later!

Oh, joy...

Anyway. What about Great Grandmother? Don't you want to check to see if she's okay?

Oh! You're right!

We shouldn't be loitering around here! Let's go, Seze!

W-Wait! I don't really...

Phew, how sneaky. Much better to be cold like Melina...

......

Hm? What's wrong, Melina?

Ummm, Clarte?

He still has six wings! And what in the world is that miasma? When he took in the shade spirit, he was back to normal in a few seconds. So what's going on?

Hmm, this is the third time he's taken in a spirit, right? I saw it the second time, but what happened with the first one?

Err, if I remember correctly, that's when he grew his first two wings. He didn't have any before that. But I don't think he suffered then, either...

So basically he gets worse each time he grows a new pair of wings?

......

Clarte...?

He's giving off a real sinister energy right now. Like the spirits are spilling out of him!

Perhaps the third spirit was more than he could take as a vessel?

No, that's not it. It isn't more than I can handle. This is simply the form I must take as a vessel. I am steeped in the power of the underworld spirits...

The power of the underworld spirits?! Then my Stifling Song would be able to calm him.

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"...

Ngh!

Huh?!

Melina!

It's no use. Now that you hesitate to sing... You cannot follow me. Please... I don't want to kill you with my own hands...

Wh-What do we do?! He said not to follow him, but...

Yeah, but what kind of friends would we be if we didn't follow him? Right, Melina?

......

Melina...?

Everyone!

What happened? I thought I saw Clary flying off somewhere...

Was Great Grandmother okay?

She's a little feverish, but yes. She probably just pushed herself too hard back there. She's sleeping now, though. Seze's watching over her.

Then could you help us with this? I think we're going to need your powers.

Of course! Great Grandmother would tell me off if I abandoned one of my travel companions! You can fill me in on the way. Let's go find Clary!

But where was Brother Clarte headed?

Judging from the direction he was flying, he couldn't have gone to the Crystal Region. He must be in the Lightning Region.

He looked like he was in pain, so he probably didn't get too far.

Right. So we want somewhere in the Lightning Region that's not too far, where he could find a place to hide. Perhaps the Davola Underground Caverns? My money's on Clarte being there.

You're so smart, Rosetta! Then let's hurry to the underground caverns and see if we can find him!

...... It's all my fault...that Clarte...

I think I'm... About to disappear...

No... I'm just returning to my original self. I can feel it so clearly. I feel myself slowly edging toward my original form.

Heh, I guess the "me" who emerged later isn't needed anymore. I wonder what she thinks. The past me or the present me... Which would she...

There you are, Clarte.

So you came after all. I knew you'd be able to find me. You certainly were fast, though. I didn't expect you so soon.

Never underestimate the intelligence of Thillelille and friends!

Well, it was mainly the chick with the bobbed hair who worked it out...

While you were making your way here, I got a chance to think. Long story short, I'm glad you came.

Really? You mean you think there's a solution to this? You won't have to suffer on your own?

No...I mean the reverse.

What?

Clarte, you're going to tell us to get Johann, aren't you?

You got me. There really is no hiding anything from you, Rosetta.

You certainly are a difficult man. I'm guessing you thought of that when you saw the chain I borrowed from him?

That's right. As the Tower Defender, Johann will know a great deal about how to use the Stifling Chain. With his chain, I can be put to sleep here... And I won't be able to hurt you.

So you mean the Tower Defender's chain is more deserving of your trust than the song I hesitated to sing to you?

Not at all! If your song rewrites my very nature, then you'll regret that decision for the rest of your life. Because this vessel is a physical being...

I can't split in two like we saw with the shade spirit. In other words, I'm only allowed to exist as either my original self or my current self, not both. The burden shouldn't fall on you to make that choice. That's why...

But that's not really what you wanted, Clarte! The thunder spirit jumped into you without warning. You could never have known it was going to happen!

Certainly, I was surprised at what the thunder spirit did. But it could have been predicted. The more of himself he lost, the more it wore him down, and the more it caused him to rage indiscriminately.

That rage was a manifestation of his pain. When we first met him, I know that amid the anger, I heard a voice crying for help. But I failed to listen. That was my mistake, and mine alone.

