Tree of Salvation

...Find anything?

We searched the whole temple, but not a single rift in sight.

Well, it's here somewhere, so all we gotta do is find it, right?

This place is full of traps and stuff, right? Maybe it's in a hidden passage or something.

Yeah, I bet if Raine were here she'd be able to find it in no time.

She'd be a huge help right now.

Yeah... It's too bad she didn't come with us.

She'd take one look at these walls and...

Eep!

You okay, Colette?!

Yup... I'm okay... Oh no! I put a hole in the wall!

Just how strong are you, anyway?

I never grow tired of seeing it. It's like watching one of the great masters at work.

I see, so this is why the walls here are thinner...

What do you mean?

Come see for yourself. Your little god of destruction just found exactly what we were looking for.

So the roots were making the walls brittle, huh.

You can smell the scent coming from inside. She must be close.

I'd say that's pretty likely.

Remember, there's still a chance these roots will attack us. Be on your guard.

And here we have our rift. Good work, lady Colette!

Yeah, looks like the klutz effect is one of those universal constants, eh? Thanks for helping us find the way, Colette.

Lloyd! Stop! I was so embarrassed!

But I feel a little bit better now that I know it helped us find the rift!

Don't worry, Colette. You're doin' great.

Never seen a monster like that before...

It had he same scent as her.

If they have the same affect on people she does, we're in for some trouble.

Mmm... Back in Ratle they were talking about hunters coming back from the Zol Plains, yes? The illusions they were seeing must have been from monsters like the one we just fought.

We have the necklace, so they shouldn't affect us, but we need to act fast. The more these monsters find their way out, the bigger the threat to the people of Ratle.

There's no time to waste, guys. Let's go!

So this is what she really looks like, huh...

Look up too long and you'll hurt your neck.

There's a tree like this in my time, but it's...a little different.

There's a tree like this in Nilva, but it's...a little different.

I don't see the girl.

The glowing blue part?

Then there's a good chance that's where she is. But...yeah. That's quite the climb.

And a long fall from the top...

You'd die for sure.

Now that we're properly scared, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's only one way up.

Great pep talk, Aldo.

Where in all this could she be...

It's hard to tell how far we've gone surrounded by all these branches.

The higher we go the stronger the scent gets. Let that be our guide.

It's quite the pleasant scent, but the effects sound quite the opposite...

The stone will be able to help us resist it, but try not to breathe much of it in, just in case.

I wonder why they thought to make this necklace in the first place?

To lessen the effects of the scent, right?

I get that, but couldn't they have just not gone near the tree instead?

That's a good point. Land was plentiful back then, so it's not like they had to be there...

A pill that heals can kill if you take too much, eh?

So they used the necklace to adjust the dosage.

Hm? Something's going on with the necklace.

...A flower petal?

Everything okay, Lloyd?

Yeah... I found this flower petal...

That's all?

No, look. It's reacting to the necklace. See how it's glowing?

Oh, so this petal is from one of the flowers that bloom on the great tree?

Oh no. Didn't it say that these only bloom after she takes the life force from someone?

Why would she do that?

Oh, great tree Asclepia... Your blessing has cured my ails.

Your blessing has allowed me to stand once again. Thank you oh holy spirit.

Oh dear, this can't be!

Come! Quickly! The healing tree is gone!

What...was that...

Woah, the necklace just absorbed the petal!

Well, if the necklace is supposed to suppress her power...

Maybe it absorbed the petal to keep her from getting her full power back?

Then...maybe if we release all the other petals, they'll go back to their original owners? That could be how we save everyone.

I'd be more careful about the words you choose, Alphen. What were doing is giving them their pain back.

Salvation is what comes next.

About what?

You know what? I think you might be right!

Tiger Blade!

Swallow Blade!

Watch out!

We'll cover the air.

Thanks! We'll handle the rest!

Argh!

Well, it appears we've been split up.

Alphen, think that sword of yours can get us through this wall?

Maybe...but without Shionne around to heal me, I'd rather not try.

Dammit! If they do anything to Colette, I swear!

We should be worrying more about the danger WE face, sir Lloyd. Colette is safe with the others.

So either we search for the others, hope we end up in the same place, or we just stay put.

