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Part IV: The Allies We Made
So where were we...? Ah yes, going back to fight that nasty-looking bat. This is probably the hardest fight you'll run into for a while, and it's easy to Game Over on Hard if things don't go particularly well. Luckily, any fight you lose you can instantly retry into. Let's dive right in...
First up, I'd strongly advise playing as Velvet here. My first attempt was with Rokurou, but it did not end very well... He seems to have tremendous difficulty hitting these types of enemies, but that's no issue for Velvet. In addition, she has the advantage that her finishing Break Soul arte will be a Power Hit against the Baron Bat, so that'll be your main source of damage.
First up, this is the Bat Baron's most dangerous attack, where it'll shoot out, uh, sound waves or something. If you get caught in the middle of all of them, it can do quite a bit of damage.
Of course, first order of business is killing the normal bats. That'll both reduce the number of enemies for a bit and increase your maximum Soul Gauge.
As for attacking, it has a very annoying non-elemental attack resistance, so almost every attack of Rokurou and Velvet's will be weakened. So, just start off with any elemental attack.
When any enemy gets like this, they're much harder to stagger and at least this guy tended to block a lot. So, I guess just wait until it wears off.
Once below 50%, it'll call in more bats, and will continue to do so for the rest of the fight, but this is actually good for you, since killing them gives you another notch on the Soul Gauge. Probably a plan that sounded better in his head.
Also below 50%, it'll add a new attack where it fires sonic waves in multiple directions, but they're not as dangerous because there's not as many waves as its normal sonic wave attack and one of them is fired directly above it, which is a direction you'll never be attacking from.
Pffft. I did all the work, even having to revive him at one point, and he claims the credit for the kill. I see how it goes. The major reward from this win is the Acrobat's Ventite, which allows you to Recover in midair by guarding, instead of the character having to go through a lengthy recover animation if an enemy knocks them away, into the air.
Anyhow, that's all for our business here except Plot Business. Just head to the star on the map and off we go. The lizard man
An exorcist... Did he slip and fall?
No, he was thrown in!
Normally for this fight, you'd get a tutorial on Power Combos. Basically, to launch a Power Combo, target the elemental weakness of an enemy, or against the type of enemy it is (such as Amphibian), and the combo will do more damage more than normal and be more effective at staggering the enemy. Always good to know, but not every enemy has a "type" or has an elemental weakness.
As for Dyle, he's pretty simple. He swipes at you, thrusts at you occasionally, but it's all pretty harmless stuff. He gains Helmsplitter when he falls below 50% and it's decently powerful, but pretty easy to avoid / sidestep away from.
He gains another technique at this threshold, where he'll throw out an AOE move that lowers Physical Defense. Hard to avoid if you're in his face but not a big deal. But that's about it for Dyle. This is a real fight, by the way, so you have to drain his HP completely to win.
I won't die yet! Not until I have my revenge!
Revenge?
The bastards at the guild who tried to kill me! They want me to take the fall for their smuggling operation!
Wait, are you saying the whole guild is involved?
Of course! Hahaha! You think a second-rate sailor like myself could pull off all that mischief by myself?! I mean, sure, I was in on it. Helping them wasn't without its benefits.
He has a point. It would take more than one person to dig that tunnel into the warehouse.
Ah, that explains that rather large oversight I mentioned. Makes much more sense.
Problem is, our extra-legal activities were a little TOO successful. The Abbey was bound to notice us at some point.
And dead men tell no tales... So they blame it on you and kill you to cover it up. Looks like it's not going quite how they planned.
How do you mean to get this revenge of yours?
A raid on Hellawes. I'll kill the lot of them, this is swear!
That would be suicide. Do you have any idea how many exorcists are around?
They'll hunt me down no matter what I do! I just want the guild to pay for what they did to me.
*sighs*
That's all I wanted... But I guess...even that's not gonna work out...
*writhes around on the floor in pain*
*grabs tail* We'll take this back to town and tell 'em you're dead. That should be enough to satisfy the exorcists and get them to call off the search.