Clarte...

I'm sorry, Aldo. But I don't think I'll be able to keep my promise to help you on your travels.

Urrgh!

Aaahhh!

Wha?! Is this the power spilling out from Brother Clarte?!

......

I sense no anger. In fact, I sense only serenity. Not within Clarte, but within my indecisive heart that caused that moment's hesitation...

I had to face the un-sugarcoated truth and make that decision. I had to deny that past Clarte, the one who was but a stranger to me. The pain of carrying that sin...

Heheh... Melina... That was a misunderstanding. As the vessel filled up, I remembered something.

You and I... No... You and my past self who is now awakening...

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

How can this be?

......

Do you understand? If you sing that song, those memories might be lost for eternity.

They'll...be lost...

At the moment, the best I can do is remember fragments of vague memories. But if my former self is able to master this body once more, then I'm sure everything will become clearer. We can get back your lost past.

Which means... That's the real reason you refuse to be you.

That it is. What would you like to do?

I...

I want to get them back.

Melina?!

I'm sure you're right. Then...

Please don't get me wrong, Clarte.

Huh?

I want to get my past back. But I'm not willing to lose the present in order to do so. I want my past, but I won't let go of the present. I-I guess I'm just greedy.

Mistrare... Milsha...

Please... Please sing with me.

Melina, you can't! Mistrare, Milsha! Stop her!

Welcome back...

It's...It's good to be back...

What am I doing here? It feels like my head's gone cloudy. But I...

If you were going to apologize, don't. Keep quiet and follow me. I'm going to get it back, all of it. With this version of you right in front of me.

Haha... I don't know what you're talking about, yet I kind of feel like I do. I guess I'm no match for you.

I don't want to have to see you weighing things up and making tough decisions anymore. Back then...

Ugh!

Who said that?

Hey, Melina?

Ohhh...I think I'm done, too...

Are you okay, you two?!

Huh? I feel like the power in my body is...

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

Where am I...?

Over here. Melina...

Someone's calling me? I know that voice from somewhere. I can't ignore them.

Okay. I'll try and head toward the voice.

You're...

Soon, you must choose.

Choose?

Will you let the girl die to save the world? Or will you let the world die to save the girl?

......

Oh. I know which one you'll choose.

Back then, you...

I don't know what to say. This is a real relief. I'm really glad you got back safely, Clarte.

Thank you.

I'm sorry, though. I only have pretty vague memories of this place. But it seems that I owe a lot to the three Singers.

Oh, don't worry about that. You'd do the same for us. But I am pretty tired, what with everythin' that's happened since our encounter with the shade spirit.

You're so tough, Mil. I could barely move after the first fight. And Melina must have consumed way more magic than me. I'm sure she's exhausted.

You don't need to worry.

I've restored enough magic now. I'm good to go.

Oh, Melina, I'm so happy to hear that. So you were resting?

I had a really strange dream, I think. I can't remember what it was about, though...

Anyhow, since I'm here, I'm guessing someone carried me back?

Prai put those jack-of-all-trades skills of his to good use!

In this case, I was only able to help with the manual labor.

Oh, I see. Well, I appreciate it, Prai.

I did what the situation demanded. I'm not worthy of such gratitude.

Hey, Clarte. Do you remember what you told me?

What I told you? My memory's still a little shaky surrounding recent events. If I've caused you any trouble...

No, you haven't. If you don't remember, it doesn't matter.

Melina...?

Sorry to intrude. Hmm... Looks like everyone's here.

Seze! We are. Even Clary made it back safely.

Oh, that's right. I may have sidetracked us all a little, but we originally came here to see you.

You did?

Actually, we have something to give to you.

I'm really sorry... I don't want to have to interrupt, but can we leave this until later?

Is something wrong, Seze?

......

Go to Great Grandmother's house. You'll understand.

Seze? What happened? She seemed so flustered.

Hmm? She's always been so calm and composed...

Only Mistrare seems to be able to understand the inner workings of Seze's heart.

That's right! You just don't get a woman's heart, Prai.

But it's a super big deal for her to get flustered.

