The Haunting of Yesteryear

Help...! Will Endfield come and save us...?

We must call the Endmin...

Trash! Scream all you want! She'll never come! / Trash! Scream all you want! He'll never come!

No one leaves here alive! I'm burning you all to cindahhh!

For the boss!

Then we just silence him again.

YOUR "SAVIOR" CANNOT KILL ME!

We meet again, Endmin. I wasn't expecting to run into you here.

Took the question out of my mouth. I had nothing to do with that big, noisy dude.

So you couldn't remember what just happened?

Memories aren't always true.

Sometimes they are replaced by deceptive illusions. And this place has plenty of false memories.

Don't you remember? I'm after the shadow that took my memories.

These twisted beings are created from your memories. And since you don't know how to tell the truth apart yet, things can get pretty dangerous.

Seems like you've learned of my identity.

You're the first person who managed to pull that off.

Very well. From this point forth, you shall be my fellow companion in this journey of memory search.

Mmhmm. Don't you want to find your memories?

But I gotta correct you on something. This isn't about "understanding your memories". It's more like "understanding your amnesiac self".

"Memory of your own."

Anyway, you better stay with me.

Interested in me, huh? But isn't that because, deep down, you're curious and hopeful about finding your own memories?

Are those two ... friends of yours?

And does that make you worried?

Hmm... Then did you ever share these thoughts with others?

That's why you kept "playing" the role of a powerful and resolute Endministrator... Even though you've got no idea who you actually are.

You're doing a pretty good job already.

I'll be honest with you. I've been dealing with the same issue. I'm afraid I won't know who I really am.

I have the fire, a sword, and a name... However, I have no memories, no stories, and no past to speak of.

I'm afraid that the only thing I have is the name "Laevatain", and beyond that ... I have nothing. I am nothing but an empty shell.

No, you're different! You have a mission and you fight for it, while I —

Heh! This feels like we're competing for... the title of Chief Amnesiac.

Two souls with lost memories, getting worried and trying to make the other feel better. Can't think of a sadder story than this.

That's why we're fellow companions, right?

So, my fellow companion. Time to finally reveal the answer.

Why's that...?

So this is Tata?

Let's keep moving. Follow the trail.

So what we're seeing here ... is a reflection of your inner fears.

Hmph... And I thought the Endministrator, guardian of the Civilization Band, would be someone with ironclad resolution.

The real one turned out...

I totally did not do that.

I just felt you're no longer that distant or unfamiliar anymore. In fact, I can even say you're actually quite...

Whatevs. It's nothing to be concerned about. Everyone's scared of something.

Hmm? Do I look like someone without emotions?

A worrisome soul, afraid of something... You fear failing your mission.

I planted this Oak to secure the continuation of life and civilization...

...to rescue your new homes from the brink of death...

...to pave a path that leads to the future...

Though years have passed, I remain bereft of my due... The seeds of justice and benevolence yielded nothing...

...nothing save your base instincts of greed and malice, and your perpetual propensity for envy and hatred...

We have sinned...

Eww. That's the old you?

And why do you deserve the salvation I bring?

Seems like you're not ready for this...

Just give us a chance...

Are you still the savior? Have we lost ... all hope?

Pay for your sins!

Deliver us...! Help us escape this nightmare!

For people like us, facing the past can be ... quite a challenge. Don't blame yourself too much.

You figured it out at the last moment.

Hur. That's true. I would have hated that "almighty savior" and that stupid speech.

I'd rather have you like this.

Then I got another question in return... Who am I?

Who. Am. I?

Reconvener?

Surtr... She left me nothing ... but a jumbled heap of memories.

Other reconveners, with their memories, know who they "could" be, what they "should" do. But I got nothing ... except delusional memories.

Like someone stranded at sea, parched. Got water everywhere, but none of it quenches your thirst.

I guess they woke you up, said you are their "Endmin", then instantly got you in all sorts of mess, right?

Yet that someone else is but yourself.

Getting trapped by the past ... and doing everything you can to break out of it.

I got the same problems. So, since Surtr didn't give me an answer, I decided to look for it myself.

If you're confused, then just look around for the lost memories... Then you can see what the true Endmin was like.

If the two of us work together, the search might be a little easier.

As your companion, I shall help you find your lost memories. Consider this a promise.

So, Endmin, have anything to say to that?

Next location ... next Protocol Space. Since you're around, we'll probably end up finding something for once.

Yes, I did! I recently made a delivery to the Originium Science Park...

But my car broke down halfway and the Landbreakers ambushed me.

Thankfully that fine lady appeared. She literally slashed right through the Landbreakers' axes.

Looking for me, Endmin?

Here is the record from that day.

I remember her...

I got a temporary assignment at the Quarry. I, uh, miscalculated the explosive payload. I was in a shaft with a mining crew, and we got trapped by falling rocks.

Everyone got really depressed and began writing their wills. Lucky for us, the huge stone blocking the exit was cut right in half.

That must've been the work of your red-haired girl. No mistake about that.

Ooh, Endmin. You wanna talk?

Here. The report of that incident.

I did. In fact, I was the one who submitted the reports about these markings.

I found them at the Blightcliff Observation Post.

We also found plenty of Aggelos remains at that place... It must have been a terrifying battle. Someone literally burned those Aggeloi with incredibly hot flames.

Endmin, Director Qin told me you're looking for this type of burn mark?

This is the set of data we collected.

Next location ... next protocol space.

Laevatain may have started on the wrong trail. The further she goes into the Protocol Space, the less likely she is to find her memories. She might even encounter unknown threats.

Very well. From this point forth, you shall be my fellow companion in this journey of memory search.

As your companion, I shall help you find your lost memories. Consider this a promise.

Her injuries will only get worse with each attempt.

*Painful emote*

So, play it safe, okay? Don't break my baby bot again!

This is a falsehood?

I didn't expect the Endmin to be back.

I haven't seen the planter of the Great Oak for many years. But...

Having lost so many memories and powers, I don't know if the Endmin can continue to lead us...

The Endmin is no longer the hero who saved us. Perhaps it is wrong to expect the savior to appear twice...

Hmph...

Quite the sensitive soul, aren't you?