Resonant Bonds

Urgh... Did I fall off my bed or something?

Are those...clouds?! First I'm chasing this talking, glowing cat, then I'm somewhere up in the sky...

...Yeah. I think I'll get back to sleep now.

AAAAH! OUT OF THE WAYYYYYYYY!

Colette?!

AAAAH! I'M FAA...

Urgh...

Oh no. What should we do, Genis? We landed right on top of Lloyd!

It's Lloyd, he'll be fine.

...Right?

Uh... Guhh...

I'm sorry Lloyd, that was a lot of weight to have dropped on you all at once.

Yeah. It's fine. I've had worse. More importantly...

If you're gonna ask where we are, We don't know either. We just followed you out of the inn.

I left the inn?

You looked like you were chasing after something... You don't remember?

I mean, there was this cat in the dream I was having... It was see through. Which, I mean, is weird, right?

Dreams are kinda supposed to be weird, but yeah a see-through cat is pretty out there. Kinda scary, if you ask me.

It wasn't scary though. It lit up, like a firefly kinda... It was saying something about needing to be saved, so I just followed it.

Then there was this portal thing, and next thing I knew, here I was.

Sorry, the CAT said it needed saving? That didn't trip any alarms for you? It could have easily been a trap, you know.

I was half asleep, it all seemed perfectly normal to me! Besides, don't forget Dwarven Vow #2.

"Never abandon someone in need." I couldn't just ignore 'em, you know?

Sounds like they were looking for you specifically, huh.

Your guess is as good as mine. I just followed the thing.

...Did anyone else just hear a meow?

I heard it, but I don't see it.

Could be hiding around here, maybe?

This road only goes one way. I bet if we just keep going, we'll find it!

Yeah, might as well see where it takes us, huh?

Lloyd! Look! Over there!

We should go save her!

You get away from her!

I got these guys, you two help the girl!

Sorry, Lloyd? Maybe it's best I fought, too? You know, seeing as they can fly, and all...

I can handle the girl, you two do what you need to do!

How is she?

Nothing too bad, that I can see anyway, a couple bruises at the most. Thing is, I can't find out anything else cause she isn't talking.

And uh, this may neither be here nor there, but she smells really good?

Genis, man. Come on.

No! Not like that! It's just there's something about it...

He's right though, it's a very floral scent...kinda makes me feel a little sleepy...

...th...ca...

What?

Is...the cat...okay?

She must have been trying to protect the cat... It's okay, the cat is totally fine.

I see... That's...good...

She's lost consciousness.

We should find a place where she can rest.

I see some buildings out over that way, let's go see if there's someone there who can help.

...Now if we could just figure out how to open this door...

Argh!

Citizen ID number? What's that?

Gonna take a wild guess and say it's a form of ID, Lloyd.

Excuse me? Hi there. So, we just got here and don't have have a Citizen ID just yet, is that okay?

Yeah, you could put it that way.

District? Umm...

They're here to see me. Now how about you open the door already, huh?

I know that voice...

It sounded like Zelos.

Then in that case...

Yeah! We're here to talk to that guy!

There's my little angel! And, uh, other present company.

To think you'd travel to this far just to be with little ol' me? I am beyond flattered. Truly.

Yeah, uh-huh, thanks for getting us in. Anyway, we need to talk.

How about with a little more feeling next time, eh Lloyd?

Aah?!

Now. Who is this precious little angel? She's not lookin' so hot.

Well, she looks better than when we found her, but she's still in a lot of pain, it seems...

I bet Raine would know what to do...

You know how to use healing techniques, right Zelos?

It's not my forte, but in a pinch, yeah. And I'd say a sick little angel is pinch enough!

First aid!

Hngh... My pain...is gone...

Stop... Don't come any closer...

Not a fan of cats?

I don't know why... but I can't let it touch me...

Ahh...

Sounded like it was thanking you!

You sure you're okay? You're shaking. No pain or anything?

