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Part I: The Dawn of a Shepherd

Welcome one and all to Tales of Zestiria. Right off the bat, you'll notice something strange about the intro: it doesn't have any lyrics, unlike every other localized Tales since like 2006. That's because the band that performed the intro, Superfly, was apparently asking Namco for too much to have both the music / vocals in the overseas versions of Zestiria, and they weren't willing to pony up. So the next best thing, just get Motoi Sakuraba to put together an instrumental version, as they had already done in Tales games in the past. This should be your first indication that this game had a...troubled development. There's one *really* obvious indication that at some point in the development process, priorities shifted and things were changed and what we got was considerably different than the product that was envisioned. The Japanese intro complete with a fan translation of the lyrics, in this video.

Regardless of all that, we're starting. Right when I started this recording, I noticed something that should have been there was, in fact, not there. There was a separate DLC questline released right at the same time the base game was that I downloaded before I started recording Berseria, or even before this thread was a reality in my mind, but for some odd reason, whenever this game gets an update file, it uninstalls DLC, which indeed installed itself right before I started recording this video. You can just redownload the DLC and apply it back to the game, it's just strange that's a necessary step. Speaking of that...

Blanking out the name of the final dungeon, for obvious reasons. Now, for example, when I try to load this file...

Hint, it's the former. I have no idea what the player data not matching means. So the reason this came up is that when I was going through Zestiria on my own time, waaaay back in 2016, I had two DLC packs installed, as well as a handful of freebies because I had preordered this game. As I mentioned, whenever this game gets an update file, those DLC packs go away, which makes saves that had this DLC installed, like this one, become unusable. This error (which can be fixed by just redownloading all the DLC you had on that file) is in a very, veeery specific sense, a big part of the reason this thread was created in the first place, but it definitely won't make sense until very near the end of this thread. Aren't you excited?

Never spent so much time on a title screen before... For a very important reason, I actually will *not* be doing a New Game+ for this LP's playthrough. It's for something that, as far as I know, only Zestiria ever did in this series, but it's well worth it, if you ask me. Before you start, you'll get an opportunity to change a few game settings. I just switched it to Hard, the highest difficulty we have available right now. Let's get to it. A world of chaos

??? And lo, each time a Shepherd would appear to vanquish the darkness once more. But with peace returned, it was never long before the Shepherds would vanish. As for where they had gone... No one can truly say. And as with all things, eventually they faded into legend.

??? But alas, no Shepherd came forth to guide his people to peace.

And we're back. Anywhere you can see terra firma, you can go to in this opening area, but there's nothing of interest except for that star icon. And the lovely scenery around here. Elysia is a direct reference to the Elysian Fields of ancient Greek imagination, a paradise on Earth where the heroic and righteous were granted eternal happiness and freedom from want. Let's go check out that mural... Ruin in the mountains

I knew it! A hero, brandishing the Sacred Blade...this mural is a depiction of the Shepherd!

Bout time I found it!

Nothing on my end, Sorey.

Mikleo!

Heh heh! *V-sign* This proves the Shepherds have been around since even before the Era of Asgard! I knew it!

We didn't hear anything in Berseria directly referred to as "The Era of Asgard", at least from what I remember, but the name of Midgand's royal family was "Asgard", so this is probably a reference to the era when the Holy Midgand Empire still existed. I don't believe Claudin Asgard was ever referred to as a Shepherd, but he was certainly analogous to one. Either way, Artorius is the first one to explicitly assume that moniker.

Oh, "Asgard" is basically the Olympus of Norse mythology.

Let's not jump to conclusions just yet. We still don't have definitive proof that this ruin itself is pre-Asgard. It could be an imitation.

Seriously? You really think they'd make a fake ruin of this scale? Get real!

This...doesn't bode well.

Wait, isn't that---

I think our ruin adventure is over for today! *runs off*

*begins to follow*

C'mon!

After following Mikleo for a second...

Urgh!

Could I get a little help, please?

*begins pulling him back up*

Surging currents! Twin Flow!

Sorey "broke" his fall by landing in the water, but the water was pretty shallow. Couldn't have been pleasant.