It is. I have a very bad feeling about this...

Anyway, you'd better head to yer great grandma's place.

We'll come too. You look so anxious, Mistrare.

Right... Let's hurry to Great Grandmother's house!

It's fine, it's fine... I know... Just wait a little longer...

Great Grandmother?!

Look who it is. Sorry, I'm getting a little hard of hearing...

What happened? She's all skin and bones...

It looks like she's using all her might just to stay awake.

Did you get injured fightin' with the thunder spirit?

No. Rather miraculously, she escaped without any serious wounds. Which means...

Yes. I've lived a long life and my time's nearly up. Since us Winged People don't show our age, it's only natural to be surprised. But it changes just before death. We wrinkle up like prunes.

Haha...*cough cough*

Great Grandmother! That's not funny. How can you be making jokes when you're on your dea...

Jokes? What part of that was a joke? You know as well as I do what happens to us in our dying moments.

I've lived more than long enough. My life was always going to come to an end someday.

You look so young that it had entirely slipped my mind, but you're the eldest in this village, aren't you?

......

I'm sure the reason I've been able to live so long is because I asked god to protect our village from the thunder spirit. Our village would have perished if not for all of your help. And if not for the bond between those two, Mistrare and Seze.

I really was blessed with my children... Ngh!

Great Grandmother?!

Wait! I'll get Seze!

No, it's okay. We've already said our final goodbyes.

Mistrare... You live freely. It's not been long, and you may not be the same species, but I can tell you have a deep bond with your friends. That bond isn't something you can just go out and get. You should treasure it.

And in a very real sense, you have laid the foundations to release everyone in this village from their cage.

Only you could... Urgh!

I know, Great Grandmother... You don't need to say any more...

Heh... Right. Of all my children, you've always been the most astute...

You lot... Look after my Mistrare for me.

Of course.

You need not even ask.

Now that that's off my mind... I feel so sleepy... If you... Follow...you'll... ......

Great Grandmother... Thank you for everything. Your spirit will live on in the hearts of all your children.

So you don't have long left?

You can barely move... Like my predecessor, the previous Cage Ghost...

I guess so. You know, I don't have any real children. I devoted myself to everyone in the village instead. Everyone dotes on me here... Unable to bear my own children, I've found no great happiness than that.

......

What's wrong? Won't you call me by that name? When you finally called me what my other children call me, it made me feel so happy.

I don't want to call you that...

I see... Well, no matter. Do whatever feels right to you...

...er.

...... Did I hear that right? What did you just say?

I said...mother. Is it strange for me to call you that?

......

No... How could that be strange?

Geez, you really are a difficult one... Making me cry at a time like this...

Are you okay now, Mistrare?

Yeah. At least I was able to care for her in her last moments. Let's look for Seze. I need to speak to her.

So, she's passed away?

She has... She went peacefully.

That's good, at least.

I've never felt anything like intimacy before...

My predecessor was the spitting image of myself. And we spent all our time together training me to live with death so that I could fulfill my role as Cage Ghost.

When she was approaching the end... The only feeling I had was that this meant I was now the Cage Ghost.

But this time...

......

I've been talking too much. That wasn't like me at all.

I think you had something to tell me before. I'd be happy to listen now.

We did. First, please take this...

Is this...a relic? And one in unusually good condition at that.

What the! Who's that?!

It's a teeny tiny Judith?!

Judith? Wait, did you just say Judith?

I take it you've at least heard the name, then?

Yes... I was told she was my ancestor. I-I never thought I'd be seeing her like this.

Can you hear me? My name is Judith. If you're watching this, that means you're one of the Sezes.

Seze...was the name I gave to my daughter.

Seze is Judith's daughter?!

Calm down, Milsha. Something doesn't add up there. She couldn't be her actual daughter...

Of course, you're not the original Seze. I got this idea from the mermaids of Atlantica and used technology created from the crystal spirit... I worked out a way for you to reproduce asexually with nothing more than your own blood.

I couldn't let there be even the slightest possibility of your blood mixing with that of Those Bearing Wings. So firstly, allow me to apologize for forcing your body to go against its nature.

......

