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Part XXVIII: The Stories We Concluded, Part 1



Uh, don't worry about those, Laphicet. Maybe when you're older. Yes, Teepo Island, where I got this recipe, has another description full of references to the game it came from. The description for Teepo Island mentions a "schism" and "inhabitants lov[ing] everything pink", which are both references to Xillia 1. The ones who love pink are called
Pinkists, crazily enough. It's a wide world out there.

Welcome back, all. This update is listed as a Part 1, but that's really just because we'll get to like...90% of the sidequests available right now done by the end of this update, so I didn't want a whole new update that was like, a quarter the size of a normal one. I also don't want sidequests bleeding into when we go to the Empyrean's Throne.
Also about that...I found out recently (or rather, re-discovered) that some sidequests ONLY open up after beating the game and reloading your save, including the last batch of Class 4 islands, as well as the big bonus dungeon, but I did remember that part. Let's finish up all those in a post-game update, shall we? I'll get up to the requisite Tales Save Point Before The Final Boss and go into the post-game from there, finishing up this part of the thread with Artorius / Innominat.



But our adventure continues, for now, into the Zamahl Grotto. If that's a reference to anything, I have no idea. Remember, this is the section of the Aldina Plains just outside Stonebury. Let's see what kind of trouble Majelu has gotten herself into... A magic show


Ah! There's our little runaway! *everyone runs in front of Majelu*



So she got herself into trouble. Adorable trouble, but trouble nonetheless. The Weighty Witch, well...she certainly isn't hard, but it can take a while because she has high defensive stats in general. She can also, at any time, summon two cat witch minions who use various powerful spells (but only two can ever be on the field at one time), and those two you certainly have to watch out for. But for this fight, I decided to try something different.



Consciously play as Magilou. Mostly to use her Spell Absorber Break Soul, since basically all the enemies who fight you in this fight, all they do is cast spells. I actually had fun with it, seeing a bunch of different spells she can use under these non-standard conditions. What spell she uses, as well as the requirements for casting each of her Spell Absorber spells, is actually a super complicated topic if you really want to get into the weeds of it, as this video, which I was pointed to in the thread, illustrates. It's far beyond the scope of what I want to talk about or am knowledgeable to expound upon but yeah, if you want to see exactly how one of Berseria's very elaborate, understated, systems works, give it a look.



It does a cute Break Soul where it'll sweep with its broom to do damage in front of it, but aside from that, doesn't have many unique tricks. Skipping ahead...


Wow... Thank you for saving me.
We heard you stood up to Valta and ran away. Is that right?
No, it's not like that. I...
Say no more. I used to have a real pain of a teacher, too. I know what it's like. Teachers aren't good for much other than running their mouths and bossing people around. They just try to pick out your flaws. They don't even see how hard their students work for them.
Yeah... Valta wouldn't even listen to me when I tried explaining why I wanted to come here. He's always like that. All he cares about is dancing. He won't talk about anything else... It's just that sometimes there are other things I want to talk about...
*nods* I hear you on that. Surely you can see you don't need to work yourself to death just to please that mean old man. If you need somewhere to go, we always have room in Magilou's Menagerie!
I don't know. I don't think I'm cut out for it...
Lulu! Are you all right?!
Sir?! What are you doing here?!
What are YOU doing here?! Don't you know this place is dangerous?
I-I just... I heard there might be an herb here that could...make your injury stop hurting so much.
You came here...for me?! What were you thinking?! You think it's just all right to throw your incredible talent down the drain like that?!
Now, just a minute!
*stops her*
Lulu... The only thing I care about anymore is seeing you become the greatest dancer in the world. I know it's selfish of me. I don't mind if you hate me for it... Just...whatever you do, don't waste your talent. Lulu, your dancing brings so much joy to people. And it's during a time when there isn't a lot of joy to go around.
Valta...

You're an eyesore! Get out of my sight!
Huh? What's with you?
I'm saying this isn't the place to be doing any of this!