*stops writhing* But...why?
I have my reasons. We need a boat fixed, for starters. Plus, if you stir things up after I leave, I imagine it'll slow down anyone who's following me.
If that's what you want, miss, I won't let you down.
Well, how about that. A lizard man as an ally. Works for me. He actually has this update's first Conversation after the above scene is over. He just tells us a little about his lizard man backstory. Not that anyone was asking, of course, but let's not be rude. Not yet, anyway.
Also, after that fight, you get your first Denore Bottle. It allows you to warp the starting point of any dungeon, but don't use it. Know why? Because we have a warp point right next to the save point that can do that exact thing for free. Aside from that, nothing interesting happened on the way back to Hellawes other than exploding a boulder, so let's just confront those guild guys with the truth. Or, at least, the truth as Dyle sees it.
Well, actually I lied a bit, because there's an interesting conversation in town.
From this woman and assorted chatting, we learn there's a volcano named Killaraus north of Hellawes. We'll...probably be going there at some point. It's a volcano in a video game, after all. Anyway, when you're done, time to talk to the guild again.
Basically, they fall for the Dyle Deception because Velvet brought his tail (this is why most sensible folk would ask for a head) and she threatens to turn them into Lady Teresa if they don't work on her ship, because they said they still can't do it until they get permission. After this threat, they suddenly become much more reasonable and see things our way.
What are you talking about?
You don't know?
We didn't have anything like that in our village.
All the more reason, then! Come on, let's go. *begins to walk toward weapon shop*
H-Hey! You don't need to be so pushy!
That's just how I am. Get used to it. Come on.
So, Enhancement. It's basically the crafting system in this game. First, of course, you need to acquire the weapon you want to upgrade, then use various materials to improve its stats and unlock Enhancement Bonuses. In addition to the materials, you'll need money, of course. Enhancing increases the stats of an item (not just weapons), and unlocks its first Bonus. By upgrading a piece of equipment far enough, you'll get the other bonuses. The maximum enhancement level is +10, and if you do that, you'll get that item's name listed in gold. Yay. We can't do that yet because we don't have the right Acerite. For now, +3 is the maximum.
On the flip side, Dismantling. Basically just tearing apart equipment to get materials to Enhance. In fact, it's among the only sources for many Enhancement materials, like the Odorless Fluid. What you get from the Dismantling process depends on the skills on that item as well as its level.
And that's how it's done. Get it?
I suppose... It seems like kind of a hassle.
Maybe at first. But once you get it down, it'll be second nature. You'll eventually learn how to maximize your personal strengths through wise upgrading and dismantling.
It does seem useful.
Right? If you plan to continue your crusade, upgrading may give you the edge you need. Of course, those who are inadequately prepared for battle probably won't end up on the winning side.
That's certainly true enough. And hey, if it'll make me stronger, I'm sure I'll figure it out. If it'll help me take him down...
Indeed... But hey, while we're here, why not check out the guild's opinion back at our ship? When we leave the storage room again, we'll get a skit, where the most important thing to take away from it is that we need a sailor to navigate the ship, and Rokurou clearly is not up to the task.
So for now, we're heading back to the first area of the Icecaps, and before you return to where your ship is, another interesting skit, wherein we learn that the daemons killed by Velvet turn back into humans, but not so for Rokurou. More mysteries about what exactly Velvet is, but as she says, the difference is not meaningful.
Apparently Rokurou is an impressively bad sailor / navigator. Now we DEFINITELY need to find someone up to the task. The other important news is that this ship is hopeless. We need to get a new one from somewhere, which, y'know, probably means stealing it. Let's move on to more important developments... The two praetors
This frail flesh a sacrifice to be thy foundation...
Sister.
Oh, Oscar! What brings you here?
A daemon got the better of me. I've been summoned back to the Abbey, but I thought I'd stop by on my way.
My... My poor brother... I'm so sorry.
