The Calamitous Star Eater

Has the monster that attacked the ark come back at all?

Thankfully not, although I must admit I feel uneasy knowing it is still out there.

Maybe it left the area?

You think it just happened to enter the ark, then just happened to destroy the Astrolabos?

W-Well...

I am receiving correspondence from the observatory. How very rare.

One of the women here was just attacked by a monster we've never seen before.

What?! Is she okay?!

She's fine, thankfully. But it seems like that shadowy monster was after the asterorb she had on her. I know you have asterorbs over there too, so I just wanted to see if you were okay.

Asterorbs, you say... Thank you for your concern. We are fine. Please be careful.

The monster was after the Astrolabos here too, right?

Indeed. It took the core, then disappeared. Perhaps that monster is after objects that contain planetary energy.

Guess that means it might come after the new Astrolabos too.

But even if we wanted to go after that monster, we wouldn't know where to find it.

Hmm...

The calamities in the Astral Ruins were also shadowy monsters, right?

And one of them looked like they could fly.

I don't think it's a coincidence we found those monsters sealed here in the future. Why don't we head to Resttin and see if Brasah knows something?

Understood. I will look after the ark in the meantime.

I knew it. Something strange is going on...

Hey, Brasah! Got a minute?

Wait... What're you two doing here?

The Golden City has gone back to normal thanks to your efforts. I came to see if there was anything I could do in return.

Same here. I thought it might be about time the monsters in the ruins returned too.

Heh. You two certainly are strange.

And what brings you here, Aldo?

We wanted to ask Brasah something about the calamity.

You don't say... Perhaps you should show them what you found, Brasah.

Right. Have a look at this.

Is that...a black star map?

You remember when the mural disappeared, right? When I went to check it out, I found this tightly sealed box in the same room. And this was inside of it. It says... "The spiral monster, devourer of planets... The root of all, the greatest calamity..."

I really, REALLY don't like the sound of that! We don't stand a chance against whatever that is...

If you're worried, you don't have to fight...

N-No... I'll go with you...

(After all, I know the truth.) (I'm alive thanks to the help of so many people.)

(And even an ordinary human like me can help others...and save the world too!)

Alright. But if things get dangerous, I don't want you to stick around.

Then let's head to the Astrarium.

What's going on?

Oh no, oh nononono! This is bad. This is REALLY bad!

The monsters!

WHAT ARE THEY DOING OUT HERE?! I thought they couldn't leave their rooms!

The reasons don't matter. Right now, we need to make sure they don't leave the ruins.

Yeah. Resttin's already been through enough. We can't let them get out and trash the place!

O-O-Okay! I-I-I don't wanna do this, b-b-but I will anyway!

Here they come!

Huff... Huff... Is it over yet?

It certainly seems that way, yet I get the feeling we aren't through here.

It's faint, but I can still feel their energy.

What's going on?

Is that...the Age of the Gods on the other side?

Oh no... Don't tell me WE'RE the reason that monster shows up in that era!

After them!

There they are!

Wait. Something strange is happening...

Wh-Wh-What is THAT?!

Maybe all the elemental energy in the air caused them to fuse, no, to evolve.

I can tell this form is much stronger too.

But we won't lose! We need to protect the ark, and the future!

Once more, from the top!

It's way too powerful...

It's adapting to the way we fight. Which means...

Attacking it now is pointless.

Th-Then what do we do? We can't win like this...

Not normally. But we have a way to turn back time too.

The Astrolabos!

Exactly. If that monster doesn't have to play by the rules, then neither do we. C'mon, Chelika. Use the Astrolabos to take us back to before we fought this thing!

O-Okay!

Lend us your power, Astrolabos! Take us back in time!

D-Did we do it? Did we win?

Yeah, I think so.

But what's that inside the monster?

Even in a different form, it seems these beasts can still come back to life.

No, I don't think it's regenerating. Aldo. Do you notice anything strange about your memories?

Wait... Did history get rewritten?!

I don't really understand how it's happening, but its battle experience is being sent to its past self whenever it loses.

Seems like that monster's evolving with every battle too.

Then we simply must surpass it! Once you have caught your breath, let us continue the fight.

That's one battle won!

Is it over?

No, I don't think so. I can feel it getting stronger again...

I can feel it getting weaker. One more fight and it should be gone for good.

Another victory. Good job, everyone!

Had enough?!

I can't feel its presence anymore. I think it's finally gone.

Hmph. What a pain.

The long battle is finally over.

What's this?

It kind of looks like the Microlabos. Maybe it's the core that the monster stole.

W-Wait. Why is it glowing like that? Pleaaase tell me nothing else is coming!

Rem...

Remrelia!

Remrelia, I... Even though I'm the calamity given flesh... I'm glad I was born. Really, really glad. So thank you...for praying for me.

I promise to enjoy my life, until the very last moment.

Haha... She really likes surprising people, doesn't she?

Phew... I'm so glad it's finally over. I'm beat...

But you did really well, Chelika. You used to say something negative every few minutes when we first met, and look at you now!

I don't think I've changed that much...

But instead of looking down, at least now I look up and keep moving forward. Just like Aldo and the others... Hehehe.

I agree. I'm really impressed, Chelika! Now that the calamity's been beat, time will keep ticking on into the future. But we can take our time getting there.

Yeah!

For now, let's head back to the ark and let the guide know it's safe.

I see. So the monster evolved from three calamities that were sealed in your era.

Yeah, though we still don't know why they were sealed in the ruins in the first place.

You said there was a monster that flew in the sky, another that slithered along the ground, and one bearing scales, yes?

Sounds like that's ringing a bell.

We plan to revive some of the flora and fauna that are not aboard the ark using their helical data. They are beasts, birds, and fish.

D-Does that mean those monsters were experiments?

I cannot say for certain, as the events have yet to happen.

However, it is possible. If its ability to revive itself is any indication, it may have inherited the power of the calamity itself. If you would like, I can caution the others not to continue with their research.

Th-That would be nice...

Wait a second. Wasn't there an urban legend about winged and fish demi- humans?

If research is halted, demi-humans may cease to exist.

......

N-Never mind! Forget I said anything! We really, REALLY can't have that!

Yeah. I wouldn't want Guildna or Meryt not to be here. So I'd gladly take on whatever danger and fight as many calamities as it takes to keep them with us!

Even if there's nothing but despair at the end of the road, we'll keep walking it one step at a time. 'Cause it's the road we chose to walk.

Heh.

Hah... Quite a passionate speech. But I agree wholeheartedly.

Then I will leave it for you in writing on a star map you will one day obtain. "Before the calamity stirs, rouse them from slumber and subdue them."

Wait. Are you the one who left that map?!

I cannot leave behind oracle poems like the dreamancers, but drawings are acceptable.

Well, we appreciate it.

That star map was created because you helped rebuild the ark. So should you not be thanking yourselves instead? The present and future both exist because you crossed time and space to connect them. You forged bonds that have no known beginning or end, much like a spiral.

A spiral that connects us through time and space... I'm sure that's precisely what the Prayer of the Gyre Melody is.

Everything in this world makes us who we are today.

Let's make sure our light shines on into the future, illuminating the way for those who come next. So that the world is a bright place, even after we're gone.