Sorey! That didn't go quite how I planned it but not too shabby, am I right? Guess this makes us even!

...

*turns around* Unbelievable! Who knew there'd be ruins underground?

Whoa, good thing we fell down here!

Right... Hey, let's try and find a way out of here. *offers Sorey a hand*

Huh? Oh, yeah.

These ruins do look pretty sweet, but yep, another time. This is also the first time you can access the menu. Usual stuff, and if you have DLC costumes, you can do Tales' eternally strange method of claiming DLC by going to the appropriate menu in the item screen and "using" the items, but we'll keep both Sorey and Mikleo into their normal duds until we complete this little prologue section. There are five main costume sets for DLC: School Uniforms for both male and female party members (they're all different), swimsuits, The iDOLM@STER outfits for the girls, Legacy outfits (everyone gets one), and, strangely, outfits based on characters from the Neon Genesis Evangelion series for Sorey and the female party members.

Passing into the next room...

It's been nothing but heights all day.

But I had an awesome bas-relief to distract me.

Yeah, I bet you did.

Hmm?

Hey, Mikleo.

Hm?

It's... It's a human.

It can't be!

*begins walking off*

Stop! We shouldn't involve ourselves with their kind!

She's still alive! We can't just leave her there!

... Fine. I'll give what help I can. Let's take a look around the area first.

Kay!

So as you might guess, lots of spiderwebs around these parts, necessitating the use of swinging Sorey's sword to slash them apart. But where there's cobwebs, there's... The encounter

What's wro--

Shh. *looks around*

It's huge! What is this thing?!

Quit gawking and get your sword ready!

So for this first battle, the only attacks you have access to are basic ones, which are more than enough to handle this thing, so you might as well familiarize yourself with the battle controls a bit. Unlike Berseria, Free Run isn't on by default, so you need to hold down L2 (or whatever your applicable button on PC is) and the control stick to move around in 3D. Otherwise, in usual Tales fashion, you're stuck on an invisible line with whatever enemy you're currently targeting.

As for the UI, the orange blocks give you an inkling of how much of the character's HP is lost / how much remains, whereas the blue gauge (Soul Chain) represents your ability to launch martial artes (normal attacks), and hidden artes. Which we don't have access to, but still. The most you can do is launch four martial artes in a row. In order to launch more attacks, you'll need to wait until the blue gauge regenerates far enough to launch another 4-hit combo, as so on. SC regenerates while basically doing anything except free running or attacking. After routing the spider...

Wait, hold on. It can't be...a hellion?

A hellion? For real?

I've never seen one in person before.

What could a monster like a hellion be doing in a place like this?

It's getting away!

Wait. Don't you remember what Gramps told us?

Huh?

They can only be defeated by the power of purification, which naught but a chosen few can use. *smokes pipe* So if you ever cross paths with a hellion, just run as fast you can! Remember you two: common folk like us don't stand a chance against those fiends! Got it?

The nomenclature from Berseria has changed a bit, as you can see. Daemons are still around, but are presently known more commonly as "hellions", and as for resonance, well, we've heard that before. Precious few humans are born with enough resonance to sense non-human entities like daemons and malakhim, which are now known as seraphim.

Back in the present...

We can't beat a hellion without the power of purification.

Then we should just be glad we escaped it.

And anyway, we have bigger problems.

Hm?

We have to hurry and save that girl! Before something worse finds her!

Indeed. After passing through another spiderweb, you'll come across your first treasure chest, with a pair of Ancient Earrings for Sorey in them. So let's talk equipment in this game a bit, since it's a whole kettle of fish in this game, and one of the big complaints folks have with this title.

So aside from the standard equipment a character can have (weapon, accessory, armor, and two slots for generic equipment), every piece of equipment can come with up four skills. One of them is pre-determined just based on what that item is, the other three slots can be taken up by random abilities that provide other miscellaneous buffs.

More importantly, see that grid in the upper right? That's the Skill Sheet, so let's take a look right now.