Yeah, Oscar wasn't referring to Teresa as "Sister" in the sense of a religious order title, but the fact they are brother and sister. They're actually half-brother and sister (hence their different family names). Oscar is the younger one of the two.
*shakes head* There is pain, but I can still fight. The scar will serve to remind me of my inexperience.
An underhanded foe, no doubt.
No. The daemon saps her enemies' strength with her left hand and turns it against them. It was a girl with black hair and eyes full of fire.
*flashes back*
(It was her!)
Teresa?
Understood. I will. *grabs his hand* Worry not. A failure as minor as this is not the end of the world.
To be honest, I came hoping you would cheer me up like that.
Well! I do believe I recognize those earrings.
Of course. I treasure them dearly. Thank you.
They suit you just as well as I thought they would. I must take my leave now. *marches out*
Lady Teresa, we've captured a stowaway.
I wasn't stowing away, you twit! I merely boarded without permission!
*slaps Magilou* You! You're a collaborator with that daemon-woman. Where is she?
Hmph! Your tortures are useless against the mighty Magilou. *grins* Because I'll spill my guts just fine without 'em!
Should have seen that coming... Looks like getting out of here will be a bit more complicated than anticipated. Well, for Velvet and Co. (which only includes one other party member right now), time to head back to Hellawes.
Luckily, our fellow members of the underworld warn us this is a common tactic for Teresa to draw out a criminal's allies, so seems like we need a plan, too. In a skit, Velvet and Rokurou decide to enlist Dyle as a navigator and plan how to steal a ship from the docks, so that's the game plan now. Back to the depths of Hadlow Hollow for us. As for Magilou's fate, well, no affair of ours.
Not too much interesting happens on the way back, but we do get two skits. Remember, you can warp to the depths of the cave if the prospect of going back through this doesn't sound too thrilling to me. It does not to me.
Velvet seems to have learned a bit from Artorius back in the day...
Naturally, Velvet's part of the most dangerous part of the plan, which involves attacking Hellawes head-on to draw the Abbey's forces to one part of the city. I guess Dyle slips in through the back door, since god knows he's of no use in a fight. But for now, we're hanging out here for the night. A bad dream
Were you having a nightmare?
*hugs Laphi* I was... Oh, Laphi, it was terrible...
Hey, c'mon, let go of me. I have to go. I have something important to do.
What's that?
Arthur told me to come meet him at the shrine of tranquility.
No, Laphicet! No!
*continues walking*
Listen to me! Artorius is... He's going to--!
You know, this does raise an interesting point. Laphi didn't seem to be resisting what happened at the shrine at all...
Are you all right? You were tossing and turning.
I'm fine. It was just a dream.
After that, a skit takes over, but for the sake of the video, it's part of the dream sequence. Velvet does reveal her target is Artorius to Rokurou, and seems he's a bit confused who that is at first, but eventually decides to let sleeping dogs lie and proceed with the plan. Dyle's at the front of the cave. He basically just confirms what the objective is and proceeds to get into position.
Once we're out of the cave, though, we do have a skit.
Harsh...
Anyway, it's time to blow this popsicle stand.
Who goes there?!
Oh, I'm pretty sure you were expecting me!
Like the mooks in Titania, these guys are pretty hopeless. You and Rokurou should make pretty short work of the both of them.
Looks like the party's just waiting for us. The "rescue"
Well, look who actually showed up to rescue me! Aww, you're more of a softie than I ever gave you credit for, daemon-lady!
You're here. You're the daemon that escaped the island?
What if I am?
This guy was a little late to that warning... Velvet's finishing arte against Person enemies is pretty great. She basically just rends through the target with a series of powerful slashes that ends with downing the enemy.
As for this fight, you and Rokurou actually have to fight through quite a few of these guys. Unlike the orderlies we've fought so far, they actually have a decent amount of health and a number of them will even try to cast spells, but anything Velvet does can interrupt that. After you've taken down like 10 of them, cutscenes will resume.
I admire your endurance, but you will regret this soon enough. Number Two.
You can't finish your own work? Coward.
