Search for Tiger Incense

Hey, Nyanji! Learn anything about the other incarnations yet?

I suppose you could say that...

Well, that's...vague.

I found records of the white tiger, Byakko's, favorite scent. However... The information would be of little use to you, I'm afraid.

Oh, stop being so purretentious and just tell us already!

"Byakko enjoys the scent of fragrant wood combined with two particularly aromatic ingredients." "To please him, prepare the following: intoxicating incense, eternal ivy, and dried puffershark."

Okay, so we'll need to get a few more things this time around.

That's it? All right, we'll go track them down.

I'm afraid that won't be possible, seeing they no longer exist in this time.

That doesn't sound like a purroblem to me.

I'm not sure how it isn't, but it seems you have some idea of how to procure them anyway. In that case, let me tell you more about the ingredients.

What would you like to know about?

It is a fragrant wood that enraptures living creatures, once used by ancient earthen civilizations in their rituals.

It is an ivy that grows upon a great tree. Found near the sky, it harbors an energy as pure as the clouds themselves.

It is a giant fish found in a land where souls drift ashore. Its powerful aroma will awaken the white tiger.

If you ever need to know where to find the ingredients, please ask.

Now then, as to where you can find Byakko's incense burner... The white tiger is known to like cold and snowy places. I don't know if that will be of any help, but I see no harm in letting you know.

Someplace cold, huh... I feel like I saw something like an incense burner in the Kunlun Mountains. Why don't we head there first?

Cold, snowy places, huh... We'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Nyanjiro.

The burner can wait, first, we need incense. Let's pounce back to my world to sniff some out!

Nyaldo, what're we doin' here?

Well, I wasn't sure whether to come here or go to Gadaro at first, but then Nyanjiro mentioned the earthen civilization. I once fought creatures here that were dolls made of clay, so I figured this place was a good bet.

I'll take a look further in, so why don't you stay and search this area?

This place sure gives me the creeps... It's makin' my fur stand on end...

Might I ask what brings you here?

NYAAAAAAH! H-H-How long've you been standin' there?!

I apologize for startling you.

I am... Ah, yes... I am "Nikeh."

I apologize for startling you.

I am Nikeh. I did not expect to see anyone here, which is why I called out to you.

You almost scared the nine lives right outta me...

But I'm glad you're here! Ever heard of "intoxicating incense"?

Of course.

It is the fragrant wood burned here. It is said to have the power to put people into a trance.

Nyahaha... My vision's gettin' kinda fuzzy... I'm feline purrtty good right now...

If the incense is what you want, you may have it. But this is a special place, so I ask that you do not return.

Fallen asleep, I see. I must be on my way, but you are free to take the incense should you need it.

Necoco! You okay?!

Meow! Look, Nyaldo! She gave me some of that fragrant wood!

"She"?

Yeah, the lady right over...there...

...Maybe you dreamed her up? That incense IS supposed to be intoxicating, after all.

I know it wasn't my imeowgination...but we got the incense, so that's good enough for me.

When Nyanjiro mentioned a great tree, this is the only one that came to mind here on Garulea.

The sun and warmth feel so heavenly... This has to be the ivy we're lookin' for. But, um...

How're we supposed to reach it?

What are you doing there?

Oh, Garam! You've got purrfect timing!

Yeah. We need to get that ivy up there, but it's too high for us to reach.

Ah, the medicinal ivy. Wait here.

Hyah!

Will this suffice?

Sure will! I'm so impurressed, Garam! Not even cats can leap that high!

I merely used my energy to improve my physical prowess. It is a titan technique and nothing more.

Regardless, we appreciate it, Garam.

You needn't thank me. I am ever in your debt. Should you need anything else, just say the word.

I think this is the place, but...

What's with the face, Nyaldo?

Well, it's just... I'm wondering how dried fish can be part of a recipe for incense.

I don't think it's normal purr se, but cats and tigers are like distant cousins.

And cats love fish, so it's not all that surpurrising for tigers to like it too.

I didn't get Seiryu at all, but I feel like I kinda understand Byakko. So let's get our paws on some of that puffershark and make some jerky!

After Zami's famous food, are you?

