Restore Future Resttin!

The village has really livened up.

Yeah! I heard there's even been more pilgrims lately! Feels good, knowing all our hard work's paid off.

But still...

If what you've said is true...that you've come here from 800 years in the future... Then please tell me. What becomes of us What becomes of this village?

I'm sorry to say it, but...in the future, the beastfolk are gone. Nothing remains of this settlement.

...A harsh truth, but not surprising. Our people live in harmony with the planet. We would have suffered, cleaved from the surface.

So despite all the effort Master Guildna and you all put into restoring this place... in 800 years, there's nothing left. No Resttin...not even proof that any of us ever lived here...

...Sorry. Master Guildna told me not to get down about it, and here I am brooding again.

This is your home, Zestah. No one could blame you for feeling that way.

Thank you. I just need a little time to clear my head.

So...that's it? There's really nothing left?

Hm...Hey, Aldo. I have a favor to ask. I wanna see Resttin in the future. Will you take me there?

Let's go. I'd like to see it too.

(But...how? Maybe Oswald will know what to do.)

Resttin, you say... That was a settlement of beastfolk back when this plate still sat upon the earth, was it not?

Yes. We really want to see for ourselves what became of it.

That plot's been redeveloped, you know, I can't imagine you'll find anything of interest...

......

...Well. You clearly have earnest reasons. I'll see to it that the path east of the Ruins Sector is opened to you. Go as you please.

Thanks, Oswald.

If you're heading east, you should take this.

This is...a star map? Are you sure we can accept something so valuable?

The tablets themselves say they are to go with those who journey east. I suspect it will prove necessary. Besides, we've copied the thing in bulk, they're handed out to guests freely. They absolutely love how "retro" paper is.

Haha... I'll gladly take it, then.

All right, let's head for Resttin in the future!

...There's nothing here. This is really where Resttin once stood?

Hey, you kids. This area's under construction. It's dangerous, gotta ask you to clear out.

Sorry. We just wanted to know more about the village that used to be here.

Oh, historians, huh? Well, there's nothing left to study. The reason development got approved in the first place is 'cuz the site had no historical value. So go on, move along.

Oh yeah?! Says WHO? That's ridiculous! How can you say that Resttin, the place where we lived, has no value at all?!

I don't know what to tell you. From what I hear, the village structures were swept away ages ago when the river flooded. Bare ground turns nobody any profit.

Nghh!

Ugh! This is so UNFAIR! All of us in Resttin worked so, so hard...and now it's just gone like it never mattered!

If that's how it'll be...then we're going back, to OUR time. And we're gonna do something about this! We'll make sure the beastfolk's mark on this island lasts into the future, no matter what!

All right! The first ever "Keep Resttin Alive for the Future" council is now in session!

We went to see Resttin in the future... but nothing was left of it. The people there told us all the buildings were destroyed when the nearby river flooded.

So to preserve the village for centuries to come, we'd need large-scale flood control.

In that case...why not restore the Astra Dam?

With the dam regulating the flow of the river, the flood might be prevented altogether.

But what of the materials? We scoured the island's west side while rebuilding the town, and found nothing sturdy enough to withstand water.

Then perhaps the east side will serve. The cliffs are steep, so you'll need to approach by way of the ruins, but... the primeval forest there still stands. It was closed off when I was young, but there should be an entrance on the east side of the ruins.

The terrain there is quite complex, but we should be able to find a shorter route on the other side of that door.

Ah, and one more thing. Among my stores I unearthed one of those asterorbs you've been collecting. It may prove useful, do take it with you.

And please feel free to continue using that signboard. Note whatever materials you may require.

Thanks, Grenfaa. All right, then, let's make for the Astral Ruins. If I remember correctly, that locked door was on the top floor of the Astrarium.

This is the only place that might connect to the east side, but...it doesn't look like it'll open the usual way.

That would complicate matters.

I mean, I could just carry everyone over, like last time we came through...

That would suffice if it were only us. But if we're to transport materials as well, we'll need a proper, level road.

We need the star map that opens this door.

...That reminds me. Oswald gave us a copy of a star map. It could be just the key we need to open the way east.

I heard a noise upstairs. I better go check it out!

Yes...with these, controlling the river should be no problem at all. We'll get working on the dam straight away. It'll be a bit much for us elders alone... We'll have some of the younger folks in the village lend a hand.

Such is the might of the Beast King, to bring nature's fury to dominion... Your Majesty, you shall rule the wilds themselves!

King of the wilds...now there's a thought.

Let's try heading to the future to see if Resttin is still standing.

Hey! What gives?! We stopped the floods. Was that not enough?!

Excuse me. Do you have a minute?

Oh, we don't get a lot of folks sightseeing out here. Need something?

Do you know anything about what happened to the village that once stood here?

Used to be a little waystation town, right? The buildings were wrecked by tremors during the early plate-lifting experiments. Back in those days, they were still fumbling their way forward. Earthquake resistance just wasn't a priority.

So flooding wasn't the only issue...we'll need quake-proofing too. We'd better head back to Resttin and think about our next move.

Okay! The second "Keep Resttin Alive for the Future" council is now in session!

This time, the issue is...

To launch the island itself into the skies... what an audacious undertaking.

If quake resistance is the issue, then the solution is simple enough. Sturdier beams and walls.