What do you think, Alphie?

That we only have one choice.

We press on.

Then up and away we go.

Urgh...

Whew... I...don't...think...this wall is going anywhere.

Our spells have no effect, too. I'm starting to think we need to find another way around.

I tried everything I could think of...

How about you two? See a way we could squeeze in from up there?

If we were all Hootle-sized, maybe... But otherwise...no.

Well if we can't get to the other side then there's no point in standing around here.

Hope you like climbing trees, ladies.

Let's see...we've got the three heroes of the apocalypse... One guy I'm still not sure about... And...a man-frog.

There a problem, Zelos?

Nah. Just commenting on the lack of cute on this side of the wall. If we had to be split up, just sayin' it woulda been nice to have been on the girls side!

Well, if it's any consolation, we may not meet your standards for cuteness, but...

We do have a glowing cat.

Someone would even go so far as to say the cuteness of kittens far exceeds even the cutest human.

Ah, yeah, no. I don't mean that kind of cute.

So back there you said she absorbed her own pain, right? You think her memories of you went along with it?

What?

There. I do believe this is the way humans picture me. Just like them.

This way I can hold you in my arms. That should help keep you warm.

What's the matter? Are you sleepy? Cold? Are you in pain?

...Yes. Taking away pain is what I do.

You won't have to hurt any more. Come on, now. Cheer up.

Please? Wake up...I...

What am I supposed to do here all alone? There is nothing here... Nothing. Nothing at all!

My chest... It hurts.... Please someone make it stop... Please...make it stop...

Free me from this pain...

Well it sounds to me like she wasn't the only one that was hurt, here.

You can't compare pain because pain is personal, you know? It's not a competition. All that matters is if YOU think it hurts or not.

He's right. Your pain is just as valid as anyone else's.

Is there any way we can get her to listen to you? Tell her how you feel?

And if we bring that back to her, she'll remember the pain, and you along with it.

Then that's what we're gonna do. For the both of you.

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that girl is actually this huge tree.

If you think about it, it's like we're walking around inside of her... Yeah. Kinda weird.

Eeek!!

You okay?!

Yeah, a vine just came up and wrapped itself around my leg...

Your hands are all scratched up, hold on just a second...

Thanks Shionne. It feels all better!

Well. Good.

I guess we'd all just end up like Alphen...Or maybe something more than that?

There would be no pain, but food would have no taste. You could touch someone, but they'd never feel it...

The more I think about it...

The less it sounds like living, huh.

Colette...

You'd go day after day feeling like you're missing something, but you could never know what...

It's just one of those things that would never ever feel right.

Life is learning how to live with pain. There's no getting around it.

We should keep going. If pain is what awaits us, then we shall meet it head on.

We're pretty far in, I'll send the ring over just in case.

We're counting on you, Hootle.

Hooo!

Hootle! You're back! How'd it go?

Nice, they changed the element for us. Good work, Hootle.

Hoo!

Okay, you know what to do.

On it.

We can finally start moving again!

We have to be pretty close to the top by now.

Hope we can meet up with the others before we get there.

We're pretty far in, I'll send the ring over just in case.

Wait, Aldo. When Hootle brought us the ring, it was attuned to the wind element, was it not? One could assume that the other group sent us this ring because they need a different element to proceed, right?

Or, they figured they had it long enough and decided to give it back!

Hoo! Hooo!

What! I don't understand Hootle!

I think it's trying to say Dohalim is right?

Okay, well let's go find a converter.

We should change the element before we send the ring to the others.

Good to see you guys are okay.

Yeah, looks like we all made it here in one piece, eh?

Most of us, you mean. I see you've gone and hurt yourself again.

I did? Where?

Figures you wouldn't know.

Wow, even we had no idea he was hurt. How did you know?

How did I know? Just look at the way he moves his hands, its sluggish.

......

What? Stop looking at me like that.

Sorry, was just thinking about how I couldn't do any of this without you.

It's just a little healing, stop acting like it's some big deal. How many times do I have to remind you? I'm only doing this so you can help me get what I want.

And that has nothing to do with what we're doing now, does it?

Just need you to heal me, that's all.

Shionne, I'm glad you're here.