As of the time of recording... I believe all other Winged People bear resentment toward the humans.

If, after many years have passed, they escape from the cliffs and discover Atlantica... And if they become aware of the spirit's existence, then they may use it to plot revenge against the humans.

I designed the Spirit Sanctuary. A shelter made from paradise technology, to avoid such a worse-case scenario.

Pretty sure there ain't any accounts of Winged People comin' to Atlantica after Judith. With the benefit of hindsight, I guess she was worryin' about nothin'... But she was a pretty shrewd gal. Guess she really didn't trust any Winged People but herself.

Paradise uses the biowaves of certain creatures for security. But there are no similar species in this world.

So, to make the key, I had to switch it for a native species. I was so pleased to discover that despite appearances, the hippocampus actually had similar biowaves to those creatures.

They also had the advantage that in emergencies, the fishfolk could ride them and escape into the sea. And since there were no other contenders, I made a hippocampus the key to the sanctuary.

I suppose she never even considered the possibility of her key being taken away somewhere...

I'm afraid that was quite a long introduction. But this is what I've been leading toward.

Seze, if you're feeling at all nostalgic for your homeland... Then I want you to open up the path to paradise, the birth place of us Winged People.

The path to paradise?

You have the right to choose. At least, I think you do. The bishop from the cathedral will know how to do this.

I want you to decide for yourself whether you'll return or not. You know, paradise sometimes shows itself in the narrow stretch of sky above Giant's Claw...

It exists on the celestial body known on this planet as the moon.

It didn't come out today...

What are you talking about?

Heheh. The moon. It's not going so well, huh?

No...it was out.

But it's not surprising that you didn't see it when your eyes were so filled with tears.

R-Really? I-I'm so embarrassed...

I never thought the day would come when I'd be laying someone's feather on the feather grounds.

You really are part of this village now, Seze.

Have you decided yet?

I have. Ever since before, I've been trying to listen to my heart.

And for me, my homeland isn't paradise.

It's this village.

You should go, Mistrare. I'll look after the village.

You can tell me all about my... No, our homeland, in that book of yours.

I'll be the eyes and ears for you and the rest of the village.

And someday I'll return to the village and become a storyteller.

Am I to take it that Seze's made up her mind not to come?

That's right. She's trusting me to go in her place. And I'm trusting her with the village.

Heheh. We really are the complete opposites of each other.

Thillelille doesn't think that's true. You might seem that way on the outside...

But Thillelille's pretty sure that deep in your hearts, you're both after the same thing.

Paradise is your homeland, and it's our last hope. We thought our only shot was those spirits, but there's already three living within Clarte...

If we can't rely on them. We'll have to gamble on this paradise technology.

Sister Judith said the bishop would know how to open up the path to paradise. But the post of bishop no longer exists.

According to that recording Johann showed us, it must be what is now the Tower Defender.

Oh no! You mean we've gotta go back to Johann?!

Beggars can't be choosers. Besides, he was only carrying out what he saw as his duty.

It'll be Minchy's and my first time meetin' him!

I dunno this Johann Shmohann guy, but I ain't gonna take it if he starts makin' eyes at Milsha!

Hah. you needn't worry. That seems highly unlikely.

Then let's go and see Johann. He must know something.

Hmm, I see. So it turns out that Judith survived? And even her unborn baby was unharmed? That really was a miracle.

So? Do you recall anything about how to open the gate to paradise... to the moon?

Of course. But this is going to cause me a fair bit of trouble...

T-Trouble? After hearin' so much about you, you're really not the man I thought you'd be. Isn't this a matter of life or death for you lot?

Well, yes. But that's not relevant here. Besides, I didn't say I wouldn't help.

So you'll really help us?

Long story short, the path to paradise is currently closed.

Huh?!

Think about it. Of the thirteen Winged People, twelve saw us as nothing more than cattle. You really think they'd just invite us up to paradise? I mean, other than as pawns in their wars...

Inevitably, the best clues will be what Judith herself left behind. And there was only one thing that I inherited regarding the path to paradise...

Oh, stop acting important! Hurry up and show us!