In addition to normal buffs granted by an equipment's stats / skills, if you arrange equipment with the appropriate entries on the Skill Sheet, which I believe is also random, but also depends on the tier of equipment you get, you can create bonus skills via three different sources: by stacking multiples of the same skill, such as Gaine, you can create increasingly powerful versions of that skill depending on how many stacks of that skill you have.

The other methods are more self-explanatory. A certain family of bonus skills are unlocked by stacking entries from top to bottom, as shown here, and also when entries on the Sheet are located right next to each other, also shown here. What this all means is that if you're playing this game for keeps, as in going for the hardest battles on the highest difficulties, equipment grinding is a huge part of getting the builds you want. There are, of course, more tricks to getting the equipment you want, but that's not for a bit. For obvious reasons, you shouldn't really concern yourself with serious equipment grinding until the end of the game when you have access to the world and can grind what you want. In addition, specialized builds are really only needed in some very special circumstances. Like, there are many powerful Dragon enemies in this game, but a build that's specialized in defeating Dragons can also be used perfectly effectively against 90% of non-Dragon enemies, and so forth.

You'll also soon come upon your first Monolith. They're mostly used for getting little tips, some more helpful than others, but you'll also want to find them to gain AP. I don't exactly remember what AP is used for, even after seeing what it's for here, but it has been a very long time since I last played the main campaign of Zestiria. I'm sure I'll remember in good time, but it certainly can't hurt to find all the monoliths you can.

This dungeon isn't the most fascinating. Mainly just basically entirely harmless spiders and some random treasures that you might as well pick up.

One curious thing about Zestiria, one among many, is that skits will very frequently only trigger while you're hovering over a save point, like so. So it's always worth it to at least touch every save point and see if any skits are up for triggering. There are two that triggered here: about what caused the lightning (it was this "Gramps" character, according to Mikleo) and speculating on the origins of that monolith, and more evidence Sorey loves the notion of human explorers and adventurers, not that we needed much more evidence to that effect.

If you trigger a battle, or at least you trigger a battle nearby if you're me, you'll get a tutorial about blocking. As in Berseria, blocking is actually a really important skill in this game. Of course, primarily for reducing incoming damage from attacks that can be blocked, but in addition, successfully blocked attacks will allow you to recover a small amount of SC, which lets you get back in the fight faster. Make good use of blocking.

For enemies that block, make sure you don't attack them very much. You'll slow the regeneration of your SC, and you'll also be doing very little damage.

Of course, if you don't want to fight, make sure to check the ceilings for any spiders who may lie in wait. Continuing the path...

Like in Berseria, what arenas you get for generic fights like this are determined by where you encountered them. Usually it's not an issue, since this game usually takes place in wide open areas, but when it's in a tight space like this, the battle camera can really flip out.

Might as well help myself to some treasure. I'll tell you what it is when we get back. Come on, let's keep moving.

Huh, an NPC taking some treasure? What happened is that I ignored a star over a treasure chest to continue deeper into the dungeon, but I got that event anyway. I think there's a different version of the scene if you as Sorey goes over there yourself, which makes sense, given there's some weird branching stuff in this game every now and then, but this treasure is special, so we can afford a little foreshadowing.

Personally *I* wouldn't risk it...

Well?

Heh heh... Okay, maybe not. *steps forward just a bit*

Hey, watch out! Don't scare me like that!

Sorry about that.

Well, that was a bust. But maybe...

Huh?

There, take a look.

Hm?

Go on... Look closer.

Come on, we don't have time for this! Let's cut the fun and games, all right?

Oh! Then let me explain! As you see...

Ugh, forget it. Let's just go back down there.

Hah! You never could handle losing.

Poor Mikleo. So narrow-minded at such a young age (for a seraphim). I think. Back downstairs.

I see. So that's the deal.

Time for Sorey to take credit where credit is due. The choice here determines a skit you'll get in a coming moment, but first, let's see what the gag here is.

Who would have thought that you could walk in midair here?

Or, that an invisible bridge would be here.

Think it could support a person?

Well well, aren't you sharp today.

Heh heh!

For a change.

Pfft!

