See Through the Self

This particular species is indigenous to Talos-II. They're fast and wild.

That brighthaired boy might be the only Talosian who can ride them into battle. The others couldn't even saddle these beasts.

Quit guessing — Ye Minghe is an <entry=narrativeNote_36>Imperial Guard of Yan.

But HAS needed people who could handle the toughest fights and challenges. Unfortunately, they were also cut off from Terra.

So Tianshi Tan, Hongshan's most senior member and a decisive leader, made the call and created another unit of Imperial Guards.

Silly dark-haired <entry=narrativeNote_35>nag. I hope you didn't stomp around and break my beautiful cliffs.

The original Imperial Guards answered only to the <entry=narrativeNote_37>True Lung of Yan. None of them ever came to Talos-II...

Tan appreciated Ye Minghe's talents. She personally recruited him, and even gave him the title of "<entry=narrativeNote_39>Captain of Pacified Skies".

Hmph. I gave my leave to let him observe, but he's now messing up my process.

Alright, we ascend.

Hmm. Maybe it's out of ink. We might as well take a break.

We've been rushing non-stop, and I'm so tired... Mmm, speaking of which, didn't you hear what the little ones said?

You knew it all along?

Did you forget how terrible you looked at the chess pavilion? You thought you could brush it off by saying some nice words?

Your body had a severe reaction. Yet all I did was run some diagnostics. If we reach the peak...

...the treatment will only be much more intense. I don't know if you'd survive that.

I know I brought you here, but if we go any further, there'll be no turning back.

We can do this another day, or even find another solution...

Quit saying Endfield or Talos-II needs you. I'm tired of it.

Y-you got me... If you're that sure about this, then let's keep going.

And you'd keep playing dumb, if I hadn't stopped on purpose?

Don't you know that every time you pass out, there's a chance that you'd never wake again?

Hey dolt ... just ... take very good care of yourself.

Nuli.

I've already had enough of your nagging; now you're letting your galloper roam around?

Apologies. An Imperial Guard must uphold his duty. I have to ensure the Endministrator's treatment goes smoothly.

This one mirrors the Æther injury within you. It's the hardest to fix.

To treat this for good, you must endure the agony and overcome all obstacles... No one else can help you in this.

And there's a chance we might lose you forever...

Since Lady Si has her concerns, allow me to act in her stead for this process.

No wonder I couldn't chase you off. This is your plan right from the beginning, isn't it?

Endministrator, please have faith in HAS ... and in me. Your safety is of the utmost concern to us.

Thankfully, you have arrived promptly. We still have time to repair the last site of damage.

You? That doesn't make me feel any better.

I know this concerns the Endministrator's safety, and you don't want anyone else involved.

But, milady, that's exactly why we need you free, so you can look out for us.

This is the safest arrangement. If we're doing this, every risk must be kept to a minimum.

The last site of damage is beyond ordinary. Even opening it will take great effort.

Need a hand, my dear, dear "Savior"?

Why waste your energy? This is just a deep recess of your mind, and I am just one of the many shadows within.

Now tell me, why couldn't you just forget these voices?

This is a unique realm. Use the brush well, so your blade can dispel the other shadows.

How laughable. A Savior cursed to keep swinging a blade.

Oh really? Then why do they still forgive you, and hope you'll change your mind?

Why are they so devoted to you? Where do their anger and doubt come from? What did you do? Who are you exactly?

Perhaps you do not care. Or ... you dare not think further.

Please stop. You are already exhausted.

It doesn't matter who's trying to remind you. It's your body. You know it best, don't you?

Alleikhreos has reopened the wound inflicted on you by Æther. Your physical form will collapse like an avalanche.

One by one our exiled kin will return, yet you turned your back, and foolishly chose the path of hate.

Your choices will nourish the wound. You will gradually push yourself ... till utmost destruction.

The future is obvious. To protect the Civilization Band, you will continue to use your powers, over and over again.

