Visitors From Another World

Man, I don't think I'll ever get used to the heat here.

Well it is the realm of Salamander, after all. What's normal for the people here, might seem a bit extreme for some.

You seem to handle it okay. What's your secret?

Simply a difference in training.

Hey! I went through basic training for the Baruoki Guard!

Now, now. I was merely speaking of adapting to extreme temperatures...

...I've got you, milady. Are you hurt?

......

Hmm... No response...

Maybe she hit something on the way down?

We should take her to a doctor. Just in case.

......

You're outside AGAIN?

You know her?

She's my sister. Is she bothering you?

Not at all. Actually, we were kinda worried because we tried talking to her and she's not responding at all.

We were just about to take her to a doctor, actually.

I wouldn't bother.

What? Why not? Explain yourself.

Because I already took her. And not just to one, I took her to every doctor I could think of. They all said the same thing, the life force had been drained from her body. There was nothing we could do.

Sorry, I had no idea she was that sick...

Sick?! What? No.

My sister went to one of those Rays of Amber meetings. Buncha religious weirdos. She was heartbroken and they took advantage of her and turned her into this zombie.

Sorry, the religion took her life force? I don't quite follow...

Wait, you don't know about the Rays of Amber?

First I've heard of 'em.

They came by telling folks they could take away all their pain. I mean literally, you wouldn't feel a thing. Which, if you ask me, is a load of horse you-know-what, but people believed 'em anyway.

I mean, it's just not right.

Look at her. Yeah, she's not hurting anymore, but it's more than that, she's just nothing, man. They turned her into a damn husk.

Sorry, I had no idea...

You think you could point us in the direction of these Rays of Amber guys?

After all I just said, you want to go see them? Seriously? That's it, I'm done trying to understand you people.

You misunderstand. As you may have noticed, I have collected countless scars through the years...

But to me, they are not just scars, but reminders of where I've been. I would not trade them for anything. It is because of them I am standing here before you now.

Well then, why go see 'em?

To find out what they're up to.

To some, being comfortably numb may be just what the doctor ordered... But what they've done to your sister, I don't think even those people would want that kind of life. And we'd very much like to stop it from happening to anyone else.

Then you'd better head on over to the Zol Plains. That's where their temple is.

I dunno exactly where it is, but I've seen 'em go pretty far out there. They turned some ruins into a temple or somethin'.

All right, then that's where we'll go. Thanks, man.

Well, this is as far as it goes and I don't see a temple.

Hmm...

There's some tracks here, and by the looks of it, human tracks. A lot of different ones all walking the same way...

Now that is strange. Why would they be walking into this thicket? Something on the other side?

Well, we won't know 'till we see for ourselves. Shall we?

What in the world is going on here?

Who's asking? You friends with that hooded creep, or just another Rays of Amber believer?

Neither. We've heard some bad things about these Rays of Amber guys, and we're here to look into it. But we can talk more after we get these people back on their feet.

Indeed.

TALKING FROG!

A walking, talking, frog that understands the words of humans... Curious. Are you native to this area or a mutation?

No, actually I'm... Nevermind.

That should be everyone.

So, are they back to normal?

Well I looked everyone over and nothing seemed out of the ordinary from a physical standpoint. But that's to be expected as this is closer to what happens when you have your astral energy sucked out of you.

Astral what?

Ah, right. Perhaps this might be easier to understand... The hooded man my companion mentioned called it elemental energy. Does that ring a bell?

Yeah. It's energy that exists out in nature.

Huh, okay how about this. Do you know what a Zeugle is?

Nope. Never heard of a zeugle.

So, no cores, no zeugles, and no astral energy... It's almost like...

What was that?

A small animal hiding in the bushes, perhaps?

Or perhaps the sound of an empty stomach?

Wha?!

I believe we were all trying to spare the lady's feelings...

Well, we haven't had a bite to eat since we got here, so...

Maybe it's about time we fixed that? Seems like a good enough place to set up camp, and we should let these folks rest before moving on, anyway. I'd like to talk to them a little more about what happened, too.

