Part 26: Waggling Eyebrows

Entry 24: Waggling Eyebrows

Mission accomplished, so back to the Needleworks.



Then you did know! A word of warning might have helped, you old lech!

It's been so long since I set about crafting vestal garb, I'd completely forgotten.

Knowing this guy, that's actually plausible.

I believe you were in a hurry? I'll begin straight away. All the haste in the world won't see it done before tomorrow. Make yourselves at home till then, hm?

And the party does. That night:



Agnès...?





Pretty sure Tiz's hat can be seen over the clothing rack. Luckily, Agnès and the sage are distracted. Let's listen in!



Sir, do you remember this pendant?



I've treasured it like a good luck charm since I was a child. Ever since the day you gave it to me.

Hmm, that brings me back. I remember it well, child. I'm pleased you've held on to it all this while.

It gives me strength. In dark times, I would pray to it...talk to it. And the stone would lend me courage.

Keep it close and keep it safe. Some day it may serve you better still.

......

And the other girl... The one who was with me when last I was here. Do you remember her?

Oh, Little Olivia.

Yes. She serves now as the vestal of water. Sir, have you heard anything of her? Is she safe? The world's oceans began to fester the same day the darkness took the Wind Crystal.

It's the Crystal of Water that sustains the seas. I fear... I fear the same fate has struck the Temple of Water. Or worse...

I need to know if Olivia is safe, but I haven't the means or the time to seek her out.



I see...

Tell me, child. Would you care to share what else is on your mind?

...... ...I'm uncertain.

Until a few days ago, I lived a hermit's existence. Sequestered in the temple, surrounded by acolytes... I knew nothing of the world outside. Know nothing of it still.

How can I be sure in the face of that ignorance? How can I know that the path I walk is the right one?

Hmmm... Recent years have seen the people's hearts and minds turn from the Crystal Orthodoxy. Its practices are all but forgotten.

Yet even still, they regard the crystals and the vestals who tend them with an innate reverence. Carry out your duty and keep faith, my child. Therein lies the path the vestals show to all humanity.



...I'm still so weak. Compared to the mother vestal, I lack in everything! I could not stop the dark from swallowing up the crystal. I cost those women their lives...

And all the world's people... Kings and commoners alike, their eyes bore into me. Whether in expectation or disappointment, the weight is crushing.



They...they frighten me. I am unfit to show them the way forward. I barely trust my legs to carry myself alone...

But they have. Despite the blame and fear, you've fought this far for the world, and its people. Your fight is a noble one. Just and right, and beyond any reproach.

But now the time has come to set others upon that path. Guide them to follow in your steps. Just as the vestals have ever drawn upon the crystals' light to illuminate the way forward for all mankind, so must you.

Words are powerful things, my child. The vestals' words doubly so. They are a force capable of driving man to action. Of sustaining him in times of need.

You've walked your path for humanity's sake. Your love of this world has been your fuel. Now let your words be theirs. Share your path with them. They'll decide for themselves whether to follow or not. The world will choose as it may.

But if you open your heart and point the way, you'll ignite a spark of hope within the hearts of countless men and women.

Hope...

You sound like Tiz.

Oh? Already begun lighting those sparks, have you? Ho ho ho!

You'll reach them, child. Speak, and your words will find a home.

Then I had best choose them wisely.



Tiz sneaks back to bed. The rest of the night passes peacefully.

The next morning:



Mmm, I knew it. You're every bit the wonder I imagined!

It really suits you, Agnès!

Whether it suits me or not is of little importance. These vestments are a tool, and their purpose strictly ritual.



Phew... A night's work feels like seven at my age.



I thank you for your sacrifice, Sage. Your efforts will see the winds return.

Oh? If you really cared to thank me, you'd plant a kiss on my cheek.

Augh, you're shameless!

Is that another tradition surrounding the creation of the vestal garb?

No! It's the sad fantasy of a lecherous little toad!



That's Unacceptable # 7, for anyone wondering.

Ho ho ho! I do love a girl with a firm touch. Come back any time you've need of me. I'll do all I'm able.



Thank you, sage.

Now, back to the temple!

But first, let's buy more from the foxy vendor.





More mythril from Eisenberg.



This is likely a reference to Tiger Mask, a manga from the 60s/70s, or one of the tons of Japanese wrestling stuff inspired by it since then.





...And more mythril. Eisenberg gear is all the rage.

After shopping, Ringabel pulls Tiz aside.



Huh? What is it?



Nothing at all. This is a matter between men, my dear.

Uh huh...



Last night, I chanced to awaken and notice you and Agnès were absent from your beds. What's more, you took your time coming back. Anything you'd care to confess, old chap?

Just what trouble does a stick-in-the-mud like you get up to?

Wha-- That's none of your business!

Oh, come on, out with it! All of it, every last sordid, juicy, scandalous morsel! Out!

...I woke up and saw she wasn't in her bed.

Yes? Yes!? Then what!?

I got out of bed to look for her.