Fear the might of Magilou, the greatest witch in 100 years! A third-rate dancer like you can't even hope to compete with the likes of me. Stand in awe, student and teacher alike!
As if we would! I might not be able to compete at your level right now, but just you wait. One day, my dancing will beat you! Me and my teacher's dancing won't lose, even if it's to your magic!
Lulu...
Oh, really? Then it sounds like you and your teacher have lots of work ahead of you. But whenever you want to challenge Magilou's Menagerie, we'll be ready.



Afterwards, another delightful skit with Magilou, leaving it up to interpretation as to what her exact intentions in that last scene were. But let is never be said that even in the depths of despair, that is, not having a punchline, Magilou always finds a way to turn the tables.

It's funny, though. Imagine how different things might have been if Melchior were even half as considerate as Valta there was. What could have been...



But of course, we have a new dungeon on our hands. Unlike most every other dungeon, there are no puzzles to speak of here, it's just a matter of covering all the ground you need to get all the treasures. The one gimmick of this dungeon is that water slide over there. As you might expect, you can't travel up it, even with the geoboard. Strictly a one-way trip sort of business. There aren't really awesome treasures to be found, but the list is as follows: Arcane Bottle, Drop Bottle, Grape Gel, Panacea Bottle, 13200 gald, Red Rosemary, Mythril Fragment, another Grape Gel, Denore Bottle, Soul Bottle...



I should also mention that this place and Davahl Forest, which we're going to right after this, are treasure troves for Katz Spirits. They're everywhere, and since the last few boxes are the most expensive, we're gonna need 'em. That gilded chest in the distance has Ember Paper in it, and there's also an Elixir and Red Saffron on either side of this chamber. And before you finish the big loop of the dungeon, there's a chest with another sweet 10200 gald in it. As for the Katz box...



Right here. Pretty easy. And that's...all for Zamahl. Gotta love these short bonus dungeons.



Hmmm. Seems like a pleasant place. Maybe this place's name is a reference to Davallia plants? If it's not, pretty sure it's just another Fantasy Name.



So the gimmick with this place is not plants that can attack you (darker-shaded ones are enemies, and they typically won't have random junk like Katz Spirits hovering over enemy plants), but instead...



Fruit and fog. Of course. How it works is that there are three different kind of fog banks here: red, yellow, and blue. In order to pass through the fog, you need to have eaten the corresponding fruit color. Obviously. For some reason, however, the fruit does not stack; if you eat blue, then eat yellow, you can't pass through blue fog until you eat blue fruit again. And so on.

The red fog for this tree is located nearby, whereas the blue fog needed to exit this first area needs a blue tree going in a passageway to the left of it. Let us move on.



In the fourth area, we get introduced to yellow fruit, as well as this place's Code Red hunt. Unfortunately, we need the Geoboard / Red Fruit to activate it, so we'll just have to keep it in mind. The yellow fruit is in the clearing so the south, so we'll need to eat it and backtrack to the third area.



But don't eat that fruit until you pass through this fog, for our second Katz box this update. Not too shabby, but it is for 375 spirits. Future ones won't be much cheaper. I can feel it. Anyway, eat that yellow fruit and backtrack. Thank god they're all ripe.



Luckily, the board isn't too far away. So we'll nab it and head right back, shall we?



Since Davahl Forest could have been accessed as early as our first trip to Stonebury, I suspect that's the relative power level you're meant to fight Dryad here at. It has the same moveset as Kamoana did during our fight with her therion form, unfortunately this thing's power is nowhere near our level right now. Decent amount of health (again, Intense), but there's really nothing at all to this fight. Still, it is a boss fight in this dungeon, I suppose. Just not much of one.



Glad to see Velvet is embracing her new title with such aplomb. The remainder of the dungeon is not particularly worth mention, I feel. Final area has all fruit colors present, but the only thing you particularly need to concern yourself with is the final fog bank is yellow, so make sure you're digesting some yellow fruit before you get that far. Like Zamahl, there are some minor treasures and lots of Katz Spirits floating around, so loot to your heart's content and let's move on.