Hootle could use a nap, too.

I agree. There's a lot to discuss, and we all need some rest.

We'll handle the food, feel free to grab a bite if you're hungry.

You sure?

We happen to have just enough for six, so you're more than welcome.

Hope you like sausage and rice porridge.

All right, now let's talk. What all have you heard about the Rays of Amber?

Back in Ratle we ran into this guy whose sister went to one of their meetings. She had this dead look in her eyes. Couldn't say a word either. So we decided to look into it.

There was the guy in the hooded cloak and a girl they called the "Chosen." They said they'd heal the people, but it looked a lot like they were stealing their astral... I mean elemental energy.

Anyway, we tried to stop them, but they got away.

Interesting...

Who calls elemental energy astral energy? Sorry, I've just never heard it called that.

The Dahna. The Rena call it that too, though.

Dahna? Rena?

They're races of people. Alphen and I are Dahnan.

Heh. Looks like I was right.

I had a feeling, but this conversation just cemented it. This is not the world we know.

What makes you say that?

Our friends here have heard of neither zeugles nor astral energy. Have you ever heard of a place on our world that has neither of those things? And it's clear they aren't suffering from some kind of memory loss, so how else would you explain it?

......

So you're visitors from another world, then?

Well, I mean stranger things have happened, right? Look at us, we travel through time like it's nothing.

Woah. You can travel through time? So you can go back to the past and into the future, too?

Do you know how to travel to other worlds, too? We ended up here after being sucked into this strange portal. You heard of anything like that?

We have to get back home. We're on a mission and every minute counts.

Hmm... Sounds a lot like a dimensional portal. Walking through it again should get you home, if you can find it.

No portal, no home. I see...

We can help you look, if you want.

Appreciate it, but we're not ready to go home just yet.

What? Why? We've got to get home as soon as possible.

You saw what happened. We can't just leave these people to die because it's inconvenient for us.

Last I checked, "those people" got exactly what they wanted.

Only because they've been brainwashed into thinking that was what they wanted. When you live your life in the bottom of a hole, all you want is out. And any kind word will look like a rope if you're desperate enough.

Such is the way of things, is it not?

Maybe so. But that's why I wanna find out what these guys are up to. And make sure they don't prey on anybody else.

Well, it sounds like we want the same thing then, eh? We should work together. What do you say?

That'd be a huge help. Especially because we don't know anything about this place.

That reminds me! You guys know anything about this? Picked it up after our fight.

I'd read it myself, but I've never seen this kind of writing before. Think you could read it for me?

This is...

Metalwork this thin could only have come from the future.

Yeah, no doubt about it. Wish Riica was here, she'd be able to identify it right away.

She said something about going under maintenance, right? Bad timing.

So no idea, then?

No, I mean I am pretty sure, just not 100%. I know about when it was made, but not where and by who. So I need to go into the future and do a little digging.

Do you guys mind hanging tight while I do that?

Sure. We'll stay back here and see if we can't find out more about the Rays of Amber.

Okay, if we find anything we'll let you know.

In this foreign land, our fortunes favor friendship with tentative hands.

Indeed... I see you are a poet. Perhaps once things calm down you could share some more.

Right, but first thing's first. Let's take this thing to Amy's dad and see what he thinks.

Then to Ishar's we go.

Okay, I think I got it. You wanna find out who's been going to the past and using this tech, right?

From what our companions told us, they looked like metal birds that hovered on the air. I do believe they mean they were drones.

This is what's left of one of the ones we fought.

They definitely didn't make metal this hard and this thin back in antiquity. Now, I've seen this logo somewhere...

That'd be the Fraxinus Labs logo.

Fraxinus Labs? Never heard of 'em.

They were a fairly well-known pharmaceutical company. KMS tried to buy 'em out, I heard. I say "were", because after they turned 'em down, the company went under.

Weren't they trying to make some kind of immortality pill? I remember seeing something about it on the news a while back.

Immortality... The more things change the more they stay the same, it seems.

But what would one of their drones be doing in the past?