*sigh* Patience never was your strong suit, Miss Child Prodigy. If it was something I could show you, I'd have shown you already.

Which means means that it's not something we can see?

Wishful thinking is one of your many virtues, Mr. Fiery Friar. But no, the truth is a little crueler than that.

So then, it's not here? You don't have it anymore?

Correct! Of course you'd be the one to work it out. The Child of Judgment truly is an apt name for you.

Wha?! Then you mean it was all a big, fat waste of time coming here?

In my defense, I'm not the one who lost it. I believe the item was something she was wearing when she came here from paradise.

It was armor bearing the name of the goddess of war, but otherwise, it won't look so different from the other relics. Knowing the truth about the Paradise Plan to us as pawns in their wars, the name was somewhat tasteless, don't you think?

So, how was it lost?

Well... We Tower Defenders are always male. We had no need of something made for a woman...

Heh, I'm just joking. We would always be unwanted visitors in paradise, you see. I believe one of my predecessors sold it off. Probably stressed when the blessings began to fade.

Is a total lack of responsibility just part of the Tower Defender's job description then?

How rude! It may not seem like it to you, but I've always acted responsibly in my work as Tower Defender.

But why choose to use armor to open and close up the path to paradise?

It certainly is interesting. If their technology can identify particular items of clothing, surely it could just identify the individual themselves.

Well, this is just a thought, but maybe the people of paradise found it too much effort to identify individuals.

Hmm... The Paradise Plan wasn't simply to send humans in and then stop there. It wasn't nearly so short term. They had to stay on the surface and continually send humans up to paradise.

So they remained on the surface as some kind of compromise? Well, I guess the plan itself failed with Judith's rebellion.

I suppose we more or less understand the situation now.

The question is, where did that armor disappear off to?

Rumor has it, it wound up in the central continent. Do you know anything about it, young swordsman of the central continent?

Umm, nope. There's too little to go by. Nothing's coming to mind.

Oh! The Service Corps have been on the central continent for a while, right?

Well, that's true... But I have no idea either.

Same. Even the Savior has things they don't know.

Sorry, I can't think of anything either.

What's all this? We already at a dead end?

No, wait. There's someone on this continent who knows a lot about the central continent, no?

Umm, do you mean yourself, Rosetta?

No, not me. Have you already forgotten? Someone who helped us out when Sir Hydra crashed.

Oh! You mean the geology buff?!

Correct! I knew you had it in you, Aldo!

Come to think of it, he knew a lot about the relics as well!

Someone else I don't know? But it sure sounds like he's worth a shot!

Okay! Off we go to the Barbera Untrodden Region!

Wait. You'll need this.

Please, take it. Bring it with you.

What is it? Another relic?

You can look forward to that later. It's sure to be useful.

Useful? That doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.

Let's pull ourselves together and give the geology buff a visit.

Okay! To Barbera Untrodden Region we go!

Why, if it isn't you guys from before!

It couldn't have been long, but it certainly feels like a while since I've seen you. Did you manage to get to the cathedral okay?

Yes, thank you. We've been through a fair bit since then, and made some new friends.

Oh, indeed. That would be these three.

Oh?! Did you include me in that? What a reasonable old fella! Now that's put me in a good mood!

Hohoho, but of course. Though "old" is a little hurtful. I may not look it, but I'm only in my twenties.

Wha?! (He's putting on quite the performance for our second visit. He's not letting his guard down!)

So what can I do for you? You look like you're in a hurry.

Truth is...

Hmm. You certainly have been through a lot since arriving at the cathedral.

Unfortunately, female garb isn't exactly my area of expertise.

Oh... Then I suppose we'll have to double back without and leads, yet again.

Hold on. Some information on relics may have reached my ears in relation to my work in geology.

This was a few years ago, mind you, but there was a peddler who fell for a lady traveler and gave her a wearable relic. As I understand it, his approach was so indirect that she didn't realize his feelings for her, but...

I see. So it's possible that it went out into the wild after that Tower Defender got rid of it.

You wouldn't happen to know her name, would you? Or any distinguishing features?

I'm afraid not. All I remember was that she was said to be very beautiful.

Pfft! Even more beautiful than me?