Ugh, whatever, Alphen.

Okay, guys. Can we stop with the pretend fighting? We get it.

Good to see you both are doing okay.

Not for lack of trying... I fell over more times I care to admit. No injuries, though!

My poor angel! Are you hurt?! Separation anxiety? We were apart for so long I can totally understand...

Mmmm... Nope!

Oh... Not even a little?

Because I knew you'd all be okay!

That is some faith you have... You all must really trust each other. Something we surely lack...

I've got my work cut out for me, but now that I see the result, I'd like to give it a try.

......

What's the matter? Perhaps something happened to Hootle while we were all apart?

Hootle's doing just fine. Right, Hootle? Hoo...

Did you find something?

Hmm... Another flower petal, is it?

Urgh... Where...am I? I was performing an experiment... and, ah, yes, there was an explosion...

ARGH... My arm! Ugrghhh it hurts!

...It hurts? Fret not, I shall take the pain away.

What...did you do? Is this healing magic?

No... My arm is still broken?

A glowing...flower petal?

One touch and my wounds are healed... What is happening here?

You... This place... That... creature...

I am the great healing tree. I was born to deliver all from pain. ...I think.

If I wasn't, why would I feel so strongly about it?

With this pain numbing girl and that petal...

...Yes! Hahaha! I've got it!

You're coming with me girl. We've got work to do.

We're going to save all of humanity!

Let us rid the world of pain.

It has no place in the world I wish to create. Humans need only joy, nothing else.

She simply wanted to save people from their pain...

Yeah, but the way she's doing it is wrong.

Feeling is what makes us who we are. To simply take that from someone is robbing them of their humanity.

And by taking that pain, she just ends up creating a different kind of pain.

Like the families of the followers...

I can't imagine what it's like to have someone you care about completely forget who you are...

Let's go talk to her. Even if her intentions were good initially, this is wrong. She may be acting in kindness, but it's anything but kind.

Pain...

...Pain...

...Pain.

Why is this world so full of pain?! The future, the past, all there is, is pain.

It isn't right. All life seeks joy and they all deserve to get it.

I must use my powers as the healing tree to save everyone from their pain...

Stop this, now!

Ow...You...

This is what you do after I tried to protect you? You escape?

Wrong? Do you not feel pain? I was looking through the history of this world, I saw you, as well.

You were angry that someone hurt your loved one.

You were crying because someone dear to you was taken from you. I saw countless people suffering. Is it all really necessary?

Well...

I can see it in all of you that somewhere deep down, you agree.

I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a part of me that agreed.

I know the pain that goes with wishing you could do something over.

Pain can take even the happiest memories and turn them into trauma. Our world is nothing but pain.

I mean, it's not like anyone can get through life without feeling some kind of pain.

Through all my journeys I've felt all kinds of pain. Stuff that hurt so bad I didn't know if I could even go on.

See? That is what I want to save you from.

Save us? If that's what you think salvation is then I guess there's not much else to talk about, is there.

But why?

I don't know what physical pain feels like, but I do know what it feels like to be oppressed.

And in no way is it a good thing. I wouldn't wish it on anybody. But that pain is why I'm here today. It's why we're all here, fighting for what we feel is right!

So yeah, everyone wishes for a life without pain, but that doesn't mean pain is without purpose.

Which is why it's wrong to take it from us!

How stupid. Would you tell someone crying in pain "It's okay, all that pain is good for you"? That you just have to deal with it?

Not at all! If someone is in pain, we'd all want to help them.

We share our pain and we work through it together.

If you love pain so much then I can give you that, too. You're going to regret this. I should know.

If you care so deeply about pain then I shall not keep you from it. No. In fact, I'll give you all the pain you'll ever wish for. You will regret you'll ever wish for.

Why do you keep getting in my way? Pain is bad! Pain is wrong. The people prayed for this. I hate pain. I hate suffering.

It's not about whether we like pain or not.

We're saying it's a necessary part of what makes us who we are!

Think about it, how would we know the pain of others if we can't feel it ourselves?

Pain tells us that we're here. Pain tells us we are alive. And it's so important that just knowing it's there makes me so happy I could cry.