No clue.

Hey, I'm back.

Took you long enough. How long does it take to deliver one package?

Sorry, the guy ended up going on about this thing he heard about. It's kinda weird, actually.

What kind of weird?

So, what I heard was there were these kids in cosplay fighting a bunch of drones out on Route 99.

I figured it was just you, Aldo. Wrapped up in another one of your adventures or something.

I mean, I guess it does sound like something I'd do. But I haven't been out that way at all today.

Well, I thought it was you, and I was like, well Aldo can take care of himself, right? But since it's not you... Now I'm kinda worried.

Yeah. Aldo, how about we finish this later?

Yeah. Let's go help those kids.

Route 99, was it? Let us go, with haste!

...I think we found our cosplayers.

Indeed. There's something very Aldo about the one in red don't you think?

What? No way! ...I mean okay I guess a little? You know what, nevermind.

Hmm... The guy with the red hair...

You know 'em?

It's a little too far to say exactly, but...ugh...yeah, I think do.

This is strange, is it not? It looks as if they are fighting off endless shadows.

Maybe they can't see what they're fighting?

We should go help.

Fireball!

These guys just keep comin', huh? You'd think they'd run out at some point, but nope.

Maybe they just made a whole lot of them? I dunno!

Even then, this seems excessive.

Your enemy is above you! Look up!

Look up?

I see it! Just a second!

They...disappeared?

And so did the scent.

You guys okay?

Yeah, thanks. It was you that told us to look up, right?

You seemed to be swinging wildly in random directions, so we thought maybe you were fighting a mirage.

TALKING FROG!

Ah...this again. Believe me, I get this all the time, but while I may look this way, I am human.

Wow, there's all kinda folks in this world, huh?

...Anyway, sorry for interrupting.

It's fine. It's natural to show a little interest in how Cyrus looks.

So you were saying it looked like we were fighting a mirage? Now that you mention it, there was something weird about the whole thing.

Yeah. They just kept coming one after another. I was starting to wonder if this was just my life now? We'd fight these things till the end of time?

The guy that started it said it was his "research", or whatever. I'm guessing that must have been what he meant. The mirage.

Yeah, maybe. Let's discuss the nerdy stuff later, what I wanna know is...

...How lucky am I to run into the goddess herself not once, but twice? Is it destiny? I'm dying to find out.

Ugh. Hi, yeah, good to see you again.

Ah, so it was the guy, then?

Yeah, it is. I found him at the airport, looking a lot like a certain someone, all lost and confused? Ring any bells, Aldo? Anyway, so I helped him get his bearings a little bit.

Hm? What is...

Look at this!

It's the Fraxinus Labs logo.

Do you know something about those things we were fighting?

A little bit, but we're actually looking into these things. Trying to find out exactly what they are. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions...

I see, so you're from another world...

Yeah, at least I think that's what's happening. I know it might sound hard to believe...

You'd be surprised. We're actually from a completely different time period ourselves.

On top of that, we just met another group of folks that were from another world.

So is this time travely, dimension divey business just an everyday thing for you guys?

I mean, the "people from another world" thing is pretty rare. But it has happened before.

And hey, it'd just be rude to not at least assume you're telling the truth. Why lie?

You know what. I like you. You're talkin' my kind of language.

I'm Aldo. I'm a traveling swordsman.

And this is Amy, and Cyrus.

I'm a hunter. Nice to meet you guys.

I am honored to make your acquaintance.

So Aldo, Amy and... Cyrus. Got it!

I'm Colette. Nice to meet you!

I'm Lloyd. Also a traveling swordsman!

I mean, yes you travel and yes you are a swordsman, but it does sound weird to hear you say that...

Ah, right. I'm Genis. Lloyd's best friend. And...

Zelos Wilder, at your service. To the little lady, feel free to call me Zelly!

And uh, the rest of you guys can just call me whatever. I probably won't answer anyway.

Well, at least we know where we stand, eh?

So what are you guys planning to do next?

So you know the weird scientist guy?