Hoho... I don't know how to answer that. I never saw her myself, so...

Oh! I've remembered something else. I heard that when suitors got too pushy, she would defeat them with a magic blade as beautiful as running water.

A lady traveler...? A magic blade...?

No way!

Al! Have you thought of something?!

Yeah, I think I know someone who fits the description!

Yeah, I think I've met someone who fits the description!

She often goes to Corinda Plains to think. I'm sure we'll find her there!

Wait, Aldo?! You haven't forgotten our little talk on marriage, have you?!

M-Marriage?! Tell me more!

More importantly...shouldn't we be discussing Judith's armor?

Heheh, exactly. Right now, we don't have any strong leads other than this woman.

Eeep! Aldo, you're so smart!

Hey... Stop making fun of me!

More importantly...shouldn't we be discussing Judith's armor?

Heheh, exactly. Right now, we don't have any strong leads other than this woman.

All right, then. Let's head to Corinda Plains.

I think that's where I'll find Aldo's Achilles heel.

Not you too, Rosetta?!

Hohoho, looks like I was able to help after all.

Indeed. We're in your debt. Thank you for helping us out again.

Oh, you're very welcome. Take care now.

Thank you.

To Corinda Plains we go!

Shanie! I thought I'd find you here.

Huh... Aldo?!

Heh, looks like I got here first today.

So what's up? Did you want to talk to me about something?

Yes, actually, I did.

What?

Wh-What happened? You look so serious... I'm glad you feel you can count on me, but depending on what you're going to say, I might not be ready to hear it...

Before that, let me introduce my friends.

Whoa, there's so many of them!

You really can get on with anyone, Aldo. I've always thought so.

If I include the animals, I can't even count them all on both hands!

Don't you think this is too many friends?! Do you really like traveling in such a big group?

If I include the animals, I can't even count them all on both hands!

Now that you mention it, I guess our party has grown quite large.

I've been traveling over on the western continent, and this just sorta happened.

Sorry for crowding you like this. We can make ourselves scarce if you want to be alone.

No, don't do that! Don't worry about that at all!

Oh... That's good. The fact is, we came to visit you because we're looking for something.

Does anything come to mind when you hear the words relics or armor?

Relics? Armor? Umm, you don't... You don't happen to have any more details than that, do you?

We do. Think of it more as a relic than a piece of armor. It has a bluish-white pattern on a base of some unidentified ore that resembles black obsidian.

A bluish-white pattern... Black obsidian...

I thought as much. I'm pretty sure you're talking about my armor.

Really?! So it's the armor you had when we traveled together?

Y-Yeah! You remember?

Really?!

Then, where is it?

Umm... Well, just for today...

Here!

That was such a fast costume change!

Instant changing uses magic, so I normally just get changed manually. But it seems like you're in a hurry, so.

That's amazing! The armor really does look like a relic!

Then this is definitely what you were looking for?

Yes, without a doubt.

Huh? Did someone just speak?

I didn't say anythin'. But I know that voice...

You do indeed, it's me. I'm transmitting my voice through the relic I gave to the young swordsman.

Th-This relic?

That's right. And sound and video from where you are is being transmitted here. Tower Defender was a solitary role, so it's just been collecting dust all this time... It turns out it's quite a handy relic.

Wow! It's like something from the future!

So, would it be at all possible for us to borrow this armor of yours?

Uhh...

(I can't help but think that Johann is way too blunt. It makes him seem kinda creepy.)

If you really, really need it, I won't say no, but... This is my best outfit...

What if she keeps the armor on, and comes to the western continent with us?

That's fine by me. Are you okay with that?

Of course! I'm a free woman. Where are we going?

So long as I'm not away too long. We're friends, after all.

Sure. I've always traveled on my own. But a little trip should be fine.

Thanks, Shanie!

Then, Johann, where should we go?

About that. I've been looking through the old records. There aren't any clear accounts, but I believe the path to paradise appears somewhere high up. Likely to prevent us wingless beings from ever getting close. Very considerate of them...

So the top of the Crystalline Tower would be my guess.

Okay, then. Looks like we're off to the Crystalline Tower.

