Resistance Seeking The Dawn

Where...am I? Guess this is what happens when you blindly follow a glowing cat, huh.

One minute I'm in Menancia, next I'm in...wherever this is... Now, where did that cat go?

And I know people are wondering where I went. Gotta find a way to get back to camp...

...Or I could see where this takes me. Someone could be looking for this cat, after all.

Hey there, little guy.

Care to tell me where we're goin'?

Did you just...talk?

Woah, what the?!

Huh? Now where am I?

Judging by all this dried up rock, I'm guessing...Calaglia?

Alphen! There you are!

Shionne? Did we follow the same cat?

Cat? What are you talking about?

Anyway, you had me waiting so long I thought you got attacked by a Zeugle or something.

Sounds a lot like you were worried about me.

Don't flatter yourself... If I was worried, it was about the sword.

You're right. For this to work, the world needs the both of us, yeah? I'll be more careful.

Just remember you need me around to fix you up after you use it, okay? Now, let's...

Hngh!

Hey man, what's wrong with you?

More like, why is nothing wrong with him? He touched me, he should be in excruciating pain right now...

Is it possible your thorns just didn't go off this time?

No. The curse affects all that come in contact with me. The only exception is for people that can't feel pain, like you.

So then...

Uh oh...

Hey! Stop! Can't you see those zeugles?!

Damn't! Can't he hear me? Shionne, we can't just let him get attacked...

Always running to help, eh?

Are you hurt?

......

Hey! Wait! There's zeugles all over this place! Forget fighting them off, you can barely walk straight!

He can't hear you. Even if he could... I doubt he'd care.

Shionne, we gotta....

You really can't leave well enough alone, can you? Yes, we can go.

Really?!

You ask as if I have a choice. But, before we go, I need to treat your burns.

Ah yeah, thanks. Sometimes I forget what using this sword costs me.

Well, perhaps if you could feel pain you'd notice it more.

Thanks again. I will never get over how amazing it is that you can do this.

It's not the big deal you make it out to be.

Now, would you please think before you draw that sword, next time? Just because you can't feel pain, it doesn't mean you can't die. You just won't feel it when it happens.

Got it, I'll make sure to stay away from anything that might make you worry about me.

...Whatever. Let's go. We've got no time to waste.

Right. Looks like there's a village up ahead. Let's go check it out.

Wow. This place seems...pleasant? Everyone seems to be...happy?

Nothing embedded in their hands... Are they even slaves?

I find it hard to believe this is a Dahnan settlement.

Finally, you're back! You had been gone so long I was starting to worry!

You know this guy?

He's my father. Who are you?

Us? We're just passin' through. We found your dad wandering close to a zeugle nest. He looked a bit out of sorts so we thought it might be best if we helped him get home.

I see, well thank you for doing that. But I have to ask, what is a zeugle?

What do you mean? They're all over the place. We just saved your father from some that looked like lizards.

...Ohhh, the monsters? You mean? Never heard someone call them, uh, what was it? Zoogies? Zoogulls...

Listen, forget about the name. Where's your core?

Cor...What's that? Is that a fancy word people from the continent say?

You don't know what a core is? How is that possible?

Aha... I get it. Are you two from the Rays of Amber?

Rays of Amber? I'm beginning to question if we're speaking the same language, here.

Ring any bells, Shionne?

No. Sounds like a religion, but not one I've ever heard of.

I see...

I'm sorry, what's "Rays of Amber"? We're not really from around here...

My mistake, I just saw your clothes and thought maybe you were from the Church.

Huh? They dress like we do?

Well, one of them has a dress that's almost as fancy.

Anything else you could tell us about them?

Ah, well, they have a church in the plains out southeast. They say just one look at the Chosen makes all the pain you have go right away.

That's what the Rays of Amber is all about. Freeing everyone from pain. Any kind of pain.

Free people from pain, eh...

Pain is the root of sin, they say. So folks go pray to the Chosen and have their sins washed away.

All you have to do is pray, and then you're freed? That's it? Surprised people believe it.

It's true, though.

My father is proof. The Chosen delivered him from his pain.

Ah... Unh...

Looks to me pain wasn't the only thing they took from him.

Well...

It's easy to think just because you don't feel pain, you're free from all that comes with it. But you're not. Just because you can't feel it, doesn't mean you won't bleed. Doesn't mean you won't burn when it's hot, or freeze when it's too cold. And it doesn't mean you can't get sick.

Your father wasn't delivered from pain. He ran from it.

......

Yeah, and so what? What's wrong with not wanting to feel pain? He may not know who I am anymore, but if I don't believe that this was the right choice for him... Well, I... I just don't... I...

Okay, we got it, calm down. We're not saying he's a bad guy or anything. My friend here can be a little... abrasive at times, but it just means she's worried about him, okay?

This whole not feeling pain thing? It's a lot more dangerous than you think. Pain is our body's way of letting us know we're in danger. Without it, well...

I just... I just didn't want him to suffer anymore...

No one wants to see their family suffer, I get it.

......

But you gotta remember. This will put him in even more danger. So now it's up to you to keep him from getting hurt, cause he's never going to know.

Yes, you're quite right... Thank you.

Come on Father, let's go...

You buy any of that?

Sounds to me like they're tricking people into giving up their astral energy. But that should seem obvious to anyone, right? Something feels off.

Sounds like we should find out what that something is.

That girl's father, what they did to him? The power to change a person that much doesn't come natural.

Fine with me. Our enemies could be behind this "Rays of Amber", so for that reason alone, it's worth a look.

Yeah. Thanks, Shionne. You were worried about him after all, huh?

Worried? Do not speak of matters in which you know nothing.

Right, but you kinda were...