Ah, well you mentioned research, but sure.

He was with this girl and any time she'd make him mad, or do the wrong thing, he'd hurt her.

So we're gonna go find him and save her.

Thing is, we have no idea where they went...

See that weird glowy thing over there?

Sorry, glowy thing?

Yeah, the big...you know... That bluish glowy thing over there? Well, they jumped into whatever it is, but that's as far as we know.

Oh, hey, that's a time rift!

So you've seen one before?

We're time travelers, remember? That right there is what links the past to the future.

So...you guys just have these things hanging out in the middle of the street? Isn't that dangerous?

It's not like they just stay open all the time, you gotta open it yourself.

Oh, well, it looked like the girl we're looking for opened it.

A girl? That's not possible...

We don't really know what we saw, but it sounds like if we go through it, we'll be able to find them?

Yeah, it should take you to the same time as them, anyway.

Then I guess we're traveling through time!

You want us to just blindly jump into that freaky hole? Pass.

What if we don't make it out? What if, the other side of that portal is 10,000 feet up in the air? Huh?

It should be fine, but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry.

There's no telling what is on the other side. So let's make sure we're ready before we go.

You're coming with us?

If it's okay with you guys? We'd like to help.

Of course it's okay! Thank you so much!

Yeah. Thanks, Aldo.

Well then, once we're ready, let's leap through time and space!

Everyone ready? We'll jump in first, you guys come in after, all right?

Wow. They actually went in...

If you're too scared to go in, you can always stay here, you know.

See you later, Zelos!

Fine! FINE! Fine. I'll go. Okay? I'll go. I'm gonna go. Here I go!

Hmm... We're back in Zol Plains...

A perfect opportunity to introduce our guests, yes?

Yeah, and we can tell them what we know about the writing.

So we got two groups of people from different worlds at the same time? Is it weird that I almost think that's normal? Would be nice to know why, though...

Yeah. I guess we won't know until we talk to the both of them together.

Woah! What is this place?

I suddenly feel a lot more...grounded.

Well, you have just traveled 21,100 years into the past. You won't find any floating cities here.

Twenty one THOUSAND YEARS?!

...I could see how that could come as a shock.

Let's get our head in the game, boys. What's the next move?

Yeah, how are we going to find those two in a place this big?

We don't even know their names...

All we know is that the guy's a jerk and he called the girl the "Chosen."

Wait, the Chosen?

Yeah, that's what he called her. We've got "chosen" where we're from, too. Kind of a different thing, though.

Well then, we have a chosen girl, and some future drones. I would wager this chosen is most likely the same chosen we know from the Rays of Amber.

I was thinking the same thing. Did that guy mention anything to you all about the "Rays of Amber"?

Rays of what?

It is a religion that "frees people from their pain."

Free people from pain...

Hmm... Do you know where they meet?

When we went there they were already gone, but they meet over in the plains.

Actually, it'll be faster if I just take you there.

So this is about where we found their followers.

Really? But there's nothing here? They all just stand outside?

There's no place to pray, not even a statue of their god...

Guess they can't all be as rich as the Church of Martel.

I'm starting to think that maybe the "church" is somewhere else.

They did say something about some ruins being turned into a temple.

Then how about we go in the ruins and see if they were right?

Did you hear that?!

Yes, I believe it came from over there.

We'd better check it out!

Hey, I see someone!

You okay?

Wait, this doesn't feel right. It's like he's made out of metal.

This is...an android? Why would...

You said you found drones here, right?

Maybe this android is from the same place?

Looks to me like they were put here to guard the entrance.

What better way to keep out intruders than to guard the gates with a man who wants for nothing, eh?

So it's definitely Fraxinus Labs related, right?

Well, the guy we're looking for was wearing a lab coat, so it seems likely the two are tied... But I think we're missing the forest for the trees here, guys.

Yeah. This android has battle scars. It was attacked.

Someone was trying to break in, then.

Their followers must be pretty passionate if they'd beat up an android just to pray...

It's so obviously not that, but that kind of innocence is why I can't get enough of you Colette.