Let's ask Synth Hydra to take us to the western continent, then!

Sure thing.

Nice, you're all here. Then I'll explain.

Wait a moment, if you please. I know this is late, but...

Will it really be okay for us to just march into this paradise place? Mistrare and Clarte may be fine, since they have wings... But surely we can't rule out the possibility that we wingless humans will be captured and taken prisoner?

There's nothing to worry about. The Paradise Plan was hundreds of years ago, and they don't take people anymore.

Really? I can't help but feel skeptical. And honestly, I'd like to avoid putting myself in danger.

I-I-It's no use getting the jitters now! We've got orders!

She's right. We know the risks. And regardless, we've got to find something to replace the blessings.

I suppose this is our only option. I just wanted to make sure we were all in agreement, now that we've gotten this far.

You never know when and where the seed of heresy will start to sprout...

Paradise, the birthplace of my ancestors, is just a stone's throw away.

Sister Milsha, Brother Minchy, are you both sure about this, too?

Me? Of course!

You never know! I might find a way to help Poseichi!

You never know! Poseichi might be in paradise!

I'd walk through fire if there was even the tiniest chance I could get him back!

And I'll serve Milsha wherever she goes!

Heheh... So, what do I do...?

You just follow the procedure and open up the path to paradise for us.

Wha?! What is this?!

This must be the path to paradise!

Whoa! I really had no idea that my armor had that kinda power...

Thanks, Shanie. Now we can pursue our last hope.

You're welcome. This was a pretty easy job.

Err, do you think the path will stay open like this for long?

It should remain open unless we go through the procedure to close it.

Really? That's a relief.

Well... I guess this is where I leave you.

Huh? You're not comin' with us?

No. This is your journey to make, not mine. But I look forward to hearing all about it when you get back to Corinda Plains, Aldo.

I think this is more than enough for me.

Shanie...

Take care. And come back safely, okay?

Oh, and if you're ever in danger, just call me. I'll always come running to lend you a hand!

Thank you! I'll tell you everything when I return!

Then, let's go. To the Winged Beings' place of origin. To the paradise on the moon!

Fight on, everyone!

Is this...rock?

This is a more desolate landscape than you'd expect for a place called paradise.

It is... Perhaps we're just in the middle of nowhere, though.

Let's keep moving. We might find something.

Wait, what's going on? Why are you all so quiet?

Wait, Melina...

...!

Bliiiip! Blepple! Blup!

Wait, they're... They're not breathing?!

Ngh!

N-No way?!

Then how come we're okay?!

The twelfth...viscera!

Focus on your energy center below your navel! Breathe through there, not your lungs! On this planet, you must breathe in the magical elements that fill the air, not oxygen!

...!

*splutter*! *cough cough*...! Th-Thanks, Melina...

*cough* I see... So there was a knack to it.

Ahem! Ahem! Hmm, I'm just about getting used to it.

Agh. I really thought I was done for...

Bleeple! Blup!

(I-I still can't breathe properly?!)

(It's okay! I can't do it either!)

*sigh*... I thought I was gonna die.

Anyway, Sister Melina. You seem to know a lot about breathing in magical elements.

Magical elements? What are you talking about?

Huh? Why are you acting ignorant? It was thanks to your advice that we're all breathing right now.

It was? I gave you advice?

Does this mean...you weren't aware that you were doing it?

I guess not. I just wanted to save you so badly...

Anyways, how comes you were fine from the get go?

Clary and I were fine, too. So what do we have in common?

It could be our wings...but that wouldn't explain how Noah was fine from the very beginning, too.

And I don't have any physical wings.

Bleep...?

Hey, Noah! We don't know what's out there! Wait!

Is this...a city?!

Well done, Noah! Honestly, Moke, why can't you do something that praiseworthy?

Bleep?!

But the town seems so lifeless. What is the meaning of this?

Yet I can sense countless other incidental signs...

Let's keep going, but be careful. You never know what might jump out.

...... Magical elements... I wasn't aware of myself saying them, yet I remember those words...

Perhaps what Clarte said back then was true. That this city is my...

You and I... No. You and my past self who is now awakening...