That girl said they would be in the plains to the southeast. Let's go.

Is it so hard to just say how you feel? Oh well.

Well, this as far southwest we can go, and no sign of any church.

You'd think if they wanted people to gather, there'd be something somewhere to gather around.

Yeah, some kind of landmark, maybe...

Stop.

We're being followed.

Zeugle? No, the sound is too faint... Human?

All I care about is if they are friend, or foe.

Wait for me Hootle!

Hootle?!

You can't just go running off like that!

Rinwell?!

Alphen?!

I'm guessing your sudden stop means we've found something?

Dohalim!

I must say, I did not expect to find the two of you here...

But I am glad we did find you all the same.

You think the others are here, too?

Kisara was on fire duty, I doubt she would have left the camp. Last I saw Law, he was telling me he had some place to be, and I haven't seen him since. So who knows?

Probably out training, I bet. He never misses a day.

Law may not seem like the type, but he is very serious about his training. Once he gets started, you likely won't see him again 'till morning.

Hm. You sure do know a lot about him.

...Enough about Law. How about we try and figure out what's going on here? Went into a rift and next thing we know, it's day out?

Right, we're actually in the middle of trying to figure that out.

You three see a bunch of people gathering anywhere?

Can't say I have. We've just been wandering around this valley.

How about you, Hootle?

Hoo!

What's his deal?

Hoo! Hooo!

Sounds like he must have found something. Says he wants us to follow him.

Good work, Hootle!

Hoo!

The Hootle word for "people" wouldn't happen to sound like the one for "thicket" would it?

...You doubt Hootle?

We just don't want him to waste our time, is all.

......

Well, it looks like he was trying to tell us it's further up ahead.

Might as well check it out. You two stay back here.

Ooor maybe we could come with you!

Ugh...

What do you think's going on over there?

Let's see, a bunch of people gathered in a secret location... No one can see what they are doing... Going to guess it's not something good.

Hoo?

Be quiet, something's happening.

Let the Amber light shine upon you all on this blessed day. Those of you who have come to free yourself from the sin of pain, we welcome you into our light. Now, pray unto the Chosen that she may bless you, and deliver you from all the pain that ails you.

My body aches with pain that never stops. My life is a living hell. Please, save me from my pain!

My husband is dead and my son was killed by monsters. The hope I had in my heart has been taken from me. Please, cure me of this eternal sadness.

Chosen, O' Chosen... Please shine your light upon us sinners so that we may be healed.

I shall answer your prayers. The world does not need pain... It is an impurity I shall now cleanse...

...Is she...gathering astral energy?

It would seem that way, but how? I don't see a core anywhere.

Alphen, if this goes on any longer...

They're going to end up like that old man we ran into. Completely devoid of self... Could barely do anything, wouldn't even defend himself from monsters. He was a husk.

...Yes, give yourself to the light. All your pain, all the sadness in you will simply wash away...

I give myself to the light, so that I may no longer feel this pain...

Then you shall be saved, little one. Your days of suffering are finally over.

I...m...losing...my...

Ahh!!

STOP!

Aaand, here we go.

A traveling circus troupe perhaps? Whatever the case I get the feeling you're not seeking the kind of salvation we can give you.

I'm afraid we've got enough salvation at home. Thanks. Now who are you working for and what do they want with all this astral energy you're stealing?

Astral energy? I'm afraid I don't know what you mean.

You can drop the act, we saw you steal it from those people.

You saw me...

Oh, I see. I believe you mean elemental energy.

I find it very interesting we do not call it the same thing... But before I ask further, would you be so kind as to stop whatever it is you're doing to these people?

A request made down the barrel of a gun is no request. It is a threat.

You're right, it is. Happy to see we're on the same page. Now talk.

No. I don't think I will. You see, I have some place to be...

But, if you want to talk, perhaps my friends here will make for better conversation?

Where did they come from?!

Shall we, Chosen?

Yes...

Not so fast.

No, no, I'm afraid I am in quite the hurry.

So, if you don't mind...

Well, it looks like we got ourselves a handful of roadblocks.

More like a little target practice.

I'll handle these guys, you all focus on the rest.

What do you mean "you all"? We're all on the same team now, you know!

Hoo?

Maybe it's best you hide for a bit, Hootle.

Hoo!

All right, let's do this.

What were those things, anyway? Felt like I was cutting into an armored soldier.

Could they be Renan?

Who knows. We just lost the one lead we had.

But in the meantime, why don't we fix these people up.

So we're gonna heal them all, then? Everyone okay with that?

I mean... We can't just leave them laying here.

I'll do whatever I can to help.

Not this way.

We should hurry over to the plains.

We should hurry over to the plains.

Welcome to Ratle. The Nadara Volcano is close by, so the might of fire is on full display here. Amazing, eh? You look pretty hot. Don't go collapsing or anything.

Who rules these parts, you ask? I wouldn't call him our ruler, but King Palsifal governs this place.

What's with those strange getups you have on? Don't go tellin' me you're from the future! Hahaha... Just pullin' yer leg.

Lately a suspicious band of people has been seen roaming the Zol Plains. They all wear hoods that hide their faces. I hope they're not up to anything nefarious.

Nadara Volcano is under the protection of the Fire Spirit Salamander. That's why most villagers are too afraid to approach it. It's best to leave such precious places unspoiled.

Recently, I've seen a light sparkling in the sky to the east. It looks so pretty, but I have a bad feeling about it...

You remind me so much of a guy I know. I guess you have the same air about you. An aura of positivity, you might say.

I heard someone's set up shop in an old ruin to the east. Apparently, it used to be a temple dedicated to a tree with mystic powers. That was ages ago, of course. They can use it for whatever they want, as far as I'm concerned.