The Ashen Past

Endmin, you're back.

Please keep Laevatain safe and bring her back here. Most importantly ... make sure you return safely as well, Endmin.

Finding Laevatain in the Protocol Space is ... theoretically feasible, but risky too. Your physical condition ... has got me a little concerned...

Understood. Fiona and I just completed a plan.

Simply put, Laevatain would have looked for a suitable rift "opening". Then, by using memories as a clue, she would have forcibly entered the matching Protocol Space.

The recent Æther activities of Valley IV gave her an opportunity. This is why she got in touch with you, Endmin.

We can use the same method ... with the Protocol Singularity and your abilities. By following traces of Laevatain's Originium reactions, you can locate the Protocol Space she went to.

Yes. Both the Protocol Space and reconveners are somehow related to you. Your thorough search is definitely going to help us locate her.

Endmin! We finished analyzing the parameters of Laevatain's Originium reactions. You're good to go, anytime!

You're here ... Endmin. Didn't keep me waiting for too long.

It's nothing. Just walked a long way before coming here.

Let's go. I don't think we should stay here.

Found nothing so far. But that wouldn't stop me. What about you?

Hmph. Then we should make good on our promise, and start our memory search together.

Then it's a deal.

What is this place...?

"Home"... A place welcoming you back, even when you've forgotten about it...

But I found none of this in my memories...

Awww, poor Endmin, forced to tag along with your shenanigans.

After all this diving in the Protocol Space, you still ended up with nothing.

Don't you understand, Laevatain? Your happiness is false. Your hatred is false. Even the thing you've been searching for ... is false.

This is why you'll never find "home" — you're just an empty shell, a pretty husk without a soul!

An empty shell...?

The past of Surtr ... isn't your concern.

I've never opposed you. You're the one who keeps hurting yourself. I'm only trying to protect you — what you're seeking will destroy you.

Since you started doubting who you are and longing for your memories, I have existed.

You'll never find something that you *never* owned. Such is your fate. You can only abandon your self, and live on as a mere tool.

Give up. Why not stop resisting and just take one of these fragments ... and treat it as yours?

What a load of ... crock... Give up? Pfft...

Well then, let's see what you can walk away with ... after you reach Surtr's "home".

Since you insist so stubbornly and foolishly, I'll let you take the path of self-destruction. Go to Kazdel. Go to her home.

Then it's time to reclaim my memories!

Why? Why are you ... going against me?

Tsk... This is slowing me down...

Even if this is going to take my life, nothing's more important than finding the truth in my memories.

I can sense the whereabouts of Surtr's "home". It's close.

But time's running out... I gotta act quickly.

......

You ... found me.

I arrived at Surtr's "home" but...

I only saw a girl whose name has been lost...

A refugee escaping the fires of war...

A hand stinging and burning from the scorching heat...

A family and home in the dust that I do not recognize ... and many other things...

I have seen every memory fragment of this place... But found nothing... None of them can tell me "who I am"...

I want to keep going ... but ... where else could I go...?

I don't want to live out my life ... as an empty shell...

My ... existence?

But isn't this "search for memories" the sole reason I exist?

You consumed yourself ... to stabilize my existence... Why? You've just awakened, and you're fighting a powerful enemy...

This is ... Surtr's "answer"...

Surtr.../Laevatain...

Congratulations on your first anniversary at Rhodes Island! Do you like it here?

Rhodes Island is your home. And we prepped three crates of ice cream that can be claimed at the Procurement Department. There won't be any field operations this week. So, enjoy your break.

We know you like the thrill of freedom, so we got you a skateboard as a gift!

A special lava slug bloodbrew cocktail — super cooled with liquid nitrogen! Don't worry, it's safe. No crazy chemical reagents were added this time ... I think.

Interested in an after-party at One More Shot? Or enjoy the fresh air on the top deck?

This place is my home. So why should I obsess about finding the last one I had?

This album is an anthology of all the operations we did together! If you have trouble finding your past, just know that everyone's here for your future.

It seems that people without a past ... can also choose to live in the present.

If I saw this at the moment of my awakening, would I choose a different path...?

Choice...

She chose to love Rhodes Island as "home".

I think I understand that sensation. A noisy place filled with hassles, but it's also warm and ... interesting.

That's why she gave up ... 'cause finding the past is no longer that important.

But I'm different. I haven't found the people or things to make me give up those memories.

I can't find my own "Rhodes Island" on Talos-II.

...Making your move already? Never expected you to be the cunning type, Endmin.

Hmph. I'll accept your invitation.

This is just the beginning.

Whether I can free myself from this mire of memory ... will depend on what I discover at Endfield.

Home...

Alright. I'll see how you make good on this promise.

Rhodes Island... A place that welcomes me home whenever I want. A place that lets me do what I want.

...So that's how you "answered" the question...

Good. You're finally behaving. Now you can say goodbye to the flaming giant you once were.

Journeys and adventures... Did she actually give up her memory-search because of these?

I don't care how many people wielded you before. I'll be the last of them.

From now on, you shall only follow one voice. Surtr's voice — my voice.

And if you dare order me around, I will annihilate you completely, with your own powers.

You're joining my journey. We'll eat good food and beat up people who have it coming.