Right, right. Sensible enough. Go on. Get to the good part!

I heard a sewing machine running, so I went to the sage's work space and found them talking.

What? Talk about a turn for the boring...

He listened to what was on her mind and offered her some advice.

I promised myself I'd do a better job of helping her, too.

Hmph. Yes. Alright. So, is that it, then?

That's it. What did you expect? We were only gone maybe fifteen minutes. And besides, why were you up?

Hm? Me? Er, you know...

Anyway, I nodded off after a few minutes of watching Edea sleep.

Yeah...



Ahem. Nothing at all, as I said! Eh, Tiz? Ha ha ha...

After saying goodbye to the sage, the party leaves.



Before returning to the Harena region, it's time to get in some battles to make up for me usually keeping the encounter rate at -100%.



Those bonuses are what you want to see for grinding. More exp, more JP, and the blue Sweeper bonus for more money, gotten by killing all enemies at once. At best, all three bonus types will be Hero.



Now we're prepared for whatever might happen.

At the foot of the temple, Tiz hesitates.



No, just... I was just thinking. About Norende, I mean.

What's the most efficient way to rebuild, do you think?

There is no bad time to talk about Norende.

Most efficient?

Right. Once we recruit people to help, how I do go about delegating work to them?

Hmm...

I haven't got a head for numbers.

Ah ha ha, me neither.

How about you, Ringabel?

Not much, I'm afraid. I don't even know how many girlfriends I have right now.

I've been beating my head against a wall thinking of who to date in what order...

Perhaps you're not hitting the wall hard enough. I'd be happy to help.

I suppose all we really need is simple division.

There are three buildings which each take three days to build. If I have three people to allot... Then assigning one person per building will take three days for all of them. Or, I put all three on one and build it in one day. That's still three days to build all three.

Wait, so there's no difference? Then why bother worrying about it?

It isn't the same, though. In the latter case, you have use of the first building after one day.

And the second after the second. It's a small difference, but a difference still. Assigning all three to each project earns the quickest gains, and may be most efficient.

Hey, you're right!

Agnès, showing off some smarts.

With that all-important issue solved, the party continues into the temple's crystal chamber.



I might be sick...

Wait. Something's here!



...! No... A monster's taken hold of the crystal!

Orthros!



Is it friendly?

Now what?

It stands between us and the crystal's awakening.

Then I don't suppose we've much choice!





Meet Orthros, the first serious boss of the game. It consists of two enemies, each head having separate HP and turn action.



The red head is weak to water and uses a multi-target flame breath attack.



The blue head is weak to fire and uses a multi-target ice breath attack.



Sometimes they'll combine the two into an even larger multi-target attack.

If you're lucky, they'll just do a single target bite that still hits for a ton.

Without a White Mage, damage mitigation is important. Part of the earlier job grinding included raising everyone's Black Mage job to level 4 for Abate Fire, decreasing the amount of fire damage they take.



After the blue head is taken out, the big stress of the battle is over.





Tiz doing what he does best: kill mercilessly.



Agnès stole a few battle items during the fight.





Final Fantasy bombs? Then shouldn't these descriptions read... Age of Fantasy?



Unlike the Dragon, Orthros is listed under the Bosses section in the Bestiary.



how long has that thing been inside the crystal?

The details can wait! First comes the Rite of Awakening!

I'll second that. I'm in no state to deal with any of that beast's friends right now.

Hurry, Agnès! You need to get ready!

Right!

Momentarily...



Then let's review how the rite works one last time.

I'm to focus my prayers on the crystal, yes?

Right. That will naturally align your breathing with the crystal's rhythm. Your life force will stir it awake. That will return the crystal to its normal state, but you mustn't stop there. Keep praying!

If you excite the crystal to just short of the breaking point then release that energy all at once, its effects will spread far and wide. There are a few important things to remember, though.

First, you're not to stop until I say! The flow of energy into the crystal could reverse. At its worst, that could be fatal.



I understand.

Last, everyone needs to keep their distance and stay absolutely silent. The rite places a huge burden on the vestal, physically and mentally. But even if she seems to be in pain, you can't come near her or the crystal. No matter what!

What do you mean, a huge burden? Is there any danger to Agnès?

There's nothing to worry about. I'll be right here watching to make sure of that!

Now, everyone but Agnès, step back!

All ready to begin?

...Ready.



So, here's the trick: during the Rite of Awakening, the player controls Agnès.

Pressing X sends a pulse of prayer to the crystal. It's not a rhythm game or anything -- just tap X...



...and the crystal reacts.



As the dark deposits break off,



the hum of the crystal increases.





Until eventually,





the Crystal of Wind returns.



Airy... Is it done!?

Not yet! Just a little longer!

Rgh...!

More! Keep going!



Keep tapping X.



Keep tapping X.



--

Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
Crafting New Vestments
Like the Vestals of Old
To Stoke the Winds to Life
Bringer of Doom
The Crystal of Wind

Party Chat:
Ringabel's Reconnaissance
Delegating Work in Norende