Search for Sky Beast Incense

Hey, Nyanji! Learn anythin' new about Kyuki?

Ah, perfect timing. I have some good news. I got word from a merchant that he carries some of Kyuki's favorite incense.

That really is good nyews! It means we won't hafta go sniffin' around for it this time!

Sorry for making you go through all the trouble. I know you've got your hands full with the Cat Shrine right now.

This is the least I can do for your help. After all, this is something I'd planned to do myself.

So where can we find this merchant, Nyanji?

I was just about to go to him. You two wait here. I won't be long.

You don't need to do that. Just tell us where he is and we can handle the rest.

Well, if you insist... We were going to meet at the tea house on Vermilion Road. Just mention my name and he will know what to give you.

All right. Let's head for Vermilion Road, then.

Do you think it'd be okay for me to have some dango at the tea house?

Probably, but we might not have time to linger too much.

No purroblem. It shouldn't take long at all to...

Nya?

Ungh...

What happened here?!

I...I don't know. Some specters just came out of nowhere and attacked him...

Are you purrhaps the merchant that Nyanji was supposed to meet?

Are you from the Cat Shrine? I...I'm so sorry. Those specters stole the incense...

We can worry about that later. You're hurt!

It's nothing, really.

Just sit back and relax. The great Necoco will get that incense back. Any idea which way the specters went?

I think they were headed for the Garden of Petals.

There were three of them, but I don't know which one took the incense...

Don't worry! We'll purrsue 'em all!

Yeah. We can't just leave 'em be if they're attacking humans. Let's head to the garden!

I can't believe this... I'm the one who found the incense, and this is all I get? What is this good for anyway?

Hey, you! Stop right there!

Show me what you've got in your hands!

Wh-Who're you guys?

We're looking for the specters who robbed a merchant on Vermilion Road. Have you seen them?

I, uh...can't say I have. Try someone else.

Don't play dumb with me! I can smell that incense aaall over you!

If you want it so badly, come and get it!

We got the incense back.

...Or at least, a really small part of it.

That's nyot right! Cough up the rest, or else!

I'm not hiding anything, I swear! We split it three ways! If you want the rest, you'll have to find my friends. That's really all I have on me.

Aww... Why can't this ever be easy?

Where are your friends now?

We've been using the Garden of Petals as our base, so they must be nearby. But please don't tell them I told you, okay?

All right. Let's have a look around.

Hey, Necoco? I know we have to get all the incense back eventually, but... Why don't we use what we have to call on Kyuki?

If you were hungry and someone offered you a single teeny-tiny sardine, would you come outta hiding, Nyaldo?

No...

Kyuki's the same. This amount of incense wouldn't create many elementals. We need more if we want it to work. After all, good hosts treat their guests to both quality and quantity!

Well, when you put it that way...

Excuse me. Could I get past you?

Oh, my bad.

Right. We'd better get back to finding that incense then.

What's the matter, Necoco?

It's him! He's got the incense!

What?! Then we gotta go after him!

Hey, you! Stop right there!

Give back the stolen incense, now!

Incense? What are you talking about?

Don't get coy with me! Your buddy already told us the whole story!

Uh, Necoco... We promised not to tell...

Tch. So he betrayed me after all we've been through. Guess there's no point in hiding anymore. But I can't just hand it over, that's not how specters do things!

Then we'll just have to take it back by force!

Now hand it over! No funny business!

Fine... Take it. It's worthless to us anyway.

Then why'd you steal it?

You'll have to ask the other guy.

Right. There's one of you left. Do you know where he went?

Not really. But if I had to guess, he probably went deeper into the garden.

Right. Thanks.

Let's go get that last piece, Nyaldo!

I better get rid of this, and quick.

Found you, you dirty thief!

Tch. That was fast.

Nya? Sounds like you knew we were comin'.

I heard a rumor that someone was going around summoning incarnations. I knew you'd come for this incense eventually.

Guess that means you won't just give it back, huh.

'Course not. You might've beaten my friends, but I'm no pushover.

All right, that's all of 'em.

Now we can finally summon Kyuki.

Wait. Please...don't do that.

Why not? Is there a problem?

This garden is our base... But it's also Kyuki's.

Now that you mention it, I think I've seen an incense burner here before.

That must be Kyuki's.

Incarnations and specters were never really on good terms. Still, Kyuki would leave us alone as long as we didn't do anything bad. We were able to live together in peace. But ever since it was infected by that dark energy, it's been attacking everyone left and right. I don't know where Kyuki went, but the garden's finally peaceful again. That's why I don't want you to bring it back here.

That's why you stole the incense.

I just wanted this garden to be a safe place for me and my friends.

I get it. But I'm still gonna summon Kyuki.

Dammit! You guys're always like this, you never listen!

Just to be clear, I'm not just gonna summon Kyuki and let it purrowl around. There's something I wanna ask, so I'm gonna get rid of all that pesky darkness around it.