I'm certain you can manage it.

I'm glad of such confidence, Your Majesty. We will rise to the task. What if we were to use astra ore? We could create walls that repair themselves.

That's possible?!

In theory, yes. But with the sheer quantity of shards it would require, no one has ever attempted it. Still, if you're willing to gather the materials... we could try it. What do you say?

For Resttin's future? Of course. Leave it to me.

......

Excellent! This is more than enough to quake-proof the entire village.

Grenfaa! Master Guildna! Please, let us help, too! We wanna do something for the village.

Good. Let's get you to work.

Strengthening complete!

C'mere and look, Zestah! The village got an upgrade!

Y-Yes, it's looking wonderful. Let's hope this time it holds.

(It feels like I'm the only one afraid. Everyone's working so hard, but what if it still isn't enough?)

All right, let's head back to the future. This time something HAS to remain.

Why... But we did everything right! Everyone worked so, so hard...and still, the village is just doomed to vanish?

Easy there, miss...you all right?

No. I'm not all right.

But... I can't give up. We'll MAKE it all right, somehow!

Hey, mister! Do you know how the village here was destroyed?

From what I've heard, wildfire broke out and burned through the southern part of the island. Those days, prisma pollution was throwin' the weather into chaos all over. Hard times for anyone living on the surface.

So now it's fire... We'd better head back to Resttin and work out a plan.

..."Keep Resttin Alive for the Future" council, third meeting!

From what we've gathered, a great blaze swept the island, engulfing half of it in a sea of flame.

So fireproofing is the issue. Any proposals?

Fireproofing, hm... Fireproofing...

What about this?

I've been running tests with the villagers, experimenting on different materials. And we found something! With the right materials, we can make a compound that actively repels flames.

If we reinforce the homes with that, they might withstand even a great blaze.

Sounds like a plan. Let's head out and gather the materials.

Very well...let us fashion the fireproofing. The villagers are assembled and ready.

I'll help too, whatever small strength I can lend.

This is our village. Let us all take part!

Phew... It's finally done!

*sigh*

Why do you sigh?

Everyone has been working so hard, but that is precisely why I am afraid.

What if we do everything we can, and our future still doesn't change? If we're doomed from the start? Time will undo our efforts. It might laugh at them.

Raise your head and look around you. There was a time when beastfire was law, and one did not truly know his neighbor. But today, all of them labor as equals. For a common cause. Time may erase their deeds, but it will never touch that pride they've claimed. That, they keep within themselves.

Exactly, Zestah! We did our best for Resttin. Let's celebrate that first!

Zestah, why don't you come see the future with us? The reality might be scary, sure, but living on with the never-ending "what if", that's the heavier burden.

I agree. And even if this attempt fails, we might at least learn why.

Let's go, Zestah! Come on!

...All right.

Resttin... It's here...

Aldo! Quick, pinch my cheek!

Pinch mine instead. I can hardly believe this myself...

Both of you, calm down! Such violence will not resolve anything!

You calm yourself as well. Don't fidget with your spectacles so. It won't make the scene before us any less real.

Our village...it's not exactly the same, but it's here nonetheless. It truly remains.

Yeah... We did it, huh? We actually preserved Resttin. Proof that us beastfolk lived here...carried forward into the future!

Oh, you already know this village's name?

No...way...

How can there be beastfolk in this era? In the sky, at that...it's inconceivable.

We were always told our kind could not survive apart from the land...

Ah. You'd like an explanation? I'm happy to oblige.

As you said, we beastfolk are a people who live in harmony with nature. Severed from the earth, we wither. But a few among us...underwent an evolution that allowed us to adapt to the environment of the future.

I never heard anything like that from the beastfolk in Angal...

I would not expect so. Such adaptation occurred only in small populations. It weighs us to think of our kin, still below. But they sent those who went skyward with blessings. As we are told... "We shall remain with the past... but we rejoice that some among us choose to live on into the future."

I see... Even as history shifts, the pride of the beastfolk endures.

But why? What allowed such an evolution to occur?

That, we cannot say for certain. Though... there does seem to be a pattern. Those few who changed all trace their bloodline back to that of the Beast King, or to the old chiefs of Resttin.

You don't mean...

Perhaps our sacred birthplace itself lent them its strength. It's a nice thought. Please, enjoy your time in Resttin.

Hey...that story we just heard...

The common thread among those who adapted was this, their bloodline included one who had once touched the bubbles.

Myself and...Master Guildna.

Forgive me. Through momentary foolishness, I may have changed the fate of the beastfolk forever...

There is no need for apology. This evolution is no stain upon our pride. The future beast's speech made this clear.

But still, I know it was wrong. I never should have done so. And yet to see beastfolk living peacefully in the future...to know we are not forgotten... It makes me so very happy.

Yeah... Me too!

Indeed. Even if it is a sin, how could we not rejoice? Why, It's simply...

Oh, don't either of you start! If you cry, then I'll...

Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

I know we're not supposed to change history on this scale. I do. But even so...

I can't help it. Seeing this future makes me really glad.

Hmph. Then let us hope that just this once, time will overlook our transgression. A day may yet come when we are called to pay its price. But until then... May the Gyre Melody, the song that binds past and future...grant its blessing to the beastfolk.