This invisible bridge, pretty notable, is your first Discovery Point. Discovery Points basically are just unique pieces of the world that the party feels the need to comment on. As the little tutorial box after you examine this tells you, you'll always get a skit after you find one, with conversations are that "both illuminating and inane". Well, they're not wrong. The skit I got here is based on the premise of picking the second option in that little choice above, with a different skit resulting if you picked the first one, where Mikleo will first pick up on it. I'm *pretty* sure there's a skit player in this game, so we can see the alternate version another day. In addition, in the little menu screen you can find a compilation of all these Discovery Points, and the entry for it reads...

The Invisible Bridge posted:
A completely transparent bridge that seems to have been made by seraphic power. Despite its transparent nature, it seems sturdy as a rock.

Let's finally see what that girl's deal is. An unlikely visitor

*picks up her spear*

Maybe we should rethink this.

*begins jostling her* Hey! Are you all right?

Uh... Ahh... I was... I was in a forest, and then... *feels around for her spear*

Looking for this?

*stands up*

*moves in-between the two* Boo!

Yep, she's human, all right.

Yeah.

Glad you're okay.

I'm sorry to have troubled you. And you are?

*crosses arms* Your name.

Oh! Right! My name! I'm Sorey.

Sorey?

Yep. Nice to meet you!

Well met. Is there anywhere one could rest around here? I'll need to make plans to get back to the capital.

You're from the city?

Well?

Umm... Hmm. Why don't you come to where I live?

Sorey! Are you nuts?!

Are you sure that wouldn't be a problem? You barely know me.

I can't just abandon someone in need. That's all!

Haven't you noticed that she won't even volunteer her name? It's only natural to be cautious.

Aren't you going to ask my name? Are you sure?

Everyone has their reasons. But you don't look like a bad person to me.

Gramps is gonna let us have it when we get back.

I know.

Yes?

Nah. Don't worry about it. Anyway, that's the way out. Let's get moving!

I think we're probably getting to that point sooner or later, but for now, Sorey is right. There's nothing else to see or do around here, except for going behind the giant statue to a door that leads back to the surface. How Sorey knows there's an exit, well...couldn't rightly tell you. There is a little something of interest down some stairs on the mini-map...

Curious indeed... But, he's right. Seemingly no way to open this...door or whatever's going on here. Best to keep it out of mind.

Sorey and Mikleo have a short conversation about the strange girl on the way out. Well, she's a little formal, but I don't think she qualifies as "strange" just yet. A place of peace

Wow... It's beautiful!

Incidentally, this scene has a theme called Sorey's Theme -Purity- playing, the first of his two themes. Overall I remember the Zestiria soundtrack being a lot more memorable than the Berseria one. I do hope this playthrough bears out why I thought that way. The battle theme, at least for the opening area of the game, is a remix of this theme.

You really do call them "seraphim"!

Is that funny to you?

Nope! "Things which cannot be seen or explained, such as gods, spirits, or supernatural phenomena, are revered by the people as "seraphim". Right?

A quote from the Celestial Record?

You've read it too?!

Yup! Wait, you as well?

I used to read it all the time when I was a kid!

*lightly elbows Sorey*

Agh. It's a little ways from here to my village. Let's get moving!

Okay!

I wouldn't think so. The Zestiria anime has an episode 0 showing what this girl was up to and how she ended up in those ruins, but as I mentioned in the OP, trying to draw exact parallels between the game and the anime is mostly a futile endeavor, since the way they play out is quite different. This girl was here for a specific reason, but I'll just let her explain it when the time comes. Before you return to the village, there's also a monolith Sorey had no interest in while leaving the ruins that you can claim now. On the way back, another short conversation.

So, uh, is the Celestial Record a children's book?

Well, I mean, you said you read it when you were a kid.

Plenty of adults read it too. I was probably just mature for my age.

Oh yeah? Huh. Well, figures. I mean, it is an amazing book.

Yes.

Well, looks like someone's enjoying himself.

Uh-huh...

So this conversation you may think is the end of this little discussion, but no, it's actually another Discovery Point. I actually missed a few of these around Elysia (I recorded the content for this and next update in one sitting), but I'll include them in the skit compilation for next update.