Upon reaching the final clearing... Father's choice


An exorcist! What he doing here?!
*looks at his leaf* That's...
*puts it away* ...It's a world tree leaf.
We need that for the Omega Elixir!
You know of the Omega Elixir? Your'e no ordinary travelers.
I think you can tell that just by looking at us.
He seems wary of us. Should we take it by force?
No, we'd be at a disadvantage. He looks strong.

C'mon now. Though, let's just say this is Eizen's code for "Resolve this peacefully".

I could try talking to him.
Wait. Let me try.
...Alright, Laphi. Do what you need to.

This line makes me think this sidequest was kind of meant to be done earlier, since Velvet hasn't called him that in the story for some time now. Well, whatever their intentions, we're doing this quest now.

Please, sir, may we have that? We need it badly.
Sorry, kid. I've only this one. You're so...young. Do you really think you can make an Omega Elixir?
*nods* Yes. I have a friend who's very sick... If there's anything I can do to save him, anything at all... I have to try!
Did you...already gather the other ingredients?
No, we still don't know what the last one might be... But, I'll find it. I swear I will! My friend is suffering too much! I refuse to give up on him.
...*takes leaf out* Take it.
Are you certain? Don't you need this as well?
I'm an exorcist. Talking to you...well. We're supposed to put the needs of others ahead of our own. You think not of yourself. I would be a poor model were I to deprive you in your time of need. *hands it over*
Thank you!
By the way, young one... Perhaps this will help your cause. I've been studing an old book, and it would seem that the final ingredient is "a malak's prayers". Unfortunately, thanks to the Lord of Calamity, the Abbey's been losing a good number of malakhim. I've managed to be exceedingly lucky and mine is still okay, but... *sigh* He will not give me his prayers, even when I command him to. Perhaps you will succeed.

I'm so sorry, Videl... *takes off*

I mean, to be fair, how much general need could there be of a mystical (I assume) ingredient like a world tree leaf, other than it being for an Omega Elixir? Not to mention the number of people needing such a thing to begin with. We probably should have put 2 and 2 together by now, but regardless, yep, Videl's dad the whole time.



Well, it actually wouldn't be the first time she's done so. She defended Artorius of all people back when we were hopelessly in the dark about his motives during the second act, saying that there's no way he would have gone so far if he was just out to destroy the world or humanity.



Uh, maybe not while anyone is looking... (She actually says "One of you can surely squeeze out a prayer or two, yeah...")

Once you're done with that scene, the clearing where you resume control has a ton of spirits in it as well as a gilded chest with a Purity Charm for Rokurou. Gotta get all those stat buffs we can. When you're done, thanks to our dear departed Aifread, we can warp out to the Aldina Plains with the Bottomless Denore Bottle. As long as you have the Katz Box and defeated Dryad, you'll have no need to return here. Until next time, Davahl Forest.



While there's no danger in Reneed when we're making that Omega Elixir, I would highly advise stopping by an inn in either Reneed or Zekson to get all that BG back because of what we're doing after that. We're actually going to be returning to Titania for the first time in a while to take care of that fellow with a grudge against Eizen. It's one of Berseria's hardest bosses and you'll certainly want to be prepared for it.



Oh boy... This was the other reason we needed to stop by Reneed soon. It seems this Bloodwing Rep is a little new on the job, though. When Velvet asks why the Bloodwings are interested in getting rid of dragons all of a sudden, instead of responding "Rampaging, unpredictable hellbeasts are bad for business", she goes on about Abbey insiders and Zaveid. You'd think the former would suffice as an explanation.



Otherwise, here we go. Sounds like we didn't arrive a moment too soon. Family business


I'll prove that your translations were correct, Videl. Just wait.
Laphi...cet.
He's awake!
No, he's just mumbling. That's all he's been saying this whole time.
I'm sorry...sorry, Laphicet.. I'm sorry I...I told you to...to go away. I...really wanted to talk to you...more...
It's fine! Really! That doesn't matter now! You're my friend! There's...so much of the world you still need to see! You have to get better. *begins tearing up* So we can go on adventures together, okay?!


Is that...
It's the Omega Elixir. So it wasn't really a malak's prayers...
It...was their tears.

Outside, after a little while passed...