It's famous? Ooh, that sounds promising! Then take us to your dried fish!

This here's our town's sun-dried fish made with heart and soul!

......

......

Speechless, huh? I might not have a nose, but I knows it's good. Get it? Haha!

I'll...take your word for it.

Nyaldo... Turns out I don't understand Byakko after all...

Yeah, me neither...

What would you like to know about?

It is a fragrant wood that enraptures living creatures, once used by ancient earthen civilizations in their rituals.

It is an ivy that grows upon a great tree. Found near the sky, it harbors an energy as pure as the clouds themselves.

It is a giant fish found in a land where souls drift ashore. Its powerful aroma will awaken the white tiger.

If you ever need to know where to find the ingredients, please ask.

I think we've got everything we need.

......

Are you scared?

Sayin' I'm nyot would be a lie, but... I hafta know the truth. Nyo matter what.

After all, I was born to a clan that purrotects the Sacred Beast!

I understand that it's important to you, Necoco. But if it's too much to bear alone, you can lean on me. I'll be with you the whole way.

Thanks, Nyaldo! Now let's go find Byakko's incense burner.

Nyanjiro said the white tiger likes cold, snowy places. So why don't we find someplace with lots of snow and take a look around?

I remember seeing an incense burner in the Kunlun Mountains. I dunno if it belongs to Byakko, but it's worth a shot.

What're you waitin' for, Nyaldo? Go on and light the incense.

But it's just a pile of ingredients... Is this even gonna work?

Don't sweat the small stuff! What matters is the scent and smoke, so just light it already!

Well...if you say so.

Looks like Byakko's been infected by darkness too.

Then we need to help get rid of it! Let's do this, Nyaldo!

Young traveler... You have dispelled the darkness. For that I am grateful. The sensation was dreadful, as if fleas were ravaging my body. I was barely able to maintain my sanity.

Oh nyo... I know just how you feel. Those pesky fleas are the absolute worst!

Even Otoha said they should be banished so us kitties can sleep peacefully at night!

Yes, indeed. Your friend speaks true. Wait. That energy... Are you the Sacred Beast's vessel?

That's right. I'm Necoco, and there's something I wanna ask you.

Be at ease. I have no intention of harming you.

...You're not like Seiryu. You seem...gentle.

The Sacred Beast tasked me with watching over the children of man. I learned much about their culture, though due to that fact, the other incarnations have accused me of becoming...too human.

But I see now why you look so intimidated. You have met the blue dragon. You must forgive Seiryu. Their duty is to punish, a role that could not be fulfilled were they a benevolent creature.

I understand. So listen, the reason I'm here is because I hafta know, What happened between my people and Suzaku?

I am afraid I do not know the details, but...

Your ancestors stole Suzaku's power.

But I do believe there was a reason.

Like what?

You know that the specters were after the Sacred Beast, yes?

But its defenses were too strong, so instead they came after us, its incarnations. We succeeded in driving the specters away, but it was all we could do to hold our own and thus, we failed to aid our comrades... And Suzaku fell into their hands.

Huh? But wouldn't that mean the specters were at fault and not Necoco's clan?

Not quite. According to the tales of others... When the sacred protector's clan learned of this, they took with them the nearest incarnation and left to retrieve Suzaku. They defeated the specters and stored Suzaku's power within a vessel of their own. However, that vessel failed to return the vermilion bird's power.

What? Why?!

I have told you all I know. If you wish to learn the truth, you must seek out the incarnation your ancestors took with them to recapture Suzaku. You must find Kyuki.

So Kyuki knows the whole story, then.

But tread carefully. I have heard that Kyuki, though an incarnation, has killed humans before. And I cannot imagine Suzaku falling to the hands of the specters. Perhaps Kyuki is to blame... No. 'Tis speculation, and nothing more. You must see the truth with your own eyes.

What do you wanna do now, Necoco? Should we go and find Kyuki?

Of course! I'm sure the Kyuki here's just misunderstood too, so there's nothin' to worry about.

Of course! I wanna know the whole truth, so I'm not gonna let this opportunity slip through my paws.

Then let's have Nyanjiro look into what kind of incense Kyuki likes. Until he figures that out, try to get some rest.