Fancy gate. A village of seraphim

I'll go report this to Gramps.

Guess we can't keep quiet about all this.

Coming by afterwards?

Yeah.

*leaves*

*silently gabs with the villagers*

Uh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it.

You're an odd duck, you know that?

I guess? *points to a nearby building* That's my house. You go ahead and rest. I've got something to take care of.

May I have a look around the village?

Well, sure. But don't cause trouble!

Of course not. I'll behave as if I were in a shrine to the seraphim.

Yeah, exactly!

I'll try not to make any waves. *giggles, walks off*

Oh man, I sure hope Mikleo's chat with Gramps went over well.

Before you head to Gramps' place, you can gab with some of the villagers. Apparently they're not particularly fond of humans, other than Sorey. Given what we know about malevolence from Berseria, though, it's not unreasonable they'd be wary.

We can also learn from a guy in red a bit up the road that this Gramps fellow one day showed up with a baby Sorey and Mikleo in tow. This is a pretty big part of the backstory of this game that I believe is only mentioned by this guy, but obviously we'll be hearing more about that yarn later. Sorey's house has a treasure chest with a Natural Waistcoat for Mikleo or Sorey in it, and there's also a save point out front, so it's easy to pick out.

When you're done looking around, Gramps' house is the furthest from the main gate. A lecture

I reckon I'll have to.

*sits down*

Hi Gramps... I'm back.

How could you bring a human into our domain?!

Easy, Gramps. Didn't you say you'd listen to Sorey's side of the story too?

That's just what I'm about to do! You know full well the rules, Sorey. How could you break them like this?

I'm sorry, Gramps. But I couldn't just leave her there.

Her kind is sure to bring nothing but trouble to our domain!

But I'm "her kind" too, you know.

You were raised along with our kind, which nurtured in you the ability to perceive us and converse with us. Normal humans have no such capacity. You should understand that more than anyone else!

Well, it is true. She doesn't appear to have any resonance.

But Gramps, this is the first time Sorey's ever met a fellow human.

Perhaps. But if she can't see or hear the same things we do, she has no business in this realm.

...

I have raised both of you as my own since you were but babes, all the while doing my best to protect this land.

And for that I am grateful.

And I did that because the time draws near when you will both serve to protect this shrine, just as all the others have done. Our priority is the peace of Elysia. Any intruders, no matter how harmless, must be cast out.

Yes...

Then it's time she left.

Can we at least give her time to prepare for her departure?

Hmph... Just make it quick.

Thanks. *stands up, leaves*

Gramps.

He means well, in all things. And that's the very reason why I'm so worried for him.

Well, that went about as well as it could have, I think. Not too shabby, but she probably won't be thrilled with immediately having to hightail it out of here.

So where is Elysia in relation to any Berseria locations? Insofar as any of the geography is directly comparable and, spoiler alert, not much of it is, we're actually pretty close to where Aball would have been. Although there *definitely* were not any places even remotely like this in Berseria, we didn't actually see much of Eastgand, so it's entirely possible Velvet and "friends" just never found occasion to come to this place.

Aside from that, not much to do in town except gab with a female seraphim who wonders if this girl is Sorey's type, but we'll never hear the answer to that. Back to the house... Mark of a hero

Here's that thing I found in the ruins.

Oh? Is this crest what I think it is?

I knew it! The chosen one who communicates with the seraphim, controlling their incredible powers as if they were his own... The "Shepherd". Heh heh!

Sound like your kinda thing?

Maybe.

Be silent, seraph-beast!

I shall not.

Hmm.

I mean, they joke here, but this scene does take on a bit of poignancy when you remember the Abbey's general attitude toward malakhim / seraphim.

Excavated relics aren't play-toys.

True. *takes the glove off*

He actually just leaves the shot for a second so his model can change back to the one without the glove.

She certainly is taking her time.

I'll see what's up.

LIke many JRPG protagonist homes, not too much of interest in Sorey's dwelling, so we have no reason to dawdle here. The girl is just standing around, right in the center of town. The world below

Enjoy yourself?