Sweetheart, you're home!
*shakes head* I am... But I have no right to be here at this point. I chose to do my duty as an exorcist over the welfare of my own dear family.
...
I won't ask for forgiveness. This isn't something that can be forgiven...
Dad?
V-Videl?! Are you feeling okay?
*nods*
He's fine! A generous friend worked hard to prepare the Omega Elixir for him.
The Omega Elixir? Wait... Don't tell me your friend is...
You helped him, right? I heard that it was you who told him what the final ingredient was. Thank you, Dad.
No, Son! You have no idea! I... I...
Dad, it's okay. You protected the world in your own way. The one mom and I live in... The one I want to explore when I get a little older.
Son...


In a follow-up skit, Eleanor has to set Velvet straight in her own way. Nice to know our intervention in something didn't involve us ruining everything for everyone. And indeed, Videl's fine. You can watch his tutoring sessions with the local village runts in the inn to your heart's content, but unfortunately, we do not have that luxury. Gotta be something better to do around this dump. By which I mean, we're going to go out into the marsh and bully wildlife.



Yes, sadly, the Berseria cast doesn't have access to a pocket dimension to store items forever. That said, you can carry a lot of equipment in this game until you need to start cleaning out your stocks.



Even though we're close to Reneed and it wouldn't be a big issue to go back and Dismantle there, I'm guessing due to something we've picked up on this crazy adventure of ours, we can Dismantle in the field both for free and we still get the proceeds. Sounds good to me.




We need Magilou to lighten the mood around here sometimes...



But of course, our real reason for being here is to hang with the Hanged Man. It has a unique arte to basically turn into a moving puddle to avoid damage for a bit, but for the short time it lived, that was pretty much the only thing it ended up doing to me. Perhaps you posed a bigger threat to another Velvet, in another time. Not this one.



Afterwards, I found Teepo Island's unique treasure. I think this is Princessia flower that was important to one of the party members in Xillia 1 and sort of had a cameo appearance in Xillia 2. Laphicet, what's up?

They say this lily blooms as its owner grows. What a splendid item this is.
As its owner grows... Like by getting stronger?
Yes. Strength is an easy bit of growth to measure, isn't it? That means if you keep once you have washboard abs and bulging biceps, we'll have a gorgeous lily to admire as well.
Bulging muscles and a flower? I'm not sure those go well together.
Physical strength isn't the only form of growth, you know. For example, you might eneter a rebellious phase where you snap at any little thing Velvet might say. LIke, "Shut up , you hag!" From a certain perspective, that's a perfectly fine form of growth.
And THAT would make this flower bloom? ...I think that sounds even worse.

Well, nobody said growing up was easy. Unfortunately, we still have one unique treasure to find in Teepo Island, so it'll be a bit until we can move on. And no, those pirates down in Yseult who unlock a mysterious island still haven't shown up.



Yay, our first max enhanced equipment. Nothing special about its abilities, but hey, might as well do it once on camera, you know? As for equipment you should focus on upgrading, well, increasing damage against Stunned enemies is probably your best bet, since Stunned enemies do take a lot more damage than normal, and anything to pile on that sounds good to me. Yes, the next thing we'll be doing is finally going back to Titania for that bonus boss, so we'll want to be prepared as much as possible. Before we go, I would strongly advise that you change Eleanor's strategy.

I'll level with you, this upcoming boss is extremely powerful and can very easily KO your buddies, so it's highly likely you'll start just going through your Life Bottles very quickly. For Eleanor, I'd advise changing her strategy to stay as far away from the enemy as possible and change her AI to use only support magic (like her resurrection spell). Also, tell her AI to not use her BG at all, since she needs to be at the front as much as possible. Throwing more bodies at the boss I'm talking about is not the way to handle him, but once we actually fight him, I can show you what I mean. Speaking of, now it's actually time to return to our former home.

Oh yeah, and Reneed's weapon shop is named after Moses Sandor, the beast-tamer party member from Legendia. So there you go. Before you go, also make sure to talk to the Code Red guy to get 26700 gald for defeating the Weighty Witch and the Dryad.



