Part 43: Twilight Reunion

Entry 40: Twilight Reunion




The secret entrance to DeRosa's lab is now accessible, if for some god-knows reason you want to go back there. Hope some poor drunk doesn't stumble in and start playing with vials while we're gone.



Today's new Norende gift is either a bug or a jewel in the shape of a bug. I couldn't find any large-scale examples of insect worship in Japan, so if anyone has an idea, chime in. My guess is it's a reference to the scarab beetle, a type of dung beetle worshipped in ancient Egypt as a symbol of Khepri, a sun god or one of the manifestations of the sun god Ra. The connection is that Khepri rolls the sun across the sky, same as how dung beetles roll dung. Scarabs were a very popular image for jewelry and charms, often made in bright green, blue, and red colors.

Edit: According to Rigged Death Trap, this item actually likely refers to Chrysochroa fulgidissima, or Tamamushi, a beetle whose iridescent wings have traditionally been used for decoration in Japan. Sounds like a perfect match.



After that small detour destroying the Bloodrose Legion, we can finally go see Olivia and maybe do something about the whole crystals business.




Like the hidden village where we met Einheria, our next location is tucked against the mountains.



No wonder Olivia and her crew have been able to stay safe for so long. An extensive network of ruins block the only apparent path between the valley with the Crystalist village and the rest of Florem.



Edea hesitates when the party steps inside.



Is something wrong?

Do you remember the girl who won at the festival?

Sure. The little one, right?

I have no interest in little girls. There's nothing sexy about a twig that's yet to bud. I can't imagine how she won.

I don't think Edea was asking for all that...

I could swear I've seen her somewhere before. I just can't place where...

This answers a question some people had earlier.



Let's fight through hordes of monsters to find out! Either the crystalists have their own experienced fighters or there's an easier entrance Olivia's envoy forgot to tell us about.



This place is something we haven't had often: a puzzle dungeon.



Touch the switch, the doors light up with a color-matched symbol.



The open door closes and the closed door opens. Touching the switch again reverses the process. It's hard to see in the dim lighting, but you can make out the door symbols even when they aren't lit up.



The local monsters give us a chilly reception.



There are no enemies in the water temple, so sticking the water elemental on the way to the water vestal is the next best thing.



No, that's all right, once is enough.



The minotaur's an old classic I imagine most everyone knows by now. He's from Greek mythology, half-man half-bull, and the Labyrinth was constructed to contain him. This dungeon is pretty maze-like by this game's standards.



These guys cast as many status effects as they can.



Ultimate pro strategy to prevent them from using magic: kill them.



Bravely Default's fantasy age appears to mix mainly Greek and Japanese mythology, with a few scraps of Nordic myth for good measure.



First area map.



There are more twin door types further in. This one's pink/red symbol is like the midday sun.



A green crescent moon. To get all treasure and progress, each door set has to be manipulated at least once.



Down another floor...



Leads to this. Four switches within sight. This is a fun little dungeon someone designed.



A reward for figuring out the puzzle. So far as I've researched, birch is good for short bows, but not the best material. Yew seems to be considered the traditional best of the best, but it ultimately comes down to being a matter of bow type/humidity/opinion.



The fourth door symbol is... a water drop?



Complete map, with blue chest left behind. Someday... but not for a while.



Next floor has a hidden passage in the southwest corner.



"My family and supposed friends may loathe me, my health may fail, my businesses may go under, and I may leave a legacy of terrible decisions behind me, but damned if I don't have a ring with my seal on it! Hell yes, I'm great!"



Another four door set puzzle has this treasure tucked away. The Orthodoxy's head temple, huh?




Don't put a damper on things, Adventurer. This is going to be a nice reunion and everything's going to work out great.



Beyond the ruins is an area built into a cliffside, similar to (but not the same as) the other hidden village.

As the party approaches a group of Crystalists, Agnès breaks away from the others.



Ahh! Olivia!







And I am sorry. I've been on the run, hiding in one corner of Florem or the next.

Since the day the darkness took the crystals?

Darkness? You speak of what happened a few weeks ago? No, I've been a fugitive for longer. Years, now...

What? But I don't... Whatever for?

Florem maintains a show of stability and peace, but it's been home to harsh persecution. Crystalists are rounded up.

Any who struggle are killed... I nearly joined them more than once.

Persecution... At whose hands?

Any under the banner of the blood rose. The fields have run red since the day they appeared.

...The Bloodrose Legion.

We nipped that problem in the bud.



I, too, nearly died by the hands of the duchy. In Caldisla.

I feared as much. I know not the cause of the violent hate they bear us, but it exists.

......

But come. Seeing you again like this is a happy occasion. We've both survived. In truth, I had begun to doubt such a reunion would ever come to pass.

Have you had some cause to lose hope?



Are you certain!? Oh, this is terrible...





Awaken...? What does she mean? And what...what is she?

Don't eye me like I'm some kind of monster. I'm a cryst-fairy!

Olivia, we vestals are the only ones able to dispel the evil shadow spreading over the land.

And to do that -- to fill the great chasm -- all four crystals must be awakened.

I see. In my seclusion, I had no idea... You've fought so hard, Agnès. How my little crybaby friend has grown.



We can do this. I cannot hope to lead anyone by continuing to flee. Those believers who remain need comfort. Hope. And the world needs our aid.

I'm coming with you, Agnès.

Olivia... Thank you. I'll be tenfold braver with you at my side.

Then let us begin at the Temple of--



Oh, for--

Who...?





Could it be...we were followed!?

The witch... Victoria! I remember now... She sits upon the Council of Six. Leaders of the Eternian Forces!

What!?

You vestals have run quite out of hand at late. I shall see your running ends here!

Look out! Agnès!






Next time on Bravely Default: Where the Sadistic Floating Death Girl Obtained Military Leadership: We may be in over our heads.

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Main Scenario:
Olivia, Vestal of Water

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Anxiety