I sure did. But it's weird. I felt like I was being watched the whole time.

*grimaces to the seraphim behind him*

*stomach growls* Uh... I'm sorry, I feel like I'm going to faint!

Let's head to my place!

Well, I think that settles that, don't you?

Hey.

Hm?

So then, what's your hometown like?

Well, I'm from the capital, Ladylake, in the Kingdom of Hyland.

Remember that name? Some folks in Taliesin brought up the sunken kingdom of Hyland during unvoiced conversations in the previous game, and here it is again. Told you we must be fairly close to where Aball would have been.

Ladylake? Like in the legend of the Sacred Blade?!

You've heard of it?

It was in the Celestial Record! The legend says the Lady of the Lake guards the Sacred Blade, and the one who draws it becomes the Shepherd, right?

Yes. It was a lively and bustling town blessed with bountiful water, rich in festivals and fine drink.

Wait..."was"?

....Well, it used to be.

Things must be hard for folks in the world below.

Below?

The land that lies beneath the mountaintops. I've never left home before.

You've always lived here by yourself? Sounds to me like you're the one who's had it rough.

Heh heh. Oh, le tme help you get ready for your return trip tomorrow! You need anything? Bread, rations? Stuff like that?

That'd be great! If you have any tools or a sleeping bag, it'd be great too.

Gotcha. Well then, first we'll need to do some hunting! I'll be your guide tomorrow.

Thank you so much for everything.

The next day...

Good mornin'.

Come on, hurry it up, Mikleo! We ain't got time to mess around!

Yeah, I'll leave in a moment. Gramps gave me all kinda of things to take care of. I'm gonna be pretty swamped for a while.

*walks out of the house*

Bummer. Well, don't you worry about me at least.

Sorey, Gramps only wants--

Mikleo!

Maybe later. *leaves*

Sure. *turns around* Good morning! You sleep okay?

Yeah, like a log! Been ages since I've done that.

All right then, shall we? The prickleboars lurk to the left of the entry gate. It's an ideal hunting place.

Got it!

A'ight, so it's time to cut the crap on this girl. Her name is Alisha, and she's a party member in this game...sort of. The big indication I know of that Zestiria was significantly changed at some point is Alisha. Apparently early in this game's development, Alisha was actually the female lead and was a regular party member. By all indications in the final game, at least at this point, you'd think that didn't change. Truth be told, Alisha's playable for like...5% of the game's playtime. And that's being generous. She joins the party on a couple occasions, but she's never around for that long and the actual female lead is someone we'll meet later.

As for why Alisha was so demoted, I really couldn't say. It's obviously not because Bamco got cold feet on her character, because she has a starring role in the anime, and that DLC campaign? It's called Alisha's Story and it, predictably, also stars her. It's not because her voice actress died and they couldn't recast her, because one of the JP dub's seiyuus *did* die shortly after recording their part for the game and they just recasted her in the anime. As far as I know, the writers or producers or whatever just, at some point, wanted someone else. Very strange. But, we can at least enjoy her while she's around, right?

Like dressing her up in her idol costume, patterned after Chihaya Kisaragi, one of the idols in the original iDOLM@STER series. Specifically, this outfit is patterned after a card she had in The iDOLM@STER: Million Live: Theater Days, titled Unwavering Proof of Existence. Unfortunately, I forgot she also has an accessory to go along with this outfit, but as I said, Alisha does join the party in the future for a spell. You may also notice that musical note icon next to the costume name, meaning this costume gets a unique song for it if Alisha is wearing it and the song is enabled. She also has to be the character you start playing as.

Oh, and now that Alisha is in the party, you can get those landmarks and the skits around Elysia if you explore a bit. Again, my bad. Returning to the hunting grounds... The humble prickleboar

There's a prickleboar!

So that's one, huh.

Their meat is easy to preserve when smoked, and super tasty! And the skin has all kinds of uses too.

I almost feel sorry for it.

Wanna leave?

No. My spirit is prepared. Besides, I can't get this sort of experience back home!