I mean, she fainted, it'll take a while to recover from something like that. We're gonna try and find a place for you to rest. Think you can hang in there a little longer?

I'd rethink that idea, unless you got the gald for it? I'm pretty sure you don't. Cause, I mean, I don't either.

What do you mean? Of course we have gald, why wouldn't we?

Lloyd, please tell me you've worked out in that noggin of yours that you're not in Sylvarant anymore.

We're...not?

We're not! All right, I'll break it down for you nice and slow, okay? Colette, if you want the one on one version I'm happy to oblige?

I'm okay with the group version, but thanks!

Ouch. Well it was worth a shot!

Now, gather around children. Mr. Zelos is going to teach you all about traveling to new worlds. It's a very short tour that will take us to what is called the "Gamma District." So listen carefully! That means you, Lloyd!

What's in the Gamma District?

A little connection I made, nothing special.

Already? How long have you been here?

Okay, lesson number 1. Mr. Zelos' dashing good looks are a universal constant.

Gorgeous ladies come running no matter what planet you put me on. It's not a matter of how long I've been here. It's instantaneous!

Do try and keep up, everybody!

But just in case it wasn't clear, this ain't Sylverant. It's not even Tethe'alla. It's some place completely different. Capiche?

This place? The place you're in now? It's called Elzion. Never heard of an Elzion before, right?

It's the first I've ever heard of it. Lloyd? Genis?

Nope. But, geography isn't really my best subject...

Lloyd, c'mon. You have no "best subject."

Hey, I did all right in arts and crafts!

It doesn't matter because this place ain't in any of our geography books! And it's not just the scenery that's different. The way the world works is nothing like ours.

How do you mean?

Well for one thing, there's no mana here. Everything works off something called uh, elemental something or other.

No mana? I don't know how I feel about that...

Oh, and get this. This world doesn't have a chosen. Can you believe that?

...Chosen?

Yeah, and you're talkin' to two of 'em!

I see... I am also called "Chosen" by some.

I guess there is a chosen here after all, Zelos!

Yes...I have been here for ages...

Right, well our Chosen is responsible for the regeneration of our world. And there's actually two of us? Two of them? It's complicated.

Hm?

What are you doing here?!

You know this guy?

I told you not go into Elzion, DID I NOT?

You looked right at me and didn't even say "hi" or anything, that's rude, man.

I guess it's nice we found someone she knows?

Did you? ...I suppose you did... I don't remember...

You don't REMEMBER?! Were you using your powers in the city?!

I...don't...remember...

You...this is UNACCEPTABLE!

What the hell was that, man?

It was none of your business. This is my property and I decide how I treat it.

"She"'s a human, you know that right?

Heh. You know nothing. It's a tool. And a tool does not have a preference for how it is used. Its worth is decided by its usefulness.

And it is way more useful than idiots such as yourself.

Useful? Who made you the guy who decides if someone's useful or not, huh?! Not her, me, or anyone else on this planet was put here to be useful to a jerk like you!

Ugh... This such a dreadful waste of time.

Come. We're going to the temple. There's medicine to make!

Ouch... Stop that!

Hey! We're not done!

I'm afraid we are.

There's that smell again...

Whoa...what just happened? Just sort of blanked out for a second.

Hey, where'd they go?!

I was lookin' right at 'em, how'd they get away?!

That guy really pissed me off. He doesn't even see her as a human being! He's just like the Desians at the human ranch.

I think we should go help her.

I can't stop thinking about the way he was treating her.

Damn right we're going!

Guys that think they can just step all over people get on my last nerve.

Yeah, but go where? None of us saw where they went, right?

How about we try following the scent? It was coming from her, remember?

Yeah, I can still smell it, too. If we move quick we might be able to catch up.

I think it's going in the direction of that big door.

Well, it's the only lead we got. Let's go.

I can't believe a place this run down is so close to that big city...

Yeah, looks like the kinda place where literally nothing good happens. You can feel it in the air.