I won't fall for your taunts. That arm of yours is too dangerous. *looks toward Number Two* Besides, to dispose of daemon filth, one ought to use an appropriate tool.
Well, I've got tools of my own. Tools of flamestone, sulfur, and oil.
Those will...explode.
*large explosion*
What?! Our stores of flamestone!
Rokurou!
*slashes down another exorcist* I'm with you!
Hey! Aren't you forgetting someone?! *runs after the two toward the docks*
*recovers* What are you all doing?! After them!
Lady Teresa! The ships...! The port...! It's all on fire!
Grr! Orderlies, put out the fires at once!
Battle at the harbor
Move it! We're ready to set sail!
Dang, nice shot. Knocked Dyle right off.
I won't let you escape! Never!
Dang, two exorcist praetor fights in 4 updates? Velvet's just getting into trouble all over the place. Well, as you might expect, Teresa and both of her malaks need to be defeated to win this fight. Since the two kids are malaks, they're both ? enemy types, which means Velvet won't get any special buff against them if she Break Souls them. Best strategy for the opening part of this fight is to have Rokurou handle one of the kids, you go after the other.
As for the exorcist, Teresa is neither particularly fast nor dangerous, so she can largely be ignored while you and Rokurou take out the casters.
Behold, the first spell successfully casted by an enemy. I'm sure it won't be the last.
Teresa's most dangerous attack is Northern Lights, but the fun fact about this attack is that it's really easy to rack up sidesteps on it with the odd way it does damage. Basically, as long as you sidestep the initial hit, you can just keep sidestepping and dodge the whole thing.
Like so.
Dang, 74 hits with good use of Velvet's Person Break Soul attack. Not too shabby. As I said, once you KO all of them, the fight is over.
Do it, Number Two!
The kid's gonna blow himself up!
*smacks Number Two away*
To think you were a daemon!
The crybaby exorcist?
I wasn't crying! *knocks Velvet away*
Two praetors. Not looking good!
*Number Two recovers*
*unsheathes arm*
An...order...
Now! *everyone runs onto ship, including Number Two, still in tow*
Why? Why would they DO such a thing to us?!
We're finished... Hellawes is no more...
Curse you... Curse you!
Such ghastly daemons. The Abbey--no, Lord Artorius himself must be informed.
Glad to know we're so famous already...
Out at sea... On the water
*at the helm*
Well, that turned out better than I expected. Though we wound up with a little extra.
Extra?
Just for the record, everything aboard this ship is a single video, so the skit you get here is part of the larger video.
This is what I mean. You'll nominally be in control but the whole thing to do is talk with all our "buddies" right now, except Number Two, who continues staring blankly at the sea. All of these discussions will be in the sole video for this particular part.
I vote Magilou write all the Synopsis entries in this style. Once you're done talking with everyone, Number Two continues the story.
Velvet! How's our heading?
*looks at compass* Uh... This is so hard to read.
Actually... You're holding it wrong. It's built to function even if the ship is rolling.
Huh.
Velvet!
The heading's fine! Kid. What's your name?
Number Two.
Not that. Your real name. Surely you have one.
*shakes head*
Want to hold it?
Wow, Velvet smiling. It's probably been years...
...If that's an order.
I'm asking you what you want.
So you're...ordering me to answer?
*sigh* Right, right... You malakhim would destroy yourselves as long as it was an order, wouldn't you?
That is our purpose.
You really are tools. In that case, keep your mouth shut.
Huh?!
Cannon fire astern! Pirates!
That flag.. It's got to be Aifread's pirate crew!
They've got a bead on us, folks. And in case you hadn't noticed, we aren't really equipped for sea combat!
To land then! We can fight them there!
Pirate party
Huh! Well look at that. They really are a buncha daemons. That works in our favor.
You knowingly pick fights with daemons? Must have a death wish. You're in trouble now that we're on land!
Wipe them out, Number Two. That's an order.
*nod*
Whoa there! We're not the one you'll be fighting.
It'll be me.