Okay. Here we go!

Like Velvet before them, Sorey and Alisha will make quick work of this disorganized bunch. For our first battle on the surface, we got a nice little treat.

Almost positive this is Alisha's unique victory quote for the Chihaya outfit. It apparently is something she is wont to say. It doesn't sound very Alisha-ish, either. Not formal enough.

Guess we need a few more.

I don't see any around.

You'll find 'em if you look.

Indeed we will. There's a few more prickleboar troupes wandering around. All easy to find, because this is a very small area.

Our first one, in a corner of the area. Alisha's costume theme is an instrumental version of Me ga Au Toki. In addition to the regular battle theme being replaced, the victory screen music is also different. From what I've been told, it's like the "menu"-ish theme for older iDOLM@STER games. Not something the idols sing, just something you'll hear scrolling around the menus. It's pretty funky.

Oh, and yeah, you can spoil her identity if you choose to play as her, even when she's officially listed as ??? in the menu right now. Hehe.

One thing I do remember about this game is sidestepping is a *hugely* important thing to do, depending on certain builds you can develop. You would be well-advised to practice the technique.

Once you've hunted three groups on your own, you'll get this special victory screen and you can head back to Sorey's place. When you get closer to Elysia, you'll get this conversation.

Hey, how far is it to Ladylake?

Let's see. I expect about two or three days.

Really? I had no idea it was so close!

But the forest at the base of the mountain is surprisingly easy to get lost in.

Must be the power of Gramps' domain.

At a save point skit, we finally learn the name of Sorey's sword technique. An ancient and thoughtful school, I'm sure. A chaotic world

Oh, did I wake you? Sorry 'bout that.

You're sure into that book, aren't you?

I've read it countless times since my childhood.

One day, I want to explore ruins all over the world. Everyone who's read the Celestial Record says that, and I'm no exception. But sadly, now is not the time for some jaunt around the world. For several years, the world has been plunged into a nigh-incomprehensible state of chaos.

Chaos?

Mysterious illnesses, incessant storms, people bursting into flames... There are those that say even the dead have begun to walk to the earth again.

Whoa, hang on. What are you talking about?

You don't believe me? Or you think this is a joke?

No, I...

The situation is beyond grave.

Huh?

The chaos has caused abnormal climate changes all over the world. As a result, we are on the verge of enduring widespread crop death, famine, and starvation. And worst of all are the rumors of governments planning to replenish their dwindling resources through war. It mustn't come to that.

Can nothing be done?

Which is why you-- Never mind. I won't ask. I think I'm gonna just hit the hay here myself. Sleep well.

Good morning! You ready to get to work? We gotta make those rations and bags from the prickleboars we hunted yesterday.

You got it.

Heh heh. Afraid it isn't exactly super fun, though!

Well, let me know when you're ready to start.

This is your last chance to roam around Elysia during this little prologue section. It's not gonna get nuked from orbit, at least not anytime soon, but just say yes to Alisha when you're ready to begin.

So, what do you need me to do?

Oh, I'm pretty used to it.

With your help, I'll be able to leave tomorrow. Thanks so much.

Yeah? Great. Well, better rest up for tomorrow. I ought to let Gramps know.

Aside from the time of day turning to sunset, nothing of interest on the way to Gramps' place. An awkward departure

I see. We'll all be sure to see her off. After all, one must always be hospitable to one's guests.

Thanks!

*smiles*

The next morning...

You gonna be okay by yourself?

I cannot cause more trouble for you than I already have.

I see.

*sigh*

You'll be fine. Just follow that map, and you'll get through the forest with no problems.

Oh, it's not that. I believe you. Alisha.

Huh?

Alisha?

You didn't even know who I was, and you helped me without asking anything in return. Whereas I thought only of myself, leaving you without even a name by which to call me... As a knight, I am ashamed. Please find it in your heart to forgive me.

I-It's okay.

I must confess something to you.

Hm?

I know this sounds strange, but I believe that the seraphim really do exist. The myths and legends that are preserved in the Celestial Record must be more than mere fairy tales.

Yeah.

