Shifting Scenery

"Then, the one who stands against the darkness... The one chosen by time, the one with three names shall be made to speak." "He shall speak the name of hope, bestowed by the fair maiden"...? But the name Feinne gave me was Kyros. Is that the name of hope? No... Beyond time and space... Someone else...

Another Eden!

We'll head up as well. Let's meet again.

Be careful, Amy.

Mildy, you too.

We should start thinking about our next steps.

I'm happy to leave the Chapel of the Goddess of Time business to them. If nothing else, we have a Paradream concert to prepare for.

Ah...

Oh yeah, our next performance is coming up pretty soon...

With so much going on, it completely slipped my mind!

I assumed that would be the case, so I went ahead and sorted out the stage show and everything without you. And I finished all the equipment and lighting checks. All that's left for you is rehearsals and final checks.

You did all that? Thank you, Clughorn.

That was so thoughtful of you! But between all that and running the clan, how on earth are you coping?

It's rare to hear such appreciation from you. But this is nothing. The right person for the right job, as they say. I'm good at the admin stuff, you guys...aren't.

True...

So you two go on ahead. I have some loose ends to tie, and then I'll be right with you.

Got it. We'll see you at Satellite Stadium.

Clughorn!

I didn't realize you were back!

Malcure? I am, but not for long I'm afraid. I'll be heading straight out again.

I keep telling you that you don't need to call me by my full name! Just call me Malc! I am going to be your right-hand man, after all!

It takes real determination to put yourself forward like that, and I admire you for it. But I'm afraid I'll be lumping you with all my admin work while I'm away again.

Aye, sire! Just leave it to me! But before you go, there was some business about the Chrono Clan I wanted to discuss with you.

Oh, yes?

It's about our members. It seems quite a few of them are starting to develop more...extreme views.

Ah, that... Yes, I've been hearing the same.

And there's whispers of a radical faction hatching up some kind of plot. Though, it is only a rumor. Who knows how true it really is...

We are not a monolith. Though we may be banded together by our shared ideal of human evolution... We are still just an organization at the end of the day. But if this rumor is true, we must nip it in the bud before it has a chance to escalate.

So you're going to investigate it yourself?

Yes. I think this goes a little beyond your job description, don't you? I will handle this matter entirely. There's no need to report it to Kam and Mildy.

Roger that! But...why?

The right person for the right job. I prefer not to involve them in organizational infighting.

I see... Then let me help you! As your right-hand man!

I have my own right hand, I don't need somebody else to be it...

Although, many hands DO make light work. Very well, let's head into town and start asking around.

Hmm... I like to think I'm in the loop on all the town's gossip, but I've never heard anything like that.

I see...

But you seem like a great guy. You have an elegance about you that I find very endearing.

We haven't met before, have we?

You must have the wrong man. Excuse me.

Hold on... Aren't you Horgclun from Paradream?! Wait! Come back! You must let me shoot a commercial for you!

All that legwork for nothing. And I am getting fed up with the amount of oddballs and nutjobs in this city! Though, what else should I expect in this melting pot of human desire we call Eeza?

I told you to SHUT UP!

Hm, do I sense trouble?

Just listen to me! The clan is not your enemy!

I don't wanna hear about your stupid clan. Who d'ya think you are, paradin' around town like you own the place?

Yeah, you think you're so special, don'tcha? You think you're better than us, huh?

N-No, not at all! W-We just...

Well, maybe we are better than you.

I'm just trying to have a discussion. You're being a bit hypocritical, don't you think?

Clughorn!

Clughorn... One of the leaders of the Chrono Clan, huh?

Tch, let's just get outta here! He ain't worth it.

Pathetic. How could you let them talk to you like that?

I was just trying to get them to understand the clan's beliefs...

And your reasoning was valid, but sometimes reasoning alone is not enough. Some people, you just can't get through to. You'll never see eye-to- eye with everybody.

......

Then how can such people evolve? Do we have to lead them towards evolution, force them, even? Isn't that the way of extremists?

Our ideals are not that simple. Let's return to our investigation. I don't want to waste too much time on this.

Ah, I'm way ahead of you there! I've already found the extremists' location. Apparently they're all convening at Toto Dreamland.

Toto Dreamland, huh? Looks like I'll be keeping Mildy and Kam waiting a little while longer. But that was good work, finding out the location so quickly. How did you even do it?

Heheh, I couldn't possibly reveal my source. Let's just say I have my hands in a lot of pots.

Heh. You're an impressive guy, Malc.

All in a day's work for your future right-hand man!

