Part 8: West Voz Forest

Update 8: West Voz Forest






Music: Voz Forest


Welcome to West Voz Forest. I like the aesthetic of this place, but otherwise there's not a whole lot to say; it's got branching paths to treasure and a correct path to the Genesis Tree, and that's basically it. Still, let's see if I can't find a few highlights.







Nighto is a Seru we haven't encountered yet – in fact, it's the only new enemy in this entire place (I could have sworn there was another Seru here but I guess I was mistaken). They're pretty harmless but as floating enemies their Low immunity can get annoying.





I got Noa to learn it but never actually used it. I'll try to show it off with the other Seru when I get the other one, which should be in the next update or two.





Most of the side trails have these funky plant tunnels. There's no gameplay significance to them, I just think they're kinda neat.







It's worth exploring the side paths; mandatory, in fact, as we will need that Fertilizer in short order.







Who is the BEST?!?!


As I think I mentioned before, Noa's Frost Breath is pretty underwhelming compared to other things she can do (her other four slot Arts are as powerful and less expensive, or she could use a couple more for Tempest Break to devastate something). Oh well.





This prevents Curse, the magic sealing status effect. Quite handy to have on your main caster/healer. I slapped it on Vahn for now.





You guys don't know anything, do you? That's called Bridge Grass. It's tiny now, but it'll be big enough to span a gorge and strong enough to walk on! And no, it's not edible!

Oh. So we can't eat it. Oh, hey, I know! Vahn, Gala, we got Fertilizer from the treasure chest, right? Let's give it to the Bridge Grass! It might grow faster that way!

Hmm. I thought you were just a fool, but that's a good idea.

You're mean, Gala! Boo-hoo!


Hey, Noa. Push Gala into the river. You know you want to.







I wish my fertilizer worked this quickly on my...um...oh who am I kidding, I don't know the first thing about gardening.





And here we have a small but nonetheless appreciated attack boost for Noa.







I just wanted to give you a reminder that, while I'm not showing much combat here since there is only one new enemy, the fights are still there. I tried to get Nighto for Vahn but it just didn't happen.

And eventually...





This dead, rotting tree doesn't look like it has the power to drive away the Mist. But it doesn't matter to me. Vahn, hurry up and do whatever you came here to do.

There's something wrong! Vahn, there's something wrong with this Genesis Tree! This is different from Mt. Rikuroa's Genesis Tree! Terra, what's going on?

...We were too late. The poison of the Mist has killed this Genesis Tree.

The Genesis Tree is dead?! But I thought you and Meta could give life to the Genesis Tree!





I don't know why, but Gala's attitude here amuses me more than it annoys me.


Regrettably, this one is too far gone for us to help it.

No!

In other words, we came all the way out here for naught! There's nothing we can do now. Let's stop wasting time and get back to Biron Monastery.





Music: The Genesis Tree


Vahn! Something's glowing! Look! It's glowing!

That glow! That's the glow of a Ra-Seru Egg! It's a Ra-Seru Egg!

How fortunate! At least the Ra-Seru Egg still survives! Meta and I will combine our powers and call the Ra-Seru Egg to us.





And so now we have an egg. The game doesn't really suggest this, but the Ra-Seru Egg is an accessory – it decreases damage from Thunder attacks directed at the bearer. I gave it to Gala because he doesn't have any equipment at all and it's something that might prove useful for him.


West Voz Forest's Genesis Tree was dead...I wonder how Songi fared in East Voz Forest.


Suddenly a shockwave rattles the forest!







Music: Henchmen of the Mist


That sound and light came from Biron Monastery! Vahn, the Monastery may be in trouble. We must hurry back!





The game provides a Door of Light if you want to leave quickly. I chose to walk since I still had enough MP to get back in one piece and wanted Gala to get the extra EXP.





Music: Mist Covered Town


It's the Mist. Why is the Mist in the Monastery? What on earth happened? I'll go ahead and see what's going on.


Gala temporarily leaves the party, reducing our overall combat parameters by about 5%. Meanwhile, we'd better check for survivors. I wonder how Maya's doing?





Vahn! It's a Seru! A Seru monster!...Gasp! Oh no! Aaargh! Maya! It's Maya! She's turned into a Seru!





Noa, stop! If you rip it off her like that, she'll die!

Why? I don't understand!

Noa, listen carefully. You should never remove Seru from a human when the Mist is around. The Seru and human are one, so if you do that they'll die. There's only one way to free a human who's turned into a Seru monster. And that is to get rid of the Mist! You said there's a Genesis Tree in East Voz Forest, right?

Yeah...

If you want to help Maya, you have to awaken the Genesis Tree there.

Then Maya will turn back into a human?

Noa, I would never lie to you.

Maya, I promise. I promise to destroy the Mist!







To my daughter, Mei: Today Vahn came to Biron and told me about Juno. I was so shocked and I shed many tears. When I think of how lonely you must be, my heart breaks with grief. When you were still young, I left you and came to Biron. I left because of the Mist. Please forgive me for leaving you in Rim Elm. Vahn says I can return with him, but there is something that keeps me here at the Biron Monastery a little longer. Please forgive me. There are two orphans here, Songi and Gala. They are about your age, and they are like sons to me. My obligations here compel me to stay. You must think that I don't care for you, but that is not true. AI know that the people of the village are supporting you. Please forgive


Well, I guess we better get a move on to East Voz. But I'm not quite done here – other people must have survived, right? Let's check the kitchen.





I just heard what happened from Master Teacher. So the Genesis Tree of West Voz Forest was already dead. That's too bad. As you can see, things here are a mess. That Songi betrayed us! The monastery wall was destroyed with a great blast. Then came Songi and many Seru. The Mist came in and caught us off guard. There were so many Seru monsters. Songi had a Seru on his arm. That Seru may have been controlling him. We barely made it here alive. Such a pitiful story.

Zopu...What about Gala? Where is Gala?

When he heard that Songi had done this, he ran off in a rage. Maybe he went to look for monks who survived the attack...Or to track down Songi. There's nothing I can do now. Nothing. What a disgrace I am! Why did this have to happen now? After the Genesis Tree had given us such hope...

Don't cry! Don't cry, Zopu! Vahn, let's get rid of the Mist! Let's drive the Mist from Biron!





We can get a much-needed HP and MP refill here...





...and the shop is still open, so I can finally get that defense upgrade for Vahn. Still nothing for Gala, though. Now then, let's head out towards East Voz.





I checked the entire monastery. Everyone's either dead or changed into Seru. It can't be true! Songi did all this? How could he have done this! What was he thinking? I have to talk to Songi! I have to find out why he did this! But...





I knew it! I know that Songi is waiting for me in East Voz Forest. If the Genesis Tree is still alive, I'll revive it and free the monastery from the Mist! After traveling together, I know how strong you are now. Actually, to be honest, I'm not confident enough to go to East Voz Forest without you. I need your strength. Please! Will you take me with you?


...Weeeellllll...you're annoying and rude, but you just showed signs of character development that suggests you maybe will stop being those things, so I guess you could come along if you really want.





Yeah, see? Show more of that kind of attitude and you'll be just fine on Team Vahn.





And with that, it's time to head in the other direction to East Voz! What dangers await us there?...