Probably why the roads are in such bad shape. Doubt anyone ever comes out here.

But if that's the case, then I wonder why they came out here?

Well, that was a colossal waste of time...

Did you deliver the medicine okay?

Yes, the old codger paid almost all he had for it, too. They'll pay anything to stay alive forever. To them it's even better that it's made from the lives of others.

I see...

Found 'em!

Didn't think you'd be able to find me, but I suppose children have nothing else better to do than waste time.

Enough! Let her go, NOW!

Why, do you have proof of ownership?

No one owns another human, so take your proof of ownership and shove it. You're hurting that girl, and we're here to stop it.

I believe I told you I was within my rights to do such a thing? If it doesn't do as it's told, then I will make it do as it's told. It's simple, really.

You think you can just hurt people and make them do what you want?

Hell no. No way am I letting that slide.

Yes, on that we both agree.

No one cares what you think, loser.

Oh... You wound me.

Now that we're away from prying eyes, I suppose I should introduce you to some of my research?

They were trained on analyzing human thought patterns to be more efficient in their killing, you see...

If you happen to make it out alive, I'd love to hear your impressions.

Now, if you could open the gate to the past, we need supplies for our next batch.

......

Did...she just...

TURN INTO A CAT?!

...Maybe this is actually a dream?

That's the...

I've seen it dozens of times and I still do not understand how it works. If I did though...it would be a discovery for the ages, indeed.

Damn! He's getting away!

We gotta get through these guys first.

And not a moment to waste. Let's do this!

There's more of them?!

He really doesn't want us going after him, huh.

Ugh. Delayed gratification is so passe.

Zelos, I don't really think he cares about your feelings. You hangin' in there, Colette?

Yup! I'm fine!

Let's focus on taking these things down!

This is the Gamma District. It's the 6th district of Elzion, and known for its merchants. As you might imagine, it's full of unique shops and boutiques. I recommend Ishar's, in particular.

I see you looking around like you're lost. Are you from another plate? Feel free to explore all you want, but stay away from Route 99. The place is crawling with Synth Humans.

When you get to my age, you say farewell to more people than you meet. Death is something everyone must face, but it still feels sad. Cherish every chance you get to meet someone new. Even if you part one day, the precious memories last a lifetime.

A close friend of mine was sent to fight the Synth Humans, and I haven't heard from them in years. It still pains me to think of it. War brings nothing but misery.

Ouch... I hit my knee on the desk before I left home. It still aches pretty bad. I wonder if they'll ever invent a medicine that eliminates all pain.

It's not just the army fighting the Synth Humans, you know. A lot of people hunt them down, too. Some don't like the idea of an army, or lost someone and want their revenge. We have to put a stop to the cycle of killing one day, though.

I'm frankly shocked that they went under. It wasn't a big company, but I saw them becoming huge, showed a lot of promise. Guess you really can't beat the big guys, huh. Too bad, though. I was really interested in what they were researching!

Word on the street is that the black cat in Professor Chronos' house is actually a super cat. What makes it so super, you ask? I hear its genetically modified, and can change its form... I forget the rest.

Most of the town was built by a giant conglomerate called KMS.

Yeah? Like the Lezareno Company?

Never heard of it... It's a really big company, anyway.

Welcome to Elzion. This is the residential area, but there are all sorts of interesting sights to see in the Gamma District. Elzion is pretty vast, though, so try not to get lost.

Hmm... I've never seen costumes like those before. Interesting... Are you all dressed up for some kind of event? Heheh. Ah, the exuberance of youth. It makes me want to get together with friends for a special occasion.

Elzion was built as a new home for people who could no longer live on the ground. Those of us who don't know what life was like before that get on fine here, but older folks seem to have some regrets.

Normally you can use this elevator to go to different districts. However, there are restrictions on some of the civilian levels, so watch out.

What is that?

It's called the Xeno Prisma... I'm afraid I'm too busy cleaning to give you the full low down. Maybe some other time.

Wargh!