The exorcists have since vamoosed, but choosing this place of all locations, sounds like Eizen's Adversary is quite a serious one. The fight actually isn't in the front docks, where we are, but in the corresponding room for the back docks.



You can't miss it.

Wait, what? A man among men

There doesn't seem to be anybody here... Wait, what's up with that box?
??? The time has come for judgment...and retribution!
What the...



Did a nor doll just come out of that box?!
Who are you?
Very well! You ought to know the name of he who consigns you to the flames of hell. I am--
Wait, wait, wait. You're that normin, right? Phoenix, or whatever? Ha! No wonder those letters were so full of empty threats and blustery nonsense!
Bieeeeeen! This is bad-bad! The self-styled "strongest normin of all normin" is the mastermind behind all of this?!
Self-styled?! I am the man among men, the strongest normin of all normin! I am Phoenix! *bird screech*
Yeah, yeah, we covered that already.
*taken aback*
So you're the one who wrote all those letters. What's your bone with me?
I merely seek to right wrongs! I recently came into possession of a letter from a sister pouring her heart out to her brother. I traced the letter back to its sender and one day paid her a surreptitious visit. There I found a sweet, innocent girl. Surrounding her were presents from her brother...and mountains of letters she couldn't bring herself to send.
Letters she couldn't send?
Heartfelt letters for her older brother. When I read them, my manly tears fell over the same salty stains left by hers!
What the hell is wrong with you?! Who reads someone else's letter and then decides to break into their room?!

Forget that, where's the "It's none of your goddamn business" response? Sadly, Eizen's too focused on the invasion of his sister's privacy to state a very obvious thing, that Phoenix can come with whatever grandiose titles for himself he wants, whatever is happening between these two is no affair of his.

I...acknowledge that I am partly in the wrong. But for all that is righteous, I cannot condone your callous ways. I do this for your sister, clasping her hands in well-worn gloves as she sends prayers for her brother's safety across the wide, blue sea.
*shakes head* Enough of this nonsense. What is it that you want?!
That is a question you should be asking of yourself.
What do you mean?
Just what is it that you're communicating with the superficial scrawlings and shoddy baubles you send her?
He's trying to atone--
Don't be absurd! Which is the real you? The considerate brother who worries for his sister? Or the man who consorts with lowlife scum and pirates? Why can you not at least be honest with her, pirate? She is your sister! Why can you not tell her of the life you've chosen to lead?! Do you think her too weak-willed to forgive your decision? Is that what your beloved sister is to you?
I don't have to take this from you!

Agreed. You could drive a dump truck through the massive holes in Phoenix's entire motivation here, and Eizen has no need to justify his decisions to anyone in the *party*, let alone this warrior of justice.

Fine then! Show me your power!
You asked for it!



So as I alluded to earlier, Phoenix is a rather difficult boss and an adversary you'll definitely want to take seriously. First up, his character model. He doesn't puff himself up for regular combat (but he will after one of his moves, very briefly, but I don't think it expands his hitbox), so that means you're fighting a very small, fast enemy, which can make it very easy for attacks to miss and for him to get in underneath the camera to do damage. Also, at certain thresholds of HP, Phoenix will increase his moving around speed, to the point where, near KO, he'll be jetting around like crazy. So the pace of the fight near the start can definitely throw you off if you get used to his speed during the start of the fight. I can't confirm this, of course, but at max speed he takes like just over a second to hypothetically cross the entire field if need be.

Second, his attacks. He doesn't have many of them but they're all very powerful. First up, I am a bird! here. It involves him launching himself forward to do Fire/Wind damage in a straight line, which can be pretty devastating if you're caught up in the whole thing.



Second, this move. Some distance away from his target, he'll jump into the air, inflate himself, then stomp down. The thing is, this attack is easily avoided by just...not doing anything. You actually have to run into where he stomps down to take damage. As long as you don't, this attack will miss every time. This attack is very easily punishable by just waiting a split second after he makes contact with the ground again, then attacking. It also has a very small hitbox, actually, so it's definitely your one lifeline.