It seems you have great faith in your followers.

But how many of them are there? And how would you convince them that your great enterprise will succeed?

Endmin, you're finally here...

You don't have to remember every one of us ... who followed you ... or fought by your side...

Your body is on the verge of collapse, isn't it? You've been forcing yourself to carry on...

Please remember: no matter what happens, you have truly earned our trust.

Even if your memories fade, the "Zeroth Directive" you left us ... shall continue to lead us forward.

Or ... are you grieving for me?

I've reached my end, but your path lies ahead... Go. Complete the "Zeroth Directive" and achieve the Reboot of Life.

Is this snow...? Ah... I thought I'd never feel it again. The snow from home...

As long as the Civilization Band endures, and Endfield continues to protect the people, our sacrifices ... will be meaningful.

"Zeroth Directive". An arrangement of your design ... that binds the fate of countless individuals together.

Your injuries lie not in the Æther, but in yourself. Can you even ... fix this?

You don't know how the "Zeroth Directive" was conceived, nor where it leads. You don't even know if it brings hope, or more disasters...

You don't even know if it is just or fair.

Ten years have passed and you re-entered the game, only to become the one most oblivious to the truth.

"Reboot of Life". It truly serves as a great rallying call!

But how do you trigger the "Reboot"? What will "Life" be like afterwards?

Alright, people. Save the celebrations for later. This isn't over yet.

Your injuries have been healed. Go ahead and retrieve "Dijiang"... You know what to do.

What took you so long! Do you know how ... how annoyed I was waiting for you?

Just a while ago, the skies over the mountain darkened with a brewing storm. What did you experience?

I just sorted a few things out. It took me a while.

So even you had moments of doubt on this journey...

But you have given the answer. You've passed the trial that you left for yourself.

Endmin, everything you went through in the painted world is part of the "Zeroth Directive".

Aren't you always curious about that "Dijiang"?

Ten years ago, you asked me to make a painting of the ship so that you could "store" a portion of Originium authority within it.

Should the need arise, you could retrieve the authority and temporarily eliminate Æther effects from your body.

But before that happens, you must slowly open yourself up, undergo some reflective questioning, and re-sync with this authority.

So I had to hike up the mountain, and repair each of the damaged sites...?

I kept it a secret 'cause I didn't want to stress you out.

You were heavily injured and lost your memories. That challenge you left behind was no easy task. To be honest, I was really worried...

But you did it. In the end, you were the only one that could truly heal yourself.

Lady Si and I have seen every step you took in this journey. It is a great honor ... to once again learn from you in this way.

Yeah. After all, this journey of mine has only just begun.

Hmm. Finally there's some color in your face. You're not looking so pale anymore.

The touch of Æther is slowly fading away, and the Originium will re-stabilize. We just need to wait for your body to slowly recover.

I thought I retrieved the Originium authority. Why is "Dijiang" still here?

"Retrieval" is just a way to put it. I can't have a bare mountaintop without proper decor. It would look ugly!

If I kept you any longer, Little Miss Supervisor will think that I've abducted you.

Ahem. Ye Minghe, where did your precious gallopbeast go?

Endmin, Lady Si, I shall take my leave.

What I mean is the HAS will continue to monitor your status, so I'll have to come knocking on your door from time to time.

Hey...! He's already gone.

......

Since you're done with treatment, it's time to return to Dijiang... By that, I mean the actual Dijiang.

Oh... Nuli doesn't stay put for long. I'm guilty of negligence.

Dijiang? There was a time when I yearned to visit the vessel.

But ... for various reasons, I never got to go.

And I also have quite a few experiences that I wish to share with you.

Unfortunately, fate has decided otherwise.

But worry not, Endministrator. We will soon meet again.

Don't look at me. Well, he was hinting at something... But whatever happened between you two, that's his story to tell.

Let's go. Back to Dijiang.