No. A world without pain would be a thousand times kinder.

Did you ever stop to think that a world without pain will still be just as cruel?

All that changes is you don't know when you're hurt.

Yeah, I could be dying and I would never know, because I don't feel pain. And that scares the hell out of me.

......

I have heard what you have to say. But it looks like we will never see eye to eye on this.

And if you stand in my way then I won't hold back. I will save you from your pain.

I have heard what you have to say. But it looks like we will never see eye to eye on this.

And if you stand in my way then I won't hold back. I will save you from your pain.

You were...too late... I have saved...every...one... My roots...have taken...hold...

Rifts have opened up all over the world... Damn! Even if we wanted to, there's no way we can cut all these roots!

Stand back, Aldo!

We may not be able to cut them all, but with my blazing sword...

Damn! They're in the way!

Shionne!

I got your back! Do what you gotta do!

I'm burning... My core... My body... Perhaps this will be.... The end of my...pain...

Not on my watch!

Don't... You will burn...

Which is why I'm gonna make this quick!

My necklace...

Ah...

I...remember...now...

Colette! Help her!

Got it!

Damn that was hot! If it wasn't for you I'd have burnt to a crisp.

Why do I keep surrounding myself with reckless men?

What...is this light?

We need to get out of here, NOW!

Why did you help me? I thought you didn't need me to save you?

We don't. But that's no reason to sit there and let you die.

Besides, we promised someone we'd save you.

I...

Ah...

Yes...

How could I forget?

It is you who taught me pain...

Yes, you did...

It hurt... It hurt so much I couldn't think of anything else...

And that's why I decided to do something about it. I thought, nobody should feel like I did.

You ever stop to think that maybe you felt that way because of how much you love this cat?

What do you mean?

The more you love someone, the more it hurts to say goodbye.

The more...love...

Pain is like your body telling you "Hey, you better protect that thing cause it's really important to you." Like a warning sign. Physical pain is your body telling you to be more careful or you might die.

And you feel emotional pain when someone or some thing you love is hurt, or lost. You know?

...I see...

I feel pain because I care for them... And I know I care because I feel pain...

That is why we feel pain...

Yes...

I guess this is it, then?

This is...

It seems all the elemental energy the tree released has dissipated.

It's beautiful...

It's like stars in the night sky...

Stars, eh... If only I was lookin' at the real deal with these two beauties at my side...

What, am I not beautiful enough?

You praying for something, Colette?

I'm praying for the spirit and the cat. If they are ever reborn, I hope they find each other again.

I hope they are able to find happiness together somehow.

......

You praying too, Shionne?

...No. If I want something I don't ask for help.

I was just taken by how bright these lights are.

Yeah, they are bright, aren't they? The way they just shine through the darkness like that. Kinda like the light we all have inside of us. No matter how much we suffer, it always shines in our hearts.

A light we mustn't let anyone take for themselves, right?

'Cause we won't let 'em. Thats the whole reason we're doing this.

We should head back, too.

Right, you all have worlds to get back to.

Wish you guys could stay a little longer, but I understand.

Sorry you had to get involved in all this...

What? No way. I decided to follow that cat. Which means we're here because we wanted to be. We saved people in this world because we wanted to. We came here 'cause we wanted to, and now we're going home. You guys don't have to apologize for anything.

What he said.

Besides, you wouldn't believe all the girls I've got back home waiting or me.

Raine's gonna be so jealous when she hears about all this!

Saying goodbye to everyone makes me sad, but like you said, I know that because I care about you all!

We weren't here long, but I had a lot of fun. Thank you!

It was quite the detour, if I'm being honest.

But the time we lost was not wasted. I can say that much.

Hooooo!

Hootle and I had fun, too!

It was quite the educational experience, indeed. I'll be sure to tell Kisara and Law all about it.

Wish we woulda had more time, but it was great meeting you guys. It was a bit of a shock to the system at first, but I'm glad I came.

The pleasure was all ours. Thank you for coming here, and thanks for helping us.

Happy to hear you say that. I hope we meet again someday.

Hope? We'll meet again, I'm sure of it.

You're right, Lloyd.

You guys take care, now! Can't wait to see you again!

You bet. 'Till next time!