Speaking of, best way to attack him is to block long enough to see a red aura surround your character. The next attack will very likely Stun your target and allow you decent damage. This Foot Kick attack is by far your best opening. The reason I played as Eizen the whole time was because Coercion + his Break Souls were really good at staggering Phoenix and opening him up for big damage combos.



At 75% HP, he'll add in his most deadly non-spell attack, his Break Soul, Ire. Basically what he'll do is just chase down his target then shout in their face or something, breaking their guard, doing tons of damage, and very likely Stunning the victim(s). It's fairly easy to sidestep this attack because of the split-second cutaway for enemy and ally Break Souls, just constantly be sidestepping during the cutaway, but if you're the target and you don't, you're just about 100% guaranteed to be KO'd, if not by Ire, then what he'll do right after. Your only hope at that point is Switch Blasting out or him getting bored and hunting down someone else



50% HP gives him Fists of the Phoenix, which is a short-range punching attack that, as you might guess, does lots of damage but has very little range. This and I am a bird! are the attacks most likely to trigger his Mystic Arte (hey, can't have a bonus boss without one), because it's not powerful enough to kill you in one hit, but getting caught up in all the Fists I believe will kill you.



And yeah, 50% HP also gives him access to Crown Fire, and it's more deadly than ever before. This time I got particularly unlucky, though. Most of the time Crown Fire would just kill one of my buddies. If you're controlling Velvet, remember that her therion form is very handy against Phoenix because she can't be KO'd during it, but remember to *confirm* that she enters therion form before attacking. If Velvet doesn't make contact with an enemy during the swipe, it'll whiff and she won't enter her pseudo-invincibility form.

...I also just noticed all the screenshots since the beginning of this fight were from a failed run, but eh, everything I said still applies. All told I think it took me like 5 attempts to win? In spite of Phoenix having some fairly predictable routines, it can very easily get out of hand if, for example, you get a really unlucky Crown Fire like that. He also has Flare Vortex as a spell, but thankfully just stay away from him if you don't think you can break his stance in time. He doesn't have many Iron Stances (number of hits someone can take until they lose their spell casting animation), but as demonstrated by that Crown Fire, even one spell you fail to stop can be game-ending.




Actually, this is the first enemy to have two Mystic Artes (one of the very, very few that do in this game), but the second, whether it shows up, is entirely luck-dependant. So you know what this guy is called? Phoenix, and you should be familiar with the mythology behind such a name. Yes, there's a chance that when his HP reaches 0, he'll automatically revive with 100% HP. As far as I know, it's completely random whether Phoenix will use this or not.

On Intense...let's just say I'm grateful that didn't happen to me, especially because this recording was already going on long enough what with the failed attempts. It didn't trigger when I finally beat Phoenix, but hey, I'm not the only person who's ever uploaded Tales of Berseria videos. Rising of the Phoenix for your consideration, but do be advised there are Mystic Artes in this video for bosses we haven't encountered yet, so preview it now accordingly.

If you're going for that trophy for seeing every Mystic Arte in the game, yeah...if it doesn't trigger here, your quest for it ends here if Phoenix gets to 0 HP without using it.



Let's just all cool down, shall we?


No kidding...
Strong or not, you picked a fight with the Reaper. Time to pay the price.
Wait, Eizen, what are you...
*hops back on feet, bird screeches*
I thought so. That's why you're called the Phoenix, isn't it? Your blessing has the exact opposite effect as my curse.
Hmph, so you finally noticed.
So...if Phoenix has that kind of power, then couldn't he protect your sister?
I admit defeat... I await your command!
No.

Pictured: a man among men.
I believe we should each steer our own ships through life's waters. I know that the life I've chosen is a selfish one...*sigh* And I know that it leaves my sister sad and lonely. But...it's also the only way I know how to live.
...
If I gave you a command it would be denying something at the very core of my being. So no, I won't do it. Except...
Yes?
If you're able, I want you to use your powers to protect my sister. Protect her from daemons and malevolence... And...from any dragon who may one day attack her.
A dragon?! Are you serious?
This isn't an order... It's just a request.
Well then, I accept your request, as your friend! But in return, I have something to ask of you.
Yeah?
I want you to write her another letter. But this time, no hiding what you're truly thinking. I'll wait as long as it takes for you to write it.
No need.
What?
I've been carrying this for so long... *takes out letter* I'm afraid it's kind of crushed.
My friend, I swear on my honor that this letter will reach your sister. And I promise... I will get her to smile once more. After all, I'm the Phoenix! With me, life rises anew from the ashes! *bird screech*
Thanks... I'm counting on you.
*nods* Then it is time I'm on my way! Come, Turtlez!
At your service!