I'm guessing this was done by someone looking for revenge?

Someone that had it out for them... I could think of a few people like that...

Yes, pretty much every one we met that knew someone in the cult.

So you're saying it's very likely.

I hope that girl is okay...

I'm more worried about if she's this "Chosen" or not.

Guys, we don't even know if she's in there yet.

And the only way to find out is if we go in that temple. Have a little faith, will ya?

That's weird. This seems to be the only way forward, but it's a dead end.

Is there something we're missing?

Wait a second, there's a breeze coming from this wall here.

Hidden passage, maybe?

It wouldn't be an ancient temple without one, right?

Lemme guess. It only opens if we put our hands on these stone slabs at the same time?

You might be right, actually.

At some point you have to ask, why do they do it?

Probably because they've got something they want to hide.

Let's give it a try, then.

I'll take the right side.

...Aaand it was a trap.

Well, at least the path opened!

I have a super bad feeling about this, but if it's the only way out...

Hey guys! We're gonna see where this path takes us, okay?

Yeah! We're gonna do the same then! There's no telling where these paths lead, so just be ready for anything out there, guys!

Wonder how the others are doing? We've been going for quite a bit, now.

I'm sure they're fine. I get the feeling this isn't their first rodeo.

Yeah, a lively bunch, but that all changes when it's time to fight.

We've had quite the luck with people from different worlds, eh? Always full of passion.

They always give it their all, yeah?

We gotta do our best to meet that, and get 'em home safe.

Finally, something that isn't a hallway!

There aren't any wall crumbling puzzles or anything, right?

Who knows. We could be looking at one and just not know it. The guys that make these things are twisted like that.

Isn't that cat...

There you are!

All we had to do was follow the trail you left us.

Mmm? Are we talking about the same thing? Also, is it just me, or do you sound totally different.

Oh yeah, you're right. Huh..

You're the one that called me here, aren't you.

Sorry...

It's just, this girl we're looking for turned into a cat that looked just like you. So I thought you were her...

Your master?

Sounds like the same girl, but something doesn't sit right with me. I don't buy the fact the two of you just happen to look exactly the same. It's a little too convenient, don't ya think?

In my dream, when you asked me to save someone, did you mean your master?

So, how did you go about finding Lloyd?

Sounds like the gods have a lot of faith in you, huh.

...Did you just fade out?

It's gone...

Going all the way to a completely different world to find help... That's pretty big responsibility for such a tiny cat.

All that matters is that they asked for help, and that's exactly what we're going to do. That was settled the second I walked out that door.

It wouldn't be you if it wasn't!

Yeah! We gotta save her!

If you guys shine any brighter you're gonna hurt my eyes over here.

Did you guys hear that?

This place is so old, it wouldn't surprise me if a few critters set up shop here.

Yeah. I'm sure it's just bats! Definitely not that other much scarier thing.

Eep!

Probably just a bird or some such.

Now that you mention it, Rinwell had a weird bird with her, didn't she?

Another parallel worlder?

Yeah, her and her friends are working on helping out the Rays of Amber believers.

I wonder where they are now?

This road seems to be in much better shape.

Yeah, looks like that lady gave us the right directions.

Is that everyone, then?

You two sure got a lot of thanks.

It's too bad we couldn't bring everyone back to normal, though.

Yes, too much of their energy was taken from them...

If only we had gotten to them sooner...

It's not your fault. You did what you could. It's that Chosen and her handlers that did this.

Excuse me...

You're the woman with the father that was "saved" by the Rays of Amber, right?

Yes...

If you have something to say, say it.

He's starting to regain consciousness... He even said my name! Just knowing that he still knows who I am... I was so happy I cried harder than I've ever cried...

And then, I realized it wasn't just him who was running from pain, I was, too. So, I decided I'm not gonna just accept things for how they are. I'm not going to just give up.

Good. No one can run from reality, and you musn't look away from it either. You have to face it head on.

I see that now... The kind of salvation they give is no salvation at all. The Rays of Amber is wrong. What they're doing is wrong. ...And I'm going to stop them.