It won't attack you without that dark energy, right?

Yeah, but... Kyuki's pretty strong. You sure you're going to be okay?

Yup! Just leave everything to the great Necoco.

Let's head to that incense burner then. It should be somewhere in this garden.

This is it, Necoco. Once we summon Kyuki, you should be able to find out the truth about your clan.

I'm a little scared, to be honest, but... the great Necoco won't turn tail and run. Go on, Nyaldo! Light the incense!

It's like that specter said. Kyuki really is being infected by the darkness.

We'll be fine! We can dispel this amount of darkness no purroblem!

You feline okay, Kyuki?

You are...the vessel of the Sacred Beast. I see. It seems I was saved yet again.

Again?

Pay it no mind. I was merely speaking of a shameful sin from my past.

Does that have anything to do with the death of Suzaku?

H-How did you... No, I suppose you heard of it from your forefathers.

Nyah, it was actually the other incarnations who told me. But I wanna know just what sin my clan committed. And why did Suzaku die?

Sin? No. The blame lies entirely with me and my inexperience. I was the one who brought on that disaster.

That's not what Seiryu told us. Could you explain?

What exactly did the blue dragon tell you?

Well...

I see. It is true that Suzaku fell into the hands of the specters. And I worked with the vessel of the Sacred Beast back then to recapture it. For I had a debt to repay to Suzaku.

A debt?

You heard that I brought harm to humans despite being an incarnation of the Sacred Beast, yes? Half of that is true. I killed someone. They were planning to steal the power of the incarnations, and I wanted to prevent that from happening. I had hoped they would give up if I threatened them, but... They weren't human. At least, not on the inside.

Were they a revenant?!

Ah, so you are familiar with them. Suzaku is an immortal bird, and perhaps because of its cycles of death and rebirth, it glimpsed what was happening in Meigoku. It knew things the other incarnations did not. Suzaku was the one who told me the revenants were those unable to die as humans.

So you wanted to save Suzaku because Suzaku believed you.

Indeed. But I made a mistake. I was relieved that we were able to save Suzaku and foolishly let my guard down. That was when I was fatally injured.

Huh? But you're right here in front of us.

Suzaku saved me. As I mentioned before, it is immortal. And it believed that while it remained in the sacred protector's vessel, its power could permeate my body. We are both incarnations of the same Sacred Beast after all. And so it used its power to heal my wounds. I have asked myself why Suzaku would risk its life for a lower-ranking incarnation like myself, but have never come to an answer. Even so, I have decided to dedicate the remainder of my life to protecting what Suzaku held dear.

I see...

But if Suzaku really is immortal, isn't it possible it's still alive somewhere?

Yes, Suzaku still lives. But after exhausting its power to heal me, it has yet to awaken from its slumber.

Isn't there anything we can do to help?

You needn't worry about that. All Suzaku needs now is time. Because of you, I can resume my duties. Thank you...

Well, that's great news. I'm glad we were able to clear that up. Everyone was just doing what they had to. No one was to blame.

I don't think Suzaku or my ancestors regret saving you, Kyuki. That's why it's sad that not everyone knows the whole truth.

Hm? What do you intend to do about that?

We're gonna go pay Seiryu a visit! And you're gonna tell that dragon everything so that there's no more misunderstandings!

Wait! You want ME to...

Are you just gonna let Seiryu keep believin' a lie?!

Well, I...

Then it's settled! Let's head to Seiryu's incense burner!

Hey, Seiryu! Come on out!

You would address one of the four beasts that way?!

The Sacred Beast's vessel. I thought I told you not to show yourself before me ever again! Are you really so eager to feel my wrath?

Please wait, Seiryu.

Kyuki? What business does a disgraced incarnation have with me?

You got it all wrong! Just stop being so hardheaded and listen to us!

...So you see, it was just a misunderstanding. Neither my clan nor Kyuki did anything wrong.

After seeing the world overrun with these revenants, you must realize that Kyuki's not lying.

......

You must face the truth, Seiryu.

Suzaku could never allow someone to perish before its eyes. You know that better than anyone.

But... No, you are right. Suzaku could never.

I owe you an apology. Though it is my job to issue punishment from the heavens, it seems my own eyes were clouded by stubbornness.

Anyone would be shaken after hearing about a friend's passing.

Kyuki. I know the burden is heavy, but you must carry out Suzaku's mission in its place.

I apologize for Seiryu. That dragon never says how it feels in truth. Let us protect this land together, Kyuki, until the day Suzaku returns.

Necoco. Aldo. I cannot thank you enough for all you have done. If there is any way I can repay you on your journey, I will gladly do so.

Nyahaha! Looks like all the cats're outta the bag now!

Then let's head back to the Cat Shrine. We should let Nyanjiro know what happened.

Yeah, and let's grab some dango on the way back! It's a purrtty long story, so I'm sure Nyanji'll be happy to have a snack too!