I'll deliverz this package myself, even if it costz me my lifez!
Farewell, friend!

The two shuffle out...

That Phoenix, what a guy. He doesn't back down even when he's lost.
I guess, but I liked what he had to say.
See, I knew something good would come from this!
Yeah... I guess I learned something today. Never give up before you try.

I guess that's one way to look at. More surprising is that I actually managed a net gain of Grade, +54. Somehow. I also got the Phoenix Glacite. Unfortunately, it is but a fraction of a normin among normin's powers, because it only provides a 10% chance to shrug off a KO. Technically this means you have nothing to fear from every remaining fight in the game...as long as that 10% keeps happening to someone.



Even though we've chased Phoenix away, we're still not quite done making this place habitable again. Down in this cell block lies our latest prey...




So the Succubus Queen is not one of daemonkind's better efforts. Like most every other harpy enemy, it's basically a nullity if you can mob it good, which is very easy to do. Like Dryad, basically no challenge to be found here.

Once you're done with her, returning to the front docks with the Van Eltia gives you a skit where we learn about the complex dog and cat politics of the normin world. Sounds like complicated business. Oh, and the differences between similar things. Turns out even coming from an esteemed family like Rokurou does not guarantee you're cultured enough to tell differences between some things.



While I was checking for those pirates, I found Morgrim at the docks of Yseult. Glad to see she's doing well, and she lets us know about another sidequest: an earthpulse point has opened up at the shrine in Aball, and, I guess, we might as well check it out. Well, we've got time, apparently.




So in the Danaan Highway just south of the Empyrean's Throne, we have another skit, whereupon we learn exactly what kind of girl Eizen's sister is, and we finally, finally get a name.



Edna, huh? Eizen says the name comes straight from him, and yeah, there's no way they'd characterize someone this much who doesn't actually show up during the plot of this game, so suffice it to say, Edna is a major character in Zestiria. Which most people going into this game would probably already know, but still. We'll definitely be seeing more than a little of her when we start Zestiria, that's for sure.

But for now, time to switch gears again and we're headed for...Meirchio. Well, I did say I completely forget the context for why we'd ever need to return there, but it won't be for long.



Completely surrounded by wolves with a spell incoming?



No problem. That was classy.



By the way, all the lures I used in the fishing hole the first time we were here, without any success in catching the grand prize? No fooling, my first attempt now and I get it. RNG man, I dunno. The conversation is with a Turtlez, once again complaining about the fact we've threatened and cajoled our way into rock bottom prices (allegedly), and it's putting him into the red. Well, as long as he gets his smiles, it's all good.



As for why we're here, well, this is the church where Kurogane forged himself into a sword. And we've got some Magilou Backstory, of all things, to entertain ourselves with. It turns out that "Caravan over the side of the cliff" story we heard in Stonebury was the truth. At least, if Grimoirh can be trusted, which she probably can. Also, Melchior was involved in that caravan getting into danger in the first place, which we...probably should have seen coming, honestly.

But as for the girl's opinion, well, her position is that Magillanica, the former troupe member and Abbey legate-in-training, is dead and gone. Which suits everyone just fine.



As for the other conversation, well, this is a church. Maybe Velvet's words can still reach Innominat in some sense.



Rain in the Aldina Plains... Well, this upcoming scene is pretty pivotal, I must say, and again leads us into Zestiria in a pretty important way. Well...kiiinda. Definitely complicated. Just like the wind


Look, it's Zaveid and the dragon!


*jumps back up* Haha, this takes me back. I remember the first time I tried to talk to you...you smacked me pretty good then, too... *gets smacked again* Man, that hurts... You sure don't know how to hold back, do you...