Hm, Laphi's tricks won't work against this guy. Whoever he is, he takes himself real serious.
A malak?!
No... I'm the reaper.
Hm...that was an odd comment about a pendulum.
Well now, our latest friend is a pretty fun fight. His AI loves to sidestep you, so don't be surprised if a lot of your attacks against him whiff. In our favor, though, he's not very powerful and Number Two eagerly provides support with just a projectile spell that doesn't do much, but it does help. If he tries to peel off from you and Rokurou to go after the kid, just go right after him and hunt him down instead. Once he falls to 50%, the fight is over.
You pass the test. Join us.
Well, aren't you the impudent one.
Says the daemon who torched Hellawes.
You knew about that?
I hope you realize we're doing you a favor. If you'd stayed on that course, you would've smashed right up against the Gate of Vortigern.
We'll be learning more about Berseria's Vortigern later this update and especially next, but as far as the Arthurian reference goes, Vortigern was the name of Uther Pendragon's brother and Arthur's uncle. He would be more akin to a warlord than a king. He is talked about in numerous sources but concrete historical information about him is tough to come by.
You're headed for Midgand, aren't you? That means you're gonna have to go through the narrows up ahead. But the kingdom has a massive fortress there built to defend them...with a tremendous gate.
A fortress...
If this is true, we're in your debt.
We desire to pass through as well, but we lack the strength. I propose we form a partnership.
I'd be a fool to blindly trust the words of a pirate.
Do you really want to see the gate for yourself? We won't stop you. We'll even throw you a nice funeral, if you like.
So, what? We're allowed to refuse?
Your business is your business, and ours is ours. There's nothing more to say.
But First Mate! Y-You can't go alone! We'll all come with you!
You'd only get in the way. Stick to the plan and focus on your duties aboard the Van Eltia. *saunters off*
The Van Eltia is another recurring ship name in this series. Its first appearance was as Chat's ship in Tales of Eternia.
As before, we have some chatting to do before we decide what to do next. Considering we've run aground and this gate is apparently quite formidable, seems we really only have one option here. Nevertheless, always good to get some context for what we do next.
Guess there's no use trying to force things if Dyle knows what the hell he's talking about. Velvet supposes there might be another way to bypass the gate, but that requires sailing around all of Westgand and without a compass, that's apparently not an option.
Although this malak will undoubtedly get a new name in the future that will replace this designation, still nice to see to see this on the party ledger for the moment. Also, exactly 10k Cole? Nice.
The other conversation gives us much the same response: there is simply no feasible way around the Gate of Vortigern. After you talk to both Magilou and that blonde pirate (whose name from the text box is Benwick), you get a skit where we decide to go after that malak. But before we go (and shop with that one pirate if necessary), let's talk to Dyle. He warns us not get involved with Aifread's crew, since apparently they're an unsavory bunch, but he offers no alternatives.
Oh boy, more caves to spelunk in the West Laban Tunnel. There's no significance to "Laban" that I could find that was even remotely relevant. As far as enemies go, the only interesting thing about them is that you can spot them hanging on the ceiling and they drop down if you get too close... Yeah, I got nothing. Trust me, next dungeon is way more interesting. The Reaper
So, you've chosen to trust a pirate?
Not for a second. But if you're prepared to lend us the use of your ship and crew until we reach the capital, we'll help you.
...I'll agree to those terms. But there's something I should tell you first.
I bring ill fortune to all those around me. The "Reaper's Curse".
If you join up with me, I can't guarantee your safety.
Why would you go out of your way to warn us?
Even daemons don't want to meet an unfair death, right? *tosses coin to Velvet* If you still want to come with me, just know the risks.
*tosses coin back* Works for me. I land on tails, I'll flip it to heads on my own.
*grabs coin*
Your name?
Velvet. This is Number Two.
I'm Rokurou. A pleasure.
Oh boy... If you've played Zestiria before you played this game, you'll definitely remember who Eizen is and what his fate turns out to be. But that's certainly a story for another time.