This crisis that has befallen our world... I believe only the one spoken of in the ancient legends can truly restore order.

The "Shepherd", you mean.

You're not going to ridicule me? Everyone back in town does.

Of course not.

You're a real saint, you know that? The Sacred Blade Festival is soon to commence in Ladylake. A trial will be held based on the legend of the Shepherd's sword. A trial I think you would be interested in.

Me?

Time to go. But please, give it some serious thought when you have the time.

How come?

The Shepherd I see in my mind when I read the legends... I have to say, he reminds me a lot of you. *finally leaves*

What's this?

Gramps asked me to go out [and] search the ruins and find some clues about that girl. I've been down there looking.

So wait, this is Alisha's?

*points out the hilt* This is the crest of Hyland. I don't think this "Alisha" is any ordinary knight.

I know this is difficult for you, but it really is for the best. *pauses*

Gramps?

Hmm... Someone has infiltrated my domain.

Blast and damnation! Hiding your presence, are you? Crafty bugger! Everyone, be warned! There is an intruder in our realm! Find them! They've concealed their presence, so chances are good it's a hellion! Search with extreme caution!

We'll go too.

Very well. If it is a hellion, quick measures must be taken. I'm counting on you.

I have a hunch we'll find it around the forest.

Good idea.

As you get closer to the star, you'll hear someone screaming. Sounds like Mikster was right. First encounter

Mason?!

How odd. I didn't expect to find anything but the main course here...

What on earth is this thing? Is this the hellion? This is not the place for one such as you! Leave at once!

Hee hee hee hee heee! Impudent brat. I can smell the fear wafting off of you. Those tender arms, trying to conceal their shivers...

Urgh!

Sorey!

Mmm, aren't you a succulent treat.

What?

Did I stutter? I'm saying I'm going to eat you!

*draws sword* As if! I can take you! Prepare to meet your doom, hellion!

So although this is *technically* a tutorial battle, it's actually our first boss fight. The big tutorial here is Hidden Artes, what other games in the series might just call artes. These are basically the special moves that have special effects or elemental properties or what have you. Sorey's first is Heavenly Torrent, which is a Water-themed launcher and, not coincidentally, hits this vulgar hellion's weak point.

You can use Hidden Artes and martial artes in a single combo chain, up to four attacks, as long as those four attacks don't exceed the amount of SC you have. This includes using multiple of the same Hidden Arte in the same combo.

As far as offensive ability, this fox man has Flame Shot and Blazing Ax. The former is what he's doing here: a projectile attack, and Blazing Ax is a simple swipe forward. These attacks do decent damage (on Hard, at least), but luckily Mikleo also has a healing spell. As long as you aren't taking everything on the chin, it's not hard to outdamage and outlast here.

All talk, aren't you.

Still haven't had enough yet?

Begone!

Ah!

Mason!

*finishes eating*

He... He ate Mason!

Is...Is this what hellions are capable of?

Or you wanna take us all on at once?

Hmph. I shouldn't be snacking anyway. Not when the main course is getting away.

Mason...

We can handle the rest.

Gramps. That fox-looking thing... Was that really a hellion? They can talk to us?

Yes. That's the form of a human who has become a hellion. Corrupted, essentially.

Humans can become hellions?

Now, it's time you went back home and rest.

We should. C'mon... Let's head back.

Right.

Beginning

What on earth did it come here to do? *thinks back*

How odd. I didn't expect to find anything but the main course here...

... *thinks back*

Not when the main course is getting away.

Wait a minute. Was it going after...her? *notices Alisha's dagger*

Sorry, everyone!

Okay!
??? Oh?

Why are you here?

Thought I'd let you duck out of here?

Well...

I'm going too.

Seriously?

*begins walking away* We can talk more while we travel. We don't have much time. But from what the fox man said, it's fair to assume he's after Alisha.

You picked up on that too, huh?

Of course. Now let's hurry.

*runs in front of him* Hey.

What? What's gotten into you all of a sudden?

I'm just really happy you came with me!

I couldn't let you navigate the world of humans alone. Not as guileless as you are.