Zaveid!
*holds him back*
Eizen, why...
Just watch.
Ngh... So you're just waiting for me to die so you can help yourself to her heart, is that it? Sorry, but that's not happening. I'm not dying here, and I won't let you kill her.
I'll decide what I do, Zaveid.

*knocked back*
Fine! Then I'm deciding to help Zaveid, no matter what you tell me, Eizen!
*gets smacked again, drops Siegfried*
Zaveid!
*walks over to Siegfried* This dragon wouldn't hesitate to attack a child, or the man who risks his own life to protect it. Tell me, Zaveid, who is this white-horned dragon? *picks up Siegfried* You said that your creed was to never give up on living, no matter what may happen. If you really believe that... Would you say that you're living right now?
...
...
Because to me, you don't look like someone truly living. *walks toward Theodora*
The hell are you saying...?
I understand now... Eizen really isn't the one who's cursed. By killing Theodora, he's actually saving...
*flicks arm* It's time to lift this curse.


So this fight...it's a bit unique. It is a real fight against a dragon whose win conditions are the same as most any other fight in the game, but at the same time it never feels like a "real" fight, so much as a mercy killing. Despite some powerful attacks, even on Intense her health gets melted very quickly and her attacking speed is slow. Really not much too this fight, or perhaps I've just been spoiled by Phoenix. Either way, not much of an issue.


Stay back.
Get away from her! If you kill her... If you kill Theodora, I'll never forgive you, Eizen!
*flicks arm* I know.

Aaaaaugh! EIzen! How could you...

What?! Malevolence?!
Eizen!
Stay back! Auuuuuugh!

Eizen! Zaveid! *runs toward them*
No! It'll get you, too!
But Velvet, just look at them!


It's that fire again...
Amazing it can extinguish that much malevolence.
But the dragon...
*runs up to it* Please... Turn back to normal! *blasts Theodora with the fire*

I can do it...with this flame! *runs up to it*
*holds him back*
Zaveid!
It's over...
But...!
*collapses* Thank you.
...
*shoots self with Siegfried*

...





What, did you want me to eat its heart?
Don't answer a question with another question.
The Reaper's Curse is mine to bear alone. The danger of becoming a dragon, however, is a curse upon all malakhim.
All that malevolence... It's going to take its toll on you, too.
Yeah. I can already feel it starting. It won't be long before I wind up like her.
You'll have to leave your pirate buddies before things turn ugly.
I'm the first mate on Aifread's ship. So to be honest... It's probably just as well. I'd rather end up a dragon than have this curse hijack my ship and my life any more.
...
But I do fear one thing... I'm afraid that when I turn into a dragon, I could end up hurting the very people I want to protect.
Theodora couldn't even recognize anyone she loved anymore. You saved her, Eizen. By killing her... Before all this, Theodora was a kind woman... She never wanted to hurt people, and she loved more deeply than anyone I've ever known.
Yeah...
Sometimes, to kill someone is to save them. You have someone you're trying to protect, too, don't you?
...My little sister.
What's she like?
She's like an early-blooming flower. Wise for her age. She's got it all together. Heh, sometimes has to treat me like I'm the kid. She cries so easily, but deep down, she's so strong.
Sounds like someone I'd like to get to know better. Who knows, maybe I'll even marry her.
Zaveid!
Don't you worry, I won't make a move until I've killed you.
Zaveid, what are you saying?
Consider it revenge for Theodora. I'll be the one who finally puts you out of your misery. But I'll only kill you once you've stopped being yourself... Only then.
You sure?

*walks up to him with Siegfried* Ufemew Wexub... That's my true name.

I'll remember it.
Is there really no other way? There must be something besides turning into a dragon or getting yourself killed, right?
In the end, what matters isn't whether we get killed or not. It's whether we can take control over the direction of our own lives.
That's what it means to really be alive.
That sounds sad...and hard... But...I understand. And I'm going to live life in my own way, too.
Heh... Well, then. I hope we'll see each other again. *begins to leave*
Where are you going?
Wherever the wind takes me.