Oh, not that again. Why so fixated on me? Isn't there somebody else more worthy of your esteem? Like Kamlanage or Mildy...

How could you say that? I'm only here because of you! I respect everything about you! Your philosophy, your unwavering emotional strength, your effervescent gravitas!

You give me FAR too much credit.

But that isn't important right now. Let's just get going to Toto Dreamland.

Huh? That you, Clughorn? Whatcha doin' here, boss? You need us for something?

I heard a rumor that an extremist faction was using this as their base to hatch some nefarious plot. And now I find you here. Funny place for an innocent get together, right? I'm afraid I can only conclude that the rumor is true after all.

So let me ask you this. What is your objective? What have you been doing here?

Hey, there's no need to get all aggressive! We're just tryna carry out the mission. All we're tryna do here is figure out how to force the foolish humans to evolve.

Then why not discuss it openly? Why hide out in this place and act under a cloak of secrecy? I'll tell you why. Because you're up to something you don't want Kam or the others to find out about.

Yeah, well, you guys are all talk, no action. We figured we'd take matters into our own hands. So what you gonna do about it? You gonna stop us all on your own?

You think I can't? Right here, my Ego can... Wait, what do you mean "on my own"?

Gah! No... You...

Sorry, Clughorn. But you said yourself, you just can't get through to some people. This is the only way.

Good, he woke up.

This was all just an act? Even your quarrel with the gang in town...

It was all just part of your plan to capture me? Tell me, when did this betrayal start?

I apologize for your rough treatment. But I have not betrayed you. Quite the opposite, in fact. I want to free you, Clughorn.

Free me?

Your thinking is very similar to ours. Some fools in this world are simply beyond saving. It is impossible for all humans to evolve autonomously. You agree, don't you?

You're really starting to get on my nerves now.

I'm used to being misunderstood. But to be lumped in with a bunch of crazies like you? I'm insulted.

My ESP isn't...working...

Ah yes, I'm afraid your psychic abilities won't work here. I've found a way to block them off. So tell me, how does it feel? How does it feel to be the same as those regular humans you loathe so much?

Hmph. If you want something from me, hurry up and get to the point. Otherwise you're just wasting my time.

Heh. Refusing to show any weakness, eh? Good, I've always liked that about you. Unlike Kamlanage and Mildy, you genuinely despise fools. Yet you would never be able to betray those two comrades of yours.

Get to the point.

I want to remove those shackles.

M-Mildy?!

I'm afraid she can't hear you. She's being kept under mind control. We have Kamlanage, too. But we're keeping him at another location just to be on the safe side.

......

Do you see? For all their great power, they were captured so easily. They are too trusting of others. Our ideals will remain forever a pipe dream under such weak leadership.

You are just cowards, using violence and intimidation to achieve your ends. How dare you even suggest that we share the same ideals? The very thought makes me sick!

You still sure about this, Malc? Do we really want this arrogant twerp on our side?

Oh, I'm more than sure. He belongs on our side whether he knows it or not. Clughorn, I want you to take charge as leader of the god faction. This is a war to evolve all of humanity. And we need you to bring this crusade to glory.

Are you out of your mind? What makes you think I'd agree to that?

Oh, I don't. Not yet anyway. Maybe you need some time to cool off first.

We'll be waiting in the back. Now, take your time and think it through before you give us your final answer. Don't let me down, Clughorn. I really wish to be your right-hand man again.

......

Mildy...

I suppose it's time to head to the back. They're waiting.

Clughorn! I've finally found you!

Amy?! What are you doing here?

I saw you while I was wandering around Eeza, so I thought I'd follow you. Then I saw those guys taking Mildy. She looked unconscious.

Yet you didn't charge in all guns blazing? That's surprisingly wise of you.

HEY! Do you think I'm, like, totally devoid of common sense?! I'm not a little kid anymore, you know! I don't know what's going on here, but I can help. So quick, let's get Mildy and get out of here!

I appreciate the offer, but this is clan business. Besides, don't you have other things to do?

Well, I did come here without telling Aldo and the others...

And if Mildy's in danger, I gotta help her.

You really haven't changed a bit. Very well, you can help. But I have a different favor to ask of you.

That was surprisingly quick. Do you have an answer for us?

I do. My answer remains the same. I will wake you up from your delusions.

If this is about Mildy, then I apologize. We have no wish to harm her. If you are willing to be honest with us, we will release her immediately.

That isn't a concern. Mildy is far stronger than I am. The idea that you could do her any harm had never even crossed my mind.

What?!