You? These people are prepared to use all kinds of force to get their way, you know. Unless you are prepared to fight them tooth and nail, you'll simply be wasting your time. Potentially even your life.

I don't care. All that matters is that no one else ends up like my father.

What should we do, Alphen?

We're going to stop them. That may not be what you want to hear, but please, leave the fighting to us.

But...

Don't worry, we've done this kind of thing before.

Well... I may not be able to help you fight, but I can help you find them. I know the way into their temple.

Really? That'd be a huge help...

It's like Zephyr said... "Be your own master."

Is it right to force that way of thinking on others? I don't know. Everyone thinks their way is right.

But I can't think of any situation, any world, where stealing the free will of others is a good thing.

Living life with no free will is the same as being dead.

But, that's just my opinion.

Hooo...Hoo...

What's that? You tired, Hootle?

It's probably the incense coming from the temple. These kinds of places use it to put people in a trance.

We should be extra careful then.

There they are!

You again...

Bothersome children come to interrupt the Chosen's sermon is it?

Your "sermons" turn people into husks.

...And what's wrong with that?

Everything! You're basically killing these people!

Again, I ask, what is wrong with that? Some of our believers are terminally ill, and for some, living is more painful than they can bear...

To them, pain is worse than death. We are simply delivering them from that pain. It is a kindness.

It is mercy. Salvation.

Need, and we shall give. In turn, we will make sure your life proves to be a useful one.

Chosen please, save these poor souls.

......

The scent is getting stronger...

What you are smelling is the Chosen's unique scent. And it has a particularly interesting effect on the human brain...

Hey!

Now aren't we a violent little one.

But perhaps now you understand? You aren't used to missing, are you? The scent is starting to do its work.

Now, as much as I've enjoyed these encounters, I do believe two times is quite enough. After we're done with our believers, we'll be taking your energy, too.

Damn! If we don't do something, these people are going to end up just like the others!

Everyone okay?

This ends here and now.

......

Hey, I see a place where we can get out!

You're right! Let's go!

Look, Lloyd!

Hey! Stop!

Get away from her!

Ungh!

We're here to save you!

What kind of jerk attacks a defenseless girl!

I didn't know she had a bodyguard! Sorry bud, I don't go easy!

Neither do I!

Lloyd and Alphen are fighting? What is going on here?

STOP! You're on the same side!

I don't think they heard you.

This reminds me of what we saw on Route 99.

Maybe it's because of the scent? It's everywhere.

Then maybe we can use this to clear it out a little bit?

Where's the girl?!

The guy she was with disappeared, too.

How? I was looking right at them.

It was corrupting our minds. Making us see things, making us act irrationally.

So you're saying it was making us see things?

Damn!

Mind if I ask you a question? Why protect her?

Someone who cares a lot about her went through a lot of trouble ask us to save her.

Save HER? She's stealing energy from people and turning them to brain-dead zombies.

What? Why would she...

Listen. I don't know if she's doing it on purpose or if it's just a side effect. But it's happening.

Okay guys. Let's stop for a minute and untangle some of these wires. I think there's a bit of a misunderstanding here.

This oughta be interesting.

Well... It sounds a whole lot like you're all looking for the same girl.

If that is the case, then what do you suppose her and her scientist friend want from this time period?

They say they're saving people.

But how can you call it salvation when all that's left is a husk? It's wrong.

And it solves nothing. They give these people an out. An easy way to run from their problems. And when you run, all you're doing is biding time till those problems find you again. All at the cost of all the things that make you human? Unbelievable.

The things that make them human...

......

Nghh...

Look! They're starting to come to!

Who...

We came here to save you, but you had already fainted...

You healed...us?

Yes... Oh Chosen, where are you Chosen...

Where is brother Fluge...

Brother Fluge?

If you're talking about the girl and the man in the cloak, they left you here for dead.

...What?

Did I stutter? All of the Rays of Amber people are gone.

Without the Chosen...

What are we supposed to do? I only lived this long because I knew it would lead to my salvation...