Bend to me! Become the Envoy of the Fire!

No.

Then you will never leave!

Ooh. You actually can feel the cold. That means more ice cream is coming your way.

All the frustrations and pain from the memories... This is how they ended in peace.

The icy cold ... the stinging sensation ... the cloying sweetness...

Ridiculous... But why is the sensation ... so comforting...

No. I just heard about their fancy ice cream machines. Gonna try them out.

Apologies, Operator Surtr. The cafeteria pantry is out of ice cream... But an emergency batch is being made right now! Just wait a minute!

It's okay. I can wait.

Surtr! Where's your next field operation?

Laterano, I think.

Are you going there to validate some memories?

This is when she joined Rhodes Island... She treated these memories ... with great importance.

Is there any codename you want?

Just call me Surtr.

Clinical analysis has confirmed that you are infected with Oripathy.

I don't know how to wield Arts.

That won't be necessary. We have a good understanding of your potential. Welcome to Rhodes Island.

I just hope you won't bore me.

Don't worry. Our clauses and terms ... are not restrictive.

But I can deal with all sorts of problems. Need a demo?

Cell-Originium assimilation is at 1%. No signs of infection on the surface of the body. Blood Originium-Crystal Density is at 0.10u/L, but Originium Arts Assimilation...

Looks like a malicious being is remaking this maze of memories.

Memories aren't easily cast aside ... they resurface as enemies.

Be prepared to fight the past. If our minds fail to escape quickly enough, they might be trapped here forever.

Now it wants to "keep" us.

Perhaps we can treat it as our "final goodbye".

We just need to do one thing —

Sever all ties to the residues of the past, set them alight till they become ash.

End of the maze.

And a confluence of all remaining memories.

Well then, let's make this a worthy spectacle.

Endmin, why do reconveners need another person's memories from the past...?

Then what about me? What about my memories?

That's probably a reason exclusive to me.

So this is Dijiang...

Show me the places we saw in that maze.

It's quite different from Rhodes Island.

Excellent.

Yes. For a new beginning.

From now on...

I shall be Laevatain, and fulfill the promise made to my fellow companion.

I know. So you gotta make new memories for me.

I can be your operator, your sword, and your fire.

But in return, I demand a unique journey ... a unique adventure and ... a unique "home".

That will give me an Endfield of my own.

A place where I can forget about my memories.

What. That's too much for you?

Neither will I disappoint you, Endmin.

Ginny? Is that the name of this child?

Where the wind was soft ... and the meadows were quiet... I took my naps at that place.

Hi, pretty lady. What flowers do you like? Just take them!

Come play with me! We can make colors from the petals and draw everyone!

Do you like flowers?

Petals brushed against my face, carrying a subtle fragrance.

Ironically, this is just one of the many fragments that do not belong to me.

Yet, it is also one of the very few beautiful memories carried within my mind.

So, have you seen flowers that make you happy?

That doesn't count! That place has no flowers!

No! Only scary pipefaced people live there!

Hmmm... Would you consider that your own happiness?

Don't give up! Keep looking around!

Ah ... thank you.

Flowers... I remember something ... a time when there was no fire, nor battles, nor a sword by my side.

It was the most idyllic moment I remember.

Is this your enemy?

Enemies... My memories have plenty of enemies.

*Mumbles*

*Sigh*... Perhaps...

You! "END-MINI-STRATOR", huh? Why treat us as your enemy?

Still dreamin' about your lies? We will bury you, "SAVIOR"!

HELP?! Lies! ALL LIES! An excuse to make your forgetful self feel better!

*Mumble*! Puppet! The old world of Originium is finished! The future is in the Æther!

You... Your struggles are useless!

I'LL KILL YA!

Zip it, or I'm burning you to ash, right now.

All I felt were instilled fury, shame, frustration...

See anything familiar?

Then let's look around and see what they have.

I know... But an injured body is hardly a concern when compared with broken memories.

Indeed. We shall press forward together.

I never dwell on a clue that came too late. I just keep going and never turn back...

That's how I'll find my true self...

Instincts tell me that the answers I seek can be found here...

She...? Tell me about her colors and shades.

There isn't anyone with that color. I only remember the spotless blue skies of Sami after snow.

Never seen that before. I only remember tender green shoots watered by snowmelt.

Oh, I know. It's her... She brought the war-like hues and walked amongst us.

Go forth and catch up to her.

What are you looking at?

And what is the name of this ... someone you're looking for?

A visitor bearing this name ... left the ruins in a hurry, and gave nothing but a sigh.

That's not her. The entity no longer belongs to this place.

I'm afraid this is the wrong place ... to learn about yourself.

Go catch up to her, but watch the deep beneath your feet.

I don't recognize you. What brings you here?

The girl bearing fire... Why is she here?

No. She's more than willing to harm herself in her own pursuits.

That's her. And she's asking everyone if they had seen a girl with her likeness.

Think about it. She cares little about hatred. "Her identity" is what matters to her most.

Make yourself a guest at her home. But be quick. She is very exhausted.

You're finally here.

You already know what's going to happen to Laevatain. Why risk diving into the Deep? Who is she to you?

Do not go any further.

Cease this pursuit, and don't be like Laevatain. She ignores the risks of overreaching and will get herself killed.