No, no, his reaction is to be expected. She's always been your weakness. I just wanted you to realize that for yourself. That's why we kidnapped her. In order to escape mediocrity and become a god, you must learn to let go of your individual attachments.

Heheh...

Is something funny?

Sorry, it's just so childish. Though I do appreciate the humor in you calling yourselves gods.

What?

Excluding others in order to mask your own weakness isn't strength.

You're the very definition of human folly.

What the?! How's he using ESP?! I thought we installed a device to disrupt psychic wavelengths!

Oh, that little toy? It broke under the slightest bit of strain. Sorry.

This is...unexpected. His ESP output far exceeds normal values. Has your anger at Mildy being taken hostage caused this surge in power?

How many times do I need to tell you? You are no threat to them. In other words...

Your lie couldn't have been more obvious.

What the?! You were supposed to be heading to Satellite Stadium!

A friend sent us a report from Clughorn, saying he'd found the enemy base.

So you're the one...

The one with the ability to project images of people onto others. A power like that could be bad in the wrong hands...

Yeah, can you make it go away now? It's giving me the creeps.

Ugh!

This is disappointing, Clughorn. I really thought you of all people would understand.

Is that...

It's you who needs to evolve, Malc. Time to teach you a lesson. Kam, Mildy, let's go!

Why? I truly believed you'd get us, Clughorn. Why would you do this?

...The answer is simple.

I could not allow you to stop the concert. That's OUR crusade.

Your...concert?! THAT'S how you think you'll change things? Music? Who cares about music!

Don't underestimate the power of music. We have no wish to deny modern humans or their culture. There's no need to rush.

Besides...

Clughorn isn't what you seem to think he is. His resting grump face just gives people the wrong impression.

Honestly. First Amy, now you...

Malc. I may not be as open-minded as these two... Yet, I choose to walk with them. With Kam, the one who showed me the way, and Mildy, the friend I admire.

So...this is goodbye.

Are you sure just expelling them from the clan was enough?

I'm not pleased about it, but they didn't actually commit any crimes.

I'm sorry, this was all my fault. I was aware of the god faction. I just never imagined they'd go nuclear like that.

This wasn't your fault. Internal affairs are supposed to be my department.

Exactly. I've been letting you take too much of the burden.

He's right, we've been taking you for granted. We've become a little too dependent on you, and we need to change that.

No, you don't. It's like I always say. The right person for the right job.

I guess you're right... Thank you. Okay, we better get to the stadium, or we'll be late for our own concert.

Ah, yes... You go on ahead.

Weren't you listening? The clock's ticking.

Don't worry, I'll be there soon. I just have a little personal matter to attend to first...

If you say so... Well, we'll be waiting for you at the stadium, Clughorn.

All right, the final checks are done. Now we just need to wait for the show to start.

Yeah, we're gonna blow the audience away with this show. I can't wait!

The power of our feelings and our cries will release us from their pull. A pretty impressive effect, I'd say. All that's left is to do it. Are you ready to shake some souls?

...I shouldn't be surprised anymore, but the extent your personality changes when it's time to perform really is a sight to behold.

Haha. Your commitment is always inspiring.

But I have to admit...I have a bad feeling about this show...

A bad feeling? Like something's gonna happen during the concert?

Could KMS be up to something?

I don't know, but I think we need to stay alert.

Then stay alert we will. What's the plan?

There's nothing we can do now. But I won't let anybody interfere with our show. We can stop them. Right, Kamla, I mean, Genakamla.

Right, we can do this. Okay, let's go!

......

Clughorn, you have to open your eyes! You should know that you're different from the rest! That you're one of us!

We have no wish to deny modern humans or their culture. There's no need to rush.

Clughorn isn't the kind of person you guys think he is.

Horgclun.

Mildy? What is it?

Not Mildy. Dilmy. We agreed to call each other by our stage names during performances, remember?

Anyway, what's gotten into you. Are you nervous or something? Or are you dwelling on what I said before?

Wha?!

You surprise me. You don't really think I took that seriously, do you?

Well, okay then... But you can always talk to me, you know. We are friends after all.

Just stop worrying. I won't waver.

Then let me put it another way.

It is normal to help friends in need. I want you to lean on me when you need to. Like you used to.

Understood...

H-Hey!

You're part of the god faction, aren't you? What are you doing here?

Urk!

I knew it. There's only so many places you can obtain an ESP blocking device. And I knew that weapon they used looked familiar. If they have the backing of KMS, the god faction could become unstoppable.

Unless someone stops them first, of course.

Mildy, Kam, I'm sorry.

But we all have our part to play for the clan... And mine is to lead the god faction.