I know, how about you open your damn eyes? All that stuff you want isn't ever going to just be handed to you. If you want salvation, then you have to go get it yourself. With your own damn hands.

If you won't, then you have no right to complain.

......

It's okay...

Huh?

You already have a Chosen. Think! Think about the people in your life that care about you.

Cares...about me...

I know that sometimes it hurts, sometimes you get so sad you can't take it anymore... But you see... Those people will always be there in your heart and they will never, ever leave. So don't be afraid. You're not alone.

......

Mmm...

Let's go. There's nothing for us here anymore.

You are too easy on them.

And your words are tough, but there is a kindness in them.

You're awesome.

But, everyone works at their own speed, you know?

We have to support them so they can get to where you are.

As long as they get there. We can't sit around and wait here forever.

I'm sure they heard you loud and clear, Shionne!

......

I GOT IT!

Jeez, Amy. You scared the crap out of me.

It was driving me crazy 'cause I was sure I had seen that guy before. Now I remember! He's the head of Fraxinus Labs!

He was the guy that was in the interview I saw!

The immortality pill guy?

That would be the same lab we found on the drones, yes? There's no way this is a coincidence.

Well, we need to find those two, and this is our only lead, so why don't we go pay Fraxinus Labs a visit?

You know where they're located, Amy?

Kinda, I remember in the interview they said it was over on the Industrial Plate.

The Industrial Plate?

You know all the floating islands around Elzion? This is the one where all the factories are.

Dunno where Fraxinus is, but one of the cargo freighters at the airport should get us to the plate, at least.

You mind if we join you guys? If that Fluge guy is using that girl to hurt people, we need to put a stop to it.

And it's my fault they got away, so I wanna make up for that, too...

You guys okay with that?

Of course. I want to know why she's doing all this.

Where you go, so do we, Lloyd.

You know I got your back, Lloyd.

How about my cool and collected madonna and her charming little friend? You two coming with?

We're going. We have to stop them before they hurt anyone else.

If Alphen's going, I'm going. I mean, the other option is being in a weird place all by myself, right?

I shall go as well. When I decided to join you, I meant it, after all.

Sure, I'll go. If only because following you is the fastest path to getting home.

C'mon Shionne, why do you gotta say it like that.

It's fine. We get it.

And besides, it's clear to me that there's a lot of warmth behind those icy words.

Whatever makes you feel better, man.

I do believe that is an approval?

......

Heh...

What's so funny?

It's just, you work so hard to keep people at a distance, but it always ends up bringing them closer. It's funny. I mean, in a good way.

Hmph. They just know a good thing when they see it.

Okay, so I think we're finally all on the same page here, right? Okay. then let's get on one of those freighters and head over to Fraxinus Labs.

I thought I'd get some food prepared...

But I made our last meal, right? Why don't you take over for a change?

I'll just get complaints if I cook.

Not big on cooking, Alphen?

No, that's not it at all. He dumps on the seasoning...

What's the point of eating food that lacks oomph?!

Come on... No need to squabble over it. I'd love to try all the different dishes you two make.

Me?!

We don't have time to argue over it.

Okay. If Aldo picks, there's no cause for bellyaching.

All right. Let me think...

Wow, that tasted amazing!

Hootle ate his fill, too.

Everything turned out great with you choosing who cooks, Aldo.

We should leave the decision to someone else more often.

Hey, well if you guys don't mind, I'll do it.

I don't know why you're assuming we'll be sticking together...

Anyway, let's clean up and get back to what we were discussing.

Sure, I'll help out.

Stay back!

Huh?!

......

Sorry, Aldo. Shionne doesn't mean anything by it.

No, it's my fault for getting too close. I forgot what you said.

......

What? You didn't tell them, Shionne? She has the misfortune of inflicting pain on anyone she touches.

Oh...

Dohalim...

My bad... I shouldn't have just blurted that out.

*sigh* Never mind. It is what is is. Unless you want a world of pain, steer clear.

Okay, understood.

We should probably not go this way.